The Secret Code Ring 4

THE END OF A SECRET BEGINNING


Somewhere in the upscale-restaurant and cafe-littered Apgujeong stands a swanky fine dining establishment that caters to the rich and famous, a place where reservation is a must, where accoutrements are thought of, where security is high and discretion is a priority; a favorite to those who favors good food, cozy ambiance and privacy. It is the foremost destination of stars who wants to dine and hang-out without being ogle by the public's prying eyes, so it isn't a wonder that on a night when even the moon was shrouded by the clouds, Jung Yunho and Hwangbo Hye Jung walked in hand in hand, both, stunningly beautiful on their casual chic ensemble and, both, visibly wearing their hearts on their sleeves. They were ushered in a table that is nestled inconspicuously at the far left of the restaurant giving them the best view of the city through one-sided glass panels.

"They could vie for the best-looking couple in the world, noh?"

"And you say that everytime they are here," another maitre d' teasingly chimed in.

"I can't wait for them to get married and have children, I bet their offspring will be perfect," she gush continuously without giving any hint that she heard her co-worker's words.

"Be careful fangirl, you might scare them away!"

As the two ambiguously talk and do their work, they noticed that the other patrons of the place were also discreetly taking glimpses and having conversations about the couple. Smiles abound that night, it could be from the sheer pleasure of seeing top stars or, more so, from them being seen together. One common denominator from the repartee of the restaurant's loyal clientele was their happiness and admiration of the pair.

"In a world where superficial stuff matters the most, I can't help but admire those two for sticking together these... how many years has it been since we first saw them here, ah yes, almost two, right?"

"It just goes to prove that love endures and protects all, ironic as it may sound."

"I envy those two but I really hope, from the wicked-pit of my heart, that their love story never ends," even an obsessive politician's wife was heard commenting.

The elites of the world might have gathered and gawked but none of it matters, as the two lovebirds stayed intimately seated with her head slightly angled to his side as if she already knew that he will whisper something dear. They basked in the freedom, or the fraction of it, in being able to go out and date like a normal couple, with her hand gently cradled in his, they watched people passed by in the city streets living their lives, pursuing their dreams.

They kept in silence for several minutes, no one was inclined to talk but both were conscious of the other, one may think that they are created at the same time and share the same parts as every time one acts, the other will sure to follow, it was like an invisible thread at work. To those who didn't dare to dwell deeper, the two were silent observers of the night, they wouldn't see the casual side glances, the daring smiles, his philandering hands, the teasing glides of her stiletto-clad foot on his lower leg, the two were playing their own little mind (and body) game and nobody seemed to notice.

They would have love to play a wee bit longer but as they did come to satisfy their palette, the arrival of their food was still a welcome interruption. Yunho got himself a Fillet Mignon Steak while his lady love ordered Lobster Bisque, they also enjoyed a few cucumber and olive appetizer and shared a plate of Endive Salad; the bunch were drowned with a 1990 Dom Perignon, which was specially chosen by the handsome star himself.

"Good food, better wine, best woman... this is the life of a king."

"I love the rankings," she laughingly agreed.

"So, are you ready?" he casually threw a generic inquiry.

"Ready? Hmm, is that a trick question?"

"What? Are we playing here Hwangbo-sshi?" he asked grinning. "Seriously, have you thought about it, what do you wanna do with the rumor, how do you want me to go about it?"

"Oh, am I the one to decide your fate then?"

"You've been holding not just my fate, but my whole life, in your hands, it has been so since the day my heart beats your name and yours alone. And you know how I feel about this entire secrecy deal, so I'll leave the final decision to you."

"Really? And here I am thinking that it is the purpose of our date," she naughtily remarked.

"HA, do we need a purpose to date now? Can't I just treat my girlfriend out just because I want to?" he asked feigning irritation. "Okay, what do you wanna discuss, do we have to weigh the pros and cons like some political party?"

"If I don't know you, I might think that you're really offended but because I already know every bit and details of this and this and this..." she happily retorted while pointing at his head, his chest and his sides tickling him in the process. "I guess it is inevitable..."

"Good point! And the longer we drag it, the harder it may become in the end," he butted in, withholding none of his feelings.

"You don't have to look so happy," she teased.

She was waiting for a witty response but she was stunned to have gotten a long and loud smack on the lips instead, "You just don't know how happy you made me."

She laughed at his obvious pleasure and the simplicity of it, he's beaming like he's gonna be a father or something; he laughed because he's full to the brim with happiness, finally the privilege to call her his with the world as his witness; they laughed together and just like that, the decision was made.

Jung Yunho's secret will soon be revealed.

********************

It was one of those rare times, when the two of them are free of any work and appointments, and they can just lounge and laze about in their pajamas all day. She had filming up till midnight, so he decided to be a doting boyfriend and cook her breakfast, to the best of his know how, that is.

"Hye Jung, I made pancakes and toast, bacon and eggs and squeeze some fresh orange juice, come out and eat."

"Chincha? Coming..." she boomed from inside their room.

They spent the night and plans to spend the rest of the day on their love nest. It is a lovely one-story house located in the more secluded part of Seoul, they seldom come to the place but when they have a day or two of rest, they made it a point to hang out together in the white-picketed hearth that they both love. As each have their own condo units under their name, random and little breaks from work

were while away on each others place, depending on where is more accessible or safe at a given time.

"Oh wow, you cooked all these? What time did you get up?"

He just answered with a smile.

"If the Cassies find out that I turned you into my personal chef, I'm surely headed to the guillotine," she playfully remarked.

"You and your weird thoughts, open up, aaaaah," he instructed as he guide a piece of buttered toast in her mouth.

"Yummy! My Yunnie is really the best," she cooed while showing him a two thumbs up sign.

He chuckled despite his efforts not to, she can be so cute without even trying and the adorable her doesn't seem to know what she's capable of doing. "What shall we watch today? We had an English movie marathon last time, so that is out of the running, and NO to Kang Dong Won movies and dramas too."

"As if you really watched those American films, as far as I remember, the DVD player is on but you were too busy to focus on it, when you're not dozing off, you're attention is on something entirely different."

He grinned, yes he wasn't really paying attention at what was playing most of the time, he was too busy getting her attention and showing her his love. "I was inspired by the love scenes... I actually thought of some revisions to make my last performance better," he said with a wink.

She flushed, he can still make her vivid red as if she suffers from high fever, though they had been together for more than a year. "Let's do Korean drama today, your assistant mentioned that the most recent records are already downloaded in your external hard drive."

"Okay! Shall we try Yoochun's Sungkyunkwan Scandal or Hyun Joong's Playful Kiss?"

"Both, let's watch an episode of each and then decide on which one is more interesting, agree?"

"Geurae!"

It has been weeks since the two of them reached a decision, but no further moves was acted upon. The rumor mill hasn't exactly stop, speculations abound, suspicions are a-plenty, the public's interest is literally peaked. But as the story involves another character, someone whom he dragged into the casting, he's making a conscious effort to have his affirmation in the matter. He needs to settle some scores and clear some debts before they can all move forward.

He knows that the man is more than busy that's why he was kind of adamant in making his move, he purposely waited for him to finished his drama filming and other related activities before he can ask for a meeting of sorts.

"When do you plan to meet him?"

"As soon as his schedule permits, I can always cancel mine to make way," he seriously answered.

"After you settle your schedules, can I then invite you both for dinner in my apartment?"

"Waeyo?"

"I'll cook some of your favorites, as well as a few of his, I've been wanting to sit and eat dinner with you guys."

"Do you really have to, we can just dine out," he inquired.

"You can and will always have the pleasure of eating the food that I cook but for Hyun Joong-sshi, this could be the last and I really want to do this small gesture for him. Please..."

"Arasso, I'll make it happen." He encircled his arm behind her waist and pulled her closer to him, she on the other hand, obliged and fit her body onto his.

Just like the sun's setting to give way to the moon and the stars' timid light, just like how a phoenix burn in flames so he can have a wonderful rebirth, their secret beginning is coming to an end, an end that is crucial to start another beautiful story.


NOTE: I just read it, it sucks but I don't have the stamina and the mind to edit or redo it, so just bear with it. Mianhe, this story looks better in my mind than when I put it into writing :(