The Innocent: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #3

Chapter 26: Despairing

Jung Sook hadn't noticed him. But he had followed her anyway. He wasn't about to cease being vigilant just because she'd pulled away from him. And broken his heart. Her safety was still his top priority.

So it was that Soo Ho witnessed her first encounter with Bo A's mother. He also beheld the little girl's embrace of Jung Sook. It warmed his heart. And reminded him of how perfect she'd felt in his own arms.

He frowned. Wondering if, the next time he met her, Jung Sook would melt against him as she had last night. Or if she would hold herself aloof once more.

––

Ban Ryu was waiting outside when Soo Ho left his father's house later that afternoon. He was headed to confront Jung Sook. At her school. He was hoping that she'd leave Bo A with her students for a few minutes to speak to him alone.

"Soo Ho? What happened last night?" his friend queried as they walked down the road together.

"I don't know." Soo Ho furrowed his brow in perplexity.

"Well, you surely know more than I do! Did you visit Jung Sook as you intended?"

Soo Ho nodded. "I did."

Ban Ryu waited for his usually garrulous friend to spill his secrets. But he waited in vain. So he finally prompted the unusually quiet man, "And?"

"She tried to brush me off again. But I followed her into her house."

Ban Ryu's eyebrows shot up to threaten an overhanging tree branch. "You did?" His dark eyes grew round, exposing their whites to a passing group of girls.

Soo Ho nodded. "I did. She was acting quite strange. Weeping. She..."

He stopped speaking. He didn't feel comfortable spilling Jung Sook's secrets. Not even to his best friend.

He took a moment to consider how to help Ban Ryu understand without betraying Jung Sook.

"She's been hurt. In the past. I think that's why she drew away from me. She was scared. But we talked through all of that." Soo Ho smiled suddenly. Then he admitted sheepishly, "She even let me kiss her."

Ban Ryu was amazed to see no pride filling his friend's face. Only a sweet tenderness.

"I thought we were on the same page." Soo Ho's face fell. "But then, she pulled away from me again." He shook his head. "I don't know why."

Ban Ryu crumpled his smooth brow as he investigated his friend's problem. "What was the last thing you talked about?"

"I told her that I want to marry her."

Amazement lit up Ban Ryu's stern face. "You did?"

Soo Ho bobbed his head.

"What did she say?"

"She questioned whether Appa would countenance such a match."

Ban Ryu suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked suspiciously, "And what did you say to that?"

"I asked her if she was as rich as she's rumored to be."

Thunderstruck, Ban Ryu gaped at his clueless friend. Then he shook his head. "Let me guess," he responded dryly. "That's when she shut you down."

Soo Ho glanced sharply at him. "How did you know that?"

"Because it's obvious."

"What is?"

"She now thinks you're a fortune hunter."

"What?" Soo Ho asked, incredulous. "But...how can that be? I'm not a fortune hunter," he scoffed at the very notion.

"You might not be. But it doesn't matter. What matters is what she thinks. And she clearly believes you're after her money."

A tremor passed over Soo Ho's face. "And just how exactly am I supposed to prove to her that I'm not?"

"I have no idea," Ban Ryu replied frankly. "But I don't think it's a good idea to interrupt her classes this afternoon."

"But I can't go visit her tonight! Our presence is required at the hwarang house."

Ban Ryu shrugged. "Maybe it's just as well. Give her some time to miss you before you face her again."

"You think?" Soo Ho's countenance was a study in bewilderment.

"I think it can't hurt to give her some space. And today is her first day caring for the little girl, right? She's bound to have her hands full."

Soo Ho sighed in disappointment. "But I want to see her," he groaned.

Ban Ryu smiled ruefully. "Sometimes we don't get our heart's desire."

Now it was his turn to sigh as he remembered Soo Yeon.

The two men turned despairing feet towards the road that would lead them to a tavern. They were in silent agreement. They were going to drown their sorrows. In one drink, at least.