September Peony (12 Months Series - Part 2)

Chapter 07

Joon Gi decides to finally go for that beach walk. The morning is cloudy and windy, Joon Gi wears a raincoat because he accepts the unpredictability of local weather. He walks carefully down the path leading to the beach rimmed with cliffs. He steps on the light sand and looks around. The sea is bright blue and the waves are washing the coast. Joon Gi takes a deep breath of the crystal clear air. He closes eyes for a minute when the sun peaks between the clouds and the rays tickle his face. He feels the salty and wet breeze in his hair, the tiny salt crystals are sticking to his face and hair. Joon Gi opens his eyes and makes few steps. The sand is cracking under his shoes. Joon Gi feels entirely calm. It's a strange feeling. It's first time after a long time he isn't stressed at all – because of family, friends, work, bills, traffic, grocery shopping, dating, responsibilities and dreams beyond his reach. His future is clear now. There is only one path he can walk now. Godiwa is his destiny. Joon Gi simply knows this. His heart is longing for her, his mind is obsessed with her, his soul is trapped in her eyes. Godiwa is strong and stubborn woman, she needs no man in her life. However Joon Gi is persistent and determined to win her heart. He has nothing to offer to her but his never-ending love. It might not be enough for Godiwa but Joon Gi has to at least try.
Joon Gi walks the beach, listens to the scream of seagulls and roaring of the sea. He is admiring the structures water created in the rocks. He walks around one of the cliffs and he stops at the spot. He holds his breath as he sees a woman standing on the beach. It's lady Godiwa. She looks different than yesterday. Her face is clear, no make-up, her honey gold hair are in a loose pony tail, flowing around her head in the wind. She is wearing loose dark grey sweater and black Capri pants. She is standing there bare feet, her ankles being washed by the waves. She is staring into distance with arms folded on her chest. Yesterday she appeared cold and distant, stubborn, queen and goddess beyond the reach for a mortal human being. Today she seems gentle and fragile, a lost girl day-dreaming about faraway places. Joon Gi feels the urge to sneak behind her and give her a back hug, whisper words of love into her ear, kiss her soft throat and never let her out of his embrace. He knows she would reject him, if he does it now. However he can't shake off the feeling he will reach that level sometime.
Joon Gi steps heavily forward to crush the sand loudly and give Godiwa a chance to spot him in advance. She hears the noise and looks at him over her shoulder. Joon Gi tilts his head to the side and smiles. "Good morning, lady Godiwa." He greets her and stops in two metres distance from her. It's enough for her not to feel intimidated, thinks Joon Gi.
Godiwa puts her arms off the chest and puts her hands into pockets of her pants. She looks at him. Joon Gi notices large bags under her eyes. The whites are pink and he can notice a wet trace on her face in the sunshine. Lady Godiwa cried! Joon Gi has to use all his self-control not to embrace her. "Good morning, Mr. Lee. What brings you here?" Asks Godiwa with low broken voice.
Joon Gi notices how her lips trembled a little bit when she spoke. She is holding the tears back and losing the battle. "I just needed a breather." Says Joon Gi and makes one more step to her.
Godiwa instinctively steps back from him. "It's early. I would expect you to be sleeping now." Says Godiwa and pulls hands out of pockets. She embraces herself and stares at her bare feet.
She has to be cold, thinks Joon Gi. The breeze is sharp and her feet has to be ice cold from the water. "I can't sleep long here. I have no reason to dwell in dreams any more." Says Joon Gi and watches her. There is a slight twitch of her shoulders.
Godiwa smirks quietly. "You won't trick me into this discussion."
"I'm not trying to trick you, Godiwa."
"Lady Godiwa."
"Do you insist on formalities?"
"Yes, I do, Mr. Lee. It's better if we keep it on professional level..."
"Better for whom?"
Godiwa lifts up her head and looks into his eyes. "For both of us." She whispers. "You have no idea..." Her voice breaks and vanishes.
Joon Gi makes another step to her. This time she stays still. Joon Gi reaches her hand and grabs her fingers. They are ice cold. "Godiwa..."
She pulls her fingers out of his hand quickly. "Don't do this. You must stay away from me!" She whispers and steps backwards.
"Not, until you talk to me."
"We have nothing to discuss."
"Yes we do. I don't care about those dreams... If they were dreams... I don't want to waste the time with this magic nonsense. However, I have to talk to you."
"No, you don't!"
Joon Gi sighs. "I know you are used to command everyone but you can't tell me what I need or not. Can we agree on this?"
"No."
Joon Gi squints and clutches his teeth. Godiwa is very stubborn. She obviously decided to close herself in front of him. It's time to change the tactic. "Do you know where I could borrow a horse for riding?" He asks and starts slowly walking down the beach again. He asked a question so she has to follow him to answer it.
Godiwa is confused for a moment, then she follows Joon Gi. "Why would you want to borrow a horse?"
"I would like to go for a ride after lunch. You see, in Seoul I don't have much time to do so and I miss the horse rides."
"You can ride?" Asks Godiwa as they walk side by side.
Joon Gi can't avoid a proud smile. She obviously sees this topic as a safe ground. "I don't want to boast but I'm quite good at it. Obviously I can't match you, lady Godiwa. However I find the view from horseback amazing."
Godiwa watches the sand and they walk in silence for a while. She is thinking hard about something, that is apparent. After few minutes Godiwa finally speaks. "If you enjoy horse rides... You can borrow horse in Wisteria Manor. For free, of course."
She doesn't look at him. If she did, she would see Joon Gi's eyes sparkling and him fighting a proud and happy smile. "That's very generous of you, your Ladyship. I appreciate that."
"I know you are mad at me but you don't have to mock me." Says Godiwa quietly.
"I'm not mocking you."
"The way you say 'your Ladyship'... You despise me."
Joon Gi stops and takes Godiwa quickly by the hand. He twirls her a little bit and makes her to face him. "Godiwa!" Joon Gi is holding her by her wrist and he places the other hand on her shoulder. He can see Godiwa's pupils widening up and her breath getting quicker. "I would never mock you. How can you say such thing? Can't you see how much I admire you?"
"Don't say it! Don't you dare continue with this nonsense." Godiwa frowns. "Why do you do this to me? How dare you?"
"Godiwa..."
"No!" Godiwa shakes his hands off and steps back from him. She covers her ears and shakes her head. "I won't listen to you! You would become my weak spot! You don't mean it. No man means it. You are lying and deceiving me. You try to put me down. There is nothing about you! Nothing! You are nobody! You mean nothing to me! Less than nothing -" Joon Gi grabs Godiwa’s wrists and pulls her hands off her ears. Godiwa stares into his eyes. "Don't torture me, Joon Gi!" She whispers with broken voice and her eyes get wet with tears. "I can't bare it."
"My love, there is nothing, you should bare. Can't you see I expect nothing from you? All I want is a chance to spend some time by your side."
"You can't! You don't know me..."
"I want to get to know you. Just let me..."
"I can't afford to get attached to someone..."
"Why not?"
"Because... What if I get betrayed?"
"Not by me. Trust me."
"That's even worse... You already made me care for you... You are my weakness. You make me vulnerable."
Joon Gi let her wrists go and he puts his hands on the sides of her throat and face. He thinks he knows, what is troubling her. "So let me guard you! Godiwa... You are not the only one vulnerable here. I see your face everywhere I look. Whenever we meet, I can't think, I can't breathe. You captivated me, enslaved me, you are the only one I need. I know it sounds cheap. I know I have nothing to offer. I know you are out of my league. I don't expect you to fall in love with me at first sight, that would be foolish. All I ask of you is a chance to explore the possibilities. I can't promise the happy ending but I don't want to let this chance pass. I dreamed of you for so long, Godiwa! I can't love anyone else. Please, don't push me away! Please don't crush my heart with your cold eyes! I already know so much about you – both the good and bad. My feelings are not shallow. Don't be afraid, Godiwa. I won't deceive you!"
Godiwa is gazing in his eyes rapidly blinking to chase away the tears. She is breathing heavily. Joon Gi is stroking her cheek bones with his thumbs. Her skin is so cold. The clouds covered the sky and the wind became colder. Suddenly Godiwa starts shaking and her teeth chatter. "Godiwa! Are you okay?" Joon Gi panics.
"I'm fine, I'm just c-c-cold! Fr-fr-freezing!" Stammers Godiwa.
Joon Gi quickly reaches the zip on his rain coat and slides it down. Before he can take it off to give it to her, Godiwa quickly hugs him, embracing his torso with her arms under the rain coat. He can feel the ice cold fingers sinking into his sweater, seeking for the warmth of his body. Godiwa presses herself against him tightly and lays her head on his shoulder. Joon Gi starts rubbing her back with his palms to warm her up. Suddenly Godiwa stands on his shoes. Joon Gi wobbles a little bit because it's affecting his balance. "What are you doing?" He laughs shortly.
"My feet are freezing!" Mumbles Godiwa and tries to bury her face in Joon Gi's neck. He can feel her cold nose. She is shamelessly cuddling with him! Joon Gi can't help feeling a little bit too excited. "Where are your shoes?"
"I didn't take them with me." Says Godiwa and Joon Gi feels her whole body against his.
Joon Gi looks around and spots a rock nearby. "Sit there, Godiwa!" He says and starts walking towards the rock. Godiwa has no other chance than leave his warm body and she whines with discomfort. She scuttles to the rock. Joon Gi makes her sit on the cold rock and he reaches to her feet. They are as cold as an ice. Joon Gi takes the foot in his warm hands and rubs it to warm it up. Godiwa suddenly shakes again and there is a strange sound coming out of her throat. She is twitching and trying to rip her foot of his hands. "What are you doing?"
"It tickles!" Shouts Godiwa.
Joon Gi realizes that the weird sound is Godiwa chuckling. It sounds more like the sound the swans make. After experiencing just the gentle and cute giggling of Korean women, this ear hurting noise is... Actually it's funny. Joon Gi realizes, he's laughing with her. Godiwa is wiggling and laughing.
"I'm cold! I'm so cold!" She chuckles and stretches her arms to Joon Gi.
He let her foot go and steps to her. Godiwa immediately hugs him again, burying her face into his sweater. She bends her legs and puts her feet between Joon Gi's thighs to keep them warm. Joon Gi never found himself in such a ridiculous and arousing situation before. "You have no idea what you do to me!" Chuckles Joon Gi as Godiwa is moving her toes in between his legs.
"I'm more considered about the fact that I have no idea how to warm myself up." Replies Godiwa.
Joon Gi is embracing her tightly. She apparently doesn't hear the invitation in her claim. "We should get you back home, my lady." Says Joon Gi. She is too cold, it's not a fun any more. He steps back from her. "You can't touch the ground with these two icicles. I'll carry you." Joon Gi turns around and bends his knees. "Come on, princess! Jump on my back."
"Have you gone insane?" Laughs Godiwa.
"No. Come on. Don't worry." Assures her Joon Gi.
Godiwa is still giggling but she climbs on Joon Gi's back and puts her arms around his neck. "You are a fool!" She whispers into his ear.
"I probably am. How far is your house from here?"
"You should have asked before taking me on your back!" Laughs Godiwa.
"Is it that far?!" Freaks Joon Gi out.
"No. There is a shortcut. Go around that rock and then there is a path. It goes like 500 metres and ends at the old garden gate by Wisteria Manor. But it's little bit up hill. Just to warn you."
"Half of the kilometre isn't a shortcut." Sighs Joon Gi. He is walking around a rock.
"You can always drop me on the ground. I can walk, really. I'm not injured or something."
"I would rather die of exhaustion than letting your freezing feet touch the dirty ground."
"I'll make sure to put it on your tomb stone."
"Thank you."
Godiwa gets silent for few minutes and then she speaks again. "Joon Gi?"
"Yes?"
"Those things you said... About your feelings..."
"I meant it. Every word. I might be an actor but I'm no liar, my lady."
"We are too different..."
"I guess we are... You are a woman, I'm a man. Quite a huge difference."
"I didn't mean that." Giggles Godiwa. "I meant... We come from two different worlds."
"Really? And which planet exactly are you from? Because you do look like a regular human."
"Joon Gi!"
"You are physically unable to enjoy the moment, aren't you? You always seek for troubles."
"I have to predict risks and be prepared to deal with problems, that's my job."
"I thought you are a politician. Your job is to talk and beat around the bush for hours in front of a bunch of old balding men in suits just to achieve something essential like a lower speed limit in a housing area."
Godiwa laughs. "You are terrible! That's not all I do!"
"Okay... You also open up hospitals and appear in my dreams a lot."
"Those weren't dreams, Joon Gi."
"Those day dreams were just my fantasies."
"Day dreams? How should I understand that?"
"Well... At night you could act all appropriate and friendly but you had no influence on my waken up fantasies I had about you."
"You are just trying to embarrass me."
"I'm trying to keep myself motivated to carry you the whole 'shortcut' way." Replies Joon Gi heavily breathing.
"Is there anything I can do to make it easier for you?" Asks Godiwa all innocent.
Joon Gi cringes. He has like hundreds of ideas about what she could do for him. However it's not the right time neither place. "You can promise me to take shoes with you next time."
Godiwa leans to his ear and places her chin on his shoulder. "But if I take my shoes with me, you will never give me a piggy ride again."
Joon Gi nearly stumbles. "Godiwa!" He whispers. "I nearly fell down!" They arrive to a small iron garden gate.
"Put me down, please." Says Godiwa and Joon Gi obeys. "It wouldn't look good if you go there with me... We should split here."
Joon Gi steps really close to her. Godiwa holds her breath but she doesn't move. "Do you think it's too soon to kiss you, Godiwa?" Asks Joon Gi and he leans his forehead against hers. He hears her nervous and quick breathing. He strokes one of her arm from shoulder down to her hand. It's clutched in a fist. "I guess it is." Decides Joon Gi, but he doesn't move away from her. "Let's go for a horse ride together, Godiwa. Tomorrow. Set the time."
Godiwa takes a deep breath. "I go riding early in the morning every day. At 6 am."
"That's pretty early." Smiles Joon Gi. "I'll be there." Joon Gi sighs and steps back from Godiwa. He reaches the gate and opens it for her. Godiwa is still a bit nervous and walks slowly into the garden. "Have a nice day, lady Godiwa." Wishes her Joon Gi.
Godiwa looks into his eyes. Her cheeks are slightly blushing. "Friends call me Gee." She spits out and then turns around and runs away like a school girl after stealing her first kiss.
Joon Gi can't avoid a wide smile. He watches her running into the house and closes the gate. "Gee, Gee, Gee," mumbles Joon Gi with a spring in his feet as he walks back to his hotel.