The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 2: Leather Pants is My Classmate!

After talking to her father, Gyuri walked towards the pathway where she had met an old man minutes ago. Surprisingly, she noticed that the usually locked arched gate was open today. Isn't it a prohibited zone?

That moment, Gyuri heard a muffled sound. Clutching her bag, Gyuri curiously peeked inside the garden entrance. The beauty of the hidden secret garden pulled her in, but just then she saw the same old man sliding off the stone bench ahead of her.

Shocked, Gyuri ran towards the man. Apparently, he wasn't feeling well because he clutched his left arm and breathed in a strained manner. “Are you alright?” Gyuri asked panicking a little. Instinctively Gyuri turned and yelled for her father, “Abeoji, help!”

Seconds later Hyun Woo appeared, Gyuri pulling her brows together asked in high pitched voice, “What do we do now Abeoji. Should I call an ambulance?” She felt her pants pocket for her mobile phone.

The old man whispered hoarsely, “Medi...cine.” He barely managed to raise his finger towards a bottle lying a foot or so away from them.

Gyuri lunged for the bottle while Hyun Woo supported the man to lean on the stone bench legs. Quickly Gyuri opened the bottle and gave one tablet to the man which he put in his mouth and then closed his eyes.

“Oh, is he okay?” asked Gyuri slightly rubbing his left arm.

“Give him a moment dear. I'll just call his personal guards that I've seen lurking around,” Hyun Woo left with a worried expression.

“Guards? Who is he? How come he's in the prohibited area?” asked Gyuri all at once to the retreating figure of her father. He didn't have the time to reply though.

A couple of lengthy minutes passed, Gyuri continued to sit next to the sickly old man holding his fragile wrinkly hand. Then he slightly coughed and opened his moist eyes slowly. Exhaling a little heavily he said, “I am alright now child.”

“Can you get up?”

“Yes, pass my stick will ya?”

“Yes,” mumbled Gyuri and helped him to get up. He heavily sat on the stone bench.

“What's your name child?”

“Gyuri Kim.”

In seconds Hyun Woo appeared again followed by the three men in black and white suit. “And here they come,” harrumphed the old man.

“Chairman,” the probable leader of the guards said seriously. “The team is bringing the car from the back gate of the campus, its a small walk from here. But Chairman Lee would you like me to call for an ambulance?” Chairman Lee sounded familiar to Gyuri; she had heard that name somewhere.

“No need, I am better now,” the Chairman responded gruffly. He then turned his attention to Gyuri and her father, “If I am not wrong you are the gardener here?”

Hyun Woo nodded proudly and said, “Yes Chairman and this is my daughter Gyuri, a first-year student in this University.”

“I must thank you two today, especially Gyuri for saving my life.” The old man eyed the girl with genuine appreciation. “Today the Chairman of Korain University owes his life to you two.” Now that splashed Gyuri's blurred brain with some answers.

Just then a guard briskly looked at his phone and informed, “Chairman the car is ready.”

“Alright I'll leave now but I'll catch up with you two later,” announced the Chairman before walking slowly away. His guards clearly stuck closer to him now.

                                                            _________________________

The following day, Tae-won Lee, drove his limited-edition range motorbike in a mad rage to Korain University. Chairman Lee, his grandfather had ordered him to investigate the murder of a first-year student. And the first thing that his super talented brain came up with was to go undercover. Now he was in a mission, though he didn't like to be ordered around.

Dressed in black leather jacket and pants, Tae-won marched to the Chancellor's office.

The secretary blocked his way, “Do you have an appointment to meet the Chancellor?” She eyed his dressing in disgust.

Tae-won removed his designer sunglasses then and glared at the woman. Who the hell was she to stop him, the heir of Korain Enterprises? Alas if he had to go undercover then he couldn't reveal his identity to anyone except the Chancellor. Tae-won cleared his throat and said, “Tell him a new student sent by Chairman Lee wants to see him.”

The secretary relented, “Okay I'll inform the Chancellor. Just wait here.” She pointed at the leather sofa. She came back and said, “The Chancellor is having his break now, he'll see you in fifteen minutes.”

What the ...! Tae-won was furious now. Things were slow and not working out the way he wanted. And he disliked laziness and lack of integrity the most. He walked towards the Chancellor's door, the secretary rushed to block his way, “Wait! You can't...”

Tae-won growled menacingly, “Move out of my way unless you want the Chancellor to lose his job.”

The secretary let go of the door handle and stepped out of Tae-won’s way. When Tae-won entered the office without knocking, the Chancellor abruptly flipped a magazine that he was reading. Tae-won saw pictures of Korean models in bikinis staring back at him. His mouth thinned in disgust.

“Who the hell are you? How come you entered my office? Secretary!” shouted the Chancellor. He seemed like a cunning old fox in his fifties.

“Shout for the secretary if you want the whole campus to know that the Chancellor sits in his office and looks at nude model pictures,” Tae-won advised in a deadly calm voice as he locked the door behind him.

The Chancellor gulped and eyed him suspiciously, “What do you want?”

“What is the progress report of the Internal Investigation Committee for Hayoon's murder case?” asked Tae-won getting into the business mode.

“Excuse me, who are you? I can't give classified information to anyone who walks into my office,” reasoned the Chancellor.

Seriously Tae-won felt like laughing out loud instead just smiled at the man's stupidity. “You are obliged to give information to the future CEO and the only heir of Korain Enterprises, Tae-won Lee.”

Shocked the Chancellor clasped both his hands in a traditional greeting, “Doctor Lee, please forgive me. I am getting old and didn't realize it was you.”

Good at least he knew about Tae-won’s educational background, that he had accomplished a PhD at such a young age. “Cut the crap and give me the report,” demanded Tae-won impatiently.

The Chancellor gulped and smiled tightly before responding, “Surely the police is doing its part. I haven't set up a committee yet.”

“What? It has been three days since the news of Hayoon's murder smashed the TV channels TRP and you are telling me that Korain University has taken no action yet. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't fire you Dr. Kyung-mo Park?”

The man started shaking with fear of losing his job, and answered quickly, “We've a police liaison officer assigned to our campus, Eun-mi Chin, she would've already started the internal investigation. I can ask her to come here now.” Kyung-mo quickly took his mobile phone out of suit pocket.

Tae-won signaled him to stop, “Wait, no one can know that I am at the campus. In fact, I want you to do something for me.” Tae-won's gaze was full of mystery and the Chancellor didn't dare to question him.

After an hour of discussion with the Chancellor, Tae-won, walked out with a satisfied grin. All was set, he would only need to start putting his plan into action. Starting from tomorrow, he'll go undercover.

Lost in his own upcoming plans, Tae-won bumped onto a man carrying a huge pot plant across the corridor. The pot smashed scattering garden soil and the man tripped on it. Tae-won quickly grabbed his arm to support him and asked, “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No,” the man smiled slightly and brushed off the dirt off his clothes. “Just a pity the effort has gone to waste.”

“I am sorry Ahjussi. I'll pay for it...”

A young girl in denim pants and pink T-shirt cut in harshly, “Do you think paying for it will solve all the problem?”

“Gyuri!” the man interrupted, he then looked at Tae-won and said in a humble tone, “It's alright, I'll take care of this.”

Nodding Tae-won took his leave. Anyways he didn't have time for all this when Grandfather was waiting for him at home, wanting to know his plan. He made a mental note to tell his secretary to ensure that the damages were being paid by him instead of the man who was possibly a gardener at Korain University.

Alas! The girl with long wavy hair and pink top, ran after him. She caught up with him at the empty pathway beside the administration building where his motorbike was parked.

“Hey you, leather pants! Go back and apologize to the gardener,” she ordered with her hands on her hips, her rosy cheeks flushed with all the running. Ignoring her, Tae-won picked his helmet. He didn't have time for the girl's nagging. She came closer to him and flicked her fingers under his nose and said, “Hey you, I am talking to you.”

Tae-won deliberately avoided her eyes and was about to put on his helmet when she grabbed it from his hands. This time Tae-won eyed the girl properly, her dark big eyes in her cute heart shaped face got his attention. He replied dryly, “I've already apologized to the Ahjussi. Now can I have my helmet back?” He lunged for it, but the devil of the girl held the helmet further from him. She was tiny, as her heard barely reached his chin and he could easily take his gear from her.

“Saying sorry is not enough, you should help him clean the mess you've created,” she ordered.

“And why would I take orders from you?” Tae-won openly challenged her this time. The nerve of this tiny student to order the heir of Korain Enterprises to clean the corridor. He owned this place and paid people to clean it up.

“You!” she almost screamed. Then she wickedly eyed his glossy black designer helmet and growled menacingly, “Let's see then how you feel when something of yours is trashed by another person.”

She was about to chuck the helmet on the rocky edges of a nearby garden when Tae-won caught her wrist. But next second, she almost punched him with her other fist. Right on time, Tae-won caught her other heavy fist, saving his handsome face from bruising. “You wild cat!”

She dropped his helmet and Tae-won let go off her hand to catch it before it crashed on the rocks. It was his designer favorite helmet. Unfortunately, she was fast, a front kick landed on Tae-won's tight abdomen making him double in pain. “Awww.”

“Sorry,” she smiled sweetly and asked sarcastically, “Isn't my apology enough?” Her tsk irked him and now he was hell bent to teach the minx a lesson.

Placing his helmet on his motorbike seat, Tae-won lunged at her. She evaded and attacked wildly like a professional martial artist, but Tae-won was the master of it. He quickly out maneuvered her by restraining both her hands and plastering her face gently on the wall.

“Let go,” she snarled like a tigress.

Amused Tae-won continued to restrain her hands, and murmured in her ears, “Next time don’t just attack any stranger without knowing about their skills.”

“I wouldn't have attacked if you would've taken responsibility for your actions.”

“Why do you have to take it personally. Anyways don't mess with me next time. And remember not every male will yield to your demands. You could've been in a more pitiful state.” He let go of her, swiftly got on his motorbike, and put on his helmet. Her eyes cast daggers at him, as she massaged her arm annoyingly. Without sparing her a second glance, Tae-won drove his motorbike away.

                                                                        ______________________ 

The next day, Gyuri was stunned at the change of events. First, during her early morning English lecture that happened every day in the same room with the same set of twenty students, had an unexpected addition to the class. The lecturer, Ms. Mong, introduced a new male student named Tae-won Kwon to the whole class.

“Oh my God! He's the same bully,” murmured Gyuri to herself. The girls in the classroom eyed him as if he was a jar of some creamy chocolaty treat. Oh, he was handsome with a masculine physique, no doubts about it but the smitten girls didn't know that he was also a douchebag. A scum who bullied elderly man and girls. He did that to her dear Abeoji and her. She swore that was going to make him pay for his rudeness the day before.

Lost in her revenge plan, Gyuri jerked out of her world when the lecturer called out her name, “Gyuri!”

“Yes, Ms. Mong,” Gyuri straightened her back.

“Tae-won will be sitting next to you, hope it's alright with you.”

Oh no! Gyuri almost yelled but clammed her mouth in time. “Yes,” she replied softly though. She didn't want some rich spoilt brat sitting next to her. Grinding her teeth, Gyuri lowered her head down, cussing her luck when she heard some slight murmurs across the room. Curiously, she lifted her head to find girls generally shooting invisible arrows coated with thick layers of jealousy at her.

That tall handsome brat walked to the end of the classroom as if he owned the damn place. A whiff of addictive cinnamon cologne teased her senses way before he claimed the seat next to her. Gyuri kept her head lowered but eyed him in disgust. Her lips twisted; brows aligned angrily as she showed him her fist under the desk. Her unladylike silent actions immediately declared war on Tae-won Kwon.

Annoyingly he lifted one eyebrow and accepted her silent challenge with a smile. Hidden from the lecturer’s gaze an instant ‘scissors, paper, rock' challenge begun.

Gyuri gestured a ‘rock' he did the same. In the second round, both did ‘paper’. However, on the third round Tae-won gestured ‘scissors’ whereas Gyuri did a ‘rock'. Yay Gyuri won, smiling she aggressively showed him her fist. Interestingly Tae-won didn't meet her eyes, instead shrunk a little on his chair. Yes! Serves the brat right! He should fear her, mused Gyuri fanning her boosted pride now.

                                                                                   _______________________  

At mid-morning, Gyuri and Jimin changed into their Physical Education uniforms and made their way to the Sports Auditorium where her first-year class usually gathered for lessons.

“Oh, why is PE a compulsory subject for first years? I hate it,” declared Jimin straightening her glasses and then her black shorts.

“I wish I was better at it,” said Gyuri taking a sip of water from her bottle.

Before the coach appeared, first year’s class one, lined up like a platoon. Tae-won was also part of this group and the girls along with Bong was happy to drool over his biceps and triceps evident arms. Gosh he was well chiseled compared to most of his other male classmates. If she was to ignore the arrogant Sung-Ho, then Tae-won simply stood out.

“You know Tae-won is a third-generation rich kid. Kwon Textiles is his family business. He's 20yrs old, date of birth is 27th of July 2000, zodiac sign is Leo and he's a dropout student from an Australian University. Interestingly his majors are same as yours; Accounting and Information Technology which means he'll be in all your classes,” Jimin reported as she stretched her arm muscles, yet her eyes never left Tae-won.

“Surprisingly, you checked his profile,” Gyuri smiled meekly at Jimin.

“Well new students don't join a University in the middle of a semester,” reasoned Jimin without returning Gyuri's smile.

Gyuri realized that Jimin was correct, students generally joined a University at the beginning of a semester. “Not unless he's got contacts in the Korain University,” said Gyuri dryly.

At sharp 11am, police liaison officer, Ms. Hei-Ran Jeong accompanied by a young bloke walked into the Sports Auditorium. After greeting everyone she introduced the tall handsome physically fit man as the new PE coach.

The man gave his hundred megawatts smile before speaking, “Hello everyone, I am Ji-hu Kim, a replacement coach for the remaining of this semester because your PE teacher is on special leave.”

Hei-Ran smiled at Ji-hu and added, “Due to the unexpected events in the past days, Korain University has decided to make it compulsory for all the first year students to undergo self-defense training during the PE classes.”

Most of the students groaned simultaneously as Lucy shouted, “Do we have to?”

“Will it be fun?” asked Bong eyeing Ji-hu from top to bottom. Annoyed apparently, Lucy rolled her eyes at Bong.

“My dad will hear about this,” threatened Mun-Hee with a loud grunt of disbelief. Her two supporters and partners in crime; Goo and Hae mirrored Mun-Hee’s sound of dissatisfaction.

“I don’t want to do self-defense, it is tough,” squeaked Eun Ae, a petite quiet girl in the class. In fact, she only spoke when necessary. Gyuri always felt that she was a girl in her own world, quiet and the mysterious type.

Won-Ho surprised everyone when he said, “Come on guys, it is for our own benefit.” Lucy rolled her eyes again while Jimin glared at Won-Ho.

“What if we already take self-defense classes?” reasoned Gyuri. She just felt it was a waste of her money if she was learning the same things in and outside University. Gosh the one from Korain University was pricier.

Tae-won responded eyeing her deliberately, “I suggest with your level of self-defense skills, it’s better to double up your efforts.”

“You...” Gyuri bit her lips as she clearly remembered how the jerk had smoothly defended all her attacks. He was teasing her now; she could see his shiny eyes and the way his one eyebrow lifted in amusement.

“Okay no arguments now because there's no way out of it, let’s get started with warmups first. All of you, make two rounds of this court now,” ordered Ji-hu in his military commander like voice.

Soon people ran past Bong, Eun-Ae, Jimin and Gyuri. Much to Gyuri's displeasure, one masculine tall guy bumped onto Gyuri’s shoulder and sneered before running past her. If Gyuri wanted she could've competed with Tae-won, but she didn't want to leave her struggling friend, Jimin behind.

Huffing and puffing, Gyuri with her gang finally reached the end of her two rounds. Somehow it seemed others were bored and doing some stretching exercises while waiting for the last lot to arrive.

Coach Ji-hu jogged up to them and said in a soft voice, “This is probably a wakeup call for all four of you to start doing some cardio exercises.” He turned his back on them and asked everyone else to make a circle. “Today I'll teach you two basic self-defense moves. Ms. Hei-ran Jeong, can you come over here for a demonstration please.” The two showed some basic moves, easy enough to follow thought Gyuri.

Soon they were asked to practice the moves with partners. Gyuri and Jimin struggled, as they pulled shirts and threw unfocused kicks in the air. Well Gyuri wasn't so bad but Jimin was poor at self-defense so Gyuri just played along with her friend. Interestingly several others also needed a lot of practice except for a few chiseled good-looking hunks. Oh, her luck, cussed Gyuri. Why did Tae-won have to be good at self-defense?

Her luck skyrocketed when Coach Ji-hu guided Jimin and her. After what felt like long strenuous hours of perfecting their basic moves, Coach Ji-hu announced that students were to pair up for a spar.

Since there was no match for Tae-won, Coach Ji-hu had a go with him. What started as a spar amongst teacher and a student, soon turned into a serious test match, both wanting to prove to the other that he was the best.

                                                                        ______________________  

After minutes of counter attacking each other’s moves, Tae-won realized his mistake. Oh, how could he forget that he was a student here and students didn't challenge their teachers in Korea.

Keeping an eye on his opponent, Tae-won relented enough for Ji-hu to throw few kicks on his thigh. Ji-hu stopped when Hei-ran tapped his shoulder, taking the cue Tae-won quickly bowed to his Coach and said, “Forgive me Coach, I'm no match to you.”

“You fought well ah...”

“My name is Tae-won Kwon.”

Coach Ji-hu clapped Tae-won's shoulder and announced to everyone, “Since Tae-won has above par skills in martial arts, he’ll be your other ‘go to person’ for help during self-defense classes.”

Just who is this Coach Ji-hu and how come he's at Korain University? Tae-won had gaged by now that he was no ordinary PE coach. Obviously, he was a trained martial artist and great at it too. As if Ji-hu did this daily... Tae-won decided to ask Chancellor Park as soon as he was off this PE class.

                                                                            _______________________

As soon as Coach Ji-hu announced the class was over, Jimin looked at her wristwatch and said hastily, “I need to go now.” Within seconds she was out of sight. Gyuri smiled at her friend's retreating figure. Jimin indeed had weird degree majors, that is, Psychology and Information Technology. Jimin had told her that she aimed to catch online stalkers. Due to this weird combination of subjects, after every PE class, Jimin had to rush to her Psychology lecture.

Seeing that few self-defense training equipment were lying on the court, Gyuri went about picking it.

Coach Ji-hu jogged towards Gyuri, “Thanks ah... Gyuri is it?”

“Yes.”

“Here take the key and I'll be grateful if you can put these in the storeroom,” Coach Ji-hu pointed at the far end of the humongous Sports Auditorium.

Gyuri nodded and took the bunch of keys. However, she could barely hold onto the keys because her arms were full of the equipment. As she reached the storage room, Mun-hee, Goo and Hae caught up with her. Before Gyuri could guess their evil plan, Mun-hee grabbed the keys from her.

Surprised Gyuri barely managed to exclaim, “Hay!”

“Oh, shut up you murderer. It is because of you that we have go through all these self-defense rubbish,” snarled Mun-hee viciously. On cue from Mun-hee, Goo and Hae opened the storage room's door and roughly pushed Gyuri inside.

Gyuri stumbled and scattered all the equipment in her arms into the dim room. She quickly turned around, “Mun-hee you...” Unfortunately, the bullies slammed the door on her face and Gyuri heard them giggle and lock it as well. “Open the door,” Gyuri banged on the heavy door hysterically. She rattled the knobs in case she could open the door from inside, but it had a one-way locking system, sadly from outside only. “Let me out. Open the door...” yelled Gyuri helplessly.

Suddenly fear of dark enclosed rooms engulfed Gyuri. With widened eyes and shaky fingers, she tried to feel the wall for the switch. But in her anxious state she was unsuccessful. Oh, damn she didn't even have her mobile phone, everything was packed in her bag. Memories of her long-lost childhood trauma surfaced. At the age of four, she had accidentally locked herself in a dark closet and only rescued several hours later. Since then Gyuri was afraid of dark enclosed spaces. Her knees buckled, she dropped on the floor and tears mercilessly filled her eyes. “Abeoji,” she whimpered burying her face on her propped knees.

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Josie King