Goodbye Monday Couple - ONE SHOT

Goodbye Monday Couple – ONE SHOT

Gary slowly look through the pictures from the photo album. Flipping through the book, accompanied by the soft jazz music playing in the recording room. Each one holds so many memories and laughers; which belongs to just two of them. The memories just gushed in like waterfall crazily. As he sips through the wine, he felt a sense of sadness yet relief at the same time.

It was one the biggest decision he made in life. More than 15 years ago, he chose to get into music, and then later, was getting into variety show. And today he chose to quit it.

The fame and recognition he gained through Running Man was something he could not repay back to the PD that initially approached him. Without Running Man, his works would not be recognized as much now, as he isn’t a mainstream idol or singer. He just love making his own style of music, standing out in his own style in the music industry.

As he flips through the pages in the photo album, he can’t help but to smile looking at those wonderful memories. Jihyo’s smile is just so endearing, so genuine, and so real. He always hears his fan saying that, Ji Hyo is the most comfortable around Gary, maybe it is really true. As pictures won’t lie.

His phone showed 11.30pm when he heard the front door unlocking.

“Oh?”

He left the album on the table and got out of the swivel chair and headed outside.

Standing in the middle of the room, it was a lady who knows the password to his studio very well; Ji Hyo. She was standing there in an oversize grey coloured long sleeved fleece shirt, top with a red beanie. She also covered her face with black sunglasses and mask.

“Did anyone see you?” He asked almost immediately.

She just shook her head.

Gary broke into a smile. He stepped forward and pulled in for a big hug. The lady too, comfortably fit herself into his big hug.

Gary broke off the hug and made the Ji Hyo looked at him. “What brought you here? You didn’t tell me you’re coming.”

The lady took off the mask and sunglasses that is covering up her face.

“I saw you barely touched your food earlier during dinner. So I brought you food.” She raised up her right hand to show what she brought along in that secretive attire. She broke into a smile, and a perfect eye smile.

How can I not fall and give up for this girl?

Gary peered into the bags on her hand. He can smell jjajangmyeon (black bean noodle) and tang su yuk (sweet sour pork).

He was shock at the choice of food. “At this hour?”

“Anytime is a good time for jjajangmyeon,” She aegyo-ed back. “Come, let’s eat.”

They set up the table, and made themselves comfortable in the same place where they filmed earlier. Gary took the chopstick and started mixing the jjajangmyeon sauces.

“You know, I am not trying to be cheesy…but eating with you at this hour…” Gary said suddenly.

“What?”

“How should I describe it..?”

Ji Hyo gave him a curious look.

He turned to her and looked straight into her eyes. “I am just happy. Contended. So blissful.”

“Tsk.” She jeered at his words. But in her heart, she felt really warmth and happy too. It was simple, just the two of them, without any cameras, without any weird mission of ‘fake’ date, without any other members whom are always asking them to get together. 

“Oppa be truthful, did you cried just now reading our letters?”

Trying to be masculine, he maintained his composure. “Men shed blood but not tears.” He said nonchalantly.

“You sure?” Ji Hyo frowned at him.

“Y-Yes.”

“Are you?”

“No—Yes…a little”

“Just a little?”

“Well, a while.” Gary eventually gave up trying to protect his little men pride.

“Awwww. Our oppa is really sad to leave us…”

She leaned forward and gave him another big hug.

“Well, I really owed it to Running Man…without the members and the staff, I am nobody today. A lot of nice memories just rushed in, and so my manly tears just fell.”

Ji Hyo broke off the hug and cupped his sad face in her delicate hands. “It’s okay to hide in front of the cameras but never hide in front of me. Okay?”

“Arasso.” He smiled back.

“You can always come back as a guest! Maybe our PD will keep calling you!”

“Well I don’t mind, as long as I am no longer the fixed member…”

“Oppa…I-I know you’re doing this for us...” She said, looking down, feeling guilty.

Seeing her like this, Gary dropped his chopsticks and grabbed her hands. He caressed it and made her look up at him.

“Ji Hyo-yah. I don’t know what’s in store for our future, but rest assured that I won’t regret it. Because I know I have to make an effort for us. For us to happen.”

“I know it’s a big sacrifice for us...” She trailed off.

“Well, I am going to see everyone often too! It’s not like I am not seeing the others anymore again. Most importantly, it’s us. Plus I get to focus more on my music now.”

“Really? Cause sometimes I was thinking maybe I should be the one to—”

“Shhh. You’re the ace of the show. You have to be there. The fans may be sad, but they won’t know what’s in store for them.” He chuckled slightly and pinched slightly on Ji Hyo’s nose. She just smiled back faintly.

Ji Hyo finally felt much better, despite being in daze when Gary initially mentioned this to her. They argued a bit on his decision, but she knew his character. Once he set his heart on it, he’ll achieve it. So from now on, she’ll support her as the woman behind him, to support his music; his life.

They chatted about the episode earlier as they ate the supper. Then Gary browsed through the articles and came across Ji Hyo’s press conference of her latest drama.

“MC ended?” Gary smiled mischievously while checking out Ji Hyo’s expression. She looked up from her phone, with a mong look.

“Of course. Because it must end so that we—can.…” Ji Hyo trailed away.

“We can….?” Gary wanted to hear from her. “Finish your sentence.”

“Well—theoretically we are together off screen but—Yah!” Ji Hyo hit Gary slightly on his shoulder.

“I just wanted to hear from you…”

“Nope. Not going to say it.” She persisted.

“Yah~~~” Gary aegyo-ed.

*

It was already 1am in the morning when they finished the supper. Together they cleaned the table and made themselves comfortable at the couch in front of the TV that he had in another room. She has promised him to watch her drama’s first episode together; ‘This Week, My Wife Is Having An Affair’.

“Ji Hyo-yah you’re so pretty! Are you also going to be the pretty and intelligent omma to my child in the future?”

“Yah! Who says I am going to marry you?”

“You will! I will make you fall deeper in me.” He said confidently.

“Stop your nonsense.” Ji Hyo just snuggled in the cuddle and continued watching.

As they watched, Gary was so engrossed in the drama and didn’t realised that she has fallen asleep in his arms.

“Daebak story! Ji Hyo-yah is that guy in the car Michael? You’re being so affectionate with him…he could not be someone from the office right? If not, who’s that?”

Silence.

He turned to the lady in his arms and Ji Hyo was already fast asleep. Instead of waking her up, he took the time to go through her face. Because of their busy schedule, he never really has the chance to see her so up-close, when she is sleeping so soundly.

She didn’t have any make up on, just her usual bare face, but that’s the best look that he like about her. So simple, so down to earth, just like the lyrics to his song that he released last year with her in mind; Your Scent. Not to mention her full, luscious lips is the one that always makes him weak especially she pouts and aegyo. Why is he so lucky to have such a beautiful and charming lady in his arm? Sometimes he felt that he was too lucky.

“Ji Hyo-yah,” He nudged her slowly. “Let’s get you home okay?”

“Huh its over?” She winched and sat up straight while rubbing her eyes.

“Yes, you missed it.”

“It’s okay.  Actually I’ve already watched the 1st episode with the team.”

“Then you still watch it with me? “

“Because I promised you to watch it together.” She smiled with her sleepy eyes and yawns.

It is little things like this that made him fell in love with her so deep.

“Aigoo…babo-yah…You should have slept instead of accompanying me.” He tighten the cuddle and kissed her on her left cheek. “It’s really late now, I’ll send you back home okay?”

“I don’t have schedule tomorrow…” She mumbled softly, looking at him.

“Arasso. Then get to the bed and sleep?”

“Carry me.”

Without hesitation, Gary got up from the couch, hands stretched out ready to carry her.

“Oppa! I am just joking. I can walk to the room myself.”

“I better do it more often, otherwise there may be other guys carrying you in the future filming.” He just sweep her up in a bridal style and carried her in his strong arms. Ji Hyo laughed out loud, but just let him do it.

“I wonder will there be anyone like you..? In the future filming…”

“Didn’t you always like young and handsome strong idols?”

“On Monday you’re most handsome. Nobody can deny that.”

“Wow it has been a while…since I heard this.” They reached the other room and he laid her down gently on the single bed that he has. On days he worked too long in the studio, he’ll just spent the night there. “Just on Monday now?” He said, looking at her.

Ji Hyo just smiled back at his words, a little speechless.

“Kang Gary is the best looking person for Song Ji Hyo. Not just on Mondays, but everyday.”

Gary smiled proudly.

“Is that okay? Satisfied?”

“That’s more like it.” He pulled the blanket over her. “Yah, get some rest. You’ve cried a lot earlier.”

“Arasso.”

Gary turned around to turn off the light.

“Yah Kang Gary. You are not coming to bed yet?”

“I’ll wash up and come. You sleep first.”

“Arasso.”

“Good night. OH wait. The last part of Episode 1…the guy in the car…is that the Michael?”

Ji Hyo chuckled out loud at his sudden question about the drama. “Well, I can’t give you spoiler. Please continue to watch to find out.”

“Not even to me?”

“Nope.” She said coolly with her eyes already shut tight.

“Arasso. Good night.”

After taking a quick shower, he changed into something more comfortable. He slides in the bed with her who already soundly asleep. Gently he reached out to her and cuddled her by the waist.

Saranghaeyo Song Ji Hyo.

Every ending is the new beginning. 

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[Author's Note]

There you have it! Again, because of Monday Couple, I made a comeback to writing! Presenting to you my delusional thought about them. I just want to live in my own fantasy about them as their fans.

Hope you guys enjoyed it! 

Cheers till we see each other again~ 

Sincerely,

Angela