Hello reader!

I'd like to welcome you to my new series: Seoul's dawning (which is a bit of a play on words if you didn't already get that...)

If you haven't read Macau at Night I recommend you do so first as things will make more sense that way.

We are picking up our story a few days after JanHoo's return from Macau

Just a reminder:

English

Russian

French

Korean

Goodbye Macau, HELLO SEOUL!

Macau felt like a dream. A peculiar fantasy-land where nothing ever was as it seems. A place where lovers become strangers and friends become lovers all within the blink of an eye.

In less than a week Macau had managed to turn six lives upside down.

Jan Di stared at the faux wood grain on the table as she ate a silent breakfast alongside her noisy family. When she'd confessed to them that Jun Pyo and her were finished her mother became dramatic and refused to accept it. Fortunately her father and brother were more willing to listen, and timidly she mentioned she had moved on and was interested in someone else now.

'It's better if they don't know right away it's another member of the F4, although how long it will remain hidden from them... '

She considered her brothers proficiency with computers and his ability to find gossip before anyone else. She sighed to herself, it was hopeless trying to keep secrets in her family.

Maybe she'd ask Ji Hoo to come over this weekend after work, she didn't know if she could manage the stress of telling her family about him alone.

For now though she'd listen to her mothers dramatic waling and watch her father lower himself begging for her to calm her down. She always pretended not to notice how he would subjugate himself for her, she never wanted a relationship like theirs.

She knew her mother had not always been faithful and that she'd hurt her father badly in the past. Yet she always seemed to have him wrapped around her finger. She wished her father would stand up for himself, or at least for her just once, and put a stop to her mothers dramatics.

Covering her face with her hands she groaned in mortification as her father begged for her mother to join them at the table once more. Jan Di couldn't bear to listen to anymore, she knew her mother was trying to make a point of how disappointed she was in her for losing the Shin Hwa heir, and decided it was better if she just left early even though she'd barely touched her food.

As she walked downcast towards school she wished she could just have normal parents. Ones who weren't constantly trying to sell her off as a commodity. Ones who accepted her for who she was, instead of pointing out all of her flaws and mistakes.

'Am I being unfair to them?'

Maybe she should be more grateful, in their own peculiar way she knows they love her. That's more than most of her friends can say and it made her feel bad sulking about it when her own boyfriend didn't even have a family.

She remembered how her parents called Jun Pyo son-in-law immediately after meeting him. She expected Ji Hoo would receive the same treatment. She just wondered what he would make of it.

Shaking off her anxiety she thought again of Ji Hoo and allowed her mind to wander back to their last night in Macau. If she closed her eyes she imagined could almost feel his hands caressing her body and her fingertips tingled longing to touch him.

She really should have opened her eyes though...

Nursing a bump on her forehead from walking into sign she waited to cross the street. Once safely on the other side she allowed her mind to wander back to him. She missed being so close to him. They'd had little time together since they'd returned between school, work, and their responsibilities.

However their first official date was this Sunday and she couldn't wait.

'Would it be awful if I told my parents I was sleeping over at Ga Eul's?'

Woo Bin sat in the F4 lounge and fussed with his hair, not entirely sure he was pleased with his new look. It seemed the thing to do though, something to signify his fresh start. Ever since his break up with Yulina he'd been brooding but no more he told himself.

He'd gone to try to talk to her, gathering his nerves at last, only to find out she wasn't even home. In the end it was her father and brother who took the time to sit down with him.

~~~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~~~

"Song Woo Bin, this is a surprise. Please come in."

Wringing his hands, the auburn haired man stepped into the spacious penthouse apartment. His eyes searched for any sign of the one he came to talk to, his ex-girlfriend and, not finding her, he was ready to leave when her father directed him to join him in his study.

"Something to drink?"

The smell of the whiskey turned Woo Bin's stomach and he declined. Aleks raised a curious eye at this as he'd never known Yulina's boyfriend to say no to a polite drink.

Both men turned at the sound of the door opening and Woo Bin rose when a third man entered the room.

"So this is what the fuss is all about?"

"Yes, that's the rogue who broke your sister's heart."

"He doesn't seem her type."

"People change Petr, he's a nice boy really."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Petr..." The brawny, blonde man with windswept short curls introduced himself, holding his hand out in greeting.

"Song Woo Bin." he replied, standing to shake his hand. Taking in Yulina's brothers intimidating size and build, 'he looks like be eats nails for breakfast', the Don Juan smiled as politely as he could manage and sat back down.

"Woo Bin-a, I'd like you to meet my son Petr. He's staying with us for the next several weeks before heading off to the US to pursue a fellowship at Cornell."

Nodding along, Woo Bin could tell Aleks was quite proud of his son. The smiles and body language between them showed the warm, supportive relationship they shared.

"Congratulations Peter"

"English, excellent! Now we can really talk..."

Woo Bin wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or not.

Maite had insisted on taking her daughter out for the day. She so rarely had a chance to spoil Yulina and hoped that a little mother daughter time would help the melancholy girl open up about what was really bothering her. She'd used the Tatiana Ball as an excuse to get some alone time and now they were at a private fitting for ballgowns.

"Mama I have so many, why can't I just wear the black one again?"

Maite tsked her daughter. "What would your father's superiors say? You represent all of us at the ball."

"Yes mama."

An idea was hatching in her mind but she wasn't sure how well it would be received. Maybe if she could get Petr on her side they could convince their parents. After all she'd wanted Petr to meet her friends, what better place to do that then at a ball?

"Mama, I do have lessons today..."

"Oh, so you're planning on attending this time?" Maite replied, raising her eyebrows pointedly.

Yulina's crystal blue eyes lowered and she chewed her bottom lip, she hadn't realized her parents knew she'd been skipping.

"...I planned on going... I was there, I just couldn't go in..."

"...my dear you can't keep going on this way."

Ignoring her mother, she pulled her thick curly hair back and examined herself in the mirror. The red dress did nothing for her, even if it was her favorite color.

"Can I see something more... modern...?"

The petite lady bowed and headed out to find yet another dress for her try on.

"Yuli, what happened? Not what you've been telling us, what REALLY happened? You were so happy, I miss seeing your smile."

"I, it's complicated."

"I thought you liked him..."

"I do, I mean... I did... I really did." she answered blushing.

"So?"

"Mama it doesn't matter. He was just a distraction, we were never serious."

Maite nodded unconvinced. "You looked serious..."

"Well we weren't" she snapped but immediately felt bad. "Sorry."

"I didn't want to bring this up but... does this have to do with..."

"Don't. I just. No, the answer is no."

"Alright if you're sure..."

"...I am... it's been 18 months... why does it still hurt? It hurts right here." Yulina whispered, painfully thumping her fist on her chest. "I could date 100 Woo Bin's and it still would hurt."

"No one expect you to forget him." She began taking her daughters hand. "Of course he'll always be in your heart. Ryo was special to all of us."

"He was more than special... Mama do you believe in soul mates." Yulina looked down at her feet, hoping her mother wouldn't see her tears.

A small smile graced the youthful Brazilian woman's full lips as she recalled her own mother's stories of soulmates.

"Yes, I do darling."

"Well then tell me, someone tell me, what do you do? What do you do when you lose your soulmate forever?"

Ji Hoo arrived earlier than usual, waiting for Jan Di in their spot. He'd brought their favorite yogurt drinks and a few snacks as he expected her to be running late and to have missed breakfast.

Today was the day Jun Pyo was supposed to come back to school. He'd been dreading it and barely slept last night, his mind presenting him with all the awful scenarios that could play out.

He could NOT shy away from his former best-friend, whatever happened he had to face him and let him know he was never backing down again. Jan Di was strong and, although he naturally worried for her, he knew it would be a disservice to try to shelter her from whatever backlash they had coming their way. They were strong together and together they could handle it.

At least he hoped so.

He'd received the awkward invitation last night, to the Shin Hwa Gala, it very specifically was addressed to BOTH him and Jan Di which worried him. Apparently it was being thrown under the guise of a birthday party but he knew Gu Jun Pyo's family and they'd never shown the slightest interest in his birthday before... it was all very suspicious.

He sighed in relief when he saw Jan Di's distinctive form approaching. Smiling down at her he wondered what she'd think of his new haircut. Yulina had teased him about it when he saw her outside of class yesterday.

'...and here I was worrying I was starting to find you cute...well done, problem solved!' Crinkling up her face, the Russian woman folded her arms critically and began to circle around him. "Ah Ji Hoo you are too easy to tease!" she said flicking him in the nose and walking off with a wave.

For some reason Yulina'd been skipping lessons and their professor was less than thrilled with her. He'd meant to ask her about it when he saw her but she brushed him off before he could.

Jan Di was, thankfully, NOTHING like Yulina. He laughed to himself trying to imagine Jan Di behaving as boldly in public as their friend. Yulina seemed to thrive on teasing people and seeing how far she could push a situation until someone, not usually her, backed down. He felt bad about her and Woo Bin's break up, but he hadn't found the time to really discuss it with either of them.

Jan Di said he wasn't at fault and he supposed she was probably right. Still he was troubled by the timing of the whole thing. Maybe he could call Woo Bin later today just to check in.

Watching as Jan Di got nearer Ji Hoo noticing her carrying a heavy bag and went halfway down to meet her. Walking up together he dropped the bag as soon as they reached their spot.

"...are you packing bricks?"

"Ah, yes it is a bit heavy today. Ji Hoo-yah, your hair!"

A little blush crept up his cheeks as she stared open mouthed at him.

"Jan Di-yah have you forgotten how to speak? Is it that terrible?"

"Terrible?"

Her heart thumped as she looked into his searching eyes. Was he actually worried she wouldn't like it? How absurd. Smiling up at him she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

"I love it."

Storming through the common area a disgruntled Gu Jun Pyo tried to shake his mother's goons off his trail. He ducked into an alcove and waited for them to go by before heading in the opposite direction. He had plans today and he wasn't going to let some half witted thugs get in his way.

Sneaking into the F4 lounge he found Song Woo Bin and So Yi Jeong already there. They paused mid conversation when he entered and watched stunned as he shoved a chair under the doorknob securing it from being opened on the outside. A bit flustered Jun Pyo smoothed out his shirt and walked casually to sit next to Yi Jeong.

No one said a word to each other, and the F2 both tried to avoid eye contact with him. Finally fed up with his friend's behavior Gu Jun Pyo decided to have it out with them.

"Sheesh are you really going to act like this?"

"Act like what Jun Pyo?" Yi Jeong questioned uncertainly.

"Act like we aren't friends. Or are you going to let a woman get between us?"

"I don't think it's US who've let a woman get between us, I think it's you and Ji Hoo."

"Ay, I don't want to talk about those two." The gruff man threw his hands up in the air smacking them back down hard on his thighs. The slap resounded through the room.

"Well what DO you want to talk about then?" The Don Juan asked slyly.

Jun Pyo threw himself back into the cushions and stared up at the ceiling.

"Have you received your invitations? The witch made sure to send them out to everyone."

"...everyone?" Woo Bin asked, looking pointedly at his best friend sitting across from him.

"I managed to steal away the one addressed to Jan Di. Don't mention the gala to her. I'll kill anyone who so much as breathes word to her. If that witch wants her attend she's got something truly awful planned."

Yi Jeong looked at the man beside him with curiosity. He was clearly furious at Ji Hoo, but still wanted to protect Jan Di. Was he still in love with her?

"You know" he began tepidly, "if your mother wants to invite Jan Di she WILL find a way."

Jun Pyo knew the words were true but he refused to accept them. "NO, I'll lock her up if I have to."

Getting a little fed up with Jun Pyo's bluster Woo Bin pressed the point. "Will you? Will you really? And then what? Will you hide her away from anyone who could threaten her. Do you really think that's your place?"

Red faced the Shin Hwa heir violently threw the chair he'd put up against the door across the room before thundering out.

"That was a bit harsh don't you think?"

Shaking his head Woo Bin disagreed. "He has to learn sometime. Jan Di isn't his anymore."

Growing uncomfortable under his sharp eyed friend's glare, a tired looking Don Juan excused himself for class.

Now alone Yi Jeong took a few minutes to check his phone in private. He'd been hoping to receive a very special message, and there it was waiting for him. He smirked as he opened it and saw the picture she'd sent him.

"Good morning Sunbae. The view from your window is breathtaking. Here is mine as you asked. Until tomorrow then. Chu Ga Eul (∗ ･‿･)ﾉ゛"

Closing his phone back up he wondered to himself, what he was really doing flirting with Ga Eul? She was so easy to flirt with, so naive, he almost felt guilty using his tricks on her. Unlike so many of the women he met he actually liked her, he even respected her - a bit anyway.

He'd been second and third guessing himself ever since he asked her out. Tomorrow was their first date. He wasn't even sure what to DO on a date with a 'good girl'. Certainly nothing that he usually did. He just hoped he didn't make a complete idiot of himself or do anything to get himself in trouble with Jan Di.

Woo Bin's words from Macau rang in his ears... should he have checked with Jan Di before asking out her best friend?

Prince Song threw himself down behind his desk and buried his head in his arms. This was stupid. He was stupid. Why was he so hung up?

Was it because he'd never been dumped before?

Was it because he'd never been in a 'real' relationship before?

Was it because he'd never been involved with someone for more than a few weeks before?

Or was it because he was in love with her?

None of that mattered. He couldn't even get her to talk to him. He just wanted to punch somebody. Maybe a round of boxing at the gym would help him get his head on straight.

He thought back to meeting Petr and what he'd learned about Yuli, why hadn't she ever told him?

~~~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~~

"My sister mentioned you to me, more than once in fact."

"Sorry, I don't understand."

"Ah Papa, will you tell him?"

"My son is saying that Yuli talked about you."

"...she did?" He turned to regard the cheery faced man now sitting in the seat next to him. He seemed to be smiling so she couldn't have said anything about what he'd done.

"Uh... yeah... she mentioned you as well, you like boxing right?" Woo Bin made a few punching motions with his fist while Aleks translated for his son.

"Yes, boxing. I was top in my high school class. But that is a long time ago." he laughed, patting the confused man fiercely on the back.

"Ah so I know you did not come all this way to see us, what can we help you with Song Woo Bin-a?" the older man asked kindly.

'Always direct and to the point, that must be where Yuli-ssi gets it from.'

"Well, sir, I... I don't really know what to say..." he rubbed his now sweaty palms against the front of his pants, he'd never had to actually have a conversation with one of his date's father's before. At least not a real conversation.

"Maybe I should be the one to say something then."

"Sir?"

"My Yuli, now I love my daughter very much and I wouldn't change her you understand, but I know she can be a bit... stubborn minded."

"I wonder where she gets that from?" Petr spoke feigning uncertainty. His father gave him an bemused smirk before waving him off.

"Now if it's not too personal, what did she say to you when you... well you know." Aleks said with a wave of his hands.

Woo Bin had begun to tap his toes until, realizing what he was doing, he forced himself to stop. "...yeah... she said she was disappointed in me."

"Aish, ooh.." Aleks winced. "Oh well that's definitely my Maite talking."

"What'd he say?"

"She said she was disappointed in him."

"Oooh, no, that's not good." Yulina's brother gave him a sympathetic look. "You're up a creek as they say!"

"A creek?" Woo Bin looked confused turning from Petr to Aleks and back again.

"Petr stop tormenting the boy."

"Look, I suspect the matter is simpler than it looks. She's upset about...no I don't want to know... and she's hurt. My poor girl has had a rough couple of years with losing Ryo and the move."

"Who's Ryo?"

~~~~~~~~flashback ends~~~~~~~~

Ryo was news to him. Yulina had told him she'd been in a serious relationship before, she just failed to mention why it ended. He thought it might have had something to do with the move to Korea but he never suspect it was because her boyfriend had died.

It was almost 18 months since it happened, only a year or so since she started at Shin Hwa. His mind tried to fit this new information in with what he already knew.

She cried randomly at night and hated being seen upset.

She avoided any conversation about being exclusive and never used the word 'love'.

She was excessively defensive of her friends, particularly those younger than her.

She was flippant about her behavior and sometimes had outbursts.

Did he ever really know her? Can you really know somebody when they leave out such a huge portion of their life?

Maybe all he ever really was, WAS a bit of fun, something to make her forget her lost love and he'd just been the idiot who fell in love.

He didn't think it was possible but he felt worse since his talk with Aleks.

Ji Hoo smiled down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Gently stroking her cheek, he trailed his fingers down to her chin. With only the slightest of pressure she tilted her face up him and they kissed softly. His lips lingered on hers, not wanting to break the kiss but knowing their time together was running short. Soon they would both have to leave for class and they wouldn't get a chance to see each other again until lunch.

Unbeknownst to them, so wrapped up in each other they were, a trio of girls glared daggers at them from below.

"Who does she think she is?"

"What a slut!"

"We cannot allow our Yoon Ji Hoo to lower himself like this."

"She's torn apart the F4. She doesn't care who she ruins."

"We have to save them!"

AN: Hello again!

Thank you for reading the first chapter of my sequel to Macau at Night.

This chapter was really more of a welcome back and here's what everyone has been up to. I will delve into the drama more next time.

As always - terrible proofreader so feel free to point out error and I will correct.

I've had 4 comments on the last chapter of Macau at Night so far so I've got 4 lemons to write. And I've got lots of fun ideas... kinky ideas...

In our next chapter:

The Shin Hwa Gala - JanHoo!

Madam Kang's revenge

Yi Jeong's date

Woo Bin confronts Yulina

also we'll reintroduce an old friend... monkey is that you?