Haha omg I'm loving the third chapter (which is halfway done) already! From the descriptions to the dialogue and the characters haha I just love it~
•••
That same night, you woke up to the sound of your son shivering under the covers. You turned the lamp beside you on and looked over at him. He was covered in the blankets but was still shaking as if he was in the Arctic. You placed a hand over his forehead and felt that it was searing hot.
"Mama, I'm cold," he muttered then shoved half his face under the covers
"You're burning up," you pointed out then grabbed your phone to call for an ambulance
•••
You sat down on the bench for the payments of bills. You were there with several other people, waiting for their turn to pay to the hospital. You yawned for the fifth time that hour seeing as you hadn't gotten any sleep since your son got admitted. Meanwhile, he had finally stopped shivering, after many hours and blankets, but his temperature was slowly going down.
"We will have to keep him here," the doctor told you and you didn't counter his orders
If it was for the best then you would give it. Even if it cost you two months of savings.
You had chosen the cheapest yet still with good quality hospital to put your son in. You wanted to put him in a better one but your wallet wasn't having it. Afterall, you still had to pay for the unpaid food that that darn couple left you yesterday.
It's even in hundreds. You thought to yourself as you inwardly cursed them
You heard your number being called and you went up to the counter to pay your balance. The interaction was less than five minutes but you felt like you were robbed a million won. You made your way to the room of your son when you saw someone waiting outside the room.
You raised a brow at the man who was so busy reading the name next to the door that he didn't notice you.
"It's Baekju," you read for him
He turned towards you then his face lit up with recognition.
"I was told that you were at the hospital," he said, "But I didn't know that it wasn't you who was admitted."
You gave a small smile, "It's actually my son."
He closed his mouth even if he looked like he wanted to say something. You offered him to enter the room and he accepted. You gave him your seat then walked over to your son, checking his temperature.
"If it's alright with you, can I ask what happened?" He asked
"I don't know yet," you answered, "I brought him here last night because he had high fever but he's still sick until now."
"I don't quite know what I'll call you," you spoke, "Should I call you Mr Han or Jumin or whatever?"
"Jumin would be nice," he responded, "You're not exactly a business partner or an employee to call me formally."
You nodded in understanding. You watched as Baekju slowly open his eyes.
You gave him a small smile and said, "Hey there, little buddy, how are you feeling?"
"It's really hot," he whispered hoarsely
You removed the blankets from his body and put it at the feet of the bed.
"Will one blanket do?" You asked and he nodded
You turned to your visitor and spoke, "Uh, I'm out of food right now and I have to offer you something. Can you keep an eye on Baekju for a while?"
He stared at you then nodded. You left the room and went down to the cafeteria.
Baekju turned to the visitor then smiled weakly, "I don't know who you are but mama knows you. Are you a friend?"
"A friend?" He asked, "I can be an acquaintance but-," he stopped himself, "Yes, I am a friend."
"Oh, are you the nice guy from last night? The one who drove mama home?" He asked
Jumin dragged the chair over to the side of the bed, "It's actually my driver who drove her home but I was the one who insisted."
"You have a driver? That's cool," Baekju stated, "I wanna have a driver too when I grow up."
"That's not far from happening," Jumin said, "You only need a car and money for gas and driver."
"Mama says that I get money from work and I get work from studying well," he pointed out
"True," Jumin replied
"Ahjussi, what's your work?" Baekju asked
"I'm a Director at C&R," he answered
"Ooh! Those people from movies! The one who yells 'Cut!'. Like that?" Baekju asked, smile wide, "Do you see a lot of celebrities?"
"Well, I see a lot of celebrities but I don't do that. I manage people and we do products to sell," Jumin explained
"Oh that is cool too," Baekju nodded
"Baekju, can I ask a question?" Jumin spoke
"You already did, ahjussi." Baekju chuckled
"I have another question then," Jumin continued, "Why is it that only your mother is here? Where's your father?"
The boy frowned, "Oh, um,"
The door swung open and you entered, plastic bags in your hand, "I'm back."
The two turned towards you and you placed down the food on the table.
"I forgot to ask you what you wanted to eat so I just got burgers," you spoke
"No, I have to get going," Jumin said
You turned to him and saw him fixing the button on his cuff.
"My assistant has been looking for me so I should leave now," he continued
You nodded then brought him outside, "I'm honored that you went to visit."
"You actually just beat me to the counter," he responded, "I was going to pay the bill but-,"
"Why?" You interrupted
"Remember last night when I didn't give you your tip?" He asked, "I am willing enough to pay you in other terms."
"It's fine, you don't have to do that," you stated
He stared at you for a moment before speaking again, "You're one of the few people who refuse my money. Why is that?"
You shrugged, "I was just working so you're not actually indebted to me in any way."
"Are you sure?" He asked, "Because I am willing enough to open the opportunity until you will need it."
He grabbed his phone out of his pocket then gave it to her, "I don't have a business card right now but if you put your number on my phone, I will make sure that you will get my number."
You nodded then inserted your number in his contacts. You gave it back as soon as you were finished. He left afterwards and you went back inside the hospital room.
"Wanna eat, honey?" You asked as you rummaged through the plastic for some soft biscuits for Baekju
•••
Jaehee stretched in her seat as she watched her monitor finally shut down after long hours of work. She grabbed all her things and unplugged her computer before going to the elevator. The floor was already deserted and she was the last one to leave. It was already nearing midnight and she still had a load of work to do at home but at least then she could have a cup of coffee or a bed to lie down on while reading documents.
She removed her glasses and put it in her bag before calling for a taxi. She told the driver her address and pulled out her phone from her bag, instantly logging in to the messenger.
Jaehee Kang has entered the chatroom
Yoosung : Hi Jaehee
Jaehee Kang: Hello.
707: Are you aware of what Jumin did?
Jaehee Kang: ?
Jaehee Kang: I was aware that he had dinner at a restaurant and that he went home immediately.
707: lololol no not that
707: read the messages above
Jaehee did so and there were some sort of shocking revelations coming from her boss. She wasn't sure if it was exhaustion that made her see this but it cannot possibly be true.
Jaehee Kang: He has a girl's number?
Jaehee Kang: Is that really Mr Han though?
ZEN has entered the chatroom
ZEN: Oh good the trustfund kid left
Jaehee remembered reading about a short argument between Zen and Jumin that night so it made sense that Zen had just re-entered the chatroom after avoiding the other.
ZEN: Oh hey Jaehee
ZEN: You guys grabbed dinner already?
Jaehee frowned.
Jaehee Kang: Oh, right, dinner…
Yoosung : What's wrong?
Jaehee Kang: I forgot to eat.
707: lol Jaehee u shouldnt forget to eat
707: don't worry
707: i'm coming over to cook something for you
ZEN: Like you cook food
707: hey,
707: u guys should really read "1001 ways to make Honey Buddha Chips a dish for dinner"
Yoosung : …that was specific
ZEN: You should really eat, Jaehee
Jaehee Kang: Don't worry, Zen, I have some leftovers I can heat up at home.
ZEN: At home? You mean you're not home yet?
Jaehee peered out the window.
Jaehee Kang: I am a few blocks away.
Yoosung : is that what I have to do if I work at Jumin's company?
707: ya lolol
707: u don't get to sleep
707: u don't get to eat
707: u don't get to talk to your friends
707: u won't have friends
707: and u can't ever
707: play LOLOL again
ZEN: What a nice way of motivating Yoosung
707: ^^
Yoosung : T_T
707: don't worry
707: when u die u can hug your money
Yoosung : Money's worthless if you die!
Jaehee Kang: You just have to get used to the work, Yoosung.
Jaehee Kang: And do not get working advice from Luciel,
Jaehee Kang: I'm pretty sure he slacks off the whole day.
707: hey
707: i save the day on a daily basis
707: also my boss is calling
ZEN: At midnight?
707: justice has no sleeping hours!
707: 707 out!
707 has left the chatroom
Jaehee paid the driver and got off the taxi. She entered her house and immediately directed herself to her fridge, pulling out two tupperwares: one with the kimchi and one with the rice. She put it in the microwave and sat in her dining area, eyes and hands focused on her phone.
Jaehee Kang: I have arrived home.
Yoosung : Jaehee you have to be careful
Yoosung : it's not okay to be out this late
ZEN: What Yoosung said
Jaehee Kang: I appreciate the concern but I do not want to make my house my second office.
ZEN: Just tell him to lessen your workload
ZEN: Oi, Trustfund kid. When you read this, make sure to give Jaehee a break
ZEN: I know you're happy about getting a girl's number but your employees should have lives too!
Jaehee Kang: Do not worry, Zen. I can handle it well.
Yoosung : what happens when you get sick?
Jaehee Kang: The workload for that day is transferred to the next.
Yoosung : i change my mind
Yoosung : i don't wanna work
Yoosung : i wanna stay a student
Jaehee Kang: The life of a worker is deadly.
ZEN: True
ZEN: So tired from rehearsals
Jaehee Kang: But the results are worth it for Zen.
Jumin Han has entered the chatroom
Jaehee Kang: Mr Han, hello.
ZEN: Why are you here again?
Jumin Han: I forgot to tell Assistant Kang about the new project.
Jaehee Kang: New project…
Jaehee Kang: We have four ongoing projects in our department, Mr Han.
Jumin Han: There is this business that I have been eyeing.
Jaehee Kang: And?
Jumin Han: Contact my father.
Jaehee Kang: What shall I tell him?
ZEN: Did you seriously not read the messages above?
Yoosung : Oi, Trustfund kid. When you read this, make sure to give Jaehee a break
Yoosung : Zen sent that
Jumin Han: This is an important business.
Jumin Han: We can benefit from it greatly and we can help other people.
Yoosung : isn't that what we're doing using the RFA?
ZEN: If you want to help other people,
ZEN: Lessen your employees' workloads
Jumin Han: I presume that this will be better spoken in private.
Jumin Han: We will talk about it in the morning.
Jumin Han has left the chatroom
