CHAPTER 21
Ending Chapters and Starting New Ones
Cha Eun Sang wakes up to a dimly lit room. She doesn't know if it's a dream or if she's still suffering from the after effects of the anesthetics; but everything looks hazy. It seems everything has a bluish tinge; one not cast by the fluorescent lights.
She lifts her head slightly and sees her mother passed out on the couch. She lifts her hand to her chest, feeling for the bullet hole that penetrated her chest.
For now she is relieved she's alive.
Breathing.
All of a sudden, thoughts of Moon Jun Yeong and Choi Young Do bum rush her consciousness.
"Jinjeonghae," Calm down, she suddenly hears him say. It is a bored, familiar tone; one she hasn't heard in a while.
Him.
She turns her head to her left, wanting to see his face.
"Chalgaseo?" Did you sleep well? he asks. His grin split his face.
It is how she last saw him: his hair bluntly cut, caramel colored to match the change of season. He was wearing the pinstriped shirt she got him for Christmas.
He chuckles when she stares at him unabashedly. He pockets his hands as he walks toward her bed.
"Kim Tan," she says breathily, tears starting to roll down her cheek. "Bo… bogoshipoyo." I miss you.
"Hajima," Don't, he hushes her. "You can't miss me if I'm here."
"Moon Jun Yeong…," she starts stuttering.
"At least we know what happened now, right?" he says, sighing. He looks up to the ceiling, a habit she has seen too many times when he's frustrated. "Ah, michyeosseo." This is crazy.
"Were you serious about eloping? It wouldn't have happened if you told me what you were planning," she scolds him. "I wish… I wish…."
"Why are you getting worked up over something that didn't happen?" he queries calmly. "What are you going to do? Resurrect me from the dead?"
Dead. This has to be a dream then… right?
"If you told me this, none of this would've happened," she replies.
"Hmm," he answers back. "Moon Jun Young would've still found a way to break us apart. That boy is cunning."
"I don't get you," she harrumphed. "Shouldn't you be saying, "I wish…?" rather than taking this passively?"
"Saying those things won't change what's already happened," he says to her as he puts a hand on her shoulder. "I miss you. I miss teasing you, arguing with you. I miss kissing you, touching you. I… miss us. But as much as I would like for us to be together, the reality of it is… it's improbable."
"Kim Tan!" she exclaims. "That decision is mine for me to make."
"I don't want you to follow me to the afterlife," he argues.
"That's my decision to make!" she yells.
He lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Cha Eun San," he says her name softly. "I love you, and I'll selfishly keep you next to me. But I'm only here temporarily to help you get back to yourself."
She looks down and plays with the hem of her flat sheet.
"It's unfair for me to ask you to be with me," Tan says. He points toward the sofa. "Look, eomoni is waiting for you to wake up. And as much as I hate to admit it, there's someone who's across the hallway waiting for you, too."
She grips the sheets closer to her chest.
"Young Do…," she says his name softly.
"I've seen the two of you," he says, sighing. "You look good together. In fact, looking at the eight years we've all known each other, I still wonder how we ended up together and not you with him."
"Stop saying that," she chides.
"But what I'm saying isn't wrong," he says. He takes a pause and holds her hand. "Choi Young Do is one crazy individual and I'm jealous he gets to be with you."
She pauses before saying quietly, "Don't be."
"I envy that he gets the opportunity to kiss you," he says. "To watch over you."
She doesn't meet her eyes.
"To make love to you," he says gently.
"Hajima," she says, closing her eyes.
"I cannot be with you and I don't want you to live for me," he says. "Live your life, Cha Eun Sang. Love until you can't love anymore."
She looks at him with sad eyes. "Young Do and I… ."
"Should make memories of your own," he suggests. "Without feeling guilty about me being the third wheel."
She bites her lower lip before giving him a side-eye glance. "I thought ghosts… or the semblance of one, should be vengeful and angry. They're supposed to be possessive and protective."
"What kind of horror shows are you watching now?" he asks, shivering. "And I am not a ghost. I'm just a figment of your imagination."
"Then as a figment of my imagination, you should be more tactful," she argues.
"No, not this time around," he says, regret flashes in his face. "I'm letting you go as you should let me go, too."
"It's like you're selling him to me," she says jokingly.
"Well Jo Myung Soo calls Young Do my first love," he teases. "If I were you, I'd marry him."
"You're silly," she suddenly says, laughing at his girly gesture of holding his fists against his chest like a lovesick fool.
"There's my girl," he says, smiling. "Dolaga. Miss me once in a while but don't use me as an excuse not to move on. Otherwise, I'll be very upset with you."
"Fine," she agrees.
He pulls the sheets over her and holds on to her hand one last time.
"Give my mother a hug. Tell the others anneyong. And tell my brother to stop smoking," he says. "I know that'll be easier for him to give up than Yoo Rachel… I can't believe he's dating her."
"Yah!" she answers, laughing.
"Promise me you'd be happy," he says one last time.
She nods to him before he tucks her in snugly. She remembers him planting a kiss on her forehead before falling back to sleep.
Choi Young Do can't keep still. He wants to be out of his bed. He wants to be in the room where Eun Sang is recuperating. He wants to be the first thing she sees when she wakens from her sleep.
Instead, he is trapped in a room where he can't even close his eyes. From doctors and nurses checking up on him almost every hour, to the constant probing and prodding, he is beyond frustrated. The few moments he's afforded the opportunity to rest, he is restless.
"Eomma, go home," he instructs Yoo Kyung Ran.
"Wae? So you can crawl over to Eun Sang-i's room?" she teases.
He lifts his arm with the IV tube attached. "I don't think I'll get far."
She chortles. "You have a one track mind, adeul. I won't put it past you to chew your way to her."
He chuckles. "Maybe that's why Eun Sang never told me where she lived."
"Smart girl, that one," she replies, chuckling.
He laughs at the irony. It's still a shock to him that his mother's tenant is no other than Cha Eun Sang.
When he bumped into her at the cafe, he thought it was just chance meeting. If only he knew then what he knows now.
He could've been protecting her.
He could've been dating her sooner.
He could've not been able to resist staying away from her.
"Eomma," he finally says. "Kumowoyo."
"Mueos-eul…?" For what? Kyung Ran responds, a smile tugging on her lips.
"Geunyang," Just because he mutters a bit louder.
She smiles at him. Her eyes look red and swollen.
"Eomma, go home," he says. "Get some sleep. One of us has to get rest."
"You want to get rid of me?" she asks, teasing him.
"Hmmm," he says. "I don't want you getting sick because of me."
"I won't," she replies.
A light rapping on the door interrupts them. Kyung Ran gets up and greets the visitor.
"Oh, Park Hui Nam-ssi," she says. Young Do tries to sit up to greet her properly.
"Anneyonghaseyo, Eomoni!" he says in greeting.
She greets him with a bow; a sad smile painted on her face. In her hand is a large picnic basket and a small bouquet of flowers. She sets them aside before facing him again.
"Quenchannaeyo?" she signs to him.
"Ne, eomoni," he replies. "How is Cha Eun Sang?"
"She's still asleep," she replies in sign language. "She hasn't woken since she got out of surgery."
"Did you rest?" he asks, concerned for her well-being.
She nods as she unpacks a coffee drink and sticks a straw in it. She offers the drink to him before setting a small bowl and a thermos on the rolling table.
"By the way, have you met my mother?" he asks.
"We've met," Kyung Ran says, bowing to the other woman. "Is Eun Sang-i alone?"
Hui Nam nods.
"Kre, let me go visit her for a while," she says, sighing. She looks at Young Do and reminds him, "Behave yourself."
Young Do watches his mother's back as she walks out the door. The moment the door closes, he focuses on Hui Nam.
The older woman starts tearing up and signs, "Kumapsubnida."
She breaks down and holds on to Young Do's hand.
He squeezes her hand in return, reassuring her, and in part, himself, that things will be alright.
Their tender moment is shortly there after interrupted by the nursing staff.
"Choi Young Do-ssi, are you ready to have that chest tube taken out?" the nurse asks. "As soon as that's closed, you're free to move around and do your breathing rehab."
"The sooner the better," he states to the nurse.
As she preps his bed, he looks at Park Hui Nam and says, "Once I'm back in my room, I'll come over to Cha Eun Sang's room. Would you be able to take my eomma for a snack or a walk? I'd like to just be alone with her."
Park Hui Nam nods as he is wheeled away.
Two hours later, Young Do finds himself in Eun Sang's room. He was grateful for the silence.
He stares at her face for a moment before brushing away several stands of her hair covering her face.
"Ileona, Eun Sang-a," Wake up, he urges her softly.
The only thing responding to him is the steady rhythm of the heart monitor.
He slips his fingers through hers shortly after taking a seat. He kisses the back of her hand before giving it a light squeeze.
He lays his head near their clasped hands and in moments, he is asleep.
Streaks of white light try to pry her eyelids open, forcing her to wake up. But as she regains consciousness, an unbearable sting shoots up her nostril as she inhales. Pain throbs down her chest as she exhales.
"Appa... appayeo...," she says haltingly as she tries to rip the mask over her face.
She doesn't realize the grip on her right hand tightens.
"Wae kureh?" What's going on? Young Do wakes up, startled. Despite his haze, he stands up, lets go of her hand, and pushes the nurse's call bell.
"Can't... breathe," she starts panicking.
"Eun Sang-I," he says before running his fingers through her hair. He cups her cheek and tries to get her attention by holding her gaze.
In the sweetest, softest voice she's ever heard from him, he says, "Calm down. I'm here."
Those four words makes her realize she's not alone.
As her panic dies down, two nurses quickly attend to her while a third nurse scolds Young Do.
"Choi Young Do-ssi, what are you doing here?" the head nurse asks. "You should be in your room recuperating!"
He looks at her sternly, trying his best to intimidate her. It is just his luck that this particular nurse has more than likely dealt with people his kind and doesn't back off easily. Watching Young Do bow his head in apology to the matronly nurse was a sight to see.
She has to ask the nurse what he did to be scolded in such manner.
As the nurse takes her vitals, her eyes meet with Young Do's. They held each other's gaze despite the organized chaos around her.
Ear thermometers, tongue dispensers, a nasal cannula replacing the mask all come flying out of drawers and trays to get her to her recovery state.
Vitals? Check.
Pain tolerance? Check.
A resident physician walks in and briefly examines her.
"How does the wound feel?" he asks, lifting the edge of her gown quickly to examine the gauze and wound..
"Numb," she mutters. "How long do I have to be in the hospital?"
He looks at her chart and says, "You nicked your clavicle an punctured a lung. It be safe to say you'll probably be in for another 2 to 3 days to make sure you don't develop an infection. We also have to make sure you're able to breathe properly, albeit painfully, until you're fully recovered."
She groans momentarily and thanks the doctor and the nursing staff.
When they leave the room, Cha Eun Sang focuses on Young Do.
"Quenchannayeo?" he asks her softly.
"Better," she responds, nodding her head. "And you?"
He raises his arm with the sling ever so slightly. "I'll survive."
He sits on the side of her bed before wrapping her hand in his.
"How long have you been here?" she asks.
"Not too long," he replies. He gazes at their hands for a moment before he meets her eyes again.
"You look tired," she says.
"Says the person who looks like a panda," he teases back.
"Yah, Choi Young Do," she chides. "I was trying to be nice here."
"Ara," he says back, taking her hand before pressing them against his lips.
"I don't like that cut on your face," she says.
"I've had worse," he mentions.
"And those bruises...," she says, tracing his facial features with her fingers.
"They'll heal," he reminds her.
She lowers her hand and her gaze.
"Kumapta," she says after a while.
"For what?" he asks. "I should be the one thanking you."
She raises her head and looks at him. "For being the first face I see after last night."
He inhales sharply.
"I was scared that I'll wake up and hear you're injured and unconscious," she confesses. "I was so afraid..."
"Don't," he says. His grip tightens around her hand. "Please don't."
She is surprised to see his eyes redden as tears start collecting at his lashes.
"Don't you ever be so reckless with your life," he scolds her.
"I wasn't being reckless!" she argues softly.
"Eun Sang," he says. "My heart stopped when you crumpled in front of me. When you didn't open your eyes..."
A sob escapes his lips. "Amton... don't let me go through that again."
"I won't. I'm sorry," she says, squeezing his hand.
"Yah, yah, no crying!" a male voice reprimands them from the door.
Cha Eun Sang wipes the tear that rolled down her cheek before looking up. A smile spreads on her lips as she sees another friendly face. "Chan Young-ssi!"
Young Do turns around and sees their friend lean against the door frame.
"Are those flowers for me?" he teases.
"Aniyo," Chan Young quips as he walks toward them. "I don't give flowers to troublemakers."
But before Chan Young hands Eun Sang his bouquet of flowers, he gives a bear hug to Young Do.
"Yah!" he yelps in surprise. "Jugule?"
"Just take it like a man," Chan Young says before landing a resounding kiss on his forehead. "Kumowoyo, chingu. You kept our Eun Sang-I alive."
"What did you do?" Eun Sang asks as she inhales the flowers handed to her. Now her curiosity is piqued.
Young Do looks sternly at Chan Young. It is like he is telling him not to go into detail.
"Uhm... Young Do and Kim Won hyung made sure the police were informed immediately of your disappearance," Chan Young said.
"Is that so?" she says, surprised. "I guess I have to tell Won Op-..."
She stops mid-sentence before looking at Young Do.
"I have to give my gratitude to Kim Won-ssi," she corrects herself.
"Kim Won-ssi? When did you start dressing his like an ahjussi?" Chan Young interrogates. His eyes dart back and forth between them. "Seolma, is there something I'm missing?"
Cha Eun Sang doesn't know what to say. She lowers her gaze to avoid the eye contact Chan Young is trying to initiate. Instead, she stares at Young Do who is staring back at her with mischievous glint in his eye.
"Uhm…," she starts saying.
"I asked Eun Sang to be my girlfriend," Young Do announces.
Chan Young is rendered speechless.
"Yah...," he says a half second later. "That's a joke, right?"
Cha Eun Sang bites her lower lip before looking at her best friend. "I agreed to his proposal last night."
"I think you were more nonchalant about it last night," Young Do states.
"Was not!" Cha Eun Sang argues.
"Your response, and I quote is 'kre, let's date'," Young Do answers.
"What are you, an insecure teen?" Cha Eun Sang asks. "You even remember what I said."
"It's not everyday I ask a woman to be my girlfriend," he defends. "So yes, I do remember sentimental moment like asking you to be my girlfriend."
"I think you were just surprised I agreed so quickly," Eun Sang quips.
"I am surprised you agreed so quickly," Chan Young replies side-eying Eun Sang. "Now I lost the bet!"
"I asked her specifically so you wouldn't win," Young Do quips with a smile lacing his lips.
"What is this bet about?" Cha Eun Sang interrupts the boys' conversation. "Young Do and I dating?"
Chan Young looks at Eun Sang and chuckles. "You should've waited till Hyeonchung-il!"
"You should've clued me in," Eun Sang replies. "Then I would've held out."
"You'd think I'd let your childhood friend win?" Young Do asks. "Besides, I was getting tired doing boyfriend things for you when you're not even my girlfriend."
Chan Young rolls his eyes. "That never stopped you before."
"See if I invite you to the wedding," Young Do threatens.
"Yah!" both Chan Young and Eun Sang retort.
They all started laughing. To some degree, the level of comfort is close to being normal.
"Cheongmal," Chan Young says, wiping away a laughter tear. "Chukahe."
"Kamsamhibnida, chingu-a," Eun Sang says in return. "But promise me one thing."
"Anything," Chan Young says.
"Don't tell anyone yet," she replies.
"Why not?" Young Do asks. "It's not like we are in high school anymore."
"It's not that," she says, feeling guilty for her what she is about to say. "I… I would just like to go out on a normal date before we actually announce to the world we're a couple."
"You mean wearing couples hospital gowns isn't your idea of fun?" Young Do queries. Mischief twinkles in his eyes.
She scrunches her nose at him and shakes her head.
"I mean, you've already gone above and beyond what a girlfriend does for her boyfriend," he adds before winking at her.
"Never say I won't take a bullet for you," Eun Sang retorts.
"Speaking of which," Chan Young says, his laid-back disposition suddenly recedes to the background. "I was hoping I can interview you two about the events leading up to the kidnapping. When I'm done with my report, he will be handed over to the DEA for other criminal charges."
Eun Sang and Young Do sober up quickly.
"When do you want us to make a statement?" Young Do asks. "Do we need to have a lawyer?"
"No," Chan Young replies. "Just a timeline. Two of the undercover agents have already given their account so corroboration is all we need. Let me just text them and have them come up and meet the two of you."
In moments, two other gentlemen enter the room. Both Young Do and Eun Sang are taken aback. The man with the scar on his face bows lowly toward Young Do.
"Anneyonghaseyo, Choi Young Do," he greets. "Jo Im Sook ibnida. DEA. I am sorry for inflicting pain on you while I was undercover."
Choi Young Do lets go of Eun Sang's hand before standing up. In the same manner, he bows to the DEA agent.
"Kamsamhimnida, Deriin Jo Im Sook," Young Do greets. "I was told you called the police to help us get out from there. I will be indebted to you."
Both men straightened up before shaking hands.
"Anneyong, Cha Eun Sang-ssi," the other agent bows. "Jung Hwa Shin ibnida."
"Anneyong, Deriin Jung Hwa Shin," Cha Eun Sang greets, nodding her head toward him. "I am grateful for being considerate to me and the other girls during transport."
"I wish I could have done something more," the agent says, bowing deeper. "However, I cannot compromise my cover since I had one of Moon Jun Yeong's men with me at the time. I hope you can forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive," she says. "To you, I am indebted."
"Kamsamhibnida, noona," he says, standing again.
"Let's get this interview started so we can get Jun Yeong processed," Chan Young announces.
Choi Young Do is ecstatic he is discharged a day later. He is able to get home and get a decent shower and a fresh change of clothes. But as enticing as his bed was, he would prefer being with Eun Sang as her guardian.
He returns to the hospital as quickly as he could. The nurses were not surprised to see him back, however. They all knew he stayed with Eun Sang the moment he was mobile and out of bed.
He knocks on the door before sliding it open. Eun Sang was perched on the bed, lost in her thoughts.
She looks much better today. The nasal cannula is gone and the only thing attached to her is her intravenous antibiotic.
"Everything okay?" he asks as he takes off his coat.
Snapping back to real world, she looks at him and smiled. "Oh, waseo?"
"Uhm," he says. "You're in deep thought when I knocked."
"Mian," she says, sighing. "How could three days change so much in a person's life?"
"What do you mean?" he queries, sitting next to her.
"I saw the news announcing Lotte merging with Hanche," she says.
He nods. "We didn't win the bid."
"Your father told me during the gala," she says. "I bet you were disappointed after all the work you did."
"It's the nature of the business," he says, a sad smile spreading on his lips. "I'm just glad a decision is made."
"Your father was proud of your work," Eun Sang reveals to him.
"Gojismal," Liar, he says.
"Ani," she counters. "Your dad talked about you the whole time we danced."
Young Do blushes. He never heard his father brag about him.
"There was a part of me that would've liked to say I'm your boss," he says. "Cosplay."
It is Eun Sang's turn to blush. "You still say things you shouldn't."
Young Do reaches over and runs his finger over her crimson colored cheek. "I still like catching you off-guard."
"Well if you must know, I wouldn't have been working under you anyway," she says, sighing. "I finally called work to let them know why I was absent the last few days."
"And?" he asks.
"Since I am new to the company, and without time any accrued to take time off, they cannot leave my current position vacated," she says.
"Do you want me to talk to them?" he queried. "There are extenuating circumstances."
"What, are you my parent now?" she asks, mocking. "I could just see how the president of a rival hotel would go up to their management asking why his girlfriend lost her job? No, thank you."
"You know I could," he says sincerely.
"No, that's okay," she replies, sighing. "Besides, I'm supposed to take things slow for the next couple of weeks."
The door slides open and Yoo Kyung Ran walks in. Her sunny disposition lightens the room.
"Eomoni," Eun Sang greets.
"Oh, eomma," Young Do greets, getting up from his seat and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Kyung Ran stares at Eun Sang as she receives the peck on the cheek. "Mwo?"
"I still think it's kind of strange that my landlady is also Choi Young Do's mother," Eun Sang says. "Makes me think you've had an ulterior motive when I moved in."
"You talked about me?" Young Do asks, feeling smug.
"Not just you," Kyung Ran knocks him down a few pegs.
"The world doesn't revolve around you, you know?" Eun Sang teases back.
The playful banter is interrupted by the doctor coming in to check up on Eun Sang.
After a few minutes, he says, "It looks like you are ready to get discharged."
"Yes!" Eun Sang exclaims.
"Only if you meet certain criteria," the doctor adds the caveat. "You can't climb steps. If you do, you have to remain on that floor. It would be an inconvenience."
"You can stay at my place," Young Do volunteers without blinking an eye.
"You'd like that, won't you?" Kyung Ran argues. "Andwe. I won't allow it."
"Well, Cha Eun Sang-ssi will have to be limited in movement until after another week of light movement. She can't get her bandage wet so showers aren't allowed. She will need help with sponge baths and having her hair washed," the doctor continues.
"She can do that at my place, too," Young Do says. "I am her guardian."
"Geumanahe," Stop it, Eun Sang says, trying to think through her new challenges. "I'll move in with eomma for a few days."
"Andwe!" It is Young Do's turn to interject. "She lives with Madame in a small place. You'll just be a nuisance."
The doctor excuses himself and tells them to let the discharge nurse know what their decision will be before having her released from the hospital. They all nod in agreement.
"Why would it be wrong for Eun Sang to move into my house?" Young Do asks. "There's three bedrooms, it's a single floor with the exception of my loft, and I can attend to her."
"And she's a girl," Yoo Kyung Ran argues. "Just because you like her doesn't mean you two should be left alone unsupervised."
"You're so old fashioned," Young Do grumbles. "I am a gentleman."
"And I'm glad you are," Kyung Ran placates him while sighing. "But I have to think of Cha Eun Sang's virtue. Just because you like her now doesn't mean that wouldn't change."
"Then I'll register for us to get married before she gets discharged," Young Do argues.
"Yah, don't I have a say in this?" Eun Sang says before either mother or son interject.
"No," both Yoo Kyung Ran and Young Do chorus while mother and son are locked eye-to-eye.
"Fine, you make good point about your floor plan," Kyung Ran agrees. "However, I do think that Eun Sang should not be left alone with you for both of your sakes."
"Fine," Young Do says, planting his mobile fist against his hip. "I'll hire a nurse."
"How about I come over and help Eun Sang-i until she is able to do things independently?" Kyung Ran suggests.
"You just want to come to my place," Young Do grumbles. "You're such a mother."
"Is that a problem?" she asks.
"Will you be amenable to that, Eun Sang?" Young Do asks Eun Sang.
"You're actually asking my opinion?" Eun Sang asks sarcastically.
Young Do shoots her a piercing look.
"Fine, fine," she harrumphs. "It's not like I have any say in this anyway."
The final two days in the hospital pass by in a blur. It usually starts with Park Hui Nam visiting and bringing food for Eun Sang followed by a stream of visitors.
Once everyone knew Eun Sang is admitted in the hospital, their friends flocked in for a visit. Most of the visits were enjoyable with the exception of Lee Bo Na, whose hormones are beyond heightened.
"How could this have happened?" she asks in English, squeezing Eun Sang tightly. Her slightly protruding belly knocking the IV line in Eun Sang's hand.
"I knew there was something wrong with that Moon Jun Yeong," Bo Na says angrily. "I can't believe what he did to you."
"It's over. That's all that matters," Chan Young says, rubbing his wife's arms.
Bo Na side eyes Choi Young Do. "How is it you didn't tell us?"
"Last time I checked, you weren't my mother," Young Do sassed Bo Na.
"Were you scared?" Myung Soo asks Eun Sang.
Eun Sang ponders his question.
She meets Young Do's eyes and smiles. "I was scared for a moment, but I didn't have time to really think about being scared. To be honest, I was more upset Young Do got dragged into this."
"I'm surprised we didn't hear anything about this in the news," Bo Na mutters.
"Jeguk Group and the Zeus Company made sure to keep this out of the news," Young Do says. "Otherwise, the gala and the Hanche merger would've been really be affected."
"That's so sad," Myung Soo adds, sighing.
"No need to relive that chapter," Cha Eun Sang replies. "Moon Jun Young confessed he is involved in Kim Tan's death. At least I can tell Madame Tan-a can rest peacefully."
"How did you feel when Moon Jun Yeong admitted to the crime?" Bo Na asks before quickly glancing at Young Do.
"Surprised," she replies. "And the reason as to why he died was senseless."
"Why did he do it?" Myung Soo queries.
Eun Sang looks at Chan Young before responding. He nods and smiles at her.
"He wanted to prevent Tan from marrying me in the US before coming back to Korea," she answers. "Apparently, Young Do was supposed to be our witness."
Bo Na and Myung Soo gasp.
"Did you know anything about the wedding?" Bo Na asks.
"No," Eun Sang answers.
"Did YOU know about the wedding?" Myung Soo directs his question to Young Do.
"Ani," he replies. "I knew he wanted us to go to Las Vegas but we never really discussed it in detail."
"That's so tragic," Bo Na notes, leaning against Chan Young. "I am glad it's all over."
The room gets quiet as everyone collects their thoughts.
When it got too quiet, Chan Young mischievously introduces a new topic.
"So," he says. "Now that you're getting discharged, I heard you're moving in to Choi Young Do's pad for a few weeks."
No one is more anxious to get home than Choi Young Do. The company car took him, his mother, and Cha Eun Sang to his house on the hills.
He hands his house keys to the driver to drop of the bags while he helps Eun Sang from the car. He let his mother lead the way as he guided Eun Sang to the house.
"Welcome home," he whispers in her ear before ushering her through the door.
She shoots him a look of surprise before walking in.
"Come in, come in! You're letting the cold air through the door," Yoo Kyung Ran scolds.
"I got your room ready, Eun Sang-i," Yoo Kyung Ran announces proudly. She opens the second door in the hallway to a very well lit and spacious room.
Eun Sang marvels at the queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. Despite its size, there was adequate space for the vanity table, étagère, and love seat. The far wall leading to the private bathroom is filled with books. It might as well be staged for an interior decorating magazine spread.
"I hope you'll be comfortable while you're here," Young Do says. "If you don't like it, you can try out the other room."
"I think this is more than adequate," she replies quickly.
Young Do resists the urge to kiss her as she carefully runs her fingers on the comforter and the headboard.
"Come, there's more to see," Young Do urges.
He leads her back to the living room as his mother unpacks Eun Sang's belongings in the drawers.
"This is where I live," he states.
She turns around and teases him. "I thought you lived in the hotel."
"For someone who needs help, you're mouthy," he teases back.
"Mian," she says, lifting her hand in surrender.
Young Do watches Eun Sang look around his personal space. His space. Other than Kim Tan and his mother, no one has entered his abode.
"Eotteoke saenggaghae?" What do you think? he asks to Eun Sang from behind.
"Your place is beautiful," she answers. She faces him and smiles. "It is you… Very tranquil but not too quiet."
He chuckles. "What does that even mean?"
"There's a strength from the artwork. The furniture is elegant but inviting. The scene outside the balcony is breathtaking," she expounds. "When I think of Choi Young Do, I see strength in your calm exterior. And whatever you do, you always seem to render me speechless."
Young Do inhales deeply, fighting the urge to close the gap between them and tuck her in his arms.
Instead, he pockets his free arm. "Keureseo?" Is that so?
"Uhm," she agrees. She closes the gap between them and rests her hand lightly against his slinged arm. "Keureseo."
He expresses a suppressed groan from her gentle touch.
"Did I hurt you?" she asks in concern.
He shakes his head. "I should be asking you that. How are you feeling?"
She, too, is forced to use a sling on her arm for the time being to help her wound heal. "I can take some pain medication later. Right now, it's fine."
"Do you want me to play doctor with you?" he suggests mischievously.
"Jugule?" she responds loud enough for only him to hear. "Why are you being so bold?"
"I just want to see how far I can tease you," he says, smiling.
"Stop it," she warns. "Before you know it, your mother will just say it's easier for her to care for me at the cafe."
"Are you saying that you were against staying here in the first place?" he asks.
She bites her lower lip before responding. "No."
"Yah, you two should get seated so you can eat," Yoo Kyung Ran calls over to them. "Young Do-ah, remember, you still have to go back to work."
"Arayeo," I know. Young Do replies over his shoulder.
They sit at the table as the food is set in front of them. "Meogoyeo." Eat.
"Kamsamnidha, eomoni," Cha Eun Sang says to Kyung Ran.
"No need to thank me," she replies before sitting down herself.
"Do you have a schedule for this afternoon?" Young Do asks before putting a spoonful of rice in his mouth.
"Get Eun Sang-i settled in her room," Yoo Kyun Ran replies. "I'm assuming you'd like to get a bath, ttal?"
"That would be nice," she says. "It might help me get some restful sleep."
The thought of Eun Sang being naked and in bed made Young Do sit up just a bit straighter. He expelled a cough before taking a sip of water.
"What time will you be home?" his mother asks him.
"Around five thirty or so," he says. "There aren't any projects requiring my immediate attention."
"I just want to be home with Eun Sang," is what he wants to tell his mother.
"Kre," Kyung Ran says. "Then as soon as Eun Sang is settled, I'll prepare dinner and leave it on the stove to be heated. Banchan is in the refrigerator. Make sure you help Eung Sang."
"Araseo, eomma," he says solemnly.
"I need to be back to the cafe to close," she says. "Will you be comfortable by yourself for a few hours, Eun Sang-i?"
"Ne, eomoni," she puts the elder woman at ease.
"Kre, kre," she says like a worried mother. "Do you want me to sleep here tonight?"
"Eomma!" Young Do exclaims, exasperated. "I am not going to do anything to Eun Sang. She will be safe with me."
Yoo Kyung Ran is caught by surprise. "Mianhadha, adeul. I'm… I'm just making sure you two are safe."
"Kamsamnidha, eomoni," Eun Sang says. "But Choi Young Do-ssi is right. We will be alright. To be honest, I am most comfortable with Young Do. He has been nothing but gentlemanly toward me."
Yoo Kyung Ran's eyes dart between the two of them. When she realizes they were both sincere, she drops the subject.
"Kurom, would it be fine if I came in around noon? I'm assuming you'll be able to get breakfast on the table," she looks at both of them.
"Eomma, we are adults, not toddlers," Young Do assures her. He reaches out and grabs his mother's hand. "We have lived by ourselves for a while now. But thank you for worrying about us."
"I just don't want you two to get too comfortable playing house," his mother adds, wringing her hands.
"On that note, I am leaving for work," Young Do replies, setting his utensils aside.
He gets up and kisses his mother on the cheek. Then he rounds the table and does the same to Eun Sang.
"Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything," he tells her.
Eun Sang nods, blushing at the blatant display of skinship in front of his mother. "I won't."
Yoo Kyung Ran stands up and calls out to Young Do. "Before you go, take this bento box to your father."
Cha Eun Sang is lost in her thoughts when Choi Young Do walks through the front door. The light beep on the electronic door lock breaks her reverie. She isn't sure if this is how he always walks through his home. He barely makes a sound. With the exception of the light tapping of his dress shoes hitting the hardwood floor, he might as well be a ghost.
"Waseo?" she calls out, hoping he doesn't get startled with her being in his home.
In a few moments, he rounds the corner to the kitchen. He flashes her a tired smile before stopping a few steps in front of her.
"I would have thought you'd be asleep," he says, crossing his arms before him.
"I was until your mother left for the cafe," she says. She is unsure why her heart suddenly decides to dance a syncopated rhythm.
She averts her eyes from his and makes a concerted effort to finish heating the food on the stove.
"Do me a favor and get the rice bowls, please?" she asks him.
He follows her instructions and takes the bowls from the shelf and sets it next to her. She ladles a few scoops of rice before handing them back to him.
She fishes a trivet suspended from the wall and walks it to the table. Then she goes back to the stove to retrieve the hotpot filled with soup. Young Do, on the other hand, retrieves some of the plastic containers from the refrigerator and puts them on the table. Both of them sit once the utensils and the drinking glasses are set.
"Eventually, I will know where everything will be and we'll be eating on time by the time you get home," Eun Sang promises.
"Don't try too hard," he says. "You're a patient. You shouldn't be moving this much."
"If I don't move, I will die of boredom," Eun Sang says after shoving a spoon of rice in her mouth.
"I'd prefer you dying of boredom than re-injuring yourself," Young Do chides her before taking a sip of his soup.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's stuck here," she says, teasing.
"Are you saying I have a boring house?" he challenges. "There's a ton of books in your room alone. And if that's not enough, there's a TV and a game console. The house does have internet."
She leans forward and says, "When would I have the time to learn how to play on a game console? I bet your game console will be a bunch of shooting games that would require me to have a sign on or something."
"Want me to teach you to play some of the games?" he asks eagerly. "Kim Tan and I should still have a Mario Brothers game somewhere."
She chuckles. "I can see you guys playing that."
"We have racing games too," he adds, excited. "I think you'll like that."
"I bet you would," she says, chuckling. "But that can wait."
"Just saying," he replies, shrugging. "Definitely beats boredom."
"Enough about me being entertained. How was work? You look a bit tired," Eun Sang comments, changing topics.
"Yoon Chan Young called me this afternoon. He said he filed your kidnapping case," he states. "It will be a matter of days when we find out when he's going to court for that. They've also started processing the human smuggling case. They didn't find drugs in the warehouse but they found a few containers of illegally obtained firearms. Moon Jun Yeong may be facing a long prison sentence. They might even consider giving him the death penalty if he doesn't cooperate in locating his former boss."
She sips her soup slowly, thinking about the news passed to her.
"That's really sad," she says, sighing. "It is a shame he is involved in something so bad."
"I can't believe you're still sympathizing with him despite what he did to you," Young Do argues. His voice went from calm and even-toned to frustrated and annoyed.
"I'm not condoning what he did," she placates him. "I am just saying it has to be drastic for him to be part of something horrible. I would think working with a private security group would allow him to live a decent life."
"We don't know what motivates different people," Young Do replies while calming himself. "Only he can answer that."
Eun Sang agrees with him with a short nod. "How did Chief take the news?"
"Abeoji is pushing for more charges against Moon Jun Yeong," Young Do confirms. "I told him Moon Jun Yeong won't be going anywhere any time soon."
"What did he say to that?" Eun Sang asks.
"Abeoji said I should take a few days off and let him worry about work and the lawsuit against Moon Jun Yeong," he replies.
"How do you feel about it?" she asks quietly. He has asked her how she feels about the whole incident but he never voiced out his feelings.
He pauses before shoving the spoon in his mouth. "Annoyed. Frustrated. I would like to kill Jun Yeong with my own hands but that wouldn't change the fact he murdered Kim Tan and kidnapped you."
Eun Sang remains quiet, taking in his confession. "I think you should take Chief's recommendation to take things easy."
"I'm not doing anything stressful," he reassures her. "I'm not going anywhere but the office where all I do is review contracts. Besides, it keeps my mind off Moon Jun Yeong."
"I just want to make sure you're not stressing yourself out," she reminds him. "I won't forgive you either if you strain yourself and your rib wounds don't heal well."
"I won't," he swears to her. Then, he leans against the chair's backrest and stares at her intently.
"What?" she asks. Her heart takes another somersault before she looks around her. "Do I have food on my face?"
"Ani," he answers, smiling. "Who would've thought Cha Eun Sang would care about my general welfare?"
"I always did," she argues. "Even back in Jeguk High, didn't I do things for you so you didn't get into trouble?"
"But it was so much fun getting into trouble because of you," he teases.
She could feel a blush creep up her neck and warm her ears. "Geumanahe." Stop it.
"Why? It's true," he says. "You're so much trouble back then. I should've realized you would be my downfall."
Eun Sang puts her utensil and looks at him. "I thought you said you'll forget me."
"It's a little hard to do that when there are so many people telling me things about you," he confesses. "And when I took the courage to move on, Kim Tan does this to us."
Eun Sang puts her utensils down and stares at him.
"Mwoga?" What? He asks.
"We sure took a long way to get here, didn't we?" she says.
"I just hope it doesn't take another eight years to figure out our next move," he says before he finishing his meal.