A/N: Do I have any excuses? None. Just read on dear reader if you're still here. ^^


Chapter 28

"You're going to make a hole in the carpet with your pacing you know," Woo Bin blinked at the words, clear as crystal, piercing his inner thoughts.

The house was in lockdown as Woo Bin's men were currently searching the grounds for the shooter that nearly took out both Hyun Jae and Ji Hoo. Hyun Jae had been silent, but Woo Bin saw Ji Hoo's alarmed face as they rushed back inside when the guards came scurrying towards them as a means of protection. Ji Hoo's eyes were dark and the tightness of his mouth alerted Woo Bin that the accident was no mere accident. In an effort to calm down his friend, Woo Bin had Ji Hoo escort Hyun Jae to the room where she was to stay the night with the rest of the girls, and asked him to check on her, being the doctor in the house. It was both a diversionary tactic and a means for his friends and family to be together as he made an effort to contain the situation.

Typical of course that Jae Kyung would have none of that, and had quickly sought him out, demanding details. Woo Bin had just finished ordering his men to search the grounds and the rest of the house for the attacker, though he knew it was a slim chance the culprit was still in the premises.

"Sit down for a bit," Jae Kyung's voice was firm, but laced with enough concern it was enough to halt Woo Bin in his tracks, a slight smile tugging at his lips. She was currently perched on the arm of one of his many couches in his room, one slim leg tucked underneath one knee. She had been watching him pace for the past 5 minutes, but Woo Bin honestly couldn't recall how she ended up in his room. The woman was damn stealthy.

"Nobody has been able to break through our security before." He found himself saying out loud, even as he chose to sit on the very couch she was perched on, and not the one adjacent to it. Woo Bin tried not to think about the fact this gave him an excuse to see her legs up close. Of course not. He was busy thinking about the shooter.

"Did you hire new people recently?" Jae Kyung asked, her head obviously still on the problem at hand, reminding Woo Bin he should be to. He cleared his throat, leaning back against the couch cushions and shook his head. He didn't need to elaborate that due to his family business, hiring men was quite a serious process and he knew for sure there hadn't been any acquisitions both for house staff and security in the last six months.

He sighed, his breath puffing out almost tiredly. He hated mysteries that he couldn't solve. Especially when he had the distinct feeling that the answer to this one was hovering in front of him.

"Do you think they're connected?" Jae Kyung interrupted his thoughts again, this time by handing him a glass of scotch from his bedroom bar. How she even found out his alcohol preferences, Woo Bin would like to know, but he was too boggled about the current circumstances to ask out loud. Instead, he gave a thankful smile, which widened at the second glass Jae Kyung was holding for herself.

"The attack on Hyun Jae earlier and tonight?" He asked, appreciating that they seemed to be operating at the same wavelength. Whether through an online correspondence or personal friendship, Woo Bin was quite please he had somebody aside from the F4 who knew how he thought and could follow those thoughts.

Jae Kyung nodded, taking a sip of her own glass of scotch, perching on the arm of his couch again. She was dressed like a college girl with borrowed pajamas from the twins, but her eyes held the wisdom of a corporate heir. Her short dark had grown somewhat, but she still looked as youthful as ever, with the same pent-up energy bundled in the tiny frame of a South Korean heiress. Woo Bin was momentarily distracted from his thoughts at the image of Jae Kyung but thanks to the woman himself, he pulled himself together to thin about the situation seriously.

"It's too early to tell, though two attempts at Hyun Jae in one day are not enough of a coincidence." He murmured, quite bothered at the conclusion he and Jae Kyung had seemed to draw.

"Who is she?" Jae Kyung asked, and it was obvious she didn't mean just about her name.

"She's a nobody," Woo Bin found himself automatically answering. That folder his father had shown him months ago flashed in his mind's eye but he dismissed it. "No family and no connections, I checked."

"She's an orphan?" Jae Kyung asked and there was something in her tone and Woo Bin straightened up.

"What are you thinking?" He pressed, watching the thoughts dance across her face. It was rather fascinating to watch, and Woo Bin would have said so if Jae Kyung hadn't been so determined to talk about the matter at hand.

"Bait?" She asked out loud and Woo Bin started, the glass of scotch hovering just before his lips. "For who?"

Jae Kyung had a thoughtful look on her face before dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "It seemed a tad bit dramatic, and unless you do have enemies that favor dramatics, I'm guessing it must be just a coincidence."

"You're not suggesting this is a normal occurrence in my household are you?" Woo Bin couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at that, to which Jae Kyung gave not so elegant snort.

"Don't get offended, I mean, it might just be a coincidence. Two incidents make it one, you know. It might just be one of those offenders envious of you or the F4. It has happened, right? Heck, it happens to me too."

"Don't let Jan Di hear you say that," Woo Bin gave a soft chuckle as he straightened up from the couch and he fished their empty glasses with intent to do a refill. "You'll never hear the end of her "chaebols-are-the-worst" speech."

Jae Kyung laughed at that, launching herself off the couch to follow him. "Jan Di adores me; she'll probably lecture you instead."

Woo Bin grimaced, knowing that was a high possibility. His men came after a few minutes, reporting that aside from some skid marks from a motorcycle from the far end of the Song property, they hadn't been able to locate any trace of the shooter.

"Double check the cameras," Woo Bin ordered his lieutenant before dismissing them for the night. He would normally have run his men ragged by now, being a stickler for security measures, especially when his own family and friends are involved, but he was not about to leave Jae Kyung all by herself, though the woman can clearly hold her own. He ignored the surprised look of his men at being dismissed for the night and instead turned to walk back towards his inner rooms where Jae Kyung had scurried off to when his men arrived.

"You didn't need to hide," Woo Bin remarked as soon as they had left and she emerged, looking like she had spotted something quite delightful in his rooms. "And you shouldn't have snooped either." He recognized the leather-bound photograph album in her hands.

"It's not snooping if it's in plain sight," She retorted, knowing he had left the album on top of his dressers. He had meant to show it to Hyun Jae in an attempt to embarrass Ji Hoo, but it had been forgotten in the light of the night's excitement.

Jae Kyung was about to open the album when Ji Hoo announced his arrival. The doctor merely glanced at Jae Kyung in Woo Bin's couch, as if not entirely surprised she was there before turning to his friend.

"News?" He asked plaintively and accepted a glass of scotch from Woo Bin.

"No trace, as to be expected." Woo Bin confessed apologetically. "I'm sorry Ji Hoo. Though that won't stop me from getting to the bottom of this, of course."

"Of course." Ji Hoo nodded taking a sip of the alcohol.

"How's Hyun Jae?" Jae Kyung asked, exchanging looks of concern with Woo Bin about Ji Hoo's more withdrawn expression.

Ji Hoo visibly relaxed at the mention of Hyun Jae, though there was still some tightness around his eyes and mouth. "Better, disappointed that we had to stop our walk." A slight smile appeared on his lips at that, amused at Hyun Jae's priorities. "Not hurt thankfully. Though…" He turned to Woo Bin who merely nodded as if in answer to Ji Hoo's unasked question.

"I'll have more guards around her then."

Jae Kyung frowned at that. It seemed so typical of the men to dictate how women should live their lives, and she opened her mouth to defend Hyun Jae herself when Ji Hoo interjected.

"Only when she's alone. I will be with her most of the time," He said in his quiet manner to which Woo Bin nodded. Ji Hoo was more than capable of defending the petite musician.

"The guards are a precaution, Monkey." Woo Bin said instead, seeing Jae Kyung was determined to be offended. "Ji Hoo is a doctor, and would often be on call. I would defend her myself, but we have lives too don't we? And I don't think my bro here would appreciate me hovering around Hyun Jae too much." The last sentence was said with a smirk to which Ji Hoo shook his head a bit exasperated.

"Still, the quicker we figure out who wants you dead this time around, the safer she'd be." Jae Kyung said sagely, crossing her legs again.

"Dead?" Ji Hoo asked a bit confused, at the same time Woo Bin said "We?"

Jae Kyung smirked at the two of them, shaking her head. And the two were supposed to be the smarter half of the F4.

"Bin told me Hyun Jae's background. A girl like her most probably won't have powerful enemies, at least not enough to warrant attacks on her that happened tonight. I figured, which I'm sure you will agree, whoever is attacking her might be doing so in her connection to you. Or to F4 at the least." She said this all in a matter-of-fact manner.

Ji Hoo and Woo Bin exchanged looks. They had discussed it somewhat a few weeks ago, before Christmas, and Ji Hoo had been determined to keep Hyun Jae safe, and in dark that somebody might be targeting her.

"I'll protect her." Ji Hoo spoke firmly, his eyes serious. Jae Kyung nodded, equally serious.

"But just as Bin said, you won't be around her all the time, despite your budding romance." She gave a shrug before flashing that trademark mischievous grin of hers. "Which is where the "we" comes in."

"Yah, Monkey." Woo Bin's voice cut off Ji Hoo even before he could ask. "Are you here to stay?"

Jae Kyung flashed that grin of hers again. "I had planned on having a visit, but it seemed you need all the help you can get, especially since the F4 isn't complete. Plus, Bin hardly gives any details about what's happening here, so I'd rather have a front side seat to everything."

Woo Bin snorted at that but Ji Hoo gave a slight bow.

"Thank you," Ji Hoo said gratefully to which Jae Kyung gave an embarrassed wave of her hand.

"Don't mention it; I've missed Jan Di and Ga Eul, and surprisingly Seoul as well, so I'll be glad to help. Plus, Hyun Jae seems like a good kid."

Ji Hoo gave a smile at that. "She likes you as well. I think she's replaced Jan Di with you as her role model."

Jae Kyung gave a delighted laugh, clasping her hands. "You sure know how to pick them, Ji Hoo."

Woo Bin gave her a warning glance at the mention of the past, but Ji Hoo didn't seem as fazed. "I'm sure I don't deserve your compliments,"

Jae Kyung gave a sly smile before straightening up from the couch. "Now that's done. I'm off to gossip with the girls. I'm sure they also have ideas about who the shooter might be."

"Isn't that a tad macabre topic to be discussing at a slumber party?" Woo Bin couldn't help but ask to which he was quickly scoffed at.

"None of the women here right now are your usual delicate flowers, Bin." With that declaration, Jae Kyung sauntered away, a smug smile on her lips.


The rest of the night and the next morning passed by without incident. Still, Woo Bin had made sure to be up early, before the rest of his family and friends to oversee security. At least he thought he was the first one to wake, but as he was doing rounds, he saw the door to the music room was open and the soft sound of a piano could be heard.

He had peeked, mainly out of curiosity, and was rewarded by spotting Hyun Jae (still dressed in her pajamas), at the piano bench, playing a piece. Ji Hoo was standing behind her, watching with an apt expression. He would nudge her a few times, correcting her fingers or posture, but for the most part, he would let her play.

Woo Bin felt a smile stretch on his face, when Hyun Jae stopped to tug Ji Hoo on the bench beside her and ask him to play. The smile stretched even wide when Ji Hoo indulged and he began to play the piano once more. Ji Hoo was playing music again.

Judging by the smile in both of their faces, Woo Bin had a hard time determining who was happier than two at that moment. They seemed to be equally happy, the giver of music and the one receiving it. Woo Bin quickly left them at it, giving them their peace.

Still he couldn't help but give both of them knowing looks when all of them gathered to have breakfast. The girls were in good spirits, the night's rest eliminating whatever fear they had about the shooter. Even Hyun Jae herself seemed to have forgotten the incident, apologizing instead for the inconvenience his men might have had last night.

"Since I'll be staying for a while, I think it'll be great to catch up, don't you think Jan Di? Ga Eul? Remember the fun we used to have?" Jae Kyung's voice floated from the other end of the table as the group ate breakfast. "We could go get manicures and shop again, it's been so long.

Ga Eul and Jan Di had exchanged looks before saying quite apologetically that though they'd love to spend the day with Jae Kyung, Jan Di had rounds at the hospital that afternoon, and Ga Eul had class to teach. Jae Kyung had pouted, but quickly commandeered the rest of the girls instead.

"That sounds fun, unnie, I've never had a manicure." Hyun Jae had spoken softly. Like magic words, Jae Kyung had perked up and declared she will bring Hyun Jae to the best spots ever. She quickly invited the twins too, to which the girls gladly accepted. A day out with the cool unnie seemed like a fun day. Woo Bin resisted the urge to give warnings of staying away from chicken feet restaurants and noraebang spots.

"Then we can meet up for dinner," Ji Hoo surprised everybody by suggesting. Hyun Jae had looked up as well, surprised. "To welcome Jae Kyung back."

"A dinner party sounds fun! We can play games, right Jan Di?" Jae Kyung looked positively excited about it. "It's too bad Jun Pyo and Yi Jeong aren't home, then we can see Ji Hoo kiss the rest of the F4 again."

Hyun Jae choked on the tea she was drinking and the twins gave audible gasps.

"What?" Hyun Jae asked in a breathless voice, her cheeks red. Ji Hoo would have said how cute she was if he wasn't so embarrassed.

"It was a dare," He explained as calmly as he could, though he could feel his ears were red.

"Of course it was, none of them are as cute as you Hyun Jae, don't worry." Jae Kyung said loudly, making Hyun Jae blush even more. Laughter quickly followed Jae Kyung's announcement before it was decided they were all to gather at the F4 lounge later that night for dinner. Jae Kyung had dragged the twins and Hyun Jae off for a day of girly pursuits.

That had quickly become a pattern for the next couple of weeks. If Hyun Jae wasn't at school, practicing her music, Jae Kyung would appear and drag her off to do things, declaring she needed somebody to show her around. Pretty soon, there was very little time that Hyun Jae was alone. Any incidents seemed to have lessened at this, no attacks on Hyun Jae or any of them had happened and Woo Bin had been content enough to lessen the security to normal.


"Ji Hoo is there something wrong?" Ji Hoo blinked at the question, turning to look at Hyun Jae seated across him, spoon in her mouth.

They had decided to get a late-night ramyeon. Well, Hyun Jae coaxed Ji Hoo to get some ramyeon because he was working late at the hospital tonight. They had not seen each other in weeks. In as much as he would have preferred she get some rest, he found himself unable to say no to those soulful eyes looking up at him. He had been able to tell her asking him for dinner had been difficult for her, so he indulged.

At the same time those thoughts raced across his mind, he hated himself and had tried not to dwell on his second thoughts too much. Apparently however, it did not help, because Hyun Jae noticed and rather than let him brood as she would often do, she called him on it, showing him she was confused. "You haven't touched your food..."

She peeked at his still full bowl and Ji Hoo had the grace to duck his head embarrassed. He seriously did not notice he hadn't taken a bite and he gave an embarrassed sigh. "Forgive me Hyun Jae-ah, I was just deep in thought."

Hyun Jae was silent; her head tilted to one side as if studying him before nodding but continued to gaze at him steadily. A gaze that Ji Hoo was pretty sure if she really wanted, Hyun Jae would be able to tell what he was hiding. But she did not say anything and merely studied him, his own image reflected in her wide innocent eyes and he saw the trust there. Trust that had not been easy for her to give, he knew out of all people knew that, but there it was, shining from dark soulful eyes that for some inexplicable reason Ji Hoo felt his heart constrict and he looked away.

He felt her eyes still on him even as he did so however, and Ji Hoo resisted the urge to ask her what she saw. If she saw the coward in him or if she was sensing the secrets he could not muster the strength to tell her.

Whatever he expected, it was not the gentle touch of her hand across the table, almost shy and he looked at her, quietly questioning. The trust was still there shining her eyes but in her eyes there was understanding also.

It's all right. They seemed to say and a silent conversation between the two of them passed and Ji Hoo felt his fingers thread through hers and squeeze her much smaller hand in his, getting and giving strength. She smiled then, a gentle sort of smile before she gestured at his bowl.

"It's not spicy enough for you isn't it?" She asked her lips twitching and Ji Hoo understood the silent question in them. That she understood that he was not ready to tell her yet, and perhaps she too wasn't, since she had made no moves to confess her feelings. With her quiet understanding, Ji Hoo felt grateful, grateful and more than a little ashamed. She was far a stronger person than he was, how would she react when she found out he was Daddy Long Legs?

At that thought, Ji Hoo found himself squeezing her hand and not letting go for the rest of the night.

"Hyun Jae?" He tugged on her hand gently when they left the restaurant, the cold wind of the night whipping against their coat-clad bodies. Almost instinctively he drew her to him, and she moved closer, yet another palpable sign that things have truly changed between them. She didn't say anything but a soft murmur, her own fingers warm against his rapidly cooling ones and Ji Hoo resisted the urge to pull away.

I'm not who you think I am. The words came unbidden in his mind and Ji Hoo struggled to say them out loud, despite the seemingly calm facade he knew his face had taken. Anybody who knew him would see through that though, including Hyun Jae, and Ji Hoo did not know if he was grateful for the fact that she was far shorter than him and currently snuggled against his side for her to see his face. To be honest he had had the urge to tell Hyun Jae the truth for weeks now, ever since her recital. He wanted to comfort her and tell her that she was not alone, but how could he when that would mean her only source of comfort was a lie? If Ji Hoo was going to be honest with himself and put himself in her shoes, him, he would not be entirely pleased to hear that one of the constants in his life was one big fat lie. So he stalled, stalled because it was easier for the both of them to keep up the charade. But every email had made it harder and harder for him to keep his secret, especially her last one. Now that he knew she had feelings for him, he to break her heart by telling her the truth.

Hyun Jae seemed oblivious to his internal struggles, or choosing to ignore them, as she had done in the ramyeon shop. In fact, she seemed perfectly content judging by the soft humming coming from her lips as they walked side by side back towards Shinwa University Hospital. Ji Hoo's arm wrapped tighter around her slim shoulders and he felt a smile tug on his lips as she snuggled close, as if welcoming the physical contact. She really was a warm person, as different from Jan Di as could be. A lot more fragile, yet a lot stronger, she was a contradiction and Ji Hoo couldn't muster the strength to be the source of her pain. Especially since he knew now of her feelings. But he had to. He knew he had to tell her the truth, because they were people like that. Over the past months of their acquaintance, honesty had been one of the things Ji Hoo appreciated from her, both as Ji Hoo and Daddy Long Legs.

She was frank, in her own gentle way and possessed a quiet strength that told him she could withstand any trial. Besides, Ji Hoo thought to himself, rubbing her shoulders over her coat, if she could not find it in her heart to forgive him for his lie, then perhaps her feelings, as honest as they were, were not as strong as she made it to be and therefore not as worth it.

"If you could be anywhere right now," He asked her softly, as they walked steadily, not caring about their pace and Ji Hoo felt himself relax with her by his side. "Where would you be?"

"Hmm?" Hyun Jae asked, curiously, but not asking him why he would ask such a question. He was glad that at least some things about their conversations never change. She seemed to have been gifted with the ability to understand his way of thinking making him think her own was not so far away from his.

"An amusement park." She answered after several heartbeats. "I have never been to one. I wonder what it would be like."

"I don't know. I have never been either." He answered honestly and he could feel Hyun Jae's eyes on him doubtful. A smile twitched in his lips. For all she knew of his intrinsic nature, Ji Hoo forgot that there were a lot of details about his life that he hadn't shared with her. Case in point, this being one.

"What?" He teased her now, tapping her gently on the nose when she looked up at him confused. "You didn't think a chaebol like me would have a few things unexperienced?"

He had let it slip, the fact that he knew Hyun Jae referred to him as a chaebol to her Daddy Long Legs and he looked her a bit alarmed now, waiting for her to realize, and for a few heartbeats he watched the confusion dance across Hyun Jae's eyes before she smiled. Smiled that bright smile at him.

"Then that's settled then." She said and for a fraction of a second Ji Hoo thought he had been merely imagining the worst case scenario when Hyun Jae found about Daddy Long Legs. She tilted her head and the same excitement showed on her face. "We are definitely going to an amusement park. It should be fun for the both of us right?"

There was that hopeful voice again and Ji Hoo couldn't do anything but nod to her request. Hyun Jae smiled and clapped happily before proceeding with their walk and Ji Hoo wished it was that easy to tell her everything.

When Hyun Jae yawned, trying to hide it from Ji Hoo, he saw an opening. It would be best if he told her in a safe place. "Do you want to come home with me?" The question left his lips before he could think it through and he knew he worded it wrong because Hyun Jae suddenly stiffened next to him, pulling away slightly to look up at his face, her own face glowing red.

"W-wwhat?" She spluttered and for some weird reason Ji Hoo felt his own cheeks turn red.

"I mean for tea." He added now, ducking his head embarrassed and unusually shy. What the heck, Yoon Ji Hoo? Since when did you become a blushing schoolboy? Beside him, he heard Hyun Jae give a sigh of relief and she tugged on his hand. "Is that okay with you?" She asked, this time the one shy and Ji Hoo relaxed. "I mean, I have never been..."

"Of course," He cut her off, surprising himself at his eagerness. He did not know why, but he felt like he owed it to her to show the other sides of himself, and his house where he spent most of his time if he were not in the hospital or at the F4 lounge. "If you want only that is."

They were like two awkward teenagers, he more than Hyun Jae. To be fair to her, she had never done this before and every experience was new to her. Ji Hoo had no such excuse. Despite the fact that of course the first two great loves of his life didn't go his way, he had his fair share of dates over the years (most of them arranged by either Woo Bin and Yi Jeong) and he knew his way around when it came to relationships. He could almost see Yi Jeong and Woo Bin shake his head in dismay and Jun Pyo laugh his ass off at how awkward Ji Hoo was making himself look.

As if the image strengthened his resolve, Ji Hoo steeled himself and forced the shyness at the back of his mind and gave Hyun Jae a steady smile now, one that Hyun Jae returned just as brightly. "Let me just get my keys. I think I left them in my office." He said after patting his coat down and unable to procure the keys to his motorcycle.

Hyun Jae nodded and stuffed her hands in her coat (the one he bought her) and spoke with that absolute trust in her voice as she followed him.

"I'll wait for you in the lounge. " She said hinting to Ji Hoo just how happy she was at his invitation and deep inside he knew he was happy that he made her so. At least some good memories before everything would be revealed.

He smiled at her when they reached the hospital and with a quick murmur of "I'll be back", Ji Hoo strode towards the elevator to ride to his office, not noticing the darkly clad man who stood up from his seat in the lounge and approached Hyun Jae just as Ji Hoo disappeared from her line of sight.

"Kim Hyun Jae-ssi?"


Ji Hoo had gone to his office and saw his keys right where he had left them. He could do this, he told himself. Hyun Jae was one of the nicest people he had ever met, and the fact that she had feelings for him might make it easier for her to forgive him. But what of him? he found himself asking as he made sure everything was turned off in his office before leaving. What exactly were his feelings for her?

Before he could ask that however, the door burst open and in came Jan Di, her normally neatly tied hair in disarray. "Oh good," She breathed out in absolute relief seeing him in his office. There's been an emergency and we need you, sunbae."

"What?" He asked, his voice deadly calm but his eyes tight. He remembered the last time he had kept Hyun Jae waiting, they didn't talk to each other for weeks afterwards. He was not about to do that again to her, even if Jan Di was standing there giving him the most pleading look he had ever seen her give.

Still...

"Jan Di," He retorted, his voice calm but stern. "I am no longer on call and I'm sure there are more capable doctors that can..."

"There are none, sunbae, only you. Please. The child, he's dying." Jan DI puffed out, her hand tight on the doorknob and Ji Hoo closed his eyes briefly as if shutting out her tortured look. I'm sorry Hyun Jae. He murmured before giving a sigh and motioning for Jan Di to leave. Hyun Jae would understand, it was a hospital emergency. Fishing out his phone, he typed up a quick apology, and after a moment's hesitation, he cancelled their plans with promises of taking her home over the weekend. It should be enough, please let it be enough, he thought to himself even as he prepped for surgery, listening to Jan Di dictate the case. It was a burst appendix, pretty basic surgery for a resident however Ji Hoo was currently the only doctor available who could do the surgery. However it was a good thing that the surgery was normally a quick one and Hyun Jae wouldn't have to wait that long.

Barely two minutes into the surgery however, his phone beeped, a text from Hyun Jae. Since he assumed that she replied to his earlier text he instructed the nurse to ignore the phone. 15 minutes later, another text beeped, still from Hyun Jae and Ji Hoo resisted the urge to look. He would be done with this surgery soon, if she could just be patient.

"What is that ringing?" 30 minutes into the surgery and Ji Hoo looked up, his eyes showing the tiniest of annoyance and he looked over to the nurse. "It's still Hyun Jae, sunbae." Jan Di supplied when she had gone over to look at a nod from Ji Hoo. A slight sigh. He had hoped she would understand, but apparently she didn't and he instructed Jan Di to turn the phone off. Hyun Jae had most likely gone home by now. He would have to explain himself to her tomorrow or some other time.

He had just been finishing the last few stitches on the patient when this time Jan Di's phone rang and she bowed embarrassedly before hurrying to pick up the phone.

"Yobosaeyo? Woo Bin sunbae? What's-WHAT?" Jan Di's voice was as sharp as whip making Ji Hoo look up just as he was pulling off the surgical gown and gloves. Jan Di's face was contorted with alarm and fright as she turned to Ji Hoo and he felt his heart sink fearing the worst.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, as a hush fell across the operating room when Jan Di spoke.

"Sunbae.." She started and she shook her head as if unable to believe it.

"Jan Di..what..."

"Hyun Jae." She started and Ji Hoo felt his heart drop. What? What of Hyun Jae? She was just down in the hospital lobby as she promised to wait for him.

"What?" He looked at Jan Di now, his best friend, daring her to complete her sentence and for the first time in a long time, Jan DI met his gaze head on.

"She's gone. Somebody took her."