The ringing from the bells hanging from the door brought Jaehee's attention to the door.
"Girls, hello!"
Jaehee went to hug the two girls running to her. Zen closed the door behind him, he was so tall his head and the door frame were only several centimeters apart.
The wooden tables and chairs were empty without guests since it was before the opening hours. Zen obviously couldn't come to the cafe on business hours and without a disguise, fans will flock him. In the end, he probably wouldn't be able to enjoy a talk with Jaehee.
Jaehee placed her hands on the two small figures, their hair tied into pigtails. They always have the cutest of hairstyles, courtesy of their father of course.
"Girls, do you want strawberry smoothie?", asked Jaehee.
"Yes!", they both shouted in unison.
"You can go play while appa help Jaehee-imo okay."
The girls obediently took a seat in one of the empty tables and took out their things from the red backpacks they wear. Zen took a final glance before disappearing with Jaehee to the counter where drinks are usually prepared.
"Will Ha Eun join us today?", asked Jaehee.
"Oh no, she's abroad with Jumin."
"Business?"
"The owner and the head office of the products that C&R licensed here wanted to meet and do some business talk. Since it work closely with Ha Eun's research place, he asked her to tag along."
"Ah I see."
Life has moved again since that day. Everything went back to normal.
Ha Eun got her memories back due to the cyanide incident, for reasons unexplainable. For her, the 'lost' days felt like a dream she vaguely remembers. She remembered some details but couldn't arrange the whole timeline. For her, it's like someone had pressed paused on her life. The last thing she remembered was going inside her car after work and then some weird fleeting dream, finally she found herself in a hospital. Again.
It was a work getting her back up in the society since the world and media had pronounced her dead. There was even an accusation placed on Zen for attempting insurance scam, involving Ha Eun. His company released a statement denying it and offered Zen's full cooperation to be investigated.
Ha Eun was furious, of course. He remembered that day. They were meeting with the investigators, and accompanied with their friend and law aide, Sung. He worked for the company that handled C&R's business so they know not to take Zen's and Ha Eun's business lightly. Well, he is a top celebrity already. Before marrying Ha Eun, Zen had little to no idea about so many law thingy he had get his hands on. A prenuptial agreement, Zen thought it was fiction at first. So it was kind and thoughtful of Sung to treat the two in their own different ways. Ha Eun knew her stuff but Zen doesn't, in addition, Sung was a young man with age near as Zen so they get along quite well.
"Woah, you look scary.", Sung said as he entered the meeting room, addressing Ha Eun.
The glowering woman in her formal wear eyed him, and if he hadn't known her before, he might cower in fear. Zen, the dashing man next to her, on the other side is completely relaxed.
"I told her. She looked like the director in my first audition, so ready to crush dreams of all young actors.", added Zen.
"Reminded me of Mr. Han during our year end meetings. He always make that face when someone reports something bad to him.", said Sung.
"So you better make this right or I make sure you won't see Mr Han again.", Ha Eun threw an ultimatum at him.
He looked back at her, with a deadpanned face. Then to the husband, pointing at the wife.
"Is she threatening me? Did you just listen to your wife?", Sung said jokingly.
Zen lifts his both arms in surrender.
The problem was solved and it all went out well. Zen's fans had helped and disapproves of the accusation flown on him and his family, at least from the public side he is won. Ha Eun was scared it might damage his career, but thankfully it didn't happen. The court dismissed the case against him.
He was able to get jobs again once he returned for real. He didn't want to take any long term commitment before Ha Eun was able to stand on her own two feet. Ha Eun herself was able to return to her previous job with the permission of her partner and the main office.
And the twins returned back to their home. It's 4 of them again.
The cafe bell rang again and when Zen heard the girls happy calls, he can already guess who it was. Their favourite uncle.
"Yoosung-samchon!"
The girls leaped into Yoosung's arms as he twirled and lifted them off the floor. Zen peeked behind the glass showcase.
"Yoosung, you made it.", greeted Zen.
"I got the afternoon shift today so I'm here! Hello, Jaehee-nuna."
Gathering at Jaehee's cafe at lunch was something that they started to do recently. They might chat less in the group chat, but they meet more in person. Cherishing the time they can with their loved ones.
"Oh I got a text from Ha Eun, she's just arrived.", said Zen.
"With Jumin-hyung? I thought he left yesterday."
"She has some things to do so she left after him."
The girls had went to the kitchen, interested at what the cafe staff were doing. The adults were left on their own with their lunch.
"Jumin-hyung and Ha Eun... Well, if it hadn't worked out between you at that time, I think Jumin-hyung would take her himself?", Yoosung said while moving his food to his spoon.
"Actually I kind of had that image too. I think he would probably move base halfway across the world and marry her there where her past life won't touch her.", added Jaehee.
"Hey what is this about.", groaned Zen.
"I mean, when she was first found, the one that had supported her living was Jumin-hyung and Seven-hyung. If she didn't return to you, she has nowhere else to go. She is legally deceased. Her only hope is Jumin-hyung."
"Out of all us, Mr. Han gets along with Ha Eun the most, since they're a bit like each other."
"And it doesn't look like Jumin-hyung doesn't like her. You know he enjoys her company."
Yoosung nooded at Jaehee's statement.
Zen waved his hand at the two, dismissing their daydreams.
"But it's my luck, she returned to me. She is meant to be mine.", replied Zen.
Jumin watched from the car window while his driver was waiting by the side of the car. People begin walking out of the airport, signalling that a flight had landed not too long ago. Then he found her, dragging her metal luggage beside her. Dressed in loose pants and black jacket covering her white blouse, nothing she wore was figure hugging but she was still turning heads, Jumin can see that from her surroundings. When did she start to shine so bright? He himself doesn't know.
He rolled the window down and she found him. She gave a small wave and found the driver too. He heard the small thank you when she handed her luggage to the driver.
"You came to the airport? I'm touched.", she asked.
"We had a schedule afterwards, it'll be faster if I'm here. I hope you're well rested."
"Thank you for the seat upgrade and I got your schedule from your assistant. He texted me with exclamation marks to have you obey the schedules."
The silver ring on her finger sparkles under the sunlight as she moves her hand swiftly on her tablet computer. It was a welcome-back gift from Jumin, a new wedding ring. A white gold ring with diamonds lining side by side. Subtle, not too flashy.
And suddenly she sneezed.
"We have schedules. I don't want you getting sick on me. Besides Zen will kill me.", said Jumin.
"I think someone is talking about me.", she answered.
The reason Jumin trusted her with a lot of things was not because she was his friend. She is a capable person, a professional. Her abilities speak a lot, but her connection does come with some downsides and her looks or even her gender.
Several years ago, Jumin was having an emergency meeting with her and the representative from the company that C&R was working with. The company was using shortcuts and got everyone in trouble. Ha Eun's research lab was accused of supporting illegal activities under their nose and C&R held responsible for it as well.
The meeting didn't actually went awry, Ha Eun managed her cool and they cut ties with the company. Without C&R's support, it would be hard for the company to return to Korea, especially with some bad notes in their resume. But there was some banter of Ha Eun's management of her lab. She wasn't swayed by it, from Jumin's observation.
When the meeting ended, Jumin was leaving with his assistant, but she was still there. Her stuff still on the table, laptop, notes and all.
"You don't have to wait for me, I'll return to the lab after this.", she said flat.
Jumin did have another appointment afterwards, so he left.
He only found out 10 minutes later when he was going to leave the company for a lunch with his father that she was still there. In the place he had left her before. In the imposingly big round wooden table, she was the centrepiece, she doesn't look small, but the look on her face was something.
"Give me a moment, I'll be down.", Jumin texted his driver.
He knocked on the half open door, waking Ha Eun of her thoughts. She straightened herself up at the sight of Jumin.
"Jumin."
"Did what he said get to you?", he asked.
"No. I'm Zen's wife. I've heard enough mean things.", she brushed it off.
She began to pack her things to her black work bag.
"So what's bothering you then?"
As she placed her final stuff to her bag, Ha Eun sighed.
"Mean things.", she finally confessed.
She sat back on the leather seat and fidgeted with her red pendant on her neck.
"I went to the washroom before the meeting, before I went to your office.", she started.
She was going to exit her stall but some chattering girls stopped her from doing so. It was probably an innocent talk between them but she can't help but listen.
"What's going on today, it's like a war is coming, Mr Han's assistant was restless."
"They said it's an urgent important meeting."
"Ah I think I saw it on the news. About the research lab too right?"
"Yeah. Have you seen the lab's head? She rarely comes here though, so most people don't know."
"A she?"
"She's Zen's wife."
"Zen... Zen the celebrity?! He did get married like earlier this year right?"
"And Zen is friends with Mr. Han too."
"Ahh... so that's it."
"Well she is pretty and she dress well. I saw her shoes on the store and the costs is incredible."
"When you have money, even plain ones got pretty."
Jumin crossed his arms in front of him.
"So, did you bang open the stall door and give them a handful?", asked Jumin.
Ha Eun gave a small giggle and waved her hand as a reply. She didn't give them a handful.
"No, I'm not that young anymore. I would have done it when we first dated. But I'm not as feisty."
"You challenged Zen's fans and got stabbed in the process, solidify your relationship by modelling a much-talked-about photo with him, I can go on if you want."
"I realised I can't do that anymore. Not without dragging Hyun or you down with me. You remember the intern that wrote comments about me being mean during her final interview at the lab."
"I remember, but not as much."
"She said that I was being super cocky and mean to her and was being too harsh on the interns. And people then added more mean things like a trophy wife, or an eye candy. It was then resolved because the other interns said different things so she was dismissed at being spiteful for not getting the job, thankfully."
"You are a trophy. To him.", Jumin said plainly.
"What?"
"I think Zen love to flaunt you around."
"You don't get what being a trophy wife is about right?", she asked in disbelief.
"Well, enough of the mean talks. Why don't you join me for lunch with my father? You know he likes you very much."
The suspenseful music from Zen's phone was the only sound that fills the car, except of soft roaring of the engines. The manager, the driver staff, not even Zen was speaking anything. Seeing Ha Eun bit her lower lip beside him as she held the phone does provoke Zen to give an evil smirk.
"I think the wife is having second thoughts.", teased the manager as he saw Ha Eun's frozen face from the rearview mirror.
Zen laughed in addition to the statement.
It was the first trailer for Zen's upcoming movie that is due in 2 months. It was released last night and has been the hot topic since. He had informed her that the film was going to have explicit scenes and in fact, he did asked for her permission at first.
In the movie, Zen was playing a successful man that had a chance meeting with a normal girl and it took off from there. Romance-wise. The girls in Korea has gone crazy for his character now.
"It's brave, as you said.", Ha Eun said as she gave Zen back his phone.
He was still laughing as he took his phone and with his other hand caressed his wife's hand.
"Did you read the comments?", asked Zen.
"I did. And I'm not prepared to have the entire nation lusting over my husband."
"You can say the whole world! There were a lot of english comments and you can guess.", added Zen's manager.
Ha Eun knew, she used to work in research so English is like her second language. She knew well what's in the comments on the trailer and how they are focused more on Zen's character. And seeing Zen with his wicked grin, she flung her foot to his knee. But his unworldly reflex caught it first. He rested her foot on his knee, capturing it with his tight grip.
His wicked grin turned even more diabolical as he trail his two fingers under her leg in the slowest pace he can. Her wide pants gave way as his fingers climb upward, if the manager would turn his head a little bit sideways, he would find this embarrassing position of one leg of her pants halfway up to her knee. It was supposed to be ticklish, but at that time, it wasn't ticklish. It was something else.
Zen is teasing, his style.
She couldn't escape this situation if not for Zen's phone ringing. Ha Eun can swear she can hear Zen gave the littlest sigh as he placed her foot back on the car floor.
"It's Yoosung.",he said.
Yoosung had videocalled them. He was taking the twins to Neverland for a two day trip. He was calling to report that they have arrived. Yoosung looked comfortable and confident with taking care of the two by himself. He's their favourite uncle after all.
"I hope they had fun.", said Zen when Yoosung ended the call.
"Yoosung's great with them. It'll be wonderful."
In the movie, Zen maybe playing the country's most eligible bachelor that is proud of his conquest of women and his skills in bed. Though, it does ring some truth about him in real life, but he is actually a family man that dotes on his daughters and has eyes for his wife only. And he wanted the world to know it too.
Like today, Ha Eun was dragged into shooting his advertorial with him. As his model, again. With the new movie and it's massive promotion, the company wanted to push Zen's mature charm forward. He may be known as the handsome talented actor before, but the change is coming.
Incidentally, it was the perfume shoot that they did during their first coming to public days so when Zen brought up the subject on having his now-wife return as the model, the company was on board.
They have grown so much since that days, both him and her.
'I don't think it's wise for me to do this shoot with you.'
'Huh, why?', he asked
'It's going to be a sexual tension themed shoot, right? I can guess that much.'
'And?'
'Not good for me, career wise.', she said flatly, ignoring his annoying grin.
'As much as I love my wife dressing barely there, I'm not sharing that sight with anybody else. I already said to the team that I don't want your face shown. But they will have some BTS footage, and I want them to know that I am just yours.'
Perhaps, as a brave declaration, she came to the shoot in a pantsuit. Her tailored look matches even Zen. As a woman in her field, she do come across times when people don't believe in her capabilities. She is the wife of a popular celebrity and close friend of C&R's CEO.
Zen was styled in a black tailored suit and a white shirt, the simplest of men's wear. But he can always make it look great on him. Ha Eun was dressed in a black dress, it kind of matched him.
This is his zone, his area of expertise, under the spotlight, he changes. But when his eyes saw her, he is her husband. He smiled and pulled her into the couch that the camera was pointed at. He unbuttoned his suit as he took a seat.
"You're quiet, are you nervous?", he asked.
"A bit."
She was still standing in front of him, between his wide spread thigh, his hand the ever protective, on the small of her back.
"You spoke on international conferences, don't say that you're nervous in here.", he said again.
"I'm an office lady, not a model.", she replied.
"You are the most beautiful model I've ever known."
His movement was swift and fast, his big hand quickly found the back of her neck, angling him down towards him and he only need to straightened himself up to greet her lips. She was taken by surprise as his lips devour hers, she placed her two hand on both of his thighs for support. For a mere second this was heaven. But the gasps from the staff brought her back to reality.
She pried himself of him and grabbed his face.
"Don't do that again."
The man himself doesn't seem to be remorseful in anyway. Is she the only one that can listen to the murmurs of the staff.
The first flash light beamed together with the reflectors and the set seemed to move into position. The last time she did this was years and years ago.
She was lying on the couch with her legs on top of Zen's thigh. This is something that she often do, at the comfortable space of their own homes, or her office, or his dressing room, but certainly away from other people's eyes. But now with the camera and people, it felt a bit awkward. Especially with Zen's deep gaze to the camera, even from the side, it gave her the tingling inside.
Time passes and the shoot ended. Zen was choosing the shots with the team and Ha Eun was curious too. Zen's suit already on her back. The screen had a lot of pictures and some were already on their physical polaroid form clipped on the board. Zen, the professional were in deep discussion as they pointed here and there. Ha Eun was just on the sides, looking at the pictures. It was amazing, he was amazing, and with his piercing gaze to the camera, certainly no one would want her face soiling the frame.
Some of the chosen pictures were the one that had Ha Eun dragging her blood red-painted hand across Zen's bare chest and he was holding her hand and neck hard. Of course, he will be baring skin, of course. And the continuation of the photo was Zen's bloodied hand cupping her chin, a homage to their first shoot.
Let's hope people won't start hating on her again.
Pieces of clothing discarded hastily on the floor. Zen did a mental count as he picked them off their bedroom floor.
Ha Eun's dress, his top, pants, where is Ha Eun's underwear? He glanced up to the sleeping woman, wondering if she had slept back in her old underwear. Okay no, it's a new one. He found her bra and underwear near the bed. His too. His underwear is usually the last one to leave his body.
He bunched up the clothes and dropped them into the laundry basket in their bathroom. The small cloth he had used to clean her was underneath it. Ha Eun is still out cold, as she usually is after an intense session of their lovemaking. Different from Zen that usually stays awake for a while, needing some time to float back down from his heightened sensations.
He clicked the bedroom lamp off, leaving his sleeping wife. He needs to clean the dining table next.
The girls are with their grandparents at the beach house. They always have a time that they spend with their grandparents, giving Zen and Ha Eun a time off parenting and just for the two of them.
Zen had finished his schedule in the afternoon so he has been texting all the wicked things whole evening. When his wife got home, he had no patience left and took her. At the dining table. They never thought about it while buying the table, but the table is actually the perfect height and built to have sex.
He wet the cloth and wiped the large dining table. Scrubbed hard at the grey speck of liquid near the edge, it must've flowed out of her. He eyed around the table, finding if any form of liquid that needs to be cleaned right away.
Satisfied, he lounged at their living room, taking out his phone. It's already a new day.
Earlier today, Zen posted the perfume shoot to his SNS and the comments is still increasing. Sometimes when he have time, he'll scroll through the comments.
'I want to be that leg.'
'Hold me like that too!'
'Why is he so sexy!'
The company had posted the whole series and behind the scenes to their own platform, as the said star, he also need to post one to his account.
'Guys, stop thirsting, he's a married man ㅋㅋㅋ'
'This is his wife in the photo'
'Watch the BTS, you can see he did this with his wife'
'So jealous'
Zen closed the app, and the display went back to his wallpaper, Ha Eun's photo.
Weird, when did it start?
These feelings of possessiveness and his never ending intentions of enforcing his ownership of her.
When.
Was it after that time?
He realised that they haven't used the ropes in a long time. Now he preferred capturing her under his strong arms, confining her with just his body. He knew she belongs to him now, completely, no more competitions. But he want more, to dominate her more.
His wife.
The food in front of her looked appetising, in fact this is one of the best restaurant in a famous hotel, but she doesn't feel like scooping any of it to her mouth.
Jumin, in front of her, has forked down several pieces of meat.
In fact today, the clinking sound of utensils to plates, chattering voices seemed louder than usual.
She tried to swallow down a piece of fish.
"You looked pale, are you alright?", asked Jumin.
"I'm fine, I'm just a bit under the weather this morning."
"Overworked? You can tell me beforehand, we don't have to meet today."
"No problem, besides we haven't seen each other for months, right?"
Jumin was thinking of expanding his vineyard, he hasn't been in the country for several months for it. And in fact, the one that organised today's lunch was actually Zen. He, himself is out of the country too, until the end of the week, promoting his newly released movie.
And with the movie being a big hit with everyone and the spotlight is on Zen, he knew that Ha Eun got the spills of the spotlight too. She might not feel comfortable with all the comments. A day out with a friend is certainly much needed.
"Are you taking the day off then? Do you want me to pick up the girls from school?", asked Jumin.
"Their grandma is the one with pick up duty, I only drop them off at school on my way to work. But perhaps I'll take the afternoon off, after I pick up my work laptop first."
"Can you drive?", he asked worryingly.
"I drive here, I'm fine. You're sounding just like Hyun."
"Well, the moment he told me to keep you company, you are in my hands, if something were to happen, I'm a dead man."
Ha Eun gave the side eye to Jumin.
"Since when are you such good friends?"
"I'm just taking care of you."
It was actually a surprise at how Zen manage to form a good relationship with Jumin too, if they were to return back to years ago, who can believe they used to bicker all the time and Zen always seemed to find fault with everything Jumin do.
"Let's finish the meal and then I'll go.", Ha Eun said.
Jumin picked his utensil up again to continue his half-eaten meal.
"I'll just go to the bathroom to freshen up.", Ha Eun said.
The watchful eyes of Jumin watched her as she stood up. And in the next second he saw her stagger, his hands moved fast to hold her as she grabbed the table for support. As her body fell on Jumin's catch, his utensils fell to the floor too. And now the eyes of the whole restaurant is at them.
But Ha Eun wan't conscious to see it.
The day went with Jumin, being an assistant for a day. He had waited for Ha Eun in the hospital and called Zen to inform him about it.
Zen was worried but he remained calm as Jumin reassured him that his wife is totally fine. Its a good thing that he's out of the country because if he was in a closer proximity, Zen would've dropped everything and came right away. He delegated his assistant to inform Ha Eun's office of her leave. He also sent his driver home so now he can drive Ha Eun himself.
In the hospital hall, Jumin held tightly at the dark red leather work bag. A simple boxed shape bag but with it's smooth glossy leather, he can guess the price tag of it. He remember the young girl in the report that Luciel sent him, the girl with big glasses and pigtails, the empty look in her eyes. He himself wasn't very assured at RFA's future with her. But the voice she expressed in the group and finally when they met, he almost believed that she wasn't the girl in that report. The eyes full of vigour and the air around her as she stood in the crowd, no wonder she attracted Zen.
He scrolled through his phone at the news, no official news has covered it but some posts has gained a buzz about an incident at X restaurant. Ha Eun hasn't been identified since he had placed her seat back to the crowds and saved a spot that wasn't that visible.
The phone in his other hand vibrated, Ha Eun's phone. Zen.
'I called Mom and told her to let the kids stay for a few days. Get some rest. Call me when you're back. I love you.'
The message popped up in front of a picture of Zen with the two girls. He need to inform her of this later.
A smooth whir of the door beside him was heard as it slid open.
"Shall we go?"
Jumin looked at the woman in front of her. This is the woman that just fainted into his arms hours ago. She had let her ponytail off and her hair now loose on her back, her face is still pale but a shade brighter than before and still on her high heeled shoes. No one would actually believed she just checked out from a hospital.
"Let's get the car.", he said.
The first stop was Zen's parents' house, the twins were informed that they'll be staying there for a few days, much to their delight of course.
It was dark when they reached her house.
"Is he on his way?", asked Ha Eun, referring to Jumin's driver.
"Not yet. I'm making sure you're settled."
"It's my house, I'm settled.", she giggled.
"Besides Zen will probably terrorise me again if you don't pick up your phone later."
Jumin sat at the living room couch, enjoying the serenity the high ceiling gave the room. They redecorated the room now that the twins are older, the bump mat are all gone, so are the toys and their colourful cupboards.
"Tea? Wine? Water?"
"Just water please."
It was a weird thing, that they started drinking again both Zen and Ha Eun. She even develop an even higher tolerance with her alcohol now.
Jumin's eyes found the framed mask in front of him, hung up on the wall. It was a white mask but only half, it was purposely made as a half mask, covering only half of the face.
"That's new.", he said as he pointed to it.
"Oh, it's from when he did Phantom of The Opera. Last year. The Phantom was special to me so I was happy when he said he can take that home."
"I didn't know you liked The Phantom."
"For me it made you see past the appearance alone. The Phantom was a genius, in music, poetry, he was an inventor and an architect but he was shunned because of his appearance."
"Said someone that married the man that all woman would probably drop to the floor for."
Ha Eun clicked her tongue in disapproval. Jumin smiled as a reply.
Jumin had gone home sometime later, and Ha Eun just locked the door. Now, she only need to report to her one and only.
It doesn't take even a full one ring before he picked up.
"Babe."
His smooth voice that always sounded like a perfect melody just saying that word. There was no noise in his background, meaning that he's somewhere private.
"Jumin just got back."
"Go to bed babe, have some rest."
"I know."
She had some news to tell him but she's thinking of ways to not make him drop anything and flew back right away. Jumin wasn't told of this, she wanted her husband to have the privilege of knowing it first.
"Are you overworked again? Just wait, I'll be home soon and I'll help you with the girls okay."
"No, it's not about work."
"Babe, what happened?", Zen's voice went deeper, expressing his concern.
"I... uh..."
"Look, what if I find the soonest flight and I'll fly back as fast as I can."
"Hyun, no, you have a contract. You'll get into trouble for missing the premieres."
"But you don't sound well and I don't like this."
"I'm fine. I just..."
Ha Eun curled her toes as she find the words hard to roll out of her lips.
"Babe what?"
"Hyun, I'm pregnant."
For a moment, Zen's body doesn't know what to do first. A heavy relieved sigh or a big laughter of joy or even tears.
But at least he knew he doesn't need to pack his bags and fly back home that night.
The filming for his movie series kept going to pursue a release date every year so Zen was kept busy. But it was the only job he accepted. He only accept small short term jobs like advertisements or interviews.
He wanted to be home with Ha Eun as much as he can.
Perhaps they had it too easy for the first time, The second pregnancy was rough on Ha Eun since she had severe morning sickness.
It came as a surprise for Zen too when she started to feel sick all the time and she couldn't keep foods down. She couldn't walk into the kitchen without feeling nauseous and having the girls around her when they got home after school made her sick. Or with his mother bringing random traditional remedies would make her run the other direction.
She had to take a leave from the office and tried to do as much in her bed. Zen's mom had moved in with them temporarily to keep watch for the girls and they had hired a housekeeper for another helping hand.
The only thing that seemed to comfort her was being inside Zen's arms and sometimes to sob. It was weird that he is the only person Ha Eun can stand being this close to and it was weird too that she would just sob uncontrollably for him even there's nothing to sob about.
This was tough for Zen too but he knew he can't take his feelings to work, it'll show. And the only person that would be disappointed about his decreasing performance would be his wife. Zen's company made no statement of the news and Zen wanted to kept it that way.
And finally after a long and hard journey, his son was born.
EPILOGUE
Yoosung pull up his phone as he reached the front of the door.
'Hyung, I'm here.'
'Ok.'
Zen popped up immediately behind the see through door. He slid it and waved at Yoosung. The side of the entry had bottles of sanitising equipments. Zen picked one up and sprayed Yoosung with it while he cleaned his two hands
"Yikes, it's cold."
They both entered the maternity centre and Yoosung handed out the bag in his hand the first thing.
"Hyung, congratulations again."
"Oh wow. Thank you."
"Very hardworking as always. Are the girls here? I bought them some things too."
"They just got home with my mom. They're staying there for this month and until we come home. Feel free to visit them there. It's been hard for them too."
"Yeah, Jaehee-nuna told me that Ha Eun's still not too well either."
The halls of the place were quiet, not too much chattering, only for the soft breeze of the building's air flow. It smells heavily of powder and soap, those heartwarming 'baby smells'. They both went to the babies room and Zen knocked gently at the window. A nurse popped from the sides of the closed curtain. When she saw Zen, she gave an ahh and closed the curtain back again.
Yoosung then watched as the nurse opens the curtain halfway and pushes a small bed into view. The little body bundled in blue squirmed.
"I was half thinking that you are going to have twins again.", Yoosung said.
"It's a one out of so many chances to have two sets of twins and I don't think I can handle another set of twins."
The eyes of both men were focused at the squirming bundle in the blanket. And Yoosung couldn't help but notice the doting smile on Zen's lips.
Ha Eun's eyes went for the door as someone stepped in.
"Yoosung just went back?"
"Yeah, he said he's cute.", Zen said proudly.
Ha Eun giggled. She tried to sat back on her bed, she had tried to check her phone but her eyes can't seem to stare at the screen for too long. Zen had been doing all the replying and things. She was still a little bit dizzy even after several days, it felt like the world was shaky.
Zen closes in on the bed and softly run his big fingers on Ha Eun's face, her cheek bones were more defined as she lost some weight these past months and the faint dark circles on her eyes got bolder. '
You did well', was all he can say, again and again, to her. No amount of thanks or words could express his gratitude for her for bringing his children to this world, for staying with him. For choosing him.
The soft strokes of his fingers were calming for her, she closed her eyes in peace of the sensation.
"I love you."
He said. Out of the blue.
She didn't give a verbal reply, but that content smile of hers and a sweet hum was enough for him. He dived even closer and closed the distance between their lips.
"Did I taste like sweet and sour sauce?"
Zen couldn't help but laugh, the laughter erupted and tickled his body as he pulled away from her.
"A bit.", he said underneath breaths.
Once she had delivered, her sickness was gone, she found appetite and has been eating everything, even Zen's food. It was a drastic change from their circumstances before.
"Do you remember I cleared our wardrobe of any perfume and whenever I get home I would shower like crazy before I dared to touch you.", he said.
He sat down at her bedside, hands on her blanketed thigh. It has been a difficult ride.
"Can this be the last then?", she said to him.
"Last? Are you sure?"
"How many more do you want?!"
"Well I truly love the concept of you being pregnant with my children. You let such a small piece of me change you forever."
He closed in and teased her with fluttering kisses.
"Shut up you pervert."
A nurse clearing her throat in the door was what pulled the couple off each other.
Zen evaded the nurse's demeaning look as he walked towards the nurse. She was delivering food, he said a simple thank you and took the food tray from her.
"You should see the look in her face."
Laughter erupted again between the two.
Zen placed his hand at the back of her head and closed their forehead together.
"I love you, I love you so much. Not just because of the kids but everything. I love you because of you.", he said again.
"And you know I do."
This is happiness.
THE END