CHAPTER TWO
There was so much to do. Even with Assistant Kang's help, he was only able to finish three-quarters of the paperwork. Tomorrow was going to be an even longer day. Perhaps five in the morning would be early enough. He didn't want to take this home. That was his time to spend with Elizabeth the 3rd.
For now, he was going to leave it behind him.
Elizabeth the 3rd was waiting for him and he didn't like keeping her waiting.
"Mr Han." Driver Kim bowed his head, opening the door.
Jumin nodded back to him, but as he was about to enter the car, something caught his attention.
"Did you kill it?" a squeal came from somewhere nearby.
"Who cares? It's no better than a rat! A stupid, dirty, overgrown rat!" spat another.
"Maybe we should bring it back and dissect it! I bet it's all gooey inside!"
Jumin briskly walked towards the alley between C&R and its neighbouring buildings. What he saw made his heart stop. He wasn't sure if he had felt so much anger before. His vision was red. He was livid.
Peeking just between the legs of several stumbling people was a small, dirty kitten with blood and grime clinging on to her matted fur. He couldn't even tell what colour it was supposed to be.
"Get away from her!" he shouted, crossing his arms as he glared at them.
They sneered back. "What are you going to do about it, old ma – "
From behind them, coming from the other wise of the alley way, were two security guards. He could hear another backing him up on his end.
"Damn it!" The brunet male was about to kick the kitten again in frustration when Jumin rushed to pull him back.
This prompted the guards to all apprehend the rest of them.
Jumin tossed the brunet to the side and carefully inspected the ball of matted fluff. She was taking small, short gasps of breath. One eye was barely opened and she stared blankly at nothing.
How could this happen to such a precious creature?
"It's alright, now," he murmured, carefully scooping her into his arms.
Her tiny body instinctively tired to struggle away, but it was nothing more than frightened trembles.
He gently stroked her small head, continuing to whisper words of comfort to her. "It's alright. I'm here. No one will hurt you, now."
"Mew…"
With narrowed eyes, he quickly instructed Driver Kim to take them to the pet hospital.
Poor Elizabeth the 3rd was going to have to wait a little longer, but he felt as if he would regret it if he didn't see this through. His princess was sure to understand.
"What happened to her?!" the technician let out a horrified gasp as soon as she saw the kitten.
Jumin frowned, feeling her judge him. "I found her being beaten up by savages in an alley. Please, do everything you can to save her."
She nodded. "Of course! We'll try our best!"
The kitten was quickly taken away into the emergency room.
He sat in the lobby before deciding to take his phone our and signed on to the messenger.
[Pet Emergency]
Jumin Han: Assistant Kang?
707 has entered the chatroom.
707: What happened to my Elly?
How could you let anything happen to her?!
My Elly!
Jumin Han: Firstly, she is Elizabeth the 3rd. Stop sullying her name.
Secondly, there is nothing wrong with her.
Assistant Kang, are you there?
Yoosung has entered the chatroom.
Yoosung: she's not here
why are you trying to contact her here instead of calling her?
Jumin Han: I need her to take care of Elizabeth the 3rd for me. There is something I must finish up here, so I may not be able to tend to her as soon as I like.
707: I can take care of Elly!
Let me!
Let me!
Elly won't even notice that you're gone if I'm there!
Jumin Han: It's Elizabeth the 3rd.
I will never allow a cat abuser near her.
Yoosung: is that the pet emergency u were talking about then?
u're looking for Jaehee?
Jumin Han: No.
Thankfully, it was not Elizabeth the 3rd who was put into such a condition.
I found a kitten that was being tossed around, so I had to take her to the hospital.
Yoosung: that's terrible!
it doesn't have an owner?
is it a stray?
Jumin Han: Perhaps.
She doesn't have a collar.
707: Don't you think Elly will get jealous that you're out late to spend the night with a another woman?
Yoosung: it's like an affair!
Jumin Han: Stop this nonsense.
Jaehee Kang has entered the chatroom.
Jumin Han: good.
You're here, Assistant Kang.
I need you to take care of Elizabeth the 3rd until I remember. I had an emergency.
Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han…
Jumin Han: I will inform security to let you into the penthouse.
Jaehee Kang: This is extremely short notice.
I'm already home.
Jumin Han: This is an emergency.
707: I can take care of Elly!
Come on!
I can do it!
Yoosung: i don't think he'll ever let u
Jumin Han: That is correct.
"Mr. Han?"
He quickly looked up to see the little white form being wheeled out. Her white fur had been cleaned, but he could see several spots that were shared off. Stitches were scattered around her body.
How could anyone hurt such a delicate creature?
Jumin Han: Assistant Kang, I am able to return home, now.
Your help is no longer needed.
Jumin Han has left the chatroom.
"How is she?" he asked, standing up to take a proper look at the kitten.
The veterinarian smiled. "She should be fine now, but she'll need to be carefully tended to for the next few days. Make sure she doesn't tear any of the sutures."
He nodded. "Of course. Thank you."
He had every intention to do just that even if the doctor hadn't said anything.
"If I may ask… What happened to her?" the doctor carefully asked. "How did she end up in such a state?"
Gritting his teeth, he replied, "I found her in an alley. I don't think she has an owner, but I will post several notices up. In the mean time, I will be the one responsible for her care."
The vet smiled. 'I know you will take good care of her. Feel free to call or drop by if you need anything."
After thanking her, he retrieved the medication before taking the carrier with the drugged kitten into the car.
He was exhausted.
Work had already been tiring, but now, he felt as if he could pass out in the car. It was through sheet will that he was able to walk himself back into the penthouse.
"Meow?"
Elizabeth rubbed her head against his leg, staring at him with her wide, sapphire eyes.
He fondly greeted her, setting the carrier down as he did so. "I'm sorry I'm late, princess. Are you hungry?"
"Meow!" She purred in forgiveness before taking interest in the small kitten who was still slumbering. "Meow?" She gently nudged the metal door, pawing at it.
"She's going to be staying with us until we find out where her owner is," he told her, picking up the carrier to the couch.
He carefully lifted the kitten out and placed her on to his lap. His long fingers ran across the soft fur, making sure not to touch any of the stitches. "You'll be a good sister and take care of her, won't you?"
"Meow!" Elizabeth the 3rd placed her paw on his leg.
He smiled. "Thank you. I know you'll be the perfect older sister."
How fortunate he was to have such an intelligent companion. Elizabeth the 3rd was the only one who could ever truly understand him.
He placed the kitten in his bedroom where he positioned Elizabeth the 3rd's spare bed beside her current one.
Hopefully, she wouldn't wake up too early. Even if it's just a few hours, he'd be satisfied.
He fell asleep as soon as he showered and his head hit the pillow.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
For whatever reason, I cannot type Mr Han with a dot in the middle on here... It's extremely frustrating and looks so wrong like that. I had to reformat a few things, so I hope everything turned out alright. The star in Yoosung's username also didn't work out on here.