After packing up for a whole a week, as if she was moving into the hospital, Eun Soo took a shower and spent some time putting on a moisturizing night cream on her face and neck. She wiped the fogged mirror with a side of the towel, looking at herself intently. I do not look that bad. My skin is still good, but at the rate I'm going… she shook her head in disbelief at her own lack of selfcare. She let the towel down, looking over her naked body.

Eun Soo was a beautiful woman: she was slender, but with curves; she had a long neck and a face, shaped gently by the cascades of red hair – a strange genetic mutation for a Korean. Her slender arms with thin wrists and long fingers were made for jewelry, not hard work. Her legs weren't toned by exercise, but had a feminine softness to them that some men still found attractive. Breasts – good size, not tiny, not big, just enough to require a bra, but still fit for a cleavage of an evening dress. She tilted her head a bit to the side. It was her habit since she was a kid. Studying herself with an objective eye, she decided it was satisfactory. To celebrate, she pulled out an expensive present from her mother – a body lotion infused with gold. She massaged the cream all over, while her skin still retained the moisture from the shower. Putting on a facial mask, she wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe, and drowsy from the warmth and all the pampering, plopped on the bed.

Darn it! This man again. The stranger's face was the first thing she saw after shutting her eyes. I need to sleep, if I'm to see him tomorrow, I need to look good. She caught herself at the thought that she wanted to LOOK GOOD FOR HIM. I do not even know his name. I guess, I'm not immune to this weakness (she was referring to the common affliction of many women – tall, dark, handsome and mysterious).

She forced herself to think about the Mendeleev table, a boring chemistry trick to put herself to sleep.

Eun Soo woke up from a feeling that she needed to be somewhere. The alarm did not ring and her pager was silent, no missed texts or messages on the phone. What if he woke up at night? That nurse was snotty! And too pretty! Eun Soo did not like the idea of the stranger chatting up that pretty nurse, after all she was the one who saved his life.

All the little indications of a developing crush were there – interest in personal appearance, thinking about him, feeling jealous of other women... Eun Soo was still oblivious, though. Her inexperience in the matters of the heart was a hindrance in understanding where this was all going.

Dragging a bag full of clean clothes and supplies for the week, Eun Soo started to put the shoes on, when she stopped in her tracks and barefoot ran back to the bathroom. She pulled out a couple of bottles with cream out of the drawer, leaving the expensive one at home. Sticking the glass bottles into her pockets, she grabbed her shoes and was out the door.

The air smelled like rain was nearing. Eun Soo lifted her head up, looking at the sky. She loved the moment when the first drops touched her face before reaching the ground. She hailed a taxi – no need to wait for the bus with all the extra baggage - and once in the back seat, looked outside the window, which already had droplets and tiny water streams running down. "Rain," she deeply inhaled and exhaled, "A good sign."

. . .

She checked herself in the mirror before exiting the intern room. Even slight changes in her appearance, like a cleanly pulled back hair and a hint of lipstick, made a few heads turn. Her posture changed a bit, too – she was somehow more regal, walking with her head up and long legs taking confident strides.

Her favorite patient was still asleep, eyes closed. She sat down by his bed and leaned over. "Good morning, stranger," she smiled at his tranquil face. "Did not your mother teach you manners? You are supposed to say 'good morning' back," she blabbered, while checking the notes of the night nurse. A stray strand of hair fell on her nose, tickling her. She scratched the nose, and moved the stubborn tress away, only for it to fall back again. She frowned and blew on it, making it fly like a swing, lifting up and falling down, up and down. She did not have a bobby pin, so she gave up fighting with this annoyance, and let all the hair down, red waves cascading to her shoulders. All the while, she was staring at something intently in the notes, as her hand habitually, played with the hair, messing it up.

The stranger watched this all with fascination, smiling quietly. Every time she glanced at him, just a moment before that, he managed to shut his eyes, still pretending to be asleep.

She went around to the other side of the bed. Eun Soo took his large hand and locked it in between hers. Holding his hand like that, between her two palms, too small to even cover the length of his fingers, she looked at him for a while, "You are making me worry. It is time for you to wake up. I am titrating your sedatives. I need you to get better and get out of here. You are stuck on my mind and I cannot do my job properly. Just remember, I saved your life, so you owe me one." She gently released his hand.

Trying not to disturb him, she began unbuttoning his shirt to check on the injuries and how the sutures were healing. Suddenly, a hand stopped her.

Completely taken by surprise Eun Soo she let out a sound of startle.

A stranger was looking directly at her, "Good morning, Imja." His voice - soft and velvety, his gaze is completely alert.

She slowly pulled away, sitting down right on the bed. She felt her face getting very hot and realized that she was blushing. Hiding her face from his eyes, she asked, "How long have you been awake?"

"For a while now."

"Did you hear everything I said?"

"Yes. You did not want me to worry you, so I let you know I'm OK."

Eun Soo was ready to fall through the ground from embarrassment, if it was possible. "Great, I'll send in a nurse," she started to get up, but was stopped by his hand again.

"Are you leaving already? Aren't you a doctor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Did you really save my life?"

"Yes, I did," she turned to him and met his eyes. "You were in a car accident, serious trauma, your heart stopped, so I performed CPR till your heartbeat returned. Basic procedure. But you can thank me later, when the stitches dissolve; the scarring will be minimal, I can guarantee."

Speaking like a doctor brought back the balance of power to the room. After all, she was the one standing, and he was the one in bed, even if he was so handsome, she could barely handle it.

"I'm grateful. On my honor, I will find a way to repay this debt, if needed with my life."

"No need, no need at all."

She rushed out of the room. The stranger was left confused and surprised at this behavior. "I thought we were still talking," he thought in disappointment.

He liked her visits, he liked listening to her voice, and he liked the feeling of her warm hand on his. That was all that he was aware of… for now.