When he came out to the kitchen, Eun Soo almost dropped the plates she was carrying. He looked so… normal. Only the long hair gave him away. He still appeared extremely attractive, but Eun Soo was used to his looks by now. She was quite comfortable around him. She wore a t-shirt and jeans herself, and from aside they looked like a modern couple having a breakfast together.
"I'm not sure what kind of food you like. Here is rice, banchan, I made some eggs. I warn you, I'm not much of a cook, but for a special guest, I do not mind," she graced him with a warm smile.
He liked her smiles, he liked to hear her talk, her voice reminded him of the time, when she held his hand in the dark hospital room, making him feel cared for and less lonely in the world.
Choi Young had a good appetite. He devoured everything she put on the table, apparently, he especially liked spicy crabs and leafy kimchi, he was not too fond of fried eggs, but mixed with the rice, they tasted OK. Eun Soo offered him seconds, and he held out his bowl with a childish grin. "Do you have chestnuts? I really love them."
Eun Soo snickered at his getting so comfortable, he was ordering food now. "Today is your lucky day, I have some in the fridge." She warmed up the chestnuts and gave him a plate filled with a toasty, steamy treat. "You look like you are really enjoying yourself. Judging by your appetite, I assume that you are feeling better".
"I'm quite content," he had a huge smile on his face.
"Oh, shoot, let me call the hospital that I need more time off." She dialed her phone and stepped into another room.
Choi Young's smile disappeared from his face right away. He hated himself for this weird game he started to play by himself. He was not content. He was torn, he was confused, he was happy to be around her, but he was not content. Yes, he smiled and ate, but all he could think about was that in a few hours he will walk through the Hwata's gate and never see the doctor again. This prospect would not have been a problem a few days ago, but after sleeping next to her and waking up with her, after last night, after this magical night, he had a hard time imagining that today will be the last day he ever sees her.
Sitting at the same table with her, eating, talking about food – probably, this was how normal life feels like. This is how it feels to be home. Choi Young was trying to come up with the reasons not to go. After all, he was not irreplaceable. In his absence, Choong Seok – his assistant and right hand, could handle all the arrangements. The assassin bothered him the most, but Woodalchi were well trained to handle any intruder. Why did he have to leave today?
"When do we leave?" Eun Soo returned, still holding a phone in her hand.
"Ah, I have not thought about it yet," he responded, puzzled that lying became so easy.
"Thank you for your hospitality." He stood up.
"My pleasure. Come to think of it, I have never cooked breakfast for a man before. You must be special!" Eun Soo gave off a light laugh.
"I'm honored."
The phone rang, startling him. "Sorry, I have to get this," Eun Soo, left again.
"It's the hospital, there was a mix up with the charts… Sorry, I keep leaving in the middle of the conversation. So, when do we have to go? Do you know where that place is?"
He recited the directions by heart.
"I know exactly where it is. Get you things, we can go now."
Choi Young took his sword from the bedroom along with medical supplies he received from her and came out. "That's all I need."
"You travel light," Eun Soo was trying to joke, but he did not respond. His face looked very serious and the lighthearted boy, snacking on the chestnuts, was no longer here. Choi Young stared at her blankly, biting his lower lip. It was a sign of anxiety, ever since he was a kid, but he rarely showed this side of him to anybody.
"Stranger, you look a little pale. Are you OK?" she stepped forward, putting her palm on his forehead to check his temperature.
Her touch sent his heart into overdrive. He was scared she would hear how loud it was beating. He pulled back from her.
"I'm fine, doctor," he responded nervously.
"You seemed perfectly fine during breakfast. Are you in pain? Let me bring you the pills." She turned to go back, but he grabbed her wrist, his hand burning her.
She looked at him, confused.
"I am not in pain, I do not need pills." His heart was thumping stubbornly, refusing to be calm around her.
If I don't tell her, how would she understand?
"But your hand… It's so hot!"
"Imja, are you ready?" holding her by the shoulders, he looked her in the eyes. "Are you?"
"Am I ready for what?" she asked breathless.
Choi Young did not answer, instead he pulled her for a hug. Holding her tightly, he tried to feel her warmth for the last time. Eun Soo slowly raised her hands and hugged him back. She was not ready at all to let him go yet. His hand tenderly stroked her hair; he allowed himself a simple gesture of touching her red locks. "Imja, I did not know it would be so hard to leave," he whispered. Eun Soo hid her face in him, tears streaming down, she felt like her life finally made sense. She was supposed to meet him. It was all because of him: studying so hard, becoming a doctor, all of it so that she could save his life and be hugged by him. Just a few days, just a few days. It is better than going through a lifetime without ever feeling this inexplicable connection to this stranger.
He realized that she was quietly crying. So he kept her tightly next to him, waiting for her to decide when this moment should end. Slowly, she lifted her head and looked up to him. "I do not know how this happened, stranger."
He kissed her forehead, holding her face in his hands tenderly. "Me neither, but it did."
He reached her lips and kissed them, lightly like a whisper. Yet, a tinge of electricity ran through both of them. She pulled away, but he explained, "It is my KI, my inner power. I'll try to control it."
Eun Soo weakened in his hands, slowly sliding to the ground. The touch of his lips, the electricity, his hug, the look in his eyes - this deadly combination had a profound effect on her. "What are we to do?" she asked, her voice shaking. "What are we going to do now?"