Author's Note: So I basically wrote this entire chapter on my phone. I don't know why. It's become a habit. I write it on my phone then email it to myself. That's how most of these stories have been done. It's really funny. My parents think I'm constantly texting but I'm just writing a story.
Soohyun hasn't made a decision yet. Just so you know. It's getting there. When I say she hasn't made a decision, I mean I haven't. I probably won't until the very end. I know what you're thinking. Stop doing this to us! But the truth is, my two male characters are so very much alike it's hard to choose. I'm going to have to write the next chapter about Hoon Jin and Soohyun for you to fully understand why it's so hard to choose between him and Won. So read the next chapter once I write it and let me know who you choose. It may be a few hours before I get a chance to put it up.
For any new reviewers, let me know which drama you would like to see a new story about. I'm always up for new dramas to watch, especially since it is Christmas break and I won't have anything else to do other than laundry.
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Won sat in the oncology department holding Soohyun's hand as she went through another round of chemo. She was listening to music as she sat hooked up to the machine. He didn't understand how peaceful she could be while chemicals were being pumped through her body. He had never once heard her complain.
That was amazing considering that was all his company had done since the news of his broken engagement had come down. They wondered how they we're going to survive even though their earnings had gone up considerably in the last year. They cursed Won for being a fickle man who couldn't even keep one woman happy. Luckily Da Kyung hadn't said why they had ended their engagement but he was certain it would come out soon.
The media would tear into Soohyun if that happened. They would attack her because she was a cancer patient. She couldn't defend herself against them. He didn't know what the effects would be but they probably wouldn't be good.
Soohyun hadn't done anything wrong. He had kept that mantra in his head since he had found out what was ailing her. She hadn't been expecting him to become her friend. She had just let things happen the way he had wanted them. She hadn't argued with him or pushed him around. He had done that to her. His presence had caused so much strife he felt guilty.
Soohyun opened her eyes and looked down at Won. She could see all of his emotions playing across his face. He was feeling guilty when he shouldn't.
None of this was his fault any more than it was hers. He felt responsible for her relapse but the truth was it was going to happen. Even if the media grabbed a hold of her, she wasn't going to be anything than what she was.
"How are you feeling, Soohyun?" She looked up at Dr. Kang as he walked over. Won looked up too. "You look like you're enjoying this."
She sputtered out a laugh. "Oh yes. I'm totally enjoying this. I have a needle sticking out of my arm and it just feels dandy."
Both men smiled at her sarcasm. Dr. Kang looked at the machine. "There's only thirty minutes left. You'll be able to go home. I want you to eat something light. Since I know how your body reacts to this, I want you to stay as hydrated as possible. Are you staying with Hyun Joon or Hoon so they can keep an eye on you?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No but I'm staying somewhere where I'm never alone. Does that count?"
The doctor nodded. "As long as you're okay with it. I know how much you like your space but now is not the time for that."
Soohyun waved her needled hand. "I know. I've been through this before. It's not easy but I know how it works. I'll be fine."
Won was flabbergasted at this woman. Gentle and kind, she was a fighter. She didn't complain too much of at all about her condition. She worked through it all and still had a chipper disposition. He didn't understand it. He didn't know how a woman could shoulder it all.
He watched as Dr. Kang untapped the needle and slipped the piece of metal from Soohyun's hand. She watched it with a strange fascination that once again stumped Won.
"Mr. Kim, take her home and keep her off her feet for the rest off the day. The reaction to the chemo is different every time," the doctor ordered.
Soohyun allowed both men to help her stand. "Can I get a macchiato first?"
Dr. Kang stared at her. "You are such a strange woman. Not many patients want to eat after a round."
"I'm not eating. I just want coffee."
Sighing, the doctor pushed her gently into her guardian's arms. "I guess. But don't stay too long. You need to rest."
Won thanked the man then carefully led his friend from the hospital. He set her down outside under the awning and went to get the car. Soohyun got in without his help and buckled up. Instinctively he drove to he coffee shop he knew she would love to go.
He looked at as they sat at a red light. She had pulled the blanket out from the backseat and had it draped across her lap as she looked out the window. She wasn't going to tell him but he could see that the chemo had already taken its toll. She was exhausted.
He reached over and ran his fingertips over the skin of the back of her neck. Her hair should have been there but all he felt was smooth skin. He saw her eyes close briefly as she reveled in the gentle touch. It nearly brought him to tears but he didn't have time for that luxury. The light turned green and the car was moving again.
Won pulled into the closest empty parking spot to the door and sent a quick text message before he helped Soohyun out of the car. No sooner had they taken a seat than their coffees were served. Hoon Jin sat down as soon as he quit serving his other customers. Soohyun immediately held him at bay until she had taken a deep drink of coffee.
"You know better," she said as she wiped whipped cream off her lip. "I couldn't eat anything this morning and you want to deprive me? What kind of barbarian are you?"
Not even fazed, Hoon Jin turned his attention to Won. "Did she eat any in the last twenty-four hours?"
"She ate a little bit but not much. I'm not going to argue it as long as she tries to eat," Won answered. "I didn't know she couldn't eat before a session. That was a fight."
"We didn't know it at first either." Hoon Jin turned his attention to his friend. He took her hand and rubbed it gently between both of his. He was gearing up. "Noona, why don't you move in with me? I can ease up my schedule to be around a lot more. I can continue taking you to your appointments. I know Won-ssi could use the time to get his personal affairs in order."
Soohyun looked over her cup at Won and the devastated look that had come over his face. She didn't understand the roiling in her chest so she turned to Hoon Jin again.
"Are you doing this because you don't like me staying with Won?" she asked.
"It's not that I don't like him. He's got a reputation now. He left one girlfriend for his job, and then left his fiancé for another woman," Hoon replied. He cringed at the look she gave him. "I didn't mean to say that you were a homewrecker; it's just what the news is putting out."
Won opened his mouth to defend himself though just about everything he said was true, but Soohyun beat him to it. She grabbed Hoon Jin by the nose and twisted sharply. The younger man cried out in pain but she didn't let go. He flailed about for a few moments.
"What have I told you about spreading nonsense?"
"For a woman who just had chemo, you're really strong," he groaned. She finally let him go and he rubbed his nose. "It's not that I don't trust him. He's taken really good care of you, but if you stay with him your name and reputation will be ruined."
"If you think my name means anything to me, you're sadly mistaken, Hoon. They can smear it as much as they want. I know what I am. I'm a chef, a woman and a cancer survivor. If I can kick cancer's ass once I can do it again. And that goes double for the media. They're idiots if they think I'll back down from that."
Won smiled into his cup as he realized she had defended him without even knowing it. But what she did next told him she was her normal self.
She grabbed Hoon by the back of his head and pressed her forehead against his. The tender moment between the two of them was hard to watch. There were so many years between them that he would never have.
Hoon pressed his cheek to hers then kissed it gently. "I wish you would move in with me, but I understand. Go rest, Noona. Your hand is starting to shake."
This time it was he who kissed her on the mouth before standing up and back.
Won stood and helped Soohyun up from her chair. Hoon pushed it in as the two slowly made their way out. He followed them and stopped Won after he had secured Soohyun in the car.
"She sees the best in everyone but I don't want her to like you because of the superhero syndrome or whatever it's called. I have loved her for years and will love her unconditionally which is why I'm letting her go. If it gets too tough, send her to me. Don't force yourself if you're not feeling it. That will only hurt her," he said.
Won nodded and rounded the car to get in. Soohyun waved as they left the other man on the curb. She leaned the seat back and curled up under the blanket as they drove all the way across town to the rich side. She didn't say too much as she rode easily. Won wondered what was going through her head.
He pulled into the garage and killed the engine. Rounding the car, he opened the passenger door and helped the woman out. They made their way into the house, answering questions from Tan and Ki Ae.
Finally upstairs, he helped Soohyun change clothes and climb in the bed. They had finally moved another bed into his room which he used. He had given Soohyun his bed because it was closer to the bathroom.
She curled up on her side and tucked a pillow on her front side and back to make herself feel like she was surrounded.
"Won-ah," she said as he tucked the comforter around her. He hummed as he smoothed the fabric. "Am I a burden to you? This isn't easy, and you walked right into the middle of it."
Won sat down on the edge of the bed and ran his hand over her smooth scalp. It was still weird to see her bald. "You're not a burden. You're right. It's not easy but it's bearable. I won't be the type to run when it gets worse. And from what your brother and friend have said, it will get worse."
She kicked her feet a couple of times to warm them up. "Do you want something more?"
He watched her face closely, running his fingers gently across her skin. "I'm mostly sure I do but it's up to you."
She shook her head. "It's not a smart idea. We don't know what will happen."
"And you can't live every day in fear."
"If I chose to live with anyone, it would be someone who is completely understanding about everything that's going on. There's a fifty-fifty chance that I won't make it."
"Do you always think about it?"
She shook her head. "No."
"Then don't. Go to sleep for now. It won't change in the morning."
Won watched as she settled into the covers and within minutes she was asleep. He didn't realize how tired she had been while they had been talking. He could just kick himself. Instead he opted to settle on his bed and work from home a little bit.