Jumin had the doctors check on Cara as they arrived at Saeyoung and Saeran's place. All of the members were patiently waiting outside of Saeran's room as the doctors were still inside, checking if ever she needed more medical attention.
Zen was pacing the living room back and forth, worried sick of what the doctors would say when they got out. Jesus christ, it is as if she got into a bad accident and needed operation. She just inhaled smoke in her lungs, but he knew that'd be grave if she was left untreated. He was worried and he was itching to come to her and hold her. All his pacing didn't help for it just added on to his stress.
He almost lost her today.
He almost lost her and he didn't even try to tell his feelings to her. He hasn't even kissed her lips and she was almost taken away from him because of a damn fire.
"Hyung, stop pacing around you're making me dizzy!" Yoosung cried. They all looked grave and tired. Zen stared at all the members, feeling that something was amiss. They were too serious; too quiet. He wondered what has gotten into them and they were all in a surly mood. Even Jaehee looked quite desolate.
"What has gotten into all of you? Why do you look so grave?" Zen asked. He didn't feel good about the way they all tried to avoid his gaze. Even Saeran appeared to be shy.
What the hell is going on?
Jumin sighed as he massaged his temples and he looked at him. Finally, somebody had the guts to tell him what's up.
"Zen, we can't tell you unless you sit the hell down." he quietly said. Zen felt that the issue was very bad so he decided to do what he was told and sat and waited.
"We might think Cara is in danger." Jumin started.
"Danger? What do you mean?" Zen could feel his blood turn cold. Fear suddenly gripped him so hard that he wanted to kick the doctors out of Saeran's room and just hold Cara.
Saeyoung described what he had learned today to everybody, recalling the hindrance that was purposely placed outside Cara's door so that she won't get out of her apartment during the fire.
Hearing all this multiplied the fear that has been gnawing at Zen. He couldn't understand why he was this afraid but he was only sure of one thing: he needed to protect Cara.
He could feel himself feel angry at the person who wanted to cause harm to this girl who has been the brightest sunshine he has ever had in his entire life. She was the epitome of everything refreshing. She saved him when all he could accept was darkness. She might have arrived in his life in the most unconventional and ironic way, but her genuine kindness and compassion to all of them made him drawn to her more than he ever was to anybody. He has never met anybody like her. She was so busy giving herself for others to be happy, yet she never bothered to ask for something in return. She was a brilliant person and he somehow found himself thanking the gods for her existence every single day. And hearing this issue wherein she is again in danger, he suddenly felt frightened. It may be a very selfish thing, but he cannot bear it if something were to happen to her. She took a big part of himself, he realized. She was somehow a part of his life.
She made her happy in simple ways he never knew he could find happiness and he can't let go of that now; not ever.
She was somebody who he held so dear in his heart and he would die first just to keep her safe. Gaining the knowledge that somebody wanted to mess with her and almost got successful with it fueled his fire of abhorrence.
"What are we to do then?" Yoosung asked.
"We'll find this person. We can hack into the system for the records of the cctv before the fire." Saeran said as he looked at his twin for confirmation. Saeyoung nodded.
"We'll make them pay." Saeyoung briefly said.
"She needs to know about this. She has every right to know, right? This is her life in line. We need to tell her." Zen looked from one member to another. They all looked at him as they agreed. They were a bit reluctant on telling Cara what's wrong for they didn't want to make her feel so scared; not only when it has just been months since her experiences with Mint Eye and Rika, but they had no choice because she has every right to know what's going on.
"We'll tell her. Once she's awake." Jumin stated with finality. At that exact moment, the doctors opened the room and Zen sprung up and immediately asked how Cara was faring up.
"She inhaled a lot of smoke, her hands were a bit bruised from banging it on the door and the windows too hard. She's a weak girl and she needs rest. We've given her necessary IVs and we'll revisit tomorrow afternoon to remove them. She needs to eat when she's awake. And please, try not to stress her out for a bit. She's been severely abusing her body, she's exceeding the description of over fatigue. Please. Let her rest. This is what she needs." and with that the doctors left the Choi residence.
Everybody breathed a sigh of relief as they looked at the doctors leave.
"I need to go home. I still have work and Elizabeth 3rd is waiting for me." Jumin said. "Saeyoung, take care of her with Zen. I'll send some food and clothing for her to use. Assistant Kang will see to the arrangements. Well then, I'll be off." Jumin said good bye and left Saeyoung's apartment. Jaehee followed suit as she declared that she will be back after work.
Yoosung already fell asleep on the couch so they left him alone. Saeyoung, Saeran, and Zen himself were the only ones up, fussing around Cara's room, making it feel light and comfortable for her then they went back outside so that Cara can fully rest.
"We'll sleep at my room, Zen. Please make yourself comfortable." Saeyoung said as his eyes followed his twin's departure from the living room and entered Saeyoung's room.
"Can I stay... by her side?" Zen whispered as he stared at Saeran's room.
Saeyoung briefly smiled, wiping the tiredness off of his face.
"Nobody's stopping you" he chuckeld. "Besides, that's where you belong." Saeyoung silently added as he clapped his hand over Zen's shoulder. Zen noticed how bloodshot Saeyoung's eyes were.
"You better get some rest. You know she wouldn't love it when she sees you tired. She's that sharp, Saeyoung." Zen warned. They both knew Cara will feel guilt over worryign them and exhausting them since they took her in and looked after her. However, Saeyoung, Zen, and the others are willing enough to risk everything to help her. Cara never realized how much of a big help she was to the RFA members. Without her, they would be all feel empty once again.
"Speak for yourself. You also need beauty sleep." Saeyung chuckled as he went to his room. "I'll rest with Saeran. Knock if she's awake or if you guys need anything." with that, he closed the door and the twins rested. Zen stared at the closed door for a while as he fought with the urge to go inside Cara's room.
She needs somebody with her when she wakes up. Zen realized so he forgot morals and he went towards Saeran's room where she lay unconscious.
Zen slowly opened the door to Saeran's room and saw the dark form of a person resting on the bed. Cara loved the lights off whenever she slept that's why Saeran's night light wasn't on. Saeyoung wanted to turn it on so that Cara can see immediately where she was when she woke up but Zen insisted she liked sleeping in the dark. He slowly shut the door and he made his way onto the bed. The window was open and the wonderful hues of dawn slowly reflected the room. Zen was tired, but he knew Cara was the most exhausted one here. He stared at her as she slept. She looked so serene that he was so captivated. He slowly reached out his hand and brushed stray hairs from her face. He slowly caressed her cheek as he sat on the edge of the bed. He took her hands slowly, careful not to move it too much since the IV were injected in her hand and slowly traced circles on her hands.
"I promise... from this day on, Cara... I will protect you with all I have." He whispered as he slowly placed her hand back down and he touched her face every so lightly as to not disturb her slumber. She knitted her brows together and mumbled sleepily as she felt the contact, but she never woke up. She remained sleeping.
Zen placed his forehead on hers lightly as he closed his eyes, taking in her calm breaths, listening to her sounds as she slept. For a while he patterned his breathing with hers, trying to relax himself as he remembered her near death encounter today.
"I can't lose you, Cara." he whispered painfully. He felt tears sting his eyes and he blinked a lot of times to stop it from coming. His head still on hers, his hand still caressing her cheeks, he remained in that position as he fought with the strong feeling that gripped him as he mingled with her as she slept. He knew she couldn't hear what he was saying, and that was good. He didn't want her to hear what he's saying just yet. He wasn't ready to see the rejection and fear in her eyes. He wasn't ready to accept that she didn't love him back.
"I can't bear it if you're gone." he said. "I just can't. You grew on me, you punk." he quietly chucked. He brushed his nose against hers. Again, he closed his eyes as he savored the sensation of her being this near to him. He felt like he was a pervert but the confusing feeling of worry, fear, and adoration swirled around his body that his control was slowly slipping from his grasp.
"I don't know what I will be without you. You're my light. You made me feel important. You looked past my flaws and helped me accept myself, even my issues. Nobody... Nobody makes me feel this confused as you do." He mumbled.
As he said these words, Cara suddenly sighed a name and he's innocent assault stopped as he pulled back with shock.
"Zen..." Cara sighed.
For a moment Zen was frozen still as the thought was still sinking in.
She was dreaming of you... You are in her thoughts as she slept...
Zen's control slipped.
He closed his eyes as he happily sighed, his fear of losing you slowly melted away from the blissful sensation that came when she sighed his name. As he leaned in to her face, he did not place his hands on her cheeks, neither did he place his forehead against hers. This time, both of his hands grasped the sides of her face gently, as he pressed his lips on hers for a sleepy, yet blissful kiss.
Cara opened her eyes to a bright room. Her sight was bit unsteady and she felt heavy. She closed her eyes one more time and she started to look at where she was.
Why am I in Saeran's room? She wondered. She raked her mind to make her remember how she got here and that's when everything came crashing on her. She remembered the fire, she remembered fighting for her life as she lost consciousness, she remembered Saeran's arm around her, Saeyoung carrying her. She heard Zen's voice, comforting her as she drifted off to sleep. She felt a sharp twinge of pain in her chest as reality started to sink in.
I lost my home. She had nothing left.
Her eyes frantically looked for the bag she brought with her as she escaped her apartment and she saw by the edge of Saeran's computer desk, her bag was there. She sighed relief. Well at least she got the box and her laptop out of that place.
Odd. Why do I feel so heavy?
She slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position and she looked down on her body. She was wearing somebody's sweater. Judging by the smell, it was Saeran's. She gasped as she saw an arm was draped across her stomach and she quickly looked at her left to see who the hell was sleeping beside her. She saw Zen's peaceful face, his hair ruffled as it laid spread on the pillows. He was sleeping on his side and he was starting to stir awake from her movements. His brows furrowed and his eyes opened.
"Zen..." she blushed. What the hell was she getting flustered for?
"Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?" He raised himself up as he started to touch the sides of her face and looked at her. Evidence of sleep nonexistent in his now worried glance. Seeing him this frantic over her made her want to cry. She was so scared that she coudln't see them again; that she may not survive and not see him again. As she remembered the feeling of hopelessness as Zen asked her again if she was okay, she felt a lump in her throat and she could feel tears rise up in her eyes. She held his hand as she leaned in to his touch.
"Wh-what is it? Why are you teary eyed? Does something hurt?" Zen asked. Cara simply shook her head. Her other hand grasped his shirt front tightly and she looked at him.
"I was so scared..." she whispered as she succumbed to her fears and she cried.
She felt Zen's arms surround her as he carefully avoided crushing or pulling out the IV tube. His embrace was a huge comfort as she wept. She could feel her fear slowly drift away as he brushed his hands over her hair and back over and over again until she felt the soothing comfort dissipate the negative feelings that were swirling in her system, making her anxious.
"I'm here. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you." He whispered in her ear as he kissed her hair and he held her tightly.
Feeling Zen's embrace was all she needed. She needed strength to look forward, and she knew he's the only one who could help her through this. The other RFA members were dear to her, but she and Zen are connected in ways that the RFA people cannot decipher nor even comprehend. They knew this, and they both did too.
As she cried in Zen's arms, she didn't want to leave.