CHAPTER 11

JI-HOO'S POV:

I want to kill this mother fucker…

Saia tenses in my arms as she sees Kim Kang Woo. He is watching us with pure confusion and hostility on his face but he is one problem that I can take care of quickly. Not taking my eyes off of him, I call for the head nurse knowing she will follow my instructions without fail.

"Nurse Lee?"

"Yes, Dr. Yoon?"

"Dr. Kim isn't allowed anywhere near Miss Caelum. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Dr. Yoon."

Leaving the bastard standing in the hallway, I continue towards Saia's room when I realize that Nurse Lee has also followed us. I'm not ready to share her with anyone just yet.

"Can you give us a minute?" I ask.

Nurse Lee gives me a small bow. "Of course. Let me know when you need me to start the IV again."

Sitting on the bed, I am still reluctant to let her go. It feels so good to hold her. I wanted to kiss her so badly in the elevator. She is just as happy to be in my arms as I am but after seeing Kang Woo I can feel her pushing me away again. I see the uncertainty in her eyes as she tries to get up off of my lap and I reach up to touch her face. Don't go…Please…Let me hold you. She stills in my arms as I brush her soft lips with my thumb and they part in surprise. Such a sweet reaction sends desire pulsing through my body and I am mesmerized by her mouth as she nervously licks her lips. Just one taste…

Saia's firm palms on my chest awaken me from my daze but it's the panic in her eyes that bothers me. Why? Can she not feel this connection we have? Or…is it Kang Woo?

"Still running? Do you still love him?" I have to know but my heart is pounding with fear. When she told me about their relationship, she didn't seem to still care for him but he had still hurt her deeply. Maybe I am wrong and she does still care about him. I feel hope as she blinks in surprise and shakes her head.

"Ani… I'm scared." She bites her lips nervously and in my relief I patiently wait for her to explain. "I'm afraid you will break my heart. I've never felt this way before. If you hurt me, I don't think I can handle it." It takes a lot of courage for someone as strong as her to admit her feelings to me. I feel humbled knowing that she trusts me with her heart. Feeling overwhelmed with happiness, I know for certain that this isn't a one sided love. Taking a deep breath, I look deep into her eyes and lower my head.

"I won't." I vow to her and seal my promise with a kiss.

All the times that I have imagined kissing her, pale in comparison to the real thing. As she kisses me back, it shakes me to the core of my being. I never knew a simple kiss could feel like this. Her lips are so soft and she tastes so sweet. My heart pounds at the feel of her in my arms. Taking one last nip at her upper lip, I reluctantly pull away and place my forehead against hers. Smiling as I gaze into her warm hazel eyes, I can see my feelings mirrored in her own. She smiles back at me and I see her defenses fall away. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm the luckiest guy on earth.

I can feel my grin get wider as a blush creeps up her cheeks. God, she's so beautiful! I reluctantly let her go as she moves to stand up and I have to resist the temptation to pull her back in my arms for another kiss. It had been a struggle to not deepen our first one. If she wasn't injured, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself.

Turning to face me, the color suddenly drains from her face as she reaches for my shoulder. "Oh my god! What happened?"

Looking at it, I can see the blood starting to seep through the bandage and through my shirt. The gunshot wound is only a scratch but carrying her must have re-opened it. Her worried face searches mine as I stand up to leave.

"It's just a scratch. I'll have one of the nurses patch it up for me. You should get changed and I'll have Nurse Lee come back in. You need to rest." I can see that she isn't happy with my explanation but I am touched by her concern.

"Ji-Hoo-shi." she says sternly. Pulling her into a quick hug, I drop a kiss on her forehead trying to ease her worry.

"I think we are past formalities Saia and we have plenty of time to talk later. I'll be back in a little bit." I let her go and reluctantly exit her room. I'm not ready to tell her about the incident at the bar. We have both been through enough for one day.

(^_^)

SAIA'S POV:

"All of your things from your apartment are already at my place so all we have to do is break you out of here so we can go home." Boo Ki smiles at me. My dearest and oldest friend since I was 9 years old, Kim Boo Ki has the beauty of a model and the toughness of a gangster but unknown to most people, she also has a heart of gold. I still feel a little guilty about leaving the hospital without telling her. It's been over a week since that day and she still won't let me forget it.

"Is your 'Prince' going to come see you before you leave?"

"I'm not sure. His work has kept him really busy. I've only been able to speak to him once since that night." I tell her as I carefully stretch my arms over my head. I need to take it slow but I'm anxious to get back to ballet.

"But you said he stops by to see you every day! He never had a problem seeing you before!"

"Yes, but I have been asleep because he has been working some crazy shifts. Plus working at the Foundation… He is a busy man Boo Ki. He's been leaving me notes though… up until today." I am a little disappointed. Is he tired of me?

"Does he know that you are coming to stay with me?"

"Yeah, he seems relieved that my father doesn't know where you live but he still hasn't told me what's going on."

"I'm sure he will when he gets the chance. I'm surprised he didn't ask you to live with him."

"Ya! Boo Ki! Things are not like that with Ji-Hoo and I. We barely kissed! Don't you think you are getting a little ahead of yourself?"

"Considering the way he watches over you and seems to be genuinely concerned about you, I don't think it would have been surprising if he DID ask you. You didn't hear his voice when he called looking for you. He hides his emotions well but I can tell he cares about you." Boo Ki grabs my arms and starts twirling me around the room with her. "I am SO glad you are getting discharged today! I hate hospitals! Especially now that I know the 'evil one' works here."

I can't help but smile at her comment. Both of us have resorted to name calling to refer to Kang Woo so that we don't have to say his name out loud. As long as we don't say his name, maybe then he will disappear back under the rock he came from. Childish maybe, but hey! Best friends can get away with these kinds of things.

"How much longer do you think the paperwork is going to take?" she asks.

"It's almost done." Turning around at Ji-Hoo's voice I see him walk towards me with that heart-stopping smile of his. He seems well rested, happy, and dressed in casual clothes he looks downright sexy. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. I'm ready to get out of here. Did you have to work last night?"

"Yes but I left early so I could be with you when you are discharged." He grins again when he sees the blush rising up my cheeks.

"I am going to go get some coffee. Either of you want some?" Boo Ki asks as she heads for the door. We both shake our heads no and she gives me a knowing wink before she leaves.

I hear Ji-Hoo chuckle before he wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you more. You should have woken me up."

"Ani…You needed your rest." His says as his knuckles brush my cheek. How can I not like him? He's everything I didn't even know that I needed. He's like a balm to my tired soul.

"Saia…"

His face is so close to mine…Gathering up my courage, I close the distance between us and press my lips to his. I hear a sharp intake of breath in surprise before he quickly responds to me. He pulls me closer and tilts his head to deepen the kiss. Every brush and nip of his lips is making my legs weaker by the second and I feel like I'm on fire. I feel a bolt of sheer pleasure run down my spine as his tongue brushes my bottom lip, seeking entrance to my mouth. I gasp in surprise and he slips his tongue into my mouth. We both moan in pleasure as his tongue teases mine. I feel like I am melting into him.

He tastes so good. Like mint and green tea. My senses are being overwhelmed by him and my legs feel like rubber as we finally break away to catch our breath. If he wasn't holding me, I probably wouldn't still be standing. He takes a shaky breath and closes his eyes as he leans his forehead against mine. I can tell he is fighting to keep himself under control and I love him all the more for it.

"Hey you two. Sorry to disrupt your reunion but you need to sign this paperwork Saia." Boo Ki smirks as I quickly pull away from Ji-Hoo in embarrassment. He takes my hand and laces his fingers through mine as we walk towards the door to leave. Following her towards the nurse's station, I try to pull my hand out of his but he keeps a tight grip on mine.

"Ji-Hoo-ah, I really need my hand to sign with." I whisper at him. He reluctantly lets go but I notice his cheeks turn a little pink and I bite my lips to keep from laughing. He really is adorable.

(^_^)

SU-JEONG POV:

At last! She's finally being released! It's finally time to start putting my plan into action. Now that Saia will not always be around that Yoon Ji-Hoo, it should be easier to get my hands on her. Song Woo Bin and his men are still a nuisance but nothing I can't handle. No one will ruin this for me. I have spent too many years preparing for this and the proof is taped all over the walls.

"HAN RIVER KILLER STRIKES AGAIN" "NO LEADS IN HAN RIVER MURDERS, POLICE BAFFLED" "MORE BODY PARTS FOUND IN RIVER MURDERS" "PUZZLE OF HAN RIVER MURDERER CONTINUES"

There is article after article over the last 10 years of my preparation. It pleases me to see the stories of my work.

Finally finding the picture I want among the stack scattered on the table, I grab it and stare at it with rage. It's a picture of Serena as she smiles at her new husband and son on the beach. Do you actually think you can get away from me? Do you think you deserve to be happy? Everything is finally about to change.