Dr. Jaejoong’s party took precedence over all other topics of conversation for the rest of the week.  Saturday evening arrived quicker than expected and Ilana found herself almost excitedly getting ready.  Arranging her hair half up with lots of curls cascading down around her face and a few well-placed hair pearls finished the look.  She wore her blue taffeta dress noticing it hung a little loose on her, she thought one of the girls could help her cinch it.  Maybe, she would have her driver, she giggled at the thought, stop at an office supply store.  Binder clips worked well she knew from experience; thank goodness her friends weren't around to scold her for losing weight.  Iridescent stockings, so she wouldn't be cold, her mother's pearls, and the items that arrived the previous day completed her outfit.

Jihoo dressed with impeccable care, as usual.  He wore his white tux and a rented white and gold cape.  Grabbing his mask in its box, he went out to fetch Ilana.  She answered her door and he stood momentarily stunned at her transformation.  The girl who never wore makeup and whose hair was always in a ponytail of some sort, stood before him transformed.  Already naturally pretty, her makeup was done just enough to enhance those features.  The royal blue dress, although slightly loose, enhanced her olive complexion and dark hair, the long white gloves, fur capelet and simple jewelry added to the appearance of an Audrey Hepburn type movie star.

 - "Yah!  Earth to Dr. Jihoo!"  She waved her hand in front of his face after he hadn't moved for an entire minute.

 - "Mianhaeyo, Ilana-ssi looks lovely."  The last time he was left speechless at a woman's appearance was at a party for his first crush, Seo-hyun.  Seo-hyun had made over JanDi into a simple beauty just like Ilana was now.  He had embarrassed Ilana by his compliment.

 - "Two can play at that game," she thought.  "A ver, voltéate (Let’s see, turn around)."  She indicated with her finger for him to turn around.

 - "Oh," the request surprised him but complied anyway.

She eyed him appreciatively and adjusted the folds of his cape.  "Que guapo (Very handsome)," speaking casually, she realized her mistake as soon as the words left .  Her eyes opened wide in surprise; her hands flew to cover , not believing she had spoken out loud.  "I'm sorry, I-I forgot I wasn't talking to one of my friends."

Jihoo laughed.  "Gwenchanayo, kaja," he gave her a gentle push on the small of her back.

Sometime later in the car, Jihoo broke their silence.  "Geureom...is Ilana-ssi sorry she called me handsome or sorry I'm not one of her friends."  He was straight faced and monotone as usual, but there was a hint of mischief in his voice.

 - "I decline to answer that without my attorney being present."

Her answer caught him off guard and made him laugh.  It seemed she was good at that and she didn't even try.  In another woman, that answer would be seen as flirtatious.  With Ilana, you could take it at face value; a flat out refusal to comment.

They both discovered they had brought carnival masks, his golden eye mask and hers a white peacock, the odds of that happening were very slim.  Between their light teasing and their unplanned coordination of costumes, they were both smiling upon their arrival at the party. 

Ilana's architect's eye immediately swept the baronial grand foyer and twelve-foot ceilings of Dr. Jaejoong's circa late 1800's home.  She would not be disappointed if she got to explore a bit.

 - "Ilana-ssi, Jihoo-ah!"  Jaejoong greeted them in a genie costume, balloon pants, turban, and shirtless with only a vest.  "Did you plan your costumes?   I think I have my candidates for best couple,” Jaejoong teased.

 - "Anieyo kwenchanayo!"  Jihoo said.

 - "No really, that's ok!"  Ilana said.  "Dr. Jaejoong, your home is lovely.  Was it purchased as is or did you have to renovate?  If it was renovated, the architects did a seamless job in preserving the original grandeur of the home.”

 - “Ilana-ssi would have to ask my parents; I was still at Shinwah, back home, when they purchased it.  Thank you for bringing ajussi," he winked at Ilana.

 - "Yah!" Jihoo said to the unfazed Jaejoong.

 - "Go have fun, you two, Uee's group will be singing in about an hour,” Jaejoong walked back toward the other guests.

Jihoo stared at Ilana as she gave the servant her coat.  "Are turn of the century homes a hobby of yours?"  He asked out of curiosity as they walked into the main room.

 - "It's a habit…," she busied her gaze looking for her co-workers and not Jihoo.  "…byproduct of a minor in architecture."

 - "Ah, chincha," he said, feeling there was so much more to discover about his admin.

Ilana looked around for Abigaíl but found Go DokMi and Shancai instead.  She was greeted with an enthusiastic hug and compliments exchanged.

 - "DokMi?  Where is your fiancé?"  Ilana asked.  DokMi and Shancai began to giggle as the panda, beside them, bowed to her and Jihoo.

 - "Oh my!  I love it!"  Ilana laughed and bowed back to the panda Shi-Yoon. The co-workers chatted animatedly for a few minutes before Jihoo excused himself to greet Baek SangJo and his wife Oh Hani.  Jihoo shook a smile from his face as he walked, wondering why it was when Ilana smiled it made him want to smile as well.

 - "Baek SangJo-ssi, Oh Hani-ssi," Jihoo bowed to them.  "I'm surprised to see you here."

 - "I'm only here for a while, I'm on call tonight."  Jihoo understood he was only here to appease his wife, who was dressed in a school uniform.  They really did make a nice couple, he thought.

A few minutes later, Jaejoong was making a fuss near the door.  The co-workers stopped to see what the commotion was about.  It seemed Jaejoong was making a fuss over someone or their costume.

 - "Everyone!"  Jaejoong announced; he had dragged a protesting Abigaíl to the stage area.  "Doesn't my admin look absolutely stunning?  She is my candidate for the most beautiful costume."  Abigaíl looked like she was having murderous thoughts towards their host.  In fact, throughout the room, several of the scantily dressed women, who hadn't been noticed for their attire or lack of, were having similar thoughts.  Abigaíl looked amazing in her woodland fairy halter strapped dress and garland.  Her hair was all down in waves that gently framed her face, crowned with a floral garland. The coppery brown bodice hugged her hourglass figure, with layers of the same color tulle stopping at mid-thigh.  She wore dark brown exercise shorts to preserve modesty, but still looked the part of a beautiful fairy.

It seemed everyone had come looking their best, even the panda.  Jaejoong finally released Abigaíl and her co-workers were there to ease her pain and tell her she really was beautiful.

 - "You really do look so pretty," Ilana complimented her co-worker.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong is right, you are the most beautiful," DokMi also agreed.

 - "Thanks, guys," Abigaíl gave them a reluctant smile.  "You guys haven't seen Uee?"

 - "I believe she will be starting soon," spoke the panda.

 - "Oh my gosh!  Shi-Yoon!  I would never have guessed," She laughed.

 - "Abigaíl, before Uee starts, help me fix this dress, I didn't realize it was a little loose."

 - "Do we have pins?"

 - "No, but we'll ask one of the attendants, there must be a sewing kit in this house somewhere."  Ilana had forgotten to have her driver stop on the way.

Twenty minutes later Abigaíl and Ilana emerged from the housekeeper’s room. She had expertly pinned Ilana's dress so it fit as it should.

 - "Kansamnida," Ilana spoke to the servant as they were leaving.

 - "What did you say?" Abigaíl asked.

 - "Oh, I picked it up from Uee," Ilana laughed, getting herself out of the hot seat.

 - "You do pick up languages easy.  Anyway, if you only bought that dress six months ago, how did you lose so much weight?"

 - "I don't know, I guess I haven't been eating that much since my brother left."

 - "You need to come to our house more often."

 - "Remember you said that," Ilana really liked Abigaíl's family and her heart, felt such joy to know that she was welcomed there.

They returned to the main room of the townhome and shortly after Uee's group began to perform.  Her co-workers were completely surprised to see their normally tomboyish friend, in high-heels and short shorts dancing rather seductively up on stage.  Ilana was very much enjoying the lively music.  Watching Uee sing Ilana's heart recalled memories of pictures and videos of her Mama singing when she was around her age.  She shook off the sad thoughts when Abigaíl made her dance with her.  Uee's group finished to applause and cheers from the hospital staff, despite that most of the lyrics were in Korean.

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After the intermission, 'missA', was introduced.  The group introduced themselves, surprising Ilana when she noticed that Suzy's namesake almost resembled her in a way.  It could just be her mind playing tricks on her; they were both Suzy and she missed her friend. Dancing with her co-workers for a longer while than she should have, her heart rate was getting too high and was finding it difficult to breathe.  After having fun with all the females, dancing to missA’s ‘I Don’t Need A man’, Ilana excused herself.

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 - "I'm going to sit for a while!"  Ilana shouted to Abigaíl, breathing heavily.

 - "Okay, I'll find you in a few more songs!"  They had to shout to hear over the music.  Ilana's lungs were still adjusting to having air, making her cough; she found a table with water near the patio door and drank gratefully.   She stepped out on the heated patio for some fresh air and admired the pretty garden.

Jihoo had been greeting some of the other people, but now fought his way outside from the crowd.  Not that he didn't care for 'missA', although he preferred 'Sistar', he just hated crowds.  Hearing a cough coming from the corner of the garden, his eyes gravitated towards it.  He recognized the back of the girl in the blue dress, immediately.

 - "Gwenchanayo?"  Jihoo put a concerned hand on her shoulder; he was sure he had heard a faint wheezing.

Ilana felt a hand on her shoulder startling her.  She jumped at the touch, dropping the water glass as she turned.  The glass shattered, splashing Jihoo with water and cutting Ilana.  Ilana gasped, inadvertently making her cough again.

 - "Mianhamnida, I didn't mean to startle you."

 - "Dr. Jihoo!  Your pant cuff...and shoes...are all wet," Ilana said in between coughs.

 - "And you're bleeding, come, sit down."  In fact, she didn't even notice the trickle of blood coming from a cut just above her foot.  He led her to a chair then disappeared back into the house.  He returned a few minutes later with two glasses of water and a napkin, handing her one of the glasses.

 - "A servant is bringing the house first aid kit.  I don't think the cut is very deep, but your stockings are ruined," he crouched in front of her and removed her shoe.  He put her foot on his thigh and poured water over the wound.

 - "It's cold!"  She tried to jerk her leg back but he had a firm grip on her heel.  Jihoo followed the water by pressing the napkin to the cut.  He had torn her stocking further to get to it. "Dr. Jihoo, you're getting dirty."

 - "It's still bleeding," he ignored her and continued to dab the wound with the napkin.  "As soon as the servant gets here, I'll put on a bandage."  The servant in question arrived within minutes carrying a first aid kit.  "I'm going to cut your stocking, arraso?"  Before she could say yes or no, he was already cutting.  He applied first aid ointment and covered the cut with a gauze and tape.  "Arraso, keep your foot elevated for a little while."  He took the Ottoman and placed her leg on top of it.

 - "Th-thank you, b-but you're still wet," Ilana was now shivering from the cold and the scare.

 - "Gwenchanayo, I'm glad it wasn't a deep cut."  He noticed she was trembling.  He removed his cape and placed it on her lap.

 - "I'm fine, really,” she tried returning the cape.

 - "Yah!  Doctors’ orders, I heard you coughing; you're not allowed to get sick."  If he only knew how often she usually got sick, Ilana thought as the watched him move the heater closer.

 - "That does feel nice, thank you."  Between the cape and the heat lamp, Ilana was perfectly toasty; they sat stargazing in silence for a while.

 - "When were you in Macau?"

 - "Excuse me?"  The question had caught her off guard as she remembered her performance earlier that year.

 - "Your mask...It's from the shops at the Shinwa resort, right?"

 - "How did you..."

 - "I saw the box," he grinned.  "Mine is too."  Just as, Ilana was not about to own up to her charade, Jihoo was not going to reveal his best friend was the owner of that particular hotel.

 - "Oh," Ilana said not knowing what to say at first but then thought perhaps something more was required.  "The hotel structure is very impressive."

 - "Mmm, architecture degree?"  Jihoo was enjoying the conversation and wanted to keep it going.  She smiled, embarrassed.  "Your fur, it's authentic?"

 - "Oh!  Umm, it-it was my Mother's when she was young."  She began to fidget with the cape on her lap.  It didn't escape Jihoo's notice and wondered why the question had made her uncomfortable.  "Are your shoes dry now?"  Ilana wanted the subject off of herself.  Jihoo had placed his shoes near one of the heaters to dry.

 - "I think so," he said, getting up to check.  "How is your leg?  Does it hurt?"

Ilana wiggled her leg.  "Not at all."  It was getting late and they had escaped notice for over an hour; Ilana wondered what everyone was doing.  If they stayed, she was sure Dr. Jihoo would ask more personal questions.  "It's getting late, you...did promise to take me home when I was ready, did you not?"

 - "Agassi," he got up bowed and extended his hand to her.  "I'm at your service."

Jaejoong walked the house, mingling with guests.  He made it his personal goal to visit with each person.  This was the one party he didn't have his own date for, not that he didn't flirt and give attention to several appointed women during the night.  He just didn't have time to dedicate to one person. He loved having the house full; he liked having guests; he missed his family when they were back home in Korea.

 - "Jaejoong-ah!"  Someone called him.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, Noona, Hyeung," he bowed to SungRyung and her husband SangWoo.  "Are you enjoying yourselves?"

 - "Of course, YooJin is wonderful up on that stage, isn't she?"

 - "Her group is very good; I've seen them perform at a club.  Had Uee not spotted me in the audience I wouldn't have recognized her."

 - "I saw my charges dancing together a little while ago.  Isn't our Abigaíl just darling?" SungRyung's husband gave her a 'don't start with your matchmaking again' look, which of course she ignored.

 - "Deh, daeback!  She's my candidate for most beautiful this year," he wore a self-satisfied smile.

 - "You should be a dear and dance with her...but where are Ilana and Jihoo?"

 - "They left not that long ago, she had an accident and cut herself on the leg."

 - "Oh dear, was it severe?  Is she fine?"

 - "Gwenchana, Jihoo took care of it for her."  It was SungRyung's turn to give a self-satisfied smile.  "If you'll excuse me, there are others I haven't spent time with."  Walking around, Jaejoong spent a minute or two with random guests, he spotted Uee and her boyfriend and Shi-Yoon with his fiancé but he had spent some time with them earlier.  He was curious as to where Abigaíl had gone; his driver would have told him they were leaving.  She had refused his offer to have his driver pick her up but a well-placed telephone call to her Mother changed that, he smiled to himself.

Jaejoong ordered himself another drink and then spotted his elusive admin talking comfortably with one of the male nurses.  "Aisha, this brat," he thought.  She was never that relaxed with him; not even when she was scolding him over something.  Had she always been that beautiful?  It seemed he’d never fully appreciated her beauty before, only thinking her cute, like a puppy or a yeo-dongsaeng.  Either it was the alcohol or boredom; he decided to have a little fun with her.

 - "Excuse me, Rosendo, but my admin promised me a dance and I'm claiming her now."

 - "What?  No, I didn't!"  Abigaíl tried to protest, but he grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the dance floor.

 - "Abi, he's not for you," Jaejoong said as they joined others on the dance floor. "He's a wimp, you'll walk all over him within the first month of marriage and then you'll be stuck in a boring marriage."

 - "You're drunk, Dr. Jaejoong," Abigaíl accused.  "Is that what you tell all your women?"  She spat back.

 - "Anieyo, the women I date aren't looking for a relationship.  They want someone to wine and dine them and they offer me their own...services in payment."

 - "I don't need to hear about what you do with your women," Abigaíl's face was flushed with embarrassment and fury at the topic.  She couldn't believe he was telling her those things.  Turning to leave, Jaejoong grabbed her back.

 - "You asked, don't get upset, I'm telling you this because I like and respect you and adore Isabel.  The women I date know what they're getting into, other guys aren't that upfront."  He really didn't know why he was telling her these things, but he started, might as well keep going.

 - "I can take care of myself, Dr. Jaejoong."

 - "Yah, Abi-ya, Oppa knows about these things, stop looking at me in disgust,” he smiled sweetly at her.  "I know you're a strong and confident woman, mariyah (I’m saying), you need someone stronger than you.  You don't want some 'macho' guy; they're insecure and will end up hurting you in order to make themselves feel superior.  Not all self-confident guys are jerks; don't settle for a pushover because you got hurt once before.  Now, stop scowling at me and dance."

Abigaíl didn't know why she was still dancing with him.  "Maybe, because deep down you know he has a point," she thought but wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing this.

 - "Kansamnida," Jaejoong thanked Abigaíl for the dance.  "By the way, I like jagiya with her hair down.  Wear it down more often and watch out what guys you let flirt with you, Oppa won't let you go to just anyone."

 - "Worry about your own life," Abigaíl called to him as he walked away.  "Idiot," She thought.

Jihoo and Ilana arrived back at their apartment building.   The car had been nice and warm; Jihoo made sure to turn the heat on.  Ilana was bare legged, having had to throw away her ruined tights before leaving.  The caplet and gloves had been enough to keep her warm earlier but without the tights, she was quite cold.  Jihoo had insisted she continue using his cape to keep her legs warm but now she had to cross the long cold parking.

 - "Ah!  It's freezing!"  Ilana protested as soon as Jihoo opened the door. 

 - "Kaja, the elevator will be warmer," he grinned.  The elevator was warmer as promised.  Ilana sighed in relief.

Arriving on their floor and Ilana's door, Jihoo bowed to her.  “Jaljayo.”

  - "Thank you for bringing me home, good night."  Ilana opened her door and stepped in her apartment.   Likewise, Jihoo did the same at his own apartment.  Ilana performed her nightly routine and got into bed.  She checked her phone for missed calls, messages, emails, or tweets. It had been almost two weeks since her friends returned to work and they hadn't contacted her at all since she spoke to Jung Min.  Suzy had promised to call her and tell her how the meeting had gone with her and Min's parents.  A little saddened, she was tempted to call them.  The ship’s current position was Vietnam, the time was about one PM but they were probably busy.  That was most likely the reason they hadn't been in contact.

Before sleep took hold of Ilana, a thought crossed her mind.  Had the glass not shattered, she would have made Dr. Jihoo bring her home much sooner.  Realizing she enjoyed hanging out in the peaceful garden with Dr. Jihoo and not really talking, a smil crept to her face.  That quiet time had been more enjoyable to her than dancing with her co-workers; she must be strange, she thought.

Two doors down, Jihoo was having similar thoughts.  For all her mysteries, he found himself very comfortable with Ilana.  The F4 knew him since he was in preschool, yet they still didn't quite get him.  Jan Di knew everything about him but she was married now, he could no longer be himself around her, especially since her marriage was still hard on him.  Jaejoong for all his childish ways was easy to talk to, he knew some of his history and the feelings he had had for Jan-Di.  Jaejoong and everyone else always tried to set him up on dates but with Ilana, there was no F4, no Jan-Di, and no foundation.  He could just be Jihoo and didn’t even have to be Dr. Jihoo.  He didn't mind initiating the conversation with her or just enjoying silence between them; they could both be occupied with their own thoughts and he didn't think she minded.  What was the point of all this?  He sighed, not wanting to start a friendship that might lead him to develop feelings he couldn't act upon.  Her boyfriend would be here soon and then what?  Perhaps she would end up leaving soon after.

Jihoo was too restless to sleep; he got up out of bed and subconsciously went for his violin.  His thoughts gravitated towards music scores and symphonies as he played, each season had its own symphony and neither was alike.  Was that how friendships were?  Like the seasons?  Therein lay his answer.  Was Ilana a new symphony to be written?  A new season for however long it lasts?  After putting all his thoughts and emotions into the musical score, he was calm.  Laughing at his thoughts, he put his violin away.

Okay, so I changed the last paragraph like 10 times, I hope the final cut is to your liking.  I hope you enjoyed the party.  I am not a fan of girl groups but I like Uee and Suzy so I wanted to include their groups.  I did my best, so who's excited about next chapter?  I've been waiting impatiently for it and now that I'm here I hope I don't let you down.  The pressure…!