December 4, 2013

 - "It's going to rain for the rest of the week," Jihoo told his admin when they were leaving work that day.  "I'll take you anywhere you need to go.  With your cough, you don't need to get wet."  Of course, he'll have to work around WooBin and JaeKyung.

 - "Yes, Dr. Jihoo,” she smiled, resisting the horrible urge to say, 'Deh, Oppa'.  He was acting just like them.  His kindness towards her was comforting, yet, she wasn't entirely comfortable with him.  It still felt like he could see right through her walls.

 - "Is agassi getting smart with me?"  He noticed the smile playing on her lips.

 - "No, of course not," she said as seriously as possible.  She hated being home early every evening, but she couldn't go to the children's hospital because she was still sick.  Just when she started to get better, she was sick again.  Also, she wasn't sleeping well, still having night terrors.  Whenever possible, she did choose not to be alone.  She was glad for Dr. Jihoo’s company, whenever he called her or came to her desk to take her home.  The cough was really affecting her nerves and was trying every natural remedy to get over it.  She refused to give in or admit that every day it was a little worse.  In four weeks she would take care of what needed to be done.  She had to but at the same time, she was scared.

 - "Why don't we get something to eat?"  Jihoo suggested.

 - "It's too cold to get out of the car, don't you ever eat at home?"

 - "Of course!"

 - "Kike prepared a bunch of food; you can come over...if you want."  It was a little awkward actually inviting him over, he usually just showed up unannounced.

 - "Shiro, it's my turn to treat."

 - "Is it?  We're keeping track now?"  She smiled at her companion but she really just wanted to go home.  As if on cue, she began to cough.

 - "Arraso, let’s get you home before I'm treating you for pneumonia."

The 'P' word made Ilana very nervous.  Her cousin hospitalized her with pneumonia every year, at least once.  This really didn't feel like pneumonia, she thought; mentally running down a list of experienced symptoms.  Ilana sighed, in relief; no, she was clear from any compromising symptoms.  She just had to get rid of this cold.

Jihoo heard her sigh and gave her a silent 'are you okay?' look.  She just smiled her assurance.  To anyone else, the display would seem odd but both were given to not talking much, that it felt completely natural.

 - "Do you like Puerto Rican food?"  She asked when they arrived at the apartment.

 - "I don't think I've ever had it."

 - "My brother makes the best;” Ilana just omitted the fact that her brother is Puerto Rican.  "Sit and I'll heat some up."  They stepped into the apartment and Ilana threw her things on the couch, heading for the kitchen.  Removing the lids off a few containers, she threw them in the microwave.  "This is called gui-..."  Ilana began to cough.

 -"Sit down and I'll finish heating the food,” he said in his perfect monotone.  He took her by the shoulders and sat her down.  Taking a glass from her cupboard, he filled it with water and handed it to her.

 - "Thank you;" she was too tired to protest.

 - "What else do I need?"

 - "Tortillas from the drawer."

He took the tortillas out and then stood there.  "Where's your skillet?"  This made Ilana laugh.

 - "I don't use a skillet, you can cook them right on the burner for about 5-10 seconds each side."

 - "Oh," it wasn't like he'd never eaten a tortilla, it was just he'd never cooked one before.

All done with the heating, Jihoo served a generous amount of 'guisado' on a plate in front of Ilana.  She opened to protest the quantity but was cut off by Jihoo.  "I won't leave until you eat what's on your plate."  Ilana glared at him and began to eat.  He knew she wouldn't eat it all, but the more he served her the more she would eat.  “Will your Oppa be visiting you for Christmas?"  Jihoo asked while they ate.

 - "N-no, he'll be working in Mexico."  Jihoo could tell Ilana was disappointed.  "What about you?  Is your family in Korea?"

 - "Deh, I usually spend Christmas with Jaejoong."

 - "Do you ever find it odd, that friends or people you meet along the way, become more family than your own blood?"  Ilana was staring off into space, thinking of her friends and now her co-workers.  They were the family she always longed for but the pain from the past kept her from completely embracing them.

 - "Ilana-ssi?"  He waved a hand in front of her face.  Ilana shook her head, breaking the trance.  "Gwenchana?"

 - "I'm so sorry, I just felt tired all of a sudden."  Ilana rubbed her face.

 - "Rest," Jihoo was already pulling out her chair.  "I'll clean up."

 - "I can't let you do that!"

 - "Oh, did I ask permission?"

 - "Fine," Ilana moved to the couch and threw her blanket over her.

Jihoo was done in fifteen minutes.  He boiled water while cleaning and made her a cup of citron tea.  "Drink your tea and go straight to bed.  I'll pick you up in the morning, Jalja."

 - "Good night," Ilana finished her tea and was in bed before eight p.m.

 December 6, 2014

It had been raining all morning, making Ilana's mood match the gloomy weather.

 - "Chica," Abigaíl tapped Ilana on the shoulder, who was just staring out the window.  "Let's go to lunch, I need a break."

 - "Sounds good."

Abigaíl already had Ilana's lunch bag in hand.  Not only was the patient load bigger, but being the last month of the year, year-end reports had to be completed.  SungRyung had both Abigaíl and Ilana working on reports for her.  It wasn't on every floor that she could delegate those duties.

Arriving at the cafeteria, Abigaíl scouted a table and went to claim it.  The rain was keeping people from going out to eat and seats were scarce.  After warming their food, Abigaíl and Ilana sat down to enjoy their break.

 - "Unnie's report is killing me," Abigaíl complained.  "I know it's not due for another week and a half but on top of all our extra work, I feel like I'm never going to be done."

 - "I'm about half done with mine, I'll help out with anything you need."

 - "I'll probably take you up on that offer.  Oh, Mom wants to make sure you're coming over Christmas Eve.  Spend the night and we'll drive in the next morning."

 - "Tell her I wouldn't think of missing.  Be thinking about what you want me to bring."  Ilana was thinking she needed to go shopping but not in this weather.  She'll have to shop online.

 - "Just bring yourself.  Do you know what you're going to wear for the party?"

 - "Kike bought me a dress before I started working at the hospital.  I think I'll wear that; I've only worn it once."  Ilana was thinking she'd better try it on well before the party in case it needed taking in; which she was almost sure of.  "What about you?"

 - "I saw a hot pink strapless at the mall I'm thinking of."  They spent the next few minutes talking accessories and shoes.  "I'm going to get more coffee, you want anything?”

 - "No thank you," she decided to lay her head on the table in the meantime.

 - "Annyeong haseyo," said a booming voice behind Ilana, making her bolt upright.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong!"  The effort to yell made her start coughing.  "Can...you not...scare people...like that!"  She took her water bottle and began to drink.

 - "Mianhae, gwenchana?"  He patted her back, trying to help.  She just glared at him.  To think, she once was afraid of this overgrown man cub.  "Where's your sunbae?"

 - "She'll be back in a second, you better have a good reason for harassing me or I'll have her beat you up."

 - "Omo!  Like the great Jaejoong is afraid of a yeoja."

 - "Dr. Jaejoong!"  Abigaíl came upon the scene.  "Are you bothering Ilana?"  Abigaíl used her 'Mom' voice, making him jump.

 - "A-Anieyo.  I-I actually was looking for you, I thought you two were together."

 - "Why do you look guilty?  And what do you want?"

 - "Omo!  You're so mean to me," he drew out the 'ee' sound.  "I wanted to tell you Umma wants to have Isabel, your parents, and you over for brunch on New Year's Day.  You're not going out New Year's Eve are you?"

 - "Is it any concern of yours if I am?"

 - "Wae, I was just asking," Jaejoong pouted.  "Well, Umma will call your parents and issue a formal invitation."  He walked off, a little upset, not knowing exactly why.

 - "I wish I had your boldness," Ilana sighed.

Abigaíl laughed.  "It's not me; my faith in God gives me the strength to tackle even the most annoying problem."

Ilana gave Abigaíl a half smile, glad that her friend had faith to get her through but it wasn't for her.  She and God hadn't been on speaking terms since he took her parents.  "You sound like my Nana, let’s go back."

 - "Okay, chica."  The two headed back to their waiting workload.

It was still pouring rain by the end of the day.  Ilana's phone rang, it was Dr. Jihoo.

 - "Yeobosayo, Ilana-ssi, I'm leaving my office to get the car.  Meet me in front when you're ready."

 - "Oh, okay."  As much as Ilana didn't want to be home alone, she longed for her pajamas and blanket.

 - "Don't rush, it's wet and I don't want you to fall."  Ilana smiled and hung up the phone.

Jihoo was waiting outside his car, Umbrella in hand, when Ilana came through the doors.  What neither knew was that two people were about to approach the two co-workers.  Ilana had just approached the car when a car pulled up behind the white Mini Cooper and a man and a woman stepped out.

 - "Yo!  My man Jihoo, wus up?"  The man approached Jihoo and clapped him firmly on the back.   Jihoo tried his best not to react; he should have expected a WooBin and JaeKyung to show up unannounced.

 - "Jihoo-ah!"  JaeKyung hugged gave him a bouncing hug.  Ilana thought the girl reminded her of a cute little monkey.  "Are you surprised?"

 - "WooBin-ah, JaeKyung-ah, you could have warned me you might be showing up at the hospital?"

 - "Then it wouldn't have been a surprise," JaeKyung stated the obvious.

Ilana stood frozen trying to decide whether she should interrupt or run back in and text Jihoo telling him to go on without her.

 - "Dude, let's go get some food and visit one of the clubs afterward."

Ilana tried to stifle a cough, but it was too late.

Jihoo heard and looked up to see her.  Quickly, he opened the passenger door.  "Ilana-ssi, come, get out of the rain.  Mianhae guys, I promised Ilana-ssi Samgyetang before I run her home."

This was news to Ilana; she thought they were heading home.  "Dr. Jihoo, you are under no obligation to me.  Go with your friends, I can take a cab home."

 - "Anieyo," JaeKyung took Ilana's arm in hers, getting a wide-eyed look from Ilana.  "I can totally go for Samgyetang, let's go together!

 - "I..."   Jihoo looked to Ilana, who was still trying to figure out JaeKyung.

WooBin decided to take matters into hand.  "Ilana-ssi, is it?"  Woo Bin bowed to her.  "Song, WooBin.  It's a pleasure to meet a friend of my bro's, which I didn't even know he had friends in New York."

 - "I...He...”  How could she explain he was just being nice?

 - "Come on..."  JaeKyung begged and bounced up and down still holding Ilana's arm.  "I'm JaeKyung, by the way, let's all get to know each other.  Please....It'll be fun unless you two are on a date?"

 - "We work together and happen to be neighbors," Jihoo calmly explained their situation, ignoring the ‘date’ comment.

Ilana felt herself turning bright red.

 - "Ilana-ssi, we'll tell you anything you want to know about this guy,” WooBin kindly offered.

 - "Please, you surprised Dr. Jihoo for a reason.  I would rather not intrude."  She didn't really want to go home by herself.  Feeling at ease with Dr. Jihoo was one thing but she wasn't sure about the other two, even though the Monkey girl seemed rather nice.

 - "Hey!  Who says you're intruding?"  JaeKyung looked right at Jihoo as if daring him to say that Ilana was in fact intruding.  "We're the ones intruding," JaeKyung had only just let go Ilana's arm and grabbed hold of it once more.  "So, let's go.  We’re all settled, right?  Where are we going?"  They had been standing outside for a good ten minutes and it wasn't extremely cold but it was wet.  Ilana began to cough again, her stored up warmth was escaping.

 - "Ilana-ssi, gwenchana?  If you would rather go home and get some rest...?"

 - "Jihoo-ah, she can rest later, besides, you promised her Samgyetang and if she has a cold, she needs it.  Right, Ilana?"  She had turned from Jihoo and was now addressing Ilana.  "I can just call you by your name, right?"

 - "This girl can talk circles around Shi-Yoon, Suzy, JungMin, and HyungJun put together," Ilana thought, as she stood coughing, slightly.

 - "Eerie wa (Come on), Ilana-ssi should get in the car," Jihoo took Ilana from JaeKyung and helped her in the car.   He was pretty sure WooBin and JaeKyung wouldn't blow his cover but for sure, news of Ilana would reach his Grandfather's ears; even if she was just a...friend?  He wasn't sure; he thought they were more than just acquaintances.  "Why are you making a big deal about this?"  He told himself and then turned to WooBin, "Arirang on 32nd."

 - "Copy that," WooBin affirmed in his ‘mafia boss’ talk and climbed into the passenger side of JaeKyung's salsa red VW Eos.  WooBin wouldn't be caught dead driving a 'chick' car.

 - "Mianhae, Ilana-ssi, I tried to avoid WooBin and JaeKyung and used you as an excuse," Jihoo said as they began to drive.

 - "That's alright, I don't mind."

 - "I can take Ilana-ssi home if you're really not up to it."

 - "Of course not, they seem like nice people."

 - "Overwhelming but they're the best."  He was smiling, a little more relaxed, now that he knew Ilana was fine with being sequestered for dinner.

 - "You know, that can be my part-time job,” Ilana was trying not to giggle.  She covered with her hand.

 - "Mwo?"

 - "I can be your excuse," she gave up trying to stifle the laugh.  "I was your excuse for the Halloween party and again right now.  I think my internship is over, now; I can become your regular employee."  He couldn't help it and also began to laugh until Ilana's cough made them stop.  Though they were quiet, their smiles remained the rest of the drive.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, Jihoo and Ilana had a minor squabble over would pay.  Jihoo cited he had a part-time job and Ilana was still an intern.  She couldn't argue too much with his friends watching and he knew it.  She glared at his blank face and went to sit with JaeKyung.

 - "So what do you do at the hospital?"  JaeKyung asked, with her bubbly personality.

 - "I'm actually Dr. Jihoo's admin."

 - "Oh, really?"  JaeKyung was overjoyed.  "This is the girl!"  She mentally screamed and jumped up and down.  She couldn't wait to tell the others.  "How do you like working with Jihoo?"

 - "His patients sing his praises and he's very kind and generous with his time."  She was thinking of how he always went out of his way to help her.

 - "Do you have a boyfriend?"

 - "No," she smiled softly.  "Just a great group of friends who are mostly boys."

 - "You never know, Prince Charming might be hiding in your group of friends or somewhere else unexpected."  Ilana gave a half smile; even if she knew she could never accept the Prince.  "Hey!  Take a selfie with me."  JaeKyung was already scooting her chair closer.  Ilana was taken completely by surprise.  "Aww, you didn't smile.  I'll take a picture of just you, now smile."  Ilana managed a shy smile, Dr. Jihoo was right, 'overwhelming' described Jae Kyung perfectly.  "Yay!  Now I can show everyone back home, my new friend."

 - "Home?  You’re not American?"  JaeKyung's English was perfect.

 - "I spent most of my life in New York, but I spend most of my time in Seoul, now."

While JaeKyung drilled Ilana, the two men had ordered and were waiting.

 - "Looks like Monkey really likes your friend."  'Monkey' was the nickname their friend Gu JunPyo gave her when she arrived in Seoul for their senior year in high school.

 - "Mmm."

 - "So...who is she?"

 - "Just my admin," he said casually.

 - "I suppose you're just uissa to her?"  WooBin wanted to know if Jihoo had disclosed who he was when he returned to Seoul each month.

 - "We only work together, WooBin.  Why would she know or need to know who I am?"  WooBin studied his friend's face but couldn't read it.  He'd have to wait and feel him out during the week.  Maybe they could sequester Ilana again too.

The guys made their way back to the table and joined the women with trays of steaming hot soup.  Ilana looked at the giant bowl in front of her and JaeKyung who had already begun digging into her bowl with relish.

 - "What you don't finish you can take home,” Jihoo observed her overwhelmed face.

After about an hour of pleasant conversation, they got up to leave.  Ilana enjoyed the distraction.  WooBin was very nice under his gruff exterior.  JaeKyung was hyper and friendly; they were both 'take charge' people and directed the conversation with ease.

 - "Are you sure you won't go to a club with us?" JaeKyung asked Ilana when they returned to the apartment building.

 - "I'm sorry; I don't usually go to clubs."

 - "I'm sure Ilana-ssi wants to get some rest,” Jihoo tried getting her off the hook.

 - "We can hang out in Jihoo's place?"

 - "I'm sure Dr. Jihoo is sick of me by now.  Enjoy your time with your friend."

 - "We have almost an entire week with him, come on..."  JaeKyung grabbed Ilana's arm.

In the end, Ilana agreed to see them again before they left.  JaeKyung had invited Ilana to look at wedding venues but she declined the invitation, using her cold as an excuse.  Jihoo figured his friends were up to something, but thankfully Ilana was good at keeping to herself and not letting JaeKyung drag her into self-incriminating conversations.

December 8, 2013

When Ilana finally woke, she looked out the window to see snow.  She had never really been this close to it before, willingly, anyway.  The weather was still cold and dreary but seeing snow for the first time, like this, lifted Ilana's mood.  She made herself a hot breakfast and then bundled up to head outside.  Having stayed in bed or on the couch napping most of the previous day, she felt a little more energy.  Perhaps she could've gone to look at venues with Dr. Jihoo's friends but then thought it would most likely make for a very long day.  This, she could do; she went out to the patio to take pictures and then opted for a short walk around the block taking more pictures of things covered in snow.

It was extremely cold and even with all the layers, Ilana still felt the icy caressing of the wind.  Her coughing had started up again too but was reluctant to go back home.  She ducked into a little coffee place to get out of the cold and look at her pictures.  Sitting in the corner away from a draft, drinking a chai tea latte, she tweeted some of the pictures.  'First Snow', she entitled them.

Thankfully, WooBin and JaeKyung only dragged Jihoo to two venue's each day of the weekend.  The engaged couple had already decided not to question Jihoo about Ilana.  JaeKyung would invite her to lunch before they left and get to know her better.

 - "Arraso, Jihoo-ah, which of the four venues did you like the best?"  JaeKyung asked.

 - "The Brooklyn Museum."

 - "Ha!  I win; WooBin owes me Paris for our honeymoon."  Whoever’s choice Jihoo selected, that person got their wish for a honeymoon.  JaeKyung's was Paris and WooBin's was Monte Carlo.

 - "Thanks, Bro, I'll remember to side with JunPyo on your next argument."

Jihoo chuckled, whenever there was an argument, they all banded together against their friend; just to annoy him further.  "I sponsor the arts and own a museum; it wasn't a difficult choice,” he shrugged.

 - "I'll let it slide, anyway, now that JaeKyung has her wedding venue I can spend the rest of our time checking out the club scene in New York."

 - "You're planning on bringing Club Eden to New York?" Club Eden was the exclusive club WooBin owned in Seoul, Japan, and Macau, now he was scouting the U.S. market.

 - "Deh, I want to check the scene out and then go over the numbers and demographics with the team."

Jihoo wondered if he should volunteer Ilana.  There was more to her than she let on and she was an international marketing major.  From what he could see, she was skilled in retrieving and organizing data.  "Let me know if you need help, Ilana has an International Marketing background."

 - "Chincha?  Why is she working as your admin?"

 - "Mollah, she didn't say."

 - "How can you not ask these things?"  JaeKyung was getting excited.

 - "She doesn't really talk about herself."

 - "She does seem a little shy," JaeKyung and her fiancé shared a knowing look.  It seemed they had another Jihoo on their hands.

 -  "Dude, I have the best people working for me and if I didn't, I could use JunPyo's staff, why are you asking?"

 - "No reason, just curious why she gave up her major."  For some reason, he had a feeling her major had something to do with her family or someone very close to her.  Her abrupt change in career did as well.

 - "I'm in; I'll invite her to lunch before we leave and ask her."  JaeKyung was ready for the challenge.

 December 9, 2013

Ilana received many comments, mainly teasing, about her 'first snow'.  It was the start of a new cruise in San Diego and the time difference made it impossible to call on that first day.  By the time their day was over, Ilana was sound asleep.  About lunchtime on Monday, Ilana received a call and went into the stairwell to take it.

 - "Why were you in the snow?"  KyuJong asked.

 - "Good afternoon to you too, Oppa?"

 - "Ilana...how are you," he and Suzy had been extremely worried about her.  Having to hide it from the others was just as worrisome.

 - "I only went around the block, Oppa.  I slept most of Saturday and I really felt much better.  I needed to get out, if only for a little."

 - "How's your cold?"

 - "I'm still coughing."

 - "Fatigue?"

 - "Deh," she didn't want to tell him about the nightmares.

 - "Arraso," he sighed.  "If you have any questions, call me.  Enrique-ssi was very worried about you."

 - "Arrayo, I kind of freaked out on him."

 - "Kind of?"  He heard her chuckle on the other end.  "Don't hold it in, next time; call Suzy or me or any of us, arraso?"

 - "Deh, Oppa, that's why I'm trying not to be alone.  My...thoughts just go all over the place and...it makes me a little nervous.  My boss is having a get together at her house soon and...I'm actually looking forward to it, Oppa."

 - "Choah, gomawo for confiding in me.  I'll let you go, don't you dare skip lunch."  He was still worried but felt hopeful that she might be able to hold out another three and a half weeks.  She had to.

 - "Deh, Oppa."  Ilana smiled as she hung up, she still had time to get something to eat.

December 11, 2013

Ilana had seen very little of Dr. Jihoo over the last few days.  She did her best not to be alone whenever possible these days, he picked her up in the morning and brought her home in the evening and then returned to the hospital.  He was leaving early Thursday morning and was squeezing in patients and tying up loose ends as head of the ward.  All this on top of meeting WooBin and JaeKyung for an hour each night.  Wednesday morning she text Dr. Jihoo "breakfast is on me."  It was the last day she would see him for a week and she thought he would enjoy a hot breakfast.  She had a traveler mug with white tea and an omelet burrito wrapped and ready to go when he picked her up.  Her cough had kept her up for a while the prior evening and she prepped everything, leaving it ready for the morning.

 - "Gomawo," Jihoo smiled at her.  He thought she looked tired this morning.  "Did Ilana-ssi get enough sleep, you look tired?"

 - "Oh, I stayed up a little later than usual."

 - "Mmm, I thought maybe your cold kept you up," he didn't buy her excuse.

 - "Did I not do my make up right this morning?"  She wondered to herself how he could notice these things.  "You know, go ahead and finish your work tonight, I'll see myself home."  She felt so guilty, he had so much work to do and still, he drove her home each day and then went right back to the hospital.

 - "Arraso."

 - "Excuse me?"  She said startled,  stared at him wide-eyed.  He always ignored her when she said she could take herself to and from work.

 - "It means okay," he grinned knowing full well that she knew the meaning.  The annoyed look she was giving him, made him chuckle.  "JaeKyung's picking you up; she wants to ask you a favor."

 - "Why me?  "What kind of favor?"  Ilana was completely stunned; why would someone she met once, need a favor from her?

 - "I'll let her explain.  You can always say no after you've heard her request."  Ilana was about to enter panic mode.  Jihoo could tell he had made her nervous.  "Don't worry, she's not asking you to do anything illegal."

 The day passed and between her cough and her approaching interview with JaeKyung, her nerves were on edge.

 - "Night chica!"  Catching Abigaíl from the corner of her eye made Ilana jump in her seat. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

 - "I know, I was so focused on my work I didn't hear you."

 - "Well, don't work late; you're never going to get rid of that cold."

They waved at each other and Ilana went back to work.

Fifteen minutes later, Ilana's phone rang from an unknown number.

 - "He-llo?"  Ilana answered hesitantly.

 - "Ilana!  It's JaeKyung, meet me in the lobby."

Arriving in the lobby, JaeKyung spotted Ilana and ran to her latching onto her arm.  "There's a pizza place by your apartment where we can talk.  This is going to be so great.  Just the two of us hanging out."  JaeKyung didn't seem to require a response so Ilana gave none.  Too nervous to talk, she allowed JaeKyung to drag her along.

 - "Okay, here's the deal," JaeKyung said after finishing half a pizza and Ilana barely two slices.  "My fiancé is scouting the city for a location to open an exclusive club."  Ilana wondered what that had to do with her, but found it best not to interrupt JaeKyung in her thoughts.  "Jihoo told us you're into marketing; can you help us?  We'll pay you."

 - "I haven't been in the field for a year, I'm not sure."

 - "It's like riding a bike, you don't forget after a year," JaeKyung dismissed Ilana's worry.

 - "I could recommend a company to you;" her own.

 - "We'd rather deal with a friend and someone we can trust."

 - "But why me?"

 - "Jihoo trusts you."  Ilana let out her breath.  It was a huge responsibility, to be trusted by someone.  Ilana didn't understand how he could say that when he didn't know her?  She had to blink back tears.  What if she let him down?  "Please, Jihoo knows how to read people.  If he told us about your degree, it's because he knows you'll do a good job."

 - "I-I suppose I can do it."  If she said no, she was already letting him down.  She was the best research specialist in the company.  This would be easy.  It's not like she didn't still have access to the company databases.  They spent the next half hour discussing the target for the new club.

Ilana returned home, exhausted.  Dr. Jihoo would be gone a week, although everyone knew what to do in his absence, keeping them on task and organized was more work than doing everything herself.  Adding to that, this project and a cold, that wouldn't go away; it would be great if she came home each night too exhausted to have nightmares.

 - "Sunbae, we'll drop you off at the foundation.  Harabeoji and the board members will be waiting," JanDi said after the round of hugs by the girls and back pounding by the guys.WooBin, Jihoo, and JaeKyung were greeted at the airport by Gu JunPyo and wife Guam JanDi.

 - "Arraso," Jihoo answered.

 - "Did you get the venue?"  JanDi asked JaeKyung.

 - "Yup, we're all set for February 15th at the Brooklyn Museum."

 - "Daeback!"

 - "WooBin-ah, what about the club?  What did you find out?"

 - "Well, we narrowed down some areas and looked at a few of the 'so-called' exclusive clubs.  We have someone running numbers for us."  WooBin shared a conspiratorial smile.

Jihoo rolled his eyes and remained quiet.  He knew he would be opening himself up to this kind of behavior from his friends.  But he was curious to see the results of this project.  Something told him Ilana wasn't just Ilana Contreras who worked as his admin.  Just as he wasn't just Yoon Jihoo, Uissa.

Alrighty, my loves, kansamnida!

1) Ilana realizes that for her own well-being she needs people around her.

2) She and Jihoo are getting almost dependent on each other to ward of loneliness.  They just don't realize it yet.

3) What will the rest of the F4 and counterparts do with the news of Ilana?  Ke ke Ke

4) Jihoo's being sneaky, trying to test Ilana.

5) Her cold just won't go away, how long will she dig her heels before she absolutely has to see one of the Doctors.

.........Stay tuned.......