YoungSaeng had been on the phone with Ilana for at least an hour.  He had been delivering a tea service when he received her urgent text.  His heart clenched in fear and he rushed his delivery to get back to the lounge.  Citing an emergency, he had one of his hubae cover for him; for most of an hour, he listened to her sobs.  All he really got out of her was that her cold wasn't going away and she was scared; his arms ached to hold her.  "Don't tell KyuJong Oppa, juseyo," she had said.  He told her to see a doctor but she said she'd be fine, only needed someone to talk to.  "Mianhae, Oppa, I just needed to hear your voice.  I feel lonely sometimes...I feel close to you if I can hear your voice and talk to you."  He sang for her and her sobs quieted down.  "Get some rest," he'd said.

Today, he wanted answers and had a feeling there were two people aboard this ship that could provide them.  He arranged to meet everyone for breakfast, except for Mal, who needs his beauty sleep.

 - "Nae Cinderella called me last night," YoungSaeng mentioned while they were all eating.

 - "How is she, Oppa?"  Suzy couldn't hide the worry in her voice.

 - "Mollah, first, Enrique-ssi called a few weeks ago worried about her and now, she text me that she's falling and can't stop.  When I called her all she could do was sob."

  - "Chincha?"  Maknae asked, now equally worried.

Suzy and KyuJong glanced at each other.  "Eottokae?"  Suzy asked.

 - "If you two know anything; now, is the time to clue the rest of us in."  YoungSaeng was visibly upset.

KyuJong sighed.

- "Do you want me to tell the others?"

 - "Not unless it's absolutely necessary.  I'll leave it up to your discretion."

 -"It's absolutely necessary, now, Ilana-ssi.  Your friends have a right to know," he thought to himself.  "Her anemia level is dangerously high right now.  She's delaying treatment because she doesn't want anyone to know and the stress is also affecting her depression."

 - "KyuJong-ya, she's sick?!"  YoungSaeng yelled.

 - "Ara, hajiman eottokae, fly to New York and drag her to the hospital?"  KyuJong was just as frustrated.

 - "If I have to I will."

 - "Then you'll be no better than her cousin."  Ilana had told them how her cousin would put her under house arrest when she was sick.  Or how he often sedated her and she'd wake up tied to a hospital bed with no explanation as to why.  It was no wonder she was afraid.  "We just have to wait and hope she does the right thing."

New York City, NY

Ilana woke in the late morning; it was a good thing she had called SungRyung the evening before, letting her know she wouldn't be in.  Dr. Jihoo had made it clear if he caught her at the hospital he'd drag her to the ER.  She was able to get a few hours’ sleep after her talk with YoungSaeng.  She let his speaking and singing voice soothe her nerves.  Again, she told herself everything would be fine, just as soon as she got over this cold.  What frazzled her nerves was this cold was not in any hurry to leave.

She breakfasted on Oatmeal with honey and peanut butter and several cups of citron tea.  The coughing had started again as soon as she was up and mobile.  Not having time to stress about it, she got ready to meet Steven for his half of the research.

Harabeoji took a cab to one of the Koreatown markets and did some shopping. Wanting to help Jihoo with his reluctant patient; Asian Pears, honey, rice balls, and butternut squash were on the shopping list.  It seemed the child; left to her own devices didn't eat.  He would make sure to remedy that situation, even if he had to feed her himself.  Once his shopping was done, he returned to his Grandson's apartment to make a butternut squash porridge.

Thankfully, the temperature outside had been increasing over the last few days; although, by Southern California standards, 53 (12c) degrees is not warm at all.  Ilana still took care to dress warmly in multiple layers topped off by scarf and down jacket.  Every time she coughed, it left her breathless and shaking.  With a cup of hot tea in hand, she set out to meet Steven and arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule.  She had changed their meeting location to the coffee place on the corner, near her apartment.  The walk had left her out of breath with a wheezing cough; finding a seat and with her head in hands tried to regain her breathing before her appointment arrived.

 - "Miss Ilana!"  Steven had spotted his appointment.  Ilana started and began to cough again.  Immediately, she drank from her cup until the wave passed.  "Forgive me, if I startled you."

 - "Not at all, I'm just trying to get over this cold.  I trust your week went well."

 - "It did indeed; I haven't had a more enjoyable assignment in a while."  He pulled out a manila envelope from his briefcase.  "My report is inside, along with detailed expenditures."  Ilana skimmed over the report but scrutinized the expenditures a little more.  Noticing nothing out of the ordinary, she looked up and smiled.

 - "Thank you for your hard work, I'm sure my acquaintance will be pleased."  ILC group had the best reps in the industry.  It was a great company to work for and happy employees made sure they did their job to exceed expectation.  It was her turn to hand him an envelope.

 - "It was my pleasure.  If you ever take on another favor, I hope you think of using my services again."  He put the envelope away.  He could trust it would be the agreed amount.

 - "I don't foresee taking on any more work of this nature but if I do, I'll definitely need your help again."  They shook hands and parted ways.  Ilana couldn't wait to return to her apartment and crawl back under the blankets.

Arriving back home, Ilana threw off her jacket and boots and crawled back into bed.  She slept and didn't wake until two hours later at the sound of her doorbell.  She stumbled sleepily to the door, bumping into things here and there.  Oblivious to the time, she assumed it was Dr. Jihoo and to her surprise, it was Harabeoji on the other side of the door, instead.

 - "Harabeoji?  Annyeong hasseyo," Ilana tried to bow but immediately felt dizzy, leaning on the door for support.

 - "Sit down, child."  Harabeoji walked in; setting the bag he carried on the kitchen counter and helped Ilana to the chair.

 - "Jwasangmnida," Ilana said once seated.

 - "Anieyo, apologies are not necessary."  He took one of her cold hands in his.  This action led Ilana almost to tears.  His touch was so gentle and comforting that she could absolutely see herself telling him everything.  "Has the dizziness past now, child?"

Ilana nodded her head, 'yes'.  It was hard for her to speak, her emotions were going haywire.

He felt her forehead.  "You're still running a temperature, I see."

 - "I-it's not very high," Ilana tried to hide the worry in her voice.

 - "Deh hajiman a low-grade fever is just as dangerous.  It's a sign of infection."  Ilana tried not to look into those gentle eyes, he would see right through her.  "I've made you juk (porridge), have you eaten?"

 - "I had a late breakfast but not lunch.  I confess as the day goes on, I just don't have an appetite."

 - "You don't look dehydrated; I believe you are getting enough liquids but you need to eat as well."  Harabeoji went into the kitchen and unpacked what he had brought.  She could hear her him tinkering in there.  He came out a few minutes later with a small bowl of the porridge and handed it to Ilana.  The softness of its texture and its warmth felt heavenly going down Ilana's throat, which felt like she had eaten razor-sharp scales from all the coughing.

When she was done, Ilana was surprised he didn't force another bowl on her.  He took her bowl back to the kitchen and returned with another bowl.  "This is an Asian pear drizzled with honey.  I've brought you about a half dozen.  Steam it for fifteen minutes and have one twice a day.  It will help your cough."

 - "K-kansamnida, y-you didn't ha-have to do all this," Ilana fought the emotion from being heard in her voice.

 - "Anieyo, you're important to nae Jihoo; Na want to help you."  He thought she looked surprised to hear this.  "Wae?  Agassi doesn't think she's important?"  Ilana shrugged her shoulders.  She knew she was important to YoungSaeng, Nana, and Kike and was held in high esteem by the others but why would she be considered important to Dr. Jihoo?  "You go above and beyond your duties to make sure all his files are coded properly.  When he is out, you do that and make sure all emails are handled, get Dr. Jaejoong to handle anything urgent, help your boss and stay late until everything is done."

Ilana played with the spoon in her hand.  "I'm just doing my job.  I-I need to do well for myself in New York."

 - "Killing yourself and leaving my Grandson without his trusted admin is not doing well for yourself."  Ilana gave him a reluctant smile.  "Now, what's so important about the get together at the home of SungRyung-ssi that you are putting off getting seen by a doctor?"

Ilana didn't know how he got her to talk, but she did.  "I don't like doctors or hospitals."  Harabeoji could see her shudder.  Was it fear?  "I don't mind working there and my co-workers were the first people I felt comfortable with in New York.  I-I don't usually care to make friends and...and I dislike social occasions...but...I'm looking forward to this...because of them."

Harabeoji listened with eyes and heart full of compassion.  She, like his Grandson, had suffered a tragedy of some sort.  He could sense a deep-seated sorrow.  He hated to think that maybe a doctor, that is sworn to do no harm, might have had a hand in it.  "Child, you're unwell, my Grandson will not let you back to work unless you are cleared by one of the doctor's.  Wae don't I go with you, now?  With luck, you'll get off with an antibiotic and breathing treatment."

 - "Shiroyo," Ilana shook her head.

 - "Arraso," he didn’t insist further but took her hand and patted it gently.  "Get some rest, my Grandson will want to check in on you when he comes home."

Ilana hoped this cold or infection would just go away.  If she thought God cared about her, she'd even consider praying.  She wept a little and dozed back off.

  December 21, 2013

Ilana managed to get a decent night's sleep.  Dr. Jihoo brought her two samples of a prescription cough medicine.  The problem was it had codeine in it; this made her exceedingly nervous.  "I shouldn't be doing this," he said.  "But if you insist on going to Noona’s party, you're going to need a good night's sleep."  She didn't take it until well after he had left.  He had admonished her to continue drinking plenty of liquids and to eat before taking the medicine, also to call him immediately if she developed any side-effects.  She ate another small bowl of porridge and a pear.  She only took half the dosage in the end, but that was enough to afford her a good night's sleep.  When she woke, she had enough energy to finish the research summary and roughly sketch a concept of a 1950's style lounge.

Jihoo got himself ready for the evening and left to pick Ilana up at her door.  "Take care of that girl," Harabeoji said to him.  "Deh, Harabeoji, I won't let her out of my site," Jihoo smiled.  He was happy to have his Grandfather with him.  The old man was a good problem solver.  He had a mind only a former Korean President could have.

 - "How are you feeling?"  He asked when she opened the door.

 - "A little sluggish but the cough has died down considerably.  I only took half of the medicine you gave me last night and the other half in the morning and another half a little while ago."  She had been moving much slower than usual.  It was a good thing she had already picked up her dress from the tailor.  She had lost more weight in the last few weeks; although still loose, it wasn't as bad as it had been.

Jihoo studied her face; her makeup was done up and he couldn't really tell if she was pale or not.  But her eyes still had a tired look despite her pains to hide it.  He felt her forehead; she would be staying home if she had a fever.

 - "I checked my temperature, it was normal."  In fact, her temperature was slightly elevated at 99 (37.2c), she met his gaze with a determined boldness in hopes he’d just let it slide.

 - "Arraso, kaja," he helped her with her coat over the cut velvet wrap.  The dress, he noticed, was the one in the picture he had seen.  It appeared only slightly loose but compared to the picture, she'd lost a considerable amount of weight.

About twenty minutes later, they arrived at SangWoo and SungRyung's home on a beautiful tree-lined street.  They arrived at the same time as Uee and Shancai and boyfriends Ilwoo and Hua Ze Le.  An exuberant, as usual, SungRyung greeted them.

 - "Ladies!  You look beautiful;" SungRyung hugged each one in turn.

 - "Allow me to put your coats away."  The men helped their dates off with their coats and handed them to SangWoo.  SungRyung escorted them through a foyer, where a piano stood on one side and a nice bench ran along the mahogany stained stairway, to a cozy parlor.

 - "Ilana dear, I'm so glad you were able to come.  You've had us worried."  Ilana smiled at SungRyung's fussing.   Normally, she hated being fussed over but she was just glad to be at the party and didn't care.  "Jihoo-ah, have you been taking care of our Ilana?"

 - "Unnie, Dr. Jihoo has no obligation to take care of me," Ilana could feel herself blushing.

 - "Of course he does, he's your neighbor.  I told you we're a family.  You might as well call him Oppa."

 - "Noona, Harabeoji and I, looked in on her a few times;" Jihoo saved Ilana from further scolding.

 - "Oh, you're such a blessing, my dear."  She took his face in between her hands, making Jihoo very uncomfortable.

 - "Yeobo, leave the kids alone," SangWoo gently scolded his wife.  "Who is this Young man, Shancai?"

 - "SungRyung Unnie, SangWoo Oppa, this is my boyfriend Hua Ze Le."

 - "Welcome,” SangWoo said as he shook the young man's hand. Jihoo and Ilwoo offered a polite bow.

 - "Where did this young man come from?"  SungRyung asked.  Shancai had begun the story of how they met on a recent trip to Japan when the doorbell rang.

 - "Continue," SangWoo said.  "I'll get the door."  The other two couples had arrived.

 - "...when he found my wallet, we began to talk and found out we were both from Taipei."  Shancai was still telling her story, when Shi Yoon, Dokmi, Jaejoong, and Abigaíl walked in.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo Noona, Hyeong," Jaejoong and Shi Yoon greeted.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo SungRyung-ssi, SangWoo-ssi," Dokmi greeted, shyly clinging to ShiYoon.

 - "Hi, Unnie."  Abigaíl greeted stepping far away from Jaejoong.  He had shown up unannounced at her house and proclaimed he would be driving her to the party.

 - "Are you okay?"  Uee mouthed to Abigaíl.

 - "I'll tell you later," Abigaíl mouthed back.  "Chica, you came!"  She hugged Ilana.  "Are you feeling better?"

 - "A little," she smiled.  She still coughed from time to time, but not with the same violence.

 - "Well, now that we're all here, let's eat."  The table was covered with Korean foods such as Kimchi, Jaepjae, marinated crabs, bimbap, paejon, bulgogi, dumplings, buns, and sweet rice cake as well as assorted banchan.

 - "Oooooh!  Unnie, everything looks delicious," Uee said and everyone agreed.

 Ilana took a few pieces of bimbap and a piece of rice cake in order to make Dr. Jihoo happy.  She could feel him looking at her to make sure she ate.  She sat herself as close to the fireplace as possible.  Even in a wrap and black lace gloves, she was still a little cold.

 - "Have some tea, Ilana dear."  SungRyung handed her a cup.

 - "Kansamnida," Ilana said quietly.

Quite soon the men had separated from the women and were having their own conversations about business, golfing and electronics.  Quite often the topic was not distinguishable to an outsider.

 - "They will be at it all night," SungRyung said about the men.  "SangWoo gets so little time off.  He's enjoying the company of the other men."  SangWoo was a successful investor who quite often had to travel or work late.  Most often than not, his only day off was Sunday.  His faith came first and anyone who wanted his services respected that.

 - "Abi-ya, why were you so upset when you arrived?"  Uee wanted to know.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong showed up unannounced saying he was bringing me the party."  Uee couldn't help but laugh.  "It's not funny!  Who does he think he is?"

 - "The great Jaejoong."  Shancai teased.

 -  "Give it up, Abi-ya, he has a crush you;" Uee spoke quietly so as not to be heard by the guys.

 - "What?!”  Abigaíl shouted and was overheard by the men.  SungRyung gave her husband a signal that all was fine.  “No way,” Abigaíl spoke much quieter, this time.  “Uee you watch too many dramas," she shook her head vigorously.

 - "Abi-ya, what would be so bad about it?  You know how much he respects you and adores Isabel.  Perhaps if you saw him in a different light, you might grow fond of him."

 - "Unnie!  He's a womanizer," this time Abigaíl practically whispered.

 - "Even womanizers can have salvation,” SungRyung smiled at her scandalized employee and spoke in the same hushed tone of voice.  "The Bible says Jesus ate with es and tax collectors."

 - "But..."

 - "Unnie's right, Abi, get to know him a little more," Shancai encouraged.

Abigaíl remained quiet.

Ilana left the ladies to their chatter for a little while in search of more tea.  Whenever someone started talking about God, she became uncomfortable.  Nana had always tried to get her to make peace with God, but Ilana just shrugged it off.

Jihoo's eyes traveled with Ilana.  He had said she could come to the party but didn't say how long she could stay.  He was thinking perhaps one more hour at the most.  The glow from the fireplace actually enhanced the evident fatigue on her face.

Returning to her spot next to the fireplace, Ilana still felt cold.  On top of it, her cough was getting more frequent.  Trying not to dwell on it too much, she was enjoying the conversation and the laughter, even if she didn't contribute much.

 - "YuJin-ah, how is your group doing?"

 - "They're doing great, Unnie."  Shancai, who was almost like their manager, jumped in.  "They're being invited by some of the more popular and exclusive clubs."

This got Ilana's attention.  "What clubs have you sang at?"  Ilana asked, wondering if any of them were on Steve's report.

 - "We're playing at 1OAK once a week and Provocateur on occasion."   Both those clubs were on the list.  Perhaps WooBin would be interested in hearing Uee's group.  It was a good thing Ilana hadn't sent the report to JaeKyung yet.  She would revise the summary.

 - "Chica, since when do you go to clubs," Abigaíl teased.

 - "I don't but I needed to look up information on them for that favor I was doing."

 - "Yah, Ilana-ssi, who are you doing favors for?"  Jaejoong's voice boomed as the men were coming to see what the women were up to.

 - "It's none of your concern, Dr. Jaejoong."  Ilana shot back at him, while everyone else laughed.

 - "Ilana's found her voice guys," Shi-Yoon said.  "Remember when she didn't say a word."  Ilana smiled at ShiYoon's teasing.

 - "I told you to just give her time, ShiYoon," SungRyung said. The men began to tease and be generally annoying but everyone laughed and had a good time.  Even Jihoo and Hua Ze Le, the two quietest of the men, joined in the banter.

Shortly after, Ilana began to feel as if she could fall asleep at any moment.  Beginning to feel short of breath and very cold, she excused herself to the restroom and ran her hands under hot water.  Feeling dizzy, she thought perhaps it was time to call a cab and go home.  She'd have to sneak out and let Dr. Jihoo enjoy the rest of the evening.

Ilana wandered into the kitchen to get more tea, hoping to keep her hands and body warm.  She poured hot water from the kettle but another wave of dizziness came over her.  Missing the cup, hot water splashed on her hand, making her drop the cup on the floor, causing it to break.  Ilana gasped and began coughing and feeling light-headed all over again.

SungRyung excused herself from the conversation to get some fruit from the kitchen.  When she entered, the cup was on the floor and Ilana was leaning on the counter.  She figured something was wrong.

 - "Yeobo!" SungRyung poked her head out of the kitchen.  "Can you help me with something?"

 - "Excuse me," SangWoo said.

Jihoo looked around noticing Ilana had been gone little too long.  He also excused himself.

 - "Unnie!  Mianhaeyo."  Ilana started at the sound of her boss's voice, slowly standing, not realizing she was trembling.

 - "It's just a cup, dear, what's wrong?"  Her boss took her hand and moved her to a chair.

 - "Yeobo, gwenchana?"  SangWoo came into the kitchen.

 - "Did you burn yourself, dear?"  SungRyung had felt Ilana's glove was wet.

 - "Oh, yes, it's no big deal;” her voice was coming out winded.

 - "Anae, she doesn't look well."

 - "No, she doesn't," SungRyung felt Ilana's forehead.  "Yeobo, she's burning up."

 - "Put her in the kid’s room, I'll get Jihoo-ah and Jaejoong-ah."

The kids were SungRyung's Son and Daughter-in-law from her first marriage.  Her husband had been much older than her and passed away.  Her son became second in command of his father's company in Seoul.  She met SangWoo while on vacation in New York with the kids and the two quickly hit it off and felt a strong connection.  During her first husband’s long illness, she had put herself in the hands of God.  She discovered faith and the peace that comes with knowing that He is in control.  Thanks to her relationship with God and his son, she was able to accept that it was time to move on.  She had loved her deceased husband dearly, even if not at the beginning, but God had healed her sorrow by bringing her a new companion.

 - "Please, don't bother them, SangWoo-ssi; I'll take a cab home."

 - "I'm taking you home."  Jihoo had checked the bathroom and the patio, prior to checking the kitchen.

 - "Stay and enjoy the party, I can take care of myself."  Ilana was trying to control her emotions but it's very hard to do when you can't take the deep breath needed to calm down.  "How does he always manage to be around when I don't want him to?"  She thought to herself, not yet realizing there were times she did want him around.

 - "If you could take care of yourself, you would have seen a doctor by now."

 - "Jihoo-ah, she’s running a fever,” SungRyun told him.

Jihoo could see her tremble slightly and breathing as if she’d just been running.  "Kaja, I'm taking you home."  Jihoo took her hand and hauled her to her feet.

 - "I'll get her coat," SangWoo left the scene in the kitchen to get the coat.

Soon, Jihoo and Ilana were on their way back home.  SangWoo and wife had prayed over the pair prior to their departure.  Normally, this made Ilana uncomfortable but today it was actually comforting.

Pulling into the apartments parking garage, Jihoo looked over to see Ilana asleep.  "Eotteoke?"  He wondered.  "Ilana-ssi;" after parking and turning off the ignition, he patted her gloved hand.  He realized he could count on only one hand the times he'd actually seen her hands without gloves.  "Ilana-ssi," he smoothed the hair off her face.  She was breathing too hard and was definitely running a fever.  He got out of the car and went around opening her door, hoping the cool air would rouse her.  It did.  "We're home."  Slightly disoriented from sleep and fever, she took his hand to help her out.  He followed behind, as she slowly walked to the elevator.

Arriving at the elevator, Jihoo pushed the button for the tenth floor.  When he turned to Ilana, she was shivering and leaning against the railing; her teeth were even chattering and her breathing shallow.  He thought she was going to faint and began to rub her arms.

 - "Ilana-ssi, look at me.  You need to try and slow your breathing.  Inhale, then exhale," he demonstrated.  Ilana knew what to do, her body just wouldn't cooperate.  She felt like she was going to fall.  Jihoo quickly bent her over his arm and applied a few gentle claps over her back; the position wasn’t perfect but it was all he could do inside the elevator.  Right position or not, it worked and she started to cough again.  "Anieyo, I'm not going to let you faint;” he slowly righted her and gave her his handkerchief to work out any phlegm blocking her airway.  “Look at me," Jihoo took her face in his hands and forced her attention on him.  "Breathe," he commanded while staring at her until he was certain she was in fact breathing.  Meanwhile, the elevator had long arrived at the tenth floor and was just sitting there, waiting for someone to push the button.  "We're going back down; I'm taking you to the hospital," he needed a chest x-ray, immediately.

 - "Shiro," she reacted in time to stop him from pushing the 'P' for parking.  He was surprised she actually spoke to him in his language.  "I-I w-want t-to go home."  He could easily just carry her to the hospital, he thought, but he that was just his frustration talking.  He truly could not force her, so he sighed and carefully helped her to her door.

 - "Go change into something warmer," Jihoo ordered, once she had unlocked her apartment door.  Her fever was high, giving her the chills but shivering will also bring up someone's temperature.  It was best for her to be comfortable.

Ready to get out of her dress anyway, she somewhat willingly complied.

 - "You can go now," she had changed and washed her face and was now ready to get rid of Dr. Jihoo.

 - "Anjayo," he ignored her and took his reluctant admin by the arms, pushing her to sit on the couch.  Ilana saw the medical bag that he always traveled with, was open.  He checked her pulse, which was racing, then her blood pressure which was low.  He sighed, putting away the blood pressure cuff.  "I'm taking you to the hospital," he was frustrated, angry, and worried all at the same time.

 - "Shiro," Ilana answered tersely.  She couldn’t tell what he was thinking (not that she ever could) and wondered if he’d drag her to the hospital, anyway. 

 - "Arraso, for now, we’ll see afterward.  I’m going to ask you some questions and you won't distract me."  He looked right into her eyes and asked the usual:  When did the symptoms begin, do you smoke, have you had your vaccines, etc… to most she either nodded, ‘yes’ or shrugged her shoulders.  "Does it hurt to breathe?"  It did but if she admitted it, he'd take her to the hospital right then and there.  She just wasn't ready for that, yet.  She shook her head 'no'.  His gaze said 'I don't believe you'.  "I'm going to listen to your lungs,"

Ilana saw his determined gaze and then the stethoscope, slowly coming closer to her.  "I'm fine, just go," she pushed his hand away.

 - "Ilana-ssi, why are you doing this?"  He studied her pale face, the shadows under her eyes and the rapid rise and fall of her chest.  "Are you trying to kill yourself?"  He spoke gently but with an underlying tension just audible.

She didn't know what she was doing anymore.  Maybe she was trying to kill herself.  Wouldn't it be easier?

Since he wasn't getting an answer, Jihoo tried to continue his examination.  "Will Ilana-ssi let me feel the glands on her neck for inflammation?"  He didn't wait for assent and gently placed his fingertips on the sides of her neck.  As soon as he touched her, he felt her tense but continued anyway.  “Gwenchana...I’ll just be another minute, just relax your neck for me.”  Not giving him another second, he heard her breathing change, as if in fear.

 - "Stop!"  Ilana screamed in terror.  She was no longer in her living room with the kind Dr. Jihoo.  It was no longer Dr. Jihoo’s gentle touch but demanding hands of strangers touching her, groping her neck, and other places she didn't want them too.  Jihoo immediately removed his hands.  Ilana had scrunched her neck up and clung to a throw pillow for support.

 - "Ilana-ssi, what's wrong?"  He took a good step back away from her.  "Has someone hurt you?"  He spoke calmly to her, emphasizing concern.

Ilana shook her head 'no'.  "Ka, jabel, you’re-you’re making me uncomfortable."  She hoped by speaking in Korean, it would impress on him that she needed him to leave; she needed space to get through this.  His concern was evident in his eyes but she wasn't looking.

 - "I'll call Hani-ssi if you're uncomfortable being alone with me but I'm not leaving."  Hani often acted as the building's resident nurse.  She was known for helping everyone when they were sick.  Ilana was still shaking her head.  "Arraso, I'll go make Ilana-ssi some tea but I'm not leaving.”

He returned a few minutes later with a cup of chamomile tea; handed it to her, he then deliberately sat in the armchair, placing some distance between them.  "I'm over here, I'm not touching you."  He spoke softly in his usual monotone, Ilana still shook from chills or unshed tears.  "Do you want to talk to me?  You're not well and you won't let me take you to the hospital."  Ilana shook her head again and tried not to spill the tea while she trembled.  It wasn't him she was afraid of.  It was the nightmares.  Those haunting memories that were always in her subconscious, just waiting for an opportunity to surface.  "Ilana-ssi," he smiled at her.  "I know what it feels like to hurt, you can trust me.  I want us to be chingu."  Ilana remained unmoving, unseeing, and occasionally sipping tea.  "Arraso, I'm not leaving until you are able to sleep." There was a quilt folded on the couch and he draped it over her back.

He sat unmoving, speechless, just watching, and it was hurting him to do so.  It was like watching JanDi all over again as she practically killed herself taking on several jobs just to be able to eat, on top of going to school.  He couldn’t do much to help JanDi and he couldn’t do much to help Ilana, either.  The cough medicine had worn off and she coughed often and at times violently.  She remained in her pensive state, not moving, not talking, and fighting the sleep she desperately needed; but she also wasn't asking him to leave.  Not that he would if she did.  For several hours all he did was watch and occasionally refill her cup of tea.  She finally succumbed to restless sleep, crying out in fear several times.  It was past one in the morning.  When he thought it safe, Jihoo took the chance and felt her forehead.  He was sure her temperature had continued to climb.  Her pulse was still racing and her breathing off.  Taking the quilt, he swaddled her tightly and elevated her head with the throw pillows. He took a washcloth from her bathroom and soaked it in cold water and placed it on her forehead, earning him a sleepy protest at the cold intrusion. 

He returned to his vigil until she had been quietly sleeping for an hour.  It was two in the morning.  SungRyung had texted him several times to check on Ilana.  She was leaving for Seoul Sunday night, but Ilana was her main concern.  "She's been sleeping for a while now.  I'm going home before she wakes up."  He text SungRyung hoping she too was asleep.  "We'll keep praying, Kansamnida - "SW" her husband had responded.

Jihoo refreshed the wash cloth and studied her breathing once more before he left.  He didn't dare do more for fear of startling her again or have her feel violated.  He was now sitting in his own living room, wondering what to do next.  The girl needed help but she refused, why?  He uncovered a new layer this evening and wished he hadn't.  Someone had hurt her, physically, psychologically, or both.  He couldn't let this go unattended, not as a doctor, not as a friend.  But first, he had to cure this infection.  He didn't want to force her to seek treatment, but would if he had to.  He took his violin outside and played out his frustration.  It was close to five A.M. by the time he finally slept.

I thought it best to end there.  You've had two days of drama enough I hope to last you until next week.  As you can see, Ilana is still very much traumatized by the events of her past and her cousin didn't help things any.  She's come a long way but she still has a long road ahead of her and Jihoo is getting ready to go that distance with her.  Haraeboji, of course, will fully support this idea; we'll see how she responds.

Some of you were wondering if JunPyo recognized her or not.  He never met her personally; it was Mr. Jeong the resort manager that handled her stay in Macau.  I didn't disclose whether JunPyo ever saw her picture, plus it's been nine months since he heard the name.  Out of sight out of mind, we'll see if he recalls her name later.  ;)  Keep subscribing and commenting.  I love it.  If I don't reply back, it's because it would reveal some of the future plot.  Arraso nae chingu, ta ta for now.