December 22, 2013

Ilana opened her eyes with a start.  Sighing in relief; she was still in her living room.  Wrapped comfortably in the quilt with a pillow behind her back, she couldn't remember much of the night before; only the horrible nightmares.  She tried to get up, but when she did, a coughing fit so painfully violent shook her to her knees.  With tears in her eyes, she staggered to the kitchen to boil water for tea.  She'd had these painful and breath catching coughs before; it was Pneumonia, she had no doubts.

Over the comforting cup of tea, she wondered where her phone was.  She couldn't remember where she'd left her purse or coat.  Making her way carefully to her room, a beeping noise was coming from a pile of things on her bed.  She sat gratefully on the bed; the short walk from the kitchen to the bedroom had left her breathless.  Her phone was still in her coat pocket, with ten missed calls; mostly from Dr. Jihoo but also from her co-workers and SungRyung.  Dr. Jihoo also left a few text messages.

Dr. Jihoo:  Call me when you get this message.  10:25 AM

Dr. Jihoo:  Are you awake?  11:03 AM

Dr. Jihoo:  I'm leaving to do rounds; do you want to go with me?  11:23 AM

Dr. Jihoo:  Harabeoji rang your doorbell several times.  Gwenchana?  Call me back.  1:02 PM

The last text had been message had been over thirty minutes ago, but there was a missed call from him fifteen minutes ago.

Ilana:  I just woke up, sorry.  I didn't hear the doorbell.  Going to warm up some juk and sleep again.

Jihoo had just stepped back into his office.  He was getting ready to call Ilana again when he received a text.  He sighed in relief.

Jihoo:  Let me pick you up and bring you to the hospital.

Ilana didn't have the strength to move and was still sitting on her bed when she received the text.  She knew she couldn't put off seeing a doctor but if she went to a Doctor, it would be of her own accord.

Ilana:  I'll go myself to the urgent care, in the morning when they open.  I promise.  I have to do this myself, please?

Just sitting she was out of breath and the recovery time after coughing was getting longer.

Jihoo:  Arraso, other than kidnapping you, what choice do you leave me?  I'll bring you dinner.

Jihoo's hands were tied for the moment but not tomorrow.  She will go to urgent care but they will send her directly to the emergency room.  Then she'll be under his care; he didn't need his stethoscope to hear that something was very wrong.

Ilana wasn't sure if she wanted company; not after last night.  She also didn't want to give him any thoughts of kidnapping.  It's not like she didn't have food in the apartment.

Ilana:  There are plenty of leftovers, please don't go out of your way.  I really just want more sleep.

Jihoo:  Arraso but you won't talk me out of checking on you later.  Call me if you need anything.

Ilana sighed and lay back against the headboard.  She needed to get herself something to eat and was trying to summon the energy to get up.

Jihoo thought if Ilana was having trouble breathing, she must be exhausted and lightheaded.  He'd bring her another dose of the cough medicine; at least she'll have a good night's sleep.

Ilana had managed her way back to the kitchen and warmed some juk.  Anytime she moved, it was a struggle to stay upright, especially during a coughing fit.  She tried to remember if she'd ever felt this sick before but her brain was blank.  She also needed to update KyuJong; they were in Ft. Lauderdale.  Had she stayed in Miami, she would be meeting with everyone and just maybe she wouldn't be in this mess.  "No, I'm happy here," she told herself.  She was just afraid of what would come.

December 23, 2013

The alarm went off at 6:00 A.M.  Knowing she wouldn't be working for a few days, she wanted to check her desk for any urgent tasks before the urgent care opened.  She had slept on the couch again.  When she tried to lie on her bed, she couldn't draw breath and thought she would suffocate.  Dr. Jihoo had come in the afternoon to check on her.

 - "Nothing's changed since yesterday," he said after taking her vitals and temperature again.  Other than that, he didn't touch her or try to come too near.  Ilana felt so odd and bereft of a friend, yet the kind eyes and gentle smile were still there.  Ilana understood he didn't want to frighten her again.  "I'll leave you another dose of the cough suppressant so you can get a good night sleep."

 - "Do you mind taking that envelope on my desk with you?  It's WooBin-ssi's marketing research."  She had revised the summary and text JaeKyung to let her know she would FedEx it to WooBin first thing Monday morning.  Her plan was to drop it off in the hospital mail room.  JaeKyung had texted her back saying they’d be in town for Christmas; she could give it to Dr. Jihoo or hold on to it.

 - "Guerae, can I do anything more for you?"

Ilana shook her head 'no'.

• “Is Ilana-ssi sure you won't let me take you to the hospital now?"

 - "Thank you, but I'll take a cab in the morning.  I'll let you know when I'm done."

 - "Arraso, call me if you need me."

Ilana dusted her face with powder, applied lip gloss and set out very slowly to catch her cab.

Monday morning was meeting day for Jihoo.  Department heads met with the director and then, in turn, met with their departments.  This Monday morning, Jihoo was only physically there, his mind was on his admin.  "Aish, she's giving me a headache," he thought.  Her face had been the color of rice, white with a hint of gray.  Her temperature was over 103 (39c).  He really hoped nothing happened to her on the way, she was very weak.  He looked at his watch, it was almost eight.  Urgent care didn't open until nine.  One more hour and she'd be safe.  He tried to concentrate for the remainder of the meeting.

It took Ilana all her concentration to get from her apartment to the cab and from the cab to her desk.  It was hard for her to breathe, which made her dizzy and unsure of her step.

 - "Ilana-ssi!"  Hani had worked the night shift and was just leaving at seven thirty A.M. when she and the rest of the night crew ran into Ilana at the elevator.  "You're supposed to be home, resting."

 - "I just came in until urgent care opens."

 - "Omo, Dr. Jihoo is going to kill you if he catches you."

 - "He's in the meeting with the director, by the time he's out, I'll be down stairs."

 - "Please don't work too hard; you really don't sound well at all.  I think your cold has gotten into your lungs."

 - "I think it has too, I have no choice but to get seen by one of the doctors."

 - "You should have had Dr. Jihoo to write you a prescription, pabo."

 - "I-I didn't want to bother him."  Ilana didn't mention he had already tried getting her examined.   "Well, if I'm going to get any work done, I better go."

 - "Arraso, take care."

Ilana had to repeat herself again to the nurses on duty and her co-workers when they came in.  She had gotten very little work done but she supposed little was better than nothing.  It was just before eight thirty when she could no longer continue. The room spun on occasion and she actually felt hot for a change.

 - "I'm going to get some water," she told Abigaíl.

 - "It's almost time for you to go downstairs, do you want me to keep you company when you go?"  Ilana thought about it, she was extremely nervous.  It wouldn't be too bad to have Abigaíl with her.  She could use the moral support of another female.

 - "Actually, I think I'd like that but I don't want to take you away from work."

 - "ShiYoon and I are here; if anything comes up, we'll handle it," Uee offered.

 - "That's right," ShiYoon agreed.

 - "Thanks, guys," Ilana turned her face so no one could see the tears start to fall.

After getting a drink of water, Ilana still felt warm.  This was such a contrast from always being cold.  She decided she needed fresh air, feeling as if the hospital corridors were cutting off her breath.

Once on the rooftop, Ilana tried to take a deep breath, which only caused a squeezing pain in her chest.  Her heart was still racing when the pain died down.  The cold air felt wonderfully soothing against her warm face.  She slowly sipped on the water she had brought with her and retrieved her phone from her sweater pocket.  She still hadn't called her friends; she decided to do that and let them know what was going on.  She figured Suzy was the least dangerous at the moment.

 - "Unnie!"  Suzy answered.  "How are you?"  Concern was evident in her voice.

 - "I'm not feeling that great right now.  I'm going to urgent care in a little while."

 - "Unnie, why did you let it get this bad?"  Suzy knew for Ilana to admit she wasn't well, it had to be bad.  "What are your symptoms?"

 - "I know it's pneumonia.  I get it almost every year; I guess I was long overdue."  It had been well over a year since she last had it.  "Although, this time it feels a little different.  I'm having a hard time catching my breath just standing still."  Suzy could hear that her friend sounded as if she'd just been running.

 - "Did you go to your boss' party?"  Suzy wondered if this had worsened her condition.

 - "Deh, Dr. Jihoo had to bring me home early, if it weren't for him I'd have passed out."

 - "Unnie!   And you didn't let him take you to the hospital."  This was a statement, not a question.

 - "I couldn't, you know I need to do this on my own."  If she had to put herself in a doctor or hospital's care, it would be on her own accord.  "On top of it, I had a panic attack while he checked my vitals.  He told me he was going to check my neck for inflammation and it just instantly it brought back memories of events...I want to forget."

 - "Mianhae, jeongmal Unnie, everyone's worried.  KyuJong Oppa told the guys about your anemia level.  Unnie, those dark days are over, don't give them one more day, no, one more second in your life."  Suzy was afraid that Ilana's flashbacks and nightmares would one day send her over an edge she couldn't be reached.

 - "Mianhae, I don't want anyone to worry.  I thought I could overcome this on my own.  I'm frightened...If the director finds out and tells my cousin?  What if he makes me go back home?"

 - "Enrique-ssi won't stand for that and you know it.  Neither will we.  Unnie, you're an adult, and you're in charge of your own life now."  Suzy knew all about giving heed to your elders, but Ilana's cousin had lied to her and fueled her wariness and suspicion of other people.

 - "Gomawo."

 - "Make sure you follow the doctor’s orders.  I'll tell the others and we'll be waiting for you to tell us the results."

Ilana terminated the call and looked to the sky. It was cloudy with angry gray and black clouds.  She took a picture and posted on her twitter account.  "Rough and jagged gray and black clouds have settled over the city and in my chest.  They block the sun’s rays from shining and stifle my breathing.  Mianhae, I failed you guys and myself too.  Gomawo and saranghae."

The heavy mist had now turned into a light rain.  Ilana was dry for the moment, covered by a small shrub-like tree in the planter where she sat.  It was almost nine; she needed to rally all her strength to get back downstairs.  She was getting cold and didn't realize she was shivering.  Not having planned to be outside, she had neither jacket nor full gloves with her.  She wanted to cough so badly but felt like she was choking.  She couldn't get enough air into her lungs.  Just thinking of standing made her nervous.  Making an attempt to stand, black spots danced before her eyes and made her scramble back to her seat.  Her lungs were working hard for each breath.  She tried calling Abigail's desk but hung up when her voicemail answered.   Trembling, she sat with eyes closed hoping Abigaíl would see the missed call soon.  Ilana was getting colder and colder, each breath was painful.  She decided to fight the black spots and get to the elevator.  She tried to run and not think but everything was spinning, and her legs weren't obeying her brain.  Taking a misstep, she fell, now she was in the open and exposed to the rain.  She didn't have Uee or ShiYoon's number's programmed in her phone.  Her only other resource was Dr. Jihoo, hoping he was out of the meeting, she dialed his number.

Half Moon Bay, Bahamas

Suzy had just arrived at KyuJong’s office.  She was straightening up the reception and making sure they had enough supplies handy for the day.  She had forgotten to tell Ilana that her parents had set a wedding date for JungMin and her.  She'd have to tell her later when she called back.

 - "Yah, Suzy-ah, did you or KyuJong talk to Ilana this morning?"  YoungSaeng barged into the reception.

 - "Yah, are you guys keeping something from us again?  She posted something weird on her twitter;" HyungJun was right behind YoungSaeng.

 - "I spoke to her a little under an hour ago, wae?"

 - "I tried calling her but she didn't answer," YoungSaeng said.

 - "What are you two doing here at this hour?"  KyuJong had arrived, with his gym bag slung over his shoulder.  "You're not sick are you?"

 - "Anieyo, they were asking me about Ilana Unnie.  Something she posted on twitter had them concerned."  KyuJong reached for his phone so he could read the post.  "I spoke to her this morning.  She was going to urgent care."

 - "Did she say what her symptoms were?"  KyuJong looked up from his phone; he could see why his Hyeong and Dongsaeng were worried.

 - "Anieyo but she thought it might be pneumonia."

 - "Jeongmal?!"  YoungSaeng and HyungJun both shouted.

 - "That explains the post," KyuJong let out his breath but remained calm as always.  "She's going to be tied up for a while, I imagine.  I wouldn't be surprised if they admit her.  Wait until the afternoon, if we haven't heard from her we'll call."

 - "Arraso, KyuJong Hyeong, she's going to be alright?"  HyungJun asked.

 - "She's at one of the best hospitals in the country, she'll be fine."  He spoke confidently for the guys but pneumonia on top of all the other negative factors such as the anemia and being underweight was dangerous.  There was nothing they could gain by worrying.  "I know you two have work to do and so do we, so get to it.  We'll talk later."

 - "If anyone hears from her, give everyone else a call,” YoungSaeng instructed.

 - "Arraso," everyone agreed.

New York, NY

Abigaíl had lost all track of time and when she looked at the bottom of her screen, it was already past nine.  Ilana wasn't at her desk and she got up to look for her in SungRyung's office but she wasn't there.  "If you see Ilana tell her I went to look for her."  She told the others before going to the bathroom, the conference room and even poking her head in the patient rooms.  Abigail headed for the stairwell in case she was on her phone.  She sighed and decided to check the bathrooms on the fifth and seventh floor.  She wouldn't be worried but all her things were still at her desk and she didn't look well at all.  When she arrived back on the sixth floor she noticed Dr. Jihoo and Jaejoong were out of the meeting.  Dr. Jaejoong spotted her first.

 - "Jagiya!"  He smiled, but Abigaíl ignored him and continued walking to the nurse’s station.  "Yah, you're not mad at me are you?"

 - "She can't find her hubae," ShiYoon was about to deliver an ID when he saw Abigaíl.  "Uee checked with Dr. David and Patrick; they haven't seen her either."

 - "No luck?"  Uee came to see what the commotion was about.

 - "No.  You haven't seen her at all?"  Abigaíl asked Dr. Jaejoong.

 - "Anieyo, why is she here, when she's supposed to be sick?"

 - "Who's not supposed to be here?"  Jihoo had been at one of the computer stations and missed the beginning of the conversation.  He didn't even want to guess who they spoke of.

 - "Your stubborn admin, have you seen her?"

 - "Don't get mad at her," Abigaíl defended.  Jihoo's normally impassive face looked irritated.  "She only came in for a little bit until urgent care opened.  I was going to go with her."

 - "Are you sure she didn't leave without you?"

 - "Her things are still here and she's still signed in to the system.  She got up for water and didn't come back."

 - "She's in the building somewhere, Abi-ssi; we'll split up and find her."  Jihoo began to organize a search party.

 - "Abi-ya, wait," Uee said.  "I think your phone rang while you were away from your desk, maybe it was her."  Abigaíl ran back to her desk and came back with her cell phone.

 - "It was her, she didn't leave a message and her phone goes straight to voicemail."

 - "Jaejoong, go to the cafeteria and check the section of tables behind the row of plants in the back.  Abi-ssi, check the ER and urgent care.  ShiYoon and Uee call us if she comes back."  Jihoo reached for his personal phone and realized he'd left it in his office.  "I forgot my phone in my office.  Call me on the hospital number."

Everyone split off in different directions.  Jihoo headed for the rooftop garden hoping she wasn't there.  He could use SungRyung Noona's prayers right about now.  When he first stepped out of the elevator, he didn't see anything but his admin, like himself, liked to hide when she was upset.  He continued walking towards the edge by the planter with the tree, his favorite spot.  Then in an instant, he was back in high school and JanDi was unconscious in the bathroom of his foundation.

 - "Ilana-ssi," he snapped out of it as he ran up to her in four strides.  He was a Doctor now and had a job to do.  She wasn't responding.  A constant rain was falling; it was light but still cold and very wet.  A shallow puddle had formed around her.  He took her vitals; both breathing and heart rate were slow.  He recognized the symptoms of moderate hypothermia.  He moved her out of the puddle, removed her wet sweater vest and performed CPR until she began to cough.  He called security to have a team and bed waiting for him at the elevator downstairs and then hoisted her on his back.

December 24, 2013

Jihoo and his Grandfather were on their way to Jaejoong's house for Christmas Eve dinner.  He should have hired a driver, his mind was preoccupied elsewhere.  He was trying to figure out why his admin hadn't filled in an emergency contact on her employee file.  Someone somewhere ought to know she was in critical condition.  It had taken him and Jaejoong all day just to get her stable.  He was angry at her and angry at himself for not forcing her to get treated earlier and also for leaving his phone in his office.  By the time he returned to his office in the late afternoon he saw her missed call.

Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong. They treated the hypothermia, immediately and Jihoo didn't need to wait for the X-ray and CBC to know she had pneumonia and begin treatment with a moderate antibiotic.  Jaejoong had ordered her a blood transfusion today; the CBC revealed a severe case of anemia.  It was no surprise, she was dangerously underweight.

They arrived at Jaejoong's house as if the car had driven itself.  Jihoo had no recollection of the drive over.

 - "President Yoon, Jihoo-ah, Merry Christmas."  Mr. Kim and Mrs. Oh received them in the living room.

 - "Merry Christmas to you too, we brought you a nice selection of wines for your collection,"  Harabeoji said.

 - "I brought you a small gift too, Jaejoong," Jihoo said.

 - "Gomawo, nae chingu, I have something for you too.  It's under the tree."

 - "Mr. Kim and I have something for you too, President Yoon.  Why don't we sit for dinner and open gifts after."

Mrs. Kim and the housekeeper had prepared a feast with many dishes.  They ended their sumptuous meal with plum tea in the living room where Jihoo and Harabeoji received their gifts.

 - "Kansamnida," Harabeoji said.  "I'll enjoy using this when I go back to Korea."

Harabeoji had received some new ice fishing poles from the Kim family.

 - "Jaejoong told us about your admin, Jihoo-ah.  Has she made any improvement?"  Mrs. Oh asked.

 - "Anieyo, Eommoni, she has not responded to the antibiotics.  I have her on a ventilator.  She's too weak and isn't breathing well on her own.  In the morning Jaejoong and I will consider switching her to a stronger antibiotic.  I don't like to leave my patients on the ventilator too long."  The standard was to wait three days before changing treatments, but Jaejoong and he didn't rise to the top by following convention.

 - "Deh, Umma, the goal is to get her off the ventilator as soon as possible. It can actually do more harm than good."

 - "Her family must be worried," Mrs. Oh said.

 - "Eommoni, we have no idea how to contact her family.  There's not an emergency contact in her employee file."

 - "You boys are the best for a reason.  You'll find the right treatment for and find her family.  They will be happy to know she's in good hands."  Mr. Kim spoke proudly and confidently of his son and his friend.

Between the Bahamas and the Islands

The MS Amsterdam crew had spent two days waiting for a phone call from their friend.  Numerous calls had been made to Ilana's cell but no return call had been received.

 - "It's been almost two days since we've heard from Ilana," YoungSaeng's patience had just about run out.  "You two aren't hiding things from us again?"

 - "Yah!  Otter, relax," JungMin tried to be the voice of reason.  The gang was done with their duties and were hanging out in the 'Crow's Nest'.  "I'm sure KyuJong Hyeong would have told us by now if he knew anything."

 - "Mianhae Oppa, I haven't heard anything, either."

 - "The hospital won't tell us if she's interned.  I tried calling Abigaíl-ssi but she was not in today and neither was her boss.  We'll just have to wait until she calls," KyuJong hoped she was just avoiding an 'I told you so' and not something worse.

 - "I hate waiting," HyungJun complained.

Jihoo dropped his Grandfather off at home and went to the hospital to check on his patients.  It wouldn't be the first time he'd done a midnight run to the hospital.  Many nights he slept there without going home.  Although lately, he did more calling in to check on patients than staying all night.

 - "Uissa, Merry Christmas."  Hani greeted Jihoo as he walked into Ilana's room.

 - "Merry Christmas Hani-ssi, any change?"  Jihoo reviewed the notes in the computer for the last six hours.

 - "Anieyo, Uissa, but the last two times I've checked on her she's had tears coming down her face.  Do we still not know who to contact?"

 - "Anieyo."  Jihoo checked the reading on the monitors.  He then realized her phone was still in his office.  He had already checked and there was nothing programmed under ICE, Mom, Dad or home.  He could carry it with him and answer if someone calls.

Hani had left the room, Jihoo smoothed the escaped tendrils of hair from Ilana's face.  The nurses had braided her hair.  Her fever was very high and they tried to make her as comfortable as possible.  He flashed his light in her eyes again hoping for a reaction.  The tiniest flicker of movement followed.  "Finally," he sighed.  A tear escaped her eye; he wiped it with his finger.  "Yah, Ilana-ssi, you need to snap out of this.  I won't let anything happen to you, but I need your help.  Arraso?  Whatever has frightened you or hurt you, I'll help you overcome it, but you have to trust me first."

December 25, 2013

 - "Abi-ssi, do you mind plugging in Ilana's phone for me?"  Jihoo had seen an extra charger on Ilana's desk the night before.  He had retrieved the phone from his office but this was the first opportunity he had to plug it in.  "Once it has enough of a charge to turn it on, will you let me know?"

 - "Of course."  Abigaíl moved to plug it in immediately.  "Dr. Jaejoong says you might be able to remove the ventilator today?"

 - "Depending on what the latest X-Ray shows.  She's slowly starting to respond; we'll see how she does with just the oxygen alone.  We will also consider changing the antibiotic to a more aggressive one.  We are just waiting for this morning's lab results."  He knew Abigaíl was worried.  "Don't worry, Dr. Jaejoong and I will make sure she pulls through this.  Just keep praying for her."  Abigaíl sighed.

 - "I have...and for you and Dr. Jaejoong as well."

 - "Mmm," this made Jihoo a little embarrassed.  Not that he was above the need for divine intervention, it's just he felt others needed it more than he did.

 - "Abi, if anyone can help Ilana; it's NYP's J&J Wonder Duo."  Shancai was helping out for the day since Uee was out.  She tried to reassure Abigaíl, whom everyone knew had gotten close to Ilana.

 - "Jihoo-ah, the lab results are in, let's go over them."  Dr. Jaejoong had come up to them, all business.  There was no joking for him when decisions needed to be made regarding a patient’s treatment.  Only when his patient was out of danger, he could go back to joking again.

After reviewing Ilana's file, her new lab results and weighing out pros and cons several times, it was decided to give Ilana an extra push and change one of the antibiotics.  Also a new X-ray showed her lungs had cleared enough to attempt removing the ventilator and use an oxygen face mask instead.  Jihoo knew Ilana preferred not to take prescription drugs but she could yell at him all she wanted once he saw her through this.

The nurses carried out the Doctors orders and then it was time to watch and wait.  Jihoo had been watching Ilana breathe for twenty minutes.  She was doing fine with the mask.  Now all they had to do was wait to see how she responded to the new antibiotic.

 - "I'm exhausted," Jaejoong said.  It was after one in the afternoon.  They had been so busy evaluating Ilana's condition on top of maintaining their other patients, the morning had passed rapidly.  "Let's get something to eat really quick and come back up,” he suggested.

 - "Guerae," Jihoo sighed.  He didn't want to go too far in case Ilana had a reaction to the new antibiotic.  The next two days the office would be open and he'd have little time to be on the floor.  They walked out of Ilana's room and Abigaíl walked up to them.

 - "I'm sorry, Dr. Jihoo, I forgot to turn on Ilana's phone.  But it's charged now, I turned it on and there's a bunch of missed calls."

 - "Gwenchana, jagiya, we've been so busy, we forgot too."

 - "Deh, Abi-ssi, thank you," he looked at the missed calls.  "I think these are all her friends.  I'm going to call back the last number."

Somewhere near the U.S. Islands

KyuJong was busy with a patient.  Suzy walked into KyuJong's office to get something.  Everyone had been preoccupied, and although they tried to enjoy the holiday festivities, it was too hard not knowing what was happening with Ilana.

 "If we haven't heard from her," Jung Min said, "It's because she doesn't want to get scolded or make everyone worried.  You know how she withdraws when she's stressed out.  Let her get through this.  She'll call us when she's out of the hospital."

JungMin had tried to reassure not only his fiancé but his friends too.  Suzy was awakened from her thoughts by the sound of a phone ringing.  It wasn't hers; it was coming from the desk.  She picked up KyuJong's phone hoping it was Ilana.  She was rewarded for her efforts.

 - "Omo!  Unnie!  How are you feeling?  Do you know how worried we've been?  Saengie Oppa is ready to swim to New York."  They were scheduled to arrive in the Islands the next day, at the moment they were still at sea.  Suzy fired one question after another, not waiting for a response.

 - "Jeogiyo (excuse me)," Jihoo tried to stop the girl’s interrogation.  Suzy stopped her questions upon hearing a man's voice on the other end.

 - "W-where's Ilana, why do you have her phone?  Tell me, juseyo?"

 - "Ja neum Uissa Jihoo imnida."

 - "Omo Uissa, if you're calling it's because she can't, right?"

 - "Deh, she's in the critical care for severe pneumonia.  She's been unconscious since Monday morning."

 - "Mworago?  I talked to her before she went to urgent care."

 - "She never made it.  We need to know how to contact her family.  Can you help us?"

 - "Her Oppa is out of the country and it might be difficult for him to get away.  Look, she has an underlying condition.  Jamsimanyo (just a second),” KyuJong had just stepped back into his office.  "It's Jihoo Uissa; he's treating Ilana for severe pneumonia; she's unconscious."

 - "Uissa, KyuJong ieyo.  We met, remember?"  KyuJong didn't wait for an answer.  "Ilana has hemolytic anemia; her reticulocyte count is very high at the moment.  She refused to get treated for fear of everyone finding out."

This news explained many things, especially her hands always being cold.  "Our Immunologist already gave her a red blood cell transfusion yesterday.  We'll have her reticulocyte count tested later today."

KyuJong sighed.  At least she received the treatment she needed.  "Uissa, she also suffers from chronic depression.  It flared up again after I advised her of her test results.  Uissa can't leave her alone once she regains consciousness, she might try to run away.  Hajiman don't try to restrain her; you'll only make things worse."

Jihoo exhaled, again this explained many things about her.  "She's progressing, just very slowly; we changed one of her antibiotics this morning.  If a family member could be here with her...What about her parents?"

 - "Anieyo, I don't know how to get a hold of them," KyuJong looked at Suzy.  She knew what he was going to say.  "One of us will go.  We arrive in St. Thomas tomorrow at eight A.M.  We'll find the first flight to New York."

 - "Just give me a name and I'll make the arrangements."  KyuJong and Jihoo argued for a few minutes over who would make the arrangements and pay for the flight.  In the end, of course, Jihoo won.  He was F4 and knew how to get his way.

 - "You're going to New York," KyuJong told Suzy.

 - "Abi-ssi, can you find me the earliest flight tomorrow from St. Thomas to New York?"  Jihoo asked.

 - "Sure, I'll look right now."  While Abigaíl went to her task, Jihoo filled Jaejoong in on Ilana's condition.

Jihoo met WooBin and JaeKyung for Christmas dinner at the Shinwa hotel, while Harabeoji spent it with her parents at their home.  He had been hesitant to go but now that he knew more about Ilana's health, he and Jaejoong were able to come up with a more solid in hospital and post-hospital care plan.  Hani or one of the other nurses would make sure to stay in Ilana's room at all times.  Jihoo was also relieved to know Ilana's friend would be coming.  In the back of his mind, he was thinking this would be a good opportunity to get to know much more about his admin.

 - "Komapta, for helping me out earlier," Jihoo told his friends.  The first commercial flight from St. Thomas didn't leave until mid-afternoon.  JaeKyung had agreed to send the JK group plane to St. Thomas to pick up Ilana's friend.

 - "Yah, we're F4, we're always there for each other," WooBin said.

 - "Of course, we'd help," JaeKyung said.  "But that's just so sad.  She's away from home and sick on Christmas."  Jihoo didn't disclose everything he had learned; only that she was sick.  "At least she has you, who really care about his patients."  JaeKyung really liked Ilana and was saddened by her illness.

 - "To think she wasn't feeling well and she still agreed to help us," WooBin said.

 - "Oh, I almost forgot, she gave me the research information you asked her for."

 - "That's right, I told her to just hand it to you.  Did you get a chance to look at it?"

 - "Anieyo, it's not my business."  WooBin opened the package.  The pages were not bound but in a simple blue folder.  He began thumbing through the pages and was impressed by all the detail she had put into it.  Especially the detailed expense report along with a check with the unspent portion of the money she was given.

 - "Wait, what's this?"  JaeKyung was looking over WooBin's shoulder when she grabbed a sheet from his hand.

 - "It looks like the field research report," The paper was fittingly titled.

 - "Pabo, I can see that," JaeKyung said annoyed.  "The letterhead it's written on...it says ILC Group.  Do you know who that is?"

 - "I think I've seen the name but I don't know anything about the company, itself,” Jihoo responded.

 - "Same here," WooBin said.

 - "They're only one of the largest and most financially sound private companies in North and South America.  Appa wanted to become an investor but was told they weren't accepting investors at the time.  If the company was interested, they would issue an invitation when that time came."

 - "So she hired a rep from that company to do the field research for her?"  WooBin tried to understand what his fiancé was talking about.

 - "They're not a marketing group!"  JaeKyung was getting excited.  "They're in real estate and development.  They have their own construction company and architects and their renowned marketing team are for their company only.  Mariyah, what is her relationship with this company?"

 - "If this was her previous employer, why would she have left such a position?" Jihoo was finally starting to see where JaeKyung was coming from.

 - "If she was let go, she wouldn't have access to their services, even if she quit, she wouldn't," WooBin stated.

 - "Perhaps it's an acquaintance," Jihoo said.  In his mind, all sorts of scenarios played out.

 - "Why would the person use the company's letterhead, though.  Should I have someone look into this?"  WooBin asked, ready to find out who his friend’s mystery girl really was.

 - "Anieyo, I'm sure you're jumping to conclusions.  She's extremely reserved, I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate you digging into her life."  Jihoo put a stop to WooBin's scheming.   "Or her family's life." He wondered how accurate the conclusion he was jumping at was.

Mianhae, I took forever to update.  This was a really hard chapter to write.  I've been building towards this crisis for the last several chapters.  I really hope I didn't let you down.  I have to say you guys are so mean to poor Ilana, LOL.  I see I've failed to convince you of how real and crippling her fears are.  Anyway, I love all of your comments.  I promise this should be the last of the angsty chapters for a while.