January 15, 2014

Jihoo sat at his desk meticulously tying up all the loose ends so Ilana wouldn't have to do it for him.  He was realizing she used this time that he was away, as an excuse to work longer and avoid whatever she was avoiding.

He had been spacing out thinking about his admin and didn't hear his hospital phone ring at first.

 - "Dr. Jihoo speaking."

 - "Dr. Yoon, (Juan Carlos didn't like using first names with someone he didn't know and also believed in some form inferior to him), this is Dr. Contreras, do you have a few minutes to spare?"  Jihoo recognized the name as Ilana's cousin and the sender of the FedEx envelope.

 - "Dr. Contreras is Miss Ilana's cousin, are you not?"

 - "Yes, I am, I was hoping we could speak Doctor to Doctor.  I trust Dr. Kim and yourself received the CD of Ilana's medical records?"  Both Doctors had received a separate copy.  Dr. Jaejoong was going to have HyoJoo enter them into their system and he was taking his copy to read on the plane.

 - "Yes, thank you.  I will be away from the hospital for a few days but will take the time to review them soon."

 - "Good, I was hoping to conference both yourself and Dr. Jaejoong."

 - "If there is something of importance you want to highlight, I will make a note of it for him."  Jihoo wondered what this was all about.

 - "How is my cousin's progress?"

 - "She's doing well; I did reassure the director everything was fine.  All her labs were in good order and post care established before her discharge."

 - "Yes, I did hear back from the director, for which I'm glad.  The truth is Ilana is emotionally disturbed, having suffered two traumatic events before her seventeenth birthday."  Jihoo thought he wouldn't categorize her that severely, but allowed the older Doctor to continue.  "More often than not, she's incapable of reason."  Again, Jihoo thought the Doctor was exaggerating.  "I had to sedate and strap her to the bed regularly, just to have her undergo precautionary treatments for her anemia.  She could rip out an IV, be dressed and in the stairway in minutes."  That did not sound like someone incapable of reason.  He remembered KyuJong Uissa's warning not to sedate her.

 - "I assure you, she might have been a reluctant patient but she is fine, now."

 - "The thing is, how long will that last?  I begrudgingly helped her get her position there, even if she was overqualified for a clerical position.   I thought she wouldn't pull any of her tricks in a hospital setting; after all, she hates being in the hospital."

 - "Tricks?  I don't know Miss Ilana's history but perhaps in treating her ailments, the underlying cause was ignored?"

 - "I forced her to see a number of psychiatrist's only for her to refuse to go a second time or not take her medication."

Jihoo focused on the word 'forced'.

"I don't like being told what to do", she had said.

 - "Now I am wondering, why?"  Jihoo told himself.  "We have the best Doctors on staff.  If she's willing, I can discuss that type of treatment with her."

 - "Please don't take this wrong, after what has happened, I believe her place is home.  I will speak to her parents, I'm sure they will agree."

 - "Well, it seems you no longer need my help.  I have to prepare to leave the hospital for a few days.  I will return the cd's to you."  Jihoo was doing his best to keep cool and be polite and unaffected.  Though, if he didn't get off the phone with this man his head was going to burst.

 - "Actually, I do require your services.  I would like you to get her to come home."  Jihoo smiled widely.  Was this guy for real?

 - "Forgive me; I'm a Doctor, not a wizard.  I can't just beam her home, she knows her own mind."

- "That is why I'm prepared to make it worth your while if you can get her home.  It doesn't matter how or whether she agrees.  Her parents will appreciate your help.  They travel a lot and are unable to be home most of the time.  I'm worried she'll do something stupid again.  At home, she has her Nana to watch over her twenty-four hours a day and I and my family are only about two miles away.  Who can keep her from harm there?"  Jihoo removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.  There was no doubt; he now had a full migraine.

 - "Dr. Contreras, I will keep my eye on her and I do not require compensation.  Forcing her to return home, against her will, I believe will do more harm to her emotional distress.  Didn't we both take the Hippocratic Oath?  We swore to do no harm."

 - "Are you suggesting I don't know what's best for my own family?  I've taken care of her health since she was eleven years old.  I think I know what I'm doing."

 - "It's easy to get carried away when you are treating a loved one.  I suggest you take a step back and let us take care of her."

 - "You think she'll let you?  I know what she's capable of."

 - "That may be the case but I think she's ready to prove you wrong.  I think we have nothing more to say to each other.  If you plan to have this conversation with Dr. Jaejoong, I can save you time.  I'm certain he will give you the same answer.  Have a good evening."  Jihoo terminated the call and threw the phone on his desk as if it burned his hand.  Now, more than ever, he had to help his admin.  He would never let that idiot touch her again.

 - "Imprudente (Imprudent)!  Que se cree (Who does he think he is)?!  Tengo más de diez años en esta profesión  y este chamaco me va enseñar cómo cuidar Ilana (I have more than ten years in this profession and this kid is going to teach me how to care for Ilana)?  Ya veremos qué tanto aguantas, niña (We'll see how long you last, child).  Nunca dejaré que te mates, siempre serás mi responsabilidad (I'll never let you kill yourself, you'll always be my responsibility)."  Juan Carlos was too agitated to stay in his office.  He needed to get some air and possibly meet someone.  He had to make sure Ilana was safe.

Jihoo packed his bag to leave.  He sent an email to HyoJoo and the other Doctor's to block any calls from Dr. Contreras.  The Doctor helped her get this job; if he wanted to harm her, he would have done so already.  But still, it wouldn't hurt to be too cautious.

January 16, 2015

It had been a while since he flew a commercial flight to Seoul, but first class on Korean Air was almost as good as Shinwa or JK Group's private jet.  Harabeoji was already asleep.  This time around Jihoo had an even harder time turning off his brain.  He opened his laptop and began to review his admin's medical records; he skimmed through trying to find the reason for her present day malady.  Dr. Contreras said there were two traumatic events in her early life.  Scanning through the file he saw nothing out of the ordinary until age eleven:  childhood depression and suicide risk.  "But what happened?"  It only got worse from there.  She was prescribed so many things:  antidepressants and migraine medication, to start.  Fainting spells were a common occurrence and she was underweight even then.  Then at age seventeen she was treated for shock, drug poisoning, lacerations, bruises; a forensic exam was performed.  "Patient unable to speak due to emotional trauma," he read.  "Again, what happened?"  Jihoo inadvertently trembled as he continued to read.  Her health problems increased from that point.  She began treatment for anemia and it was later discovered to be hemolytic.  "But that was years ago?  Why did she tell Jaejoong she had only known for a year?"  He'd read more than enough; he couldn't take it anymore.  He put the laptop away and reclined his seat.  He took his cell phone and typed a message.

Ilana grabbed her phone to silence the alarm and noticed there was a message.

Jihoo:  Take care of yourself while I'm away, juseyo.  Work will be there when I get back; I'll take care of it then.

- "Pabo," Ilana said to the phone.  There was a second message.

Jihoo:  And don't talk to strangers.

Jihoo had put that in as a precaution.  He didn't think her cousin would do anything stupid, but he would be talking to JaeKyung about using a few of her body guards while he was away.

This made Ilana smile.  "Deh, Oppa," she mumbled.  It was habit, she always responded that way when the guys were telling her to take care of herself.  But this just didn't feel right.  She began to type:

Ilana:  Deh, Ajussi Uissa.   ;-)-

Now that his scary angry look was gone, she could relax again.  He had always been kind to her and she knows he just wants to help her.  After all, it wasn't his fault she was crazy.

Ilana had been working hard at following her diet plan all week.  It was actually easy since she and Dr. Min Young agreed she was task driven.  As soon as she consumed her meal or snack, she logged in the calories.  Min Young had started her on 1300 calories, with the goal of 1400 within thirty days.  She wanted Ilana's body to get used to getting fuel on a regular basis again.  Ilana had just finished her lunch and logged it into her phone app.

 - "Why don't you come home with me for the weekend," Abigaíl said.  "You owe me, anyway."

Ilana didn't have to think twice about it.  Stay home alone or go to Abigail’s with all its wonderful perks.  "Okay."

Shortly after while Ilana and Abigaíl were leaving the cafeteria, Abigail's phone rang.

 - "Abigaíl, this is Jaejoong's Umma."

Abigaíl looked perplexed; "hello, Mrs. Kim, how can I help you?"

Now Ilana looked at Abigaíl perplexed.

 - "I need to run an errand near the hospital tomorrow, allow me to take you to lunch."

 - "Oh, that's unnecessary, Mrs. Kim."

 - "Don't feel awkward, dearest, humor me."

 - "Oh okay."

 - "I'll text you where to meet."

Abigaíl looked at Ilana bemused.  "Dr. Jaejoong's Mom wants to have lunch."

 - "I didn't realize you two were close?"

 - "I've only met her twice, she's really nice.  Do you think Dr. Jaejoong will find it weird I'm going to lunch with his Mom?"

 - "I'm sure she would have asked him by now."

Jihoo did not expect anyone to be awake at five A.M. to pick him and Harabeoji up from Incheon.  As expected, JunPyo sent his driver to pick them up.  Jihoo was to tour the new clinic today and make sure everything was running smoothly.  He also needed to call JaeKyung to meet with her regarding his admin.  He had smiled at her response to his text.  "Ajussi Uissa," she wrote and drew a face sticking its tongue out.  He was glad she could smile at him again.  He wanted to sit down and review her medical records more in depth; however, it might be next week before he had time.

Jihoo toured the new clinic to satisfaction and met JaeKyung and WooBin at her office.

 - "Geueron, what's up?"  JaeKyung poured tea for the two men in her office and sat on the chair facing Jihoo.

 - "I was hoping I could borrow a few of your bodyguards."

 - "Whoa, dude, what happened?"

 - "Anieyo, it's for Ilana-ssi, I'm worried she might be in danger."  JaeKyung and WooBin looked at each other before speaking.

 - "Guerae, I'll call and get some people to tail her right away, but what's going on?"

 - "Her cousin thinks it would be best if she went home.  He offered to pay me to get her home no matter how.  If he can offer to pay me or Dr. Jaejoong, there is a possibility he'll ask someone else."

 - "Jihoo-ah, Suzy confirmed that Ilana worked for ILC group, what if that's her family's company?  She's not just anybody."

 - "Of course, she's my admin as much as you are JaeKyung, she's not just anybody."  He smiled, he knew what they were getting at but most people, he observed, are in New York for a reason.  Wasn't he there for a reason as well?  No, it was important that she tell him that reason herself.

 - "Arraso," JaeKyung looked a little deflated but then exchanged a look with her husband.  Both knew this wouldn't be the last of this topic; they would have to bring it before the rest of the F4.  OIBJ is officially in force.

That evening, WooBin had the F4 families over at the Song compound for a meeting led by none other than his fiancé.

 - "We need to discuss OIBJ." JaeKyung announced.

 - "Mwo?"  Gu JunPyo had already forgotten last month's meeting.

 - "Pabo!"  His wife smacked his arm, "Sunbae and his admin!"

 - "Aish!  Why do you have to hit me?"  JunPyo rubbed the sore spot on his arm.  "Greon, what about them?  Jihoo is a man; he can figure it out on his own."

 - "He's not even trying," Gaeul said.  "He won't go on dates and he works around the clock."

 - "Yo man, that all changed since Ilana-ssi came to work for him.  He's been taking her to work and bringing her home.  They've even gone to parties together."  Everyone looked to WooBin wondering his source of information.  "Mwo?  I loosened Jaejoong's tongue with some soju."

 - "This is why I love you." JaeKyung back hugged her fiancé.  "I'm telling you, there is something there."

 - "I think Unnie is right."

 - "He had me get her a V.I.P. room and he wants some guards around her while he's here?"

 - "Wae?" YiJeong asked.

 - "It seems her family thinks it best she goes back home and asked Jihoo to do whatever it took to take her back."

 - "Mwo?!  I thought only chaebol families did that?"  JanDi was shocked.  JunPyo's Mother had wielded her influence against JanDi during High School.  This included having thugs ruin her parent’s pop stand and demolishing the house she lived in, while she and her brother were still in it; amongst other things.

 -"That's just it!  I have a feeling her family is one of the most prosperous companies in the U.S. and Latin America, including but not limited to Europe."

 - "What company is that?"  JunPyo asked, finally showing some interest in the conversation.

 - "ILC group, heard of 'em?"  WooBin asked.

 - "Guerae...I think have.  I want to say I've dealt with them."

 - "That can't be, they're your competitors?"

 - "Yah, Monkey!  I know I've had contact with the company's Chairwoman."  Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at JunPyo.

 - "JunPyo, yo man, you just said Chairwoman.  What did she look like?"

 - "What was her name?!"  JaeKyung nearly jumped out of her chair with excitement.

 - "JunPyo when was this?"  His wife wanted to know.

 - "Aish!  All of you just relax, I'm trying to remember.  Why don't you look it up?"

 - "Jihoo said he'd wait for her to tell him who she was."  JaeKyung pouted.

 - "Chincha?  That really stopped you?"

 - "Anieyo," JaeKyung smiled, unabashed.  "I couldn't find anything.  Luis Contreras is listed as Chairman, but the Co-chairman is the face of the company."  After the untimely death of Ilana's parent's, the original founders decided to continue the company as if Luis had never left them.  They all shared his same vision for the company.  The success of the company is based on the fact the senior management has never had any discord with each other.  They knew only by working together they would make the company a success.

 - "I can't remember," JunPyo met with so many people a year, how was he to keep track of everyone.  "I know it wasn't in Seoul or New York, I have to ask Secretary Jung on Monday."

 - "What do we do if she really is chaebol?"  YiJeong asked.

 - "We should know her story before Jihoo does," JanDi said.  She would only give her Sunbae to someone who was worthy of his love.  She hadn't been and neither was Seo Hyeon, Ilana just had to be.

New York, NY (Morning)

Dr. Jaejoong was making his rounds on the sixth floor when he spotted his admin leaving for lunch, without Ilana.

 - "Yah, where are you going looking so cute and without your hubae?"  Abigaíl wore her hair down with a tweed cap and matching cape jacket over tan leggings and boots.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong, will you stop teasing me?!"  She had heard a passing nurse giggle as he complimented her.

 - "Anieyo," he smiled, "are you going on a lunch date?"  This time he was teasing.

 - "You know I am!"  Jaejoong shook his head confused.  "With your Mother; stop playing dumb!"

 - "I didn't know, ah that brat didn't invite me.  Tch, I told you they like you more than me."  Jaejoong only thought it a little odd, most likely his Mother went shopping and couldn't resist getting her something.  It wasn't a secret his Mom always wanted a daughter to shop with.  "Arraso, have fun.  If she tries to set you up with any of her friends’ sons, let me know."  Most were idiots and he wouldn't trust them with her.  Hell, he wouldn't trust himself with her if he didn't know she was off limits.

Abigaíl arrived at the restaurant and quickly spotted Mrs. Kim.  "I'm sorry if I'm a few minutes late, Dr. Jaejoong stopped me before I left."

 - "That boy, I'll have to talk to him about cutting into our girl time."

 - "Please don't, I don't want it to seem like I was telling on him."  That wouldn't be good; he would about it.

 - "Very well, I won't.  Abi-yah, I want us to be good friends.  You don't mind if I call you that?"

 - "Oh, I don't mind, everyone at work does."

 - "Good, call me Mom or Eomonni if that's awkward."  She smiled.

 - "Oh, okay," it was a little awkward but she learned to be respectful of her elders.

 - "I went shopping and I couldn't resist.  These are for you and Isabel."  Abigaíl was surprised to find two pairs of gloves in the box.  They also looked incredibly expensive.

 - "Oh, Mrs. Kim, please, this is too much."  Abigaíl tried to hand the box back.

 - "You're supposed to call me Mom, remember?  Everyone should have a nice pair of gloves.  You want to take care of your hands so your boyfriend will want to hold them in the spring.  But then, maybe I should take them back so he can hold them in winter."  If Abigaíl did have a boyfriend she would be blushing by now, but not having one, she could laugh.  Mrs. Kim was too cute, in her opinion.

 - "I don't have a boyfriend, Eommoni, so I can accept these, thank you."

 - "Atch, such a pretty girl and smart too, I can't believe none of the doctors haven't snatched you up."  This made Abigaíl smile; her own Mother would never say that.  It was one of the reasons she dated in secret, no man would be good enough for her daughters.  Luciana was lucky because her Dad already knew Alonso; it was only a matter of time to convince him he was sincere.

 - "I have my daughter, I don't need anyone else."

 - "You say that now, Mr. Right hasn’t come along yet.  Don't let what happened in the past scare you.  My son must know some eligible bachelors, ask him to introduce you."

 - "My so called 'Oppa'?  He's worse than my parents.  It doesn't matter what I'm discussing, if it's with a man, he has something negative to say about it."

Mrs. Oh liked that interesting piece of information.  "My son is a cynic who hasn't had his first love, yet and thinks every man out there is corrupt just because he is.  He admires you very much and doesn't want you to get hurt.  I think he also mourns not having a little sister to protect.  I'm afraid he has designated you for the position, welcome to the family."

Both women laughed and enjoyed the rest of their meal together.  Abigaíl found herself liking Mrs. Oh more and more.

 - "Eomonni, I have to get going."  As it stood, Abigaíl could be back at her desk with a few minutes to spare.

 - "Mmm, our date was too short.  Next time, come over with Isabel and we can do something fun, maybe go shopping or to the spa."

- "That would be fun, thank you."

- "Thank you," Mrs. Oh left the restaurant happy with her progress, now to work on her son.

January 20, 2014

Abigaíl, Ilana discovered, was a night owl.  Friday night, they stayed up watching 'Emma'.  She was also a Jane Austen fan, with 'Pride and Prejudice' also being her favorite, sympathizing with Elizabeth Bennet, as she also grew up with all sisters.  They talked until the early morning hours; Ilana listened with rapt attention and at times envy of all Abigail's funny childhood memories, which probably weren’t so funny when they happened.  Saturday night was spent much like Friday, except ending earlier and with a surprise pillow attack from Sylvia and Isabel.

Now Sunday morning, Ilana dreaded going to Church with the family.  She felt obliged to go for being their guest and enjoying their hospitality but in the future would remember not to spend Saturday night with Abigaíl.  After a simple breakfast of sweet bread and coffee, they drove into Midtown, Manhattan for services.  Ilana was uncomfortable the moment she stepped in.  It wasn't that she didn't believe; she just had nothing to say to God.  She'd cried and begged him to return her parents or kill her too, but he was indifferent to her pleas.  So she sat, indifferent to what the Pastor said.

Service was thankfully almost over.  One more song and that uncomfortable tightening in her chest would go away but something in the music made her stop sulking, as her Nana would say she was doing.  Nana would say she was acting like a child with her hands over her ears, shouting:  la, la, la, la, I can't hear you.

There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain

 - "Break every chain?!"  She thought to no one in particular.  Ilana thought her chains would rival those of Jacob Marley's character by Charles Dickens.  The events God put into motion for her life gave her those chains.  If he wanted to break them, why did he give them to her in the first place?

 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...a time to keep and a time to throw away.  When your heart is ready, I will fill it with laughter and dancing and you will throw away the pain."

The song had ended and Ilana sat in her chair, sure there were goose bumps on her arms, despite her layers.  Had she zoned out and imagined Nana telling her those things?  Abigaíl was standing, it couldn't be her?  She was certain her heart was pounding.

Abigaíl thought Ilana looked a little shaken, almost on the verge of tears. "Church is over, let's go have lunch.  Are you feeling okay?"

 - "Yes, I think I just zoned out.  You weren't trying to talk to me during the song were you?"  Please say yes, she thought?

 - "Nope, it must have been my stomach growling.  I can't wait to eat."

 - "Me too," Ilana smiled.  That must be it, hungry and tired from staying up late two days in a row, she was imagining things.  Shaking her head to clear it, she followed Abigaíl out of the Church to her car.

The rest of the day, Ilana forgot about Church and enjoyed the company of the Garcia family.  She ate as much as Señora Paula piled on her plate until she was fit to burst.  The minor squabbles amongst the sisters made her smile.  In fact, she purposed in her heart to enjoy the rest of the day and not mourn what she didn't have.

Secretary Jung dropped JanDi off at the clinic, before driving her husband to the office.

 - "Don't work so hard."  JunPyo sent his wife out with a kiss.

 - "I can't promise anything, I'll see you when I get home.  Saranghae."  It was the same routine every day, often JanDi's day was longer than JunPyo's but one of them always managed to be home early for their daughter, InHei.

 - "Secretary Jung, when we get to the office, I need you to find out what our dealings were with the U.S. company I.L.C. Group."

 - "Yes, Sir."

It was sometime after the morning's meetings that Secretary Jung presented a folder for JunPyo to review.

 - "Here is the information you requested sir.  It seems the company first contacted us, wanting to do a study of our resort in Macau."  JunPyo took the folder and began to scan its contents.

 - "Now, I remember, it was odd but I allowed it.  I wanted to see where it would lead.  It turned out to really be nothing out of the ordinary.  Have Mr. Jeong send me the CCTV tapes from that day."

 - "I will contact him immediately."  JunPyo had some time on hand to review the file in front of him.  The group only stayed one night and Mr. Jeong indicated all was what it seemed.   Looking at the pictures in front of him, he wondered if this was the girl JaeKyung and WooBin were talking about.  They received a thank you letter from the company and that was the last he had ever heard of them, until now.  He placed the pictures in the scanner and sent them to WooBin:  Is this her?

That evening, Ilana's last night of her first sleepover, ever, she read Isabel her bedtime story.  She chose one of her own childhood favorites, 'The Nightingale' by Hans Christian Anderson.  In Abigail’s bed, the three and Sylvia snuggled as Ilana recounted the story as her Mother told it to her countless times.  Ilana tried to keep the emotion from her voice but it couldn't be helped.

Isabel was asleep and Ilana too closed her eyes, longing to hear her Mother's beautiful voice as she lovingly narrated the story.  She would even hum a little tune, saying it was the nightingale's song.  Abigaíl took Isabel to her own bed, Sylvia had also gone.  When Abigaíl returned Ilana still had eyes closed and her cheeks glistened with tears but she was smiling.

 - "Getting home sick?"  Abigaíl asked.

 - "Mmm."  More like Mom sick but she wasn't going to say that.

Sometime later, Ilana felt teary eyed again.  She very much liked Abigaíl, her family, SungRyung, YooJin, ShiYoon, even Dr. Jihoo and Dr. Jaejoong, Harabeoji and of course her friends.  If she'd had a normal childhood, who would her friends be?  What would she be doing?  Would she have married Antonio and never met Oppa's and Suzy?  Sure, their life wouldn't be any less for not having met her but Ilana couldn't imagine life without them.  She had reduced herself to a sniffling mess now and Abigaíl, a light sleeper, heard.

 - "Chica, are you okay?"  Abigaíl yawned.

 - "Y-yeah s-sorry for waking...you up," Ilana took a deep breath, trying to stop the crying.

 - "Do you want to talk about it?"

 - "I was just having silly thoughts," Ilana wiped her eyes, feeling embarrassed at having awakened Abigaíl.

 - "So silly, you held your laughing until you cried? Come on; tell me if you think you can."

 - "It's really nothing, I-I was just wondering what my life would be if I'd stayed in California.  Would I have somehow still met you and Unnie, ShiYoon and Uee?  What about Suzy and the guys."  Even Kike, she realized wouldn't be in her life.  She didn't understand her thoughts.

Abigaíl smiled.  "Dummy, haven't you ever heard 'el hombre propone Dios dispone'?  It goes with the Proverb 'We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.'  So whatever you decided for your life God has his own plans.  Sometimes he brings people in your life for a season or longer.  In case you didn't realize, it's much easier to willingly go with his plans.  He does know what he's doing.  Now, go to sleep, we've got work tomorrow."

Ilana lay, trying to figure it out but eventually sleep won over.

JunPyo had gathered WooBin and YiJeong to discuss the issue with Jihoo, minus the wives who were too emotionally involved in this project.  JanDi doesn't want her sunbae hurt again, Gauel thinks Ilana is Jihoo's soul mate and JaeKyung just wants to be matchmaker.  They had been scanning the video of their day spent in Macau.

 - "That's definitely Ilana-ssi and her friend Suzy, whom we met at the hospital," WooBin said.

 - "She definitely has ties to ILC group; she holds the controlling shares that belonged to her father, Luis Contreras.  But, as JaeKyung said, she's not named as chairperson nor is the face of the company."

 - "Why is she working a minimally paying job at a hospital?"  YiJeong asked.

 - "Why is Jihoo working at a hospital in New York?  He could easily be a director at one of the hospitals in Seoul and still take care of the foundation?"  WooBin was the most practical of the F4, after Jihoo.

 - "They do have that in common."  JunPyo agreed.  "I only looked into her relation to the company and nothing about her personal life."

 - "JaeKyung and I will have our people in the states get on that.  Jihoo said he'd rather wait until Ilana tells him herself but, we should know what we're getting into."

After a day packed with meetings, Jihoo and his Grandfather stopped at a local restaurant for dinner.

 - "Is Ilana-yah still upset with you?"  Jihoo had briefly mentioned, Ilana storming out of his office.

 - "Jeogumyo, the worst of her anger seems to have passed, but she'll have to get a CBC again and follow up with Jaejoong.  We'll see how she fares."

Harabeoji had learned how to read his Grandson over the years and could tell something was wrong.  “Jihoo-yah, what bothers you? Is it Ilana?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji, I received her medical records along with an unpleasant conversation with her cousin, who was her primary physician until now."

 - "There was something of concern in her file or something the doctor told you?"

 - "Mmm, and so many things in the file I don't know where to start."

 - "Remember, your parents thought to promote healing through the arts. Jihoo-yah will find the right treatment to promote her healing."

 - "I still have the feeling you would trade me and keep Ilana-ssi and JanDi-yah as your Granddaughters instead."

Harabeoji laughed heartily.

Jihoo arrived at JFK and went straight to the hospital.  He showered in the Doctor's lounge and got straight to work making rounds.  He had rearranged his schedule to be on the floor the rest of the week and handle office visits the following week and administrative duties he could do on the weekend.  He crossed paths with Jaejoong for a few minutes in the CC office.

 - "I take it you read Ilana’s file?"  Jaejoong asked and Jihoo nodded slowly.

 - "Dr. Contreras didn't try and contact you did he?"

 - "Deh, HyoJoo intercepted it.  I know you have the same questions I do and more."

 - "Take care of her anemia, I'll take care of the rest."  Jihoo had taken the time to read the entire file line by line and he had an idea what happened to Ilana as a teen but not what happened to her as a child.  There was nothing out of the ordinary for the first ten years and then all of a sudden she was labeled a suicide risk.  When his parents died and he thought to be the cause of it, or at least that was what he was led to believe, he too felt like dying.  At four years old, you don't know the word suicide.  Could that be it?  He wondered.  Was it a death of someone close to her?

 - "Jihoo-yah…, Dr. Jihoo, where did you go?"  Jaejoong waved a hand in front of Jihoo's face; he had been lost in his thoughts.

 - "Yah, you're jet lagged, how can you say you'll take care of Ilana.  Who will take care of you?"

 - "Anieyo, I was just thinking about something."  Jihoo shook off his oppressive thoughts.  "Arraso, I'll see you later."

 - "By the way, I need your admin to get her blood work done, if she hasn't already."

 - "Arraso, I'll see you later."

It was after lunch, Jihoo spotted his admin and Abigaíl walking from the elevators.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, ladies," Jihoo greeted them.  "Abi-ssi, may I borrow your hubae?"  Ilana looked to Abigail almost pleading with her to say no.

Abigaíl fixed Jihoo with the same gaze she gave Dr. Jaejoong when he annoyed her.  "If you’re going to be mean to her, then no, you can’t."

Jihoo smiled.  If there was such a thing as reincarnation then Abigaíl, he thought, had been a warrior princess in her past lifetime.  "Of course not, I promise."

 - "I'll see you when you get back, okay?"  Abigaíl thought Dr. Jihoo had changed but didn't know exactly when or how.

Jihoo waited until Abigaíl was a few feet away before addressing his very serious admin before him.

 - "Has Ilana-ssi been well?"

 - "Yes," her defenses were up and he knew it.

 - "Chuahyo," he smiled, trying to get her to relax.  Ilana did not forget his threat of counseling sessions.  "Dr. Jaejoong asked me to remind you about your labs."

 - "Do I really have too?"  It wasn't that she didn't intend to not get her labs done.  She just hated needles stuck in her and was waiting for the last minute to face the inevitable. 

 - "Deh, he has to make sure your condition is stable.  You need to get it done by tomorrow." Ilana remained quiet, twenty-four hours was not enough time to mentally prepare for being stabbed as if by a sword.  Jihoo thought he noticed her tremble for a second.  "Gwenchana?"

 - "Yeeees, I'll go tomorrow."  Ilana began walking back to her desk.  Jihoo smiled at her resignation of a fate worse than death.  Thinking of something, he caught up to her and grabbed her arm, surprising her.

 - "I'll take you Saturday morning and we can have breakfast afterward."  This would be a good opportunity for one of their 'friend' sessions.

 - "Alright, since you're bent on it, I don't really have a choice."

 - "Unless you'd rather go alone?  Unpleasant situations are usually best tackled with company."  He remembered when he ran into her and KyuJong Uissa and thought this alternative might not be so unappealing.

 - "Oh, Umm, if you insist."  Ilana shrugged her shoulders in indifference.  "I think you might owe me a meal for insulting me."  She quickly ran off before Jihoo could see her smile.  Yes, she hated needles and the only way she survived the hospital stay was because of Suzy.  She had resigned herself to going alone for her test but then Dr. Jihoo offered to keep her company.  She was more afraid of the needle than of him.

Abigaíl was on her phone on Ilana's return, so she set to work without further delay.

 - "Mrs. Kim?  I mean Eommoni.  How can I help you?"  Abigaíl was surprised at the phone call.

 - "Hello dear, I hope you're well.  Can you do me a favor?"

 - "Yes, of course."  Abigaíl didn't know what kind of a favor she could grant, but she would do her best.

 - "I would love it if you and Isabel came to the house for tea on Saturday.  Jaejoong's Father and I would love you two to be our guests."

 - "That would be nice but are you sure you want Isabel?"

 - "Of course, you two are a set; you can't have one without the other."

 - "Can I bring something?"

 - "No, just yourself and Isabel."  Mrs. Oh terminated the call with Abigaíl and dialed another.  "Choi SeungHyun child, this is Mrs. Oh."

 - "Yeobosayo, Eommoni, to what do I owe the surprise?"

 - "You've not visited since we've been in town.  Why don't you drop by for tea on Saturday?"

 - "I would love to, if you make my favorite cookies."

 - "Just for you dear, we'll see you then."

Mrs. Kim was still smiling to herself a few minutes later when her husband arrived and stole a kiss.

 - "Yeobo, what are you scheming with that smile of yours?"

 - "Anieyo," using aegyo, "we're having guests for tea on Saturday.”  She kissed his cheek and went off to plan the menu with their housekeeper.

Totally felt the love last chapter, thank you all for your support.  Please keep it up.  We're getting closer to the wedding!