January 24, 2014

Ilana was more than ready to go home.  This first full week back to work reminded her that she had been lazing around at home for a month and needed to get back into shape.   She and Abigaíl raced down the stairs towards a cab for Ilana and a train for Abigaíl.

 - "Maybe next week will you go shopping with me?"  Ilana had asked as they were ready to leave.

 - "For yourself?"  Abigaíl asked in surprise.  Ilana had mentioned several times she hated to go shopping.

 - "Mmm, I have to find something to wear for a wedding."  Ilana hated to buy a dress she wasn't going to wear again but wanted to see what was out there.  Both her blue taffeta and black cinch were too loose on her now but maybe by then, she'll have grown back into them.

 - "We can go tomorrow morning for a while?  Isabel and I are coming to town in the afternoon, anyway."

 - "I can't, I have to get labs done again.  I will not be in the mood for shopping."  Abigaíl was the only one of Ilana's co-workers to know about her anemia.  She had been standing next to Dr. Jihoo and Dr. Jaejoong when they were speaking to KyuJong.

 - "Are you feeling okay?" Abigaíl asked in concern.

 - "Mmm, it's a precaution to make sure the anemia has stabilized."

 - "I'll pray for good results."

Ilana smiled and shook her head.  Abigaíl made life appear easy as long as you have faith.  "See ya,” Ilana waved and stepped into a cab.  She'd had the same driver for the past week; it seemed his schedule coincided with hers.

 - "'Ow are yew today miss?"  The cabby asked in a strong Cockney accent, which Ilana thought he might exaggerate a bit for customers.

 - "Tired, it will be nice to go home."

 - "Lawd above, if it ain't too cold fer a gentle ladey as yerself ter walk in dis wearfer."

 - "I would normally walk but I'm allergic to the cold in a way."

 - "Thee're not from around 'ere, are you?"

 - "No, but it's home, now."  Ilana had accepted the fact and although her heart was with Nana, Brendan, and her home, it was also with the people here, in New York.

Once In her apartment, Ilana put her things away, realizing the usual porter for the evening had been missing all week.  Shrugging it off as vacation, she warmed her already prepared meal and sat to watch 'Inspiring Generation'.  She really couldn't wait to see Kim HyunJoong in person again.  He could be really funny when you didn't expect him to and she wanted to hear all about the locations he was currently filming at.  If Uee knew Ilana had a date with him, she'd be dead.

January 25, 2014

Jihoo had already warmed the car and knocked on Ilana's door promptly at seven thirty.

 - "Ready?" He asked when she opened the door.

 - "If I said no, would you tell Dr. Jaejoong the lab was closed?"

 - "Mianhae, I'd have to carry Ilana-ssi to the lab myself."  Ilana sighed.  "Yah, I let Ilana-ssi have her way last time and look what happened."

 - "Oh well, are we going then?" Ilana closed her apartment door and walked off hurriedly to further avoid the subject.

Arriving at the garage they crossed paths with the new porter.  Jihoo nodded by way of greeting and continued leading Ilana to the car.  What Ilana didn't know was that the new porter was one of JaeKyung's guards. One was also stationed at the hospital and another in between the two places.

Despite her very warm gloves, Ilana's hands got colder and colder as they walked into the lab.  Having an appointment, she was called back immediately.  Her heart pounded in dread.  Jihoo noticed her anxiety and put a hand on her arm in reassurance.

 - "You're a fainter, huh?"  The technician smiled at her.  Ilana just nodded as she was escorted to a room instead of a chair.  "Make a fist for me and I’ll do my thing, you tell me when you're ready for the needle."

 - "Umm, never..."

 - “That’s great,” the technician laughed.  “Just relax, okay?” The technician took advantage of Ilana being distracted by her joking and stuck the needle in.  Ilana shivered, feeling the pop of the needle being inserted into her vein. Making the mistake of taking a quick peek at her arm, made her head feel like little needles were being inserted into her skull by the dozen.  Finally done, the technician helped Ilana up to drink some juice.  The sweetness only made her feel worse and was immediately sick.  "Get some food in you and you'll start to feel better."  Ilana highly doubted it.  "Wait here, I'll get your ride."

Not that Ilana could stand without falling.  Jihoo came into the room and quietly helped her into her jacket.  "Kaja, does Ilana-ssi think she can walk?" When she tried to stand, the room spun, making her want to be sick again.  Thankfully, there was nothing left in her stomach.  "Climb on my back."

 - "I'll be fine, just give me a minute."  She closed her eyes and tried again.  Forcing herself to stand, she waited to make sure the room would stay still before taking a step.  Jihoo wasn't so sure she wasn't going to faint, he took her arm in his, for support.

Ilana's headache was still on active duty and trusting that Dr. Jihoo knew the way to the car, she allowed herself to be led unaware of her surroundings.  Next thing she knew they were in the elevator.

 - "Where are we going?"  Ilana asked, a bit apprehensively.

 - "To my office, I'll order us food and Ilana-ssi can rest for a while, you aren't in condition to go anywhere at the moment."

 - "I'm not hungry."

 - "Anieya, your stomach just feels sensitive right now."  Jihoo unlocked the private entrance to his office.  "There's a private bathroom behind that door if Ilana-ssi still feels sick," he pointed to a door.  "Help yourself to any of the toiletries, Ilana-ssi will feel better once freshened up."

 - "I think I'll take you up on that offer."  Ilana brightened up at the idea of cleaning up a bit, as he thought she would.

Ilana ensconced herself in the bathroom, taking full advantage of the amenities.  There were washcloths and face wash, lotion, new toothbrushes, and toothpaste, anything you would find in the most exclusive hotel and more.  Taking advantage of a toothbrush, Ilana took her time getting the taste of bile out of and let the cold water on the washcloth revive her.  During this time, Jihoo busied himself in the office.  He ordered food, turned up the heat and an electric kettle for tea.  Thinking Ilana might want to lie down, due to her headache, he brought out a pillow and quilt.  He just wanted to make her comfortable in every way, so that they could converse freely and not have her be nervous with him.

 - "Gwenchana?"  Jihoo asked when Ilana finally emerged.

 - "A little better; just a little cold," she gave him a half smile.

 - "There's a quilt on the couch and a pillow.  If your head still hurts, Ilana-ssi can lie down."

 - "Thank you, I'll take you up on the quilt but the thousand needles that were piercing my brain have subsided a little."

 - "Here, this will wipe out the remaining..."  Jihoo handed her a cup of tea after she threw the quilt on her lap.  "...five hundred?"  She smiled and took the cup gratefully.

They sipped their tea in awkward silence for a few minutes.  Jihoo wasn't used to initiating conversation and although with his admin, he didn't mind.

 - "I've ordered food; it should be here in another ten minutes.  When did Ilana-ssi start having a fear of needles?  Do you always get sick like this?"  He thought it best to ask open ended questions.

 - "It's been a while but I think it's more of an aversion, not just fear."  Jihoo thought again, this was not a woman incapable of reason.  "This episode was mild compared to normal.”

 - "Wae?"

 - "Last time, I panicked and passed out right away and that's what always happens; even before I come in contact with the needle.  Unless..." There was a knock on the door but Jihoo thought Ilana had another reason for pausing her story.

 - "That's breakfast; Ilana-ssi must be starving."

Ilana had actually forgotten her discomfort, realizing she had also forgotten Dr. Jihoo's calming effect on her.  "Pancakes?"  Ilana helped Jihoo set the small table in his office.

 - "My favorite."

 - "Mine too, my Nana makes the best."

Jihoo waited until Ilana was well distracted by food, to re-approach the subject.  "Ilana-ssi was saying?  Unless what?  What were you going to say about your aversion to needles?"

 - "It's not important."

 - "It's important to Ilana-ssi."

That was the second time he had said that to her.  His round eyes that were filled with kindness and a desire to help made her open when she didn't want to.  "My cousin...it seemed like he was always requiring test after test, without telling me why or results.  I got tired of it and started to refuse.  He'd take me out of the house kicking and screaming, we'd get to the hospital and he'd sedate me.  If I caught a cold, I'd be under house arrest.  If I had a fever, I’d be sent to the hospital.  When I began to remove the IV, he started tying my hands to the bed.  I didn't even know I had this anemia until I overheard him telling someone, whose business it wasn't, but me he didn't tell."  Ilana was getting so angry, she put too much pressure on her plastic fork and it broke.  Thankfully Jihoo had extras, which he wordlessly handed to her.  "S-Sorry."

 - "Anieyo," Jihoo thought her eyes were suspiciously moist.  "What do your parents and Oppa say."

 - "My parents?"  Ilana didn't want to talk about it.  She didn't want to show him that pain.  She clenched her fist nervously, an action not lost on Jihoo's keen observing eye.  "My parents," using her foster parents as an excuse, "are in Puerto Rico and trust my cousin wholeheartedly; after all, he is a doctor.  He knows what's best, right?"  Jihoo wouldn't say that but noted the sarcasm in her voice.  "Kike is in Miami and has always been my support."  Ilana's head was hurting again thinking of her cousin, she pushed her plate away, no longer hungry.

 - "No one here is going to hurt you.  We want to work with you to make sure you don't get sick again.  Will you trust me and Dr. Jaejoong?"  Jihoo thought she had held something back, something she didn't want to tell him, but they were off to a good start.

'Trust' was just something she wasn't good at.  "I'll try."

 - "I'll take that," he flicked her hat playfully, making her laugh.

Abigaíl and Isabel dressed for their afternoon with the Kim family. She hadn't told her daughter because she would be too excited at seeing 'Dr. Prince’ and would never be able to get her dressed.

 - "Ma, Isabel e yo vamos a salir (Isabel and I are going out).  Quizás no estaremos para la cena (We might not be back for dinner)."

 - "Está bien hija, a donde van (That's alright dear, where are you going)?"

 - "La Señora Kim nos invitó a un té con sus amigas (Mrs. Kim invited us to tea with her friends)."  So Abigaíl thought.

 - "Que linda, no (That’s sweet of her)?  A la próxima me dices con tiempo para mandarle algo delicioso (Next time let me know ahead of time and I'll prepare something delicious)."

 - "Si, Ma (Yes Mom), ay les hablo cuando venimos de regreso (I'll call when we are on our way back)."

 - "Que Dios me las cuide (May God watch over you)."

Mrs. Oh looked at her table and was satisfied with the amount of savory and sweet dishes.  She had told Abigaíl and SeungHyun two o'clock and her husband was to keep Jaejoong out until three.  This would give her two guests time to get acquainted.

Abigaíl arrived at the Kim house a few minutes early.  She never knew how the traffic on the freeway would be.  At the same time she pulled up, a man in a Jaguar did as well; he was on his phone.  Abigaíl put on Isabel's gloves and head for the door.  She arrived at the door seconds before SeungHyung terminated his call and rang the bell.  Sensing awkwardness, SeungHyun inclined his head and introduced himself first.

 - "Hello, I'm SeungHyun Choi, might I have the pleasure of your name and yours as well, little darling?"  SeungHyun tried to figure out who the lovely exotic creature was in front of him.  If Jaejoong was a flirt, SeungHyun was doubly so; not quite a rake but close enough.

 - "I'm Abigaíl García and this is Isabel."  Isabel hung back next to her Mother, not quite sure what to make of the man in front of her.

 - "It's a pleasure," he shook her hand with both of his as they do in Korea, mainly to press her hand in a way that would allow him to feel for a ring through her gloves.  It’s not that he wouldn't date a married woman, on occasion; he just wanted to know what tactic to use.

The door opened and the housekeeper showed them in.

 - "Halmoni!"  Isabel took off running as soon as she spotted Mrs. Oh.

 - "Hello sweetie," Mrs. Oh laughed as she was body slammed by the five-year-old.

  - "Where's Dr. Prince?"

 - "He'll be along shortly, let me hug your Umma."  Koreans weren't big huggers but in New York's cultural diversity, Mrs. Oh adapted the warm way of greeting.  "I'm so glad you came."

 - "Thank you for having us, Eommoni."

 - "Yah Eommoni, where's my hug?"  SeungHyun was not to be left behind.

 - "SeungHyun-ah gets more handsome each time I see you.  Did you meet Abigaíl?"

 - "Your enchanting young friend, here?  I had the pleasure of introducing myself."

 - "You need to find yourself a nice girl like Abigaíl."

 - "Mrs. Kim!"  Abigaíl embarrassed at the compliment.

 - "Perhaps I can have Abigaíl herself," he winked at her.

It was Abigail's turn to unconsciously hang back next to Mrs. Kim.  She wasn't sure if she liked this Mr. Choi but he was a friend of Mrs. Kim's, he couldn't be that bad, could he?

 - "Don't get me wrong, SeungHyun-ah, I said like Abigaíl.  She is too good for you."

 - "Oh!"  SeungHyun struck his chest as if grieved.  "Eommoni is too cruel."  Abigaíl and Isabel laughed at their teasing.

 - "Step into the parlor, Jaejoong and my husband should be here soon.  I just need to check something in the kitchen, I'll be right there.  Isabel, do you want to help?"

 - "Deh, Halmoni."

 - "So, how do you know the Kim's?"  SeungHyun was interested in her relationship with the family.

 - "I work with Dr. Jaejoong.  Mr. and Mrs. Kim are very nice, what about you?"

 - "Jaejoong and I went to High school together but once in the U.S., I went to business school and him to medical school.  How long have you known the Kim's?"

 - "I've worked with Dr. Jaejoong for a few years but have only just met his family."

Abigaíl was standing near the fireplace but was unnerved that this man was standing so close, she decided to sit on the couch opposite them.  She usually had no problems chatting with anyone but no matter how much she tried to come up with small talk, she couldn’t.

SeungHyun wondered who was getting set up, Jaejoong or himself.  As long as he was invited to this party he was going to enjoy himself.  He waited a little while in silence, observing, before sitting himself next to her.  "I sincerely hope we will be running into each other often from now on."  He leaned forward, scrutinizing her face.  It was all Abigail could do not to shove him back.  “Your little darling is a beauty like her Umma.”

Abigaíl stood up in alarm, the couch was long but if he sat any closer to her he would be in her lap.

Jaejoong and his Father had just arrived and were taken aback when Isabel took a running jump at Jaejoong.

 - "Dr. Prince!"  Jaejoong dropped his bag in time to catch the little flying squirrel in front of him.

 - "Jagiya, what a surprise," Jaejoong smiled at the cutie in his arms.  "Where's your Umma?"

 - "We're here for tea; Halmoni asked us," Isabel said proudly.  "Umma is with your friend, he's not as handsome as you," she whispered.

 - "Umma, which friend is here?"  Other than Jihoo, he didn't trust any of his friends with Abigaíl.

 - "Choi SeungHyun, I thought it'd be nice for him to meet a good girl for a change."

 - "Nun micheossuh?  He isn't interested in good girls."   He was only interested in turning good girls into bad girls.  He tried not to look too upset or worried for Isabel's sake.  "Let's go say hi to Umma & Ajussi."

 - "Yeobo, I hope this doesn't backfire on you," Mr. Kim commented once their son was out of earshot.

 - "SeungHyun doesn't stand a chance with Abigaíl; Jaejoong will have to make a move In order to save her honor.”  Mrs. Oh grinned like a Cheshire cat, delighted with her scheme.

 -"Yeobo, if the business ever fails, it's comforting to know you can always be a professional matchmaker."

In the parlor, Abigaíl wondered what was keeping everyone.  She’d stood to wander to the fireplace again, SeungHyun stood as well.

 - "I'll go see, if Mrs. Oh needs help," Abigaíl needed room to breathe.

 - "I'm sure she's got everything under control, stay and keep me company," he stood back only far enough to admire the way the tight dark blue ankle jeans hugged her wonderful curves and the way the necklace rested nicely over her s.  Abigaíl was feeling like a mouse being cornered by a cat; Dr. Jaejoong never made her feel like that.  "Jagiya, your beauty is that of a goddess, has Jaejoong made you his yet?”

The way his deep voice drawled the word ‘jagiya’ and that smirk on his lips and greedy look in his eyes, made Abigaíl take a step back, ready to grab at the fire poker if need be.  "Dr. Jae-Jaejoong and I only w-work together," she stuttered, to her irritation.

 - "Jagiya!”  Jaejoong's voice suddenly filled the room.  He bypassed SeungHyun and went up to Abigaíl, hugged her and kissed her cheek.  "Bogoshipawtsso and here you are to surprise me."

 - "SeungHyun-ah, how have you been?  I see you've met my two special ladies."  Jaejoong placed his hand possessively on Abigail's upper back.  Her head was whirling trying to figure out what was happening.  At the same time, she didn't care as long as the lecherous SeungHyun kept away from her.  She never would consider Dr. Jaejoong as an answer to prayer but at the moment the Lord had sent him as her guardian angel.

 - "Orenamnida (long time no see), so you guys are an item?  Mianhaeyo, my loss.  Abigaíl-ssi, when you tire of this guy, give me a call."

 - "I won't get tired of you, Dr. Prince," Isabel said.

 - "Guerom and I will never tire of you or your Umma," he flashed a tender smile at Abigaíl and ran a hand through her hair, making her heart practically leap out of her chest.  Jaejoong took her warm hand in his.  "Kaja, Umma is ready for us."

Over tea, Jaejoong continued to sneak glances at Abigaíl and grin foolishly.  SeungHyun realized he had been beaten when he noticed Abigaíl blush having caught Jaejoong looking at her.  What SeungHyun wondered was, if he'd been tricked by Mrs. Kim for her son's sake.  Was there something already between his friend and Abigaíl?  Or did his presence produce the outcome?

Now late afternoon, Ilana stretched in her chair in Jihoo's office.  They had been there all day only running to the cafeteria long enough to bring sandwiches back to the office.  Having food in her stomach, Ilana felt much better and wanted to stay and help Dr. Jihoo catch up on his administrative duties that he always left for the weekend or evenings when he wasn't pulled in every direction.  Ilana realized it had been a while since either had spoken.  She turned her head towards Dr. Jihoo's desk only to see that he was asleep in his chair.  She thought he looked so sweet asleep; it would be a shame to wake him.  He really did look like Kim HyunJoong.  Taking out her phone, she decided to take a picture to show him when they met in a few weeks.  A little dark in the office, the flash went off and was quite loudly in the otherwise tranquil setting.  Jihoo stirred, sensing a disturbance.  Ilana panicked and went back to her chair.

 - "Jwasangmnida, I fell asleep," he rubbed his face.

 - "Oh, I hadn't noticed," she was trying not to laugh and he noticed the merriment in her eyes.

 - "Agassi, what are you up to?"

 - "Amogotdoyo.”

 - "Now I know you're up to something.  Agassi only uses her Korean when she’s angry or hiding something."  That was Ilana to the 'T' and it surprised her that he paid such close attention.  She tried to nonchalantly put her phone away but the very movement was suspicious.

 - "It's late, we should get going," Jihoo wondered what she hid on her phone.

 - "Arraseo," she teased.  Jihoo stood casually grabbing his coat and helping Ilana with hers.  Before he stepped back, he slipped his hand in her pocket, capturing her phone.  "Yah, give it back."

 - "Anieyo, tell me what you're hiding."

 - "Nothing of importance."

 - "Gueron, Ilana-ssi won't mind if I look."  She tried reaching for the phone, but his movement was so swift, that and he was rather taller than her; she couldn't touch him.  Her phone was not locked and he immediately saw his picture and laughed.  "What was Agassi planning?"

Ilana couldn't tell him about Kim HyunJoong; she blurted out the first thing she could think of.  "Dr. Jihoo looks so sweet asleep; I wanted to show it to Suzy."

 - "Sounds harmless but no," he didn't want anyone linking him to F4.  He made sure to keep the hospital and his life back home at arms distance.  Deleting the picture, he returned her phone.  "I'm tired, kaja."

Ilana still smiled; unfazed that he took her fun away.

Choi SeungHyun had business to take care of and excused himself first.

 - "Eommoni, thank you for the lovely afternoon."

 - "SeungHyun-ah, you know you're welcome anytime; don't wait for an invitation."

 - "I will take you up on that.   Little darling," he bowed to Isabel.  "It was a pleasure meeting you and your Umma."  Isabel just clung to the safety of Jaejoong's leg.  She hadn't warmed up to SeungHyun at all.  "Jaejoong-ah, nae chingu, I expect an invite to the wedding, arraso?"

Abigaíl was blushing and ready to murder her supposed groom.

 - "Dr. Prince, you can only marry my Mama."  Isabel's panicked statement made Abigaíl wish the ground opened up and swallowed her.

 - "Don't worry, little darling, of course Dr. Prince is going marry your Mama," SeungHyun reassured the little girl.  He was enjoying this; it seemed there would soon be one less playboy amongst their set.

 - "Isabel, don’t worry about nae adul and Umma; help me take the leftover sweets from the table."

At the mention of sweets, the child happily followed, Mrs. Oh.

 - "SeungHyun-ah, I'll walk you out.  I heard you have next year’s Jaguar F type already.  How many strings did you pull?"  SeungHyun and Jaejoong's dad walked out, animatedly discussing brakes, suspension, and horsepower.

 - "What kind of stunt were you trying to pull?"  The door closed and Abigaíl rounded on Jaejoong and punched his chest with all her strength; both cried out in pain.

 - "I was trying to save your honor.  In case you didn't notice, he was totally coming on to you."

 - "Did you have to lead everyone to believe we were getting married?"

 - "Did you want to get d?"

 - "He wouldn't do that in your parent's home?"

 - "If you believed that, why did you have a deer caught in the headlight look when Isabel and I walked in; not to mention I could feel your heart thumping wildly under my hand."

 - "Oh, well, I...was just wondering where my daughter was and it’s not like we have anything in common...so things were awkward."

 - "Mianhae,” he smiled softly at her excuses and place both hands on her shoulders, making her stare at him worriedly.  “I did the first thing I could think of.  To normal Korean men, your beauty is exotic; add to that the 'hands off' look in your eyes, you're hot.  To a sly fox like Choi SeungHyun, that's an open invitation to do what it takes to get you under him if you know what I mean?"

Abigaíl nodded, bright red.  She couldn't believe he was telling her these things.  "Are you like that too?"  Abigaíl asked nervously.

Her look of revulsion at him wounded his heart for some reason.  "Anieyo,” his playful was replaced with a more sober look.  “I've told you how things are with me."  He shook the serious tone away and smiled mischievously at her before kissing her forehead.  "You're getting just a little too hot for me at the moment.  That bewildered face is too irresistibly cute and I might turn into SeungHyun."  Abigaíl took a step back in alarm.  "Kaja, anae (wifey)."

Ilana lazily walked to the garage elevator, with Jihoo beside her.

 - "Gwenchana?"  Jihoo asked because she usually ran to the elevator.

 - "Mmm, your work is tiring."

 - "Mmm."

 - "Gomawoyo."

 - "Wae?"

 - "For letting me hang out with you today.  It was fun."

 - "I thought it was tiring."

 - "It was, but satisfying.  I like seeing all the numbers come together on the report and plugging in codes.  Sometimes, I wish life was that way; plug in the right code or formula and your report runs fine.  But even if you accidentally put the wrong one in, you could just delete it and plug in the right one."  She smiled because she was in danger of getting teary eyed.

 - "Did you input the wrong code at one time?"

 - "Mmm," she shrugged.  They had arrived on their floor.

 - "Were you able to impute a new one?"

Ilana shook her head 'no'.

 - "What happened?"

 - "I only wish life was like a spreadsheet but it's not.  You can't just remove the offending formula."

Jihoo sensed her retreating into herself again.  "Do you want to hang out a little while longer?"  He wanted to keep her talking.

 - "I'm a little tired, another day perhaps;" they had been standing outside Ilana's door and she turned to punch in her code.

 - "Hajimaseyo (please don't do that)."  He took her hand from the door; startled, she turned to look at him.  "You're hiding again."

 - "Dr. Jihoo, I'm in plain sight."

 - "Ani, I can't see you anymore, talk to me."  Jihoo's gaze was heavy with concern and was almost too much for Ilana.  She didn't want to talk about her parents; she didn't want to talk about her shameful past. To Dr. Jihoo and to her co-workers, she just wanted to be normal.

 - "I have a bit of a headache, I'm gonna go in and eat something."

 - "Ani, nae chingu needs some company."

January 27, 2014

Jihoo took up his position as personal driver, once again.  He surprised Ilana by standing outside her door when she was on her way out that morning. He had spoken to the two bodyguards following Ilana.  She had been getting in the same cab every afternoon.  That particular cab company was not registered in the city.  Not only was it not registered but what are the odds, in this busy city, of getting the same cab driver every day.  The guard, posing as the porter, had caught the so called cab driver lurking around the apartment and he had also been seen on the hospital grounds.  It was time to terminate the guy’s career as a cab driver and send him back to whoever sent him.

 - "Omo!  Dr. Jihoo, you scared me!"  Ilana opened her door to see Jihoo standing in front of it, unprepared, she was startled.  "What are you doing there?"

 - "I believe agassi called for a driver; at your services," he bowed, making Ilana smile.

 - "Aren't you sick of me yet?  I'm sure you prefer Dr. Jaejoong's company."  They had spent the rest of Saturday evening talking in her apartment.   Nothing personal, just random things, likes, and dislikes; finding they had many of the same tastes.  Sunday is when Ilana prepped her meals for the week and she invited him to have dinner with her.  She was getting very comfortable around him but every now and then his ‘I-can-read-your-thoughts’ gaze made her shy away from him.  His sweet smile always brought her back.

 - "Anieyo, you're prettier than Dr. Jaejoong and far more interesting to talk to."

Ilana burst out laughing.  "How can you say things like that with such a straight face?"

Jihoo didn’t reply but grinned to himself.  “Kaja,” he began to walk toward the elevator.  Ilana smiling and laughing was transformed.  If he had to become a clown or comedian to see her like that, then he wouldn’t mind.  He didn't quite understand how she brought out the opposite in him.  He preferred tranquility, privacy, and quiet but he sought out Ilana and always initiated the conversation.

They had arrived at the hospital and Jihoo accompanied Ilana to the sixth floor, claiming he needed something from the office.  He should have been heading for his office in the medical building, but he wanted to make sure no one was lurking about that wasn't supposed to.

Arriving on the floor they ran into Dr. Jaejoong who was waiting to go down and a split second later Abigaíl had just come through the stairwell door.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo," Dr. Jaejoong bowed.  "Nae anae, you are beautiful today as usual," he winked at Abigaíl.  Jihoo looked at Jaejoong in surprise, Ilana was confused, and Abigaíl bright red.  "I have a patient in a few minutes, joeun haru jwaseyo (have a nice day)."  Jaejoong walked off leaving everyone's questions still on their tongue.  He hadn't the chance to grill his Mother on the meaning of Saturday's tea party; she was deliberately avoiding him.  Could she really be trying to set up SeungHyun and Abigaíl?  There was no way he was going to let that happen, if he had to marry her himself.

 - "Did he say what I thought he said?"  Ilana asked Dr. Jihoo after Dr. Jaejoong had left.

 - "Abi-ssi, are congratulations in order?"

 - "No, they are not," Abigaíl stormed to her desk, with Ilana and Jihoo smiling behind her.  Jaejoong had been calling her anae since Saturday.  Sunday she received several texts from ‘nampyon’, as he programmed himself in her phone.

When she arrived at her desk, she saw Uee and ShiYoon smiling widely at her.

 - "Abi-yah, you just missed your husband.  He dropped off a little wedding gift."

 - "What?"  On her desk was a teddy bear wearing two necklaces.  One for her and one for Isabel, each had a simple diamond pendant.  Abigaíl sat in her chair and groaned.

 - "Dr. Jihoo, please help me kill him?  I'd be more than happy to stab him with a lethal injection."

 - "Mianhaeyo, if it weren't for the oath Doctors take, I would've killed him a long time ago."

 - "Cheer up, Abi-yah, Jaejoong makes a fine husband.  He'll shower you and Isabel with gifts.  You are the perfect woman to tame him."  SungRyung could not contain her glee.  She knew Dr. Jaejoong was only teasing but if he didn't find the idea somewhat appealing, he wouldn't be.

 - "Unnie!  It's not funny."

 - "I'm sure there's a story behind this, care to share?"  Uee asked.

 - "No!"

 After the laughing died down, Jihoo realized he had to get to the office.  "I'll see you later, nae chingu,”  Jihoo unconsciously placed his hand lightly on Ilana's upper arm by way of getting her attention and saying goodbye.

 - "Arraso, nae chingu."  She smiled back at him, not even noticing they were acting out of character.  She was still under the teasing stupor.

ShiYoon noticed the casual gesture, as did Abigaíl.  He had been suspicious of the doctor's feelings towards his teammate for some time now.  It was a shame; he couldn't tease either one of them.  He would just have to continue observing the two.  As for Dr. Jaejoong and Abigaíl, the entire floor thought it was obvious he had a crush on her.  Two weeks until Valentine's Day and cupid was already eyeing his targets.

I had a hard time writing the tea scene and kept changing it.  I purposely didn't detail those last two sentences of the tea scene.  I was hoping you guys could feel what was going on in without my describing it, so please let me know if I set it up that way for you.  Next is the wedding, time to bring out your little black dress or go shopping.  See ya!