The next morning, Ji Hoo woke up to the sound of bells. He followed the sounds and ended up in his living room.

“What are you doing?” he asked when he saw Mandy and a very decorated live Christmas tree in his living room, which had not been there before.

“Merry Christmas” Mandy said awkwardly, dressed in her pajamas.

“It’s 6 in the morning; why are you up so early?” Ji Hoo asked her

“You didn’t have a Christmas tree in your home, so I got the one at my apartment. You also didn’t have any baubles, so I got those too. And lights and other things…” she stopped mid sentence after she saw his annoying expression. “You don’t like it” Mandy stated “I’ll move it away in some time” she said as she turned towards the plant and started taking off the decorations.

Ji Hoo walked up to her and held her wrist to stop her from continuing and took it in his and rubbed it. “Who said I didn’t like it?” he said

“You looked annoyed just now” Mandy said weakly

“I’m annoyed at the fact that you are not taking care of yourself. At what time did you get up?” and he moves his hand to her forehead “And you are burning up again. I brought you here so you could rest, not so that you can overwork”

“I’m not over working myself” Mandy tried to say but Ji Hoo shut her up as he picked her up again

“Why do you keep picking me up?” Mandy said as he tucked her in to her blanket

“Because you are a stubborn girl and I have to force my hand to get you to act rationally.” He said as a matter of fact “And see, you didn’t even protest” he said smugly

“That’s because I knew what you were going to do” Mandy said as she stuck out her tongue at him and hid her face in the blanket.

“I can see that we are having a very mature discussion here” he said sarcastically

“Fine” she said exasperatedly and pulled the blanked down till her chin

“When did you get up?” Ji Hoo said as he brought her a glass of warm water

“A little while ago” she lied

“You do know that I can tell when you are lying right?”

“3 am”

“You woke at 3! You have been working for three hours! In a fever that too! Are you mad!” he shouted at her

“I didn’t do all the work alone; I called one of the guards so he could help me set up the plant.” She answered weakly

“Where did you get a plant anyways?” Ji Hoo asked “And all these decorations and lights, where did you get them?”

“I had actually pre-ordered all these things on a website and they arrived yesterday at my apartment. The guards at my house told me about it and I told my guys to bring them over in the night over here, so that I could surprise you. Since I’m here, I thought I could decorate your living room coz you didn’t have a tree and all.” She finished

“Thank you” Ji Hoo said sincerely as he took her hand and blew on it. “But this is not the way to act; you don’t just spend three hours decorating the tree without any care for your health whatsoever.”

“Don’t worry about the fever, it’ll go down after a dose your Harbeoji’s magic medicine” she grinned at him

“I seriously don’t understand how you can be so careless about your health” Ji Hoo said, looking at her fondly as he unconsciously started her hair.

“I’ll fall asleep if you do that” Mandy warned

“That is the purpose” Ji Hoo grinned at her

Mandy smiled at him and closed her eyes as she settled her head on the pillow.

She woke up after a good four hours’ sleep. After having breakfast and taking her medicine, she bathed and changed into outside clothes. She then went to Ji Hoo’s room

“Ji Hoo?” She said as she knocked on the door

“I’m here” came a voice from behind her “Did you need something? And why are you dressed like this?” he asked

“I need to go shopping”

“Shopping? Now, but why?” he asked

“I don’t have anything to wear for tonight and I even have to buy them a housewarming gift” Mandy explained

“Okay, let me get ready; I’ll be out in two minutes.” He said and vanished into his room

Mandy picked up her things like mobile phone and ipad and dialed her sister’s number on the mobile. She had somehow convinced her sister about her stay at Ji Hoo’s and her sister had thought that it was best to keep this fact hidden from their parents. Mandy had readily agreed.

“Hi didi” Mandy said after the call connected

“Your voice is still not good. How much is your fever now?” asked Harleen in a worried tone

“It’s almost gone now, and the voice is getting better”

“Don’t overstress yourself. Is that guy taking good care of you?” she asked in an annoyed voice

“Yes he is. Why are you so against him?”

“He is a guy you are living with; it doesn’t matter if he is your friend, he is still a guy.”

“Ji Hoo is a gentleman and you know it. He won’t dare try anything. He also knows that if he does try something, I’ll cut his balls off” Mandy joked

“That’s why I’m assured that you’ll be fine, because I know that you can take care of yourself. But still, be extra careful and lock your door when you sleep.”

“Okay didi; but I called to tell you that I’ll be at Yi Jung’s house for Christmas dinner. You know didi, Ga Eul moved in with him.”

“He didn’t knock the poor girl up did he?” Harleen asked

“No, at least I don’t think so. I don’t think he would be that careless; though you can never be sure about him when it comes to Ga Eul.” Mandy contemplated

“Just tell them to be safe; and wish everyone a Merry Christmas from my side.”

“Okay didi, I will; Merry Christmas to you too. Bye”

The call ended and Ji Hoo appeared out of his room dressed in white from top to bottom.

“At least your Christmas gift is final” Mandy murmured to herself

“Huh, what?” Ji Hoo said

“Nothing, let’s go” Mandy said

They went to a mall where first Mandy selected a red ruffle dress for herself.

They moved onto a shoe store where she bought a pair that matched her previously bought dress. After getting out of that shop, Mandy declared that her shopping was done and Ji Hoo suggested that they go to a restaurant for lunch but Mandy refused “Let’s go to a burger place instead” Mandy suggested and they ended up at a McDonald’s.

“Ji Hoo, take us first to my place. I have to pick up a few things” Mandy said as they settled into his car after eating their lunch.

They were on their way there when Mandy told him to stop the car in front of a medical store.

“Are you okay?” Ji Hoo asked

“Yeah, just need to buy some essentials.” She said as she got out of the car

Ji Hoo waited in the car and she got back after 5 minutes with a black poly bag rolled in her hand. Ji Hoo didn’t ask anything and drove to her apartment.

What's in that poly bag? huh huh huh???