Chapter 5

Wearing a simple sea of clouds brinlee shirt & serene stretch side zip crop black pant. Every strand of her hair was let down. Black choppy peep toe flat. Tiffany looked at herself in the mirror, smiling at herself. She was stunning with her beautiful smile. For a few seconds, she watched her appearance this morning, ‘It seems perfect.’ She thought, with a grin. However, her smile slowly faded away as she remembered the incident three days ago. The famous lawyer Kim Hyunwoo collapsed on her bed. It had been three days & she hadn’t gotten any news about him. So today, she was going to visit him at the hospital. She didn’t care about his son’s warning, “Damn that man anyway!” She cursed him again. Out of his son's ridiculous act, she had to know whether the old Kim was all right. That was her main concern.

She glanced at her seiko solar diamond accent two-tone stainless steel bracelet watch. It was the time to called the hospital again. Perhaps the receptionist on day shift at the information desk would be more considerate than the one who was scolding her last night. At least, she had to try, one more time, to find out about Mr. Kim’s latest condition.

Waiting for a few seconds, the woman who answered her phone was as firm as the one last night.

“I’m sorry.” The crisp voice announced persistently, “You’re not a member of his family so I can’t tell you anything about Mr. Kim’s condition. His son, Kim Jaejoong, has given a strict order not to let anyone except the family members know about his father.”

“But he’s still in the ICU, right?”

There was a deep sigh from the other line. The receptionist ran out of patience, “I’m sorry, miss. One more time, I’m telling you that I can’t tell you. Why don’t you try to contact Mr. Kim Jaejoong. He maybe able to tell you more.”

After putting the phone down, Tiffany sat in total silence. What was she going to do now? It was intolerable that she didn’t know about Mr. Kim’s condition. She was well aware that the first twenty-four hours after a heart attack were critical, ‘How is he now?’ Her mind wandered in frustration. She closed her eyes, trying to make the best decision. Did she have to go to hospital? What if she met Jaejoong there? What if he kicked her out from there? She tried to brush that idea away but it lurked on the fringe of her consciousness.

He was different from all the other men. There was something in him that could make her heart stopped for a few seconds. It was true that she admired him & yet, was uncomfortable with him in the same room but he was also a bad enemy, driving his opponents into the ground including her but why did he hate her so much? If he was concerned about the relationship between his father & her then she could explain it slowly. However, that monster had never given her a chance to say anything about his father.

‘Why are you scared of him, Tiffany?!” Her mind screamed out.

Taking a brush, she ran it through her hair. Then she looked at herself in the mirror & took her large genuine leather multifunctional shoulder strap tote black handbag, “Mr. Kim, I’m coming.” She murmured nervously, while stopping a taxi.

She stepped into the Asan Medical Center in fifty minutes. Straight ahead of her was the information desk. Clearing & smiling brightly, she approached the woman sitting there who was busy writing something on the plain paper.

“Excuse me.” Tiffany said softly.

“Hmm.” The woman answered, without looking up.

She was about to open to ask where the ICU was when she spotted Jaejoong’s figure passing the hospital lobby. She quickly turned her head, trying to avoid his gaze. She waited until he was pass by her. Taking in a deep breath, she quickly followed him secretly.

“Miss.” The receptionist called.

“Oh, I just want to go to the ladies room. I saw the sign.” She pointed to the sign with her finger, “Thank you.” Tiffany quickly answered, before Jaejoong disappeared from her sight.

She walked slowly, stalking him from behind. She was hiding behind a couple who was walking in front of her. She watched Jaejoong carefully, trying hard not to lose him, ‘Jaejoong didn’t take a lift so Mr. Kim’s room must be in this floor or in the second floor.’ She said to herself.

Jaejoong opened the room number 108 & closed the door after that. Just as Tiffany reached the corridor near the room 108 & was about to walk past it, not sure what she was going to do next, the door opened again. She quickly hid herself behind the pillar. Her heart was beating fast, her pulses were racing & her cheeks felt warm, “Oh, god.” She muttered, under her breath. Was this how criminal felt? But she wasn’t a criminal. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Why did she felt like she was a criminal?

Tiffany saw a stunning, beautiful & elegant middle-aged lady come out from the room, “She must be Mr. Kim’s wife, Jaejoong’s mother.” She mumbled to herself. The lady seemed to go to the south wing direction. She saw a sign saying cafe there. She sighed in relief, “It would take more than three minutes to have morning tea there.” She assured herself, ‘However, that monster hadn’t come out yet! Come on Kim Jaejoong! You’d better come out!’ Her heart cried out, waiting patiently for the door to be opened.

Within five seconds, the door opened & Jaejoong walked towards the same direction as his mother. She watched as mother & son walked away & headed for the south door, ‘God is helping me!’ She screamed out, inside her heart happily. She almost ran to go inside the room 108 after she checked around to make sure there wasn’t nobody around the area.

Flinging her bag over her shoulder, she turned the doorknob slowly. She grimaced as she felt the slick of sweat on her palm. She could also feel her heart beating faster than ever & there she was, inside Mr. Kim’s vip room. Mr. Kim was sleeping peacefully. He was breathing steadily. Tiffany stared at him gently while putting a bouquet of white lilies on the table. She watched the screen which was monitoring his pulses, “I’m sorry, Mr. Kim.” She whispered into his ear, “You have to be alright soon. We still have so many things to talk about.” She reached out her hand to hold his hand tenderly.

Mr. Kim didn’t wake up.

Tiffany kept patting his hand while staring at him warmly. He was handsome even though half of his hair had turned grey, “No wonder mom was madly in love with him.” She told herself, grinning.

“Who are you, young lady?” A sudden harsh voice jolted Tiffany from her wandering mind.

She turned her head & went paled instantly.

On the doorway, there were two people standing & staring at her. Jaejoong & his mother. Her heart stopped, ‘Oh, god.’

There was a pregnant silence for a few seconds before Jaejoong broke it. He cleared his throat loudly.

Tiffany opened to say who she was but suddenly, she was swept by alarm from Jaejoong’s eyes, “I...I…” She stammered.

“Hi Miyoung. Nice to have you here.” Jaejoong tried to smile, even though his face was pale. He didn’t expect Tiffany would visit his father & the worst thing was that she met his mother. He gazed at Tiffany’s hand which was still holding his father’s hand tightly. He closed his eyes in sudden despair, taking in a deep breath secretly. He had to do something.

Tiffany stood up & was speechless. She didn’t know what to say, ‘Miyoung? Did he call me Miyoung? How did he know my Korean name?’ She asked herself, ‘But it might be coincidence.’ She thought.

“Miyoung. I should’ve picked you up this morning but sorry I was in a rush.” Jaejoong said, to her again. His eyes stared at her deeply, giving her a warning look to join with his lie in front of his mother.

Tiffany raised her eyebrow puzzlingly but Jaejoong had already stood next to her. With his jaw set grimly, he took her hand & brought her to his mother.

“This is Miyoung, mom. My...My.” He paused, controlling his wavering breath, “My friend.”

A smile slowly curve onto Mrs. Kim’s lips. She reached out her hand, “Nice to meet you, Miyoung. I didn’t know you’re Jaejoong’s friend. Sorry for my rude greeting words. I thought you were some