A/N: Go back to Chapter 116 if you have not read it :)

Haneul’s POV

I stood up the moment I saw my friend.

“How is he?” I asked.

“He’s fine. But I put him on a drip because he was dizzy. He’s asleep now.” He said.

“How much blood did you draw from him this time?” I asked.

“Four.” He said.

“Ack~” I felt the pain even thou I wasn’t the one.

“Here are the results from the previous test. You may want to take a look.” He handed me a file.

“Thanks.” I took the file from him.

“I’ll go get these tested now. Erm.. In about three hours, the results would be out.” He said.

“HUH!? SO FAST!?” I shouted.

“Shhh~” He frowned.

“Sorry. I mean, are you sure?” I asked.

“How long did you expect it to take? Three weeks? The longer the duration doesn’t mean the results would be more accurate.” He said.

I nodded and sighed.

“Don’t sulk. In any case, the result comes back positive, we can start treatment on him.” He said.

I nodded.

“I’ll do the tests personally, alright?” He said.

“Thanks.” I smiled.

I entered the room. Junhyung was asleep. I walked over to him and put my stuff down gently.

“It’s painful eh?” I whispered, touching the plaster on his forearm.

I sat down beside him, reading the results as he slept.

I left the file aside and lean in closer to him.

“You’ll be fine.” I said, touching his cheek.

The corner of his lips curled up and he opened his eyes slowly.

“Is my skin still smooth?” He asked.

“No. Feels like the bark of the tree.” I said.

“How come you’re so different when I am asleep and awake?” He asked.

“Because you’re different too.” I said.

“Aww~” He pouted slightly, trying to push himself up.

“Don’t.” I said, pushing him back down.

“Just lie down.” I said.

“Your wish is my command.” He said.

“Shut up.” I covered the blanket over his head.

He pulled the blanket down and stuck his tongue out at me.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

He stared at me, not answering my question.

“Yah! I’m talking to you.” I pushed his shoulder slightly.

He continued to stare at me.

“What!?” I yelled.

He pointed at his mouth.

“Aghhh! Alright, talk!” I said.

“No. I’m not hungry.” He smiled.

“Want some water?” I asked.

He nodded.

I poured him a cup of water and helped him to sit up. I handed him the cup, but he did not take it.

“Why?” I asked.

“Both my hands are weak.” He pouted.

I glared at him.

“Alright, alright.” He sighed.

“Owwww~” He whined when he raised his left hand.

His right hand dropped limply on his lap when he tried to raise it.

I watch him ‘perform’ pitifully.

“Here, use a straw.” I said.

I put the cup on the table and pushed it close to him.

He looked at me, and then tried to drink, but apparently, the straw kept moving away. I knew what he wanted me to do, but I never knew he would be that desperate.

“Anyone told you that you’re a natural actor?” I asked.

I threw the straw away and pushed the table aside. I held the cup to his mouth for him to drink.

“I wasn’t acting! It really hurts! See!” He raised both his hands and they dropped limply on his lap again.

I just smiled and nodded.

“You don’t trust me?” He asked.

“Of course I trust you!” I said.

“Are we going back?” He asked.

“The doctor said the results would be out in three hours.” I said.

“So fast?” He mumbled, looking down.

I put my hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll be here.” I said.

He nodded and smiled.

Just then, the door flew open.

“JUNHYUNG!!!” They yelled.

Junhyung rolled his eyes but quickly flashed a smile.

“Hi guys, I thought I said not to come?” He asked.

“We were worried!” Yoseob said, sitting on the bed.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked, touching the plaster on Junhyung’s arm lightly.

“It’s alright.” I said.

“Why are you on this?” Doojoon asked, looking at the drip.

“He was dizzy just now, so the doctor put him on it.” I explained.

“How much blood did they take this time?” Yoseob asked, pouting a little.

“Four.” I said.

He looked like he was going to cry.

“It’s not your blood, Seob ah~” Junhyung .

“But we’re brothers! I’ll feel your pain! We all would!” He said.

“Alright, alright.” Junhyung hushed him.

I watch them crowd around Junhyung, talking and laughing as thou it was just any normal chat. They had the ability to lighten any mood, in which I think it was pretty good. Or maybe it was just something every celebrity had to do. I excused myself quietly. I headed downstairs to buy some drinks for them.

“As ninja as ever.” I jumped up when I felt a hand grab my shoulder.

Doojoon smiled at me.

“Yah! You scared me!” I frowned.

“You scared us for three years. What is three seconds?” He smiled.

“What do you mean I scared you all for three years?” I asked.

“For the past three years, we all thought you were dead.” He said.

“Again~” I mumbled.

“You don’t want to know how Junhyung lived the three years you were gone. It was like he woke up and you just disappeared.” He said.

“I woke up and Junhyung disappeared too.” I said.

He kept quiet.

“I mean, I’m sorry. I didn’t know for the past three years I appeared dead to you all. I really didn’t know.” I said.

“You didn’t?” He asked.

“I didn’t stage it.” I said, taking a bottle of Coke.

“Coke?” He asked.

“Junhyung.” I said.

“You still remember.” He smiled.

“How can I forget?” I mumbled.

“Whatever it is, when we found out you were alive, we were head over heels. I hope, you’re here to stay.” He said.

“Where can I go?” I asked.

“I heard you have a kid.” He said softly.

I looked at him and smiled.

“I am asking too much, am I?” He said.

I shrugged my shoulders. He insisted to pay for the drinks.

“At least let me hold it.” I said.

“No.” He said.

“Yah!” I slapped his arm.

“Still as fierce. Okay, hold this.” He handed me the bottle of Coke.

“Why this!?” I asked.

“Hold it!” He forced it into my hand.

Junhyung’s eyes widened when he saw me holding the bottle of Coke. His smile was so wide people would think he just found a million bucks on the floor.

“Coke!!!!!!!!!!!!” He exclaimed, stretching out his hand.

“It’s mine.” I .

“Ayeee don’t lie! You only drink Coke Light or Coke Zero!” He said.

“I changed, can’t I?” I asked.

He frowned and pouted.

“Give it to me!” He pleaded.

“No.” I said.

The others just laughed, enjoying our show.

“Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!” He pleaded.

I took a cup and poured very little in.

“It’s not even 5ml!!” He protested.

“Take it or leave it.” I said.

He grabbed the cup and drank whatever I gave.

“Are you that desperate?” I laughed.

“Stop teasing him!” The boys laughed.

I put the bottle of Coke in front of him.

“Yours.” I said.

He took the bottle and hugged it as thou it was gold.

“I thought I had to wait until I go back to Korea to drink this!” He said dramatically.

“Yah~ What do you take Kenya for? There is luxury too okay.” I said.

“Of course. I’ll never forget that … OUCH!” I pinched his arm before he could spill whatever he was going to spill.

“Forget what?” Hyunseung asked.

The boys looked at us curiously. I glared at Junhyung. He kept mouthing ‘sorry’.

“Is there something we don’t know?” Dongwoon asked.

“No.” Junhyung said.

Junhyung looked at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

“You two are hiding something! SPILL!” Yoseob shouted.

“I… I.. We…” Junhyung stuttered.

“Haneul…” He tugged my shirt.

“Tsk! Tell, tell, tell! Aghh!” I stood at the corner with my arms crossed.

Junhyung told them everything. I thought they would get angry, but surprisingly they laughed.

“Haneul! Really!? 5 star hotel just for him to rest!? Oh my god!” Kikwang clapped.

“You’re still as sweet, aren’t you? I’m sure if it was any of us, we wouldn’t get such treatment. Psh~” Hyunseung said.

“It’s not that.” I said embarrassingly.

Junhyung looked down, smiling to himself.

“So! What else did you all do in the hotel!?” Yoseob suddenly asked.

Both Junhyung and I froze.

“NOTHING!” We said in unison.

“Ayeeee~ Don’t lie!” Doojoon said.

“Look at their faces! So red! Stop asking!” Hyunseung teased.

Junhyung just kept giggling. I found myself smiling slightly too.

They were bombarding Junhyung with a lot of questions like how the hotel looked like and what we did etc, as if we went on a one week holiday.

“Hello?” I answered my phone.

“Shhh shhh~” Doojoon shushed the boys.

Junhyung’s POV

“Alright, I’m coming.” We heard Haneul say.

When she hung up the call, she forced a smile at us.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Your result is out.” She said.

“And…?” I asked.

“I’m going to get it.” She said.

“Alright.” I said.

She stood there, looking at me.

“Why?” I asked.

“Do you want to get it yourself?” She asked.

I shook my head.

“You’ll get it.” I smiled.

“I’ll be back quick.” She said.

I nodded.

After she left, the boys looked at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You’ll be fine.” Doojoon squeezed my shoulder.

They sat around the bed, no one said anything.

About twenty minutes later, the door burst open. Haneul was crying as she ran towards me. She pushed passed the boys and threw herself onto me, hugging me really tightly.

“What is it?” I caressed her back lightly.

The boys and I exchanged glances.

“Is something wrong?” I asked her.

She didn’t respond to me. She just kept crying.

Was it another positive? I guess this is my fate. The boys looked away. They must have had the same thoughts as I do.

 “It’s alright.” I said, trying to calm her down.

She finally collected herself after fifteen minutes of crying. She looked at me. I touched her swollen eyes lightly.

“Thank you!” She broke into a smile with tears still flowing.

“Huh?” I looked at her blankly.

“Thank you for being okay! Thank you so much!” She exclaimed.

“I… I am okay?” I asked.

She nodded frantically.

“Then why are you crying!?” I asked.

“I’m too happy!” She started crying all over again.

“HANEUL AH!!! NEXT TIME CRY LATER!” Dongwoon yelled, wiping his tears.

“WHAT NEXT TIME!?” Hyunseung smacked his head.

“I’m really okay?” I asked her again.

She nodded and hugged me tight.

I ought to feel extremely happy, but at that point of time, I didn’t feel anything. It felt so unreal.

“I’m not dreaming, am I?” I asked.

“No! You’re not!” She pinched my cheeks.

“Ouch~ Oh God..” I hugged her, crying my eyes out.

We were a crying and laughing bunch. Everything happened so quickly I couldn’t digest. A miracle could actually happen on someone twice? The first time being able to meet Haneul again, second time being this.

“But you have to take good care of yourself alright. You cannot let yourself fall sick. Your immune system is on the weak side.” She said.

I nodded.

We thanked the doctor before heading back. The other volunteers congratulated me when they heard about the results. I was so busy thanking them that I didn’t even realize Haneul wasn’t with me anymore. I looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. During dinner, she wasn’t even there.

“Have you all seen Skye?” I asked.

“I saw her heading outside just now.” One of them said.

“Out? To where?” I asked.

“Her usual perhaps.” He said.

“Usual?” I asked.

“Yeap~ To the open area behind.” He pointed.

“Open area?” I looked behind.

***

“Go look for her.” Doojoon said.

“Hmm?” I looked at him.

“Your neck is going to break at this rate you’re stretching it.” He said.

“Maybe she wants to be alone.” I said.

“Well, if she says that, then you can come back.” He said.

I nodded and ran off.

True enough, I found her sitting on the grass patch in the open field.

“You ninja.” I said into her ear as I sat down beside her.

“Eh! Why are you here!?” She was obviously startled by my presence.

“Then why are you here?” I asked.

“This is my place.” She said.

“You bought it?” I asked.

“No, but it’s mine.” She said.

“So can I sit?” I asked.

“Erm.. Okay~” She smiled.

“Why are you sitting alone?” I asked.

“Just thinking.” She said.

“About what? You even skipped dinner, again.” I said.

“A lot of stuff.” She mumbled.

“Just thinking… What if.. You know.. If things were bad…” She said softly.

“You were never one who thinks so much. What happened to you?” I asked.

“I guess as we get older, we can’t stop worrying?” She said.

“You’re still too young to be thinking so much!” I said.

“Right. As compared to you, I’m still too young.” She laughed.

“Yah! It’s just a year difference! No! I’m a December baby! It’s a matter of months!” I said.

“But looks wise… You look about.. erm… 35?” She said.

“Thirty… WHAT!? Thirty five!? YAH!!! ARE YOU BLIND!?” I grabbed her.

She pushed me and I fell backwards. She seemed pretty taken aback.

“SEE! YOU CAN’T EVEN BALANCE YOURSELF! ARE YOU THAT FRAIL!?” She laughed, pulling me up.

“Remember your promise to me?” I asked.

“What?” She looked at me.

“Answers to my three questions.” I said.

She sighed and nodded.

“Okay. What is it?” She asked, showing the number one with her finger.

“Are you married?” I asked.

She laughed and shook her head.

“No!” She laughed.

I sighed in relieve.

“Seriously? You are asking me something like this? You’re wasting your questions.” She said.

I stared at her and she covered , showing me ‘two’ with her fingers.

“The girl… You said she’s your daughter. Whose kid does she belong to? Is she… Mine? Or Jace?” I asked.

“That’s three questions in one!” She yelled.

I frowned at her.

“But okay, this time I’ll answer.” She said.

“She’s not yours. Seriously Junhyung, do you think it is possible? It’s not like we did it many times.” She mumbled the last line.

My heart sank. If the girl isn’t mine, then… Jace?

“And, neither does she belong to Jace.” She said.

Now I am confused.

“Then who?” I asked.

“That’s like the fourth question in one already!” She protested.

“JUST ANSWER ME!” I shouted.

“I don’t know!” She said.

“What do you mean by you don’t know!?” I yelled.

“How can you not know who is the father of the child!?” I was close to tears.

“I really don’t, alright! Now, last one!” She shouted.

I looked down. I didn’t know how to continue asking. I am so confused now.

“Are you going to ask or not!?” She said, frustrated.

“Asking you to be with me again now is too much. But… Will you consider me again?” I asked.

She looked at me.

“Would you?” I asked.

“I….” She said.

“Do I stand another chance?” I asked.

“I… don’t know.” She said softly.

I expected this answer, but I still couldn’t control myself from hurting. Plus the answer to the previous question, it just hurts double.

“Let’s go.” I said, wiping my tears.

“You need to get something to eat.” I said.

“I cannot give you a definite answer now. But I promise you, I’ll think about it, and I’ll tell you my answer soon.” She said.

I nodded, back facing her.

“Before we leave Kenya, I promise you’ll have my answer.” She said.

Before we leave Kenya, that means it’s next weekend.

“Okay.” I mumbled, turning to her.

“Can you make me some ‘Seungho’?” She asked, pouting slightly.

Aww, that pout~

“Sure. What colour do you want him to be?” I asked.

“Can you transform him into a brown bear? Like rilakkuma?” She asked.

“Mmm okay! He needs a tan anyway. Like this his dark circles wouldn’t be so obvious!” I said.

“You need a tan too.” She said.

“Why!? I’m tanned enough! After coming here, I’m like three shades darker!” I stretched out my arms.

“True.” She said.

“It’s you who needs it I guess! You’ve been in and out here for three years and you’re just getting fairer!” I yelled.

“I’m naturally fair! Got issues with that!?” She yelled.

“No!” I said.

We continued yelling at each other all the way back.

Whatever her answer is, I hope we still can remain like this.

***
Junnie when the boys and Haneul about their hotel stay

Junnie when Haneul pushed him. So frail~