Naeun-Office clerk, apply. Customer service, apply. Kindergarten teacher? No way, I don't like kids

Saeun-What are you doing?

Naeun's sister, Saeun came to lie next to her on the bed. She saw Naeun browsing to Job Center website, applying for as many jobs as possible

Saeun-Why are you applying for a new job?
Naeun-As you can see, my cafe has closed down today
Saeun-What? Without notice beforehand?
Naeun-Yup! But I cannot say anything though

Saeun Naeun's back gently. She buried her face in the mattress, wagging her legs and hands in frustration

Naeun-Ah I'm so doomed! I'm so doomed!

Pap!

Naeun accidentally pressed the enter button. When she looked up, she already applied for a Caretaker position and confirmed the application

Naeun-Mwoya? Oh no. What did I do?!
Saeun-A position as a Caretaker. Is it like a babysitter?
Naeun-No way! I cannot be a babysitter, I don't know how to handle kids!

Saeun-Cancel. Quick!

Before Naeun could press the cancel button, an email came in

Congratulations! You are accepted to work as a Caretaker at Kim Jongsun house. Please press the YES button to confirm

Naeun-What?
Saeun-You got the job
Naeun-No way. Go back! Go back!
Saeun-You can't. When you applied through Job Center, you cannot apply for new job within 6 months after you are accepted

Naeun-Aish why am I so unlucky today?!

Naeun whined devastatedly. But she had no choice. She could not stay jobless for the whole 6 months

Naeun-Okay, just 6 months. Let's do this!

***

Kim Jongsun's house 

Ding! Dong!

Someone came to open the door. Naeun greeted the middle-aged woman nicely

Naeun-Hello, I am Son Naeun
Suah-Hello beautiful lady. I am Suah. Come in
Naeun-Thanks

Naeun followed the owner of the house to the living room. She already prepared drinks for them. Jongsun was also there

Jongsun-You are the girl who applied for the Caretaker position?
Naeun-Yes

'But not really'

Naeun's mind spoke

Jongsun-You are young. Do you think you can do a good job?
Naeun-Yes, of course. Even though I don't have experience handling kids but, I have a five-year-old nephew so I think I can do a good job

Naeun said confidentally. Jongsun and Suah laughed. Naeun frowned. Why?

Suah-But this 'baby' is 20 years older than your nephew. Will you be able to do it?
Naeun-What?!

20 years older? So this was not baby sitting but... Adult sitting? That sounded weird

Suah brought Naeun to the second floor to meet her son

Suah-Kai, your caretaker is here

No answer from the man named Kai. Suah opened the door and Naeun followed her into the room

She saw a guy in a wheelchair at the balcony

Now she knew why they needed a caretaker for their adult son

Kai had Quadriplegia after involving in a padeatrian-motorcycle accident two years ago

Suah left the two of them in the room. Kai turned his wheelchair around. And for the first time, they made eye contact

Naeun gulped and looked away

Kai-Why? Is it funny to see someone disable?
Naeun-Pardon?
Kai-I know, I know. You don't have to pretend. You can laugh miss...
Naeun-Naeun
Kai-What ever

Naeun-Hmm. What ever too

Naeun went into the bathroom to get a basin of water and towel. She came out and started doing her job, wiping every cabinet they had in this room and later tidied it up

Kai watched Naeun in amuse. She said 'What ever too'? Wow

Kai-Excuse me, did you say 'What ever too'?
Naeun-I did. Because I don't understand what nonsense you were talking about. Laugh at you? You don't have the face for a joke

Kai chuckled hilariously. He rolled the wheels, approaching Naeun. He took the glass vase and purposely dropped it to the floor

Naeun-Ya!
Kai-Opps

He smirked and strolled out of his room. Naeun bit down at her lip angrily

Naeun-What is wrong with him?! Oh my God, calm down Naeun. Calm down. In, out. In, out. Okay, get back to work. Some customers broke the cups too. It's fine

Naeun collected the broken glass and dumped it out. Then she resumed her work. Thankfully Kai didn't bother her for the rest of her day

***

Time passed quickly and it was Naeun's third month at work. Kai constantly annoying her but she was very good at playing nonchalant

Maid-Naeun sshi, Young Master has a guest at the moment
Naeun-Oh really? Okay, I will prepare his meds first then

Naeun went to the kitchen to sort out Kai's supplements and medicines

Naeun-Ahjumma, how long does Kai need to take all these medicines?
Maid-*sighed* For the rest of his life
Naeun-Really?! That is... Bad

Somehow Naeun's heart broke. She never met someone who had to take these much of medicines to support his life. Just to breath in the morning until night

Naeun took the tray full of medicines to the second floor. She waited in front of the door

"Myungsoo and I are getting married"

Naeun heard a girl's voice speaking to Kai. Her name is Krystal

Kai-Oh. Congratulations both of you
Myungsoo-*sighed* The occasion is in Hawaii. How I wish you could be there during our wedding
Kai-It's totally fine. You have my... blessings

Krystal-I know you would

Krystal gave Kai a friendly hug. After a few while, Krystal and Myungsoo left. Naeun bowed at both of them before entering Kai's room

Naeun-Sir your med..

Kai-Argh!!!

Kai screamed angrily. Before Naeun could do anything he already pushed everything on the cabinet and they fell to the floor, broken and scattered

Naeun-Oh my God, Kai stop! What are you doing?!

Kai-Damn it! Everyone is a fake! I hate everyone!

Naeun-Kai!

Kai-Shut up!

Kai threw a frame towards Naeun and it hit her head

Naeun-Aw!

The tray fell to the plywood and the pills scattered on the floor, rolling and went missing under the bed and drawer

Naeun felt something sticky rolling down from her forehead. She touched it and...

Naeun-Blood

Kai gulped. He felt deeply guilty for what he did to Naeun

Jongsun-What is going on?!
Suah-Oh my goodness, Naeun! Are you okay?
Naeun-Yy.. Yes

Naeun glared at Kai before Suah pulled he out of the room

Kai-Naeun!

Jongsun-You threw this frame at someone?
Kai-Dad, I...
Jongsun-What happened this time Kim Jongin?

Kai looked down to the floor, biting his lip hard. He was a dumb

Kitchen

Naeun-Aw!
Maid-Sorry, I will be more gentle

Naeun nodded

Suah crossed her arms together and shook her head. She was embarrassed with Naeun after what Kai did

Suah-I am so sorry Naeun. Kai can be out of control sometimes
Naeun-It's okay

Suah-I don't know why Myungsoo and Krystal have to come all the way here to tell Kai about their wedding. They knew his condition

Jongsun-Suah! Come here for a while

Suah excused herself from the kitchen and went to Kai's room

Naeun-Hmm ahjumma, who are Krystal and Myungsoo?
Maid-Krystal was Young Master's girlfriend and Myungsoo is his bestfriend. After Young Master got into the accident, Krystal broke up with him right away and disappeared. But today she came back, saying she will be marrying Myungsoo

Naeun-Oh, I understand his heartbreak
Maid-But it doesn't mean he can throw something at you. Aigoo poor you Naeun shhi
Naeun-Hee, you are right

The next day

Naeun still came to work as usual but today she had a huge plaster on her forehead, thanks to Kai

Kai-Naeun?

Kai called but Naeun ignored him. He followed Naeun everywhere, calling her name but she only turned a dead ear

Kai-Naeun wait

Kai tailed Naeun out of his room. Naeun walked down the stairs to first floor. Kai couldn't follow her then

Kai-!

Kai returned to his room and waited for Naeun in his bed. He eventually fell asleep and three hours passed

Naeun came in with Kai's evening medicine. She felt relief when he was asleep. At least he wouldn't annoy the hell out of her

Naeun put the tray next to his bed and left. But Kai held her hand and pulled Naeun down until she sat on the edge of the mattress

Naeun-Mwoya?! *angry
Kai-Are you going to ignore me too? Just like everyone else?

Naeun swallowed down her saliva. Kai sat up on his bed, resting his back on the bedpost

He was still holding Naeun's hand as if he would not let go

Kai-I am sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to throw the frame at you
Naeun-Good that you know
Kai-Do you forgive me?
Naeun-Not that easy

Kai-What do you want me to do?
Naeun-I don't know yet. I need something... Hard to get, expensive and limited edition

Chup!

Kai pecked Naeun's lips out of the blue. She went 😳

Naeun-Wh.. What did you do?!
Kai-That is something hard to get, expensive and limited edition. You just got it. So, you forgive me now?
Naeun-Ya?! Are you crazy?! Ugh you are so annoying *glared* Ugh! Take your meds by yourself

Naeun stomped out of Kai's room. He chuckled

Skip!

Naeun came down from the second floor. She saw Kai and Suah were talking at the backyard

Naeun-Ahjumma, I will go home first
Maid-Okay, be careful Naeun sshi

Naeun went to take her hand bag and left

Suah-You still do not change your mind about ending your life?

Naeun stopped abruptly. She turned to look at Kai and Suah direction, eavesdropping to their conversations

Kai-*shook* No
Suah-But Jongin... I thought you really changed your mind
Kai-What makes you thing so?
Suah-Son Naeun

Kai swallowed the lump in his throat. He looked away from his mother

Suah-You are so happy around her. You started to talk, laugh and joke again after you met her
Kai-How does it make a big difference to you?
Suah-What?
Kai-Maybe she can make me do all that but not this

Kai pointed at his legs

Kai-She cannot make me walk again. Nobody can
Suah-Oh my God dear. You need to let it go. You know you can never get your legs the same way again
Kai-And that is why I can never change my mind again. I will still perform the Dignitas
Suah-Oh my God Jongin 

Suah cried

Kai-Two months from now. As I wished, as you promised

Naeun's house

Saeun-Oh, Naeun unnie you...

Naeun ran into her bedroom and slammed the door hard. Saeun frowned. She went into Naeun's room and saw her crying

Saeun-Unnie, why?
Naeun-Saeun ahh! Uhuk! *cried
Saeun-Yes why? Tell me. Are you fired again?
Naeun-No. Kai... Kai, he..
Saeun-Why? Is he ill?

Naeun-He plans to end his life with Dignitas
Saeun-Oh my Lord
Naeun-What should I do? Uhuk!

Saeun hugged Naeun tightly, her back

Naeun-I don't want to lose him Saeun ahh
Saeun-Aigoo... You must be attached to him so much
Naeun-What should I do now?

Saeun-I know. First, stop crying

Naeun tried to stop crying. She wiped away her tears

Saeun-You can try talking to him
Naeun-Will he listen?
Saeun-You need to convince him. You have to make he feels his life is worth to keep. You have to lift up his spirit

Naeun-He is in despair because he cannot get his legs again
Saeun-Then make him forget about his legs. You have to make him feel worth even he cannot walk. His life does not depend on his legs

Naeun nodded at Saeun. She would do it. She would make Kai change his mind

***

Kai-A walk at Han River?
Suah-Hmm. Naeun wants to take you there
Kai-Why out of sudden?
Suah-Why not? The weather is good today

Naeun-Hello Mrs Kim!

Suah-There she is. Oh, Naeun ahh!
Naeun-Are we ready to go sir?

Kai nodded at Naeun. She walked behind him and pushed the wheelchair

Naeun-We will be back before night
Suah-Okay. Be careful

Skip!

Kai-Are you going to push me until we get there?
Naeun-Of course. We are almost there though

Kai-It's tiring right?
Naeun-What?
Kai-Pushing someone like me
Naeun-Hah! Do you think I'm just a woman? I did heavy-lifting a lot during my school time

Kai chuckled and Naeun heard it. She felt relief. It was a good start

Han River Park

Naeun-The weather is so good. Don't you think so?
Kai-Yes but I like being in my room
Naeun-Oh please. You should come out and enjoy life sometimes
Kai-Life? As if I have a life
Naeun-Of course you do. Everyone does

Kai-Why are you doing this?
Naeun-Do what?
Kai-This. Take me out, talk about life. Why?
Naeun-Because.. I just feel like it. Hmm, I will get us ice cream. Wait here

Naeun left Kai for a moment to buy ice creams. She came back with two cones

Kai-You over heard my conversations with my mom, right?

Naeun sighed before nodding her head

Naeun-Kai...
Kai-Stop it
Naeun-Why?!
Kai-You are nobody to stop me
Naeun-Oh really? Am I nobody to you all this time? Kai, we talked, we joked, we played together everyday
Kai-You are just my caretaker

Naeun-Kim Jongin!
Kai-Take me home. Now

Naeun obeyed

Kai's house

Kai-You want to resign?
Naeun-Yes. As of today, I am not your caretaker anymore
Kai-Naeun wait
Naeun-I don't want to get involved in your bull plan to suicide! I don't want to see someone I love die before my eyes! Let me go

Naeun pulled her hand off from Kai's grip and left

She ran into her room and cried while hugging her bolster. As usual, Saeun would come in and comforted her

Naeun-He said I am only his caretaker and I don't have to right to stop him. Oh my God Saeun, he will die. He still wants to do it. Uhuk!

Saeun hugged her sister until Naeun fell asleep

***

Naeun-I will be there now!

Naeun left her house immediately when she got a call from Kai's mother, Suah. She informed Kai fell in the bathroom and was still unconscious

Naeun-How is Kai?

Jongsun glanced at Suah before he sighed. Suah walked to Naeun and held her hand

Suah-Naeun, I'm sorry to say this
Naeun-Why?
Suah-We gave Kai the euthanasia

Naeun felt her breath stuck in her chest. It was too painful to even swallow her own saliva

Suah-He only has a couple of ten minutes
Naeun-I want to see him
Jongsun-Sure

Naeun felt weak when she saw Kai lying in his bed. He opened his eyes when Naeun sat beside him in the bed

Kai-Naeun, you come
Naeun-Yes *sobbed* Oh my God. It is so hard for me to see you like this

Kai-I know right? But it is harder for me
Naeun-Oh dear

Naeun hugged Kai and cried on his shoulder

Naeun-You must be tired because I took you out yesterday. I'm sorry
Kai-No, I had a lot of fun. The ice cream tasted delicious too
Naeun-Uhuk! *cried* I'm sorry for yelling at you
Kai-Naeun, look at me please

Naeun pulled away from their hug so she could look into Kai's eyes

Kai-You just didn't understand what I had been through. That was why you thought you could help me change my mind

Kai brushed Naeun's hair that covered her face

Kai-You prepare my medicines every day so you can see how painful it is for me to swallow those pills at morning and night. I cannot depend on them for the rest of my life. My body gets weaker every single day. Sometimes I cannot move my hands. This is not because I give up Naeun. This is because there is nothing I can do anymore

Naeun-Oh God.. I'm sorry I cannot be much of help. I really hoped I could be a reason for you to stay alive
Kai-You can't. But you were the reason I wanted to wake up every morning in the past six months. You are best thing that happens to me in 25 years. I am glad you are a part of my story before I died

Kai held both of Naeun's hands and kissed the back side of her palms

Kai-Son Naeun, I love you
Naeun-I love you too Kim Jongin. And I will stay with you until the very end
Kai-You will?

Naeun nodded. She leant closer to Kai and kissed his lips

Kai smiled in between their kiss. It already felt like heaven

Kai-Don't be sad Son Naeun

And that was his last wish

The End 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: THIS CHAPTER IS AN ADAPTATION FROM A NOVEL 'ME BEFORE YOU' BY JOJO MOYES

20/6/2020