: 

I C E  Q U E E N
 

Our originally one-day stay in Hong Kong was stretched into a three-day business trip due to Yeona’s condition. She was asked by the doctor to get a whole day's rest so she could fully recover.

So, in the end, she was told to miss the Governor’s event which Nami reported to Mr. Kwon’s secretary right away. The meeting was postponed to the day after tomorrow as well.

I was sure her parents called her but Mrs. Kwon called me separately to further check on her. She also told me how stubborn her daughter could be when sick and asked me to extend as much patience as needed. I only let out a laugh at her remark as I already had a first-hand experience of that stubbornness earlier. 

In fact, I had not seen her since she woke up as I mostly stayed in the living room after I left her room as soon as the doctor was done checking on her. A nurse was checking on her from time to time and Nami also came to visit her earlier in the afternoon.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

10:13 PM

Truth be told, I was so tired. I did not get proper sleep the other night until now. And since we are staying overnight in a foreign land, I have to be extra cautious. Well, aside from the nurse and Nami, no one was allowed to enter the room. There were also several men guarding outside the suit and in the lobby. However, I could not let my guard down, so I stayed awake.

I was standing, hands in my pockets, while my eyes were on the view of the busy Hong Kong night when I heard someone getting out of Yeona’s room. Fully expecting that it was the Nurse, I turned around to check right away. However, to my surprise, it was Yeona. She was dressed in matching, satin, fuchsia pajamas. She still looked sick but not as pale as she was earlier.

She immediately found me staring at her and the next second she walked near my spot to look at the view outside.

“Is there anything you need?” I asked her.

She shook her head sideways.

“Why did you come out?” I added, darting my eyes at the view once more. “You should still be resting.”

“Please don’t treat me like a child Byun.” She added, there wasn’t any sarcasm in her tone. “I had been lying on the bed the whole day.”

I didn’t say anything. I knew now wasn’t the right time for our daily banter.

“You should sleep.” I heard her say the next second.

Not expecting that from her, I dart my attention in her direction. I waited for her to turn to me.

“You had not slept properly, right?” She went on when I didn’t reply. “I don’t want to be at risk of having a walking zombie as my bodyguard.”

She left her spot as soon as she finished what she was about to say. I turned to watch her leave until she got back to her room.

I was left alone as I blinked my eyes trying to think what just happened.

“Did she just come out just to tell me that?” I spaced out for a second. “She could’ve just told me to get some sleep,” I spoke. “She didn’t have to compare me to some horrendous character.” I trailed off as I turned to the view once more.

“She’s sick and all but she’s still mean.”

I could only smirk.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

I woke up at dawn the next morning. I took a shower and changed into clothes I asked one of my men to buy yesterday when Nami also went out to buy clothes for Yeona since no one expected we’d stay for a couple of more days.

Since Yeona and the rest were still asleep, I went to ask my men to buy breakfast so I and the rest of the security could eat a meal before things get busy.

Later that day, as I was seated in the living room, I noticed Yeona walking out of her room looking a lot better than yesterday. It seemed like she had already taken a shower and changed into new clothes as well. She was wearing a plain white sleeveless dress that reached a few inches below her knees. Her long hair flawlessly falls down her back looking smooth.

It was just then I realized that she was heading in my direction and had a laptop in her hand. As soon as she reached the living room, she sat across from me, her laptop, and started typing. Is she working?

“The nurse went home earlier.” I could not help but ask as I stared at her expressionless face, her attention on her screen. “How do you feel?”

“I’m fine.” She replied briefly, not paying me a single glance. “So, her services won’t be needed anymore.” She added in a matter-of-fact tone.

She wasn’t wearing any make-up and it was one of the rarest times I get to see her bare face. Honestly, I liked her more without any makeup. Her ice-cold aura is somehow toned down. 

“You haven’t eaten yet,” I stated turning to the untouched food on the dining table that was supposed to be her breakfast. “Yet you’re already working.”

She stopped typing and tilted her head up to look at me for the first time. I expected her to say something sarcastic but she only exchanged looks with me and held our gazes for a few seconds before she darted her attention back to her screen.

“I don’t have an appetite.” She spoke in a dismissive tone.

I only stayed there for about five more minutes before I left my spot to give her space. I was feeling a bit generous and merciful, so I decided to spare her from any form of annoyance today.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Later that afternoon, after I asked Nami if Yeona had eaten, she said that she barely touched her food for lunch. Again, it somehow stressed me out that she wasn’t eating when she was supposed to. What is with this woman? But then again, it must be because of the illness and the treatment. 

“What do I do?” Nami looked worried as if asking for help. “My father’s birthday is this weekend, I have to go back to Seoul for his birthday.”

I get her, she must be concerned that the trip with be extended due to Yeona’s condition.

“I’ll go check on her,” I said. 

"Thanks." She replied before she left the room. 

I walked to Yeona's room and knocked on her door before I came in.

She was standing right next to the wall where the curtains were drawn as she looked at the view outside. Sensing my presence, she darted her attention to me, arms crossed in front of her chest while she anticipated for me to say something.

“I know a good restaurant,” I spoke right away. “I'm sure it will jumpstart your appetite.”

“So, you’re here to nag me about not eating again?” She asked, of course, with the littlest hint of sarcasm. “Let me guess, my mom asked you again.”

I smirked at her remark. Of course, it's not Yeona without her sarcasm. 

“Yup.” I nodded. “So, I would appreciate it if you can be a little cooperative and not prolong my babysitting job any longer.” I went on with a shrug. "I'm supposed to be a bodyguard after all."

She looked displeased by my answer, turning away to look at the view once more. I waited for her to say something but she remained quiet as I stood there, the silence slowly becoming awkward. I sighed. 

“You know,” I opened my mouth to speak. “I don’t think it will hurt if you try to listen to others.”

“Stop bossing me around Byun Baekhyun.” She answered briefly, giving me a displeased look.

I didn’t like it. I didn't like how she took my words differently. So, I'm bossing her around?

I scoffed at her conclusion.

“I’m simply trying to get food down to your stomach after you passed out yesterday and you consider it bossing you around?” I shook my head sideways. “That is so twisted.”

She didn’t say anything, didn’t even bother looking at me.

Dammit, she’s so ing stubborn.

I must leave before my neck hurts due to the stress brought on by her stubbornness. And just like that, I made a step and left my spot. However, just a few steps away from her when I remembered Nami’s concern.

“I am going to have food delivered,” I told her anyway.

She remained unmoving, ignoring me.

“Make sure to eat it, I don’t want to stay here another day just because you passed out again…” I trailed off as I watched her turn to me. “And in case you have the slightest care for the people working for you, Nami’s father is expecting her to be home for his birthday this weekend.”

With that, I left her.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Well, long story short, it turned out that she ate.

At least, I could get a good night’s sleep not having to wonder if she’d eaten or not.  

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

The next day.

Her rescheduled meeting took place at 9 AM.

Her meeting lasted for about two and a half hours. So, at around 1 PM, I was already following her out of the building. She walked in front of me, clad in a creamed-colored suit and heels. One thing about Kwon Yeona is that her presence is a head-turner. That was why whenever she was out in public, I and my men should be extra keen and alert.

We headed back to her suit where she ate lunch. While I also had mine, I asked my men to take turns guarding so they could also eat.

Our flight back to Seoul is at 9 PM, so we have plenty of time to spare. Which explains why, we have to go somewhere in an hour. The truth was, I expected her to go shopping or something because that was what most filthy rich heiress do. That was why I was a bit surprised when she told me that she was going to go to an ice skating rink. 

"Do you feel that better to be skating already?" I was curious.

"If this is part of your babysitting questionnaire, then yes. I feel absolutely fine now." She answered before she left.

"Damn, that woman is one of a kind," I told myself, shaking my head as I turned around to check the address of the rink on my phone. 

As part of the SOP, as soon as I got the address, I asked my men to double-check the floorplan of the area.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

4:23 PM

I stood next to Yeona while she sat on one of the chairs as she fixed her skates. Nami was next to her, holding Yeona’s purse. We watched the people skating in the huge ice rink. There were a few kids, and teenagers, and the rest were women.

“Should