Every time YoungSaeng felt down, frustrated, or lonely he would watch the video of Mina singing.  Maknae had sent him the video with the caption 'you should have been there'.  She had refused to sing at the karaoke bar and she really sang well once she got her confidence.  He wondered why that song, it was really old.  He watched the video over and over, studying her face.  He could almost see her blushing.  There came a point when she had finally become confident and he could tell she was no longer looking at the audience, but it seemed she had withdrawn into herself.  She wore a serene almost wistful smile.  YoungSaeng couldn't help recall their conversation about unrequited love.  Obviously, she still had feelings for the guy.  Why else would she sing such a song?  "Why can't he see, how blind can he be?"  Though she had said she came to Seoul for adventure and to meet idols, he wondered if it wasn't also due to heartache.  Or could she have met the guy here, in Seoul?  Korean guys could be jerks to foreign women, only wanting to play with them and dump them when they were tired or ready to settle down.  It made him angry all of a sudden to think that Mina could have been used in this manner.  A guy had to be blind indeed not to value her; she had the looks, the personality, and the intelligence to make any man happy.  They were just friends and he very much enjoyed spending time with her.  He sighed and couldn't help think of his own situation.  He shook his head and decided not to go there.  Ilana deserved happiness, it just hurt that he wasn't the one to make her happy.  "Mina-yang, we'll have to stick together to overcome this," he laughed at himself and then decided to text her.  He was currently taking a break from practice and would have to resume in fifteen minutes.

YoungSaeng:  Busy tomorrow?

Mina was completely focused on her screen and when her phone buzzed it made her jump.  "Aiish!"  Placing a hand on her chest to still her heartbeat, she picked up her phone.  She had forgiven the message sender of his willful neglect for her concern and now he decides to startle her with a text message when she was most focused on her work.

Mina:  Orabeoni nearly gave me a heart attack!  Pabo!  Too much work since anniversary, working tomorrow.

YoungSaeng read the message with amusement and disappointment.  Maknae was busy with the photo studio most weekends and actually, he was busy every day.  He knew training to be an idol would be hard work, but knowing and experiencing were two different things.  He needed a distraction to keep him sane.

YoungSaeng:  Mian for disturbing you.  Ah, Orabeoni was hoping to hang out tomorrow.  Mina can help me practice and Na will buy you dinner.  It's my turn.

Mina smiled at the response.  They had all been working so hard and were so busy; there was no time to stop and interview intern candidates.  Ilana was leaving in two weeks and they would lose their extra help.  Perhaps if she and Miri stayed late and took work home over the weekend, she could get away from coming in or at least leave early.  She decided to feel Ilana out and walked into her office.  "Are you okay?" Mina asked with concern as she saw Ilana digging her thumbs into the side of her head.

 - "Yes...just a bit of a headache.  I need to get away from the computer, but my husband won't let me go on location, so I'm stuck."  The three male employees at ILC-Seoul were almost never in the office.  Occasionally Soo JeonHeyeuk, their assistant architect stayed behind doing consultations, but mostly he was where TaeYoung was too busy to be.  Their building maintenance team, for it had grown, was also busy keeping all the buildings clean and maintained.  The least Ilana could do was all the busy work, while her team concentrated on producing the best product for their client.

 - "Just get over it," Mina said.   "We need you where you are and Jihoo is right in keeping you from the construction site.   You wouldn't be happy just staying in the office trailer."

 - "Tch...Whose side are you on?  And aren't we speaking too casually?"  If the two were alone they always spoke informally and mostly in English.

 - "Mollahyo sajangnim," Ilana rolled her eyes at her V.P.'s teasing.  "Anyway, something came up tomorrow, so...is it okay if I only come in for a few hours?"

 - "Mina-ssi knows as long as you get the job done, I don't care.  Ara Mina works hard; it's evident by our success."

  - "Deh, but when Sajangnim is here, she works twice as hard as we do."

 - "Ahniya!  In fact, I have to meet my voice teacher at the conservatory later, so I'm leaving early. "

 - "I thought Jihoo and JungMin were your vocal coaches?"

 - "Deh...hajiman it's harder to hold my notes with HaEun getting bigger."  Ilana caressed her bump with a smile.   "I also get a bit lightheaded on the high notes."

 - "Is your new coach helping?"

 - "Jeogeumyo (A little)."

 - "Ilana, aren’t you overdoing it?"

 - "I leave in two weeks; I need to leave with all your research done and interns in place."

 - "I still think you're overdoing it.  What does Jihoo say?"

 - "He's been just as busy with the foundation and the clinic.   JanDi only works four hours a day, leaving Harabeoji without help.  Since Emily has been officially on staff, she floats from clinic to clinic, but they are still in need of someone to cover for JanDi.  Harabeoji's clinic is the busiest of them all."

 - "Harabeoji is awesome, but I see he's slowed down since I first met him."

 - "Deh, we hope he'll come spend time with us, once HaEun is born."

 - "Arraseo, I'll get back to work and leave you to yours.  I'll work late and close the office."

 - "Don't stay too late."

 - "Dehhhh..."

Mina walked back to her desk and picked up her phone.

Mina:  It's a plan!  What time?

March 12, 2016

Mina had worked diligently the night before and at home.  She really didn’t need to go to the office, but there was always something to be done.  Knowing Ilana was right in wanting to get them as much ahead of schedule as possible before she left, as it would be hard for her in the upcoming months to keep up with the two offices.  While ILC Corporate was fully staffed, ILC Seoul was not quite there.  They had to subcontract other businesses; a meeting was scheduled with the board of investors next week to review the growth and expansion of the company.  Mina was glad she made an appearance at the office since MiRi was having some difficulty with one of the clients.  It seemed she just couldn’t understand what the client’s goal was.  After a lengthy phone discussion, Mina was able to understand what the client wanted.  She helped MiRi put together a few rough examples and emailed them to the client.

After using her office time to tie up any loose ends from the week, Mina was ready to meet YoungSaeng at the CI Entertainment studios.  "Sajangnim!  I'm leaving!"

It took a few seconds for Mina's voice to penetrate Ilana's concentration.  They had just been hired to be the architects on a new shopping and residential district and Ilana was working on AutoCAD for the design.  TaeYoung was better at freehanding it than she was and in the absence of an abundance of time, the software was the best solution.  "Ah, deh!  Kansamnida for coming in; have fun with your namja chingu."  Ilana smiled behind the computer.

 - "Ilana, I swear I'm going to tell HaEun how not nice her Umma is to me."

 - "Mworago?!  You said it yourself he's a friend.  When are you going to introduce us anyway?"

 - "Mollahyo..."  Mina was hesitant at even mentioning that her guy friend was YoungSaeng.  Neither one would ever live it down.  "We're just two singles keeping each other company."

 - "Arraseo..."  Ilana smirked and Mina rolled her eyes as she left.

Mina had pinned her hair up and changed into grey knit workout shorts and matching shirt in order to train with YoungSaeng.  She was a model and didn't consider herself a dancer but it didn't mean she couldn't fake it.  All the Ballet and jazz lessons she had growing up were hard to forget.

YoungSaeng was outside waiting for her when she arrived.  The good thing about being a trainee was easily coming and going.  He supposed that would all change soon.

 - "Orabeoni!"  Mina spotted him and greeted him excitedly.

 - "Mina-yang, annyeong hasseyo," he bowed to her.  "Ready to work hard?"  YoungSaeng had already been working with the choreographer.

 - "Deh!  This should be fun.  Na can keep up if Orabeoni can."

 - "We'll see...," he patted the top of her head, earning him a glare which he laughed off.

Once inside of the dance studio, Mina removed her long sweater and YoungSaeng had to do a double-take as he realized her legs were very exposed.  He'd only ever seen her in professional attire or bundled up because of the cold.  "N-na will-will start the choreography video," he practically ran to pick up the remote.  "Mina Yang isn't cold?"  He asked, before starting the music, all the time avoiding looking at her.

 - "Deh, hajiman Na will get hot dancing.  Na brought warm clothes to change into afterward."

 - "It's quiet down here at the moment.  Mina-yang shouldn't have any problem using the yeoja's locker room.  I'll start from the chorus as that routine is in sync with mine."  Setting the video at the exact spot, he pressed play and began to dance, trying to forget her exposed legs.

Mina observed the first round and when the video repeated itself, she jumped in.  It wasn't that difficult and she got the hang of it right away.  "Orabeoni, na think I've got it, deh?"

YoungSaeng didn't dare look too long for fear of blushing.  He didn't know why, but he had an urge to cover her legs.  "Ah deh, you're good."

 - "Gomawoyo, thank Umma making me take ballet and jazz for as long as I can remember."

They soon lost themselves in the dancing and Mina was in awe.  If HyunJoong was exceptional at dancing, YoungSaeng's movements were fluid like:  graceful and continuing without any pauses.  She especially liked dancing in sync with him.  It just felt right and natural as if they'd danced together all their lives.  After repeating the choreography several times, YoungSaeng paused the video.  By this time, he'd been able to get his focus off her long legs and stick to his dancing.  "There's a dance number for a yeoja in the video that will be produced for this song.  Does Mina-Yang want to see it?"

 - "Arraseo..."  Observing the video, she said:  "I'll try...” not that the choreography was extremely difficult, it was just awkward for her to be gyrating so close to him and she had to put her arms around him as well!  Her face was already turning red.

 - "Ready?"  YoungSaeng saw her nod and began to count..."five...six...seven...go..."he began the video.

Mina tried undulating her body and only succeeded in succumbing to fits of giggles.

YoungSaeng stopped to grin and scold her.  "Yah!  Again!"

 - "Arraseo!!  Arraseo!!"  Dropping to the ground laughing for the second and third time on the fourth, she chose to look at something other than YoungSaeng and succeeded in keeping a straight face until she had to place an arm around his waist and the other about his shoulder.

 - "Aish!  Some backup dancer you are?  Pretend you're hugging a stuffed bear."  That was the wrong analogy because all Mina could think of was a stuffed otter and smothered her giggles under her hand.  "Yah...Mina-yang is not getting dinner if she keeps this up.  If Mina doesn't work, she doesn't get to eat."

 - "Yah!  This is supposed to be fun...not hard!"  Mina pouted.

YoungSaeng ignored her complaint.  "Take it from the top, five...six...seven...eight...."

Mina took a deep breath and managed to keep her composure, though it felt surreal to hold him so closely, wondering what it would feel like to lay her cheek against his warm back.  She mentally smacked herself and thought for sure he'd be able to feel her heart thumping behind him.

YoungSaeng felt a little too comfortable at having Mina so close.  So comfortable that for a heartbeat he imagined her hugging his back and laying her cheek against it.  Shaking his head to dispel the vision, he stepped out of sync with her.  "Mina...," he started awkwardly, "do you want to take a quick break?"

 - "Deh!"  Mina tried to hide her blushing face.  "It-It's warm in here...na...will wash my face."

 - "Third door to the right, you'll see the locker room."

 - "Jamkkanmanyo," Mina ran off.

While Mina dampened a towel under running water and threw it over her face, YoungSaeng grabbed his sports towel, buried his face in it and slid to the floor.  He had to rid himself of these strange thoughts.  He was Orabeoni to her and nothing else.  She had never given any indication that she was interested in him more than a friend and neither had he.  "Maja?"  He asked himself.

 - "Yes, you like him," Mina coached herself.  "But he only sees you as a friend.  Someone he can talk with and who will understand him, a single, just like him.  Are you willing to be selfish and lose the friend and that bond you share with him?  There's love in friendship too," she consoled herself and stepped out into the hall.  "Besides, he’ll be an idol soon and won't have time for love or dating."  With that, Mina took a deep breath and walked back into the dance studio.

YoungSaeng had also pulled himself together and smiled when she came back in.  "Arraso, should we do the next song?"

 - "Deh, Seonsaengnim!"

YoungSaeng laughed, he liked it when she was a smart .  He found it nice that she was comfortable around him.  So many people thought he was moody and standoffish.  Okay, maybe he was, but at least she didn't walk around him waiting for a bomb go off.  "If U ain't gonna dance get' cha...out the club," he with the opening lyrics.  He the video and they began to dance.  He mindlessly shut everything out except for the dancing and the music.  Mina too just let herself go, enjoying this experience.  She didn't quite get the routine right, but it wasn't like she would be his real backup dancer.  They were just hanging out together.

Having danced for several hours, Mina could no longer continue.  "Orabeoni, I'm done!!"  She collapsed on the floor, not caring.  "Pigonhaeyo!  Na won't be able to move tomorrow."

YoungSaeng also dropped to the floor and lay next to her.  "Lightweight."

 - "Anieyo!  I'm just using muscles I don't normally use."

While Mina lay on her stomach, YoungSaeng lay on his back with their heads only inches apart.  YoungSaeng smiled, remembering the clotted cream fight he and Ilana had on the ship.  When they were all done, they both lay on the floor just like he and Mina were.  He began to chuckle at the memory.

Mina was observing his sweet smile; she could stare at him all day.  There was something pure about his face.  Though he did have a naughty streak, she wouldn't classify him as a wolf in otter's clothing.  HyungJun maybe, but not YoungSaeng.  Giggling to herself, she caught YoungSaeng's attention.  "Anieyo..." she answered his unsaid question.  "A penny for your thoughts?  Orabeoni is quiet all of a sudden, that's dangerous."

Only HyunJoong and KyuJong would worry when he was quiet.  The others just ignored him.  "Na was just remembering having a fight with the clotted cream on the ship.  Mina-yang's sajangnim started it."

Mina noticed an odd expression on his face, but it was gone an instant.  "Ilana?  Anieyo, na don't believe Orabeoni."

 - "Arraso, maybe na did.  It was so long ago, na forgot."  He wondered how he could smile at the memories with his Cinderella all of a sudden.  Could the second year of his sojourn finally have cured his lovesick heart?

Mina studied his handsome face and it seemed he had left somewhere.  "Orabeoni?"  Mina decided to bring him back to her.  "What was the second song?"

 - "Ah, 'Out of the club'."

 - "What's it about?"

 - "It's just about...dancing...and...just...letting go!"  YoungSaeng was all of a sudden embarrassed as he remembered the lyrics he and JungMin wrote.  He didn't want Mina to get the wrong impression of him and hoped when the song was out; she didn't pay too close attention to the lyrics.

Mina sensed his discomfort and decided to give him a hard time.  Raising herself on her elbows, her face was very close to his.  "Orabeoni is embarrassed about something."

YoungSaeng's eyes opened wide and inched just a tiny bit away from her.  "A-ani!  Eh...begopayo?  Let's clean up." He bounced up on to his knees, rocked back on his heels, slipped the clip from Mina's hair and before she could react was running out the door.

 - "Yah!  Orabeoni!"  She shouted after him, getting up off the floor and grabbing her bag.  "That boy is hiding something," she muttered while heading to the lockers.

YoungSaeng opted for a dousing of cold water to wake up his frazzled mind, while Mina took a long warm shower daydreaming of an Otter Prince.

Jihoo and Harabeoji weren't quite done at the clinic, having a sudden influx of last-minute patients on this Saturday afternoon and Jihoo sent the driver to take his wife home.  Ilana felt herself too tired to head over to the clinic, she considered heading to the Song household to see her Goddaughter, but even that thought only lasted a second.  It would be better to go home, get some rest and hop back on the computer later in the evening.  She found herself to be very productive an hour or two before bedtime.  Already comfortable in her light blue sweater tunic and white leggings, she lay down on the bed, thinking to take a nap when her notes from her voice lesson caught her eyes.  Closing her eyes, she avoided the lure of the sheet music.  Although, now was the perfect time to practice since no one was home, not even the housekeeper ajumma.  After a little while, she gave up and left her tiredness on the bed.  Warming up her voice, with music sheets in hand, she headed for the front courtyard with the artificial pond.  Having natural acoustics in that space, Ilana preferred practicing her vocals there, better than in their room.  Choosing 'The Blessing' by Celtic Women because she fell in love with the sweet lyrics and the diverse dynamics.  HaEun was making it difficult for Ilana to sing, often running out of breath before she should and even recently getting a bit lightheaded when hitting the high notes.  She hoped to present the song to Jihoo as an anniversary gift, but at the same time, she felt as if she sang it to their HaEun.  Who couldn't use a blessing?  After ten minutes of scales and breathing exercises, she began the song.  By the second half of the song she began to get teary:

When the storms of life are strong

When you're wounded, when you don't belong

When you no longer hear my song

My blessing goes with you

She stopped to wipe her tears, "HaEun-ah," she said to her baby bump.  "Appa and Umma passed through so many storms and pray that yours will be light showers only.  May you always hear my song, baby girl?"  Ilana took a minute to compose herself and took deep cleansing breaths before starting over.

Harabeoji and Jihoo arrived about an hour after Ilana did.  Coming in from a different direction, she didn't notice them.  Jihoo heard her before he saw her and put up a hand to still Harabeoji.  "The child still stumbles on her breathing," Harabeoji observed after hearing her stop and start a few times.

 - "Deh," Jihoo responded.  It was natural at this stage of pregnancy to get winded a little easier as his wife was carrying high.  It made it difficult for her to expand her diaphragm.

 - "Hajiman Jihoo-ah, though her constant activity is good, she should be getting sufficient rest as well."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji, you know how much work she has pending and how stubborn she is."

Harabeoji chuckled.  "Majayo, between JanDi and Ilana, it's a miracle Gu JunPyo and you aren't having anxiety attacks."

 - "Harabeoji wouldn't know the half of it," JunPyo called Jihoo all the time.  He was in the army when JanDi was pregnant with InHei so he supposed JunPyo was giving him a double dose.  "Uissa says she's fine, I'm not too concerned with that.  Flying out does make me nervous, it increases her blood pressure and makes her very nauseous."

 - "Na will be in prayer for your safe return."  Harabeoji patted his grandson's shoulder.  "Naega going to rest for a while before dinner."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji."  At least one of the two was resting, Jihoo thought.

Jihoo remained in his hiding spot while his wife practiced and was oblivious to his arrival.  A few repetitions later, she finally managed to get all the way through correctly and he saw her lean heavily against the post.

 I bless you

And you bless...me, too

Ilana did well this time around, she was able to sustain most of the notes with the slightest of breaths and she used her chest for the higher notes.  But by the time the song was done, she felt so winded all she could do was lean against the post to catch her breath.  She didn't even hear the courtyard door open when the next thing she knew, she was being sustained in her husband's arms.

 - "Slow your breathing," Jihoo said in a calm voice. 

 - "Deh...ara," Ilana leaned into her husband's arms, grateful for the support and took the slow breaths that she needed to restore breathing to normal.  "I'm just a little tired, I think."

 - "You think?"  Jihoo also answered her back in English.  "Kaja, Harabeoji is behaving and getting some rest, Sarang should too."  Ilana nodded her head; she could go for a nap.  With an arm around her waist, Jihoo guided her to their room and helped her get comfortable.  "HaEun-ah and Umma need to take a nap."

 - "HaEun Appa, lay down with us."

 - "Because na don't have work to do, deh?"

 - "Sarang can work later," she patted the bed next to her.

 - "Arraso...only for HaEun-ah."  Jihoo didn't bother removing his sweater and lay down, wrapping his wife in his arms.

 - "HaEun-ah has Appa wrapped around her little finger already?"  Ilana smiled, eyes already closed.

 - "Ara Umma's tricks."  Jihoo gave a soft peck to his wife's forehead and replaced it back against his chin.  "Anae saranghae.  Dtal saranghae," Jihoo rubbed a hand over the exposed side of his wife's baby belly.  He could feel their daughter pushing about against his hand.  "Jamja (sleep)," he spoke to his daughter in his serious tone of voice.  It didn't work, he felt her still moving.  Jihoo didn't remove his hand and fell asleep smiling as he had both his loves in his embrace.

Ilana woke about thirty minutes later when she felt HaEun kick.  "HaEun-ah is going to wake Appa," she whispered.  Stretching the best she could, still wrapped in her husband's arms, she would never get tired of watching him sleep.  He slept so peacefully, she thought he must really be an angel.  "HaEun-ah, let's see how many kisses it takes to wake up Appa."  Jihoo's shirt was open, leaving his undershirt exposed.  Ilana leaned in to place a kiss above the 'V' of his shirt.  As slowly as possible, she moved away from him, making room for HaEun, and kissed his neck.  She let her lips linger for a moment and then with the same gentle movement, moved up to his jawbone, and then his cheek.  "Pabo," she thought.  "He's going to play hard to get."  She began to nibble on his earlobe, without smothering herself with the pillow.  Her attack seemed to be working as she heard his breathing change.  Moving back along his jawbone with damp kisses, she got to his lips and gently placed her lips on his.  She didn't know how his lips were always so soft, no matter what the weather.  She always had to slather hers with lip balm several times a day and at night before bedtime.  She replaced her lips with her finger, wanting to touch the generous bottom lip.  Smiling, she traced his lip with her finger and fell once again into his trap.  Ilana found herself being drawn nearer to his face and she wasn't the one controlling her upper body.

Jihoo felt movement from his wife and while he gently, wrapped his arm around her waist, she slowly removed it.  Once he felt her lips on his face, he was awake and waited to make his move.  He loved waking up to her kisses, whether it be one or many.  The sadness of that time, a year and a half prior, was but a distant memory but their love and marriage was all the stronger for the lessons learned during that trial.  Tempted to wake up when her teeth teased his ear; instead, he subtly gave her easier access by shifting his head slightly.  Resisting the temptation to give her lips a gentle bite, he waited.  Once she had replaced her lips with her finger, he wanted her lips back and with his free hand, gently pulled her back down to him.  "My turn," he opened his eyes and lifted his head to capture her lips, nibbling them just as he wanted.

 - "Goyangi!!"  Ilana pouted as she came up for air.  His cat-like reflexes got her each time.  "Sarang would think that I wouldn't fall for his tricks after all this time."

Jihoo pecked her lips again as she snuggled back against him.  "Sarang can wake me up like that as often as she wants and Na won't complain."

 - "Begopayo."

 - "What does HaEun want for dinner?"

Ilana knew exactly what she wanted for dinner.  "Caldillo de Perro."

 - "Dog soup?  Mian, Sarang we don't cook dog here."

 - "Eeew!"  She smacked him and gagged at the thought.  "Nana hasn't made it in a long time; I don't know why it's called Caldillo de Perro when it's made with fish, garlic, onions, oranges, and lemons."  Ilana's mouth was watering at the thought of the soup.

 - "Na don't think ajumma would want to try that, how about clam stew instead?"

 - "Arraso," she pouted.

Jihoo tucked her hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheek gently with his thumb.  Her color had returned to normal after resting.  She had been a little pale earlier.  He knew there was a lot of pressure on her shoulders, but she didn't complain about it.  Her habit to keep things internally led to headaches.  He knew she took up the voice lessons as a distraction from the company, but he worried about her overdoing it.  JanDi had been placed on work restriction early on because of dizzy spells, he wondered how much longer his wife would be able to keep up this schedule.  He was glad they would be leaving soon; things were much calmer at her corporate office.  "We have time before dinner, deh?"  His hand had traveled down to her neck, teasing the smooth skin and continued working his way down her side and back up again.

 - "What about Harabeoji?  We should keep him company."  She was getting caught in his trap over and over.  He knew she couldn't resist his touch, especially now with the pregnancy.

 - "He's resting too."  Jihoo pulled her to his waiting lips and slowly brought his hand down her side again and under her tunic.

By the time showers were done and hair dried and in Mina's case, makeup in place, it was time for a somewhat early dinner.  YoungSaeng was much happier with Mina's choice of clothes now that her legs weren't completely exposed.  He happily took them to one of his favorite street stalls.  She had no clue of his mental turmoil.

 - "Aigoo!  What a cheapskate I have for a date," Mina teased.

 - "Mianhamnida, Orabeoni is only a poor starving musician, remember?"  He frowned, sadly but then put on a cheerful smile.  "Na already promised Mina-yang a luxury meal once Na get paid.  And Na will make good on my threat and move in right next to you."

 - "It worked for Ilana," Mina mumbled under her breathe.

 - "Yah, what is Mina-Yang mumbling?"

 - "Ah!  Na was wondering what to get?  Tteookbokki or fish cake or both?"  Quick thinking saved her from an awkward situation.

 - "Both.   What about the blood sausage?"  Mina made a face.  "Gwenchana, na will order a dish Mina will like.  Just trust me."

 - "Majayo?"

 - "Deh...and soju."

 - "Yah!  Orabeoni...I'm starting to get the impression you only like me as a drinking partner," Mina stormed off to a table.  She couldn't believe she had said that.  They were friends; friends in South Korea drank.

YoungSaeng was left puzzled and clueless as usual.  He placed their order and instead of soju ordered fruit juice.  "Na ordered us fruit juice; ara in the U.S. Mina probably doesn't drink as much.  Mianhaeyo if Na offended you or took your wishes for granted.  Na pabo when it comes to figuring out what yeoja want.  Speak plainly to me, juseyo?"

Mina felt so stupid and now she had offended him, she wanted to cry.  "Mianhae, Orabeoni," she quickly grabbed his hand to plead for forgiveness.  "Mollah what came over me?  Mianhae;" embarrassed she took her hand away.  "Na think I've been working too hard.  Mianhae, na snapped for no reason."

YoungSaeng saw how upset Mina was and the entire incident was really not a big deal.  If she didn't like something, she always let him know.  He didn't think this time was any different.  He was sure they had cultural issues to work out before their friendship could become stronger.  "Jagi, gwenchana," he placed his hand on her cheek.

Mina turned bright red.  The corner of her eye leaked a bit of moisture and he dabbed at it with his thumb.

 - "Orabeonnnnii!"  Mina whined, his actions made her even more embarrassed.

 - "Dongsaeng gwiyowiyo," he pinched her cheek.

 - "Orabeoni!"

He succeeded in getting her irritated and laughed.  "That's nae mina-yang!"  Mina rolled her eyes at him.  "Never hesitate to tell Orabeoni if something bothers you.  Na would rather you risk irritating me than holding it all in."  He'd learned that lesson the hard way.  He'd rather know what Mina was thinking.  Mina smiled a bit shyly, thankfully the food came to dispel the awkward air.  "It looks delicious!  Jalgotsumnida!"

 - "Try this," YoungSaeng fed her with his chopsticks.

Again, Mina turned bright red.  "Choahyo!"  Mina lowered her face and refused to look at YoungSaeng while she concentrated on chewing her blood sausage dish.  "Masheesuyo!"  She took some Tteookbokki as well and a sip of juice.

 - "Arraso, Orabeoni fed Mina-yang, now tell me what all that was about?"

Mina slowed her chewing and looked down at the table.  "Amogotdoyo, pigonhaeyo (I'm tired) and not thinking straight.  Mianhae, chincha."

YoungSaeng observed her playing with the Tteookbokki.  He plucked her chopsticks from her hand, to her surprise, and placed them on a napkin.  "Tell Orabeoni what bothered you."  She was about to shake her head 'no' when he stopped her.  "Deh...na can't know not to do it again unless Mina tells me."

 - "Na paboya!  Chincha!"

 - "Na do, chincha!"  He smiled.

 - "Aish!"  She buried her face in her hands to not melt or burst into tears over his smile.

YoungSaeng peeled her hands off her face.  "Na want to see Mina's cute face."

She mock scowled at him and took a deep breath.  "Chincha, anieyo.  It's...cultural...or I'm just being oversensitive...it's nothing Orabeoni did."

 - "Arraso, tell me what it is and Na will try to remedy it."

 - "Ani!  Orabeoni doesn't have to!  Naega in your country!  It's my duty to adapt!  Chincha!  Just ignore me."  She couldn't stand the thought of telling him straight out that she didn't want to be just his drinking buddy.

 - "Deh, that's why Mina-yang should tell me and Na will help you adapt."

 - "Anieyo...it's a personal problem," she whispered.

 - "Mina Yang, There's no such thing, now tell me," he spoke sternly in hopes it would coax her out of her shell.  He couldn't imagine what she could have thought to make her so embarrassed.

Mina didn't know how not to say what she was thinking.  If there really was a patron saint of lovers she could really use his help right about that moment.  "Na...”  She took a drink of her juice to stall before continuing.  "Na...Na...felt disrespected as a yeoja.  It...it felt like Orabeoni just sees me as a chingu like the namja...your drinking buddy and...and not a yeoja."  YoungSaeng still held her hands very gently and in her nervousness, she didn't even realize it.  Taking her hands back, she covered her face again.  "Aish!!!  YoungSaeng-ssi!!  Mianhae!  I'm not that girly.  And maybe that's the problem?  Ugh!  That's how it came out!  I told you it was nothing!  I'm really just overreacting!"  In her emotional upheaval, she began to ramble in English.

YoungSaeng laughed softly and pried her hands off her face once more, while she looked away from him.  "Jagi, chincha?"  Mina took her hands back from him and laid her head on the table, kicking up her knees under it.  "Yah, Jagi...look at Orabeoni."

 - "Shiroyo!"  Came a muffled reply.

This only made YoungSaeng laugh harder.  "Ah, Mina yang said she wasn't that girly, maja?"

That statement made Mina stop.  She wasn't girly in that sense.  She was a successful businesswoman and confident in her feminine appeal.  She took a deep breath and lifted her face boldly to face YoungSaeng.  "Majayo, Na don't need to resort to acting like a child to prove my femininity."

YoungSaeng wondered why she had to prove anything, but shrugged.  "Deh."

 - "Deh?"

 - "Deh.  Mina choah just the way she is.  If Na didn't recognize Mina as a yeoja and just a namdongsaeng, would Orabeoni call you jagiya?  Sunbae would punch me if I called him that.  Maknae probably wouldn't mind being called Jagiya," he laughed.  "Yah," he suddenly thought of something.   He cupped her face in his hand to prevent her looking away.  "Did a namja tell Mina she wasn't enough of a yeoja?  Na told Mina not to fall for anyone without Orabeoni's approval."

Mina saw the look of concern on his face and a touch of irritation.  Her heart swelled with joy just for a second and then felt guilty.  He was a good and caring friend, nothing more.  "Anieyo," she smiled softly at him.   "Pigonhaeyo and being oversensitive."

 - "Mina has too much work and my things add to it.   Na can get the agency to handle it."

 - "Anieyo!"  He still had his hand on her face and she removed it but cupped his hand in hers.  "Naneun haengbokhaeyo (I’m happy)...," she spoke a little more formally.   "…to have Heo YoungSaeng as nae chingu.  Na give Orabeoni my time willingly."  YoungSaeng didn't know why he felt like blushing all of a sudden.   A warm feeling traveled from the hand she held all the way up his arm and to his face.  "Gomawoyo," Mina let go of his hand and looked down at the food, completely embarrassed at her actions.

YoungSaeng felt strange all of a sudden.  The feel of his hand in hers had felt nice; comfortable actually.  He shook off these strange feelings.  "Mokda!  The food is getting cold."

 - "Deh!!"

YoungSaeng saw her smile as she dug into the food.  He'd never quite realized what a sweet smile she had.  He really hoped no one had hurt her.  He was getting more and more intrigued by her unrequited love and also a bit annoyed at this idiot that didn't see what a lovely and beautiful woman she was.  He brought a piece of sausage his mouth before his brain could form the next thought.  "I would probably date her."  The thought remained buried in the back of his mind, not to surface until a later date.  "I like my friend, Mina," YoungSaeng said in English.  "I like you not like one of the guys, but a very special friend, that makes my day brighter.  Mmm...," he thought a little more.  "The others are busy and to tell Mina the truth, bogoshipo our closeness from when we were on the ship.  It's hard for me to open up to people.  Na could always count on Sunbae to be there when Na wanted to talk and if he was on the ship, we'd have late nights drinking and talking about random things.  He always had so many plans, knew exactly what he wanted from life.  Since we started spending time together, it's easy for me to confide in Mina the way I did with Sunbae.  Though Na think Mina is a better listener.  Sunbae sometimes got lost in his own thoughts along the way.  He'd start talking about aliens."

Mina laughed.  "Kim HyunJoong-ssi is special."

 - "Yah!  What about Orabeoni?!

 - "Deh!  Deh!!  Second only to Orabeoni!"  Mina laughed again.  The awkward air had lifted and she felt honored to be his good friend.  No matter what happened in the future, she thought it possible she could live just like this.  "Na will have your album concept done soon and after your debut, we need to get your face out there.  We’ll need to get you a photoshoot with one of the clothing lines.  Na have been working with your agency coming up with the right line for your image.  Ultimately, they need to approve."

 - "What of Mina-yang?  Has she given up on the world of modeling?"

 - "Deh..., it's time to follow in Appa's footsteps and help run ILC.  Na always knew it was temporary.  If Na had to depend on it for a living, it would stop being fun.  Na like marketing and creating an advertisement for television or magazine or flyers that a business can send out.  It's like being part of their success."

 - "When Na become a successful idol, Mina can be in one of my videos."

 - "Choayo!"  She would never hold him to that, but it was a fun thought.

 - "Does Mina have any of her modeling pictures?"

 - "Deh, waeyo?  Orabeoni wants to laugh at me?"

 - "Ani...just curious."

 - "Promise not to laugh?"

 - "Deh!"

Mina opened her phone's browser and began to plug in the website for the company she had been contracted with and passed the phone to YoungSaeng.  He began opening folders of different pictures, there was no denying she was a beautiful woman.  Mina took heart, he wasn't making fun of her.  She watched him smile and nod in appreciation.   It was always hard to let friends and family see her work and while the females all approved, Appa and some of her guy friends hadn't appreciated some of the pictures.   In fact, she wondered nervously how YoungSaeng would react.  "Orabeoni, that's enough!"  She reached her hand for her phone, but all of a sudden his face stopped smiling and he looked a bit concerned, then all of a sudden he looked shocked.

She had wanted to stop him before he didn't see the artistic side of some pictures.  The look on his face said it was too late.  YoungSaeng opened a folder named Jang YungWoo and the first picture he saw was of Mina in a bed, barely covered with a quilt.   "Yah!  What is this?"  The second picture was only slightly better, she wore a long sleeve tunic, but the way she had her legs up, made it look like she wore nothing underneath.

 - "Orabeoni!  Give it back, before you keep overreacting."

 - "Overreacting?!”  He kept scrolling to see her in way too short shorts and another one that gave the impression of wearing nothing underneath.  "How could Mina Abeoji let you take these pictures?"

 - "He didn't know and he gave me hell for it when he found out."

 - "Choah!"  He continued opening folders, relieved she was dressed again, which didn't last long.  The next folder showed her in a bedazzled silver and pink mock sari that really only covered her s leaving the sides exposed.   The drape left her entire thigh exposed to the hip, while it just covered the top of the other thigh.  He pierced her with a disapproving look.  He'd had enough and skipped to the last folder.  There was nothing indecent about it, but she was in a wedding gown and she looked even more beautiful than the other pictures.   He didn't know why, but these irritated him more than the half- pictures.  The way her fake groom held her so closely, the way he kissed her cheek and the picture of her sitting with his legs on either side and leaning in for a kiss made him lose it.   He dropped the phone on the table.   Mina couldn't tell what he was thinking anymore.   He had closed himself up.  "I need a drink,” he announced and stood up abruptly.  Mina was left to wonder what his problem was.  The picture of Mina and her fake groom replayed in his mind and was followed by the one of her on the bed.  He shook his head to dispel thoughts that shouldn't be thought.   "She's a beautiful, sweet woman, a family girl, she wouldn't give herself to anyone she didn't truly love or plan on marrying."  With that, he took a deep breath and put away those thoughts.

When he came back to the table with his soju, YoungSaeng had sufficiently calmed down.   He poured two shots, one for him and one for Mina.  "Orabeoni, what's your problem?"

 - “Anieyo, just have a drink with me, juseyo?"

Mina rolled her eyes and took the shot offered.   "Happy now?"  She put down the shot glass.

 - "Deh!"  He was able to smile at her again.   "Don't ever take pictures like that again!"

 - "They're beautiful and artistic and...and...you're not Appa to tell me what do."

 - "Maja, but Mina-ssi is already beautiful and doesn't need those pictures to prove it."  This made Mina blush at his praise.  “If Mina wants to model again, she can be in my photoshoots and videos."

 - "Deh, Orabeoni already mentioned that.  Na wasn't going to hold Orabeoni to it, but now that he said it twice he won't escape."

 - "Arraso!  Draw up the contract!"

 - "Orabeoni is making fun of me again,” Mina reached over to give him a playful pinch on the hand.

 - "Ah!  Brat!  Just for that, have another shot."

No, they didn't need alcohol to have great conversations, but it sure helped.  They laughed and talked and drank, planned for the trendiest endorsements, great concerts around the world and YoungSaeng's pictures splattered across the internet, television, magazines, and homes.  Through it all, YoungSaeng tried not to wonder what it would be like to have Mina by his side, working with him and cheering him on.

YoungSaeng insisted on escorting Mina home as usual.  They had arrived at the gate of her apartment building.  "Gomawo, Orabeoni didn't have to come all the way with me."

 - "Deh..."

 - "I'm home now, kayo!"

Before she could hug him, he hugged her and kissed the top of her head.  Not quite sure why he did that, he just felt their friendship had gotten even closer that night and wanted her to know in that gesture, how much he valued her as his friend.  While she recovered from the shock and tried hard to think horrible thoughts so as not to blush, he spoke.  "Na will call you when I get home.  Yaksokhaeyo (I promise)."

Mina couldn't help her Cheshire grin, she was giddy with joy.  "Orabeoni better keep his promise."

 - "Don't stay up too late, if I forget."

 - "Anieyo!  Orabeoni promised!  Na will hunt you down if you forget."

 - "Is that a promise?"

 - "Deh!"

 - "Jaljayo, Mina-yang."

Mina watched as he turned to leave and then thought of something.  "Orabeoni!"

 - "Mmm?"  He turned back to face her.

 - "Come to Mass with me tomorrow, we'll light a candle and pray that Yesu will bless all your dreams."

He smiled, very touched by her thoughtfulness.  "Arraso, jagi.  Mina-yang can cook me a meal afterward."

 - "Tch!  Na invited Orabeoni to feed his soul not his stomach."

 - "Jagi, na will be happy with anything you give me," he winked at her and turned to go find a cab home.

 - "Yah!  Orabeoni only calls me jagi when he wants something.  And don't forget to call when you get home!" Mina shouted after him, but he ignored her, smiling all the way to the street where he easily found a cab.

YoungSaeng couldn't help chuckle when he entered the cab and let his mind recall the afternoon and evening.  He had to erase the memory of those pictures or else he'd never be able to look at her the same way again.  It was a good thing he was going to Church in the morning.  "Aish!  That means I have to get up early!"  He mumbled, earning him a questioning look from the driver.  "The meal better be worth it," he laughed to himself.

Mina practically skipped to her apartment and in a shameful 'girly' display, she threw herself on her bed and kicked her legs in glee.  "Omo!!"  She paused to wonder something.  "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi, were you flirting with me?"

 - "Is that a promise?"

Recalling his words made her squeal with excitement.  Whatever it was, she'd take it.  Whether it be friendly affection or flirting, she couldn't help but think that it could lead to more in the future if she just remained patient.  At this time, she really needed a girlfriend to confide in.  She couldn't talk to Ilana, Emily or YiHyun.  One, it was too late at night and two, they knew YoungSaeng.  The hour didn't even lend itself to call GaEul, either.  The hopeless romantic would sure be able to give her advice.  The boys, KyuJong and HyungJun were definitely out, the boys back home were a possibility, but then she would most likely get teased and they'd make a huge fuss, just like YoungSaeng did over her pictures.  Mina couldn't help laughing at his reaction.  "As if you haven't seen glamour shots in magazines?"  She 'complained' to him.  She'd just have to contain her excitement until Monday and talk to TaeYoung.  Now that he knew she was in a one-sided love, he didn't and could talk to him about anything and know he wouldn't breathe a word to anyone.

Too restless to relax, she did the next best thing and called home.

 - "Hija (daughter)?"  Mina's Mother may be Japanese, but she was most fluent in Spanish and English now because of her husband.

 - "Haha (Mother in Japanese)!!"

 - "Estas tomada (Have you been drinking)?"

 - "Ma!!  I just shared a bottle of soju with a friend earlier."  It was more than one, but her Mother didn't need to know the exact amount.

 - "I see...is this the 'friend' you spent Christmas with?"

 - "Deh Umma..."  Her Mother knew her daughter well and could visualize the huge grin on her face.

 - "Is this one of the young people we met when we were there?"  To this day, her daughter hadn't mentioned this new friend she'd been spending time with.

 - "Oh, deh Umma...by the way, I should go or I'll be falling asleep in Mass."  Mina thought it was a good idea to get off the line before her Mother began to ask questions she wasn't ready to answer.

 - "Que el Ángel de la guarda sea tu dulce compañía, y no te desampare, ni de noche ni de día (May the Guardian Angel be your sweet companion and may he not abandon you neither by day nor by night)."

Mina smiled at the bedtime blessing her parents always spoke over her and her brother.  "Gracias Mami!  Give Papi a kiss for me."

 - "Good night dear."

Mr. Rodriguez walked in a few minutes later to where his wife was in the kitchen.  "Good morning," she poured his coffee, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.  "That's from your daughter," she answered his questioning gaze.

 - "Is she seeing someone?"

 - "I have a feeling things might be progressing quite nicely with YoungSaeng.  She did say we met her 'friend' while we were there."

 - "It could be one of the other officers or one of the girls from the office?"

 - "She's deliberately not giving us any information regarding this friend, which means we will definitely approve and doesn't want to hear anything about it."

 - "Should we send her brother to spy on her?"  He said with a serious face.  He knew his wife would jump all over the idea, but their son was busy, which is why he brought it up.

 - "That would be a great idea!  But you know he can't just pick up and go to Seoul.  Law school and the bar left him spent, he just started to work at your firm."

 - "True," Mr. Rodriguez smiled inwardly.  "We'll have to trust Mina, she'll tell us when she's ready."

 - "I thought you liked YoungSaeng?!"

Evidently, he chose the wrong words.  "He seemed like a nice young man, but I'm not the one that has to marry him?"

 - "You're of no help whatsoever!"   His wife stormed out of the kitchen with her breakfast untouched.

Mr. Rodriguez laughed and shrugged.  "More for me."  He finished his plate of breakfast and at hers as well.  "Make sure you go to confession for that temper of yours," he would tease his wife on their way to Mass.

March 14, 2016

Ilana had woken up with a headache that morning.  She should have known trouble would ensue.  At her Doctor's appointment that morning, her blood pressure was on the border of being too high   She tried to convince both Doctor's (her husband and OB) that it was being in the Doctor's office that made her nervous.  If that were the case, her blood pressure would go down at the end of her consultation, but this time it didn't.

 - "Mianhaeyo Uissa, but the very fact that you're scolding me is making me nervous!"

 - "Sarang, take a deep breath and calm down," Jihoo knew the Doctor would get nowhere with her in that state.  Her pregnancy hormones were in overdrive and he could see she was on the verge of tears.  "Uissanim, she's been working very hard to grow her company.  Despite the slightly elevated blood pressure, she eats well and gets enough rest and takes in plenty of liquids."  He knew it was just the tension from the company that was bringing up her blood pressure.  There wasn't much that could be done about it.  She was ready to hire more people, but they just didn't have time to stop and conduct interviews.

 - "Be that as it may, she's not quite at the weight she needs to be and you don't have time.  With her blood pressure the way it is, I can't authorize her to fly out next week."

 - "We'll be flying in a private airplane, we don't need your approval," Jihoo knew the Doctor had not approved JaeKyung's flying out in her last trimester.  Even if they had their private plane, WooBin decided to heed his advice.  Jihoo knew the risks as well, but this Doctor tended to always be on the cautious side.  This is why his patients have seldom had any serious complications.

 - "Uissa, I need to go back!  I didn't make arrangements to be gone for the rest of my pregnancy!"  Jihoo was already rubbing his thumb over her hand to try and keep her calm.

 - "As Jihoo Uissa says, you don't need my approval, but you should have left four weeks ago."

Ilana used her free hand to rub the back of her neck, where another headache was forming.  "Contreras-ssi, it's not that I'm trying to frighten you, my goal is to ensure your health and that of your child."

 - "Algesubnida, na can take measures to try and relax.  I'll go for more walks when things feel overwhelming.  Na can do this."

 - "Jihoo Uissa should monitor his wife's blood pressure at home."

 - "Ideally, deh...hajiman ara it will only make her more nervous."

The Doctor stood from his seat and bowed to them.  "I have nothing more to offer you.  Thank you for confiding me up to this point.  Contreras-ssi, take care of yourself and I wish you a safe delivery."

 - "Uissanim," Jihoo nodded to the Doctor as he turned to leave.

 - "Sarang, why does it feel like we fired him or he washed his hands of us?"

 - "Because we did and he did."

 - "I'd feel better if we stayed, hajiman we didn't prepare for it and Na want our dtal to be born where you were."  Jihoo didn't feel right about the whole situation, but he'd leave it to the Lord.  If they were meant to stay, the Lord would find a way to stop them.

After a fairly quiet ride, Jihoo dropped Ilana off at her building.  He didn't want to add to her stress by forcing her to go home.  He knew she indirectly worried about HaEun and being a good wife to him and being a good CEO.  She needed his support and he promised they would work together to bring her blood pressure down.  He had been just as busy these weeks they'd been in town.  Without his wife's knowledge, he had purchased Daehangno Arts Theater, it was being very poorly managed and he was asked to take it off the owner's hands.  This was in both he and his wife's line of work and she would kill him if she found out he bought it in her interest.  Any repairs or construction could be done by ILC group and he would just use the theatre management to hire her company.  The last few weeks had seen him going back and forth from the theatre to his office in the conservatory and back again.  He'd had to do what he'd done at the hospitals, let go people, move others and hire replacements.  It's extremely hard and tedious work to restructure a company.  "Na will be praying for you," he said, giving her a peck on the lips.

 - "Gomawo," she felt tears burning in her eyes.  Ilana was grateful her husband wasn't scolding her for her blood pressure.  He had been right at her side at the Doctor's office, giving her comfort instead of lecturing with along with the Doctor.

 - "Yah," he touched the tip of his finger to the corner of her eye, wiping away the moisture.  "Gwenchana, Sarang has never had a history of high blood pressure.  We’ll work on relieving your stress."  He kissed her softly but didn't let her go until the kiss had escalated from soft to bold.  "That should keep you stress-free for a while."

Ilana laughed, "saranghae!"

 - "Nado!"  He kissed her one more time quickly, before getting out of the car to open her door.  All the worries at the back of her mind left her with her husband's kiss.

JiNa welcomed their boss.  "Sajangnim had a good Doctor's visit?  Sajang is smiling?"

Ilana's smile faded at JiNa's question.  "Na don't want to talk about it," Ilana took a deep breath and went to her office, where Mina assaulted her.  "Sajang, I'm going to send MiRi out for field Marketing.  We just got a new client this morning.”  She and MiRi took turns going out on the field, while Ilana handled most of the research with JiNa being pulled in to help where she could.  They really needed to hire someone for both departments before they flew out late next week.

 - "Arraseo," she sighed, "I'll help where I can.  Please tell me if you're overwhelmed, I can get one of our people in corporate to help with research, while I work hands-on with you.  I'll send an announcement to the counselors at Shinwa, Sungkyunkwan University and Myong Ji University for an intern."  Shinwa was top in everything while Sungkyunkwan was one of the best Marketing schools and Myong Ji was the best in Architecture.

 - "Hey, don't stress yourself.  I was just telling you the game plan for the week."  Mina could tell Ilana was frazzled.

 - "Mina, the more people tell me to not stress, the more I will!"

 - "Oo-kay, I'll be on the floor if you need me."

Ilana felt immediately horrible for snapping.  She didn't feel worried or anxious, yes they all had a lot of work to do, but she was used to working hard.  But if everyone kept telling her she was stressed, then that was making her stressed.  "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed," Ilana said.  "I commit to you Lord, the work of my desk, of the marketing department and the architectural department, of our subcontractors, Lord.  I commit the work of our hands to you, Lord."  Ilana felt a bit more relaxed and began to go through the files on her desk.  Five minutes later, she was so focused on what she was doing, she didn't even see JiNa place a large cup of tea on her desk until she had turned to leave.  "Kansamnida JiNa-ssi!"  Ilana called after her.  Citron tea cured just about any ailment.  She quickly sent Mina a "Miahnae =^{ " by email.

Mina was already in Adobe, designing a logo for a new business when she saw her email notification flash at the bottom of her screen.  Laughing, she responded with a "gwenchanayo (≧∇≦)"

Hours later, Ilana's cell phone went off, breaking her momentum.  "Owww!"  She pressed the base of her neck as she suddenly realized a not so little headache had formed.  Massaging her head for about a minute, she let the call go to voicemail.  Laying her head on her desk to rest, she picked up her phone to see who had called.  It was JanDi.

 - "Ilana-yah!  I'm heading to the porridge shop.  Let's meet up, do you have time?"

Ilana listened to the message and the thought of food made her stomach a bit queasy.  "HaEun-ah?  baegopeuji anhayo (Aren't you hungry)?"  Ilana picked up the phone to send her a text, acknowledging the invitation and saw her hand shook as she hit the keys on the phone.  She briefly wondered if her husband or Harabeoji had suggested JanDi drag her out of the office.  Not really caring if they did, ready for food, she grabbed her purse.  The porridge shop wasn't too far, she'd walk.  Passing by Mina's desk, she thought it best not to go alone as queasy as she felt.   "Mina-ssi, I'm going to the porridge shop to meet JanDi, do you want to come?"

 - "Sure, JiNa should be back, right?"  Their admin always went to lunch before everyone else.

 - "Yes, she is scheduled from twelve to one for lunch.

 - "Kaja, I need to get out of here."  Mina slipped into flats and grabbed her purse.

Ilana laughed, feeling better already.  "It's been awhile since you went out to the field."  They walked out of the office informing JiNa before they left.   "JiNa-ssi, we’ll be back. Try and hold any calls for an hour or two, if it can't wait we have our cell phones."

 - "Deh Sajangnim."

Fifteen minutes later, they were in front of the porridge shop, being greeted excitedly by JanDi.  Having hugged Ilana, she greeted HaEun.  "Annyeong HaEun-ah," placing her hand on Ilana's stomach, the mound shifted toward her.

 - "Annyeong InHo-ssi," Ilana saw JanDi's stomach ripple just slightly.  "Someone doesn't like sharing Umma's attention.”

 - "Just like Appa," JanDi said before turning to Mina.  "Mina-ssi, eottoke jinaseyo?"

 - "Jaljinaseyo, JanDi Unnie."

 - "Begopayo, Unnie," Ilana wanted the greetings over with.

 - "Deh, Ilana does look a little pale.  It's a good thing you told me what to order you.  They should be out in a minute.  Kaja"

 - "Gomawo Unnie!"

Ilana tried pacing herself, but butternut squash porridge was the epitome of comfort food.  When her bowl was about half empty, Ilana began to get uncomfortably full.  "Wae, HaEun-ah?  We still have half the bowl to finish," she protested.

 - "Gwenchanayo, save it for later, you'll be hungry in another two hours," JanDi spoke from experience.

 - "I want to eat it now, not in two hours!"

Mina laughed at her pregnant friend.  "At least Ilana's color has returned.  Uissanim would not be happy to pick you up looking so pale."

 - "Mmm."

 - "Ilana-yah, chincha, how was your appointment?"

 - "Unnie, ara you already know or we wouldn't be having this impromptu meeting."

 - "Mollan anjii, hajiman Harabeoji did seem concerned."

 - "Aish, nampyon!  Harabeoji doesn't need to worry about me!"  Ilana frowned and began to bite her lip.

 - "Harabeoji does what he wants, now don't get yourself worked up or he'll scold you."

 - "Deh, he will," Mina said.  She had tried to cosset him a few times when Ilana and Jihoo were gone and she received a 'talking' to.

 - "If Na have to be on the receiving end of Harabeoji's fussing, Ilana will get it from me."

 - "Uissa just makes me nervous!  And anytime I step foot in his office my blood pressure goes up!"

 - "That's why Ilana has been having constant headaches," Mina received a glare from her boss for telling.

 - "When it’s white coat syndrome, the blood pressure goes down at the end of the visit."  Ilana had a guilty look on her face and JanDi was able to surmise the situation.  "Ilana's blood pressure didn't decrease."

 - "Not with the expectation being so high!"

 - "Gwenchana, we can go crazy together.  Na don't know what to do with myself all afternoon until InHei is done with school.  Hajiman na have the opposite problem, if I'm the slightest bit late for a meal, my blood pressure drops and Na will feel faint."

 - "JaeKyung-ah and GaEul had perfect pregnancies!"  Ilana whined.  "Na can't wait for InHo to be born, then HaEun will be the idea and follow right after."

  - "Deh!"  JanDi agreed.  "I'm ready for it.  It’s supposed to get easier with each pregnancy, but perhaps not when your last one was so long ago.”

 - “Naega ready to go back home, but at the same time, Na wish to stay here.  There’s so much to be done.”

 - “We run things just fine when Ilana is at corporate,” Mina lightly scolded.

 - “Deh and I feel guilty that Mina and TaeYoung-ssi have to pick up my slack.”

 - "This is how Ilana gets in trouble with Uissanim.”

 - “Hajiman I’m not stressed.  Na just want to get everything done!”

JanDi and Mina shook their head and laughed until Mina got a text message.  It was YoungSaeng, obviously having worked out early today.  Mina didn't realize her smiling was giving her away.   JanDi had stopped laughing and looked at Ilana who just shrugged.  Mina typed a funny retort, oblivious to the stares of the other two women.

Mina:  Yah!  Orabeoni left my place early, wae the dark circles?  Were you with Maknae?  Does YiHyun Unnie know?"

YoungSaeng was done with physical training and would be working on vocals in the afternoon.  He and JungMin had written most of the songs and was very excited to record.   In this way, he didn't feel as alone as before.   Yes, he still didn't see his friends as often as he should.   It was his cowardice overhearing about Ilana.  He could tell himself he's over her, but what if that was just a brave front?  What if he found out he really wasn't over her and ended up hurting them all over again.  At least this way, he had all his friends with him on this journey and even if just in name, he had Ilana too.  He owed Mina for doing this for him in her spare time.  Of course, they all were, none wanted to get paid.  Except for JungMin, of course, and So YiHyun had stopped Maknae from charging their fee.  Once he became established as an idol, he'd pay everyone for their services.  He was lying on the studio floor, trying to get up the energy to move when he received her reply.  "Chincha?"  He read her text.  How could she possibly know he'd been with Maknae the night before?

YoungSaeng:  We just went to a movie!  Chinchayo!

Mina laughed out loud with glee at making him guilty.  Belatedly, she realized the buzz around her had stopped.  Looking up from her phone, she saw Ilana and JanDi staring at her with wide grins on their faces.  "Ah!  Na chingu sent me a...funny text, deh!"

 - "Mwo?  Wae does Mina look guilty?"  Ilana teased.

 - "Nae?"

 - "Deh!  Mina-ssi is blushing!"  JanDi jumped in.

 - "Does Mina want privacy while she talks to her namja chingu?"

 - "Na didn't say I spoke to a namja!"

 - "Which is exactly why you are guilty," the restaurant Master had come up to them with extra porridge to go.  He'd heard most of their conversation.  JanDi and Ilana couldn't contain their laughter.

 - "Sajangnim!  We should go?"  Mina stood, trying to avoid the teasing.

 - "Deh!"  Ilana chuckled a little more.  "Poor JiNa is all alone.  The namja aren't coming in today."

 - "Na will walk out with you, I'll have the driver drop you guys off on nae way back home."

 - "We can walk back."

 - "Na will walk with you!  Junpyo doesn't let me do anything.  He wants me with a trainer and a nurse if I need exercise.  Jeongmal?  Naneun Uissa!"

Ilana hugged their friend.  "JanDi Unnie, kansamnida!  I needed the distraction."

 - "Anieyo!  Kaja!"  They began to walk back to the office with the driver following at a discreet distance.      

Once back at the office, Ilana returned to her pile of reports, feeling much better after the distraction.  JiNa was waiting for Mina to review some sketches she did.  The girl was actually quite talented with ink and paper.  Before placing her purse back in her desk drawer, she replied to YoungSaeng.

Mina:  Someone feels guilty, deh?  Keke.  Late reply, Mianhaeyo.  Orabeoni is going to get me in trouble with Sajang.

YoungSaeng had given up on waiting for a response and had gone to the locker room to shower.  He didn't take too long but looked at the soft beeping of his phone with anticipation.  Of course, he'd never admit it.  Before even dressing, he picked up his phone to read the message.  "Tch...guilty?  Chincha?"  If anyone walked in at that moment, they’d see a half- man with a goofy grin on his face, talking to himself.

YoungSaeng:  Yah!  It's not like we're having an affair.  Maknae's not my type, anyway.  ;)

YoungSaeng:  Besides, who says, a guy has to be with his yeoja chingu all the time.

Said the one without a girlfriend at the moment.  In truth, if he did have one, he'd want to spend as much time as possible with her.

 - "Sounds guilty to me," Mina said as she read the response.  MiRi, her assistant wasn't in the office, so she could chuckle and smile all she wanted.

Mina:  Guilty!!!

YoungSaeng:  Yah Ajumma!

Mina:  Ajumma?  Chinchayo?  That must make Orabeoni Ajussi for he's three years older?  Na should call you Harabeoji!!!  Kekeke

YoungSaeng was going to strangle his cute dongsaeng.

YoungSaeng:   ヽ(｀⌒´)ﾉ choking cute dongsaeng.

Mina:  Na have work to do; Orabeoni can't choke me.  Na will tell Sajangnim.  :P  Annyeong 'Oppa'.  ;;)

Mina placed her phone back inside her desk or they'd be at it for hours.

YoungSaeng:  Running away?

After a while, there was no response and he dressed slowly, waiting to see if she would respond back.  When there wasn't any, he decided to contact her once more.

YoungSaeng:  Arraseo, Na will let Mina go before she tells on me.

YoungSaeng blow-dried his hair thinking of the very delicious meal, Mina had made for him after Mass.  She'd asked him his favorites and made him Japanese fried chicken, chicken curry, rice, store-bought kimchi, and even sautéed cabbage.  Since that was really the only vegetable he tolerated.  The parish was not far from the apartment and after they lit a candle and prayed (well, she prayed and he couldn't help sneaking peeks at her) for his success, they were able to walk back.  He didn't know why everything about her made him smile.  The more time they spent together, the more they conversed about anything and everything the more comfortable he was around her.  It felt like they'd known each other for years and yet they really didn't know each other.  He didn't want to compare her to the guys as he thought she didn't care for that comparison at all.  But he couldn't help that was how he thought of her.  He felt that same bond of friendship that nothing or no one could sever, not even his own stupidity or girlfriends.  He thought of the rest of his friends who were happy in a relationship but still were there for him anytime.  All he had to do was ask.  She was someone he could talk to for hours, especially while drinking.  "At least if I'm single," he thought, "Na can have a beautiful and also single woman to spend time with."  He briefly wondered if old men who re-marry after being widowed for a while do so for companionship.  Maybe theirs isn't a passionate love, but a sweet and slow kind of love.  All of a sudden his mind wandered to the pictures of her.  Not the sweet and innocent ones, but the sultry ones, especially the one where she sat in between the fake groom's legs.

YoungSaeng shook his head to try and divert naughty thoughts.  "You need to go to Church more often," he told the mirror.  "Alright, she looked amazing and very hot in those pictures.  So what?  She's an attractive woman.  Just because we're friends doesn't mean she's less attractive?"  He wondered if she started modeling because the guys in her circle treated her as a mascot or even as one of the guys.  Even though he continued drying his hair, it was beyond dry; his mind was miles away focused on a Mexican/Japanese girl from the states.

When Ilana left for the conservatory at six, Mina took out her phone dying to see if he'd texted her back.  

Mina:  Annyeong hashiminika Orabeoni, eat well!

Mina wouldn't receive a response from him until just before bedtime.  YoungSaeng would be busy going over the songs for the album.  Leaving the office around seven, she didn't feel like going home and watching dramas.  She let her mind wander to YoungSaeng in a lead role for a drama.  Her growling stomach woke her and she wondered if Emily and Harabeoji would join her for dinner.  Walking toward the clinic, her creative mind dressed YoungSaeng in all kinds of acting roles until she had to conceal her laughter or elicit stares.

Thirty minutes later, having been shooed out the door by Harabeoji, Mina and Emily sat at a nearby pizza restaurant.  Mina gladly picked up her pizza with her bare hands, while Emily cut hers with a fork and knife.  Mina smiled at the European etiquette.  "Emily, do you miss home?"

 - "If it weren't for Jongie, Harabeoji, Jun, Hyun and now you, I would be terribly homesick."  Mina didn't miss Emily's smile at the mention of KyuJong.  "What about you?"

 - "After I moved out of TaeYoung's house and the holidays came around I began to get a little lonely.  After my parent's left, it was worse, but I spent Christmas day with a friend that was also a little lonely and then I wasn't lonely anymore."

Emily laughed, to Mina's surprise.  "You sound like a lovesick school girl.  Who is this lonely fellow and when will you introduce him to us?"

 - "I didn't say my friend was a guy?"

 - "You didn't have to, your eyes went all googly."

 - "Emily, that's your eyes when you talk about Young...KyuJong!"  Mina didn't cover fast enough.

 - "Come again?  What about Otter Oppa?"

 - "What about him?"

 - "Codswallop, you were about to say YoungSaeng, weren't you?"

 - "I most certainly was not!"  Mina replied in her fake British accent hoping to deter her friend.  "And what's codswallop?"

Emily narrowed her eyes..."you've got a crush on him.  Rubbish or Baloney as you Americans say."  She leaned over the table with a conspiratorial grin.  "Now that you'll be working closely with him, you can make it happen."  Emily laughed.  "You're blushing, which means you're guilty as charged.  Daeback!"  Emily sat back clapping her hands.

 - "Stop imagining things, we're just working together and barely even friends."  Okay, so perhaps she downplayed the story just a bit, but Mina didn't want rumors to start or well-meaning, but annoying friends to start setting up 'coincidental' meetings.

 - "I don't know him as well, but Jongie always has wonderful things to say about him.  He seems a bit shy since he left the military.  When I first met him, he was all smiles and joking around.  I thought he and Ilana were dating, they were always together."

 - "Oh really?"  Mina's interest was piqued.

 - "Yes, but once I got to know all of Jongie’s friends and their relationships, he never said they were dating.  I've often wondered if he had a one-sided love for her, especially the way they half kidnapped him to take him to the wedding.  Jongie never told me if there was or wasn't.  It's not my business."

 - "He walked her down the aisle, though?  And are you making it your business now?"

 - "Of course!  Don't you know, when people are engaged or married, they try to get all their friends paired up?"

Mina rolled her eyes, "leave us alone and eat your pizza!"

 - "Ohhh, so you're an 'us' now?"

 - "I refuse to continue this discussion!  The poor man's ears are probably ringing right now."

Emily bit into the piece of pizza on her fork, dancing happily in her seat.  "Don't fight it.  He's just as handsome as the rest of the lads, he's still single and you better catch him now before he turns into a superstar and has girls swooning at his feet."

Mina completely ignored her comment and continued eating.  "Are you and YiHyun really planning a double wedding?"  She changed the subject a few minutes later.

 - "I'm quite positive of my suspicions, you know.  Changing the subject won't help."  Mina stuck her tongue out at her.  "As for your question, yes.  The lads are up for it, we have to time it right so that HyunJoong Oppa can come."  Both Mina and Emily sighed, there was no need to discuss what the poor man had been through this past year and a half.  And while the criminal suit against his ex was still going on, he couldn't honorably face his son.

 - "They wouldn't have the wedding without him, I'm sure.  Even if the wedding has to be in Paju."

 - "Truly, their friendship is remarkable.  Speaking of friendship, shouldn't we have a baby shower for Ilana before she leaves?"

 - "We'd have to have it this weekend!  She's been having a hard time, we've all got a lot on our plate right now, but she's trying to take on more than she should.  We're doing fine, it's not like we're sleeping at the office.  Also, I don't think her last Dr.'s appointment went well.  She was really cranky when she got back."  Mina laughed.  "She's really funny when she gets mad.  It usually doesn't last long, just give her a few minutes to breathe and she'll calm down."

 - "Jongie gets that way sometimes.  It lasts for about a minute and then he'll be my jagi again."

 - "I'm going to have a toothache from all of you guys!"  Mina complained.

 - "If you can't beat us, join us," Emily laughed at Mina's 'you've got to be kidding me?' look.  "Seriously, all kidding aside, if you like him, go after him.  He looks like the shy type."

 - "Not when he's drinking," Mina thought.  "Micheoseo!  Got it?"

 - "I quite agree with you, dear.  It's all because of Jongie."

 - "Lord, deliver me from these crazy people," Mina sighed and made the sign of the cross.

 - "Alright, stop!  Let's talk about having a baby shower."

 - "We should have it at the office!  We can make it a breakfast shower.  She's always craving Mexican food, I can put together some chilaquiles and sweet bread and coffee."

 - "I don’t know what that is, but I’m sure it's delicious.  YiHyun has ties to several bakeries."

 - "GaEul is great at decorating...let's start calling the others."

 - "Right!"

They stayed in the restaurant brainstorming and making calls until late into the night.  Thankfully, Emily had a car and she gave Mina a ride home.  When she finally did receive a reply text from YoungSaeng, she wished it had been him to drop her off at home.  Emily's words resonated in her head and wasn't able to immediately fall asleep.  "Is it true Orabeoni?  Ilana is your unrequited love?  Eottoke?  Will you ever see me waiting for you?"  She grabbed her phone from the nightstand.

Mina:  Jaljaeyo Orabeoni, I'm sending angels to watch of your sleep.

YoungSaeng was also lying awake his mind was still spinning with the day's activities and couldn't turn it off.  He heard his phone beep as his eyes were closing and wondered which of the gang was texting (they did a lot of that).  Grabbing the phone, he was happy he did and Immediately he began to respond.

YoungSaeng:  Na have the cutest guardian angel.  Gomawo, I feel sleepy already.  Jaljaeyo jagi.

Mina smiled sleepily at his response.  “Pabo, how can I keep from falling from you?”  She fell asleep soon after and would wake up wondering if she’d really dreamt of kissing an otter.

This chapter was a little short, as everything I wanted to include was not going to fit.  This is good news for those complaining that it's coming to an end.  It means an extra chapter.

I couldn't just jump another two months when the babies arrive without seeing how our newest 'friends' are getting along.  As usual lately, I have no clue what to name these chapters.  If you have a better idea, by all means, let me know. 

Any new readers out there, thank you so much for stopping by.  Please don't forget to Comment, Subscribe and Vote.  If you don't, I don't know who you are and can't thank you or say hello.

 - Saranghae!

***It’s now February 2018 and what we hoped was that woman would be behind bars and instead only gets slapped with a fine for fraud and a not guilty of defamation.  Henecia is still strong and we’ll move on and help our HJ climb back to the top, not matter how difficult.  Whatever comes next, we’re ready.