April 18, 2016

Mina was tearing her hair out at work.  On top of everything else going on in the office (Ilana’s absence and training interns), she had YoungSaeng’s launch party in exactly one week.  Media and CI Entertainment fans and their other idols, would get to meet the new idol in person, do interviews and listen to a teaser of his first single.  While CI was handling the media; two lucky winners would receive a copy of his first single before it was out and passes to see his first live television performance.  Since they had only been releasing parts of his face and body at a time, the new posters had his eyes covered with dark glasses.  Mina kept busy getting the word out and making sure his merchandise was ready to go.  MiRi and the new intern were sent out to local music stores and cafes to invite people to the launch party.  As it was late afternoon, they were expecting hundreds of people, including fans from the other CI Entertainment groups.  They weren't revealing which idols would be there, you had to come and see for yourself.  Mina hired street food vendors to serve all YoungSaeng's favorites.  The party would be held in the CI Entertainment barricaded parking lot.  They hired a KJ and the idols planned to all take turns as J.  It was going to be laid back and fun, just like YoungSaeng.

 - "Sunbae!"  MiRi came running into the office, followed by her new intern.

 - "Mworago?"  Now that they had three more people, it was time to start using proper titles.  Not because she exalted herself, but it was easier to establish the respect of the employees.  This was a different culture than America, where you called your boss by their first name.

 - "Ah... Bu-Sajang...mianhaeyo."  MiRi lowered her eyes in remorse for a split second and then went back to her prattling.  "Sunbae!"  Mina sighed, habits are hard to break.  "We hit every cafe and music store and restaurant within a five-mile radius of CI Entertainment.  Everyone is excited to meet the new idol for CI."

 - "Choahyo, that's what we want; to peak everyone's interest."

 - "Sunb-eh...Bu-Sajang," MiRi caught herself.   "Can we go to Heo YoungSaeng-ssi's launch?"  MiRi's lips formed a pout.

 - "MiRi should save her aegyo for her namja chingu.  MiRi knows this is costing the agency money they haven't earned yet.  In the end, this comes out of Heo YoungSaeng-ssi’s paycheck.  We must keep it several hundred people only."

 - "Mianhae, MinSun-ssi," MiRi turned to the new marketing intern.  "We tried."  Mina grabbed her portfolio on the desk and bopped MiRi's head with it.  She could get away with that kind of response in South Korea; Mina had to admit it was quite liberating.

 - "Aigoo!  Sunbae!!"  MiRi complained.

 - "MiRi-ssi!  What example are you showing your hubae?  To be disrespectful?"

 - "Anieyo Rodriguez Bu-Sajang!"

 - "Aish!  You better not."  Mina was done with MiRi for the moment.  "MinSun, did you eat lunch while you were out?"

 - "Anieyo, Bu-Sajang.  Bu-Sajang didn't tell us to stop."

Mina was going to strangle them.  "It's after 13:00 what were you thinking?!"  It wasn't regulation that they take a thirty-minute lunch after five hours, but they were wandering all over Seoul for several hours and they didn't stop to eat.  "Ka!  Mokda!"  Mina decided that after YoungSaeng left on tour, she was leaving too.  She'd call JungMin or Antonio or anyone to relieve her, so she could take a vacation.  She was starting to feel Ilana's stress.  Their Sajang worked hard on their behalf, even when she was in Los Angeles.  Mina knew this, of course, but never knew the impact of having her completely out of the picture.  She called to check in daily and ask if there was anything she could do to help, but Mina and TaeYoung always told her they had everything under control.  There was no reason for her to stress out.

MiRi and MinSun were getting ready to back out again, a scream was heard from JiNa at the front desk.  "God help me, now what?!"  Mina said.  The three went running to the front to confront the culprit who was harassing JiNa.

YoungSaeng had been working out and practicing with his Sunbae-deul.  They all welcomed him wholeheartedly and gave him tips on surviving the TV circuit and the tour.  He would look forward to working with them more, but he would have liked it better if his friends were with him.  The guys let him go early, telling him to enjoy an afternoon off while he still could.

 - "Go to Myeongdong while you can still be anonymous.  After next week it won't be so easy."

After cleaning himself up he decided he didn't want to go Myeongdong, but there was a teasing smile, he hadn't seen in a while.  They were both too busy to hang out anymore.  Anytime he saw her, it was just in passing, while she met with his manager or the coordi noona.  It was early enough for him to run over to where her office was.  He would provide lunch for them, for all their hard work for the launch party.

He first called her office to assure that she was in and then called Brew 3:15 to order fried chicken to go.  He was tempted to get them all beer, but Mina would most likely get upset.  Americans did not drink in the office or during work hours, she said.  It was a liability.  Isn't everything, he wondered?  While 3:15 was not his favorite, it was closer to her office and least crowded.  He walked to her building with enough chicken to feed fifteen people.  He wasn't sure of the exact headcount in her office but knew it wasn't that many.

Stopping by the security first, before stepping into the elevator, he verified the suite number.  He felt his heart thumping, from his walk (so he told himself).  He caught his smile in the elevator doors, even if he wouldn't admit it, he was excited to see Mina again.  Still wearing his sunglasses, he walked in the door of ILC Group’s office.  "Rodriguez Bu-Sajang, juseyo," he removed his sunglasses and the receptionist that had been eyeing him warily, suddenly screamed.

 - "Neo (you)!  Omo!!  Omo!!"  JiNa thought the man standing in front of her had looked familiar and when she was about to call Mina, she noticed her postcard for the launch party and couldn't contain herself.  "Omo, omo!!"  She said again, the phone forgotten in her hands.

YoungSaeng was ready to drop the bags and run out the door, when he heard the voice he came to visit.  "JiNa-ssi?!  What is it?!"  Mina's focus was on JiNa and not YoungSaeng who was trying to blend into the door and make himself less conspicuous.

 - "Bu-Sajang!"  JiNa stood nervously.  Her behavior would easily get her fired.  "Jwosongmnida!  Jwosongmnida!"  JiNa knelt at her boss’s feet, while the other two finally saw what had made JiNa scream.

 - "Omo!!  Omo!!"  MiRi tried not to jump up and down.

 - "Wau!!  Gwiyowiyo!"  Their usually quiet intern said.

Mina's brain was pulled in every direction and took her some time to see the frightened Otter, trying to blend into the door.  "Ora..." Mina shook her head to clear the cobwebs.  The last thing she needed was to call him 'Orabeoni' in front of everyone. "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi!  D-did je forget a meeting?"

 - "Bu-sajang didn't have any meetings scheduled with Heo YoungSaeng-ssi," JiNa responded from the floor, forgotten in the commotion.

 - "Yesu, help me?!  JiNa get up off the floor or Na will change my mind and fire you."

 - "Deh, Bu-Sajang," JiNa smiled cutely at YoungSaeng as she scrambled back to her seat.

 - "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi?"  Mina bit back a laugh.  He was trying so hard to remain inconspicuous she didn't think he was breathing and if he pressed any harder on the door, he would fly out.

 - "Ah, annyeong hasseyo," he sprung back to life and bowed.  "Rodriguez Bu-Sajang, je would like to thank the staff at ILC for the hard work they have been putting in on my account.  Bu-Sajang and her staff haven't stopped for lunch yet?"

 - "Anieyo!"  MiRi said.  "We've been passing out the invitations for the launch party!"

 - "Kansamnida!"  YoungSaeng said again, while Mina glared at her assistant for having a big mouth.

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi, the yeoja can be easily persuaded to join you for lunch."

 - "And their Bu-Sajang?"

Mina watched him bite his lip like he always did when he was nervous.  "Greomyo, kanasamnida," she said softly.  She'd missed their one on one time together.  She even missed drinking with him.  "Get a grip, Mina," she told herself.  "JiNa, let's lock the door, take the mobile and we'll have lunch in the conference room.  MiRi, MinSun, take a bag from Heo YoungSaeng-ssi.  He was kind enough to walk all the way here to bring us lunch."

MiRi observed their boss flip a switch.  Her eyes were going to jump off her face when she noticed YoungSaeng and she'd never ever heard her boss stutter.  YoungSaeng, she realized was flirting with their boss and she was almost shy around him.  There seemed to be a new look on her face that MiRi recalled having seen regularly, before but then it went away, replaced by their boss’s usual no-nonsense businesswoman façade.  Every romantic scenario flooded her head.  If only she and MinSun could escape and let them have some time alone.

YoungSaeng gave the conference room an admiring view, while the other three ladies scurried to get plates and napkins.  It had everything needed for a conference or gathering and more, including a kitchenette.  "Bu-Sajang designed the conference room?"  He asked.

 - "Deh, je wanted it to be functional and impressive for the clients of the businesses in the building.  They mostly all contribute to it."

 - "Bu-sajang is very talented, YoungSaeng-ssi," MiRi chimed in.

 - "Deh!"  JiNa said.  "Sajang and Bu-Sajang are daeback, Na have a lot to learn from them."

Mina was giving the pair a 'what are you doing?' look.  "Bu-Sajang does great at Karaoke.  YoungSaeng-ssi must make her sing at his launch party."  JiNa was not trying to scheme anything, she greatly admired her two bosses.  TaeYoung was great too, but he was just a man and not cool like a woman.

 - "JiNa!"  Mina scolded her youngest employee.

 - "Ah, deh!!!  Bu-Sajang is daeback for an amateur.  Mina-ssi sang at the anniversary deh?"

 - "Eottokhaeyo (how)?"  Mina was completely caught off guard, much to MiRi's delight.

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi knew our Bu-Sajang back then?"

 - "Ah, deh, Bu-Sajang is nae first fan."

 - "Chinchayo?"  MiRi was having a great time.

 - "Enough chatter, begopayo and YoungSaeng-ssi is very busy getting ready for his debut."  The professional Mina was back, cool and composed.

YoungSaeng preferred the smart- who told him off when he did something to annoy her.  "Je Sunbae-deul gave me the afternoon off."  YoungSaeng grinned at seeing her narrow her eyes at him.  He could annoy her all he wanted, and she couldn't retaliate.  "Our chingu from Hyung and Hyun studios sent me a video of her performance.  Rodriguez-ssi, did I not tell you?"

 - "Aish!  That Maknae, wait until I get my hands on him," she hit the table, exasperated.

That was the exact reaction he wanted.  The younger women giggled at her reaction.  Having passed out water bottles to drink, they began to eat.

 - "Hajiman how is Bu-Sajang Heo YoungSaeng-ssi's first fan?  Did she get a sneak peek at your single?"

 - "Anieyo, Mina-ssi will hear it with everyone else.  Mina-ssi used to come listen to me sing in the police choir."

 - "Wau!"  JiNa said.  "Is that how Heo YoungSaeng-ssi was discovered?"

 - "Na was actually working and not singing.  A chingu called and asked me to sing something and manager hyeong heard me.  He contacted me sometime after."

 - "Wau!"  The other women were in awe, having never been this close to an idol.

 - "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi will forget all about his first fan.  Anieyo..." Mina realized she was not, in fact, his first fan.  "I am not his first fan, it is Sajang."  He'd been enjoying teasing her, now it was her turn.

 - "Ah, deh, your Sajang is close to nae chingu.  Hajiman Na don't think her nampyon would appreciate her being nae number one fan.  Until Rodriguez-ssi is snatched away by an eligible bachelor, she gets the title."

 - "Nah told YoungSaeng-ssi, once on your tour you'll forget all about your number one fan."

 - "Paboya (all formalities went out the window), that can never happen."

 - "Mollahyo," Mina rolled her eyes at him.

 - "Disrespectful agassi."

 - "Pabo Otter."

They were about to get into one of their teasing matches, though Mina wasn't playing.  She wanted to fight with him, maybe then he would notice her and see that she was a woman, not just a friend or little sister.  Looking down at her watch, at least thirty minutes had gone by.  "Forgive me Heo YoungSaeng-ssi, the time has passed all too quickly.  Na should return to the office."

MiRi noticed that the smile in her eyes was gone.  "Bu-Sajang?  Do we have to?"

 - "You three can stay as long as YoungSaeng-ssi stays."  Mina was getting up to throw away her plate.

 - "Can Mina-ssi not stay longer?"

 - "Deh...!"  MiRi complained.

 - "Anieyo, with our Sajang out, there is much to do.  Kansamnida, YoungSaeng-ssi.  Na look forward to the launch party."

 - "Deh..." He tried to hide his disappointment.

After Mina left, the girls asked him question after question about everything, including his friendship with Ilana and Mina.  He didn't disclose much of anything to their annoyance.  After a suitable amount of time, YoungSaeng excused himself as well.

Mina had not returned directly to the office but went into the bathroom and wept.  She was considering giving up.  But at the same time, she had never really begun.   He had no clue how she felt about him.  "Eottoke?"

The girls cleaned up the conference room and headed for the elevator.   "Did you guys see that?”  MiRi the instigator asked.

 - "Mwo?"  JiNa was the most innocent, fresh out of college.

 - "Deh", MinSun said.  "YoungSaeng-ssi was flirting with Bu-Sajang."

 - "And they've known each other for a while..."

 - "Mollah Bu-Sajang, hajiman na don't think she likes the idea of his leaving.”

 - "Deh, she brought it up abruptly and left soon after."

 - "MiRi-ssi, when did all this happen?"  JiNa asked amazed.

 - "While JiNa was daydreaming about YoungSaeng-ssi."  The three laughed as they stepped out of the elevator on to their floor.

April 23, 2016

Harabeoji was only going to the clinic four days a week for two four-hour shifts.  One in the morning and one in the evening, this way he spent more time with his Grandson and Granddaughter.  He also ordered JanDi to do the same, except she would be working the morning shift with him on those days.  She was due in just two weeks, it was time for her to slow down.  She had fought her Doctor, husband, Harabeoji, and even Jihoo the entire pregnancy and continued to work.  The attacks of nausea continued throughout the pregnancy, but she refused to sit at home and do nothing.  As long as she kept herself hydrated and stopped before she felt faint, she could work and take care of the few household chores she indulged in (the staff did 99% of the chores).  After the morning shift, she would come back with Harabeoji and have lunch with him and Ilana and all three would spend fifteen minutes walking the grounds after.  That was all Ilana could take at once or she'd be extremely tired and uncomfortable.  By that time Ilana was stirring about and ready for company.  She tried to work a few hours a day, at least doing research.  JiNa screened all her emails, morning, noon, and night so that Ilana only read the one's the V.P.'s wanted her to see.  If this was discovered, they would all be in a huge amount of trouble.

Ilana was more in tune with her body's warning signals now; when the slightest headache or shortness of breath began, she would put down the laptop for the rest of the day and pop in her earphones to listen to worship songs or sing.  Looking at the time, Ilana thought Harabeoji and JanDi would be coming through the door any minute.  HaEun rumbled in her Mother's stomach reminding her, in case she'd forgotten, that it was lunchtime.  "Deh, HaEun-ah; Harabeoji and Imo will be here any minute.  Should we go see what ajumma is making for lunch?"  Ilana had initially attempted to help in the kitchen but was shooed away by the housekeeper, telling her she was supposed to be resting.  That's all Ilana did, was rest.  Like a prisoner, she crossed off each day on her calendar.  There was a delicious scent coming from the kitchen, as usual.  "Ajumma, HaEun-ah begopayo," Ilana had walked into the kitchen.

 - "Choah!"  She liked to see her young mistress have an appetite.  It took a good amount of strength to deliver a baby.  "Deongjang chiggae (Soybean paste soup), choah?"  It was made with her own recipe of soybean paste and knew it wouldn't be full of preservatives that could hurt the baby, as the store-bought pastes were.

 - "Deh, ajumma!  Na will go set the table, Harabeoji and Guam JanDi should be here any minute."  Before she could turn and walk to the table, a pair of arms circled around her waist.  "Sarang!"  He loosed his grip in order for her to turn to him.  "Wae so early?"

 - "It's Saturday, Na only went into the office for a few hours.  Na picked up Harabeoji on my way home."

 - "Ah, pabo," she bopped her head against his chest.  "The days get lost in my head.  JanDi went home?"  She unburied her head.

 - "Deh.  She said to tell you she and InHei were going shopping and if there was anything she thought you needed, she'd pick it up."

 - "JanDi and InHei will pick up useful things; if her nampyon goes with them or JaeKyung Unnie, they'll come back with the entire market."

Jihoo laughed.  HaEun was already the recipient of more hats, sunglasses and other assorted accessories than she could possibly wear.  "Speaking of shopping, where are we on the list?"  They had done some shopping, stocking up on diapers and wipes, not wanting to get caught unprepared.  Other things they made short trips to the store for.  Emart was a hit as they had everything and if she was hungry, they had whole grocery section.  "Na think we need a trip to Emart, Sarang."  Ilana looked pleadingly at him.  They could never get out of the store in less than an hour.  It completely exhausted her out of bed and walking around time and she immediately fell asleep in the car afterward.  Absolutely worth the swollen legs later in the day, she hoped her husband would fall for it.

 - "And wae does Anae need a trip to Emart?"

 - "We need diaper cream, burping cloths, stroller, pump, and first aid kit." she checked off each item on her fingers and stood facing him with a sweet smile.

Jihoo smiled at her just as sweetly.  "The pump and first aid kit, Na will get from the hospital, diaper cream, the ajumma can pick up when she gets the weekly groceries, burping clothes can be ordered online and so can a stroller."  He mimicked her finger checklist.

 - "Choah...than nae weekly outing will be nae pabo otter's launch tomorrow."  Technically, she didn't have an invitation, but she'd get the office to send her one.  She knew her husband would never go for it, so it seemed they'd be going to Emart.

 - "Na Anae is less than four weeks from giving birth and has blood pressure complications.  She will not go to an overcrowded parking lot for an idol's launch party.  Anae will get jostled about and can easily get hurt."

He wore his 'Doctor' look reserved for calmly explained to a patient their health concerns.  "Majayo," she said as solemnly as possible, catching him off guard with her response.  Taking a deep breath in order not to start laughing, she walked past him to the table and saw Harabeoji coming out of his room.  "Harabeoji!"  She kissed his cheek in greeting.  "Na was just going to tell nampyon that a trip to Emart for the last few things on the list is a much better outing for me than Heo YoungSaeng's launch party tomorrow."

 - "Sarang, that's..."

Harabeoji cut him off.  "Ah deh...after Ilana has seen the items she is looking for, she can wait for her nampyon at the food court in the market."  Ilana grinned.  "Hajiman Ilana should not be on her feet for more than thirty minutes.  Remember the last time, you couldn't even walk by the time you got home."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji."  It was on their first shopping trip and she walked around for at least an hour.  On the way home, her feet had swollen so badly inside her shoes and her legs were so stiff, even if she wanted to walk in the house on her own, she couldn't.

 - "Harabeoji is encouraging her."

 - "Deh, I'm encouraging her to use caution."

Laughing, they all made their way to the table.  Ilana set chopsticks, spoon, and napkins before her men and then sat down.  The housekeeper came out with a try of sides first and then a steaming pot of soup and began to ladle out individual portions in the waiting bowls.  "Kansamnida," Ilana thanked the housekeeper.

 - "Ajumma, anjayo," Jihoo said. It was funny how he never would've considered sharing a meal with the housekeeper.  Actually, he never saw the housekeeper growing up because she came only when he wasn't home.  He took all his meals at Shinwa, so there was never a need to see her.  It never occurred to him that this woman had been taking care of him, just as Nana took care of Ilana.

 - "Anieyo," the housekeeper said.  "Enjoy your meal with Anae and Harabeoji.  Na will eat in the kitchen and then make sure everything is ready for the crib being delivered today."

 - "The crib?"  Ilana asked.

 - "Omo, Sarang!  Na forgot to tell you.  The crib is coming today."

 - "Chincha?"  She was so excited, she wanted to jump from her seated position but forgot she was pregnant and couldn't get up so easily.

Jihoo, with his quick reflexes, grabbed for his wife and the chair before they went crashing to the floor.  "Sarang, take a deep breath and sit.  The crib will not get here any faster with you falling and injuring yourself and HaEun."

 - "Deh," she went back to her plate, embarrassed.

 - "Would Agassi like me to wait and let her make sure everything is where she wants it?"

She looked to Jihoo, first.  "Can we still go for a walk?"

He smiled and nodded.  "If Sarang promises not to overexert herself in the room later."

 - "Deh!"  She answered to both.

Ilana only managed a ten-minute nap after their walk before the crib and dresser/changing table was delivered.  Jihoo did not want her bending too much or getting too tired, therefore they made the one with the architecture degree sit and pass tools while the two Doctors that had never built anything before, took on the assembly job.  The directions were, thankfully, also in English and she could give a helpful suggestion from time to time.  Most of the time she giggled and took a video, so HaEun could see her Appa and Harabeoji assembling her bedroom furniture.  "HaEun-ah, see how much Appa loves you?  El Niño bonito resulta ser muy trabajador (The pretty boy turned out to be a very hard worker)."

 - "Yah!  Na understood Sarang perfectly well.  HaEun-ah can ask Nana who the pretty girl is."

 - "HaEun-ah, Appa won't let me help!"

 - "Sarang is passing the tools and giving her hardworking nampyon a kisseu."  Jihoo's arm reached for his grinning wife and brought her to him for a quick kiss.

In the commotion, the phone was dropped, and the video stopped.  "Mianhae, HaEun, Appa made Umma drop the phone."

Harabeoji decided to put on his gruff voice.  "You two stop chattering and start working.  At this rate, HaEun will be born and we'll still be putting the crib together."

Both Jihoo and Ilana grinned to see him patiently holding up one of the crib walls.  "Deh Harabeoji!"

 - "HaEun-ah!"  Ilana resumed the filming of her documentary.  "Isn't Harabeoji daeback?  You'll see, he's a great namja, with many talents.  He'll take you fishing and make delicious fish soup for you, maybe he'll whittle you a hair ornament and if you ask very nicely, he may even tell you a story.  Appa gets his kind eyes from him," Ilana zoomed in on his face.  He shook his head at her and returned his attention to Jihoo, who was joining the two sides now.  "Actually, I think Abeojim too has kind eyes.  At least from the pictures in the living room, I can see that.  And Appa has Eommonim's smile.  I'm not sure they are watching from Heaven as they are too busy, but maybe they think of us and pray for us and you."  Ilana's voice softened as she thought of her late in-laws, that she never had the opportunity to meet, except in a dream.

Jihoo finished tightening up the two ends and was now ready for the other wall.  He heard the change in his wife's voice and looked up to see her eyes glistening with moisture.  "Sarang is going to make herself cry, stop the video for now."

 - "Ara, na can't help it."  She switched the phone camera to selfie mode.  "HaEun-ah, Umma will be back later, deh?"  She had begun filming small videos for the baby.  Anything from the housekeeper cooking to walking with Harabeoji in the garden, to the way her hands and legs sometimes swelled up (Thankfully not as severe as before).  She ventured to the foundation once to take a video of Appa working.  He shooed her back home with a promise to be home early if she obeyed.  She left, and he did keep his promise.  Jihoo had not allowed her to step foot on ILC grounds, so JiNa and MiRi took random pictures for her and short video encouragements.  They even coaxed the newbie staff to record a greeting for her.  It was obvious they were a bit awkward, but Ilana found it sweet and thanked them effusively, welcoming them wholeheartedly.

By the evening HaEun's room was almost done.  The crib was put together, as was her armoire and dressing table.  Mina and the girls promised to come help Ilana with wall and ceiling hangings and Jihoo had ordered her a glider and co-sleeper that had yet to arrive.

- "Na think I'm in the nesting phase," Ilana had commented to JanDi earlier in the week.

 - "JanDi is always in the nesting phase," GaEul said.  JanDi always had to be busy, none of them knew how she did it.  Only Sunday and sometimes Saturday did JunPyo coax her into relaxing.  Ilana liked to be busy too, but she cherished those downtimes, curled up with her husband.

The day was over, and Ilana took one more look at the almost complete nursery.  The crib looked so happy just waiting for HaEun to be born.  She pictured the crib with the Cinderella bedding and smiled.   "Yesu, bless YoungSaeng Oppa during his launch tomorrow.  Alguesubnida, it must be awkward for him and he needs time to adjust.  Help me to be patient and not get angry with him.  I will be busy with this precious gift inside of me and him with his gift of song that has been a comfort to me on more than one occasion. Let his voice be a blessing to those who hear it. Yesu would not have given him such a beautiful voice for nothing."

Ilana's eyes swept the room once more.  It would do well; though not her first choice in cribs, they weren't made the same in the Republic, as they were in the states.  That was why they ordered the co-sleeper.  They would only use the crib for daytime naps.

 - "Sarang," Jihoo wrapped his arms around her waist.  He had been in conversation with his Grandfather when his wife excused herself for a glass of water and never returned.  "You've been on your feet long enough today."

 - "Ara, hajiman I feel fine and my blood pressure is fine."

 - "It's passable, hajiman still on the high side.  Naega ready to lay down.  Would Sarang like to watch a movie?"

 - "Deh."  Jihoo led the way to their bedroom.   Little did they know, they'd have a surprise soon.

April 24, 2016

Suzy stood from her seat, stretched and went to the bathroom.  Her husband and Nana were still snoozing.  "This is your first trip to Seoul, baby," Suzy told her still flat stomach.  Remembering JungMin's face, when he opened his birthday present first and then the card, still made her laugh out loud.  Inside the gift box was a soft and comfy colt diaper cover set, including horseshoe baby booties and ears and face baby beanie.

"Gwiyowiyo!"  He laughed and tried to put on the beanie.  "This doesn't fit me, it will have to wait until our jeogum mal decides to come.  Jagi, we'll have to work overtime on that, deh?"  He winked at her and pulled her closer, so he could nip and lips.

They sat outside, on the patio of the main house enjoying the evening after a delicious dinner at a very nice restaurant in town.  For their dessert, they indulged on delicious whole milk creamy ice cream and not that they'd never made out in the patio at night, she needed him to open his Birthday card.  With great effort, she pulled away from his kiss.  "Yeoboooo," she sulked, "open your card."

JungMin groaned.  "Anae owes me, Na can still throw you over my shoulder and have my way with you later."

 - "Deh...now open."

 - "Aish!  Impatient..."  He opened the envelope and the cover read 'Saeng Il Chuka Hamnida...' and was covered in pink and blue hearts.  She had made the card and it was sweet, not his style, but she made it for him and wouldn't complain.  "Gomawo, jagi."  He opened it to see the word 'APPA!!' in bold black letters and in case he still didn't get it...a die-cut of a calf wearing a diaper was right under the lettering and on the left was a picture of a positive pregnancy test.  "Yyy..." his mouth was stuck for once and she was grinning with delight.  "Yyyah...dddoes this...Jagi?!!"

 - "Mwo?"  She smiled innocently.

 - "Jagi...chincha?  Maja?  Wwwe did it?"

Suzy laughed at her husband, whose face had paled, yet his smile was growing wider by the second.  "Deh...all Yeobo's hard work paid off."  Her hand reached out to rub one cheek and she leaned over to kiss the other.  JungMin had been tirelessly working toward their goal after they returned from Peru.  She stopped the birth control and began prenatal vitamins and he made sure they both had adequate amounts of sleep, exercise, and healthy, pregnancy-friendly foods like beans, nuts, tofu, salmon, and ice cream.  Suzy had never seen him eat so healthy and avoid alcohol completely.

 - "Manseh!!!!!!!"  He got up shouting, once the initial shock wore off and then scooped his wife off the patio swing and ran with her all over the yard.  It was a miracle no one came out of the house, but after almost two years, they were quite used to his random outbursts.

Still smiling, Suzy made her way back to her seat.  Nana was now awake.  “Halmoni, gwenchanayo?”  She placed a hand on the old woman’s shoulder.  Her husband was still knocked out and he would remain so until they were told to buckle up.  Even then, his wife would have a fight on her hands.

 - “Si, Niña.”  Though JungMin picked up Spanish easily, Suzy still struggled.  She and Nana had their own way of communicating; mostly with many facial gestures and fluctuation in their speech.  They understood each other quite well.  Gloria, Juan Carlos, and the kids found the combination of Kor/Span/Glish very funny.  Their two boys had even picked up some Korean and were now listening to Kpop.  “Como esta él bebe (How’s the baby)?”

 - “No problems, Nana.”  Suzy gave her a thumbs up.  “Nana is happy to see Unnie?”

 - “Como no (How can I not)!  ¿Y Suzita a su Mama (And Suzy, her Mother)?”

 - “Deh!  Nana, I can’t wait to tell them.  They’ll be so happy!”

So far, she’d experienced none of the extreme early pregnancy symptoms other than slight fatigue.  She imagined a nap would be required once they arrived at her in-laws and she most likely would not last long at the launch.  There were many changes at ILC-Seoul and her husband’s boss decided it would be best to send JungMin for a week to make sure the team was doing well and lend a hand where needed.  Ilana was supposed to be on medical leave, but knowing her as they all did, it was certain she still managed to do some work.  JungMin was not a surprise, Antonio didn’t want Ilana to think they considered her team incompetent by showing up unannounced.  She and Nana were the surprise and Suzy couldn’t wait to see her best friend and of course the Oppa-deul and their fiance’s.  They were surprising all of them.  The only drawback of the trip was that she couldn’t stay until Ilana had her baby.  This week worked out perfectly as they could be at YoungSaeng's launch party and they could visit with Ilana.  KyuJong, they knew would be at the launch party and then travel home to spend time with his family before permanently relocating to Seoul.

They had just announced that all passengers should buckle their seatbelts and get ready to land in about an hour.  "Ay que despertar el bello durmiente (We need to wake sleeping beauty); con cuidado (be careful)."

JungMin snoozed on with his eye mask to block out any light and earplugs to block out any noise.  Having already anticipated this event, Suzy had asked the steward for fresh carrot sticks.  "Wish me luck, Nana."  Removing the earplugs and eye mask, she pinched his nose so he was forced to open his mouth.  "Yah Min, wake up!"  When he opened his mouth, she shoved three carrot sticks in his mouth and held them in place with her palm firmly on his chin.  "Park JungMin, one of these days na will have to resuscitate you from trying to wake you up.”  JungMin paid extra for business class to avoid any inquiring stares as his wife had to practically sit on him and choke him to wake him up.  Nana sat across the aisle from them, praying for Suzy's safety.  Even if this was their same daily routine for the last two years, it never hurt to ask for a little help.  As Min began to choke on a piece of carrot he swallowed, Suzy handed him his carrot juice.  "Minnie-ah, we're landing, sit up."

 - "Annyeong," he murmured trying to wake up.  "You're not hurt anywhere?"

 - "Anieyo!"  Suzy rolled her eyes.  "Na have been waking you up for two years, now.  Other than getting thrown from the bed a few times, you've never hurt me.  Besides, na think you're getting easier to wake up."

 - "Please Sir…Miss.  You'll need to be seated and seatbelts fastened for our descent," a stewardess passed by.

- "Morning kiss and go to your seat," JungMin said.

Suzy gave her husband a peck on the lips, before heading to her seat and fastening the belt.

Arriving at Incheon, it was a little daunting for Nana, but thankfully, JungMin was able to stand in line with her as an interpreter, while Suzy saved him a place in the line reserved for Korean citizens.

 - "Suzy-ah!  Adul!"  JungMin's Mother ran up to them, wrapping her baby boy in a tight hug.

Suzy bowed low for her Mother-in-law.  "Annyeong hasseyo Eommoni."

 - "Suzy-ah, mannaseo bangawo," she clasped her daughter-in-law's hands.

 - "Deh Eommoni."

 - "Umma, this is Ilana's Halmoni, we've told you about," JungMin took Nana's hands and put them in his Mother's.  "Mi Mama," he told Nana.

 - "Mannaseo bangobsubnida," Nana inclined her head to JungMin's mother.

JungMin had already coached both his parents and Nana on a few cheat phrases and hello in both Korean and Spanish was on the list.

 - "Anieyo!  We hear how good Halmoni is to the kids."

 - "He good boy," Nana tapped JungMin's cheek in affection.  JungMin gushed like a little boy under Nana's praise.

 - "He's the best, because he's mine," JungMin's mom pinched the cheek closest to her.

 - "Umma is mine too," JungMin pinched both his Mother's cheeks, roughly.

 - "Aigoo!!  Adul is going to leave a mark and then what will the neighbors say?"

JungMin's father stood back, shaking his head at his wife and son.  He turned his attention to his daughter-in-law.  "Suzy-ah has been well?"

 - "Deh Abeojim," Suzy bowed for her Father-In-Law.  "Halmoni, this is Abeojim, Señor Park."

 - "Mucho gusto," Nana shook his hand in earnest.  She was excited and nervous at being in this foreign country without knowing any of the language.  JungMin, being the dear that he is, gave her a book of basic phrases.  She hoped not to embarrass herself.

 - "Anieyo!  It's our pleasure!  We hope you'll enjoy your visit to our country."

 - "I happy to be here."

 - "Halmoni's just happy to see her Niña, maja?"  JungMin teased.

 - "Para que digo que no, si si (Why say no, when it's yes)," Nana shot right back at him.

 - "Kaja, I'm sure everyone is still tired and would like to freshen up before the party tonight.  Halmoni is welcome to stay in our home as long as she likes."  JungMin's Father said.

 - "Gracias...kansam nida," she said slowly.

 - "Halmoni Daeback!"  JungMin encouraged her with a thumbs up.  She giggled a bit like a young girl.  Nana had always had an adventurous spirit and the glee of being there was becoming more and more evident on the old lady's face.

Suzy linked her arm with Nana.  "Halmoni, we're going to have so much fun this week.  ¿Quiere ver castillos (Do you want to see castles)?"

 - "Where you like take me, I go.  But me need to see my Niña, primero (first)." In preparation for the trip, Nana had really been practicing her English as well.

 - "Mañana (tomorrow), arraseo?"

 - "Deh," she responded to Suzy.  Everyone smiled at Nana's cute attempts at Korean.

During the ride to Seoul, Nana stared out the window in amazement.  The freeway was like any other, but she took in every detail she could.  Arriving at the Park residence, everyone began to split up to various rooms, while JungMin's mother made them up various savory pancakes for an early lunch.  "After you eat, you can rest!"  She called to everyone.

 - "Deh Eommonim!"  Suzy called from their bedroom.  "Yeobo, when can we tell them?"

 - "We'll tell them as soon as Umma is done in the kitchen.  In the meantime, eeliwah," JungMin pulled his wife down to the bed and lavished her with kisses from top to bottom.  While pausing to speak to his 'son'.

 - "JungMin-ah!  Eommoni will call any minute!"  He was tugging at her leggings.

 - "Na want to kiss 'adul'," and he did, making Suzy ticklish.

 - "Yeobo!  Ah!!!  That tickles!"

 - "Then let me slow down then," he began to tease the bottom of her abs with damp kisses.

 - "Yah!  Don't start what you can't finish."

 - "I'll finish..."

Jung Min's Mother had just finished the pancake and was setting the table.  "Adul!  Suzy-ah!  Halmoni!  Come eat!"

Suzy sighed in relief.  A second later, she would be at her husband's mercy and there would be no leaving the room.  JungMin groaned but still had his wife trapped.  "Can Na help it that adul has made, these grow very nicely?"  He buried his face in her chest.

 - "Yeobo!  Let me up!"

 - "Kiss."

 - "Anieyo."

 - "Yah!"  He slammed his hand down on the mattress, making her giggle.

Suzy was already trying to calculate how to get away without using too much effort.  "If Yeobo lets me up, na will give him bpo."  Suzy's foot teased his leg as she stared at him, opening slightly to .

 - "Arraso, better make it a good one."

 - "Greomyo!"  Instead of giving him a kiss, she shoved his chin up and rolled out from under him.  While he was still dazed, she shoved him over the bed onto the floor.

 - "Yah!"

Suzy blew him a kiss from the door.  "Yeobo hasn't learned in two years, not to challenge me."  She ran off to the dining table before he could grab her.

 - "Suzy-ah?"  Her Mother-in-law looked concerned.  "What was that noise and we heard adul yell."

 - "Gwenchanayo, Eommoni.  A suitcase fell and landed on his foot.  He'll be here shortly."

 - "Aigoo...nae adul..."  His Mother tried to console him as he passed by to sit down, but he ignored her.

Suzy was biting her lip, trying to avoid laughing or looking up at her husband.  She could feel the heat from his anger.  "Suzita, en que travesuras andan?"

 - "Excuse me?"  Mr. Park asked, not sure what Nana said and to whom.

 - "Nana's asking nampyon what mischief he's up to."

 - "Deh, adul is good at causing mischief."

 - "Anieyo!  Anae is the troublemaker."

 - "Suzy-ah," his Mom said with much concern in her voice.   "Be good to adul."

 - "Greomyo Eommoni," she smiled as sweetly as possible for her Mother-in-law while attempting to kick her son under the table.

 - "Anae should eat and be healthy,” JungMin was already forcing kimchi pancake in . 

 - "Mmmmm..." Suzy's taste buds were dancing.   "Eommoni, na think this is the best kimchi pancake ever.  Mine don't come out like this. "

Mom smiled fondly at her daughter-in-law.  "Suzy has had my kimchi pancake before."

 - "Nomu masheesuhyo."

 - "Umma knows Anae is always hungry," JungMin winked at her.  "Now more than ever."

 - "Waeyo adul?"  Umma looked up excitedly.

 - "Anae is pregnant, tan-tan!"  JungMin waved his with a flourish toward Suzy who smiled happily at his parents.  She knew they'd been waiting patiently for them to have a child.

 - "Chukahae!"  Umma was up out of her chair and hugging Suzy first, then her son.  "Omo!  Should Suzy be flying?"

 - "Gwenchana Eommoni, Na don't have any morning sickness and Na feel fine.  Na took care to walk around the plane.  We flew in business class and had enough room."

 - "Adul, that wasn't too costly?"  Being the head of a household, his Father knew, wasn't easy; therefore, he always worried about his son all the way in California, which was even more expensive than Seoul.

 - "Gwenchana Abeojim, nae ticket was mostly covered by the company and so na only payed for Anae.  Nana would gladly pay a fortune to see her little girl."

 - "Not expensive," Nana said.  "Why I save money?  When I go to el cielo (Heaven), I can't take."

 - "True, true."

 - "Anae and I both have good positions and we don't spend that much money.  Remember we had savings from work on the ship and we had money left over after the wedding was paid.  We went to the U.S. well prepared."

 - "Deh, deh," his Mom said.  "We can't help worrying about adul.  Your cottage is well suited for a beginning family.  Even when number two comes, you won't need to rush into a bigger home."

JungMin's mouth nearly dropped to the table and Suzy began to choke on the bite of pancake in .  Nana understood what the parents had said, mostly judging by the kids’ reactions.  Grinning, she poured water for Suzy and pounded her back helpfully.  "Gracias, Nana," Suzy was able to breathe normally again.

 - "Omo!  Umma!  You're already thinking of number two when we haven't even had number one?!"

Suzy knew how panicked her husband was when she first brought up her desire to get pregnant.  Already discussing a second one, was equal to Ilana's old fear of flying.  Reaching out, she squeezed his hand that was already getting damp with sweat.  "Gwenchanayo," Nana's voice broke JungMin's panic as his parents were staring at him curiously.  "Yesu will give when time and provide.  Now praise Yesu for this baby and pray for health."

 - "Majayo, Halmoni," Umma smiled.  "We can't help be excited after they made us wait so long."

 - "Umma, it wasn't that long!"  JungMin was just starting to regain his composure.

 - "Adul plans on staying in the states?"

 - "Deh Abeoji, Anae just began her new work and ILC - Seoul is growing, Ilana-ssi will need to spend more and more time here.  Naega her second in command back home.  As for songwriting, Na can do that all over the world and it's not unusual for Idols to come to Los Angeles seeking a writer.  HyunJoong Sunbae did.  Na have actually contacted Park Lena-ssi's management.  She is in Los Angeles and also Jay Park-ssi, in Washington State.  Jay writes his own Music, hajiman he can keep me in mind or pass the word to his group members for their individual activities."

 - "Nampyon is trying to seek out all the 'Parks'," Suzy giggled.

 - "Anieyo," he pinched his teasing wife and received a smack on his hand.  "Na have also sent off a letter to Nickun from 2PM.  Sony is very excited and wants to be a part of the kpop industry.  Enrique wants me to get Ilana-ssi and Jihoo Uissa to record an instrumental to benefit his foundation."

 - "Umma is so proud of nae adul."

 - "All of you still have a few hours until the party.  You should rest, especially Suzy."

 - "Deh Abeojim," Suzy took the last piece of pancake in a napkin and stuffed it into .  "Kaja, Nana, descansar (rest).  Are you excited to see YoungSaeng, KyuJong, and HyungJun Oppa again?"

 - "Deh...tan lindos muchachos...sweet boys," she remembered her English.  Nana suddenly remembered one was missing.  "Other boy not come?"

 - "Other boy?"

JungMin realized, whom she was talking about.  "Ah, HyunJoong?"  He spelled out the name for her since she could never remember between him and Maknae.  "El grande (he's trying to say the older one)."

 - "Deh, deh!"  Nana nodded her head excitedly.

 - "Anieyo, he's still in the military."

 - "Si, ya me acuerdo (Now, I remember)."  He's the one she, Ilana, and Suzy prayed so diligently for.  An overwhelming sadness consumed her every time she prayed for him.  "Muy triste...too sad."

 - "Nana, maybe we can go visit him while we're in town.  ¿Gusta (Like)?"  Suzy asked.

 - "Oooh na don't think that's a good idea with your pregnancy."

 - "Gwenchana Eommoni," Suzy waved away her Mother-In-Law's concern.  “If the opportunity arises, na would like to go see him."

Mom wasn't any less nervous with Suzy's assurance.  "Adul is sure?"

 - "Maybe Maknae can go with them."

That was a small consolation.  "Suzy-ah, haengbokhaeyo adul met you.  Had he met the wrong woman like your chingu...?"  Mom shook her head, warding off the ill feeling that had come upon her.

 - "Nampyon is fortunate, Na said 'deh' to his proposal and saved from the clutches of evil women."

 - "Wau, jagi!  Don't scare me like that!"  He shuttered at the thought.  "Na can't even imagine what life without you would be."

 - "Aigoo!  I agree with na adul!"  Mom pounded her chest for effect.  "We would never have a daughter-in-law or a grandchild.  Aigoo!  Aigoo!  Aigoo!"  Mom worked herself up.  It was easy to see who JungMin inherited his flair for dramatics from.

Mina looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed.  She could wear a burlap sack for all he cared.  Maybe he thought her pretty and at least attractive to look at.  She hadn't mistaken the look of admiration in his eyes, but that was as far as it went.  All she would ever be to Heo YoungSaeng was a cute little sister or a slight improvement:  that attractive friend.  "At least he'll be going on tour and you won't have to see his ugly face for six months!"  She told her reflection.  "Hah!  Pabo!  You already miss him, and he hasn't even left.  Omo!  Omo!"  Mina turned her back on the mirror.  "I'm going crazy!  I'm not only talking to myself but carrying on an entire conversation.  Aiiiish!"  How she wanted to ring that Otter's neck for reducing her to this state, even if he didn't have a clue about her current affliction.  About to reach for her shoes by the door, she changed her mind and ran back to take one more look in the mirror.  She couldn't let him see a disheveled wreck, but the cool and composed, strong woman that he always saw.  Having saved her new outfit especially for this occasion, she didn't leave the house until she was sure every piece of fabric hung perfectly, every hair and every part of her face, was also meticulously in order.

JungMin proudly chauffeured his women to YoungSaeng's party, leaving his Father home with some quality alone time.  Being friends of the idol, they all dressed well for the occasion.  JungMin was in a royal blue jacket over tan slacks and black tie, his wife wore a sheer light pink top over a dark blue, ruffled at the waist, pencil skirt.  JungMin had been able to secure two more entries and bring his Mother and Nana.  His Mother was always fashion-conscious and wore a dress with a subtle leopard print top and slim taupe-colored skirt and Nana never missed a chance to get all dolled up.

JungMin whistled as Nana stepped out of the room in wide-legged black linen trousers, a coordinating blouse and black and white striped blazer and the cutest black and white peep-toed shoes.  "Halmoni!  Nomo Yippeun.  ¡Muy guapa!"

 - "Ya, Ya, ¡guarda tus alabanzas para tu esposa (Save your praises for your wife)!"  Everyone knew she was just a girl at heart and ate up JungMin's praises.

JungMin kissed his Mother's cheek and then reached for his wife's hand and kissed it.  "Wau!  What am I going to do with all these ravishing beauties?  Abeoji it's your loss.  Na don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful women, even when I was a diehard bachelor."

Suzy playfully slapped his hand around her middle, but his poor Mother was scandalized.  "Aigoo, adul.  Don't say such things!"  She put a hand up to her chest, calming her distress.

Mr. Park decided to join the teasing and came up behind his wife kissing her cheek, holding her tightly against him.  "Yeobo, don't you know?  All men are rascals at one point in their lives until the right woman comes along and all the others cease from view."

 Nana laughed with the couples.  Now she knew who JungMin really took after.  His father was the quiet one but was a very big jokester once he opened his mouth.

JungMin parked at the CI Entertainment lot and quickly opened the door for Nana, who sat behind him, then his wife and Mother.  Taking Suzy's arm, he led the way.  "Kaja, na can't wait to see everyone's face when they see us."

HyungJun and YiHyun had arrived earlier as the official event photographers.  They had been taking pictures of YoungSaeng with his manager and the CEO of CI Entertainment and a few of his fellow idols that are also represented by the company.  "Daeback!"  HyungJun shouted.  "We've got Saengie and all his important people.  Should we get this party started and open the gate?"

Young Saeng was biting his lip nervously.  He wished KyuJong was here already.  He was probably running late from packing his things to go home for the rest of the month.  "Deh, it's about time," the manager said.  "Let security know to open the gate."

 - "I'll get the music going!"  Maknae ran off to the DJ.

 - "Gwenchanayo YoungSaeng-ssi.  Don't be nervous," YiHyun gave him a pat on the back.  "You should go put your sunglasses on and wait until you're formally introduced."

 - "Deh," he YoungSaeng wondered if he could just escape right now.  He was excited but not excited about all the attention being on him.

 - "Stop biting your lips!!"  YiHyun scolded.  "Go with the coordi unnie and get her to give you some lip balm so you remember not to.  I've got some great pictures of the venue; the people Mina hired did a really good job at decorating."  That was who he was missing, YoungSaeng realized.  "Mina is great at whatever she does."  YiHyun continued, laying it on very thick for YoungSaeng.  "I really hope she'll find a namja who appreciates all her talents."  The Oh MY task force had been working hard to get the two to spend time together, but neither schedule was flexible at the moment.  All they could do was keep bringing up the name of the one to the other during 'random' conversation.  "Mina is yippeun too.  Did you get to know her very much while working together?"

 - "Mmm...jeogumyo," he was biting his lips again.

YiHyun could see him through the camera lens, not being able to resist, she snapped a photo.  "YoungSaeng-ssi better go fix his make-up before Mina-ssi comes and scolds you for not looking your best on this important evening."

This made YoungSaeng snap into action.  He didn't want to upset Mina after all she did for him.  "Na will go see the coordi Noona right now."

 - "Deh, that's a good choice.  You want to look dashing as always for when she gets here."

 - "Deh," he ran off without really hearing what he answered to, leaving YiHyun to ponder whether their matchmaking schemes were paying off.

HyungJun made his way to his fiancé after taking pictures of the crowds coming in the gates.  "Where'd our shy prince go?"

 - "To get cute for his shy princess."

 - "Mwo?"

YiHyun sighed exasperatedly.  "Mina...?  Na think he might have a slight interest in her."  Emily hadn't said anything to anyone about Mina having a crush on YoungSaeng.  She figured they'd all figure it out soon enough, which was true.

 - "Chinchayo?  Na think Mina is perfect for him.  She's good at talking with people and Na think she can coax the shyness out of our chingu. "

 - "Na hope so," YiHyun said.  "He'll need someone to confide in when his new life gets to be too much for his quiet nature."

 - "Maja."

As YoungSaeng began to walk back to where the coordi's were hanging out, he caught the sight of a familiar horse-like face.  "JungMin-ah!"

 - "Saengie-ah!"  JungMin being the excitable one, ran quickly to his friend and pulled him into a tight hug.  "Chukahae!  This is daeback!  Look at you," JungMin studied his friend’s hair and makeup with a grin on his face.

 - "Yah!  Quit staring like that, it's weirding me out."

Suzy and the elder woman caught up to them.  "Yah!  Is nampyon going to keep Oppa all to himself or do we get to congratulate him too?"

YoungSaeng smiled at the girl who was like a little sister to him.  "Suzy-ah," he let himself be pulled into her small frame for a hug.  "Suzy is keeping her nampyon out of trouble?"

 - "Greomyo!  He'll definitely have to behave now."

 - "Wae?"

 - "Mariya (just saying) ...," was her cryptic response.

 - "YoungSaeng-ah!  Chukahae!  I'm proud of all adul's chingu."  JungMin's Mom wanted a chance at congratulating the idol in the making.  She didn't know the friends well but knew her son had a special bond with these men.

 - "Imo, is here too?"  Giving the woman a respectful bow.

 - "Deh, adul brought me and a guest."

Nana, who'd been smiling at the scene in a corner, stepped out of the shadows.   Another one of her charges that she had been praying for was doing well.  "Felicidades, joven (Congratulations, young man)."  Nana clapped his hands in hers and greeted him with her wide smile and warm eyes.

 - "Halmoni is here?  Omo!  Ilana?!"  YoungSaeng immediately worried at the reason for Nana being here.

 - "As far as we know, she's well and happily setting up HaEun's room."

 - "Es surprise," Nana hadn't let his hands go and neither did he.  Her quiet strength and comfort were what he needed to put the nerves behind him.

 - "She doesn't know we're here yet.  Tomorrow, we'll visit.  Nampyon was asked to come be a help in the office for a week and Nana and I tagged along. "

 - "Ilana will be happy to see Halmoni."

Nana cupped his smiling face tenderly and finally let go altogether.  He would be fine.   She noticed a new maturity in him that wasn't there before.   "Have you pray for wife?"  She asked him, but YoungSaeng wasn't able to answer.

 - "Wau?!  Am I seeing things?"  There was only one way to get to the parking lot from the VIP designated entrance; therefore, KyuJong and Emily were bound to run into the reunion party.

 - "Ani, what you see is what you get,” JungMin broke from the group to wrap KyuJong in a tight hug.  "Eottoke jinaseyo?  You've been a civilian for three days now?"

 - "Jaljinaseyo.  Emily has been helping me look for places.  Na wouldn't feel right staying with Maknae until Emily and I finally get married.  Harabeoji says Na can take the studio above the clinic.  Na might just do that and continue saving our money to buy a nice place once we get married."

 - "Wau, who knew that we'd all find our loves and move off the ship."

 - "Adul and chingu are all grown up.  Adventures of youth are put away for the love of anae and family and new adventures begin."

 - "Deh Umma," JungMin looked to Suzy.  They had left the ship and their family in Seoul to live in California and now they would soon have a little one to join their adventures there.

 - "Guys!  I'm sure Otter Oppa has things to do.  The party has already started."  Emily knew this bunch.  They'd be stuck in the hall all night, reminiscing.

 - "Deh, go outside.  Maknae and YiHyun Noona are taking pictures, Maknae is going to cry at the sight of his Mal."

 - "Mal will cry too at seeing his Maknae," Suzy teased.  "Kaja."

Mina didn't know where all this traffic was going on a Sunday afternoon.  Yes, it was her fault for leaving later than she should have.  She'd taken the curling iron to a few stray strands of hair and lost track of time.  Now she was late.  "Yesu, don't let him be nervous," she prayed.  When the cab finally stopped in front of the CI building, Mina quickly paid the fare and took off running.  The parking lot was already full and worried at not being able to find him before everything started.  Having no problem checking in at the VIP entrance, she rushed through the halls, only thinking of getting to see him before the official announcement.

While Mina was rushing down the hall, YoungSaeng left his coordi Noona's office after having a conversation by text with HyunJoong.  Looking down at his phone with a smile at his 4D friend's randomness, he wasn't paying attention and Mina rounded the blind corner right into him.

 - "Yah!"

 - "Omo!"

YoungSaeng's phone had dropped in the scuffle and thankfully neither party had fallen but were now tangled awkwardly.  YoungSaeng's arm was completely around her back and waist, when their eyes finally met, their lips were so close they could feel each other’s breath.  "Orabeoni!  Mian...Mianhaeyo!"  She stuttered nervously and tried to step back, though YoungSaeng was still frozen and hadn't removed his hold on her.

 - "Mina yang?  Gwenchana?"

 - "Deh...gomawoyo...Orabeoni...can let go now."  To her horror, she felt her face flush.  Not that she wanted him to let go of her, but any second longer and she would beg him not to.

 - "Deh, Mian...," he bit his lip nervously and slowly removed his hold on her.  It was too easy, felt too natural.  If he held her any longer, he wouldn't want to let go.  They soon realized they had another problem; her long hair had caught in the button of his jacket.

 - "Ouch!"  Mina felt the pull when they both began to step away.  "Orabeoni, I'm stuck!"

Outside another reunion was happening.  HyungJun was almost reduced to tears at the sight of his best bud.  "Omo!  I can't believe you guys are here?  When?  Why didn't you tell us?"  HyungJun gave his friend a playful punch.

 - "Yah!"  JungMin punched him back even harder.

 - "Just this morning, Oppa."

 - "Suzy-ah!"  Maknae lifted her off the ground and spun her around.

 - "Yah!!"  JungMin pulled his wife away from his friend.  "You've got your own yeoja."

 - "Suzy-ah is nae cute dongsaeng," he reached to pinch her cheek and she blocked him deftly.

 - "Maknae!  Do you want your arm broken?"

 - "Junnie-ah!"  YiHyun pinched her fiancé’s cheek.  "You know better than pinch a yeoja's cheek when she's wearing makeup."

 - "Arraso, I'll pinch Mal's cheek instead," he whispered.  Before JungMin could react, his cheek was being bruised by HyungJun.  Scary Mal was starting to surface and Maknae let go quickly and ran for Nana.  "Halmoni!!"  He hugged the older woman tightly, rocking her back and forth.

 - "Travieso!  No has cambiado. (¡Troublemaker!  You haven't changed)!"

 - "Halmoni?  Do you think the military made me more handsome?"

Nana laughed and pinched his cheek.  "All very handsome!  Is sarang?"

 -  "Halmoni is very smart," KyuJong kissed Emily's cheek.  "Shouldn't Hyeong be out here already?"

 - "Deh!  Junnie, you should go look for him."  YiHyun wanted to keep her fiancé out of trouble with JungMin.  Those two reverted to kindergartners every time they were together.  "I sent him to the coordi and he's not back yet."

 - "Jamsimanyo!"  Maknae happily went off to the building in search of YoungSaeng.  When he came into the corridor leading to where the coordi was, he heard YoungSaeng's voice, along with a woman, speaking English.

 - "Orabeoni!  You're wrapping it tighter!"

 - "Anieyo!  Stop squirming!"

 - "I'm not!  What if someone sees us...So embarrassing!  Palli!!!"

 - "No more embarrassed than me.  Just keep quiet!"  Her hair was really stuck and the coordi had left her office to join the festivities outside.

HyungJun listened with amusement and decided to interrupt the two lovebirds.  "Ara what you're not doing, but mollah what you are doing?"

The pair jumped at the sound of Maknae's voice.  "Owww!!"  Mina complained.

YoungSaeng sighed.  "Maknae don't just stand there!  Go get the scissors from Coordi Noona's office.  Jagiya," he forgot himself, "there's no hope but to cut it."

 - "Anieyo!  Again, it's always jagiya when Orabeoni wants something."

HyungJun was grinning from ear to ear.  "Jagiya?  Orabeoni?  Jeongmal?  Na think I'll just leave you two stuck together.  We can have a triple wedding."

 - "Maknae!!!"  They both shouted.

HyungJun couldn't help it and he bent over with laughter after he had taken a picture.  "Omo!  Omo!  Wait until I show the others."  He laughed again.  "Mina-yah...what do the kids sing in the U.S.?  Saengie and Mina, sitting in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!"  He stuck his tongue out at them.

 - "Maknae, you know you're making things up!"  YoungSaeng shouted.  "Her hair is stuck on my jacket."

 - "How did she get stuck on your jacket?"

 - "Maknae!  When I get my hands on you..."

 - "I can see the headlines, newly signed idol sheds best friend's blood at launch party."  HyungJun pointed at an imaginary headline.  "Let's do it!  It will keep evil tongues away from Joongie for a while."

Mina had had enough.  "HyungJun Oppa, if YoungSaeng-ssi doesn't kill you I will."

 - "Aww, what happened to Orabeoni?  Na want to be called Orabeoni too.  It sounds special."  Mina was really going to kill the brat, older or not.

 - "YoungSaeng-ah!"  YoungSaeng's manager now came upon the scene and Maknae scurried away laughing to himself.  “Nae have been looking everywhere for you!"  He then realized how close the two were standing.  "Are you two dating?"

 - "Anieyo!  We weren't paying attention and crashed into each other.  Now Mina-ssi's hair is stuck in my jacket and Na want to cut it and Mina-ssi won't let me."

The manager was resisting the urge to burst into laughter at the obviously guilty pair but retained his composure.   With a serious face, he scolded them.  "YoungSaeng-ah is not a kid and Na won't forbid you to date, but please do so discreetly and on your own time."

Mina was going to burst into frustrated tears, while YoungSaeng refused to look at her and was biting his lips again.  Truthfully, he was ready to start laughing at the situation.  He chanced a glance at Mina and seeing how upset she was, sobered up.  "Chinchayo, hyeong.  It's not what it looks like."

 - "Ajussi, jeongmal.  Na was in a hurry and turned the corner right into YoungSaeng-ssi who also wasn't looking," Mina flashed him her irritated look.  "Aish!  Mollahyo!"  Mina closed her eyes and yanked her hair out, leaving a few strands behind.  "Ow!  Pabo!"  She socked his arm and took off to the restroom to repair the damage to her hair.

YoungSaeng couldn't help but crack a small smile at the situation, then he looked at his manager's not-happy face.  "Chinchayo!  It's not what you're thinking."

 - "Kaja," the manager took him by the arm as if he were a kid.

Outside, HyungJun was being the great friend that he was and had promptly began showing off the picture of his hyeong and Mina in a compromising position.  "Mollah, how they got stuck, but the important thing is that they were close enough to get stuck."  Maknae rubbed his hands together gleefully.

 - "Oppa and she look sweet together," Suzy gushed.  "Na want to meet her, where is she?"

 - "Mollah, I ran as soon as his manager came."

 - "Deh, wae did Maknae feel the need to run off?"  KyuJong knew their youngest friend was doing something to irritate YoungSaeng.

 - "Wae?!"

 - "Junnie...were you teasing them?"  YiHyun knew her fiancé well and the wide grin splitting his face was evidence enough of his guilt.

 - "Well, it’s obvious Mina fancies him," Emily said.  "The question is does he fancy her?  Accident or not, that picture makes him look very cozy with her."

The gang understood Emily's British English easily as they were exposed to many different cultures and dialects on the ship, but YiHyun still had a hard time understanding sometimes.  She looked at her fiancé for a translation.  "Emily is saying Mina likes YoungSaeng and he looks comfortable around her.  Maja, Saengie is so comfortable with her that he calls her jagiya."

 - "Andwae?!"  JungMin was shocked.

 - "Even Ilana was never jagiya.  Na think there's something more than just acquaintances," KyuJong said.  "Hajiman if you push hyeong you're not going to get anywhere."

 - "Deh, just let them figure it out on their own," Suzy said.

 - "Suzy-ah, they totally like each other but I think Mina is waiting for him to make the first move," Emily said.

 - "Ha!  She'll wait forever," HyungJun joked.

 - "He's not still hung up on Ilana, is he?"  JungMin wanted to know.

Nana had been chatting with JungMin's Mother and enjoying watching all the young people when she heard Ilana's name and decided to investigate.  "Jóvenes (kids)?  What about mi Niña?"  She placed a hand on Maknae's shoulder to include herself in the conversation.

Maknae jumped.  He was so engrossed in the conversation he never even heard Nana approach.  "Omo!  Halmoni!  You scared me!"

 - "Te sirve por andar de chismoso (It serves you right for gossiping)."

While the others laughed, knowing at least what 'chismoso' meant, HyungJun defended himself.  "Anieyo Halmoni!  Saengie was enamorado (in love) with Princess."

Nana looked sad.  That explained many things.  "Maybe he still love, but maybe habit and scared to give love again to yeoja that won't love back."

 - "Majayo Halmoni," Suzy said.  "We didn't even know he liked Unnie until we visited her in New York, seven months after she left the ship," Suzy had counted the months on her fingers.

 - "Me permites (May I)?"  Nana pointed to the camera and HyungJun passed it to her.

Surprised to see who the young lady was, she wondered if this was the special woman that God had in mind for him.  Nana was not a matchmaker but was a hopeless romantic.  "Na will pray," she said.  If the two were meant to complete each other, then they shouldn't be apart.  She knew these things took time.  The young man was a bit timid, she thought, and Mina she knew very little of.  Her parents were generous and caring people with conservative values and as far as she knew their children were very close to their parents.  It could be that Mina was timid as well.  Of all the sons of the Contreras family friends, she had not chosen any but decided to move across the world instead.

 - "Halmoni, Emily says she thinks Mina is waiting for him to make the first move. hajiman Saengie Oppa's nickname is Shy Prince...Príncipe tímido.  He's almost as bad as HyunJoong Oppa at hiding what he's thinking."

 - "Halmoni!  She called him Orabeoni, it's like Oppa but more formal, so we know they're at least close enough friends to drop Señor and Señorita (Mr. & Miss)."  HyungJun just had to add this juicy tidbit.

The conversation was interrupted by the CI Entertainment president.  "Annyeong hasseyo!  Who's ready to meet our newest idol?"  The several hundred people present yelled excitedly.

In the shadows of the building, YoungSaeng was waiting, still biting his lips.  He'd work on that habit later, he thought.  After Mina ran off, his manager dragged him to the coordi and had her remove the offending hairs from his jacket.  This led to more teasing by the coordi.  That episode was thankfully over, and he hoped Mina wasn't angry at him.  It wasn't his fault.  At least not entirely.  He put on his dark glasses and was ready to walk out on stage.  It wasn't his first time performing, he told himself.  "Just pretend you're on the ship again."  Easier said than done.  This time he wasn't with his buddies, he was alone.

 - "Help me call him out!  Heo YoungSaeng...!"  The president let the crowd take it from there and of course aided by his friends.

YoungSaeng's parents couldn't make the drive to Seoul because of work, but he knew they were with him in spirit.  His Mother was extremely excited.  His Father took a little more convincing but knew that in the end as long as he worked hard at whatever he did, his Father would approve.  YoungSaeng walked out on stage.  The gang was right up front, and he had to admit, it felt good to have his friends, if not beside him, at least cheering him on.  "Annyeong hasseyo," he said.  "Ja irum eun Heo YoungSaeng inmida, Jal bootak deurimnida (I offer you a request/Please look after me)."  He smiled as he bowed low for the audience.  The dance team came out and the music for 'Let it Go' began.  It was decided at the last minute that he would perform his first single that would be released later that week.

Mina had gone to the bathroom to recover from the incredibly embarrassing ordeal.  Her heart had continued pounding several minutes after she was safely away from him.  They were close enough that he easily could have heard it thumping against her chest.  "Oh God!  Get him out of my head!"  She leaned against the bathroom sink.  She'd felt the warmth emanating from his lips on her own or was she imagining it.  With her heels, she was only a few inches shorter than him and his head was bent due to being stuck.  She wondered what it would have felt like to give in to her impulses and kiss him.  "No... No... No!  He's leaving, he'll be too busy to even think about you.  He won't need you anymore.  Everything is ready for him to leave and be a success and you'll just be the friend of his friends again."  She felt tears forming in her eyes and realized deep down, she came to Seoul to meet him.  She'd never forgotten his beautiful voice and the look on his face as he sang with his entire heart.  They all did, but her eyes had only seen him.  "Pabo!  You're twenty-seven years old and acting like a preteen with a crush!"  Perhaps when he left, she'd ask her Mother to set her up with someone.  She obviously couldn't do it on her own.  Fixing her face and hiding the pulled out curls, she decided to make her way out.   Even if he only saw her as a friend, someone to flirt, tease, and have a good time with, she truly cared for him and desired only the best for him.   Putting on her cool and composed VP mask, she stepped out to root for her favorite idol.

While her new friends cheered for YoungSaeng right in front, Mina watched on, smiling in the shadows.  Once the music began, everything else faded and YoungSaeng gave it all he had, just as he practiced all these weeks.  The crowd was bound to love him just like Mina did.  She clapped and cheered proudly, she even whistled loudly like her Father had taught her.

YoungSaeng heard the shrill whistle, thinking it was JungMin, but JungMin was in front of him and the whistle was heard from the side.   Still curious, he continued.  He came to the point where it was time to remove his dark glasses.  As expected the crowd went crazy.  They had deliberately not shown his face leading up to the event.  He turned to the side where Mina was hiding, and she whistled once again.  This time he saw it was her.  This was the Mina that he most enjoyed so much.  The unguarded and unrestrained version.  He didn't know how or when, but she was important to him and was extremely happy to have her be a part of this day with.  He flashed what the others secretly call his otter smile.

YoungSaeng's voice was something Mina quickly became addicted to.  First at the wedding, then in the police choir, and now as an idol.  She couldn't help getting caught up in the excitement.  Having left her hiding place, she was now in full view cheering, dancing and clapping with everyone else.  She whistled again and though he'd looked her way.  When he smiled that cute smile of his, her selfish heart wanted to believe it was solely for her.  As she heard others screaming around her, Mina remembered he was an idol now.  His smile now belonged to everyone in the parking lot.  This made her suddenly very sad but quickly she pushed it away, continuing to cheer him on proudly.

The song came to an end.  "Kansamnida!"  YoungSaeng bowed again.

The CI President returned to the stage.  "Choayo?"

 - "Deh!!!"  The crowd answered back.

 - "Let's give another round of applause for our newest member."  YoungSaeng waved at the cheering crowd, but there was someone in the crowd he was hoping to see.  One of the times he turned in Mina's direction he saw her frowning.  The frown was gone quickly, but still, he worried and now he didn't see her at all.  "Make sure to listen this Friday for YoungSaeng's single debut entitled 'Let It Go!'," the President announced.  "In a short while, the DJ will be announcing the first prize.  Enjoy the food and the festivities.   Kansamnida."  The president turned to YoungSaeng as his manager was also coming to greet him.  "YoungSaeng-ah is off to a good start.  Na will look forward to watching your progress.  Eric-ssi, take good care of him."

 - "De Sajangnim," Eric answered and both he and YoungSaeng bowed as the President walked off the stage.  "That was daeback!"

The dance team also gave YoungSaeng congratulatory pats on the back.  "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi, we look forward to working with you," the lead dancer shook his hand.

 - "Anieyo!  Kansamnida for working with me."

 - "Kaja, begopayo!

 - "The food smells masheesuhyo," the dancers began to walk off stage.

 - "Deh, na will join you in a minute.  Na want to greet my chingu."

 - "Arraso," someone said.  "YoungSaeng-ah, we'll catch you later."

 - "Deh...," YoungSaeng exited the stage with the dance team, set on looking for Mina.

 - "Yah!  Saengie-ah!" HyungJun accosted him.

 - "That was daeback!  Wau!  Na can't believe we almost missed this," JungMin threw his arm around YoungSaeng's shoulder.

YoungSaeng should be happy to have the support of his friends, but Mina was also his friend and supporter.  He worried about the frown he saw on her face, making him wonder if she was still angry over getting stuck on his jacket.  It was both their faults, but he realized he hadn't apologized.  No wonder she was angry at him.

 - "Hyeong, gwenchana?  You seem to be looking for something?"  KyuJong noticed his friend’s preoccupation.

 - "Ah, anieyo," he smiled for his friends.  He didn't want Mina to have any more negative attention.  Maknae's teasing was enough.  "Chincha?  Choayo?"

 - "Greomyo Oppa!"  Suzy gave him a peck on the cheek and then gave her jealous husband a peck on the lips.

 - "Maja," he said.  "Anae's lips belong to me."

 - "JungMin-ah, they've been yours for the past three years," KyuJong shook his head.

 - "Deh, Suzy has put up with you this long, she's in it for life," Maknae made a jab at his friend.

 - "Why you..."

 - "Yah!!"  Before JungMin could reach out to strangle his friend, Suzy grabbed him while YiHyun pulled her fiancé out of arms reach.  This behavior was nothing new to the women.

 - "Muy linda voz que tienes (A very beautiful voice you have) ...sing yippeun," Nana took YoungSaeng's hands in hers.  She was just as proud of him as the rest of his friends were.

YoungSaeng was suddenly shy in front of the grandmotherly woman.  "Gomawoyo, Halmoni," he looked away from her with a shy smile.

Nana laughed at his actions and placed a hand on his cheek.  "Que príncipe tan tímido."

JungMin laughed.  "Yah!"  YoungSaeng yelled at JungMin.  "Mworago?"

 - "She said, 'what a shy prince'," JungMin answered.

YoungSaeng blushed at Nana's comment, earning him another love pat on the cheek.  "Halmoni, begopayo?"  JungMin's Mom figured it was time to let the kids have some fun on their own.  "The kids probably want some time to themselves."

 - "Anieyo Umma," JungMin said.

 - "Kajayo," Nana took the younger woman's arm.

 - "Isn't nae Halmoni gwiyowiyo?"  JungMin said, as he watched them walk away.

 - "She's daeback," YoungSaeng said, blinking back tears.  She always got to him that way.

 - "YoungSaengie, where is Mina?"

 - "She's probably walking around, making sure everything is in order," HyungJun replied to his fiancé.

 - "Or she's upset over someone's teasing," YoungSaeng gave Maknae his angry look.

 - "Mwo?"

 - "Junnie-ah, ka, find her and bring her over," YiHyun spoke gently to her fiancé.

 - "Arraseo, na will go find her."

Mina had disappeared into the crowds, not wanting to see YoungSaeng at the moment.  She needed to stop these feelings for him.  Truthfully, she didn't even know how they started.  "En el amor no se manda (love cannot be ruled)," she always heard, but never really believed.  Love was always some fantasy she read about in books; in real life, she imagined it was more of a choice.  That is also true, but these feelings, she didn't really choose.  Sure, she was intrigued by his beautiful voice and sweet face; that otter smile that makes her forget everything.  Sure, she went week after week to listen to him sing, just to see his face.  But this feeling of wanting him to be the one?  That just happened, didn't it?  That no other can replace him in her heart?   That no one else could make her laugh like he does?  "Or make me as angry?"  She mumbled to herself.

Passing by the food stalls, all was good.  "Ajumma, gwenchanayo?"

 - "Dehhh."

 - "Has Heo YoungSaeng-ssi come to eat yet?"

 - "Anieyo, I think he was still being congratulated.  Hangbokhaeyo, he's a nice young man."

 - "Deh," Mina had gathered two of YoungSaeng's favorite food vendors.  She had frequented them herself a few times.

 - "Gwenchanayo for inviting us," the other vendor said.

 - "Anieyo Gwenchanayo," Mina dismissed their thanks by inclining her head and walked off trying to remain inconspicuous.   Her next stop was the DJ and KJ; hopefully YoungSaeng was busy.

HyungJun had been walking around for a good twenty minutes, unable to find Mina.  He'd even knocked on the door of the woman's restroom inside the building.  He'd checked with the food vendors and was told he'd missed her not that long ago.  He scratched his head, trying to figure out where she had gone.  It was like she was deliberately hiding from them.  "Arraso, agassi," he told himself.  "Na can play hide and go seek too."  He'd checked the building and she wasn't there, she'd come to the food vendors and he didn't see her walking anywhere.  The parking lot was busy, but not that busy.  He should be able to spot her.  He decided to have her paged and when he walked to the stage area, there she was.  "Yah!"  He grabbed her arm with familiarity.  "Agassi!  Na have been looking all over for you."

Mina didn't let YoungSaeng grab her wrist, much less would she let HyungJun.  When he tried dragging her with him, she didn't budge.  "Let go, Oppa," she said between clenched teeth.

 - "Mworago?"  HyungJun didn't understand her request.  Hauling a girl by the wrist or arm was not something they ever thought of, just did.

Mina huffed and pried his hand off her arm.  "Na asked you to let go!"

 - "Mina-yah gwenchana?"  He looked at her as if she'd just sprouted two heads.

YoungSaeng was busy talking with a few guests when he happened to look up and see Mina throw HyungJun's hand off her.  "Oh no!"  He imagined HyungJun tried to drag her away by the wrist, which she absolutely hated.  "Jamkkanmanyo." Excusing himself, he ran off to the stage.  "Agassi!"  YoungSaeng bowed before her.  "Na chingu Park JungMin and his anae are here and would like to meet you."

 - "Saengie-yah, na would have brought her?  Don't you have to talk to people?"  Maknae was a little upset that YoungSaeng didn't trust him to find Mina or bring her to their group.

 - "Deh, hajiman agassi doesn't care to be dragged off and before you ended up getting punched, Na thought it best to step in."

Mina rolled her eyes at YoungSaeng with a smile.  HyungJun's own eyes grew wide in shock.  "Mina-yah?  You wouldn't punch me?  Would you?"

Giggling, she responded.  "Chinchayo, Maknae came very close.  Na grew up with all namja, ara how to hit."

 - "Omo!  Agassi!  Don't be like that!  You're too cute!"

It was YoungSaeng's turn to roll his eyes.  "Eeliwah, Mina-ssi has done enough.  The party is a success, gomawoyo.  It's time for Mina-ssi to enjoy the party with chingu."

Mina sighed, she could see how they had all worked their way into Ilana's sleeping heart.  They were a special group of people and this annoying otter was king of special.  So much for avoiding him, it was impossible.  "Arraseo."

The others soon saw them coming.  "Park JungMin, Bae Suzy, this is nae marketing agent, Rodriguez Mina imnida."

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, JungMin-ssi.  It's been about a year, deh?  Is this your anae?  Manaseh bangobsubnida."

 - "Mina-yah!  You've met everyone?  Awesome!  This is my beautiful anae."  JungMin reverted to English.

 - "Nice to meet you too," Suzy said.  "Welcome to the family, Mina."

 - "Yes, we want Mina to stay in the family for a long, long time," Emily teased.

Only YiHyun really knew what Emily was referring too.  "Deh!  We're happy Mina came to Seoul."

Of course, Mina had no clue about Oh MY task force.  "Deh!  Who would've helped YoungSaengie put all this together?"  HyungJun added.

JungMin tsked, jokingly.  "This is what ILC's marketing Bu-Sajang has been up to, instead of taking care of the business for Contreras Sajang."

Mina narrowed her eyes at him, just in case he wasn't joking, she outranked him and would make sure to let him know it.  "Mina-ssi!  Chinchayo, nampyon is joking."  Suzy read the distrust in Mina's eyes.

 - "Jeongmalyo!  Mina-ssi doesn't think I'm serious!"

 - "Mina-yah, never take anything that from either of these two idiots seriously," KyuJong said.

 - "Yah!!"  The two idiots in question protested.

 - "Ooh!  They're dancing!"  Suzy said.  "Kaja!"  She begged her husband.

 - "Wait!  We haven't told them..."

 - "Omo!  I forgot in all the excitement."

 - "Suzy-ah, tell us what?"  HyungJun asked.

The couple grinned at each other.  "We're pregnant!"  They both said at once.

 - "Omo!!"  The girls all began to hug Suzy in congratulations.

 - "Wau!  Chukahae!"  While the guys pounded JungMin on the back.

 - "Yah, but should you be on your feet?"  Maknae began to worry, remembering all the trouble Ilana had with her pregnancy.

 - "Gwenchanayo, Oppa," Suzy said.  "Na haven't had any morning sickness.  Na get a little tired sometimes, but nothing I can't handle.  I'm a midwife now, remember?"

 - "Suzy-ah will have to move her practice to Seoul once we all get married," YiHyun said.

 - "Na will come out for the births.  Just make sure to get pregnant at the same time."

 - "Junnie-yah!  Wipe that mischievous grin off your face!"  YiHyun gave her fiancé a playful shove.

 - "When are you guys thinking of having the wedding?"  Suzy asked.  "Na thought you wanted to get married right after MS?"

 - "Deh, hajiman Na want to establish myself with Su-Am first, and then make plans.  We're all thinking of a small wedding, anyway."

 - "Likewise, though Na fiancé has started the photo studio on her own, Na want to help her grow it.  We're doing well and have permanently contracted the videographer."  HyungJun kissed his very capable and talented fiancé on the cheek, making her blush.

 - "Hokshina a winter wedding and we can rent a yacht in the harbor at Incheon.  It could like old times."  KyuJong explained further.

 - "That sounds like fun!  Omo!  Na won't be able to travel!"  Suzy realized that conflicted with her being pregnant.  "Gwenchana if you make it toward the end of the year or New Year wedding?"

 - "New Year sounds like fun!"  JungMin was already thinking of the possibilities.

 - "It would be easier for Sunbae to get time off," KyuJong said, thinking it over.

 - "Hokshina everything will be settled by then," YoungSaeng said.

 - "Omo!  Na just thought of something!"  YiHyun clapped her hands excitedly.  "Kim HyunJoong’s little boy and Ilana's little girl can be the ring bearer and flower girl."

 - "HaEun-ah will just be crawling!  Hajiman Ilana can carry her; gwiyowiyo!"  Emily said.

 - "Daeback!  Na think we've got a date!  We need to start making phone calls," HyungJun grinned at his wife.

 - "Na will be back by then!"  YoungSaeng said excitedly.

Mina smiled, happy for the couples, but otherwise stayed quiet.  She didn't know what she was planning on doing after YoungSaeng left on tour.  If she went home, would she return?  That wouldn't be fair to Ilana or TaeYoung.  The business was as much theirs as it was Ilana's.  She would miss her friends too.  All these thoughts were swimming in her head.  It had been a long couple of weeks and she was tired.  "YoungSaeng-ssi, na think my work here is done and Na have a lot of work at the office tomorrow.  Na will be leaving first."

It was JungMin who spoke first.  "Gwenchanayo, na will be in the office early.  Stay and enjoy yourself.  Take tomorrow off and Na will work with MiRi on your current accounts."

 - "Hajiman..."  That wasn't the reason she wanted to leave, it was just an excuse.

 - "Chinchayo, Bu-Sajang needs a break."

 - "Park JungMin!"  She had to laugh, one of the managers was giving the vice president permission to take a day off.  "You're incorrigible."

 - "Gomawo!  Chinchayo, Antonio Sunbae told me to jump in where I'm needed.  You need a break, technically Antonio is also your Sunbae and Naega giving Mina his orders."  JungMin grinned

 - "Mina-ssi,” Suzy said.  "Ignore nampyon's careless speech."

 - "Anieyo, it's Ilana's fault for letting him speak so freely.  Fortunately for him, he works hard, and Antonio Sunbae likes him too.  Na just might take JungMin up on his offer and let him deal with all that must be done and MiRi-ssi and MinSun-ssi.  JiNa-ssi is a great help when MiRi isn't distracting her."

 - "Mina-yah’s office would be boring and too quiet without them."

 - "Majayo," Mina knew this was true.  Those silly kids really did work hard, and they were hers to mold and instruct in a way that they would be invaluable to the company.  Who knew if one day, they could be heading their own division in the Seoul office or even heading their own office in a different country?  Perhaps she just needed a few weeks off to clear her head.  She would start with one day.  "JungMin-ssi, Na will take you up on the offer and thank Antonio later."

 - "Mina-Ssi, Ilana’s Halmoni and I will be surprising Ilana tomorrow afternoon, come with us, juseyo?"  Suzy wanted to get to know this future Unnie of hers.

 - "Ilana Halmoni?"

 - "Deh!  We brought Nana with us," JungMin explained.

 - "Ilana will be so happy!  Deh, na think I will join you."

 - "Daeback!"

 - "Yah guys, wae should everyone else have all the fun?"

 - "Oh, oh, JungMin-ah, are you going to get Saengie in trouble?"  KyuJong teased, knowing JungMin was scheming something.

JungMin faced the stage where one of the CI Entertainment idols was performing to karaoke.  "Na just happen to have some of our music with me.  Saengie, you up to it?"

 - "Mollah..." YoungSaeng was suddenly a bit shy.

 - "Kaja!"  Maknae jumped for joy.

 - "Let's show them how it's done,” KyuJong agreed.

Mina looked from one to the other, trying to figure out what was going on and Suzy took compassion on her lost face.  "Gwenchanayo, just sit back and enjoy, this will be daeback!"

The guys scampered off.  While waiting for the current performers to stop, JungMin spoke to the DJ, handing him his cued phone.  Saengie had called his dance team and KyuJong and HyungJun were already prepping the stage.  "Annyeong hasseyo!"  KyuJong greeted in the mic as soon as the other performers had left the stage and the claps and cheers had died down.  "Eternal Center inmida!"

 - "Maknae inmida!  Can we have your attention for just one song?  Gomawo.  Let's hear it for our chingu 'Shy Prince and Mal' inmida!"  The crowd laughed and clapped for the four up on stage.  They sang 'U R Man' for the crowd, who loved every minute of their goofy and y cute antics.

When the guys bowed all at once and received their thunderous applause, they came back to where their girls were standing.  JungMin's Mom and Nana had been watching from the sidelines and now rejoined the group.  "Wau!  Nae adul and chingu are so talented," JungMin's mother smushed his cheeks together appreciatively.

 - "U-mmaaa!"  He protested while laughing.

 - "Kansamnida Eomonni!"  The other guys said.

 - "Yippeun!"  Nana gave them all tight hugs.  "Daeback?"  She wasn't sure if that was the word but received a thumbs up from JungMin.

 - "Nana!"  Mina greeted.

 - "Mina, hija, como estas (how are you)?"  Nana hugged her tightly and scrutinized her face a little, wondering if she really was a woman in love?  "You behave yourself?"  Nana teased lightly, this grown woman who was successfully managing a company.

 - "She's great, Nana!"  Emily said, giving her friend a side hug.  They had all warmed up to Mina in the last year and truly hoped for a match between her and YoungSaeng.

 - "I try, Nana..." she answered Nana back.  "Pero estos no me dejan (But these don't let me)."  Mina winked as she made a sweeping motion with her palm up.

Nana laughed and grabbed YoungSaeng and Maknae by the ear, surprising them.  "Pórtense bien muchachos...behave, arraso?"

 - "Deh Halmoni!!"  The two were almost shaking after she released them.

Mina was hiding her laughter under her hand, while the rest laughed outright.  YoungSaeng eyed Mina suspiciously and he could tell by the flush on her cheeks, she instigated that display.  From the week they spent at Ilana's house, he knew Nana had a playful streak and coupled with Mina's naughty side, who knew what she had told her.  "Yah, Halmoni?"  HyungJun rubbed his slightly red ear.  "Wae didn't KyuJong get his ear pulled?"

 - "He good boy," she said, obviously.  More laughter followed.

The party was set to last four hours and in that time YoungSaeng spent greeted guests as well as spent time with his friends.  His manager, as well as Mina, assured him that party was a success as they both had their ears open to hear the conversations around them.  They'd given out a few trinkets with his picture.  Three lucky winners would receive autographed CD's once it was released; they did not want anything leaking out yet.  Another three would receive VIP passes to his first appearance.  Being mentally and physically exhausted, Mina was ready to make her escape.  The party would be over in less than an hour.  Everything was in order, door prizes had already been given, and the agency and Mina had names, addresses and phone numbers for all those who won the CD's and tickets.  Her job was done.  YoungSaeng and his manager were together, and Mina took that opportunity to excuse herself first to them and then to her other friends.  "Eric-ssi, YoungSaeng-ssi, nae work here is complete.  Na will be leaving first."

 - "Wae so soon?  We can all go out for a drink after."  Eric said while YoungSaeng looked disappointed.

Mina smiled at Eric and didn't really make eye contact with YoungSaeng, she wanted to wean herself off him.  "Na have to prepare a list of accounts for our Los Angeles staff member that came to lend a hand this week.  Na will be leaving after saying goodbye to chingu."  She looked briefly at YoungSaeng.  "YoungSaeng-ssi, na look forward to hearing your single on the radio this week.  Ara it will be a success."  With that, she bowed to the two men and began to walk away.

YoungSaeng resisted the urge to run after her.  They had never had a chance to clear the awkward air over earlier.  Not to mention that he wanted to tell her that she was beautiful in her new outfit.  She had even worn the scarf he gifted her.  "Ah, YoungSaeng-ssi," Eric brought YoungSaeng's attention back to their conversation.  "Round up some of the other idols and perform a song together to show your inclusion into the CI family."

 - "Arraseo, na see DongWan, Nathan, and DoWan Sunbae.  I'm sure the others are around somewhere."  YoungSaeng went off to find his Sunbae's and hoped to grab Mina before she left, but she was already gone.  He didn't see her at all, sighing he waved to his friends in passing.  YoungSaeng's Senior's gave him a rite of passage and made him perform to an SNSD song.  The crowd was not at all disappointed in their silliness.  YoungSaeng passed his initiation with flying colors.

After all was said and done and the crowd dissipated, and reporters left with their questions answered, they all convened at a restaurant nearby.  JungMin's Mother and Nana took a cab home, letting the youngsters have some fun.

 - "How does it feel?"  JungMin asked.  "You're officially an idol."

 - "Surreal, HyunJoong Sunbae said it would feel like you're on another planet for a while."

 - "Wae am I not surprised, Na suppose they have alien idols, deh?"  KyuJong joked.

 - "Leave HyunJoong oppa alone.  If he can still laugh and be silly after all he's been through, let him," Suzy defended.

 - "Deh, jagi, no one is saying anything.  You know HyunJoong and his aliens."

 - "Mmm," Suzy smiled and leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.  The adrenaline rush of being home with her family and friends and the excitement of the party was wearing off.

 - "Jagiya needs to eat a little something or she can't go home."

 - "Deh..."  Now she knew how Ilana felt when everyone wanted her to eat and she wasn't hungry.

 - "Gwenchanayo, Suzy-ah.  Emily will be driving me home, so we won't be staying long," KyuJong re-assured Suzy.

 - "KyuJong Oppa, hangbokhaeyo, we got to see you before you went home.  We would have missed you."

 - "JungMin would've driven the five hours to see me."

JungMin scoffed, "only your fiancé does that."

 - "Mmm," KyuJong wrapped his arm around Emily's waist and rubbed his nose against hers.  "That's why I'm marrying her and not you."

 - "Pabo!  Does that even make sense?"

KyuJong and Emily remained staring at each other like lovesick school kids for at least another minute.  "Emily and I have a long drive, we're going to get going now."

 - "Yah, you two, don't cause any trouble on your way up.  Stick to the highway, don't get lost."

 - "Annyeong everybody!"  KyuJong rose from his chair and gave Emily his hand to help her up.

 - "Annyeong JungMin-ssi, it was nice meeting you again.  Suzy, we'll catch up during the week, deh?"

 - "Deh!

 The others waved and YoungSaeng, also from North Jeolla Province, reminded KyuJong of the quickest route.

 - "Gwenchana, we haven't gotten lost, yet."  KyuJong was given a playful push toward the door by his fiancé.

 - "What are you working on this week?"  JungMin asked YoungSaeng.

 - "Na have to pre-record a radio interview and more practice with nae Sunbae-deul, practice my own songs, start having more dress rehearsals, this was just a warm-up.  When I am not working on my music or dancing, I have to spend hours in the gym."

 - "Omo!  JungMin Oppa," YiHyun noticed Suzy had fallen asleep.  "Suzy is asleep."

 - "Aww, get her home," HyungJun said.  "Na can't wait to be Samchon, first to HaEun-ah and then to jeogum mal."

JungMin smiled.  They'd already been calling the baby little horse.  If his wife had her way, their baby would be raised amongst the horses at Ilana's house and never move.  He was quite sure she had no Intention of moving.  "Na better take her home, this was daeback.  We'll catch up during the week.  Let's have lunch."

 - "My lunch hour is never the same," YoungSaeng lamented.  He now completely understood why HyunJoong was always falling asleep and the dark circles under his eyes.  He went nonstop from the moment he got up until he passed out from exhaustion.  Let's call it a night and see if we can coordinate schedules while Mal is still here."

 - "Arraso," HyungJun stood and YiHyun followed.

 - "Tell Suzy to call me," she said.

 - "Deh."

Mina had come home and changed.  After getting comfortable, she sent her projects list to JungMin and what accounts she most needed help with.  After taking care of business she was too restless and decided to languish in a nice long bath.  She her 'bath' music, which was all her favorite ballads, many of which were Kim HyunJoong's.  After pouring herself a glass of wine to go with the mood, she stepped in to enjoy her bath.

YoungSaeng had arrived back at the apartment and dropped himself tiredly on the bed.  When he closed his eyes, it was her face he saw.  She was laughing at him, making him smile at the vision.  He thought it odd that the first picture to come into his mind was her.  It used to be his Cinderella.  When did it change?  Trying to shake the image of laughing Mina from his head, he decided on a shower and perhaps another beer afterward.

Freshly showered, YoungSaeng half sat/half lay, on the couch and the TV.  Nothing held his attention.  He had purchased a few beers to have for emergencies and now poured himself one.   He'd already had a drink with his friends, but still felt restless and the need to unwind.  After a few sips, this too lost his interest.  He could almost hear Mina scolding him for drinking too much.  Though he indirectly thanked her and her staff for all they were doing on his behalf, he never got to thank Mina on a more personal level.  Aside from their ordeal, which was suddenly very humorous, he hadn't had a chance to really talk to her.  His phone was on the table next to his beer.  "Agassi, it's ten P.M. are you still awake?"

Mina was pleasantly relaxed from her bath and her wine.  She didn't have to work tomorrow and decided to indulge in another glass.  While still in her bathrobe, she rested on the couch, not in a hurry to do anything.  Her music was still playing, she had a glass of wine, the apartment was a comfortable temperature; all should be well with the world.  It wasn't, not really.  She missed YoungSaeng.  He'd been so busy, she'd been so busy and was trying to wean herself off of him.  Visiting Ilana was nice and hanging out with Emily and YiHyun on occasion, but it wasn't the same.  The girls were the best girlfriends you could have, but it wasn't the same as if she'd known them for a very long time.  If she'd known them before they were dating or engaged, she'd be completely comfortable with them and the namja who were dear hearts in their own right.  "Mina Rodriguez!"  She could hear her Mother's scolding.  "Are you being envious?  Is my Mina being insecure?"

 - "Iie haha ('No Mom' in Japanese)!"  Mina answered her Mother's voice in her head.  "It's just my friendship with Orabeoni is different than with the girls," she pouted.  Kim HyunJoong's 'Heat" was suddenly heard from her phone.  That was her private ringtone, for friends and family.  Work and unknown callers were assigned the respectable 'Fur Elise'.  Afraid that it was her Mother hearing her thoughts all the way in California, she sat up straight and placed her wine glass on the table.  As if she'd be able to see through the phone that she was drinking.  "Hello?  Haha?"  Mina cringed, her voice slurred a little, and she’d almost finished her second glass of wine.

 - "Mina-yang?  Were you sleeping?"

Mina froze as the voice she'd been missing and at the same time avoiding was heard.  "O-orabeoni?  A-anieyo."

YoungSaeng thought she sounded odd.  "Gwenchana?"

 - "Deh!"  She said a little too loudly.

 - "Yah!  Is Agassi drinking without Orabeoni?"

 - "A-anieyo."  Why she felt the need to hide the fact that she was drinking was beyond her, so she rephrased her answer.  "I-I just had a glass of wine to unwind.  So what?"  Now she sounded defensive.

 - "One glass or maybe two?  Did agassi forget she doesn't drink that well?"

 - "I'm stressed Orabeoni!  Leave me alone, jaljayo."

 - "Don't hang up," he said softly.  He didn't like the way she sounded.  Normally he liked her blustery side.  It was very entertaining to get her riled up.  But the slight slurring made her sound sad and he didn't like that at all.

 - "Wae anieyo.  Pigonhaeyo."

 - "Na called to thank Mina yang for everything today."

 - "Orabeoni already thanked us by bringing lunch."

He smiled at her pouting.  She was always so strong-willed, never wanting to appear vulnerable.  But right now, that's how she sounded.  "Deh, hajiman Na didn't get to thank nae Mina-yang for today."

That got Mina laughing because if she didn't, she'd read too far into it.  "Your Mina-yang?  Since when?"

 - "Since today.  I'm in possession of a part of you."  That completely came out of nowhere, but now her smart- side was coming out.  It was well worth it.

 - "Ha!  What does Orabeoni possess?"

 - "Mina's hair."  YoungSaeng was smiling into the phone.  He'd missed these crazy conversations.

 - "Orabeoni!!"  She sank against the couch in a fit of giggles.  "Omo!  Orabeoni!  You've completely ruined my pity party."

 - "Mworago?  Wae should Mina have a pity party?"

 - "Mollah...na paboya."

YoungSaeng thought maybe it was the one-sided love of hers and was suddenly angry.  "Yah!  Agassi is not allowed to have pity parties ever.  She's intelligent, she works hard, she's a faithful friend, and she has a beautiful heart and looked...stunning in that outfit today!”  He almost said 'hot’ but figured that wasn't what an older brother should tell his 'dongsaeng', even if it was very true.  "Na envy the namja that claims her heart."  She was so quiet on the other line, he thought he might have annoyed her.  "Mina-ssi?  Gwenchana?  Mian.  You're not angry with Orabeoni, deh?"

Mina had tears pouring down her face and hit the mute, so he wouldn't hear her sniffling.  "Orabeoni, na don't want another man.  Don't be envious, just be mine."  She let out a shaky breath, trying to erase the tears.  "Anieyo Orabeoni," she managed to sound halfway decent.  "I'm not upset.  Gomawo, hajiman don't be envious unless you want to take responsibility for me."  Mina didn't let him answer, she chuckled into the phone.  "Did na scare Orabeoni?"

 - "Mollan anjii..." He knew her silly side had come out and was therefore unfazed.  "Mina yang will always be nae cute dongsaeng.  When nae contract with CI runs out, Mina can be my agent, deh?  That way she can be around idols and Na will hurt the first one to treat you badly."

Mina laughed again, and he joined her, oblivious to her reason behind the laughter.  "Ay, Orabeoni, if you only knew," she thought.  When the laughter had subsided, she hugged a throw pillow, suddenly very tired.

 - "Yah!  Gwenchana?  Is Mina-ssi sober now?"

 - "Mmm, Na wasn't drunk...just relaxed."  She downed the last bit of wine and yawned.  It seemed her body was telling her that was enough for one night.  "Orabeoni, pigonhaeyo.  Na think I'll get ready for bed.  Gomawoyo."

 - "Waeyo?"

 - "For turning my evening around."

YoungSaeng heard the smile in her voice.  Whatever she had been dealing, at least he was able to distract her for a little while.  "Deh, Naega quite strong since MS, you know."

 - "Aish!  Na just thanked you, don't get cocky."

YoungSaeng grinned, glad she was feeling better.  "Jaljayo, nae angel."

 - "Anieyo, tonight Orabeoni was my angel."

 - "Maja, na will give you my blessing tonight.  Yesu, keep nae Mina-yang safe, Ara you watch over your precious child.  Send your angels to guard her dreams - Amen."

They both ended the call with a smile.  Mina rinsed her glass and got ready for bed, while YoungSaeng stared at the phone in his hand a little longer.  She said he'd turned her evening around and yet he felt as if she had done the same for him.  Just hearing her voice brightened his day like no one else.  He loved his friends and it was always great to spend time with them.  KyuJong was always the one to root out the problems and without your knowledge offer you a solution.  But there was something about that woman that calmed his frazzled brain and put a smile on his face.  He lay back on the bed and fall asleep like that.  He'd wake in the middle of the night to wash his face and brush his teeth.

April 25, 2016

Ilana and Harabeoji had walked the grounds for the usual fifteen minutes, laughing, talking and sometimes singing.  Harabeoji delighted in sharing the stories of Jihoo as a little boy and Ilana delighted in hearing them.  She'd fallen asleep when she heard a knock on the bedroom door.  Ignoring it a first, but when she heard it again she roused herself from sleep to open.  "Jankamanyo!"  She called from the bed as she slowly got up and made her way to the door.  It was their housekeeper.

 - "Jwosongmnida," she said.  "Contreras-ssi has guests."

 - "Guests?"

 - "Deh," the housekeeper smiled at her young mistress.

 - "Arraseo, let me fix my hair and splash water on my face and Na will be there shortly."

 - "Deh, na will let them know."

Ilana took about five minutes and walked into the living room only to think she was dreaming.  There before her was Mina, accompanied by Nana and Suzy.  She stood frozen for a bit and could feel the tears coming so easily.  Smiling from ear to ear, she walked slowly to where they smiled back.  She still wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not.  Suzy got impatient and got up to hug her friend.  "Unnnnieee!  Bogoshipatso!"

 - "Na do!  What are you doing here?"  Ilana tore away from her friend to wrap herself in the arms of her beloved Nana.  "Nana!!!"

 - "Mi Niña, ya no llores (My girl, don’t cry)."  Nana wiped Ilana's tears and held her tight.  "¿Como te sientes, hija (How do you feel, dear)?"

 - "Bien, Nana, bien (Good, Nana, good)."

Mina sat enjoying the reunion and laughed.  "You guys do know it's only been about two and a half months."

 - "Mina!  You were able to take a break?"  Ilana went over to hug her friend and VP.  "It feels like it's been forever since we left LA."

 - "You've been through so much.  Anyway, JungMin is here and ordered me to take the day off."

 - "I'm so sorry, I left you guys hanging."

 - "We're doing fine.  The new interns are working out great, the little bit that you're helping with is also fine.  More importantly, is that HaEun and you are well."

 - "Thank you."

 - "Omo, Unnie!"  Suzy reached out to rub Ilana's pregnant belly.  "Wau, you popped out!"

 - "Funny!"  Ilana rolled her eyes.

 - "At least she's not so swollen anymore," Mina said.

 - "I still swell up toward the afternoon if I haven't been resting."

 - "Earning you a scolding from your husband, no doubt."

 - "Jogeumyo," Ilana pinched her thumb and index finger together.

 - "Just over three weeks!  I'm so excited!  Majayo, Nana?"  Suzy grabbed onto Nana's hand.

 - "Si, como no (Yes, of course)!"

 - "I wish I could stay for the birth."

 - "Gwenchana!  Nampyon and I have been visiting a birthing center for classes and my checkups.  The midwife there is very nice and helpful.  I feel much more comfortable with her than I did with Uissa.  How long are you staying?"

 - "Na was so looking forward to delivering HaEun.  Na can only stay the week with Nampyon.  Nana can stay if she wants."

Since Ilana was sitting on the other side of Nana, she leaned over to lay her head on her shoulder.  "Ya veremos (we'll see)," Nana replied while her little girl's hair.  "Tienes a tu marido, quien te cuida muy bien (You have your husband who takes very good care of you).  Estaría estorbando (I'd be in the way)."

 - "No es cierto, Nana (That's not true, Nana)."  Ilana continued to let Nana spoil her until she thought of something.  "Do you guys want to see HaEun's room?  It's not done, but almost."

 - "Sure!"  The group was led to the nursery and took in the taupe-colored walls and the white crib with the bedding YoungSaeng had gifted her still in its bag.

 - "The white and pink fabric is for hanging from the ceiling.  JaeKyung was going to help, but she just recently began to go back to the office a few days a week."

 - "I'll help!"  Mina said.

Nana looked at the bedding set.  Whoever picked it out had done so with care and tenderness.  It was a very subtle design, very classic and not bold like most things nowadays.  "¿Te gusta (Do you like it), Nana?"

Nana nodded, "Que exquisito (delightful), la cenicienta (Cinderella).  ¿Te lo regalaron (It was a gift)?

 - "Mmm, Emily, YiHyun, and my Oppa-deul."

 - "Unnie, I have news for you," Suzy said as she admired the room.

 - "Mwo?"

Suzy became like a little kid again, anxious to tell her friend and at the same time wanting to play.  "Guess."

 - "Suzy-ah!"

 - "Mollah?!  You've opened our own midwifery back home."

 - "Anieyo!  That's a boring guess."

 - "You're pregnant." Ilana never expected that to be the case as she had just finished her Nurse Practitioner’s degree.

Suzy began to jump up and down, "Deh!"

 - "Omo!!  Paboya, what are you doing here?"  The two friends hugged, bouncing on their heels.

 - "Gwenchana!  Naega fortunate the morning sickness isn't that bad."

 - "You're lucky.  Ooooh!  I'm so happy!  Did you hear that HaEun?  You'll have another playmate?"  Ilana pressed on her stomach and she felt HaEun's movements as if she was answering her.

 - "Mina-ssi isn't dating anyone?"  Suzy pried.  "You can join the pregnant wives club."

Mina laughed, "Anieyo gwenchanayo."

 - "Should we take you to a matchmaker?"  Ilana teased.

 - "Keep it up and I really will go to a matchmaker."

 - "You're kidding, right?"

 - "Mollahyo, it seems to me if love is a choice, can't you choose to love anyone?"

 - "But can just anyone choose to love you the way God intended for you to be loved."

 - "Niña, ten paciencia (be patient).  Quizás tu amor todavía no te reconoce (Maybe your love doesn't recognize you yet)."

Mina just nodded, afraid of Nana's scrutinizing gaze.  Ilana chose to break the melancholy air that had descended over them.  "Are you guy’s hungry?  I can ask ajumma to make a snack.  Harabeoji is probably awake and just reading in his room or stay for dinner.  Nampyon will be here in by six."

 - "Today we came only for a short time," Suzy said.  "You need to rest, maja?"

 - "That's all I ever do!  If it weren’t ‘for JanDi that's also stuck at home 'resting', I'd go crazy.  JaeKyung has been busy with work too.  Everyone has something to do but me."

 - "Ya deja de rezongar (stop complaining already).  Cuando tu hija nazca salva y sana, le das gracias a Dios por esta temporada (When your daughter is born alive and well, you will give God thanks for this time."

 - "Si Nana," Ilana lowered her head, properly subdued.

Nana laughed and drew her little girl into her arms.  "Mi Vida, como estaba preocupada y en oración por ti (My dear, I've been so worried and in prayer for you).  Le doy gracias a Dios que te encuentro bien (I thank God that I find you well)."

Ilana let herself be coddled by Nana as she hid her tears in the older woman's embrace.  When she could speak, Ilana begged them to stay a little longer.  It had been an emotional couple of weeks and though she had a great support system in Seoul, she wanted to be selfish and hold on to Nana and Suzy a little longer.  "Jaebal...stay a little longer.  Na will call Harabeoji and he can tell you the best places to take Nana.  I can lay on the couch or chair with my feet propped"

 - "Aigoo!!  Look at that pitiful face," Suzy teased.

 - "You'd think she was locked in a dungeon all day," Mina followed.

 - "Mi niña consentida (my spoiled little girl), nunca te pude decir que no (I could never tell you no)."

 - "Neither can her husband," Mina whispered into Suzy's ear.

 - "Yah!  I heard that!  Trust me, he can."

 - "Mina Unnie, it's the other way around, Ilana can never tell her husband 'no'."

 - "Déjala en paz, es una esposa con valor de rubíes, tal como es mi Suzita..."  Nana put her hand on top of Suzy's head.  "...y un día será Mina (Leave her alone, she's a wife worth rubies, just like Suzy and someday Mina)."

Mina sighed.  "Cuando Nana (When, Nana)?"

 - "Un día llegara tu príncipe (One day your prince will come)."

Mina laughed.  "Nana!  I'm not Snow White!"

 - "We already have Cinderella," Suzy said.

 - "Who does that make you?"  Ilana asked with a grin.

 - "I prefer Mulan."

The trio kept Ilana company for another hour.  They drove Harabeoji out of his room with their laughter and once Harabeoji jumped into the joking it got even louder.  HaEun occasionally gave Umma an elbow, making her yelp, as a reminder that she didn't like to be jostled.

April 29, 2016

Ilana made sure Jihoo woke her up before he left for work.  "Sarang should rest."

 - "Na can rest and listen to the radio at the same time."

 - "Nana, Suzy, and YiHyun are coming over, Sarang won't be resting."

 - "I will, I promise!"

 - "Nana and Suzy will make sure I don't do anything I'm not supposed to."  Ilana gave her husband a peck on the lips.  "Kaja, na want to have breakfast with nampyon and Harabeoji.  Someone never wakes me up before he leaves," Ilana pouted.

 - "Na want Sarang to rest as much as possible.  Besides, Sarang looks cute when she takes over my side of the bed and snuggles with my pillows."

 - "That's because they smell like you and in my sleep, I can't tell the difference."

 - "Paboya," he yanked her messy braid.  He'd just wakened her ten minutes before.  It took about that long to get her up and moving, which was why he left her every morning with only a kiss.  He'd rather his wife get uninterrupted sleep than to be selfish and wake her up.

They'd arrived in the dining room where Harabeoji was already waiting for them.   "Ilana-yah, wae so early?"

- "Annyeong hashiminika Harabeoji," she kissed his cheek.   He had to admit, he enjoyed her affectionate displays.  "Today is YoungSaeng Oppa's radio debut.  Even if he's a pabo who has abandoned his favorite dongsaeng, naega still excited for him."

 - "How did HaEun sleep?"

 - "Na felt her squirming last night;” Jihoo answered and placed a loving hand on his wife's belly.

Ilana grimaced in discomfort as HaEun shifted inside her.   "That's because Appa likes to squish her."

 - “Anae is the one that likes to squish herself against me."

Ilana reached out to squeeze his side, making him jump.  In retaliation, he shook her stomach, getting HaEun to kick him in response.  "Yah!  Nampyon and dtal need to stop."

Jihoo leaned over to kiss his wife.  "That's what anae gets for being up early today."

The housekeeper soon brought out soybean paste soup and omelet, which was one of Ilana's favorites.  "Kansamnida!"  She always thanked the housekeeper, just as she would her Nana.

 - "What time will the young man's song air," Harabeoji asked.

 - "Na was told somewhere around nine."

 - "Well, Ilana-yah should rest after breakfast until then."

 - "Suzy, Nana, and YiHyun are coming to spend the morning with me.  Nampyon said it would be fine if Suzy, JungMin, Mina, and Nana came to dinner."

 - "Greomyo."

Ilana took a bite of the delicious egg, "masheesuhyo!"

Jihoo smiled as he watched her eat.  No matter what, she was always beautiful to him.  All she ever had to do was smile and she was radiant.  He couldn't believe that very soon their daughter would be making her way into their world.  It would be an adjustment, but not an unwelcome one.  "Make sure Sarang finishes all her soup," he instructed.  She'd gotten her appetite back and the housekeeper made sure to make all her favorites.  Nana promised to cook for them tonight.  She had brought many dry goods from home, as well as the care package she had sent recently.  He would send her a check for the shipping costs, which were about $100 each time she sent something, but she always refused it.  So he began a separate account for her.  One day Nana will want to retire, though he knew she had her savings and could live comfortably, a little extra didn't hurt.

Ilana was indulging in her soup and realized her husband was staring at her with a slight smile on his face.  "Earth to Jihoo..."  Ilana waved a hand in front of his face, which he caught and kissed the back of.  "Sarang, where did na lose you to?"

 - "Anieyo...there's days that I can't get enough of seeing you."  He smoothed the errant hair away from her face.  "When dtal comes, nae anae will be so busy and Na want to capture these tranquil moments while we have them.  Though I'm looking forward to capturing the new life we'll have with dtal," he hastened to add before she thought he didn't look forward to having HaEun share in their life.

 - "Na think there will be more tranquil moments," she took one of his hands and laced her fingers through his.  "Except where you gaze at one, you'll be gazing at two.  Hokshina then Sarang can slow down a little so Na can watch him with dtal."  Being in Seoul was always like a whirlwind for them.  If it weren't for the pregnancy, Ilana would be working longer hours than Jihoo.  Their life in California was a little more stable.  Now that Ilana wasn't working, she saw how busy her husband was and knew that normally she too was that busy.  He quite often brought work home because he wanted to be with her.

 - "Deh, na promise to only be available by email once HaEun comes and that goes for Anae whom I know sneaks phone calls to JiNa-ssi while I'm not looking."

Ilana grinned, having been caught.  "Sarang, they try to hide my emails from me.  I thought something was weird when I was getting very little work-related emails and only those wishing me well.  I threatened JiNa that I'd fire her if she didn't start giving me my emails.  Na changed my password and only JiNa has access."

 - "Well, na agree with what they did at least in the beginning, from a HoeJang's (Chairman) perspective, that is going above your superior's and grounds for termination.  Ara your Bu-Sajang-deul mean well.  As long as the situation has been resolved, na don't want you upset or dwelling on it, deh?"

 - "Deh...ara they meant well.  Na didn't tell you because it was done and over with.  Na spoke to Mina and TaeYoung and told them I appreciated them taking care of me, but it was also important for Na to know what was happening in the office."

 - "Choah."  He noticed his wife come in contact with the bottom of her bowl and pout.  He smiled and switched bowls with her.  He had been too busy observing her, to eat.  The two had completely forgotten about Harabeoji sitting right across from them but he didn't mind one bit.

 - "Sarang!  What about you?"

 - "Nae Anae has filled me up with her sweetness."

Ilana laughed at such a blatantly cheesy statement.  "Omo Sarang!  Have you been taking lessons from YiJung?"

Jihoo laughed as his friend was the king of pickup lines.  "Maja, how about I steal a kiss instead."  Jihoo cupped her face and treated her to a soft kiss, letting his lips tenderly caress hers.

Ilana suddenly remembered Harabeoji and pulled away with cheeks flaming.  "Harabeoji!"  Ilana mouthed.

 - "Ah, you two have remembered this old man.  Keep doing what you were doing, you've done well without me this far."  Harabeoji's voice was gruff, but he had that same mischievous twinkle in his eyes that Jihoo did when he was pretending to be serious or angry.

 - "Jwosongmnida, Na can't indulge you Harabeoji, Naega will be late.  Sarang, finish your soup and spend as much time lying down as you do standing today."

 - "But what about your breakfast?"

Jihoo stood and gave his wife a short kiss.  "Na told Sarang, Na was full of her sweetness."

 - "Sarang!"

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, Harabeoji," Jihoo inclined his head to his Grandfather and was heading toward the door.

 - "On that note, JanDi will be here any minute to pick me up.  It's her last day at the clinic.  Uissa thinks she could deliver early."

 - "Deh, she did tell me earlier this week when we reported to each other about our appointments."  Earlier in the week, Jihoo, Suzy, and Nana all accompanied her to her appointment at the birthing center.  She had an ultrasound done to measure the baby.  She was roughly six pounds and had a lot of hair, according to the technician.  HaEun was right on track unless she decided to come early.  The midwife lifted Ilana's bed rest restriction and told to move around with reason, to which Jihoo immediately gave his stipulation.  "Na will be happy if HaEun comes right on time; not a moment sooner or later."

Harabeoji smiled at the first time Mother.  "First-timers are known to be late, but you never know."

 - "Na will be praying she's not late.  Na don't think I could handle waiting for her.  Does Harabeoji remember if nampyon was early or late?"

 - "Na believe he was late."

 - "He was probably still sleeping."

JanDi walked in at that time.  "Is Sunbae still sleeping?"

 - "Anieyo, Unnie just missed him."  Ilana stood from her chair and gave her a hug.  Placing a hand on her stomach, she greeted the inhabitant that was still nameless.  "Annyeong baby!"  Ilana gasped.  "He moved for me!"

 - "Greon, he won't know which name he gets until he's born?"

 - "Deh...we're letting InHei decide.  She has the two envelopes with the two different names and on the day he's born, she'll tell us which name got picked."

 - "Gwiyowiyo!  I'm sure she's so excited."

 - "Ah, have you heard from Kim Abigaíl?"

 - "Anieyo, not since HaEun almost came early."

 - "Na think Isabel told InHei a secret she wasn't supposed to share Just yet.  Jaejoong Uissa and Abigaíl are expecting again."

 - "Omo!  JaeWook is only nine months?"  Ilana was happy for her friend.  "HaEun will have plenty of playmates.  Na chingu, Park Suzy is also pregnant."

 - "Na hope they all share a friendship like that of the F4, without causing trouble."

 - "We'll have to do a lot of praying.  They do have their Abeoji's blood running through them."

 - "Sunbae's worst crime was sleeping instead of going to class.  Despite that, he graduated Medical School a year early."

 - "InHei is a good girl and I'm sure adul will be too."

 - "Guerae, I hope so."

 - "Greon, JanDi-ah, we should get going.  People will want to be sick today just to wish you luck for your birth.  Since nae Granddaughter will be busy this afternoon, na think I'll head to the bathhouse for a while."

 - "Not that busy, Harabeoji!  Who will walk with me?"

 - "I'm sure Suzy and Halmoni will be more than willing to walk with you."

 - "At least you both can come home for lunch and then you can go, deh?"

 - "Eottoke Harabeoji?  Your Granddaughter expects us for lunch?"

 - "Then I suppose we'll have to comply."

 - "Daeback."  Ilana gave them both hugs and kisses and admonished them not be late.

Hyung & Hyun studios had cleared their schedule for the morning.  HyungJun didn't think it was fair that everyone had somewhere and someone to listen to YoungSaeng's radio debut, except for him.  He gladly crashed Ilana's mini get together.  "Omo, it should be any minute.  Maybe after this song," he said excitedly.

 - "Nana, I'm so excited!"  Ilana took her Nana's hands, making her laugh.

 - "Is exciting, deh?"  Nana replied.

 - "Deh, Nana!"  Suzy agreed.  "This is almost as exciting as when HyunJoong Oppa first visited the ship."

 - "Deh, who knew we would now have two idols as our best friends," HyungJun said.

 - "Anieyo!  You're all Oppa-deul, nae chingu, not idols," Ilana said.

 - "That's because Ilana's been around a superstar all her life; she sees them as normal people."

 - "That reminds me, Kike hasn't called me."

 - "He was touring in South America," HyungJun answered to Ilana's surprise

 - "HyungJun Oppa, you know more about nae Kike Oppa than I do?

 - "Friendship has its benefits.  He'll call you or visit once HaEun is born."

 - "Ah, Kansamnida for letting me know this fact.  I guess I'm an unworthy dongsaeng, he has to communicate with nae chingu to get information about me."  Ilana knew she'd been slipping in the younger sister department since the day she set foot on the ship, but Enrique knew she cared about him a lot and was in her daily prayers.

 - "Mi Niña just see Kike for Christmas, before you know it will be the holidays again," Nana reminded her charge that time flies and once she became a Mother, it will pass even faster.

 - "Deh Nana," Ilana smiled at her adorable Nana who cared so much about everyone in her life.

 - "Guys!  It's time!"  Maknae HLSA FM 106.1.  Everyone excitedly sat on the couch waiting for YoungSaeng's song to begin at any second.

At ILC-Seoul, JungMin was shouting directions.  "JiNa-ssi!  Turn off the phones and everyone keep quiet!"  The only ones in the office were JungMin, TaeYoung's new intern and the Marketing team plus JiNa.  JungMin made more noise by himself than all of them combined.

 - "Deh, Park-ssi!  I'm one step ahead of you.  The phones are being redirected to the answering system."  JiNa went to sit on top of MiRi's desk.

 - "I'm so excited!!!"  MiRi couldn't contain her excitement.

 - "Boojangnim (team leader), is it true he's not seeing anyone?"  MinSun asked,

JungMin forgot about being quiet as the song had not begun yet.  "Deh!  Should I begin a matchmaking service for him?  Na will create an application and fax it to you?” Mina didn't even realize she was frowning but JungMin did.  "Mina-ssi waeyo?  Gwenchana, to be fair, Mina-ssi should have the first application."

 - "Park JungMin-ssi!  We aren't on that familiar of terms for you to be speaking to me in that manner."

The girls were waving their arms at JungMin telling him to stop before everyone got in trouble.  "Grumpy," JungMin mumbled.  "Maybe that's just what he needs," he laughed to himself.

 - "Mworago?"  Mina saw JungMin's wide grin.

 - "Amugotdoyo (nothing)," JungMin did his best to look innocent, which never happens.

Mina sighed in irritation.  "Alright, this is it!  Everyone quiet!"  The DJ had just announced 'Let it Go'.

At the mobile clinic, Jihoo had asked the patients if they wouldn’t mind if the radio volume being turned up for a few minutes.  He knew KyuJong, who had reported for work several days early, would want to hear his friend's first time on the radio.  "Na chingu will be on the radio any second," KyuJong told the patient he was examining.

 - "Deh!  Nae anae is currently at home only thinking of him," Jihoo half-joked.  He couldn't help feeling just a little jealous whenever his wife thought of or mentioned YoungSaeng.  Even Maknae hugging her and kissing her cheek didn't bother him as YoungSaeng did.

 - "Jihoo Uissanim is jealous," KyuJong told the ajumma patient in front of him.

 - "Jeogumyo.  Nomo jeogumyo," he laughed at himself.

 - "Jihoo Uissa knows only he was able to capture the agassi's heart."

 - "Mmm," Jihoo mumbled, suddenly embarrassed over the conversation.

 - "Jongie, leave Uissa alone," Emily had just finished with a patient and came for the next patient in line.  "After all, we hardly saw each other for almost two years while you were in MS and you couldn't stay away for one week."

 - "Emi Uissa, naega a namja whose life is set adrift without any bearing when nae Emi is not near me."

 - "Jihoo Uissanim, this sounds serious?  Do you think it will require surgery?"

Jihoo shook his head, chuckling silently while the waiting patients all laughed at the pair.  There was usually a lot of chattering, laughing, and joking around at the mobile clinic.  It lifted the morale of patients who sometimes waited for hours.  The clinic went all over Seoul and surrounding communities and usually didn't visit the same neighborhood twice in a month.

 - "Remind me to get HyunSu Uissa to schedule you two together at all times.  Na will not be held responsible for KyuJong Uissa being set adrift."

The radio DJ had just announced the new release line up and YoungSaeng's was first.  "This is it!  He's up next!"  Emily was escorting a young child behind one of the privacy screens and started jumping with her.  "Chung-ae, you'll always remember getting your immunization to this song," she told the child.

YoungSaeng was with his manager and several of his Sunbae’s at the agency.  He heard his voice come over the radio.  "Je irum eun Heo YoungSaeng inmida, Jal bootak deurimnida (I offer you a request/Please look after me) ..." and then the music began.  The lounge they were in was quiet as everyone gave their support to YoungSaeng.  Chills ran up YoungSaeng's arm.  He couldn't believe that was his voice on the radio.  Sure, he loved to perform with his friends on the ship and then he was given the opportunity in the military and then a promise of idol status one day.  Did he ever dream of something like this happening to him?  He did enjoy listening to HyunJoong's stories of idol life.  He never tried to glamorize it, but what it always came down to the joy of making music and having fans enjoy your music and afford you a special place in their lives.  Their 'only one' they call him.  He was just a bit curious about what it will feel like to have fans like that.

 - "Well, how does YoungSaeng-ssi feel?"  His manager asked.

 - "Choahyo," he said a bit embarrassed at all the attention.  The others began to pound his back in congratulations, before leaving to do their own thing.

 - "It's just the beginning.  We'll release the video on Monday and then Friday we do this all over again with 'Out of the Club.'  YoungSaeng's interview will follow this afternoon, once everyone has been listening to 'Let it go'."

Soon his phone began to ring, it was his Mother.  "Deh, Umma."

 - "Nae adul! Na can't believe that's you!"  His mother gushed.

 - "Deh, Umma,"

 - "Who knew when you were so desperate to begin your military service that you would come out an idol," his Mother was weeping on the other line.

Eric, his manager, grinned at him, clapping him on the shoulder.  "I'll come back later," he whispered.

YoungSaeng nodded to his manager and admonished his Mother.  "U-mma!"

 - "Naega so proud of my baby boy!"

 - "Ummaaa hajima," JungMin was calling on the other line.  This was a good excuse to stop his Mother before she drowned in tears and started recalling every musical event in his life.  "Umma, na have another call.  Na will see you soon, deh?"

 - "Deh, adul.  Saranghae."

 - "Nado Umma."  Sighing, he answered JungMin's call.  "Yeobosayo?"

 - "Chukahae!!!"

YoungSaeng nearly dropped the phone as a crowd of voices screamed in his ear.  One of which was obviously JungMin.  "Annyeong hasseyo Oppa!  Chukahaeyo!"  Three feminine voices screamed into the phone.

 - "Yah!  JungMin-ah, what's going on?"

 - "That was MiRi, JiNa, and MinSun-ssi.  They wanted to say hello."

 - "Alright!  Everyone back to work," YoungSaeng heard Mina giving out orders and the girls complaining.  "Tell him I said, good job,"

Mina was going to walk back to her desk when JungMin followed her.  "Tell him yourself."

 - "Park JungMin, we're extremely busy.  We all shouted 'chukahae, remember? You're on the phone with him already."  Technically, everyone was on the phone, because JungMin had placed it on speaker.

 - "In the time it takes Mina-ssi to argue, you can say chukahae personally."  Mina didn't have anything to throw at him and stabbing him with the letter opener would not be good.  Ilana needed him to run the department back home and Suzy was pregnant with their first child, so she couldn't leave her a widow.  "He is your client."

 - "Choahyo!  Just give me the phone so I can get back to work."

YoungSaeng laughed.  "Gwenchanayo, Mina-ssi has done so much for me already," he said.

JungMin laughed at Mina's panicked face at having YoungSaeng hear her.  He might think she wasn't happy for him.  She grabbed the phone and turned off the speaker function.  "YoungSaeng-ssi knows all of us here at ILC are very proud and happy, deh?"

YoungSaeng was grinning on the other end.  He could hear she was a bit upset; he could picture her glaring at JungMin.  "Deh, na owe a lot to Mina-yang and the ILC staff.  Gomawo."

 - "Anieyo...that's what we do."

 - "Anieyo, you usually get paid for all your hard work."

 - "Deh, and Orabeoni promised to take me to an expensive restaurant after his album was released."

JungMin caught her slip if no one else did.  "Yah, are you two dating or what?  You should do that on your own time.  YoungSaeng-ah, Mina-ssi has to go back to work now, you two can finish your tete-a-tete later."  YoungSaeng was left angry at JungMin and would have called back to yell at him but didn't want JungMin's wild imagination to take off and make things uncomfortable for Mina.  "Later, Mina-ssi can finish her conversation in private."  JungMin winked and walked away.

  - "Park JungMin, I'm going to wipe that smirk right off your face!"

MiRi and MinSun looked at each other with smiles on their face.  They were quite certain there was something going on between boss and client.

YoungSaeng was about to go find his manager when his phone rang again.  "Oppa!  Na have been trying to call you for almost an hour!"  Suzy yelled into the phone.

 - "Ah, Suzy's nampyeon called and you know how that goes.  He had the whole office cheering and shouting."

 - "Oppa, you deserve it!"

 - "Me next, me next!" Maknae took the phone from Suzy.  "Wau!  Saengie-yah is daeback!"

YiHyun stole the phone from her pouting fiancé.  "Chinchayo, that was really perfect.  Wau, since Na met Junnie, I now know two idols!  Perhaps YoungSaeng will introduce us to more, later on...”

 - "Yah!"  Maknae protested.  "Nae jagiya is cut off from idols or any other namja that's not me."

 - "Jealous Junnie."

Ilana had shown Nana the kitchen and they made a list of ingredients for dinner.   Once Suzy and Nana left for the grocery store, she planned on sneaking in a nap.  Returning to the living room for Suzy, they noticed the squabbling couple.  "What's with them?"  Ilana asked.

Suzy grabbed the phone from YiHyun before YoungSaeng was irritated and hung up.  "Oppa?"

 - "Mmm," if Suzy hadn't taken the phone he would have hung up.  Those two would be engaging in fluffy couples talk any second.  "Jankanmanyo,” Suzy muted the phone, "Unnie, someone wants to say hello.”

 - "Who?"

 - "Say hello,” Suzy unmuted the phone, giving Ilana and YoungSaeng instructions.

Ilana took the phone cautiously.   "Hello?"

YoungSaeng froze for a second at hearing her voice.   What was he supposed to say?  How can he ask her to forgive his behavior and wait for him to be able to make things right?

 - "Yeobosayo?"  Ilana tried again, not sure which language she was supposed to use.  She didn't see the expectant looks on everyone’s face.

YoungSaeng woke when she spoke again.  "Yeo-Yeobosayo?"

Ilana's eyes widened.   She didn't know who to expect on the other line, but certainly not him.  "O-ppa?"  Just to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

 - "Mmm."

 - "Annchoah Oppa."

YoungSaeng sighed, "ara."  He hoped she didn't decide to end the call.  "Mianhae, chincha…nomu mianhae."

Ilana sat on the couch, suddenly exhausted.  Nana sat next to her, her back comfortingly.  "Wae do you hate me?"

 - "Ahniya!  Na just needed time to think things through."

 - "Two years wasn't enough?  Oppa told me he'd be back as a better Oppa after military service.  You lied to me," she felt the hurt tears stinging her eyes.

 - "Mianhae!  Oppa just didn't know how to start!  Oppa is just confused right now.  Let Oppa make it up to you, let me come back from this tour successfully.  If it weren't for Cinderella, Na wouldn't even have this opportunity.  Maybe I wouldn't even have been serving yet.  Hajiman I was and... well...Oppa was scouted on the street.  That's very rare, did you know?"  Ilana shook her head, listening, but not saying anything.  "Oppa owes you this CD and Na want to come back from this tour a success and then Na will have paid my debt to you."

 - "Oppa knows, Na don't care about that!  Na just want my chingu back!  Ara, it was hard, Ara it was even harder walking me down the aisle, hajiman Na didn't ask you too and you did it anyway.  Na was beyond happy that day.  Na was finally delivered from all the darkness inside of me and Na had my Oppa by my side as well and then you disappeared again.  How does Oppa think Na felt?  I never lied to you, Oppa; you've always been nae special Oppa.  Greon, wae does it feel like I'm being punished?"

 - "Mian Cinderella, mian.  After my tour, then Oppa can hold his head up in front of you again."

 - "That's what Oppa said before his military service!"  Ilana's tears were falling rapidly now, and Suzy was suddenly worried that it could affect her blood pressure.

 - "Oppa!"  Suzy took the phone as Nana wrapped Ilana in a comforting embrace.  "Don't get her worked up.  It's not healthy for her right now."

 - "Tell her I'm not worth getting sick over.  Na just want her to be happy."

 - "Unnie, Oppa says he just wants you to be happy, that he's not worth getting sick over."

Ilana took several deep breathes and was able to stop the tears.   "Gwenchana," she sniffled.  "Na want to talk to him."

 - "Just relax.   Ara, it's overwhelming emotionally, but Unnie can't get sick again.   Na don't want to have to deliver HaEun in your living room.  What will we tell Uissa?"

 - "Gwenchana.  HaEun-ah, Ajussi was my first best friend," she lay her hand on her large belly.  "Let Umma cry for a bit."  Taking up the phone again, she tried to reason with her thick-skulled Oppa.  "Oppa, can't we stop this and go back to being chingu?"

 - "Mian...just let me find my way.  Na want Cinderella to be proud of me."

 - "Oppa!  I'm already proud of you."  She rubbed her forehead, where a headache was forming.  "Oppa's giving me a headache."

 - "Anieyo!  Don't stress over Oppa.  You have more important things to think about.  Concentrate on HaEun.  Make sure you are healthy for her and stop worrying your nampyon."

 - "Bogoshipo!  Na thought you came back to me when you came to the wedding."

 - "Agassi does know, Na was kidnapped," he heard her grin on the other end.  "Maja, no one forced me to take you down the aisle.  Na wanted to do that for you and for me.  Greon, Oppa was partly being selfish.  Let me do this slowly."

 - "Nampyon told me our friendship would endure this.  Mollahyo, there's been days Na doubt it."

 - "Anieyo, Oppa!"

 - "Chinchayo, Oppa won't let you down this time.  Mollahyo if Na will be here for HaEun's birth, hajiman Na will send her a gift from Japan.  Na will be her favorite Ajussi, just like at once Na was her Umma's favorite Oppa."

Tears began to fall again, but she was smiling.  "Pabo, Otter!  It's all my fault...deh, just come back.  Don't lie to me again."

 - "It's not Cinderella's fault, it's Oppa's fault.  Oppa didn't mean to lie to you, it's just Na couldn't tell you I wasn't ready yet.  It was harder than Oppa thought.  Na will be back with a gold record, just for Cinderella."

 - "You better!"

 - "Get some rest, before your nampyon bans me from ever seeing or speaking to you again."

 - "Dehhh…Chukahae Oppa."

 - "Anieyo, ka!"

 - "Dehhh!"  Ilana took a deep breath to steady herself.  She was content and sad and frustrated all at the same time.  She still had a headache and hoped her blood pressure wasn’t acting up.

 - "Gwenchana?"  Suzy asked.

 - "Deh," Ilana half-smiled.  "Just a bit of a headache.  Mian, na think I'll lie down for a little while."

 - "Deh, we'll go to the market and get things for dinner."

 - "Rest, Princess, don't let Hyeong get to you."  HyungJun gave her his signature bear hug, modified.

The rest said goodbye and Ilana lay down to rest her mind and body for a little while.  "HaEun-ah, na can't wait for you to meet Ajussi Otter.  He's a pabo, but you're not allowed to call him that."  A few minutes later and Ilana was asleep.

Jihoo would get a guilty synopsis of the conversation, just before bedtime.  Was he jealous?  Maybe, but most importantly, things were progressing, and his wife would be happy.  He knew it wasn't comfortable for anyone to be estranged from friends and family.  Thanks to his wife, the gulf in his life had closed for good.  "How can na love you more each day?"  Giving his sleeping wife one last kiss goodnight, he spooned her against him.  He loved to feel her breathing and her heart beating against him.  Listening to the melody of her breathing he was asleep in minutes.