October 28 - 31, 2013

As was the week prior, so it was with this week, the only topic of conversation was Dr. Jaejoong's party. Pictures had already flooded everyone's email and more were coming at all hours of the day.

 - "Did you guys have a good time? Even if you didn't want to go in the first place?" Uee asked.

 - "Actually, I think I did," Ilana said,

 - "I was having a good time until Dr. Jaejoong started telling me who I should and shouldn't date," Abigaíl commented.

 - "Was he on the 'should' list?" Shi Yoon asked.

 - "No, Shi-Yoon!"

 - "He did vote you most beautiful...;” Shi-Yoon was doing a good job of teasing Abigaíl.

 - "That's because she was the most beautiful," SungRyung had come out of her office to see why her staff was gathered. "And our Ilana and Dr. Jihoo were the best-costumed couple. You two really look adorable together,” it was Ilana's turn to blush. "I wish I hadn't arrived late and seen you two in person. How is your cut, dear?"

- "It doesn't bother me but it hasn't quite scabbed over yet. I've been putting a medicated ointment on it."

- "Good, don't let it get infected, dear. Now, kids, get back to work, I don't want you crying to Ilana later to help you with your coding."

- "Yes, Unnie," said the girls.

- "Arraseo, Noona," said Shi-Yoon.

Towards the end of the day, Ilana received an email.

From: YoonJ @NYP.org

To: ContrerasI @NYP.org

Subject: Lunch

It seems I owe you lunch again. We've been awarded a gift card to Le Cirque for the best-costumed couple. It's the second time in my life I've won a random prize. Kansamnida, both times I had a female's help. I will pick you up downstairs Friday at 1 pm. No reply necessary.

Jihoo Yoon, M.D.

Critical Care Ward Supervisor & Personal Driver

NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center

525 EAST 68TH STREET

NEW YORK, NY10065

Ph 212-746-5454 /Fax 212-746-4455

 - "Pabo, pabo, pabo!" Ilana muttered in her cubicle. Ilana did not fail to notice the 'personal driver' part.

 - "What's all that noise," Abigaíl asked, grinning at her noisy companion.

 - "Thanks to Dr. Jaejoong I'm stuck going to lunch with Dr. Jihoo, again," Ilana did not hold back her annoyance, making Abigaíl laugh. She had never heard Ilana speak so casually.

 - "Again?"

 - "Unnie made him take me to lunch for taking care of things so well while he was gone."

 - "Ohhh, so that's what happened last week. That was nice of him; I wouldn't think anyone could make Dr. Jihoo do anything."

 - "You must not have seen Unnie in action; she leaves no room for protesting once she's decided on something."

 - "That's true," Abigaíl laughed. "Well, I'd rather be stuck with Dr. Jihoo, than Dr. Jaejoong."

 - "Dr. Jihoo is very kind but just odd enough to make me slightly nervous. I think...he takes getting used to but like you told me before, it's like he can read your thoughts sometimes. He's gentleman enough not to mention it or use that information against you," she smiled. "No, Dr. Jaejoong's much easier to deal with, now that my initial shock has worn off. I find he's like a kid trapped in an adult’s body. Every now and then, the kid manages to escape."

- "If you say so, I think he's an annoying busybody."

- "Well, perhaps sometimes." Ilana laughed at the 'only sometimes?' face Abigaíl was making. "We'd better stop; their ears are probably ringing right now." This made Abigaíl laugh and she returned to her side of the cubicle.

By bedtime that evening there still wasn't any news from Ilana's friends. Starting to worry that something was wrong but still, she didn't want to be the one to call in case they were busy. Sunday was Saengie's birthday and then she wouldn't need an excuse to call.

By Wednesday Ilana could no longer stand the silence and broke down and called them all. No one had answered or called her back, except for JungMin. "Mianhae, really busy, I'll have nae Hyeung-deul call." Thursday she still hadn't received a call. She had been working herself ragged trying not to think, to shake off that oppressive 'they don't want to talk to you' or 'they're keeping something from you' feeling. Ilana's head was pounding come lunch time. Deciding it was too cold for the rooftop, it was only in the forties outside, she went to her favorite spot in the cafeteria and lay her head on the table. A stray tear fell before she drifted to sleep.

Ilana's alarm woke her up. Having overslept before, she learned to set the alarm.  Her mind was still elsewhere when Dr. Jihoo and Jaejoong joined her in the elevator.

- "Anneyeong hasseyo, Ilana-ssi," Dr. Jaejoong greeted her, while Jihoo just studied her. She was pale and looked very tired; like she could fall asleep at any moment.

- "Do you have a headache?" Jihoo asked.

- "Deh," Ilana let out a sigh, not fully aware of her surroundings.

- "Did you just answer Dr. Jihoo in Korean?" Dr. Jaejoong asked excitedly.

- "Huh?  I mean, excuse me?"  She shook her head to dispel the fog.

- "Ilana-ssi must have taken a nap at lunch and is not awake yet. She must have mumbled something in Spanish that sounded like 'deh'." Jihoo saved her. For whatever reason, she didn't want anyone knowing she could speak or understand some of the Korean language. He was extremely curious but resolved to just stay quiet and observe, for now.

- "I did take a nap and I'm still a little groggy. I'm sorry, but what did you ask?" They had arrived on the critical care floor and stepped out of the elevator.

- "I just asked if you had a headache but I think that's obvious."

- "Geureom, when are you two going to La Cirque?"  Dr. Jaejoong asked.

- "Dr. Jihoo really doesn't have to take me; he can save the gift card for a date."

- "Ajussi rarely goes on a date; this will be good for him. He can practice going on a date with you so he doesn't get rusty," Dr. Jaejoong laughed.

- "Yah!" Jihoo yelled.

"Dr. Jaejoong, I'm telling - Unnie!!"

- "Mollah (whatever), I have rounds to do. Enjoy your lunch," Dr. Jaejoong winked at them and walked away smugly.

- "Ignore him," Dr. Jihoo told her..

- "I plan to," Ilana replied.

- "I have rounds to do, one PM tomorrow. I'll meet you downstairs." Jihoo was about to walk away when he turned back. "Oh, Ilana-ssi should do something about her headaches," he grinned at her as she stood glaring back at him.

- "I need to get back to work," Ilana curtly told him and both went their separate ways.

November 1, 2013

Friday morning dawned and at least Ilana had her lunch plans to occupy her mind. Dressed in a nice pantsuit, with her hair down and a butterfly comb, she dusted her face with powder and added lip gloss. She had forgotten to look at the restaurant website, but had heard of it and knew it was not a casual environment.

Walking to work she realized the weekend was upon her and she hated weekends. She'd enlist Abigail's help again.

 - "I'm sorry, Isabel and I are busy this weekend," Abigaíl tried to keep a straight face as she declined Ilana's offer to spend time together that weekend. What Abigaíl, SungRyung and Dr. Jihoo knew and Ilana didn't, was that Ilana was to have guests this weekend.

 - "Oh, okay, next week then," Ilana tried not to sound disappointed. "Maybe Uee and Shancai want to go have lunch or something." Uee and Shancai did what normal girls their age did, shop and go clubbing, neither of which appealed to Ilana, but maybe they'd be willing to hang out for a few hours.

 - "I think Uee's group has practice all weekend and you know Shancai is like their stagehand."

 - "Mmm," Ilana said. It looked like she'd only have her book for distraction.

A few minutes to one, Ilana grabbed her purse and went downstairs. Jihoo was already waiting.

 - "Anneyeong hasseyo, you look nice," he bowed to her in greeting.

 - "Thank you," she blushed as she got into his car.

 - "I hope you don't mind, I pre-ordered our appetizers to save time."

 - "I hope you didn't order too much, I really can't eat that much."

 - "Don't worry, whatever we don't finish, you can take home for your dinner."

After arriving at the restaurant and being seated they were immediately brought menus. Jihoo ordered the skate and Ilana the salmon.

Jihoo observed Ilana, carefully drape the napkin on her lap and adjust her water glass to the left of her plate. There was no awkwardness in her mannerism as if fine dining were a normal occurrence.

 - "Dr. Jihoo?" Ilana's voice sounded perplexed. "How much is that gift card?" It's not that Ilana wasn't accustomed to this kind of restaurant, having joined the elite of the company frequently for these types of dinners.  Still, she preferred simplicity versus extravagance.

 - "Enough, don't worry about it."

 - "That's an expensive door prize." Ilana was determined to grab the bill when it came. She was not about to let Dr. Jihoo pay the difference.

 - "Ilana-ssi obviously doesn't know Dr. Jaejoong."

 - "The word impetuous comes to mind," Ilana smiled, thinking of other words but she'd stop at just the one.

Jihoo also grinned. Ilana had seemed down all week, and he was glad to see her smiling.  The waiter that had taken their order disappeared and another appeared with their appetizers.

 - "I hope you don't mind, I ordered you their salad."

 - "Not at all, what did you get?" Ilana thought his appetizer looked much more interesting.

 - "The escargot, would you like to try some?" He asked, not actually thinking she would say ‘yes’.

 - "I would but you need to take some of my salad."

 - "Arraseo," he served her half of the escargot and took half the salad for himself.

Again Jihoo observed her eating the snails with no awkwardness, using the fork and tongs with practiced ease.

 - "These are very good; I've never had them in a red wine sauce before."

 - "I believe the recipe is unique to this restaurant."

Finishing their appetizers, the main course was served just shortly after.

 - "If Ilana-ssi minored in architecture, what was your major?" Jihoo asked, really wanting to know more about his mysterious admin.

 - "International marketing."

 - "May I ask why you are working as a ward clerk?" Ilana shrugged her shoulders, she had already said too much. Jihoo noticed her playing with her salmon more than she ate.

 - "What about you?" She asked, more to deflect his questions from her than because she was curious. "Did you always want to be a doctor?"

 - "Anieyo, it just happened." He didn't want to get into the entire story of his Grandfather and JanDi, especially JanDi.

 Ilana didn't know how med school 'just happened' but she let it slide. After all, it wasn't her business.  "How is your skate?" She asked, moving on to a safer topic.

 - "Chuahyo, what about your salmon?" He knew she was changing the subject and thought it best if they kept some secrets to themselves.

 - "It's very good but to tell you the truth, I'm getting full," she hadn't quite finished half her plate.

 - "Arraseo, I'll have the waiter box it for you as well as dessert. Creme brulee or chocolate stove cake?"

 - "Chocolate," she grinned.

Jihoo flagged a waiter and gave him instructions.

Having whisked Ilana's plate away, the waiter now returned with a bag containing her leftovers and their desserts.  Placing the to-go bag in front of Ilana, he placed the check in front of Jihoo.

Ilana tried to grab it before Jihoo did but he was faster than her.  "May I see?" She asked.

 - "Waeyo?"

 - "If you mean 'why', I'd like to pay part of the difference."

 - "I told Ilana-ssi it was taken care of."

 - "I can do the math and unless it's a $150 card, there is a difference."

 - "Only tax and tip, I've already taken care of it. My card is on file, all I'm doing is signing."

 - "Then I'll pay you back half."

 - "Anieyo," he received an exasperated look. "Just continue to do a good job for Noona and me."

 - "I do that already."

 - "Exactly," Jihoo stood, leaving the check on the table. "Kaja, we'll be late getting you back."

Visions of brick walls with steel rods danced in Ilana's head.

 - "I’d like to thank Ilana-ssi for her company."

 - "Your welcome," she gave him a reluctant smile as they stepped out of the elevator onto the sixth floor of the hospital. "Your dessert! I almost forgot," Ilana had been carrying the bag with their leftovers.

 - "Keep it; one never knows when you’ll be in need of an extra dessert."

They walked toward the nurse’s station.  "Congratulations, Ilana," one of the nurses said.

 - "For what?" Ilana asked.

 - "You'll see," another nurse said. "Lucky girl."

Ilana looked at Jihoo for an answer, but he just shrugged.  "I have no idea, I just got back, remember? I have rounds to do; Ilana-ssi better go see what everyone is talking about."

Ilana walked to her desk, followed by some of the nurses. Uee and Abigaíl jumped from their chairs when they saw Ilana coming. Ilana was more perplexed than ever until she spotted the vase on her desk filled with Irises surrounded by Ivy and five yellow roses.  The middle rose had its tip dipped in red.

 - "What?"  Ilana was shocked to see the flowers but nonetheless, her eyes sparkled and her smile stretched wide.   "Where did these come from?"

 - "They came not that long ago," Abigaíl said.

 - "Is there a card?" Uee asked.

 - "Yes, here it is." The card read simply '생각하고'. "Aish, these brats," Ilana mumbled. "Uee, Shi-Yoon, please, can you tell me what this means?" She hadn't even attempted to learn Hangeul, having no choice, she asked for help.

 - "It says 'thinking of you'. Wau, Ilana, who's thinking of you? There's not a signature. Are you hiding your boyfriend from us?" Uee . "And he's Korean?"

- "No! It's only my friends being goofballs."

- "Sure, chica," Abigaíl joined the teasing.

- "She's blushing," Shi-Yoon called her out.

- "Guys! They're friends, look. Yellow roses, irises...friends."

- "What's with the red-tipped rose geurom?” Shi-Yoon asked, smirking.

- "Who got a red-tipped rose?" Dr. Jaejoong had been passing by and overheard the conversation.

- "Ilana-ssi did," Shi-Yoon happily responded.

- "Yah, Ilana-ssi, who's falling in love with you?" Dr. Jaejoong asked.

- "Ugh!" Ilana groaned. "You guys are impossible," Ilana was thoroughly embarrassed. "No one is and it’s...none of your business." She hated to be put on the spot. "Get back to work before we get in trouble," Ilana buried her face in front of her monitor. She would pay her friends back for getting her teased. She didn't know how or when but she'd get even.

Dr. Jaejoong walked away smiling to himself.

The afternoon passed and Ilana worked hard but occasionally stole glances at her flowers. They were lovely and such a sweet gesture, thinking about it made her grin foolishly and get misty-eyed.

In the seat next to Ilana, Abigaíl received a call.

 - "Abigaíl-ssi? You are sitting next to Ilana-ssi?" The random caller asked.

 - "Ye-es?" Abigaíl answered cautiously.

 - "Daeback! I'm Heo YoungSaeng, a friend of Ilana's. Abigaíl-ssi knows we're surprising her today right?"

 - "Oh, yes, I do." Abigaíl spoke quieter and glanced at Ilana to make sure she wasn't listening. Thankfully, Ilana had just left her desk. "She just left her desk," she told him.

 - "Now that you can speak freely, did she get the flowers?"

 - "Yes! She's mad at all of us for teasing her but she keeps looking at them and smiling. You made her really happy; she's been a little down lately."

YoungSaeng smiled but feeling a little guilty.  "Aww, she probably thinks we abandoned her but we really wanted her to be surprised. Daeback! Don't let her off the hook; she needs a little teasing now and then. Listen, we just landed. What time is she off work?"

- "We're off at five, but she always finds a reason to stay late."

- "Aish, stubborn Agassi. Can Abigail-ssi do us a favor and get her out on time? We don't have luggage, just carry-on bags, customs shouldn't be a problem."

- "I can't hang out for too long or I'll miss my train."

- "We'll call you when we get there."

- "Okay."

It was about five when Abigaíl received the call that Ilana's friends were just about five minutes away.

 - "Chica, I've been thinking," Abigaíl noticed Ilana didn't look like she was ready to go home. "Why don't you come home with me tonight? Isabel and I are coming to the American Girl store tomorrow to use the gift card I won at Dr. Jaejoong's party. You can come back with us then."

  - "Really?" Ilana perked up. "I need clothes."

  - "Just borrow from me. Let’s go, maybe we can still catch the early train." Abigaíl and Ilana headed down to the first floor and out the main doors. Ilana left her flowers since she would be heading straight to Abigail's house. They stepped out of the hospital chatting animatedly, making plans for the evening and looking forward to divulging into Ilana's leftover desserts.

 - "Princess!" HyungJun spotted her and shouted. Ilana stopped but shook it off as just hearing things.

 - "You weren't loud enough," KyuJong said. "Ilana-ssi!" This time Ilana couldn't ignore that someone familiar was calling her.

 - "Oppa?" She whispered as she stopped walking and turned towards Abigaíl to see her grinning at her, nodding. Ilana turned to see three of the most beautiful people she could ever hope to see. "Oppa!" She screamed, letting go the bag she carried and ran to them with tears of joy pouring down her face. If this was all a dream and she was about to crash into a wall, she didn't care.

 - "Princess!" HyungJun met her halfway and picked her up, swinging her around and ending in a tight hug.

  - "Yah! I gave you a letter of recommendation," KyuJong scolded, stealing her from his dongsaeng and giving her a gentler hug.

 She turned to YoungSaeng who was smiling adoringly at her.  "Pabo!" She cried, striking his chest a few times. "Pabo! Bogoshipawtsso. Pabo!" YoungSaeng was laughing and crying at seeing his special dongsaeng. He wrapped her in a tender hug, making shushing noises until her emotions settled down.

 - "Na do, bogoshipawtsso." He wiped the tears that were now subsiding and kissed the top of her head. "Mianhae, we wanted you to be thoroughly surprised."

 - "I was so worried," Ilana said quietly.

 - "Mianhae."

 - "Yah! Nah, bogoshipaw (Did you miss me)?" HyungJun asked.

 - "Bogoshipawtsso, jeongmal," Ilana smiled and wiped her face.

Behind her, Abigail cleared .  "Ahem, I need to catch my train."

 - "Abigaíl!  I-I guess I won't be going home with you tonight."

 - "You weren't supposed to, dummy," Ilana was confused. "Go get your flowers; you aren't coming back until Wednesday."

 - "What do you mean?"

 - "I called Kim SungRyung-ssi a month ago," Kyu-Jong confessed. "Kansamnida, Abigaíl-ssi for helping us."

 - "Deh, nice meeting you, Cinderella has told us a lot about you," YoungSaeng added.

 - "She hasn't told me anything about you," Abigaíl looked at Ilana in mock anger.

 - "Princess, you haven't told her about me?" HyungJun looked at Ilana who was blushing again and then turned to wink at Abigaíl.

 - "Oppa! Cut it out."

 - "Since my co-worker is not going to introduce me, I'm Abigaíl Garcia, nice to meet you."

 - "Heo YoungSaeng," he bowed, "we spoke on the phone."

 - "Kim KyuJong."

 - Kim HyungJun," both guys also bowed to Abigaíl.

 - "Nice to meet you, maybe you guys can come by the restaurant this weekend."

 - "Oh, Saengie Oppa's birthday is Sunday! We can celebrate at the restaurant," Ilana excitedly made plans.

 - "Have fun, I really gotta go or I won't get home until late," Abigaíl hugged her co-worker goodbye and handed her back the bag she had dropped.

 - “Chica, keep it for you and Isabel, I already made plans to share it with you, anyway.”

 - “Are you sure?”

- "Of course!  Go before you miss your train!”

 - “Ok!  Thank you, Chica!  See you!”  Abigaíl turned and waved.

 - “Let me go get my flowers, I'll be right back,” Ilana ran back inside and up the stairs.

Dr. Jihoo had been looking out a window that just happened to overlook the front of the hospital. He had been passing by and noticed a different type of commotion downstairs. He viewed the scene with interest.

 - "I think your quiet little admin is getting confessed to this weekend," Dr. Jaejoong had stopped to see what his colleague stared at with such interest.

 - "Why do you say that?"

  - "Among the flowers, she received earlier, one of the yellow roses was dipped in red."

 - "Mmm, I desire her happiness," Jihoo walked away quietly. "One of us should be," he thought.

Ilana, not wanting to waste a single second ran up the stairs. Her body had gotten used to this activity over the last few months and no longer felt like passing out when she reached her floor. She ran to SungRyung's office, earning her a few strange looks along the way.

 - "Unnie!” Ilana leaned on the door frame, trying to catch her breath.

 - "Ilana dear?! Whatever is the matter?" SungRyung noticed Ilana's smile was brighter and wider than ever.

 - "Kansamnida, Unnie, Kansamnida!" Ilana launched herself at her boss and gave her a hug, not caring if it was appropriate or if it brought her unwanted attention.

 - "Ilana?" The older woman took her hands in hers. "Kansamnida? Hangugmal hae (do you speak Korean)?"

 - "Deh, jogeumyo (a little), keep my secret, Unnie, arraseo? Kansamnida! I gotta go, I just came to get my flowers," Ilana ran off excitedly leaving her boss puzzled.

Flowers in hand Ilana headed for the elevator, just as Dr. Jaejoong and Dr. Jihoo were coming from the fifth floor.

 - "Someone seems happy," Dr. Jaejoong teased as he saw Ilana smiling to herself.

 - "Yes I am, Dr. Jaejoong, and not even you two can change that."

 - "Have a nice time with your friends," Dr. Jihoo said with a distracted gaze.

 - "I apologize for abandoning you for two days." Ilana was starting to feel a twinge of guilt.

 - "I've known you'd be gone for a month now," Jihoo moved his gaze to Ilana again and smiled. "I hope you enjoy your time off. If you'll excuse me, I have rounds to do," Jihoo walked away.

 - "Ilana-ssi, behave yourself these next few days, don't make any hasty decisions." Dr. Jaejoong also walked away leaving Ilana wondering what he was talking about.

 - "I'm back, Na, bogoshipaw?"  Ilana had returned to the guys who were waiting for her.

 - "Deh, now how far is your apartment?" YoungSaeng asked. "Cinderella knows I don't like to exercise."

 - "Lazybones...," Ilana poked YoungSaeng in the side. "It's a ten-minute leisurely stroll to the apartment." Ilana had forgotten all about JungMin and Suzy in the excitement. "Wait! Oppa? JungMin and Suzy couldn't come?"

- "They'll be meeting us at your place; Mal had some things he needed to pick up."

- "Mwo?"

- "Mullah?"

- "You're hiding something from me..."

- "Anieyo, why would I do that? Kaja," YoungSaeng draped his arm around her shoulders like he always did.  Knowing exactly what Min was picking, he smiled as they walked. He wouldn’t spoil the surprise, one of the two things being picked up was for Ilana.

Alright, after the sound of crickets chirping from the last chapter, I wasn't too eager to write. The chapter that I absolutely struggled with you loved and the chapter I loved, I don't think you did.

1) Ping, since you were the only comment last chapter - more Jihoo and Ilana.

2) Ringing ears: I don't know where the saying is from but we say if your ears are ringing someone is talking about you. Hence Abigail and Ilana stop talking about the 2 Dir.’s because their ears were probably ringing. Just in case that is not a saying in your part of the world.

3) Our friends have arrived... More fun to follow.

That's it. Love you guys! Behave yourselves.