November 29, 2013

Kike dropped Ilana off at work and set out to fill her refrigerator.  Although it was full already, she obviously wasn't eating.  She was much thinner than three months ago.  When he spoke to HyungJun the night before, he assured him she had been fine when they visited.  In contrast, when he checked his emails this morning there was one from KyuJong.

 - "Your sister is going through something right now.  Just be there for her this weekend.  Make sure she eats and keeps her fluids up while she fights this cold; don't let her get a fever."

There were instructions to call him no matter the time if her cold got worse.  Was this just about a cold?  Ilana never really did sit and talk to him about the illness Juan Carlos said she had.  At least her mood was much lighter than it had been the night before.  He had held her when she arrived, sobbing in his arms for at least fifteen minutes.  Then she coughed and took shuddering breaths for another twenty.  It took an entire pot of chamomile tea to calm her down.  She was good at hiding her feelings when she wanted to.

- “De que se trata esta bienvenida (What is this welcome all about)?”  He asked.

 -”Nothing, I just missed you,” she tried to smile at him.

He hadn't been her brother for the past fourteen years to buy that story.  He would do what it takes to make her feel better the next two days.  He started by letting her sleep as long as possible this morning before waking her up and making sure she fixed her cried out eyes before anyone else saw her.  "I look like a disaster, huh?  You're the best!"  She had told him before getting ready.

Ilana set her mind on work.  If she worked hard, she didn't have to think about anything else.  And if she wasn't dwelling on her current situation, she wouldn't want to cry and have Kike worry about her.  About mid-morning she received an email from Dr. Jihoo.

Ilana couldn't help but smile.  He seemed to be able to pull her out of any reverie.  She hit reply.

He chuckled at her response.  He did have expensive tastes; it was a byproduct of growing up in one of the top four wealthiest families in Korea.  He took pains not to flaunt it.  This girl had a good eye but her clothes were also of quality cut and name; classic pieces that never went out of style.

Ilana stuck her tongue out at her monitor and chose not to reply.

 - "Chica, did you bring your lunch?"  Abigaíl called over to Ilana.

 - "Mmm, I brought some of the leftovers your Mom sent."

 - "So did I, want to eat together?  About 12:30?"

Ilana hesitated, but Dr. Jihoo's comment spurred her on.  Otherwise, she would take a nap.  She was tired from the evening before and had a little bit of a headache.  "Sounds good."

It was about lunchtime and Jihoo was wondering if he should continue working on a report or go to lunch.  Jaejoong walked into his office taking the decision from him.

 - "Let's get something from downstairs, I'm starving."

 - "Arraso, Eomonni didn't pack you a lunch box?"

 - "Like a pabo, I forgot to bring it."

The two doctors walked into the cafeteria and spied their admin's.  Abigaíl was having an animated hand waving conversation with Ilana.

 - "Let's get our food and go see what they're up to," Jaejoong said, leaving Jihoo to follow.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo," both Doctors greeted their admin's.

 - "Abi-yah, Umma is looking forward to meeting you on Sunday."

 - "Deh, Mrs. Oh wants to meet the woman who keeps her son on a straight path."  Abigail and Ilana looked at each other and laughed. "And Ilana-ssi, she would love it if you gave her the recipe for your dessert."

 - "I'll bring it Monday; send me a text to remind me."

 - "I'll pick you up and remind you then."

 - "Wait, Ilana-ya, aren't you joining us on Sunday?"  Jaejoong asked.

 - "I'm sorry but my brother leaves that day, so we'll just be hanging out at home until his flight in the evening."

 - "Aww, Ilana-ssi, if you don't go Jihoo won't either."

Jihoo just rolled his eyes.

 - "How does that affect Dr. Jihoo?  Am I stopping him from going?"

 - "Deh, if Dr. Jihoo has to take you, then he'll go but if not, he'll refuse."

 - "Deh, I'll go, I would like to thank Eomonni personally for the plate she sent with Ilana-ssi."

 - "You don't have to do that, she'll just be happy to know you enjoyed it."

 - "Of course he has to go, if not it will look like we're asking for your hand."

Abigail almost turned pale at the thought.

 - "Don't worry Abigail-ssi, I will be there," Jihoo reassured.  He didn't think his presence would do much good.   Divorced or not, Abigaíl was to be a potential bride candidate for Jaejoong.  Even if neither one knew about it yet.

 - "Nos hice una cena padrísima (I made an awesome dinner for us)," Kike greeted his sister in front of the hospital.

 - "You didn't make a mess in the kitchen did you?"  She smiled at him.  She had resolved to put away all her worries while Kike was here.  After all, she'd be fine right?  Nothing to worry about.

 - "I'm not you; I actually learned what Nana was trying to teach us."

Ilana stuck her tongue out at him.  She was a disaster in the kitchen because she was always studying and also it wasn't like she ever planned on getting married or entertain guests.

Kike had proved himself a worthy cook.  Ilana helped clean the kitchen while Kike went outside to build a fire in the pit.  Pouring a cup of tea for herself and a cup of coffee for Kike, she bundled up and went outside.  They sat in silence enjoying their hot drinks and the warmth of the fire.

 - "I forgot something, I'll be right back."  Kike ran back in the apartment and brought back a grocery bag.  He began to take out metal rods and marshmallows.

 - "S’mores?"  Ilana asked excitedly.

 - "Here, get the chocolate and graham crackers ready," Kike instructed.  Ilana, being the youngest always got the privilege of the first s’more.  She savored the gooey chocolaty mess with delight.

 - "Kike, this is wonderful."  Ilana vaguely wondered if Dr. Jihoo had ever had s’mores before, then Kike grabbed her attention again.

 - "You have chocolate all over your mouth."  He snapped a picture of her.

 - "Yah!   Don't you dare send that picture anywhere."  Kike laughed at her.

 -  "Which of your friends will pay the most for a picture of their cool and composed Princess, hair disheveled and face smeared with chocolate and crumbs."

 - "Better give me your phone, Kike."  He was already sending it as he fought her off one-handed.  She never was a match for him, now even more so.  He worked out almost daily and she was much weaker than before.  Picture sent, he allowed her to overtake him.  "You're a horrible brother."  She punched him, which was like hitting a wall.

He laughed at her.  "This is what you get for being so thin; you can't even get one good tackle in.”  Ilana glared at him.  "Estás bien (Are you alright), Manita?"  This question surprised her.

 - "Of course, why wouldn’t I be?"

 - "Yesterday."

 - "I told you, I missed you."

 - "If you missed me that much, that you sob uncontrollably, then you're packing your things and coming with me."

 - "Y-you said I had a year and...I'm starting to make a life here."  Well, somewhat, she thought.

 - "You said a year, I said you're crazy.  Tell me what you do in your spare time?"

 - "I've gone to Abigail's a few times; I spent Thanksgiving there.  I go to the park quite a bit and volunteer at the Children’s hospital..."

 - "Has anyone been to your apartment?  Do they know anything about you?"

 - "My neighbor has!"  Ilana mentally thanked Dr. Jihoo for being her alibi.  "As far as do they know who my parents are?  They don't need to know.  I'm Ilana Contreras from California and I have a brother who has to travel a lot for work, that's all they need to know."  Ilana was starting to get angry at her brother and as with most things these days, it made her weepy.

Kike realized this and hugged her.  "Manita," he said gently; "lo que quiero saber es si deberás estas bien (What I want to know is, are you really okay)?  Me preocupas (You worry me).  Como está tu salud (How is your health)?  Es solo un resfriado común y corriente (Is this just a common cold like any other)?"

Did she want to tell him everything?  Maybe only part of it.  "Si, Kike es resfriado solamente y me ha puesto de nervios y mal humor (Yes, Kike, it's just a cold and it has made me nervous and in a bad mood).  Sí, me ha durado más tiempo por la anemia pero acuérdate que siempre me enfermaba más gravemente (The anemia has made it last longer, but remember that I usually get even more sick).  No solo con resfriado (Not just with a cold)."  She had him there.

He didn't believe her one hundred percent, but enough to be satisfied for now.

November 30, 2013

Brother and Sister woke late, neither one wanting to get out from the warm blankets.  They text each other to see who would get up and make breakfast.

Kike:  I made dinner.

Manita:  You said I was a disaster in the kitchen.

Kike:  I knew you were too thin for a reason.

Manita:  *sticks tongue out*

Kike:  Fine!  The things I do for you.  I'll go get us something.

Manita: ke ke ke ;)

Upon Kike's return, Ilana was up and had made the beds and fresh coffee.  She had set up TV trays in the living room.

 - "Thank you, Kike, for getting breakfast."

 - "You know I like to spoil you when I can."  She smiled at him.  "Let's watch movies and be lazy the rest of the weekend."  He wanted her to rest.  Her cough wasn't worse but not better either.  "What do you want to watch?"

 - "Pride and Prejudice?"

 - "You want me to sit through a five-hour movie?"

 - "It’s either that or the last three episodes of Barefoot Friends I haven't seen?"

 - "That's that Korean variety show with your friend, right?"  Ilana nodded grinning, knowing that Kim HyunJoong was in a way his rival.  "Pride and Prejudice, again."

Ilana started the movie; they had a Jane Austin doubleheader and ate whatever was in the refrigerator.  Kike had cooked many different things and put them in containers ready to freeze.  It was a lazy day and a most enjoyable one.  Kike would be off on another tour soon and it would probably be another three months before they could do this again.  It had been much easier for her to pick up and go when she worked for her own company.

December 1, 2013

Abigaíl fidgeted all through Church, scarcely listening to the Pastor.  Why was she so nervous?  What did she have to be nervous about?  Why did Dr. Jaejoong make such a fuss about bringing his parents to meet her and her family?  "Cut it out," she told herself.  "It's not like you’re on trial or his girlfriend or anything like that?"  She stifled a laugh by coughing, earning her an 'are you okay?' look from her sister, Luciana.  "Girlfriend?"  She thought that would be the day pigs fly.  His parents were rich, why would they want to come to her family's restaurant?  Granted, it was a very successful restaurant and it allowed them to live comfortably and see that Abigaíl and her sisters went to college.  She still had an odd feeling about today, wishing that Ilana was coming.  At least Dr. Jihoo was coming; she'd have to use him as an ally against Jaejoong if need be.  Hopefully, he won't mind.

Before Abigaíl realized it, the Church service was over and she hadn't listened to any of it.  "Sorry Lord, I used your time to worry about something dumb," she prayed silently.

 - "I know the plans I have for you," Abigaíl heard a soft voice.

 - "Right," Abigaíl answered.  "Plans to prosper me and not to harm me.  So I have nothing to be afraid of."  Abigaíl was ready for anything Dr. Jaejoong threw at her.

Ilana had woken up early to run to the bakery to pick up a small cake for her brother.  She wanted to celebrate his birthday before he left as she most likely would not be able to see him for his birthday.  It fell on Christmas Eve and she would not be spending the holidays with him again, this year.  When she returned to the apartment; thankfully, Kike was still sleeping.  Putting the cake away, she began to make a special breakfast for him. About forty minutes later, Ilana set the table with the cake and a card in the middle.

- "Kike, levántate (get up),"  Ilana went into his room to nudge him awake.  He pretended to sleep, just to see how far she would go to get him up.  "Breakfast is ready, if you don't get up I'll throw it off the balcony."  She yanked the blankets off him with enough force to make her lose her balance and fall back.  Kike was now up and laughing.

 - "Deja ayudarte (let me help you)."  He extended her a hand.

 - "Go eat before I make good on my threat," Ilana stormed out of the room in mock anger.  She could never stay mad at him for long.

 - "A qué se debe todo esto (What is the reason for all this)?"  Kike had followed her into the kitchen and saw all his favorites on the table.

 - "It's your early birthday celebration.  You'll be in Mexico, remember?"

 - "You can't take time off?"

 - "I took two days off when the gang came.  Plus, I'm saving my time for Suzy's wedding.  You're coming with me right?"

 - "If I can, they still haven't set a date." Ilana got up for more coffee and Kike made a dive for his cake and was caught red handed.

 - "Yah!  Finish your breakfast first."

They enjoyed the rest of their breakfast and each other’s company.  He noticed his sister was much more at ease and hoped she stayed that way.

Abigaíl reserved a table for Dr. Jaejoong.  He hadn't asked her to but figured she should.  Isabel was at the door greeting guests, watching anxiously for her 'Dr. Prince' and 'Uncle' Jihoo to arrive.

 - "They're here!"  Isabel called out to her Mother a short time later.  "Dr. Prince!  Ajussi!"  Isabel ran out the door before her Mother could even ask what 'Ajussi' meant.

 - "Jagiya!"  Jaejoong grabbed Isabel when she ran to him.  An action that greatly surprised his parents.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, Isabel-ssi," Jihoo bowed to her and Isabel tried to bow as solemnly as possible, while still in Jaejoong's arms.

 - "Down you go, jagiya;" Jaejoong placed the child back on the ground.  "This is Umma and Appa, can you bow to them like you do Ajussi Jihoo?"  Isabel buried herself between the two men, suddenly shy.  "Yah!  You won't get what's in the car if you pretend to be shy."

This got her attention; she quickly bowed to Jaejoong's parents.

 - "What a precious child!"  Jaejoong's Mother gushed.

 - "Isabel!"  Mom had decided her child was done showing off.  Isabel quickly ran to her Mother.

 - "Abi-ya, this is my Mother and Father."

 - "It's nice to meet you, Abigaíl," Mr. Kim shook her hand.  "The boys, especially my Son, have not stopped singing your praises."

Abigaíl didn't know how to respond.  "Oh, they're just being nice.  I reserved a table for you, please come in."

 - "Thank you, Abi-ssi, Isabel is absolutely precious.  She must take after you."  Mrs. Oh said.

 - "Thank you, here you are."  Abigaíl was a little embarrassed at the compliment and escorted them to their table.

 - "Only four seats?  I thought we'd be sitting with your family?"  Mrs. Oh wanted to bring this meeting to order.

 - "Oh!  I thought you wanted to spend a nice lunch with your son."

 - "We can do that anytime.  Like my wife said, we've been told many wonderful things about you and your family."

 - "Deh, I brought your parents some of the best Korean ginger."

 - "Oh, that's very generous of you.  Come, I'll introduce you to my parents."  Isabel was already on the job.

 - "Mama Nane, Papa Mío, son los papás de Dr. Prince (these are Dr. Prince’s parents)”.

 - "Hola, Señor, Señora, son mis papás, (Hello Sir, Ma’am; they are my parents)."

 - "Mucho gusto, Señor, Señor, gracias por su atención a Jaejoong en nuestra ausencia (Very nice to meet you, Sir, Ma’am, thank you for your kindness towards Jaejoong in our absence)."  Mr. Kim spoke very good Spanish, thanks to meeting other Spanish speaking business partners.

 - "De nada (You’re welcome), su hijo es muy amable (your son is very kind)."

 - "Gracias (Thank you)."  They all sat.

 - "Ma, Papá, les trajeron una caja de jengibre (they brought you a box of ginger)."

 - "Oh, muchas gracias (much thanks)."  Abigail's Mom liked natural remedies; the ginger, she knew, would come in handy.

 - "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Kim, these are my sisters, Luciana and Silvia and Luciana's husband Alonso and their son Nathan."

 - "Your family is lovely, Abi-ssi."  Mrs. Oh did not correct Abigail’s use of Mrs. Kim.

Jihoo remained a quiet bystander.   What his friend was too dense to realize was this was not a get together to welcome his parents back to New York.  This was an introductory marriage meeting.  Poor Abigaíl, he thought, even her divorce can save her from being labeled as Jaejoong's potential bride.  Normally a divorcee would be out of the question but since Jaejoong's parents have adapted more to the lax U.S. customs and Jaejoong will most likely not take over the business and she could handle their son.  That alone, made her a great candidate.  Everyone relaxed and enjoyed the food while getting to know one another.

Ilana sat on the bed, watching as Kike packed his things.  She was torn between staying or saying ‘forget it’ and leaving with him.  To Kike, she said nothing, just continued watching and smiling at him.  No, if she stayed in New York, no one would have to worry about her.  This said her thought process.

 - "All done," Kike had placed the last item in his suitcase.

 - "You still have plenty of time, what should we do?"

 - "Tu y yo vamos a charlar (You and I are going to have a chat)."  Kike's use of the slang word for 'chat' made Ilana uneasy.  Trying to be casual in his manner meant he wanted to have a serious conversation.

 - "We've been ‘chatting’ since you arrived," Ilana tried to sound playful.

Kike sighed and took one of her hands as he sat on the bed with her.  "About this…," he pointed to the necklace YoungSaeng gave her.

 - "What about it?"  She hadn't the slightest idea of what he wanted to talk about.

 - "I know what it means.  You will say yes?"

 - "Kike!"

 - "It's time you put away your fears.  It's the first time you've let someone get that close to you.  He's a good man, with genuine intentions towards you.  He'll make a patient and understanding husband."

Ilana shook her head and got up from the bed.  "I can't Kike; you know I can't.  Why are you bringing this up?  How is this fair to Saengie Oppa?  I can't burden him like that."

 - "How would you be a burden?  He really likes you; I saw it clearly when we were on the cruise.  When you were around there was no one else for him.  You and the necklace are all he talked about in Sydney and the surprise he had been planning for a month.  I know you care about him, why deny yourself a chance to be happy?"

 - "Because!  You don't know what it was like for me those six months...before they found me."  It's true, he'd only seen the police report, but she never discussed what it had been like for her.  She had locked herself in her misery every day for the next eight years until fate or God sent her on that cruise.

 - "Do you want to tell me?"  She shook her head 'no'.  "Put the shame and pain away.  Yes, you put yourself in the wrong hands, but you didn't consent to what they did to you."  He held her by the shoulders, then took a hand and wiped the silent tears that fell.

 - "How, Kike?"  She had been looking past him, but now she met his gaze straight on.  "How can I ever let a man touch me like that again?  Do you understand?"  This was not the conversation to be having with your Brother, but who else did she have?

 - "YoungSaeng is not a stranger who wants to hurt you.  He wants to love you.  You've healed so much in this last year.  Don't you think, with help, things can change?"

 - "I won't submit to counseling; all that got me in the past was more nightmares."

 - "I'm just saying, don't say 'never' just yet; you've just begun to heal.  In another two or three years, you might see things differently; he's willing to wait."

Several hours had passed and Jaejoong's parents had spent a very enjoyable afternoon with some good people.  Abigail's family was a delight to meet.  In a few hours, they had learned about their arrival in the U.S. and how through hard work they went from taco stand to successful restaurateurs.

 - "Gracias por todo (Thank you for everything) Señora Paula.  Ha sido un placer (It’s been a pleasure).  La comida estuvo deliciosa (The food was delicious)."  Mrs. Oh said.

 - "Vendremos de nuevo con ejecutivos de nuestra compañía (We’ll be back with our Company executives)."  Mr. Kim shook hands with Abigail's Dad.

 - "Bienvenidos cuando gusten (You’re welcome, anytime)," Mr. Garcia said.

 - "Padre, Madre, we'll see you soon."  Jaejoong bowed.

 - "Adiós (Goodbye) Señor, Señora," Jihoo bowed.

 - "See you guys tomorrow," Abigaíl said.

 - "Annyeong!"  Isabel was picking up their Korean like a sponge does water.

 - "Umma," Jaejoong said in the car, "didn't I tell they are Daeback?"

 - "They are lovely people, son."

  - "They're hard-working people, I can see that.  If Abigaíl is SungRyung-ssi's right hand, then she inherited her parent’s work ethic and determination," his Father chimed in.

 - "We'll have them over to dinner sometime after the holiday as a thank you for their warm welcome."  Abigail's parents had not let them pay for their meal, despite their protests.

December 2, 2013

Lunchtime couldn't have come soon enough; Ilana had had a rough night after Kike left.  His words made sense, 'don't say never' but what if 'never' is the only word she knew.  She had a mounting headache; she had rejected Dr. Jihoo's ride that morning and left for lunch, coat in hand before Abigail could join her.  It was freezing but she needed the fresh air, so she headed to the rooftop garden for solace.

 - "Listen to my song 'Nobody Wants to Be Lonely'", Kike told her before she left.

Why did everyone want her to change?   She'd changed a lot in the last year, so she thought.  Couldn't everyone be happy with that?  There were just things she couldn't change, no matter how hard she tried.  Ilana found the song on YouTube and hit play.

Jihoo also wanted some fresh air.  On top of all his other responsibilities, he was now the official tiebreaker for Woo Bin's and JaeKyung's wedding venue.   He had received a call from WooBin letting him know JaeKyung and he would be arriving in less than a week to narrow down the venues and then they'd all fly back to Korea together.  He knew his friends just wanted to spend time with him but he was just so used to his quiet life.  Also, he was always so busy the week before his leave.  He laughed at himself, "you have plenty of time to invade Ilana's quiet time but don't like it when your own is invaded?"  It was just a little unnerving when he wasn't prepared for that invasion.  He headed eagerly for the solitude and view of the rooftop garden, needing to relieve some of his stress.  Jihoo was not expecting to meet anyone there.

Ilana finished watching the video (Music).  The video featured Christina Aguilera and her brother each on different areas of a large estate, not coming together until the end, singing 'nobody wants to be lonely, my body is longing to hold you, and I want to hold you'.  Ilana thought of her and YoungSaeng's 'pretending'.  She knew he really wasn't pretending.  But it's the game he played for her.  It was his way of caring for her, being there for her; whatever the cost for him.  "Nobody wants to be lonely, tch," tears were trickling down her face.  "I didn't choose to be alone!"  She spoke out loud, her frustration.  "Who do you think we are, Kike?!”  Her voice got increasingly louder.  “I'm not Christina Aguilera and Oppa is not Ricky Martin!  It's just make believe!"  Wasn't her whole life in New York a lie, make-believe?  "Ugh!"  She grabbed her aching head.

Jihoo had stepped onto the rooftop and witnessed Ilana’s increasingly noisy conversation with herself.  He was tempted to leave her alone.  After all, it seemed they thought alike; both liked to come up here for the solitude to work out their thoughts.  He could no longer just stand there and let her cry, boyfriend or not.  He walked up to her and quietly took her gloved hand from her head and placed in it his handkerchief.  Ilana looked up a little startled; she had been resting her head on her drawn up knees.

 - "Meoriahpayo (Headache)?"  She just nodded, still stunned by his presence.  He took the handkerchief out of her hand and wiped her face for her.  "This isn't a good idea," he thought.  He exiled himself to New York just because of events that followed this simple act.  "Ilana is not JanDi," he battled within himself.  "She's your admin and you're just being nice."

 - "Dr. Jihoo!  You don't have to do that."  The shock began to wear off and she grabbed his hand to stop him from wiping her face, again.

 - "Gwenchana," he peeled off her hand and wiped the other side of her face.

 - "There, you can wash it for me now," he handed the handkerchief back to her.  Since she was slightly unhinged at the moment, she began to giggle as she took back the handkerchief.  That is until she began to cough.  He rubbed her back helpfully until the spell was over.  "Ilana-ssi, what are doing out in the cold?  I thought you hated the cold?"

 - "I do but it's so peaceful up here."

He used to think the same thing until she came along.  "Kaja, you're still sick and it's too cold out for you."  She agreed and got up to go with him back downstairs, forgetting her lunch bag.  "Your bag," Jihoo noticed it out of the corner of his eye and grabbed it for her.  It still felt heavy; "How's your Meori?"

 - "Uh, head?"  She took a guess that if meoriapayo was headache, then meori must be head.  "It still hurts a little."

 - "Ddara oseyo (come with me); Ilana-ssi is not going back to work until you eat your lunch."  He had already hit the button for the basement.

 - "But I'll be late!"  She tried to protest.

 - "Text SungRyung, Noona, and Abigaíl and let them know you're running a few minutes late."

She sat down at their favorite table, resigned, and sent the text.  She knew she had to eat, even if only a little.  For some reason, a feeling of hopelessness hit her suddenly.  She fought to keep her tears in check before Dr. Jihoo caught her crying again.  He had gone to warm her food and would be back any second.  She didn't need her coat in the cafeteria and shrugged it off.  It was a simple action but thinking about her coat stopped her from thinking about crying.

 - "Here you go," Jihoo was back and placed her food in front of her.

 - "Thank you," she took a bite.  "Did you eat?  Don't you have rounds to do?"  She suddenly worried about him.

 - "Gwenchana, we can both work late tonight,” he waved away her concern.  "I'm not hungry yet; I'll get something later."  Ilana continued to eat slowly.  "Do you want to talk about why you were crying?"

Ilana shook her head 'no'.  "It's really of no great importance."

 - "It's obviously important to you."  He wasn't looking straight at her, allowing her some privacy to sort through her emotions.  "I know, you miss your Oppa already, don't you?"  He gave her an out.  Who was he to pry into her personal thoughts?

 - "Mmm," she smiled and mentally thanked him for not insisting.  "You caught me.  I hadn't seen him in three months and we really only spent two days together since I worked on Friday."

Jihoo felt a little guilty, he saw his family once a month and sometimes, most times, didn't appreciate them.  "Why did Ilana-ssi laugh when I told you to wash my handkerchief?"

She blushed guiltily and grinned.  "I thought, on top of all the things I do for him, now I have to do his laundry."

Jihoo was openly grinning, now too.  "Return the handkerchief, Ilana-ssi doesn't need to wash it, I have them laundered anyway.  I was only joking."

 - "I'll do it, you really spend too much money," she waved a finger at him.  "That's ...what...Two or three dollars I'll be saving you?"

 - "You're feeling better," he noted.  She had only eaten half her lunch but it was better than none at all and she was talking and interacting with him, again.

 - "Thank you, you didn't have to go out of your way."

 - "Anieyo kwenchanayo.  If you get sick, who's going to do all your work?"

 - "Work!"  She jumped up from her chair.  "I have to get back."  She had been so comfortable with Dr. Jihoo and had completely forgotten she was supposed to be working.

 - "We'll both go," he said.  "Stay as late as you need, I'll take you home tonight."

 - "Oh, you don't have to," she mumbled, even though she would be glad for the company.

He just smiled at her.  There were times he didn't say anything, but his smile and his eyes spoke volumes.

They arrived back to the sixth floor.

 - "Are you feeling better?"  Abigaíl asked with concern.

 - "Yes, my headache is pretty much gone now.  I just needed a little longer of a break.  I'm sorry."

 - "Abigaíl-ssi, I noticed she wasn't feeling well and made her take a longer break.  I apologize for any inconvenience.”

 - "It's not an inconvenience, I'm just glad you're feeling better."

 - "You're too sweet.  I better go tell Unnie, I'm back."

 - "I'll go vouch for you," Jihoo followed Ilana, leaving Abigaíl in wonder.  She couldn't help but think that Dr. Jihoo's personality was changing.  He used to rarely speak and was only warm with his patients but now, that side of him was showing more and more.

 - "I'm back, Unnie," Ilana knocked on the door frame to her boss's office.

 - "Ilana!"  SungRyung looked up from her monitor.  "Come in.  Your headache is better?"

 - "Yes, Unnie, Dr. Jihoo kept me company."

 - "All I did was make her eat her lunch, Noona."

 - "Thank you for watching over our Ilana, Dr. Jihoo."  He dismissed her thanks with his hand.  "Oh, since I have you two here..."  She handed them both envelopes.  "It's for a Christmas party on the twenty-first.  Your discretion is appreciated, I've only invited the other three admin's and Dr. Jaejoong and of course Shancai.  Just let me know if you'll be bringing dates; otherwise, I'll expect you there."

 - "Thank you, Unnie," Ilana smiled, it was something to look forward to.

 - "Kansamnida," Jihoo bowed.

Once they left, SungRyung realized that both Dr. Jihoo and Ilana were changing.  It seemed like Dr. Jihoo took a great interest in his admin's well-being.  And Ilana had lost some of her skittishness, interacting more and more with the others.  "I knew they'd be good for each other," she smiled gleefully.