February 17, 2014

HyunJoong had met everyone in the lobby of the hotel and they were now being driven to JFK.  Shinwa paid the top money to fly in and out of JFK instead of the overflow in New Jersey.  He had been surprised to see Yoon Jihoo arrive in the hotel lobby, not knowing the Doctor would be traveling with them.  Jihoo only carried his medical bag, laptop, and a few other incidentals.   His closet in Seoul had a full wardrobe, making it unnecessary for him to carry luggage on most occasions.

 - "Too bad we're not going on a trip," Gu JunPyo said, once they were settled into the private Boing 747.  They were already in the air and breakfast had just been served.  "It's been too long since we've all been on a holiday together.  We should follow the newlyweds to the Bahamas."

 - "Yah, JunPyo, you don't think WooBin's already gotten this airplane and you, banned from the Island?"  YiJeong answered.

 - "Jerk, I wouldn't put it past him."

 - "Besides," JanDi said.  "Jihoo Sunbae has work to do and we can't sequester HyunJoong-ssi."

 - "Saengsanim might have something to say about that," HyunJoong said.

 - "As would my foundation board members," Jihoo stated.  He and HyunJoong had inadvertently ended up sitting across from each other.  HyunJoong saw this as an opportunity to have a conversation with the man he once portrayed on television.

 - "Let's plan for the summer," YiJeong jumped in.

 - "I'm not leaving the baby again," Gaeul said.

 - "Deh!"  JanDi agreed.  "I'm not leaving InHei.  Sunbae, maybe Ilana can come too?"

 - "We can talk to her next month when she comes to visit.  It will be nice to see her again so soon." 

 - "She's a nice girl, intelligent and a chaebol," YiJeong said.  "JunPyo-ah, who do we know that we can set her up with?"

 - "Anieyo!"  Gaeul protested, "all your acquaintances are terrible.  Jihoo-ah, do you know someone that's trustworthy and kind that you can introduce her too?"

Jihoo knew what they were up to and wasn't going to take the bait.

 - "Provided you find her a willing participant, I suppose anyone will do."

HyunJoong also had an idea of what the airplane inhabitants were up to.  Korea's favorite past time:  matchmaking.

 - "Mianhaeyo," HyunJoong spoke up.  "Ilana-ssi is practically engaged to one my best friend's."  He noticed a slight twitch of Yoon Jihoo's hand as he said that.  "And even if she weren't, as Jihoo Uissa said, I don't think you'd find her a willing participant."  This time he was sure Jihoo had given a quick self-satisfied smile.

 - "Chincha?"  Gaeul said.  "Hmm, practically engaged is not the same as being engaged.”  She and JanDi gave each other knowing looks; they were both thinking the same thing.

Ilana arrived at the hospital a little early.  She decided to walk, they would be having bad weather later in the week and this would be her only chance.  Despite the ache in her legs, she knew they would hurt even more if she took the bus or cab.

 - "How was the wedding?"  Abigaíl asked as soon as she walked in.

 - "It was nice, very exhausting, but nice."

 - "Did you take pictures?"

 - "No, I didn't."  Ilana feigned disappointment.  She only had the one HyunJoong took but couldn't show Abigaíl.

 - "What time did it end?"  Somewhere around two A.M., I'm not sure.  I was more asleep than awake by that time."

 - "No wonder you're still tired.  Didn't you get any rest yesterday?"

 - "No, I actually had an acquaintance in town.  We hung out at the park and had coffee and dinner."

 - "Well, don't fall asleep at your desk."

HyunJoong woke from his nap and checked for any missed calls; they would be landing in another few hours.  He looked around and everyone was still asleep.  Maybe, he could sneak in another nap before arriving at Incheon.  His manager would be there to pick him up and take him straight to Hwasaeng for filming.  Jihoo was also beginning to stir.  The man across from him stretched and looked at the flight location on the monitor.   He moved to open his laptop and noticed Kim HyunJoong was also awake.

 - "Are we the only ones awake?"  Jihoo asked, looking around.

 - "Deh, although, I'm thinking of trying to go back to sleep.  I'll be heading straight to work as soon as we land."

 - "I have a board meeting."

 - "I didn't know Jihoo Uissa was living in New York.  Do you go home often?"

 - "Mmm."  Jihoo began to scroll through his emails.  HyunJoong decided just to be frank.  They were both known for their so-called poker face, anyway.

 - "Jihoo Uissa, how well do you know Ilana-ssi?"

Jihoo paused his reading and closed the laptop.  "I imagine less than HyunJoong-ssi does."

 - "The others called her chaebol."

 - "I only know as much as Ilana-ssi has told me herself.  The others have made their own assumptions."

 - "Ah!  Pabo!"  HyunJoong's eyes suddenly grew round.

 - "Gwenchanayo?"  Jihoo was a bit taken aback at the idol's sudden behavior.

HyunJoong had taken his hat off and rubbed his hand through his hair.  He looked to see that the others were still asleep.  "It's most likely Gu JunPyo-ssi knows who Ilana-ssi is.  I completely forgot about the Macau scheme.  I never thought...what are the odds of her running into him, almost a year later?"  He mumbled, only half audible.

 - "Mianhaeyo, I don’t understand.  What Macau scheme?  Gu JunPyo wouldn't know her just because she was a guest at the resort?"

 - "It's more complicated than that.  I called Gu JunPyo-ssi and asked for an invitation for Ilana-ssi and my chingu for one night.  He didn't mention anything?"

Jihoo sighed; he really didn't want to know anything personal about Ilana.  He needed her to tell him herself.  "It was actually Song WooBin who began to say something but I stopped him.  If I'm to help her, she needs to confide in me about everything.  I don't want to know about what makes her sad and hurt, unless she tells me."

 - "Yongseohae juseyo (Forgive me), but you want her to open up to Jihoo Uissa and yet you have a complete other life she doesn't know about?  Well, I should say didn't know.  Ilana-ssi knows about F4 now but nothing else.  Mianhaeyo, I thought she knew.  I regretted, afterward, thinking it would not be good for Ilana-ssi to know of your childhood.  At least not now, later when Ilana-ssi begins to confide in you more, I think it would be beneficial for her to know Yoon Jihoo's story."

Jihoo stayed quiet, he was as tight lipped about his past as was Ilana, mainly because it was no one's business.  His life in New York had nothing to do with who he was in Seoul.  Ilana might think the same but her life in California seemed to affect her life in New York.

 - "jwosongmnida, if I came off rude; nae chingu worry about her and I worry about them.  They will be enlisting soon but I'm sure they'll be happy to know she has a good chingu in New York.  Jihoo Uissa has gained her confidence in a short while.  I noticed how at ease she is with Jihoo Uissa.  I met her only for a week, a year ago; at that time not even nae chingu Heo YoungSaeng had that closeness.  Don't worry about Ilana-ssi knowing you're F4.  She has no desire to relive her own past, much less yours."  Jihoo listened intently to the younger man across from him.  "Ilana-ssi said she trusts Jihoo Uissa and that you've become an invaluable friend to her."

 - "Oh."  He was inexplicably pleased with this news.  He too felt a closeness to her, if he admitted it; he would say she drew him in from their very first encounter.  "Kansamnida, I'll do my best to warrant that trust."  With that, Jihoo went back to work but couldn't help smile behind his laptop.

They had a few more hours until landing, HyunJoong Closed his eyes again, thinking he'd have to have a talk with YoungSaeng next.  A leader’s job was never done and he was always under scrutiny from everyone.  He slept the rest of the way.

February 19, 2014

The week was half over; it had been a busy couple of days.  Ilana needed signatures from Dr. Jaejoong but he was avoiding her as usual during Dr. Jihoo's absence.

 - "Chica, get Dr. Jaejoong to come up here, he's avoiding me and I want to get rid of these files."

 - "Why me?"  Abigaíl was still trying to put some distance between her and Jaejoong, which was next to impossible.  He was different all of a sudden; not joking as much, more serious.  She wondered what had gotten into him.

 - "He listens to you."

 - "If You say so," Abigaíl scoffed.  "I'll call HyoJoo."  She picked up the phone and asked HyoJoo nicely to please have Dr. Jaejoong come by to see her at his earliest convenience.

Ilana and the rest of the team nearly fell out of their seats with laughter.

 - "Ah Dr. Jaejoong," HyoJoo caught him before he left.  "While you are out doing rounds, Abi asks that you pay her a visit at your earliest convenience."

 - "Chincha?  How long ago did she call?"  The office staff smirked at his eagerness.  The girls were all making bets as to how long before the Casanova of New York fell.

 - "About an hour ago, you were completely tied up with patients; I wasn't able to tell you until now."

 - "If she calls again, let her know I'm heading to the floor now."

 - "Will do."

 - "I say no later than the end of spring they'll be official,” Dr. Amy's assistant said, once Dr. Jaejoong had walked out the door.

 - "You might have a point.  His family will leave and he'll be lonely again."

This discussion lasted a few minutes longer before they got back to work.

Jaejoong hurriedly left the office headed toward the critical care floor, not suspecting it was all a ploy to get him to review files.

 - "Abi-yah, you needed to see me?"  Jaejoong had walked up to Abigail’s desk.

Ilana and coworkers grinned amongst themselves knowingly.  Even Abigaíl was surprised.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong, can you please help my friend here by reviewing the files she has for you?"  Abigaíl and Ilana began to giggle at the shock on his face.

 - "Aigoo, what a dirty trick, you two."  The shock gave way to a smile.  Abigaíl had deliberately sought him out and it didn't matter to him why.

 - "Mianhaeyo, Jaejoong Uissa, I was tired of looking at these in my tasks."  Ilana said.

 - "Gwenchana," Jaejoong grinned at Abigaíl.  "Abi-yah can pay me back by going on a date this weekend."

 - "What?!"

 - "I need to deliver this ID," Ilana got up from her seat giving her friend and Dr. Jaejoong a little extra privacy.  Not that they really had privacy with the entire nursing unit around them.

 - "Let's hang out Saturday, we can go to the movies or have another picnic, whatever Isabel and you want."  This was the first time he ever pursued a woman; it was thrilling.  He wasn’t chasing after her just to flirt, but she inspired him to be better.  To want a real relationship with a woman, not just a one night stand.  He realized he'd be very sad if she rejected him in the end.  "Come on, I know my jagiya will say yes."

Abigaíl sighed.  "Let me think about it.  I need to deliver an ID as well, so if you'll excuse me."

 - "I need to check on the new patient too, let me walk with you."  Abigaíl didn't answer but she didn't say no.  That was as good as saying yes, in Jaejoong's eyes.

Ilana was exiting a patient’s room and saw Abigaíl and Dr. Jaejoong walking towards her.  "Dr. Jaejoong looks happy; did you put him out of his misery?"

 - "She didn't say no," he responded cheerfully.

 - "I didn't say yes, either," Abigaíl shot back but with an inevitable smile.

 - "Ilana-ssi, I promise to get those files signed within the hour."

 - "Gomawoyo,” Ilana then thought of something.  "Dr. Jaejoong, can I go see the kids after work, juseyo?"  She clasped her hands together and tried to look pitiful.

 - "Cute aegyo but the answer is no."

Ilana's face fell; she was hoping he'd say yes.  "Waeyo, I'm more of a danger to them, than they are to me?"  Without Dr. Jihoo, she was bored out of her mind.  Abigaíl practically dragged her out the door at five each evening.  It was hard to talk with the gang because of their current thirteen hour time difference and she only watched Inspiring Generation and read; that no longer satisfied her.  Dr. Jihoo had spoiled her with his constant companionship.

 - "I told you, if your next labs are also good you can resume all your previous activities, within reason.  Besides, I thought you'd still be recovering from all the dancing you did at the wedding."

 - "Ah chica, the truth comes out.  No wonder she said it was exhausting."

 - "It was the bride and groom who wouldn't let us sit down," Ilana defended herself.

 - "You were there too, Dr. Jaejoong?"  Abigaíl asked.

 - "I went late for a little while.  Korean weddings are a little different than western weddings.  You can come and go as you please, just bring a cash gift.  Ilana-ssi, I didn't see either you or Dr. Jihoo protesting very much.  In fact..."  Jaejoong took out his cell phone.  "I have incriminating evidence."  Abigaíl gasped.

 - "Mírala (look at her)!"  Abigaíl viewed a few of the pictures of Dr. Jihoo and Ilana dancing.  "Isn't he holding you a little close, and look at the smile on their faces."

Ilana was blushing brightly.  The pictures did look incriminating, as Dr. Jaejoong had put it.  "We were talking and I had to get close to hear over the music."

 - "I want to see!"  Hani was passing by and overheard the commotion.  Jaejoong handed Hani the phone.  "Ooh!  You look so sweet together.  Look how pretty you look and Jihoo Uissa is so dreamy in his white tux.  Wau Jaejoong Uissa, you look just like an idol but where's your leading lady?"  Hani looked directly at Abigaíl, making her blush.

 - "Hani, why are you looking at me?"  Abigaíl asked.

 - "Anieyo."

 - "Hani-ssi, I only went for a short time.  Chingu from high school were there."

 - "Yeoja-chingu?"

 - "Anieyo!"

Ilana and Hani laughed at the indignant look on Dr. Jaejoong's face.

 - "What did you say, Hani?"  Abigaíl asked, clueless as to what had just been said.

 - "Chingu means friends and Hani asked if they were yeoja, girlfriends,” Ilana translated.

 -  "Knowing Dr. Jaejoong..."  Abigaíl gave him a disapproving look.  "Come on chica, we have work to do."

Ilana began to follow with a smile still on her face.

 - "Yah Abi-yah!  I saw that look.  I met up with some guys."  Jaejoong and Hani also followed.

 - "I don't need to hear it," Abigaíl ignored him.

 - "Ilana-ssi, behave until your namja-chingu gets back in a few days."

 - "Dr. Jaejoong!  I don't have a namja-chingu," Ilana could feel her face getting warm.

 - "Mwo, Jihoo is a chingu and namja."

 - "Ilana-ssi are you and Dr. Jihoo dating?"  Hani asked as quietly as her overexcited voice could speak.

 - "Andwae!"

 - "Ooh, you look so cute together.  We need another inner office romance."

At that, Ilana looked at Abigaíl and Jaejoong.

 - "I've got some coding to do," Abigaíl ran to her desk.

 - "Ilana-ssi, I'll go review those files for you," Jaejoong left in direction of the doctor's office.

Hani and Ilana were left chuckling to themselves.

February 22, 2014

Abigaíl relented and decided to spend the day with Dr. Jaejoong at his home,  with his parents.  She thought that was the safest place for a 'date'.  Even with Isabel, who at five she swore was trying to marry her off to Dr. Jaejoong.  Abigaíl avoided her dad but told her Mom; the two made a tres leches cake for Abigail to take with her.

 - "El Doctorcito te pretende (Is the young Doctor courting you)?"

 - "No Mar, como crees (what are you thinking)?  Solo quiere que seamos mejores amigos (He just wants us to be better friends).  Adora Isabel y también me caen muy bien sus Papás (He adores Isabel and I also really like his parents)."

 - "Si, son muy buena gente (Yes, they are very good people).  Mijita, no te me encapriches con el (Dearie, don't get your heart set on him), no sabemos sus creencias (we don't know their faith)."

 -"We could ask," Abigaíl thought to herself, surprised at her thoughts.  She continued murmuring to herself as she put the cake in a cake carrier.  "Who cares what he believes, it's not like I'm considering dating him or anything.  Ouch!"  Abigaíl her index finger, having pinched it in the clasp of the Tupperware.  "Get rid of any wayward thoughts," she prayed quickly and went to get Isabel in the car.

Mother and daughter arrived at Dr. Jaejoong's house and were ushered in by the housekeeper.  Jaejoong himself greeted them in the parlor.

 - "Dr. Prince!"  Isabel greeted her favorite person with a big hug as usual.

 - "Nae jagiya!   You get prettier each time I see you."

Isabel giggled.

 - "Abigaíl-ssi," he bowed respectfully to her.  "I've set up the media room for us, come."

 - "Where is Eommoni?"  Abigaíl asked, already weirded out by his use of her full name and his Mother was usually always there to greet them.

 -  "She and Abeoji had some errands to run, they'll be back soon but we have tons of food, movies, and a large screen and Bose speakers."  Entering the media room, Abigaíl saw a small smorgasbord of movie food:  Popcorn, hot dogs, chips, licorice, nachos, pretzels and another assortment of boxes of candy.

 - "Who else is coming?" Abigaíl asked.  There was too much food for just three people.   She hoped that Choi Seunghyun guy wasn't coming.  He gave her the creeps.

 - "Just us and my parents, when they get back."

 - "I hope you're extra hungry, Isabel and I can't eat all of this."

 - "I didn't know what you like, I bought a little of everything.  Gueron, jagiya,” he addressed Isabel.  “Frozen first or Smurfs?"  He managed to get a copy of Frozen a month before the official DVD release.

 - "Frozen!"

 - "Good choice."  With a mischievous grin, he said:  "Jagiya, while I put the movie in, can you get the bag that's behind the table?"  Isabel happily did as she was asked.

 - "Olaf!"  Not bothering to wait, she knew the Disney Store bag was for her as was the stuffed snowman, Olaf, inside.  "Kansamnida!"  Isabel ran and hugged her Dr. Prince.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong!   What did I tell you about spoiling her?!"

 - "I can't help it!  Look at this face, Umma?  I can't resist it?"

Abigail shook her head.  "She's got you wrapped around her little finger."

 - "I wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled at the little girl hugging him.

They all three sat on the plush couch to watch the movie until Isabel began getting too excited to sit.  She stood, jumped, danced, hugged Olaf and a few times stood directly in front of the screen only to be pulled away by her Mother.

 - "This is nice, thank you for suggesting this," Jaejoong motioned to the movie.  "I want this," he thought.  "Abigaíl, you don't know how fortunate you are, to have a large family, siblings, a nephew, lots of aunts, uncles, cousins."

 - "It is a blessing, though I sometimes take it for granted.  A small family sometimes sounds great."

 - "It's lonely; my parents did their best, some of my friends weren't as fortunate.  Business always came before family.  You put a bunch of wealthy kids together in one place with no one to tell them what to do and no rules, you're bound to have trouble.  Those were my school years."

 - "What do you mean no rules?"

 - "There were four founders to the school and their kids pretty much ruled it.  We worshipped and feared them like gods.  We were always ready to do what they said, mostly for the bad."

 - "That's crazy!  Teachers didn't say anything?"

 - "Anieyo, they weren't about to lose a great job."

 - "If we so much as lost a ribbon or sock, my Mom would spank us with her flip flop," Abigaíl laughed at her memories.  "All she had to do was take off her sandal and we'd start behaving immediately."

 - "Not you, you were a good girl."

Abigail’s smile faded thinking of how she hurt her parents with her failed marriage.  "No, I wish I could say I was.  I hurt my parents very much when I got married without even telling them."

 - "Wae?  I mean, why?"  He was trying not to be his usual jokester self and as such, refrain from speaking his mix of Korean and English.

 - "I was leaning on my own understanding, as the Bible says.  I fell in love, head over heels; add to that the thrill of dating behind my parents back.  They were always strict but not unfair.  We had a whirlwind romance.  I really didn't know him as well as I thought."  She really didn't know why she was actually talking to Dr. Jaejoong about her marriage.  She didn't talk about it to anyone.  "But I thank God and my parents who took me back in."  Jaejoong was listening intently, grateful she was opening up to him.

 - "Why do you say it that way:  God and my parents?"

 - "Like the story of the prodigal son who comes back home after having spent all his money.   He says:  I have sinned against God and you.  That was me.  I left God, my first love, and dishonored my parents.  But he showed me mercy as did my parents.  I repented of my sins and it's just as if it never happened.  Except, I have a beautiful daughter but I believe she is my gift from God, a sign of his forgiveness and mercy."  Abigaíl smiled at Isabel.

 - "I know God made me beautiful, Mama," Isabel said, the movie had finished and she had caught the end of the conversation.  "Mama is beautiful too, huh Dr. Prince?"  Abigaíl yanked Isabel's pigtail and begged her to be quiet with her 'Mom' look.

 - "Yes she is, both inside and out."  Abigaíl was blushing and Jaejoong was marveling at the fact that he never desired a non-ual intimate relationship before now.  He wanted to get to know everything about her.  Her likes, dislikes and how to get onto her likes list.  "Was this what Noona meant by courting her?"  He wondered, silently.

They were not able to continue their conversation as Isabel sat between them again and began to sing the Smurfs theme song and demanded her Mother and Dr. Prince sing along.

 - "Dr. Prince, do you think your mushroom is too big?"  Isabel asked when the movie was over. She was referring to the house.

 - "Deh, jagiya, sometimes I do.  I'm lucky Umma and you come to visit me sometimes.  This mushroom gets smaller then."

 - "We can visit you all the time."

 - "Isabel, Dr. Jaejoong has work to do and other people to see."

 - "Jagiya, anytime you want to visit, have Umma call me."  After two movies hot dogs, popcorn, and candy, Abigaíl didn't think she could lift herself from the couch.

 - "I'm so full!  We didn't even touch the cake I brought."

 - "You can come for tea tomorrow and we can eat it?"  Jaejoong tried not to sound too eager.

 - "Deh!  Deh!  Deh!"  Isabel was more than eager accept.

 - "We can't, tomorrow is Church and the day we spend with Papa and Mamá Nane."  Her daughter was sulking.

 - "What about dinner?  If not tomorrow, Monday, I'll take the two of you home."

 - "I'll think about it.  We should get going after we help clean up."

 - "Just leave it, I’ll clean up.  Let's go for a walk and see if my parents are coming.  They were just running a few errands; I know they would be disappointed if they missed you."  He did wonder where his parents were, they said they wouldn't be gone long.  Little did he know his parents went to their own movie, hoping to give the little family some alone time.

Isabel rode on Jaejoong's shoulders and the three wandered around the neighborhood for almost an hour, talking about their childhood and anything else they could think of. 

 - "Thank you, for coming," Jaejoong said.  "Jagiya, bring Umma back soon."  He flipped her off his shoulders and kissed her forehead.  "Drive safe," he hugged Abigaíl and kissed her cheek.

  -"Goodnight," Abigaíl said, wishing he hadn't done that.  She didn't feel threatened, just awkward.  To be honest, now that he had toned down the joking, she enjoyed his friendship.  The problem was, could they be content with just that.

Ilana had finished all her chores and dinner and was now ready for some peace and quiet.  Of course, that’s all she ever got.   The only one that ever knocked on her door was Dr. Jihoo.  She smiled as she thought of him, wondering where he was.  As if summoned by her thoughts, a short time after, the phone rang.  Without checking the ID, she answered a little too eager.

 - "Hello?"

 - "Aww, I'm so sorry I haven't called, it's been so busy," he'd heard the excitement In her voice.

 - "Kike?"  She grinned.  "I didn't even check who was calling.  Que ay (What's up)?"

 - "So you always answer the phone that excited?  Or were you waiting for someone else to call?  Someone Korean, perhaps?"  Ilana laughed.   Maybe in her subconscious, she was expecting a phone call but not from whom her brother suspected.

 - "Kike, no inventes cosas (don't imagine things).  I was just bored and got excited my phone rang."

 - "A ha," he said skeptically.  "You've been well?  Are you following your diet?"

 - "Yes, I've been very well.  I had a visit from Kim HyunJoong last week,” Ilana grinned.

 - "Oh?  He was in town?"

 - "Mmm, he came to sing at a wedding.  I told him you're an anti-fan!"

 - "Manita!!!"  Ilana laughed.  "Ahorra quien inventa cosas (Now who's making things up)?"

 - "You get jealous because I like his music, admit it."

 - "That's not true and you know it.  Anyway, you have an opportunity to show your loyalty to your brother tomorrow night."

 - "Oh really?"  Ilana found his irritation sweet.

 - "I'm in Chile for the Viña del Marr festival.  I perform tomorrow night.   I know they'll be broadcasting live.  Make sure you watch, I'm performing a new song."

 - "If it will make nae Oppa happy..." she teased.

 - "Manita, if you want to speak Korean, do so with your friends, not me."

 - "Grumpy!"  She loved to pick on him.  Enrique was still trying to get used to her playful side these last six months.  "You'd better get some rest or you'll be gonged or whatever they do when you're out."

 - "I won't be out."

 - "What is the saying?  Pride comes before the fall."

 - "No seas malcriada (Don't be a brat)!"

 - "Kike's no fun."

 - "Behave or I will disown you."

 - "You wouldn't dare."

 - "No, I'll just send you to YoungSaeng, he can deal with you."

 - "Kike..."  Ilana knew he was teasing, but she was still hurting slightly from her conversation with HyunJoong and therefore still sensitive.  "That's not going to happen, not with him, not with anyone.   I know you want what's best for me but I would appreciate it if you do not bring that subject up again."

 - "Manita, que te pasa (what's wrong with you)?"

 - "Nothing, I’m just getting a grip on reality, that's all."  Kike sighed. There was no use talking to her when she was like this.  He didn't have the gift of reaching her in this state; he could only be by her side as always.

 - "Está bien, perdóname (Okay, forgive me).  No estés disgustada, muy pronto nos veremos (don't be upset, we'll see each other very soon).  Si sigues enojada no te llevo a la bodaa (If you continue to be angry, I won't take you to the wedding)."

 - "Aww Kike, don't tease me, please.  It's just a sore subject for me right now."  Ilana felt herself getting emotional and tried to snap out of it.  "I'll make sure to watch tomorrow, okay?  I want to do some reading before going to sleep; I'll talk to you after tomorrow."

 - "Wait!!  The reason I called is I'm going over my schedule with my manager on Monday.  I’ll call you afterwards to tell you when I’ll be in New York.  We are flying out Thursday the 27th and not returning until Friday of the following week, right?"

  - "That's right.  Oh!  Don't worry about the hotel; we are getting comped at the 'Shinwa' in Seoul."

  - "Wow!  For someone who doesn't get out much, you sure have connections."

  - "It's a long story, that I'll tell you some other time.  Now let me read!"

  - "Who loves you best?"

  - "Kike does, now go away," they both hung up smiling.

Ilana started to read but changed her mind after only a few pages and decided to look for Kim HyunJoong videos.  She looked for some of the songs he sang at the wedding.  Finding 'U', she hit play.  Having just gotten lost in the music and the words, Ilana was irritated to hear her phone ring.  Figuring it was Kike again, she answered only to scold him.

 - "No se suponía que me ibas a dejar descansar (I thought you were going to let me rest)?"  There was only silence on the other end and then she heard his voice.

 - "Mianhaeyo, I'm disturbing your rest, I'll let you go."

Ilana had been left speechless at hearing his voice.  That's twice that evening she didn't check the caller ID.  What's the point of having it, if she wasn't going to use it?  She wasn't breathing, any moment she'd see black dots in her line of vision.  She had to snap out of it.  "Dr. Jihoo wait!"  Ilana managed to choke out.  Her eyes were a bit teary from finally getting oxygen in her brain.  "Jeongmal mianhaeyo," she said in a rush while drawing breath.

 - "Gwenchanayo?"

 - "Deh, mianhaeyo, I thought Dr. Jihoo was Kike Oppa.  I didn't check the caller ID.  Mianhaeyo."

 - "Hajimaseyo, gwenchanayo," Jihoo chuckled.

 - "Mian..."

 - "Yah!"  He cut her off before she could apologize again.

 - "Arraso!  Arraso!"

Jihoo was laughing in earnest now.  "Did Ilana-ssi have an argument with her Oppa?"

 - "Deh, jogeumyo,” she was grinning now, only slightly over her embarrassment.  Why was he always witness to her embarrassing herself?  Snapping back to the reason for his call, perhaps he needed her to do something for him.  "Does Dr. Jihoo need me to do something?"

 - "Deh, when I arrive tomorrow, I'll be going to the hospital for a few hours.  When I'm done in the evening, do you want to go to dinner?  My treat and no arguments, juseyo."

She was about to argue but then realized regardless of whom paid, she couldn't go.  "Mianhaeyo," she said dejectedly.  "I have plans."

 - "Gwenchanayo, I’ll take you Monday, Ilana-ssi doesn't sound pleased with her plans."

 - "I'd rather go to dinner with my friend than watch a music festival, alone, of a bunch of people I don't know," she thought.  "I have to do something for Kike," Ilana said.  “He wants me to watch something on TV and give him my opinion.  I'm stuck at home, tomorrow.  It better not run late or he's in trouble."

 - "Would you like company while you watch?"  Jihoo hoped he wasn't being presumptuous in asking but he had missed her company while he was away.

 - "I would love it!  But it's in Spanish."

 - "Gwenchanayo, I speak the language fairly well."

 - "Jeongmalyo?"

 - "Deh, if it's okay with Ilana-ssi?"

 - "Gwenchanayo!  You've saved me from absolute boredom, gomawoyo."

 - "Anieyo, I'll call you in the afternoon.  Jaljayo."

 - "Jaljayo"

Ilana went back to listening to music for a while longer and fell asleep content, knowing she'd see her friend tomorrow.

Jihoo had boarded the plane and was smiling.  Going back and forth each month was becoming less of a chore since he had Ilana's company.  He wondered if it was true what HyunJoong said about her almost being engaged. Perhaps, he was just saying that to stop the matchmaking conspiracy taking place.  He could ask her.  No.  He would wait and see if she said anything.  Jihoo also settled in for a nap, happy to be going home.

Annyeong Hasseyo nae chingu!  Jaejoong is prepared to do what it takes to capture Abigail's heart and Jihoo and Ilana miss each other's company.  They go back and forth in speaking formally or casually to each other.  Once they start spending time together again they usually go back to being more informal. 

I'm happy I have never wavered in my support for our dear alien friend, Kim HyunJoong.  Waiting for victory and confident that the Lord will bring that about in his own time.  If anyone hasn't had a chance to read some of the blogs on my page, I do have one dedicated it Kim HyunJoong.  My heart is with him in this trial he’s undergone for the last three years.  It was his fans and family’s love that got him through all this and can now do what he loves best, stand on stage and make music for all of us.  He's our beloved leader for a reason and his strong love for us and work ethics keep him going.  I'm glad the AFF community has remained faithful to him.  I thought I could still support him if God forbid the woman’s allegations were true because anything can happen at any time.  Thankfully, we were all right, that the Kim HyunJoong we know and love could never do such a thing.  Let’s keep praying for this thing to end, soon.  He who has not sinned, let his throw the first stone.  We all make mistakes.  FIGHTING!!!  http://www.asianfanfics.com/blog/view/927732