It has been a week since she had dinner with her boyfriend's family and it's been 3 days since Jin left for her Paris trip. Today is her off, Rein is busy, and she cannot think of anything to kill her time and this boredom.
She was in the kitchen, cooking her breakfast. Well, she kinda used to the word HER BREAKFAST, HER DINNER...since Jin this past few days became busy with her work, there were times that she didn't see her at all.
She was under deep thinking while digging a plate of omelet and sausage when suddenly a sound from her phone pulled her to reality. She gets the phone and checks who sent the message. She didn't know the number, not in her contact list. She decided to open the message and read it with her eyes.
'Hi, Michaelle! :) I got your number from Migs. Are you free today? I just wanted to get my free coffee from you. By the way, this is Henry.'
She has no plan for today, so why not spend her day off with Henry? She gets her phone and types a message for Henry.
'Sure! I am free today. Say what? 3:00 in the afternoon? Tell me about the place and I'll be there.'
"Is this alright?" she said to herself. I must call Rein first. But instead of erasing the message, she accidentally sends it. "Oh God! I think there's no backing out." She dialed Rein's number and wait for him to answer the call. After several rings, she heard his voice.
"Yes princess?" his voice sounds he's busy with something else.
"Hi, ice prince. Are you busy?" she cheerfully checked on him.
"Quite. I'm taking the last notes. Why princess?"
"Oh, I see. There is this thing, uhmm...Henry sent me a message. He wanted me to-"
"And you said No."
Michaelle took a deep sigh. "Actually, I already said yes."
"What!?" he almost yelled from the other line.
"Ohh Rein...please...listen to me first."
"Maybe it would be better if we'll gonna talk about this in person. My shift will end in less than an hour. What's the time of your meet up?"
"Alright. I'll wait for you here. At 3:00 in the afternoon." Michaelle glances at their clock, it's only 7:00 in the morning. "You're the night shift right. Go home first, you should take a rest before going here."
"No. I'll go straight to where you are."
"Fine. Bye."
Michaelle didn't want to finish her food. Her mood is officially ruined. She didn't get why Rein is not fine with her meeting his brother for a cup of coffee. To the extent that he wanted to see her first before anything else. She decided to take a bath. Because her weird and overprotective boyfriend will be here any minute now.
-----------------------
Rein's (POV)
After 15 minutes of driving, he arrives at the front gate of Chaelle's best friend's house. He gave her a call but she doesn't answer the phone. He parked the car on the side of the road and decided to ring the doorbell which he hated the most. He felt that ringing the doorbell means demanding the owner to let him in.
After a few minutes, he is now facing the pretty face of his beloved girlfriend. She was just wearing a white shirt and a gray skirt. Her hair was still wet.
"Making ready for your date?" He teases her. She just looked at him as if telling him to stop. "Sorry. I didn't mean to irritate you." He added.
She didn't answer back or even look back. She briskly entered and house and seat on the couch as if she is waiting for him. He removed his shoes and walk towards her. He slammed his body on the couch, head on her lap.
"I'm tired." He whispered. Then he closed his eyes.
He felt her fingers on both sides of his temple. Then she spoke. Finally.
"I told you to go home first. It's just quarter to 8:00, you still have time."
"Can I sleep here with you instead? Its been a week since we got a private time like this. I missed you like hell." He casually said.
"You're the one who's so busy. I don't want to bother you. You have lots of operation nowadays." She replied.
He opened his eyes to meet her gaze. "If only that jerk chose Janna. I will be spending much time with you even at work."
"So now Dr. Chen is a jerk to you."
"Yeah. He is a lucky bastard. You almost spend 12 hours with him every day."
"And you are jealous of it?"
"I don't know. Maybe its because I really missed you."
Michaelle didn't answer back. Instead, she moved down to give him just a quick kiss. But he responded passionately. This is how much he missed her. After a minute of kissing. They were both catching their breath.
"You really did miss me." Michaelle chuckled.
"I'll show you how much I miss you there." His eyes are pointing her bedroom. Then he gave her a grin.
"No ice prince. You need to take a rest." She said. But she turned red when she heard what his boyfriend wants.
"Princess, can I stay here while Jin is away?"
"Why?"
"These past few days, I felt like I wanted to spend more time with you. Wake up beside you. I'm afraid that if I don't, I might lose you." His expression changed into sadness.
"What's the matter Rein? What are you afraid of?" Her voice is full of concern.
"I'm afraid of losing you. Like what happened to..." he released a long breath. "to my first love." He said. He became even sadder than before.
"Come on. I am yours. How come I'm going to-"
"You don't know my brother Henry and what he is capable of."
"Henry? What's with him?" Michaelle stops for a while and think. "Are you saying that I might fall for Henry?"
Rein nodded. He gets up to sit beside her. He looked down before started to talk more. "I was in high school back then. I fell in love with my best friend. It was during our stay in our ancestral house in our province. She is very kind, pretty and talented. I really like her voice. She always sings for me. I felt special every time she does that, and with that, I thought somehow, she started to like me. I really like her back then." Another long sigh was heard from him. He paused and stares at the floor before he continues.
"Then one day, Henry showed up. He was studying college at that time. Clara fell for him. I didn't know about that. So one day, I confessed my feelings for her. But, unfortunately, she already loves him. I almost killed myself back then. But thanks to that brave young lady on the beach. I realized from what she said that killing myself will only prove her that I am a fucking loser. That her decision to chose my brother over me is the best thing to do."
"Did you say, Clara? Is that the same Clara that your brother is engaged with?"
Rein nodded. "I guess Migs told you that. But no one in my family knows about how I felt towards Clara. I don't want them to feel pity for me. That's why from that time, I decided to hide my feelings. I rarely talk to them about my personal issues. Until they saw us kissing on the deck."
"So that's why your mother is really happy to see you with me?"
Rein nodded. "Yeah. They thought I was gay."
Michaelle released a hard laugh.
"What?" Rein was puzzled.
"Don't get mad. Actually, I thought the same too." Then she began to laugh again.
"Hey! Let's go in there! And I show you how manly I am!"
Michaelle stops laughing. She leaned her head over his shoulder and wrapped her hands around his waist.
"Don't worry too much. Henry will never gonna snatch me away from you. There is a big difference between me and Clara. Clara was your best friend back then. You were not sure if she really likes you. I am your girlfriend now and that one alone is your assurance. But more importantly, I am in love with you. That's the fact that he cannot change over a cup of coffee." Michaelle sincerely said to him.
Rein was so moved from the words she just said. She's right. Michaelle is his girlfriend. They were in love with each other. Nothing to worry about.
"I love you." then he kissed her forehead.
"I love you more." Michaelle smiled and hug him even tighter.
------------------------
"I'll fetch you here after 2 hours. I'll just get some clothes and personal stuff in our house." Rein instructed his girlfriend.
"So you're pretty serious about staying with me for a while?" She teases him.
"I told you. It's not safe for you to be alone in that house. I just wanted to protect my girlfriend."
"Fine. You just wanted to have a delicious breakfast every day." She said before she gave him a peck of a kiss on his lips before she alighted the car.
"One of the reasons." He said before they bid goodbyes.
When she arrives at the coffee shop, Henry was already there. He was wearing eyeglasses while reading something. She was about to go to his location when he looks up to her. As if it was a scripted scene. Michaelle waves her hand to him. He stands up to meet her.
"You were early." He greeted.
"You were earlier Henry. And Rein drove me here, that's why I came here fast." She said smilingly.
"Oh, I see. He knows that you were here to see me." He said while they were taking their seats.
"Yes. I told him. You know, one of the couple's things." She chuckled.
"Oh right. By the way, what do you want?" Henry offered.
"I believe that is my line. I thought I am the one to pay for this." She jokingly said.
Henry released a soft laugh. "I change my mind. It would be on me."
"Oh, that's great. So I'll have a non-coffee drink. Maybe pure double chocolate ice blended with whipped cream." She smilingly said.
"That's your favorite?"
"Yeah. I really like their frappe here."
"Ok. Maybe I'll have a cappuccino. Please wait for me here." He smiled at her and stood up to place their order.
When he came back, he was holding the coffee shop's number system and a piece of paper, their receipt.
"So how's your father?" Michaelle suddenly asked him.
"He is doing great. Actually, after your visit, he became more cheerful. He often smiles and he even try to speak." He smilingly said.
"That's nice to hear." She smiled.
"How about you? How's the balance between your career and personal life." He asked. "Did you already finish reading the seven books?"
"I guess you are pertaining to harry potter books. Uhmm about that, I was on the 4th book. I was pretty busy nowadays. We have lots of operation in the hospital."
"So I'm pretty lucky that you shared your time with me." Henry jokingly replied.
"Well, you know. This is a promise. So I need to fulfill this. I never broke a promise you know."
"That's a good habit. I also keep my promises that's why we will be having this engagement party with my fiancee next week." He said.
"Oh, congratulation! When exactly is the big event?" She excitedly said.
"On Saturday. I wish you could come." Henry calmly uttered.
"Sure! I will be happy to witness that." She is about to say something when suddenly her phone rings. The call is from the 'Client'. "Excuse me, but I think I need to answer this."
"Sure. No problem. I'll be getting our order." Henry smiled.
Michaelle stood up and made a distance from him.
"Hello."
"Hi, Ms. Michaelle. How are you?" Clara calmly said.
"Oh, I'm fine. Quite busy. But I'm fine. Really." she released an awkward laugh.
"That's nice. By the way, I'm calling you to check on how is everything. I never heard anything from you."
"Oh yes. About that, I'm sorry I became pretty busy nowadays. But don't worry. Everything goes according to my timeline. Actually I was with him right now. He was inviting me to your engagement party."
"Ohh. He didn't mention anything about that."
"Yeah. Maybe he forgot to tell you. About your engagement, he is serious about that."
"Really? You made me happy Ms. Chaelle."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Thank you! Maybe I'm ready to take the vow now."
"No worries. Good luck next week. Bye Clara."
"Thank you again Ms. Chaelle. Bye!"
After ending the call, she turned her eyes to Henry. He is staring at her. The stare that she doesn't want to see. His eyes were like those with Rein's orbs every time he was saying he loves her. She felt nervous. She really was in a panic that time. What will she do? She decided to call his boyfriend while Henry is still staring at her.
"Rein, where are you?" she hurriedly asked him.
"I'm on my way from our house."
"Really? Can you fetch me here?"
"Now?"
"Yes now."
"Did something happened? What did that jerk do to you?!" He angrily asked Chaelle.
"No, nothing happens. I'm just tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Alright. I'll be there in less than an hour."
"Thank you, Ice prince. I love you."
"I love you too princess."
She smiled. That was the first time that she says 'I love you' to him over the phone. She went back to her chair. Michaelle looked down and focused on her frappe because she can't withstand how Henry stares at her.
"Are you alright?" Henry finally spoke up.
"Yes. Yes. Don't worry." She weakly smiled at him.
After a while of talking, Rein finally arrived at the coffee shop. He was looking for them. So she called him and raise her hand to easily see them.
"Rein." She said to get his attention. Rein looked at them. He went to where they are and nodded to his brother.
"So you are fetching her now." Henry casually uttered.
"Yeah. I hope there's nothing wrong with that." Rein coldly stares at him. Michaelle stands up and gives him a quick bow.
"Thanks for today." She smiled.
"No worries. I hope you could come to my engagement party." Henry smiled back.
"I can't promise. Maybe If I don't have work to do. We'll go now." She bid goodbye. Rein just stares coldly at him and wrapped his right arms around Michaelle's waist.
Henry was staring at the chair where Michaelle was seated earlier. He gets his phone and dials the number of his best friend.
"Hey, Chen. Are you free tonight?"
"Yes, Bro. Why?"
"Can I go to your place?"
"Sure. Is there a problem?"
"Yeah. I need to tell you something. About this girl."
"About Clara?"
"No. Not Clara. A different lady. I think I'm going crazy."
"I also think that too."
"Alright. See you in a while. Drinks will be on me."
------------------------
"Hey. You seem down. What happened? Tell me." Rein asked her. They were preparing dinner at the kitchen.
"How's the vegetable? Are you done cutting them?" Michaelle obviously changing the topic.
"Yeah." His short response.
Michaelle was saying another thing about their dinner when she felt his arms hugging her from behind. His chin resting on her right shoulder. "I'm worried about you. What did that jerk do to you?"
Michaelle put down the stirring spoon and held his arms. "Actually he did nothing to me. It's just his stares. It made me felt uncomfortable. I don't like anybody stares at me like how you did." She explained. Michaelle felt his deep sigh.
"I knew it." He paused. "He likes you."
"He can't do anything about it. He is engaged to Clara. And besides, I am in love with you."
"I know, and I love you too." He said and gave her a peck of a kiss on her right cheeks.
---------------------------------
"So, what's bothering you?"
"Chen, do you remember the girl that I always accidentally bumped into?"
"Yeah. What about her Henry?"
"She is Rein's girlfriend. How unfortunate I am!"
"Rein? Your brother?" His best friend clarifying the details.
"Yeah. My brother who is also a doctor in your hospital."
"So you are telling me that the girl you like is Dr. Michaelle Yoon?"
"Yes, Jeffrey Chen. And I can't do anything about it. Besides the fact that I am engaged to Clara, Michaelle's heart is already owned by my brother. I can't hurt the two important people in my life for this girl that I barely knew." a deep long sigh was heard from him.
"Ignore your feelings for Dr. Yoon. I think it was just a crush. Nothing more. So, you don't need to worry that much."
"I think you're right. It was just a plain attraction. I love Clara. So, it was stupid to fall in love with another girl."
"That's my friend! You're not weak enough to sacrifice what you had with Clara."
"Yeah. You're right!"
"So, when is the engagement party?" Jeffrey asked his best friend.
"On Saturday. I am expecting you and Auntie Nica to be there. By the way, how's your plan with KC?"
"I am planning to fly back to New York next month, so we could start planning our wedding."
"So the wedding would be held there?"
Jeffrey nodded. "Yes. New York was the place where we fell in love with."
"No question on that. Just tell me when and where it is, and I will fly there with my wife."
"Dude. There is this thing called the invitation. I'll send you one." Jeffrey jokingly said.
"Thanks, man!"
"For the invitation?"
"No! For being one of the best!" Henry is becoming emotional.
"Dude! That's so gay!"
"Give me a hug Jeffrey!"
"No way! Get away from me!" He almost yelled the hell out of him.
---------------------------
"What's your shift tomorrow?" Rein asked his girlfriend. They were now on the couch. Him, lying down, head on her lap.
"Nightshift," she said without looking back at him. She is pretty busy watching tv.
"If you would ask me. I'm also the night shift."
"Ohh! I want that one! Remember his name is Dylan."
"What? What are you saying?"
"Look. The shelter is just a few blocks away from here. I guess I'll try to visit their place the day after tomorrow."
"Are you planning to adopt a puppy?" his eyebrow is furrowed.
"Yes, I am. Is there a problem with that?"
"Are you sure you have time taking care of that thing?"
"Yes, I'm pretty sure." She looked down at him before she continues. "Remember what I told you about my dream house?"
"Yeah. The one near the ocean?"
"Yeah. And when the time comes, I should have a loyal dog by then." She smilingly said while daydreaming.
"Alright. Good luck with taking care of him." He casually responded.
"No sweetie. Good luck to us." she rolled her eyes and brought back her attention to the television.
"Princess I think It's time to go to bed. It's already 1:00 in the morning."
"Baby, I'm still watching."
Rein sit up and move forward to her face. "No. You have to rest now."
"Let's just finish this."
"Alright. I'll be heading out now," he said and heaved her.
"Rein. What are you doing? Put me down."
"No. I have a new motto in life."
"What?!"
"Never leave your valuables!"
Michaelle released a hard laugh. That's the signage that they noticed while buying fried rice from fast food near their way home. "Let me just turn off the tv first." then they go straight to her bedroom.
Rein carefully lie her down on the bed. He smiled at her before he lies on top of her.
"Rein."
"Yes?"
"I thought were going to rest."
"Yes, we are."
"So?"
"So?"
"I guess you have to lie down here." She patted the left side of the bed.
"I love you, Princess." He said and give her a smack on her lips. He moves to her side and carefully pulled her closer to him.
"I love you too Ice prince." she moves closer to his chest and slowly fell asleep.
-----------------------------
Michaelle woke up from a dreamless sleep. She slept comfortably last night. She slowly opens her eyes just to learn that she's already alone on her bed. 'Is it another dream?' she said to her mind. 'Where is Rein?' then she heard her stomach churned.
"I guess I need to eat first" She sighed. "Alone." she sadly uttered.
She headed towards the kitchen. At the top of the dining table, she noticed something unusual. "I know I didn't leave plates in here." she's trying to remember what happened last night.
When she reached the table, she saw a note on top of the plate that says "I got an emergency this morning. I'm sorry if I have to leave early. Please eat your breakfast. I prepared it for you. Good morning princess!"
Michaelle smiled genuinely. She never thought Rein could do such a thing. Rein, the stiff, emotionless and cold-hearted guy that used to treat her rudely. She smiled even more from the thought. Ice prince is no longer cold as icy ice.
She cheerfully takes her seat and bites an eggroll which is obviously carefully prepared. 'This is made by him.' If anybody could see her now, they would probably think that she's been going crazy.
She almost half finished with her breakfast when she got a call from him.
"Hello, ice prince. I read your note. Thank you! The food is good." She gladly uttered.
"Just good?"
"Ok. It's the best!"
"Right." He chuckled. "By the way, I'm still in the hospital. I think I would be staying here until our shift came."
"Is that really bad?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. As much as I want to stay with you now, some things really didn't permit me to. Maybe I'll just see you here later."
"That's ok. I know what's our priority." Although she's sad about what he said, she doesn't want him to notice it. So she's doing her best to sound cheerful while talking to him.
"Thanks, Princess. I have to go. I'll call you again later. Bye for now."
"Bye ice prince." Michaelle released a long deep sigh. Now she's sad.
She was taking her last bite when she remembers something.
"Why not go there? I want to adopt him today."
--------------------------------
"Are you sure he's already got chosen?"
"Yes, Mam. That puppy was adopted just this morning." The staff of the dog's shelter sadly uttered.
"Alright. I guess he is not really for me. I just hope his new owner will take care of him." She is preventing herself to sob.
"You could choose another puppy, Mam. We have lots of cute puppies like Dylan."
"No thanks. I already fell in love with that puppy when I saw him last night. Maybe I'll come back when I felt its time. Thank you by the way." with that, Michaelle left the shelter half broken. She really does want that puppy.
She was in the middle of deep thoughts when she heard her phone ringing. The caller is again her boyfriend.
"Yes Rein." sadness was obvious from the tone of her voice.
"You sound sad. Where are you?"
"I'm on my way to our apartment. I went to the shelter." A soft sob was clearly heard from the other line. "I'm sorry. I can't help but cry."
"Why? What happened?" he worriedly asked her.
"It's just that. The puppy that I wanted to adopt, he was already been owned by someone." she wipes her tears that keep from flowing.
"Hush. Maybe that puppy isn't for you."
"I hope his owner will love and take care of him."
"I'm sure she will. Please stop crying now ok?"
"Ok. By the way, how did you know I am not at home?"
"Ah about that. I went home to get some clothes and take a bath."
"Too bad you didn't see me." Then she released a soft laugh. "Miss me?"
"Fine. Yeah. Slight."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I did miss you." he blushed. He is just fortunate that they were talking over the phone.
"I can still tell that you're blushing." She teases her boyfriend.
"Shut up." He smiled. "Ohh princess, I almost forgot, there's someone waiting for you at your apartment. I let him in since I know he couldn't do any harm to you."
"What? Who's waiting for me?"
"I don't know his name. But he said that he is your friend."
"What!? You let other people stay inside my house without even knowing his name? What are you thinking?"
"Jejunostomy."
"What?"
"Princess I have to go. I have an operation waiting. Bye for now. I love you!"
"Wait! Rein!" But the other person already ends the call.
Michaelle tightly closes her eyes. She can't believe what Rein had told her. A stranger was waiting for her. And to what she can remember, the stranger is a he, so it probably is a guy.
--------------------------------
Michaelle slowly opens the door of their apartment. She was really nervous but keep her mind and body on guard.
When she is already inside their house, she eventually surveys the place to look for the sign of the stranger. The receiving area is empty. There's no one in the kitchen. She became even more nervous because she can't find him.
She was about to call her boyfriend when she felt something licking the back of her legs. 'What's happening?' she nervously said inside her mind.
She decided to check it out, so slowly, she turned around. Eyes widened, her mouth left ajar and tears were now running down her cheeks.
"Ohh...Is this true?" She cryingly sat down on the floor. The golden retriever puppy came to her lap. "You're really cute!"
She noticed the collar of the dog. It has a letter D pendant. The same pendant of-
"Dylan! Are you really Dylan?!"
The dog happily wags his tail. "Hi, Dylan! Ohh I'm so happy!" Michaelle heaved the dog and start dialing on her phone. After a few rings, the person from the other line answer.
"Yes, Princess?" He was softly laughing from the other line.
"You!"
"What? Me?" He even laughed harder.
"You make me nervous. But I'm happy. Thank you, Ice prince. I am really happy. Really happy." She's sobbing again.
"Hush Baby. I adopt Dylan to make you happy. But it turns out that he always make you cry. Maybe adopting him is bad-"
"No! These are tears of joy. Please don't take him away from me." She released an awkward laugh.
"Fine. If you say so." He smiled on the other line.
"Are you busy right now?"
"Slight. Why?"
"I wanted to see you."
"I could go there if you want to. I'm done for today. We still have 7 long hours."
"No. Maybe I'll go there instead. You are working. I don't want to cause trouble again."
"That's ok Baby. For you. Anytime. Anywhere."
"Your fond of calling me, Baby. I noticed that if you're not aware of it."
"You didn't like it?"
"Well."
"Well?"
"It's ok. But I prefer the princess over that."
"Ok. But can I call you with both endearments?"
"Baby? Hhmmm. That's not bad. If that's what you want. Go ahead."
"Ok baby."
"I'll just feed Dylan, and by the way, did you buy him a cage?"
"Yep. In your bedroom."
"Ok. Thanks again, Ice prince. See you later! I love you! Bye!"
"I love you too princess. See you later." He softly whispered.
After she ends the call, she put down Dylan on the floor. "You want to eat delicious food Dylan?"
The dog cheerfully barks as if he's responding from her. She smiled at him. "Thank you, ice prince. Thank you for keeping me happy."