. . .
Jin waited a couple hours for Zeirenne's return.
"That was a long meeting." She said while stretching.
He examined her carefully and upon closer look, proved his initial observation correct. She was indeed paler than usual.
"You look pale. How are you feeling?"
"I do?" She checked her reflection with her phone, "Ahh… must be from that guy's attack."
Jin furrowed his brows. "Attack? What attack?"
Being reminded of that faithful encounter, she pressed her lower abdomen, feeling the pain out. "It's nothing, just a little numbing sensation and some slight throbbing here and ther- w-what are doing?"
Without leaving her some time to protest, he took her by the hand, fast on his tracks as they stormed out of her office.
Dorothy who stood straight out of habit couldn't finish her greetings as they boarded the elevator in no time.
"Where are we going," she asked in a calm voice, already used to countless and unexpected dragging around whenever she's with him.
"I'm taking you to the hospital."
Her eyes widen in surprise, "Are you serious? You know we can't do that."
"It's fine, I own this one. We're safe."
She surveyed his face, not sure if she should believe him or not.
After a few minutes, Zeirenne found herself sitting in front of a doctor's office with the signboard Esmeralda Tan-Obstetrician Gynecologist written in Helvetica.
"Wow never expected to be here." She whispered to herself.
Jin frowned, his forehead creased with lines, "Why not?"
"Uhm...Because I don't have such PLANS?"
He cleared his throat, "Fine, but we can never be too sure." Gazing into the farthest hallway afterwards.
"What do you mean WE? It's my very own reproductive system we're talking about."
He evaded the question, letting them pass from one ear to another. Fortunately, he was saved by the bell as the medical assistant called for the next patient, "Miss Zeirenne Lin?"
"Go inside, I'll wait here."
Although hesitant to leave him behind, she still stood with an "Okay," just to be stopped by a nurse upon her entry.
"If would be better to come in with your husband."
"He's not my husband, I'm not a married woman." she corrected.
The nurse nodded before leading her inside.
"Good Afternoon, Miss Lin. What's the reason for this visit?" The doctor greeted her as she sat on a chair.
"So there was this terrible guy—ABSOLUTELY RUDE. I don't know why but during an intense fight, he kinda had the need to hit me where he shouldn't so I'm here to have things checked," she rehearsed INSIDE HER MIND.
Sometimes, truth can be harder to digest and may cause more confusion than necessary so she went with a lame excuse instead.
"Well ahh...right you see... We were playing this INTENSE game of dodge ball and there was of course a bunch of dodging and throwing. Before I knew it, I was hit in my abdomen and I've been feeling a numbing pain ever since."
Dr. Esmeralda somewhat found this believable as she nodded her head, "And when did this happen?
Basically, it all happened within the unholy hours of this morning but "Who plays dodgeball at 2 o'clock?" She asked herself before spewing another lie, "Yesterday... I think."
"Okay, and when did you have your last period?"
"I can remember starting this year with a surprise."
Dr. Esmeralda nodded, "It's a natural thing to feel some numbing pain but we have to do some tests just to be sure."
After an hour, Zeirenne came out with a worn-out expression. Exhausted from having to go through countless tests.
On the other hand, Jin who had been waiting at his wit's end, assumed something different upon seeing her.
"Why? What's wrong? What happened?" He queried in a soft voice.
Zeirenne rubbed her eyes (both to confirm if she was really seeing such a delicate version of Jin and at the same time, from having real-tired droopy eyes)
"It's fine. There's nothing wrong."
"And?"
"And they told me to just get plenty of rest unless I don't have such PLANS and I never really had such PLANS so now I don't know."
"Stop saying that. Let's go." He said, dropping the conversation.
After a short ride, the car pulled up in front of CF&H Headquarters.
Zeirenne wondered why they were there but still followed Jin in silence.
She thought he only had something to grab and they'd go home right away; but thought otherwise upon seeing him positioning himself on a black swivel chair, looking all ready to handle some towering stacks of work.
"I still have some work to do," he said skimming through the folders and she raised an eyebrow from the 'some.' She thought TONS would be the fitting adjective.
Checking her watch, it was already 24 minutes past seven. She tallied every folder on the table, estimating the time he'd finish everything.
"If I can finish those stacks in five hours then Jin can finish them in one." She told herself, amazed with her ratio and proportioning skills.
She went around his office for a few minutes before being overcome by drowsiness.
"Wake me up when you're done." she yawned before stretching herself on the sofa at her own comfort.
After a few seconds, Jin closed a folder at hand to check if she was really asleep before calling someone on his phone. "Bring them inside, Colton."
As soundless as possible, Assistant Colton came inside his CEO's office carrying pillows and a blanket. Mr. Yang asked him to prepare them beforehand with a message that said: Bring all the papers inside my office.
He thought his boss would pull an all-nighter just to find out everything was for a little skit—which he found very reasonable (and sweet).
He knew from his first meeting with Miss Lin how words like "You should rest" never works on such a strong personality. Ever since that moment, he predicted Mr. Yang's extra efforts for this very extra person.
Mr. Yang didn't have any intention of doing paperwork, he only pretended so Miss Lin could rest. That's a simple logic anyone can understand. Anyone but her.
Upon finishing his task, he stepped out of the room and stood guard in front of the door. Without even being inside, he could picture his CEO tucking the Young Miss under the covers.
Meanwhile, inside the office, the scenario in his head started unfolding one by one.
After securing Zeirenne in her sleep, Jin pulled a seat closer to her side. He sat on his toughest guard, ready to catch her incase she rolls over in her sleep.
If the paperworks could think on their own, they'd probably complain being set aside after being used as props.
They used to have their CEO's full attention from morning till late night. He reads them for breakfast, reviews them at lunch and have them signed by dinner.
They accompany him all the time but never in his sleep. He could have had an easier time if they did but only the sad memories appear in his dreams. Sad memories he enjoys with every second—the only seconds he gets to see the person he's been missing the most.
Now that she's here in front of him, everything flashed before his eyes. The longing, frustration, desolation, despair...the list could go on but every sad word in the dictionary would never suffice.
On one side of his brain was contentment from having her by his side but the darker part was wrapped with an overwhelming fear. Fear that someday, he'll have to rely on his memory again just see her face.
Lost in his thoughts, four hours passed and the sleeping beauty finally opened her eyes.
. . .