The car ride went quick and silent. Yana refused to go to the hospital. She could treat herself at home. She couldn't afford to go to the hospital, although the EF provided her with a fake identity, it was a hassle to deal with them and it was easy for Novom to track her.
Although it wasn't safe at Yana's place too, at least it was easier to defend herself there than at the hospital.
"Just drop me off," Yana saw that Jin wanted to park and quickly refused the idea.
"You're hurt and-"
"You care?"
Jin sighed and stopped his car. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Yana, "At least, you don't want to be suspicious?"
Yana appreciated that Jin wasn't pulling off his usual 'My Lady' act and got out of the car without saying anything. She banged the door shut and painfully slowly made her way to her apartment. Yana didn't care about the looks of the onlookers, she just wanted to go back home before she collapsed and fainted.
Just as Yana put her hand on her doorknob, sounds of a door opening appeared next to her. Yana's eyes widened just as Luka's did as well and instantly, Yana rushed to open the door and escape from Luka, but with her bruised body, Luka was faster than her.
He squeezed himself through the gap and closed the door behind him. Then he stretched out his arms approaching Yana who gradually backed off until she hit the sofa and had nowhere else to go but to fall into Luka's arms.
The warmth, the soft embrace and the feeling of undeniable security made Yana weaker than she was in her state. Tears ran down her face as she couldn't help but cry. The tears she thought she had thrown away, all came running back to wet Luka's shirt.
Yet all Luka did was to stroke her hair, kiss her head and whisper sweet words of how everything was going to be alright.
Yana's appearance almost gave Luka a fright. The splatters of blood on her face, the bruises covering her entire body, the dirt that clung to her, the wound on her leg that turned to dry crust and the obvious male jacket around her shoulders.
All Luka wanted to do right now was to coax the shaken bunny in his arms and see her feisty attitude again.
All he wanted was to make her feel better. Seeing Yana like this, hearing her heartbreaking cries was wrenching his soul and stomped it down the gutter.
"Let's get you treated and-"
"No," Luka's warm voice was met with Yana's cold but helpless one.
Luka instantly understood. Yana had her reasons. Just like she always had.
"I'll call a doctor, rest assured, no one will know, I will make sure of it," Luka coaxed her very gently as if she was a kid but Yana felt better.
She enjoyed him treating her so preciously.
Yana wanted to trust Luka more but felt afraid of it. Although Paul said Novom had planned everything, how could Yana be sure Luka wasn't part of it?
However, for now, Yana decided to rule out his possibility. Luka was so good to her, she didn't want to believe he was an enemy.
"Ok?" hearing that Yana didn't give him an answer, Luka cupped her face and made her look at him. He wiped her tears away and put his forehead on hers. Yana was already weak yet with Luka acting like this, Yana was completely rendered unmovable.
She only nodded briefly before she nestled into his embrace refusing to look at him.
Her heart thumped wildly and she squeezed her eyes shut. Right now, she was weak. So weak.
But it felt good. Yana listened to Luka calling someone before he hung up and gave her all of his attention. For some reason, Yana refused to let go of Luka. It was so safe and comfortable.
Her little safe haven. Would she become dependent on Luka?
Every time she fell down, would she come to him craving his touch, his love and ease he could give her? Since when did Yana become so comfortable around him?
Since when did she let her guards down and have him wreck havoc in her life? If-
Yana looked at Luka who smiled and his eyes shone when he saw her- if, if, Luka's feelings were real then would Yana give in?
Maybe... just may-
No these were dangerous thoughts. There was no time for romance but every time Yana fell down, Luka lifted her up. She wanted to give him something back. If only all this didn't exist, if only Novom didn't exist, the EF, if only Yana and Luka were still carefree and brattish uni students, if only the world was normal, if only, if, if, if-
then fate might be benevolent to them. With this last thought, Yana passed out.
When Yana woke up again, it was dark outside. The bed felt soft under her sore body. Her wound was bandaged nicely, her whole body cleaned and now she wore a pyjama. The blanket was pulled over her and protectively, next to her, laid Luka who smiling looked at her.
Yana's first reaction was to cough and turn away but-
"OW," her body didn't think the same. Just recalling how Yana cuddled in Luka's arms and cried pitifully just a few hours ago, made her scowl with embarrassment. Yana has calmed down now-
"Be careful," Luka gently tucked the blanket around her while he pulled her back in his embrace and kissed her neck, "The doctor just took care of your wound. Don't move too much. I've been watching, so you won't unnecessarily move around."
"Thanks," Yana nodded as her face was pressed against his chest before he gave her a bit of space.
"The nurse cleaned you. I made sure no one will know about this," Luka's whisper was too charming and healing for Yana's soul. Why? She wanted to ask but knew the answer she got and the reaction she had to give Luka would disappoint both of them.
So, Yana only said, "Thanks" again.
"Are you hungry? It's best if you replenish. Wait a second," Luka cautiously stood up and came back a few minutes later with a bowl of soup. Then he propped Yana up and held the spoon in front of her.
"I can eat on my own," but her arms betrayed her.
Luka only smiled knowingly, "Ah~"
Yana swore she would get back at him for this but she still obediently opened her mouth.
One spoon after another, Luka's satisfaction rose while Yana started to debate if she shouldn't use Luka as a butler but that thought went away as fast as it came.
She stared at Luka's serious and enthusiastic face giving her the best care and thought it was ok if he pampered her just for today.
"I want dessert."
Luka wiped Yana's mouth, "What dessert do you want?"
Yana turned her head away. This overflowing honey that came out of Luka's eyes felt sticky all around her. She's been trapped.
"Whatever there is."
"Ok but nothing cold."
Yana really wondered what happened to that brat of Luka. Now he was playing nanny. Look at him busying himself in order to attend to every need of hers.
"Stay with me," when it was time to sleep Yana cautiously tugged on Luka's shirt. Luka's heart exploded with joy and Yana saw it. However, as much hope she gave him as much devastation would be left at the end.
It was a cruel thing. Yet Yana was cruel and selfish. She needed him to feel better and then would throw him away when she had to. Even if her heart ached to do so.