Se-Young made the most pitiful face of the century, holding her hands together and shaking her head, she did not want to worry Jung-Nan and get her worked-up at the mention of Se-Jung's name.
Dong-Hoon sighed shaking his head. “She is fine, there is a lot of extra work today... yes, I will make sure to bring her safe and sound.” he gave a smug look to her and cut the call.
Clearing her throat, Se-Young said, “Thank you.”
“Your welcome Miss Unconscious.”
“Are you making fun of me now.” she said offended. “Then what? How many times you fainted since we met?” Dong-Hoon raised his eyebrows, mocking her.
She looked away protruding her lips, pouting a bit. “Don’t do that or I will kiss you.” he sounded serious and Se-Young hurriedly slammed her palm on her mouth protecting her lips.
Dong-Hoon slightly laughed at her actions. “Who knows I might have taken advantage while you were unconscious.” he shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly.
“No, you did not.” Se-Young looked at him dumbfounded. Dong-Hoon laughed slightly shaking his head and leaned closer to her.
“I have informed Mr. Lee about our visit. We can come and talk to him tomorrow.” Se-Young blushed at the proximity he was creating that the mention of her father's name did not feel sad to her. “O... o... ok, thank you.”
“Tsk, don’t say thank you, just be my girlfriend.” he winked at her, he can not let go of the chances when she is voluntarily letting him stay by her side.
“psttt, in your dreams.” Se-Young looked away clearing her throat, clearly embarrassed.
“Oh, in my dreams we are already married with our two little ones.” said Dong-Hoon proudly while she was just dumbfounded at that man’s humor.
...
Se-Young and Dong-Hoon were on their way back home when Dong-Hoon noticed Se-Young had not fastened her seatbelt while she was thinking about something, deep into her thoughts.
He unfastened his own seatbelt and moved his right hand towards her to do it for her.
She flinched when his arms crossed her view to the seat belt and grabbed his hand in reflex, which was already holding the belt. Dong-Hoon widened his eyes at the coldness of her hand. “I... I will do it.” she was blushing hard once again.
Dong-Hoon smiled and took back his hand straitening his back. When Se-Young was done with the seatbelt he grabbed both of her hands and put them around his warm neck while cupping her hands into his. “Your hands are cold.” he winked at her.
“It’s... fine.” Se-Young tried to take her hands back but it was in vain. “No, it is not fine and I wanted to tell you that I will get a room for Se-Won in Seoul National Hospi...” before he could complete the word Hospital, Se-Young shook her head in denial.
“You don’t need to.” Dong-Hoon blinked twice looking at her. “Why?” he asked thinking that she did not want his help because she might have a high pride.
“I will do that myself since it is about my family. You need to just... just... stay beside me.” she looked away as redness crept her cheeks.
Dong-Hoon was amused hearing that and decided to tease her. “Se-Young-ssi, don’t you think you are using me? You know that I like you.” her face and heart both dropped as a wave of guilt struck her. She bit her lips in embarrassment.
Dong-Hoon silently laughed and said, “Don’t worry, you can use me. After all, waiting is the biggest exam of love.” he cheekily smiled at her while she being a red tomato took her hands back from him harshly.
“They are not cold anymore.” she was slightly smiling looking outside through the window and without even realizing she had started to break the promise she made with herself to not get involved with a man romantically.
…
In the morning, Tae-Hoon woke up early, he was still on Hani’s bed.
He got out of the bed and covered Hani properly with the blanket. He just stood there looking at the sleeping face of his wife, thinking about last time. He felt guilty towards Ji-Hoon, guilty to feel flutters in his abdomen.
He lightly slapped his cheeks with both of his hands and shook his head. “Get it together Tae-Hoon, get it together.” he scolded himself and after that, he decided to avoid her gaze for as long as he can.
…
Dong-Hoon and Se-Young went to the hospital again and Se-Jung was there as well. “I... will transfer him to Seoul National Hospital, it will be better for him.” Se-Young said avoiding the gaze of her father while caressing her brother’s head who was sleeping soundly.
While Dong-Hoon was standing aside, making sure that there will not be any ruckus between them. “I am thankful to you, really really thankful... and I am sorry as...” Se-Young cut him off before he could play the sorry card in front of her.
“I don’t need your sorry or thank you, keep them to yourself. I am just doing this because he happened to be my brother.” she gulped trying to swallow the lump in her throat along with the saliva but it just would not work.
Se-Jung just dropped his head in shame. “I always thought, I was alone suffering because of you but this guy is suffering as well alongside me.” she was still caressing Se-Won’s hair. She got to know that his mother died two years after giving birth to him because of some genetic disorder, that woman for whom her father left her mother, that woman who was his father’s childhood sweetheart.
“It makes me think that the two of us are bearing the consequences of your sins.” she always wanted to show him that his absence never caused any trouble to her if he happened to face her in the future but now that they were face to face again, she was mocking him trying to show her immense hatred.