"Really?" Was he that unsaved number who had been calling me? The realoization hit me. I don't even have his number yet.
"Since when did you get back together?" she's digging.
"Get back together? Did he say that?" I asked.
"Nope. But he seems a bit uneasy, so I told him you're here and he's coming to pick you up…"
"He cannot pick me up, he is in China." It's too late when I realize that I have blabbered too much.
"Aha! So, you're back together? Why I don't know about this?" This birthday gir looked like this was the biggest gift she had received tonight.
"After all of that hullabaloo of a scandal again. He showed up at the loft Sunday…"I must have smiled a little too provocatively.
"Miss Ara?!!!?" he was astounded. I just smiled coyly.
"I will go now sweety, I don't think I can drink more, and I don't want you to be minding me here all night. Thank you, I had a good time and happy birthday again…"
"Just call him…" she demanded.
I dialed the last number and he finally answered, I don't think he is happy though.
"Hey, I didn't know you're the one calling."
"Well, we have spent the night together and I still didn't earn the right for my number to be saved at your phone?"
"Sorry, I am at Soo-ah's party. So, are you back in Seoul?"
"Yes. I arrived 4 hours ago."
"How are you?"
"Are you staying there?"
"I'm actually going home now; I just need to say goodbye to her guests…"
"Can I talk to Soo-ah for a minute?"
"What for?"
"I forgot to greet her…"
I went out to hand the phone to Soo-ah. Tae-hoon approached me and handed me another shot.
"Come on Ara, this is also a welcome party for you…" I want to decline, but he is being polite. It's good it's only soju now.
"Are you allowed to drink this much? You are a doctor you should always be alert." I commented.
"I am off tomorrow after almost 2 days of no sleep, and I can't pass on this opportunity to drink with a beautiful woman like you," he complimented.
Although, I suspected he is also drunk. After vomiting and washing my face earlier and having some fresh air. I am finally feeling better. I notice that only Han-nah and Roo-ni is left at the table. So, most of her guests are gone now. I was wondering what's taking Soo-ah too long to hand me back my phone. I look around and I can't find her. Did she just forget to give me back my phone? I excuse myself from Tae-hoon and went back inside to look for her, she's not there.
"Did you see Soo-ah?" I asked Roo-ni.
"I think she has to pick up something down…." He replied. So, she forgot to hand me my phone.
"Miss Ara, are you fine now?" Han-nah approached me.
"I'm good, I was not used to drinking beer. I hate the smell more than the taste that's why probably I puked. Are you not working tomorrow?"
"I'm staying with Oppa and Soo-ah here tonight…" she smiled.
"We can share a cab, if you want to go, Ara", Tae-hoon declared.
"She's going with me…" announced a familiar voice. I turned my head by the stairs, Soo-ah really picked-up "something" downstairs. From the reaction of the people in the rooftop, I guess they are as shocked as me, even more so, that they recognize him. He is looking so fresh standing there with his denim pants and a grey shirt covered in beige trench coat, it's hard not to recognize him when he is so tall and elegant standing there. Soo-ah gave me back my phone.
"I told you he's picking you up…" she whispered. She started to introduce Jae-woo to Han-nah and Tae-hoon, since he already knew Roo-ni.
"Whoa, I didn't know you have a boyfriend…" Tae-hoon softly uttered to me, I smile uneasily. Soo-ah came out with my bag and handed it over to me.
"I didn't know I have a boyfriend…" I exclaimed.
"I'm sorry Miss, he is scary when he is demanding…" she teases. Tae-hoon offered Jae-woo a shot.
"I'm sorry. Our car is waiting, probably next time," he politely declined. I said goodbye and hugged and greeted Soo-ah again.
"We'll talk next time…" I whispered. I said goodbye to everyone, and I marched towards the stairs, not acknowledging him. But he held my hands and pulled me towards him.
"That's a long way down if you tripped…" he stated.
"I know but I won't trip." I pulled back my hand to hold the stair railings. Joon-o is waiting downstairs by the car. Of course, he is always with him. He opened the backseat and Jae-woo ushered me first before coming in to seat beside me.
"Can we bring my car?"
"You drove here?"
"It's at the Campus…"
"We'll pass by SNU parking," he notified to Joon. I am waiting for him to talk. But he seemed quiet and I'm trying to hold myself in. I just don't like the feeling of being fetch like a child. It was embarrassing. So, I just stayed quiet, because I don't know how this will unfold.
Joon brought us to the parking area of my college. Jae-woo assisted me to get out of the car. He talked with Joon-o for a while and then he opened the trunk to get his bag. I looked at him with curiosity, he still has a poker face. Then, Joon-o drive away.
"Your keys?" he demanded. I am still looking at him. I handed him the key.
"What do you think you're doing right now?" I finally let out my anger before he can start the car. He looked at me looking a bit flustered.
"Taking you home…"
"I know, but who asked you?"
"You're drunk…" I took a deep breath and looked at him. I met his eyes.
"Hey, how are you? You're back good to see you. Aren't those the typical greetings?" I sarcastically uttered.
"And to be clear, I don't like being fetch and dragged from a party or anywhere like a child and I may be drunk, but I can still take care of myself. You of all people should know that" I know he knew about that night in Copenhagen.
"Since I arrive this evening, I was too excited to see you that the first thing I do is to call, but then you dismissed my call. I was waiting to call you all night, but you were not answering. So, I became irrational when I heard from Soo-ah that you are drinking. And I thought you're busy with something else…"
"Oh, so should I tell you everything I do? Or should I give you my daily schedule form now on?"
"You know what, I'm sorry. It's not my intention to make it look like I'm dragging you out of there…"
"How would I know you're even back; you have not contacted me since you left. You could have just told me when we are talking by the phone that you're coming to pick me up so it will be less awkward to just announce your presence like that. That's embarrassing…"
"Oh, so you're embarrass in front of whom exactly? Is the guy you almost shared a cab with?" there's a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Take me home, I'm tired." I can't really argue right now, since I'm not feeling so good. He started the car.
We arrived at the loft at almost midnight, and that was the longest 20-minute drive, I have experience so far. I felt dizzier now that I have rested for long. I almost fell down if he wasn't alert enough to hold me. I am aware that he is helping me to stand and walk, but I'm much too nauseous to protest. As soon as the elevator door opened by the hallway to the loft, I barely opened the main door before, I took off my boots and my coat and ran to the bathroom. I was hugging the toilet bowl and just vomiting when I felt his hand stroke my back. It only dawned me now, that this is more embarrassing than being fetch from the rooftop. At least I don't get to see the people there when I sober up. But this man stroking my back while I'm throwing up, he is going to be here. I hope.
"You're not drunk, I can see that…" now the mood seemed to calm down. I stood up and washed my face and rinse my mouth. I cleaned the toilet and flushed it down. I went to the kitchen. I wanted a very hot soup right now. I stared at him with steely eyes. I opened the cupboard where Soo-ah filled up with instant noodles.
"Do you want some noodle soup?" I asked out of courtesy. Then he smiled.
"What's funny?" I scoffed.
"You." He replied. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows still sulking. I took 2 packs of ramyun. Then he came towards me and hug my back.
"I didn't know you can be this cute…I'm sorry. I miss you. How have you been?" His mood totally calmed down.
"I'm still mad at you…" I reacted.
"For dragging you at the party, did I interrupt your perfectly smooth flirting with that guy earlier?" I know he's teasing.
"Am I the one flirting? Was it consensual? I'm mad at you for not telling me you're coming home today; you know how I hate surprises…"
"That's why I love surprises, I would have never seen that reaction from you if you knew and I would have not caught how well you can flirt." He's just teasing now. He took out a pot and filled it with water.
"Arggghhhh..I would have gone out with him then…" I wanted to make him irate. But it didn't work.
"I will cook this, go and wash up, you reek of alcohol."
"I know, I hate beer. Just thinking about it and smelling it makes me want to throw up again…"
"Don't take too long, otherwise the noodles will be soggy…"