Waterfalls || Yeonbin

chapter 14: cold

February 3, 1940

I was going through military strategies since I think Hitler is planning to invade France. They wouldn't do it in the dead of winter, of course. Although, I'm assuming that they're likely to begin and invasion in spring. If I'm being honest, the Maginot line is going to do nothing to stop the Germans. All they're going to do is go around it. Although, they'd have to go through Belgium to do that.

I paused when I heard a knock on my office door, quickly putting away my papers so nobody saw, "Come in!"

The door quickly opened, surprising me at how rushed it seemed. I furrowed my eyebrows, seeing Hugh breathing heavy with all his winter attire still on; gloves, wool hat, heavy coat. Gosh, he looks like he just sprinted here, "Sir." He said, greeting me before taking a few breaths.

I was extremely confused, "What's with the immediacy?"

He swallowed the mucus building up in his throat, "I-It's Soobin... He won't go home."

His statement made me even more confused. I reached into my jacket, taking out my pocket watch to read the time, "It's ten o'clock. Lunch break is at noon—"

"He's sick..." Hugh said, stopping me before I got the wrong idea, "Badly sick. We think he has influenza." I usually hate when people interrupt me, but I put it to the side since it was an urgent matter.

I slightly widened my eyes, instantly worried about him. I was about to dramatically react, as lovers do, but I quickly remembered we have to keep our business private. And if we raise any suspicion, everything we've worked for would be over in an instant.

He seemed perfectly fine yesterday, so what the hell happened? I mean, we weren't with each other last night and I haven't seen him since yesterday, but he still seemed fine. He must have gotten sick overnight, might have left a window cracked open or something of that nature.

"I-I understand that he's eager to work on his machine, but he's not in good form." Hugh added since I waited too long to respond.

I nodded and quietly stood up from my desk chair, making my way over to the coat rack in my office. I grabbed my coat, putting the extra thick layer on as I said, "I'll make it clear that he needs to go home."

I walked back over to my desk, my steps quick so I could get to Soobin faster. I grabbed my uniform hat, putting it on my head before grabbing my earmuffs. I put them over my ears, the band wrapping around my nape. I grabbed my gloves before buttoning my coat, hearing Hugh say, "Joan made him some tea, but he hasn't been doing any better."

I put my gloves on and silently, but quickly, and began walking out of my office and out of the building. My steps were so fast that even Hugh had a hard time keeping up with me. To be fair, I don't think I ever truly let him catch his breath when he came into my office. It was snowing when we walked outside, surprising me since it wasn't this morning. Hugh must've brushed it all off of him when before he came into my office. I shook my head, realizing that I've been so focused on work that I haven't even looked out the window.

I sighed as I kept walking, knowing this frigid weather is only making Soobin's health worsen. I tried not to look like I was worried, but I was worried... a lot. I trudged through the few centimeters of snow, eager to get to him while Hugh was struggling to match my pace.

I stopped when we got to the door, shaking a bit to get the snow off of me, like a wet dog. I heard Hugh's heavy breathing right behind me and I turned the knob, letting Hugh inside first before I entered. I closed the door and turned to everyone, taking my earmuffs off my ears, but still letting them rest around my neck.