Eight Shots of Espresso | Na Jaemin

Chapter 28

"I heard from my butler that the hospital staff had to sedate Jaemin. What happened?"

It was nighttime and you were eating dinner inside the hotel room. Jae Sook wasn't able to meet you because of his busy schedule. Since you couldn't speak the language, you contented yourself admiring the city view instead of braving the streets in a cold night.

"I wasn't able to talk to him. A lot of things happened earlier but I'm sure your butler already filled you with everything. I'm sorry, I'll come back tomorrow."

"That's alright. I already saw this coming, it's not as easy as we thought. I will send my butler to you tomorrow morning, same time. Have a good night."

When the phone call ended, you sighed and stared at the dark horizon.

Pushing yourself up, you got a notebook from the drawer you found and a pen you accidentally packed inside your luggage. Talking to him tomorrow would surely jam your brain and writing a guide of what you would say was the best idea you could ever do.

You couldn't help but feel the same way as Lia. You hoped that a miracle would happen and everything would stop.

You busied yourself writing the things you wanted to say, reminders, advices, and a farewell note.

Because no matter how much you tried to hold on, this little time you had will end soon and you wouldn't see him again.

Before you knew it, morning came and you were facing the mirror, waiting for the butler to fetch you and drive you to the hospital. Your eyes were void of any emotions, dark circles were even two shades darker than usual. The notes you wrote all night were safely tucked in the pocket of your coat. There was also a letter that you wrote for him. There was no guarantee what would happen after you talk to him. After all, only he had the power to save himself, his health at least. You had to talk to him as soon as possible before the knowledge about his health would reach his grandfather. Once the Chairman intervened, there was no hope for you.

Soon enough, the butler arrived and you were now inside the car, watching the scenery outside. It was beautiful but you couldn't fully appreciate it for you felt like you were walking to your own death. Or rather walking to a situation that would kill a part of you. You would be able to steal a little of his time then go back to your normal life, the world where you truly belong, and you'd never see him again. A part of you didn't want that time to come.

What if I jump out of the car? You thought.

"We're here, young lady," the butler called out your attention. You removed the seatbelt and stepped out of the car, the cold breeze was colder than yesterday. You hugged yourself to keep yourself warm as you followed the butler's track.

"Are you ready?" the butler asked.

"Ready as I can be."

"I'll be outside the room. You can call me if you need anything."

"I will. Thank you so much."

"I'm just doing what I have to do."

"No, really. Thank you so much. This might be the last time I will see you, or him. Then I will go back and bury everything in my memories."

The butler gave you a sympathizing look. He had served the Na family for long to witness what kind of situation Jaemin had been. He also saw how his young master struggled just to see you, be with you, to the point that his father had to personally ask for yourself. But that's all he could do, sympathize.

You twisted the handle and pushed the door open. You peeked inside and found Jaemin leaning on a stack of pillow while reading a thick book. He looked up to see who it was, expecting a nurse but instead he saw you. It took him a few seconds to process that it was you he was looking at. You closed the door behind you and took small hesitant steps, looking everywhere but him.