IN THE EYES OF LOVE: Book 1 (Choi Seungcheol)

07. Head Over Heels

My eyes try to adjust to the brightness as I look around the room I had woken up in; my mouth feels dry. I let out a small huff of breath and sit up; the door opens, and I turn to see Jihoon walking in with a bouquet. "Thank God you're awake," Jihoon said, rushing to the bedside. "What happened?" I asked with furrowed brows. Jihoon set the flowers on my lap, "You had a seizure. Do you remember what happened Mitxy?" He asked. That explains the bruise on my arm; I let out a long sigh. I shake my head, "I don't know. One minute, I'm talking to Seungcheol, and now I'm awake in a hospital bed." I said.

Jihoon stands up quickly, "Seungcheol came looking for you?" He asked. I nodded and picked up the glass of water on the drawer, "What did you two talk about?" Jihoon asked. I lay back down after drinking water; he fixes the bed sheets. "We were trying to put our differences aside, but he made it worse. That's all I remember," I said, stopping myself from saying more; Jihoon sighed. "Then whatever you and Seungcheol spoke about might've caused the seizure, Mitxy," Jihoon said with worry in his tone; I shook my head. "It wasn't because of Seungcheol or the conversation we had, and it could've—I've been suppressing my emotions for months, and maybe that's what caused the seizure. My mind must've been exhausted." I said.

The door opens, and we both turn to look at the person who walks in, "Wonwoo? I thought you were busy with the diagnostics." Jihoon said. Wonwoo closes the door behind him; I lay back down, tired and unsure if Wonwoo should be here. I feel annoyed knowing Seungcheol was entirely right about the whole Wonwoo situation, "How are you feeling?" Wonwoo's voice drowned Seungcheol's voice in my head. I looked at him and faked a smile, "I'm okay," I said, keeping the answer short. Jihoon grabs his coat, "I have to go let Joshua know you're awake; he's been on edge all day." He said, kissing my temple and bidding farewell to Wonwoo before leaving the room.

I mentally curse at him for leaving me alone with Wonwoo; I sit up properly as Wonwoo takes a seat on the now empty chair. I watch him set the flowers next to the ones Jihoon brought, "You didn't have to bring flowers." I said. Wonwoo smiles as he lifts his glasses, "Flowers are used for every occasion..." He said. I let out a small chuckle, "Not many do; what brings you here anyway?" I asked. Wonwoo laughs stiffly, "I can't come to check on you? I didn't know I needed permission for that..." He said with a scowl. I gave him a perplexed look, "I—I didn't mean it like that; it's more like why are you here rather than—" Wonwoo laughed again. "Mitxy, I'm merely teasing you...also, the nurse wanted me to give this to you." He said, holding out Rose; my eyes swelled up in tears as I sat up. "I—I didn't realize she wasn't resting on my chest," I said, taking the necklace from his grasp.

Wonwoo looks at the necklace, "How—" I clipped the necklace on. I sniffed softly, "In an accident, she was eighteen." I said, fixing Rose to rest against my chest. "I was driving that night...I blame myself for it deeply." I whispered. Wonwoo's eyes were glossy as they met mine. "Joshua says it's not my fault, but I was there that night; no one knows what happened..." I said; Wonwoo exhaled softly. "What exactly makes it your fault, if you don't mind me asking," Wonwoo said; I wiped away the tears. I let a shaky breath escape my lips, "I was distracted by Rose's cries, and I didn't realize there was an oncoming car driving at such a speeding rate. The car collided with us, I didn't know how bad it was until I woke up in the hospital with IVs and a neck brace. I also had no idea Rose was in a very critical state," I said feeling the memories flood in like heavy rain.

Wonwoo had gotten closer to the bed, "I would visit her every day in the hospital till her vitals eventually came crashing down. That's when I realized she didn't want to keep holding on; I mean Rose in the blink of death, no matter the situation and no matter what surgery they would suggest. I blamed myself because if I had seen the car, I would've stopped just in time to save us both." I said as the familiar heavy feeling came, crushing my chest. Wonwoo's face was filled with worry, and his lips parted lightly. "I—" a knock interrupts him; I look at the door with furrowed brows.

My heart was pounding against my ribcage as his eyes never left mine, "What are you doing here, Seungcheol?" Wonwoo asked as he stood up. Seungcheol's eyes looked empty as they glanced at Wonwoo, "I need to talk to Mitxy..." His voice was so monotone it sent chills down my spine as Seungcheol stepped inside the room. Wonwoo scoffs and gives him a questioning look, "Alone..." Seungcheol said, gesturing to the door. I look at Wonwoo, "I'll be fine..." I spoke with a small smile. Wonwoo sighed and nodded as he grabbed his lab coat, "Call me if you need anything." He said with a smile, but the moment Wonwoo turned to Seungcheol, his sweet side disappeared.

Seungcheol scoffs and shakes his head once the door is shut, "You do have terrible taste in men," He says as he stands by the foot of the bed. I send him a glare, "You wanted to talk...then talk." I said. Seungcheol raised his hands in defense, a smirk dancing on his lips. "I only want a favor from you, nothing more, nothing less." He said, crossing his arms. I noticed his black turtle neck was tight against his arms, revealing his well-built body.

I shook the thoughts away, "A favor? After you insulted me, you expect me to do you a favor?" I asked as my blood ran cold, watching him become impatient. Seungcheol walks over to the window, "I wasn't insulting you; I was only stating facts." He said. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "What kind of favor? What kind of favor are you asking for that has you so impatient?" I asked. Seungcheol chuckles and turns his gaze to me, "I only need a yes or no Mitxy..." He said.

I shake my head, "Not until you've explained the kind of favor." I said. Seungcheol sighed and walked back to where he had stood before, "I need you to be my date for my family's 20th celebration party..." Seungcheol said. I let out a small laugh escape my lips. His eyes were unreadable. The corner of his lips twitches, "Oh, you're being serious...wow," I let out, feeling millions of emotions. I look at him, "20th celebration party?" I asked. Seungcheol nods lightly, "My family is celebrating my grandfather's 20th business anniversary on Friday..." He explained. I sighed, "I don't see what that has to do with me; why can't you just go alone?" I asked. Seungcheol rubs his forehead in frustration, "Because my grandfather, uncle, and aunt expect me to bring a plus-one to the party." He said. I gave him a look that screamed 'I hate you already'.

"Why me? Why not Nayeon? Or you could always take Daphne." I said, fiddling with Rose. Seungcheol rolled his eyes. "I could've, but my mother and Christopher have been talking..." He pauses and catches my gaze; I let a small groan escape. "And he mentioned about setting you up with me....god damn it, Chris," I muttered. "It's just one night..." Seungcheol said with annoyance in his tone. I bit my lip, Mrs. Choi is already expecting him to bring me to the party. For his sweet caring mother, I'll do it.