Mrs. Right

Teddy Bear

Namjoon POV

I was just about to walk with Addy when I heard a man's voice call out "Lemonade?!" Addy turned around, looked at the man, and beamed. She was clearly happy to see him.

"Teddy Bear!" she responded and walked to him to hug him.

I studied him as they hugged. The nicknames they had for each other were interesting. Addy's I understood. Lemonade and Adelaide sounded similar and Addy was refreshing sunshine and sweetness with just a bit of tart. But whoever Teddy Bear was, he didn't seem all that cute and cuddly.

I was a bit jealous at first, which seemed silly. I mean, Addy had just become available--something I never thought would happen until yesterday. I felt guilty for being just a bit hopeful when she revealed to me yesterday that her marriage was in a bad state. I grew even more hopeful when she confirmed the plan to go ahead with the divorce just a few minutes ago.

I was drawn to Addy the first day I met her. I'd be lying if I said I never considered her a potential mate. Her age and marital status had always been a deterrent for me, but there was just something about her. Then, her sudden availability seemed to sweep my apprehensions away. Now, this man was hugging her. As the feeling of jealousy stewed, I felt a certain queasiness in my stomach and began to feel a little light-headed. What kind of physical response to my potential competition was this?

He was tall but shorter than me. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. He had long blond hair pulled back into a ponytail, a goatee, sunglasses propped on his head, and a tattoo on his arm. He looked to be about her husband's age. Add in a bandana and a black leather vest and I would have taken him to be part of a biker gang.

"Ted, I want you to meet someone," she said to him. Ahh--his name was Ted. Now his nickname made more sense. Addy turned to walk toward me and he followed. The man looked at me as he walked toward me and I immediately put two-and-two together. The sprinkling of red hairs peeking out of his blond goatee and a quick glimpse at his eyes told me he was her brother. He had the same beautiful blue eyes as Addy.

"Ted, this is Kim Namjoon. Namjoon, this is my brother, Ted."

Ted reached out to shake my hand with a big smile on his face. "Nice to meet you, Namjoon," he said, shaking my hand firmly. He had the same happy tone to his voice as Addy. It was obvious they were related.

"Nice to meet you, sir," I replied.

"So is this the other man Danny called me about?" Ted turned and asked Addy. Her face turned pale and her eyes grew wide with shock.

"Ted!" she snapped, disapprovingly.

Other man? Did Addy already have someone in her life that we didn't know about?

"I'm just kidding, Addy," he said. "Danny did call me, though. He drunk-dialed me, actually."

"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry, Ted," she said, shaking her head. "He probably thought . . ."

Addy suddenly closed her eyes and braced herself with the wall. "Whew! I guess I'm still a bit dizzy."

Ted gently tried to help steady her by grabbing her waist. "Hey, you okay, Sis?" he asked.

"I feel a little light-headed and queasy, but it's probably just nerves."

"Alright, as long as you are sure. It's important to take care of yourself," Ted stated with a look of concern on his face.

"I know, I know."

"I do have a bone to pick with you, though," Ted added.

"Ted, if it's about Danny, can we talk about this later? I really do want to meet up if we can find the time, but Namjoon and I are on our way to get ready for an interview."

"Sure, sure. The Danny situation can wait. I was just going to complain that you never told me you were in L.A. You know Nicole and the kids would love to see you."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if I would have time. I do miss you all, but our itinerary is so . . . so . . ."

Just then she collapsed, fainting, and he caught her, wrapping his arms around her before she fell to the ground. I helped him lay her gently on the ground. He put his fingers to her wrist and leaned over her mouth to listen.

"Call 911!" he ordered. "Her pulse is weak and she's barely breathing!"

I pulled out my phone and dialed. I gave the dispatcher the information and she said to stay on the line. As I waited, I began to feel woozy. Everything was getting blurry.

"Ted. I don't feel right. I think something's wrong."

He looked up at me with concern. "Stay with me, Namjoon. Is there something you both did together? Someplace you went? Something you both ate or drank?"

"We both drank coffee from room--"

"Fuck! Her heart stopped! She's not breathing!" Ted immediately began chest compressions on Addy. "Stay with me, Namjoon! You've got to stay awake!" he ordered. I leaned myself against the wall and slid down, sitting on the floor of the hotel hallway. I feared I might end up passing out as well.

"Come on, Addy! Come on!" Ted urged as he continued to perform CPR on her. In my last lucid moment, I turned the speakerphone on and set my phone next to Ted. After a few minutes, I saw blurry figures rush to Ted's side and heard him say, "I think they've been poisoned!" I felt a hand touch my wrist and everything went dark.