Second Arrangement

CHAPTER 13 - JUST A MONTH

ELLIE

After our short date at the cafe, I felt relieved since Jackson didn't think that I was running away for the second time. He even suggested me to go. He could see that it was a good opportunity for me and opportunity like this usually didn't come twice. But I couldn't stop feeling bad for him. He stayed behind for me and I was about to leave him again. Even though it was just for a month, but still.. I was still drowned in my thoughts when Jasper slipped into the seat across of me.

"So," he laced his fingers as he put his arms on the table. "Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes," I nodded. "I decided to take it."

"Nice. I knew you wouldn't let this opportunity go. I'll call my hospital and have someone from the administration to contact you to set up a virtual meeting. You can ask everything about the accommodation, wage and anything else that you want to know on that meeting."

In a blink of eyes, suddenly I was busy arranging for my new temporary work. I had to send notification and arranged my leave at this hospital as well as transferring my patients to my peers during my time away. Then I had to arrange my accommodation for a month and bought a flight ticket. Since I would only be there for a month, I decided to fully stay there for a month rather than going back and forth between Beijing and Seoul. After days spent in arranging everything, I remembered that I haven't told Jackson about it. It was a miracle that he barely bothered me these past few days. Just when I was about to text him, my phone rang and his name popped up on the display.

"Hey, are you busy?" he immediately asked once I picked up the call.

"No, I'm about to leave. I've finished for the day. What's up?"

"Wanna grab a bite? I'll pick you up," he offered.

"Let's just meet up there. Today I drive my own car," I refused his offer. He agreed and texted me the address and I told him I'd be there in thirty minutes. I had a hunch about why he asked to meet up. Once I arrived at the place, I saw his manager standing in front of building and when he saw me, he tilted his head, gesturing me to follow him quietly and I did so. He guided me to a private room at the back where Jackson was waiting inside the room.

"Uh-oh," he immediately said once he saw my face. "Let's order the food first before talking. I bet you have some bad news for me." His face fell a bit and I had to admit he was quick to read my mind. I agreed to order the food first before bearing my news.

"Okay," he sighed once he had finished his salad. "My stomach is full of food, so I guess I can take whatever shit you're going to throw at me."

"Jackson...," I warned him.

"Sorry," he put up his hands in surrender. "Moving on though. What's the news?" He tried to cover his anxiety by putting up a cheerful face. Typical Jackson.

"It's not exactly news," I started. "You knew about it since I've told you at the cafe before." I paused to see him nod. "I decided to take the opportunity." Again, he said nothing and just nodded. "I'll be gone for just a month, so I'll be in China the entire time and go back to Korea after I've finished there."

"Where will you stay?" his face was still flat at the information that I couldn't decide whether he was okay with it, or was he angry at my decision?

"The hospital has some vacant places near the hospital, so I decided to take their offer and stay there."

"Do you need to bring any stuff? Does the place have all you need for a month? Have you checked the place?" I chuckled when he went back to his protective mode.

"No, I don't need to bring anything aside for my clothes. The place has everything that I'll need for the whole month. Minus the groceries, of course. And yes, I've seen the place," I answered all his questions nonetheless.

"Is it secure and safe?" he pestered.

"Yes. Most of the hospital workers stay there, so the building is absolutely safe," I assured him.

"Still, it won't hurt to add more security. Does the place has CCTV?"

"Um," I raked my mind trying to remember the place. I might have provided him with a white lie. I didn't check the place in person. Just from the pictures they sent me and when they video called me from the place. "I think they have it in the hallway, but none inside the unit."

"Then, send me the address and I'll arrange some people to do it before you have to move in."

I gaped, "What? No.. .Jackson..I'll just be there for a month. You don't need to do that."

"Yes, I do. I don't want to be away from you and worry about you at the same time. I need to make sure that you're safe," he raised his finger in warning, "It's not up to discussion."

I cowered once I saw his gaze. His word was final and it was useless to debate him on this matter. He would see whatever he planned to do and made sure that it was done.

JACKSON

I took a deep breath. She lied to me, I could tell. She didn't see the place itself. She couldn't fly to Beijing and back to Korea in a few days. But, at least she already got a place ready. I just needed to make sure that it was safe and secure. Luckily, she didn't argue me on the CCTV matter so I arranged some people to get into it early in the morning tomorrow.

"You're not planning anything else aside from setting up the CCTV, are you?" she eyed me carefully from across the table.

"Well, if I tell you all about it, won't it spoil the element of surprise?" I smirked. She raised an eyebrow but she should've guessed what I was about to do next. "Anyway, when are you leaving? And will it be an exact one month date until you get back?"

"I'm leaving in 5 days and unfortunately, it's not an exact one month date. I'll be back here on the 30th."

I didn't realize she was watching me until she opened her mouth again, "I can see the cog in your brain spinning. Jackson, I warn you.. This is just a month."

"And I'd always say, I don't care," I replied. "I have a house in Beijing as well, so I might or might not coming back home while you're there."

Well, we managed to wrap the dinner in peace. She knew that eventually I would visit her there. Or had a hunch about it. As if Singapore didn't teach her anything. She knew that distance couldn't stop me. And we were talking about Beijing here. Oh, please. That place was my home. And she couldn't stop me from going home. Or visiting her while on my way. There was a little  problem though. When she stepped back on Mainland, my mother would find out about it. It might have slipped my mind not to inform my mother that we were back together. I just didn't want her to be excited when our relationship was just starting again.