The Wedding Crashers ⚊ Park Jay [ Sequel ]

✗ eleven ✗

⚊ chapter eleven

I blinked awake, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room blurring my vision. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was, but the sterile smell and the beeping of machines quickly reminded me.

My head felt heavy, and a dull ache throbbed at my temples.

“Eunjoo, you’re awake,” a voice whispered, relief clear in the tone. I turned my head slowly to see Isa and Yoon, both sitting at my bedside with worry etched on their faces.

Behind them, Jay stood with his arms crossed, his expression tight with concern.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice raspy and weak. I struggled to sit up, but Yoon gently pressed me back down.

“You passed out in the lobby,” Isa explained softly. “You’ve been out for a few hours. The doctor said it was just stress and fatigue, but…” She glanced at Jay, and I noticed the tension in his jaw.

Jay stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “You need to take it easy, Eunjoo. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

I wanted to argue, to tell them I was fine, but the truth was I felt exhausted—more than I should have.

“I’m okay,” I mumbled, trying to convince myself as much as them.

Jay’s eyes softened as he sat on the edge of the bed, taking my hand in his.

We’d been together for two years now, and I could read his worry as easily as if it were written on his face. “Eunjoo, please. You’ve got to stop overworking yourself. What if this happens again?”

His voice was gentle, but there was an edge of frustration in it, and I knew he was scared. I squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, Jay. Really. I just need to rest.”

As I lay there, the events of the past few months began to blur together in my mind.

The night had begun in laughter and celebration, the kind of easy joy that comes when you're surrounded by friends and a few too many drinks. Jay and I had been together for two years, our relationship solid and full of love, but tonight was different.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the way the room seemed to spin around us, but something had shifted.

We had been at a Jake's mom's prenuptial party, and the world had blurred together in a haze of music and chatter. Jay had been by my side all night, his arm around me as we navigated through the crowd.

The warmth of his presence was comforting, and the way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat.

By the time we stumbled into the quiet solitude of his apartmenr, I was pleasantly drunk, the edges of my world softened by the alcohol. Jay had helped me to the couch, his touch gentle and caring as he sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee.

"You're gonna be okay," Jay murmured, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through the fog of my inebriation.

His fingers brushed against my skin, sending tingles up my leg.

I nodded, though my thoughts were hazy, and leaned into him. The room seemed to sway slightly, and I let out a soft giggle.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice slurring just a little. "Just a bit tipsy."

Jay smiled, his eyes warm and full of affection. "I can see that," he said, his hand moving up to cradle my cheek. "But I’m here, okay? I’ll take care of you."