Fate

Chapter Eight

"Are you okay?" Jungwon asks a second time. Yumi brings a hand up to her burning cheek. She stares at the man who had just punched her. The man she once loved. Yumi was taken aback by the sudden hand that caressed her cheek. Yumi was suddenly looking into Jungwon's brown eyes that held worry. Her heart began to race out of her chest as her breathing became shallow gasps. She hadn't realized that she was having a panic attack. Jungwon was trying to distract her. And it was working.

"It's okay, just take deep breaths. You got this". He tried calming her down. Yumi took shallow deep breaths feeling her pulse race under her skin. She closed her eyes only listening to Jungwon's calming voice. As she opened them she could breathe a bit better once the nausea began to subside.

"Come on let's get some ice for your wound". Jungwon helps Yumi up to her feet. Still her legs shook, but with his help she could walk some. Yumi felt embarrassed that Jungwon had witnessed her having a panic attack. She hated being vulnerable in front of others. Especially friends or family. Yumi wasn't one to ask for help, but was grateful to have a friend like him. As they made their way by the bar Jungwon walks up to his employee. "We will be in the back room. If you need something call. I won't be long". Jungwon told one of his employees. The man nods eyeing Yumi. They both left for the back room where the inventory was.

Jungwon walks Yumi towards  a desk that was hiding in a corner. "Go ahead and sit, I will get the ice pack". Jungwon spoke as he got her settled. Yumi watched as Jungwon walked towards the fridge to retrieve the ice pack. He hurried back and wraps it in a towel. "The towel should help with not burning your skin". As the ice pack came in contact with her skin, chills went down her spine. Worried eyes trace over her face as they stare at each other.

"Thanks for coming to my rescue. You're not hurt too badly are you?" Yumi asks looking for any signs of damage. Only a few minor scrapes is all that she could see. A sudden smirk plays at his lips before vanishing. "Have you forgotten that I used to do taekwondo growing up? I clan handle myself. It's only when someone close to me gets hurt, that I lose my cool. I am just glad that I was there. That jerk deserves a lesson". Jungwon states. Yumi had to agree, despite she couldn't believe that he would get physical. It wasn't like Sung-min. The Sung-min that she knew was much kinder. "You keep some ice on that. I have to get back to work. Here in a bit my shift ends so I can take you home if you want". Jungwon suggests. "Sure, I would like that".

. . .

Heeseung stirred awake when he could hear voices around him. Judging by the voices he could tell that it was Jake speaking. Through blurry vision Heeseung glances over at Jake. "What is there to say? It's clear that I don't like you. If it weren't for you, Heeseung wouldn't have gotten hurt in the first place. Why you of all people?" Heeseung could hear bits and pieces of the conversation over the  ringing in his ears. He strained to hear, but the conversations was lost when the ringing began to rise. Heeseung closed his eyes as the light began to bother him. Something in him broke when he heard a female voice. One he longed to hear. He didn't realize just how much he had missed Yumi's voice. When Heeseung went to look, there was nobody there. Maybe I had imagined her voice? Or is this all because of the pain meds? Heeseung thought to himself.

The sudden sound of the door closing snapped Heeseung out of his trance. He glances at  his best friend noticing a conflicting look on his face. Jake looked like he was having an internal battle with himself. Jake took a seat in the nearby chair heaving a big sigh resting his head in his hand. Concern filled Heeseung as he observed his friend. Jake was never the worrying type let alone to let things get to him.

"You okay Jake?" Heeseung asks startling Jake. Jake looks up started. "Oh, um yeah I am fine. I see that you are awake". Jake lets out another sigh. Heeseung frowns knowing that he was just lied to. Clearly Jake was not okay.