I'd Take A Bullet For You

Something To Celebrate

"Seri should have listened to you, Abeoji. Choosing to go into law enforcement when she could have had a cushiony life in business is totally absurd. If she had just been a good daughter and followed your plans for her in the company, she would not even be in this situation."

"For once, I agree with Se-hyung, Abeoji."

"How come we are the ones in charge of her hospital bills? Does Seri not have insurance to cover for this?"

"I heard that she took the bullet to save that man who does not leave her side. Do you think they are in a relationship?"

"Are you that naïve? Of course, they are in a relationship! I bet none of you men would even cry like that if it were one of us in Seri's position."

"I would never want you to be in her position, yeobo. How can you even suggest that?"

"No, it was a rhetorical question. You were not supposed to take it seriously!"

"They don't shut up, do they?" Hye-young asks with a scowl on her face. She and Jeong Hyeok are sitting side-by-side on the couch located at the farthest end of the VIP hospital room, away from the squabbling family. After the doctors declared Seri stable enough to be transferred to a recovery room, her father spared no expense and provided his daughter with the best room available in the hospital. Hye-young prefers to be in the dark about how much a night in the luxurious room costs. The facilities are even better than the five-star hotels she has been in.

Jeong Hyeok has two fingers pressed on his temples as he replies, "I don't know if it is the sucking up or the high school flirting that is making my head hurt."

Hye-young looks over and allows herself to appreciate the fresh look Jeong Hyeok is sporting. After having a deeply emotional conversation with his mother, he seemed more at ease and finally acquiesced to her numerous demands. He had the first decent meal he has had since he stepped foot inside the hospital, the first shower he has had since the incident (Hye-young is mostly glad about this one because in all honesty he was starting to smell), and the first good rest he has had in days in his own bed. He came rushing back to the hospital after waking up, looking alarmed but significantly more human, only to be disappointed – yet slightly relieved – that Seri has not woken up yet.

"No, that is caused by the IQ inside this room going down around 30%," she supplies, gesturing at his head to drive her point further. "But don't worry, it will come back up again when they leave around midnight."

Jeong Hyeok snorts out a quiet chuckle before standing up and stretching his lower back. All of the ladies, including her, Seri's sisters-in-law and mother, and the nurses, have been checking him out since he came back from his house. With his face freshly shaven and his silky hair casually brushed back, his already handsome features are further accentuated by the navy button down and dark jeans he chose to wear that showed off his masculine figure. Hye-young decides that Seri is definitely going to have an earful from her for not saying anything about her relationship with this Adonis when she wakes up.

"I'm going down to the cafeteria to get something to eat," he tells her. "Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks," she smiles, relieved that his appetite seems to be going back to normal.

He nods before heading towards Seri's bedside. Hye-young watches as the attention of the crowd lounging on the couches near the hospital bed shifts over to Jeong Hyeok. He places a hand on the crown of her head and murmurs something in her ear before giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. Hye-young bites back a grin when he respectfully bows to her stunned family before turning towards the door. With amusement, she notes how one sister-in-law starts fanning her flushed face while the other hides a smile behind her hand. The moment Jeong Hyeok steps out of the room, the wife of Seri's oldest brother starts twittering about how handsome and sweet he is, earning a sharp glare and a jealous tirade from her husband. The family's conversation starts again with an uproar and succeeds in wiping the smile off of Hye-young's face.