Chapter 17

"Give me this piece."

Zen cut the big piece of meat into two and scooped them together carefully with rice and then fed them to Ha Eun. While Zen's at it, Ha Eun might as well be little bit picky. He won't get angry after all.

Zen had not let Ha Eun move a single muscle. When her hair gets in the way of her eating her breakfast, Zen tied her bangs up in a bun. When she took them off and they went crazy curly, Zen carefully combed them over. When a piece of food fell inside her top, Zen (happily) picks them up and eats it himself. When she wants to brush her teeth, Zen insists on bringing the bathroom to her: cups, water basin and all, he even insisted on doing it.

Yoosung dropped by again in the morning before going to his workplace. The first he wants to do was to hug Ha Eun out of worry, but not before Zen stopped him first.

"No touching, Yoosung, you'll open up the wound!", said Zen.

"Don't listen to him, he's just being paranoid.", replied Ha Eun.

"No, it's safety precaution!"

Yoosung laughed at the two, he was amazed at how positive they were even in such situations. His goal is to be like them some day. Yoosung then have breakfast together with the two. At least Ha Eun can take a break from the overly protective Zen.

"I was really shocked when Jaehee suddenly logs in and told me about it.", said Yoosung.

"Can you imagine how I feel?!", yelled Zen.

"You are truly a daredevil, Ha Eun."

Ha Eun just smiled awkwardly to the two men.

Zen doesn't even leave Ha Eun to go the toilet, he waited when Yoosung came. Worse was when he called for the nurse in the morning and ordered the nurse to stay and watch Ha Eun while he take a quick shower. Ha Eun swears the nurse looked like she wanted to beat the living daylight out of Zen until he stops being such a paranoid man.

When it was time to change the dressing, the nurse closed the curtains and told Zen to go out. Zen wanted to stay, because well he's seen more than that. But he still leave, before the nurse really beats him.

Eat, talk, sleep, and repeat.

Until its lunch time again.

"So, can you tell me what did you while I'm away?", asked Zen.

"I did a lot of things actually.", answered Ha Eun after gulping down her food.

"I just keep working, it's no fun without you."

"So, first things first. I quit my old job and got the new position."

Zen's eyes changed into sparkles. Their long ordeal was not for nothing.

"Congratulations! I'm very happy for you.", said Zen,"... I want to hug you tight and throw you around, but I shouldn't."

"That's why I was thinking of surprising you in the meet and greet but who knows this'll happen. And I actually quit several weeks ago so I had a lot of time in my hand. I went to places and I feel bad for keeping Driver Kim busy all the time."

Zen scooped another rice with soup and fed it to himself this time. Ha Eun never finishes her meal due to the portion so it's his job to clean it up.

"I bought a lot of clothes, regretfully.", Ha Eun said.

"You shopped again? And a lot?"

Ha Eun gave an apologetic smile towards the surprised Zen.

"How are you supposed to fit them all now?"

"... Somehow?"

Zen gave a hopeless sigh and continued chewing his food. But Zen looked at the bright side, at least she went out for a stroll rather than locking herself up at home feeling lonely all the time. Even though he is jealous that he couldn't accompany her.

"But there's something more too.", said Ha Eun.

"What?"

"I...I kind of bought you a....."

"A what?", asked the curious Zen.

"A piano!"

"WHAT?"

The food plate almost flew from Zen's hand. A whole new batch of new clothes, okay, he'll make room for it, keep away his old costumes. A whole new piles of books, okay, the sofa can go, his fan gifts can go into the storage. But a piano? What is he supposed to do? Make a new room?

"But it's the upright model, so it doesn't really take space. We can sack my study and I'll move all the stuff to my new workplace.....", continued Ha Eun.

Zen pinches Ha Eun's nose with a small force enough she groaned lightly.

"Why would you go and buy a piano for me?", asked Zen again, more seriously this time.

"Well, so you can practice. It's a skill not many people know about you, and I want you to show them that you are not just a pretty face."

"Am I not a pretty face?", asked Zen jokingly.

"You are handsome, oppa."

Zen gave a happy smile to Ha Eun. Well, he saw the apartment Jumin lent Ha Eun, and it was a total contrast to the place they are living in now. They have managed the space by moving some things to a separate storage where Zen used to keep his motorbike. Maybe they should move somewhere soon?

"And I found my mother.", Ha Eun said, less jumpily this time.

"You do? How... How is she?"

"She is abroad, it's a search Seven and I did together. Apparently she moved abroad several years after she left me. And now, she's married with a university professor, of course. No children. She still dedicates her life to science. That's basically all I know until now."

"You didn't contact her?" ,asked Zen carefully.

"No, I'm afraid I will ask her why didn't she come and look for me. But it's nothing now. Without it, I won't be here with you, right?

Ha Eun worked up a smile but deep inside her eyes, Zen knew she felt sadness inside. Zen leaned forward and protects her in a gentle embrace.

"And I kind of made up with my father?", said Ha Eun, next to Zen's ears, "And I know that you lied to me."

Now is Zen's turn to look apologetic.

"I know you lied to protect me. Don't worry, I'm not mad. We talked it out and resolved our problems. He's still not the best person around but at least he's changed a bit. And I had been angry with him for far too long."

Ha Eun took Zen's hand and looped her fingers around his.

"Thank you so much for everything you've done for me."

Seven didn't come to expect this scene.

"Uhhh, I think I better return later..."

Ha Eun immediately pulls away from Zen. Face bright red after Zen's passionate kiss. Zen got off the bed and placed the food plate back at the tray.

"Seven! You should've knocked.", said Ha Eun.

"I did, I thought you won't be able to hear the knock because of how big this room is!"

"I'm sorry.", replied Ha Eun.

"And what's with your hair?"

"Oh, Zen tied it up. It's easier to do things."

Zen moved forward and gather his courage. Well, it was his fault. He need to man up and correct them.

"Seven.", called Zen.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry about yesterday."

"What about it?"

Ha Eun looked at the two men standing at each side of her bed, not knowing what had happened between them.

"I'm sorry I got angry at you.", said Zen.

"It's fine. I didn't take it seriously."

"What is this? You got angry at Seven? Is this because he told me that fan's address?", asked Ha Eun.

"Yes. But it was wrong on my side.", said Zen.

"Ha Eun, don't get too worked up about it.", replied Seven.

"Oppa, I don't like it when you're like that.", said Ha Eun.

Seven gave an awkward look at Zen, he felt like Zen is getting a scolding because of him.

"I punish you to go clear your head!", Ha Eun said and pointed at Zen.

"What? Me?"

"Yes you!"

Seven gave a chuckle at the playing-stern Ha Eun. The hopeless Zen gives in and sighed.

"Fine. I'll be quick. Seven, please take a look after her.", said Zen.

"Of course."

Zen lazily exits the room, looking back at Ha Eun and Seven who are all-smiles.

"You really don't have to do that.", said Seven after Zen left.

"No, I needed that. He's being paranoid, it's suffocating."

"But you just had a hot make-out session with him."

Ha Eun's face turn bright red immediately and she shot an angry look at Seven.

"That's different!"

Seven pulls a chair closer to the bed and leaned on the bed railings.

"Do you know that we share the same blood type?", asked Seven.

"We do? Is that why we get along so well?

"Maybe."

Ha Eun shakes her hands and feet, relieving the tension and stiffness from all the sleeping.

"Zen doesn't let me do anything. I feel so stiff.", said Ha Eun.

She tried to lift her arm to give her torso a stretch. But not before groaning with pain at the pressure on her wound.

"Aww, ouch, that hurts. Shouldn't do that again."

That almost gave Seven a heart attack, he leaped off his seat immediately.

"Are you alright?!"

"No, I'm fine. Don't tell Zen about it."

"No I won't. He'll beat me for sure this time."

Laughter fills the whole room again. Seven always know how to keep her spirits up and she's grateful for it.

"So, did you tell him everything?", asked Seven.

"I do. About my father and my mother.... Thank you, I couldn't find her without you."

"You can, but you don't want to do it yourself."

"Perhaps.", answered Ha Eun with a sad smile.

"I know that feeling."

"I want you to know I am very grateful to have you by my side, Seven."

Me too.

---

Zen decides to go and grab a drink from the vending machine. He hasn't left the room since the moment he stepped into it, it was surprising.

He looked around and Jumin really tightened the security. There is a security at the entry way of the aisle. Identity and belongings check. Documented entry. Well, since this is the most expensive floor, so there is no guessing who is the occupant of the other room.

Zen has to go down to the ground floor to find the vending machine. He tried not to be seen by people since it'll be chaos if people were to find that Ha Eun is hospitalized here. He had checked his phone earlier when Ha Eun was asleep and the news outlets all blares the news of a stabbing incident at the movie meet and greet. Of course the spotlight went to the mysterious girl that seemed like her condition agonizes Zen greatly.

His agent had called and wanted to talk him through this but he declined, saying right now he wanted to focus on Ha Eun. He doesn't care what the people out there are speculating, Ha Eun is his priority.

"Wait, I really need to see her. Or anyone. Please."

Zen looked at the seemingly something that is going to be a commotion. A man was trying to get inside the hospital but the guards stopped him. Isn't he Choi Kyungju's manager? Zen wanted to wait to see what's going on. Right now it's best not to meet anyone from the entertainment industry.

"I wanted to see the girl that got stabbed. I know what happened. I need to tell her or anyone I don't care!", he cried.

"Get out, everyone says they know her and wanted to meet her. We're tired of it!", replied the security.

Zen listened from the distance, trying not make himself visible. Did he say he knew what happened?

"That girl, she was stabbed by Zen's fan right? A girl fan? I created this problem. I have to explain!"

What did Zen just heard?

---

Seven's intentions was to peel an apple for Ha Eun. But he ended up peeling half of the apple with it, and now he is learning how to peel apples correctly with Ha Eun, neatly and with no apple bits that got cut off.

The heavy room door opened and closed. Ha Eun heard a heavy thumping footsteps.

"Oppa, you took a while."

Zen didn't answer, just went straight into the room, eyes not focusing anywhere. Both Seven and Ha Eun doesn't like the look. Zen keep puffing and pacing around the room.

"Zen, is everything all right?", asked Seven.

"No everything is not all right."

"Oppa, sit down and tell me."

"Okay, wait."

Ha Eun and Seven waited anxiously and Zen walked into the bathroom. Ha Eun jolted when she heard Zen growled angrily and the sound of a punch was heard. Seven knew that was the sound of Zen punching the wall. The problem is what caused it.

When Zen stepped out, Ha Eun was too shocked to ask him questions.

"The one who did it, I found out about it.", said Zen.