Prone To Lovesickness

. . .

Zeirenne went home just before evening came. Now that she was practically jobless, it gave her more time to do things she'd been planning to. She packed her bags for a three day trip. Once she was finished, she left a mark on her doorstep that'll tell her if someone stepped inside her room during her absence.

When she finished everything and finally locked the door, she almost screamed in shock. To her surprise, and amusement, Jin was leaning his weight in front of her doorstep. He was still wearing a business outfit as if he ran straight to Ponticelli Penthouse after his plane landed.

Aside from his clothes that were creased and scruffy, Zeirenne couldn't help but notice his droppy eyes. He looked like he hasn't slept for days.

"What in the world?!" she exclaimed, "How long have you been there?"

Jin took a step closer. He surveyed Zeirenne from head to toe. She was wearing comfortable clothes and with the bag she was carrying, it was enough to tell him she was leaving.

"Where are you going?" he asked her with a hoarse throat.

"Oh," she shrugged her shoulders, "I just got fired so now I've decided to live my life the way I want it."

Without saying anything, Jin nodded his head before taking the bag from her hands. He made his way towards the elevator and Zeirenne watched him with her jaw dropped to the ground.

"What in the world is happening?" she asked while following Jin with her eyes.

When Jin stepped inside the lift, he immediately pressed the ground floor. Zeirenne was still glued on the spot so he had to snap her into reality. "What are you doing? Let's go." He said while holding the elevator doors.

"What do you mean we--?"

"Hurry, my fingers are about to go numb."

After a few moments, Zeirenne wondered why she was seated on Lala's passenger's seat. For the last hours, she pictured herself driving alone in peace. But reality took a different turn. She found herself a grumpy-looking driver.

"Excuse me?" she said after a moment.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she scoffed, "I don't remember inviting you on this trip."

Zeirenne watched in astonishment as he pulled the hand break down before stepping on the gas. He acted like he was not hearing anything she said.

"Wow."

She crossed her arms in front and pouted her lips. "You don't even know where we're going."

"My eyes are clear enough to read what's written on your boarding pass."

Zeirenne raised her passport with the boarding pass tucked inside. There was a small Beijing, China printed.

For a few minutes, they remained silent before Jin decided to express his thoughts.

"Hey..." he started while looking directly in front. Not even glancing at Zeirenne on purpose."N-now that you're jobless... do you want to--"

"If you're gonna ask for my hand in marriage, then I'll have to say no. You'll be the fifth one to ask me that question." she said, "But if that's not it then go ahead--ouch!"

Zeirenne rubbed her head after Jin slammed on the breaks all of a sudden. She felt her head turn from the impact and if her teeth were dentures, they would've flown out of the windshield already. She grunted before glaring at Jin.

"What are you doing?--"

"Who are they?" He said while gripping the stirring wheel.

"Why do you wanna know?—"

"Tell me who they are!" He slammed his fist on the stirring wheel. "Damn it!"

Zeirenne bit her lips as she spun her head aggressively towards him.

"Why are you being like this?! I'm not even doing anything and you're lashing out on me?! Tsk!"

She opened the door and stepped out of the car before slamming it behind her.

"He—"

Fuming with anger, she took long strides away from the car. It didn't take her a few steps before feeling a warm hand grabbing her wrist. She turned to glare at Jin.

"Look... I'm sorry..." he begged.

Zeirenne pulled her hand from his grasp before crossing them in front. She looked away but stayed standing on that spot. Waiting to hear his apology.

"I'm so sorry. I'm just... I'm just tired."

"Then you should've stayed at home. Why bother me on my trip?"

"Sorry..." he took a step closer towards Zeirenne. "A-and I'm sorry I was late."

He searched her face for a few minutes (while she avoided his gaze) before placing his hand on her head.

"What are you doing?" Zeirenne said. Her lips sealed on their own upon seeing Jin's eyes filled with concern. Up close.

There it was again. That overwhelming feeling she'd feel whenever she gazes deep into his eyes. Like the blue ocean, it drowned her. His eyes, and the unspoken words behind them. Just from looking at them now, she knew there were so many things he couldn't tell her.

"Does it hurt?" Jin asked in a soft voice. This brought Zeirenne back to reality.

They were both standing on the side of the free way. Aside from the highway and passing cars, there was nothing visible for miles. Just the road, and the blue sky above them.

It was windy up there, and as some streaks of her hair flew with the wind, Jin tucked them behind her ears while eyeing her head. His eyes were pinned on the part that was hit by an empty can. He parted her hair to check if their was a concussion. What he saw was a slight tear on her scalp.

"Tsk. Why do you have to get yourself hurt every time? You keep on getting injuries you could've avoided. What in the world are you thinking?" he asked her. This time, in a very soft voice full of worry.

"Worry about yourself first. Tsk," she said, "You were fine just a few days ago and now you're feverish again?"

Jin felt his cheeks getting flushed. He remembered what Colton told him before he got off his plane.

"Mr. Yang... are you sure about this? Do you know that you're very prone to lovesickness? How will you ever make it without Miss Lin?"

He watched her face—tempted to pull her closer. But when he looked at the scab on her head, caressed the healing wound on her arm, and remembered the sprain she had, he had to clench his fist.

"Don't worry... I promise I won't let you get hurt again," he said before planting a kiss on her head, "Never."

. . .