Something Flutters

Four days had gone by ever since that fateful accident, and Soohyun is still in the same state. In a state of comatose. And in those four days, only his family and those closest to him are allowed to come into his ward. Also, in those four days, only one person stayed and kept watch over him. JiU. She even brought work into his room, making his ward her office as much as it is his room for recovery. She stationed herself at the far corner of the room; everything is in place, from a table up to a comfortable chair fit for a director. But when she had something to attend to, it's either Minho or Gray would take over for her.

Other than focusing or updating about work from the hospital, she would call between Sunbin or Kwangsoo. Ever since Ji Hoon's call came through four days ago, she issued a command for her IT division to find out anything regarding the car used to cause Soohyun's accident. Then she also issued for more bodyguards to be with her sister and parents at all times along with Soohyun's family and friends. Of all those years she had known Ji Hoon, she knows one thing for sure that when he sets his eyes on something, he will do anything to get it regardless of who he harms. That makes him one dangerous man.

Two days ago, Soohyun's own IT division approached her and asked to be a part of the investigation. And straight after her affirmation, the team had found the car involved in Soohyun's accident. However, the lead brings them nowhere when they found out that someone has reported the vehicle stolen a week before the accident. The police founded the car parked at a public parking lot several miles away from the company. Even the CCTV footage of the vehicle entering K Inc's parking floor shows no evidence or as to who was driving the car.

"Gumawo-yo Sunbin-ah," JiU conveys her thanks to Sunbin after reporting a new lead concerning the driver of the stolen car.

JiU puts her phone on the table and leans back on her chair to let out a soft sigh. She massaged her temples with her two and rather bony fingers. JiU hadn't a decent meal ever since that phone call from Ji Hoon. She stays on her toes to make sure none gets hurt because of that man. With the resources she has and the people at her disposal, things should calm her down, but they didn't. Ji Hoon had shown his cards, and she's not too keen on playing with them. And even though she hates it, she must play the part, for she knows that Ji Hoon also has his resources, which could actively explain the fact that he's got both her team and Soohyun's up in a bind.

She stands from her desk and walks to Soohyun's bedside to look at the sleeping man. She has found a particular attraction towards the man, but she can't quite put her finger on it. The same man that took the bullet for her is now laying still with the support of machines. The doctor said that his vitals are showing positive improvements but didn't understand why he hadn't woken up yet.

"Why did you save me?" JiU repeats the same question she had asked him the day the accident happened as he laid unconscious on her lap.

Her hand moved up to stroke his head as he observes his sleeping face. She finds herself smiling before retracting her hand away from his head just as immediately. She refuses to let herself fall into something as trivial as an attraction. Once again, she reminded herself that what they had was merely a professional agreement between two merging companies—nothing more, nothing less. His track record of playing a girl's heart is one of the most significant flaws that made JiU sure that she chooses not to be a part of his "trophies."

She sat right next to Soohyun and clasped both her hands. Something needs to give; I don't want anyone hurt because of me; JiU closes her eyes shut as the thought swims around her mind like a shark waiting for its prey to make a mistake. The work she has to manage and the situation she has to investigate starts to take a toll on her. She barely had a good enough sleep, and every food she tastes seemed bland. Too much in her mind to control.

Her train of thought interrupted when the door opens. Gray stepped in with a change of clothes for her. "You can change into these; Tiffany handpicked them for you," Gray handed her a bag with all the clothes she needs for the upcoming meeting.

She couldn't avoid this meeting since there are some papers she needs to sign, and she needs to be present. Despite being the CEO of a giant and prestigious company, she never really enjoyed meetings. Sure, they are vital factors in specific matters, but in all truth, it does bore her at times. But she's just a little too good to put up a facade that she's not as bored as she looks.

"I'll see you soon, " JiU states after coming out from the bathroom with a one-piece beige dress with white 12-inch heels and her hair tied in a ponytail. Once again, she's ready for business.

"Alright, take care, I'll let you know if anything comes up," Gray nods with an assuring smile before JiU steps out the door.

The meeting took longer than anticipated, but everything ended on a high note. JiU signed all the things needed after the meeting and wrapped everything up. But before leaving, she paid a visit to the IT department to ask for today's update on the case. She is still a bit anxious whenever she remembers it. Ji Hoon has glued himself to her mind just the way he wanted, but for a completely different reason. This time it is because of terror and anxiety.

"Sunbin-ah, how is it?" JiU entered the department and immediately addressing the person in charge.

"Oh JiU-nim," Sunbin bowed first before taking a deep sigh, "I'm afraid I have nothing to report as of today, we haven't made progress since the last time I called you."

JiU can't help but let out a frustrated sigh until an idea presented itself. Yet, she's not sure if she should convey her piece of mind. She took a moment to think with her eyes shut, causing the entire room to look at her confused and exchanging looks with each other. "Sunbin-ah, come with me, " JiU stated and turned around immediately. Sunbin, confused as ever, followed close behind until they exited the room.

JiU paced back and forth until Sunbin arrived. She took a deep breath and faced the latter with a stern and determined facial expression. "Sunbin-ah, I need you and Kwangsoo to do something for me since I think you both are the best at this," JiU starts, much to Sunbin's confusion.

"Uh. Yes, JiU-nim," hesitating at first, but she got no choice. One thing she learns from working a few years with JiU is that when she has that look on her face, it's best just to say Yes.

"I want both of you to pan your attention to Ju Ji Hoon," Sunbin's eyes widened the moment those words spilled from JiU's mouth.

"As in from Ju Architect?" Sunbin doesn't know much about the man, but his name and reputation for being strict and quite ruthless towards anyone who dares to go against him. Second thoughts started to drip into her mind as she looks at JiU.

"Yes, that's him," JiU's face expressed disgust as if saying his name is the most disgusting thing on the planet, "Can you both do it?"

Sunbin bit her lower lip since what she's about to do is something dangerous. If the rumors are true about his claimed reputation, then she's about to enter the lion's den.

"You're both all I got to trust for now regarding this," JiU's tone was almost begging.

Sunbin took a deep breath and looked at JiU, "I'll do what I can." Even after those words left her lips, she wasn't as sure, but since JiU had done a lot for her, it's only fair that she returns the favor.

JiU embraced Sunbin, much to the latter's surprise, "Gumawo Sunbin-ah, I know I can count on you." JiU smiled and gently squeezed Sunbin's shoulder as well to relay her thanks.

"But for now, keep this between you and Kwangsoo. At least until I talk to Soohyun concerning this matter," JiU states since she doesn't want much attention on this matter. As far as she knows, anything could happen, and she wants to be as secretive as possible. In truth, she has no clue as to what Ji Hoon might do next since she hasn't heard from him after that one phone call. And knowing less always scares JiU, even more so at this point.

"Neh, got it, boss," Sunbin tries to mask her worry with a cheerful smile and a salute to her employer.

An hour later, JiU arrived at the hospital's lobby and went straight to Soohyun's room, but what she found shocked her. The hallway to the office, which was usually busy with at least seven to ten bodyguards, is now empty as a ghost town. She rushed to the room to find the door wide open with no Soohyun or Gray insight. Her heart starts to race as she scours through the whole floor and seeing no sign of Soohyun, Gray, or any of the bodyguards.

Amid JiU's panicking state, her phone rings. The caller ID identifies as Gray's number. She picked up the call in a heartbeat, "Where are you? Where is Soohyun? What's going on?" She threw a barrage of questions without waiting for Gray to respond.

"Woah Woah, calm down JiU-ssi, everything is fine," Gray sounded calm, which brought little peace to JiU's mind, "First of all, I'm sorry for not informing you first about this but Soohyun's awake and he insisted on going to the roof. I tried to convince him otherwise, but I lost in the end, so we're all up on the roof. And second, he asks for you."

The news Gray delivered was more than comforting. JiU finally lets out a relieved sigh and found herself leaning to the nearest wall for support, "Alright, I'll be right there."

JiU hangs up the phone, causing Gray to frown at her short response. She finds the nearest emergency stairway and heads upstairs to the roof. Each flight of steps JiU takes seemed to release the weight of her chest for some reason. And by the time she opened those doors of the roof, her first sight is Soohyun with eyes closed and his face looking up to welcome the afternoon sun. But what alarmed her was the fact that he's sitting on the edge of the building with his legs dangling down as if he's on a swing.

"He's waiting for you," Gray walked to her side, "And I have no idea why he chose to sit there, we tried to get him off from there, but he won't budge."

"How long has he been sitting there?" JiU keeps her eyes on the man on the ledge as if he could jump at any moment.

"Hmm... Since lunchtime, " Gray checked his watch and nods, "Yeah, that's about an hour ago."

"Alright," that was all JiU said as she walked towards Soohyun. She made sure that every step she makes won't startle him when there are wires around for the hospital's air conditioning system. That won't be funny; JiU states to herself after quite an odd image flashed through her mind. A sight of her tripping a wire and squealing loud enough to surprise Soohyun that he fell off the ledge.

Much to her relief, however, Soohyun looked back with a smile on his face before returning to his previous position. "Well, I'm here," JiU stands just next to him, refusing to sit where he sat.

"You wanna know why I saved you?" Soohyun kept his eyes closed and his face looking up to the sky, this time with his eyes wide open to the ember colored sky.

JiU blinked in disbelief at the fact that he had heard her question from earlier this morning. "Why?" Curiosity still won her over.

"Cause that's the only thing that mattered in my mind," Soohyun turned to look at JiU straight in the eyes and smiled ever so gentle, "And I have no ounce of regret in doing it."

JiU just stood there, stunned, looking at him as her eyes try to find any hint of his playful side, but she found none. His eyes staring right into her soul stays glued to hers. For the very first time, ever since they met, she finds sincerity in his words. And for that same reason, her heart starts to beat a little too fast than usual when she looks at him smiling.