King of hearts

Jiho's heart weeps but he kept still and gave you a short nod, "Okay, I accept."

"Good." You answered coldly.

A knock on the door got you both to relax as the nurse slides in with a practiced smile, "You must be her husband, she kept calling for you throughout her sleep. She must be at ease now that you are here."

If only the ground can open up and swallow you whole than face this embarrassment. A part of you felt like pulling out the nurse's tongue.

You furtively steal a glance at Jiho to see his reaction. He is oddly inexpressive.

"You have to sign her discharge form, her fever has dropped. All you need to do is make sure she takes her pills and take very good care of your lovely wife." The nurse added, checked your pulse and motioned for Jiho to follow her.

He gets up and followed her. A few minutes later, he comes back, "Get ready to leave." With those words, he walks out.

You get dressed and meet him outside the hospital. He is in his car, eyes fixed forward.

Reluctantly, you enter the backseat and closed the door. He said nothing and started the engine.

A few minutes later, he drove into his compound and parked the car.

You grab your stuff and hopped out, closing the door behind you.

As you take the first step, a wave of drowsiness rises within you like a high tide. You clutch your forehead, hoping taking a pause might help lessen the pain.

And then, all of a sudden, you feel yourself being carried above the ground. You look up sharply only to meet Jiho's gaze.

"What are you doing?" You asked with haste, "Let me down!" You struggled in his arms.

"Stop it!" He warned, raising his voice a little. He takes a relaxing pause, "Did you forget about our deal? Your body is mine, I can do whatever I want with you for one year. That was your choice, remember?"

If you could go back in time, you probably would have never made such a stupid promise.

You relax your stiffened body and turned your head away, "I didn't forget. Do what you want."

He nodded and continued his way into the house. He takes you to your bedroom and carefully sets you on the bed.

"Would you like something to eat?" He asked as he puts down your mini bag.

You shake your head. "No, thank you."

He nods, "Porridge it is then."

"But I said I am not hungry." You repeated, growing agitated by the second.

"Do I look like I care? If your body belongs to me, I need you to be healthy so I can do all the things I wish to do to you." He said, flashing you his eyes, "Just do as I say."

He walks out. You bite your lower lip, swallowing down a huge lump of rage, just do as I'm told? Do I look like a robot!?

A few minutes later, Jiho returns with a bowl of steaming porridge. He sets it down on your bed drawer, "Have it while it's warm, it will help with your body pain."

"I said I didn't want to eat!" You protested, hoping it would make him leave you alone but Jiho remains unfazed. He takes the bowl and scooped a selfless amount in the spoon and leaned towards you, "Open your mouth, I mean it."

He exuded authority and your body felt the command. You sheepishly parted your lips and he slides the spoon into your mouth. You swallowed the delicious porridge and your entire body started craving for more. Before you realized it, you had already finished the entire bowl.

"Do you want more?" Jiho asked, eyes studying you as you involuntarily lick your lips.

You shake your head, "I'm okay. Thank you."

"It's nothing." He said, rising to his feet with a soft grunt, "Get some rest, I will come back and give you your pills later. Don't even think of stepping out of this room, if you need something, call me. Okay?"

"Uhm." You nodded, watching his retreating figure with mixed feelings, why is he taking care of me if he hates me so much? I can never understand Gong Jiho.

THE NEXT DAY.

Gong Joon reached the airport and to his greatest surprise, Yuna is already there.

He approached her anxiously, "What are you doing here? I thought I said I would be going on this trip alone?"

She listened quietly and when he was done, opened her mouth to respond, "I know. I have read your text but you keep forgetting that I am your secretary."

"And you keep forgetting I am YOUR boss!" He sneered.

"You cannot go on this business trip without me." She affirmed.

"Watch me." Joon said and started walking away.

"Why are you behaving like a child?" She protested, forcing Joon to stop on his tracks and face her.

She inched closer to him, "Why are you making it so obvious that I make you uncomfortable? All we did was sleep together, it was not like we ended the world so why are you being dramatic! I am your secretary, it is my JOB to be with you all the time during work hours and it's not like we are going on a vacation. Meeting with the Japanese people will give us the upper hand to defeat your brother and get this project. I know everything about the meeting because I was the one who communicated with them and I drafted the plan. And also, I was not planning to follow you but Mr Haguchi called me this morning and shared how excited he was of our visit to them. I had to tell him I couldn't wait to meet them either. Which is why I am here." She explained.

"You… " he opened his mouth but paused momentarily, "Why do you always talk too much. Couldn't you just tell me Mr Haguchi called? Did you have to explain everything?"

"Yes, I have to." She answered solemnly.

Joon cleared his throat, attempting to grasp back the situation, "Okay, I get it. And also, I am not making fuss over that night, okay? I always go on business trips alone that is why. I am not used to having someone so close not since Ar… " he had to stop Ari's name from coming out of his mouth in front of Yuna, at least, he felt the need to.

Yuna is smart and sharp witted, she respected him for holding himself back for her. For the first time, she smiled genuinely and it was beautiful - made her entire face glow.

Joon was captivated instantly as he watches her lips curve into the most adorable smile. In that moment, it was like time was moving slowly, the air feels different too.

His eyes fell on her lips and images from their steamy night came flooding back in. He remembers how their bodies were heated from their desires, how kissing her brought him a sense of relief. How he so wishes to experience that again.

"CEO?" She snapped her fingers in his face for the second time, snapping him back to his senses.

He looks flustered as he quickly pulled himself together, "What were you saying?"

"I was saying we should board the plane, it is time." She said.

"Oh. Okay." He jerked his back and hurriedly scurried away.

Yuna didn't know how to feel about what just happened. Gong Joon was lost staring at her, he must be feeling attracted towards her. She is THAT sure because even to her, that night has been replaying in her head. It was the most unexpected experience but it was the right one.

Snap out of it Yuna, your relationship should be strictly business. She took a deep breath and eventually followed him.

****

You wake up feeling refreshed, quickly showered and got dressed for work. You step out of your room and was greeted by the delicious aroma of Jiho's meal.

You brush down your low ponytail with your hand and majestically headed to the kitchen.

He is behind the island, frying a sunset egg.

He slightly glances at you and continues his work. You sheepishly sit on the stool and stared, "Good morning."

"Where do you think you are going?" He interrogated, voice thickening with rage.

"I am going to work of course, where do you think!" You responded.

"The doctor told you to rest." He said as he finally looks up at you, "Do you want to faint again?"

"I am good, I can work just fine." You raised your voice a little so you could sound healthier, "And besides, I don't want to stay here alone."

He leaves the island and approach you with the plate of egg and a cup of tea. He keeps it on the counter, "Eat it and go back to bed." He commanded, loosed his apron, threw it on the hanger and turned to leave but you hold him back, grasping his arm tightly.

He faces you slowly and you met his gaze with the most pitiful expression,

"I want to go, please?" You pouted.

Jiho was stunned by your cuteness. His cheeks instantly burned, turning into a deep crimson red. He quickly looked away and took two deep breaths.

Regaining his composure, he faces you again and you instead, batted your eye lashes at him, "Please?"

He tightly clutched his pants as he finds himself unable to look away from your gaze.

At this point, Jiho had no choice but to give in. He nodded subconsciously to your request, "Okay."

You smiled brightly and sharply got to your feet, "Let's go."

Jiho finally snapped back to his senses, "Wait, wait, wait, no. I mean, you have to eat first."

"No problem." You hop back onto the stool and start digging into your meal while Jiho watches you.

His heart gallops in his chest. Am I falling in love with Ari?