CHAPTER SEVEN
1827 Words
"A pretty woman like you?" I can't believe that. I suppose men are intimidated by your profession. He snorted his discuss those men definitely don't need a deal with. Keep morons out of your life"!
"I don't have the time to date. So i won't know the reason. I'm not missing out on anything". Jade shrugged and offered no further insights. Although easy going, jaehoon couldn't be her confident. She finished her last bite of sandwich and balled up the paper. The motion match what should done with her love life-rolled it up and tossed it aside.
Her phone rings and they bought jumped.
Jade answer the phone and listen to the doctor relay the details. "Looks like they're all done. He's ready to go home." They want us to meet them in one of the offices near the waiting area".
Jaehoon was already on his feet. Heads cleared their trash. I'm ready."
She wished that she could erase the worried frowned with a comforting diagnosis, but she hadn't been told the results. This time, she took the lead and hurried through the halls.
She entered the crowded office. Taehyung was seated in one of two chairs for visitors. The inner circle stood nearby, hovering over their leader. Jade gesture to the other chair for Jaehoon.
"No need. I'll stand. I'm only interested in what the doctor has to say"!
"Dad, they didn't have to call you" taehyung turned a dark stare at his stuff. They mumbled. But no one spoke up to admit to calling his father.
"I'm sure that he'd been more worried if word had gotten out that you were in the hospital, jade ventured.
"Doc, let's hear the news," Taehyung prompted to doctor. He looked pleased, as if he'd already knew the news and it contradicted what she'd thought.
"Well, Taehyung will be driving for as long as he wants. He's test didn't come back with anything significantly wrong. He needs to rest a little more, but he can start working on the muscle tear at the back of his neck. That's going to take some time to heal. Driving will aggravate it".
"Is there any way to speed up the process?" Can't afford to sit on my laurels." Taehyung rub his shoulder.
"Therapy. And that may not be enough, but it's better than nothing. I definitely wouldn't advise skipping any therapeutic workout". He looked over to Jade. "She is one of the best doctors out there. I suggest you listen to her." He looked at his watch. " I've got to get going unless you have any further questions".
Jade appreciated Dr. Lee's ringing endorsements. Not that Taehyung or his team would care. But she respected her mentor, and his confidence boosted her. She looked over to Taehyung, who now turned his attention to her as if she'd just entered the room.
"When is the next race?" Jaehoon asked.
" In a week," Namjoon spoked up. " Can you? not your staff help with his therapy?" he asked Jade.
"I'm not coming to the hospital everyday." Taehyung stated empathetically, interrupting before she could reply.
" You can contain that news. Besides i have a lot of work to do in the house".
"Then have her come to the house," Namjoon said.
" Is anyone going to ask if i have the availability?".
I do have a practice..... A thriving one, I might add."
Jade bristled under their high handed behavior. Even though she had planned to work with Taehyung she didn't care for their presumption. Who knew working for the rich and famous would reduce her to being treated like a second class citizen?.
Jaehoon stepped forward. "If i may interject before any of you in solve this woman any farther. Taehyung you plan to race in the next two weeks. It sounds like you can do so, but this is taking your stubbornness to an extreme." Jaehoon turned his attention to the team.
"Gentlemen, your solution is standing in front of you."
He swept his arm out toward Jade.
"Now I suggest you ask nicely. If I were in her shoes I wouldn't be bothered with the lot of you".
The team muttered among themselves until namjoon emerged as the spokesperson. He's just puffed up a bit, and he's nervous gesture resemble a cautious bird testing the safety of the area. The man still hadn't made eye contact with her. Was working with a woman that distasteful? Maybe he was shy? Or maybe he was just a flaming i***t.
Jade refused to make it any easier for them. She gathered up her notebook. With a nod to Dr Lee, who had hang around, she turned her attention to the mixed bag of men and one woman." I have to get back to work. You can check with my staff for my schedule. I made the offer to assist earlier, and when Taehyung refused. I then continued filling my calendar. However i will do my best to find you someone on my staff to take care of you." She tilted her chin and exited the room.
Small victories had to be celebrated just as much as the big ones. Telling them where to shoved their apology felt good.
" Dr. Park", Jaehoon hurried after her. "Wait. I must say job well done in there. Now they all look confused. You know, it surprised me that they managed to have a successful race car business." His expression turned serious.
" But I will ask here on the side, out of earshot, that you work with Taehyung please. I'm confident that you can get him on the mend".
"Jaehoon, I had no intention of letting Taehyung get out of my grasp." She held out her hand and closed her fists tightly for emphasis. " I'm no pushover."
He shook her hand, still laughing. I will have to drop in to see you at work. You're amazing".
"My office will always be open to you. I look forward to seeing you again. And i look forward to working with your son. Somehow, though, i don't think he'll reciprocate those sentiments."
Team storm through the next two days with a fiery temper that had everyone scattering. The media had already started talking about his potential retirement.
How fickle their tastes were. In a flash, he would be yesterday's news.
The other team's barely contain their satisfaction that he may be sidelined. They called him the myaverick not as a compliment, but as an upstart who had managed to push into their sanctum. He'd done it with all the passion and focus of a man having something to prove, but with equal fervor he had nothing to lose.
No one, not even his father, knew why he pushed himself. How could they understand the guilt that threatened to stifle him on a daily basis? No matter how many times he said I'm sorry. No matter how he rage that life could be cold hearted. Nothing could turn back time to give him a few more precious seconds hours years with his brother.
His twin had died at 8 years old from leukemia.
While he could rationalize things as an adult, there was still a part of him locked in the childhood phase, shouting that it wasn't fair. Why did Tannie die but he survived. Why did he had to say goodbye at 8 years old.
They're special bond as twins intertwined with their emotions, thoughts, even how they communicated with each other without saying a word. Witnessing this malevolent force suck out the vibrancy from his brother until he has a fragile shell of a boy had torn a hole in his heart. The wound healed with a thicken shield against anything that dared to take residence in his heart. He tried to be rational but waiting for bad things to happen in life usually nestled in his core.
One day of his twins death he'd made a vow. Tannie short life wouldn't be in vain. Every second of his day was spent in dedication to his brother. He'd built this company in his memory.
That dogged determination came with a heavy price.
Only when Taehyung was in the car behind the wheel pushing the vehicle and his body to extraordinary limits did he fail a peace. When he race he didn't care about the what-ifs. Success was all that mattered.
Nothing was too much to pay for what he still had to accomplish. If that meant that he had to subject himself to Jade's medicational touch, then so be it. But she had better not stand between him and what he had to do.
" Namjoon I'm heading out."
"Anything you need?"
" Nah. Heading to Dr Park to smooth out things."
"Good luck. She's a real ice queen."
Taehyung stared at Namjoon. He might think that she was a hard ass but he didn't appreciate anyone on his team referring to her in that fashion. Not that he felt the need to protect her. She had a steeper backbone than most people had encountered.
He grabbed his jacket with one destination in mind.
Taehyung sat in Jade's office, where he'd been assured and advice that should be into see him in a few minutes.
He'd spent time in the examination room but never in her office. A quick survey revealed what he'd already suspected. Dr. Park was a neat freak.
He reached over to her desk and nudged a neatly stacked ornament set askew. The geometric shapes lay in a heap. I felt much better and leaned back in his chair satisfied with himself.
" Now that you disarranged my desk, What can I do for you?"
Taehyung jumped at Jade's cool castigation. Not a good way to start things off, although he felt no remorse. But he could pretend. She leaned over and adjusted the ornament to its original pose.
"All fixed." He grinned.
"Hmm," She didn't sit behind her desk. Instead she sat at the edge of the desk and folded her arms.
"I came to offer an olive branch" Taehyung said.
"Listening."
"Straight up. I'm going to race in the next two weeks.
I need my body in the best shape possible. Will you please be available?" He didn't expect to have to wait for her response. As a matter of fact, he assumed that she jumped at the chance.
Instead she kept her cool welcome at the chilled level.
Her face express nothing. Well if he was going to be in it picky with his observation her raised eyebrow earned his irritation.
" I've told your team that I'd make someone available."
"Yeah, I got that, Not acceptable,"
"Oh really?" She now stood, brown eyes narrowed in an angry squint.
Taehyung sighed. " Look, I didn't want the second best in your practice." He tried a different tactic. "I'll be sure to talk about your healing hands every chance I get.
- Writer
