Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 7: You Can't Catch Me (2 of 2)

Half an hour later, because of the silence and my tiredness from work, I’m getting drowsy, so I reclined my seat to sleep.

My eyes are closed but I’m still aware of what’s happening around me, sleeping lightly like I usually do but I’ve always wanted a deep sleep.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but can we hold hands?” staring at Jun who’s driving with his one hand.

He glanced at me for a while maybe thinking that I’m being absurd for wanting to touch him when I’m only sleeping.

“I shouldn’t ask.” about to put my hand away as he stares back at road without saying a word but he suddenly grabs my hand.

“Sleep.” holding my hand tight but not too much as he drives with his left hand. “This is so unfair.” he mumbled.

Now, I’m convinced that touching him really makes me sleep deeply.

I woke up at the backseat of the car, Ryan is the one driving and Joanna is at the passenger seat.

My head is lying on Jun’s lap while his right arm around my shoulders probably securing me not to fall, as he’s looking through the window with his left hand supporting his face.

I haven’t look at him this angle before that I only just notice his jawline that looks sharp enough to cut me.

“How long do you want to stare at my face?” he looks at me but I suddenly closed my eyes, pretending that I’m still asleep. “I know you’re already awake, you don’t have to play pretend.”

“Then I’m getting up.” put his arm away from my shoulders to sit up properly. “What did you guys have for lunch?” stretching my arms upward and my legs on the floor.

“You’re finally awake sleeping beauty.” Ryan look back at me. “Open the window when you’re eating.”

“Here.” Joanna handing me the take away meal. “It’s Balsamic Glazed Steak, we couldn’t leave you sleeping alone in the car so we didn’t dine in at the restaurant and ate by the road instead.”

“Thanks.” opening the car window before I start digging in. “This must look classy in a plate.” taking my first bite.

“By the way Hera, Jojo and I are going to California this summer vacation since we didn’t go last February.” Ryan glancing at me through the rearview mirror. “We’re inviting Jun to come but he told us that he’ll come if you do because he doesn’t want to be our chaperone.”

“I’m not a student anymore, I don’t have summer vacation, so I can’t come with you, sorry.” continue eating my meal.

“But you’re entitled for 2 weeks’ vacation leave and 1-week sick leave, you can use that to come with us.” Joanna looking back at me.

“If I’m availing sick leave, I have to stay in the hospital not as a staff but as a patient, that’s the only way that it’ll be approved. As for vacation leave, I already applied for 1-week leave on the 1st week of August and I’m saving the rest in case something comes up.” I said.

“1st week of August, where are you going and what are you doing that week??” Joanna frowning at me. “Are you going to have a vacation out of the country?? Who are you coming with? Are you traveling alone?”

“Ryan knows where I’m going and probably this time, I’m going solo.” exchanging glances with Ryan through the rearview mirror.

“No, you’re not, I’m coming with you.” Ryan replied. “I made a promise and not because I’m in a relationship now, I’ll break that promise.”

“What are you two talking about??” Joanna glancing at me and Ryan.

“Are you going to the orphanage to do a volunteer work?” Jun uttered.

“You know about the orphanage, Jun??!” Ryan surprisingly asked.

“Hera mentioned it to me once when I first visited her place. She told me that she celebrated her birthday last year with them as well as Christmas and New Year, together with you.” Jun replied.

“You still remembered what I told you that day?” glancing at Jun.

“I’m only bad at directions but I have a great memory, I remember everything about you.” he said as he looks away to avoid my stare.

“Why am I the only one who doesn’t know anything??!” Joanna complained. “Can you at least fill me up what are you guys talking??”

“Well, I’m going to Goyang on the 2nd of August.” glancing at Ryan as he knows what that day means to me. “And stay there until 8th.”

“Goyang? Where is Goyang??” Joanna looking at Ryan.

“In Gyeonggi.” Ryan answered Joanna. “Do you know where it is?”

“I’m pretty sure it just around here in South Korea.” Joanna said. “Then, you’re not going to stay with me that week??! We won’t be together for one whole week?!!” turning to me.

“If you want to come you may do so, the church is open for everyone anyway. But I have to tell you that it’s way different from Seoul.”

“It doesn’t matter, I don’t care where I go as long as I’m with Ry. Also, we’re doing a charitable work so I’m all in.” Joanna smiling brightly. “You’re coming too, right Jun??” looking at Jun who’s quiet for a while.

“I’ll check my schedule.” Jun looking away.

“Ah right, you’re going to Washington this August with Prof. Macklemore.” Joanna said. “I guess it’s just us 3 going to Goyang.”

It’s not that I’m expecting him to come with us too but I’m a bit disappointed when he didn’t say yes right away like he usually does.

Ryan dropped me off first at my place since I’ve got to prepare for my night shift job at the hospital.

Two day later, even I’m doubting that Jun will show up at my place on my day off to give me breakfast like he always does, I find myself waiting for him before I go to bed.

But he doesn’t come, so I just slept the whole day and got up from bed at sunset, to take a bath and prepare dinner.

I just got out from the bathroom after taking a bath when someone come knocking on my door.

“What are you doing here?” opened the door when I saw Jun standing outside. “I thought you’re not coming today because you’re busy.”

“So, you’ve been waiting for me this morning?” smirking. “I see you just got out from bath, are you trying to seduce me right now, Hera??”

“Huh??!” I’m about to close the door but he stopped it by his shoe. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to put some clothes on, I don’t want to be accused of seducing someone.”

“Wear something nice, let’s go out for dinner.” glancing at me shyly.

“Fine. Wait for me outside.” closing the door as she put his shoe away.

I’m back riding at his motorbike anyway so I can’t wear a dress even if I want to doll up so I just wear my jeans and Venus cut lacy pink top.

“I’m supposed to be wearing my pajamas right now as I prepare my dinner.” walking towards to Jun who’s waiting for me beside his Harley.

“Aren’t you exposing too much of your left shoulder?? Don’t you feel cold with that thin clothes of yours?” looking at my top.

“Don’t you like what I wear for you?” giving him a serious look.

“If I’m the only one who’ll see like this then I’ve got no objection but I don’t like other men drooling for you.” handing me his helmet.

“I don’t care about anybody else; I wear this for you and not for them.” hop at the back and put the helmet on.

“Do you mean what you said just now?” turning his head sideward.

“Why? Are you touched??” wrapping my arms around his waist.

“I’m not going back being the nice guy anymore.” start driving his Harley with a speed faster than his usual.

We arrived at a French restaurant after half an hour, and because of his speed, I can still feel the cold breeze of the night over my skin.

“Told you, you’ll feel cold.” walks off first inside the restaurant.

“And you don’t even offer me your jacket.” talking back as I watch him make his way inside. “Well I brought this to myself.” rubbing my arms with my hands as I follow him inside.

We could’ve dined at the common area with other customers but he chose to be in the VIP room because he doesn’t want anyone to lay their eyes on me and he wants us to dine privately.

“This is the Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet that I ordered?” asking the waiter who put my dessert in front of me.

“Oui, mademoiselle.” he answered with a smile on his face.

“It’s bigger than I expected it to be.” chuckles. “Merci.”

“Enjoy your dessert, mademoiselle.” waiter taking his leave from the VIP room after he bowed to me and Jun.

“I can’t finish this all, you should eat some too.” looking at Jun who’s sitting across me which is quite far because of the big round table.

“You don’t have to finish it if you can’t.” he replied as he takes a sip of his wine. “I also didn’t expect it to be that big.”

“I don’t want to waste food.” coming over to sit beside him. “Stop drinking wine and eat this with me. Also, you shouldn’t be drinking because you’re driving later.” handing him his spoon.

“One glass of wine won’t get me drunk.” about to take another sip when I stopped his hand and he finally look at me.

“Stop drinking and eat.” frowning at him.

“Sure. I’ll eat if you feed me.” smirking at me.

“Don’t you have hands? Feed yourself.” taking the first bite of the dessert. “Mmm … it’s so delicious!”

“Aah …” opening his mouth like a kid waiting to be feed.

“Fine, because I’m in a good mood, I’ll feed you.” feeding him a spoonful.

It’s too late for me to realize that I’m using the same spoon to feed him because of how busy my taste bud was with the dessert.

“You still managed to finish that wine, huh?” looking at his empty glass.

“But I’m not drunk at all, also the alcohol content of that wine isn’t that high, so I’m still sober.” paying the bill of our dinner.

“That’s 10% alcohol and you didn’t just drink one glass but one bottle.”

“I’m telling you, I’m not drunk.” looking at me in the eyes.

“You’re still under the influence of alcohol, so I don’t think you can drive, let’s call a cab.” standing up.

“I can’t leave my Harley here alone.” following me out from the VIP room. “Can you drive? I never let anyone drive my Harley before but if it’s you, I don’t mind even if you made a scratch on it.”

“I don’t know how to drive a motorbike.” walking with him at the hallway. “Can’t you make a call at home and tell one of your family drivers to get it for you?”

“You’re not listening I never let anyone drive my Harley, also we only have 2 drivers at home and they are probably both driving my parents’ cars. Dad have a seminar today in Jeonju so Driver Chung is with him while Driver Woon is most likely in JHMC.” he explained.

“Fine, I’ll give it a try.” heading towards the parking lot with him.

I hopped on first before him and we almost fell when I couldn’t maintain the balance if not for him who supported me well.

I maybe on the front but he’s still the one controlling his Harley as if I’m just a decoy in case we got spotted by the police.

I’m the one who’s in front so I’m the driver and I’m not drunk.

“What are you doing?” reprimanding him from embracing me suddenly.

“I think the alcohol is finally kicking in. I can’t drive myself home tonight.” resting his face on my shoulder.

“I’ll hail a cab for you, you may leave your beloved Harley here, no one would dare to snatch it anyway since everybody here knows that it’s yours.” taking his hand off from my tummy. “Let me go.”

“Even if you hail a cab, we might get lost on the way as my mind is hazy right now. You know how bad I am with directions, right?” letting me go from his grip as we both got out from his motorbike.

“I don’t know where you live so coming with you isn’t an option.” thinking deeply. “Fine, I’ll let you stay at my place for a night.”

“Sorry for the intrusion, I didn’t mean to bother you, I’ll be out at sunrise.” following me upstairs as he wobbles with his steps.

“I can’t believe I’m taking care of a drunkard on my day off.” making him lean on me as we go up. “Don’t you ever drink again.”

-End of Chapter 7