Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 14: Help, I Can't Tell If We're Ending (1 of 2)

“Huh??” Nurse Ji surprised to see me working on a Monday when it supposed to be my day off. “You’re not supposed to be here today.”

“My contract expires on Wednesday so I decided to come here and do my job for the last two days of my stay.” browsing the record book.

“You mean you didn’t renew your contract??!” Nurse Ji’s eyes wide opened from shocked but it didn’t last that long after thinking. “Well you don’t need to work anyway, you’re from a wealthy family and you’re engaged to Young Master Oh. You’re probably going to be our next boss, wait, is that the reason you’re resigning??!”

“No, it’s a personal matter.” saw Jun walking up to me. “What are you doing here? I thought we already agreed to see each other on Wednesday??” taking the patient’s record as I stand up.

“I should be the one asking you that question? Shouldn’t you be resting today, but you’re here even you already worked for 9 straight days?” Jun following me as I walk at the hallway. “We both know that you should be taking extra care of your health, right?”

“Chill, this is my body, alright?” facing him. “I know what I’m doing.”

“But Hera, you’re exhausting yourself.” frowning at me.

“No, I’m not. I like what I’m doing so it’s not tiring at all.” continue walking until I reached the patient’s room. “You should go to school now and let me do my job, stop worrying too much.” tapping his shoulder. “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“No, tomorrow night. Dr. Kim told me to come on your farewell party … which supposed to be a surprise.” hitting his mouth. “I’m gonna go, please act like you didn’t know anything.” walking in a hurry.

“So cute.” watching him walk away. “Taeng …” opened the door and step inside the room. “How are you feeling today?”

“Nurse Hera, look what I’ve got.” showing me some familiar photos.

“Where did you get those photos of my brothers and my cousin??”

“It doesn’t matter.” shaking her head. “Do they really look like this?”

“I’m not telling unless you tell me where you got them.” crossing my arms. “Who’s your source?”

“I think they really are handsome, because you’re pretty.” ignoring my question. “I like this brother of yours though.” picking Zeus photo.

“Don’t be deceive by his looks, he only looks like an angel but he is devil inside.” picking Poseidon’s photo. “If you’re going to idolized one of them, I suggest Don, he’s a perfect brother, exemplar, polite, and considerate of others.”

“Well Poseidon, is actually my 2nd choice, but still I like Zeus. You said he is devil inside; I like bad boys.” smiling at me.

“You’re helpless, I’m going to find out who’s leaking those photos. That’s invasion of privacy you know, do you like your photo being taken without your permission??” reprimanding her.

“I don’t mind at all, if they think I’m pretty enough then it’ll be my pleasure to get my photos taken.” staring at Zeus’s photo.

“You don’t know what it feels like unless you actually experience it.”

“That’s because your family attract media attention so you can’t do something about it especially if the public takes interest on you.”

“Tch. Good for you, you’re ordinary.” giving her medication. “Here.”

“Ah.” Opens her mouth for me to check that she swallowed her medicine. “By the way, Nurse Hera, that man you’re engaged with, he’s handsome. Gosh, why are you being surrounded by handsome men?!”

“Geez, you’re only 15 but you’re a man-crazy.” shaking my head. “Study first, alright?! It’s not all about the looks.” stepping out from her room.

Dealing with kids were easier than getting along with teenagers but I’m sure I’m going to miss these patients when I’m not working here.

All their antics and stories, their light and silly problems in life that makes them pure and innocent of how the real-world works.

The next day, everyone in the ward seems suspicious but I tried hard to ignore what they’re keeping from me as I don’t want to spoil the surprise event that Jun told me about.

“Nurse Hera.” little girl pulling my skirt. “Is it true? This is your last day in the hospital?? I’m not going to see you again??”

“Why are you crying Tete?” sitting down to be on her level. “You’re making me cry too.” trying hard not to cry with her. “Tomorrow is your last day too, so I’m not going to see too when you leave.”

“But what if I get sick again, you’re not going to be here to take care of me.” crying loudly. “I only want you as my nurse, I don’t like others.”

“Then don’t be sick again, if you’re healthy until Christmas this year then I’m going to give you a gift.” wiping her tears.

“A gift?? Is it a doll house? You’re going to give me a doll house?” sniffing as she calms herself down.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll give you a big doll house, as long as don’t get sick, deal?” asking for a high-five.

“Deal.” giving me a high-five. “I won’t get sick until Christmas.”

“Go ahead and finish your drawing.” telling her to comeback on her table. “Is that your dog, Peri?” looking at other children.

“Mmm. His name is Kid.” Peri coloring his drawing.

“Kid, that’s a good name.” nodding at him. “Do you miss Kid so much?”

“Yes, if only he’s allowed here in the hospital. I’m sure he misses me too.” focusing on what he’s doing.

“Sure, he is. You have to get well soon, so you can go home and play with him again.” patting his head.

“Nurse Hera.” teenage girl popping her head inside the nursery room. “I need your help, please.” pleading me with her eyes.

“What can I do for you, Verta??” walked towards her. “I can’t leave the children here on their own.”

“I already asked Nurse Woo to switch with you.” Verta said. “Here she goes.” looking at Nurse Woo heading to our direction.

“Nurse Woo, what’s this all about?” getting confused.

“Just go with her, I’ll look after the kids.” Nurse Woo gloomily said.

“How do you always get your way with Nurse Woo?” taking off my apron. “I’ll leave the children to you then, Nurse Woo.”

“Just go, you don’t have to tell me what to do with the kids.” she said.

“She obviously doesn’t like what she’s doing.” mumbles. “Alright, Verta, what help do you need that it has to be me??” following her.

“Well there’s this guy who confessed his feelings to me before I get admitted here in the hospital but I rejected him right away because he wasn’t my type … and then I saw him again, he’s totally hot … I mean he’s completely different from his looks before and now I’m so into him.” stopping in front of a room. “He’s currently in there, right now.”

“What exactly do you want me to do??” confused about her intention.

“I want you to set me up with him.” she brazenly replied. “You’re the only one I can ask for this because he doesn’t talk to anyone but you and Dr. Kim, Dr. Kim already said no to me so I’m coming to you.”

“Look, I’m a nurse here and not a Cupid, if you regret rejecting him because of his looks then you deserve it. I got nothing to do with your affairs and it’s not part of my job to spoil a brat like you.”

“Huh??!” sneering at me. “I don’t care if you’re a Nevaeh but you’re just a nurse here, you’re not even a doctor but you talk big.”

“You’re right I’m not a doctor and just a nurse, but it doesn’t mean that I can’t be one, after all I graduated as c*m laude in YU. But what about you? Can you even get admitted to any prestigious college or universities here in Korea or you’re just going abroad and enroll to minor schools there? So, when you come back people still look up to you because you studied in other country.” dealing with her attitude.

“You b*tch!” glaring at me as she clenches her fists.

“You little wench, you think you can look down on me because of my chosen profession.” speaking to her in English. “You don’t understand anything I just said to you, right? You’re using an English name but you can’t even speak in English properly. If I were you, I’ll just study instead of chasing after boys.” turned my back against her and saw Jun coming on our way.

“Look who’s talking, weren’t you work here to seduce the successor of this hospital?” she laughed at me. As a girl in the family, shouldn’t you marry well, that’s the contribution you can give to your family, since being a nurse doesn’t bring fortune, the reason you’re marrying him.”

“Haha, are you sure you’re only 17?” facing her again. “You know how the society goes and that’s impressive for such a young age.”

“Hera, what are you two talking about? You both look serious.” Jun stand beside me as he glances at me and Verta.

“She’s asking me to do her a favor, and I think I’ll help her.” knocked at the door and opens it when the patient gave his permission.

“Nurse Hera, I heard it’s your last day today, are you saying farewell to me?” Lee Adler smiling at me. “It’s a shame that I only met you this weekend, I should be hospitalized when you started here so I can see you every day. Having a beautiful nurse is a rare opportunity.”

“If you came here when I started you should be a patient who’s in a life and death situation. I worked at the ER first before I got here.” looking at the door. “By the way, I brought a friend, may she come in? She said she knew you. Aren’t you going in?” telling Verta to come in.

“She is …” Lee Adler staring at Verta. “What are you doing here??!”

“So, you still remember me.” Verta acting prettily in front of him.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” stepping out from the room. “Let’s go.” Telling Jun to follow me. “It’s up to them how to work it out.” sighing.

“What’s happening?” Jun glancing at me. “That girl before, if I’m not mistaken, she’s the daughter of Hyungdon Group’s CEO.”

“She asked me to set her up with Adler whom she rejected before because she didn’t like his looks but now Adler turns to a hot guy and she’s all into him. Adler, on the other hand, became anorexic because he wanted to be fit. He told me that there’s this girl who broke his heart that’s why he changed for the better version of himself.”

“So, you’re playing Cupid now?” Jun making fun of me.

“No, I’m only giving that girl a lesson. Adler is mad at her so I think he’ll get back at her.” smiling at him.

“That’s an evil smile you got there.” keeping his distance from me. “By the way, I didn’t hear it clearly earlier but you two were having a serious conversation back there.”

“Ah that, I’ve handled it perfectly so you don’t have to worry about it. She’s a spoiled brat but she’s no match to me.” coming at him to corner him at the wall. “She said I seduced you to marry me, is that true??”

“If this is the kind of seduction, she’s talking about then it’s not enough for me to marry you.” pulling me closer to him. “You need to do more than that to be wife.” about to kiss me in the lips when suddenly Nurse Gin walks by and cleared her throat.

“This is a hospital not a hotel. Please be aware of your surroundings.” Nurse Gin walks off after reprimanding us.

“You heard that, now let go of me.” telling him off but he doesn’t have any intention to let go. “Jun, what are you doing??”

“Seducing you, you started it so take responsibility of your action.” kissing my lips passionately as if he doesn’t care about anything but us.

“Eeeeewww!” children saw what we’re doing.

Pushed Jun with all my might for me to released from his arms. “Uhm, who wants ice cream??” distracting their attention.

“Me!” raising their hands.

“Then return to your rooms and this man here.” Pointing at Jun. “Will deliver the ice cream to your room, if you’re not in bed he won’t give it to you. right, Ice Cream Man?” asking his cooperation.

“That’s right, I’m the Ice Cream Man.” holding back his laughter.

“Yehey, Ice Cream Man!!” children cheering for him.

I left him with the children as I’m still embarrass for getting caught by them kissing Jun at the hallway.

5 hours later and my shift is over, as well as my last day reporting for work, and I’m getting emotional as I changed my clothes.

“Did you cry?” Jun waiting for me outside the lockers room. “Are you sad leaving your job behind??” wiping my tears.

“I’m going to miss them, especially the children.” embracing him.

“Are you regretting your decision? I’m not stopping you from doing anything you want to do.” patting my back as I cry on his chest.

“A little, but our child’s health is what matters to me. I don’t know when I’m coming back to work but I’ll be back in the future.” looking up to him. “I can go back, right?” sniffing.

“Of course, you can. Whatever makes you happy, I’ll always support your decision.” planting a kiss on my forehead. “Now, stop crying.”

“I’m trying but I can’t help it.” burying my face on his chest.

“They’re waiting for us, you know.” hugging me back. “The party won’t start until you show up.”

“I thought the event earlier with the children was already the farewell party they prepared.” pulling away from him.

“That’s an afternoon tea party but this time it’s a night party with your colleagues. They’re at the bar right now, but I don’t advice you to drink alcohol, so you’re going to drive back home later.” pointing at me.

“I think you’re getting drunk tonight for saving me from the drinks.”

We arrived at the bar by 9pm and party until midnight, drinking alcohol while dancing to the band’s music made our night to remember.

I took care of the drunk Jun since I brought him to my place and I slept by 2am when I got him into bed.

I woke up by 8am and got up from bed immediately, thinking that I was late for work and Jun just laughed at me while reminding me that I no longer work for JHMC.

“You’re not going to bring anything with you and just leave everything behind??” Jun looking at me in puzzlement.

“Yup, the new resident supposed to occupy the place since Monday but she gave me three days to stay so in exchange I’m leaving all my stuffs to her and she thanked me because she didn’t have to buy anything for her new home. Also, she’s the only person left at the nurse station last night while we’re out partying, so it’s just right to reward her.”

“Well she’s lucky, we cleaned the whole place for her and cooked dinner. I think we’ve done enough to welcome her home.” nodding.

“Should we wait for her outside instead of here? We’re her guests now and she’s the new owner of the place.” opens the door and giving the room one last look before we leave.

We met the new owner at 6pm and had a chat with her before we departed from the residential area for JHMC staffs.

Because we’re only engaged and not yet married, I’m staying at the South Mansion with my family.

They still didn’t know that I’m pregnant since Jun and I agreed to keep it a secret from our families until my older sister’s wedding.

9 days later, it’s finally Demeter’s church wedding with my brother-in-law who happens to have the same name as my cousin-in-law and my real brother, Zeus.

Z.N. is my brother’s call name. Z.L. which stands for Zeus Latona, whom my cousin Leto married, father of the twins Artemis and Apollo. Z.C. for my brother-in-law, father of my niece Persephone, whom my sister married last year in a civil wedding on the same day she gave birth.

... To be continued ...