Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 2: Know How to Satisfy (2 of 2)

“You should’ve ordered at the restaurant and put it in my tab. You must have decent meals and eat instant food only for snacks.” reprimanding me for what I’ve done.

“It’s just that I’m looking for something to eat and you’ve got nothing on your fridge aside from drinks and all you have are instant foods. We should put food in your fridge, it’s cheaper to cook than to buy in the restaurant. I know you’re spending your parents’ money so I can’t be a burden to you. Let’s go for a grocery this weekend, alright?”

“If you say so, but I would like to correct what you just said. You’re not a burden to me and you never will be, you’re my friend so don’t think that way. I can always share what’s mine to you.” he said.

“Uhh, you’re so sweet.” hugging him. “Hey, aren’t you tired? It’s almost midnight and I just stayed here to wait for you to come home.”

“You’re the one who’s sweet.” embracing me back. “Alright, it’s enough of cuddling, I might want to kiss you if we continue.”

“Eww, now you’re being gross.” pulling away from him. “Ahaha, I’m going to my room now. Good night, Ryan!” walking towards my room.

“Good night, Hera.” staying seated at the sofa as he watches me go.

We’ve been joking to each other about kissing but we never done it before aside from the kiss on the cheeks when we’re greeting.

We know what we can and can’t do as friends, and no one crossed the line even if we’re too close to each other.

I’ve decorated his home the next day and knit a scarf for him for the rest of the weekdays.

We went to the grocery to buy the foods that we can store in his fridge as I decided to cook for our meals instead of buying from the restaurant every day.

Because I used to live frugally for 9 months, I’ve learned some skills that I want to share with him who’s still living lavishly.

There’s nothing much of household to do with his place since someone is doing the housekeeping so all I can do for him is to cook his meals.

On the 20th of December, since he’s already in winter break from the university, instead of going back to US to spend Christmas and New Year with his family, he told them that he’s doing a charity work.

Well what he told to his parents wasn’t entirely a lie because he really came with me to the orphanage and had fun with the children the day before and after Christmas.

We spent 3 days in the church before we headed back to the capital on the weekend to prepare for my interview on Monday.

It was 2 days hiring process and I made it on the 2nd day when I got interviewed by the higher ups.

Fortunately, I’m hired and I’ve signed a 1-year contract for my residency then when that contract expires, they’ll decide where I should be deployed next whether I should continue in Korea or in US if passed the performance evaluation after deliberation and I wished to renew my contract.

“Ryan!” I jumped into him immediately as I saw him waiting for me at the lounge area. “I made it! I’m going to start on the 12th of January next year and that’s 2 weeks from now!”

He caught me with his arms as he lifted me a bit when I threw myself to him. “I never had a doubt, you’re a c*m laude from YU so I already expected that you’ll get hired immediately.” putting me down.

“I want to have a drink with you to celebrate but we’re going to the orphanage tomorrow morning so let’s do it later when we get back.”

“Of course, it’s all up to you.” smiling widely at me. “Let’s go. We have to buy the fireworks for the New Year’s Eve tomorrow as well as the groceries for the feast.” offering his arm for me to hold on.

“Right. We’ve got a lot of things to do today for tomorrow.” holding onto his arm. “I’m still guilty that I’m taking you away from your parents this New Year, they already let you celebrate Christmas with me and they’re expecting you to come home while you’re on your break.”

“Nah, it’s alright, I told them that I’m bringing you to Washington with me.” looking at me anxiously. “I already booked our flight the day after tomorrow at 6pm and we’ll return here at Sunday night considering the time difference between Seoul and Washington.”

“You’re telling me about this now?!!” taking my hands off from his arm as I give him a serious look. “I didn’t prepare anything for your parents! I have to add it in my budget when we go shopping today. I can’t go there empty handed, it’s my first time meeting my best friend’s parents so I have to give them a good impression of me.”

“You don’t have to bother, we’re just friends and not lovers so you don’t have to give them anything. You only need to bring yourself that’s all.”

“It may not be in your culture but that’s the culture here so doesn’t tell me what to do because I know what I’m doing. Also, I’ve been living off with you using their money so it’s just right to give back to them.”

“So stubborn.” rolling his eyes on me. “Do whatever you want, you’re not going to listen to me anyway.” walking towards his car at the parking lot of the hospital.

I originally wanted to spend 3 days again at the orphanage but because Ryan involved me to his plan, I couldn’t say no to him.

We celebrated the New Year’s Eve with the children and left the next day to catch our flight to Washington.

It was my 1st time taking a commercial flight since I couldn’t use my own plane because of the dispute I have with my family.

Though we took the first-class seats, being with strangers in a plane was a new experience to me.

Since Washington is 14 hours behind from Seoul, it’s like we didn’t had a long flight after all and arrived at our destination by 10pm of January 1st even if we departed by 6pm from Korea.

“It’s afternoon in Seoul by now but it’s just night here in Washington.” walking with me along with the other passengers from the plane.

“Yeah right, it’s like we just drove from our residence in Gangnam to Yeongdo. I’ve been sleeping for half a day in the plane but I still feel exhausted right now because of the long flight.” leaning to him.

“And they really come to pick us.” looking at the couple standing along with the crowd. “Mom, dad, what are you two doing here?”

Standing straight as I tidy my dress and hair before I greet his parents. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis.” kissing their cheeks.

“Oh my god! You really are beautiful, Ms. Nevaeh.” Mrs. Lewis said to me as she holds my hands. “My child is lucky to have you.”

“I’m proud of you son!” Mr. Lewis hugging Ryan. “You bring this beauty in our family and not to mention she’s a Nevaeh.”

“Dad, Mom, Hera and I are just friends.” Ryan clearing the misunderstanding to his parents. “How many times do I have to tell you, that she and I are impossible to be together?!”

“But you’re coming here together now, so nothing is impossible.” Mrs. Lewis countered Ryan’s whining.

“You fool!” Mr. Lewis scolding Ryan. “Let us handle your love affair, you can’t miss this rare opportunity to marry a Nevaeh!”

“Do you want to go back to Seoul right now, Hera?” Ryan turning to me.

I wanted to say yes but I don’t want to be rude to his parents so I just play along to please them.

It’s just 2 days stay anyway so I tried to satisfy his parents knowing that they want me to be their daughter-in-law.

We departed from Washington on Sunday morning at 5am and arrived to Seoul in the evening since his winter break is over and he’s going back to school.

I made his meals for the last 6 days and put back his place to its original form before I moved out to the hospital staff’s residence.

It’s the 2nd Monday of the New Year and my 1st day to my new workplace but because I’m a new face I got everyone’s attention when I got out from the locker room wearing my nurse uniform.

“Aren’t you the fairest of them all?” Head Nurse Jeon Juon standing in front of me as she told everyone to fall in line before we head out to the nurse’s station. “I guess our station will be pack of men because of your beauty and I don’t like that kind of fuss in our station.”

“It’s not going to happen Head Nurse Jeon.” reassuring her. “I’m only here to assist in activities of daily living of patients; management and administration of their medication; and educate them with their condition. Those are the scope of activities; I’ve signed up for and nothing else. I’m not here to entertain anyone.”

“Very well said, I trust your words, Nurse Nevaeh.” Head Nurse Jeon nodded at me. “I hope everyone here also know what their job is.”

“Yes, Head Nurse Jeon!” everyone responded to her.

“There’s no hospital tour and introduction to other personnel, you’ll get familiar to the place and the people anyway with your stay. Being said let’s get to work everyone.” Head Nurse Jeon left us to the care of the tenure nurses.

“Head Nurse Jeon, doesn’t like to talk much but as you can see, she’s not that friendly.” Nurse who talked first after Head Nurse Jeon walked away from us. “I’m Nurse Noh Jeol, those who aren’t done with their 1st year of residency, come with me.”

Following her along with four other nurses who seems to be fresh graduates from college.

“Oh, the beauty belongs to our department too.” Nurse Noh look back at me. “No one wanted to be in the emergency room so we usually have newcomers, there’s another tenure aside from me so don’t worry.”

When we arrived at the nurse station, there’s another nurse sitting on the chair and doing her task.

“Nurse Lao, I bring the new members of our team.” Nurse Noh told the other nurse upon our arrival. “And we got 5 even though we asked for 7 nurses.”

“What can we expect?” Nurse Lao shrugging her shoulders. “Oh wow!” noticing me. “You must be the Goddess that everyone is talking about.”

“Yeah, I bet she is. I guess our station will be the center of attention this year.” Nurse Noh smiling at me.

“I’m Nurse Lao Ruth, so let’s start designating your labor.” looking at us. “Nurse Nevaeh, you had 9 months working experience, right?”

“Yes, Senior Nurse Lao.” nodding at her. “I’ve worked at Goyang Hospital for almost 9 months so I know how to handle emergency patients and in the trauma care.”

“Good, at least we only need to handle these four fresh graduates.” Nurse Noh stated. “Nurse So and Nurse Utah, you’re under my supervision, come with me, I’ll tell you what to do.”

“Nurse Ko and Nurse Real, you’re with me.” Nurse Lao calling the attention of two other nurses. “Nurse Nevaeh you’re on stand-by, I’m bringing these two inside and show them the medicines.”

“Yes, Senior Nurse Lao.” smiling at her before I turn to look at the patient’s record.

“Well, hello there!” a foreign man standing in front of me. “You must be one of the new nurses, I’m Dr. Haggerty.” reaching out his hand to me. “Are you sure that you should be here in this department and not in the VIP ward?”

“I’m certain, Dr. Haggerty.” shaking his hand. “I haven’t completed a year of residency yet, so I don’t think I can handle VIPs.”

“Patients might think that they’re in heaven if they see you as their nurse.” talking comfortably with his sense of humor. “Welcome, aboard Nurse Nevaeh.” smiling at me.

“Thank you, Dr. Haggerty.” bowing at him as I watch him go to his office. “So, he’s the one who’s in-charge in this department.”

“You two must memorized those medicines for proper management and administration to the patients.” Nurse Lao coming out with Nurse Ko and Nurse Real from the med room.

“Dr. Haggerty is already in his office.” letting them know.

“Oh, so you met him. That’s right, we got an American doctor in our department but he’s fluent in Korean so no need to worry.” Nurse Lao assuring the two nurses.

“Yes, he spoke Korean with me.” supporting Nurse Lao’s statement.

“We’re done with the quick round to the patients in ICU.” Nurse Noh walking towards us with Nurse So and Nurse Utah. “Is Dr. Haggerty in?” pointing at the doctor’s office.

“Nurse Nevaeh just talked to him and speaking of Dr. Haggerty, a very handsome man always come here for him on Mondays.” Nurse Lao looking at herself on the mirror as she tidies her hair. “He’s the son of the owner of this hospital as you probably all know whom I’m talking about.” looking at me and the other nurses.

They’re all dolling up themselves as I only watch them preparing for someone, I don’t have any idea who.

“That’s right Nurse Nevaeh don’t do anything and you might as well go to the med room when he comes, you also need to see them right?” Nurse Lao telling me to hide.

“I’ll go, I don’t have anything to do with him anyway.” going towards the med room as they all gather at the station. “Maybe he always come at this hour that’s why everyone’s anticipating him but how come even the newcomers know him and I don’t? Am I missing something??”

I familiarized myself where to get the medicines I might need for the patients when I heard the girls giggling which I assumed because of the handsome man they’re talking about.

I’m not a bit curious of that man is especially if he’s the son of the owners as I’ve got nothing to do with anyone else aside from my job.

“Ryan?!!” surprise to see him waiting for me at the lobby.

“That’s why Nurse Nevaeh got no interest in any other man, she already got a good-looking man by her side.” Nurse Ko said to Nurse So who are coming along with me after our shift ended.

“So foreign man is your type, huh?” Nurse So giving me a look.

“Ryan and I are just friends; I’ll introduce you to him.” telling them to come with me as I approach Ryan. “What are you doing here?!” giving Ryan a hug. “You missed me immediately? We just saw each other yesterday morning.” noticed the girls looking at me and Ryan. “By the way, these are my colleagues, Nurse Ko and Nurse So.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies.” Ryan bowing to them. “If you’ll excuse us, I’m going to borrow Hera.” giving me a push as we walk towards the exit. “I need your help.” he uttered with a serious face.

“What can I help you with?” worried about him.

“I’ll you the details in the car.” heading towards his car at the parking lot. “I don’t think I can handle it on my own so I need you.” getting in to his car immediately.

“Alright, tell me what to do.” getting in at his passenger seat. “But first thing first, what’s going on??”

“I’m in love.” he said as he steps on the gas to hit the road.

“Wait, what??!” confirming if I heard him right. “You were normal yesterday what happened to you today?!”

“I met her last night when I went to a bar for a drink, we danced, got drunk and make out. When she left in the morning, she told me to see her tonight at the skating rink.” He said with a huge smile on his face.

“You are way too damn quick, Ryan!” having mixed emotion right now. “You just met her last night and you got laid, just like that??!”

“Yes, I’m no longer a virgin and so she is, we gave our first time to each other last night, and now we’re both in love.” smiling like a fool.

“I’m loss for words right now, I don’t know what to say to you as you just blow my mind with your big news.” still processing his words.

“She’s coming with her friend and told me to bring a friend with me. It just so happened that you’re my only friend so I’m bringing you with me to distract her friend and give me and her time alone together.”

-End of Chapter 2