Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 3: I Don’t Need Anybody Else (2 of 2)

“I’m portraying a perfect man for him so no, don’t worry Jojo and I are still good.” glancing at me. “Jun is asking so much about you and he’s using Jojo to get information from me.”

“Is that so? He’s been coming here every day but he never talked to me directly after I got angry at him.” recalling the time I snapped out.

“Yes, and you scared the hell out of him but still he wants to pursue you. I can imagine what you told him when you’re that mad and every man you rejected before always back off but he’s more determined.”

“You know I don’t need anybody else in my life, right?” getting in at the passenger seat of his car.

“But you can’t be alone for the rest of your life.” putting on his seatbelt before he steps on the gas.

“I’m not alone, I have a daughter and you as my best friend.” glancing at him. “Even though you’ve got Joanna now and probably you’re going to marry her since you two already doing what married couples do.”

“We haven’t talk about marriage yet but I guess we’re heading there when I got her pregnant. You’re distracting me Hera. We’re talking about you here and not me.” noticed that I diverted our topic.

“I’m good, really. You don’t have to worry about me. About that Jun, he’ll give up on me eventually so you don’t have concern yourself about him too. Just be happy with your love life, alright?” tapping his shoulder. “Stop being a worry-wart about my affairs.”

“How can I not worry about you if I’m the only one who’s currently on your side?” glancing at me. “Do you still have money to spend for your own sake? You’re paying for your child medication and other expenses, right? And we both know that you didn’t make much from your previous job and you still don’t have your salary on your current job.”

“I’m good with budgeting so you don’t have to worry about my financials. If I need money, I’ll tell you immediately.” reassuring him.

“Fine, just don’t keep your problems to yourself, alright?”

“I won’t, I’ll share my burdens with you even if you get sick of me.”

“That’s not gonna happen.” shaking his head. “Even if I love someone else, I’m always here for you, don’t you ever forget that.”

“Uhh, should I steal you away from Joanna?” making fun of him.

“I’ll like to see you trying, but I love her differently from how I’m loving you as my best friend.” he responded.

“Yeah, I know, you’re sexually attracted to her though you had a crush on me before and you’re completely over it.” smiling at him.

“Aside from I’m sexually attracted to her, I think I’m also crazy for her. I thought love at first sight is all bullsh*t before but now that I’m actually experiencing it on my own, I can’t help but fall for her.”

“My friend, you’re lovesick.” sighing. “I really hope that you have your happy ending with your love story.”

We went for an evening stroll that Wednesday night after my shift and he got time to spend with me because Joanna is busy with her studies which means they can’t see each other that night.

Joanna and Jun are classmates but Jun got time to hang around every morning in the hospital like he’s not busy with his studies at all.

On the 30th of January, I finally have my 1st pay from my current job and it’s twice the amount from what I used to get from my previous.

“Ryan, Joanna.” hugging them both as I kiss their cheeks. “I got my pay today, you both got no classes tomorrow, right? Shall we grab a drink this Friday night?” smiling at them.

“Sure, let’s have a drink.” Joanna clinging onto my arm. “Ryan told me that I can call you just Hera and not unnie, is it alright if I’m casual to you even if I’m younger?”

“I don’t mind at all; besides I would like it if you just call me Hera that could make us closer to each other.” reassuring her.

“Told you, Hera isn’t that traditional.” Ryan following us from behind as we walk towards his car at the parking lot.

I already know that I’m going to sit at the back seat of his car but I never expect that I’ll be sitting with Jun.

“I didn’t bring my Harley with me so I’m also a passenger here.” Jun said as he stares at me while I’m getting in at the backseat.

“I see.” I still remember every word I told him before and this is the first time that we talk with each other again after that incident.

“You’re not mad at me anymore, aren’t you?” he asked anxiously.

“Let’s just forget about it.” smiling at him.

“That’s a relieved, I couldn’t bring myself to talk to you in the hospital because I thought you’re still mad at me as you never look at my way.”

“It’s not like that, I’m only focusing with my job and I’m passionate about it so tend to ignore that’s unrelated.” explaining myself to him.

“I understand.” he nodded. “It’s your day off tomorrow, right? We can party all night without worrying for tomorrow.”

“That’s what I intend to do, your hospital pays the right amount of salary to its employees, so it’s all on me tonight.” being generous to them. “Let’s go to wherever club you wished to get wasted tonight.”

“Then let’s go to this club that us riders used to go every Friday night.” Jun suggested the place and Joanna agreed with him so Ryan just drove us to their desired destination.

It was really a club for riders as we’re the only one who got down from a car but because the two might be regular customers everyone were so friendly towards me and Ryan who are obviously first timers.

There’s a billiard pool and table hockey inside the club as well as we could play darts if we wanted too.

Aside from the band on the stage playing a lively music that could make everyone dance, everything in the club is completely entertaining.

“How much is our bill?” sneaking out from our table to the counter to pay for the expenses we incurred.

“You’re with Young Master Oh, right?” cashier asking me. “You don’t have to pay anything, he already paid us in advanced since last year and we’re just deducting everything from his prepayment.”

“He’s a loyal customer, isn’t he?” smiling at her as I put my wallet back in my bag. “Question, do all customers here just drink and drive with their motorcycles? Isn’t it dangerous for everyone to do that?”

“I know exactly your concern but they all know how to drink responsibly and most of them are coming back here alive so I think they can handle their alcohol very well.” she said.

“If you say so, you know them better than I do.” walking back to our table. “Where’s Ryan and Joanna?”

“Probably making out somewhere, they just left me here.” Jun drinking his beer. “It’s hard to be single when you’re with a couple.”

“Well you could get any girl here in the club if you want to, I don’t think it’ll be hard for you with your looks.” looking around.

“I don’t want any other girls; I want the one who’s sitting right beside me.” glancing at me as he rests his face on his palm.

“You’re drunk, you’re spouting nonsense.” ignoring his stares as I drink my beer. “Are they coming back or they ditched us?”

“Ryan’s car is still there so they’re coming back but if you want to ditch them before they ditch us, I’m in.” smiling at me.

“We could wait here until they’re done with their business or sober up before we go home. Let’s go and grab some coffee then. I didn’t spend in this club anyway because of your prepayment so let me treat you.”

“There’s a coffee shop near here.” coming with me without thinking twice. “It’s open for 24 hours so we can dine in there.”

“Sure, lead the way.” following him outside the club.

We walked and talked all the way to the coffee shop that he mentioned, since we’re a bit drunk and reek of alcohol we chose to drink our coffee outside even it’s quite cold.

“I can’t believe you ate a paper clip once, Ahaha!” laughing at his story.

“I was 5 and paper clips we’re too colorful that I thought they were candies but I still remember how painful it was and how my parents worried about me in the hospital.” he continued.

“Of course, they were worried about you, you don’t know how painful it is for parents to watch their child suffering.” I suddenly remember Hebe when she’s crying in my arms.

“You must be a sweet child to your parents to speak like that.” he noticed that I’m lost in deep thoughts.

“On the contrary, I’m the black sheep in the family.” drinking my coffee. “The reason I’ve been kicked out from home.”

“Believe it or not, but I really am. Looks can be deceiving you know. I may look like a good girl to everyone but I’m a bad girl to my family.”

“I wonder how bad you were to be kicked out from home as you said.”

“You don’t wanna know, also I can’t tell it to anyone.” shaking my head.

“Does Ryan know about it?” staring at me.

“He knows something but not everything and now you know something about me too that only Ryan knows.” emptying my cup.

“Well I shared to you some of my embarrassing moments so I think we had a great exchange of information to each other.” he chuckles.

“Fair trade, right?” smiling at him. “Don’t tell anyone about me, I’ve got a lot of rumors already and I don’t like being the center of attention.”

“I know what you mean.” emptying his cup too. “Since we shared our secrets, are we friends now and not just acquaintances?”

“If you really mean friendship then I guess I can consider you as one. Though you’re a flirty one, I don’t think you’re a bad friend.”

“Flirty??! I prefer romantic that’s more pleasant to hear.” he said.

“Fine, whatever you say. Should we check on with our other friends that we left in the club? We’ve been gone for almost half an hour and I think they’re done by now, what do you think?”

“I guess I’m the one who’s driving everyone’s home anyway.” standing up. “Let’s go.” reaching out his hand to me.

“What’s that for?” looking at his hand.

“Trying my luck if you’ll hold my hand while we’re walking.” smiling at me. “Ryan said that you’ve been holding hands, hugging and kissing each other’s cheek even though you’re just friends, we’re friends, now aren’t we?” still waiting for me to take his hand.

“Ryan is an American and it’s normal in his culture, as for you, I know you’re American too but it’s clearly that it’s not normal for you.”

“That’s offensive. Just because he’s purely American and I’m obviously Korean even though I just lived here for over 5 years, you think that I’m having ulterior motive when I ask to hold your hand.”

“I learned my lesson when you forced me to hug you last time.” walking past by him as we head back to the club.

“Hey, that’s because I want to keep you safe since you’re at my back.”

“Nice try, but I’m not buying it.” staring ahead.

“Fine, I’m guilty. But it’s normal for me and Joanna though, when it comes to you, I can’t help but to think of anything else.” he said.

“See, that’s why physical contact is not for us.” keeping a distance from him as we walk along the road.

“I shouldn’t have told you the truth but because of my habit when I’m nervous, I just revealed myself to you, damn it!” scratching his head.

When we arrived at the club, Ryan and Joanna were back at our table and they’re both wasted so Jun carried Joanna first and put her at the backseat of Ryan’s car before he helped me to carry Ryan and put him beside Joanna.

I’m telling Jun the direction where Ryan lives while he drives, and I can’t believe he’s very bad with directions and gets lost easily, so it took us an hour to get to our destination.

“Why do we have to put them in separate bedrooms when they already sleep together too many times before?” Jun threw Ryan on his bed.

“Because this is the right thing to do.” took off Ryan’s shoes and tucked him in to his blanket after I put his head on the pillow.

“Let me guess, taking care of people becomes your habit because of your job as a nurse.” watching me as he stands by the door way.

“This is what I’m good at, taking care of anyone who needs to be taken care of.” getting out from Ryan’s bed after I settled him in. “I know you’re tired too, you sleep on the sofa in the living room, I’ll get you a blanket, you don’t have to watch my every move.”

“What about you, where are you going to sleep?” still following me everywhere I go as if I’m going to disappear.

“To the other sofa in the living room, I need to wake up earlier to make a hangover soup for those two since they’re going to have a headache.”

“You mean, we’re both sleeping in the living room??!” smiling like a kid.

“It’s just sleeping what’s the big deal about that? Also, it’s a common area in the house and we’re not sleeping in one sofa anyway.”

 “Much better if we do.” he mumbled but I heard him clearly. “I’m kidding, though I half meant what I said.”

“I’m warning you; don’t you ever lay a finger on me while I’m sleeping.”

“Of course, I won’t dare to do anything improper to you without your permission. I maybe a flirt but I’m not a pervert.” raising his hand.

“Let’s see about that.” handing him the blanket I got from the drawer. “I’ll take the shorter sofa since you’re taller than me.” taking three pillows from the sofa that he’s about to use as his bed.

“Oh, you’re lying that way.” watching me lay down first. “Then my head should be in here for me to look at you while you’re sleeping.”

“Just go to sleep, will you?” facing the other way to turn my back from him as I want to sleep at peace.

“That’s not fair, I want to see your face.” whining at me.

“Quiet now, please I’m tired too, let me get some sleep.”

“Alright, I’ll quiet now.” he finally turns into silent mode.

I should be the one who woke up 1st in the morning but Jun woke up the earliest and I’m the last among us.

“What are you doing??” the moment I opened my eyes I saw Jun staring at me while sitting on the floor.

“Waiting for you to wake up and have breakfast with you.” smiling at me as he keeps his distance away from me.

“Right, breakfast.” sitting up immediately as I put my glasses on.

“Jun, already took care of it.” Ryan called my attention. “He’s a good cook, Hera, he even made hangover soup for us.”

“Jun is against instant food so he knows how to cook.” Joanna added.

“You should’ve woken me up.” turning to Jun as I get up from the sofa.

“I tried to call your name once or twice but you never budge so I did everything myself, besides I woke up the earliest among us.” standing up from the floor. “You’re prettier without your glasses on.”

“I need glasses to see because of my eyesight, I’m short-sighted.”

“Well even though you’re wearing big round glasses you still can’t hide those captivatingly beautiful eyes of yours.” walking off first towards the dining room where Ryan and Joanna already having their breakfast.

“That’s how romantic my best friend is.” Joanna said to Ryan. “You should learn from him sometimes.”

“I may not be a romantic person to you but I know how to romance you.” Ryan responded to Joanna that made her blush. “See, I know exactly how to make you that face.”

-End of Chapter 3