Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 8: Have You Ever Felt the Warm Embrace (1 of 2)

I bring Jun inside my room and clean him up in the bathroom after he threw up, treating him like a patient with serious condition.

Though I didn’t have a problem seeing him naked before, I can’t understand why am I feeling weird when I’m putting my big clothes on him after I washed him up.

I distracted myself from making fun of him when I saw him wearing my clothes that are too tight for his body figure.

I let him sleep in my bed since I’m sleeping in the morning while I read the book, he gave to me beside him.

I didn’t notice that I’ve been touching his soft hair while I’m reading as it’s very relaxing to me as if I’m petting him.

“Hera, Hera, Hera, Hera wake up.” Jun tapping my shoulder.

“What?!” opening my eyes. “Jun?!!” jumping out from my bed. “What have you done to me??!” checking my body.

“I should be the one asking you that question.” watching me while I’m perusing down fourth. “What have you done to me? Why am I wearing these clothes?? And more importantly why are you sleeping right next to me??? You’re even hugging me like I’m your teddy bear.”

“You threw up on your clothes and you almost peed in your pants so I cleaned you up last night as well as your dirty clothes that are currently hanging outside. I can’t let you wear only the robes as you might catch a cold so I lend you my biggest clothes which obviously fitted on you.” explaining myself to him.

“How about the sleeping part, you haven’t explained it yet.” smirking.

“I fell asleep, my bad.” looking away. “I just lay down for a while as I read but you really are my sleeping pill.”

“What about hugging me tight??” smiling at me.

“How can I explain something I’ve done unconsciously?” getting annoyed at his smile. “Hey, shouldn’t you be going to school?”

“I don’t wanna.” tucking himself in my blanket. “I’m skipping classes today since I already missed my first class.” pointing at the clock.

“What it’s already 10am?!!” stand up immediately. “And you just woke me up now??!” screaming at him.

“I tried to wake you up by 6am but you didn’t open your eyes, you hugged me instead, so I let you sleep a little bit more.” he responded.

“You should’ve tried harder waking me up. How could you just let me be??!” frowning at him. “You missed your class because of me.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m studying in advanced anyway.” his stomach suddenly growls. “What I missed is breakfast, will you cook for me?”

“I’ll prepare our brunch.” walking towards the kitchen. “Anyway, if you want to change your clothes, I think yours are already dry since the sun is up for a long time now.”

“I feel violated.” he said. “You saw me naked again and you even put these clothes on me while I’m unconscious.”

“Hey, I just took care of you!” glancing at him. “Also, I’ve nursed you before, right? So, what’s the issue now??!”

“Your reaction.” giving me a serious look. “Am I really not that attractive to you … sexually??”

“Well, your body is the best I’ve seen among other men and I’ll be lying if I said I’m not a bit sexually attracted.” being honest with him.

“Hera.” standing behind me. “I’m using my 3rd wish.” embracing me from behind. “Let me hug you for a while, just stay still.”

I let him embrace me as he wanted to but when I felt his erection, I had to reprimand him before something happen.

“You know the knife here is within my reach, right?” threatening him to let me go. “Do you want to know my cutting ability?”

“Fine.” pulling away from me. “I better go and take a bath now.” getting his clothes from the balcony. “But if you ever change your mind, I’m not locking the bathroom door, you may come and join me if you want.”

“Is that your death wish?” pointing the knife to him as I watch him go inside the bathroom. “Even if you leave that door wide open, I’ll never be interested to join you, so dream on.”

“Then I’ll leave the door wide open as you said.” smirking at me.

“Do that and I won’t let you come here ever again.” challenging him.

“Fine, I just leave the door unlock.” closing the bathroom door.

“Why did I ever let him hug me in the first place?!” continue with meal preparation. “Now he’s getting his hopes up.”

It only took him 15 minutes, half time of how much I spend in the bathroom in taking a bath.

He assisted me with cooking and preparing the table before we could finally have our brunch.

He also accompanied me with the laundry that I should’ve done last night but he because he asked me out, I didn’t go to the laundromat.

We basically hanged out the whole day before he dropped me off at the hospital for my night shift.

“Let’s have dinner again next week, I’ll cook at your place.” he said.

“Fine, but no alcoholic beverage.” returning the helmet, I used.

“Sure, let’s just have cola then or juice, whatever you want to drink.”

“Cola is fine.” walk towards the entrance. “Drive safely.” looking back at him and saw a big smile on his face.

He was aloof at me before but I he’s somewhat back to his old self again whose always warm at me, and I actually missed it.

I prefer him as a warm person than being cold as he’s getting on my nerves because of his rudeness.

The next Wednesday evening, he came at my place to show off his cooking skills as I haven’t watched him actually preparing a meal.

We just had a nice dinner that night and he left at 9pm to go back to his dorm for tomorrow’s class.

Because it’s a new month, my shift also changed from night to morning, and I had to report the very next day for my new shift.

My day off also changed from Wednesdays to Saturdays this July.

“Finally, we can hangout on Friday night until Saturday night, we can have a real camping now.” Jun smiling from ear to ear.

“Also, my 1-week leave got approved. I actually had doubts at first because it’s 7 days straight but the HR signed my VL form.”

“Yeah, they took advantage of me for that one.” he mumbled.

“What do you mean??” raising my eyebrow at him. “You’ve got something to do with my approved vacation leave?!”

“I’m going to see Prof. Macklemore in his office now.” trying to run away but I grabbed his shirt immediately and sit him back on the bench. “Fine, I’ve pulled some strings.” looking away from me.

“Why? It’s my vacation leave, what do you have to do with it??”

“Yes, all the staffs are entitled for 2-weeks’ vacation in a year but because of the nature of your job, you’re only allowed for 5 consecutive days at the maximum, I happened to visit the HR department when they’re reviewing your application for leave, they supposed to reject it but I made a deal with them.” he explained.

“I thought it’s all up to me how to use my leave but there’s such rule exists??” thinking deeply. “But wait, what deal are you talking about?”

“Organizing a monthly event as well as performing for everyone.” He responded. “The news about me being the life of a party came to their knowledge, since I’m making JHMC a great place to work for the staffs, I agreed to their proposition in exchange of their approval.”

“For how long are you going to do it?” glancing at him.

“Starting this month until the end of the year. So, 6 times.” he said.

“Don’t you want to do it?” feeling a bit sorry for him.

“It’s for the sake of everyone in JHMC anyway so I’m fine with it. Why, do you feel sorry for me for doing things for you without getting something in exchange??” smirking at me. “I can give and do anything for the person I love without expecting anything in return.”

“Jun.” about to reject his feelings again but he cut me off immediately.

Covering my mouth with his hand. “If you’re going to say something again that will break my heart, please don’t. If you’re touched for what I’ve done, a simple affection will do,”

Putting his hand down. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” he replied. “You should head back in; lunch break is over. I’ll see you later for dinner.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be reviewing for the finals? You should go back to the campus and study in your dorm, not lurking around here.”

“Do you want to make a deal with me again? I only have 5 wishes left and I can use some more when I win.” he said confidently.

“Hmm … Either you win or lose your 5 wishes will be forfeited but if you win, I’ll give you a friendly kiss.” getting rid of his wishes.

“Though there’s a kiss and it’s tempting but the word friendly bothers me.” thinking deeply. “Well I can use one of my wishes to get that friendly kiss from you, so, no … no deal.” shaking his head.

“Fine, I’m going back now.” walk off first to go back to the nurse station but he chased after me and grabbed my hand.

“How about this? Either I win or lose, my 5 wishes will be forfeited, but if I win, you’ll be mine for a day.” smiling charmingly at me.

“Sure, let’s be lovers for a day but after that you have to moved on and be contented with our friendship, do we have an accord?”

“I didn’t see that coming, why do you always have the upper hand?” thinking deeply for a while. “Deal.” kissing the back of my hand.

“Was that really necessary?” holding my breath for me not to show any reaction even though my heart skipped a beat for a moment.

“Hmm.” sighing heavily. “So cold-hearted … off you go.” turned his back against me as he walks towards the opposite way.

Showing sudden affection to me makes me lost it for a while but I know it’s not love, just me being caught off guard.

After 9 days straight of working in the hospital, I just wanted to sleep for 24 hours and wake up on Sunday morning for my shift.

But because of the promise I made with Hailee, I have to wake up early on a Saturday morning for our city tour.

“Is Jun not coming today?” Hailee putting on her shoes. “He didn’t come to see you last night and this morning. He knows that your off on Saturdays now, right?”

“It’s his finals next week so he’s studying. Why are you looking for him? I thought you don’t like him.” taking my backpack with her medications inside.

“At first, because he’s a handsome face and sexy body, so I thought he’s just like other douchebags out there.” looking herself through the mirror. “But he’s one of the nicest, kindest, smartest, and warm-hearted people I know, aside from you, of course.”

“I agree, he’s indeed that kind of person, the reason I don’t deserve his love, he’s a great man with a happy life and bright future, I’m only going to ruin everything for him if he’s with me, so I’m only saving him from trouble by rejecting his feelings.” opened the door and saw Jun standing in front. “What are you doing here??”

“Am I the one you’re talking about?” he said with a gloomy look.

“Oh ow.” Hailee reacted. “Jun, did you bring your Harley??” rushing out to cling onto Jun’s arm. “I’ve always wanted to ride a Harley, I only see it on the road in America, I always admire how cool it is!”

While Hailee’s distracting Jun as she takes him away, I just closed the door and followed them quietly.

Jun borrowed his mother’s car to give Hailee a tour around the city instead of letting us commute.

I know that he’s been setting aside the matter while we’re entertaining Hailee during the tour but he’s not the one to forget easily.

We headed back to my place late night and Hailee fell asleep at the backseat of the car.

I pretended to be asleep to avoid having a conversation with him but it didn’t work at all.

“I deserve an explanation, Hera, what do you mean you’re going to ruin everything for me? What trouble you’re saving me from??” he said. “I heard everything you said, I wanna know, Hera.”

“What you’ve heard is just enough for you to understand. You’re a genius, you’ll figured it out.” staring ahead on the road.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with being smart.” glancing at me. “How would I know the answer if I don’t even know how to solve it?”

“Jun …” glancing back at him. “Can’t we really be just friends, huh?”

“It’s not that you can’t love me, you won’t because of your reasons. I want to know those reasons, please give me a chance.” he said.

“All you need to know is that I’m not good enough for you. The end of this conversation, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“It’s up to me to decide if your good or bad for me. I know that we haven’t know each other for too long and you might think that I’m being ridiculous for liking you with a short period of time, but what can I do?” stopping at the red light. “I can’t help falling in love with you.” looking at me in the eyes. “I love you Hera.”

He just confessed to me, my heart is beating rapidly and loudly that it’s about to explode anytime.

We’ve been exchanging glances to each other for a while and if not for the blowing horns, we’ll be trapped in that trance for long.

He carried Hailee in his arms and put her in my bed when he dropped us off to my place.

“Thank you for accompanying us today.” seeing him off. “Take care on your way home. Drive safely.” opening the car door for him.

“Before I go. I’m using my 4th wish.” wrapping his arms around my body.

I should be pushing him away but I just froze and stay still as he hugs me as if I’m being paralyzed.

“Good night.” planting a kiss on my forehead. “Dream of me, will you?”

“Don’t you think you’re going overboard, Oh Jun-ssi??” punching his chest. “Just go home, sleep and study for your finals, alright?”

“Oh Jun-ssi?? Why are you being formal to me, Yi Hera-ssi?” smirking at me. “You’re even telling me a lot of things to do.”

“Yi, I rarely use my Korean last name so it sounds like another person to me.” shoving him in inside the car.

“It’s alright, I’ll lend you my last name. Oh Hera-ssi.” closed the car door and open the window. “Go inside. Unless you want to give me a good night kiss too, it’s better if it’s on my lips.”

“I’m outta here. I ain’t kissing you good night.” turning my back against him as I walk away. “Go home!” looking back at him.

He waved his hand at me as he drove away and I went back upstairs then get ready to bed for tomorrow’s work.

Few days later and it’s Friday night again, Jun came to picked me up along with Ryan and Joanna for the camping they planned before the two go to California for their sweet summer vacation.

“Caprese Salad Tower for dinner, since when did you become a vegetarian, Hera?” Ryan teasing me for ordering a vegetable meal rather than meat like I usually do.

“I just feel like eating vegetables, what’s wrong with that?” eating my meal with gusto. “Mmm, delicious, you must try it.” about to feed him.

... To be continued ...