Makayla POV

My head was throbbing, my stomach ached, and my eyes hung low as I filled out the discharge paperwork of several patients now that I had proven myself useless to my seniors.

I was five hours into my ten hour shift, and of course today of all days was the day I found myself assisting the most surgeries I ever had in one stretch.

I almost threw up each time patients were opened before my eyes and my ability to focus was nonexistent. I kept messing up, handing the wrong tools to our hospital's lead surgeons and answering questions wrong as I was tested in the operating room.

My superiors were pissed with me, and it was all my fault.

"Hey you." Madison said, grabbing my attention as she entered the resident's office. "How are you? I heard Dr. Schwartz kicked you out of the operating room."

"Yeah." I murmured. "I'm on administrative duty the rest of my shift."

Madison showed me a remorseful smile. "What happened? You're usually so sharp. Did you go out clubbing again?"

"No, but alcohol was certainly involved." I sighed. "It won't happen again. I promise."

"Good. You know I'm for letting your hair down here and there, but we really need you. You're the best first year resident we have, and a rising surgeon. Don't get distracted. You're so close to making your career dreams come true."

"Am I though? I have four more years of this chaos."

"It'll go by quickly, I promise!" Madison chuckled, removing her white coat. "Just don't do what I did and focus so much on work, you have nothing to do outside of it."

I raised my eyebrows, seeing a pep in Madison's step as she started gathering her belongings.

"Are you leaving the hospital?" I asked.

"Yes!" She chimed. "Your girl has a date tonight!"

"No way!" I gasped. "How did you even meet someone? You never leave this building."

"He's the son of a former patient of mine." She admitted. "We met three weeks ago, and he's been adamant about grabbing dinner. He's tall, dark, and handsome - Just like I like. Figured I might as well do something on my evening off. Why not enjoy a free meal with a nice view?"

"Hey, maybe you can enjoy some late night desert too?" I winked.

"I mean, it has been a while..." She giggled, making me smile a genuine one for the first time today. "I need to shower and get dressed. You know how to reach me if you need anything."

I nodded. "Have fun!"

I waved to Madison and watched as she walked out of the office.

"Hopefully you meet a good one tonight, Maddie." I uttered to myself. "They seem impossible to come by these days."

Huffing, I went back to concentrating on the paperwork before me.

It seemed never ending, and it didn't help that I didn't have any coffee left in my mug.

"Makayla!" Laura exclaimed, startling me as she burst into the office.

"What the hell?" I asked my fellow resident. "You scared me!"

"Sorry. You know how big this hospital is, and I ran here since you didn't answer my text."

"You texted me?" I gasped, frantically pulling my phone out of my white coat pocket. "I'm such a fuck up, today! I didn't feel my phone vibrate. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, aside from the fact you've been keeping a pretty big secret from me."

"What?" My eyebrows scrunched as I read her text. "There's a hot guy asking for me?"

"Yeah. You're not seeing anyone?" I shook my head. "Really? He asked for you so casually, and he didn't come here empty handed either. I think he brought you food."

"Did you get a name?"

She shook her head. "We were all shocked when he stepped in front of the receptionist desk. I have never seen such a handsome Asian man in my life. He's tall, buff, and very charming. Any of that ringing a bell?"

I chuckled, standing up since such a description did indeed sound familiar.

"Don't misunderstand." I responded. "His name is Jackson. He's just a friend and we actually met through Miguel. He's his roommate."

"Are you telling me that man is fair game?" She pried, following me out of the office.

"Go for it." I confirmed. "He doesn't seem to have much interest in women though."

"Like he's gay?"

"No, he's just a rare male who doesn't think about sex 24/7. He's dedicated to his career."

"Hey, they say men change for the woman they fall for. That could be me, for him!"

I laughed with Laura as we walked through the hospital, and though there were many surgeries today, the ER was relatively calm this afternoon.

By time we stepped inside the emergency room, I saw the back of the man Laura was gushing about within seconds. However I knew he wasn't Jackson. The man had broad shoulders, but his build wasn't as muscular as Jackson's and his hair was longer too. He almost resembled...

"Ho-seok?" I called for him, my lips parting as he turned around and flaunted his smile.

"Hey." He chimed, closing the distance between us. "How are you feeling this morning?"

I was speechless and I knew the expression on my face showed how confused I was.

"I brought you lunch." He continued. "This is the halfway point of your shift, right?"

"What?" I uttered, and he raised what appeared to be a lunch box beside his face.

"Nothing takes care of a hangover better than Korean Hangover Soup." He chuckled. "And after the night you had, I made honey water too. It'll help with the nausea."

"That's too sweet." Abby whispered.

I glanced at the receptionist desk to see she was one of three nurses simping over Ho-seok.

"He must not be Jackson after all." Laura teased while our colleagues giggled alongside her.

"Jackson?" Ho-seok questioned. "Who's that?"

Instead of answering him, I hurriedly grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the girls.

"I'll let Dr. Schwartz know you stepped away for lunch!" Laura shouted, making me groan.

I knew Ho-seok's sudden appearance was bound to be the gossip of the day and of course he shows up when I am noticeably distracted and underperforming.

"Are you insane?" I softly yelled, pushing him into a hall as we cleared the view of my nosey colleagues. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you."

"Why?" I asked, dumbfounded. "Was the slap I delivered across your face too subtle? I literally told you not to appear in front of me again, and you show up at my job?"

He paused, his head tilted as he looked to me bewildered. However, his expression suddenly softened and he started laughing at me.

"Wow." He gaped. "I knew you were drunk, but I didn't know you were blacked out."

"Excuse me?" I panicked, given that my memory from last night was in fact impaired.

"You woke up in your bed this morning, right? Do you remember how you got there?"

My silence answered his question, making him laugh even more while various scenarios began to play in my head.

"Don't tell me." I gasped as I crossed my arms over my chests. "I woke up in my pajamas! Did you change my clothes? Oh my, God! Did we do it again?"

"Haven't we already addressed this? Sex with me isn't something you forget. You'd know if you had another night with me." He winked, earning the latest eye roll from me. "I didn't undress you though. I just got you settled in bed. You must've done that on your own after I left."

My shoulders fell, as did my arms while embarrassment coursed through my entire body.

"I don't understand. How do you even know where I live?"

"I saw you stumble out of Hidden Hall. You were really drunk, so I followed you to make sure you got home safely and you passed out on the bench in front of your building. I couldn't just leave you like that, so I figured out your apartment number through the call box and used the fob I found on your keys."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, my head falling this time.

"Don't be embarrassed." Ho-seok chuckled. "I've helped friends through way worse drunken obstacles."

"That's just it, we're not friends." I reminded him. "I made it clear just how much I don't like you last night and if my memory serves me correctly, you aren't fond of me either. So why the hell did you do something so unnecessary? Who are you to look over me like that and why are you showing up at my place of work with food like you give a damn about me?"

He paused, and unlike his usual response to my sass he seemed calm. Remorseful even.

"I wanted to apologize to you." He replied. "I went to Hidden Hall last night, hoping you were there so I could tell you that I'm sorry."

"What?" I muttered.

"I heard about your friend and I'm so sorry for what I said to you last night. My words were careless, and it turns out you're right. I didn't know who I've been hanging out with."

My eyes widened. "Did you find out something?"

He thought for a moment, calculating his response. "You're off in a couple of hours, right?"

"Ho-seok-..."

"Let me treat you to dinner." He proceeded. "I'll tell you what I know then."

"What you know?" I recited. "Don't mess with me, Ho-seok. Did you really find something?"

"You're off at 6:00 pm right?"

"How do you know my work schedule?"

"I was in your room, remember? You pinned it on the cork board hanging above your desk."

"It's the way you're not comprehending how creepy this is." I sneered.

"MK, we've literally seen each other naked. Stop making this weird, and be grateful I was there to help you versus some actual creep that could have taken advantage of you."

I fell silent to his scolding and looked to the ground in shame.

"I know you're on call for the overnight shift." Ho-seok continued. "I'll have you back in time so you can still sleep before that window starts. I'm just asking for an hour. Deal?"

Though I still had my thoughts about Ho-seok, I was desperate for any information I could get when it came to London's case.

"Fine." I agreed.

"Awesome!" He beamed while handing me the lunchbox he made. "You look pale. Take care of yourself and eat the soup."

"Just because I'm agreeing to the dinner doesn't make us friends."

"We'll see about that by the end of the day." I watched as he stepped backwards, showing me a smug smile as he increased the distance between us. "I'll pick you up at 6:30. See you later."

Before I could respond, Ho-seok turned around and headed towards the hospital exit while I looked inside the lunch box.

To my surprise, the meal was organized and I already smelled how well seasoned this so called Korean Hangover Soup was.

"Shit, not bad." I breathed, just to hear my stomach rumble seconds later. "Oh whatever, Kayla. You're way too broke to reject a free lunch."

I headed back to the resident's office, and took my place in front of the computer I was using before the surprise visit from Ho-seok.

Shamelessly, I enjoyed the lunch he made for me and he was right - the hangover soup both revived my appetite and filled my empty stomach while the honey water was exactly what my liver needed to subside the nausea.

I was back to myself within the hour.

After I wrapped up a ton of paperwork, I snuck my way back onto the emergency room floor to do my part as a surgical resident. The rest of my shift flew by as a result, and by time I was out of my scrubs and stepping outside of the hospital's revolving door - Ho-seok was waiting for me beside his luxury sports car.

"You look much better." He joked, opening the passenger door for me as I approached him.

"Well, the soup wasn't too bad." I admitted.

Stubbornly, I refused to thank him or even make eye contact. I took my place in his car and got settled in the passenger seat as I watched him walk around and do the same.

"I pulled together a list of dinner options." Ho-seok said. He handed me his iPhone, and I was shocked to see this organized side of him again in one day. "I wasn't sure what you would like, but the restaurants are all within ten minutes of the hospital."

I scrolled through the note he created, though I could barely concentrate. I grew warm feeling him stare at me, and I was becoming frustrated and weary. Why was he being so kind to me?

"You can never go wrong with the diner." I responded, handing him back his phone.

"Another favorite of yours?" He smirked.

"If I answer truthfully, will you show up there when I'm avoiding you too?"

He shrugged. "Sounds to me like there's a easy way to prevent that. Just don't avoid me."

I sighed despite the soft laughter that slipped past his lips, and as he pulled off he increased the volume of the music coming through the vehicle's speakers.

Ho-seok didn't force any conversation while he was driving. Instead, and to my surprise, he allowed the lyrics of You Broke My Heart by Drake to fill the silence, and then Highest in the Room by Travis Scott.

I glanced at him, and I couldn't help but wonder if his choice in music genuine, or because I was in the car. But I decided not to ask, and looked out the window most of the ride.

Once we got to the diner, we were seated quickly in the 50s themed restaurant and in the section of my favorite waiter.

"MK!" Nick chimed as he approached us on his vintage roller skates. "Wow, you're here when the sun's still out? That's a first."

I chuckled. "I know, right?"

Nick glanced at Ho-seok, his eyebrow raised. "New colleague?"

Ho-seok shook his head. "No, just a friend."

"Not a friend." I challenged, making Ho-seok snicker while he looked at the large menu.

"Interesting." Nick joked, but reading the vibe he moved on. "You want your usual, MK? A Western Omelet with a stack of pancakes and orange juice?"

"Yes, please. Can you also add spinach to the omelet?"

"Sure thing." Nick replied.

"You're ordering breakfast?" Ho-seok asked, grabbing my attention. "It's almost 7:00 PM."

"I can eat breakfast at any point of the day. It's my favorite."

Though confused, Ho-seok looked back to the menu and made his choice.

"I'll do the double patty burger. Medium-well, no cheese please. The other toppings are fine."

"Anything to drink?" Nick asked.

"Water's fine. Thank you."

Nick took the menus and left us to place our orders.

"You know," Ho-seok started. "Despite how rude you can be, you have more friends than I thought you would."

"You use that term so loosely." I answered. "Nick's not my friend. I'm just a regular he's familiar with, just like I am at Hidden Hall. Nothing more."

"From what I can tell, Nick and Henry would probably say otherwise. Looks like you on the other hand actively avoid meaningful relationships."

I sighed. "Can we just get to why I'm here? What do you know about London's case?"

"Probably all that you know. London was murdered, she was last seen with The Elite, and the case was essentially closed but grouped into a broader human trafficking issue in Boston."

I scoffed, my eyes widening. "Are you serious? You told me you found out something!"

Ho-seok leaned back, resting his elbow along the back of the booth. "I did find something out. I had no idea about any of that until last night. I'd say that's learning something new."

I folded my arms beneath my breasts, and looked away from the smartass.

"Oh come on, don't be mad." He chuckled. "You didn't really give me a choice. I could tell stretching the truth a little was the only way you'd agree to dinner with me."

"Wow, are you that loyal to my cousin and her fiancé?" I glared. "We both wanted nothing to do with each other yesterday, and now you're even lying to get an audience with me. What the hell is up with you, Ho-seok?"

"I already told you, I'm sorry." He apologized, his expression softening as he looked to me with a sincere gaze. "I wanted to treat you to dinner, so I could properly tell you that I believe you."

I froze, and my heart skipped a beat hearing someone say that to me for the first time.

"I really want us to start over, MK."

"Start over?"

"We've misunderstood each other so much. I'm not this awful guy you think I am, and you're not the coldhearted woman I thought you were."

"You don't know me."

For the second time today, Ho-seok paused as he chose his words carefully.

"Fine." He yielded. "Maybe I don't know you well, but you know me better than you think. I was myself with you the night we met and despite how you feel about me now, you can't deny we had a good time together. Sex aside, we enjoyed each other's company at Hidden Hall and the pillow talk was genuine. At least for me it was."

I looked down to the table, well aware of the natural connection we had that evening.

"It doesn't matter." I responded, thinking about the plan that was already in motion to avenge London. "There isn't a world where we can be friends as long as you're a part of The Elite."

"Why?"

"You just told me you believe me, yet you're asking me that question?"

"I wasn't involved in what happened between your friend and The Elite. I didn't even know them until a month ago, MK."

"Yet it sounds like you're choosing to maintain a relationship with them, despite everything you know now."

"It's not that simple." Ho-seok said. "Do you know my family background at all?"

"Obviously, you're someone rich and powerful. Everyone knows you have to be invited into The Elite, and only influential people get the call. You could easily reject their offer though, so what does that have to do with you choosing to be a part of a circle full of scumbags?"

"It has everything to do with this decision. I'm the successor of one of the top international law firms in both Asia and America, and this is the one thing my father told me to do when I started law school at Harvard. Befriending The Elite was a direct order from the AHS CEO."

My eyes widened, and even in my profession I knew about AHS Group. My hospital partnered with the healthcare branch of the law firm often to address accusations of medical malpractice.

"I know things are different in Western culture, but where I am from we don't defy our elders. Even if we don't agree, we just do it. And when you're an heir like I am, it's more than about being a filial son. It's my familial duty to inherit and continue my father's legacy."

"Does your father know about these criminals he's asking you to befriend?" I asked, and the look on Ho-seok's face answered my question. "Respectfully, what kind of father does that?"

"I don't really want to talk about it. Right now, I just want to focus on us."

"Us?" I questioned, my eyebrows scrunched.

"That's not what I meant. If you couldn't tell, I'm not one for commitment." He replied. "I'm not seeking anything romantic or sexual with you. I genuinely just want to be your friend, MK."

"Why?"

"Because, after living here for an entire month you're still the only person I've made a natural connection with. I was bummed when I woke up and you were gone. I regretted not getting your number or your real name, and I'm serious. It wasn't just about the sex.

"I came to Boston only knowing two people, just to realize how much I had changed since I last saw them. Then I met The Elite, and I thought they would be my friends while I was here but then I witnessed the assault on Shawn and learned about your friend.

"Truthfully, I could use a genuine friend in this city and from what I can tell - You could too."

"I don't-..."

"Sorry for the delay, guys!" Nick said, startling me as he approached us with a tray full of our food and drinks. "They only got me and two other waiters out here on this busy evening, and I spaced on bringing you your drinks."

"I must not be a favorite after all." I joked, glancing at Ho-seok while Nick playfully scoffed.

"You know you're my girl, MK!" He gushed, setting my food down before me. "I'll never forget the day you saved a customer because of my mistake."

"What?" Ho-seok asked, receiving his food.

"A few months ago, my customer had a sever allergic reaction that caused him to stop breathing. MK performed a procedure right where I'm standing, placing a plastic straw directly into the young man's windpipe. She saved him, my financial stability, and the diner that night."

"Wow." Ho-seok breathed, and I shyly smiled as I took the first bite of my omelet.

"Her meals have been on the house ever since." Nick chuckled, winking at Ho-seok now that he confirmed the free meal we were enjoying. "Should I make your favorite milkshake to go?"

"Yes, please!" I chimed, glancing at Ho-seok. "They make the best milkshakes in Boston."

"Is that so?" Ho-seok directed to Nick. "I'll take whatever you put in for her as well."

"Alright! Take your time, I'll put the desert order in when you're ready to close out."

Nick walked away as I continued to scarf down my meal now that my appetite was back, but I was only a couple of bites in when I realized Ho-seok was staring at me.

"What?" I mumbled.

"Why do you hide this side of you?" He replied. "Why do you keep up that wall when you're naturally such a sincere and caring person?"

Stunned by Ho-seok's words, I became paralyzed.

I knew I had changed, and a lot of it was forced now that I was set on revenge, but being cold and distancing myself from people was the only way I'd be able to do whatever needed to be done if it meant taking down The Elite and everyone associated with them.

"You should eat before your food gets cold." I advised.

Ho-seok didn't push any further. He took a bite into the large burger, and we ate in silence for quite a while. That is until we heard his phone start to ring.

I observed as he looked at the screen, and he grew tense as he silenced the call.

"You can take the call." I hesitantly encouraged. "It's them, right?"

"No, it's not actually." He replied, setting the phone down. "It's my ex."

"Your Ex? I thought you didn't do commitment?"

He chuckled. "She's why I have commitment issues. She was my first and last girlfriend."

"What happened?"

"Wow, are you taking an interest in me right now?" He grinned, the corners of my lips falling as I realized this myself. "Isn't that something friends do?"

"I-I was just making conversation..."

"I'm messing with you, Makayla."

"Makayla?" I recited, shocked he called me by my real name.

"I learned everything about your friend though an article you were mentioned in."

I nibbled on my bottom lip as those painful memories in front of the court surfaced, but soon my phone vibrated this time.

"It's the hospital." I said, looking at my screen. "I need to go. There must have been a mass casualty incident. They're requesting all hands on deck."

"But you haven't properly slept in over 24 hours."

"Sleep is rare in my profession." I replied, and I saw the multi-car collision that confirmed my inclusion on the nightshift being announced on the news. "Let's go."

"What about the milkshakes?"

"We'll try them next time." I responded as Ho-seok scrambled to catch up to me.

"Next time? Wow, already scheduling our next outing?"

I sighed hearing Ho-seok's playful taunting when we came across Nick.

"I'm so sorry, there's an emergency at the hospital." I apologized to the waiter.

"No worries! Go, I just saw the news."

"Thanks for taking care of us." Ho-seok said. "I left you a little something on the table, Nick."

Admittedly, I was surprised by Ho-seok's gesture but continued towards his car before he was driving me back to the hospital.

"Will you really be alright, tonight?" He asked.

"Yes, and you don't need to worry about me. We had the dinner, now let's move on."

"Come on Makayla." He sighed. "Stop being so stubborn."

"I already told you, there is no way we can be friends while you're a part of The Elite. Aside from the fact I don't like them, they don't like me either. I'm the one who reported Antonio."

"I'm aware, and I'm cool with keeping our relationship a secret."

"Really?"

"Those are not people I can call my friends now that I know what I know. If you knew my brothers back in Korea, you would understand how serious I am."

"So what, you're going to fake a friendship with them?"

"Yeah, it's just business for me now. Nothing more."

I stared at Ho-seok, and to my surprise he seemed sincere.

"It's all out there now." Ho-seok continued. "You know, I don't really have anyone in Boston. You're still going to let me be lonely out here?"

"How is your loneliness any of my concern?"

He chuckled. "Fair. I guess you need some incentive to open up to me."

"I'm listening."

"You know The Elite trust and need me, right?" I nodded, and he deeply exhaled as he looked ahead and made a decision. "I'll dig around, and let you know what I hear about London."

"Really?" I exclaimed, turning to face him. "Are you serious? You'd do that for me?"

"I told you I believe you, Makayla. That being said, unless it's something concrete - you can't try to reopen the case. Doing so could jeopardize my family's business and your safety. I'd be doing this, solely to help you feel the closure you're obviously seeking. Understood?"

"Of course!" I agreed.

I gave up on the law months ago, but having an insider amongst The Elite would be a game changer for me and my upcoming plans.

"If we're going to do this friendship thing, you should know something." I continued.

"What is it?" Ho-seok asked, glancing at me as he pulled in front of the ER.

"Donnell is my ex boyfriend."

Ho-seok's jaw dropped, and I couldn't help but grin after revealing another layer of complexity to this friendship that he was so determined to have with me.

"What?" He gaped as I opened the passenger door.

"From now on, you should avoid coming to my job and apartment. He's still not over me."

"Wait!" Ho-seok exclaimed. "You can't just drop a bomb like that and leave!"

I beamed, closing the door as he rolled down the window and continued to call for me.

I couldn't help but laugh while I walked through the revolving doors, and though I was going into this "friendship" with an ulterior motive - I couldn't deny...

A part of me was looking forward to Ho-seok's company. 

____

Author's Note: Hello! I hope you enjoyed the update! Sorry I can only publish one chapter this week, but it's on the lengthier side so it's a good balance in my opinion! 

Makayla and Paul started a so called "friendship" this chapter! It's obvious this will come with challenges, so hard to ask questions without giving too much away! 

Look forward to more action and drama in the coming chapters! 

Please remember to vote and comment!

- Zelene