Baek Ha Rim

i opened my eyes slowly, noticing how i was laying down in a different room. it was a whole lot spacious and grand. although my room and changkyun's were luxurious enough, they both didn't compare to the place where i already was.

athough i was only half conscious, i was able to feel my legs elevated on the bed. but indeed, i fainted a while ago so elevating my legs was simply supposed to help.

i slowly shut my heavy eyes to attempt drifting back to sleep, but i suddenly became aware of someone's presence standing right beside me to check upon me.

i tried to disregard the feeling of being watched because i was still out of it. besides, it could simply be a doctor or a nurse.

but then i remembered, i was last seen with yoo kihyun.

to that memory, i quickly shot my eyes open and looked at the person standing right beside my bed.

to my surprise, it was someone i least expected.

"ceo chae!" i gasped in shock.

he was watching over me, still styled in his tuxedo suit from the anniversary event.

"what were you doing there?" i asked.

soon, i noticed the clothes in his hands.

"glad you're awake." he spoke and slowly stood up straight, backing a little bit away from the side of my bed.

"i was about to call a nurse to change your clothes. i simply grabbed these here." he explained and placed the clothes on a table.

i quickly lifted up the blanket covering me and saw that i was still in my long gown. secretly lifting up my gown, i noticed that the gauze and bandage wrapped around my injured leg was still intact.

thankfully, i woke up just in time before they could think of loosening up my clothing and discovering my shot leg. it could've possibly blown up my cover.

"why did you faint back there? were you ill? you could've skipped on the event." he spoke.

"uhm, i was... it's just.. some menstrual cramps." i blurted out the first thing in my mind.

i was momentarily relieved of giving a reasonable answer, but soon, i mentally facepalmed myself for lying with such an embarrassing answer as well.

"ah." he raised his eyebrows, buying it.

"i've read about such. i guess cases of dysmenorrhea could really be painful and uncomfortable. are you bleeding a lot, miss baek?" he asked.

"i don't know... sir?" i spoke, unsure.

"ah, i'm sorry. but don't worry, i don't put much malice when it comes to these things." he spoke with a straight face, his indifference being evident to me.

"uhm sir, may i ask who brought me here?" i opened up the question.

he turned to look at me and slowly walked across the room, examining other things in sight.

"it was yoo kihyun, the hotel owner. he carried you out but i offered my suite once i saw him walking out with you as you've fainted. after all, the hotel owner's room here must still be kept private." he explained.

"i see, thank you to you both, sir." i expressed gratitude.

chae hyungwon turned to me and flashed a small smile. the corners of his lips curved up ever so slightly.

all of a sudden, the door in the suite opened up revealing no other than ceo yoo himself. my lips slightly parted as i laid my eyes on the sight of him entering the room. this time, i was feeling a bit better so i could probably think straight and do a better job at paying attention to him.

"miss baek.." he called out my name as soon as he saw me.

"are you feeling much better now?" he asked, walking towards my direction.

i slowly sat up from the bed to greet him better, and from that, he gently held my back assisting me. i smiled to myself, noticing how ceo yoo was being such a gentleman. maybe he saw me as a target, a girl who sparked his interest. he was going to chase me not for the seriousness of it, but rather for the thrill of the chase and the event of having his big ego stroked if i gave into his charms.

"i am, sir. i'm sorry for the inconvenience on our first meeting. it was unfortunate that i wasn't in my best condition when you approached me. but more than that, i'm sincerely thankful for you getting me here and for your concern." i softly spoke, looking into his eyes.

his brows slightly raised, looking pleased at how i expressed appreciation and admiration for him.

"it's no problem at all. well, if you would want to make it up to me, maybe we could see each other for a meal?" he was asking me out.

"... it might be a bother, but if you insist, i'll leave it up to you, sir. meet me simply at your convenience." i allowed him to take the lead which brought an approving smile on his face.

my eyes subtly shifted towards chae hyungwon who was behind yoo kihyun. he was watching us both with his arms crossed and his face painted with a distant expression.

"anyway, i should probably get going, mr. chae and mr. yoo. i don't want to prolong my stay he-"

"you're not being a bother." chae hyungwon suddenly spoke.

i was surprised by his words and i guess even he himself and his cousin were. we looked at each other for a few moments until i broke the eye contact and managed to flash a smile. the more i looked at ceo chae, the more i noticed how it was making me feel something.

"i am sincerely better now. although you both didn't have to go to the extent of bringing me here to recover from fainting, i'll see to it that i'll repay the help i received through better work performance." i resolved.

i looked at the two of them for the last time and got ready to leave the place.

_____________________________

Im Changkyun

i switched up my music to something upbeat as i ran on the treadmill.

as i enjoyed last night's sleep in this hotel, i decided to wake up early for a light workout session to prep me for the day. after all, i couldn't approach ha rim in the hotel as much as i would want to, so i needed to spend my time elsewhere.

during this time of the day, she's probably still asleep as well.

i wiped my sweat and soon noticed that someone was about to occupy the treadmill next to me, so i decided to turn my head to see.

interestingly, it was no other than chae hyungwon.

he was covered up in a black jacket and matching black joggers and sneakers. it was amusing to see him up-close once again.

"what a luck..." i spoke under my breath.

"what were you looking at?" out of the blue, he suddenly spoke.

i turned to look at him beside me again, and didn't bother answering his question.

from that, he turned to me to meet my eyes.

"you're baek ha rim's friend aren't you?" he asked as he started walking on the treadmill.

"as you can see." i answered.

"how nice is it to see you again? this hotel isn't exactly one of the most affordable in korea yet you're here tagging along. i think i'm pretty sure you're not included in my company's expenses either just because you're ha rim's friend." he took a blow at me.

"of course, i pay for my own stay here. and yes, i'd very much love to tag along wherever ha rim goes." i answered simply.

a moment of silence came as chae hyungwon contemplated on my answer.

"what kind of relationship do you actually have with her? are you her guardian?" he tried to put me in my place.

"i'm not her guardian, but i sure do have a very special relationship with her." i placed emphasis on my words to irk him.

i adjusted the speed of my treadmill as the tension went up between us. i started running in a very fast speed to direct my mind and attention elsewhere.

"and why are you so interested anyway, mr. chae? none of it is your business." i turned to him as i hit him with my sharp words this time.

_____________________________

Baek Ha Rim

i went out of the room last as my roommate had already proceeded to the dining area of the hotel. i got a lot of rest and alone time as my roommate had already left ahead of me.

i carefully brushed my hair and made sure to look presentable before i went out.

however, as i came out of the room cautiously as i took it easy on my leg, memories of ceo chae suddenly came flooding my mind.

i felt a sense of guilt knowing that he was first to offer his suite when i passed out in ceo yoo's arms. i felt that way because i almost killed the guy. at this moment, i was feeling torn whether i was displaying weakness or simply being human as i was with a conscience.

why would i be concerned of the guy? and why was i hopeful i'd see him in the dining area later on?

i brushed the thoughts off my mind and looked ahead to which i suddenly caught sight of changkyun coming from the other side.

he was certainly just in time.

he was approaching the direction of his hotel room as if he had just finished a workout session.

"changkyun-ah!" i called out to him.

he immediately stopped in his tracks the moment he heard me. i walked my way to him, but seeing me struggle, he decided to move as well and meet me halfway.

"are you going to eat breakfast? your outfit looks pretty on you." he spoke.

"mhm.. thanks, there's a buffet for chae's couture employees in the dining area."

"oh, that's great. i'll have to go buy or order some food of my own, too." he nodded and started to walk with me to his room.

"did you sleep well last night?" he asked, swiping his card.

"i got lots of rest." i nodded.

"that's good." he smiled, opening his door.

"wait, changkyun-ah! i'd like to ask for help." i immediately stopped him from getting inside for a moment.

he slowly turned to look at me, curious to know what i needed of him.

"could you... walk me to the dining area please? i think i'm gonna need your help. i'm taking too much time of my own." i worried.

hearing that, a smirk suddenly formed on changkyun's face.

"you know what, i was gonna help you even without you telling me so." he revealed.

"really?" i was surprised of how thoughtful he was.

"well, come in first. i'm going to take a shower." he quickly invited me to his room.

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monsta x dropped a comeback announcement last night! i can't wait!
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