^^ AUTHOR ^^

Everyone gathered in the gazebo at the back of the mansion. Their surrounding was covered with beautiful scenery of nature, as the pink cherry blossoms above them showered them with its aromatic scent.

"This is Dr. Jacob's profile and the list of people he cured, with all kinds of complaints delivered to him," Mark stated, spreading out the sheets of paper on the table.

Jungkook picked one paper and started to read. Min Ho did too while Lily was taking a peek.

"He's unlicensed," Min Ho immediately said, noticing that his medical license got revoked. "Since 2013."

"That means he's a quack!" Jungkook commented while staring at the paper.

"He's not a quack. He was a former physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston until he was falsely accused of medical malpractice by a dead patient's family." Mark explained.

"Is that the reason why he was not able to practice medicine again?" Shanshan asked, pulling her shawl close over her shoulders.

"Yes. But the doctor's passion didn't stop him from curing people, so he bought an island and started to-"

"treat and operate desperate clients who want to be healed in secret." Jungkook continued, looking at us and flicking his finger on the paper. "The question is, can we trust this illegal doctor? His island is full of thugs and most wanted criminals from all over the world. If we send Shanshan there to get treatment...can we assure her safety?"

Min Ho and Lily looked at Mark, too, asking the same question with their eyes.

"In that island are sick people," Mark answered. "After they get fully healed, they immediately leave the island. With their situation, they can't hurt anyone."

"But if the authorities find out about this island while Shanshan is there, how are you going to explain it to them?" Jungkook asked again.

"Jungkook..." Shanshan held his hand. She knew that Jungkook was just trying to create an argument. The woman knew that her boyfriend was jealous of Mark, especially when Roger told him that Mark was more suited for her.

Mark just sighed. "Dr. Jacob has been running the island for more than ten years now. He used extra careful measures in taking his clients to his island. We'll hope that while she is there, no one will find out."

"Fine then. You should send men to protect her. Or I should go with her," Jungkook replied.

"Unfortunately, we can't do that. To prevent the island from getting caught, only the patient is allowed to enter the land."

"Huh? Can't we visit even just once in a while?" Lily asked.

Mark shook his head. "The rules on the island are very strict."

Jungkook bit his lip while Min Ho looked at Shanshan with concern. "You'll have to stay there by yourself. Can you endure it?"

Shanshan stared at the papers on the table for a while while they waited for her silently.

"I'll endure it for everyone."

Relieved sighs were heard simultaneously.

"If you're prepared, we should go as soon as tomorrow."

"What? Tomorrow already?!" Jungkook complained. He didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Jungkookah, calm down. The sooner she gets there, the more she had time to get cured." Min Ho spoke to him. "While she's gone, you have to bear her absence."

"But... tomorrow is sooo early."

"Stop being clingy, JK. Do you want her to die?" Lily spoke.

Jungkook just slumped on his chair and kept silent for the rest of the conversation. He was sulking.

"We should put our trust in this doctor and hope that Shanshan comes back whole, no matter how long it takes."

"If something happens to her, I will kill the doctor!" Lily leaned on Shanshan and rubbed her back while the latter just smiled at her.

"I promise I'll come back."

^^. . ^^

At the end of the meeting, Shanshan felt nauseous that they had to disperse.

"I'll take you to your room," her caring boyfriend volunteered and stood up to push the wheelchair while Lily comforted her.

"Jungkook?" Mark stopped him. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Jungkook glanced at Shanshan before passing the wheelchair to Min Ho and going back to his seat.

After the three left, Jungkook began to speak, trying to sound friendly, at the same time, rude. "What do you want to talk about?"

Mark stood up and turned towards the lake, his back facing the artist. He spoke gently without any intention of making an argument. "Did you confess to her?"

"Yup," the other crossed his legs and hands. "I'm glad that she dumped you."

Jungkook heard a scoff while Mark turned his head. "I admit it. I lost." He turned his head away from him again. "Take care of her."

"Of course I surely will."

"And don't hurt her. Because anytime you do it, I'm just here waiting for my chance to get her." He put his hands on his pockets as he talked.

Jungkook let out a chuckle. "Don't worry. That will never happen. And stop telling me what to do. I love her, and I'll do everything for her."

"That's a relief then."

Not a second later, the singer was standing beside the young businessman. He let out a sigh before asking him another question while looking straight at the lake in front of them.

"Why are you willing to help her even if she rejected you?"

Mark looked down to his feet then up to him. "Because she's an amazing woman, Jungkook. She deserves to be surrounded by people who are willing to support her and fight for her. I'm sure you know about her story."

"She's amazing indeed. That's why I love her." Jungkook crossed his arms while nodding. "And about the fight we had, I'm sorry."

"It's nothing. But I'm warning you, once Shanshan comes to me telling me that you hurt her, we'll surely have another fight." Mark grinned.

"Tch." Jungkook smirked. "I'll make sure I'll win then."

They both chuckled, then calmed down after realizing that they had already made up.

"I'm going now. You better go and spend more time with her," Mark said after checking his watch.

Just before he could leave, Jungkook said, "Thank you," making him stop in his tracks and turn around. He responded with a playful salute then walked away, leaving Jungkook smiling with relief.

^^SHANSHAN ^^

Lily sat on the side of the bed while caressing my hair.

"Unnie..." I mumbled lazily while my eyes closed because of the dizziness I felt.

"Yes, Shanshan?"

"Sorry about the letter... I should have told you personally about my disease."

"Yeah, I know. What you said in the letter was very stupid. But it's okay. I understand, and I'm relieved to see you alive until now." Lily spoke to me gently like a mother.

"I miss home..." I said, remembering the warmth of my happy memories with them back in Korea. "I want to eat spicy rice cakes."

I heard her chuckle softly. "Make yourself strong and healthy while you're away. When you come back home, you can eat as many tteokbokki as you want. Okay?"

"Okay." I nodded. "Min Ho oppa... are you there?"

"I...I'm here."

I struggled to open my eyes. My vision was blurry until seconds later, I spotted him clearly, standing beside the bed.

"I'm happy for both of you. Please take care of unnie... and our gallery."

"Until you come back, I will do that. Promise us that you will surely come back."

I could feel his voice breaking. Although he was not the type to show how he felt, I knew that he was sad.

"I will miss you," I whispered before slowly closing my eyes and letting sleep take over me.

^^. . ^^

^^ Photo source: Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/diUulG_STKQ ^^