o15 || nursing
the pursuit of happinessThe woman was right and Yerim spent a grueling five hours assisting the poor dog to deliver her babies. The dog gave birth to five cute puppies and she spent the rest of the night stitching the poor mother up and taking care of the babies’ needs while the owner went home.
She stayed up until six to make sure the mother and the puppies were all okay before she could go home. Now she's tired and all she wanted to do was sleep.
She entered her house and frowned when she saw her aunts and her father eating breakfast together.
She bowed at them, more than ready to go lock herself up in her room rather than spending time in the same place as them.
"Yerim, join us for breakfast," one of her father's sisters said.
"Ah, I have already eaten," she politely rejected.
"I don't think she's giving you an option, Yerim. Sit down and join us for some tea," her father commanded.
"Thank you," she thanked the kind maid before taking a sip.
"We've heard from your father that you've been getting closer with the Jung kid."
Yerim nodded stiffly as she fidgeted under the table.
"Good. When can the family meet to discuss the wedding then? The sooner the better."
“Jaehyun and I haven't talked about marriage yet and we're still starting our relationship, gomo."
"You do know that we've been wanting to… eliminate you, as quickly as possible, right? If you don't see any possibility of getting married with him soon then drop the relationship. I'll arrange you with another kid," the oldest aunt said.
"I'm sorry gomo, but this is my life and each one of you should not dictate to me on who I married in life," Yerim spoke calmly.
"You do know that you've brought this family nothing but bad luck, right? Your mother could've been alive and birthed an heir for the company instead of a useless girl like you. You should be grateful we still allow you to live and breathe as a Kim in this property. The only thing you should do is be grateful and do as we say."
"You've been getting away from this matter for too long. You need to get married soon for the company inheritance to be passed on. You know what's in your grandfather's will, right?"
Her grandfather did state that a big portion of inheritance would be passed down once he’s passed away, but only after every one of his grandkids had been married. Yerim is the only one between her cousins who's still unmarried.
"I will marry the man of my choice when I want to get married. All of you had been doing whatever you wanted even when harabeoji was still alive. He's dead now so you're free to do whatever the hell you want to do without involving me," Yerim stood up in anger. She won't drag Jaehyun into her messed up family and make him marry her in a haste.
Yerim held onto her stinging cheek as she glanced at her father. His palm that made contact with her cheek was still trembling in anger.
"Go to hell, all of you."
Yerim grabbed her bag and bolted upstairs to her room, ignoring the curses that left her aunts' mouths.
She locked the door to her room and went into the bathroom. She the shower and stood under it, feeling the water pelting harshly down her face, mingling with the angry tears that left her eyes.
She slid down to the floor and sat under the running water as the cold numbed her. She stayed there until she couldn't handle the shiver and her fingers turned wrinkly before she peeled off her wet clothing and started taking a shower for real.
After she's done, she padded to her bedroom and changed into a fresh set of clothes before grabbing most of her clothes and shoving them into a duffel bag. She grabbed her keys and went back down, feeling relieved that the causes of her miseries had left. She needs to clear her mind. And that's why she's gonna take the public transportation today.
Being lonely amidst a large crowd.
Kim Yerim understood that paradox well. Whenever she has thoughts filling her mind or when she's feeling down, she'll take public transportation. The bus, the subway, anything.
She found out that being surrounded by people she didn't know helped her get things out of her head. She found solace in being within a crowd.
It was tiring having to walk, move stations, and cross streets after not sleeping the whole night before. But it helped her take her mind off from thinking about her ty family.
After walking two hundred meters away from the nearest bus stop, she finally arrived at her cafe. It has yet to open and today she's going to be stress baking.
"Oh, Ma'am. You're back early?"
A staff member who was sweeping the floor questioned.
"I'm not that tired. I feel like baking," she smiled tiredly as she went to the kitchen where several kitchen members are cooking.
"Are all the pastries done baking?" She asked, ignoring her worker’s confused looks as she put on her apron.
"Ah, not yet ma'am," a baker answered nervously, a bit surprised to see the boss here this early.
"I'll help then. Has the pie been made already?"
"Not yet, ma'am."
"Alright, I'll handle them."
It was lunch time when she finally left the kitchen to go to the shelter. She didn't have any shift in the clinic today, so the shelter is the place to go.
"Go take a break, guys," she said as she entered the shelter.
"Ma'am!"
"I'll continue bathing these guys. Go have your lunch break," she ushered her workers out as she stepped into the grooming area. She put on a plastic apron and gloves before she started working to bathe a poodle with heavily matted hair.
She took her time cutting off tangled fur, taking care of manged skins, and grooming the dogs. She even went the extra mile to clean the grooming area as well.
Feeling spent and tired both physically and emotionally, she finally retreated to her office.
To be honest, Jaehyun felt a little worried. After he left Yerim's workplace last night, he called her before he went to sleep and found out she had to stay up to help a dog give birth. In the morning, he texted her but she didn't reply. He tried calling her again the whole afternoon but she's not picking up either.
Was he being too overwhelming for her? He wanted to take her out for lunch with the kids but he's afraid he's disturbing her work since she's not answering his calls.
Lunch had ended and he had dropped his kids in his mother's place. He went back to his office and finished a meeting and she's still not responding. To be honest, he's not only a little worried. He’s really, really, worried.
Was he being too pushy? Does she feel burdened? Or is there something wrong with her that he should be alarmed with?
He just wanted to know.
"Sir!"
"Uh, do I have any schedule after this?"
Yoobin scrambled to take his journal and scanned through it before shaking his head.
"No, sir. You're actually free."
"I have to head back early. There's something I need to settle down with."
"Ah, right. It's okay, sir."
"Alright, I'll get going then."
Jaehyun grabbed his coat and his keys before hastily leaving his office.
Yerim had told him the night before that the morning after the dog's birth she'll probably head home and take a day off to rest.
He sped down to Yerim's house and he found her car parked in the garage. He went down and the security greeted him.
"Uhm, I'm sorry, is Yerim inside?"
"Oh, Ms. Kim is out for work sir."
"She's back to work? Didn't she just get back from work this morning?" He asked confusedly.
"Ah, yes. Ms. Kim returned home at six but left again at around eight, sir."
"But her car…?" Jaehyun pointed at the parked car.
"Oh, Ms. Kim sometimes likes to take the subway to work, sir."
Jaehyun furrowed his brows before nodding.
"Alright then, thank you so much," he bowed to the security officer before going back to his car and quickly drove away to Yerim's workplace.
He thanked the kind worker before walking to the shelter.
"Welcome to—Oh, sir!" The receptionist greeted, already familiar with him visiting the place.
"Is Yerim here?"
"Oh, she went back to her office an hour ago, sir. Let me show you the way," the male said as he led Jaehyun to a small place between the clinic and the shelter.
Jaehyun thanked the male before knocking the door. He knocked three times, but there was no response so he twisted the doorknob, a bit surprised that it's not locked. He briskly walked inside and sighed in relief when he saw Yerim curling on the couch.
He whispered as he approached her. The girl was sleeping without the aircon on, wrapped with a thin blanket. But when he got closer, he could see she was sweating and shivering.
"Yerim?"
Panic rose within him when he touched her forehead and felt it burning.
"J-Jaehyun?"
"Yerim! You're burning!"
"I'm fine," she rasped back as she struggled to pull herself into a sitting position.
"We have to get you home," he commented.
"No, I'm fine. W-what time is it? Aren't you picking up your sons?" She mumbled.
"The kids are already in my mother's place. Come on, Yerim, let's get you home," Jaehyun took off his suit and drape it around Yerim's lithe frame.
"Come here," he put his arm around her shoulders and helped her stand up.
"I don't want to go home," she whined. Even in her sick state, she still doesn't want to go home and meet her father.
"You want to go to the hospital then?" He asked softly as he supported her weight.
"No, no, no need too. I'll just… go to my apartment," she sighed as she leaned away from Jaehyun. She wobbled as she picked up her bag and Jaehyun sighed as he rushed to her side.
"You can’t even stand up on your own, Rim. I'll drive you there. Come," he sighed as he helped her walk to his car. He buckled up her seat belt and she leaned against the window weakly. She could smell Jaehyun's cologne on his suit she's wearing and it made her sleepy.
"Yerim, where do you live?" He inquired softly as he brushed away her hair, wincing when he felt her warm forehead.
Yerim mumbled the name of the apartment building before she slipped away into sleep again.
Jaehyun knew the place and quickly drove there. He glanced at her direction every once in a while, watching her mumbling in her sleep. He put his palm on her forehead several times, grimacing at the rising heat.
"Yerim? Rim? You need to tell me your unit so we can get there," he coaxed at her. She groaned and weakly replied,
"4...07."
Jaehyun nodded to himself as he went out of the car to her side and lifted her up. She was barely conscious and she laid her cheek against his chest weakly. She took a deep breath, liking his comforting scent as she let Jaehyun carry her weak body up.
Jaehyun ignored the weird look he received from the security guards as he took the elevator to the fourth floor.
"Rim?"
The girl groaned and leaned further into his embrace.
Jaehyun decided to push his luck and tried to keep his balance as he typed in her birthday.
"9..7..0..3..1..0.."
She curled immediately when she felt the soft bedding underneath her back. He tucked her in and left the room to check the fridge. As he expected, it was empty. The cabinet in the kitchen was barren from any medication aside from a small first aid kit. The apartment doesn’t look like it was frequented often. He glanced back to the room and saw her sleeping soundlessly. He grabbed his keys and quickly went out. He needs to do a little shopping.
He went to her room with a glass of water and medicine. He peeled off a cold patch and smoothed it down on Yerim's forehead. The girl sighed in her sleep immediately.
"Yerim, dear, can you wake up for a minute? You need to take your medicine first," he said softly as he patted her cheek.
She groaned and Jaehyun resorted to pulling her into a sitting position gently. She pried her eyes open and stared at Jaehyun dazedly.
"Have some water first and then take your medicine," he said softly as he put the glass on . She took a few gulps and obediently took the pill.
"Alright, you can go back to sleep," Jaehyun said as he tucked her back in. She must’ve been really sick since she went out like a light immediately.
"Hello? Eomma?"
"Oh, son! What's wrong? I'm drinking tea and watching cartoons with Jeno right now."
"Ma, I think I will be picking the kids up later than usual tonight. Yerim is sick so I'm taking care of her in her place."
"Oh my, she's sick?! Is it bad? Have you brought her to the hospital?"
"She's running a fever, but other than that I think she's fine. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital."
"Goodness… Take care of her well, okay, son? You should stay over there if you must!"
"I don't know about that. But I'll make sure she's okay."
"Okay. Take care, you two."
Jaehyun ended the call and went to the kitchen to start making some soup for her to eat later when she woke up.
He turned off the stove and went inside her room. He sat on the edge of her bed and touched her neck. It wasn't as warm as it did an hour ago. Yerim stirred in her sleep and fluttered her eyes open. She was surprised when she saw Jaehyun looking at her with worried eyes.
"Feeling better?" He asked softly.
Yerim groaned as she sat up.
"How did you get here?" She asked.
"I was the one who brought you here, silly. You're sick."
Yerim blinked blearily and looked at him, who was brushing her hair back gently.
"I made soup. Have you eaten anything for lunch?"
Yerim shook head, "I'm a little hungry. I haven't eaten anything since morning."
Jaehyun gaped and glanced at his wristwatch.
"Sit down," Jaehyun said softly as he went to the kitchen. He came back with a bowl of piping hot chicken dumpling soup.
"Eat up so you'll get better, and then take another pill," Jaehyun said strictly.
Yerim nodded obediently and ate in silence.
"You're not eating?" She asked timidly to Jaehyun who was busy watching her eat.
"Later, at home," he replied.
To be honest, yes, she's a little hungry but she didn't think she could stomach anything right now. But with Jaehyun watching her intently she had no choice but to finish her soup quickly and take her medicine. He made her some ginger tea and she sipped it slowly, feeling the warmth spreading through her body nicely.
"Jaehyun? Your sons?!"
"They're at my mother's house. I told her you're sick," he calmed her down.
Yerim sighed in relief as she slumped on her chair.
"Rim?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you have any problems at home?"
Yerim looked up in genuine surprise. Ah, Jaehyun and his sixth sense.
"Why are you asking me that?" She asked again as she avoided his eyes.
"I never knew you had your own apartment. When I offered to bring you to your house you downright refused me even in your half unconscious state," he said slowly.
"There were… some problems. But nothing that I can't manage. Don’t worry," Yerim said softly.
"Rim… you know you could tell me everything right?"
Yerim nodded.
"I was telling you the truth last night, Rim. I wanted to try to build a relationship with you. And whatever burden you have, you're free to share your load with me. I've been burdening you countless times with my kids."
"No, no, Jaehyun. You’re not burdening me. When I'm ready… I'll tell you everything. I promise. But later, when I have settled everything down."
"Okay."
Yerim was the type to keep all her troubles to herself, so Jaehyun was used to seeing the girl handling all her life problems on her own. But now, Jaehyun wanted to start something with her and he sincerely hoped she would start sharing her feelings with him.
"It's getting late. You should probably go home to your kids," Yerim said softly, interrupting the silence.
"Will you be okay?"
"I spent 8 years in Japan by myself and look at me, I'm still alive," she chuckled weakly.
"I’m still worried. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay, okay. And tell me if you're already home," she said softly as Jaehyun stood up.
Yerim scrambled up to take off his suit that she wore albeit unwillingly. She liked his scent.
"You can keep it. It's okay. I'll get going now. Remember, tell me if you need anything, okay? Good night, Yerim, take care," Jaehyun smiled softly as he walked to the door.
"Mm hm?"
"Can I ask you one more thing then before you leave?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Can you hug me? I think that's what I need the most right now," Yerim asked shyly as she played with the sleeves of Jaehyun's suit that she wore right now.
Jaehyun smiled at the girl's simple request. He stepped forward and pulled the shorter girl into his embrace. Yerim felt herself melting into his arms immediately. His scent, his warmth, everything about Jung Jaehyun is driving her crazy right now. She could already feel her stress evaporating into thin air instantaneously.
"You'll be okay, Yerim. And remember, you have me," Jaehyun said softly as he rubbed her back.
After what seems like forever, Yerim reluctantly pulled back.
"Thank you, Jaehyun. For everything."
Jaehyun smiled and waved one last time before leaving.
With his warmth still lingering around her, Yerim headed back inside, feeling lighter than ever. So, this is what it feels like to be taken care of.
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