Capítulo 47: The Request (8): Tteokbokki

The news anchor on the TV was narrating the breaking news. "At around eight PM last night, a fire broke out on the sets of Rogues 101," she reported. "The origin of the fire is still a mystery but thankfully, all the trainees and staff of the building were able to evacuate. Shin Jinhyun, also known as the Idol King, was hospitalised after he had inhaled too much of the fumes while Jenna has been discharged after receiving minor injuries. Jinhyun is currently recuperating at the Sunshine General Hospital. More updates yet to be received. "

Yoona was sitting on the breakfast table with her father while Sojin set down the plates. Even though her eyes were on her work, her ears were listening to every word the news anchor was saying.

"Yoona, weren't you there last night?" Gojin asked in worry. "Are you hurt?"

"No dad," she reassured him. "I left before the fire broke out."

Gojin let out a sigh of relief. "I still think you should quit that darned competition and join my company instead!" he said. "This contest is just gonna flop."

"Last night's episode got the highest rating daddy," Yoona reminded him. "The new artist and group who will be selected will be highly celebrated. Whoever emerges as the winners will become widely popular. I think it's best for my career if I learn from the Idol King himself. Besides, if I join your company, people will accuse you of nepotism."

Before Gojin could reply, Sojin spoke up, "She's right, sir. Yoona is simply thinking of you and your best interests. She wants to build her fame on her own. Let her continue with this."

"You have spoiled her too much, Sojin," he grumbled. Sojin simply forced a smile on her face.

"Sir, I wanted to ask if I could have a day off," Sojin requested.

Gojin and Yoona stared at her in surprise. In all her years of serving them, Sojin had never asked for a day off.

"Is something the matter, nanny?" Yoona asked. "You have never taken a leave before."

"An old high school acquaintance has fallen ill," Sojin lied. "And her daughter is out of town for today so she requested me to look after her. It's only for a day. I'll be back by tonight."

"Go ahead," Gojin encouraged her. "Visit your friend and have a good time."

"Thank you, sir," Sojin said gratefully, bowing down. Her heart was aching to check up on her son just once. Even from afar but she must see him. She felt guilty for lying, but there was no other way. For his sake, no one should find out about their relationship.

….

"I wanna go out," Jinhyun complained. He had been awake for half a day and was already bored to death. Lying around on the bed was not his good for his restless heart. He just wanted to go out and enjoy the sun.

"The doctor ordered you to rest," Sekjong said sharply. "So you can't go outside!"

"But there's such a nice garden at this hospital!" Jinhyun whined. "Why can't I visit it? I'll just walk around a bit."

"No!"

Sekjong felt like he was babysitting a toddler. In some ways, Jinhyun had the energy of a child. Even though he had just been rescued from a fire last night, he was still dying to run around.

"You can't," Sekjong said. "I'm going to grab some lunch. The nurse will bring you some food soon. So stay put!"

Jinhyun sulked as Sekjong left the room. He was really bored and wanted some fresh air. Oh well, he sighed. I'd rather just go on my own.

He rummaged his bag pack to find a mask. Grabbing one in his hand, he got up and peered outside the room. The VIP corridor was empty and there were no nurses nor doctors around. He quietly slipped out of the room and tiptoed across the hall. He put on the mask and quietly walked out.

Thankfully, no one was looking his way. In his hospital garb, he blended in with the other patients. He casually walked on, heading towards the park.

….

Sojin was standing nervously at the hospital's reception. The receptionist had been talking on the phone for the past twenty minutes, carrying a lunch box. She hesitated to call her out.

Finally, the receptionist hung up the phone and turned towards her.

"May I help you?" she asked irritably.

"Yes," Sojin said at once. "Could you please send this lunch box to Mr. Shin Jinhyun, please? He is the celebrity who was admitted last night due to the fire."

"Are you related to the patient?" the receptionist asked.

Sojin bit her lip. She could not tell the truth. Finally, she shook her head.

"I'm sorry but we cannot give the patient anything from unknown people," the receptionist stated sharply.

"If you could just-"

"Sorry ahjumma," the receptionist said, shaking her head. "Rules are rules."

Sojin felt disheartened. She did not expect to get easy access to Jinhyun's room, but she was still disappointed.

I should have thought better of it, she scolded herself as she left the building. The hospital had a nice park for the patients and she did not feel like going home so early. So she decided to sit on one of the benches.

It was a bright, sunny day. The patients were strolling around the garden, enjoying the Vitamin D on their skins. There were some children, happily chatting under a banyan tree while some elderly patients were talking loudly about the harvest that year.

Sojin's eyes fell on a young mother and her little son. The boy looked hardly five years old. His mother was lovingly adjusting his t-shirt while singing a nursery rhyme. Sojin looked on longingly at the mother-son duo until they went back in.

Sighing sadly, Sojin gingerly opened the lunch box. She had prepared a full course meal for Jinhyun. Even though she had resolved never to go near him, her heart could not help but almost explode in worry when she heard about the fire and his health.

She wanted to send this food to his room somehow but even that was not possible. They were not destined to meet in this lifetime.

A large shadow fell on her. She looked up to see a young man in patients' clothing, staring at the food she was holding. He was wearing a mask.

"Yes?" she smiled. "Can I help you, young man?"

The man lowered his mask. Sojin's eyes widened in shock as she saw his face.

"Ahjumma, is that tteokbokki?" Jinhyun asked. "Can I have some?"