Strawberry Kisses

Fated

Gio’s reflexes went to work before his brain took over. He caught the woman-child, preventing her head from smacking on the floor. Her pallid face made him a double-take. How sick is she? He hates inconvenience.

For a moment he thought of leaving. But he used her to escape from Jessica’s claws. Though she’s not willing, somehow she let him manipulate her without saying a word.

It’s the least you can do for her, his best friend Sol’s voice rang in his head. An unbidden memory reared its ugly head, threatening to resurface. He’ll be damned if he’d let it loose. With a sigh, he picked her up. It even surprised him how light she was. Does she even eat? She doesn’t seem to have much meat in her body though.

Four men in black suits came rushing when he emerged from the hallway leading to the restrooms. The area abounds with CCTV that’s not surprising. Security staffs will always be the first people to know.

“Call an ambulance,” Gio ordered.

“We already did, sir. They’re on their way.” The tallest among them barked orders to his team. Then they left to do the leader’s bidding.

“I think she has a bag somewhere, I forgot to take it with me.”

“Someone is on it, sir. But you might need to put her down first,” he gestured to a plush sofa a few paces away.

It relieved Gio. His arms were feeling numb. The woman’s delicate frame was deceiving. It was unexpected; she weighed like feathers at first. Or was it his body was telling him he’s out of shape? He felt like he’s carrying a boulder. Even his shoulders cried in protest.

It wasn’t long before he heard the distant screaming of the ambulance’s siren. One of the three security personnel came back, the woman’s bag in hand. The leader rummages through it, trying to find something to identify her. He pulled out an authentic LV yellow passport holder.

“Sandy Park, twenty-four. She listed Bommi Park as the contact person in case of emergency.” The leader then turned to his subordinate. “Call the number listed and notify this person. We’ll take Miss Park to Southern Cross Medical City.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you, Mr…” The head security extended his hand to Gio.

“Gio Kwon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kwon. We’ll take it from here.”

Sandy opened her eyes to Bommi’s long red hair spilling on her bed. The red strands looked like strands of silk fire against the white covers. She’s sound asleep judging by her soft snoring. It didn’t take long for Sandy to realize she’s in the hospital.

The smell of antiseptic was too strong to ignore, triggering memories of Nana’s last moments. Has it really been nine years? It doesn’t feel like it. But she’s past her grief now. It replaced her tears with small smiles whenever she remembers Nana.

Even beyond death, her grandmother took care of her. Nana didn’t let her grieve for long. The old woman’s bucket list kept her looking forward to a new day. All her assets even after liquidation were beyond her expectations.

Sandy had literally no idea how rich her grandmother was until her lawyer came to see her. Even when Nana’s last will was read, Sandy couldn’t believe it.

“Bommi,” she called. Bommi didn’t stir, a heavy sleeper she was. It took Sandy two pinches on her arm before her friend opened her eyes.

“Wut?”

“How long have I been here?”

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Bommi checked her phone. “More or less eleven hours. I admitted you around past eight last night. You’re over fatigue. What have you been doing to yourself?”

“Ah. It must be the extra hours at work.”

“Shall I call Mr. Yang and tell him you need a week’s off? Your doctor said you need at least two days to rest.” Bommi held her phone. “Or better yet hand in your resignation. God knows you don’t have to break your back working.”

“No. We’re short on staff, one of our cashiers is on maternity leave,” Sandy protested.

“It’s not your problem, Dee. You need to rest,” Bommi insisted.

Just then, the nurse came in with her doctor. “Good morning Miss Park, how are you feeling?”

Her doctor is a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache and bushy eyebrows. Glistening silver peppered his black hair, not a single strand out of place. His powder blue shirt stood out underneath his white coat and a stethoscope hanging on his neck.

“Never better, doc” she answered with a smile.

“You may go home after breakfast. Rest for two days, get enough sleep. You have anemia. I also suggest a complete blood work if symptoms persist.”

Thinking of needles made her insides knot. “Do I need to do it now?”

“Not really. But please come and see me if you do.”

“All right. Thanks, doc.”

“I’ll leave you two, ladies. Your discharge papers are ready, I already signed it. But eat first before you go because you can’t take your medicine with an empty stomach. Our cafeteria’s food is said to rival those of first-class restaurants around the city.”

“Okay, doc.” She turned to Bommi. “Take care of the bill for me? Charge it on my black card,” she said with a wink.

“Oh. Someone paid your bill, Miss Park,” the nurse interjected.

“How come?” Bommi asked, puzzled.

“Someone from the management came by with an order for the billing department. We charged all fees incurred during your stay on Mr. Kwon’s card.”

Sandy and Bommi exchanged puzzled looks. “Mr. Kwon?”

“Mr. Gio Kwon, the president’s only son.”

“How do you know Mr. Kwon, Dee?” Bommi asked.

Sandy shook her head. “I don’t.”

“Weird. If that is so, thank him.”

Dazed, Sandy could only nod in agreement. Who is he?

Sandy sat waiting for Bommi to finish with the discharge papers at the nurse’s station. Her doctor was telling the truth. Food at Southern Cross’ cafeteria was a delight to her taste buds. She’s never eaten that much in a long time.

“Here,” Bommi an envelope in her face.

“What’s this?”

“I don’t know. It has your name on it. The nurse gave it, she was under instruction to give it to you once you get discharged.”

Sandy tore through the envelope. It revealed a black calling card. The name Gio Kwon is embossed in gold, along with his contact number.

“It’s from the guy who paid my bill, Bommi,” she exclaimed.

“Really? Whoa!” Bommi snatched the card from her fingers. When she turned it over, the words at the back are gold letters too. The guy has a decent handwriting. “Gold ink? The guy writes in gold ink? Did Nana used to write using gold ink too, Dee?”

“No. Why should she?”

“Oh. I thought it was a common thing for rich people like this guy,” Bommi said.

“Nana was rich, but she lived a simple life.”

“I wonder what does he look like. It won’t hurt if he’s one dashing Romeo,” Bommi teased, bumping her shoulder with Sandy’s.

“I’m sure he’s middle-aged, with a pot-belly from spending too much time in his chair for endless business meetings and conferences. And I bet he’s married with a dozen of kids. He might like kids a lot that’s why he took pity on me when I passed out at Charington Hotel. I guess he’s there for business, passed me by sprawled on the floor and brought me here.”

Because there is no way that King of Jerks will help her. Every bone in his body is mean, so it’s impossible. Utterly impossible, like a punch at the moon.

“Hey, it says tenth floor. Office of the President.”

“What? Let me see.” Sandy held the card between her thumb and forefinger. True enough, everything written there.

“It’s like as if he knew you’d be looking for him.”

“Shall we go up and thank him?” she asked.

“Let’s go. Who knows? He might be good looking.”

“You wished!” They both erupted in giggles which turned heads. Embarrassed, Sandy pulled her towards the elevator.

Moments later, they found themselves in front of the President’s secretary, a petite brunette behind a mahogany table which seemed to dwarf her. She was their age, with an easy smile and bright brown eyes. Her curls tumbled down past her shoulders.

“Who among you is Miss Sandy Park?” she asked, wearing a friendly smile.

Sandy raised her hand. It made Bommi and the woman laugh. “What?”

“Really, Dee? What are you, a pre-schooler? Ma'am, present!”

“Shut your trap, woman.”

The secretary stood.

“Mr. Kwon’s instruction was to send Miss Sandy alone to meet him. So pardon me if we have to leave your friend here.”

“It’s all right,” said Bommi. “I’ll wait here.”

“This way, Miss Park.”

Mr. Kwon was nowhere in sight when they came in but the light from a nearby door was on. The secretary ushered Sandy towards the visitor’s chair.

“He’s in the bathroom. Please take a seat, he’ll be out soon.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be outside. Oh, what would you like to drink?”

“No, it’s okay. I had breakfast before coming here.”

“All right.”

She’s been sitting for sometime she grew restless. The longer she sat, the frequent the thumping in her chest grew. She doesn’t know what to do with her hands, or her knees that kept bouncing up and down. Notwithstanding it anymore, she jumped on her feet and walked around.

Glass surrounded Mr. Kwon’s office. Only the drawn blinds kept direct light from the sun away. The tables, sofa, chairs and display cases were modern, unmistakably male in leather and steel. The shelves pushed against the walls were glass too.

They contained scores of thick medical books. The only wood was his desk, a humongous black thing in the center of the room. On the far side of the room near the door, a shelf dedicated to his miniature car collections stood.

Boys will always be boys, she thought. Fascinated, Sandy approached the shelf to inspect it. The details on each car was sick. From the accessories, decals, everything. She’s willing to bet her money that a piece of those collections was worth a year of a college student’s tuition fee.

A noise from behind startled her, making her step back only to step on something. Before she knew it, gravity has taken over. It’s too late to stop her fall, so she braced herself for impact by closing her eyes.

But the fall didn’t happen. Strong arms caught her followed by a masculine scent. It smelled like fresh grapefruit with mint and blood mandarin and more. There’s even a hint of leather, spicy notes and white wood. She liked it instantly. But why does it seem familiar?

“Every time you fall, I catch you. Is this our fate?” A husky voice came. Sandy’s eyes snapped open, widening instantly with recognition. Staring back at her was a man with messy ash blonde hair and steel-grey eyes.

“Gio f*****g Kwon.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“We meet again, Sandy Park.”