AOA 152

“Isn’t it hot?”

“They say cold water isn’t good.”

“Is swallowing okay? That’s the hardest part for me.”

“My maternal grandmother gave me the doctor’s cell phone number. She said he even makes special house calls.”

“Porridge would be good for dinner, right? Do they deliver? What would you recommend? Is abalone porridge okay?”

Unfortunately, the visit to the baseball stadium fell through. This was because Baek Mugyeong’s condition deteriorated rapidly on the way home. Regrettably, I was unable to take Baek Mugyeong, who had a fever, to the hospital. Instead, I succeeded in giving him cold medicine and getting him to lie down on the bed.

After changing him into comfortable clothes, I placed lukewarm water by the bed and applied a cooling patch to Baek Mugyeong’s forehead. Then, sitting beside the bed, I diligently searched for porridge to have for dinner. There were Korean franchises as well as privately owned places.

“What would you like?”

“Anything is fine.”

“Choose one from beef, chicken, or vegetable.”

“I will go with vegetables.”

First, I placed the order. Recalling the time I was sick with a cold, I added sweet snacks, ice cream, and even fruit. I can just heat up the porridge later.

As I finished ordering and put down my phone, I made eye contact with Baek Mugyeong, who was looking this way.

“Is there anything you need?”

“Let’s definitely go to the baseball stadium next time.”

“Yes. Let’s go later.”

I wasn’t disappointed about not being able to go to the baseball stadium. It wasn’t like the huge stadium in Los Angeles was going to disappear tomorrow. I could just go later when I had time. I was more worried about Baek Mugyeong, who was sick. Since a bad cold really hurts, I hoped he would be sick for a little while and recover quickly.

As I stared at him, Baek Mugyeong blinked slowly and smiled.

“Do you know something?”

“What?”

“This is the first time I’ve caught a cold since becoming an adult.”

“Really?”

A tall man with a solid build certainly looked like someone a cold virus could not possibly penetrate. So, the fact that he was lying in bed sick was surprising. It made me realize once again that even Baek Mugyeong, who seemed invincible, was just an ordinary human being.

“Having a fever and feeling weak is annoying, but……. *Cough*.”

“Would you like some water?”

“No. It’s fine. I don’t like being in pain, but I really like being taken care of by you.”

Baek Mugyeong cleared his throat in the middle of his sentence and whispered in a joyful voice. It sounded like a confession, and my heart fluttered like a flower petal dancing in the spring breeze.

To be honest, I was upset to see Baek Mugyeong sick, as my mother had passed away after a long hospital stay, and my younger sibling had also contracted a rare disease. It was pitiful to see him lying on the bed with such a listless expression.

However, Baek Mugyeong says he likes being taken care of. I was happy to know that I could be of help in this way.

“Do you need anything else? Would you like some water? Or an electrolyte drink?”

If you caught a cold, you had to drink plenty of water. The refrigerator was stocked with water and sports drinks in time for Baek Mugyeong’s arrival.

“I wish you would hold my hand.”

Baek Mugyeong raised his hand slightly. I wondered why the man, who had always been so stoic, was acting this way. It was funny and cute that he wore such an indifferent expression, despite his flushed cheeks. Without holding back a chuckle, I took Baek Mugyeong’s hand. The big man’s hand was hot, and I could feel the sweat. It was a patient’s hand.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“It’s okay for now.”

If a cold wasn’t caught early, it was very painful. As I compared our hands sizes, I recounted an anecdote about how I got a scar on the back of my hand while playing soccer, after deciding to just stay home today. When I said that although the wound was small, it bled profusely, causing my friends to make a fuss by threatening to call 119, Baek Mugyeong burst into laughter.

Just then, the phone in my back pocket vibrated. The name that appeared on the screen was Jang Hoyeon. Wondering what was going on, I excused myself to Baek Mugyeong, explaining that it was the friend I had met at the airport earlier, and answered the call. Jang Hoyeon asked if I could come along, saying he was going surfing tomorrow. He told me that it was okay to bring my boyfriend along.

It did not seem like Baek Mugyeong’s condition would improve by tomorrow. Above all, Baek Mugyeong was quite a shy person. Even if he were feeling well, I couldn’t ask him to hang out with my friends who were much younger than him.

I declined Jang Hoyeon’s invitation, saying I had other plans with my boyfriend. He didn’t insist a second time, simply said he understood, and ended the call.

“Did you have an appointment with a friend named Jang Hoyeon?”

“I don’t have any plans. He said they’re surfing tomorrow and asked me to come with you. I declined. I told them I have other commitments.”

“It seems like you hang out with him often.”

“Hoyeon is the type of person who takes good care of the people around him. He also likes to have fun. But is there a problem?”

I asked cautiously. I realized how thorough Baek Mugyeong’s preparedness was through the incident with Lee Jeongwook. He didn’t just let the fact that I had trouble with Lee Jeongwook slide. He investigated Lee Jeongwook, found his weaknesses, and used them effectively when the mutual assault occurred.

At first, all I could do was admire how great he was. However, I realized belatedly that this was Baek Mugyeong’s way of surviving. It was only natural considering the environment surrounding him.

Seeing Baek Mugyeong hesitate, I wondered if there might be some issue with Jang Hoyeon. Baek Mugyeong was currently preparing to step away from DS Motors and return to the United States. However, due to Baek Yeongseop’s trial, it was difficult to back out, so he had to be cautious even of falling leaves.

“There is no particular problem.”

“Then?”

“I don’t like him.”

I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected answer. Baek Mugyeong had rarely said directly that he disliked someone. He had been reserved even with Baek Yeongseop and Jeong Guhyeon. Above all, Baek Mugyeong met Jang Hoyeon for the first time today. They had never even spoken.

“What about him do you dislike?”

“…His face.”

I almost burst out laughing because Baek Mugyeong answered so seriously. Jang Hoyeon was a handsome man with a refreshing look. But he said he didn’t like that.

“Well, people have different tastes.”

I wanted to ask him all sorts of questions, but I held back after seeing Baek Mugyeong’s condition. His cheeks were flushed even redder. It meant he had a fever. Just then, the cell phone placed at the edge of the bed vibrated. It was Choi Jaeha.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Jaeha. Just a moment.”

Once again, I asked Baek Mugyeong for understanding and picked up my cell phone. Choi Jaeha made many ordinary calls to check in. It was the same now. It was 11 a.m. in Korea, and Choi Jaeha was on his way to school. As he did so, he asked in a cheerful voice how the baseball stadium was. He added that his stomach was burning because I had boasted so much last night.

I didn’t mention that Baek Mugyeong had a cold. Instead, I said he was resting at home because he wasn’t feeling well. Choi Jaeha chuckled, asking if we were just fired up since we hadn’t seen each other in a while. I didn’t bother to deny it. Honestly, it was always like that whenever I met Baek Mugyeong.

Choi Jaeha really wanted to interrupt, but saying he wouldn’t be a clueless friend, he suggested ending the call. I said I would contact him later and pressed the end call button.

Unlike with Jang Hoyeon, he didn’t get up from his seat, so I could see Baek Mugyeong lying in bed while we were on the phone. The way he stared was intense.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“I don’t like Jaeha either.”

“Suddenly? Why?”

I wondered why this man was acting this way today. In the midst of that, he grabbed my hand, which was holding the phone.

“I’m jealous because you’re too close with Jaeha.”

A warning bell rang in my head. The unexpected confession was surprising and flustering. I was also happy. I wanted to tell that he didn’t need to be jealous of Choi Jaeha. But my worry outweighed that. The Baek Mugyeong I knew wasn’t the type to say something like that while in his right mind.

It was understandable to be jealous of Choi Jaeha, but not in this way. It was also strange that he said he didn’t like Jang Hoyeon’s face.

“Mugyeong-ssi? Are you okay? How is your fever?”

I placed my hand on Baek Mugyeong’s forehead. Although I could feel the heat as much as his cheeks had flushed, it wasn’t serious. His cheeks and neck were only slightly hot.

“Your fever isn’t that high. Are you feeling dizzy? How is your breathing? Does your chest feel tight?”

“It’s only slightly hot. Why are you acting like this?”

“It’s because you’re strange. You don’t usually speak this honestly. Like saying you don’t like someone’s face or that you’re jealous.”

I wondered if Baek Mugyeong was aware of his condition. After a moment of contemplation, the man nodded.

“You are right. But it is true that I don’t like Jang Hoyeon acting all friendly with you. I’m also jealous of how affectionately you talk with Choi Jaeha. Ah, I see. I’m saying out loud what I usually only think.”

“That’s right.”

Baek Mugyeong seemed to finally realize something was strange. However, there was no serious reaction. Instead, he simply raised the corners of his mouth and smirked.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. It seems serious.”

“It’s probably because of the cold medicine you took earlier. Medicine that causes drowsiness weakens self-control. Something similar has happened before. I’ll be fine after I sleep, so you don’t need to worry too much. You just look like you’re about to cry.”

“I’m not going to cry. But shouldn’t you really go to the hospital?”

I was filled with worry because I had suffered from drug side effects before. Whether Baek Mugyeong knew how I felt or not, he smiled.

“It’s just that I’m being more honest than usual because of the medicine. I usually check the ingredients of cold medicine before taking it, but I let my guard down this time. I’m really fine.”

If Baek Mugyeong said it was okay, it really was okay. But for some reason, I wanted to nitpick and keep going.

“Do you remember telling me not to say ‘I’m fine’ to you?”

“Hahaha. Okay. I don’t hurt anywhere. Just think of it as an allergic reaction. I do have a slight fever, though. I’ll be full soon after I get some sleep.”

Baek Mugyeong burst into laughter and slowly blinked his eyes. It seemed he was getting sleepy. It was the first time I had seen this side of him, even though we had been dating for over half a year. Seeing such a big man looking sleepy was cute, and I found myself smiling.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Hmm.”

“Then go to sleep. I’ll wake you up at dinner time.”

“Thank you.”

Baek Mugyeong thanked me, smiled, and took my hand. His cheeks were raised, and his face overflowed with satisfaction.

“Is there anything you want from me?”

Leaning toward the man whose eyes were slowly closing, I whispered quietly. I wanted to take this opportunity to find out what Baek Mugyeong wanted.