Chapter Thirteen

 LiYul tucked the contract into the inside pocket of his jacket. He glanced around looking for SooYun. clucked his tongue disapprovingly at Kang. "Where did she run off to?"

 "SooYun has gone up to see the pagoda and iron gong," Kang turned to leave then stopped and looked back at LiYul, "Do you still wear the bracelet I gave you?"

 LiYul held up his left hand and pulled back his shirt sleeve. Nestled next to his watch was the bracelet. Kang nodded. "Good. When you decide to come back, bring SooYun with you. Uncle Chol-Sol picked an apt name for her. I like her." Kang replied as he started walking away, "Have a safe trip home, LiYul!" He called over his shoulder.

 LiYul watched Kang's departing figure for a moment then turned and started up the trail to collect SooYun. It was a short hike up to the pagoda, it faced the hillside and the covered iron gong. He found SooYun busily taking pictures with her phone.

 She turned away from the iron gong and looked up into the sky. She was struck by the sudden gathering of dark clouds. She felt a chill in the air, and she frowned in concern. "I think we should get going," She said as she joined him on the stone path. 

 He turned to look in the direction she was studying and felt sudden dread creep across his body. The rumble of thunder sounded and before he could respond, it began to rain. He grabbed her wrist and began to hurry down the stone path. It was large icy drops of rain that fell like a waterfall. There was a brilliant blue-white flash and a sizzling crackle of lightning across the sky sending a knife of pain in his head. He stumbled and let go of SooYun to clutch his temples in agonizing pain! 

 The thunder sounded immediately overhead and SooYun flinched at the proximity of the sound. They needed to get out of the rain and somewhere safe! The pagoda was too open and offered no shelter, but she remembered there was a guardhouse just below the pagoda that would offer some shelter from the storm. She clutched the sleeve of his jacket, and they ran toward the guardhouse. Another brilliant white flash of lightning zig-zagged against the angry storm clouds.

 LiYul felt his world spiral out of control and SooYun braced herself as he fell against her breaking his fall. They went down together! SooYun went down on her side and slid painfully down the stone path into the mix of gravel and mud. He landed on her, and she somehow managed to climb to her feet and get him upright. They stumbled into the guardhouse and collapsed in the center of the room. 

 The pain sliced through him as lightning lit up the dark spaces of the guardhouse and he passed out, slumping into SooYun where they knelt on the floor. She was not sure what was happening, but whatever it was, the pain and trauma were severe for the Director. She wrestled out of her coat and draped it over him. She gathered up the sleeves in her hands and pulled them tight around him. The wind blew the icy rain in on them, and she did what she could to shield him from the brunt of the storm. 

 His face was buried against her neck and the fingers of both hands had instinctively threaded themselves into her hair and pulled her tight against him. She pulled the hood of her jacket up over his head to block the flash of lightning from his view. She turned her face into his, pressed her lips close to his ear, and whispered, "You can tell how quickly the storm is moving away by counting from the flash of lightning to the sound of thunder. I'll count like Min-Seo taught me."

 The flash came and she counted softly in his ear, "One hippopotamus, two hippopotamus, three hippopotamus –," the thunder rumbled. "It's beginning to move off, it's three miles away."

 Another flash. She counted again and got to "six hippopotamus" when the thunder sounded. The rain got heavier then as she began another count after a flash of lightning, she felt him jerk to consciousness. She was not sure if she should let him go or continue to hold on, but she decided to hold on, gripping the coat around his shoulders. He was holding her as close as you could hold another person. She started counting again and he started counting with her. They both got to "ten hippopotamus" before hearing the thunder. He eased back and locked his gaze with hers. She was soaked through to the skin and her long blonde hair had come loose and was muddy and dripping wet. His fingers were tangled in her hair, and he carefully extracted his hands. That was when he noticed the bleeding cut in her hairline. She reached up to swipe the rain from her face. She brushed a hand over her face and smeared bright red blood and mud down the side of her face from her hairline. She saw his horrified look and looked at her hands, one palm was scraped and cut. It was still oozing blood. Her knee and shin burned and stung painfully, she knew it was probably a bloody mess. 

 "We need to get to the car," LiYul said. He got to his feet, reached down, and drew SooYun up. She hissed as she put her weight on her ankle and felt the pain shoot up into her ankle. He caught her up against him and together they left the guardhouse and began the slow painful trek to the car. SooYun's ruined jacket served to shield them both from the rain. She had her arm around his waist, and he held her close with one arm and the other holding the jacket over their heads. 

 The rain was still falling, but the worst of the sudden storm had moved toward the northwest and away from the Temple. LiYul opened the trunk of the car. The car blankets were once again put into use. He dropped her sodden jacket into the trunk.

 "There's a rain poncho in the kit," SooYun said releasing her hold on him to pull the plastic box to her. "It'll save your leather seats!" 

 "It doesn't matter!" he growled at her. "You need to get in the car!" 

 SooYun pulled the rain poncho from the kit and pulled it on over her wet, muddy, and bleeding body. He helped get her into the passenger seat. He wrapped the car blanket around her and eased her injured leg in. She was a complete mess! He secured her seatbelt and closed the door. He hurried around to the driver's side, closing the trunk and draping a blanket around his shoulders. He slid in, strapped his seatbelt in place, and started the car. 

 He looked over at SooYun. She huddled down in the plastic rain poncho and the car blanket, hot tears mixing in with the rain, mud, and blood that soaked her hair and clothes. He turned on the heat and opened the vents toward her. His phone began to ring, and he yanked it from his coat pocket and scowled at it. He declined the call and tossed it into the tray in the console. Before he shifted the car in gear, he reached into another pocket, pulled a prescription bottle out, and quickly took a pill and chewed it, the bitterness was enough of a shock to keep him focused on the task at hand. 

 LiYul was stony silent as he drove out onto the road, heading away from the Temple. The only sound in the car was the slap of the windshield wipers and the whir of the heater blowing warm air through the vents. The phone continued to vibrate with calls. Each time it buzzed, he grew more agitated. He pressed the navigator button and spoke.

 Immediately directions to the nearest medical clinic popped up. SooYun saw the blue medical cross and realized that was their destination. From the furious look on his face, she decided to remain silent and try not to shiver. The heat felt good, but she knew if he was feeling the headache like before, the heat would be detrimental. He glanced over at her several times as they descended the hillside road. If she had even a mild concussion, she needed to stay awake, at least until the doctor had examined her. Talk to her! LiYul told himself. "Where did you learn how to count the times between lightning and thunder?"

 "Light travels faster than sound, so counting lets you gauge how quickly the storm is moving away. I read it in a science book in grammar school and it stuck with me." SooYun answered, trying to keep her voice from quaking.

 He glanced over at her quickly. She was shivering from the chill or shock or both. Keep talking to her! "You and Kang got along quite well," LiYul said, "He said he liked you."

 She laughed lightly. "I liked him too," she said. 

 LiYul found that he did not like the way her voice sounded when she spoke of Kang! He was irritated with himself for being jealous! Kang and Lim both were already calling her by her name and he was still having trouble just being in the car with her! What was wrong with him?

 He saw the sign for the medical clinic and turned into the parking lot. He drove up under the covered pavilion. "Stay here, I'll get help."

 He rushed into the clinic pulling the double glass doors open and slipping between the opening halves of the automatic doors when they did not open quickly enough. Moments later, he was back out with three nurses and a wheelchair. SooYun moved to undo the seatbelt and felt the muscles of her body protest painfully.

 LiYul opened the door and leaned in to undo her seatbelt. He felt her trembling and immediately began growling out orders to the medical staff. They helped get her out of the car and into the wheelchair. They wheeled her in with him stalking behind.

 The nurses made him wait outside the curtained area while they stripped SooYun and bagged her wet, muddy clothing. A gown was provided, and a nurse went to work on her leg. An aide toweled her hair dry as best as she could and tied it up with a piece of gauze. The emergency doctor came in and examined her. "Who is your guardian?"

 LiYul yanked back the curtain and glared first at the doctor and then at the nurse who was cleaning the large-scraped area of SooYun's leg. "I am!" 

 "We're going to need to x-ray her ankle," the doctor said, "I believe it is a sprain, but it could be a hairline fracture."

 "Do whatever you need to do," LiYul said. He looked at SooYun's pale face and remembered having his face buried against her neck. He could still feel her warm breath in his ear, counting softly. His dark ferocious glare dropped briefly on SooYun's exposed legs and thighs. They were pale and tinged with blue from the chill. One leg was severely scraped, and bleeding, and the nurse was cleaning and disinfecting the wounds as gently as she could. 

 The nurse placed a large protective pad over the shin and moved up her hand and forearm. It was cut and scraped. LiYul remembered she had broken his fall when he had passed out. She had sustained the injuries to keep him from getting hurt! Why? Why had she done that? 

 The doctor shined his penlight in SooYun's eyes and smiled gently. "We're going to run an IV antibiotic just to make sure you don't get any infection from these cuts and scrapes," he told her. "Once that is done you can be discharged. You'll be quite sore for the next few days or so, but you will be just fine."

 "Thank you, doctor." She looked up at LiYul who was still scowling fiercely at them as they worked to clean and bandage all her scrapes and cuts. "Director Jin, are you all right?"

 LiYul's dark eyes shifted from the ministrations of the nurses to SooYun's face. "I am fine!" he growled and turned and walked out. 

 The nurse at SooYun's bedside clucked her tongue. "He has a mean temper doesn't he?"

 SooYun shook her head. "No! Not at all – he is just very stressed right now. I didn't help much by getting all scraped up!"

 LiYul had only stepped out of view when he heard what SooYun said. He closed his eyes on the dull ache in his head. He felt for his phone and realized it was in the car. He went out and saw that no one had disturbed the Maserati. He leaned in and picked up his phone. As he stood next to the car he glared down at it. There were four missed calls, the last one was from Jae-Ho. He called his housekeeper and explained what had happened and what he needed. The nurse assistant brought out all of SooYun's clothing in a large plastic bag. While he had Mrs. Hung on the phone he asked the nurse assistant to go through the bag and give the sizes to his housekeeper. When she had finished, LiYul put the bag into the trunk of the car. He saw SooYun's canvas bag sitting on the other side, away from the wet jacket. He closed the trunk.

 "Will the young lady be coming home with you?" Mrs. Hung asked crisply.

 "Yes," LiYul said. "Ready the room next to mine and let Mr. Hung know to have the room heated for our guest."

 "Yes sir," Mrs. Hung answered.

 When he hung up, he dialed Lim Jae-Ho. "Jae-Ho, SooYun will not be home. There was an accident ---,"

 "What happened?" Jae-Ho asked. "Was it a car accident?"

 "No," LiYul said. "There was a storm at the temple and --,"

 "Are you hurt?" Jae-Ho broke in.

 "We are both all right, but SooYun fell and suffered cuts and scrapes," LiYul said. "I am taking her home with me overnight."

 "LiYul --,"

 "It is my fault she is hurt," LiYul said. "I will have Mr. Hung bring her to her flat in the morning."

 "No, I'll come," Lim said, "Tell SooYun to rest and I will see her tomorrow."

 LiYul hung up, opened the trunk again, took the remaining dry blanket, and spread it over the passenger seat. He went back inside and walked down to the gift shop. He walked in and the lady behind the counter came out, "Are you looking for something in particular?"

 "I am looking for something a woman can wear home. Her clothing was ruined." 

 The lady took him to a small area of various sizes of tee shirts and drawstring yoga pants. There was one sweatshirt on the shelf, and it had a drawing of a cartoon cat with a Band-Aid on its head. He bought the pants and the sweatshirt and walked back to the recovery area. SooYun was sitting on the side of the bed with a blanket wrapped around her body. Someone had cleaned up her sneakers, but they were still wet. Her feet were bare, and he saw her toenails painted pale pink. The hospital slippers would have to work until they got home. 

 She looked up at him in surprise as he handed her the bag with his purchases. "There was not much of a variety in the gift shop, but you will be a bit warmer."

 The nurse came in, "The doctor is discharging you. Your husband can pay your bill and I'll bring you out to him."

 SooYun opened her mouth to explain but he only shook his head at her. He pointed to the bags, "You change and then we can go home, SooYun."

 She nodded. Then looked after his retreating figure. He had called her by name! Now that she had thought about it, he had called her by name for the first time. She certainly could not call him by his first name – that would be too familiar! He walked out, headed to the billing office, and paid the bill. He never even looked at the amount. He took the receipt and turned back to wait for SooYun. 

 He then remembered she would be cold. He hurried out to the car, got in, and started it. He pressed the seat warmer toggle on and turned the heater on. He hurried back in and spotted her in the wheelchair in the hallway. The nurse was patting her shoulder, "There he is! You see, those tears were for nothing!" 

 He frowned. Did she think he had left her? He was struck by how his own heart ached when her stormy blue eyes searched the hallway and found him, and she looked relieved! The nurse left to return to her duties. He crouched down, his hands grasping both sides of the armrests of the wheelchair, "I went to warm up the car, SooYun. I would not leave you!"

 She nodded and blinked away the tears in her eyes. On impulse, he reached up and laid a hand against her cheek, "I will never leave you!"

 She met his dark gaze and was uncertain how to respond. He cleared his throat and stood, feeling awkward again. He rolled her out to the waiting car and helped her in. He secured her seatbelt. The action brought him very close. She still smelled of fragrant flowers. 

 Somewhere along the way, she fell asleep, and he sped to the townhouse. When he drove under the pavilion he noticed Mr. and Mrs. Hung were waiting for him along with a nurse and two of his security team. It rankled him that they had assumed he would need a nurse, and a security team to keep SooYun from stealing his company secrets! He opened the driver's door and got out. 

 Before anyone could move, LiYul waved everyone off, his fierce glare made even Mrs. Hung pause. "Let the security team take your guest, sir!"

 LiYul looked up at Mrs. Hung, "Is the room prepared, Mrs. Hung?"

 "Yes, sir." She answered. "Everything is according to your wishes."

 He nodded and went around to the passenger side of the car. SooYun had roused and sat up. She looked confused. LiYul opened the door, reached in, and detached the seatbelt. "Where are we?" she asked.

 "My townhouse," he told her. "I've already spoken to Jae-Ho." When she did not move he crouched down next to her looking into her eyes, "You are not going to be difficult are you?"

 "No --,"

 "Good," he said. "Give me your hand and I'll help you out of the car."

 She did and he frowned. Her hands were ice cold, and she was shivering. She felt like she had been in a rock tumbler! She was sore from head to toe and bone cold despite the heater being on her the whole trip. She turned in the seat, her legs stiffly swinging out. He helped her to stand and pulled her in close to his side. Mr. and Mrs. Hung looked at one another in amazement. They were further stunned when LiYul turned to the woman and scooped her up in his arms. 

 SooYun had no choice but to put her arms around his shoulders, but when she tried to tell him she could walk, he held her closer. "Stop talking, SooYun!" He commanded quietly and she fell silent. Her dark worried blue eyes continued to study his face. 

 He felt her eyes on him. He kept his focus on getting her into the townhouse. He could feel her trembling and he held her closer as they walked into the entranceway. 

 Mrs. Hung hurried in ahead of LiYul while Mr. Hung held the door open. Mrs. Hung pressed the elevator button. The doors opened and they got on with Mrs. Hung stepping in with the nurse. The elevator went up to the second floor and opened. Everyone exited and LiYul carried SooYun down the hall with Mrs. Hung hurrying ahead of them. She opened the door and LiYul went to the end of the bed where there was a bench. He stood holding her close against him, studying her, the throb of her pulse at the base of her neck, the quickness of her breath, and the blush in her cheeks despite her shivering with cold. When he continued to hold her, she looked expectantly into his face. He set her down and she withdrew her arms from around his neck.

 Mrs. Hung was still amazed by what she was seeing. "Sir, the nurse is here to administer---,"

 "Have the nurse attend to SooYun," LiYul said. "I can wait!"

 He stalked out of the bedroom. Mrs. Hung looked down at SooYun. "What happened?"

 SooYun looked up at the woman, her dark eyes were filled with worry over the Director. She was worried about him too. "We met Master Kang at the temple and before we left I went up to the pagoda and the iron gong, to take pictures. A huge storm came out of nowhere - it was a terrible storm with rain, wind, lightning, and thunder!"

 Mrs. Hung sank onto the bench next to SooYun. "Oh no! Was he in much pain?"

 "It was terrible!" SooYun declared, "We were trying to get to safety when the Director reacted to the lightning and thunder. We took shelter in the guardhouse until the storm had moved off. That's when I ended up in the emergency clinic and here."

 "You are the same one whom he's been corresponding with and who drove him from the airport, aren't you?" Mrs. Hung asked. "The one who helped him with his headache."

 "I know how painful these kinds of headaches can be," SooYun said, "I know how debilitating they can be."

 "It is more than that," Mrs. Hung said. "He and his father were struck by lightning when he was just a boy. It passed through his father and exited through him. It killed his father and nearly killed LiYul. Ever since that time, he has had painful headaches when he is stressed. Thunderstorms are very bad for him." Mrs. Hung studied SooYun, what was different about this woman? 

 "Oh, my God!" SooYun whispered. "How horrible!" 

 "He must feel differently with you," Mrs. Hung said softly and reached over to pat SooYun's hand. "He does not like anyone to touch him, because of the scars left by the lightning. It makes his skin very sensitive and painful to touch. I have never seen him hold anyone so close to him – ever." 

 "I can see how worried you are," SooYun said. "The nurse must attend to the Director, Mrs. Hung. I am fine."

 Mrs. Hung smiled gently. "We must do as he has ordered." Mrs. Hung told her. "Everything you need is waiting for you. I'm sure you need to shower and change into night clothes. I will make you a light meal and bring it up to you."

 "I don't need a nurse to wash my hair," SooYun said. "I'll tell the Director ---,"

 "Tell the Director what!" 

 SooYun heard the edge in his voice as he came through the adjoining bedroom doors. She frowned at him. Was he always this domineering? – at least that was the impression she had as he stood, arms folded over his chest, and black ferocious eyes blazing at them. Mrs. Hung jumped up from where she sat next to SooYun and hurried from the room.

 "I do not need a nurse to help me wash my hair!" SooYun repeated with as much force as she dared. 

 "Very well," LiYul growled, "Whom do you propose should assist you?"

 "I can do it myself." She said.

 "Prove it," He said. He pointed an imperious finger toward the bathroom. "Go on! Prove it to me!"

 SooYun glared back at him. She got to her feet, all of her weight on her good leg. Just as she turned and took a half step, he was in front of her. He caught her in his arms and drew her up against him for support. She did not know where to put her hands and they ended up against the wall of his chest. He sighed in exasperation. "I'll help you."

 "You can't!" she declared trying to ease his hold on her. He tightened his arms around her, and she stilled. 

 "I am quite capable," He told her, his voice suddenly softer, "I wash my hair all the time."

 She did not know what to say. He seemed highly agitated with her and the fact that she was injured. SooYun could feel the sting of tears, but she was working hard to keep them at bay for fear of creating more drama! He helped her into the bathroom. The shower was the entire end of the room, enclosed on three sides by thick glass. He opened the doors, reached in, and turned the handheld shower sprayer on, checking the temperature. SooYun pulled the hair tie from her hair that was twisted up in a messy bun. The length of her blonde hair fell down her back to her waist. LiYul looked at it and remembered having his hands and fingers entwined in the shining mass. On a wire shelf was a bottle of shampoo and the other bottle was conditioner. She leaned over and drew her hair forward. She had one hand against the wall of the shower and the other was working the shampoo into the strands of her hair. She let the sprayer run glorious warm water over her head. 

 She reached up to pump conditioner into her hands and she quickly rubbed the liquid into the long strands to the ends. She leaned into the sprayer and rinsed and then turned the shower sprayer off and began wringing the excess water from her hair. They backed out of the shower, and he grabbed a towel and draped it over her head. She briskly rubbed the towel over her head and then dried her face. She twisted her hair in the towel and stood upright. She smiled in relief and then caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Bright fresh blood oozed from her hairline. "Oh, damn, I forgot about the cut!"

 LiYul grabbed a washcloth from the stack on the shelf. He gently pressed it to her head. He looked furious as their eyes met and locked in the mirror. "Still think you don't need a nurse?" She started to explain but did not even get a chance before he scooped her up without another word, carried her out to the bedroom, and set her on the bench at the end of the bed. 

 Mrs. Hung entered with a covered cart as LiYul stormed out to find the nurse. "What happened?" Mrs. Hung asked coming to SooYun's side.

 SooYun lifted the hand towel from her head. "I've made him angry again." 

 Mrs. Hung clucked her tongue at SooYun. "No child, he is not angry, he is afraid for you." 

 The nurse rushed in with her kit, applied antibiotic cream, and covered the cut with sterile gauze and paper tape. LiYul did not return. The nurse packed up her things and left.

 Mrs. Hung helped SooYun shower and then bundled her into a plush robe. Mrs. Hung led her to the nearest chair and rolled the cart over. "Something light for you. You eat and then you can change into your night clothes. Then we'll dry your hair."

 SooYun nodded silently and ate the rice porridge. It was fairly bland but the way she felt she was not ready to experience any other surprises, food or physical! Mrs. Hung brought over a set of dark blue silk pajamas. She held them up and sighed, "They must have thought these were for LiYul," Mrs. Hung said, "The size is all wrong! They will swallow you up!"

 "But they'll be very comfortable," SooYun said. "And warm!"

 Mrs. Hung stepped out so SooYun could change then knocked and re-entered. "Let's dry your hair. I'll help you over to the dressing table." They slowly made their way and SooYun sat while Mrs. Hang began to comb her hair, careful not to disturb the bandage at her hairline. "The texture is so silky and delicate," Mrs. Hung remarked.

 The hair dryer prevented any further conversation. Mrs. Hung was enjoying her task, and when she caught sight of LiYul watching from the door of his suite, she pretended she did not see him. He closed the door and closed his eyes on the vivid memory of his hands tangled in the strands of SooYun's hair. The memory of her counting softly in his ear between flashes of lightning and booming thunder. The memory of her shielding him from the storm, breaking his fall as the pain knifed through him. She had rescued him once again and there had been no pity or belittling in her voice or actions, only concern and caring.

 He left his room and went in search of the nurse. She would administer the injection and relief would come and with it, sleep. He found the nurse waiting in his office. The injection was ready and waiting. She injected the painkiller, then bowed and prepared to leave. "Is Ms. Shin's head wound serious?" LiYul asked.

 "No, sir," The nurse responded. "Scalp wounds heal quickly. She won't even have a scar."

 "Good," LiYul answered. "You may go now, nurse Choi."

 She bowed again and departed. The injection was already beginning to work. He went to his room, showered, and put on his night clothes. He pulled back the cover and sprawled in the middle of his bed. He threw an arm across his eyes and sleep slowly crept up over him. 

 SooYun's eyes snapped open! She heard her name being called. She sat up and looked around. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was and that someone was calling her. She threw back the duvet and got up. She limped to the dividing door between her room and the Director. He was calling for her! 

 She slid the panel door open as quietly as she could and peered into the Director's room. The only light was the recessed lighting that glowed along the molding on the floor. She stepped in and limped to his bedside. He was having a nightmare and calling for her! Tears stung her eyes. "LiYul, LiYul wake up."

 She reached out to touch his shoulder and hesitated. In that same instant, LiYul woke and grabbed her wrist. SooYun gasped and was pulled off balance. She tried to avoid coming in contact with him but ended up in his arms. "SooYun."

 "You were having a nightmare," SooYun said and tried to extract herself. His hold on her tightened. 

 "I am still dreaming," he murmured. His dark eyes were shining up at her. 

 She tried to move away, but he pulled her closer and rolled so that she was beneath him. SooYun froze and LiYul put his head down and nestled against her shoulder. "Stay, protect me." He sighed and fell asleep.

 SooYun could not move, so she slowly relaxed, put her arms around him, and fell asleep. 

 LiYul woke. He became aware of a warm body nestled against him. He raised his head and looked into the sleeping face of SooYun! He remembered what had happened and he smiled. He glanced up at the light coming in the windows, the grey light of dawn provided enough light for him to study his White Lotus. He brushed the strands of corn silk blonde hair away from her face and she stirred.

 Her eyes opened and LiYul felt a stirring in his heart that became a yearning ache. "I do not want you to go, SooYun," he whispered, "But Mrs. Hung will be checking on you and will panic if she finds your bed empty."

 She was instantly awake, horror filling her eyes. LiYul moved away slowly and SooYun got up and limped quickly out of his room. LiYul rolled onto his back and grinned up at the ceiling! He was not feeling one bit jealous of Jae-Ho or Mr. Grisham!