Chapter 13
We went to the nearest coffee shop and I let Juno order for them. He knows their taste and for the first time, I was glad that he joined me. I chose amerikano because I can't drink chocolate while the rest like it. Yejun and Juno have the same order as me.
"Why didn't you like chocolate? Are you an old person?" He said that even though he also ordered the same drink as mine.
"Are you saying that to yourself?" I asked him while drinking.
"This day is Friday. I don't need chocolate drinks." He mumbled and walked straight to the stoplight.
I didn't mind his bubbling and just waited at the street light to turn red. We walk to the pedestrian. When we reached the entrance of the hospital, I saw Penelope outside with a man wearing a navy green uniform and black slacks. They look like they are arguing. I stop walking and stay my gaze at them.
I see how Penelope is struggling to talk when the man is forcing her based on his gesture. I got worried and slowly went near them. I heard Juno calling my name and my eyes widened when I saw the man slapping Penelope on the cheeks. I hurriedly ran to them and helped Penelope on the ground.
"You bitch! I am your father! How dare you disrespect me!" He shouted and pointed at Penelope. I gritted my teeth. I didn't know that Penelope's father is a jerk.
"Jia?" She was flustered after I attended her to the ground. I look at her and Penelope's face is swelling. I glare at her father.
"Excuse me..." I said and was about to stand up to talk to him but Penelope stopped me.
"Who the fuck are you? That bitch friend?" He shouted at me and breathed heavily while releasing his fury.
I help Penelope to stand up and protect her from his father's rage.
"Excuse me, mister. You have no right to hurt Penelope." I said in a calm voice.
"It's none of your business! That's bitch needs to give me her money!" He shouted with his eyes full of rage.
"That's Daniel's hospital bill! I can't give it to you... You... You always-" Penelope choked and tears flowed in her eyes. I hugged her.
"I don't care about that useless child! You ungrateful bitch!" He was about to slap Penelope again but someone grabbed his arm.
I saw Yejun in front of me and he effortlessly twisted Penelope's father's arm. He shouted in pain and cursed nonstop. Juno also came and covered us with his body. Security went to us and arrested Penelope's father. My heart is still beating fast and I get scared when Yejun looks at us and his eyes are only for Penelope.
Yejun goes to Penelope and they hug each other. I distance myself and still tremble because that's the first time someone tried to hurt me with his eyes full of hatred. Even in the past, people were afraid of me. They can't hurt me because they know that I am evil. Now that I experience it on hand I can't help but tremble. Ridiculous! I get my grief.
"Jia are you okay?" Juno asked me and held both of my shoulders.
"Eh? I'm fine." I said and looked at Yejun, still comforting Penelope.
"I can't believe that Penelope's father has the guts to harass her in public. What a bastard." He mumbles and a frown shows on his face.
"What do you mean? Are they not on good terms?" I was confused because the past isn't like this. Penelope's father was deceived but he was a good person.
"He gambled the money in his business. Now, they are full of debt. Penelope is working tons of part-time jobs! Her mother got into an accident and currently has an injury. She's staying with her mother. After Daniel's accident her mother can't visit the hospital and Penelope tries hard for her sibling and mother. I'm glad that the kindergarten is shouldering Daniel's hospital bill." Juno explained to me.
I don't know what to say because I'm shocked. This never happened in the past. I thought that in this lifetime, Penelope's father is still a good man. My heart is still beating faster and how fate is changing. I'm nervous that because of my decisions, someone else's life is on the line. How did it happen?
I stopped thinking when Yejun came to us. His expression is dark, adding to his unemotional face. I got goosebumps looking at him. He talks with Juno and it seems that they know what to do with this kind of situation. I got worried when I saw Penelope still trembling with fear.
"It's dangerous for her to go home now so I will book a hotel for her to stay." Yejun said to us. Juno nodded but...
"Do you want her to stay in my house? My parents aren't home now." I offer it to Yejun.
I think Penelope needs someone who will listen to her and being alone in the hotel won't help her anxiety. I wanted to help her but I'm not sure if Yejun will allow me because I'm an outsider. I met Yejun's gaze.
"Is it fine?" He asked. Yejun's eyes are worried and all this time his unemotional face crumpled... He looks so worried and there's a hint of doubt in his eyes.
My chest started to feel the heat after I read Yejun's emotion. The invisible barrier leaves his eyes and he looks like he will do everything for Penelope to get better. I grip my hand and stare at his eyes. It's getting to me that whatever I do. They still can't trust me easily. I am the third person and in this story, my purpose is only to help them to be together again.
"I will take care of her so you don't need to be worried." I said and gave him an assuring smile. Yejun let out a sigh and agreed with me.
Yumi and Na Hyuk are also informed of Penelope's situation. I also told them that she will stay with me because it's still dangerous for her to go home. Yumi looks horrified after seeing Penelope's swelling face. We went back to the hospital and let the doctor treat the swelling. I left them and took my phone to call Mr. Choi.
"Hello, Mr. Choi. This is Jia. Can you fetch me here in St. Mary's hospital?" I said while walking at the exit.
"Ms. Jia, I understand." He said in the other line.

"Thank you so much." I ended the call and I got startled when my back bumped into a hard thing. I thought it was Haru but when I look, I see Yejun towering over me.
"Yejun." I whisper. I quickly distance myself from him.
"Thank you for taking Penelope Jia." He said and remained standing not too far from me.
"It's fine. I know that it's hard to stay alone when you just experience a traumatic situation." I mumbled and breathed the cold breeze. My face is turning red because of the cold.
"I also want to apologize for not trusting you quickly." He confesses and keeps his hands inside in the pocket of his coat. He looks handsome and boyish.
"You don't need to apologize to me. You did that because you're protecting her. You did so well, Yejun." I patted his shoulder and smiled at him.
--
Mr. Choi arrived and Yejun went back inside to get Penelope. I waited for them while Mr. Choi got me my red scarf. I'm weak with the cold. Both hands are freezing but I told Mr. Choi to keep it a secret and be quiet. Even Yumi didn't know this was my great weakness.
They arrived longer than I thought and Mr. Choi asked me to stay in the car but I rejected it. I'm freezing and looking up at the dark sky. The winter season is in two months but the weather is cold. Mr. Choi gives me a hot pack and I hurriedly keep it in my coat pocket. It helps me to lessen the cold.
Penelope was still anxious when she got in the car. Yejun assured her while I'm saying goodbye to Yumi. My eyes started to tear up because I stayed in the cold longer than I can endure.
"Let's go, Miss." Mr. Choi knows my limit and told me to go in. I know that he's worried that I might catch a cold.
The heater in the car made me feel comfortable. My eyes are tearing and I see Penelope in the back seat looking outside of the window. Mr. Choi worriedly looks at me and gives me tissues. The redness of my cheeks is matching with my pale face and red scarf. Mr. Choi didn't speak and I silently thanked him for that.
We arrive at the house shortly and I get out of the car. I smiled at Penelope and she followed me to the entrance. The servant looked at Penelope but didn't say anything. I told them to prepare a light dinner and send it to my room.
"Let's go to my room." We go upstairs and I open my door. I opened the heater and told her to sit wherever she likes.
End of chapter 13...