The room’s silence became increasingly suffocating as Hana sat, stunned, Mrs. Jenkins’ words still echoing in her mind. She struggled to make sense of it all when suddenly, a strong hand gripped her wrist, yanking her from her thoughts.

“Mother...” The voice was laced with brewing anger. Low, dangerous, barely containing his fury.

Mrs. Jenkins calmly lifted her teacup, blowing gently on the steaming liquid. Her composure was a stark contrast to the tension crackling in the air. “I’ve taught you countless times about manners, Ren. Barging in is very rude. Not like you ever listen to me.”

“Cut the bullshit, Mother,” Ren snapped.

“Language!” For a split second, Mrs. Jenkins’ polished facade cracked. She quickly regained her poise, turning to Hana with a practiced smile. “Hana and I were just having a pleasant conversation. Isn’t that right, Hana?”

Hana looked from Mrs Jenkins to the man whose grip was getting tighter around her wrist. She couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

Ren’s voice was tight with barely controlled anger. “I told you not to bring her into this. This has nothing to do with her.”

“Ren, you brought her into this,” his mother countered, her smirk deadly. “You should have known how this would turn out.”

Ren know that he instigated it but he never knew it would turn out this way. It was undoubtedly his fault.

A flicker of guilt crossed Ren’s face, but it was quickly replaced by determination. “Leave Hana out of it. This is the last time I will say this. Leave. Her. Out. Of. This.”

Mrs. Jenkins’ lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I won’t make promises.”

The air between them sparked with unspoken threats and long-standing resentments. She wanted to speak, but fear kept her silent.

Ren’s grip on her wrist loosened slightly as if he’d suddenly remembered she was there. His eyes met hers, filled with a mix of anger, worry, and regret. As her eyes glistened with unshed tears, he felt something break inside him.

Whatever game the Jenkins family was playing, she was now an unwilling pawn. And judging by the look in Ren’s eyes, things were about to get much, much worse.

*******************************************

The city lights blurred past as Ren’s car sped through the night. The drive back to Hana’s apartment was silent, deafening. Hana sat rigid in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Ren’s tense profile. Ren’s knuckles tightened around the steering wheel, turning white in frustration.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Shizumi?”

Ren’s voice was so low and strained that Hana almost couldn’t decipher what he said. Was he talking to her or himself?

“What if I didn’t find out where you were?” he pressed on, his voice rising. “Were you just going to keep it a secret forever?”

He was talking to her. Hana’s stomach churned with guilt. She should say something, and explain herself, but fear kept her silent. What could she possibly say to make this right?

“I’m sorry, Dr. Jenkins,” she finally whispered, her voice small and trembling. She bowed her head, looking down at her shaky gloved hands.

Ren let out a frustrated growl, running a hand roughly through his hair. Without warning, he yanked the steering wheel, pulling the car over to the side of the road. The sudden stop jolted Hana forward, her heart racing.

“Hana, for the love of God, don’t try to use an apology to avoid this,” Ren snapped, his voice climbing in volume and intensity. He turned to face her, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and something that looked almost like hurt.

Hana flinched, shrinking into herself. Tears pricked the sides of Hana’s eyes. As much as she wanted to blame him, which she should, she had a part to play in this too. She knew that Dr. Jenkins and his mother weren’t on good terms and she went without telling him, expecting that he wouldn’t find out one way or the other.

Ren’s eyes softened for a moment before frustration took over again. “Did you really think you could meet her behind my back and I wouldn’t know? This is my mother we’re talking about, Hana. She has eyes and ears everywhere. When I saw how she looked at you, how she treated you, I panicked. I thought if I distanced myself, she’d leave you alone.”

He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. “I don’t want you getting involved in this. She already wants to control every aspect of my life, and I can’t... I won’t let her make you a target too.”

Hana could hear the pain in his voice, and see the worry etched on his face. It made her feel even worse about her decision.

“God, I don’t want that,” Ren continued, his voice quieter now. “I accept that it’s my fault all this started, but Hana, you shouldn’t have met her. You should not have.”

The last words came out almost like a plea. Hana felt a tear escape, rolling down her cheek.

Hana’s words tumbled out in a rush, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she finally let out everything she’d been holding in.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“I’m... sorry,” she choked out. “I know it was stupid. I’m... stupid. I was scared.” Her hands trembled in her lap as she continued, “She told me not to tell anyone. I didn’t want to bother you because... and you’ve been avoiding me. I don’t know. I couldn’t get to... you.”

Ren’s expression softened as he watched her break down. The anger in his eyes gave way to concern and guilt. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm himself.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t understand... I still don’t understand what’s really going on.”

“I didn’t want her to come to the hospital,” Hana went on, her words becoming more frantic. “She said if I didn’t come... I just didn’t know what to do. I didn’t think right. I’m sorry. You were so far away. I’m... sorr—”

In a split second, before Hana could register that her mouth had stopped moving, a pair of arms pulled her into an embrace. She felt herself instinctively freeze, expecting the flood of memories. Instead, the warmth of Dr. Ren Jenkins’ body collided with hers. She was in his arms, literally.

Slowly, hesitantly, she leaned into the embrace, letting her tears flow freely. Crying into someone’s shoulder was something she had never had the privilege of doing. So, she held onto him and cried while murmuring apologies.

“No... Hana, I’m sorry. This... all this is my fault.” His voice cracked in between words.

Ren’s fingers continued to stroke her hair, each gentle touch a silent apology.

Ren knew that he had done so much to hurt her. The days he spent avoiding her hurt her as much as it hurt him. The moments he stole unseen glances at her as she worked in the nurses’ station or when he intentionally walked by her in the hallway without casting a look at her. He thought pushing her away was the only way to get his mother’s eyes from Hana.

But now, with Hana in his arms, the weight of his actions crashed down on him. Her tears soaked through his scrubs, each sob a reminder of the pain he’d caused.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, softer this time. “I shouldn’t have avoided you. I thought... I thought I was protecting you by staying away. But I just made things worse, didn’t I?”

The rhetorical question lingered in the air without an answer.

*******************************

“Miss Aki, your..ehm,” there was a disruption in the background of the caller, “..guest is here to see you”

Mira rolled her eyes as she recognized the voice of the ‘distraction’ in the background. “Put it on speaker phone,” she instructed, her tone laced with a mix of annoyance and resignation.

The sound of the keyboard clicking filled the silence for a moment before Mira started talking. “Kindly tell the ‘guest’ to get lost because I am not in the mood for his games. Normal people would be busy with their work at a time like this.”

A chuckle sounded from the other end of the line. “Well then, tell your boss that I need to see them to function properly, and now, I will be making my way into their office.”

Mira’s eyes widened in surprise. “He mustn’t enter my office.”

“Too late. Toodles, love.”

“Mr. Jen...“, the secretary tried stopping the man, “...kins. These two lovebirds. God, I need a raise.”

Mira sighed, her frustration evident. She knew she had no choice but to face the inevitable. She glanced at her desk, her work half-finished. Great. Just great.

A few knocks and no verbal response to ‘come in’ later, the male strutted into the office like he owned the place, quite familiar with the layout. He leaned against the wall in silence, staring directly at the lady across from him.

“Can you please not bother me for one minute?” Mira sighed, her voice lowering slightly. Only one person had the guts to walk into her office like they owned the place.

“But I love bothering you,” Jiro replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “It is my sole purpose in life. You are my only reason to live, breathe, and be a nuisance.”

Mira rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. “JJ, I really don’t have time for this today. I have two clients that are trying to withdraw from purchasing high-value artworks and I have been trying to persuade them all day.”

Jiro could clearly see the lines of frustration gathering across her forehead. He pushed off the wall cabinet and took long strides toward her. Getting close to her, he leaned in and pried her glasses off her face.

Mira’s eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively reached for her glasses. But Jiro was quicker, holding them just out of her reach. Seeing that she couldn’t physically fight him on this, she resigned to a grumbling pout.

“You know my offer still stands,” Jiro said, his voice soft and seductive. “You don’t have to worry yourself with all these. I can take care of you, princess.”

Mira’s eyes narrowed. “And I stand by mine,” she replied firmly. “Jiro, I will not be a bimbo that relies on you for everything.”

Jiro chuckled. “I know, I know. I know how much you love your job and how hard you fought for this position. And guess what?”

Mira rolled her eyes, hiding her curiosity. “What now?”

He nuzzles an Eskimo kiss on her nose with his. “I love you for that.”

Following each word, he planted a kiss on her lips. “Your resilience, persistence, zeal... and anger issues.”

Mira smacked his chest playfully, her anger melting away. “I hate you. I should punch you for calling me princess.”

Jiro laughed. “I know.” He planted another kiss on her head. “But you love it.”

Mira rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her face.

If this lasted longer, she wouldn’t get any work done. Hiding her reluctance, she pushed him away. “I have to work now. You have to leave. I can’t work with you here.”

Jiro sighed, his playful demeanor fading. “Wait, wait...”

“What is it this time, JJ?” Mira asked, her patience wearing thin.

“I’m forgetting something,” Jiro replied, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Mira rolled her eyes. “Your self-control, probably?”

Jiro shook his head. “No, it’s something important. I’m serious.”

Mira hesitated, her curiosity piqued. “Alright, what is it? Speak fast and leave my office”

“I saw a little somebody today that we both know,” Jiro said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Mira’s eyebrows raised. “Who? Hana?”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner!” Jiro exclaimed, grinning.

Mira chuckled. “Oh, yeah.”

“Is that all you’re going to say? Oh?” Jiro feigned offense, his tone playful. Then it dawned on him why there was a lack of excitement. “You knew already? You knew and didn’t tell me!”

Mira shrugged, her expression nonchalant.

“Calm down. Yes, I knew and I figured you would too since you told me about the meeting you were going to have at the restaurant. That’s why I even let her go there in the first place. It was crazy that she accepted going to see your aunt alone. I know that one way or another, you would find out that she was there.”

Jiro ran a hand across his hair, tidying it up. “You could have told me. I found out while I was in the middle of a meeting. So, I couldn’t do much. I called Ren to settle it.”

Mira nodded, her expression understanding. “I figured you would. Now, would that be all?”

Jiro hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Fine, fine. I’m leaving. See you tonight?”

Mira smiled. “If I’m there, you’ll see me.”

Jiro grinned, his mood brightening. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his hand lingering on her shoulder. “I can’t wait.”

As Jiro turned to leave, Mira called out to him. “Hey, JJ?”

Jiro turned around, a question mark in his eyes.

“Close the door behind you,” Mira said, her voice a playful tease.

Jiro rolled his eyes but complied. He turned back to the door and closed it with a satisfying click. As he walked away, he couldn’t help but smile. Mira was one of a kind.