The doorbell rang and she took her eyes off the window to go answer. A look at the peephole showed her Jee-Hoo’s face on the other side and with her heart starting to race she opened the door.

“Why did you change your number?”

His hair was disheveled and he had both hands inside his pants pockets. He didn’t make a move to get inside and was barely looking back at her.

Was he that mad again?

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was going to…”

He didn’t let her finish continuing his interrogation.

“And why are you moving?”

God, she felt she was on trial. He was being so cold with her it almost hurt. Ana’s head fell and her hand moved across her eyes, suddenly a lost for words. He stepped inside making her back up a few steps and facing him again. He closed the door behind him, standing a mere step away from her. She could smell his scent, feel the energy beaming from his body, creating a field around them.

“Aish (shit)...what is it you do not want to tell me?”

His voice got velvety, giving her goosebumps, making her heart skip a beat.

What was it? She couldn’t think right now, she could barely breathe right. Caught in the shine of his eyes, being pulled by the invisible force around them urging her to get closer.

“I…”

Her hand moved up to his chest trying to keep the distance between them, she needed to clear her head, fight against the emptiness her brain was turning into standing so close to him. His eyes followed the slow movement of her hand, then staring at the slight touch of her fingers seemed to get stuck there forever.

Ana saw his hand raise to meet hers, felt the soft warmth of his palm and anticipated the step he took forward to her. Her mouth went dry and her breath fastened, it was like the world was moving in slow motion. Hee-Joon's other hand cupped her face sweetly and directed her upward to face him. His lips getting closer, parting slightly...

The bang on the door was so strong that made them both jump. In an instinctive movement, Hee-Joon pulled her behind him. After a breve wait, he peeked to see who was blasting the door at that time of night but found no one.

“Stay here.”

And disappeared into the hallway closing the door behind him.

Left alone to handle her own fears, Ana sat down on the couch counting the minutes to hear him knock on the door again. Her heart was hurting in her chest and she was so jumpy, the night breeze whistling outside her window was frightening. A hundred thousand images about Hee-Joon’s safety were popping up inside her head, swiftly being put aside, just to give place to others even more distressing. She was about to go look for him, not giving a care if she would encounter the freak asshole who was driving her crazy when the bell door rang. She almost ran to the door.

“I couldn’t find anyone.”

And without leaving space for an argument he wrapped it up.

“Pack your things, you’re not staying here tonight.”

Ana had no intention to argue with that. The question was, where would she stay? Was he thinking she would stay at his place? Did she want that? Was it wise at that point? With all that insanity going on? These thoughts were stumbling on each other as she packed her things.

Going out the door, her hand on his, at a fast pace they went out of the building and in no time were inside his car.

_____________

As he sat down behind the wheel Hee-Joon grabbed her hand again.

He was not ready to let go just yet and could feel in her grasp she was not either. His heart was still racing with the episode that took place at her apartment, although he was not sure which of the two was making it race at that moment.

The light turned red as he stopped the car.

“Will it be ok if you stay with me tonight?”

He was asking and needed her to say yes, for the sake of his peace of mind. There was no way he would be able to sleep thinking about how distressed she must be and how scared. He himself was getting extremely restless with all that was happening. What the heck happened tonight?! Why the sudden attack on her nerves? Up until then, that crazy asshole had been in stalker mode but was never threatening. Why now? What changed? Did he think she was alone and was trying to get her to open the door? A lot of unanswered questions were roaming in his head and he wasn’t liking that one bit.

She remained silent to his question and on the next red light, he stared at her more attentively.

“Ana시 are you alright?”

She squeezed his hand a little tighter and nodded her head positively.

“Is it alright if you stay with me tonight?”

Faced with her remaining silence he hurried to explain.

“I know this is an unconventional request and, if you prefer I can take you to a hotel. But, I’d feel a lot better if you’re within my eyes reach for tonight. See it as police protection.”

“Alright.”