Lena glanced blankly at her office surroundings, still sitting on the floor.

“How can you presume to play God?”  He threw at her, eyes flashing.

Lena stood her ground, her head held up defiantly.  “If there even is a God, He has such arrogance that only He has the audacity to monopolize creation.”  She argued.  “Wanting to know more about the world, about ourselves, is not a crime.  It’s-it’s human nature.  It’s instinct!”

He looked like he was about to argue further but suddenly rubbed his face, a worn look where there was incredulity and anger a moment ago.  “I can’t forbid you from taking this cloning research any more than you trying to make me forsake my faith, Lena.”  

She had turned away but heard his approaching footsteps.

“When I’m back from the army and you are done with your research, will you come with me?”  He softly asked, enveloping her from behind.  “Away from this.  Away from it all.”

Lena did not hesitate to nod in acceptance, turning around to hold him close to her as her eyes immediately welled up in tears she had been holding back.  “I have to do this as much as your need to join the army and your faith.”  She replied, resting her head on his chest.  She could hear the steady beat of his heart calm her own.  “When it’s over, I want for us to be at peace with ourselves.”

—

Her thoughts were interrupted by the knocking on the door.  She cleared her throat and schooled her face back into a calm expression before opening the door.

“Hyun Joon.”  Lena did not widen the door, fighting the annoyance on her face.

Hyun Joon revealed an unopened wine bottle and two champagne glasses from behind him.  He smiled as he managed to slip in before she could tell him to go away.

“I thought I’d bring the celebration to you since you’ve refused my offer to take you out at, let’s see,” he paused, tapping his flawless lips.  “I believe it’s the twenty-sixth time now since we’ve met.”  He chuckled, watching her reluctantly close the door and purposely sat in the chair behind the desk despite the offered chair beside him.

“I’m really not in the mood.”  She gestured to the neat stack of files.  “I still have some work left to do.”

Hyun Joon poured the blood red wine into the glasses, ignoring her latest excuse.  “Let me help, Lena.  You overwork yourself.”  He placed one glass on top of the report she received from the unveiling earlier.

She rubbed her temple at the growing headache and pursed her lips in impatience.  “This is completely inappropriate.  I think you should leave-“  Her words trailed off when he suddenly leaned over the desk and brushed a stray hair out of her face.

“Just say the word and I’ll make sure you’re off the research team.”  He offered, his gaze never wavering.  “Whatever you need, I will take care of it.”

Lena immediately stiffened at the unexpected offer. 

“As much as you’d like to believe otherwise, I really do care for your well-being, Lena.”  He softly said, the usual amused expression absent from his face.

He leaned over once more and gently touched the side of her face with his thumb.

Even after he was long gone, Lena could still feel the warmth on her face.