Birthday

Chapter 12

The day was bright enough to get 30 minutes of vitamin D3 from the sun in the manicured garden. Yu-Na enjoyed herself on a 10 am stroll in the garden after hanging the washed bed sheets and towels. 

She was in the backyard garden with Song while Do-yoon was mowing at the front lawn.

“Have you noticed that Sir Lee hired a physical therapist and he’s staying here for a month?” Yu-Na said. 

“I guess he finally decided to walk again,” said Song. He was plucking the withered roses from the stems. He was also collecting the fallen petals on the healthy soil. 

He planned to make some potpourri for Joon-Ho’s office and his room as a natural air freshener.

“Are you making potpourri for Sir Lee, again?” Yu-Na asked, holding the empty laundry basket.

“Yeah. I need to replace the old ones,” Song said, picking and putting them in the plastic basket.

“Can you make some scented sachets to put on our drawers?” Yu-Na beamed a smile.

“Not a problem,” said Song. “It’s been a while, so I’ll give one each to everyone.”

Yu-Na beamed and said, “Thank you, Song-nim. I’d better head inside. See you later.” She strolled back to the kitchen sliding door as Song stared at her. 

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at the far left side from where he stood. He thought, Is Do-yoon finished in the front yard? He seemed not to be finished.

“I’ll wait for him in the kitchen then. It’s almost lunchtime,” he mumbled. He carried the basket filled with petals and a full black plastic bag with weeds. 

Meanwhile, Joon-Ho started stretching his legs with the stay-in alpha physical therapist Dr. Shin had recommended. The customized therapy room was spacious, with all the equipment needed for his basic physical exercise. 

The wide-open sliding doors gave a refreshing feeling as the curtain danced smoothly.

“You’re doing great, Sir Lee,” the therapist said. Joon-Ho was sitting in a wheelchair. He extended his left leg straight for 10 seconds before lowering it back down to the footrest. 

The therapist added, “Now, we’ll have to lie you back on the therapy bed, Sir Lee.” He helped Joon-Ho get up from the wheelchair. He dragged his foot one step at a time as they slowly approached the bed, and lay. 

“Please let me know if you feel any discomfort, Sir Lee,” the therapist said. He massaged his legs to let the blood flow well. He added, “I’ll move and stretch your right leg first, then the left.” He held the right leg with a gentle touch. “This will help loosen the muscles and increase mobility.” He bent and straightened Joon-Ho's right knee, rotated the ankle and stretched his thigh muscles.

Then he did the same to his left leg. 

Joon-Ho seemed comfortable with the therapist’s gentle care. Despite the sudden release of pheromones, he didn’t feel nauseous

The therapist signed a one-month contract with Dr. Shin. He provided him with a set of schedules of what to do every day in Joon-Ho’s session. He could visit his family over the weekend. And he’ll only need to work from Mondays to Thursdays with a promising salary stated in the contract. 

It was lunchtime, and Yu-Na introduced the therapist to them.

“Everyone, this is Im Hyun, Sir Lee’s physical therapist.” She looked enthusiastic. “He’s 25 years old, an alpha, 100% single, and is ready to mingle.” Her bubbly tone teased.

Im Hyun blushed. And the other maids laughed.

“Hey, Yu-Na, are you trying to sell him off alive?” Kim Luo, the chef, said, laughing.

Im Hyun scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, and said, “It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“See? He said it was fine.” Yu-Na smiled. 

They greeted Im Hyun with humility, and so did he.

“Oh, Hyun-ssi, Do-yoon can’t hear or speak well. So, if you need anything from him, just write it down on a piece of paper, or he can read your lips,” Yu-Na’s good advice.

“Ah, alright,” Hyun said. He looked at Do-yoon, who tilted his head to the left and smiled at him.

He’s damn pretty. He felt little butterflies running around his stomach. I couldn’t smell any pheromone from him, so…he must be a beta. He grinned. 

After greeting each other, they had an enjoyable meal and shared common stories about their daily lives. Im Hyun also shared about his life as a physical therapist and an online student, upskilling his knowledge in physiotherapy.

The running water and boiling water in the kitchen sounded soothing. Do-yoon helped wash the dishes while the rest went back to their task, and some took a short nap in their maid quarters.

Im Hyun returned to the therapy room while waiting for Joon-Ho to come back from a short nap. He was preparing a daily progress report about Joon-Ho’s condition. After that, he sent the attachment email to Dr. Shin.

It was a proactive afternoon. Joon-Ho started using the treadmill with handrails. It supported his weight at the speed set to 0.5 before changing it to 1.0 mph while Im Hyun kept an eye on him.

“You’re doing great, Sir Lee,” Im Hyun said as he stood on the left side of the handrail. “Just 5 more minutes before we end today’s session.  

Joon-Ho’s forehead was perspiring. As he walked on the treadmill, he felt the pulsing sensation in his thigh muscles. He staggered simultaneously, but he managed to maintain his body composure.

The afternoon began to feel a little humid outside the garden. But it was refreshing inside the mansion with all the windows open. The river stream added a blast of cool air that blew towards Joon-Ho’s residence as the roses waved side by side. 

Do-yoon knocked on the door and came into the therapy room. He brought them some afternoon snacks. Im Hyun assisted Joon-Ho back in his wheelchair when he saw Do-yoon. His face turned as sweet as candy. Showing off his decent appeal as an alpha. Joon-Ho noticed the change on his face like having a crush on someone they’ve just... met.

“Do-yoon,” Im Hyun said, adding, “Let me help you with that.” He smiled. 

Joon-Ho pulled and pushed the handrim of his wheelchair to his right and pretended not to mind them.

“Ah, ah,” said Do-yoon. But Im Hyun took the tray. His gentle hand touched Do-yoon’s soft right hand and said, “It’s alright, Do-yoon.” His lips curved into a calm grin, setting the snacks on the round table. 

Do-yoon glanced at Joon-Ho, who was facing his back to them. He took the glass of cold orange juice and brought it to him. “Ah, J-Joon-Ho nim, h-here.” His smile looked charming while Joon-Ho’s face was stunned. 

That smell again. He gulped.

Im Hyun's eyes looked surprised to hear him calling Sir Lee’s first name. He interrupted. “Aha-ha, Do-yoon-ssi, you should address him as Sir Lee.” His bittersweet smile.

Do-yoon stared at him, insensibly, holding the glass. But Joon-Ho felt annoyed. His temples tightened as he furrowed his brow. He looked sideways to his left and lanced a glance at Im Hyun. He said coldly, “I don’t see any problem with that, Mr. Im Hyun.” His stern face. 

Im Hyun gulped. He felt intimidated by Joon-Ho’s sharp, irate gaze. Feeling humiliated in front of Do-yoon, he bowed and said, “I’m sorry, Sir Lee. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The heaviness and uneasiness of Im Hyun’s pheromones filled the therapy room. Joon-Ho clenched his right fist. The smell was making him feel sick. “Do-yoon,” he said in a soft tone.

“Ah, yes?!” Do-yoon said in a tense tone, staring at his lips.

Joon-Ho looked at him, unruffled, and said, “I’m a little tired,” he said in a low tone. So Do-yoon can read his lips. The fixation of Do-yoon’s eyes on him was appealing. He slid his gaze from Do-yoon's eyes down to his refined nose and…soft, pale pink lips. He added, “Will you mind pushing the handles? I’d like to take a stroll in the garden.”

“Ah, ah, y-yes,” said Do-yoon. He put down the glass on the table and held the handle. He looked back at Im Hyun before they left. He looked upset. His eyes felt sorry for him. 

To cheer up Im Hyum, he said, “R-rest, Hyun-nim, l-let’s t-talk later.” He stuttered as he grinned at him warmly.

It made Hyun’s heart feel better, and he said, “Sure. See you later, Do-yoon ssi.” He smiled back.

But Joon-Ho wasn’t pleased about them getting along well. Do-yoon pushed the handles toward the open sliding window.

As the curtain swayed and draped over his back.

Time passed, and Joon-Ho felt relieved for having Do-yoon alone for himself. Even though it was mute between them. But strolling in the manicured garden, Do-yoon’s scent embraced him like marmalade. It gave him a sense of relief to forget about his grief, even if it was temporary.

While pushing the wheelchair, and the serene afternoon of April, Do-yoon felt solace. He felt happy that Joon-Ho had finally decided to walk again. Though he couldn’t express how thankful he was, the only thing he could offer to Joon-Ho was his loyalty and honesty. He was grateful enough to have a roof over his head to live and survive.

And in the moment of serenity between them, their heartbeats in sequence.

As they haven't noticed the time. The sun was about to set in the west.

By evening, Kim Luo gave them chocolate and raspberry muffins to share. Do-yoon was happy to receive one of each flavor. And kept them in the fridge for tomorrow’s breakfast with Song.

They finished the night by saying goodnight and headed to their rooms. Do-yoon went to his room. He showered, and after, arranged a few clothes that Song gave him. 

It’s been more than two months, and he hasn’t been out of the house, even once. Yet, he was fine with it. He didn’t ask or want to go somewhere. Since he had no one to return to the city. 

And when he was about to rest for the night, he remembered that spring in April was his 18th birthday. He sat up. His eyes grew wide in surprise. I forgot it’s my birthday…today.

He got out of bed and left the room for a moment. He went to the kitchen and took the chocolate muffin from the fridge. 

Since gazing at the stars was his favorite pastime, he slid open the glass door attached to the kitchen. It was cooler outside as he sat at a nearby wooden bench facing the side metal gate. He didn’t bother to look around. 

He sat like a child, holding the muffin with his two hands as he started to sing Happy Birthday to himself.

Meanwhile, Joon-Ho was on the second floor of the open veranda. He was staring at the stars as the bright new moon shone toward the manicured garden. The laced curtains behind him were dancing from the touch of a brisk breeze when he heard a soft voice singing.

He pushed his handrim’s wheelchair closer to the baluster slat. And between the spaces, his eyes grew wide. The luminous moon brightened Do-yoon's humble demeanor. He sang a birthday song while tears trickled down his cheeks, without a candle to blow.

Joon-Ho’s heart throbbed. He felt a sudden tightness in his chest, looking at Do-yoon’s space of solitude.

Now I remember, today is his 18th birthday. He clenched his right fist. How long has he been alone? Until he heard Do-yoon’s broken words of wishes.

“H-happy B-Birthday, D-Do-Y-yoon ssi. Y-you're 18…now.” His smile was wistful, and his  eyes were cheerless. But as he stared at the chocolate muffin with no one to share it with, it pricked his heart. 

He felt so unloved. 

He has been celebrating his birthday all by himself. 

With no gifts. 

No cakes to blow. 

Not even a simple greeting of happy birthday from his foster parents and siblings. 

Nothing. 

No one had cared for him.

He gazed up at the moonlight and stammered. “A-am I going to be alone...f-forever?” He sobbed. “W-why does a-anyone I care a-about l-leave me? Or hate me? Or hurt me." He sniffled. "A-am I not good e-enough? A-am I not n-normal?” His tears flowed down his cheeks. Holding the muffin in his right hand.

“W-will there be anyone…a-anyone who will want me?” Do-yoon stuttered and hitched. “I-I want t-to be h-happy too.” He wiped his tears away. 

His loneliness overwhelmed him. That sometimes he no longer desires to make himself happy. But he still has that piece of hope left in his heart―that someone out there would accept him for who he is.

When he calmed down under the moon, he looked at his muffin and took a bite. 

Chewed it with his tears. He snuffled. 

He was trapped in the world of isolation, and Joon-Ho felt…he might be able to set him free.

From that sea of loneliness.