Bin Private Hospital, A Hospital Room, Two Hours Later

I stared at the worried man and sighed. Does he love me this much? A mere stranger who spoke to him for a few minutes? “You don't have to stay, you know. I am sure you have business to attend to.”

“The woman I am in love with went into anaphylactic shock. Had no one found you, who would have known what could have happened?” Are we trauma-bonded now? If so, does that mean he is deeper in love with me?

Shit

“But I am okay now. You don't have to worry about me.” I said before touching his hand. His cheeks reddened. He looked lovingly into my eyes. My shoulders sank.

Maybe it's okay to be honest. 

That way, if the truth scares him, he can leave. “Listen, I am an ordinary office worker who is middle-class and in debt. I am single, yes, and I am straight, but I choose to stay single to manage my life. Getting married suddenly to a stranger- even if I were to accept your proposal, I would be placing my burden on you.”

“I told you that I would love you no matter what, right?”

“You did, but you are doing so much for a woman who is not in love with you.”

“I understand that.”

“Then stop doing all of this. It's too much.” He sat down and placed his hand on top of the one I had on his.

“You deserve so much more than you think you deserve.” I stared him in his eyes.

“And so do you. Marrying a woman who has no love for you is not a good thing to do. I am a burden.”

“You're not a burden, you know that, right?” There was no talking him out of it. He was in love with me, and the only way to get him to stop was to tell him that I did not accept his feelings. The thing is, I don't want to do that. 

I think I like him 

In my life too much to let him go 

“You should rest.” He said. I nodded and closed my eyes.

A Few Hours Later

The sound of my morning alarm going off woke me up. I opened my eyes to see the sun lighting the room. My eyes widened. It's the morning, meaning-

I missed work!

I started to get out of bed, but a hand stopped me. “Your mother told your job what happened.” I looked next to me to see Sang-ook. 

He was still here

He handed me my phone. I turned off my alarm and took a breath.

“You said my mother did that?” I looked around the room to see an average height, walnut brown skin, curvy, with long curly purple hair woman, otherwise known as my mother, asleep in a chair. Sitting next to her, asleep was a tall, bronze, brown skin, muscular but slightly portly, and long curly, deep brunette-haired man, otherwise known as my father. A tall, walnut brown skin, pear-shaped, with a silver brow piercing on the right brow, with long curly purple hair, otherwise known as my older sister, Cher, was on the other side of me, leaning her head against my hospital bed, asleep. Lastly was a tall, deep chocolate brown skin, pear-shaped, with a mole near her under the right eye and pixie cut black hair, otherwise known as Janie, sleeping right next to Cher. 

They came

My shoulders sank. “How did you get them here?”

“Your mother called while you were asleep. I didn't want to intrude, but I saw the loving emojis you had around her name and thought you two’s relationship was okay. I talked to her and the next thing I knew, I was in a four-way call with your parents, Cher, and Janie.” He did something as simple as informing my family about my situation. A mere stranger whom he didn't know. He could have just left after dropping me off, but he didn't. Are these the actions of someone who fell in love with someone at first sight?

“Thank you,” I said.

“Anytime, but there was another caller I saw. I had a slight feeling not to answer her. The text messages that popped up on your lock screen from her soon after the call ended kind of confirmed it.”

“Her name was Jocelyn, right?” I asked. He nodded.

“Yeah”

“Thanks for not answering.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel better now.”

Well rested too

“That's good. I have to go to work, but if you need anything, call or message the number on the paper on the nightstand.” I nodded. He started to leave, but I took his hand.

“Hey,” He looked at me. “Thank you, really, for everything you have done.” A small smile came to his lips.

“Thank you for coming into my life.” He said. My cheeks reddened before I let go of his hand. He left the room. I laid back down and turned to the side.

A man who has done so much for me. It's a strange feeling. The last time I went through this was when I had been engaged. It's been eight years since then, and honestly, I don't know how to feel. I closed my eyes. I just hope everything goes right.