[Night – Kim Bum's Apartment – Bedroom]
He gently placed her on the bed, careful not to wake her. Her arms were still loosely wrapped around his neck, even as she slept. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he slowly untangled himself.
> "I still can't believe you're really here," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek.
He stood beside the bed for a moment longer, just watching her.
How did this little fox manage to turn his whole world upside down?
He smiled to himself and finally walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
Tonight, he'd sleep peacefully for the first time in a long time…
Because she was here.
And soon… he'd make sure she'd stay—forever.
---
[Next Morning – 8:04 AM – Kim Bum's Apartment]
Y/N was the first to wake up.
The room was softly lit by the morning light sneaking through the curtains.
She blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft glow… and then it hit her.
> She was in Kim Bum's house.
Sleeping in his room.
Under his roof.
She quickly sat up, flustered for a second, then chuckled softly to herself.
> "What a life…"
She freshened up quietly, careful not to make noise. No makeup, no jewelry, not even her usual tiny tops or rings. She didn't like those much anyway.
Just herself — simple, comfy, real.
She pulled on an oversized black tee and loose black pants, tied her hair messily, and walked out barefoot. Her quiet footsteps padded toward the kitchen.
It was her second day here…
And she already knew him well enough to know:
If he woke up, he would never let her cook.
But today… she wanted to.
She moved around the kitchen like she'd done it before. Familiar. Calm.
The soft clink of plates, the sizzling of butter, the warm scent of aloo parathas starting to fill the apartment.
She knew.
He missed them.
And she was going to make it just right.
---
[Meanwhile – Upstairs – Kim Bum's POV]
He stretched in bed, rubbing his eyes groggily.
> Mmm… what smells so good?
His nose twitched.
Parathas?
Wait…
His eyes shot open.
> She's cooking??
He shot out of bed, freshened up quickly, hair a mess but too distracted to care — and padded downstairs in sweatpants and a plain tee.
As he stepped into the living area, his feet paused on the final step.
What he saw made his breath catch.
There she was.
Back to him.
In that loose black outfit, moving softly around his kitchen, barefoot, humming lightly under her breath.
No makeup.
No glitter.
Just… her.
And she looked like she belonged there.
> "Aigoo…" he whispered under his breath with a small, helpless chuckle.
One hand ran through his hair in surrender.
> "One girl… and this much damage to my heart…"
He stood there for a second longer, smiling like an idiot, before finally speaking up.
> "Yah… little fox…"
She turned, flipping the last paratha on the pan.
Her eyes lit up.
> "Oh—! You're up!"
He raised an eyebrow.
> "You're cooking my breakfast… in my house…"
She held up the spatula like a weapon.
> "It's your fault. You were sleeping too peacefully."
> "You know I wouldn't let you—"
> "Which is why I did it before you woke up," she grinned proudly.
He crossed his arms, trying to act stern… but failing miserably.
> "You really want to give me a heart attack this early?"
She blinked.
> "Why?"
He gestured to her with a dramatic sigh.
> "This. You. That outfit. Cooking parathas like a whole wife."
Her ears turned pink.
> "YAH—I'm not—!!"
He chuckled, walking over finally.
> "No, but you look like one."
She narrowed her eyes.
> "Mr. Actor…"
> "Hmm?"
> "Eat your paratha quietly."
He raised both hands in mock surrender.
> "Yes, ma'am."
She rolled her eyes but her lips curled into a soft smile.
And as they sat down together, passing chutney and laughing over burnt corners of the first paratha—he couldn't help but think again:
> One day… I'm really going to confess.
> Because this girl… she already feels like home.
[After Breakfast – Kim Bum's Apartment – Living Room]
She hurriedly got up after the last bite, brushing off her hands and grabbing her bag in a panic.
> "Mr. Actor! I have to go to the hospital!"
He blinked at her.
> "Hospital? Why—?!"
She gave him a dramatic look.
> "Did you forget? Scholarship? Me? Intern?? I came here for that!"
He nodded slowly, still processing, then stood up too.
> "I'll drop you."
She slung her bag over her shoulder with a proud smile.
> "Of course you have to! I don't even know anything here."
He reached for his keys, and she followed behind him, putting on her shoes.
> "By the way…" she added casually, "It's the same hospital where you shot Ghost Doctor."
He froze for a second.
> "What?!"
She gave him a smug look and nodded.
> "Yep."
A second later, he chuckled—first in surprise, then slowly, happily.
> "Now I have a reason to visit there."
He walked to the door with a little bounce in his steps, and she followed. Just as they were about to leave, he turned around suddenly.
> "Wait—are you going like this?"
She paused, looking down at herself. Oversized black tee, loose pants, hair in a messy tie.
> "Yeah… what's wrong?"
Her head tilted slightly, lips forming a tiny confused pout.
His heart skipped.
> Is she trying to kill me today with this cuteness… and she doesn't even know??
He cleared his throat and muttered, eyes refusing to meet hers.
> "You are… you are looking adorable."
She chuckled, brushing him off.
> "Yeah, let's go. Don't joke~"
He opened the door for her and stepped out too. As they began walking toward the parking lot—
> "Wear a mask and cap," she said without looking.
He obeyed instantly, pulling them on with ease.
> "See, Mr. Actor… still charming," she teased.
He chuckled under the mask.
Just as they reached the front of the building, a guy suddenly walked up to them—eyes on Y/N.
> "You're pretty."
She blinked, surprised.
> "Ahh… thanks."
The guy leaned in a bit.
> "Can I have your number?"
Y/N's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights.
> "Ahh… minahae! I can't—I…"
Before she could finish, the guy walked off with a shrug.
Kim Bum stood there, silent, watching the whole thing. His jaw clenched slightly.
> Did he just—?
He turned and shot a full glare at the guy's back like his eyes were knives.
Y/N turned innocently, completely unaware.
> "Let's go?"
> "Wait."
He reached into his bag and took out another mask and cap.
She blinked in confusion.
> "You're already wearing one…"
> "It's for you."
She stared at him, shocked.
> "Whaaat? Why?"
Her voice whined in that tone he secretly loved so much.
He chuckled, already opening the cap.
> "You have to, little fox."
She stood there like a grumpy child as he leaned down and gently placed the cap over her head and fixed the mask over her face.
> Arms crossed. Pout in full force.
> But she let him.
> And he smiled.
Because even in her little tantrum…
She was still the cutest thing he'd ever seen.
[Drive to Hospital – 9:00 AM]
The car ride was peaceful — soft instrumental music playing in the background, sunlight peeking through the windows, and the city slowly waking up.
Y/N tapped her fingers on her thighs, staring out the window.
> "Korea's roads are so clean…"
He smiled, glancing at her before returning his eyes to the road.
> "Pakistan's roads are filled with stories," he replied softly.
She looked at him, surprised by his answer, and then smiled.
> "You really do stalk my Instagram captions, don't you?"
He cleared his throat and gave a little shrug.
> "Only when someone doesn't reply to messages."
She laughed, shaking her head, and they both fell into a comfortable silence.
---
[Hospital Entrance]
As he parked the car and unbuckled his seatbelt, she blinked at him.
> "You're… coming too?"
He nodded casually.
> "Yeah. I have a friend here. Haven't met him in a while."
She narrowed her eyes teasingly.
> "Coincidence?"
He raised an eyebrow, playing it cool.
> "Why? Should I stay in the car and risk someone asking for your number again?"
She gasped.
> "Yaa! That wasn't my fault!"
> "Exactly why I'm coming."
She chuckled, stepping out, while he adjusted his mask and cap again before following behind like a bodyguard in disguise.
---
[Hospital Reception – 9:15 AM]
Y/N walked confidently to the front desk, excitement bubbling in her chest.
> "Hi, I'm Y/N. I'm here as the new intern."
The nurse behind the desk looked up, eyes lighting up immediately.
> "Oh! Are you Y/N?"
She blinked, a little startled.
> "Uhh… yes?"
The nurse smiled warmly.
> "Doctor has been waiting for you. Come, I'll take you there."
Y/N turned slightly to glance at Kim Bum — he gave a subtle nod as if saying, go ahead, I'll find you later.
> Her cheeks warmed a little. Why does even his silent nod feel so comforting?
As the nurse led her down the hallway, Kim Bum turned and casually walked in the other direction — phone in his hand as he texted:
> [To: Dr. Jung]
"Ya. I'm here. Don't tell your nurses I'm coming or they'll start a fan meeting." 😑
> [Dr. Jung]:
"Too late. My nurse is already messaging the other floor."
"Bring coffee or I'll let them chase you."
> [Kim Bum]:
"…I hate you."
And yet, he stopped by the vending machine anyway.