"Dressing Zico"

I was going to have to stay in the hospital for a while, overnight for sure, so I talked Ji-Yong into going home. He didn’t want to but I was just going to be laying here with an I.V. and getting a blood transfusion an honestly, I was exhausted. I just wanted to go to sleep. He kissed me and told me he’d be back in the morning.
Every time I started to drift off to sleep, I was disturbed by someone coming in to talk to me. The police had a lot of questions. Most of them I couldn’t answer. They also told me that I couldn’t have visitors until they decided I wasn’t in danger. That included Ji-Yong which I thought was ridiculous but they didn’t.
I had finally gotten to sleep when there was a giant commotion in the hallway that woke me up. There seemed to be a scuffle of some sort going on and I could have sworn I heard Zico’s voice. It sounded like he was yelling, “I just need to see her! I just need to make sure she is okay. Just let me in for five fucking minutes! I’m not the one trying to kill her for Christ’s sake!”
The closer the voice got, the more sure I was that it was Zico. Why would he be here and how did he even know? Then my phone buzzed. It was a message from Zico. I started to open it when my phone began to ring. It was Alicia. I answered it.
“Hello?” I couldn’t believe how slurry my voice sounded.
“Is he with you?” She asked with no explanation.
“Who?” I asked.
“You know damn good and well who I’m talking about! Don’t play with me little girl!” She sounded furious.
“If you mean Zico, then yes. He’s right here.” I couldn’t help myself. No way was I going to miss this opportunity.
“Put him on the phone!” she yelled.
“Ummmm….” I thought out loud. “Nah.” Then I hung up. I wish so badly that I could see the look on her face! I opened the text.
Zico: What is going on? I was told you were throwing up blood! Did Ji-Yong give you something? Did you take anything? I’m coming up there!
I texted back. Elizabeth: Go home Zico. I’ll be fine. I won’t be able to work for the next few days but I’m sure Alicia won’t mind picking up the slack. She hasn’t minded so far!
I smiled to myself and more quickly than I had imagined, I got another text. Zico: I’m not going anywhere! They said they think you were poisoned. Did Ji-Yong give you anything to take?
Elizabeth: It isn’t him, Zico. He takes very good care of me. You don’t have to stay.
I laid my phone down and it buzzed again.
Zico: I told you, I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!
Elizabeth: Alicia’s looking for you and she sounds pissed. You had better go home.
My phone had been ringing nonstop so I put it on silent and ignored it. Apparently Zico wasn’t answering her either because she kept calling me. I really didn’t need any of this right now. Especially from those two!
My phone vibrated. Zico: I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL I SEE YOU!
My Lord what a drama queen! I didn’t answer. I turned my phone off and went to sleep.

The doctor woke me up hours later and my transfusion was done. My arm hurt so much that I couldn’t lift it.
“Good morning, Elizabeth. I hope you are feeling better,” said the doctor.
“A little,” I said and tried to push myself up in the bed. I could only use one arm and I was still groggy so it was a hard task to perform.
“Here, let me help you,” he said and walked over to push a button to raise the back of the bed. He stepped back again and waited for me to get settled before he spoke again. “We now know that you were poisoned. Whether it was intentional or not, we can’t say…” he began.
“It was intentional,” I interrupted.
“Can you tell me why you think so?” he asked.
“Well, my body guard was almost stabbed to death but we are pretty sure that I was the target.”
“We found a large dose of Cyanide in your blood. Usually this type of poison is ingested. Did you eat anything unusual or did anyone give you anything to eat or drink? It could even have been a small piece of candy.”
I thought about it. I had eaten with Jong but I didn’t think he had an opportunity to poison my food. It would have had to have come from the kitchen.
“It probably would have been early in the day,” he said. “It would have taken a while for the poison to take effect so maybe breakfast?”
I didn’t remember having any breakfast the day before but I did remember something odd. “There was one thing,” I said. “Someone gave me a soda at the broadcast station. That was odd in itself but what was even stranger was that it was in a glass with ice. They gave Jaehyo a sealed can.”
“That may have been it. It sounds suspicious and you need to tell the police when they question you today. I would like for you to stay here for the next two days just so that we can monitor your heart and make sure there are no lingering effects. You will also be very tired so I want you to get some rest. Now, there is a young man who is waiting to see you. Shall I send him in?” The doctor smiled.
It made my heart skip a beat to think of seeing Ji-Yong. How sweet was it that he came so early? I thought. “Yes, Please send him in,” I said and smiled.
“Okay. But only for a few minutes. You need your rest so you can build your strength back up. He’s been here all night and the nurses are getting a little irritated by him I think,” said the doctor. He laughed and patted my knee and then he left.
I tried to straighten my hair out some and clean the sleep from my eyes. I guess it didn’t matter much. I mean he had seen me throwing up blood. How much worse can it get than that. Then I thought, All night? I thought he went home. That’s when it struck me. It wasn’t Ji-Yong.
Zico raced into the room like the place was on fire. “Oh my God! Are you okay” He made it to the bed in three strides and put his arms around me.
“Zico, you’re choking me,” I said. My voice was muffled because Zico’s arm was squeezing my head.
“I’m sorry,” he said and let go. He pulled a chair noisily over to the bed and sat down. “I was just so scared. They wouldn’t let me in and I had to see you for myself to make sure that you were okay!”
“Have you been eating peanuts?” I asked.
“What?” he asked confused.
“You smell like peanuts,” I said.
He laughed and put his forehead against my hand. “That’s your question?”
I laughed too. Then I remembered something. “They said I tasted like almonds,” I said.
“They? Tasted? Who tasted you?” asked Zico.
“Jong and Ji-Yong, “ I said. I was deep in thought and didn’t notice the horrified look on Zico’s face.
“Jong and Ji-Yong? Tasted you? AT THE SAME TIME? WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH YOU LATELY?” Zico yelled and stood up.
It unsettled me a little. “Sit down please. And calm down. No! Not at the same time. I had dinner with Jong…” I started to say.
“And you had Ji-Yong for dessert?” He asked and sat back down.
“No,” I said curtly. “I had creme brulee for dessert. But when Jong kissed me, he said I tasted like almonds. Then later, Ji-Yong said the same thing.”
“You’re seeing both of them?” he asked not looking at me.
“Yes, I am dating both of them,” I said.
“Are you sleeping with both of them?” he asked and this time looked into my eyes.
“Not that it’s any of your business but no, I’m not that big of a slut. I’m not sleeping with either of them,” I said.
“That’s a lie,” he said.
“Actually, it’s not. What happened the other night was a mistake I made as the result of another mistake I made, that being taking Ecstasy. If I do decide to start sleeping with one of them, I’ll break it off with the other. Now, that wasn’t my point. The almonds were the point. I can’t remember which poison it is but one of them smells like bitter almonds,” I said.
“Cyanide. I overheard the doctors talking and they said you ingested a significant amount of Cyanide,” Zico said. He kissed my hand. “I’m getting you a new bodyguard.”
“Why? So he can be stabbed too?” I asked.
“No! So you won’t be! What makes you think this person is going to stop at poisoning? You know it’s some crazy fan and those people never give up!” he said.
“I’m not so sure,” I said.
“What do you mean? Who else could it be?” he asked. He looked like a little boy when he became concerned.
“You know what Zico, I’m really tired and I’d like to go to sleep now. Thank you for checking on me. That was sweet. I’ll let you know when I can come back to work.” I patted his hand and tried to pull mine back. He squeezed harder.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
“Why? There’s nothing you can do, as hard as that is for you to accept,” I said.
“What is THAT supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Nothing, Zico. I’m going to sleep now. Do whatever you need to do to make you happy,” I said and closed my eyes. My eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. The last thing I felt before I fell into unconsciousness was Zico’s lips on mine.

When I woke up, my body felt like it was full of cement. It was hard to move. I looked over and saw that Zico was asleep on the little sofa against the wall. I couldn’t believe he actually stayed. I reached over and grabbed my phone to turn it on. I wanted to see if Ji-Yong had called. When it came on, it went crazy. I had one hundred and twenty-eight missed calls. I also had ten text messages. I looked through the calls and almost all of them were from Alicia. She must have called all night. I’m sure I had voice mails and I would wait to listen to them. I also had calls from Jong, Ji-Yong, and Jaehyo. My sister called so I sent her a text to reassure her that I was fine. I ignored Alicia’s calls but I sent a text to both Jaehyo and Jong to let them know that I’m okay. Then I called Ji-Yong. I should have read the texts first because he was doing a radio show but instead of getting mad, he put me on speaker and introduced me as his little woman. I even blushed over the phone. I talked to Ryeowook who was very sweet and teased Ji-Yong a lot and then I was promised a visit later while the other members made a lot of hooting noises.
I hung up smiling like crazy.
“What was that about?” Zico’s scratchy voice surprised me. I had almost forgot he was there.
“Just talking to Ji-Yong,” I said.
“How are you feeling?” he asked and came back to sit beside me again.
“Well, I feel like crap actually,” I said. “My head hurts, my stomach hurts, and it’s hard to lift my arms.”
Zico held my hand again and kissed it. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Why are you here, Zico?” I asked. I knew it sounded rude and mean because he was being so sweet but I wanted to know why he was being so sweet now! Especially after what he did to me the last time we were together.
“Because I want to make sure you are okay and that no one tries to come in here and hurt you before I get you another bodyguard,” he said. He sounded hurt.
“Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. Thank you,” I said.
“I haven’t given you much reason to be nice to me. I don’t blame you and I don’t deserve it,” he said and held my hand against his cheek.
“Are you feeling guilty because you feel like this is your fault? Because it’s not,” I said.
“I do feel guilty. For so many things.” He closed his eyes and put his lips against my hand.
I closed my eyes too. If only Alicia Wright had stayed gone! God I hate her! We sat there quiet for a while. Zico was the only one that I could have a comfortable silence with. There was a noise at the door and when I looked up, my heart stopped. Standing in the doorway was my Marco! He looked a little odd but it was him! I couldn’t speak and I lost my breath. He looked healthy and as good as new. Tears sprang to my eyes and I wanted so bad to get up and go to him but I couldn’t move. All I could do was whisper, “Marco?”
“Miss Elizabeth?” he asked. His voice was different. Had they cut his voice box?
“You’re supposed to say Polo,” I said just a touch louder than before.
“I’m sorry. I guess you didn’t know and this must have shocked you,” he said. He was speaking perfect English. “I’m Kim Hwan. I’m Marco’s brother and I’m here to be your bodyguard in his place. He made me promise that if anything ever happened to him, I would protect you with my life.”
I was shaking. He was right about it being a shock. I didn’t know that Marco had a brother, much less a twin. They were almost identical but not quite. I noticed that Hwan was a little thinner but not much. He also didn’t have Marco’s snazzy gold tooth. And he spoke English! I couldn’t help but cry. “I’m sorry Hwan. It really is a shock. I didn’t know about you and I pray everyday that my Marco will wake up and come back to me so when I saw you I thought…” I drifted off.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t know how to get a message to you and you didn’t answer my calls or my texts,” said Hwan.
Zico just kept looking from me to Hwan with his mouth open. Apparently he didn’t know about him either. “This is perfect! You need a bodyguard and…”
“No, Zico!” I stopped him. I will not risk someone else getting hurt for me,” I said.
“With all due respect Miss Elizabeth, to say no would be to go against the wishes of my brother. I can tell you that you were the most treasured thing in Marco’s life. He loved you as much as he loved his family and no one loved their family more than Marco,” said Hwan.
“Please stop talking about him like he’s gone. He’s coming out of that coma. And Marco is my family too. If I let the same thing that happened to him, happen to his brother, I couldn’t live with myself,” I said.
“In any case, this is what he wants. If it makes you feel better, I’m a better bodyguard than Marco. I’m a better shot and I know martial arts moves that he could never master. You would be just as safe with me. I promise,” he said.
It was strange to hear perfect English coming from someone who looked just like Marco. I didn’t want to go against what Marco thought was best. “Okay. But promise me one thing,” I said.
“Anything,” he said.
“Promise you won’t get hurt like Marco,” I said.
He hesitated and was about to say one thing but after looking at me for a moment he said, “I promise. I’ll be standing just out here if you need anything,” he said and left.
Zico looked at me and said, “Well, that worked out perfect.”
“No it didn’t, Zico! Now Marco 2.0 is going to get hurt and it’s going to be my fault!”
“Marco 2.0? Well, I’ll feel a lot better knowing he’s looking out for you. He’s not wrong about Marco. That man would have died for you. And almost did,” said Zico.
“Will you do me a favor please?” I asked Zico in the sweetest voice I could muster.
“Of course,” he said.
“Will you go check on Marco for me?”
He started shaking his head before I got the question out. “Nope! I’m not leaving this room,” he said.
“But I have Hwan to watch out for me and I need to know how he’s doing. Please? Pleeeeease?” I begged.
“He’s the same Elizabeth. He hasn’t moved,” said Zico.
I cried. “But someone needs to say ‘Marco’ to him so that he can say ‘Polo’.” Zico was still shaking his head. “It’s going to work one of these days Zico! It’s going to wake him up! Please? For me?”
“It’s not going to work, Elizabeth! The doctor said he was probably never going to wake up. His brain waves are slowing down and the machine is breathing for him now.”
I didn’t know any of that. I felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. Pressure started filling my head and I began hearing a high pitched squealing sound. Barely a whisper came from my mouth when I asked, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Because sweetheart, we know how much you love Marco and how much hope you are holding that he will come out of it. I’m so sorry but he’s not coming back. He tried. They said he was fighting so hard and whenever you would visit, his brain waves picked up. He knew you were there,” said Zico.
I sat up. “I have to go to him! Get a wheelchair for me, Zico. I don’t think I can walk that far,” I said as I pushed back the blankets and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
Zico pushed me back into the bed and I didn’t have the strength to fight him. I tried anyway. “Please, Zico! I have to go. You have to help me. I can bring him back. He needs me!” I kept pushing at Zico’s hands but he had no trouble holding my hands down to my sides.
“Listen, I’ll go to him if you’ll lay here and be a good girl,” he said.
“You will?” I asked.
“Yes, but you have to lay here and wait for me. Don’t get out of this bed. Promise?” He looked into my eyes as if I were a child that he were scolding.
“I promise. Thank you, Zico. Thank you so much,” I said.
“You’re welcome. Now, calm down and I’ll be back in a minute,” he said and started for the door.
“Zico! Wait! You have to say ‘Marco’ okay? You have to. One of these days he’s going to wake up and say ‘Polo’ but only if he hears his name. Okay?”
“I promise,” he said and left. I lost it. I started crying the kind of cry that starts silently from the inside and comes out as a wail and doesn’t stop for a long time. I rolled over and pushed my face into the pillow and screamed.
After about fifteen minutes, I didn’t have a tear left in my head to cry. I knew my face was swollen and red and I felt like I was going to be sick. Zico came in, took one look at me, and climbed into the bed beside me. He pulled me tight against him and wrapped his arms around me and kissed my hair. “It’s going to be okay sweetheart. I said his name and told him that as soon as you were feeling better that you would come and sit with him. Actually, the monitor jumped a little when he heard your name. I just thank God that it isn’t you laying in there. It probably wouldn’t be. You couldn’t have taken what he did and lived. I would have lost you forever. I owe Marco my life.”
“I love him, Zico,” I said.
“I know. He loves you too,” he said and tightened his hold on me. “I love you.”
It felt so good to be in his arms again. To hear him say he loved me. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off as Zico breathed into my hair.

Notes