It's a day later when Chris calls Hyejin again, still situated under the covers. He's far less pathetic this time though, having actually decided to keep his head on the pillows instead of acting like his bed is a cave. Bergamot has still kept his place by Chris' head, although this time is is doing his best to groom Chris' hair into a rather ugly cowlick. So far, it's working, and Chris is doing his best to ignore it. He knew it was Bergamot's way of saying he cared, even if it was obnoxious.

"Hello?" Hyejin says on the other line, curious but resigned. He knows that it's only 7 pm her time, barely anything at all. It was 6 am here but well, Chris' schedule is messed up. It was nothing to him.

"Noona, I've been thinking," Chris starts, which gains him a snort from Hyejin. He frowns, but continues regardless, "I think I really am going to talk to him. But I talked to Jer and he said-"

There's a thick pause, as he swallows. "He said he acted like a monster. Like Melany had turned him into one. Do you think..?"

There's a long pause from Hyejin and he turns in bed, turning to Bergie to pet him. Finally, she answers, "No. No I don't and I think it's weird. Didn't you mention he was scared of her?"

He had, in a previous conversation. "Yes, we all are. But you can be afraid of the monster you are."

"Still... that just seems wrong to me. I mean, I trust Jer, but it seems odd. I don't know."

"I know," He mumbles, it's another long moment before he says, "Do you think I should talk to him still? I want to but I'm still. I'm still hesitant."

"Yes," She says instantly, wondering where this came from. "Did you talk to Jer before your previous call, or after?"

"Before, but I've been thinking,"

"Ah, that's your problem," She says dryly, "Chris, I really think you should just do it. You overthink things and that's your problem. I know you're scared of what he'll say, of if he'll even want to talk to you. That's fine, but you really just have to go do it. It's been a day. Get up, get cleaned up, and go talk to him. Whatever you've been told, whatever you've been thinking, just stop. Go confirm everything yourself in person. You won't ever get the full picture if you don't and you've been spending so much time with Thorne, I can't believe you wouldn't have noticed him becoming like that lady."

She stopped for a moment and then her voice softened, "He made some bad mistakes, but I think they were done out of fear Chris. Fear for you, for Jer, not because he wants to hurt you. He cares, just as much as you do, I know it. Go talk to him and figure it out Chris."

Chris shifted in bed and when he spoke, he sounded stronger. He sounded confident, better. "I will. I'm going today Noona. I think I will."

"Good. Now get off the phone and get dressed."

"Okay. Thank you and... I love you."

Hyejin smiled, despite herself. "I love you too Hobi. Now go!"

Chris hung up the phone, gave Bergamot one more pet, and then got out of bed and headed to his bathroom. He had somewhere to go.