The room is dark and she is shivering. Heavy rain is evident from the sound of the big droplets on top of their roofs. Michaelle slowly opens her eyes and notice a familiar ceiling and wall that she used to sleep for about a month now. She is in her room, lying on her bed; blanket on the floor.
"That's why it feels so cold," she uttered to herself before she got up and get her blanket to cover her feet and then go back to sleep again. She was about to close her eyes when she remembers something.
"Wait. How come I am here sleeping on my bed? I remember I was talking to Dr. Lee, we were at the football field. Eating, drinking, and then suddenly I felt a little sleepy." she was puzzled.
"Oh, my head. It hurts." Michaelle closed her eyes, she is in great pain. How much beer did she drink? When the headache somehow subside. She glanced at the alarm clock which is placed on top of her study table. It's 4:00 in the morning. Today is Sunday, which means her rest day. Headache is still kicking, so she decided to get Advil in her medicine kit found in the last drawer of her side table.
"Crap. Yeah, water. Right." then she rolled her eyes, slid her feet to her favorite hello kitty bedroom slippers before heading off to the door. She was holding the doorknob when she realized that the white dress she wore yesterday was neatly hanging in the door. A gray suit was on top of it. 'It's Jinny of course. How naughty I am to think that Dr. Lee...Stop Michaelle! Naughty girl!' she thought to herself. Then she softly laughs.
"Wait, this isn't mine." she's pertaining to the gray suit. She removes it from the hanger and decided to smell it. 'It smells warm, sophisticated, inviting yet hyper-masculine. The smell is distinct. The fragrance makes her remember the strong wind and a certain man in the cruise ship deck. She gasped and all of a sudden, touched her lips. The image of her and Dr. Lee's kissing flashed back in her mind. Her headache becomes worst because of the memory.
"I guess Advil is what I need." she hanged back the gray suit to the same hanger and walk outside her room to get some water.
-----------------------
"Chaelle, wake up." Jin to Chaelle. She slightly tapping her friend's shoulder. "You should have slept in your bed and not here. You look uncomfortable."
Chaelle who is still sleeping on their couch seems did not hear Jin.
After several attempts of waking her up. Chaelle slightly opens her eyes, obviously not aware of what's going on.
"You slept on the couch. I don't know what happened. Did you sleepwalk? Last night Dr. Lee put you on your bed so you could sleep comfortably. You were so wasted. Don't worry friend you're still pretty even in your worst state." she released a loud laugh before she continues "Anyways, I change your clothing. I know you don't like sleeping in dirty clothes or what you called a street dress. Also, I removed your make up. G! What will happen to you if I'm not here." Jin's long explanation. She is obviously joking about complaining about taking care of her.
"Thanks, friend." Chaelle looks at her best friend and smiled. "I want to sleep more, but I have a lot of things to do." She added.
"I already went to the supermarket yesterday. You don't need to worry about that."
"Ohh. You don't have to do that Jin. We already agreed that it will be my weekly task. It will be ok for me to do that."
"No Chaelle. Let me learn things like that. And besides, I will be out of the country next month. I want to do this for you, sis."
"So that's why you're being kind, generous and working very hard nowadays. That is so not you. And now I know why that's because you're going to leave me alone here." Michaelle's tone is slightly upset.
Jin laughed at the childish act of her best friend. "Don't worry. It is just for a short period of time. It will be just a week. I promise I'll bring you something when I get back." Jin replied.
"Ok fine. By the way, where are you going?"
"Paris. There will be a Big Fashion Event that I need to attend. Gerry (Jin's friend who owns the modeling agency) personally asked me to assist him. I can't let this kind of opportunity escape." Jin smilingly replied.
"That's fine by me. If it's for your own growth. I'll be very supportive. I'm gonna miss you though."
"Thank you, sis. I gonna miss you too. By the way, you could invite Dr. Lee here when I'm gone."
Michaelle gasped, eyes wide open while her mouth is ajar. Obviously she is in great shock. "What?!"
Jin smiled maliciously. "You're so pretty, friend. You know, you both look great with each other." then she burst into a hard laugh.
"Hey! Don't fool around! That's not funny." Michaelle replied. She is blushing.
"You look like red tomatoes. You should see yourself!" She laughs even harder.
Michaelle throws a pillow straight to her face. "You're crazy!"
"Like you!" then she threw the pillow back to Chaelle.
"Ouch!"
"Don't be such a baby! Get up and let's eat breakfast." Jin to Chaelle.
"Fine! After I got my revenge." then another pillow was soaring towards Jin.
"Ok, that's it!"
A loud laugh and then followed by giggle were escaped from Michaelle.
–----------------------
Michaelle went out to bring Dr. Lee's gray suit to a laundry shop. It needs to be dry cleaned before she gives it back to its owner.
She was inside the laundry shop waiting for the newly dry cleaned suit when suddenly her phone rang. She looks at the screen to see who's calling her. It was Dr. Migs. Though it was her rest day, she needs to answer the call.
"Yes, Dr. Migs. Is there any problem?" She worriedly asked.
"Dr. Yoon, I'm so sorry to bother your day off. But the situation is unbearable. You have to be here. It's the Boss' father. He wanted to see you." Panic is evident in Dr. Mig's voice.
"Ohh. I see. The father of Patient Boss? Why does he want to see me?"
"Actually, I really don't know. I'm too afraid to ask him." Dr. Mig's honest response.
"Ok ok. I'll be there. I'll just wait for the cab. For now, keep him calm. Ok. Bye."
"Thanks, Dr. Yoon. Bye-bye!"
It was on the right timing that the suit is done. She paid for the service and in an instant, left the laundry shop. Luckily, right after she got out of the shop, a cab stopped in front of her. She quickly goes inside. "Far Eastern General Hospital Sir."
---------------------------------
Because of heavy traffic, it takes her almost 1 hour going to the hospital. She received lots of follow up calls from different doctors asking her current location. Right after her feet touched the hospital floor, she received a call from the doctor she least expects to call her.
"Yes, Dr. Lee. I'm now in the hospital. Don't worry I'll be seeing the Boss' father in 5 minutes." Michaelle hurriedly said.
"I recall it's your off today. Why are you here?" Dr. Lee's plain reply.
"What? Yeah, it is my rest day today. But it's ok. You know I have important things to do."
"But yet, it's your off. You must take some rest."
"You sound concern. I can't, Dr. Migs said it's uncontrollable."
"I don't care! and I'm not concern about it, I'm just-, Uhm well." He almost yelled.
"Now you look annoyed," she said to the fellow doctor.
"No, I'm not." He sighed. "Idiot."
"What? Who's idiot!?"
"Nothing. I mean no one. Uhmm. Just forget about it."
When she arrived at the nurse station, she is still talking to the doctor. She looks down at her hand and noticed that she's still holding Dr. Rein Lee's gray suit. Then when she lifted up her face, she met the gaze of the owner of the suit. His face looks feeling nothing. 'That cold-blooded face again.' she said inside her mind.
"Hey," she said to him. Then she pushed the gray suit to his chest.
"What's this?"
"It's yours, Ice Prince." her response, she smiled sarcastically at him. "Thanks for keeping me warm," she added and then without hearing his reply, she immediately walks towards Boss' room, then from afar, she saw Dr. Migs standing uncomfortably outside its door, he is holding a white coat while dialing on his phone.
She guessed it is her number. She was right because in a few seconds her phone rang. She answered the call even though she is just almost 3 meters away from him.
"Hey. Calm down. I'm here already." then she waved a hand to him.
Because of so much happiness, Dr. Migs can't help himself but run towards Michaelle and give her the warmest hug.
"Achi! I'm glad you already here. The boss's father seems so mad."
"What? Achi? You're calling me Achi?" Michaelle shockingly replied, while slightly pushing the young doctor away from her.
Migs gave the white coat to Dr. Yoon before he decided to reply.
"I was got so emotional. I'm sorry. But I know the thing between you and my brother."
"A thing with your brother? Who?" She said while wearing the white coat that Dr. Migs gave to her a while ago.
"Ahh, I guess you don't know. My brother, Dr. Lee, Dr. Rein Lee to be exact. Also, that's the reason why they call me on a first-name basis since it would create a lot of confusion. See? There should be only one Dr. Lee in this hospital." Dr. Migs' long explanation. He is wearing his bubbly face again.
"I did not know that you two are siblings. You are completely different from him," she replied. Then she walks towards the door of the Patient Boss' room.
"Wait Dr. Yoon! I'll come with you."
Michaelle did not respond, she turns the doorknob and went inside.
-----------------------------
Inside the patient room, the Boss is lying on the bed, talking to a man seating in a chair beside him. The man has a broad shoulder and a wide back. From that feature alone, they could tell that the man has a big body structure. When the Boss noticed their existence, he whispered to the other man. Then in a moment, the other man stands up. He slowly turned and walked toward their direction. The man is in brown suit, wearing a fedora hat. He is using a wooden cane to support his body.
Michaelle lifts up her head to meet his gaze. The young doctor beside her seems very nervous, so she decided to move forward. However, the young resident doctor prevents her from doing so.
"Its ok Dr. Migs." She turned to the doctor and smiled. When she turned back, the man was standing in front of her. The big man slowly lifts his left hand as if aiming for her head.
Behind Dr. Yoon, the young resident doctor shut his eyes off, his body is trembling. After a few seconds, when he heard no sounds of slapping or any brutal actions, he decided to open his eyes. Then he saw the big man's left hand over Dr. Yoon's head, messing her hair like a kid.
"You're a big girl now, our little Chaelle." The man said to her.
"Uncle Ron. How did you know it's me?" Dr. Yoon replied.
Before her Uncle Ron replied to her, he looked at the young resident doctor. Dr. Migs got the message. He gave a quick bow before he immediately leaves the room.
"Maybe we could talk about it over a cup of tea." Uncle Ron said while gesturing to Michaelle to take a seat. "By the way, thank you for saving my child." then he gestured to one of his men to gave them what they need. In a few seconds, his staff put a ceramic tea set and two slices of strawberry cake. The same staff pours a refreshing green tea into their respective cups.
"Take your tea first." offered uncle Ron.
Michaelle smiled at him and take a few sips. "Thank you Uncle. This tea is good. By the way, it's my pleasure to treat your son. Saving lives is the core of my profession."
"I'm happy to see you wearing that white coat."
"It is because of your kindness Uncle. If it is not to you, we can't afford to pay for everything."
"It's a great achievement for me. Unlike that bastard!" then he turned his eyes to his son, he is lying on the hospital bed while listening to them. His face looks as if saying 'What did I do wrong?' Uncle Ron looks slightly upset. "At least greet your Achi!"
Aldrin, the real name of Boss angle his body to rise from his bed. When Michaelle noticed it, she quickly runs to his side. "No Boss, you should lie down. Please take a rest," she said while assisting him to position his body on top of the bed.
"Boss? Don't call him Boss. You're his Achi. Best to call him Shoti to know where he stands." it was Uncle Ron.
"Father.," Aldrin said as if he's embarrassed about what his father had said. "Dr. Yoon must be addressed professionally especially that we're here at the hospital." Aldrin continues.
"It's ok Boss, ar-er Shoti. Today is my rest day, so it means I'm off duty. Besides, it should be normal for us, since we used to play in your backyard when we're just kids."
"Yeah, I remember that. I guess it is ok to call you Achi. Uhm. I'm sorry if I did not recognize you."
"No, it's ok. I did not recognize you either. You're a big boy now. So you're in college now I guess."
"Yes. Last year he took business administration, now he is currently-" it was Uncle Ron.
"Father." Aldrin snatched. "I was inspired by you Achi. I want to be a doctor like you."
Uncle Ron secretly felt good. He smiled at Michaelle and then look at his son. "Are you sure about that?" He asked him.
"Yes. I want to be a doctor. A surgeon like Achi."
---------------------
Migs (POV)
"So I guess they knew each other. Dr. Yoon is so adorable and unique." it should be a whispered, but everyone in the nurse station heard what he just said, including her brother.
"Where is Dr. Yoon?" it was Dr. Rein Lee, asking the young resident doctor.
"Ahia, Achi is.." then he stopped, he analyzed what he just said. He slapped his forehead and then look at his brother who looks annoyed. "I'm sorry Dr. Lee. What I mean, Achi errs Dr. Yoon is currently at Patient Go's room. She's talking to the relative."
"Ok, tell her to see me." he is about to leave when he stopped as if he forgets something. "No, I'll see her myself." then he walked towards the hallway that will lead to Boss' room.
Everyone, including the other resident doctors, look at each other as if what happened a while ago is unusual, or it would be better to brand as deviant or weird.
"What happened?" one of the nurses asked the others.
"I don't know. Am I dreaming?" it was the chief resident doctor, Dr. Sue. He slapped his face to see if he was really awake. "Dr. Lee did actually say that he will see Dr. Yoon himself?"
"That's weird." replied by another resident doctor, Kang Soo
"No it's not weird. They have a thing so that's pretty normal." it was Dr. Migs. He said without thinking what impact it may bring to others, especially to a fellow doctor who accidentally heard everything.
"What?! Dr Yoon and Dr. Lee? You must be kidding! He is not the type of guy who will indulge himself to that kind of woman. No way!" Dr. Janna Won angrily said. She is really mad.
"Dr. Won.." Dr. Migs concernly responds to Dr. Janna Won.
Without saying another word, the female doctor quickly walk away from them.
"It smells like there's a love pyramid." Kang soo said.
"Let's go back to work. Dr. Won might report us again and another gossiping issue might rise again."
-------------------------------
Michaelle is about to bid goodbye when her phone rang.
"Go ahead. Is it your boyfriend?"
"A fellow doctor Uncle." then she bow and move away.
"Yes."
"Are you busy?" the person from the other line asked.
"Why? Like what you said, it's my off."
"I have to talk to you." "
"So? Is it that really important?"
"Yeah. This is a matter of life and death."
"Alright, where are you?"
"Just outside."
"What? Outside this room?"
"Yeah."
Michaelle then opens the door and saw Dr. Lee standing just outside the door.
"Let him come inside." it was Uncle Ron.
Michaelle put down the receiver and beckoned to the male fellow doctor who is still standing outside. He hesitantly walks inside the room.
"Good afternoon Doctor." It was Uncle Ron.
"Good afternoon sir." Dr. Lee greeted him. He slightly bow his head as a sign of respect.
"Are you now fetching our little Chaelle?"
"Uncle." Michaelle frowned. While Dr. Lee shyly smiled. The two both turned crimson red, especially her.
Both Aldrin and Uncle Ron burst into a laugh. "I'm just kidding. But you two look great with each other. Anyways you may take our little princess, and Chaelle, please regards us to your father. If I find the time, we'll be going to visit him. Is he still at Claire's?"
"Yes, Uncle. I'll tell my father to recover fast so you could both drink some tea in your house. Thank you for your time." Michaelle gave a bow and bid goodbye.
Aldrin and Uncle Ron smiled, and then nod.
The two doctors left the room without talking to each other. They look both embarrassed about what had happened inside the Boss' Room. They were approaching the nurse station when Dr. Lee broke the silence.
"Can we talk now?" it is more of a request not like what he used to be; the doctor who's more of a demanding type to everyone.
"About?" Michaelle replied. She stopped from walking and turned around to see the other doctor behind her.
"About what happened last night."
Michaelle was surprised on what she just heard from the other doctor, but she maintained her composure then answered back. "I'll be preparing dinner so I need to go home."
"I'll bring you home in return. And besides, you owe me some reward, remember?" Dr. Lee replied. He smiled but it is like sarcasm.
Michaelle has no other choice obviously. When she was the one in need, he was there to help her. She decided to proceed with walking. When they reached the nurse station, she noticed that most people there were looking at them maliciously. Then she noticed Dr. Migs, he is like feeling guilty.
"Dr. Rein." She intentionally called him by his first name. Then she look again to the people surrounding them. Analyzing their reactions. They were all smiling. They all look weird.
"Yeah." Dr. Rein Lee replied. "Are you good?" The male doctor didn't notice what Dr. Yoon had observed
"Maybe we could talk outside the hospital. You could give me a ride to my place in return." she was not looking at him when she said that, instead her gaze was on the other people in the nurse station. She couldn't tell exactly what is on their mind, but one thing for sure, they look really weird.
"Ok, maybe we should go now." Dr. Rein replied.
Dr. Yoon gave a nod to the male fellow doctor and before leaving the nurse station, she gave a glance to the other doctors and nurses. They were in great shock.
--------------------
The two doctors decided to take some refreshing mango shake and some mouthwatering Italian pasta from the cafe near the hospital. The same cafe where she met Lily and her client Clara. The two were seated in a bean bag across each other.
"So? What do you want to talk about?" it was Michaelle, who break the silence.
"Ah.. About that. Uhmmm. I don't know how to say it." the male fellow doctor released a deep sigh before he continue, "Remember what we did last night? In the end part of the deck?"
"Yeah. And?"
"Unfortunately, people saw us, I don't know how many, but two of them were Dr. Migs, my brother, the resident doctor and.." he looked at Michaelle to see how she's taking the information, and based from how she looks, she's taking it really well. "Well, I guess I'm the only one who's panicking about it."
"Why do I have to?"
"Because it's my mother! She saw us."
"What?! She saw us? How?"
"That's what I am waiting for." Dr. Rein smirked. "Anyways, during the time that we kissed, she and Migs were standing in the upper deck and they saw us."
"So that's why Dr. Migs call me Achi."
Dr. Rein nodded. "They thought we're together."
" 'They' means people in the hospital?"
"Maybe, it's possible, but when I say 'They' I'm pertaining to my family."
"So now, you're saying your family thought I'm your girlfriend!?"
Dr. Rein nodded again. "The worst part, they didn't believe me when I said that we're just colleagues. Well, I can't blame them. It is not normal to kiss someone who is not, you know."
"I know. So what's the catch? You want me to tell them that it is just because of a bet and we didn't mean to do that?"
"They will not believe you either." Rein take a sip of the mango shake before he continue, "They want to see you. They want you to come over our house and have dinner with us."
Michaelle look at him with great shock in her face. Her mouth fell and cannot speak for a moment.
"Are you ok?" it was Dr. Rein. "Don't worry I was quite shocked too."
"I don't know. Can I just tell them I'm not your girlfriend and so I can't make it."
"That's ok with me. But there is something I wanted to do. The reason why I told you this..." Dr. Rein sighed. "is because of my father."
"What about your father?"
"Actually, this thing, ah forget about it. I can't really ask you to do this."
"You know, I only have my father. I know how you want to do anything for his happiness. So, you might as well ask me. Besides, I started this."
"Ok. I wanted you to be my girlfriend." Rein looked at the other doctor, she is smiling. "I was expecting you to be shocked." He is quite surprise on how Dr. Yoon is handling the situation.
"Why? Actually, I already get it. But before I gave you my answer, I wanted to know the reason. I know it's personal but I believe you understand that what you're asking me to do is quite sensitive and it's hard for me since I never had a boyfriend before and I don't know if I could do that."
"Ok I get it. But you don't have to do anything special. You would just go to some gatherings, pretend to be mine and refrain from dating another man until my dad is fully recovered."
"What happened to your dad?"
"Mild stroke after a renal transplant."
"I see. So is he happy to learn that you at least got a girlfriend?"
"Honestly he is very happy. I saw him trying to speak. He never do that before."
"So that's why. Hmmm..I remember Dr. Migs told me that their eldest is the only one who got a girlfriend. The other four were singles. So I supposed that's the reason why your parents are very happy."
"O-k. I'll take that as a joke." Dr. Rein smirked.
"Hey! Is that how you treat your girlfriend?" Michaelle smiled at him.
"So? You.."
"Ok. I know how you feel. My father is also in a recovery state and I wanted to help your father as well."
"Thank you Dr. Yoon. I never expect you to accept this silly favor." Dr. Rein smiled.
"Maybe you could start by calling me Chaelle. Dr. Yoon is not so romantic." Michaelle joke.
"Ok. Chaelle?"
"You're so funny. You know what, it's cute when you said my nickname.
Rein shyly smiled. He turned his eyes away because he could feel that he is turning red.
"Maybe you could drive me home, it's going late." Michaelle said while her eyes are on her watch.
"Ok, little princess, as you wish." He laughed at his own joke.
"Hey! Forget about what my uncle said!"
Without looking at her. Rein grabbed Michaelle's right hand.
"Then maybe, we should try this." He's pertaining to holding hands.
"Maybe you're right. Couple commonly do this"
They both looked away and secretly smiled.
-----------------------------------
Rein's car stopped across the road of Michaelle's apartment's gate. She is about to get out when she noticed a luxury car parked in front of their gate. From where she is, she could see that the car is a sleek white Bentley convertible. A man in a black suit is standing beside it. She recognized the man. He's the man who served them green tea and strawberry cake while she's talking to her Uncle Ron.
"Did you know him?" Rein asked her. He is also looking at the Big man beside the luxury car.
"He's one of Uncle Ron's men. I wonder what brings him here."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Rein offered.
"No no. It's ok. I can do this alone. Besides everybody is waiting for you. It's almost dinner time."
Rein looked at his watch before he gave a response "Ok. I guessed I need to go. I'll give you a call when I get home."
"Ok. Take care. Bye." Michaelle smiles and bids goodbye.
"Ok. Bye little princess." then he smirked and drive away.
Michaelle rolled her eyes. Then after seeing the car drove away, she walked across the road to meet the guy in the black suit.
"Good evening Dr. Michaelle. Master, your Uncle Ron, wanted to talk to you." The man in the black suit said. Then he gave her a phone.
"Hello. Yes, Uncle. This is Chaelle."
"Hello Chaelle, I forgot to tell you that I talked to Simon last week and told me that you work here."
"Ohh, that's how you learned that I work at FEGH. So Papa gave you a call. I guess he got worried when he heard the news that Aldrin was hospitalized."
"Yes, that is actually his main concern. Actually I have another thing to tell you."
"About what Uncle?"
"About the car. The Bentley in front of your gate."
"The car? Yes, it is here, in front of our gate."
"It's yours."
"What!? I'm sorry uncle. I got surprised. This is for me?"
"Yes, Honey. That's my graduation gift to you. And besides, I treated you as one of my own. As one of your father, I'm very proud of your achievements. You are like my daughter I never had. You and Aldrin are the greatest gifts that the Lord has given to me."
"No uncle. I can't have it. This is too much and besides, I graduated way long ago." Michaelle stop. She sniffed.
"Are you crying Chaelle?" Uncle Ron worriedly asked her. "Also, take the card from Rafael, the details for your driving lesson was listed there."
"No Uncle, I'm not crying." She lied. "I'm just so happy and touched by what you've said. You're right. You are my family. Dad, you, and Aldrin. I guess it will be unrespectful to decline such a blessing from my family. Thank you, Uncle Ron." She wipes her tears before she continues; "About the driving lesson Uncle, I guess I couldn't take that. I'll just ask someone to teach me. That's just too much for me."
"I guess the teacher would be the gentleman, the one who fetched you here a while ago."
Michaelle turned red upon hearing what her uncle told her from the other line. Obviously, he is talking about Dr. Rein.
"You know Chaelle, you both looked great together. I could tell that he is a good man."
"Uncle, people always telling me that. But I don't think so. Anyways, I'll see Aldrin tomorrow. I think you could bring him home on Tuesday."
"Thank you honey for taking care of your Shoti."
"Ohh, that's a pleasure Uncle. Thank you and have a great week ahead. Take care."
"That's nothing Chaelle. Bye, little Princess."
"Bye Uncle Ron."
After ending the call, Michaelle gave the phone back. Then the man in a black suit, Rafael, gave a key to her. It's the key of her new car. She accepts it and he bid goodbye. Michaelle takes a last look at her new car. It was so elegant and classy. She smiled at it and walk inside their house. A lot of things happened today and everything is overwhelming her.