Janna's (POV)
When she was a kid, she was on top of everything. Since her family belongs to the class of Elite, she needs to be the best. Her mother is a renowned lawyer while her father is the chairman of FEGHMC. Since they were both busy with their own careers, it turns out that she got no siblings. But still, she is thirsty for their attention until today.
That's one of the things she can't have despite every material thing they provided her. Her parents. Their attention and love. And another thing that she can't get is the man standing next to her. He is so close to her but yet so far to reach. He became her friend in med school, and she guessed, it would be the end of it. She will be only a friend to him. She will remain a friend to the man who she secretly in love with.
"Dr. Won, are you going to Dr. Kang Soo and Dr. Migs' celebration party?" Dr. Lee asked her without lifting his head from what he is writing on the medical chart.
"What party? What for?" she innocently asked, then gesture to one of their nurses to give her the chart of her patient.
"You know. Their thesis won. Migs got the first place while Dr. Kang Soo won 3rd." the male fellow doctor casually explained.
"I don't know. I think I have plans for tonight."
"Is Dr. Kang Soo one of your closest friends in med school? It would make him feel great if you'll come."
"So you're coming?"
"Yeah."
"Maybe we could go together."
"I'm sorry but I will not bring my car. I'll just take a cab. You know it's a bar. You'll never know."
Dr. Won was about to respond when she saw the last person she would like to see, coming to their direction.
"Hey. Did you eat lunch?" Dr. Lee asked her girlfriend.
"Nope. You told me to wait for you."
Michaelle replied while looking for her patient's chart on the rack. "Patient 1503," she said to herself.
"I'll call you. I'll just do some ward rounds." Dr. Lee replied. Then immediately walk away from the nurse station.
"Ok." Michaelle's short response still eyes on her patient chart. "I'll take this for a moment." She said to the nurse on duty and then left.
"No problem Dr. Yoon," she responds wearing a beautiful smile. Obviously, she's one of the fans of Reinelle (Rein-Chaelle) love team.
On the other hand, Dr. Janna Won was now filled with anger and obviously jealousy. The nurse looks nastily at her, that's why she even gets angrier. She is really mad. That Michaelle, it was her. The reason why she can't get the love of her life, Dr. Rein Lee. The one she's dreaming of for more than 6 years now. The woman, the same reason why she did not graduate as valedictorian. The only woman she hated the most. The woman who snatched Dr. Jeffrey Chen from her; her highschool first love.
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"We are the champions, my friends,
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions." it was Dr. Migs and Dr. Kang Soo. They were obviously very happy about what they had achieved.
"So you two, you're going to Thailand?" it was Dr. Kim, the head of the General Surgery Department and also one of the Vice Presidents of FEGHMC.
"Yes, Dr. Kim. We got invited to discuss our theses in the General Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting." Dr. Migs replied.
"That's good. Congratulations to the both of you, for Dr. Migs Lee and Dr. Kang Soo!" Dr. Kim boomed while raising his mug of beer.
"Congratulations!" the other doctors and nurses said. They raised all their mugs to celebrate with the two.
"Ok. I have an announcement to make. Since almost everyone is here, this is the best time to tell you guys who are the other doctors to attend the Annual Scientific Meeting. Ok, let me start with Dr. Yoon, well, as Dr. Chen's Junior Fellow Doctor, he recommended that you should have attended that surgeon's annual meeting. It would help you a lot."
"You're welcome." Dr. Chen said, he is looking at Dr. Yoon who is seating beside Dr. Rein. The female doctor slightly bows as a response.
"Ok, so Dr. Yoon will go with Dr. Kang and Dr. Migs." Dr. Kim gladly announced.
Everybody clapped their hands, except of course to Dr. Rein. He is not pleased with how Dr. Chen treated Dr. Yoon. He seems too nice to his girlfriend. Yeah. Girlfriend.
"Another thing is, as one of our hospital's best assets, I want you to come with them, Dr. Rein Lee." Dr. Kim continued.
"It will be a great honor to represent our hospital." Dr. Rein said and then slightly bow to pay them respect.
"Ok! Let's party!" it was again Dr. Kim.
"To Kang Soo and Migs! Cheers!" The Chief Resident, Dr. Sue yelled.
"Cheers!" Everybody said in chorus while raising their mugs of beer.
This is the scene that Dr. Won caught when she arrived at the bar. The first thing she had noticed is the two doctors, Michaelle and Rein, seating on the edge of the long couch, they were whispering, right on each other's ear. She ignores them and looks to the other side of the table.
Everybody was obviously enjoying the party. There is Kang Soo, who is seating beside Dr. Migs and Nina, one of their nurses. Luckily, the third placer doctor accidentally gazed in her direction. He waved his hand and beckoned at her.
"Dr. Janna, you could sit here." He said to the female fellow doctor while pointing a space between him and Nina, who did move to give her way.
"So what we are having here?" Dr. Janna said, right after she took her seat.
"Well, we're planning to have some fun. What about some games like truth or dare. But since this place is very public, instead of doing some crazy stuff, dare means one shot of vodka." Dr. Kim suggested.
"I don't know that Dr. Kim is a very cool guy!" it was Kang Soo.
"And if you chose truth and you cannot answer it, you must drink 2 shots instead." Dr. Chen said.
"That's a good idea." Dr. Kim agreed.
"Like the old times" then the two senior doctors laugh. The other doctors laugh too.
"Ok, let's start with a spin!" Kang soo excitedly said and then immediately spin the bottle.
Everybody was looking at the bottle, waiting for it to stop. Spinning gets slower. Slower and then stopped. Everybody's eyes were on the long black-haired, crimson cheeks female fellow doctor.
"So so. Dr. Yoon. It's your lucky day." Dr. Kim excitedly uttered. "Since Dr. Kang soo is the one who spun the bottle, then he's the one who will ask a question."
"Ok. No problem." Michaelle smilingly said.
"Alright. Truth or dare?" Kang Soo asked her.
"Truth."
"Truth huh. That's great!" Dr. Kang Soo grin maliciously "So here's the question, what's going on between you and Dr. Rein Lee?" He asked. Everyone is looking at her as if there is a spotlight pointing on her.
"Oh well... Uhmm the thing-"
"You don't have to answer that. I'll drink the 2 shots of vodka for her." Dr. Rein snapped.
"Ohh..that's not fair Dr. Lee." it was Nina.
"No that's ok. He somehow answers the question. Give Dr. Rein 2 shots of vodka." it was Dr. Kim.
"Even they don't say it in words. It's so obvious with their actions" The chief resident Doctor said.
"That's right Chief." Kang soo said. Then after Dr. Rein drunk his two shots of vodka. "Ok. Cool. So Dr. Yoon spins the bottle." Kang soo excitedly said.
She did what she was told. The bottle stopped, pointing to the young resident Dr. Migs.
Michaelle also smiled maliciously.
"Well, I don't like that smile Achi." Migs said while his hands were in the air as if he's surrendering. "But still I'm gonna chose truth."
"Ok. Truth it is. Uhmm, Dr. Migs, what do you think of Nina, not as a colleague, but as a woman?"
Everybody becomes quiet, including Nina who is now in the spotlight with the young doctor."
"Well, clearly it's a tough question. So.. Better drink two shots of vodka now." Dr. Migs nervously said.
"Another indirect confession. Lees definitely hate confrontation."
Everybody laughed, while some nurses tease Nina who is now red as a ripe tomato.
They continue playing the game. Most of them are now under the influence of vodka. This would be a good chance for them to pull some truth from each one of them, except for the Lee brothers of course.
"Now we know that the two brothers are shy-type people, even Dr. Migs." It was Kang Soo. He is obviously wasted.
Michaelle looked at the man beside her. He looks really drunk by just looking at his appearance. He is now turning red. But he is still quiet and calm. When she gazed back to her colleagues who are now singing and dancing on the stage, she felt someone held her hand. She furtively looks at her hand under the table. It was Dr. Rein. When he looked at him, his eyes were fixed on her.
"What?" she whispered to him.
"I want to go home." He softly whispered back.
"Can we go now? You know, the party isn't over yet. And how about Migs. He seems to enjoy it."
"Migs can go home alone. I'm tired. I want to sleep." He said.
"Ok, I'll just talk to Dr. Kim."
Dr. Rein just nodded. Michaelle stands up and talks to Dr. Kim. Apparently, he allows them. He just nodded and thank her.
When they got outside the bar, they decided to walk two blocks away so that nobody could see them and drag them back inside.
While walking, Michaelle felt his arms wrapped around her shoulder.
"Good decision on not bringing your car. You look so drunk."
"I know it would happen. I'll take you home first."
"No, no, no. You have to go home now. You look like you can't stand on your own. I bet any minute now, you would fell on the floor." Michaelle disagreed on his idea of going with her to her house.
"I don't want you to take a cab alone. It's already 2:00 in the morning. It's not safe." Dr. Rein insisted. Then pulled his girlfriend to his chest
Michaelle got nervous. She's still not used to do some romantic actions with him. But it doesn't mean she doesn't like it.
"Ok. Maybe you should stay at my house if you insist on coming with me. I don't want you to take a cab alone with that state either." she softly said and then slightly leaned her head to his chest.
"Ok, that's a better idea."
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"But I love you."
"No, I think it does not love. You're too young to say that."
"I mean it. I love you! I really do."
"But Rein. You know that I love him. I can't love you back. I'm sorry. I hope we could still stay as friends."
Tears. Tears of pain from his first heartbreak were started to fall from his eyes. Racing down his cheeks as he was looking to the image of the girl who broke his heart, walking away from him.
The ocean was very clear and blue. The sun rays hitting the water make it seems that stars came down from heaven to give him some empathy. He is in pain right now and it doesn't really feel good. It hurts so bad that he wanted to end his life now.
The 15-year-old boy started to walk in the water. Hoping that the ocean drowns away the pain. He is not in the right mind at that time. He is so much occupied by the fact that his first love doesn't love him back. The water is an inch above his waist when he heard somebody shouting. At first, he thought she was shouting at him. But when he carefully listened, he learned that same as him, the girl is also in so much pain. Maybe a much worse than what he felt at that time. The girl was wearing a high school uniform. She is obviously crying by the quality of her voice. Standing about less than 10 meters away from him, facing the ocean, she was shouting the things that make her feel hurt.
"You know! I wanted to end my life because you don't love me! You left us! And now, you don't get contented on just hurting and leaving us! You even took away my brother from me! He is one of the most important people in my life! Why did you do this to me!? Huh?!" The girl sobbed. She yelled.
"I really hate you! And this hatred will not be put into waste! I will live to be the best of everything to make you realize that what you threw is the most valuable person in this world. I would not end up killing myself and make you see how loser I am just because you left me! This ocean is the witness that I -"
The strong wind blew hard, making her voice unclear to him. Then he saw her running in the seashore. Away from him. He wanted to run after her. But his feet seem stuck and he cannot move from where he was standing.
"Please don't go away.."
"Rein.." Michaelle stands up from her study chair to move closer to the male doctor who is evidently having a nightmare. She seated on the edge of her bed where Dr. Rein Lee is lying down. "Hey. Wake up. You're having a bad dream."
Rein slowly open his eyes. The dream is still clear in his mind. A pain struck his chest, the same pain he felt on his dream. Pain from the past. He grabs his chest as if he wanted to rip off his heart. Michaelle helps him rose from the bed. He then leaned at the headboard.
"Are you alright? You're talking in your sleep." Michaelle worriedly asked him.
"Why are you awake? You should have rested here." He said while patting the space on Michaelle's bed.
"You're the one who needs some rest. Did you know that you fell asleep in the cab?" Michaelle teasingly said.
"I can't remember. So how did I get in here?"
"I heaved you." Michaelle jokingly said.
"Seriously? Tell me its a joke." He annoyingly said.
You're funny when you get annoyed. Michaelle released a short laugh. "No, of course. I cannot lift you up. You're too heavy for me. I just-" Michaelle stopped. She was cut by a finger that blocks her mouth.
"You're talking too much. Will you just sleep here. I know it's uncomfortable sleeping on that chair. This is your bed, you are the one that should be sleeping on here.
"How about you?"
Rein chuckled. "You're cute!" He pinched her nose and then he lied down.
"So you're telling me that I'll sleep beside you!?" Michaelle was really shocked.
"Why not. I'm your boyfriend. Don't worry, I'll not do something. We're not on that level yet."
"Yet?! Are you telling me that-" she was again cut by the male doctor because she was pulled down on the bed and forced to lie down.
"Sleep.," he said while putting the blanket on her. "By the way thanks for changing my top. How did you know I have an extra shirt in my bag?"
"You told me once that you always bring extra."
"Ok. So that's why." He paused.
When he stopped talking, Michaelle decided to check if he again fell asleep. She slowly turned to her left as if she doesn't want to wake him up. Eyes widened, she was startled when she met his gaze. She was wrong, the male doctor is still up and now, her face was just an inch away from his. He could smell his breath. It's warm and tempting.
Eyes still fixed on her as if he was asking for approval. Then slowly, he moved closer. Closing his eyes while holding the side of her head, he angled his face aiming for her lips.
Michaelle was screaming inside her head. She can't contain her nervousness. Actually, she can't explain what kind of feeling she's experiencing at that time. Then she felt that Dr. Rein's lips were demanding on something. The kiss was different from their first. It was more aggressive but still romantic. Passionate. That's the best word to describe it. Michaelle felt some rhythm, that's right, the male doctor wanted her to be responsive. If her judgment is right, that is what he wanted her to do.
Michaelle holds his neck and follows the rhythm of the kiss. She can't believe it, she was actually enjoying the kiss. She felt some urge that she wanted more. The kiss is getting deeper and anytime now, she can feel that her heart is going to burst from this strange feeling that Dr. Rein is giving her. Then she felt that he stopped. Lips parted while catching their breath. She slowly opens her eyes. The other pair of eyes were still shut.
"I'm sorry if I have to stop." the male doctor said while eyes still closed.
Michaelle rested her forehead to his, "I know you have reasons." She replied.
"Yeah. If I didn't do that. We might end up to something we're not yet ready." this time, he's meeting her gaze.
"I know." she smilingly said.
"Let's sleep. We still need to go to work tomorrow." Rein replied. He pulled her closer. "Sleep princess." He whispered.
"Ok ice prince." She said, still can't help herself stop smiling.
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Michaelle heard her phone ringing, someone was disturbing her extremely good sleep. She decided to open her eyes to get the call. Her phone was on top of her side table. She sluggishly crawls and gets her phone. Then she noticed something, Dr. Rein was not on her bed. Was the kiss just a dream? She looked at the screen of her phone. The male fellow doctor whom she believed slept beside her was calling her.
"Hello." Michaelle in her sleepy voice. She yawned, it is still evident that she wants to sleep more.
"My bad. Sorry to disturb you. Just letting you know that my shift today is morning."
"So you're heading to the hospital. You should wake me up at least." she disappointedly uttered.
"Are you upset? You were sleeping comfortably. I didn't want to disturb you. By the way, what's your shift?"
"No, I'm not upset. I'm just quite disappointed. Mid shift." She said, then unintentionally yawned which is heard by the person on the other line.
"Still sleepy princess?" He released a soft laugh. "Go back to sleep. Sorry for disappointing you. I'll see you later. Bye Princess."
"Yeah. Fine. I'll see you later. Bye ice prince."
After ending the call. She glanced at the time, it was just 5:45 in the morning. Rein maybe left their house around 4:30 to 5:00.
She lazily gets up and headed to the kitchen to cook her breakfast. She was walking to their kitchen when she surprisingly heard someone in there. Obviously, it is Jin. How could she silently wishing that it could be Rein?
"Hi Rommie!" Jin greeted her.
Michaelle smiled at her best friend.
"How's your night?" it was still Jin.
"It's ok. What time did you sleep?" Michaelle asked.
"Actually, I didn't sleep yet. I reached home around 4:30. We did a lot of things and prepare for our Paris trip. So sissy, how's going on with Dr. Rein?"
"What? With R-Rein."
"So you're calling him Rein now. What happened to Dr. Lee?"
Michaelle turned red. She's also bad in a confrontation like her boyfriend. Right, her boyfriend. She felt that they step up to the next level after that kiss. It feels that they are really a true couple.
"I don't know." She shyly responds. "Maybe I will tell it over breakfast, which looks really good!"
"I know! Tell me if my cooking skills were improved."
"Ok! That's not a problem. Actually, I would like to do that."
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Michaelle decided to buy some sandwiches in a subway store near the hospital. She thought of bringing him some healthy food. She was about to get inside the store when she bumped into someone familiar to her.
"It's you Potterhead lady!" the man said. He almost yelled.
'Oh, it was him. I almost forgot that I got a deal on this guy. God is still good to me, He let me meet my target accidentally' she said to her mind. "I'm sorry?" she pretended.
"Ohh I'm sad that you didn't remember me. Well, that's ok. I'm the jerk in the bookstore. The one who talked to you about Harry Potter books. Michaelle right?"
Michaelle nodded. She was surprised that the guy still remembers her name.
"By the way, it is Henry. In case you forgot." He said smilingly.
"Yeah. I remember now."
"That's great. It is the second time that we met. Do you think it means something?"
"I don't know." Michaelle chuckled. "If you're pertaining to the thing called destiny, well I don't believe in such a thing." She casually responds.
"Ohh. I see. So you're heading to somewhere? Besides of course inside this sandwich store." Henry bubbly asked her.
"Actually I am heading to work. I just stopped by to get some food."
"Ohh. I see. So I think I'll be heading first. It was nice to see you again." Henry replied. He smiled genuinely before he left her.
Michaelle just gives him a quick nod before she walked inside the store. She's not interested anymore with the agreement, but she can't do anything about it. She had promised Lily that she will be going to help her friend. A promise is a promise, and she can't break it.
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The hallway heading to his office is empty. So, it would be noticeable if someone is heading to her direction; like the lady in the classy black dress. The lady was surrounded by a group of consultant doctors that she believed have positions in this hospital.
She was 2 meters away from them when she recognized the woman. How could she forget that face? The face of the person that took her happiness. That woman is the reason why she decided to work here. Is this the right time? But she's not yet ready.
Michaelle looked down and bow to pay respect and also, to avoid her gaze. She was holding her breath when they were passing to where she was standing. She released a deep sigh when they were gone.
"What's the problem?" a familiar voice asked her.
Michaelle lifts up her head. She was very occupied that she didn't notice him coming to her.
"Hey. You looked pale. Are you sick?"
Dr. Lee worriedly asked her.
Michaelle didn't answer. She can tell that any minute now, the tears that she has been holding on up to this time will about to fall. So, she decided to walk away from him without telling anything.
"Hey. Chaelle. Talk to me." Rein almost run after her.
Still no response from her. She walks very fast to at least give enough space between them. But she failed. She can't hold it anymore. Crying, she slowly sits on the ground. She can't felt her legs anymore. She needs something to hold on because her body is too weak to manage this pain. The pain that she's afraid of. The pain that almost killed her.
Dr. Lee saw Dr. Yoon sitting on the floor. He immediately walks towards her. He kneeled down to her side and held her hands tightly.
"Tell me. What's wrong? What did I do wrong?" She was looking down, trying to avoid his eyes. "Hey talk to me. Is it about leaving you without waking you up? Or is it about what we did?" He worriedly asked.
Michaelle shook her head.
"So what is it? You're making me worry." He said in a low and caring voice which makes her even cry more. "Hey. Why are you crying? What happened?"
Michaelle didn't say a word. She's not yet ready to share the dark past of her life with him. Not yet. Not today.
When Rein held her head to give her some comfort hug, she can't help but cry aloud even more. Luckily, there are no other people in the hallway.
"Hush. I'm here."
"I saw her. I hate her." She said in between her sob.
Rein pulled her closer to his chest. He could tell that she is badly hurt. It makes him sad to see his girlfriend being like that. But he couldn't do anything about it. It makes him feel useless.
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"Please just rest here for a moment. I'll call Dr. Kim and Dr. Chen to let them know that you're not in good condition to work." He said while putting her legs on the couch.
Michaelle weakly smiled. "Thank you, Rein. I'm sorry that you ended taking care of a child today."
Dr. Rein smiled before he takes a seat beside her. "Not a problem. Anyway, did you eat already?"
Michaelle just nod.
"So I suppose this is mine." pertaining to the sandwich in the paper bag.
"I bought it for you actually." Michaelle leaned down on his shoulder. "I want to go somewhere I could relax." She whispered.
"What exact place could make you relax?"
"Ocean."
"We could go now if you want."
"But we have work."
Rein held the back of her head, then carefully plotted a soft kiss on top of his forehead. "Just let me handle everything ok?"
Michaelle weakly smiled and nod.
"Thank you, Ice prince."
"No worries my princess."