Lucy went to work for the first time after having a long holiday. It felt weird now that she was wearing her white coat. But she also felt comfortable, since she would be able to do her job and see her patient again. She was about to head for the top floor when a woman passed by her and stopped her from leaving.
"Good morning doctor Kim, I haven't seen you for a while now. Where did you go?", a young female doctor from cardiothoracic department said. She was beautiful and smart. If Lucy wasn't a daughter of Kim family, then this woman might've been hailed the title of queen at the hospital.
"Oh, doctor Hwang. I was on leave.", Lucy turned around to see a woman with quite a heavy makeup on her face. Did this doctor Hwang want to seduce her patients or what?
"Really..? Then I guess the news about you having an unexplainable relationship with that young master of Lee isn't true..", doctor Hwang sneered. She pictured a smile that was sinister. Many of the onlookers started to pay attention. The news was viral, of course anyone knew about it.
Lucy sighed internally. Why must doctor Hwang chose an open area to insult her? This woman wouldn't give up, always there to create trouble for her and mocked her in public.
'I can't believe she's still holding onto the grudge..', Lucy thought. She remembered being worshipped by a lot of male doctors in the cardiothoracic department, and doctor Hwang was once rejected by one of them because of her.
Lucy chuckled as she recalled back the memory.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, doctor Hwang. My relationship with Aubrey isn't unexplainable, we're just laying low. You see, he is high above us and we don't want him to get into scandal do we? I respect him that's why I didn't say anything. Well, I won't deny it though.", Lucy said, she raised both her arms and shrugged her shoulder.
"What?", the woman pursed her lips in anger. So Lucy Kim and that young master Lee really had something to do with each other? He was missing all this time, he just got back in the country so how could they know each other?
"Oh and one more thing! You don't need to be jealous of me, all of the male employees here are yours. I don't care for either one of them.", Lucy waved her goodbye and she got inside the elevator. She wasn't a woman who fancied getting into fights so she better get away quickly.
As soon as she stepped foot on the top floor, Lucy was met with poor luck. She saw her father coming her way with a face so strict and distant.
'Good riddance.. I came at the wrong time.', she wanted to run away but was stopped by her father.
"Don't take a step back, Lucy!", Sam warned her daughter with a pointing index finger.
"Ah.. hahah. I'm not going anywhere though..?", she cracked up a smile.
"Come with me to my office.", he said. Lucy had no choice but to obey.
When they went inside, Sam instructed her to sit in front of him. She wasn't comfortable facing her father. But she had to hold it in. Seeing his daughter acting like a stranger towards him, Sam let out a grievance sigh.
"How long have you held it in? Your resentment for me.", he started the talk. He didn't even face her straight.
Lucy faced her father in surprise. Then she wasn't surprised anymore. She just smiled. She knew what he was talking about.
"Ever since I was a child..?", she said. She wasn't even sure when it started. The moment he decided everything without her consent, she had been looking for a way to get out.
"You should know I did everything I could to make your life easier in the future. I didn't mean harm.", Sam told his daughter. He still wasn't facing her directly. The surrounding turned cold.
"And I can tell you my life only becomes more difficult and definitely not easier.", Lucy said. She didn't want to argue but seeing how her father was still prideful in this case made her want to stomp her feet in anger.
"How can it be difficult? I'm strict because I care for you! You're my pride and I want you to be successful!", Sam said, he finally turned his face towards Lucy.
"Oh yeah? Did I ask you to? I never did. All I want is for you to support me! Let me do whatever I like! Do you have any idea how suffocating it is for me to be controlled by my own parents?!", Lucy finally said it.
She had always dreamed of giving her parents a piece of her mind. But she was afraid to hurt them because she loved them more than anyone in the world. She knew her father was strict because he cares.
"I know you love me, but I can't keep up with the way you do things.. please consider my thoughts whenever you want to make decisions for me.", she said in a low voice. She suddenly wanted to cry, but she remembered a man's face. A man who had lived his life with more sadness than her.
"I'm sorry Lucy.", Sam uttered the words without looking at her again, he couldn't face her. He felt guilty but all he ever wanted to see was the happiness of his daughter. He never thought she would take it the wrong way.
Lucy couldn't register her father's words inside her mind. Did she hear an apology? Her father apologized?! She stayed quiet for some seconds and then she laughed.
"Thank you dad!", she knew he would understand. Her persistent silence was worth it. Her ice cold father actually apologized!
Sam sighed in relief. He actually loved Lucy more than she thought. But perhaps it was better for her to not know. He regarded Lucy as his pride and he wanted the best for her in this life.
"We're clear now?", he asked, a small smile appeared on his face. He looked old but was still handsome. A man who aged fine like wine.
"Yes, totally clear!", Lucy went and hugged her father. She really loved him.
After that, they promised to have lunch together at the cafeteria. Mia also joined along.
"So sis.. I saw that you don't stay in your place anymore? You follow Aubrey? When did you move? I don't hear a thing from you!", Mia said, she went to Lucy's place yesterday but found no one there.
Lucy became slightly red. The idea of following her husband to move in together was somehow able to make her feel giddy. Why was she feeling this way only now?
"Ah.. that, yes.", she averted her gaze somewhere else. Even Sam was becoming curious.
He looked at her daughter with a sharp glance. He looked displeased but he didn't say it. He continued eating without sparing a word to both Mia and Lucy.
"Dad, you aren't angry right?", Mia faced her father, her tone cheeky. She wanted to see her father's reaction.
Sam remained quiet. He didn't know whether to feel happy or sad since Lucy married a guy without even telling her family. Her grandfather was the one to blame, actually. And Lucy played along since she also liked that man.
"I don't have a say in this matter, do I?", he said which made Lucy felt a little remorse.
Lucy looked down on her meal as she contemplated on something to say. Then she faced her father with all seriousness.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I know I'm wrong for not telling you. I'm just afraid you won't accept Aubrey since he isn't a doctor like you want.", her face was painted in guilt. She tried very hard to appear pitiful, hoping her father would let this slide. She was really feeling guilty though, at least that wasn't fake.
"Fine. I'll try to accept him into our family, but I won't promise you anything. Not until your wedding day.", he said with a resolute voice. This was the most mercy he could give.
Lucy was startled when she heard about the wedding. Her wedding with Aubrey..?! Gosh.. her face became red.
But thinking back on their situation.. a wedding seemed out of reach. At least for now, Aubrey needed to make things clear on his side. Only then they could finally discuss the next step.
"A wedding..", Lucy mumbled while she ate the takoyaki. Her mind was full of thoughts.
"I saw the news, he is the second young master of Lee who just got back from overseas. I don't know when and how you got to know him but if he's serious about your marriage then he should throw you a grandest wedding in the near future. My daughter isn't someone he could afford to take lightly.", Sam stood up suddenly as he turned towards his eldest daughter. He was giving her a chance.
"I understand..", Lucy nodded to her father's words. Seemed like he was going to compromise on their relationship. This might be the only chance to impress her father.