"Hello Mr Min. We are at the hospitals' reception".Ji Hoo said into the phone
"Okay, we'll meet you there". He replied before cutting the call.
"Let's go. He said to meet him in his office". He turned to Jin Woo who was looking around lost in the memories of his past. How much he detest hospitals.
"Jin Woo". Ji Hoo slightly shook his shoulders
"Hmmm". He replied coming out of his past
"Lets go". Ji Hoo gave a sympathetic smile
"Why do I feel you brought me here not for my sake as you say but for your own interest". Jin Woo said to change the atmosphere
Noting what he did Ji Hoo played along. "My cousin is wise after all". He smirked throwing his hand over Jin Woo's shoulders. "If only you'd use a tiny bit of your wisdom to get yourself a girl, then I'll be rest assured. Such a shame rumours are spreading you are gay, you wouldn't want dad having an heart attack upon such news". He added with a pretense sad face and tone.
"If such rumours are spreading then the cause is definitely you". He retorted removing his hands from his shoulders then gave him a pointed look.
"Aren't you so not gay". He chortled jabbing him by the side
"I'm beginning to doubt how a girl like Hye Ri fell in love with you and why Mr Min allowed it. I guess I now appreciate the punch Seo Woo gave you, I should have been assisted him and not try to stop him". Jin Woo shook his head regretfully.
"Well dear cousin you can't deny the fact that I'm loveable not to forget handsome". He winked. "I mean take a look around, there's a reason the females keep staring at our direction". He said as he wave with a smile towards the direction of two ladies who not so discretely fanned themselves
"Aish. Hopeless". Jin Woo sighed before speed walking away
"Ya Jingu, wait for me". Ji Hoo chuckled as he went to meet him
*****
"Good afternoon Mr Min, my benevolent Father in-law". Ji Hoo cheekily said as he shook his hand
"Good afternoon Ji Hoo". Mr Min replied with a light chuckle
"Good afternoon Uncle". Ji Hoo greeted with a small smile as they shook hands
"Good afternoon Jin Woo". He replied with a smile too
Mr Min is a man in his late 50's and he's also about to resign to live a quite life. He has been Jin Woo's therapist ever since his parents died and. He is also a friend to his dad and uncle completing their three-friends-circle. With Mr Min being his mom's cousin brother. Which also makes up for why they the children were close friends too.
"So you did manage to get him here". Mr Min Jun Sun said to Ji Hoo with a chuckle
"Yes, but after a lot of effort and force". Ji Hoo replied with a grin
"Well that explains how you finally got Hye Ri's attention". He smiled making Ji Hoo turn red and Jin Woo chuckle
"Well I guess you really do Know your son in-law". Jin Woo smirked
"Of course, Min Hye Ri is my only daughter and last child. Though Seo Woo had tried persuading me to not agree with the alliance though you are all friends". He chuckled
"Min Seo Woo, that traitor". Ji Hoo faked hurt
"That's my brother you're calling with so much hate. And dad he's your son for a reason". A voice was heard as Mr Min's office door opened. All three heads turned towards the door and Ji Hoo was the first to react
"Hye Ri". He affectionately exclaimed as he ran towards her to hug her
"Calm down Mr, I'm ryt here". She shook her head with a smile as he squeezed her in a hug
"I missed you". He whined
"We went on a date yesterday. Remember?". She reminded with an eyebrow raise
"That's yesterday, this is today. I'm just seeing you today". He countered with a pout
"Okay I agree, now kindly let me go. I'm suffocating here".
"Omo, hope you're not hurt. I'm so sorry". He said as he began checking her body for any bruise
"I'm fine". She chuckled as she turned his face towards her face
you sure?". He asked concerned
"Hmm". She nodded with a smile. He smiled too as he looked at her like a love puppy. He was about to kiss her when he heard a short cough making him realise they weren't alone
"Uhh I'm still here and that's my daughter". Mr Min chuckled making Ji Hoo scratch his head and Hye Ri smile
"Now it's obvious I was an excuse". Jin Woo shook his head
"Appa". She shook her head. "Jin Woo oppa you're here". She nodded at him with a smile which he returned
"Oppa? Why are you calling him that". Ji Hoo frowned
"Uh! I always call him that, you have no problem with it, its a sign of respect". She replied matter of fact
"Oh yes that's true. But you can call him hyung". He pouted
"Hyung?". She rose an eyebrow
"Just call him his name then. Besides it's just three years difference. I'm sure he doesn't mind. Right Jin Woo?". He emphasized on the name
"Whatever just don't include me". He sighed
"See he has no problem with it". He grinned
"But I do. Appa I came to tell you I'll be going for lunch and to know if you'd like to come along". She turned to her Dad ignoring Ji Hoo who looked like a deflated balloon
"Ah you noticed me, glad I'm not invisible". He replied faking surprise
"Appa". She reprimanded with a smile
"Arasso, arasso. Go for your lunch or should I say lunch date. I'll just ask my assistant to help me order". He grinned
"Okay Appa. Bye. Bye Oppa". She said with a wave as she turned to leave
"Wait up love. Bye uncle, bye Jin Woo". Ji Hoo said before following her out finally coming out of his sulking moment
"Bye". "Hmm". Mr Min and Jin Woo replied
"Sit down". Mr Min pointed to his office sofa and Jin Woo obliged sitting on the 2-sitter
"What would you like to order?". Mr Min asked as he sat on his office sofa
"Nothing, I'm good. Thank you". Jin Woo replied. Mr Min nodded before calling his assistant requesting him to order for him.
"Should we discuss now or after eating". He asked
"Mol-la. You asked Ji Hoo to bring me here". He shrugged
Mr Min couldn't help but smile at his reply. "You know, seeing you reminds me of your father. You truly are his son". He chuckled. "And that's why I'm scared for you, it seems you did take his stubbornness and of course your mother's impatience". He said seriously with a frown. But all he got from Jin Woo was a slight shrug
Seeing him unresponsive he couldn't help but sigh. "How have your nightmares being recently"
"The usual, no difference".
"Why exactly are you having nightmares, what happened in the past Jin Woo. You realise if you don't speak up I can't help you, I don't read mind, I'm just a therapist. I'm still human". Mr Min studied him quietly
"What if I don't need help. What if I prefer being choked by the guilt of the past. What if I don't feel the need to move on. "He asked staring straight into his eyes
"As much as I don't want to, I'm afraid to say this, I can't help you then. I can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped, I'm also human not God but I'll remind you though in hurting yourself from the guilt of the past you are hurting those around you who care, for they are also dying of guilt of not being able to help you. Mr Min concluded before standing up just as a knock was heard from the door
"Come in".
"Your food sir". His assistant said after greeting them
"Hmm. Thank you". Mr Min nodded as he dropped it on the office table before walking out
"Well, thank you for your time Mr Kim. It just so happens this is our last meeting as therapist and patient for I'll soon be resigning but don't think you'll be free from having a therapist, a junior student of mine will take over. Though if you ever feel like sharing anything with me you know were to find me. He said as he can stood extending his hand for a handshake which Jin Woo obliged to
"I really hope a reason for you to let go of your guilt comes your way soon". He said in a fatherly tone as he patted his shoulder
"Thank you uncle". He replied with a tight lipped smile. "I must go now, enjoy your meal".
"Hmm, I will". He nodded as he watched him leave
"I guess you really are your parents son". Mr Min shook his head with a smile on his face as memories of his cousin sister and best friend played in his mind
"Oh, done so fast. So did you spill it, you realise this is your last session with him right?". Ji Hoo asked as they met few steps away from Mr Min's office door
"Are you done with your romance, can we go now". He ignored his question
"I'll take that as a no". He sighed
*****
Song In Sook was about halfway through her lunch with her co-workers when they were summoned by their supervisor/teacher,Mr Min, whose daughter happens to be her best friend. There has been rumours circulating about him resigning to retire to a secluded area, but he himself is yet to confirm and she never asked Hye Ri about it. He is the best teacher ever even though he is really strict. It is a known fact that he is a legend in the hospital loved and respected by everyone and she was so happy when she was assigned under him many others thought he picked her out of biasness since he was strict in picking his students. But she knew it wasn't that, she is good at what she does and she is proving it. History also has it that all his patients got better within a few months or years depending on their case but rumor has it that the only patient depriving him of his 100% is his nephew. News has it that he has a case of PTSD and has refused to open up to be cured and this was confirmed by Mr Min himself who promised them that depending on their performance, the best will be assigned as his replacement for his nephew's psychiatrist
"Hurry up In-Sook you know Mr Min likes punctuality". Her co-workers hurried her
"I am coming. You guys go on, I'll meet you. "She said as she hurriedly packed her things while trying to finish her food. She has the habit of reading while eating and she scatters her books while reading making a mess
"This is why we always tell you to stop bringing your books for lunch". A co-worker said with a head shake
"We'll go on, come meet us. They said to left
"Hmm". She replied absent mindedly as
"Hurry up". They called out again. She had finally packed her books into her small handbag and held the rest in her hands as she ran to meet up with them. Because she is in rush, she wasn't conscious enough while taking a turn resulting in her colliding with a heavy body making the books in her hand fall down
"Ouch! I'm so sorry. I'm in a hurry". She apologized before bending down to pick them up
"Its okay". The male voice said as he assisted her
"I apologise once again and thank you". She bowed as she rose up and ran towards one of her co-worker, So Ah who waited for her. Unknown to her that someone was paralyzed due to her voice
"What happened there". So Ah asked as she witnessed the incident
"An accident, wasn't looking". She shrugged
"You sure, cause the hot guy seems to be staring at you. I'll really wish the light wouldn't obstruct his face". So Ah said
"Uh?". Surprised and confused she turned around only to see she was right. The one she actually bumped into was looking at her but she can't see his face due to light reflection while the one who helped her tried shaking the other guy as he whispered to him before turning towards them and waved with a smile. He looked familiar though. They both did but the nice guy looked more familiar. She shook her head from her thoughts. She is late. She returned the smile and turned around
"Ahh. I'm so jealous of you". So ah whined as they began walking away
"Hmmm. I see". She nodded absentmindedly as she tried balancing her books
"Here let me help you. We were suppose to teach you a lesson so you would learn to not bring your books to the cafeteria but you look like damsel in distress". So Ah shook her head as she collected the books in her hands leaving her with the ones in her hand bag
"Thank you". She smiled grateful while So Ah shrugged
*****
"Jin Woo, what happened". Ji Hoo asked concerned as he watched him who stared at the retreating back of the lady who collided with him and unreadable expression on his face. She did look familiar though
"Jin Woo". He shook him
"Hmmm?". He asked finally snapping out of his daydream
"What happened. what's with the look on your face". He asked concerned
"It's nothing. Let's go". He answered stoic and annoyed as he walked away which was unlike him when they are together. Seeing his mood he didn't question him again and just followed him
*****
"You're two minutes late ". Mr Min stern face met them as they entered after knocking
"We are sorry sir. I was held back with packing my books and also a little accident on the way. So Ah waited to assist too". In-Sook explained head down in guilt
"We're sorry Sir". So Ah apologized too
"Since its your first, you'll be pardoned but if it repeats itself, you'll earn a punishment". He warned
"On your way to my office, some or all of you might have noticed a man dressed in a suit and of course without a smile". He began his gaze moving across all of them as a small smile formed on his lips, something rare
A man with no smile and in suit could it be one of those men she collided with. But one of them was smiling and even helped her though he did seem familiar, as for the other man due to the light reflection she couldn't see his face
"That man is Kim Jin Woo, my nephew. And yes also my so called 100% nemesis. Co-CEO of K-LEEM Company". He concluded before gauging everyone's reaction. His revelation did cause quiet an uproar but he made no intention to stop it instead he allowed them to sink in the information
"OMG, then does that mean the man you collided with,is his nephew, the so called Rich Eligible Bachelor (REB). Girl now I'm extra jealous". So Ah whined as she whispered. "Wait if he's his nephew and Co-CEO does that also mean the other male is the second CEO, Mr Min's son in law? OMG In-Sook now I'm extra extra jealous. You miraculously got to meet them both with just a slight accident and even got a smile and a stare". She added still whinning now on the verge of fainting
According to Mr Min's revelation and So Ah theory then its now reasonable as to why one of them looked familiar. Hye Ri had introduced him to her today in the cafeteria as her fiance. He did seem nice and friendly though she had thought it was because she is Hye Ri's friend but now she confirmed it wasn't so. Then the other is definitely Mr Min's nephew, she might not have seen his face but she felt his aura, its was strong and commanding. Thinking about it gave her the chills and for some reason it felt familiar
"Any problem Miss Song In-Sook?". She was suddenly brought back from her thought upon the voice of Mr Min
Confused she looked up and upon noticing his stern gaze and everyone's gaze she looked down embarrassed. "No problem sir". She muttered
"I thought so too. If you'd like to fantasize kindly do that outside and if the weather was too chilling you could have taken a leave"
"It's nothing sir. I apologise for spacing out"
"Good". He nodded before continuing. "I'm sure rumours regarding my retirement has spread and I'm here to let you know it's not a rumour. It's true, I'll be resigning after I believe you all are certified and able to stand without me and when I've picked the best amongst you all as my replacement therapist to my nephew. I'm announcing this news myself to honour our teacher-students relationship". He paused to stare at them letting his words sink well. "But if you ever still need my assistance on something you don't understand, feel free to reach me out. I'll readily assist anyway I can". He paused for a while again but this time displaying his rare smile. "I want you all to know that life.....". He continued admonishing them