The Smile You Bring Me

Episodes 13 pt.3: Good ball

Ji Pyeong stopped at the sight of Nam Do-San. He was tall, so he stood out among the people in the lobby of Sandbox. Ji Pyeong took a step closer and made sure it was him. Though he wished Do-San was just his imagination, he was not. Do-San was Real, and he was back. And Ji Pyeong knew that he was there to claim Dal Mi again.

Ji Pyeong met Do-San's eyes, "Manager Han!" Do-San said, acknowledging him. 

"Mr. Nam," 

Neither of them wanted the presence of each other, but they sat in the snack bar of Sandbox. 

"What are you doing here?" Ji Pyeong asked.

"2sto gave us some time off," Do-San replied.

"So...you are not back for good then?" Ji Pyeong asked again. He wanted assurance that Do-San won't be staying in Korea for long.

"Right!" Do-San answered. 

Ji Pyeong relaxed after he heard his reply, and Do-San could see that.

"You look good!" Ji Pyeong said in a more relaxed manner. 

"You too, Manager Han!" Do-San said.

"I am a director now, " Ji Pyeong corrected.

"I see! Congratulations on your promotion!" Do-San said honestly.

Ji Pyeong forgot to hide his gift for Dal Mi.

"Looks like you bought a gift for someone, " Do-San said as he saw the little black-colored box in his hands.

"O, Yes! I bought this for Dal Mi. I wanted to give her a little something as a thank you; for all the things she has done for me," Ji Pyeong said as he put it on the table. He knew that's a little childish of him to say that. But because Do-San was back, Ji Pyeong was scared—that he would lose Dal Mi again.

Ji Pyeong stood up. "Do you want to see Dal Mi? Her office has changed a lot!" he boasted to him.

"No, that's alright! I still have an appointment today," Do-San declined politely.

Ji Pyeong saw that Do-San was affected by his presence in Dal Mi's life. Of course! He— out of all the people— knew how that felt. That's how he felt when he let Do-San be part of her life.

"Alright...then!"

Ji Pyeong left Do-San. And then he went to look for Dal Mi in her office. However, she was not there.

"Where is Ms. Seo?" he asked one of her female employees.

"She went to a meeting. Can we help you?" she answered.

"I see! I'll just come back another time then," he said and left.

Ji Pyeong felt disappointed not to be able to see her. But he understood, given her hectic schedule, that couldn't be helped. He went back to his office and did his work. Time passed by fast; it was already time to go home. He excitedly packed up his things and went to Cheong Myung's office. 

Outside their door, he saw all of them were busy. And Dal Mi was still not around. He checked the time;  it was time to log out. But by their look, they were not going to leave anytime soon. He called Dal Mi on his way to the elevator, but her phone was busy. Then, he noticed Min Ah didn't message or call him either.

"Is she busy too?" he asked himself.

*************

While he walked home, Ji Pyeong remembered that he and Min Ah was supposed to meet that day. He changed clothes and called Min Ah, but her phone was off. In the parking lot of his apartment, he tried to call her again—before he left— but her phone was still off.

Ji Pyeong called Min Ah again while he drove. It was ringing this time, but she wasn't picking up. He frowned, thinking that something was wrong with her. He went to the hospital where she said she was working. There he saw her. He pulled over and called her again, but she canceled his call. He didn't feel good when she saw her cancel his call. He stepped out of his car to approach her. 

Ji Pyeong stopped walking to Min-Ah when he heard someone call her.

"Min Ah!" 

Min-Ah turned around, and Ji Pyeong saw how Min-Ah's smile faded.

Then, 'the handsome' doctor from the pub appeared. But he was not alone; he was with a pretty lady. Min-Ah looked intimidated by her. And he knew it wasn't common for her to be that way. 

"You should join us!" the lady said.

"She's right! You should!" he seconded the motion.

"Maybe next time! I already have a plan tonight," Min Ah declined.

"Plan? What plan? For all I know, you're just going to study!" she mocked.

 Ji Pyeong decided to appear and rescue Min Ah.

"Min Ah, I've been trying to call you! Are you ready to leave?" he said, directly addressing Min Ah.

Min Ah was surprised to see him. 

"Why are you so surprised? We have plans to meet today!" he reminded her.

"O, right!" she said confidently. 

Min-Ah introduced Ji Pyeong to them.

"Ji Pyeong, this is Dr. Jun Ki Lee and Dr. Dal Mi Young," she said.

Ji Pyeong shook their hands and faced Min Ah again, " Shall we go?" he asked.

"Ah! right! I think we should! " Min Ah answered. 

She faced them, "See you both tomorrow!" she said and slightly bowed.