Trust Fall

Four

The next day, I drive myself to the hospital for another day of work. Things go on normally, and I put on a smile when meeting with my patients. I even laugh and crack jokes with other patients while I visit them in their rooms.

I give the little children hugs whenever their parents ask them to thank me for my time; a nice contrast to last night.

But once it's my lunch break, I sit at one of the hospital's cafeteria tables, blankly staring into space as I eat my lunch. I don't even notice the person sitting in front of me until he laughs and says, "You don't look so good, Ko."

I snap my eyes up and nearly choke on my food. Swallowing and clearing my throat, I softly chuckle and say, "What makes you say that?"

Hyunbin smiles, leaning forward with a playfully serious expression, "Your face just looks way more exhausted today. And I don't know...I just feel like something's bothering you. Didn't sleep well last night?"

"As expected from one of Gongjak's best doctors." I tease, looking at my food with a melancholic expression, "But we're always going to be exhausted. Part of being a doctor, right?"

The male doctor nods, "I know, but...you are ok, aren't you?"

I nod, offering a slightly wider smile, "Perfectly."

The male grins in satisfaction with my answer, leaning back on his chair to talk about his 'cute little patients' running around and laughing when they get lollipops after their check-ups.
I listen to him share stories, but somewhere along the line, my mind drifts off. To where, I'm not sure, but it's definitely not as cute and happy as Hyunbin's stories.

When the day ends, I'm more than relieved to come home without mysterious agents appearing anywhere in my house. Maybe they'd leave me alone now.

And the next day also goes by smoothly as I work in the hospital. Sure, I had two operations to handle-and one of them nearly went south, thankfully it didn't-but
nonetheless, it was a smooth and average day for me, and it was as if I forgot all about what happened with the agents the other night.

I wave to Hyunbin before leaving the hospital, laughing as he jokes with a "Don't fall asleep while driving!" And thankfully, I don't do that, making it back home quickly and safely.

The stillness that welcomes me once I enter the house is a bit eerie, but it doesn't seem to bother me that much; after all, it was a bit chilly-weathered recently. I take a nice, quick warm bath before deciding I wanted a midnight snack since I didn't get to eat dinner courtesy of the two back-to-back emergency surgeries I had to perform. After slipping into my nightgown and a fluffy robe to keep me warm, I go down to the kitchen.

While preparing a cup of coffee and preparing a quick sandwich, I hear faint rustling somewhere in the house. I don't own any pets, and my neighbors hardly visited, so the first thought that enters my mind is that the agents are back. It isn't dread or fear that fills my veins-it's anger and frustration. I scoff angrily, glancing at the coffee maker and sandwich on the plate before making quick steps towards my study. Harshly pushing the door open and switching on the lights, I scan the room.

But no one is there.

I look behind my desk and shelves, but still no sign of people. Maybe Hyunbin was right and I was just more tired than usual; maybe my mind was playing tricks. Sighing, I shut the door and resume my business in the kitchen, needing that cup of coffee much more now.

Once the coffee is done brewing, I take the mug and plate in my hands, making my way to my bedroom. Coming home at midnight or past midnight was always accompanied by a cold silence that resulted from all my other neighbors being asleep. But that was probably better than a bustling city filled with horns and drunk people shouting after a night in the club.