The man in black slacks checked his right arm covered in bandage. He got shot while on a pursuit with a police, because he works in a drug-smuggling department. He's one of Vernon's men.
"Shoulder's better. Thanks, doc. I hesitated to go to your clinic because last time we met, well you didn't see me, but we trespassed your place. So, I thought you'll kick me out."
"We met last time." Chan removed his gloves and mask. "And that wasn't tasteful. I almost died, and you took the jasmine from me. I thought of kicking your ass, but not my clinic so."
"You're mean."
"I am mean?"
"Yeah, look, doc's just chilling."
I placed my hands on the wheels and moved the wheelchair I'm in to the guy's bed.
"I maybe chill, but I am not kind. I do this for a living so, where's my payment?"
"Of course." He handed me fresh paper bills.
"Good." I placed it on my lap and readied to move the wheelchair to my desk.
"Wait, I'll do that." Chan pushed me to the desk.
"Thanks again, doc Joshua and Dino. Sayonara!" And he left my clinic.
I sighed loudly while I put the cash in the drawer.
"Let's go home if you're tired."
"I'll worry more if I just sit inside our condo."
"I know. But you should still be resting, you know."
"I'm glad you're here, Chan."
"Ahhh stop, you're making it awkward." He let go of my chair and went back to his desk.
Every time there's silence, my mind just wanders at all worst case scenarios. Jeonghan's not home yet for three days and it's been a day since Hoshi and Seokmin last contacted us.
Who's not going to worry? Fortunately, Taehyung made time for my request. Mafia's been a mess since the antique shop incident so he needs to be there.
But I begged him to help us find those three.
I'm losing my mind. I know I need Jeonghan to calm myself down. I need to know that he's good and alive.
BEEP BEEP.
"Is that Taehyung?" I tried to look at the window to check if it's him. That car horn sounds from our car.
"Let me check. Stay there." Chan stood up.
"If it's a black limousine, that's Tae."
"A limou?! Wow!" And he ran outside.
I am nervous and excited at the same time. Why blow the horn if they can walk here themselves, right? Are they dead?
"Shua-hyung! Prepare and sterilize the tools!"
I don't know what's happening but I followed then I heard a knock on our door. I turned and saw Taehyung carrying Hoshi on his back and Seokmin on his arms.
"Young master." He bowed and laid Seokmin on one of the beds, and Hoshi on another. I checked on Seokmin first and saw a blood-soaked bandage on his abdomen.
"Oh no. Taehyung, how about-"
Chan entered with unconscious Jeonghan on his back.
"Jeonghan!" I moved the wheels too fast I almost drove outside the clinic. Chan placed him on the same bed as Hoshi. Too bad we only have two beds here.
"Jeonghan, please open your eyes." I checked on his vitals, it's all good but he has all these bruises and he won't wake up. I want to perform chest compressions when
"Hyung." Chan raised his hand in front of my face. "I get that you're excited to see him, but uhm."
"Young master, Seokmin, I believe your detective friend, actually needs the immediate care now. He has this gunshot wound that looks bad." Taehyung said.
"Yes.. I'm so sorry." I moved to Seokmin.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of these two. I can do this." Chan said cheerfully.
"I know you can."
What am I doing? I really forgot how to be a doctor. I need to tend to those who needs it more.
I unwrapped the bandage and saw how terrible it is. I felt so guilty and bad for Seokmin. I want him to be safe too but I paid attention to my selfish needs first.
After I stitched his wound, I brushed Seokmin's hair. He's very hardworking and it's not the first time he was put in danger because of me. I just hope everything will come to an end so he's safe at last.
"I'm sorry, Seokmin."
"Not your fault, young master."
I glanced at Taehyung, I thought he was sleeping. Or maybe he was, and I woke him up.
"Hayy Shua-hyung. I don't know how many times should we remind you of this." Chan butted in.
Then I remembered Jeonghan. I rolled back to the side of their bed.
"Should we consider expanding the clinic?" Chan asked as he set up a chair on the other side of the bed, at Hoshi's side.
"No. I'm closing this as soon as it's over."
"What??"
"You'll be a doctor in a good hospital by that time so don't worry."
"But that's.."
I patted Chan. I'm thinking of the same plan as my dad once had. He always wanted to stay in a place like Daegu. What a beautiful dream, almost utopic. Once it's all over..
"Wah!" I lifted my head so sudden I think I broke my neck.
I saw Chan leaning his back on the chair, snoring with his mouth open. Then there's Taehyung near the door. Eyes shut, arms crossed, good sitting posture, but a loud snore.
I didn't realize that I napped beside Jeonghan. He's sleeping so peacefully. I always knew he has an angelic face but he sometimes talk rudely to me so I keep on forgetting it.
I tucked his hair behind his ear. He's beautiful. I poked his cheek, hoping he finally opens his eyes, but he didn't. Well, it's my opportunity so I poked it again.
"Mmmm."
My heart leaped for a moment. I thought it's him. But then I heard the blankets ruffled behind me.
"Joshua?"
I turned my chair back and Seokmin is finally up.
"Seokmin! Thank god."
"You're in a wheelchair.."
"Don't mind me. How are you feeling?"
"I'm better now. All thanks to you."
He patted my shoulder. Then he held my hand and leaned his face on it.
"You're warm." He said.
"You, too. I'm so glad you're fine."
"Seo.. Seokmin.." I turned around and the voice came from Hoshi.
He's up, with Jeonghan. I'm glad they're all conscious now. He turned around and our eyes met.
"Joshua.." His pupils dilated.
Seokmin threw my hand and said "Guys!"
I wheeled back to their beds and held Jeonghan's hand.
"Jeonghan!"
"You were not beside me, right?"
"What?"
"You were beside Seokmin."
"Uhm, he woke up so.."
Hic hic.
Hoshi has his arm on his face while sobbing. I focused and noticed tears flowing from his eyes.
"Wha-what!" Chan was disturbed from his deep sleep. "Hyungs, you're up. Oh, why the hell are you crying?"
"Hoshi-ya. Where does it hurt?" I asked.
"Hey, it's okay. Where's your tiger?" Jeonghan sat up and patted Hoshi.
"What's wrong?" Seokmin also tried to sit up but winced so he laid back again.
"I'm so stupid. I'm so selfish. I'm so childish. I'm-" Hoshi even cried harder.
I'm so confused.
"Hoshi-ya.."
"Don't you get it?! Seokmin chooses you, Shua. He likes you a lot!"
I paused. Chooses me for what? Am I a pokemon or? Then Seokmin butted in, slightly in an annoyed tone.
"I choose Shua? What's that supposed to mean? I like Joshua, sure.
He reminds me a lot of my dad."
