Anew • Lee Mark

2.

"Bro, where are you?"

"I couldn't find my car keys-"

"Yes the daily saga, we know. Now how quickly can you get here?"

"It's not even that frequent. You could be nice." Yangyang feels Seoyeon pouting on the other end and can practically imagine the way she is shaking her head, pretending to be offended. Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair. 

"Yeon, I get that Kun is understanding on other days but trust me that day is not today. If you can just see him-"

"You sheep it's hyung to you! And is that Yeon? Tell her to be here in the next minute or it's cleaning duty for her! For the rest of the month!"

"Was that..."

"Yep, and god save you he's in fine form today."

"Oh would you look at that? I'm almost there~"

"5 min. Max I can hold him off for 5 min."

"Love you Yang!"

~~~

"I'm soooo sorry I'm late! I promise, I'll handle Mrs Ri today... please don't give me cleaning duty!" Seoyeon cries out as soon as she enters Kun's cabin.

But to her surprise instead of the usual seven faces, nine faces stare back at her. Seoyeon's heartbeat started racing as she scanned the familiar crowd before her. Apart from Kun and Yangyang, Seoyeon did not appreciate the presence of the rest. 

No, the seven familiar faces did not belong to the caretakers of Warm Hearts. If they had, Seoyeon would not be standing with parted lips and eyes filled with horror. Her fear had come true.

"Always one with unique first impressions." Kun said crossing his arms. His narrowed brows silently questioning her tardiness while the mind is busy noting her response to their guests.  

Remembering where she was standing, Seoyeon immediately hides the sudden wave of emotions which hit her behind her business smile as she bows to apologise as well as greet. 

"The usual reason I assume?" Kun asks, motioning Seoyeon to take the seat adjacent to Yangyang and opposite to the boy with raven black hair and seagull shaped eyebrows.

Seoyeon just nods in response giving her best apologetic, awkward smile. She avoids facing to her front and instead keeps looking to her right, towards the head of the table where Kun is sitting.  

Kun rolls his eyes in response and then facing his guests, chuckles. "My bad, I forgot to introduce you guys." Gesturing at Seoyeon with his left hand, Kun wears a proud smile as he introduces her. "This right here, is the greatest asset of Warm Hearts. Please meet our best caretaker, Ahn Seoyeon."

On the other side of the table, the raven-haired man scoffs under his breath, "Yeah right, we know how best". Seoyeon's eyes immediately lock with his, indicating she heard what he said. A flicker of hurt flashes across her eyes but in contrast her lips pull up in a small smile. "Please don't take his words seriously. I just love my job." 

Then giving Kun a playful look, Seoyeon adds, "And I'm pretty sure Kun despises my lame jokes and sarcasm. Also, someone has forgotten to introduce our guests... getting too forgetful old man?"

"Lee Seoyeon, you absolute brat!" Kun pushes a finger to the bridge of his nose. "I'll deal with you later. For now, please welcome Dr. Lee Mark, Dr. Huang Renjun. Dr. Lee Jeno, Dr. Lee Haechan, Dr. Na Jaemin and assistant doctors Dr. Zhong Chenle and Dr. Park Jisung." 

 Seoyeon bows and smiles a little. "Welcome to Warm Hearts Care Home! I hope your stay here is pleasant; thank you for choosing our humble facility."

The raven-haired, Mark, gives Seoyeon a knowing glance before looking at Kun with a smile. "Thank you for having us. We'll do our best to help."

Yangyang was observing Seoyeon's fingers fidgeting all this while. He now, very subtly, places a hand on hers. Seoyeon flinches a little and looks at him from the corner of her eyes.

His face was adorning a small smile but his eyes seem to be asking her a different question, 'are you okay?'

Seoyeon presses her lips together and gives his hand a little squeeze. She nods lightly, reassures him with her eyes and then pulls her hand free.

Three pairs of eyes watch the entire exchange.