ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 76

(Spoiler and Trigger warning in comment:-)

~ Inje University Hospital, 9 Mareunnae-ro, Euljiro-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

"He's not here! How many times do I have to tell you? He hasn't been here since days!"

Wookyung stared at his phone after he got off the call with Minho's landlord. He was on the verge of pure panic but struggled to contain it lest he repeated old mistakes. He stopped at the glassy doorway of the hospital, holding his breath as he felt immediately repelled by the smell and look of the place. "Just make it quick," he said to himself under his breath and swerved in, walking up to the main desk and hesitating. "Good morning sir, how can I help you?" a man at the counter asked and Wookyung looked to both sides of the hospital, disoriented for a moment and he collected himself.

"Um... I'm looking for nurse Byun. Byun Minhyuk" he said and the receptionist nodded. "I'll just call the nursing office and see if he's available" he smiled and Wookyung sighed. He felt his hands wringing in place, clasping and unclasping inside his coat pockets. He then ran his hands through his hair and tried to breathe better. For some reason, he felt disturbed. Like his body was buzzing and he could snap at any moment and unleash something he didn't like. He didn't like that Minho was on his own. He didn't like that he didn't know if he was okay.

"Mr Byun is preoccupied, he said he'll join you in a bit" Wookyung snapped back to the reception, his ears perking at the mention of Byun and he thought if he might be talking about Minho but he came to his senses. "You can wait there" he found the receptionist pointing to the left where a glass entrance opened into an eating area, lined with snack and drink dispensers and a sad, looking coffee and food stall. "Alright, thankyou so much" he wished the receptionist and walked to the cafe. He slumped into a seat and thought about how Minho would be feeling after his fight with Eunyeong.

He was upset that Eunyeong hurt him in some way but also couldn't deny that it was both his and Minho's fault that it even happened in the first place.

He knew Minho's fear... his innocence and vulnerability...

but he could be dangerous too...

He might look angelic and careful but he was prone to break, sending shards flying everywhere. It didn't scare him that he might hurt himself, but he was petrified that Minho might not even feel the pain because of how hurt he was. He was afraid that he would welcome the pain. Wookyung checked his wristwatch and bounced his knee. After a while, he got up and ordered a coffee. He needed to give his hands something to do and holding a cup seemed to be the best option at the moment. "Black Decaf?" he asked the tired cashier. A young man with dark circles and frizzy curly hair.

He extended his arm with a flourish "We just have this" he pointed to a dispenser with normal, unbranded latte. Wookyung smiled awkwardly "That'll do, then... a chocolate croissant with that please" he reached for his wallet, pulling his card out and the cashier hastened to explain "The machine's broken." Wookyung looked up at him, sighing almost with pity and then slapped some notes on the counter "Thanks" he retreated to his chair and sat down. He thought the motion would make him feel better but it didn't. He put the cup to his lips, taking a sip.

The liquid came back up his throat and Wookyung's eyes widened as he deposited the sip back into the cup. He tried his hardest to not scrunch his face into the worst grimace as put the coffee back on the table and pretended like he didn't feel like throwing up. "HYUNG!" he heard a voice in the distance and looked up just as Minhyuk threw himself at him. "Hey!" Wookyung caught him, hugging him tightly "I am so happy to see you!" Minhyuk said excitedly and Wookyung smiled, "Me too!" he said sincerely, feeling a bit better. Minhyuk hurried to the other end of the table and sat down.