Chapter 2.3: Confrontations Scare Minji
Internally, I couldn't help but cringe at the surreal turn of events. The question had been burning inside me, and I couldn't contain it any longer. "Why me?" I blurted out, my voice carrying the weight of my bewilderment.
She gracefully walked in front of me, her movements seemingly effortless. I remained seated, pondering the implications of her cryptic response. What could possibly make me the chosen participant in this mysterious dance of magic and secrets?
"Minji," she called out, her voice snapping me back to reality. I snapped my head toward her, my gaze locking onto her mesmerizing presence. I was frozen in place, caught between curiosity and an unsettling feeling of vulnerability.
"Because I want you," she declared, her words ringing with an air of possessiveness that sent a shiver down my spine. My brows furrowed deeper as I grappled with the implications of her desire, leaving me with more questions than answers.
A nervous gulp caught in my throat, my eyes locking onto her enigmatic smile. Our strange encounter had taken an even stranger turn as my phone erupted into a sudden, jarring buzz. Startled, we both jumped at the unexpected noise, my hand instinctively diving into the pocket of my scrubs to retrieve the device.
My heart raced as I saw the caller ID, confirming my suspicions. It was Jung-woo calling me, the first time he'd done so all week, and I was late to meet him on the one day he had off from work. Panic and guilt welled up inside me, and I cursed softly under my breath, knowing the evening ahead would be fraught with tension.
With a sense of urgency, I put my phone away and stood up, feeling like a child caught misbehaving at a sleepover. Haerin's unimpressed gaze met mine, arms crossed in a display of indifference.
"Past your curfew?" she remarked, her tone dry and judgmental. I averted my eyes, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Why had I felt the need to share my personal predicament with this enigmatic stranger?
I spoke hesitantly, my voice small, "I have to go home," I confessed, my words carrying a tinge of anxiety. "My husband is home, and I'm already late to visit him." Each word weighed heavily on my conscience, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had revealed too much to Haerin.
Haerin's lips curled into a knowing smile as she continued, "Ah, the famous Jung-woo, working for the idols, huh?" I nodded in response, hastily typing a message to Jung-woo to explain my delay. "I'm sorry, something came up at the hospital. I'll be home in 15 minutes," I sent the message, hoping to placate my husband's understandable frustration.
A subtle sound, like the snap of fingers, went unnoticed as I focused on the text message. I moved my thumb to press "send," but something stopped me dead in my tracks. In the message box, there was an unexpected sentence: "Until next time, Kim Minji." It sent a shiver down my spine, and I glanced around the room, finding it inexplicably empty.
Confusion swirled within me as I looked back to my phone. Had Haerin left this mysterious message, and if so, what did it mean?
💉❤️🩺
The soft clinking of cutlery scraping against porcelain filled our spacious dining room, a room that, to the adult eye, was a study in minimalistic design - devoid of excess character or style. My gaze wandered around, taking in the pristine simplicity that the adults often praised. But my thoughts were far from the pristine surroundings; they were tangled up in what had transpired just an hour ago.
The memory of Haerin's mesmerizing magic tricks and her cryptic request to practice on me gnawed at my thoughts. It was a disconcerting yet oddly thrilling experience. It left me feeling uneasy, as if I had stumbled into a world of secrets and mysteries. At the same time, it made me feel strangely special, chosen for a role I had yet to fully comprehend.
My phone, lying face down on the long glass table, seemed to taunt me with its silence. I couldn't shake the feeling that Haerin was more skilled in her "practice" than she let on. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of magic she truly possessed and what her intentions were.
A deep, soothing voice broke through my reverie, bringing me back to the present. "Minji, did you hear me?" My husband's voice was a welcome anchor in the sea of my thoughts.
I blinked and looked up from my musings, meeting his warm gaze. "Oh, sorry, what did you say?" I asked, my words tinged with a touch of distraction.
He smiled, a reassuring expression that made my heart flutter. "I said I'll be home for the rest of the week, so we should spend some time together, maybe get away?" he suggested.
My smile widened at the prospect of quality time with him. "Of course," I replied, my voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response, and returned to his meal.
As I resumed eating, the reality of Jung-woo's presence at home for the next two days began to sink in. It was a mixed feeling – a chance to reconnect and enjoy each other's company, yet also a reminder of the mysteries that still loomed around me, especially the enigmatic Haerin. I couldn't help but wonder how these two worlds would intersect in the days to come.
The next morning at work was a bustling hive of activity. The clinical atmosphere of the hospital was charged with a sense of urgency and purpose. This was the stage where my qualifications as a medical professional came sharply into focus.
I found myself juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, moving with a practiced efficiency born from years of experience. Doctors and nurses hurried to and fro, their white coats a sea of purpose in the fluorescent-lit corridors. The hospital's ever-present hum of activity was like a symphony, each note a critical patient, each movement a vital piece in the intricate puzzle of healthcare.
Amidst the controlled chaos, I was in the midst of sorting through some files, the crisp pages rustling under my fingers as I organized patient records and medical histories. The meticulousness of the task was second nature to me, a way to ensure the best possible care for those who depended on our expertise.
And then, in the midst of this orchestrated chaos, my phone emitted a soft but distinctive ping, a sound that cut through the surrounding hustle and caught my attention. My fingers paused in their meticulous work, and I instinctively reached for my phone, curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption.
As I stared at my phone screen, I saw that the message was from Jung-woo. His words filled me with a sense of excitement and anticipation. "I got us reservations for tonight, when will you be home?" The message read, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of a romantic evening ahead.
My fingers danced over the touchscreen as I replied, "In a few hours, I cannot wait!" I hit send and slid my phone into the pocket of my scrubs, eager for the hours to pass until our dinner plans.
My attention then shifted to my colleague, Daniele, who was engrossed in a conversation with an elderly couple seated in the waiting room. It seemed like the perfect time to take on another patient. With a quick, purposeful stride, I left my current spot and entered the patient area, a place filled with the hustle and bustle of healthcare in action.
The surroundings were typical of a busy hospital. Stark white walls framed the space, punctuated by the soft glow of fluorescent lights overhead. The air was filled with the antiseptic scent of cleanliness and the distant murmur of conversations between patients and their families. A sense of urgency and the constant flow of activity were constants in this environment.
I looked up, ready to be of service to the next patient in need of medical attention. As I did, my gaze fell upon a new teenager, a tall girl with long, dark hair that contrasted with the playful shiny pink tinsel woven into her locks. Short bangs framed her face, and she seemed entirely engrossed in her phone. Her mother, seated beside her, was engrossed in a magazine.
The teenager's constant gum-chewing and lack of regard for her surroundings were clear indicators of her demeanor. It was a bad sign, and I couldn't help but groan inwardly. Fatigue was already starting to set in, and I wondered if I had the energy to deal with what promised to be a challenging patient.
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"You're Late."
Romance(Mostly Mature 🔞) Minji, a dedicated nurse at a prestigious hospital in Korea, maintains a busy schedule, working diligently from 9 to 5. Her husband, a video editor at the renowned Hybe Entertainment, is equally engrossed in his job. They appear t...
