Mafia's Medicine (Soonwoo)

Chapter 7: Encounter

Days after the party, Hoshi remained deeply engrossed in his work at the hospital, balancing his professional duties with his relationship with So Young. Despite her inner turmoil, So Young had not yet found the courage to break up with Hoshi. She was torn between the stability he offered and the undeniable pull she felt towards Joo-wan.

Wonwoo, on the other hand, was deeply occupied with his mafia business. The encounter with Hoshi at the party had slipped his mind as he dealt with more pressing matters, including his ongoing conflict with Park Jun-seo.

One evening, as Wonwoo was driving back from a meeting with his associates, he was involved in a minor car accident. Though not life-threatening, the crash left him with injuries that required immediate medical attention. Mingyu, who was with him at the time, quickly rushed him to the nearest hospital—the same hospital where Hoshi worked.

Inside the emergency room, Hoshi was on duty, handling the influx of patients with his usual calm and competent demeanor. He was called to attend to a new patient who had just been brought in.

"Hoshi, we have an incoming trauma case," one of the nurses informed him. "The patient's name is Jeon Wonwoo. He's been in a car accident."

Hoshi nodded, his mind already focused on the task at hand. As he approached the stretcher, he was met with a familiar face—Wonwoo, the enigmatic man he had briefly noticed at the party. Their eyes met, and despite the situation, there was a flicker of recognition in Wonwoo's gaze.

"Mr. Jeon, I'm Dr. Kwon. I'll be taking care of you," Hoshi said, his voice steady and reassuring. He quickly assessed Wonwoo's injuries, noting a laceration on his forehead and a possible sprain in his wrist. "Let's get you checked out and see what we're dealing with."

Wonwoo, despite his discomfort, observed Hoshi with interest. He hadn't known that Hoshi was a doctor, and this revelation piqued his curiosity even further. Mingyu, standing nearby, shared a similar look of surprise.

Hoshi worked efficiently, cleaning and stitching the cut on Wonwoo's forehead while engaging in brief but necessary conversation to assess his condition. "You were lucky. The injuries aren't too severe, but you'll need to take it easy for a few days."

Wonwoo nodded, his eyes not leaving Hoshi's face. "Thank you, Dr. Kwon. I appreciate your help."

Hoshi smiled slightly, finishing up the bandaging. "Just doing my job. Make sure to follow up with your primary care physician for the sprain. And if you experience any dizziness or severe pain, come back immediately."

As Hoshi turned to leave, Wonwoo's curiosity got the better of him. "Dr. Kwon, do you have a moment?"

Hoshi paused, looking back at him. "Yes?"

"I couldn't help but notice you at the party the other night. Are you involved in the business world as well?" Wonwoo's tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp.

Hoshi shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "My main job is here at the hospital. The party was a rare occasion for me, but there are times when I have to consider taking up the family business as well. It's a balancing act."

Wonwoo nodded, filing away this piece of information. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you in a different setting. Thank you again for your help tonight."

Hoshi gave a nod of acknowledgment before heading back to his other patients, leaving Wonwoo and Mingyu to contemplate this unexpected encounter.

As they left the hospital, Mingyu couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "Who would have thought Hoshi was a doctor? We need to look deeper into the Kwon family. There might be more to them than we initially thought."

Wonwoo nodded, his mind already working on the next steps. "Yes, let's do that. There's more to this than meets the eye."

Back at the studio, So Young was still wrestling with her conflicting emotions. The conversation with Joo-wan at the party haunted her thoughts, and she knew she couldn't keep up the facade with Hoshi for much longer. She had to make a decision, and soon.

She sat at her desk, her fingers drumming a restless rhythm as she stared at her phone. The decision had been gnawing at her for days, and she knew she couldn't postpone it any longer. With a deep breath, she dialed Joo-wan's number. The phone rang twice before he answered, his voice smooth and deceptively warm.

"So Young, it's good to hear from you," Joo-wan said, his tone dripping with false sweetness.

"Joo-wan," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I've made a decision. I'm going to break up with Hoshi tomorrow."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a soft, satisfied chuckle. "That's wonderful news, So Young. I'm so happy you chose me. We'll be so much better together, you'll see."

So Young felt a chill run down her spine at his words. There was something unsettling in his tone, a hint of triumph that made her uneasy. But she pushed the feeling aside, convincing herself that she was making the right choice.

Joo-wan's smile widened as he leaned back in his chair. Everything was falling into place perfectly. He had successfully pulled So Young into his web, and soon, he would have everything he desired. Hoshi's downfall was imminent, and Joo-wan reveled in the thought.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Hoshi was finishing his shift. He had been deep in thought about his relationship with So Young. Tomorrow was his birthday, and he wanted to make it the happiest day of his life by proposing to her. He had carefully wrapped a small, velvet box. Inside was a delicate engagement ring, a symbol of his deep love and commitment to So Young. 

His heart swelled with anticipation and joy at the thought of proposing to her. He wanted to make his birthday the happiest day of his life by asking So Young to be his fiancée. He had everything planned out: the ring, the perfect moment, a pleasant dinner and the heartfelt speech he would give. He couldn't wait to see the look of surprise and joy on her face. Hoshi's mind was filled with visions of their future together, filled with love and mutual support.

As he left the hospital, Hoshi's mind was filled with excitement and anticipation. He imagined the future they would build together, and it made him smile. Little did he know, So Young was about to make a decision that would shatter those dreams.

Back in her studio, So Young ended the call with Joo-wan, feeling a strange mix of relief and dread. She had taken the first step, but the hardest part was yet to come. She had to face Hoshi and break his heart, even though the thought of it made her feel sick.

The next day dawned, and So Young's heart was heavy with the weight of her impending decision. She spent the morning preparing herself mentally, rehearsing the words she would say to Hoshi. She wanted to be as gentle as possible, knowing that she was about to break the heart of the man who had always been there for her.

So Young received a text from Hoshi  yesterday, inviting her to dinner at a fancy restaurant. She knew this would be the perfect opportunity to break up with him, even though the thought of doing it in such a setting made her feel uneasy. She dressed carefully, her heart heavy with the impending conversation, and made her way to the restaurant.