But Beautiful

part 11

Good morning,” Jungkook greeted upon entering the conference room the next day. Dr. Yoo was sat at the table, alongside Dr. Lim, Soojung, Sohee, two other physicians who were newly promoted from part-time to full-time staff, and the multiple assistants who worked in both areas of the facility.

“Good morning,” Dr. Yoo replied, hands folded on the table in front of him. “We’re going over some mundane things, which we do monthly,” he added, earning laughs and amused agreements from others in the room.

Jungkook sat beside Sohee, who had pulled the seat beside her away from the table while giving him a bright smile. Thank you, Jungkook thought to her when he saw the only other option was beside Dr. Lim. He still felt uncomfortable about the prior afternoon, and it wouldn’t be a lie to say he lost sleep over it. The fear gnawed at his stomach, ruining his appetite and putting him on edge over what the man saw, what he thought was going on, and why he closed the door to Taehyung’s room.

First and foremost, let’s applaud our part-timers on joining the team full-time,” his mentor spoke, the aforementioned doctors bowing. “It’s going to be very helpful to have more full-time staff tending to the patients when I’m away or an assistant is absent. I’m thankful for your dedication,” he added.

“Welcome to the world of ‘always on call’ medicine,” Dr. Lim chuckled, gesturing to one of the men in particular. “It’s nice to have another physician interested in the psychological side of rehabilitative medicine,” he added, a dry laugh following it. “Someone actually studying the field, that is.”

The doctor, as well as one of the physical therapy assistants and Soojung, all turned their attention to Jungkook, whose face was starting to burn, telling of his mixed resentment and embarrassment.

“Is there someone here who works with the mentally challenged who doesn’t have the education to do so?” the doctor asked, a little uncomfortable by the staff looking at Jungkook, blushing furiously under their stares. “I haven’t had the opportunity to work with many of the others in here, since I worked overnights.”

“Let’s go around the table and introduce ourselves,” Dr. Yoo interrupted, much to Jungkook’s relief. “Afterwards I’ll have Soojung show you around the facility so you can familiarize yourselves with the entire layout now that your responsibilities have increased. When you’re finished, report to my office for further instructions.”

After the table was finished introducing themselves and Dr. Yoo dismissed the promoted doctors, he stopped Jungkook from leaving the room. He noticed that Dr. Lim had also stayed behind, and the rushing of his blood became deafening in his ears.

“Dr. Lim said you were in Taehyung’s room again,” his mentor started, looking between the two. “Let’s hear your explanations.”

“I was walking to my office and I happened to be passing the inpatient dorms,” Dr. Lim began, rolling his neck to stretch it out, “and I saw that his door was open. Upon further inquiry, I saw Jungkook laying on top of Taehyung.”

 

Dr. Yoo’s eyes flicked to Jungkook, his jaw tense as he took a breath through his nose. “Jungkook, explain.”

His heart was racing so fast he thought he might pass out as he subtly rubbed his sweaty palms on his thighs. “Taehyung had smeared paint on me,” he started. “I followed him out of the social room to ask him about changing his clothes. He went into his bedroom, and I stumbled and fell on his bed. He held onto me, I didn’t do anything inappropriate. Just as I was getting up, I heard the door shut. When I looked, I saw Dr. Lim walking away. I don’t know what he thought he saw, or what he was thinking by closing the door, but nothing inappropriate went on in Taehyung’s room. I left the door wide open after that and I asked the patient not to hold onto me anymore, trying to establish professional boundaries. After that I was paged to your office. Trust me, nothing happened,” he explained, trying to pace himself as he carefully chose how to word the situation. He might have left some things out – the chase and the teasing – but he made sure to cover the important parts.