But Beautiful

part 53

“I want to start off by saying I am so proud to have been working at this wonderful rehabilitation center for the past year, and I couldn’t be ready for this next step of my life if I hadn’t been for this place. The staff, who’ve become more like friends and family, helped me learn how to handle situations with more patience and grace, and even more useful skills like how to cheat the vending machine or what closet I could hide in for a power nap.”

There were chuckles and giggles heard around, Jungkook watching Soojung address the fancy banquet hall hosting a multitude of staff from both Dr. Yoo’s facility and partnered hospitals and offices. He gripped the stem of his champagne glass tighter, a grin on his face as he listened to the woman’s antics – the first friend he had made at the facility.

“In the end, I feel confident moving forward thanks to the friends I have made and the experiences I have faced. We’re not in the easiest workforce, that’s for sure, but even after long nights, thankless and grueling, it’s always worth it because of our shared sense of responsibility and our passion for patient wellness. And now that I’m leaving, which I know will cause a void impossible to fill, I want to tell you all to keep pushing. Keep going forward. ‘Fight the good fight’ might be a phrase about religious faith, but you all practice this every day by choosing to get up, show up, and square up, ready to fight for your patients. And now that I’m sure you’re all ready for me to shut up so you can drink,” she paused, allowing laughter to fill the room again, “one last time, I’d like to thank the staff that has welcomed me so warmly and made every day feel like I could put my best foot forward, especially my good friend and assistant Steven Jung, fellow therapist Eugene “just Eugene”, DO Sohee Kang, resident Jungkook Jeon, and the man who made all of this possible, Dr. Jinyoung Yoo.”

The crowd collectively cooed at her as she shyly glanced towards the doctor mentioned.

“Who I’m proud to say is my fiance and, to phrase this in a way he hates, my baby daddy,” she laughed. The doctor facepalmed, the attendants laughing at his reaction. “So, raise your glasses in a toast! To our mutual cause, kinship, and the pursuit of career and personal fulfillment – the future is bigger, better, and brighter than ever!”

Around the room, the clinking of glasses sounded around the tables, Jungkook’s being tapped by the others at his table before everyone took a drink, applauding Soojung as she stepped off the stage.

“I can’t believe she’s going,” Sohee said with a pout. “But it was so obvious after Thanksgiving that something had changed between her and Dr. Yoo,” she added, looking at Jungkook, whispering, “we knew it!”

Jungkook laughed, shaking his head as he downed the rest of his champagne. “That’s true,” he replied. “From the time I met her!”

“It feels like it’s been forever that we’ve met,” Sohee said, looking at Soojung as she took her seat at their table, right beside her fiance.

“What are we talking about?” she asked, looking around the table at the individuals she mentioned in her speech.

“How it feels like we’ve known Jungkook much longer than we have,” Sohee replied.

“It does feel like ages, yeah?” Soojung said with a smile, looking at Jungkook fondly. “Only four and a half months and I’ve shared more with you than I have some of my own family.”

“Jungkook is family,” the other woman replied, wrapping an arm over the aforementioned man’s shoulders.

“Truthfully,” Dr. Yoo agreed, “Jungkook has added a unique richness to all of our lives.”

Jungkook’s cheeks heated, blushing as he looked around as his colleagues. “Stop it,” he whined, embarrassed, “besides, this night isn’t about me, or anyone besides future-Mrs.-Yoo,” he added with a grin. “Congratulations again, and I’m so happy for you both.”