Vet's Heartbeat | Minsung |

6

When he arrived home, he tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter and opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. As he drank, he caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the window—a young man, hopeful but exhausted.

He chuckled softly. “Get a grip, Jisung,” he muttered, shaking his head. But the thought lingered, stirring a mix of excitement and uncertainty within him.

He dialed his best friend, Felix, eager to share his story. After a few rings, Felix finally picked up. "Another bad decision?" he answered, his voice grumpy and heavy with sleep.

"Felix! You would not believe what just happened!" Jisung laughed, his excitement bubbling over. "Your best friend is rich!"

"Yeah, right. It’s fucking late, Jisung."

"Just listen."

"No."

Ignoring his friend's protest, Jisung continued his story, recounting the day’s events that made him giddy all over again. Felix, initially disinterested, began to perk up at the sound of Jisung’s enthusiasm.

For the record, this was the first time he had communicated with a stranger alone—and it had turned into an unexpected adventure.

“So?” Jisung finished his storytelling, anticipating Felix's response. But he was met with silence. “Um, hello? Is Felix in the room with us?”

"Bitch, that's a literal fairy godfather," Felix replied, disbelief coloring his tone. Laughter filled the once-quiet walls, and soon, more stories flowed, the weight of sleepiness forgotten.

As the night wore on, Jisung felt a warmth spreading through him, fueled by the shared laughter and excitement. He could almost see the glittering fairy dust from the encounter, the thrill of possibility igniting his imagination.

Felix's disbelief turned into curiosity, and they began brainstorming what Jisung should do next.

“Maybe you should find him again,” Felix suggested, half-joking. “What if he has more surprises up his sleeve?”

“Or danger,” Jisung countered, though a smile crept onto his face. “But maybe that’s part of the thrill.”

Later that night, as he lay in bed, he found it hard to sleep. Images of the man danced in his mind—his sharp features, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief, the sound of his laughter. Jisung turned over, clutching his pillow tightly. He was intrigued. What was his job? Why did he carry so much money? Dangerous, yes, but he wanted to know more.

As his thoughts spiraled, he imagined the man walking through the bustling streets, blending seamlessly into the crowd. What stories did he hold? Did he have dreams and fears, just like Jisung?

A soft glow from the streetlight outside illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced along the walls. Jisung’s mind began to wander.

The possibilities filled him with both dread and excitement. Clutching his pillow tighter, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to dream of encounters yet to come.
_____

5:30 AM came too fast. Jisung felt like he had only blinked, and the night was over. I regret calling Felix last night, he thought, dragging himself out of bed. His body felt heavy as he prepared for work; he needed to leave before 7 AM struck.

The smell of coffee filled his nostrils as he brewed his morning caffeine. The morning was unusually peaceful today, a quiet contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in his mind. He sat on the porch, admiring the dark sky slowly giving way to the soft hues of dawn.

As he sipped his coffee, he tried to shake off the lingering excitement from the night before. The image of the mysterious man danced in his thoughts, making it hard to focus.

While tidying up, his eyes fell on the purse where he had put the stack of cash from earlier. He still couldn't believe it. God, that man will be the death of me, he thought with a mix of amusement and anxiety. What had he gotten himself into?

Ding! The sound of the toaster tore him away from his reverie. He realized he had spent too much time daydreaming. So much for someone who rarely thinks.

He rushed to grab the toast, spreading a thin layer of jam over it before stuffing it into his mouth. Jisung hurried to gather his things, tossing his bag over his shoulder. As he headed out the door, he took one last look at the porch, the rising sun now casting a warm glow over everything.

As he walked to his car, he felt a mix of determination and uncertainty. What if I actually run into him again? The thought sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. Maybe today would be different.

Jisung climbed into his car, the engine purring to life as he drove off. He couldn’t shake the feeling.