Mr.Lee : Why didn't you tell us before?

Mi Jeong : Well, you never asked me if I knew who he was dating. Or if it is my sister.

Mr.Lee : Do I have to ask that for you to tell? We used to gossip about it all the time. As a member of the team, you ought to enlighten us.

A familiar manly voice interrupted the bicker and rightly watered the fire, "It was me. I asked her not to reveal anything."

Designer Lee turned reflexively and there was a visible transformation of his expressions. To see the leader he admired the most, in the best attire. He was so mesmerized by how dazzling he looked in a tuxedo, that Mr.Lee forgot all his queries.

Mr.Lee : WOAH~ Team Jang-nim!! Woah! Bling bling~ You are so handsome! I can't belie- oh, you are making me emotional.

Mr.Nam : Stop overreacting, punk!

Light chuckles were heard in the room and the director drew everyone's attention once again to deliver his brief gratitude.

Mr.Nam : Well, I am really happy to see you all sharing this special day with me. Thank you everyone for your tireless efforts and hard work. And giving me so much love all these years working in EHS. You will forever remain my best team.

The males automatically surged to him for a group hug while the ladies awkwardly smiled at their moment.

Alarmed at the loud announcement of the ceremony to be soon commencing, everyone left to the hall to settle down. And while Mi Jeong was leaving to her sister's room, Dan Hwa stopped her for a while.

Dan Hwa : Why did you vote for me? You clearly wanted the title.

Mi Jeong : You're right, I did get tempted for a second. But you know, it suddenly appeared to me that if I do become the director. I would have to give up the fun Mi Jeong everyone likes to hang out with. Just like you had to give up your designing. Everything comes at a price, honey. I was just not ready to pay mine.

Mi Jeong winked at her and left. There was something more to what she literally meant. Dan Hwa never felt much drawn into their friendship from day-1. Mi Jeong was a puzzle she didn't have the patience to solve.

Hours brimmed with activities and heartfelt speeches of closed ones, gradually the grand wedding at long last came to an end. Atleast for the guests, as they saw the newly weds off to their honeymoon.

Dan Hwa and Lee Jun were walking together towards the parking lot. She was abstracted as usual, only until a sniff from designer Lee that she gazed up at him.

Dan Hwa : Are you crying?

Dan Hwa halted and removed his hands from his eyes to have a better access. He didn't cover it anymore and cried out openly. Lee Jun was known to be in touch with his emotions and wouldn't try to bottle it down. Unless it was too personal, like in his brother's case.

Mr.Lee : Our Nam Team Jang-nim... (-sniffs-) We won't get to see him again~ Why did he have to leave the company?

Dan Hwa : Because they decided to settl-

Mr.Lee : I know that! It's just... such a bad man he is. Straying us all.

Dan Hwa : And who said, we should send him away with smiles, if it's his choice to leave?

Mr.Lee : I know I said that too! I don't have to record separately to listen to my own words! I know what I said.

Dan Hwa: Yaa, that was a sarcastic comment. I didn't literally mean it.

Mr.Lee : Yes, applauds for you! (-seconds later-) Atleast ask to give me a free ride since I am emotional.

Dan Hwa : But you brought your own car here.

Mr.Lee : YAH! You could've offered me for the least. You don't even know how to console anyone, you heartless wench!

Mr.Lee didn't wait for a word from her and fumed towards the parking.

Dan Hwa stared at him stomping away like a moody teenager and slowly followed him.

Dan Hwa : Hey. But you said, you appreciated my originality!

Faced back, he responded in a loud voice, looking around the parked cars to identify the one he was aimed at.

Mr.Lee : Oh, did I? Guess I should stop eating sweet potatoes, I talk rubbish sometimes.

She noticed his car was stationed the other way, but Mr.Lee was rather standing by Dan Hwa's. She paced up and unlocked the vehicle as she reached there.
The male designer avoided her eyes but also didn't move from his position.

Dan Hwa : There, I can't take signs. So you've got to speak.

Mr.Lee : Drop me home. I don't feel like driving right now.

Dan Hwa : Call in a Substitute driver.

Mr.Lee : I don't have that kind of money!And where do you have to go so bad that you can't even give me ride?

Dan Hwa : Hospital.

Mr.Lee : What?

For her sense of responsibility towards the big position, Dan Hwa wanted to try and get her psychological stability. She was disposed to call out for help, desiring to know if even it was possible in her current state.

The seat of the director had been the propel, the initiative for her to care for her health for the first time. May she be putting it as secondary, to primarily prioritize her work. And ensure the best performance on the professional end. She knew, it would only result from the best functionality of her body.

Henceforth, Designer Lee's earnest prayers were finally being answered.

Without the words deliberately pronounced, Mr.Lee instantly walked on the meaning of her words.

Mr.Lee : Dan Hwa, thanks. I really mean it.

Dan Hwa : You better keep your promise.

The male designer nodded heavily, feeling energized and composed at her decision.

He watched her drive out of the venue with a fixed smile. It was a content to see her on the track he wished his brother was in.

Mr.Lee got in his car and followed her out of the parking lot without a single complaint. He was grateful anyways. That, atleast his friend was seeking for help.

Designer Lee couldn't rule it out and turned his car around swiftly, racing towards the psychiatric hospital. The one where his older brother was admitted.

Meanwhile, quite some time later, Dan Hwa had finally reached the huge University hospital of Seoul.

However, inside the spacious and busy environment, she was seen brooding over something. Dan Hwa took constant looks at her phone, hesitating to move ahead to the reception.

She found herself in a dilemma between two specialist options. Both of which were dedicated to sleep disorders.
A Psychologist, treats mental ailments through talk therapy.
A Psychiatrist, treats mental ailments predominantly through medication.

For one thing, Dan Hwa had the cognizance of her infirmities being graver than just insomnia. The menacing dwell of her thoughts and emotions needed medical attention, and she was conscious of that.

With one fresh inhale, Dan Hwa confidently walked towards the reception having made a bold decision.
She battled ahead of her conundrums and booked her appointment at last.

The receptionist, filling her forms, quizzed a few questions to enter in the computer. One of which, made Dan Hwa lose her words. She would've never thought herself being hesitant over this.

Receptionist : Father/Guardian's name?

Dan Hwa halted for a moment and spelled out the name, with a bit of tinge in her heart.

Dan Hwa : Baek In Hyuk. My Uncle.

With a few more data inputs, the receptionist forwarded the appointment letter directly to the concerned department.

Receptionist : You can now head upstairs to the 7th floor. The nurses in the Psychic department will guide you ahead with your consultation.

Dan Hwa : Oh, okay. Thank you.

Meanwhile, inside the Psychic ward, Dr.Ban was having a pickle with a stubborn young patient. The first encounter with this new face.

Dr.Ban : Ms.Yoo, I cannot pescribe any medicine to a high schooler. Infact, no one. Unless you tell me what your problem particularly is about.

Ms.Yoo had a stern expression, probably thinking of other ways to break his walls.

Dr.Ban : What's in your mind right now? I promise, you can tell me anything. And there will be no judgements or criticisms from my side.

Ms.Yoo : (-scoffs-) You want me to believe that? You see, people... All they do is lie and deceive. I know what I need, so just write me a prescription and have this over with.

Dr.Ban : Like I said, I cannot write it for you without a basis. These medications can backfire. Internet might have all the information. But, it cannot qualify to be your personal doctor. Or a medical professional.

Ms.Yoo : These pills are the only thing that can save me. I will ask for the last time, Doctor. Please, write me the prescription.

Dr.Ban : I can only repeat myself. You will have to return without one.

The teenager stamped on her feet, with her bag dangling from her clutched palm. She flounced out of the cabin, not looking back twice.

The psychiatrist sighed long, massaging his forehead. How it was not the first time dealing with a patient this way, and how he had always felt guardless to help them.

He gathered himself in a while and ringed the reception outside for the next patient.

Ms.Geum : Ban Seongsaeng-nim, you have no more patients today. It's over seven too.

Dr.Ban : Oh, right. Okay, thanks Ms.Geum.

He casually prepared to leave, changing into his trench coat. There was a queasy apprehensive intuition that has been squeezing his guts the whole day. And the apologetic heart towards the last patient was weighing him down furthermore.

Dr.Ban had his routine chat on all his inpatients with Ms.Geum, out in the reception.

And having nothing to concern about, Dr.Ban was advancing towards the elevator. He hadn't walked a few steps when he crossed a familiar face, peculiarly in a slow motion.

The psychiatrist immediately stopped, as he whipped back to look. Unrestrained, he called out, "Hey!"

The face, in a reflex, responded to his voice, looking back at him with an alien expression.

Noticing her clothes and more blunt features that roughly aged her in mid twenties, Dr.Ban took his words back.

Dr.Ban : I apologize. You reminded me of someone.

"Oh, it's all right," came across the concerned figure and was about to leave. But, he spoke again grabbing her attention.

Dr.Ban : Um, did we perhaps meet before?

Expressing a little foreign touch to it, she replied back, "I am afraid not. You are a completely new face to me."

Dr.Ban : Ah, I see. I apologize again. I might've mistook you for someone else. (-bows-) Excuse me.

The unidentified familiar face returned his gesture and simply turned to the reception, with no further thoughts.

"How may I help you?" Asked the intern nurse there. Dr.Ban could faintly make out their conversation as he listlessly waited for the elevator.

"I am actually here for an appointment with Dr.Pyo," spoke the patient.

"Ah, ye. May I know your name please?"

"Yes, it's Baek Dan Hwa..." her words faded out. The psychiatrist now inside the closed elevator, pressed on the last digit.

Dr.Ban was flipping the pages from a few years ago, when he had seen the face that resembled Dan Hwa.

He was engrossed in thoughts to find even just a single clue. It was close by, but slipping from his grip.

Promptly with the lift doors opening to the parking lot, the psychiatrist recalled the concerned scene.

She was dressed in black clothes and had a small white bow clip on her hair, the little detail he picked up on.

As he walked out on the way to his car, Dr.Ban tried to weight on discerning that face.
Amidst the crowded place of dolor wails and dejection echoing everywhere, those pair of scared eyes were fairly visible but not too resolved in his head.

He sighed carried inside his car as he clutched on the steering wheel. Those memories were per se, mentally very enervating to the doctor himself.

Thereafter, he paused the play and reposed back to take a few moments in rest. His breathing was slightly uneven and quite to his ignorance, a tear sneakily escaped from the corner of his eyes.

Dr.Ban held himself strong, leaning forward to rest his head on the steering and quietly whirred, "It's okay."

"It's all right."

He was feeling weak and vulnerable, desperately trying to phase it out. They were crippling him down from all directions.

Just then came to his rescue, a call from one of his colleagues. He immediately answered it to distract himself. However, had a slight coarse in his tone, that he wished the caller didn't catch.

Dr.Ban : Onh, Doctor Min Hyeo Ri.

Dr.Min : Oh- what's wrong? Your voice doesn't seem good. You okay?

Dr.Ban : It doesn't? I might have a little coarse with all the pep talk today. (-clears his throat-) What did you call about?

Dr.Min : Oh, right. Where are you? Hospital?

Dr.Ban : Yes actually. At the basement. Why?

Dr.Min : That's great. Let's go to dinner together. I am starving!

Dr.Ban : Okay. Come on down. I will wait.

Dr.Min : Yes. 'Be there in 5 minutes!

The call quickly ended and Dr.Ban reclined to his seat, feeling better. He was somewhat successful to bar those turbulent wave of memories.

He drank some water and revitalized himself to avoid any questions from his female friend.

Soon, they were on the main road, driving their way in peace. There was initially silence inside the car. But, the psychiatrist attempted to talk his concern with his ride. The only person, who embraced all his tragedies and past incidents.

Dr.Ban : Hyeo! I think, I saw that face.

Dr.Min : That face? What are you talking about?

Dr.Ban : Yes. You remember that girl from five years ago?

There was visible incredulity in her face, caught in a mild astonishment at his words.

Dr.Min : . . .

______

Dr.Ban knows Dan Hwa? O.o

^_^
Will come soon next time!
Please stay tuned.