Interlude (Part One)

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The staccato beat of high heels shoes echoing off marble floors and granite walls as the poised and beautiful looking lady walked in the most elegant way possible through the long corridor. People had been staring ever since she got out of the ballroom. How would they not?

Jang Gyeoul.

The chief resident Jang Gyeoul.

Or so how many people would remember her to be.

A crown princess, the pride of General Surgery's thirteen fathers. The ace card.

Jang Gyeoul, her eyes light up brighter than stars in the darkest night. Looking into them was as fascinating as glancing up and admire the universe. Her smile is not something you will get tired of. It’s the most adorable thing one has ever seen in one whole life. She is intelligent, brave, and kind.

Jang Gyeoul, every line, curve, and angle of her face and body seamlessly put together to create something more beautiful than the sum of its part. Every single thing about her is so mesmerizing that anyone who sees her will not be able to turn their heads, irresistible.

The astonishing lady walked out of the main conference room towards the lobby. Every now and then, she would nod her head slightly and smile at people who looked at her and saluted her. It is a public fact that Jang Gyeoul is a fiancé to Ahn Jeongwon, a Professor from the pediatric department who also happensYulje hospital. Not infrequently, people change attitudes and become more respectful of him because he is dating an executive. Gyeoul is not very fond of that; she hates it, how everything feels changed after his relationship with Jeongwon boasted to the public’s ears. Even so, it did not falter the ground the two had built their love upon, not for a split second.

‘Gyeoul-ah!' greeted Lee Ikjun, someone who is like a father to Gyeoul. Jang Gyeoul's front guard. A father who would stand up and put a fist high in the air if he caught someone hurts Gyeoul in any way, even if it’s Jeongwon himself for some reason, Ikjun would not hesitate.

‘Gyosunim, people were looking for you at the ballroom and yet here you are stuffing your mouth full of chocolate cupcakes!’ Gyeoul laughed. Her chuckle was light, laced with a hum of amusement of that matter.

‘Ouh what a trouble. It’s always the same thing.’

‘What is?’ Gyeoul flicked as she stretched her hands to grab a small piece of the cake on the table.

‘The questions.’ Ikjun sucked his thumb, savouring the bit of taste of chocolate on it’s tip. ‘How’s life and everything. You know. All that sorts.’

‘Do you not fond of them asking all those questions?’

Ikjun rolled his eyes. ‘Do you, Gyeoul-ah?’

Gyeoul scrunched her nose whilst shaking her head, showing displeasure. Ikjun giggled at her response before shoving another bite into his mouth.

‘By the way, Gyeoul-ah. Congratulations!’

‘For what, gyosunim?’

‘The presentation!’ Ikjun placed down his plate on the table, allowing his hands free to give an applause. ‘You did well! It’s your first time giving one yet everyone in the room would’ve believed it if I say this was your 100th conference.’

Gyeoul flustered. ‘It all thanks to you, Gyosunim. Thank you for trusting me.’

Ikjun gave her a warm friendly smile. The kind of mixture of proud and caring smile he has always flashed her. However in contrast, Gyeoul replied with a long heavy sighed and frowning face.

‘If only he’d be here….’ Gyeoul murmured.

Ikjun stopped chewing, his eyes wandered from left to right. ‘He? Who? You were expecting someone else?’

‘Someone else?’ Gyeoul raised her eyebrows, and dazed herself. ‘N-no.. gyosunim. I wasn’t expecting someone else. You know who I was referring to, don’t you?’

Ikjun’s mouth left hangs open, his eyes twitching. ‘Y-yes… My best friend, the former priest…..’

Gyeoul smiled from ear to ear. A glimpse of Jeongwon’s smile popped out and it made her heart flip over a second. It has been four days long now that Jeongwon was away in Busan. Though a business trip isn’t something to his likings, still, Jeongwon lives up to his other role aside from being a doctor.

Gyeoul checked on her phone to see if Jeongwon left her any messages as he always does whenever they’re apart from each other. Despite his packed schedule, Jeongon would never miss a single call, three times a day as promised.

‘He didn’t call? Before your session, he didn’t call?’

Gyeoul shook her head in despair, a smile banished from her face.

‘Well he didn’t need to I guess.’ Ikjun said. His statement alone made Gyeoul stare at him intensely. Ikjun was enjoying this, teasing and being playful around her. ‘Yes I don’t think a call is necessary when he’s around.’

‘When he’s around?’

‘Yes.’ Ikjun giggled for who knows how many times that day. ‘Jeongwon gave you the biggest and loudest applause after your presentation. Didn’t you spot him somewhere in the crowd?’

‘I suppose I didn’t….’ Gyeoul’s pupils widened to its maximum capacity, he heart and senses felt as if it was back to normal once again. ‘B-but that wouldn’t be possible, he’s scheduled to be in Busan until tomorrow night.’

Ikjun averted his eyes a few times up to the figure standing behind Gyeoul without her realizing it. Ikjun tried to give her a hint yet the quarrel she was having with her own mind prevented her from noticing them.

‘Gyeoul-ah, if you don’t mind I have to go and see Songhwa. I promised to secure her a seat at dinner.’

‘Ah? Wae?’ Ikjun’s sudden movement and change of attitude snapped Gyeoul out of her mind as she quickly finished her refreshment.

‘Gyosunim wait. Let me come with you, I can help you look for Chae Songhwa gyosunim and we can-’

‘No!’ Ikjun insisted. Raising a hand to stop Gyeoul from taking another step. ‘Your dinner is that way.’ He pointed to behind her before fleeing to nowhere.

‘Aish what’s with the sudden-’

Gyeoul bumped herself to a tall strong figure as she turned around. The shape of the man was very recognizable to Gyeoul with just one touch. Her senses awoke right to the point where she sniffed to his scent that it caused fireworks to blast in her stomach.

The man loosely wrapped her arms around Gyeoul and pulled her in further to his grace. He stroked her back gently and kissed the top of her head. His fingers danced on her clothed back, though the layers stood between them and her skin yet it felt so intimate in his delicate touch.

‘Do you miss me?’