Contemporary

Eun Soo received a tempting offer at work. The research, director talked about, turned out to be headed by none other than her favorite professor and mentor. He met with her for lunch at the cafeteria and lit the fire of curiosity in her. "Professor, but I'm a bit uncomfortable working with the director. He is, how do I say it, forceful and I'm worried that his behavior might be misconstrued."

"As long as I'm the lead on the project, you are under my protection. There is nothing for you to worry about. If I may ask, what kind of behavior you noticed?"

Eun Soo blushed and explained that for a little while it seemed like he was purposefully finding opportunities to meet with her. "My boyfriend is jealous of him. I have been avoiding the director ever since."

Professor smiled sympathetically, "The director is well known and he is not a womanizer. Tell your boyfriend he should not think much of it. Gi Cheol is a brilliant businessman, and he probably recognized that with your talent and brains you can be good for the project. He is grooming you to stay at the hospital, if you ask my opinion."

Eun Soo sighed. She wanted to do the research and although the director was brazen, he was known for making things happen. It may change her career in ways she could not even imagine.

"Then you recommend that I stay on good terms with the director?"

"You are a smart person, Dr. Yoo. Do what you think is right, and if something bothers you, let me know. The director wanted to join us later, do you mind?"

"No, professor, I don't."

Gi Cheol was not as bad as she thought he was. He was witty and had a good sense of humor. The three of them had a very productive discussion. She called Choi Young excited to tell him the news, but he was busy, so she decided to tell him later. And later something else came up, the surgery she had was grueling, and all she wanted to do was to fall asleep in his arms, not talk…

Sitting quietly in his office Choi Young kept busy with all the paperwork Gongmin threw his way, bothering only to lift his eyes every once in a while to check his cell phone, just to see if Eun Soo had sent him a message. So far nothing, and it was starting to get on his nerves. He should talk to her, let her know he wanted those kinds of silly things not only in the mornings, but during the day as well, but once again she was such a busy doctor… and she had that difficult operation today also… If anybody found out that he was the clingy one in the relationship, he would die from the embarrassment. He was still puzzled why it was so hard for him to relax and keep busy during the day without thinking of her. Missing her became his full time job, on top of all the assignments he had. He was hoping that with time, his feelings will settle in a more comfortable place. Imja loves me, we are happy together. She is a smart independent woman, a doctor, she needs to work on her career and I have mine. Sighing he returned to the paperwork and got several pages signed, then closed the folder, set it over the done tray and reached for the pile over the to-do tray. His cell phone chimed softly and he scattered to pick it up, unlocking the screen and looking… It was a text from an unknown number, he tapped on it and read:

You've chosen quite the lady to date.

Choi Young frowned, and wondered if the sender had confused the number, disappointed he set the phone down and continued to work. The assault of non-Eun Soo texts continued and whoever was sending these had a grudge on a girl out there, so honestly not caring, Choi Young started to delete the files without reading them. It wasn't until after lunch that the first message with a picture attached reached him. Curious, he looked from side to side, as if anyone knew what he was receiving, and opened the file. It turned out the texts were for him. In the picture he could see Eun Soo sitting at the hospital's cafeteria having lunch with that man Gi Cheol.

What is going on? He went to the delete folder and scrolled through the numerous texts he received. They all seemed to highlight one important message somebody took the effort to deliver – Eun Soo was not the woman he thought she was. There were a couple of more pictures and a video. All of them were harmless – she was talking to the director, standing next to him, sitting at the desk, while he stood behind looking over her shoulder. These were all work related. But the short video had sound. Choi Young hesitated, not wanting to give the jerk, who was trying to pull this stupid prank, satisfaction, he pressed the delete button, confirming that the file would be removed permanently.

Gongmin found his friend turned away from the desk, looking out the window.

"Have you finished? We have to prepare a presentation for the meeting. Let's go."

"Ah?"

"You did not?"

Choi Young turned around, his hand against his forehead, thinking, he grabbed the papers off the table, absentminded, handing them to Gongmin. "It's all done."

Gongmin let out a sigh of relief, and checking the report, kept glancing at the man from time to time.

"What?" Choi Young sounded irritated.

"That's what I wanted to ask you. Why the gloom? Fight with the doctor?"

"No, we are not fighting."

"Then what?"

"Nothing, it's nothing, but I can't stop it from bothering me." His eyes staring through Gongmin into the distance, as if he was talking to himself.

Gongmin shut him a look, as if saying, "Have the decency to look at me, I'm still here."

"Tell me, a purely hypothetical scenario: if Nogook spent a lot of time, and I mean A LOT with another man at work, and you knew that he likes her, how would you feel?"

"Me? Hypothetically, upset, maybe, jealous."

Choi Young was quite surprised with the answer.

Gongmin continued, "But after thinking about it logically, I would not worry about it. That girl always had an eye for me," and he snickered.

"Ya, it's my sister you are talking about. Don't you be so smug. You know how gorgeous she is! There are plenty of guys out their for her, if you continue acting this way!" fumed Choi Young.

"Chill, man, chill."

It's true he was letting his frustration out on the wrong man. Currently, Gongmin was the one with the most logic in the room, while Choi Young was a hothead. Under the calm facade, he was quite impulsive and everything he felt ran deeply within him, emotions often raging, but he learned to control them over the years. That's why he devoted the time to study various types of martial arts and went into business pushing himself to always use his mind, instead of choosing a more creative profession that would give his feelings an outlet. When he was happy - he was euphoric, when he was sad - he was despondent, when he was in love - he loved with his whole being completely and over the top. Especially with Eun Soo, who had this ability to open him up and expose all of his vulnerabilities - with just her eyes, touching his very soul.

"I need to sleep." And he went to the couch, turning away from Gongmin, who shrugged his shoulders, "I guess I will prepare this report by myself. Whatever it is, don't worry, there is no other man out other for Eun Soo-shi."

He needed to sleep because it would take away the urgency to get up and run to wherever she was and hug her, not letting go. He knew well that after having done it once, she thought it cute, but if he did it again, she may not appreciate his intrusions. She liked her independence. Sleep cured a lot of problems and it was his way of taking a time out.

He woke up when it was pitch black, the curtains were drawn, probably at Gongmin's orders, and even the lights of the big city did not break through the thick fabric. He checked his wrist watch, it was ten after two at night.

"Damn it!" he searched for his phone, 10 missed messages and 2 calls. One message was from Eun Soo "I guess you are still working, going home, tired." And the two calls were also from her. One at 8 o'clock and another at 10:30pm. There was a voice mail "Young-ah, I'm so sleepy, already in bed, see you tomorrow."

He could not fall asleep any longer after that. He got up, looking like hell, his hair messy and his clothes not fresh and askew. He did not really care about his appearance. Choi Young was in a state of motion, he needed to act, no matter what he did, he could not be idle. He grabbed a bag and headed to the 24 hour gym. Before he left, he took out his cell phone and left it on the table.

The gym was practically empty besides one other person on the treadmill. He went into the kickboxing room. After a quick warm up he threw a few light punches. Focusing, he visualized Gi Cheol's face, and forceful precision kicks by his long legs, followed by powerful punches, bombarding the punching bag… After half an hour he was drenched in sweat, droplets running down his face and his clothes wet, but at last he could breathe. He went into the shower and standing with his eyes closed for a long time he allowed the water to envelop him. What started, he knew, was not a simple prank, there was a bigger play developing, and Choi Young became an unwilling participant in the setup, carefully arranged by the director Gi Cheol.