"Well, well, look who it is," he drawled, barely containing his amusement.
Beside him, Do-yoon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair with a frustrated shake of his head. "I swear, I really tried my best" he muttered.
"No way" soo-ji said her face running pale, her eyes darting between Tae-hyun and Do-yoon like a startled deer.
"You know each other?" Mr. Hee asked, his brows raised in curiosity.
"Well—" Tae-hyun began, but Soo-ji cut him off with a sharpness that startled everyone.
"No! We've never met before. Do I know you? No! Grandpa, who are these people?" she rattled off, her voice trembling as she tried to mask her panic.
Mr. Hee frowned, tilting his head. "Are you alright? You seem a little... rattled. Do-yoon, get her some water."
"No! No! I'm fine," Soo-ji interjected, raising her hands in refusal.
"But you're sweating," Tae-hyun observed, his tone teasing "And this room is practically freezing."
Soo-ji forced a laugh, though it sounded more like a choke. "Grandpa, they need me at work immediately," she said, grasping at an excuse.
"Nonsense!" Mr. Hee waved dismissively. "I'm sure they can manage without you for a while. Sit down." He gestured to the seat beside him.
Before she could protest further, Do-yoon appeared with a glass of water. "Here," he said, offering it with a faint, knowing smile. "You're sweating like someone caught in the act."
His smile only made her anxiety spike, her fingers trembling as she took the glass. She felt as if the walls were closing in.
Once everyone was seated, Mr. Hee spoke with a warm tone. "Soo-ji, meet my grandsons. This is Do-yoon, and this is Tae-hyun."
Soo-ji's awkward grin stretched painfully across her face. "I would've never guessed," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"And boys," Mr. Hee continued, "this is my personal doctor and, frankly, an extra grandchild, Kim Soo-ji."
"A doctor?" Tae-hyun remarked, leaning back with mild intrigue. "Your parents must be so proud."
"Hm." Soo-ji replied flatly, the slight change in her expression evident as the glass slipped from her grip, hitting the table with a dull clink.
The mood shifted, an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air until Mr. Hee cleared his throat. "Soo-ji has been my doctor for five years, but our contract has come to an end." He sighed deeply, as if preparing for battle.
"Here it comes," Do-yoon muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.
"So," Mr. Hee announced, "I've decided you'll all work together."
"What?!" Soo-ji shot up from her seat, her voice echoing through the room.
"Why not?" Mr. Hee asked, startled by her outburst.
"I just... I mean..." Soo-ji stammered, glancing at Tae-hyun and Do-yoon for backup. "It seems like they're not thrilled about the idea either."
"I'm fine with it," Te-hyun countered smoothly.
Do-yoon sipped his coffee nonchalantly. "As long as she's not my doctor, I don't care."
Soo-ji felt trapped. "I... I need some time to think about this. For now, I really need to get back to the hospital."
"Good thing we're all leaving," Mr. Hee said, rising from his seat. "We'll drop you off."
"No! No need!" Soo-ji blurted, trying desperately to escape.
"Get your bag," Mr. Hee insisted, already heading for the door with Tae-hyun.
As Do-yoon passed her, Soo-ji grabbed his wrist. His sharp turn and the storm in his eyes froze her in place.
"Let go," he said coldly.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, releasing him immediately. "But you crossed my path first."
"What do you want?" His voice was low, almost a growl.
"Help me," she pleaded, her tone hushed and urgent. "Say you can't work with me or that you don't like me—anything!"
Do-yoon's smirk was humorless. "You're barking up the wrong tree, Ms. Kim. I warned you to stay out of the way."
"but this is my workplace! I had no idea" she hissed. "You're the intruder here!"
He shrugged, his indifference cutting deeper than words. "I don't care whose fault it is. Here's some advice, though."
"Go on," she said, her voice trembling with hope.
"If he wants you to work for him, you won't escape. So stop wasting your energy."
With that, he walked out, leaving her standing there, fists clenched, her chest tight with frustration.
"What do I do now?" Soo-ji whispered, sinking into her thoughts as despair settled over her.
Later that evening Soo-ji dragged her weary legs into the sitting room, her shoulders slumped like the weight of the world rested on them. The moment she spotted the plush couch, she collapsed onto it with a heavy sigh, her frustration hanging thick in the air like a storm cloud. She clenched her fists as a memory resurfaced, and with an exasperated growl, she stomped her foot against the floor.
"I swear, I'm going to lose my mind!" she blurted, her voice tinged with despair, punctuating her words with another stomp.
A teasingly stern voice cut through her tantrum. "Hey! Don't take your madness out on my tiles. Do you know how much those cost?" Grandma Noh appeared from the hallway, her hands on her hips, an amused twinkle in her eyes.
"Grandma!" Soo-ji exclaimed, springing to her feet like a coiled spring before throwing her arms around the older woman in a tight hug.
Grandma Noh chuckled softly, patting her granddaughter's back. "What's wrong this time? Don't tell me it's that insufferable professor again. I've told you, the next time he gives you a hard time, just slap him and walk away. We'll figure something out."
"Grandma!" Soo-ji gasped, stepping back and shaking her head. "You know I can't do that. If I did, I'd be blacklisted forever. And no, it's not him this time." She sighed dramatically, her voice lowering to a pitiful tone. "I haven't eaten a proper meal all day. I'm starving."
Grandma Noh raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Ah, I see. So, you only come here when you're hungry, huh?"
"That's not true!" Soo-ji defended, hands flying to her hips in mock indignation. "I come every Friday too!"
"And why is that? Because you're addicted to my chicken noodle soup?" Grandma Noh quipped, folding her arms.
"No!" Soo-ji protested, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "I come because I miss you. But…" She trailed off with a sheepish laugh, wrapping her arms around her grandmother's waist. "Somehow, I always end up hungry as soon as I step into this house."
Grandma Noh shook her head with an affectionate sigh, running a gentle hand over Soo-ji's hair. "Fine, fine. I'll serve the rice. Go grab the kimchi."
"Yes, Grandma!" Soo-ji sang, her energy seemingly restored as she darted to the kitchen.