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Jeon Wonwoo took one last look in the mirror and did a once-over on himself. Black pinstripe suit? Check. Silver-rimmed spectacles? Check. Killer smile? Check, check, check.
Fixing his tie, he nodded in satisfaction and stepped out of his office. Outside, two residents greeted him enthusiastically, stars in their eyes.
“Good morning, Professor Jeon!”
Wonwoo nodded, then hid a smirk when the residents both squealed as they passed him by.
“Still popular with the ladies, even after all these years.”
Wonwoo turned and found Hong Joshua, a doctor one year his senior, walking toward him, elegance in every step. As always, Joshua was wearing a casual leather top and ripped pants, his usual getup. Completely unbecoming of a doctor, if Wonwoo would say so himself, except that everyone knew Joshua was one of the best professors in their hospital, and possibly in the whole Pleiades City.
“I heard you’re headed out of town,” Wonwoo replied by way of greeting.
Joshua smiled. “I am,” Joshua replied. “I took the job.”
Wonwoo whistled. They’ve all heard the offer Hong Joshua received months ago—Carrottown was looking for a new doctor after the last one suddenly left without so much as a two-week’s notice. Rumor has it that the good doctor had a run-in with the mafia, who were the unofficial rulers in town. “Nothing ever fazes you, huh?”
“It’s a doctor’s duty to go where he’s called and save people he can save.”
Jeon Wonwoo snorted. “Well, congratulations, I guess. Pleiades won't be the same without you.”
“You’re too kind,” Joshua answered, though his eyes obviously sparkled at the compliment. “Are you headed out as well?”
Wonwoo nodded and straightened his suit. “Chairman Park’s holding a party at his mansion this afternoon and asked me to come.”
Joshua hummed. “How’s his grandson?”
Wonwoo shook his head, recalling how his most recent consultation with Mingyu had gone. “Not that great, to be honest. I changed his prescription recently.”
The senior doctor looked sympathetic. “Well, hang in there. I’m sure Mingyu-ssi appreciates you being there for him all these years.”
“I’m trying my best,” Wonwoo replied. In the back of his mind he recalled bits and pieces of his last conversation with Park Seokmin, Mingyu’s uncle, about switching Chairman Park’s will with a fake one. He guessed at least one of Mingyu’s many personalities wouldn’t appreciate this betrayal, even though it was not directed toward him but to his grandfather.
“How long do you think it’ll take for you to come back for a visit?” Wonwoo asked, changing the subject before he could start feeling guilty (not that he probably would).
Joshua laughed, bright and clear as a sunny day at the beach. “I haven’t even left yet.”
Wonwoo chuckled. He guessed he would miss the older doctor after all. “Send word when you’ve settled in. And stay clear of the mafia, if you know what I mean.”
“Your imagination’s really something,” Joshua shook his head in mirth. “What about you? No nefarious workings at BSK, I hope?”
Wonwoo flashed Joshua his winning smile. “I’m but a humble family doctor.”
Although Joshua returned his smile, Wonwoo saw just the smallest hint of doubt—and maybe concern—on his face, quietly tucked behind the corners of his lips. “Of course.”
The two doctors smiled at each other politely, as if they’re both trying to read what the other person’s thoughts were.
Finally, Joshua nodded. “Well, I’m off. It’s going to be a long drive to Carrottown.”
“Drive safely,” Wonwoo replied, meaning it.
Joshua reached out and extended his hand in what Wonwoo guessed would be a final handshake, at least in a long while. “Be safe, Doctor Jeon.”
Wonwoo grabbed Joshua’s hand and shook it firmly. “Don’t die, Doctor Hong.”
Joshua grinned and patted Wonwoo’s shoulder before letting his hand go. “See you on the other side, Wonwoo-ya.”
“Aa,” Wonwoo smiled, suddenly, inexplicably, missing the warmth of Joshua’s hand. “See you on the other side, Hyung.”
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