The waiting room was overcrowded and quite loud, full of rambunctious little children running around the small room causing ruckus with each step they took. Heechul smiled softly as two small boys chased each other around, shrieking loudly with laughter. It surprised him how lively it was for a Friday afternoon, but he supposed that even young children had someone to visit at the hospital. The only reason he was even there so late in the day was because he’d gotten a call from the nurse that would be taking on Kibum’s case until they found him a new doctor. He figured that it was to start scheduling when these appointments would be since he knew for a fact that Kibum didn’t have to continue receiving daily counseling any longer.

One of the nurses entered the waiting area, searching around the room until she found Heechul sitting in the corner. Once their eyes met, she beckoned him to come along with a polite smile on her face, waiting patiently while he gathered his coat and purse before following her out of the room. Small talk was made during the ride down to the psychiatric ward but once they reached the floor Heechul was surprised to see that a bit of construction was happening. He kept his questions to himself as he was brought into the office that belonged to Dr. Choi, only instead of the good doctor sitting behind the desk it was Jongwoon the nurse.

“Thank you, Yerin,” Jongwoon said to the female nurse, sending her a charming smile. “Please close the door behind you, and be careful walking through the hallway. Heechul, thank you for coming on such short notice; please have a seat.”

Heechul dutifully sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk, glancing around and taking notice that all the framed photographs were missing from the walls along with multiple other pieces of furniture and items. It looked as if Dr. Choi had moved out of the office, which would make sense because of all the construction going on out there. Jongwoon clearly sensed that he had some questions about what was going on, so he cleared his throat to begin the impromptu meeting.

“The psychiatric ward is being located to the fourth floor and this floor is being expanded for a new cancer treatment center,” Jongwoon explained, nodding towards the door where bangs were coming from. “Additionally, I will now be taking over as head psychologist in Dr. Choi’s departure. I know that we haven’t had much time together, but I hope that you’ll allow me to continue handling Kibum’s wellbeing while he’s in my care.”

Heechul frowned deeply, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear. “What do you mean Dr. Choi’s departure? He never mentioned anything about leaving when we spoke on Monday. Besides, I was under the impression that you were a nurse.”

“Dr. Choi never - ? Oh for the love of God,” Jongwoon sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. He leaned forward onto the desk, giving Heechul his full attention to resolve the matters that had been left open. “Dr. Choi was offered a job in London; he was supposed to have explained that to you before he left. With all other aspects of the loose ends he was supposed to tie up, he left much work unfinished. Unfortunately your son seems to have gotten the brunt of it all. A