Chapter 12

Liver Operation

Sulli woke up early. She has to go to the office. She can’t submit the article about Chef Ron until this afternoon though. She knows it’s not good to work on something else behind your Boss’ back. But she has a feeling that Chansung will not let her handle the issue.

Sulli did not go straight to the office though. She went to the Food Festival. The place is not crowded during morning. Some people are still setting up their stalls.

Sulli went on ahead with her agenda. She needs to get as much complaints as possible against that corrupt officer.

She was pretty productive. Within just a few minutes, she already gathered 5 complaints. That officer is notorious!

When Sulli was talking with one of the complainants, she felt a warm hand touch her shoulder pulling her. When she looked up she saw Minho.

Why is he pulling me? And why is he here?!

“I’ll be back sorry.” Said Sulli

Minho pulled Sulli in between 2 stalls hiding her.

“What do you want? I was talking with that Ahjussi.” Said Sulli

“Hush…” said Minho “You see that?” Minho said whispering

Sulli took a peak and saw the officer coming. Sulli felt relieved .

“I told you to stop with this.” Said Minho angrily his voice still a whisper

“I can’t stop just because you said so.” Said Sulli irritated a bit too loud.

Minho closed his hand on Sulli’s mouth.

Sulli was shocked. Her heart suddenly felt like a drum.

“Listen. What you are doing doesn’t have permission from Boss. There’s a reason why we need permission and for a woman like you, that’s for protection..” Said Minho

Sulli can’t talk with Minho’s hand over . But her angry eyes is enough communication at how irritated she is right now.

“You wouldn’t listen to me…You will still do this no matter what?” asked Minho

Sulli nodded energetically.

Minho Sigh. She’s stubborn crazy woman!

“Just this once…just this once…But promise me you’ll never do this again.” Said Minho

Minho moved his hand away from Sulli’s mouth.

“What do you mean?” asked Sulli

“I’ll help you with this one.” Said Minho

“You…would?!” That surprised Sulli

“You would not stop even if I told you, right?” said Minho

“Umm..yeah but you don’t have-“

“Let’s follow him.” Said Minho

Sulli looked back…The Officer is walking away.

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Sulli and Minho followed the officer until he rode the taxi.

“Remember their plate. Wait here.” Said Minho

Sulli memorized the plate number. Minho re his Motorbike. Without needing instructions, Sulli rode behind Minho after putting the helmet on.

Sulli saw the taxi with the plate number.

“There….That red one to the right.” Said Sulli

“Got it. Hold on tight.” Said Minho

Sulli hugged Minho tight until they reached the place where the taxi stopped.

It’s a hospital.

“Let’s go in.” said Minho

Sulli and Minho found the officer by the reception area. He seems to be in an argument.

“Please help me…I am just short of a few thousand Won…but can you already tell the doctor to proceed with the operation?” asked the officer “I will have enough by tomorrow.”

Sulli is curious. What is that about?

When the officer could not get the receptionist’s sympathy he walked away.

Sulli went to the reception.

“What’s with that Ahjussi?” asked Sulli

“His son has been in the hospital for a month now…he’s dying. He needs a liver transplant. We already got the liver match…but the operation and the money needed for the liver is too much. We can’t do anything until he has enough.” Said the receptionist

Sulli doesn’t know what to feel. She is angry at the officer for extorting money…but in Afghanistan..she also saw a father lost his child in a liver infection…it was a memory she doesn’t want to have again.

“Isn’t there any institution that supports liver operations?”asked Sulli

That got Minho surprised. Did she immediately switched from her anger to pity?

“Umm..there are…but that Ahjussi already did everything he could. He was never granted his request.” Said the receptionist.

“Recently, didn’t he say he’s getting enough money?” asked Sulli

“He was able to give more money each time he comes. But until this morning it’s still not enough. The kid…I think the doctor said the kid can die anytime.” Said the receptionist

Images of the dying child in his father’s arm flashed on Sullis’ mind…The child died then because there was no doctor around…This time…the child will die because there is no enough money.

Sulli took a seat in one corner.

“Are you…all right?”asked Minho

Sulli shook her head. Her hand is shaking…

Minho noticed it knelt in front of Sulli talking her hands in his.

“Hey…what’s happening?” asked Minho

Sulli looked at Minho…he has that worried look on his face…

“We can’t let that child die.” Said Sulli “The child….has to live.”

Minho saw the tears that are slowly building up on Sulli’s eyes. Her hands are shaking in his.

He doesn’t understand why she’s having this reaction…but he has to calm h