I turned around slowly.

"Dr Lu...?"

"MIssy, you okay?" the taxi driver asked concernly.

"I am ok, just drive straight in thd mean time," I said.

I looked at Lu Han and he was staring into me again.

"Um...?"

"...."

What could it be? What does he want to ask me?

I havent spoken anything to him other than the operation.

"What is it?"

"Its just....."

"Yes?"

"Have we met before?"

"Met?"

Impossible...

There's no way he could remember me? It was 12 years ago!

Plus I was just a high school kid back then.

"Why? Why are you asking this out of the blue?"

"I felt like I've seen you before."

Aishh....what should I say?

Think Jiyoon, think.

"Now that you mention it. I believe its not the first time we've seen each other."

"?"

"I saw you when I came for my interview," I lied.

"...."

"You probably saw me too."

Somehow, he looked crestfallen.

"I see. I'm sorry for bothering you."

He turned his gaze to the driver. "Stop here please."

"No! Why dont we share the same taxi home? Its already late."

This could be my chance to see where the Director lives.

"No, its okay..."

"Are yoi going the opposite direction?" I asked.

"No."

"Then we're going the same way. Its settled then!"

Lu Han gave directions to the driver.

"Stop here,"he said.

He paid the amount to his home and then gets out.

"Thank you for coming to the party,"

"Goodnight..."

Lu Han disappear into his apartment.

The Director lives in a house in Gangnam.

So they dont live together....

Its early morning and nobody is at the nurses station.

I am looking at through computer's data, hoping to find my mother's records.

"Kim Ok Bin...."

Was it foolish of me to think it'd be here...?

"Good morning Dr Jeon!"

I turn around and saw Gayoon's smile..

"Good morning to you Gayoon..."

"You're early. Whose records are you looking for?"

"I thought I'd take a look at the chart for the patient from yesterday."

"So dedicated."

"He's my first patient. I'm concerned."

"Gotcha,"

Gayoon looks at the computer screen.

"Oh, thats the data for a past patient. Current patients are right bere."

She toggles the window.

"Of course... no wonder so many records."

"That would be too many. You're s little spacey, arent you?"

"I havent wake up totally I guess," I joked. "By the way about past patients records....the paper records have all been digitized and stored in the server right?"

"They should be..."

"The retention period for the electronic records is the usual five years?"

"I think so..."

"Its ten.."

I turn around and saw Minji and Lay.

"The director ordered it to be the usual five years but Dr Lu was firm about the necessity of a ten-year retention period,"she explained.

"Dr Lu huh?."

"Yes. He said it was the minimum requirement to earn our patient's trust."

But even ten years...,

"Then there are the recirds fir those we lost during surgery. Those have a permanent retention period."

"They do?" Gayoon asked, surprised.

"We havent had many such cases recently so you may not have known. But you should take note of this info Gayoon."

"Understood."

Which means my mother's record is here somewhere..,,

"Can I see the permanent records?"

"I'm afraid that's impossible. Only the Director or anothrr higher up can access them."

"I see..."

"Is there something on your mind Dr Jeon?"

Minji has a mysterious look in her eyes when she asked me that.

"No... I just thought I'd ask for reference,"

"You are truly a dedicated doctor!" Gayoon said with a bright smile.

"No, its just that, I just wanna learn as much as I can about this hospital. I hope to be here for a long period of time after all."

A satisfied smile appears on Minji's face.

I smiled at Lay before making my exit.

The person who extended the retention period of electonic records and supported permanent retention......is Lu Han.

He knows.

About the Director's error from 12 years back. Which means......

I suddenly found myself standing in front of the Director's office.

Are the records here?

The Director shouldnt be in yet..."

My hands instinctively moves toward the door knob.

"Do you need something?"

Oh .....

I turn and saw Kris.

Kris took out a key from his pocket and opens the Director's door.

He lead me inside.

"The Director's never here this early. In fact, he's almost never around, really."

"He isnt?"

"The Director almost never sees any patients himself. He's working on the expansion of Seoul General Hospital. Everyday, he bounces from dining engagements to parties."

"Really.."

I thought I'd have lots of opportunities to get close to the Director but....

Its not going to be easy after all.

"Every morning, its my job to go over the paperwork in place of the Director. It keeps me busy."

Kris, sitting on the Director's chair, wears a troubled expression on his face.

I return a vague smile and quickly run my eyes along the files on the shelves.

But I dont see anything that looks like medical records.

"Oh, what was it you wanted with the Director?"

"Nothing...I just wanted to thank him for yesterday.."

"In that case, I'll let him know."

"Thank you, I should get going.."

click...

"Lu Han...."I muttered.

He ignored my presence and walk up to Kris.

"Good you are here. I thought you might ditch today as well,"Kris said to him.

"What are you talking about?"Lu Han asked coldly.

"There are eight items which must be purchased by the Director. And..."

"I told you to handle that kind of stuffs."

"Yes...but I am your assistant..."

"The Director trust you. And so do I. So please take care of it."

That's all Lu Han says and then he leaves.

I went after him.

"Um, Dr Lu!"

He stopped only after stepping out of the Director's office.

"What is it?"

"Would you mind if I assist you during your next surgery?"

He looked surprised by my request.

"Even if I'm just a second or third assistant."

"..."

"I'd like to learn from you..."

"You would?"

I nodded with a hopeful look.

The best way to get close to the Director is to get close to the son.

And to do that. I have to gain his trust at work....

The day went by quickly....

Alright..time to head home.

Hey, Jiyoon. Just the person I was looking for."

"Kris?"

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?"

"No, nothing."

"Well, if its alright with you...Could you take an extra shift?"

"'Dr Suho's dad had a fall. I need an extra hand at the department"

"Of course, that's fine."

"Thank you, that's a big help."

"You must be so busy, taking care of things like this too."

"Maybe I seem easy to talk to.'

"It must be face. You look very dependable."

"I dont know about that. Anyway, thank you."

"No problem."

Kris is popular even with the senior staff and he's so dedicated.

Its natural that the Director would also place his trust in him.

I put out the 'Out' card next to my name on the whiteboard.

Next to Lu Han's name, the card says 'On Duty'.

I was walking out of the building and saw Lay standing there.

"Yoonie,"he calls out to me. "Er, I mean Dr Jeon."

"Please Yoonie is fine. I'm already offwork anyway."

"Yeah right. So you've finished for the day?"

"I am. And you? Are you waiting for someone?"

He seems flustered. "Uh no..not really. Just passing by.."

"Well okay...see you around then."

I turn around to walk away.

"Hey, wait."

I stopped and turn around.

"Do you want grab something to eat? Like dinner?"

"Ah, sorry. I'm tired."

"How about tomorrow?"

"I am on extra shift tomorrow."

"Oh...You know, people from high school? They want to see you."

"Oh.."

"I was hoping that you could find the time?"

"I see.."

I'm sorry Lay but I have no intention of seeing old friends.

My only motive here is revenge.

"I'm happy to hear they want to see me but I just started a new job. So for now, I just want to concentrate on my work. Other things can wait. Let them know alright?"

"I understand, okay. Just dont work too hard"

"I wont. Thanks."

The next day...

"Dr Jeon, you're working today?" Jihyun asked.

"I am. I am actually lending an extra hand since Dr Suho is taking leave."

"Ah, thank you so much for your help.I am on shift too."

"No problem. Its so reassuring having you here," I said

"Likewise."

"Well, its time for us to get going,"Minji said to us.

"Goodnight!" we said to her.

"Dr Jeon, I know its your first night here. Good luck!"

"Thank you."

The other nurses went home, leaving only me and Jihyun.

I was reading some reports when Jihyun said casually,"I heard that Mr Zhang was waiting for somebody after work yesterday....was that somebody you?"

"Nay...You got it all wrong. I saw him and we talked."

She looked relieved. "That's all? Say, are you seeing anyone?"

"I'm not really interested."

"Why? Anyone would be happy to have you for a girlfriend!"

"I've got a lot of things that I want to focus on. I've got no time for romance."

"Is it all logic and reason with you?"

"I dont think so..."

Ring....Ring....

The phone for the Surgery Department rang and Jihyun picks it up.

"Hello, this is Department of Surgery nurses station....Yes, I understand."

She puts down the phone.

"Dr Jeon, we have a patient."

"Let's go!"

We hurried to the operating room.

We finally came to a stopping point and its already past 2 am.

I stretched and saw a shadow at a desk in the back of the room.

"Dr Lu...?"

Lu han looks up and I whispered his name.

"Its you....."

"What are you doing here at this hour? You were on duty last night and I'm sure you havent slept..."

He cuts me off. "There will be a time when I can get all the sleep I could ever want."

Medical literature written in English is spread out, practically overflowing Lu Han's desk.

I'm careful not to interrupt Lu Han as I quietly left the room.

"Hm? Dr Jeon, I thought you were going back to the office?'

"I was but Dr Lu was there."

"Was he pulling an all-nighter again?"

"Again? Does he do this often?'

"All the time. He'll die young for the sake of his patients. He's already an amazing surgeon but he still goes on about wanting to improve patient's care. He's always studying up on the lastest techniques."

"Impressive.."

"He's been worried about a patient who was a patient who was brought here last night. Maybe he was doing a research in order to help him."

I recalled the serious look on Lu Han's face as he pored over the medical journals.

What an amazing doctor....

Saving medical records, staying up all night for days in a row. All for the sake of the patients.

Lu Han really puts the patients first.

I open my eyes, blinded by the morning sun. Its 7am.
Its already morning.

I slept in the resting room for doctors.

I went back to the office and saw Kris.

"Jiyoon, good work last night. Did you get any sleep?"

"Yes, about 2 hours."

"Good."

I suddenly notice that Lu Han is still reading away.

He didnt sleep?

"Good morning!" Jihyun greet us brightly.

"Morning," I said.

"Here, breakfast." She hands me a bag of containing bread, milk and yoghurt."

"Thanks..."

"No problem."she replied.

She handed another bag to Lu Han too.

"Dr Lu, here is yours."

".."

"You two, make sure you eat your breakfast okay."

She left after that.

Lu Han looks at his watch. "Its time already.."

"Amazing concentration as always,"Kris commented.

Lu Han got up. "I'm going to concentrate on Park Jin Young in room 705."

"Mr Park Jin Young..? But didnt they say it would be difficult to go through with surgery on someone of that age?"

"I've thought of a method that wouldnt require the patient to be strong physically. If we decided to use it, the sooner I operate the better."

"But who will assist you?"

"Dr Suho is usually the first assistant but he's away visiting family."

"Please let me do it."

"Jiyoon, you sure?"

"Okay, let's get ready."Lu Han said, walking away.

"Okay."

Lu Han gives a fluid explanation of the procedure to the operating staff in the meeting room.

Incredible....

I already have a perfect image of what the procedure will be like...

knock...knock...

"Yes?"

Jihyun came inside. "Dr Lu, we had already reserved the operating room for 3pm later."

"Thank you." He turn back his attention to us. 'Meeting dismissed. Dr Jeon, you stay..I want to go over the procedure one more time."

"Okay.."

The rest of the staff filters out of the room.

Now that its just the two of us, he starts to explain the procedure once more from the beginning.

"That's it."

I thanked him for his guidance.

I thought of him as a quiet person but he's talkative when it comes to work.

"Well, I'll be counting on you,"Lu Han said before he got up from his seat.

Its just us, this is my chance.......

"Wait..! Why dont we get lunch together? Its already 12."

".."
 

Its not going that well. Though I am sitting across from Lu Han.

I'm having trouble starting a conversation.

"You were researching late last night. Was it about Mr Park's operation?"

"Yeah,"he replied curtly.

"I hear that you tend to be in your office all night."

".."

"On top of being talented, I must say you're hardworking."

".."

I cant keep this up...

But there wont be many chances like this so I cant give up.

"Do you always have lunch here?"

"..."

"Its good even if its a hospital cafeteria."

"..."

"I wonder if its because the Director's a foodie?"

That caught his attention.

"A foodie?"

It worked!

"Yeah, he brought me to a restaurant the other day and the food was amazing."

"..."

"So you and the Director live seperately?"

"..."

"Do you visit your family's home often?"

"I'm sorry...I need to go back."

"Oh ok, see you later.'

I have to get closer to him by hook or by crook.

The operation succeeds beautifully.

"Hey, Dr Jeon! Good job on the operation!" Gayoon said happily.

"Thanks. Where's Dr Lu?"

"He's probably taking the day off. He was working all night again."Minji answered.

"Oh.."

"You just finished your night shift. Go home and get some sleep Dr Jeon."

"Yeah, I guess I'll get going Nurse Oh..See you."

I reached my hand into my pocket but my watch isnt there.

Huh? Could it be in the restroom?

Click..

It is here!

I had left it at the side table of the resting room.

"Mmm..mmm,"

I realize that somebody is sleeping in the back of the room and took a peek.

"Lu Han..."

"Nghhh..."

What could be wrong? It look like he's in pain..

I wonder if its a bad dream.

I notice sleeping pills beside the bed.

He must be exhausted but yert he still need pills in order to sleep.

I softly wipes away the sweat from Lu Han's forehead..........................

 

TBC