11 The Kims

The morning was calm and serene at Prime Hospital, Sam Kim had just finished his surgery. He went out from the surgical theater, wishing to take some rest before inviting his older sister for brunch. But the latter was quick to do so without him knowing. His phone lighted up, a message from his sister- who was also the president of the hospital.

He smiled when he saw that his sister was inviting him for brunch. Annie Kim was like a mind-reader, able to guess what he wanted to do. Sam then lifted up his glasses that was resting on his nose bridge, fixing it up to properly sit on his face. His facial had a bit of wrinkles indicating that he was a fine man in his forties.

He then texted his wife, despite knowing that Annie might have invited his wife already. And his guess was correct, he got a message from his wife saying that Annie had asked her to join them for a meal. He smiled when he walked towards his office. Surprising everyone that passed by him. He was known as a very strict vice president, rarely smiling at his staffs.

•••

At a certain house in Kalla Villa, a young woman was having quite a hard time in getting the situation under control. She didn't know that the man would strongly reject her knowing the truth. Realizing that she was not able to get some trust out of him strangely made her sad. She didn't know why.

"Aubrey, if you are against me knowing about it then I won't ask further. Please calm down. I'm not your enemy.", she said softly. Her voice was able to get through him.

He took a deep breath and exhaled it. He looked like he was used to doing this. Was he under a lot of stress when he was locked up? Of course.

"I'm sorry.", Lucy spoke, her head laying low, she sounded like she was about to cry. Her apology was enough to make Aubrey feel guilty.

Aubrey didn't like this feeling. He felt like he must explain himself to the woman before him. He had nothing to do with her, let alone knowing her. But why did it feel like he was talking to someone close? Someone whom he held dear? Maybe because she was his saviour..

He knew Lucy has a right to know his secret. And she was a doctor too, perhaps she could cure him altogether. But he still didn't like the idea of exposing his source of painful memories. It was like ripping an old wound to the flesh.

Lucy saw him getting restless about something, and she knew the reason of it.

'My apology seems to work.', she held herself from making a smirk on her face. She knew it was low of her to make him feel guilty, but it was the only way to avert his attention towards something else. Or else he wouldn't be able to stop thinking about his painful past.

"Let's talk again later. I need to go out now. I know we have a lot of things to catch up on. But don't worry, I said that you can stay here for however long you want, and I'm one who stick to promises.", Lucy smiled. Her once sad and teary appearance was now gone.

Huh?

Aubrey was shocked to see how fast she changed her personality. He didn't get the time to respond. And she disappeared before he could say a word. The house was now his, at least temporarily.

•••

At Prime Hospital, three of the most influential doctors sat together for brunch at the hospital cafe, they occupied the VIP seat, in a private room.

"How's the surgery?", Annie Kim asked her brother.

"It's a success.", he answered, not trying to elaborate further. He continued to eat the dim sum.

Some moment later, a woman past forty walked in, she looked gorgeous despite her age, with the same hair color as Lucy and Mia, her light brown hair that reached her shoulders fluttered wonderfully.

"Annie, dear, good morning.", Leah Kim smiled. She took a seat beside her husband after greeting both of them.

"How's the branch?", Annie asked Leah about one of the hospital's branches that was built for opthalmologic department. The branch was an hour from here and Leah mostly worked there.

"Like usual, nothing out of ordinary?", she said playfully.

"So what is the purpose of this meeting? Don't tell me that you just feel like it and that's it?", Sam interrupted his wife. He was very curious as to why his older sister wanted them to join her for a meal.

Annie Kim laughed, she was easily exposed.

"Don't fret brother, it's just about Lucy.", she said, not wanting to beat around the bush.

Her answer made Leah stopped eating her red flannel hash, which was newly put on the table a few minutes before she arrived. She was interested to hear more.

"What's wrong with Lucy?", Sam Kim asked, confused.

"She's already twenty seven, she should get married soon.", Annie said.

"Huh?", Leah mouth was agape. She didn't believe she heard it right.

"What do you mean? You know she's at the peak of her career now. She won't want to get married.", Sam sighed. His older sister was playing match-maker now.

He knew how difficult his daughter could be when she heard of this.

"Do you already have the candidate?", despite being surprised, Leah asked Annie for further details. The idea of her daughter getting married was strangely good to her ear.

"Well.. we definitely want her to marry someone with a medical background too.. my son is out of the choice of course.", Annie explained.

"Gary? Why don't you pair him up with Lucy? He's already dating someone?", Leah asked, the topic was getting hot. She knew Gary favored Lucy and he pampered her too.

"Lucy doesn't like to marry her own cousin whom she grew up with.", Sam said, and his point was right.

Lucy only saw Gary as her cousin and nothing more. It would be awkward if they were paired up without Lucy's consent. That daughter of his was known to be difficult to deal with when things aren't going her way.

"So who's the candidate? Tell me.", Leah asked again.

She was somewhat thrilled to know her soon-to-be son in law. She pitied the poor Gary who seemed to have a crush on her daughter, but she couldn't deny her husband when he said that Lucy obviously wouldn't like the idea of marrying her own cousin.

"Well.. do you remember Joe Ahn? That pharmaceutical company president's first son. He's a doctor, a bone specialist actually.", Annie smiled. She had found her target.

"Oh? YT pharmaceutical? He's Will Ahn's son.. I never thought he has grown up already.. the last time I saw him was when he was ten.", Sam said, he suddenly sounded satisfied with his sister's choice.

"Wow.. this is great. So when is the blind date? We have to set them up.", Leah said, she was getting excited. A big smile graced her face.