4. Glimmer of Hope

"For that I will think about it again and it is also necessary to discuss it with the doctor supervising my proposal. After all, Mr. Sandy still has to stay here after the surgery."

There was indecision in Rose's mind. On the other hand she wanted to spend her time at this hospital to focus on finishing her final exams.

"I happen to know Director Vincent well. I also had a chance to talk to him. Take it easy. There will definitely be leniency. You're also very smart. I hope you'll accept it, because Sandy needs extra guidance for her mental and health and she's the only successor to the company, I don't want her late father's company to fall into someone else's hands. I'm sure, you can do it." added Aunt Ryu with a lot of hope, considering that there were many scheming relatives who wanted LEYO Studio.

But Rose still needed time to think about it. Becoming a personal physician? It seemed very difficult for Rose, although there would be some leniency and ease.

Especially if she had to dabble in the world of the country's most famous people. it was like comparing the strata between the two. Rose was not from the same high society as Ryu Sandt. She was just a country girl who struggled with her hard work.

***

"Is there anything for me?" asked Rose with her breath caught in her throat from running from her room to the receptionist to pick up whatever was attached to the text message.

"Ah, yes." A nurse guarding the receptionist turned around to retrieve the object stored in the locker.

A medium-sized box in a classic brown color, decorated with a ribbon nestled on top, was thrust in front of Rose.

"This is for you, pretty doctor," the nurse teased as she smiled.

Rose's hand reached for the square object as she narrowed her eyes, taking in each side of the box. "Is the person who gave this named Yook Min-Jae?" Rose probed to confirm her guess.

"Hmm... I think so, I didn't really digest it, because he seemed to be in a hurry," the nurse explained.

"Thank you." Rose shared her sweetest smile before she left the receptionist booth in the hospital lobby.

Rose walked outside, towards the park beside the hospital. Then she chose to sit on a white bench, right under the bright garden lights. There was a solitude there.

It was exactly what Rose was looking for right now. Breathing in the cold night air to penetrate all her veins. Flowed a soothing fresh sensation.

She suddenly remembered a name, while guessing the assumptions that were starting to roam in her head. Yook Min-Jae?

Then she shook her head, not wanting to think too much at the moment. Instantly, Rose opened the box she had just gotten. Starting from opening the ribbon that tied the box.

Her eyes narrowed with a furrowed forehead at the sight of two circular objects made of silver. Without this, Rose grabbed one of them. Two names were clearly engraved on it. Yook Hyun-Jae & Lee Jihyun.

Rose's eyes were now perfectly round. There was a tightness in her chest. She gave a small blow to her chest to relieve the pain she felt, along with the sound of leaves rubbing against each other as the night breeze hit her head to remember the events of a few months ago.

'Jihyun, actually I don't want to delay my intention to propose to you, but I promise, after my red cross duty in Urk, I will propose to you soon. Because putting the interests of others first isn't it better than being selfish? Especially if someone else is in trouble.

'I will continue to wait for you. Do your best to help others.'

But why are these two rings on me?

Then why did someone else give them to me?

Right now, many questions were circling around his brain. She took a breath that somehow felt so heavy. Should Rose contact Hyun-Jae for now?

No! At a time of duty like this, she didn't want to disturb him. Usually, Hyun-Jae would contact her first.

"There you are," chirped Alexa Han who was suddenly beside Rose.

She was Alexa's close friend when she was studying at Sungkyunkwan University. However, they were separated when they took their specialist degrees from each other. Alexa wasn't as smart as Rose who was able to get her scholarship, she still studied at the same university.

"I looked for you for lunch, only to find out you had surgery. Did everything go well?" Alexa continued as she put her arm around Rose's shoulders.

"Yes, it did. He was in an accident this morning," Rose replied simply.

Instantly Alexa released her embrace while rounding her eyes by supporting her cheeks with both hands. "Oh my god!"

Rose frowned as a sign of her incomprehension.

"Ryu Sandy?" Alexa was getting hysterical, but again, Rose just nodded blandly.

"Do you know who he is?" asked Alexa, unable to believe it.

"I know."

Then the expressive Alexa, reaching for the box still in Rose's grasp managed to make her gasp.

"Isn't this your engagement ring?" probed Alexa.

Rose said yes as she recounted the few words Hyun-Jae had said before his departure to Urk for the delayed proposal, in addition to Aunt Ryu's request for Rose to become Ryu Sandy's personal physician.

To be precise, Rose was hesitant to accept the woman's request, but on the other hand, Hyun-Jae himself always put the interests of others first, especially if the person was experiencing difficulties.

"Just accept the Ryu family's request, what's the difficulty? After all, your fiancé has set a good example for you, just follow it," Alexa said, enlightening Rose.

"I can easily accept it, but I never imagined I'd be involved with people like them, especially since Ryu Sandy is still an idol in this country," Rose said with a worried look on her face.

"Remember what Hyun-Jae said. Don't be selfish! Whoever you're going to help, if you're sincere, then many good things will come into your life. Didn't you want to become a doctor because you wanted to help others? And who will bring you to the screen, don't be delusional." Alexa's sentence was like an alarm, which woke up the selfishness that sometimes still existed in her.

It wasn't selfish, Rose just didn't want to suddenly find herself in the spotlight of the entertainment media, even though it might not happen. But hanging around in the media is a common thing for Ryu Sandy who is already very familiar in the public eye.

^^^

The room smelled of antiseptic, although not overpowering, it was enough to make Sandy feel disturbed. The man who was still lying weakly had yet to fully open his eyes. Since earlier, Aunt Ryu had only heard him mutter one name. Alin.

Aunt Ryu shed tears beside her nephew as she gently rubbed the back of Sandy's hand. His body felt weak. Her heart was pounding as her lungs supplied excess air to her body. Although she was only a niece, Aunt Ryu always treated Sandy like a biological child.

Understandably, this middle-aged woman had no children. Her marriage broke down in the third year. Now, she never thought about getting married again. Roughly speaking, he was traumatized to build a marriage, because she had chosen the wrong person.

Not long after, Sandy managed to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was the pure white ceiling, making Bibi both surprised and relieved to see that her nephew had regained consciousness. Sandy sighed, already guessing where he was.

"Alin!" shouted Sandy as he sat up. His eyes wandered in all directions. They made Aunt Ryu even more anxious.