Chapter Nine: Harsh Reality
[Author’s Note: Please, note that this book is rated Mature and is not meant for a young audience (under 17). There will be strong language used and some explicit scenes that will be throughout the book; reader discretion is advised. At no point in time will I allow my work to be republished or translated on the same or different platform and/or site, under any circumstances. This book is licensed by Webnovel and its affiliated company, AnD Entertainment. Copyright All Rights Reserved Lynnifer Ice. If anyone finds my work(s) republished on another site or platform, please, let me know immediately.]
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[ Webnovel ©Lynnifer Ice ]
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I started coughing, setting my coffee back on my desk. Minhyun immediately got up, looking concerned.
“Whoa! Are you okay, Doc!?”
I waved my hand at him dismissively as I caught my breath, regaining my composure. “I am just fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Was it something I said?” He asked, seemingly puzzled as he laid back down on the couch.
“Yes, actually. Why would you think that Jeongseok likes me? That is the most ridiculous thing that I have heard today. Do you have any idea how many years we are apart?”
“Ridiculous?” He asked me with a bit of curiosity, “How is that ridiculous? Besides, age is just a number, right?~”
“Minhyun-ssi, the seven of you are my patients, and I do not know if you are aware or not, but it is forbidden for a doctor to have a romantic relationship with his or her patients.”
“So, quit your job?” He boldly suggested.
Oh, you did not just-...!
“That is an absurd thing to say. I am not willing to risk my license just for a relationship. Besides that, even if what you are saying is true... I, however, do not reciprocate his feelings. So let’s move on from this, shall we?” I tried to urge him, wanting to get far away from the topic.
The afternoon only seemed to feel like it was being drawn out as I continued to listen to Minhyun carry on with his usual gossip. It usually isn’t until the very end of his session that he actually starts to talk about his feelings. It is like this every time it is his turn, and we always run over by a minimum of two hours. That is why I usually schedule him as the last person for the day. It’s not that I find Minhyun’s gossip tiring to listen to; it is simply that I wish he would stick to his treatment plan instead of talking about everything else under the sun.
“Sometimes, I feel like I am all alone. I know I have the members and the fans, but I just cannot help but feel like something is missing in my life,” Minhyun stated as he put an arm behind his head as a pillow, with his focus on the ceiling once more.
“I see, and how does that make you feel, Minhyun-ssi?”
That question never gets old.
“Empty...”
“How often are you having these feelings?” I arched an eyebrow, perking my ears so as not to miss a single word.
“Well, it has been happening a lot more often these days. I find myself having these thoughts mostly at night, but then sometimes during the day when my mind is not preoccupied.”
“Minhyun-ssi, what is the darkest thought you have had so far?”
“My darkest thought?” He repeated quietly as if trying out the words for the first time. He was quiet for a few minutes, and I patiently waited for his answer. “I think it would be where I wonder what life for the members would be like without me.”
“Can you elaborate on what you mean?”
“I mean... How would the members be if I were no longer part of the group? How would the fans react? How would my parents feel if I just suddenly disappeared one day? Melody-nim, do you think anyone would miss me?” He asked as he turned his head to look at me.
“Minhyun-ssi, you are loved by many people, possibly even more so by those closest to you. I am more than certain everyone would miss you. Beating Hearts of Youth just would not be the same without you. No one could ever replace you, and I am sure everyone else would agree. How about instead of thinking what it would be like to be missed... You could think about how the seven of you will be remembered when you retire as a group one day in the far future.”
“There is one more thing that I wanted to talk about,” Minhyun began before he paused, dragging out a long sigh, “Do you think it is wrong for a man to love another man romantically?”
“Romantically? No, of course not. I think that is just normal human nature. In my personal opinion, as a friend, I would like to tell you that you should listen to your heart. As your Doctor, I would say that love is a part of life in every shape and form, and it is something as natural as breathing. So I would not think that gender would matter at all, but it all depends on personal opinion and who you ask.”
“Well, I think I am falling for my Hyung...” Minhyun said sadly.
“Have you told him yet?” I inquired, taking an immediate interest.
“No, I’m too scared to.”
“Why is that? You’re pretty outspoken most of the time, quite the social butterfly.”
“What if he rejects me?” Minhyun pouted, staring at me for a solution.
“Then he rejects you,” I shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s okay, really; it is just part of life, and life is not perfect. Otherwise, we would all be living our own fairytale,” I said as I tried to comfort him.
“I think I might keep it from him for now,” he hesitantly told me.
“Why do you think that is best?” I asked him, trying to get him to think more.
“Well, because I know for a fact that Hyung has feelings for someone else. It would not feel right to tell him that I like him right now because I think Hyung is hurting because of that person. I don’t know who it is, but I wish they would help get a smile back on his face. I miss my cheerful Hyung.”
“He is having a hard time right now?” I asked as I pried a bit. I was pretty sure that I knew who he was talking about, but it never hurts to double-check.
“Yeah, he is. What would you do if you were in my position, Noona-nim?”
This must be serious. Minhyun rarely calls me that outside of the dorms.
“What would I do?” I repeated his question. “Well, they say actions speak louder than words. So, I would start with hugging him, even if he did not want it at first. Hugging helps more than you can imagine, and it is like a silent way of telling someone that you care deeply for them and that it will all be okay.”
The irony is that I just repeated the words that led to a disaster in my last session.
“Hey, Doc?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know what time it is?” He asked, changing the subject.
“Well, let’s see...” I began as I checked the clock, “Oh my. It has gotten pretty late; it’s already after 5. Why don’t we end here for today?”
He nodded as he sat up and started to stretch. I finished writing my notes before putting everything away inside my desk and then grabbed my keys.
“Minhyun-ssi, do you have any more practice today, or were you going to head back to the dorms?”
“I was planning on heading back to the dorms.”
“Did you want a lift, or did you want your manager to drive you?”
“If you could give me a ride back, that would be greatly appreciated.” He smiled as he answered me, but no sooner had he finished his thoughts, my cellphone started to ring.
“Sorry, I have to take this,” I apologized as I went to answer my phone; it was the eldest member. “Hello?”
Sometimes I wish I could just have an easy day because I nearly dropped my phone as Jin-hyuk all but yelled into my ear. I am not usually one to panic, but this set me off as I shouted back, a crashing wave of anxiety clouding my mind.
“HE WHAT?!”
Minhyun jumped as I shouted. My heart was racing as I hung up in a hurry after receiving the necessary information. I scrambled to the coat rack, grabbing my coat and purse. Minhyun looked terrified, and he had every right to be.
“Melody-nim, what’s going on???”
“We have to go to the hospital right now. Jin-hyuk-ssi just got back to the dorms and found one of the members unconscious in the middle of the hallway that is between the kitchen and the living room.”
“What?! Who?!”
“Hojeong-ssi,” I responded promptly as I ushered him out of the door. “Come on, let’s go!”
- End of Chapter Nine -
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[ Webnovel ©Lynnifer Ice ]
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