Raindrops

Inside the operating theatre, Amy, Felix, and the surgical team started the skull surgery. The goal is to reshape and expand the shape of the client's skull, allowing the brain enough space to grow.

Amy and Felix were the dynamic duos in the operating room. They seem to anticipate each other's movement. They precisely release the fused sutures and expand the patient's skull, allowing the brain and skull to grow in their anatomical position.

"You two make this major operation look easy" Dr. Yoo said as scrubbed every hour to check the operation's progress.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cha, along with other doctors observed at the operating theatre.

"Dr. Cha, how were you able to get that two to work for us?" A high-ranking chief asked.

"Luck, I guess." Dr. Cha said, passively bragging.

"Not only do they work great inside the OR, but they also look great side by side. You are not playing Cupid, are you, Dr. Cha?" the chief said.

Everyone chimed in agreement.

Six hours and 30 minutes. That's how long the operation lasted. By the end of it, Amy and Felix were tired and famished. They went straight to the patient's parents and informed them that the surgery went well and that she would be in Post-Anesthesia- Care Unit for close monitoring.

While eating at the cafeteria, Amy and Felix came up with a plan to check the patient's progress together. To this, Amy was thankful. She still has to do an in-depth case study of the case for future use and research. Felix offering to make the progress notes was indeed a big help.

"Up to when do you think we should closely monitor her?" Felix asked Amy while putting a spoonful of food in his mouth.

"I suggest 8 hours in PACU then 16 hours in an intensive unit," Amy answered Felix. "The possibility of the sutures fusing in again is unlikely but not impossible. We should watch out for seizures as well since she has hydrocephalus" she continued grabbing her spoon mounted with food.

"I agree. The next 24 hours will be extremely critical. Are you working this weekend?" Felix asked.

"I'm not. My friend Alex invited me to be her plus one at an event for children with cancer. It's an art charity auction if I'm not mistaken," Amy said. "How about you? Are you working this weekend?"

"I'm not, and I'm no one's plus one as well" Felix pretended to cry. Amy laughed at his poor attempt.

"Do you wanna go instead of me? My friend Alex can be a handful, but she's wonderful, smart, and alluring. Most importantly, she is single," Amy gleed. 'Felix and Alex can be a good match; even their names match' Amy got excited at the thought of them dating each other.

"Will she be able to keep up with a doctor's work schedule?" Felix glared at Amy, his face sincere.

Amy scoffed, "It's not about her keeping up with you; it's about you keeping up with her."

Both doctors laughed and chatted for a little. They then checked their patient at PACU and went to their designated quarters, happy to finally relax after a very stressful day.

In her office, Amy opened her personal phone and checked messages from Jim.

*day three after the album release, we're all tired, but the feedback was great. The support from fans is very comforting. Min Ho says hi

*what's your favorite song on the album?

*how did the operation go? Hope you didn't overwork yourself.

*I miss you.

Amy smiled at the messages and replied:

**The operation went well. It lasted six hours and 30 mins. I'll stay in the hospital for two days to closely monitor the client. I also have a case study to make. Miss you, too.

Ps- tell Min Ho I said hi

Pps-my favorite song on the album was 'waiting for you.' The song is too sad; it's beautiful.

Amy then put her phone aside and began charting notes for her case study.

The week dragged on, but it dragged smoothly. The patient was now in intensive care, her vitals improving, although Amy hoped it to be better. Dr. Yoo is in charge of overlooking the patient for the weekend.

That evening, Amy and Alex entered the charity gala, and media personnel was shouting at Alex for a picture.

Amy was about to leave when Alex pulled her to her side and whispered, "You look fucking hot on that dress. Smile at the camera and show the world who they were missing out".

Amy followed Alex's advice and posed for the camera three times. One a kissy face with Alex. Two a backside pose with Alex. Three a solo pose of her extending one leg out, exposing the slit on her bellwort green V-neck with vintage spaghetti strap button-down satin dress, her right hand angled on her hips.

Photographers and reporters were mesmerized by Amy's stage-presence. They kept on asking for her to do more poses. Alex was beaming in joy like a proud mama on the side.

"Why did you leave me there?" Amy tugged Alex. "Because, honey, you are the spotlight." Amy blushed, grateful to have such an amazing woman supporting another woman.

Amy and Alex walked around the gallery taking mental notes on certain paintings they wanted to bid on. "I need to say hi to my bosses," Alex said, pointing at the group of executives talking at the far end corner. "I know you love your art, so feel free to roam around without me. I'll be with my friends over there" Alex pointed to a group of celebrities circling around a bar table, laughing, drinking, and having a good time.

Amy wandered around the gallery once more, and when she returned to where Alex had left her, she heard her calling her name.

"Amy," called Alex. Amy turned to walk where Alex was. Just then, unexpectedly, Jim and the rest of the Axis21 entered the room. The crowd inside the gallery gasped and cheered for the superstars.

Amy fixed her gaze on Jim, and when Jim saw her, his eyes widened in surprise and then smiled warmly at Amy. Amy's heart thawed as his lover tried to make his way toward her.

Amy's phone rang, it was Jen, she had set a different ringtone for her. This is terrible news; Jen doesn't call on weekends. Not unless it's an emergency. 'Something must have happened in the hospital,' she thought.

"Yes, Jen?" Amy answered, her heart trembling in fear.

"Amy! Oh my gosh! Your name is being blasted on the internet as the tteokboki girl."

The loud music surrounding Amy suddenly turned quiet. She can hear her heart palpating at an abnormal rate.

"Amy?" "Amy?" Jen's whispered, her voice filled with concern.

"Did they figure out who the man was?" Amy asked, her voice breaking. Tears of desperation started to build up.

"There's been a mention of Jim. Some are convinced that it's you two in the photo." Jen said quietly.

"Fuck" Amy cursed under her breath.

At the exact moment Jen spoke, Amy saw Manager Wang approach Jim who was still smiling, making his way to her. Manager Wang whispered something to Jim as if waiting for his approval. Jim's face turned dull, stone cold. He froze for a bit, then nodded, indicating approval.

He then looked at Amy with a regretful expression. His face turned white, his eyes teary. A bodyguard then escorted Jim away from her direction.

"Amy, did you hear me? Mentions of Jim's name suddenly disappeared," Jen screamed in disbelief. "although comments- and I mean hundreds of comments of you and Dr. Lee being the tteokboki couple surfaced. And everybody is digging it. A comment says: 'there's this incredibly pretty doctor at the hospital I'm working at. Lately, I have been seeing her with this handsome doctor more often. Just this Wednesday, I saw them having dinner at our hospital cafeteria being lovey-dovey. I am pretty sure the tteokboki couple is them.'

Amy scanned the room for Manager Wang. She wanted to ask him what was going on. Just when she spotted him, Manager Wang had already met Amy's gaze.

"Do you think it's his management that made these comments?" Jen asked over the phone.

"So this was 'the appropriate action' Manager Wang told her about." Amy felt a dagger being inserted into her heart. She was feeling dizzy; the corners of the gala seemed to cramp her up as if making its move to eat her alive. Amy started hyperventilating. "I need to leave," she said as she ran outside the building letting her tears fall as if it would heal her broken heart.

When Amy was outside, she crouched and let her bones totter. And if things couldn't get any worse, heavy rain suddenly poured. Amy sarcastically laughed at the fucked-up-ness of it all. She is not a movie star; scenes like this only happen in movies, so why is this happening to her? 'Please let this be a fragment of my imagination,' She pleaded.

Still drenched in the rain, Amy's phone began to ring. She answered without caring who it was.

"Dr. Amy, patient N suddenly developed dehiscence," Felix said, panicked over the phone.

"Shit," Amy let out a cry.

"Are those raindrops I hear?" Felix said, concerned. "Amy, where are you?"

Amy was unable to speak. Her fate ran dry. And it is ironically drowning her with heavy rain. She gathered herself and was about to talk when she heard footsteps running towards her. When the footsteps stopped, the rain pouring down on her a second ago seemed to stop as well. She looked up, tears falling down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Min Ho, who saw what happened outside the gala building, stood beside Jim and patted his slouched back.

"Hyung…" Min Ho said, feeling extremely sorry for his older brother, who ran after Amy.

Jim didn't react to his call. He just stood there, his gaze fixed as a man with an umbrella helped Amy get up and directed her to his car.

"Hyung," he said the second time, softly. "It's time for us to perform" pain in Min Ho's voice is detectable.

At the warning, Jim wiped his tears and sighed. He then patted Min Ho's back and said, "let's go," as he walked inside the gala, faking a smile for everyone to see.