Faint specks of light danced before Min-jun, lifting him from subconsciousness as he slowly pried his eyes open. For a moment, confusion anchored him; his head felt heavy. Squinting to suppress the sudden glare of the overhead light, he blinked hard several times to allow his vision to adjust to the room.

Peering at him, an older gentleman in a white coat with a wrinkled brow straightened up, stepped back, and greeted him. His unkempt salt-and-pepper hair partially draped over his heavy-set black-rimmed glasses, giving him an unlikely rock star appeal. A traditional acoustic stethoscope hung across his neck, its chest-piece peeking out from his left pocket.

“Mr. Lee, I’m Dr. Chun. How are you feeling?”

Min-jun rolled his head sideways to face Dr. Chun and replied in a groggy voice, “Um... a bit stiff... and my head feels weird. But other than that I—I think I'm alright.” Eyes still glued to Dr. Chun, his throat suddenly feeling dry, Min-jun whispered, “But—what the hell happened?”

Dr. Chun picked up Min-jun's medical chart, scribbled something and replied in a calm and steady voice, “You almost died from an allergy attack. But you are safe now.”

“I—I what?”

“You almost died from an adverse reaction to a bee sting. Luckily one of my interns was nearby and her quick actions kept you alive long enough until medication could be administered.”

“Oh gosh—”

Min-jun turned his head back and stared at the ceiling. He only half-listened to Dr. Chun as the reality of how close he had come to death’s door began to drum through his mind, drowning out the clinical details.

“....we've completed a comprehensive allergy test....”

“....no major food allergies...”

Dr. Chun continued with his briefing, conveying to Min-jun the events leading up to his hospitalization.

“You must be very careful around bees, wasps, hornets and even yellow jackets especially in wooded areas. I strongly suggest you get a Medic-Alert bracelet and keep a self-care kit close by all the time.”

After one final checkup, he pronounced Min-jun as fully recovered and ready for discharge. As grateful as he was to the hospital staff and the top-notch care he'd received, Min-jun was anxious to meet the intern who had saved his life and Su-bin was thereby summoned.

***

Su-bin paused in front of the private room, took a couple of deep breaths, and shook her head. This nonsense had to stop. Why was she sweating this meeting? Snap out of it, she scolded herself.

Trying to hide her nerves, she pushed her shoulders back and held her head high. She had saved a life when it mattered most, and now, that handsome gentleman had requested to meet her. Without further delay, she gave the solid wood door three decisive knocks. Before a formal response could be given, she marched inside, making as much noise as her sneaker-clad feet would allow.

Crossing the small space in a few quick steps, she stopped at the foot of Min-jun’s bed. It was close enough to be professional, she justified, using the footboard as a shield against her imaginary danger zone.

“An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. I’m Dr. Kim Su-bin. You asked for me?” She opened the conversation with a respectful dip of her head.

Min-jun looked up, set his prescription slip aside, and surveyed the intern. A flash of surprise crossed his expression, making Su-bin’s skin prickle. She shifted her weight and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, trying to shake the sudden unease.

“I want to personally thank you for saving my life,” Min-jun said. His voice was thick with sincerity, yet it carried the effortless confidence of someone used to being heard.

“No need to thank me. I was simply in the right place at the right time,” Su-bin replied, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor to avoid his gaze.

“Still, I owe you my life, and I’d like to repay you,” he continued. “I understand you’re an intern, and since the pay isn't exactly generous, I’d like to offer a reward in that capacity.”

Su-bin froze. Her eyes widened, and her mouth twisted into a sharp, annoyed smirk. She fought to keep her professional mask from slipping.

“Please, don't. I make enough to keep myself fed and sheltered.” The uneasiness vanished, replaced by a cold, defensive anger. Her professional pride was stung.

“I didn't mean to insult you. I just know many interns struggle to—”

“If you must repay me,” Su-bin cut in, her voice level and her gaze now locked onto his without blinking, “do me a favour: get a prescription for an EpiPen and carry it with you everywhere.” Her tone was clipped, tinged with palpable disappointment.

“But Dr. Kim, there must be something else...”

“It is my job to save lives. I’m eternally grateful I could put my training to good use this early in my career.”

“I understand, but I truly want to express my gratitude. Are you quite sure there is nothing I can do?”

“There isn't. This experience has only confirmed this is what I want to do with my life,” she said with firm conviction. She checked her watch. “I must go. My shift in the ER is starting.”

She bowed and retreated before he could utter another word.

“But—wait a minute, Dr. Ki—”

The door clicked shut, leaving Min-jun speechless in the quiet room.

Outside, Su-bin leaned against the corridor wall, her heart hammering against her ribs. That was the first time she had seen him fully conscious. Despite her irritation, she found herself haunted by the intensity of his dark brown eyes—as though he had been looking right through her.

The bitterness in her chest didn't fade as she walked away from his room. She forced her feet to move forward, each step down the sterile corridor a deliberate attempt to put distance between herself and his clinical transaction of gratitude.

A part of her seethed. Did people of means truly believe money could buy gratitude? The old bitterness rose in her throat as she remembered her father—a man who, time and again, offered the signature on a check when all she desperately needed was his company. 

She let out a long, weary sigh. For a fleeting second, she had found the man handsome—enigmatic, even. But the moment he tried to put a price tag on her duty, it completely wiped that whimsical notion out of her mind.

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