[ LIE IN EUPHORIA ] + p.jm

INFORMATION (정보)

He gave her a knowing look, which made her sigh and slush back on her seat.

" We must find a way. A way to get closer to them. "

Suddenly, a knock knocked them out of their trance. Nari sat back while Namjoon took his seat back behind his desk.

" Hello, Ms Nari. " Greeted the man as soon as his brown eyes landed on her. " Sorry to disturb you two, but Namjoon, it is urgent. "

" Alright. "

" Well, we finished talking anyway. " She got up from her seat and put her memo book back in her purse.

" I will let you know if I learn anything new. "

" Yes, please do. " Smiled the man gratefully.

After leaving Namjoon's office, she strolled down the hallway, her hand gently kneading the tense muscles in her neck as if a sudden weighty responsibility had been unexpectedly placed upon her shoulders.

" Oh, Nari! "

She heard a familiar voice call out her name, prompting her to lift her face and meet the gaze of a grinning man enthusiastically waving at her. He was like a ripple of sunshine to her on a bright day.

" Hello, Mr. Sunshine. "

He laughed at the nickname and asked what she was doing here.

" I had to catch up with Namjoon. What about you, Taehyung? Aren't you usually working on the second floor? "

He shook his head, " Usually, but I was paired up with Lisa recently. "

" Oh? Is this about what we talked about last time? "

He nodded this time. " Yes, I've spoken with Namjoon. I told him I had some interest in medicine. For now, I work with Lisa as her assistant. I book the appointments and watch her during surgery, but I assist her during minor injuries. "

" That's good, Taehyung. You must keep up the good work! " She said as she gently gave him a pat on the shoulder.

His tail swung happily at her encouragement, and he nodded. " I will. "

They waved their goodbyes as Nari walked toward the elevator to the fourth floor. Suddenly, her phone rang. " Hello? "

" Yeah, Nari? "

" What? "

" I just got a call from Mr. Joe Kevin. He said he couldn't see you today. Something unexpected happened so that he couldn't attend today's interview. " Explained her manager.

" Did he say when he will be available? "

" No, he simply apologized and suggested calling you directly when he freed up his schedule. So pay attention to any phone calls. "

" I got it. "

" Do you want me to fetch you when you finish over there and lead you to the usual restaurant, or do you want to stay at the Center a bit longer? "

" Just get me something to eat from the convenience store; I will help around the Center since it has been quite a while. "

" Alright, see you in a bit. "

Given her free time, she could help herself on the second floor. She pushed the button to the second floor and quickly arrived at the space she sought.

Her eyes quickly scanned the area as she searched for something or someone.

Abruptly, her dark eyes fell on a young hybrid. The nurse in her mid-forties was treating her.

"Bingo!"

She walked toward them and greeted, " Hello, may I help? "

Surprised, the woman gasped before a gentle smile spread on her lips. " Oh, Ms. Nari. I am almost finished here, but could you please treat the wound on her cheek? " She glanced behind the injured hybrid. " Because it seems like Jisung needs some help over there. "

At the other end, a young man, in a nurse attire was treated another hybrid with much difficulty. It seemed as if he wasn't used to the sight of blood.

" Yes, of course. Leave that to me. "

The nurse handed her the antiseptic before she got up and went to help on the other side of the room.

Nari took her place and started treating the injury on the young hybrid's face.

" ...You are not a nurse. "

" Glad you noticed. I'm actually a volunteer, I help around when I can. "

" What is your work then? "

" Me? I currently work as an anchorwoman. "

" Currently? " Innocetly asked the young child, to which nodded Nari.

" Yeah, I used to work freelance as a journalist, but now I'm an anchorwoman presenting the news on KBBS station. "

The young child gasped. " I know that channel! They show my favourite cartoon! "

Nari chuckled as she took down the antiseptic and grabbed a band-aid " What is your favourite cartoon? "

" Dooli! "

" Oh, I know that one too. Are they still showing it? I've watched it when I was around your age. "

" Yeah, every Thursday at 9:45. "

The woman smiled, " Ah, I didn't ask you your name."

The young girl politely replied, " My name is Park Sohyun. I'm seven years old. " She showed with her fingers.

" I'm Do Nari; I'm twenty-six years old. Nice to meet you. " She offered her hand, which the young hybrid shyly shook back.

" But, Sohuyn, can you tell me how you got hurt? "

Suddenly, the child tensed up.

" Ah, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I wondered how a cute child-like yourself would have gotten here. "

She fidged with her fingers and mumbled, to which Nari approached her ear to listen to her better.

" Can you keep a secret? "

"Yeah, I know how to keep secrets. "

" You see... "

The young girl started narrating her story. It was a story that wasn't so unusual but still as angering as it was to hear. This hybrid father, who was a human, was mistreating her every day. The day before was unusually more violent, but the child managed to escape for the first time in her life. By pure luck, in her moment of adrenaline, she bumped into a hybrid who happened to work for The Center.

Silently, Nari took the child in her arms and gently rubbed her back in circles.

Then, she gently broke the hug and asked. " Sohyun, can I ask you a favour? "

" A favour? "

She nodded.

A favour only you can do to for me, thought the woman.

X