When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 10

The exhaustion is suffocating. Pulling me under. Wrapping me in a darkness so deep I don't even have time to think.

Everything goes black.
-----------------

A noise.

A chair scraping?

Footsteps?

I stir, my body stiff from staying in the same position for too long.

My eyes flutter open to the sight of my desk, the papers scattered across it.

Wait.

I straighten, blinking at my surroundings.

Still in my office.

I check my phone.

11:42 AM.

Wait-what?

I slept through the entire morning?!

Panic flares in my chest as I scramble to check my messages.

A missed call from Dr. Kang.

A few texts from my colleagues.

And-

A message from my aunt.

But before I can check it, my phone buzzes again.

Dr. Kang.

I answer immediately. "Dr. Kang?"

"You're finally awake." His voice is amused. "I was starting to think we'd have to send a team to check if you were still alive."

I groan, rubbing my face. "I... what happened? Why didn't anyone wake me?"

"Because you're off duty today."

I freeze. "Wait. Seriously?"

"You assisted in a major case yesterday. Consider it a reward."

A slow grin spreads across my face.

No surgeries.

No patients.

No running around like a half-dead zombie.

Just freedom.

"Dr. Kang," I say dramatically, "I think I might cry."

He chuckles. "Enjoy your day off, Ye Na. God knows you need it."

The call ends, and I collapse back into my chair, sighing in relief.

No duties. No responsibilities.

Finally.

I check my aunt's message.

Auntie: Ye Na, isn't your hospital near Han Wool's house?
Auntie: Go stop by and pick up the snacks his mom made. She said she saved some for you too.

I pause.

Then reread it.

Then reread it again.

Han Wool's house.

A place I should not be excited about.

And yet-

A spark of something traitorous ignites in my chest.

Excitement.

I tell myself it's for the snacks.

Not for him.

Not for his stupid face or stupid smirk or stupid-

I shake my head, already getting up from my chair.