Work Text:
“You can be in three relationships in your life: your twin flame, your karmic partner, and your soulmate”….
Dr. Kim hissed at the article he was reading on the doctor’s lounge. “Who reads, this shit?”, he thought. Sipping a newly brewed coffee, Dr. Kim continued reading while his mind finds the article ridiculous, especially on the part, “while twin flames and karmic partners may not be necessarily romantic, soulmates are commonly perceived as long-lasting, as like marriage. Each person is believed to have a soulmate”. Dr. Kim suddenly felt a thug on his stomach, “each person is believed to have a soulmate”, he read. This sentence made him think a little like, "what if he does not have one?". He never thought that it is possible for him to settle down anytime soon. He found himself cringing on himself for even considering that he can have a soulmate or even welcome the thought of the concept. Over the years, since middle school, Dr. Kim Mingyu has set his eyes on being a doctor. He made sure that his grades are good, graduated on top of his class, and active in extra curricular activities such as basketball team and the volunteer club. He was also included in the top 1% of students in the country. Mingyu had some shares of romance, several girlfriends from middle school and a boyfriend from college. But these relationships were forgettable and are just part of his teenage adventures. The most serious one was with So Min, a classmate from medical school who was a serious girlfriend for sometime. But unlike him, So Min is very ambitious, broke up with him to marry off some other hot shot doctor. Instead of feeling pain, Mingyu actually felt relieved. He cannot recall if he ever fell in love with someone other than So Mi but there is always one particular long distance pen friend that he used to have in fifth grade when he was 9 or 10. Mingyu was very much infatuated with his pen friend to whom he exchanged letter via post or snail mail. The boy, he barely remembered the name, and him wrote regularly until the exchange stopped. The last letter was he sent a picture of him but his friend never replied back. “Maybe I am not handsome enough for him”, he thought. He was sad and disappointed for about a week but still waited for his letter to come. And then he forgot about him.
For now, Dr. Kim Mingyu feels that he is at the peak of his career. Recently awarded by the Ministry of Health as the top doctor for pediatrics, a spokesperson for children with cancer, and is listed as Korea’s Top 30 under 30. With all these achievements, Mingyu just wanted to take a break. His social battery is beginning to decrease and he needed his yearly time off which never happened before. His schedule has a window during the Winter Gala where his friends insisted that he comes along because he will receive his Top 30 under 30 award. At 27 years old, Mingyu is a sought-after pediatrician of children with cancer. He has conceptualized a phone app that would help caregivers and parents of children in cancer management. Created by Yoon Apps, Mingyu successfully launched the app which has been being used worldwide. Wonwoo, his bestfriend since childhood, and a flatmate for the longest time organized the gala for the Top 30 under 30 awardees. Wonwoo is a marketing strategist and owns Seoul’s top up and coming public relations agency. Equally handsome, successful, genius, Wonwoo is very shy however, his sharp mind can come up with the best markeing programs for the country. Their other friend, MingHao is the lead curator of museums both in Seoul, Hongkong and ShangHai and will join in the Gala so the three of them can be together. Dr. Kim made the arrangements early on so he can take some long break of seven days, two days before the event, and four days after where he intended to go home to Anyang and spend days on his parents’ house. The gala will be held in Singapore as this is a party for Asia’s Top 30 under 30.
Three weeks later, Mingyu is ready for the gala. He asked his assistant Lee Chan to prepare his suit and chose a Saint Laurent best shows Mingyu’s muscular but lean body and emphasize his physique and handsome face. Chan thought that his boss will pass as a celebrity but Dr. Kim is a celebrity at his own right. “Sir, you can fit your suit at the store. The invitation for the event is in your car. I have emailed you your tickets and the accommodations, and I hope you have a good time”, Mingyu read Lee Chan’s text. On the way to his flight to Singapore, he called his friend Wonwoo,
“Wonwoo, I am on my way to Singapore, let’s see each other at the hotel and I hope Hao will be there too.”
“Dude, what the fuck – not cursing you. I will not be there as there is chaos in the Bangkok in one of the products we are handling. I need to be here because the crisis is absurd but the public was convinced.” Wonwoo answered.
“What? I will be going there alone?”
“You try calling Hao maybe he is coming… “and then the line died with Wonwoo yelling at broken Thai. He suddenly received a text from Hao.
“Gyu, sorry cannot fly. There was a delivery mishap in New York and London and I would have to personally attend. Please tell Wonwoo I am sorry. I will pay for the hotel”.
He called Hao and cursed him and told him that he will also bill him all his alcohol in take.
“What the fuck is wrong with you and Wonwoo?? You are both abandoning me?”
Disappointed with his friends, but then he realized that they have equally important jobs as him and he will do the same. But then for this vacation, he got all his tracks covered, but very expensive though because he had to ask his colleagues to cover for him and he should give them something in return like expensive whiskey and high grade beef.
The awards night is just like a crazy rich Asian party. The guests are the young who’s who of Asia and he wondered why is he even there? In the middle of the party, his social battery is dying down. Mingyu is not much into socializing that is why he wanted Wonwoo and Hao to be with him. He sat on the bar, ordered a quite expensive whiskey and looking at his watch, he will just stay for a few minutes because he is afraid that anytime soon, those popular female actresses and CEO are starting to flirt with him and bringing him drinks.
And then he is seeing So Min approaching him, clutching the arms of her husband who was one of the judges of the event. “So, you made it here, Dr. Kim Mingyu”. And kissed his both cheeks. "That snob social climbing ex!", his mind played some thoughts. "She will just flaunt how rich and successful her husband is as if I care".
“It is nice to see you again So Min”, he turned to her husband and said, “I am Dr. Kim, Dr. Yang. I am very happy to meet you. I am sorry but I had to cut this short as I have to go to the other bar, I have a friend to meet”. So Min said, “Wait we have to catch up!”
“Ready for our round of whiskey, Dr. Kim?”, a deep voice asked him. “Let’s go, and excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Yang, my friend and I would have to go. Thank you for considering us for the awards, Dr. Yang”, the stranger addressed Mr. Yang.
“Oh, you boys very well deserved it. Have a good night, you two”. The stranger dragged Mingyu away from the couple, with So Min obviously seething. Since it was dark Mingyu cannot quite figure out who spoke to him, “Yoon Jeonghan, CEO of Yoon Apps, I developed your app”. "Oh", was only what Mingyu can say. He realized that he never met the owner of the company who developed his app. Yoon Jeonghan, yeah the name is familiar but it baffles him that he has heard the name before. It was dark so he cannot make up how Yoon Jeonghan looks like, but he can feel his scent – a scent he cannot identify but is cheery and fruity, his suit fits him well and the face is beyond beautiful even in the dark. Mingyu also realized that he has never met the people who developed his cancer management app. He just let Wonwoo take over and trusted that the development firm to produce it long as his company takes 40% of the share. It was Wonwoo’s company who facilitated and all else were orchestrated with Wonwoo but he was very happy with the result.
“Good evening Mr. Yoon, it is very nice to meet you. Wow, I realized that I have never met you in person. We just signed the papers and all”, he answered. “By the way let me properly introduce myself, “I am Dr. Kim Mingyu, of Seoul Doctors University, I am a pediatrician”. He held out his hand and Jeonghan answered, “Nice meeting you Dr. Kim. I am Yoon Jeonghan, CEO of Yoon Apps”, and then they shook hands.
“Here is my card. Maybe we should catch up and we have to talk about how to move forward or how we can add other illnesses. I have a few ideas. Just get in touch with me directly”. Mr Yoon walked away fast, while Mingyu was holding his card and was hyperventilating. “He is the most beautiful man I have met." And then he felt some electricity cutting through his nerves. It is as if something opened up and the suddenly remembered the soulmate article he read about. “What are you thinking Kim Mingyu?”, he told himself. “Wait, Chairman Yoon thank you for saving me from there. My social battery is out. Can I atleast treat you for coffee?” he found himself asking Jeonghan. “Oh no I have to go I have a flight to catch. You have my card give me a call once in Seoul.”, Jeonghan answered and he walked away fast, with his two bodyguards behind him. Mingyu felt that time stopped. Something has changed and he does not know what. “Bullocks, what the fact are you thinking, Mingyu?”, he asked himself.
Mingyu continued on his vacation in his childhood home but it drove him crazy. After the gala, he flew back to Korea and drove to his family’s home. Whenever he has time and goes for vacations which is never, he sees to it that he goes home to enjoy the pampering of his mother and grandmother, and enjoy his childhood room. However, instead of resting, he cannot forget Yoon Jeonghan. The voice, the scent, the clothes, the feel of his skin when they shook hands, the way he flicked his card. Instead of taking sleep, Mingyu obsessed over what he can find about Yoon Jeonghan. The guy is self-made, left Korea when he was 12, graduated from MIT with a degree in computer engineering. After college, Jeonghan travelled to Africa and Asia to see how to serve the underserved and for them to have access to the internet. That is why Jeonghan is included in the Top 30 under 30. Jeonghan is 29, still single but has built an empire of apps services, winery and a board member of a major airline and a urban clothing retail stores. There are no other information apart from what is in Wikipedia, his company’s website and other business articles. He does not have any social media too. He tried reaching the number but all he had was a voice mail that he is still travelling. He emailed, and also there is a systems generated message that he’s travelling. It is a mystery for Mingyu to feel this way. He only met Jeonghan one time and it seemed that he is in love like as if he had known him all his life. He has every excuse to invite Jeonghan for coffee or dinner because he built his app.
Back in Seoul, Mingyu tried to text Jeonghan everyday. He found him in the business news, opening a new cellsite in one small community in Tanzania or meeting with government officials in fast tracking digital infrastructure. He also found Jeonghan in one of those United Nation meetings, speaking about connectivity and inclusivity. And with that, Mingyu thought that his infatuation can be love. "Fuck soulmates". But this time, he hopes that Jeonghan is a soulmate. Something echoed Jeonghan’s name on his mind. “No, it is impossible. I cannot be him”.
Jeonghan
“The invitation is on your desk, sir. And congratulations”. Jeonghan’s assistant Soonyoung told him that he is going to be awarded in Singapore for Asia’s 30 under 30. He looked at the list and there are two Koreans, him and Dr. Kim Mingyu. Jeonghan is heartbroken. The 29 year old CEO of Yoon Apps is reeling from a broken heart. His fiancée from France died of a biking accident two years ago. He was in the intensive care for two months and Jeonghan never left his side. Until he needed to go to Seoul to oversee the launch of the cancer management app, and then that was when he received the news that his fiancée lost his life. He had to leave immediately to be beside Jaejoong, regretting his decision to go to Seoul. Jeonghan grieved as much as he can. He took a long grieving leave and shifted his energies to the access to internet in the poorest of the poor communities. That way, he becomes less lonely. Little he knew that Jaejoong, his fiancée, has named Jeonghan as heir of the winery and the vineyard in France and Italy since they have been so sure of each other.
Jeonghan recalled that everytime he or Jaejoong would propose to marry, something or someone will hinder the marriage proposal. One time it was an employees strike with absurd demands, and Jeonghan would need to fly back from France to Seoul to talk with the employees but when he got there, everything worked out fine. The workers dismissed their demands but Jeonghan still gave them additional benefits. The second time, Jaejoong had to fly from Seoul to Italy because the grapes suffered from frost, but then when he got there, most of the grapes were saved, hence there won’t be any supply problems for the next harvest. And when Jaejoong was finally able to propose, he succumbed to a biking accident after one week. Jeonghan felt that the universe conspired against him to be happy with a partner. Jaejoong was really good to him, but the he knew that eventually, he had to let him go.
After two years, he finally decided to let go and try to love again. After attending the gala in Singapore, Jeonghan flew to France. He felt that he had to talk to Jaejoong’s family and tell them that it is time to cut ties. It hurt him so much to let go but upon pondering and how his life went on for the past two years, he chose to live fully in Seoul. Flying back and forth from Seoul to France and Italy is taking toll to his priority business. And holding on to Jaejoong felt that he is not freeing his departed soul. He is hurting everyday, and Jeonghan thought that his longing for Jaejoong is taking toll on his life too. Jeonghan is a responsible man, thinking of his business and being responsible for his 400 employees worldwide. He cannot be a functioning unhappy person, because he needs to be inspired and active to fulfill his duties. He consciously got out of his spiraling grief and depression. Jaejoong would not want that too – since his fiancée always made sure that Jeonghan is loved, happy, inspired and fulfilled. He spent the next two weeks at the vineyard and spent it with Jaejoong’s family. He presented to them his exit plan and the transfer of assets to the family. He will be looking over the business until the sisters are ready to take over. Jaejoong’s family was not surprised with Jeonghan’s decision and was very grateful and supportive. Jeonghan asked for permission to let go, it was really a very tearful reunion. Jaejoong’s family is his family, where he felt he belonged. It was a very difficult decision, but as a young man, it was only good to let go but still his heart is closest to his late Jaejoong. And as if the timing is perfect, after two years, Jeonghan knows that he has some unfinished business to solve. And it can be difficult, as a childhood memory has to be resolved so as both of them can move on. Since he left the gala, he has been getting a lot text messages and missed calls from Kim Mingyu. Jeonghan is a very sentimental person.
A long time ago, he has this pen friend who lived 20 kilometers away from his hometown. The last letter, his pen friend named Kim Mingyu sent him a photo. After deciding that he will also send a photo, he found himself packing his whole life in a suitcase and suddenly going to the United states with his father. He never realized that his mother and father are divorcing. His brother, Seungkwan is staying with his mother in Seoul and he will go to the United States with his father. Jeonghan packed his clothes and some books and was very very confused. His life changed in a flick of a finger. But he did not forget about Kim Mingyu, and brought his photo along with him. However, he forgot to bring his letters and was unable to memorize his address. He will go to the United States and all he can write is Hangul. Years passed and still, Kim Mingyu is still entrenched at his core memory. Until he found Jaejoong. But then Jaejoong left him. All his love ones leave. Or he is the one who leaves – he left Seungkwan when they were little and Mingyu. But at the end, the universe took the love of his life away.
He settled well in the United States and found himself in a scholarship to MIT where he found his best friend, Joshua Hong. His father, a professor of Korean and East Asian studies in one of the US’s universities gave him a good life. Though it took a while for him to learn English and, he had a good life. He was able to build an empire together with his best friend and his brother. He was able to return home to his mother in Korea and found that relationship between his parents became amiable. Life happened, met Jaejoong, lost Jaejoong, built an empire. Yoon Apps began it all and he cannot believe how fast it grew but not without mishaps. But something seems to be missing. He decided that love can take time because Jaejoong gave him love that is beyond compare but still, something is missing.
Until that invitation on his table. How the universe conspires that when he decided to let Jaejoong go, he will finally meet his unfinished business, Kim Mingyu. Well, he hoped that he was THAT Kim Mingyu. Back home in Seoul after his two-week working stint in Europe, his assistant, Soonyoung informed him of all the missed calls and a wait list of appointments. “Please get back to them one by one, and schedule the appointments accordingly, Soonyoung”. His thoughts are on the list, since he left for two weeks, everyday, there were everyday calls from Kim Mingyu. There was a message “You still owe me coffee”. “Oh he is persistent, and this is making me nervous”. He never anticipated that Dr. Kim is very handsome, way more handsome than he imagined. He never realized that the Kim Mingyu who designed the cancer app is his Kim Mingyu. That photo of a fanged tall boy with piercing eyes and a very happy smile, it is only when he realized that it was him when he saw him in person.
Jeonghan wanted the earth to swallow him when he saw the doctor. But he noticed that he was being cornered and was just being polite to the woman who was hovering over him. So, he just went in and took Mingyu away.
Mingyu took his breath away.
He dialled Mingyu’s number from his private line and tried to call him but Dr. Kim is unreacheable.
Mingyu
Mingyu found a missed call from an unknown number. But then, he finally received a text message from Jeonghan’s assistant. “CEO Jeonghan asked if you can join him in a meeting with our team. Please let us know your most convenient date”, Mingyu read. “Now, I can cancel everything, now”, Mingyu thought. He checked his schedule and he has a surgery in 30 minutes. “Chan, where is my next window for a meeting with Yoon Apps?”, he asked his assistant. “Yoon Apps? You never went to a meeting with them. It is always Wonwoo’s team who arranged it. But let me see… you are free on next week, like 2pm.” “Isn’t there any other date that’s closer? Okay, here is the message I received from Yoon Apps, make an arrangement as soon as possible” Mingyu insisted.
Two weeks. Mingyu has to wait for two weeks. That is the only time that he can meet Jeonghan because the CEO’s schedule and his schedule won’t meet. He thinks he cannot wait that long, but then he is a busy man as well as his crush. He does not know how to contact Jeonghan directly, but can go thru his assistant but Mingyu thought that he wanted something personal not business.
That night was the weekly drinks with Wonwoo and Minghao. “Finally, I needed to see you two”, Mingyu said to them. After complaining how the two of them ditched him during the gala, he told them the story of meeting Jeonghan. Discovering that it was Yoon Apps who developed his baby app, Mingyu was curious why he never met the CEO way before.
“Wonwoo, have you met CEO Yoon of Yoon Apps?"
“Oh you met him during the gala! Pretty good looking fellow, and the brains are immense, a really pleasant personality and I think he is a lot smarter than you”, Wonwoo teased.
“I was just wondering why did you not let me join meetings with him?” Mingyu asked curiously.
“You hated meetings”, Hao interjected.
“Wonwoo and I had a little crush on him the first time we met him”.
“You met him already???”, Mingyu asked Hao surprised.
“Yeah, he has attended a few of my shows, and you hated these shows”.
“No I did not! It is just that there are other things to do”, Mingyu reasoned out.
“It seems that our genius doctor has a crush”, Wonwoo observed.
Mingyu did not respond, as he was staring at Yoon Jeonghan getting inside the bar along with an equally good looking man.
Hao said, “Speaking of, wow, he looks more beautiful now. He has this new glow….” Mingyu was mesmerized seeing Jeonghan and was curious who is the guy Jeonghan was with.
Suddenly, the couple went to their table, “Mr Jeon, Mr. Xiao, and Dr. Kim, fancy meeting you here”, Jeonghan shook everyone’s hand. He was wearing a white long sleeved short, showing his silky neckline. “Mr. Yoon, Mr. Hong, nice seeing you again, perhaps you can join us here,” Wonwoo confirmed.
“It is our pleasure but I guess we have to cut the formalities, Wonwoo”, Jeonghan said. Mingyu was awestruck. "Why are my friends friends with Jeonghan and Joshua? Why am I not in the conversation? Why is it that I only found him now?", Mingyu was quietly observing them while his friends and Jeonghan and Joshua animatedly spoke with them as if they re friends for a long time.
“How was the vineyard and the wine business?”, Wonwoo asked Jeonghan. “Oh after the gala, I went straight to France and transferred the assets to Jaejoong’s family, including my shares of stocks. I am cutting down my business as I want to focus on digitalization and clothing retail”. Jeonghan answered.
“Who is Jaejoong?”, Mingyu suddenly asked. Jeonghan looked at him and flashed him a warm smile. “He was my fiancée, but he passed away”, Jeonghan answered him. “Oh, I am sorry to intrude, my apologies, CEO Jeonghan”, Mingyu told him. “Just call me Jeonghan, please. I am good friends with your friends so let us cut down the formalities and I have saved you from your ex, right? And you still owe me coffee”, Jeonghan teased Mingyu.
Mingyu cannot believe that he is with Yoon Jeonghan and may it be serendipitous. He is right there teasing him and reminding him that he still owed him coffee. “Right, would you like to have it tonight?”, Mingyu asked. “I am sorry Dr. Kim, but Joshua and I have an appointment with our Board tonight. You have my number anyway,” Jeonghan responded. “Yeah but I never had an answer”, Mingyu answered back with an undeniable look of disappointment in his face.
“Really? Maybe because I was travelling, and I am lazy to text back. I will try to be more conscious, Dr. Kim. Anyway, we have to go. This round is on my tab. See you soon for the next project, Wonwoo and Dr. Kim. I expect my invitation for your next exhibit, Hao”. Jeonghan and Joshua left, with Mingyu staring back at them, open mouthed. Jeonghan gave him another card and said, “Here is my personal number, only a few people have it.”
“Earth back to Mingyu”, Wonwoo waved his hand in front of Mingyu. “Oh no, our friend is in love. And with THE YOON JEONGHAN”, Hao teased him. Mingyu wanted to argue to his friends that he is not in love with Jeonghan. But he cannot deny it. His world opened up as if all possibilities are endless and he will not be deterred by anything. He only wanted to be with jeonghan. Be with him, touch him, sing to him, take care of him. Love him and love him back.
“Why the fuck did I not know that there is a Yoon Jeonghan in this lifetime and you are friends with him?”, Mingyu finally asked his friends. Wonwoo told him that he always has invitations when they were still developing his app but Mingyu established that he hates meetings and let Wonwoo’s team design and finalize it. Hao said that he had all the invitations for his exhibits for some reason, Mingyu refused to go. Jeonghan is one of his top clients and they even travelled to Shanghai, New York and London for some art works that Jeonghan wanted to buy.
“And I hate to break it to you, Dr. Kim. I do not think Jeonghan would take a second look at you when we first met him. That time because he was very much into Jaejoong. At least now you have a chance, he is single again but you have a very big shoe to fill", Wonwoo reasoned out.
“I will fill that shoe, Jeonghan and I are destined to be together”, he whispered to himself. And for the first time, Mingyu is very sure of something during this lifetime.
He texted Jeonghan everyday for coffee. He always gets rejected. Jeonghan invited him for lunch to make up, but Mingyu had surgery. They arranged to meet up for drinks, but Jeonghan needed to respond to a retail problem in Busan. “You can come with me, let us fly and have coffee there”, Jeonghan invited Mingyu. Mingyu would have said yes but there was an emergency ceasariean with a baby needing his care. They failed to meet several times despite the attempts.
“Perhaps destiny is against me”, Mingyu thought. Until the day of the meeting comes with Yoon apps.
Jeonghan
Dr. Kim is very easy on the eyes. He wondered, why did he re-enter into my life when I finally let Jaejoong rest?. He has a crush on Mingyu since he was 11. But he never met him. Life happened and he flew to the US but he held on to that photo. Jeonghan wanted to have coffee with him everytime Mingyu invited him. He wants to go walking along the Han River with Mingyu. He wants to talk to him and see how his depth or his passion and his projects. He is very very interested. But Jeonghan always finds himself rejecting his offers. Or if he offers, something hinders them from seeing each other. "Is this the way the universe is punishing me for letting Jaejoong go?", sometimes he would think that way. But then, as Jaejoong’s mother told him, "You live a good life. Fall in love again". She gave him a blessing. “I should be able to give myself another chance and allow myself to be happy with someone that can be as special or more”.
“What is with the brooding?” Joshua asked Jeonghan who is staring at his coffee at 8:00 in the morning.
“Would it be okay if I date again?” Jeonghan asked whose face is on the table told Joshua.
“Wow, I did not expect that question. You know my take on that. If it’s Dr. Kim then go for it”.
“How did you know that I like Dr. Kim?”
“I am your friend for a long time. I know when you have a crush on someone. And so since I have a dating life you should get one too because, dear you can be a diva and if you whine I would need to leave Seungcheol for you or else you will make our lives hell,” Joshua explained to Jeonghan while steeping his tea.
“Looking for me? Good morning baby”, a newly bathe Seuncheol scooped Joshua’s face and peppered him with kisses. Jeonghan lives with Joshua at the penthouse of the most prestigious apartment in Seoul. The property is Jeonghan’s and he asked Joshua to move in with him because it can get lonely. He moved there when Jaejoong died. Joshua agreed with the condition that his partner would get to spend the evenings with him a couple of days in a week. But then they lived together there with Jeonghan, always pissing Jeonghan off.
“What’s with the brooding, Hannie”? Seungcheol asked.
“Our Jeonghan has a crush, and he is ready to date”, Joshua whispered to his boyfriend.
Jeonghan just let the couple talk about him as he remembered that this is the day that he will meet with Mingyu formally. He excused himself as he gets ready for work. “Hannie, just date, please”. Joshua told Jeonghan. Then Jeonghan hugged Joshua and said, “I will try my best”.
“Don’t feel guilty to love again”. Cheol told him empathically. Cheol is right. Jeonghan feels guilty to love again. And somehow, he is angry at Mingyu’s app for taking his time away from Jaejoong. That was the reason why he had to leave Jaejoong’s side. He cannot understand all these coincidences as if destiny is pointing him to Mingyu. Mingyu was constantly in his dream, as a little boy. Waiting on their doorsteps, with eyes twinkling everytime the post man passes by. But there was no letter from Jeonghan, and Mingyu will feel sad. Then Jeonghan wakes up, realizing that he needs to make up for those lost times.
The meeting with Mingyu and his team is at the lobby of a five-star hotel that Jeonghan loves. Finally, they will have their coffee. Mingyu and his assistant Chan, with Wonwoo and his developers DK and Jun will meet with Jeonghan and his team, Soonyoung and Woozi. They will talk about the new developments of the app and if Dr. Kim and Wonwoo would propose for other health apps. Mingyu hates technical meetings but this time, is a time to be with Jeonghan. He honestly did not understand a bit of what had transpired because it was DK and Woozi who did all the talking. He did not understand what they agreed upon but one thing is clear is the design for the expansion is on the table with other doctors to be on board. Yoon Apps want the app to be expanded to underdeveloped countries. Mingyu agreed to all their ideas and would regroup for the next meetings. After the meeting, “Dr. Kim, will you be available for coffee? You still owe me one”, Jeonghan asked. Mingyu looked at Chan and said, “There is nothing on your calendar unless there will be an emergency surgery. Yes Dr. Kim, you can have coffee for as long as you like today”. Soonyoung confirmed to Jeonghan that he has his afternoon free as well.
“So Dr. Kim, finally after a quarter of chasing each other, we get to enjoy our coffee”. Mingyu cannot contain his luck. He has been anticipating dating Jeonghan for a long time now. His heart is so full as if this is the happiest day of his life. He cannot help but look lovingly at Jeonghan, who is conversing with Wonwoo and feeling that their business relationship would go for a long time. Business relationship with Wonwoo only, because he wanted something more personal.
Mingyu and Jeonghan talked for hours. It is like their universe collided, as if there is a lot to talk about. They talked about their childhood, how they have grown into successful individuals, all their lousy teenage adventures. They laughed, nearly cried…. It was so easy as if they are meant to this conversation. They felt that they have known each other for such a long time. And they do, Jeonghan knows they do. But he never had the nerve to inform Mingyu because perhaps he may be assuming or Mingyu forgot about it.
It was night time when they realized how long they were talking. "I have not talked that much about myself on a personal level for a long time", Jeonghan said. Mingyu is still mesmerized by the magic he is experiencing. “Same with me, Jeonghan. Do you want to walk by the river an d then let’s have dinner”. “Oh I am sorry Mingyu, I have a date with my mother tonight. But perhaps we can still find time tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? I will fly to New York for a conference".
“Can I come with you then?” Jeonghan wanted to ask. But instead, “When will you be back?”
“In a week.”
“I will wait then”.
As soon as he is home, Jeonghan received a message from Mingyu. “Thank you for your afternoon, I really enjoyed your company”. Jeonghan, answered back, “Me too. Let’s do it again”.
"As in like a date?"
"You can call it like that. I want to cancel my New York trip and be with you".
Jeonghan did not answer back right away because one week is too long but he has ]to endure. "Have a safe trip and see you soon".
They texted every morning, every moment. They informed each other of what they are doing. For a week, all they have is longing of each others’ presence. Mingyu never felt this secured and sure. Mingyu felt that the connection is something he never felt before. He can sense when Jeonghan wakes up, he can sense if he is upset. Jeonghan felt the same. He never felt the same connection with Jaejoong. This one has magic into it. Everyone around him reminds him of Mingyu. It is weird he can sense his scent. Or always thinks that he is just around.
When Mingyu came home, Jeonghan picked him up at the airport. Mingyu promised him to cook him dinner when he comes home. Though jet lagged, they realized that that was just their common time throughout the week. They went to Mingyu’s apartment, and upon entry, Jeonghan said, “I used to look into this very apartment but I chose the one in Prestige”. “Really? I used to look at Prestige but the apartment I wanted was taken already” They laughed at the coincidence, thinking that they could have met then. “I always wondered why I have not met you personally while I am friends with Wonwoo and Hao”. “I wondered too, you know.” “And Joshua’s partner is Seungcheol, the football player, right?” “How did you know Cheol?”, asked Jeonghan. “He and I go to the same gym”, Mingyu said. And Jeonghan wondered all these coincidences and alignment of his life with Mingyu.
Mingyu cooked Jeonghan dinner and that was the best Korean friend chicken and bulgogi that he has tasted. “You really get my palate. This is delicious, Mingyu”, Jeonghan praised Mingyu. “I can cook for your forever, if you allow me too, Hyung”. Mingyu wanted that. He wanted to take care of Jeonghan and cook for him. He wanted Jeonghan’s complete attention for himself. Jeonghan reached out to Mingyu and kissed his cheek, “You are very pretty”. And then sparks flew.
They felt the electricity as if the universe opened up and stirred them together. Mingyu caught Jeonghan’s face and buried his lips into his. They kissed like they are intertwined as one soul, each kiss building up all the energies of their DNA, mathematically calculated by the Universe as one. They did not want to part. Jeonghan had to stop because he forgot to breathe. Mingyu does not want to stop as if the longing for this has been forever.
“What was that?”, Jeonghan asked. He never felt that before. Not with his Jaejoong, not with his other exes.
“That is us, hyung”, Mingyu held on to Jeonghan, hugging him, with Jeonghan’s head on his chest.
“What is us?”
“Soulmates?”
“You believe that shit?”
“Not until I saw you Hyung”.
At this moment, Jeonghan realized one thing, he is falling in love again. After their dinner, Jeonghan had a series of trips abroad. Mingyu had a series of surgeries. Their busy schedule, their trips made it impossible for them to meet personally. They texted every moment, every minute. Until the texting stopped because all of a sudden, Mingyu got cold feet. And Jeonghan became afraid. Their thoughts have tricked them, and made them very lonely, both thinking that destiny is against them.
Mingyu
Mingyu thought that he is crazily mad. He cannot contain his feelings and his obsession for Jeonghan. He would think of alone time and date scenarios that never happened. Sometimes, he would impulsively book a ticket to where Jeonghan is. OR would like to cancel his trips so he can see him. Their talking and messaging are constant but he longed to be with Jeonghan physically. One time, Jeonghan was in Rome and Mingyu quicky booked a ticket, but he missed Jeonghan. On the other hand, while Mingyu was in Hongkong, Jeonghan attempted to see him but they missed each other again. The time zones and the distance are driving Mingyu nuts and decided that he will just wait for Jeonghan in Seoul. But then one time, in the airport in Amsterdam, he saw Jeonghan. And then missed him again, for Jeonghan was boarding his flight to Africa. That one time was unplanned. Mingyu felt the magic again. He felt that if it is meant, then they would meet and be together. He suddenly felt that his pining would have to stop or else, they won’t meet. At the same time, pining makes him miserable. It seems for him that Jeonghan is not making any effort to be with him but prioritize his companies and finds no time for breaks. He also felt that he is competing with how Jaejoong who has showered Jeonghan love. Jeonghan who deserves all the best in this life. He also knows that he has a lot of competition, even Presidents are giving Jeonghan extra attention. Mingyu thought that maybe, he does not deserve Jeonghan. For him he is just a mere doctor.
He remembered his pen friend who ghosted him, and never wrote back. A name which is at his subconsious. From that moment that he never answered back, he always felt that he is not worthy enough, hence his effort to be better and better. But that had some fruits such as his stature now. But then it happened again, he is not being chosen. There is no clarity on where will this go. And then Mingyu just decided to stop. Mingyu stopped texting Jeonghan and eventually, Jeonghan’s texts became lesser and lesser too. The texting stopped three months later. They have not arranged for a get-together, and there is no time to meet once in Seoul. And their lives continued.
For Mingyu, his life is just on autopilot mode. Until he has something new to look forward to again.
Jeonghan
Meanwhile, one time in Amsterdam airport, Jeonghan saw Mingyu and he wanted to desperately go to him and ask him to go with him. But there was no time, he cannot delay his flight just because he is deeply infatuated with his pen friend. When Mingyu stopped texting, Jeonghan felt really bad. But he cannot blame Mingyu for he appeared so emotionally unavailable. His crazy busy schedule is just so relentless he decided that he cannot delegate his work. He worked and worked so as not to make him feel and forget the emptiness he has been feeling. Mingyu might have given him some sparks but for him, those sparks will only ignite the fear of losing loved ones again. The darkness Jeonghan felt is back. His busy schedule, the jet lags and the travelling make him feel useless again and feel less again.
"Jeonghan, start preparing for work. There is so much to work do. They need you". Joshua told Jeonghan while the former is preparing for work.
"I would need to delegate and start hiring chief officers, Shua.I am nearing burn-out. Can you be my CEO?"
"What are you talking about? Of course I cannot be your CEO, I have work life balance, I have you and Cheollie. Both of you are baby girls, And whatever happened to Dr. Kim?"
"He stopped communicating with me. Maybe he felt that I am emotionally unavailable and have been too busy to give him attention", Jeonghan complained.
Joshua went to Jeonghan's bed side. And gave him a hug. "Babe, you deserve a break, and you deserve to love again. Go to the office now and let’s talk about how you would delegate the travelling to Soonyoung and Woozi. Let’s hire new people. You are filthy rich and what the fuck are you doing doing all the job?", but Joshua felt that something is wrong. Jeonghan is all skin and bones, no amount of muscle when he hugged his friend. "I dunno Joshua, it seems that everything is muscle memory. It seems that I am still grieving. I just want to stop. I can hardly get out of my bed now". And then Jeonghan suddenly dozed off to sleep. "Oh darling, you are burning with fever". He grabbed Jeoghan’s arm and all he felt was skin and bones. Joshua nearly had a panic attack knowing the physical state of Jeonghan’s body. “Cheol”, he nearly screamed. “We need to bring Jeonghan to the hospital”.
Dr. Chwe came in Jeonghan’s apartment and advised him to get confined to the hospital to get proper care. Because of all the traveling, Jeonghan lost a lot of weight, and is suffering from flu, extreme fatigue, burn out and anemia. He was advised get total rest and made sure that his sick leave would extend to two weeks more. He also caught some virus during his recent trip to Africa. But for Jeonghan, this is all because of his brokenness. When Mingyu stopped communicating with him, and he realized he longed for him and wanted to get to know him more.
Mingyu
On his auto-pilot mode, Dr. Kim would not show that he is heartbroken and lonely. He took time to bring coffee to the nurses of the Internal Medicine department because of their support to one of his more difficult patients. Upon arriving at the station, he noticed the signage in the VIP room, Yoon Jeonghan. “Is that the Yoon Jeonghan of Yoon Apps” he asked the nurses. The nurses swooned over his question and giddily answered. “Oh yes Dr. Kim. He is Dr. Chwe’s patient”. Mingyu took a look at the chart, which wrote “fatigue, to rule out yellow fever”. “The yellow fever is ruled out thankfully. The handsome CEO Yoon is just tired and burned out. Dr. Chwe wanted him for a few days so he can rest totally”, the head nurse told him. Upon knowing this information, Mingyu ran quickly over to his room, and the nurses were very stunned. “Jeonghan”… There is he, he appeared so weak and vulnerable, Mingyu felt all the tiredness in Jeonghan’s body. Jeonghan was asleep, with fluids and vitamins running through his veins. A few minutes after, Dr. Chwe came in and told Mingyu, “You must be his friend. The nurses told me that you look really worried when you learned about Jeonghan being here. We decided to give him some sleep because he is nearly malnourished. Maybe those trips to Africa and South Asia took toll on him”. Mingyu’s tears are not stopping. Dr. Chwe put his arms around his shoulders and told him. “You can stay if you want. He can wake up anytime soon”. “Thank you, Vernon. His company developed the cancer management app. I owe him a lot. I will stay here with him. Thank you for taking care of him”.
“You are welcome too. A piece of advice though, don’t let him get away next time. Just tell him to stay put and let his people do what he is doing. I have told to him to rest and slow down but he never listened. Maybe he will to you”, Dr. Chwe shook his hand and left the two alone. Mingyu stayed beside Jeonghan. He held his hand, put it on his cheek and told him, “You will never leave my sight anymore”. Jeonghan woke up with his whole body aching and found all the fluids attached to him. On his bed side, he saw a sleeping Dr. Mingyu Kim. The clock read, 6:00 PM. Jeonghan smiled and he slept again. Mingyu stayed with Jeonghan during his one week stay at the hospital. His doctors asked him to forget work and just focused on bringing back his strength. Soonyoon and Joshua took over and started looking for new staff to fil in the gaps that Jeonghan left. They all realized that Jeonghan did not stop working and travelling since Jaejoong died.
“Why are you here, Dr. Kim?”, Jeonghan asked. He remembered that Dr. Kim stopped messaging him and he wondered why he is here?
“You are never leaving my sight anymore, CEO Yoon. When I saw you boarding your plane in Amsterdam, I decided to stop pining for you because you drove me nuts”, admitted Mingyu. “I saw you there too”.
“Dr. Chwe also told me not to let you go off anywhere until you have fully recovered so I am your personal doctor for free”.
“Really. I never listened to Dr. Chwe”, Jeonghan argued. “Yes I am aware, but you will listen to me, okay?”, Mingyu retaliated.
He gave Jeonghan a kiss on the forehead and Jeonghan said, “What is that for? Am I your grandmother?”, Jeonghan said teasingly. Sounding like a doctor who won’t take no for an answer, Mingyu insisted, “No, you are my patient and I am telling you I am patient enough and I will wait for you to get better and will be patient to wait for you everyday”. Jeonghan closed his eyes and told him silently, “Just stay there. I am still tired”. And he fell asleep again.
The day Jeonghan got out of the hospital, Mingyu is the one who arranged everything from the discharge to bringing him home. Soonyoung arranged Jeonghan to be in his house outside but near Seoul so he can recover quickly, and not in his high rise apartment. Mingyu was there everyday, tending him, cooking for him and making sure that he is amused and not bored.
“You don’t have to do this, Dr. Kim. I am a fully functional individual and I can perfectly take care of myself”.
“Nope I do not trust you that way. I have lost you and I am not losing you again”.
“But what are we?”
“Should I ask you to marry me or be my boyfriend?”
“I can sense that you won’t take a neither. But yes, boyfriend will be fine for now”. Jeonghan is smiling deep inside and crying at the very moment.
“Oh why are you crying? Hyung, don’t cry”. And all emotions that Jeonghan kept just poured out. Emotions for the young Mingyu, emotions left behind and guilt for Jaejoong, emotions for himself for being relentless so as not to feel things. Emotions for all those people who were with him all along. And those unspoken words of love he has for the present Mingyu. All those nights he denied himself of Mingyu, of telling himself to just work relentlessly and not to feel. They all came out pouring.
“When I saw you in that hospital bed, when I grabbed your arm and felt bones and skin… when I saw the dark circles under your eyes, I said to myself… I should have continued pining for you. I should have come with you in that Amsterdam airport wherever you maybe going, I don’t really care. Please stop crying Jeonghan. I am here”, Mingyu begged.
“I will show you something, please don’t get mad”, Jeonghan went to his room and came out carrying a small photo. Jeonghan showed Mingyu, Mingyu’s picture that he sent when he was 10. “When I saw your name in the gala invitation, I just intended apologize for ghosting you a long time ago, when ghosting is not even a thing. You see, after I received your letter and your photo, I wrote back but all of a sudden, I found my self packing for the United States because my parents divorced and I had no idea. I cried for two weeks with all the sudden changes, and I only have your photo to keep me going. That one day, I would have to explain. I wondered why I just met you again when I decided to let my fiancée move on and I gave myself a chance to move on too”. Mingyu was distraught. Yoon Jeonghan was in his core memory. Now it made sense. He gave Jeonghan a tight hug. “I waited and waited and thought that maybe I was not handsome enough. So I made myself good and really good looking and studied really hard because it was difficult getting dissed. I hardly remember your name but when you introduced yourself to me that night in Singapore, I cannot stop thinking about you, and thought that I have met you before”.
“We have so many coincidences but only met during the most perfect time”, Jeonghan said to Mingyu. “Do you believe in soulmates, Hyung?”, Mingyu asked. “I only believe in love, Mingyu. And guess what, I think Wonwoo and my assistant are dating”. “I won’t be surprised”, and Mingyu held on to Jeonghan. Not letting him go. And Mingyu felt so sure that this is something he wanted during this life time.