Chapter Text
Ahn Jeong Won always prided himself to be a straight lace, focused minded person, and someone that not easily tempted by worldly things such as, woman, money, fame, power and such. Hence, he was famous for being called, Buddha Ahn
But he wasn’t perfect himself. He wasn’t without flaw. He is a sensitive guy—the one who bawled his eyes out when his little patients turned worse despite his best effort to make them better. Or what his close friends constantly called him cheapskate saikkya for him being stingy with his money despite he was born in chaebol family.
In which the real reason why he’s being like that, is for greater reason –his charity program, daddy long legs. The fact that nobody knows about this, or he was born chaebol—it was because he’s kind of a person who keep things for himself, for things that being personal to him. Not easily letting people getting closer in his personal space. Keep them in arm length. He works in that mysterious way for personal things happened in his life
Not even his lacking five friends for twenty years could reach him beyond the wall Ahn Jeong Won built. No one, unless he let his guard down
Which is a rare occurrence in Ahn Jeong Won’s life
Hence when things turn worse in his life, he always ends up wallowing by himself with alcohol in hands. Crying his self out of misery, until he fell asleep and forget momentarily about things that worrying him at the first place
But this time is different—when alcohol and crying himself to sleep didn’t work out to soothe his pain and misery for losing his Appa and his little patients only couple days apart
It was too much for his sensitive soul to bear.
He needs more, but he didn’t know what was more—things that could shoo away his pain. All he knows he just want the pain to go away—quickly
He was sitting by himself in his regular pub, in the far back corner, chugging too many bottle beers already, but too wired up to get drunk and forget his sadness
He was sitting alone for almost two hours, when the empty table next to him filled in with group of namjas. Three of them, probably in their early thirties. They were all laughing and in jolly mood, such a contrast to him.
Jeong Won tried to ignore them, but they’re being too loud in their conversation, he could not help but to eavesdrop;
“So, did you finally meet her?” The namja in tan shirt asked his friend in black shirt who sit across him “How is she? Was the profile picture do justice in real life?” The tan shirt namja snickered
“Well—” the black shirt namja said quite hesitantly, and after couple of seconds, he continued “The picture is way better than real life, but—”
“But what? You bang her still?” The third namja in navy blue shirt cut him off. In not so nice tone—aish these saikkyas, Jeong Won couldn’t help but scoffed out loud listening the shallowness of these young people. There’s more than physical beauty—his internal train of thought was cut off when he heard the black shirt namja continue “But she has pretty mind and soul. We have good times talking each other out” he said in shy manner
“But did you sleep with her?” the tan shirt namja persisted on. If he were my chingu, I already punch his face! God he’s so fucking annoying and obnoxious!
“Is it important for you to know?” the black shirt namja fight back, atta boy! Jeong Won cheered the boy internally “But yes we did sleep with each other—I mean that what was tinder for, right?” well, asshole
The two boys cheered on their chingu responses, and the navy blue one asked “That’s true. I mean tinder is handy—you can find stranger to talk to, and when you’re lucky, you can bang each other brains out. No string attached. No messy. Life’s go on. Having bad day, or being bored—swipe and matched with someone, ask for meet up, having dinner and talk, and if everything went smooth—why not sleeping with each other to end the day? You don’t even have to swap phone number—it’s a perfect solution for people who didn’t want to commit anything but still having fun!”
Jeong Won was disgusted yet at the same time intrigued about this tinder thing—maybe just maybe it was what he needed for the night? Some stranger to talk or even more to forget his pain?
And before he realized what he was about to do, Jeong Won fished his phone from his pocket and opened apps store, typing tinder. And it was like blur after it—he downloaded the apps, creating account, and thirty minutes later, he was busy swiping left the girls within 10 km radius from where is. Why all the girls looks fake and desperate?
Until one profile catches his attention, a simple profile—Winter, 32 years Old, 5 km around you the profile said. With catchy caption—because winter is coming!
Jeong Won checked her picture—it was only single picture. A single picture that grab his attention
Her hair up in messy bun, showing her long graceful neck and sharp jawline. Eyes closed behind pretty glasses and beautiful smile graced her lips with cute scrunched nose
It was instant attraction for Jeong Won, automatically pulled him to swipe right—for the first time, in the last 30 minutes he was entering tinder world
And surprisingly it was an instant match
The phone slipping from his hand, for suddenly he feels nervous yet excited. What should I do next? Should I text first? Or wait for her?
Jeong Won was staring blankly at his phone screen, kind of wishing a message would suddenly appear on the empty conversation page with the Winter
And it looks like God was on his side, for when the blue dots—signaling the other person is typing appeared on the screen
With bated breath he waited for the first message to show up—Hi Andrea, what’s up!
He unconsciously released the breath he’s been holding out loud. He rubbed his sweaty palm on his pants, before picked his phone and typed his replay—
‘Hi Winter! Not much, just chilling with bottle of beers. How about you?’
He didn’t need to wait for long, as her replay came quick—
‘I’m waiting the workday over for me! God I could you some beers myself. It’s been a while’
Jeong Won looked up at his wristwatch—it was 8.30 pm, it’s bit late for office work, she must be working overtime! No wonder she’s craving for beer!
‘Why don’t you get one then, after work?’
‘Nah, where’s the fun to drink by yourself yeah?’ she typed back and insert GIF of lonely woman getting drunk by herself
Jeong Won smiling reading at her cute message, and before he could help yourself, he types back—why don’t you join me? I have more than enough beers to share
Five minutes passed since he sends out his last text, and he’s getting anxious to see her replay—was I being too forward?
Once again held his breath, and only let it out when his phone pinged, signaling incoming message in tinder—'where are you? if your answer—you’re drinking at home and you’re suggesting us to chill and Netflix—sorry I’ll pass!’
Jeong Won frowned reading her text and typed back, ‘Netflix and chill? What’s that? And no, I’m not at home—I ‘m in this pub called Norflok. So, if you want to join, you’re more than welcome’
‘You’re drinking by yourself at pub on Thursday?’ came her reply quickly
‘Yeah, anything wrong with that? It’s a very much needed drink for me’ maybe talking with stranger, a pretty stranger will help. Help me to forget the pain
It was like this winter girl could read his mind, for her replay that came minutes later was“That sounds heavy—you need someone to talk to?’
Trying to reign his eagerness, Jeong Won replay ‘If you don’t mind being ears over beers tonight, I owe you big time’
‘Alright, I’ll come to be your ears, as I need beers and companion as well. It’s been long day for me. Having a good talk with stranger sounds perfect to end the night’
Who’s this girl? She keeps saying things that’s been over his head. Hope she’s not psycho one—at least I’ll meet her in the public!
And once again like she could read his mind, she typed again ‘I hope you’re not Psycho—you don’t look like one tho in your cute drummer picture! And I’ll see you in an hour?’
‘Thanks, and back at you! You look like this cute and fun person to talk to! So yeah, let’s meet up—see you in an hour!’ Who’s this Ahn Jeong Won who’s being easy on words banter with stranger? And especially a girl? When he always gets tongued tied
‘Call! See you then! And don’t drink all the beers! Save some for me 😉 ’
‘Call Winter, I’ll wait for you 😊 ’
‘Winter is coming Andrea!’
Her last message made him laugh out loud—his first genuine belly laughs in two weeks since his passing appa and his patients
And they’re not even meet yet. Maybe this is sign of good night—maybe just maybe, he could forget all the sad things that happened to him
Even just for one night
They texted some more after the deal they made. And it was exactly one hour on the dot, when he felt her presence, that Winter is indeed coming. It was like there’s this invincible current running course through his body that made him look up toward the entrance door. To where she stood
And finally, he could see her pretty eyes behind the lenses of her glasses. The one he could not see in her profile picture. Her eyes looked back at him, finding him at the first glance—like they’ve been knowing each other before instead meeting for the first time
The woman in simple v-neck black knit sweater and cute cargo pants moves and navigating her way through the medium busy pub, closing the distance from where she stood and where he sits frozenly in his seat
His eyes drinks on her elegance and confidence way, she brought herself toward him. The simple yet stood up beauty in crowd. The classic beauty
He was still in dazed until she stood up in front of him, shy smile grazing her pouty and kissable lips. Her face reddens naturally on her ‘make-up free’ yet still look beautiful in her natural look.
When she looks pretty from a far, she looks incredibly beautiful up close
Jeong Won could only blink, for his throat tighten—tongue tied for the pretty stranger in front of him. Not sure what appropriate thing to say or do—heck I never do this before, what should I do? Should I shake her hand? Hug her? Or wh—
Jeong Won internal battle was cut when Winter said softly “Hi Andrea” even her voice is pretty!
Her greeting broke him out his reverie, and he shook his head softly, trying to get hold of situation and he stood up. Thrusting his hand for handshake
The Winter girl looking back and forth from his eyes to the hands in front of her, before chuckled quietly “A handshake! This is new” she mumbled and smiling at the same time
“Hi” said Jeong Won awkwardly, shaking her hands quite enthusiastically
“Hi” the winter girl replied and big grin—ear to ear smile plastered in her pretty face, which only emphasize her beauty
“Please—”He said, after not sure how long they do hand shaking, Jeong Won gesture her to sit across him “You make it” he said softly, still in dazed. For the girl he randomly talked only by an hour a go, materialised in front of him
The Winter girl sat, and still with a smile, she said “Why wouldn’t I? I am a person who keep her words dear” her tone was teasing
“Well, I’m not sure that you really going to meet stranger at late night for beer. Who knows you only texted that to appease me” said Jeong Won, logically
Nodded her head, he does have a point “Hm, how can I say it without sounding cheesy—but sufficient to say, your profile picture caught my attention—the drum! I guess I always have thing for drummer! And your bio caption, sometimes they call me Buddha, but what I’m doing here? Make me myself curious—what are you doing in tinder?’
Jeong Won chuckled hearing her honest answer “Well I’m asking myself what I’m doing here. Will you believe me, that it was only two hours ago I downloaded the apps for the first time—and boom, now you’re here!”
“For real?” She said and when Jeong Won showed his tinder account, in which indeed it showed her that he only matched and talked with one person, Winter—she added “Whoa—so I’m your first?” the girl asked cheekily, still in teasing tone
If only she knows the double meaning of her words—Jeong Won cheek suddenly reddens, suddenly feeling embarrassed
“Yeah, I guess I just need some diversion tonight” said Jeong Won quietly, re-thinking what he was actually looking for in tinder, when he decided to download the app and tried it himself
“What kind of diversion you were looking for?” she asked, voice steady and straightforwardly “A one nightstand?” she asked pointedly, not beating around the bush
Jeong Won surprised hearing her straightforward question, it threw him curveball, for he stutters his words “Wh—at?” he asked with surprised expression that clearly shown in his face
Which was confuse the girl “Why act all surprise? You invited me for beers—telling me you need diversion for the night, etc—it’s all the excuse for us to have one stand when the night end right? Well I’m no prude, even though I didn’t make it a habit—you’ll be the first actually, but let’s see how the night going. You and me. And if we have chemistry, I’m not opposed with the idea for us doing it. Why not—when both of us are Two consenting adults and know what we’re doing and what we needed, right? And don’t worry about me being clingy just we because we slept together for one time—we can forget for what happened tonight and move on. For what happened tonight stays tonight” she said eloquently without hesitation
Jeong Won was quiet, trying to discern her words. He didn’t know how to respond, for he never been in this kind of situation before. He was Buddha after all—sex before marriage and Ahn Jeong Won never been in the same sentence. But maybe tonight is the exception? For what happened the last two weeks taught him something, that life is fleeting? And why didn’t he just take the opportunity presented right before him? He chooses to play tinder after all
“Let’s talk and see how the night end. I have no agenda than just talk with you over beers, but we’ll see—shall we?”
And they indeed talked, for two straight hours. Talking about everything, anything. Personal things but didn’t disclose anything that will lead them about knowing each other more—as there’s no promise of next time after tonight. Trivial and silly things that made them laughed out loud, and forgetting problems they’re facing in their real life
For a moment. For tonight only. That they were being Andrea and Winter. Two lonely soul who seeks each other comfort, even only for one night
It was what Ahn Jeong Won needed, someone to talk freely, someone who will not judge him. Someone who just listen for all his problems. Maybe it was the alcohol that slowly seeping in his blood—or it was her companion, but for the first time Jeong Won felt relax. No burden, no other thought beside being in the present moment in his mind. Her, winter
She looked so pretty in real life; her profile picture didn’t do justice. But it was her pretty mind and soul that he uncovered during the two hours non-stop talk that bewitched him tonight. For all he knows he didn’t want the night ended just yet. He needs more time before sun is up and they’re back to become strangers
They were quiet in comfortable silence, eyes locking at each other, searching for something that both not sure what it was. And when the server came over to their table, informed them that the pub will be close in ten minutes, finally Jeong Won asked the question that he never asked to anybody in his life—not even to his closest friend “Stay with me for a little bit longer, will you?”
Which she only responded with shy smile, her pretty and shy smile “Your place or mine?” she asked simply, always straightforward. Her character that started to grow on him. A seeds of feeling that he shouldn’t had it in the first place, for this is only one-night moment. The feeling that he tried to repress before it went out of control—like asking for more than tonight
“Yours” Jeong Won said decisively, as he decided to spend the rest of the night with her. For whatever happened later the night—it will stay for the night
Jeong Won looked down on the naked sleeping form in his cuddle, snugged comfortably close to his spent and relax body from after what they did. His first sexual encounter, and with stranger no less. And he could not ask for better partner than his winter—for she’s being patient and understanding when he blurted out, out of nervous self—told her one of the biggest secret he held in his 39 years of life. That he still a virgin
Being sensitive person, he is—he wanted to weep when she guided him affectionately and gently toward their release together, in the second time of their sweet love making. For when the first time he lost it pretty quickly, but once again she was being understanding about it
And the third time, when he got the rope of what he should do—he made her screamed his baptize name, Andrea, which never sounds more beautiful in his ear. The third time indeed the charm
When they’re done and too tired to move, both fell into quick slumber, holding each other close and tightly. And they were deep into it, until loud siren sound blaring out loud, waken him up—but not her. It was from his emergency phone, informed him there was emergency TA patients on the way when he picked up the call
After telling his residence he will be there in jiffy, he hung up the phone, and looked down to the serene sleepy winter. Still looking pretty despite the eye bag that start showing in her tired face—for the things they did until wee hours of the morning
He couldn’t help but to have a last kiss to her pretty lips, the one still swollen from their never ending made out last night and linger for a bit. And when he let go, he saw small smile curved in her lips in her sleep—and I wonder what you’re dreaming at
With heavy sigh, Jeong Won woke up from his comfortable cuddle with Winter, collecting his scattered clothes and started to dress up. But before he left, Jeong Won made a detour to what looked like her working desk—it was barren, only left some succulents and empty cup of coffee. He was searching for paper, but settled for tissue when he found nothing
And he write; ‘Thank for being all ears for me and for everything happened last night, Winter—I owe you big one. Until then. Until we meet again’
And when he finally arrived in hospital, still in his car, he pulled out his phone, searching for the app, hold it—and scroll down and pressed, delete app. You serve your purpose tinder, it’s time to say goodbye. Time to back to reality and he went out from his car. Never looked back
He might think that he eased his pain from losing his appa and patient with tinder, with the things he did with Winter, but little did he know a new pain he’ll suffer soon
Because winter is coming, sooner than he expected
And he came unprepared
Ya Jang Gyeo-Ul wakes up! You have lots of thing to do today than just daydreaming—once again, to that special night you spent with a stranger months ago! It was fun night, but that was it! Nothing more nothing less—a one-night stand!
Gyeo-Ul shook her head, trying to shoo away the scene from that fateful night, starting from the pub and how it was ended in her apartment. How magical the night was for her, for it was her first one nightstand spend with an amazing person.
She never felt so loved and cared for by someone during the course of sex—even though he was a clumsy at first, but with a solid reason, just how many guys stays virgin until their end of thirties? But when he got the hang of it—he made her screamed his name, Andrea
It was indeed a night to remember, it was too bad that the next morning she woke up into a cold and empty bed on her left side. The only that left was his musk and she sandalwood scent that still lingered on her bed. It was the only scent in her bed, beside hers. The only other someone beside her, who ever stayed in her bed
She wasn’t upset or disappointed when she found him gone without trace, only left her a short note on a tissue. She did expect it would be end up just like it. For they promise nothing after the night they spend together.
They’re both an adult who were allowed to enjoy physical fun without being tied to each other. Without string attached. The fleeting fun, because maybe, just maybe—fleeting fun was the best scenario for her, for them, for then
She promised herself in that morning, after the magical night with Andrea, she wouldn’t think more than what she should. Not reading too much into everything for what happened between them, then just being a one-night fun. But she could not help to feel a little bit hurt, for when she opened her tinder message, about to drop her own thought of the night—she found him disappear—did he unmatched me first thing in the morning?
I didn’t know him that well enough to judge him or to label him anything. He was good person enough for the time we spend together—for more than it was, I’m not sure. And I don’t think I will ever know. Since we won’t be seeing each other again
Gyeo-Ul is only normal woman being, for she could not stop herself but to transporting back to la la land—to the night she spends with Andrea here and there, and despite she told herself not to. Just like today, when she supposed to study journals, to prepare herself for assisting surgery with Prof. Kwon as the lead, later the afternoon.
Her train of thought to the night six months ago was put on hold, when her two professors came to the GS room with sugar crystal bread and glass of milk for her. Urging her to have break while enjoying the bread and milk
Could never say no to food, Gyeo-Ul straightaway gobbled the sugary bread, and the two-professor started telling her about the new peds surgeon who happened to be the youngest son of the late Yulje chairman, the new peds surgeon who finally joined Yulje GS professor squad from Kangwoon Medical Center
Just one more professor I need to serve, mumbled Gyeo-Ul
“I heard he can perform operations all by himself and handle appointments on his own. So, don’t even worry about pediatrics, and assist me—” said Prof Hwang
Gyeo-Ul just nodded her head, mouth still busy munching the sugary bread, eyes looking back at her journal which earlier she failed to focus on, for her mind wander to the night six months ago for her to respond to Prof. Hwang inquiry—
When suddenly the door opened by Prof. Kwon who happily announced the rare new peds surgeon arrival, “Guys, say hello. Today is his first day. Professor Ahn Jeong Won of Pediatric Surgery”
And when the infamous professor showed himself—broad shoulder, with denim shirt and tweed jacket—all happily smiling, greet everyone in the room “Hello” with wandering eyes, until it landed to her. Jang Gyeo-Ul
His smile was frozen
She only able to blink her eyes in daze, for the guy she been fantasizing for the last six months no less, standing in front of her—as dashingly handsome as she remembered from that one night in Norfolk and her apartment. Her Andrea
She was automatically up from her seat, hands clutching her bread as if it was a lifeline from her fast slipping and drowning self from upraising memories of the night they spend together. In her bed. On what he did to her. To scream his name out—which is not Andrea after all
If she expected dramatic things to happen when Ahn gyussonim saw her again after six months, like: Ah winter! Finally, I found you! After all this time I was looking for you!—Well, she was wrong. For the peds surgeon was as calm as he could be when Prof. Kwon about to make rounds of introduction
Consciously she wiped her mouth from the crystal sugar crumbs and put the bread down, when Prof. Kwon did the introduction at last “This is dr. Jang Gyeo-Ul, the only resident in GS”
Jeong Won turned his body toward her, eyes locking at her—and she thought she saw something in it before it quickly disappeared in the mask of happy smile. he walked toward her, still with that saccharine smile
“It’s nice to meet you. Ahn Jeong Won imnida” and once again, like that night months ago—he thrusted his hand for a handshake
In which Gyeo-Ul hesitant to shake but have no choice to do otherwise. Nervously and eyes looking anywhere but his eyes “Annahaseong, Jang Gyeo-Ul imnida”
When their hand finally touched each other again, it was like a missing puzzle being fit into each other
For both looked up and locking gaze at each other, at the same time
For seconds too long
For quickly remembering that night, when Andrea met Winter in Norfolk
But for this time,
When the reality sets in
It was the first day, Ahn Jeong Won gyussonim met his fourth-year resident, Jang Gyeo-Ul sonssaeng
For the first time, in Yulje