EXTERN

Chapter 2

Miss?

 

Missed it?

 

Not a chance.

 

Even though I'd been drunk last night, sleeping with that guy had been entirely my own decision.

 

"Hey."

 

A strong arm wrapped itself around my waist, pulling me snugly against a firm, muscular chest.

 

"You're awake already? It's only five."

 

Carefully, I eased myself out of his embrace and climbed out of bed. The moment my feet touched the floor, a sharp ache shot through my lower body, making my legs threaten to buckle beneath me. Ignoring it, I wrapped a towel around myself and headed straight for the bathroom without saying a word.

 

It had only been a one-night stand. Why should I care? It was just one night with someone I'd only met a handful of times, and he was a man. There was no reason to overthink it. He'd flirted with me, I'd given him what he wanted, and that was all.

 

Just sex.

 

It didn't mean anything.

 

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I caught sight of the ruggedly handsome man still sprawled across the bed in my condo. He was already watching me.

 

"..."

 

Pretending not to notice, I walked over to the wardrobe and started getting dressed for morning rounds.

 

*Smooch.*

 

Before I could finish, a pair of strong arms slipped around my waist from behind, pulling me back against a firm chest. He buried his face in the nape of my neck, breathing in my scent while I stood there wearing nothing but a pair of fitted trousers.

 

"...Leaving already? I'll drive you."

 

"No thanks."

 

The answer came without hesitation as I met his eyes in the dressing table mirror.

 

Reflected in the glass was the image of a tall, slender young man with pale skin. Across my chest and abdomen bloomed countless rosy marks—the unmistakable handiwork of the man wrapped around me.

 

His only response was an utterly shameless grin.

 

"Let go."

 

I tried to pry myself free from his octopus-like grip.

 

Honestly...

 

He was built like a buffalo, and he clung on just as stubbornly.

 

What a nuisance.

 

"Dr Kan... you should stay and rest. You're not in any condition to go in today."

 

He gently turned me around to face him. Looking up, I found myself staring into the face of that annoyingly handsome engineer.

 

That moustache...

 

I still wanted to shave it off.

 

"I can't."

 

Life as a sixth-year medical student left you with only two choices: be on the verge of collapsing... or drag yourself back to the ward and do your job anyway.

 

Right now, I was already running late.

 

Pushing him aside, I picked up my short white coat embroidered with the Faculty of Medicine crest and slipped it on. Beneath my name, the red stitching read:

 

Extern.

 

In just a few more months...

 

I'd finally be a doctor.

 

"Hey!"

 

The tall engineer hurriedly pulled on his clothes and followed me to the front door. 

"Per..."

 

I called out just as he seemed genuinely intent on driving me to the hospital.

 

It was probably best to make things clear now.

 

A quick glance at my watch told me I still had a few minutes.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Let's get one thing straight."

 

"..."

 

"I knew exactly what I was doing last night."

 

He said nothing, simply meeting my eyes and waiting for me to continue.

 

"It was just a one-night stand. You're a man, so you should understand."

 

Still, he remained silent.

 

"I already have a girlfriend, and we haven't broken up. So let's leave everything that happened last night exactly where it belongs..."

 

"...and forget it ever happened."

 

"It's not over!"

 

Thump!

 

Before I could react, his hand slammed against the door beside my head, trapping me between his body and the wall.

 

"...!"

 

I couldn't help wincing.

 

My backside was still aching.

 

"Watch it, you idiot! I'm still sore!"

 

Both his hands gripped my upper arms, keeping me firmly where I stood.

 

"It's easy for you to say," he shot back. "You flirt with me whenever you feel like it, then push me away the moment you're done. Do you really think I don't have feelings?"

 

I stared at him, caught completely off guard.

 

The easy-going, warm-hearted man I'd come to know had vanished. Standing in front of me now was someone I'd never seen before.

 

"So what exactly do you expect me to do?"

 

I shoved him away and glared back.

 

"Be with me."

 

My eyes widened.

 

"...What?"

 

"I only slept with you for one night!"

 

"So?"

 

Not a flicker of hesitation crossed his face.

 

"I'm serious."

 

I honestly couldn't believe what I was hearing.

 

"You've got to be joking."

 

"Not a chance."

 

I pushed the engineering student aside, seized the opportunity to pull open the front door, and strode straight out of the condo.

 

"You'll find out soon enough!" he shouted after me. "Once you're mine, I'm never letting you go that easily!"

 

I didn't even bother looking back.

 

"Hmph..."

 

As if I'd fall for someone that easily.

 

He could keep dreaming.