After her late-night phone call with the grumpy Yumi, Kei finally fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. When she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. She felt refreshed and ready for a busy day.
Kei spent her morning at her car company, checking on new engine designs and signing important papers. After finishing her corporate meetings, she headed to her second passion, her K-street food restaurant. She walked around the kitchen, smelling the spicy karaage and making sure the staff were ready for the lunch rush. Even though she was busy, she couldn't stop smiling, thinking about the bus ride and the way Fay's head felt on her shoulder.
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Meanwhile at Sterling Hospital, the atmosphere was very different. Fay was in her white doctor's coat, moving from room to room. She looked very serious and professional, focusing entirely on her patients.
However, her friend Nina, who was a nurse at the hospital, had other plans. Nina followed Fay down the hallway, clutching her clipboard and grinning from ear to ear.
"So, Dr. Fay,"
Nina whispered, leaning in close as they walked toward the nursing station.
"How was the beach? The entire hospital is talking about the trending 'Sterling Couple' on social media today."
Fay didn't stop walking. She checked a patient's chart with a steady, calm hand.
"Nina, please. I have a very busy schedule. Go back to your station."
"Oh, come on!"
Nina laughed, pulling out her phone to show Fay the viral video of the beach kiss.
"Look at this! You looked so into it. Was it the ocean breeze or did Kei finally win you over?"
Fay remained perfectly professional, even though her ears were turning a bright shade of pink.
"The saltwater was good for my skin. That is my only medical observation. Now, excuse me, Nurse Nina, I have a surgery to prepare for."
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A few minutes later, a page came over the intercom. Fay was told to go to the main office immediately because her father wanted to talk to her.
Fay felt a small knot in her stomach. Her father was the head of the hospital and he usually looked very stern and serious when he called for a meeting. She straightened her coat and walked toward the grand office on the top floor, wondering if there was a problem with the medical staff or a difficult case.
She pushed the door open. Her father was sitting behind his large mahogany desk. He looked very grave. He was staring at a tablet in his hand, his eyebrows furrowed in a deep frown.
"Sit down, Fay," he said, his voice deep and heavy.
"Is there a problem, Father?" Fay asked, sitting across from him.
"Is it about the new department? Or a patient issue?"
Her father stayed silent for a second, looking very intense. Then, he slowly turned the tablet around so Fay could see the screen.
It was the viral video of the floating obstacle course. It showed the exact moment Fay was staring intensely at Kei's underwear after the shorts accident, right before she lost her balance and fell into the ocean.
Suddenly, her father burst out laughing. It wasn't just a small chuckle, he was shaking with joy, his serious face completely gone.
"Father?"
Fay blinked, totally shocked.
"I knew it!"
he cheered, leaning back in his chair.
"My plan worked perfectly! I sent you two to that beach house hoping for a spark, but this? My genius daughter, the top doctor, losing her balance because she was distracted by a girl's underwear? That is the funniest thing I have ever seen!"
Fay's face turned a bright, hot crimson.
"It was… the platform was slippery, Father. It was a physical accident."
"Sure, sure,"
her father teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"And the kiss on the beach? Was the sand slippery then, too? Because the video shows you were very focused during that part!"
Fay looked down at her lap, her heart racing.
"It was just a bet we made."
"Well, it was a great bet," her father said, leaning forward with a smile.
"Kei is a good girl. She is hardworking and she clearly loves you. So, when is the wedding? I should start looking at the guest list and flower arrangements."
"Father! We aren't even engaged!" Fay protested, standing up quickly.
"Don't take too long," he chuckled, waving her away.
"I want grandchildren who have Kei's energy and your brains. Now, go back to work, Dr. Soon-To-Be-Married."
Fay walked out of the office, her face feeling like it was on fire. She tried to look professional as she passed the nursing station, but she could see Nina and the other nurses whispering and smiling.