Love Me If You Dare

Chapter 13

Jungkook wakes up at 10 o’clock every morning.  Not earlier, not later.  As usual, he gets out of bed and gets ready for a new day.

    He is wearing a grey colour long-sleeved cotton PJs.  Again, walking around barefooted.  He actually does not like wearing shoes. 

———

    The first ten minutes after he wakes up, he is still in his "sleepwalking" mode. He stands in front of the mirror,  squeezes the tooth paste on his toothbrush and starts brushing.  The usual morning routine.  The numbers found under Sun Yong’s bed surfaces to his mind.  He still has no idea what those numbers mean. 

    Coffee, toast, jam.  He has the same food for breakfast every day.   This is because he doesn’t like wasting his time on preparing food.  But as he bites into his toast, he can’t help but remember the fish dumplings Lisa brought him to eat.  Maybe he should learn how to cook that dish.  He likes it so much he is prepared to ‘waste’ more of this time on it. 

    After breakfast.  He gets changed and starts work.  He goes through some case files sent to him from the US. His phone beeps.  It’s Jimin : “Hi.”

    Jimin senses from his greetings that he is in a good mood: “I heard that you solved the 'killing machine' case?"

    "Of course." Jungkook smiles : "A simple textbook case, except there’s still some loose ends to tidy up."

   Jimin is impressed : “ No wonder you are so highly regarded amongst the FBI.  Mr. Criminal Psychology Professor / Detective."

    "...... Lisa.” Jimin continues. “Are you giving her the same pay as the assistants you employed in the US?"

    “Ah, up to you.  You can decide for me.”   Jungkook is studying a homicide file at the same time.  

    Jimin says :  “Ok.  I am also looking for a new  assistant for you from the university. Preferably a graduate from school of psychology.  I wonder if I can find someone that specialises in criminal psychology….” 

   Jungkook stops what he is doing.

    "Wait." He cuts off  Jimin's sentence : “Why do you want to replace Lisa?"

    Jimin laughs : "...... I want to replace her? Come on, Professor Jeon.  Are you out of your mind? Or am I missing something here. She is a language student. She does not have the qualifications required for the post.  She helped you for this one of case because it was urgent and we had no time to look for anyone else.  Besides, she is graduating soon, and will be moving to S City.  She has accepted a job offer there already."

    Jungkook thinks for a moment. His tone is somewhat contemptuous "Obviously you are the one with the problem.  She has gained experience from working with me on this serial killer case.  And she can fish.  I don’t want to change to a different assistant.  As for her work, just ask her to breach the contract.  How can a common tedious boring office job compare with my assistant position?  She will make the right choice.”

    -

   Late afternoon.  In a coffee shop in town.

    Lisa and Taehyung are sitting by the window.  Even though there’s only three days till the New Year, neither of them has the usual excitement that comes with this festive season. 

   It’s been a while since they are able to catch up with one another. Taehyung has been very busy.  

  Lisa puts a spoon of sugar into her coffee and stirs it around : “Is the work on Sun Yong’s case finished?”