Rooming With The Criminal | ✓

25 | the criminal plans

25.

the criminal plans

"SHE KNEW?" HA-EUN'S eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Fleur.

"I caught him in Akari's room, that's how I know," Fleur confessed, holding a slice of pizza.

Ha-eun fell silent, processing the bombshell dropped by Akari and Julian. All four were gathered in the living room of their apartment, still dressed in their fancy attire, pizza in hand. Akari anxiously kept glancing at Ha-eun, hoping she understood the necessity of keeping Julian's identity a secret.

"I did hear noises," Ha-eun admitted. "Especially, during that night when you got pizza. That was very suspicious, and I heard a male laugh,"

Akari's eyes widened, realizing she hadn't been as discreet as she thought.

"I just assumed you weren't ready to introduce him to me, so I let it be," Ha-eun shrugged, taking a nonchalant bite of her pizza. The tension in the room eased as it became apparent that Ha-eun had suspected something but chose not to pry into Akari's affairs.

"So," Akari gulped, breaking the awkward silence. "You are okay with this?"

"I mean... it's your room," Ha-eun replied with a casual shrug, trying to ease the tension. Fleur and Julian exchanged a glance, relieved that Ha-eun seemed to take the revelation in stride.

Akari sighed in relief, grateful that her best friend wasn't making a bigger deal out of the situation.

"Like I said, you seem a lot happier than before, and he also helped you with your dad's Mustang. Made you go to the second floor as well, which I have been trying so hard for," Ha-eun paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, I approve of Julian Jones," she declared with a grin.

"Thank you," Akari responded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. The tension that lingered after the revelation began to dissipate as Ha-eun's approval added a lighthearted touch to the atmosphere.

"By the way, do you know anyone by the name of Ethan?" Akari turned to ask Julian who visibly perked up at the name.

"We worked together at the speakeasy before all of this happened," Julian said. "Why?"

"I met him at the auction," Akari nodded. "We got into a small chat and he spoke highly of you, defending your character," she continued, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It seems like he believes in your innocence."

A small smile danced on Julian's lips at the thought of his friend.

"So, it's Alexander Jones huh?" Fleur asked, the air becoming tense in seconds with the mention of the killer's name.

"Let me bring out the crime board," Akari stood up to enter her room as Ha-eun cleared the pizza boxes. Julian stood up, taking off his coat and helped Akari with her board, both of them exchanging a small smile. Julian took his laptop and placed it on the coffee table.

The dimly lit living room served as the clandestine headquarters where Fleur, Ha-eun, Akari, and Julian, along with his laptop, converged around the makeshift crime board. The air was thick with tension and the weight of an impending battle for Julian's innocence.

Fleur, with her legal mind shining, assumed command of the impromptu war room. She strode confidently toward the crime board, her gaze fixed on a photo capturing Alexander Jones, a smug smile etched on his face. With a precise movement of her hand, she pointed at the image with a freshly painted nail, emphasizing her determination.

"Let's expose Alexander's drug empire first," Fleur declared, her voice resonating with authority. "We need to unveil the extent of his illicit activities, turning the public eye onto him. Creating a narrative that places him squarely in the center of the storm."