"What do you mean?"
Jaemin didn't know how to explain. Nor he knew why he was having that question in the first place.
"Just answer me." That's what he said.
Jeno didn't seem to understand. Nevertheless he nodded his head hesitantly.
"Yes?" His answer came out as a question. "I mean, I'm trustworthy enough."
"I know, but that's not what I'm talking about." The detective was serious. "Can I trust you with whatever happened with Mei?"
Jeno blinked few times, giving his famous clueless puppy look.
"What exactly are you trying to point out, Jaemin?"
"The thing is," he didn't want to hide anything. "We have this small lead, that you might be a possible suspect."
Jaemin waited until the older processed what he said.
"I'm sorry what?" As expected, the Lee sounded shocked. "You're suspecting me for Mei's death? Seriously?"
"Its not what you think-- look, this is how we work here." Jaemin didn't want to make it more complicated. "I know you have nothing to do with this. But Jeno, that's me. That's because I know you."
Jeno let out a scoff, removing the seat belt. Jaemin felt awful at his own words.
Jeno wasn't involved. He knew that crystal clear.
But what if?
Ten years have passed and things have changed. Jeno wasn't being all honest with him either. The whole Kang Jiwon situation was the best example.
But Jaemin thought about it a lot. Even tho he knew that Jeno was lying, he figured that it wasn't about this murder case but something else.
Even to that very day, he was trusting Jeno with his whole heart, ignoring the said name on his list.
"If you can assure me that I can trust you enough, I promise, I won't let anything happen to you. No one would come after you." He went on. "Just give me your word and I'll take care of everything."
He sounded too desperate for no reason.
"Is this a joke? Am I a joke to you?"
"I told you it's not like that. This is my job, for god's sake. I'm trying to make this easier for both of us."
"But this doesn't-"
"Yes or no," Jaemin cut him off. "I only need one answer and we are good to go after that."
Jeno shot him a glare. "How are you gonna know whether I'm lying or not? Would you belive me if I say yes?"
"Yes." No hesitation. "You wanna know why?"
Both waited, staring at eachother. Jaemin gave him a soft smile.
"Because till to this day, whether you have changed or not, you still can't lie to me." He said as casual as he could. "And you know that too."
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Jeno returned the smile. "You're trying way too hard to get on my nerves."
Now that wasn't what Jaemin was hoping for an answer.
"And here I thought for a split second that we could at least be friends again." Jeno continued. "You don't know me Jaemin. You never knew me."
Jaemin was dumbfounded, his mouth sealed.
"So yes. Yes, you can trust me." He gave a sideway smile. "But you better get out of my life after this. Don't act like we are in good terms."
He got out of the car, leaving Jaemin alone.
Idiot.
I'm such an idiot.
What was he thinking?
How could he possibly think that Jeno would listen to him or agree with whatever he was saying?
What kind of a detective am I? Why am I doing everything out of the box?
Of course he won't like having me anywhere near him...
He laughed to himself.
At least he got his answer.
No matter what was going on inside Jeno's head, he still believed that there was no one like him that could read Jeno perfectly.
So yes.
Jeno was out of the list.
☆
Idiot.
I'm such an idiot.
Jeno kept cursing inside his head, following the pink haired detective inside the office.
Why did I feel the need to tell all of that? He doesn't have to know what I do with my life? Now he must be thinking that we are close again.
Why am I going against my own policies just because of him?
He can't have that effect on me anymore.
How dare he question my loyalty with my wife? Who does he think he is?
To hell with everyone. I shouldn't have trusted sir Choi with this.
"Oh, good that you're here."
He snapped back to the reality at someone's call. Turned out it was for Jaemin.
"What is it Sungchan?" Jaemin's deep yet soft voice asked back.
The tall boy walked up to them, doing a small bow at Jeno but quickly ignoring his presence. The boy's face got all excited as his eyes fell upon Jaemin.
"We got the results." He showed a file at the pink head. "Kang Meisoo's phone records."
"Finally." Jaemin sounded relieved. "I'll come check on that soon, okay? First I have something to deal with."
"Sure." A big smile on the tall tree's face. "Also, I hope you remember our coffee date."
Jaemin threw finger guns at the boy. "If coffee is involved, I'm never forgetting anything. Let's go after today's shift."
"Yes sir."
Both broke into a fist of giggles.
Jeno raised a brow.
Who was that and why was he smiling like that with Jaemin?
What coffee date?
Why was this kid taking Jaemin on dates in general?
He was curious, obviously. Nothing more.
After the kid walked away, Jaemin asked Jeno to follow him to the office.
"Who was that?" He simply couldn't keep his mouth shut.
Jaemin gave him a questionable look. "My junior."
"Why is he taking you out on a date?" The words were having no control and he didn't care.
Jaemin raised a brow, opening his office room's door. "Why do you want to know? I thought we aren't friends."
"I-"
"Jaem!" Another person greeted them, making them realise that someone was inside the room. "You're late."
"I know, sorry about that."
"Don't be so casual about tha--" the short male stopped as he noticed Jeno's existence right there. "Lee Jeno?"
Jeno didn't give away any reactions. The short male who was also in a suit, started observing him from top to bottom.
Then quickly fixed his focus back on Jaemin. "I got your order. This is the second week in a row, you better pay me later."
"Oh, I love you so much!" Jaemin exclaimed, rushing up to his table and seeing his favourite drink. "Next week, art gallery opening, I'll buy you tickets."
"Oh hell yeah, deal."
"Seriously Renjun, you're a life savior." The younger went on, taking a sip. "I really needed this. This will change my whole mood."
"Aw, why? Who did what this time?" The short boy sounded ready to fight. "And where is your tie?"
Jaemin looked down, then gave a sly look at the other. "Ties are extra energy. You know I don't like those."
The said boy Renjun let out a loud sigh, walking up to the pink head and fixing his collar.
"I can't belive to this very day I have to fix your looks." Renjun nagged. "So messy."
Jaemin scrunched his nose. "You love me."
"I wish I didn't."
Both laughed.
"If you two are done with being all lovely, can we please pay attention to the real work here?" Jeno said in one go, his teeth gritting inside his mouth.
Both officers looked over at him, Jaemin giving an apologetic look and Renjun giving a frown at the Lee.
"Not the suspect talking back at us."
"Renjun." Jaemin stopped him, shaking his head. "Didn't I explain everything to you? Stop messing around."
"Why? Should I be scared of him?"
"You don't have to." Jeno added. "But please let him do his job first. I don't have the whole day."
"Jeno-"
"Go on. No one is stopping you." Renjun walked up to him, stopping infront of his face. "Jaemin won't care me being here. You can carry on."
"But I care. So please leave."
Both didn't look like they wanted to back off.
Jeno was losing his mind.
How many men did Jaemin have in his life? Why was everyone so attached to him?
Who allowed them?
"Both of you need to calm your asses down." Jaemin said as he pulled Renjun back. He stood in between the two, giving a glare at Jeno.
Someone was watching the scene unfold, none of the three knowing he was there the whole time.
Sungchan guided his eyes in between the three, taking a good look at their faces.
Now this is funny...
The realisation hit him, making him laugh at himself.
It took him only a minute to understand what was going on, what would happen next and what would make him back away.
Something.
Something Jaemin has not realised yet.
Maybe I should cancel the coffee date....
-tbc
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