"Jung Areum," the police chief called sternly. Areum flinched as the thoughts in her mind started fading. She immediately stood up before bowing at him, "Yes, chief."
"Zoning out during work?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes at her. He knew Areum wouldn't do that, especially at work. He knew there must be something that was bothering her but she wouldn't tell them to anyone.
"Take a rest, detective. You must be tired. Good work," he said before leaving her team's office. She exhaled heavily as she held her chest nervously. Ni-ki approached her, "Are you okay? Are you sick?"
"No. It's just that I argued with Beomgyu."
The younger detective scoffed, "I'm not surprised. Remember the gun I gave you before? Feel free to use it."
She rolled her eyes and continued doing her work on the computer. He was about to go back to his seat until the office door opened, revealing their colleague with a little girl.
"Detective, this kid is searching for you. She said it's urgent."
Areum motioned for the kid to come to her. She watched as her colleague left the office.
"Who are you?" She asked the girl. The little girl flashed a happy smile, "I'm Sim Jiah!"
"How did you get to the police station, kid? Don't you have school?" Ni-ki asked as he folded his arms.
"I'm lost. I need to get back to my uncle's hospital." Jiah said, frightened as she glanced at Ni-ki continuously. Areum frowned and smacked the male detective, "You're scaring her."
"I'll take you there. Where is it?"
"The Park Specialist Hospital," the little girl answered, earning her by surprise.
Heeseung works there.
No. The little girl is lost. I should put my personal feelings aside.
"Let's go," she said before taking her coat. Jiah put out her hand, "Can I hold your hand?"
Areum smiled and held her hand before leading her out of the office. They both stepped out of the police station.
Jiah saw Sunghoon standing near the entrance, hiding his face under a black cap and sunglasses. She gave him a thumbs up and he nodded.
‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊ ♡ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ♡ ‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊
╔═══════════════════╗
one hour ago.
╚═══════════════════╝
Sunghoon sipped his coffee as he watched Jiah reading a book across from him. "Don't you think something is going on with Heeseung and that detective?"
The little girl immediately closed her book, "You think so too?"
"What are your theories?" He leaned forward. "They could be rivals from their old school. Or maybe, they dated," Jiah started listing all the possibilities.
He leaned back against the couch and folded his arms, "I think they hated each other. And then, Heeseung fell for her."
"So you're saying Uncle Heeseung failed to date? Again?"
Sunghoon nodded. Jiah frowned, "But they both look so good with each other."
"You know what we're gonna do? I'm going to drive you to her workplace. And then, you're going to act like you're lost. Since she's the police, she'll drive you back here and she'll meet Heeseung!"
Jiah scoffed, "Yeah, right."
She looked at her uncle who flashed a stern look. Her eyes widened, "Oh you're serious?"
‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊ ♡ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ♡ ‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊
"You're very pretty, Ms Detective," Jiah said as she watched Areum drive her car. The said detective chuckled, "Well, you're pretty too."
They both arrived at the hospital's parking lot. Jiah took off her seatbelt, "Ms Detective, can you take me to my uncle's office?"
Areum felt an invisible arrow shoot her heart. The child was too cute to be scolded. She gave in and got out of the car before opening the door for her, "Come."
Jiah held her hand and they both stepped into the hospital, seeing busy doctors and nurses walking around. There were also patients meeting their families and friends, talking in the lobby.
"We're here!" Jiah exclaimed as they arrived on the second floor. Areum planned to get away from there immediately. She turned around and was about to run away until she saw the man she dreaded to meet the most.
He stood there in the middle of the hallway, shocked to see her too. Heeseung frowned, "Sim Jiah," his voice stern. There was no glint of softness or playfulness in it.
The little girl hid behind the detective, clenching her clothes tightly.
He rushed towards her, "I've been looking for you, Jiah." He grabbed the girl's hand before picking her up.
Areum's heart fluttered, seeing him scolding the girl as he carried her. That was the same way she imagined him as a father when they both dated.
"How did she come here with you?" The male doctor asked. Areum was snapped out of her thoughts. She cleared her throat, "Jiah just came into the police station, saying that she got lost. So I took her here."
"Lost? She was here the whole time. Where have you been?" Heeseung put the little girl down before folding his arms.
Jiah immediately ran away in fear, leaving the two adults behind. He exhaled tiredly and faced Areum, "Thank you for bringing her here."
He examined her face until his eyes reached a small cut under her eye. "The cut seems deep," he said.
She touched the area and chuckled nervously, "It's just a small knife."
Why am I being shy?
I have to hate him. Shout at him. Mock him. Call him names. Anything, Areum!
She stared at him, seeing him in his doctor's coat. Her heart started fluttering again. She swore she could see cupid flying around them.
You have a boyfriend, you piece of shit.
A thought crossed her mind. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage to ask, "Can I have my scarf back?"
"I threw it away."