25.
the bad boy 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."
"We need a story that captivates, something that the public can't turn away from," Fleur continued, her fingers tapping against the board as if orchestrating a symphony of justice. "We expose the puppet master, and the puppet will come crashing down."
As Julian opened his laptop to reveal the damning evidence against the drug empire, Fleur studied the files intently. "This is our leverage. Alexander's desperation to inherit the empire might have led him to frame you for the murder. If we expose the drug empire, we can dismantle Alexander's motive and redirect the investigation."
Akari, glancing at Julian, added, "We need to ensure your safety, Julian. While we expose the drug empire, we should have a secure location for you. Somewhere off the grid where Alexander won't think to look."
"Your parent's house!" Ha-eun exclaimed. "Nobody would think to look there."
The suggestion hung in the air, a moment of contemplation filling the room. The prospect of Julian finding refuge in the familiar walls of Akari's parents' home seemed to resonate with a sense of both nostalgia and strategic advantage.
Fleur, still in control of the situation, considered the proposal. "It could work," she admitted, her mind evaluating the potential risks and benefits. "We'll need to ensure the property is secure and discreet. No paper trail that could lead Alexander there."
Akari, nodding in agreement, affirmed, "My parents' place has been vacant for a while. It's not something anyone would associate with Julian."
"Settled, then," Fleur sighed. "You guys should move there tomorrow, the quicker the better,"
"This is all the evidence I have gathered against my father's drug empire; I was so close to taking it down before all of this happened..." Julian trailed off.
With his laptop open, Julian showcased the intricate web of illegal activities orchestrated by Alexander. Ha-eun, ever pragmatic, immediately assessed the situation. "We'll need a journalist who can handle this delicately, someone unafraid to dig deep."
"Did I mention that Ethan is an investigative journalist?" Julian interjected, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. "Although, he did mention he was going to quit, claiming there was nothing left to investigate."
"Well, there is something to investigate now," Akari shrugged. Ha-eun, wearing a look of skepticism, questioned, "Can he be trusted?"
"He can," Julian affirmed confidently. "I will contact him later."
Fleur strategized the timeline on their crime board. "We'll launch this as a rumor initially. Let it simmer in the public consciousness before revealing the hard evidence. We need the element of surprise."
Akari, her eyes focused on the crime board, spoke up, "I have photos from the night Julian came to me. Fresh wounds, the shirt he wore. We can use these to establish a timeline and prove that Julian was in no condition to commit the murder."
"You took photos of me?" Julian asked, a smirk on his lips. "Of my body? On the first day?"
Momentarily, the crime board was forgotten, and the room filled with a light-hearted atmosphere. Akari blushed, her eyes avoiding Julian's teasing gaze. "Well," she cleared her throat, "It's helpful now," she defended, the subtle warmth in her cheeks contrasting with her determined tone.
"Akari, I didn't know you were naughty like that," Ha-eun teased, enjoying the lighthearted moment. Fleur chuckled as well. Akari rolled her eyes at the trio.
Ha-eun, tapping her pen against the board, added, "We'll play this strategically. The article exposes the drug empire, then we follow up with evidence of Julian's innocence. We need the public on our side."
Fleur agreed. "It's crucial to create a compelling storyline that gains public sympathy. The court of public opinion can be a powerful ally."
Julian, overwhelmed with gratitude, looked at Ha-eun and Fleur with a mix of appreciation and curiosity. "I appreciate your help guys, but why are you doing this for me?"
Ha-eun, flashing a playful smile, responded, "Because, injustice doesn't sit well with us. We can't let you be falsely accused, especially when we know you're innocent."
Fleur, chiming in, added, "Plus, I can't stand by and watch an innocent man get arrested when I have the legal skills to do something about it."
As the seriousness of the situation lingered, Ha-eun decided to inject some humor, nudging Julian and teasing, "And, let's be honest, we can't have you locked up just when Akari finally has a chance to have a boyfriend."
Fleur, unable to resist the banter, joined in, "Exactly. We're not letting your arrest ruin potential happiness, especially when it involves our dear Akari."
"Hey!" Akari exclaimed, her face turning a shade of red as she groaned and hid her face in her hands.
Julian, amused by their playful yet genuine reasons, couldn't help but smile. "Well, I'm grateful for whatever the motivation. Thank you both for stepping up to help."
Ha-eun grinned, "Consider it our way of ensuring a happily ever after for you and Akari."
Fleur added, "Now, let's get to work. We've got a plan, and we're going to make sure it succeeds."
As they delved into the intricacies of their strategy, Akari's embarrassment gradually transformed into determination. She felt a surge of gratitude for her friends, realizing that their support was not just about clearing Julian's name but ensuring a future where they could all live without the looming threat of injustice.
Exhausted but accomplished, the makeshift team stayed up all night finalizing the first article to expose Alexander's drug empire. As dawn approached, Ha-eun and Fleur found solace in each other's company, drifting into a peaceful slumber on the couch.
In the hushed glow of the early morning, Julian and Akari sat at the dining table, their eyes reflecting a mix of weariness and determination. The finished article lay before them, a tangible representation of their collective efforts to expose the truth.
Julian, tracing the edges of the document, broke the quiet, "Akari, I can't thank you enough for doing all this. It's more than I could have hoped for."
Akari, her gaze fixed on the article, replied with a subtle smile, "Julian, we're doing this because it's the right thing to do. No one deserves to be wrongly accused, and I won't let that happen to you."
In the midst of their serious conversation, Julian couldn't resist injecting a hint of playfulness. He glanced at Akari, a warm smile playing on his lips, "You know, if I'd known that saving me from being wrongly arrested would get your attention, I might have considered getting into trouble sooner."
Akari rolled her eyes with a mockingly serious expression, "Oh please, are you sure you want my attention that badly?"
Julian chuckled, leaning in slightly, "Well, I'm just saying, it seems to come with some unexpected perks." In a tender moment, he playfully booped her nose, their laughter breaking the tension and creating a shared memory amid the chaos.
Akari, reaching out to gently touch his hand, offered reassurance, "Let's get in touch with Ethan and set this plan in motion."
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