His errand and investigation done, Guk-doo's eyes sweep the opulent hall of the MP's mansion all decked up for the night's social event. Gleaming chandeliers, bustling guests, butlers carrying around trays loaded with sweets and drinks, a dance floor and buffet at the opposite edges of the floor of the hall — the outlook may be spell binding to outsiders but not to Guk-doo.

I can't dig deep and get into more trouble. So all I can do for the rest of my stay here is observe. Standing next to a buffet table, all he does is observe. His pleasantries with Oh Sun and the MP are done. Nothing going on around him catches his eye. No suspicious activity so far; that's enough of an excuse for his mind to drift to what Do-young said. Did I really change that much? If I was so self-centred and awful then, how did Bong-soon love me? Does she even love me now? Looking back, I was ambition driven but always cared about my people. Like Bong-soon says, I have an overprotective streak.

It's not like I'm unaware of who I am. I just wonder what good it's done to me. What good will it do in the future? He thinks and crosses the hall, eyes once again sweeping across the floor.

Dammit. Have to remove these thoughts from my mind, he thinks again. My personal issues shouldn't come in the way of my investigation.

Although his little tryst in the security green room is over, he still may discover something. A conversation he can listen to. A glimpse of something that would cue him to solving the case.

Just as he switches his mind totally to duty mode, his eyes land on a familiar figure in the distance. Bong-soon. Her face is beautiful in its all glory, visible in plain sight. The usual cuteness and allure that surround her have doubled, that rare girlish awe and splendour in her expression too. Her short hair is neatly swept back into a ponytail, her chestnut bangs framing her forehead. She looks adorable in the outfit he selected for her. But that's not the point!

Guk-doo's initial smile shifts into a frown. It doesn't matter whether she's wearing the dress he gifted her or not. If someone from Black Wrestlers attending the party notices her presence, she would be done for. He rushes to her in swift strides, catches her hand and brings her to his side before she can even utter a word.

For a moment, he thought his eyes were deceiving him, but she's real. Her hand is slightly cold in his and she utters a light gasp as he drags her along the floor. He gestures for her to be quiet. They return to the buffet table where he had been standing earlier.

The surrounding crowd is scarce, but he blocks her from the onlookers. He doubts anyone without a motive will look their way (at present, such a number is zero). He still conceals her with his blazer and hugs her to his chest as he senses Oh Sun approaching.

"Who is that you're desperately trying to hide? New hookup?" Oh Sun is right behind him. "You didn't look the type of officer, but are you quite the player?"

She peers around the edges of his blazer, instantly recognising who his company is.

"Oh, it is Bong-soon!" She chuckles and trails off. "I never knew she was your type."

Guk-doo doesn't release his grip on Bong-soon. He strengthens his defences, pressing closer to the girl. "Well..." he throws a glance at Oh Sun over his shoulder. "She may be totally my type. But I am only shielding her from predators here. Because I recently got to know that she is my childhood best friend."

"Oh, really?"

Oh Sun's squeal of excitement blends into the loud chatter around them. Guk-doo mutters it's become so crowded. He tries to pull Bong-soon along to another spot, but Oh Sun and a few others are in his path.

Oh Sun isn't ready to let the subject slide. "Really, officer? Is that all she is to you?"

With a smug grin, she goes on though both Guk-doo and Bong-soon can't see her expression. "The other day you came in the same outfit too."

"Huh?"

She laughs as Guk-doo's shoulders jerk.

"People assume things, don't they? Although the folks in this mansion are too busy to notice my father has locked me in and I am idle. I'm on my devices all day long and I have a sharp eye

"Guk-doo!" A frozen Bong-soon finally reacts to the circumstances. Guk-doo comforts her by tightening his embrace further. Though she is aware, he is only comforting her and possibly shielding her from predators, she is bothered by what Oh Sun said. Of course, also by Guk-doo's closeness. That cologne...

"I told you..." Guk-doo addresses Oh Sun in his robotic voice. "There isn't an ounce of emotion or reaction in his demeanour. Ever the picture of calm he is. "Sometimes I work overnight, Miss Oh Sun. And as of Bong-soon, I don't know what she is up to. A wardrobe malfunction?"

"Ohhhhkay..." Oh Sun replies cheerfully and saunters away.

Bong-soon grabs a fistful of Guk-doo's blazer once they are alone. "Guk-doo! She is totally not buying that!"

"Who cares what she thinks?"

"I do!"

She takes a step back from him just as his arms return to his side. Finally, she can breathe.

"God, I am so embarrassed. How am I going to face her tomorrow? I am her art instructor! Why didn't we think of changing our outfit that day..."

Guk-doo places a hand on her shoulder. Stop freaking out. "Besides, it's your fault for coming to the party tonight."

Bong-soon scoffs and brushes his hand off, shooting him a glare. "Don't you dare put all the blame on me! What was I supposed to do?"

Guk-doo sighs, watching her press her hands to her temples. A server passes them by eyeing them curiously. Eyeing her, to be exact. He groans, unable to touch her as he did before. She wouldn't want a forced hug again. He doesn't want to ruin her mood.

"I couldn't turn down Oh Sun's invitation."

"You could have. See how she is gone? She probably only was courteous while inviting you, wanting to provide you and opening to enjoy not knowing it could put you in danger. You should have turned her down."

Bong-soon sighs regretfully. Just then a voice calls for Guk-doo: the MP!!

He wants to discuss a few things with Guk-doo. Though discomfited, Guk-doo nods at the MP who is a few paces away, gesturing that he will soon join him. Bong-soon aims a polite smile at the MP, though she's sure the man didn't notice her presence and has moved on to speak with other guests. His suit was expensive.

Speaking of suits. Guk-doo wore one too! I didn't get to appraise his outfit! Ugh, what am I thinking in the middle of this muddle? Just as she chides herself for spacing out, she finds herself grasped by the chin, her face tilting upwards to meet Guk-doo's gaze. His elegant fingers are slightly warm and his eyes... kind, but playful. He is not gone yet??

"Seriously Bong-soon..." he speaks with fond exasperation. He is not mad she is here.

"Why did you come here wearing that dress showing your pretty face around? How could you?"

Bong-soon exhales again, hoping it will calm her racing heart and mind. "You're still on about that? Shouldn't you go to the MP? Surely I won't stand out too much. Nobody will mind me."

Guk-doo steps back and his eyes take her in, head to toe. She feels bashful and nervous, though his gaze on her is gentle.

"What are you saying? I'm sure you are the most beautiful woman out here tonight."

Bong-soon clutches her warm cheeks. Since when was such a blushing mess? She can barely stop herself from stomping Guk-doo in the foo.

"You're exaggerating."

"No..." Guk-doo smiles. "Think of this. You would wear a disguise to a mall, but come to Oh Sun's party showing your face?"

He presses close at the end of those words as somebody passes by them again. Bong-soon sighs, palms splayed across his chest. The fabric of his shirt feels soft under her fingers, and his warmth seeps into her very soul. Since when is Guk-doo this warm?

She can't push him away though she wants to. The night is a mix of exhilaration and frustration, isn't? Keep an eye on your man... Even Hana couldn't have predicted this situation. Ugh, Guk-doo's the one who's always keeping an eye on me! Why does my life have to be so unpredictable!?

"Guk-doo, I..."

Her attempts to push him away loosen his grip only partially.

"Bear with it," he whispers. "I will take you home shortly." She pats the phone in her dress pocket. 

"I will ask Do-young to do that."

"Can't take chances. I need to ensure you're safe." His voice sounds like a broken plea. One hand at the small of her back, he uses the other to pay her head. "I have to step away for a moment. Stay here and keep yourself occupied, making sure not to draw attention or look suspicious, alright? I will be back in a jiffy. Please wait for me..."

Guk-doo jogs away, releasing her from the hug. But not before swiftly placing a dessert plate in her hand.

"Cake? Is this safe to eat? He's gone..." Bong-soon can't help but whisper, no longer feeling his presence. "He said please wait here? Yeah, he's only protecting me, but... I don't like being toyed. Yet these situations..."

She turns around to face the wall, making herself seem very interested in the buffet items. Even if she dislikes it, she doesn't want to attract trouble for herself or Guk-doo. A moment passes before, out of nowhere, a woman bumps into her, causing a cold liquid resembling red wine to splash into the air.

Bong-soon shrieks as the entire sleeve and the front part of her dress get doused in the drink. On an impulse, looks at the woman who has made the mess.

The woman holding an empty wine goblet looks apologetic, but the sentiment doesn't reach her eyes.

"Sorry..." the woman begins. For a split second, her eyes widen in recognition. She recovers soon, and with an exasperated expression, walks away, in a flash of brown hair and glittering silver sequins of her dress.

In solitude, Bong-soon breathes out slowly. This night is a disaster, she thinks, looking down at her ruined dress. She puts down the dessert plate in her hands on the buffet table and wipes her damp chest with her hand.

"That woman looked like a glam diva. She can't have ties to the mafia, right?" she mumbles under her breath. "I had the feeling she recognised me. From where... Could she be..."

Bong-soon can't complete that thought as Guk-doo returns to her side, immediately taking notice of her distraught face and her stained dress.

"Bong-soon, are you okay? What happened?"

The concern in his voice melts her heart. She faces him, relieved to have him near.

"Some snobby aristocrat dropped her wine on me..."

She whines like she did as a child and he cups her cheek.

"Oh, Bong-soon..."

Retrieving tissues from a box nearby, he tenderly wipes her shoulder and pats her head comfortingly.

"You're such a troublemaker, huh?"

"Not my fault..."

I know...

He discards the used tissues and presses fresh ones into her hands so she can wipe at her chest by herself and then removes his blazer.

"Honestly, Guk-doo, that's unnecessary."

"Wear it at least until the wine dries up. Let's hope that we get out of this party soon without interruptions. Who's the woman?"

Bong-soon shakes her head. "No idea."

She and Guk-doo look at the crowd. The buzz around quietens and thunders as Oh Sun announces the start of the masquerade. A server appears at Guk-doo's side with impeccable timing, his tray laden with masquerade masks.

Guk-doo immediately plucks two masks. An Onyx black falcon-winged one for him, a pink butterfly shaped one for Bong-soon. Both masks are made of soft satin, dusted with glitter and embedded with pearls. Guk-doo wonders aloud if they are real pearls.

Bong-soon reaches for the pink one in his hands and soon can't contain her excitement at holding a piece of art in her hands. "This isn't the art I do, Guk-doo, but it's art!"

She drops her tone when he signals her to be quiet, "this is still art and it's beautiful."

The smile she gives him puts ideas in his head. He had only taken the masks so they could escape without being noticed. Now a wild thought occurs to him.

"Let's dance away the night, Bong-soon."

***

That's all for now <3 TBC

Up next: Masquerade turns to be a fun activity for Gukdoo and Bongsoon but danger is around the corner and so are confessions....