Jiwoo tailed behind the young doctor as she strolled down the narrow pathway, streaks of sunlight piercing through the cherry blossom petals of the towering trees. Jiwoo didn't understand why, but he felt a sense of duty to watch over her after seeing her silhouette melt into the darkness the other night as he followed her. The hysteria of seeing the blurred shadow of a man has prompted him to keep a close eye on Seohyun since then.

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his brown coat; he watched as soft curls of her hair bounced with each step she took. How is it possible for a busy doctor like her to be bustling with energy each day?

Seohyun stopped for a moment in her tracks, before lifting a phone to her ear and walking again. Jiwoo scowled, his thoughts straying to who could be on the other line. Dr. Jong? Could that be the doctor I saw her talking to that time in the hospital? God, so annoying, she looks so smitten by him as well. "Acting coy doesn't suit you," he mumbled, knowing she would never hear him.

Blinking his eyes, Jiwoo shook his head as he watched Seohyun blur like wisps of clouds touched by a summer breeze. Am I going crazy? Ugh, I'm getting sick just watching her over and over again.

Jiwoo took a sharp turn in his path, not sparing another glance at Seohyun's disappearing back. So bothersome, even with her back turned, she's so goddamn annoying!

He continued his way to the law firm, keeping his disgruntled mood. It didn't get any better just as he arrived. After climbing the long stretch of stairs, from a distance, Jiwoo caught a glimpse of crowds of people flooding the entrance of the grand law firm. They were holding signs and chanting incoherent statements overriding each other. It was pure irony, chaos brewing where justice was supposed to triumph. 7 am, and this shitstorm is happening? There is no way I'm going even ten feet near that hell!

Jiwoo discretely rounded the place, recalling the old entrance, which was exclusive for staff. He gripped onto his suitcase, watching as guards were trying to circle and tame the restless protestors. People were frantically scuttling around, and the chaos just seemed to boil even hotter inside the law firm. "Eunho, what's going on?"

Jiwoo grabbed him by the shoulder as he passed by, eyes wildly bouncing in every direction except to him. "Come," came Eunho's curt reply before dragging Jiwoo down the hallway to his office. The second they arrived, Eunho locked the door and shut the blinds on the small window. He marched straight to his desk, placing his hands on the dark oak while hanging his head low.

Jiwoo watched him from behind, noticing his rigid arm quivering. "The public is outraged! They think I'm slacking off with how long this case is taking!" Eunho was losing his mind, only a breath away from thrashing the case files on his desk and flailing the papers in his office. "God, are you even sure about this lead? What if that girl doesn't even wake up from her coma? Shit, Attorney Kang is going to kill me." Eunho began pacing around the tight space, ruffling his hair up in the process.

He stayed silent, listening to Eunho having an anxious mental breakdown in the middle of the office. Jiwoo knew it would be a dumb idea to tell him to relax; he had every right to be stressing out like a maniac.

"I've traced the bullet on the victim; the revolver used is a Smith & Wesson." Jiwoo pulled out his suitcase and casually plopped it on the coffee table. He took out the report that identified the weapon and handed it to Eunho. The vital information successfully pulled Eunho out of his meltdown, bringing him back to focus.

"Only Law enforcement and the military is permitted to use this. This is a blatant violation of the law. How did they even get ahold of this?"

"They must have someone behind the law aiding them. Only an attorney can give out a permit like this, and even then, they're in trouble." Jiwoo pursed his lips together, trying to piece things together in his head. "Eunho, this is something big." Connections in the hospital, in the court, no doubt they could've bribed the police as well. "I went to the police station the other day. I got a database for all the firearm stores in Seoul from the head of the criminal department."

"That's great, I'll go start up the car and we can investigate." Just as Eunho was about to swift pass by, Jiwoo stood up and lightly shoved him back.

"Woah, slow down there, pal. People out there want your head on a platter. Don't you think it's better if you wait unless you have a death wish?" Eunho sighed, slumping his shoulders at Jiwoo's sensible remark. Just then, a soft knock rapped on the door, startling Eunho. "Come in," Jiwoo called out, answering the door for the shaken up prosecutor.

Ms. Shin popped her head inside, earning a full-on grin from Jiwoo. Her doe eyes brighten up as she saw him, her already blushed cheeks heating up even further. Quickly, she tightened her shoulders together, trying to squeeze her cleavage out of her loosely buttoned dress shirt. Eunho cleared his throat, clearly displeased with his assistant. God, Jiwoo, you're skilled, but you attract so much nonsense everywhere.

"Prosecutor Lee, Attorney Kang wants to see you," she announced, her tone dry, unlike when she conversed with Jiwoo. She sent a suggestive wink to Jiwoo, her stare lingering on him before slowly exiting the office. Eunho scoffed once she left, a disgusted look plastered all over his features.

"What? Not my fault I'm too charming for my own good." A sly smile caressed his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I-you..." Fuming, Eunho was at a loss for words. "Stop that. We're back on the case when I come back, so don't you dare daddle around while I'm gone." Eunho raised a finger at him, shooting Jiwoo a suspicious stare as he left the office.

Hands-on his hip, Jiwoo shook his head before slumping back down to the leather couch. "Jealous much. You've got some fans as well waiting outside," he mumbled, picking up pieces of papers to review the lead they had so far on the bullet.

* * *

Seohyun checked her bag for the umpteenth time as if the pain killers would thin out into nothingness. She breathed in, calming her stirring nerves. It was already lunchtime, and she could've spent it savoring every bit of rest she needed, but did otherwise. I had to painfully maneuver my way through this insane crowd of people and get in this law firm just to deliver these stupid pain killers. Why do I even bother?

 She knew the answer, deeply embedded within, was the desire to repay him. An eternal debt that haunted her every second of the day. She carefully made her way through the narrow halls of the law firm. Spotting the secluded restrooms, Seohyun decided it would be best to freshen herself after being squeezed in with a bunch of sweaty folks outside.

Just as she entered, she pulled herself back again from rounding the corner to where hushed chattering sounded the bathroom walls. Peeking from behind the partition, she watched as a group of three women encircled someone against the wall. "Well, Ms. Shin, or Ms. Slutshin, until when will you learn your lesson?" One of the women snarled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"We're sick of watching you suck up to Mr. Park like the fucking cunt and whore you are, do we need to teach you a lesson this time?" she asked, all the other ladies giggling at her intimidating remark.

Seohyun scrunched up her face in disgust, cringing at the conversation she overheard. What is this? Highschool? These ladies are like hormonal mean girls from ninth grade! And Jiwoo nonetheless? Am I even supposed to be surprised at this point?

Ms. Shin nervously looked at the women huddled around her, trying to put up a rigid face but miserably failing. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! Leave me alone!" she stammered, her voice helpless and squeaky like a battered, stiff door. The women erupted into boisterous laughter, amused at the poor woman's frail position.

"Well, consider this a gift from us." The woman whipped her hair to the side, then swiftly raising a hand to throw a punch.

"Hey!"

Seohyun emerged from behind the corner, and everyone turned to the source of the voice. "Can't you see other people need to use the restroom? Can you at least take your business somewhere else? And for God'ssake stop torturing that poor woman." Seohyun fidgeted a little, trying to mask her fear. Memories of her academy days flashed in her head.

 Beaten up in the halls, discarded at the back of the school, bloody noses and bruised arms. 

Chills sparked up her body, and she could feel the adrenaline electrifying her nerves.

"Well, dear, it seems like you're not the only one who needs to learn a thing or two about you mess with." The lady in the middle feigned a concerned look at Ms. Shin. Before glaring at Seohyun and walking up to her. Her heels clicked against the tiles before she stopped right in front of the doctor.

Seohyun didn't think she would lay a finger on a stranger. Does she have no shame she works in a place that aims to bring peace to this city? She was bitterly wrong.

The lady forcefully grabbed her by the shoulder, digging her nails into Seohyun's coat. With her other hand, she swiftly lifted it into a balled fist and swing it to Seohyun.

Relying on her quick reflexes, Seohyun seized her by the wrist. She jerked her shoulder away and moved to twist the woman's arm behind her back, pushing her against the wall. Seohyun secured her wrist tightly while her other hand glossed the nape of her neck.

The woman squealed in pain, trying to squirm out of her hold and signal for help. Alarmed, Ms. Shin dashed away, but another woman pulled her back by the hair, eliciting a shrill cry from Ms. Shin before shoving her into a cubicle with her.

The third woman charged for Seohyun then yanking her ponytail. She felt a burning pain encompass her scalp as if it was being ripped off by the root. "Ow, ow, owww!" Seohyun pulled away from holding the first woman to the wall and gripped her hair. She rotated herself so she was facing the third woman and slid her hair tie off. Seohyun brushed her hair out of her face, then whirled her arm to grab the woman by the elbow and dragging her close.

From her peripheral, Seohyun could see the first woman ram to her direction, wild noises and curses flying out of her pretty lips. She swiveled the third woman by the shoulders to shield herself. Seohyun violently pushed her to the lady who ran up to her like an untamed bull. Seohyun watched as the women collided with each other and tumbled to the ground like bowling pins.

Picking up her bag that had fallen to the ground earlier, she then sauntered to the cubicle where Seohyun could hear helpless cries. She kicked it open, revealing the lady holding Ms. Shin by the collar, who had her eyes shut and hair fraying in all directions. Seohyun caught a glimpse of Ms. Shin's busted lip, and discoloration tinting her cheekbones. Seohyun moved aside to show the two other women knocked out ontop of each other.

"Leave, or you're next." Seohyun threw her thumb back, running her hand through her messy waves as she spared an icy glance at the attackers on the ground. The woman widened her eyes before pushing past Seohyun and running out of the comfort rooms. Seohyun breathed a sigh of relief, before turning to Ms. Shin who was rattled up in the cubicle. "Please, will you come out now?"

Seohyun gently pulled Ms. Shin out of the cubicle but she resisted her touch. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you, but will you please move I actually need to use the toilet!" Ms. Shin screamed as Seohyun drew her out of the tight cubicle.

"What is all this commotion?"

Seohyun snapped her head to where the voice came from, instantly recognizing the voice. Jiwoo entered the place, his mouth falling open as his eyes fell on the pair of women laying on the ground. Then he connected his gaze to Seohyun, his eyes stretching further. "Ms. Shin!" He quickly ran up to them and pushed Seohyun away, causing her to let go of Ms. Shin. "Are you okay?" he asked her, holding her by the arms to steady the weak victim.

"Okay here, it's not what it looks like, Jiwoo."

Seohyun mentally swore that she caught a taste of disdain coloring Ms. Shin's face as she mentioned Jiwoo's name. "Go on, tell him that I saved your life."

Leaning against the cubicle door with her eyes closed, Ms. Shin exhaled, "Ugh, how would I know that?"

Seohyun's face had become rigid, jaw clamped tight, teeth grinding. A new flavor of anger was swelling in her veins, waiting to explode. Ms. Shin covertly pivoted her ankle, breaking off the heel. She wobbled forward, crashing into Jiwoo's arms. He quickly caught her, holding her close for assistance.

Jiwoo could feel his pent up frustration with Seohyun egging him on. She was the last person he wanted to deal with. Jiwoo didn't even know he was angry until he saw that bitter frown on her face. "What the fuck are you doing, Dr. Min?" The bark of his voice even surprised him.

She looked at him through wide eyes, her mouth slightly open. His words crashed out unchecked, unaltered. "You're a walking disaster! You just can't help yourself from putting people in danger! Why are you even here? I hate seeing you all the damn time! You've got chaos written all over your damn face! Hurting and beating up people for what? So you could play doctor and fix them all up again in your little hospital?" It was an explosion in progress, no reverse gear, no dampeners. Jiwoo couldn't reign himself; raw, unfiltered wrath spewed out, punching into the air.

Never before had Seohyun seen how riled up Jiwoo was. Shock, pain, betrayal, she didn't understand the rollercoaster of jagged emotions she was riding. Her insides were knotted tight and she was stiff like a rod.

Seohyun didn't even bother to explain herself, she was tired. The kind of repeated exhaustion that weaves itself with the pain you carried for so long. I'm tired... of proving myself. Why can't you be the one to show that I'm guilty?

Seohyun stood completely still as she watched Jiwoo loop an arm around Ms. Shin, escorting her out as he whispered comforting words. Seohyun felt the chill in her blood, coldness bringing the synapses of her brain to a standstill. Part of it is a pain, one she wasn't sure she could endure. It wasn't because he lashed out, but the fact he didn't even try to uncover the truth.

The fact I didn't even have a chance...

Seohyun pressed her hands on the cold sink, nausea swirling unrestrained in her empty stomach. Her melancholy mood hung over like a black cloud rolling over a misty cliff.

"I believe you."

Fuck him, why did I even think he was genuine? I'm a fucking idiot. No hope was always better than false hope.

I hate you, I wish you'd just disappear, fuck I hope these parade of ladies who throw themselves at you just carry you to the edge of the world.

Seohyun peeked down at her bag that was slightly open, the bright painkillers taunting her from the depths of the pockets. In that desolate moment, surrounded by pure silence and knocked out women, she wished the painkillers could cure whatever heartache had bewitched her.

Happy Sunday Update my dear readers~ How do you feel about this chapter? Sound off in the comments below! I love to hear your thoughts about it ahahaha. A little short and I didn't really read it well so my apologies if it feels a little fast paced as well. The second update will come either tomorrow or on Tuesday. I have some other business to handle but I will do my best to deliver you guys ♡ Please support this book by pressing the cute little star so it can shine a little brighter, it would mean the whole world to me c: I hope you enjoyed the book so far, cheers~