Jiwoo stood over the sink in the isolated walls of the washroom. He brushed stray pieces of hair to the side and wiped down any specks of smog that clung to his tailored suit. The wicked turn of events of earlier thundered his vision like a quick flash of lightning. He was doomed to have the image of the mutilated body etched in his memory. Shaking his head, he clasped onto his briefcase that was sitting by the sink.

“Huh?”

Embedded in the folds of the dark leather briefcase was a black spot. Jiwoo plucked at it with his fingers, and it popped out, falling to the granite counter. He picked it up, inspecting the tiny microchip in the palm of his hand. No way this is...

“Jiwoo, what’s taking you so long?” Eunho called out from outside the washroom. He flicked his wrist to check the time, growing impatient. “Hey!” Caught off guard, Eunho was pulled into the lavatory by the arm. Staggering, he balanced himself as he watched Jiwoo lock the door to the men’s room. Eunho’s mouth shot wide open, and he jumped back to the farthest corner of the place. 

“N-now now Sunbae, you may think you’re attractive, but I’m not that kind of guy,” Eunho stuttered, addressing his senior using the honorific. He protectively snaked his arms on his body, recoiling away.

Jiwoo stormed to him, hitting him on the head as if to try to knock some sense into him. “Dummy, what kind of malicious things are going around in your head?” Sighing, he extended his curled-up hand out then opening his fingers to reveal the solid microchip sitting in his palm. A switch and a busted light were attached to it.

“Take a look at this.” 

“This is a listening device...” Eunho pouted his lips, arching his neck to the side. Suddenly, his eyes popped wide open, and he gasped. “Oh my god! Isn’t this the-” 

Jiwoo swiftly covered his mouth, cutting him off. “Keep quiet, will ya‘? We don’t know who else may be watching,” he hissed, slowly removing his hand from Eunho’s face.

“Seriously? In the bathroom? Aren’t you a little paranoid?” 

“Eunho, a mole is lurking in the hospital, who knows how thorough they could be when they have tons of these,” he countered, waving the chip in his eyesight. Eunho snatched it away from his grasp, inspecting the fine detail of the microcircuits and rigid edges.

“Where did you get this? In the toilet or something? It’s an exact replica of the one Dr. Min found in Mr. Ahn’s room.” Eunho felt his nerves jittering at the wicked thought of people stealthily spying on their victims like soon to be prey.

“I found it on my suitcase.” Eunho was on the verge of an astounded gasp before Jiwoo pressed a finger to his lips, hushing him. “Someone must’ve put this in there when I was admitted to the hospital, remember?” 

“Shit, this explains how they knew we were tracing the bullet.” Eunho was in a balance between a raspy whisper and scream, eyeing the chip before focusing on the suitcase behind Jiwoo. 

“I remember someone saying something about a suspicious doctor, was it An Jisoo or something? I think she was the same one who operated on me.” 

“Jiwoo, we’ve got a lead here!” Eunho shook his shoulders roughly, hope lacing his midnight eyes like a gentle silver lining. “We need to review the hospital files right away and–“

“Slow down there, remember, this is coincidental evidence. Nothing solid. Plus, we got to be discreet. This hospital is a danger zone, and we attract too much attention.”

Eunho sighed in frustration, bitter at the fact Jiwoo was more than right. “Why can’t you seek aid from your friend, Seohyun? You guys seem chummy.” Jiwoo cringed at the mention of her name, as if it elicited buried feelings that seemed to spring from under tight wraps.

Shoving the microchip into the pocket of his blazer, Jiwoo retreated to collect his briefcase from the sink counter. “Let’s go. We’re supposed to check on the victim, remember?”

The two left the washroom, no words exchanged. They maneuvered the hospital corridors as if they had become accustomed to the bustling madness going on. “Hey!” Jiwoo seethed when someone had bumped his shoulder. Turning, his anger dissipated like sugar dissolving in hot liquid.

You again, huh?  

He watched her sprint down the hallway, her familiar back greeting him with a bittersweet goodbye. He could only wonder where she was off to, that she was speeding away like a race car. Eunho urged him to hurry, causing Jiwoo to snap out of his hazy thoughts. “Right, sorry.”

Arriving at Kitel’s room, it was already open. A tall man in a white lab coat stood there, turning around as if he sensed them coming. “May I help you?” A pleasing smile graced his lips as he glanced between the two. Jiwoo’s gaze faltered to the nametag clipped on his white lab coat. So, this is the notorious Dr. Jong.  

After a brief exchange of handshakes, Eunho began. “We would like to have an update on the patient, has she woken up yet?” He went straight to the point, in no means of wasting time or swimming through pleasantries. 

“Unfortunately, no,” was Dr. Jong’s curt reply, before continuing, “See for yourself.” Letting them in, Eunho and Jiwoo approached the young woman sleeping on the hospital bed as if she was stirring in a gentle dream. Jiwoo circled her bed, stopping by the window to which he nearly bumped into another doctor closing the curtains.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” she apologized profusely, bowing her head. Lifting her eyes, her gaze connected with Jiwoo’s. A small smile crept on her face, recognizing him as her patient. “Mr. Park, a lovely surprise.”

Jiwoo chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yes, Dr. An. We meet again,” he greeted back, shaking her hand. 

“I see you’ll be around the hospital more often now, grants me a solid excuse to meet you more.” She dropped him a flirtatious wink, a strawberry blush kissing her supple cheeks. “I’d love to chatter with you more, but it seems like you’re in the middle of work.” Her eyes glazed momentarily to the discussion transpiring between Eunho and Dr. Jong. 

Jiwoo could distinctly hear their muffled conversation, their passive-aggressive debate concerning the security of Kitel. Jisu excused herself before ducking out of the room. He watched afar as the young doctor exited the room, then shifted his vision to Eunho arguing with Dr. Jong. Well, so much for having me do all the talking. Keeping one ear on their heated discussion, Jiwoo looked around the room, glossing over every inch of space his eyes could find. 

His thirst for investigating was scratching his senses. He wanted to find more shreds of evidence, and most of all, if there are any more fucking listening devices. The thought irked him, chilling his bones. Having someone stalk helpless patients in their most vulnerable state, with no one around. It utterly disgusted him. 

Jiwoo tugged at the thick curtains concealing the window, then gently pulled at it to take a peek into the outside world.

Beyond the glass was the vast night sky, with wisps of clouds floating away to accompany the distant stars that decorated the midnight black canvas. Below, Jiwoo could see the hospital grounds. He raised an eyebrow, only realizing how incredibly big the place was.

The garden seemed a shade brighter than the mundane buildings hanging in the solitude of evening. Lamposts and green shrubs laced the garden, winding the path where nurses wheeled patients around for fresh air. 

In the center, there was a marble fountain as large as a small lake that stood out amongst the greenery. Flower beds were a riot of May color and sprinkled bursts of color. 

A young doctor caught his eye, and he recognized from perfect memory the woman sitting alone on a narrow bench by the desolate ends of the garden. 

* * *

Seohyun brought the sleeves of her lab coat to her eyes, wiping away any tears that were threatening to spill. She felt her whole world crumbling around her like the earth was shattering before her eyes. Even in complete solace of the tranquil hospital gardens, she could still feel her shaking nerves racking up a storm.

She hated herself. She despised the way her perfectionism tattled on every single mistake she made. Revered by others for her exemplary career, no one knew the hidden baggage that came with being an obsessive perfectionist. She detested it; how susceptible she was to any trivial glitch that bloomed. For a moment, she wished to loosen up, knowing someone would catch her if she slipped. It felt like a faraway dream that would never come to life. 

“Hey!” 

Seohyun winced and searched around to see if anyone was there. Her eyes cast on the man sitting on a motorbike. Lifting the helmet from his head, Jiwoo’s eyes connected with hers. His flushed lips parted to breathe a cold mist as he shook his disheveled hair. 

You’re a walking disaster!

I hate seeing you all the damn time!

Seohyun looked away. She felt her stomach twist into a tight loop. A stinging sensation heated her chest like an insatiable fire that burned until it left her devoid of any emotion. 

Seeing him once more only fueled her agony. This time it was more like a thin layer of ice, cooling her insides, a reminder of the pain that came before and a warning not to play with fire again, even if it was just a spark. 

“Hop on,” Jiwoo hollered, recklessly throwing an extra helmet to Seohyun. She caught it in her lap before looking up at him. The playfulness long evaporated from his eyes. His customary warmth gone faster than summer rain on a hot engine. As much as she hated his wicked grin, she longed to see it rather than shrivel up under his intense gaze.

“What makes you think I’ll go anywhere with you,” she slowly answered, releasing a breath she didn’t know she was holding in.

“Officer Min needs you asap at the police station, they lack medical examiners, and you’re his last hope.” Jiwoo’s face lost all its warmth, shifting to a deadly serious tone. Standing up, Seohyun felt her body tense up. She glanced once at the helmet in her hands, then at Jiwoo. 

She felt a sense of duty stirring within at the mere mention of her brother. After all, she was indebted to Seojin, and nothing she did would satisfy years of playing both mother and father in her life. 

And so, she got on the motorbike behind Jiwoo, slipping the helmet on her head. 

Jiwoo strapped his own helmet back on, before revving the engine. With a pane-shattering roar, the powerful machine shot up, and they sped out of the hospital grounds and down the highway. Seohyun instantly snaked her hands around Jiwoo’s abdomen, caught off guard by the sudden momentum. 

He could feel her stiff arms wrapped around him, lightly shaking. The exhilaration was driving him faster down the highway, wind whipping by as if they were rolling down like a mellow evening breeze. Seohyun kept her eyes fixed on the highway, with Jiwoo smoothly swerving down the asphalt.

She didn’t know how fast they were going, but Seohyun felt suspended in time. Like the world was whirling away in the night as she savored the icy chills relaxing her tired muscles. She closed her eyes, relishing the comforting motion that almost felt like she was escaping reality. 

Breathtaking

They streamed past cars and trucks, adrenaline buzzing in her veins like an addicting drug. Highway lights and open tunnels flashed by like a current, and she could sense her heartbeat jittering like she was on cloud nine.

After a while, they gradually pulled to a stop. Seohyun jumped off the motorcycle, alarmed. She was at a loss of words, realizing she had been so gullible to believe Jiwoo. They were nowhere near the police station, but by a lone boardwalk that overlooked the vast expanse of sea in the blurry horizon.

“I guess this proves I’m a good liar,” he scoffed. Jiwoo lifted the helmet off Seohyun, stowing it aside by the vehicle along with his own. 

“How dare you!” she seethed, stomping her foot to assert herself. She wanted to rain her wrath on Jiwoo for deceiving her, but her mind wouldn’t function. Why did you even choose to go along with him? Why am I such a fucking idiot to even believe him? 

Defeated, she plumped down on a bench sitting under the intertwining cherry blossoms, overlooking the murky waters by the boardwalk. Seohyun was utterly exhausted. She could only pray to a divine power in the heavens to pull her into oblivion for a mere second; she wasn’t greedy; a second was all she needed. She had been pushing on like a machine, but a moment of peace was all she longed for. 

Seohyun focused on the sea surging in the distance, drenched in the shadows of twilight. The rising waves reflected the warm moonlight that emitted from a lonely moon hanging in infinite space. Jiwoo took a seat by her, an open bottle of soju in hand. He offered it to the doctor without sparing her a glance. 

She took it without a note of hesitance and began gulping down the metallic liquid swimming in the virid bottle as if she hadn’t drunk in days. Sipping on their alcohol, they sat there in silence. Only the stifling waves of the sea rolling in the distance echoed in the night, accompanying the faint brushing of petals hanging in the circling branches of trees that lined the boardwalk. 

“I hate you,” Seohyun said after a long time, staring down at the empty bottle. Even though her gaze was stapled to the now gone alcohol, they both knew she was talking about someone else. I’m still so fucking sober like a fucking child. “Why the hell did you even bring me here?”

“So, we can talk,” he simply replied, swirling the liquid around in his hand. 

“Bullshit!” Seohyun stood up from the bench, hurling the bottle on the ground. It clanked with a sharp sound but failing to shatter into pieces, much to Jiwoo’s relief. He calmly set down his soju on the side, before rising as well. “What is there to talk about? Hmm? You said you hated me! You said I’m a walking disaster and I just scream danger everywhere I go! What else is up your sleeve, Mr. Park Jiwoo?”

“You want to talk? Oh, I’ll talk alright. I hate you so damn much from the bottom of my grave. I hate that you welcome every woman with open arms, I hate that you’re charming, I hate the way you look at me, I hate when you tease me, I hate when we’re alone together, I fucking hate every single thing about you. But most especially, I hate how you made me think you actually believed in me.” Seohyun brushed her fingers through her hair, biting her lips as she slowly shook her head, her eyes breaking contact from Jiwoo.

“I hate that you made me feel special, like I indeed had a purpose. Why did you even stop me from getting stabbed? Was that part of your show?”

The silence was deafening for both of them. Seohyun stared at him with squinted eyes for what felt like a lifetime. Jiwoo, do I even mean anything to you? 

“I’m sorry.” Jiwoo inhaled, shutting his eyes before calming his nerves. “Back in the washroom, I knew it wasn’t your fault. Do you think I’m that dumb? I’m a crime investigator.” Confusion choked Seohyun, gripping her by the throat.

“Then why–"

“Because I hate you as well,” he countered, sharply cutting her off. “I hate that you aren’t swooning like every other girl I meet. I hate that you have me utterly smitten by you. I hate that you make me feel euphoria and grief at the same time. And I fucking hate that you never see how much I like you.” Jiwoo could feel his hand quivering, and his chest heaving shakily. He couldn’t tell whether it developed from the drink or his sudden string of words. 

“I let myself get stabbed because I wanted to,” he whispered, eyes glossing down at the floor. “I don’t think I could live with the guilt of watching you get hurt like that. And even then, it drove me insane that you never knew my feelings for you.” 

“How could you?” she murmured back, her voice light and airy as if it would break at the softest touch. “You’re free of guilt, then what about me?”

“Seohyun, do you think I don’t know? It’s you who saved my life. If you were hurt, I wouldn’t even know what first aid to do.” Slowly, he leaned in closer to her, his lips lightly brushing against the curve of her ear and breath tickling the exposed skin on her neck. Seohyun felt mildly weak, his familiar vanilla scent wafting in her senses.

“You made sure I could breathe again.”

Jiwoo gently circled his arms around her waist, pulling Seohyun into a sudden embrace. She was stunned for a moment by the warmth that enveloped her, hugging her like a blanket. Her hands weaved involuntarily behind his neck, and she felt herself melting into his arms. 

Her heart was fluttering like a butterfly flapping its wings in an upbeat harmony. After a wistful time, she slowly pulled away, meeting his eyes. She could see a dew of silver light glistening like stars. Her cheeks blushed a bubblegum hue that mirrored the cherry blossom petals that rained down in a steady trickle around them; coloring the air with cream and pinks like cotton candy.

“You are a dream I’m scared I’ll never forget,” Jiwoo murmured under his breath, admiring her demure face. His eyes fell to her rose-colored lips. They were innocent like a budding flower, fresh like the first dewdrop of spring. With his arms still delicately wrapped around her waist, he slowly leaned in, closing the proximity left between them and brushing his lips against hers.

For the first time in forever, Seohyun’s mind was locked into the present. The worries of the day evaporated like a summer shower onto concrete. His lips felt the same way she thought it would, smooth like rich silk and light as a feather, connecting to hers in perfect rhythm. The kiss was a bittersweet promise, one that couldn’t last forever.

Hello dear readers, did you enjoy this especially sweet chapter? Faint bittersweet feelings did captivate me for sure! I was greatly inspired as well by the song 'Sweet Night' by Taehyung, please listen to it, sue me if you regretted it. I added a lyric banner as well that highlights a line from the song best fitting the chapter. I hope these changes are fresh for your eyes and improve the aesthetics. What we're your thoughts on this chapter, please let me know! Especially you ghost readers, don't be shy now! And as always, if you enjoyed the chapter please press the little star so it can light up! Thank you everyone for your support! Cheers~