Mark my words, this is only the beginning.

Ticktock. Ticktock. Ticktock.

The time doesn't stop for anyone neither does the world. If you stop, you are going to be the one left behind, alone in the midst of lost and forgotten.

Jungkook knew the obvious.

He knew and that was the problem. If only he was like any other guy of his age, too occupied in games to care about the fine details of every single concern, but no.

The microscope was there, in his head, for a permanent stay.

He could not lie down and not be thinking about the million things that could go wrong. Whereas in Haena's case, sleep would embrace her the moment her head met the pillow.

He envied her for a lot of things. First, to have a father who loved her mother. Although he is no one to raise a finger at the love his parents shared for each other, he still doubted it ever existed.

Seeing how fast his father moved on from grieving for his dead wife to partying with his new woman.

Unlike the other understanding, kind, and sympathetic kids, he loathed the sparkly connection of his father with his new lover. Perhaps, he should be happy for him instead.

Really?

How could he? When his mother passed away in front of his eyes, the man who was supposed to be there for her was out with his date, probably drinking wine at an expensive restaurant.

She didn't get what she deserved when she was alive or when she was dying. He had asked his mother, "Why are you still living with him?"

She replied, "Because he's the one I love."

Love.

Oh, the stupid things humans did in the name of love.

A darn excuse.

A free pass to all kinds of good-for-nothing nonsense.

He let out a sigh, looking outside the window at how fast the night was catching up. He better get hold of that woman, Jessica Lin, before Haena does. The first and easiest way would be to call his dad and ask for her number, but how was he supposed to ask?

"Dad, can I get your girlfriend's number?"

Jungkook leaned back on the couch cursing at how pathetic his life was. All of a sudden, the thought of emptying the bottle didn't seem so bad, except later on he wouldn't be in his right senses to prevent Haena from her imprudent actions.

He groaned when he heard the persistent knocking on the door. He had made sure to reserve a suit furthest from hers, but it seemed the cheetah scented her way here nonetheless.

"What is it?" he questioned, without opening the door.

"Let me in," she whined.

What was worse than Haena's annoying theatrics? Haena's drunk annoying theatrics.

"You are drunk. Go lock yourself in a coffin."

"I'm drunk, not dead, you knucklehead. Open the door!"

So he did, letting out a sigh for the umpteenth time. She stood there holding the frame of the door, barely balancing on her high heels, the jacket almost slipping off one shoulder while she clutched her purse with her other hand.

"You couldn't find anyone else to vex, right?" he said as she walked her way in, straight to the couch.

"Anyone else? You mean Namjoon?" She laid down on the couch, setting her feet on the armrest.

He fixed her a glare to which she just shrugged her shoulders. It struck him sometimes of how grown up she looked now. It seemed like yesterday when she would roam around the house with her doll's broken arm in her hand, asking him to fix it.

That thought softened his heart for a moment. It hasn't been that long since her mother passed away. The pain of the sudden loss was visible on her face despite the bratty attitude she always wore on the tip of her nose.

"Why are you here?" He took the couch opposite her, examining her features as if studying a grumpy cat.

"Invite her for tea."

"Seriously?" He looked at her incredulously. He got up in fury, removing his wristwatch to place it on the side table. "I have to sleep so get out."

"Jungkook, listen!" She followed him, her drunken state not helping much. "We need information. She is the only one who could tell us how she knew our mothers."

"And you think she will tell us the truth?"

"Unless she has a reason not to, yes."

He turned around to face her. "I will not believe a single word that comes out of that woman's mouth, and now if you don't have any other stupid suggestion then get out of this room."

"Stupid? You know what, I could have approached her on my own! I came here being considerate of you, and you are being a jerk to me!" She threw her frail arms in exasperation.

"Being considerate of me? You should be considerate of your dead mother and finally be what she wanted! The replacement of the son she lost!"

He could see how instantly tears brimmed her eyes and how tightly she clenched her teeth. She closed the small distance between them, clutching his collar. A faint smell of alcohol mixed with her chocolate perfume engulfed his senses.

"A son like you?" she asked in a whisper that wrecked him more than any scream could. Her piercing gaze bore into his. "What good was a son to Aunt Jaena?"

He yanked her hand off while she chuckled, unsteady on her feet. She wiped the single tear that slipped out on her cheek. When she noticed him glaring at her, she tilted her head. "You are a jerk, just like your father."

That's all she managed to spit out before balancing her way to the door, and closing it with a loud thud as she left.

Just like your father.

Screw it. He reached for the bottle on the side table.

Screw the world and her.

*

Namjoon swore the luxurious smell of the hotel room was suffocating him.

How do people stay in for so long?

Hence, the stroll in the lobby was paradise.

He stuffed the remaining hot dog in his mouth, before swiping 'answer' on his phone.

"Jeez, man, I've been calling you for so long! What are you doing?"

"Me? Filling my stomach with some energy to survive the upcoming Jeon drama." Namjoon saw the hotel staff looking his way upon taking Jeon's name.

He sighed before walking out of the hotel. At least the sun was nice to him, unlike his friend who dragged him into this case, even after knowing how dangerous it could be when Haena was involved.

"Jungkook's doing something funny again?" asked his friend from the other side of the call.

"Yup, except this time his soulmate is involved." Namjoon saw some pigeons lazily staring his way.

Haena's spies?

"The Pearl corporation's CEO, Yoon Haena? I'd say she's more like his soul enemy," Yoongi chuckled. "What's the matter, anyway?"

"You know what, hyung? I need you to get your passport ready. You're coming to Italy and help me survive this."

"Sorry, mate. I've got clients to take care of."

"Jungkook's in need of a detective too. I'd make him pay you double, how about that?"

"How can I refuse when you're asking so nicely? I'm coming."

Namjoon rolled his eyes. Of course, Yoongi would want this case.

He texted Jungkook:

"I've got my friend, Yoongi, on this case. He's a great detective, and he'll keep it private. Just make sure to pay a handsome amount."

Jungkook replied:

"Great, as long he keeps it down. Don't inform Haena. I'll deal with her later. By the way, hyung? You're not mad at me for bringing you here right? You know I love you!"

Namjoon's face contorted in puzzlement.

"Kook, seriously are you drunk in broad daylight?"

Jungkook's text came after a while of 'typing.'

"Yes I'm drunk, and I love you, byeee hyung."

Geez, this dude would never grow up.

At least now Namjoon would have somebody with him who is not a kid. Hopefully, Jungkook's soul-enemy wouldn't mind.

Speak of the devil.

His feet ceased in their tracks when he recognized the caramel-haired girl. She was alone in the café with her head held down.

He sprinted into the café, to her spot, and when she noticed him she got flustered, wiping away her tears as if it was dust.

"Wh- what are you doing here?" She managed to let out before sniffling.

Namjoon's mind stuttered, too focused on her messed-up state to register her question.

"Why were you crying?" The question found its way out of his mouth.

Haena scowled, probably she was hoping he hadn't seen that.

Her lips tried forming words to no avail. She gulped and took a steady breath.

"Aunt Jaena was murdered."

_______

Author's note: I'm happy to see so many positive comments on this story. Thank you for your support!

Do you like Haena? I wanted to create a character like her for a long time.

*Re-uploaded due to some errors.