~Don’t dine with the devil unless you are one of them~

*NAMJOON*

“No. That can’t be possible. Minnie can’t be the witness…I mean, does that even make any sense at all?” Jungkook mumbled under his breath, shaking his head here and there.

Namjoon sighed, grabbing the glass shot of whiskey and gulping the whole content then poured himself another shot. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Jungkook but all I can say is… Jimin is the only person we can hold on to for answers.”

“But I thought we both had two different things to look after. I thought…”

Namjoon cuts him off. “Well you thought wrong, man.” He dropped the glass on the table, coming up to his feet. “I also thought I was dealing with two different murderers. I also thought there is no connection between you both cases but turned out my assumption was wrong after watching that video.”

“What video?”

“A video of his aunt.” He handed the flash drive over to Jungkook. “Things are going to get pretty messy, Jungkook. We just need to be careful and most importantly, we need to keep a close watch on Jimin.”

“I don’t think the murderers know anything about Jimin being the witness.”

Namjoon shook his head quietly. “Stop thinking, Jungkook and start calculating. Jimin might not know any of this things but that psychotic bastard knows a lot. And so does your mother.”

“Stop calling her that, Namjoon. I really hate that woman. After what I heard about me being the one with my father that night when he died, I felt sorry for her. I hated myself for treating her that way…when I told Minnie about it, he told me not to beat myself for hurting Dohwa. He said there might be a probability that what I remember of Dohwa might actually be true.” He sighed. “What if Dohwa is actually the murderer?”

“What? Why will you even think that? It’s your mother we are talking about here, Jungkook. Even as much as she wants to stop this investigation, I don’t think she will go that far by being the murderer. I mean, what will be her gain?”

“Does a killer need a reward for killing a human?”

“Stop talking that way, Jungkook. I know you hate her but accusing her for something like this is really huge.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “I can’t trust that woman for any goddamn thing! She is a complete psychopath, trust me.”

“Wait, I should trust you?” Jungkook didn’t say anything. “Do you even trust yourself?”

“Shut up.”

Namjoon let out a deep breath, sitting down beside Jungkook and resting his hand on his shoulder. “We just need to be careful. You, Jimin…”

“And you.” Jungkook cuts in, staring at him.

Namjoon smiled. “I will be fine.”

“I know. But I still want you to be careful.”

“When did Jeon Jungkook start caring for me?” He joked, laughing.

“Fuck you, man. But hey, I might be a complete jerk and a loser. A guy who doesn’t care about any fucking person and only obsessed in finding his father’s murderer….but I still got a heart in here and I gat feelings too…Minnie and you…you both are the only ones I care about in the whole world.” He inhaled deeply. “I can’t afford to lose any of you.”

_

_

_

*THIRD PERSON POV*

He stormed into the house, ignoring the stares and greetings from his maids and went straight to his mother’s bedroom.

He barged into her room without even knocking.

She was making a phone call when he walked in.

Dohwa jerked her head to look at the intruder who walked into her room without knocking and was very surprise to see her son, standing in front of her, glaring down at her.

She knew what she has done but it won’t hurt to act clueless…or would it?

“Um, Lily…I will talk to you later.” She said before hanging up the call and coming up to her feet. “Jungkook…”

“Why did you do it?” Jungkook asked.

She raised a questioning brow at him, still acting clueless. “What?”

“STOP ACTING CLUELESS! YOU KNOW JUST WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!” He said at the top of his voice, surprising the shit out of her.

Dohwa knew that acting clueless will get her no where but only cause more trouble between her son and her.

She tuck a strand of hair to the back of her ear, exhaling and inhaling deeply. “I got no other choice, son.”

“Oh, now you know what I’m talking about, huh?” Jungkook folded his arms over his chest.

“Namjoon left me no other option. I wanted him to stop the case but he wouldn’t listen. He is just so determined to go on with it and it’s very dangerous, Jungkook. I can’t let anyone die again. Not you, him or the boy.”

“Stop acting like you care.” He warned.

“But I do care, Jungkook.” She run her fingers over her hair, letting out a deep breath. “She won’t hurt any of you if you guys would just stop!”

“And dad?”

“What?”

“What’s going to happen to dad? Will this psychotic bastard just go free like that without paying the price? Huh?” He stepped closer towards Dohwa. “I’m asking you again…do you think she’s not going to hurt any of us even if we stop the investigation?”

“She promised…Jungkook.” Dohwa said in a whisper, fiddling with her fingers.

Jungkook gaze moved down to her fiddling fingers, he shakes his head then slowly looked back up at her face. “Sometimes… promises are meant to be broken.” He turned around and walked over to the door, he turned the doorknob open and stepped out of the room then stared back at his mother. “I made a promise to father and I am not willing or ready to break that promise.” With that said, he slammed the door shut.

_

_

_

*DOHWA*

“You can’t fight this, Dohwa. If this child is willing to find this murderer then why do you want to stop it? I mean, I see nothing bad in anything Jungkook is doing aside from blaming you for everything. But honestly, you are beginning to make me fall in line with him.” Lily said, sipping from the steaming mug of coffee.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you are beginning to make me see reasons to why he’s blaming you for everything.”

“But I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t. But you know something, Dohwa.”

“I do but I can’t say a word to anyone or I will lose Jungkook.”

“You didn’t say a word to anyone when Jeon, your husband was still alive…and what happened, he died right in front of his son. Your son became traumatize because of that incident…and lost some of his memory.” She got out of her seat and went to sit beside Dohwa. “He is broken. He blamed himself for his father’s death, Dohwa.”

“No, he blames me.” Dohwa corrected.

“Does he?”

“What do you mean? You just said so yourself that he blames me for Jeon death, didn’t you?”

“Maybe I did. But I’ve come to realize something…Jungkook blames himself for what happened that night and that’s the reason why he hardly eats and never smile. That’s the reason he’s afraid of associating himself with other people. He’s afraid of hurting someone else…” She placed her palm over Dohwa’s shoulder and smiled. “If you really care about him… or better still, care about your late husband then you will do the right thing. I might not know what it is but I know you do.”

“She will hurt him. She will kill him if I say anything to anyone.” Dohwa said in between tears.

“She?”

Dohwa nodded her head, coming up to her feet and walking over to the window, Lily stood behind her, watching her closely. “Yes. The murderer.”

“You know the murderer?” Lily asked in disbelief.

“Not just me. But we. We know who the murderer is.”

_

_

_

*JIMIN*

He stood in front of a giant photo, staring at it with so much love and happiness in his eyes.

It was a photo of his mother, father, aunt and himself.

They were looking very happy in that picture.

He can never forget the day they took the picture. He was just seven years of age. Actually, he would be seven that day.

He remembered the giant cake his mother prepared for him, the teddy bears his father got for him and the beautiful bracelet aunt Hwasa got for him. Even Hwasa’s boyfriend was not left out. He got him a brand new ballet outfit and a beautiful head band.

~FLASHBACK~

*An headband?* Jimin asked as he collected the gift from Jackson, Hwasa’s boyfriend.

*Why, you don't like it?* He asked.

*I do. But, I've got many of these.* He told him, staring down at the headband.

*Really? Then I should have gotten you something else. Something much more interesting and most importantly, something you don't have before, right?*

Jimin laughed. *it's alright, uncle. Besides. I love the headband. It's the prettiest headband I've ever seen.*

*Here, let me wear it for you.* He offered, taking the headband from him and putting it on for him but it didn’t fit, it was too small for Jimin. *Oh no, it doesn't fit.*

*What?*

*My bad. I thought it was your size.* He said.

*Try it again…maybe it will fit in.* Jimin suggested.

He tried again but it was still the same thing. He shook his head, putting the headband away. *I'm sorry for getting you an headband like this.* He apologized.

*It's alright, uncle. Besides, I got the ballet outfit. Thanks for that.* Jimin said, smiling.

*Yeah. But, do you know that a prince can't be crowned without his crown?* Jackson asked, smirking.

*What?*

*Just forget I said that. Oh, your mom is looking for you. Let's go in.*

****

*Come on, let's take the picture. Sweetheart, come over here.* Jimin’s mother said.

Jimin ran towards his mother and sat down on her lap while his father was seated beside them and Aunt Hwasa was behind them.

*Okay, say royalties!* The photographer instructed.

*ROYALTIES!* They all said, smiling.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

It was the best thing so far.

It was also the last photo he had with his parents before they died.

It was their last present to him.

He miss them.

“My prince,” Eva said, coming to stand beside Jimin. “Are you alright?” She asked him.

“Hmm.” Jimin hummed, not taking his eyes off the photo.

“Are you sure?” Eva asked again, looking so worried.

Jimin frowned, turning his gaze to look at the maid. “Do I look like someone that isn’t okay?”

“No, my prince. But you’ve been staring at that photo for too long. I’m just…”

“Why do you care?” He asked, cutting her off. “Stop acting to care, Eva. I know you don’t.”

“Do you have a problem with me, my prince?”

“Excuse me?”

“You hate me, right?”

Jimin let out a breath, folding his arms over his chest.

Why was he behaving this way towards the poor maid?

No one knows if she was actually the one who killed his aunt and hit him on the head or not!

He can’t be this cold and mean towards her just because of what they found out.

Who knows Eva might be innocent.

“I don’t hate you.”

“Then why do you act this way towards me? The day I fed your dog, you assumed I poisoned it. why, my prince?”

“Like I’ve said, I don’t hate you. I’m… I’m just going through some things, okay? You don’t expect me to act okay when I’m not!” He said.

“I get it, my prince but are you sure you don’t hate me?”

Jimin smiled, shaking his head. “I don’t. Trust me.” He stared back at the photo.

Eva now stared at the photo. “Oh, I remember this photo. I was just standing behind the photographer alongside Lisa.” She said, smiling.

Jimin raised a questioning brow, turning her gaze to Eva. “You were there?”

“Yeah.”

“How…How come I can’t remember you? I mean, I remember Lisa but why can I remember you?” She asked.

Eva shrugged. “We were never close. Lisa was your best friend. You were so use to her but me…I was either with my mother or I was with ma’am Hwasa and the queen.” She said.

“Oh. I’m sorry about that.”

“Why are you apologizing, my prince? You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.”

“I know. But still.” He sighed, looking back at the photo. “This is my best photo so far.”

Eva nodded her head. “Yeah. Also ma’am Hwasa’s.”

“Aunt?”

“Yeah. She love staring at this photo every day and night and whenever she does, she cries and mumbles apologies to the queen and king.” Eva said.

“She apologies?” Eva nodded her head ‘yes’ “Apologies for what exactly?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. She just does.”

“Um, Eva.” Jimin called out.

“Yes, my prince.”

“You said something one day… you said if I don’t want to trust anyone in the palace then I should start with Lisa, why did you say that?”

Eva smiled, shaking her head. “I just said that. You don’t have to worry about that… you just have to be careful.”

“Oh.” There was a short silence before Jimin spoke again. “I heard you had a necklace…where is it?”

“You heard?” He asked.

“Yeah.”

Eva laughed. “From who? Lisa? Or someone out of the palace?”

“What…” His phone started ringing, interrupting Jimin from whatever he was going to say.

He took out his phone and answered the call after seeing that the caller ID was Namjoon.

“Namjoon?…yes….okay, I’m on my way.” He hung up the call and turned to Eva. “Watch Bobo for me, okay…I will be back.” He said to Eva.

“This is the first time you are giving me a job that’s meant to be for Lisa. You are giving me the responsibilities to take care of Bobo that means you getting to trust me.” She smiled.

“I won’t call that trust, Eva. I will call it a test.” He patted Eva on her shoulder before walking away.

_

_

_

“I’m confused. Why will aunt say all that? I mean, does this mean Aunt tried to kill me?” He asked, staring at the paused video of his aunt.

Namjoon shook his head. “I won’t say she tried to kill you but I think she tried to abandon you.”

“But it doesn’t make any sense, Namjoon. Why will she want to do that to her own nephew?”

“Greed? Jealousy? Your mom got the wealth and she was just leeching out of her…there is a motive for her to get jealous.” He said.

“But will abandoning me solve anything for her?”

“It won’t get her what she want but it will break your parents…Listen, that’s not why I called you here,” He cleared his throat. “She said if you want to find answers then you should go to the heart of the palace, do you know what that means?”

Jimin slowly shakes his head ‘no’ “She’d said that to me one day but I honestly don’t know what that means or where this ‘heart’ lies. Like seriously, is it possible for a palace to contain a heart?”

“That’s my thought also. At first I thought it was Doctor Woong but turns out this was the only thing he got in possession… and besides he’s not a member of the palace.” Namjoon observed.

“Wait, you think she’s referring to a human?”

“Yeah. It’s more like a figure of speech.” He paused. “There is someone in the palace that might know about all this.” He said.

“Someone? Like who?”

“You.”

Jimin eyes went wide as soon as he said that. “Me?”

“When you aunt told you to look for your missing self, did you?”

“What’s there to look for, Joon? It’s crazy. I don’t know what she’s talking about. Everything is just so complicated and confusing and I think I might be going crazy.” He stated.

“You are not going crazy, Prince. I think I might know the missing self your aunt is…” His voice trailed off as he saw Jimin staring outside, paying less attention to what he was saying. He look out of the window to see what it was that caught his attention _it was Dohwa, Jungkook’s mother_ “Do you know her?” He asked.

“I…ow!” Jimin screamed, holding his head. He was crying bitterly as he kept screaming.

Namjoon stood up from his seat and came to stand beside Jimin. “Are you okay? what is it?” Everyone were staring at them now, wondering what’s going on over there at their table.

He couldn’t say a word.

His head was aching very badly.

He has never felt this kind of pain in his life before.

He could see flashes.

Flashes of a woman staring at him…flashes of a door opening… flashes of the giant photo in the palace… flashes of a kid that looks so much like him playing hide and seek with some kids… flashes of a kid calling out to another kid… it was coming to him head so fast and it fucking hurts.

“Jimin…are you…”

“Jungkook.” He muttered under his breath, breathing heavily like he has been running 1000km race.

“Jungkook?”

He was still breathing very fast, he looks up at Namjoon…his eyes were glossy from unshed tears. “I’ve met Jungkook before.”

“And?” Namjoon knew what’s going on…he was getting back his memory but what he doesn’t seem to understand is why he was getting his lost memory after seeing Dohwa.

“That…woman… I’ve seen her before, Namjoon. I’ve seen that woman but I don’t know where.”

“Are you serious?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?” He glance back at where he had seen Dohwa but she wasn’t there anymore. She was gone. “She was staring at me with anger…and sadness? I heard children voices… they were running and playing… it was as if I was taken back to an amusement park… I don’t know.” He breaths out.

“What else did you see?” Namjoon pressed on.

“I saw the palace also…a door opened… someone going in…and a giant photo of my family. It’s confusing.”

“The palace? Dohwa? Jungkook? Amusement park?” He wrote down those words. “What picture did you see?”

Jimin stared down at the paused video in front of him and quickly handed it over to Namjoon. “That photo. The one behind aunt Hwasa.”

“Then this photo means something to this investigation.” He mumbled under his breath.

“Do you know that woman?” He asked.

“That’s Jungkook mother.” He replied.

“Jungkook mother?”

“Yeah. But what I don’t seem to understand is why she’s in your head. Did you see her with Jungkook at an amusement park? Or…”

“She doesn’t look happy. She was sad and at the same time glaring…does that even make any sense? Do you think I’m crazy?”

“You are not crazy. You are only remembering your missing self. And that’s a good thing.” He stood up to his feet.

“Where are you going?” Jimin asked.

“It’s we. And we are going to the palace.”

“Why?”

“We need to search for that heart, Jimin.” He packed up all of his things. “And as for Dohwa, we will get back to her but that’s after we find this ‘heart’, but you are alright, right?”

“I think so.” He muttered.

“You will be fine.” He sighed. “We will all be.”

...

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TBC