A/N: This is more like a warning or preparation or whatever. Anyway, I will be taking you guys back to the past often some of the chapters to come…I won’t be warning you guys again so don’t get confused or anything. But hey, I will always try to differentiate between the past and present.

~Giving up is the same thing as admitting to be a loser~

*NAMJOON*

“Your aunt always stare at this photo crying?” He asked, turning to look at Jimin.

“Yeah. That’s what Eva told me, actually.”

“Eva?”

“Yeah. The necklace girl.” She described, staring up at the giant photo.

“Oh. I totally forgot about that necklace girl. Oops, my bad.”

“I don’t get it…why will she do that? Is it because she feels guilty for what she did to me?”

“Or maybe she’s guilty about your parents death.” He said.

“Make sense.” He agreed. “But if there is anyone to feel guilty then it should be me.”

“Why?”

“I caused everything, Namjoon. I witnessed a case that I shouldn’t have. Who knows, maybe the target wasn’t my parents but me.”

“Yeah. But you survived and that’s… wait a minute, you survived and maybe that’s why your aunt felt like she was given a second chance to make things right.”

“Uh…is that suppose to be helpful in anyway?”

“She gave you a hint about going to the heart of the palace but obviously a palace doesn’t have a heart…”

“Yes? What are you trying to say?” He pressed on.

“It was a figure of speech…a puzzle.” He stared back at Jimin, who was surprisingly staring at him as well. “She was referring to your heart.”

“What is that suppose to mean?”

“What is it does Jimin's heart cherish and desire? That should be the question here.” He said.

“Wait, can you listen to yourself at all? What does my heart have to do in all of this? What does what I cherish and don’t cherish…”

“It has a lot to do, Prince.” He said, cutting him off. “And if you are able to point it out, maybe we will be able to take control of this investigation.” He stuffed his hands into his pants pocket, bringing out his phone.

“What are you saying?”

He scrolled through his text message and sighted a new message from Liam which says; We are here.

He dropped his phone back into his pocket and turned to Jimin, patting him on the shoulder. “Just think, Prince. But anyway, thank you… you’ve been pretty helpful today.”

“How?”

He smiled. “You remembered something… that’s a start. I got to go.”

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“To see why Dohwa is in your memory and to investigate about those necklaces. Things are going to get pretty ugly if nothing is done, Prince.”

*****

Namjoon was heading towards his car, scrolling through his phone when he mistakenly bumped into someone.

The person was going to fall but he was quick to catch the person in his arms and brought her back up to her feet.

“Are you alright?” He asked.

She smiled. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”

“I’m very sorry for bumping into you like that.” He apologized.

She waved him off, still smiling. “Nah. It’s nothing. Um, you must be detective Namjoon.”

“Yeah. Got a problem with that?”

She shook her head, smiling. “Nah. Of course not. But I think there will be a problem soon.”

“Excuse me?”

“Of course you are excused, detective.” She smirked. “But I don’t think I will be able to excuse you when we meet again.” She walked past him, brushing her shoulder against his.

“HEY CHOI!” A voice yelled. Namjoon turned around to find the ‘Choi’ of a boy walking towards…Eva.

They both said something, looking at him.

Choi smiled at him while Eva nodded at him, smirking then they both walked away.

Namjoon stood there for quite a while, wondering what just happened.

Who was that Choi of a boy?

And why does it feels like he knows something about the case?

And Eva…how is she related to this case?

What’s her deal?

_

_

_

*JUNGKOOK*

He knocked again, waiting patiently for the door to be answered.

He wasn’t the patient type. It’s quite a surprise to him that’s he’s wait patiently for that woman.

He tried knocking again but thankful, the door unlocked and was later pushed open to reveal a confuse woman.

“Jungkook?”

*****

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Your mother isn’t here, by the way.” Lily said, shutting the door close behind them and walking behind Jungkook into the living room.

“I’m not here to see her.” He said. “I’m here to see you.”

“Oh. Should I be happy about that?”

“I wouldn’t be if I were you.”

“Now that sound creepy.” She smiled. “Care for a drink?”

“I don’t want anything. But I do want one thing from you.” He stepped closer to her, creating a little space between both of them.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Answers.” He answered.

“Excuse me?”

“I know you know something Lily. Dohwa might be a secretive woman but she isn’t like that when it comes to you.”

“What makes you think I know something?”

“Because I know you do. Tell me what she told you, Lily….Please.”

He can’t remember saying that word to anyone but he couldn’t stop himself from saying it now.

He was desperate.

Desperate for answers….

Desperate to bring justice to his dead father…

Desperate to protect Jimin who happens to be the witness of his father’s case…

He doesn’t even know what to do anymore. At first, he was very determined to figure out the witness and force him or her to remember that night and point out the murderer but after realizing that the witness was Jimin…he couldn’t.

In fact, he doesn’t want him involved in the case.

He might be acting all tough and strong but when it comes to Jimin…he was vulnerable.

It was all new to him…He(Jimin) was.

“You know who the murderer is, Jungkook.” Lily said, walking over to the bar with Jungkook trailing her from behind.

“I do?”

“It’s someone we all know. A long time… relative.” She sighed. “Your mother doesn’t want you to know anything because she’s afraid her sister might hurt you.”

“Her sister?”

“Yes. Your aunt.” She paused. “She is the murderer.”

_

_

_

*THIRD PERSON POV*

“I didn’t expect you to show up.” Dohwa said.

“Oh, really? My baby sis seek my presence so what made you think I wouldn’t show up?”

“Because you are mean?”

She smirked. “Wrong answer. Tell me, why did you call? Have you done what I asked you?”

“I’m in the process. But I don’t trust you. You might say you won’t hurt Jungkook or the boy or Namjoon after getting what you want but that doesn’t guarantee anything. You are not to be trusted.”

“Am I not?” She folds her arms over hear chest, leaning against the black SUV. “Or are you afraid that I might act like you.”

“What?”

“We are both alike, Dohwa. We get what we want thinking less about the other person, don’t you think?”

“We are nothing alike.” Dohwa said through gritted teeth.

“You think so?” She asked, taking off her hoodie and pushing herself off the car, coming closer to Dohwa. “Because whenever I look at you…I see myself. Tell me, do you still think we are nothing alike?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Ouch, that burns.” She said, feigning hurt.

“A friend of mine told me that if I want to correct things then I have to start with making things right.”

“Let me guess…Lily?” She laughed. “That bitch still have her way of controlling you, doesn’t she?”

“And what is that suppose to mean?”

“If she didn’t encourage you, you wouldn’t have done that…or maybe you still would have but only just needed encouragement…which you got, by the way.”

“I didn’t do anything wro…ouch!” She screamed in pain, bringing her hand to her now bruised face.

“Aren’t you afraid? Being alone with a notorious murderer…” She smirked. “I will watch my tone if I were you, baby sis.” She grabbed Dohwa’s hair, pulling it with so much force while Dohwa kept screaming in pain. “Does it hurt?” She laughed. “I love seeing you in pain. It makes me feel superior over you… at least for once I’m getting all of the attentions.”

“By being a murderer? You killed my husband, Sumi.”

“Don’t call me that!” She yelled angrily, glaring at Dohwa.

“Why? Are you scared of becoming that pathetic Sumi again?”

Sumi punched Dohwa right on the jaw, sending her on the floor. “No, I’m scared of killing you right here, baby sis. I was cursed to become your twin.”

Dohwa shook hear head immediately. “No. I was the cursed one. You are no good news to me, Jeon or my son.”

“Oh, your son. Does he know anything yet?”

“Shut up.” She yelled at the top of her voice.

Sumi started laughing, lowering herself to Dohwa’s level. “What? Are you afraid of Jungkook finding out the truth?” She smirked. “Well, don’t be. Ah, you are right actually… will I truly stop even if I get everything I wanted? The answer is no.”

“You bitch. You pathetic lose…” Someone hit Dohwa on the head, knocking her off.

“Right on time.” Sumi said, standing upright. “Things are getting messy… it’s time we pick up things a little faster.”

_

_

_

*NAMJOON*

“Things are getting more complicated each passing day. If the prince is truly involved in the case, how come he doesn’t remember a thing?” Soo asked.

“Because he doesn’t. A child witnessing a murderer won’t be very easy for him or her.” Liam stated. “But what I don’t seem to understand is why Dohwa, Jungkook’s mother is also in his head.”

“That’s my point, Liam.” Namjoon said, tapping his fingers on the table. “We all know that the prince is the witness of Jungkook’s case and maybe that’s why the murderer is after him as well. But he doesn’t know that due to memory loss.” He brought out a jotter and a pen. “Hwasa have the footage of the crime but no one knows where she kept it.”

“Who is Hwasa?” Soo asked.

“The aunt of the prince, stupid.” Liam answered with an eye roll.

Namjoon stood up to his feet and went to the board containing, Jimin’s picture, Jungkook’s picture, Hwasa and Mr Jeon and there was also a silhouette photo which is meant to be replacing the unknown.

He took out another picture and paste it on the board, close to the silhouette photo _it was Dohwa’s_

“How are you getting all those photos?” Soo asked.

He shrugged. “I’ve got my ways.” He stared at the photos on the board with his arms crossed over his chest. “How is Dohwa related to….wait, what if she was there when that incident happened. What if Dohwa knows who this murderer is… personally.”

“You think she’s trying to protect the murderer?”

“Yes. And that’s because the murderer is her fucking sister.” Jungkook said from behind, shutting the door close behind him. He was fuming in anger.

“Wait, what?” The three detectives asked in unison, eyes widened in shock.

“Where did you get that information from?” Namjoon asked.

“Lily. Dohwa’s friend.” He answered, approaching the bar to retrieve a bottle of whiskey but ended up grabbing a bottle water and a glass cup, surprising Namjoon.

“Did you just choose water over drink? Wait, don’t tell me this case is…”

“Minnie asked me to stop drinking. He said it’s harmful.” He said gulping the water.

“But I’ve been telling you that even before you met Jimin but you didn’t answer. So why are you…you like him, don’t you?” Namjoon gasped, smiling.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “I don’t. I just… Should we be talking about this shit or we should talk about the matter at hand now?” He said, changing the topic.

“Oh, yeah.” Namjoon sighed. “That means the murderer is your aunt…but why haven’t we heard of her before? You might have forgotten her but I wouldn’t have if I’ve seen her before, don’t you think?”

“You are right. Which means Dohwa didn’t introduce her to us when we were kids.”

“But why?”

“She’s obviously protecting her. Why else…?”

Namjoon shook his head, drawing an arrow from Dohwa’s photo to the unknown. “She wasn't protecting her, Jungkook…she was rather protecting us from her.”

“What?”

“Your mom didn’t tell us anything about her sister…why? It can’t be because she wants to protect her… because there was no case to protect her from. Your mom didn’t introduce us to her because she was protecting us. She knew what her sister was capable of.” He said. “Your dad should know something as well… obviously, he can’t marry in a home without knowing anything about them.” He drew an arrow from the unknown photo to Mr Jeon photo. “There is a connection between this three people…and the center point is her.” He circled the unknown photo.

“God, this is very confusing. How can a sister be this mean to her own sister?” Soo asked.

“It’s possible, Soo. But there have to be a reason.” Namjoon said. “Jimin is not safe…No one is safe…we need to speeding up the investigation. Time is not at our side.” He turned to Jungkook. “We need to go to your mother, Jungkook. She needs to give us a description of her sister.” He turned back to Soo and Liam. “Keep a close watch on the Prince. I don’t trust any of his maids. Not even one. And while doing that, I want you to investigate on these necklaces.” He brought out the necklaces from his pocket and handed it over to them. “And…make sure to be careful.”

*****

“Your aunt…”

“Don’t call her that. Just keep referring her as a murderer because that’s what she’s clearly is.”

“He remembers.”

“What?”

“He got flashes of what happened…your mother’s face was in his memory.”

“But…why? Or does that mean Dohwa was involve in that case? Could it be that she is actually the killer?”

Namjoon rolled his eyes. “Can you be less stupid? You really want your mother to be the killer, don’t you?”

“I’m just…forget it.”

“Jimin feels guilty about what happened to his parents.”

“I should be the one to feel guilty not him. He did nothing wrong.” He said.

“I told him that.”

Jungkook eyes went wide. “You seriously told him that I’m the one to be blamed?”

Namjoon laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, man. You are seriously in love with this guy. You can deny it all you want but it’s very obvious.”

“Just shut up and drive.”

*****

“Have you seen him?” Jungkook asked her maids. They all shook their heads no. “How long?”

“Since she left for Juliana’s.” One of the maids answered.

“I thought you said you are just coming back from Juliana’s house.” Namjoon pointed out.

“Yeah. Which means that she isn’t there.”

“Wait, I remember seeing her this afternoon. I was with the Prince at that time.”

“Was she talking to anyone?”

“None that I can remember of.”

“Great, now she’s missing.” Jungkook said, throwing his hands on the air.

“How is that even possible?” Namjoon sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I think it’s high time we do some digging on your mother.”

...

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TBC