Chapter 43: Danger

Han Seungwoo

"Really?!" Harin's pitch became higher than usual caused by being astonished after I revealed my planned business. The smile on my lips stretched until the smile was visible on my eyes. Her reaction was the beacon that I should continue this business. "Seungwoo-yah.. I'm so proud of you!" She was beyond happy and her eyes were shining brightly, mirroring what I'm feeling right now.

"H-hey.. you might jinx the business. Nevertheless, thank you for being a supportive girlfriend." I poked her crinkled nose. "You always rant about how your boss make you run an errand. I'll do it for you now. You're office has signed a partnership with our courier service." I told her the good news.

"Finally! I will be no longer tagged as the errand employee." She rejoiced upon realizing the good effect brought by my business. "You always make decisions that will not only benefit your self. A benevolent man like you will surely hit it big."

"Never forget that you're one of the main reason why I strive hard. You made me want to do more and never settle to less."

My lips were wet due to the beer I'm drinking. Harin invited me to drink, probably she wanted to shrug off the stress in her body.

It's been two weeks since I started to deal my business with my prospective parteners. Luck was on my side because all of them signed a contract with me. I can finally say that this is the start of my twist in life. My life and my family's life will rebrand.

***

Yoon Harin

Taking the alcohol inside my body was not a self-will but was forced. I need it to help me forget the extra pressure which burdened me. Dragging Seungwoo here was intentional. I need him to help me release the smokes inside my body.

Today, he was happier than usual and that's because he was slowly gripping on his dream. I want to accompany him to his business journey. Iwill always cheer him up on his baddest day and be proud of him when he's at his peak. Seeing him trying his best to climb to the top made me adore him completely. He's a dreamer who wants his dream to come true.

"How's your day?" He asked. I looked at him with my tired eyes. It was so funny how my eyes changed from being energetic to tired.

"Harin-ssi.." Euijin's voice was restless and full of concern. It was just 10 am but the atmosphere in the office was sullen. Everyone minded their own business which was unsual.

"Euijin-ssi.. why?" My voice was appealing and begging. I want to know why they're all feeling the same. To my suspicion, this has something to do with Kim Wooseok. Gwajangnim, on the other hand, was still the same impatient manager.

She let out a long breath, describing her feeling. "Wooseok's family cooperated to the police, right?" I nodded in response.

Two weeks has passed since they asked for the police's help. And for that two weeks, we haven't heard any because they keep the case discreet. They don't want anyone to meddle because it might affect the investigation process which I highly disagree. Gwajangnim became furious when Wooseok's family shut him for inquiring them about the case. We're his colleagues of course it's natural for us to be concerned. How can we mess the investigation if we're just asking for the development of the case?

She bited her bottom lip nervously. "My cousin is an officer and he is on the task force who is investigating Wooseok's case. He told me that it seems like the family were weird. They even told them that they will close the case."

My ears can't believe what I just heard. What the hell? Are they even his family? Why would they dump their missing family member just like that? How could they be so heartless? A normal family wouldn't do that especially if it is someone like Kim Wooseok who is gone.

"Are they out of their mind? Can they just let Wooseok to be gone forever? What's the matter with them?"

Euijin sighed again, this time it was because of disappointment. "I never thought they'll easily give up on him. Is he not worth it of their attention?"

I closed my eyes, trying to wake up from this stupid information. "He's worthy but his family is worthless." I commented.

"My day? Hmm.." I stared at my glass of beer on which the ice cubes were melting. "It wasn't bad enough but it still affected my perception about family. Kim Wooseok's family closed the case even without a single lead to him. How could they just pull off a stunt like that?" I can't help not to spit out the disgust I'm feeling. But everytime I looked at Seungwoo when I'm feeling like this, his presence has the capacity to wipe out all my worries.

His eyes told me that he can't believable what he heard. "That's way too much.. he's part of their family. It should be an enough reason to keep them find him." He stated thoroughly.

"He's the only son in their family and he's doing good at work." I added to add more spice.

Seungwoo's forehead creased, making his eyebrows almost touched each other. "Maybe he has done something, should I say bad, to his family that's why they easily give up." He stated his opinion. Is that so?

He folded his arms and leaned his face to mine, touching the tip of our nose. "And you, my love, should not overthink and stress yourself to this matter. You'll become old quicker than usual if you keep stressing yourself. Do you want your beauty to be compared to mine?"

Seungwoo will never be generous to me. He's boastful when it comes to his beauty! 

"Let me take the bathroom." I closed our distance and planted a quick kiss on his lips. He held my hand when I'm about to stand, preventing me from walking away. "I don't want to pee in my dress!" He loosend his grip and pouted, trying to ask for another kiss. He's my man so I kissed him for more than a second.

The way to the bathroom was kinda eerie. It felt like someone was staring at me from afar. Or it was the beer's fault that I felt this way? I wanted to turn back and return to Seungwoo but I am in deep call by the nature. Luckily, there were other ladies using the bathroom so I was not alone. On my way back to the table, I still can feel the presence but I shrug it away. It doesn't mean anything, Harin. You were just tired and sleepy. Nothing more.

"You made it fast," he commented as I took my sit. "I don't want to keep you waiting," I winked at him.

"Do you want to stay here more?" He asked as we drank the last glass of beer.

I shook my head. "Let's just go home."

Inside the car, I comfortable rested my head on the headrest. I really hate it when the alcohol started to kicked in in my system.

"You're drunk?" Seungwoo asked when he was fixing my seatbelt.

"Yeah baby, that's why I want to ask you if we can make out in your taxi?" I said, not fully minding the question I asked. I wonder what would be the reaction of his passengers if they'll know about it. "It's been in my bucket list to make out here in your taxi." I added without thinking what would he'll say.

"It would be unfair to me baby.. you always end up sleeping while I'm on my peak. It hurts my ego, a lot." He put his hand on my shoulder, acting that he's comforting me.

I gave him deathly glares. "Thinking about it aches my heart but you should've atleast had some hook ups when you were younger so you could practice your romaticism."

"Stop blabbering and just sleep. You might end up making out with me in your dreams." He sarcastically uttered. The car started and we're ready to go without making my dream on my bucket list come true. I'm tired anyway.

The only way to keep my mind away from thinking how selfish my boyfriend is to close my eyes and sleep. Let his words be true that I could taste his beer-like kisses on my dream.

"Oh shit!!" Seungwoo exclaimed. My head was spinning and aching from the sudden bump on Seungwoo's taxi from the back. I almost hit my head to the dashboard. His grip tightened on the steering wheel and his other hand was pulling the break, trying to keep us away from danger. The taxi's headlights illuminated the place where we could possibly crash if his reflexes weren't fast. It was a grocery store with people who could be the casualties.

"I want to live a long life!" I smashed the dashboard using my bag. My breathing was unstable due to the sudden bump and my frustration.

Seungwoo opened the door and closed it ruthlessly, causing a loud  thud which made me jump from my sit. I hastily removed my seatbelt and followed him.

"Where's the perpetrator?" Seungwoo did not answer my question. His hand was on his hair, pulling it in frustration. I pull it away so he could not hurt his self.

"I think it wasn't an accident but intentional." He uttered like a detective who can decipher things easily. "Are you hurt?" He pulled me closer to him to take a closer look on me if I ever have some bruises on my body. "Glad you're alright!" He kissed my forehead with his vacuum-like-lips.

His taxi had only a few scratches and nothing serious. Yet he still want to report it to the police. Tracing of the car's plate number will not be hard because of the cctvs scattered on the area. Seungwoo was busy checking on the cctv footage together with the patrolman who saw the accident earlier.

I hugged myself, not seeking for warmth but for comfort.  not seeking for warmth but for comfort. The familiar feeling I had earlier when I walked my way to bathroom came back to me like a ghost. We were inside the police station yet I can't feel being safe here.

"The car has no plate number so it will be hard to trace the owner. Cars with no plate numbers are being hijacked. The way how this car bumped into your taxi, looks like intentional if the owner will not show up and testify." The patrolman explained to him in a detailed way.

"What should I do about this? I'm afraid our lives will be at stake here." Seungwoo touched his jaw, thinking how can we escape from the situation.

"You need to file a case so we could investigate further." The patrolman stated looking at us.

Seungwoo did what's the best. The police station will soon contact us if there will be any progress towards the incident.

At this point, I'm afraid to lose our lives. A lot of possibilities are ciculating on my mind. There are a lot of people who like to see others being hurt. They do it for their own satisfaction without any valid reason.

I clung my arm to Seungwoo's. I need to feel secure because I've been feeling bad earlier. As we stepped outside the station, the cold wind blew at us which made me shiver. Seungwoo felt it. He removed his coat to put it on me.

"I'm afraid Seungwoo," my voice creaked in fear. He held me tightly to make me feel that everything's going to be fine. "This is not about the car who bumped us.." his eyes widened in surprise. "Someone has been watching me from afar Seungwoo.. it started earlier."

Seungwoo looked flustered at my confession. As usual he gave me his genuine smile. "It's just the side effect of the beer."

As much as I wanted to think that way, I couldn't. What if my gut feel is right that someone is watching me from afar? What if I'm in real danger?