CHAPTER TWO: "Who are You?"

•••

Hongjoong POV:

My body was frozen in place, my eyes stuck on the male that stood in front of me. Every fiber in my being was conflicted with emotions as I took in each and every detail of him. There was something about him that shook me to my core, something that had me wanting to get closer and far away at the same time. From the color of his hair that resembled spring cherry blossoms to his eyes that were as radiant like red rubies, even his white as snow skin, everything about his appearance made me realize who he was really was, and yet there was a sense of calmness just from being near him. Taking a long look at him, I noticed that he was dressed in a black formal suit and tie, something I thought to be important to remember to report later.

"So...you asked me to come closer..."Seonghwa alluringly smiled down at me. "..can I get your name to confirm my suspicions?"

Gathering up the courage to speak, I scoffed. "As if you even need me to say my name..."

The male only chuckled again, and a chill ran through my spine at the sound as he leaned down next to my ear. "I just wanted to see if you'd grace me with the pleasure of the name leaving your lips...but it's fine Hongjoong...such a nice name..."

"Listen...I don't want any trouble." I said quietly, taking a few tentative steps back. The nerves in my body was running rampant, but I knew better than to let it show on my face how terrified I was in the moment.

"Oh, is that so?" He smiled, this time showing all sharpened teeth as he tilted his head to the side in a teasing yet confident manner. Placing a hand to his chin, he playfully stroked it while questioning me. "Let me guess...you need a few pictures of me to satisfy some money-hungry asshole for a simple paycheck, hmm? Did I guess that right, love?"

Without waiting for me to respond, I felt my back suddenly slam into the brick wall while his hand was wrapped around my throat in a threatening grip. Taking a subtle sniff of me, he leaned mere centimeters away from my lips before whispering slowly. "Unfortunately for you, Hongjoong, I can't allow such things to take place...so...I'll make you a deal because I find you quite intriguing..."

"Fuck off!" I choked out, wringing my body to try and find the ground, ignoring the unwarranted warmth growing my chest at the feeling of his long fingers partially cutting my air supply.

What the fuck is wrong with me? This is not the time to like something like this right now...

Seonghwa sighed, placing me onto the ground but his grip was still holding on strongly, securing me against the wall. "Listen to me...I'll give you something to show as proof that you indeed saw me, but not a picture. You'll only get a chance to get a picture of me another night...that is if you can catch me."

In broken breaths, I cursed. "You...are full...of shit."

"Such harsh words for the person who literally has your life in their hands, sweetheart." He laughed, "I love the sassy attitude...it fits you."

Slowly, I could feel his grip get tighter and tighter, forcing my oxygen supply to get less and less as he leaned down towards my ear once more. "Sleep time, love...sweet dreams Joongie..."

Before I could do anything, next thing I knew, my eyes forcefully welcomed the incoming void of darkness.

•••

My eyes fluttered open to sunlight shining on my face with my body leaned up against my apartment door. Groaning, I slowly stood up and noticed my backpack next to me, along with a piece of clothing wrapped around one of the straps.

His tie...

Quickly picking up the bag, I dug into my pocket for my keys to unlock and enter inside without any further delay. Placing the bag down, I loosened the tie from the strap and examined the entire article piece, noticing his signature on the back of it as proof. Rolling my eyes, I cursed to myself. "Asshole..."

The last thing I expected was for him to actually be true to his word by leaving me something to show somewhat of a successful mission, and yet, he did. However, I couldn't help but feel a sliver of hope of potentially seeing him again.

Wait...how did he know where I lived...?

Brushing off the shudder that ran through my body, I gathered everything once more and made my way to the bedroom to shower off the night. Placing the backpack on the floor and the tie on the desk, I pulled off my sweater and stretched as I strolled into the bathroom. The report for the client was due later in the day, and with the quick glance at the clock on the desk, it was nearing ten in the morning, allowing me a few hours to relax.

Standing in front of the mirror, I took a moment to examine my neck, tracing my fingertips lightly over each side. All I could remember was the feeling of his holding me, the scent of cinnamon radiating off his body every time he spoke into my ear with velvet coating his words. A faint smile grew on my lips as the event replayed over in my mind, but I slapped myself awake. "Get it together! He is a dangerous man..."

Shredding off my clothes, I turned on the shower and began my routine. Growing up, I was forced to learn how to take cold showers, as only warm showers were limited to five minutes. With cold showers, I had endless amount of time, which I found myself enjoying to peaceful moments to myself. It also helped to soothe the bruises, and now at my age where I have the luxury of choosing between the two without limitations, I prefer cold over the warm.

Leisurely finishing with my routine, I walked out the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist to my phone vibrating on the bed. With a curious raise in brow, I noticed Minho calling me. Swiping to accept, I placed the call on speaker. "What's up, Minho?

"Just checking to make sure you were alive...how did it go?"

"Um..." I paused, looking over at the tie that laid on the desk, "I'd say it wasn't as hard as I thought...?"

Minho laughed. "I knew you could do it...how many pictures did you get? I can imagine the long night you must've had searching for that guy. He's almost impossible to find, and anyone who does find him, ends up dead in a dark alley or something."

Nervously laughing, I cleared my throat. "Well, I think my client will be more than pleased..but yeah...definitely a crazy night. Hey, I'm going to get some sleep since I just got in."

"No worries, I got you. I'll let the boys know that you're alright, rest up. Talk to you later."

Ending the call, I walked over to the tie and picked it up, looking over every inch of it for any other markers of the mystery male. "Why would he give me something like this....?"

The tie was a symbol, a symbol of trust that I didn't know existed before. Seonghwa gave me the tie to not only help me, but force me to try and search for him again. It was his version of predator versus prey, and I somehow unknowingly agreed to his game. Part of me wanted to ignore it, but another part of me couldn't help but feel a newfound rush of excitement at the challenge. There was no specific deadline to the chase, and that was what made me love it even more.

"Well played, Seonghwa...well played."

Placing the tie back on the table, I quickly dressed myself in a sweatsuit before making my way over to the kitchen. The last meal I ate was before leaving the house for the job, so my stomach was calling out for a full meal.

Opening up the fridge, I found leftovers from a client dinner shared two nights ago: steak, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables. A common occurrence to maintain normalcy between clients is to discuss reports over a meal, leaving me the opportunity to take home fine dining for meals to last the next day or two. It helps make things easier for both ends, as the idea of hiring a Private Investigator publicly leaves a sour taste in people's mouth.

And by 'people', I mean the Elites...

Warming up the container, I let my mind run as the monotonous sound of the microwave's spins lulled me into my thoughts about the male. The feeling of being conflicted was new, a feeling that I couldn't quite grasp or described if one were to ask me.

There was the innate sense of danger that my body wanted me to run from, a way to save myself from harm that loomed over me each second spent with him. However, there was also a magnetic pull that drew me closer, a sense of safety that the closer I got, the more protected I would be. His exterior was the true definition of death, but his interior, the ever so slight experience I was able to have, gave off a different tale.

I want to learn more about him...

This was the first time an assignment had me wanting more, and the answer was clear as day. He wasn't normal, far from it, and with my suspicions, I knew exactly what he was. Some would call me insane for allowing myself to even be in the same space as him, but I found myself deeply fascinated by the idea.

"He didn't kill me...why?" I whispered in confusion. "...why didn't he kill me...?"

The sound of the microwave beeping pulled me out of my thoughts, a sign to silence my questions with food. Chuckling to myself, I shook my head in disbelief. "I'm really losing my mind..."

As I gather a fork and began my walk towards the living room, three knocks were heard at my door. Putting the food down on the coffee table, I sighed. "One second!"

Checking the peephole, I noticed that there was no one behind the door waiting, but a small box waiting at the bottom on the doormat. Quickly running into the kitchen, I grabbed a knife and ran back to the door, slowly opening with a firm grip on the handle for safety as I peeped my head out. Looking both directions for any sign of life, I glanced down at the small red box waiting for me at the door. The design of the box was luxury, but there was no name as to who may have left it at the door. "What the hell...?"

Picking it up, I closed the door and made my over to the couch, my eyebrow raised in high suspicion at the package. With tentative and cautious care, I gently opened the lid to spot an old antique timepiece watch and a piece of folded paper stuck behind it. A gasp left my lips as I held up the watch in my hand.

The watch was something I instantly recognized, a staple piece that I briefly eyed a few days ago at a client event. However, my suspicions only grew as I realized what the package was telling me.

Someone is watching...

Placing the watch back in the box, I pulled the piece of paper out, slowly unfolding the note to read what message lied for me to read. As I scanned each word slowly, my eyes grew wide and my heart began to race in excitement.

"Time is ticking my love...catch me if you can..."- P.S