Chapter 3

Seoul, South Korea.

“Let’s take a break.” Leader says, panting from the dance practice.

“We are going to need to look at the synchronization now, as I noticed we know the steps but we are not on beat.” Says Hobi-hyung (Hyung – Big brother in Korean), the sunshine of our group. I am really close to him and look at him as a real brother. Someone who understands us all.

“OK, but after 5 minutes, my old bones won’t take it or else.” Jin-Hyung say as he is scrolling from his phone, probably looking at dad jokes to de-stress. Thanks to hyung, I am also understanding the humor and creativity of puns. He is the one goof-ball I really love spending time with doing nothing.

We all laugh in unison at that, “but hyung you are just 30 now.” Says Yoongi in a sleepy voice, makes me imagine he is gonna fall asleep right then and there.

Jungkook says jokingly “I think Jin-Hyung need to exercise more, before marriage especially” at this Jin armlocks Jungkook saying “Jeoungguk-ah, you need a beating, right?”.

I swear Jungkook really loves getting into trouble with Jin-hyung, but its their way of showing love to one another. Chuckling I sometimes wonder what my life would be without these idiots. This is nice. Warm even.

“OK! 5 mins up! Let’s get back to practice.” Says Joon-hyung with an encouraging voice which energizes us to practice more enthusiastically.

After practice at 10:00 pm I reach home and get ready for bed. The hot water from bath had rejuvenated me. After looking at weverse app where we all can talk to our fans I felt nice that so many people had posted.

But I was not energized enough to reply to the posts so after scrolling through that I lay on my bed wondering if I will see her again tonight in my dreams.

It would be nice if I did.

I doze off to sleep.

***************************************************

New York, US.

After looking through cases and field visit to the case I am currently working on, I reach to the team party which happens every weekend at 8:00 pm. Everyone was already there by the time I reached. Including me there are 4 more on our team including department head, James sir, the person I admire most. I was looking forward to this because every time we talk about things that has nothing related to cases. Let it be art, solar system, atoms, universe, history, etc. We make it a point to leave office work in office, that is a good habit we all picked up from James sir. Outside office we are all just friends. That includes James, Ryan, both from New York, whom I have introduce already.

The third is Ria, from Norway. If I were to describe her, she is brunette with dark green eyes like a calm forest whose hues of green can be seen under the sun and she is quite eccentric, the only other female who can keep up with me in work. And fourth is Lewis, from United Kingdom, total British and Ria’s boyfriend, soon to be engaged. Lewis is dusky blond with blue eyes and bulky not like Ryan who is muscular but not buffed. Lewis is really bulky. But as everyone in the office know he is head over heels for Ria. No one wants to approach him, after all Ria is gorgeous.

As we are all drinking and talking, as usual James has fascinating stories which everyone is listening to while being tipsy. After a few drinks I get out to get some fresh air. Standing at a corner of the terrace I look at the night sky with no stars. Yep, cloudy out there huh. Oh well the wind feels nice on my face.

While I was thinking this someone hugs me from behind. I feel shocked and break free from the person to look only to find out James a bit drunk trying to get to close to me and making gestures that make me uncomfortable. I keep staring at James trying to figure out what is happening and how to get out of this situation. When he starts talking “why are you out here? Let’s go back inside. Then maybe we can go to my place or yours? I don’t mind either way.” Hearing this, it reminded me of something I didn’t want to remember. My forceful ex who made me think soulmates are non-existent. Gathering my thoughts, I respond “I think you are mistaken sir; I am not interested in you in any manner. I am sorry, I really am not interested to date-” cutting me off in the middle he kisses me, never have I felt this much disgust, I push him off me making him fall on the ground. I look at him wondering how I landed in this situation. I admire James sir for his knowledge and his tenacity to solve difficult cases; and dream of being in his shoes of solving cases just an swiftly and efficiently. I can feel this admiration slipped away.

Furiously he looks at me and says “look here, I know you are interested, don’t deny this. I know you want this too. I know the look you give me everyday. That look of affection and lust I see in our eyes has never gone unnoticed by me. Come on!”

By this time I have blocked emotions, wielding the frost in my heart on my face. I need to reject him, firmly. “Sir, I am not interested.”

“What nonsense are you blabbering on? Why am I wasting my time on you if you are not even going to sleep with me?” he says while fuming. Never have I seen him like this

**** politeness at this point, even if I am his second in command. He has no right to talk to me in such a manner. Enraged, I slap him across the face and walk off. Grabbing a taxi, I reach home.

After locking the door to my room, I weep finally realizing that once again I had allowed a man to treat me shabbily and once again I was proven that men cannot be fully trusted. Alcohol really does bring out the true nature in a human. How could he have mistaken my admiration and idolization to this? I really shouldn’t have trusted him. I really trusted a man after a long time. Only to be betrayed in such a manner. Climbing the ladder? Who gives a damn about that? I just want to solve cases and live-in peace with my mother.

I cry myself to sleep.

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