Sleazy -- that was the one definition Detective Lee could come up with the range of motels they passed by. He thought it was only right then that he accompanied Kim Sun Hee. Lord knows what could've happened to this woman if he didn't. Just a minute ago, they passed by a group of questionable men smoking and looking Sun Hee up. 

When they whistled, he almost beat them up. One of them even said, "Looks like someone's gon get lucky tonight!" 

He almost tore their heads off.

But he had to keep his cool.

Still, Hyuk understood why that would seem like the scenario. Who wouldn't question a man and a woman walking down a shady aisle of motels, looking for a place to stay? He'd seen one too many real-life scenes like this, but he was always doing the chasing. Right now, however, he can't help but feel a litte awkward.

He had no bad intentions. 

He just remembered what a few of the interns where whispering a while ago. 

"I'm sure of it, that actress has the hots for her stylist!"

"What makes you think about that?"

"C'mon, everyone here knows about that. And it's not like she's subtle."

"That's true. Miss Sun Hee seems extra protective whenever he's around; it's like no one can touch him."

For some reason, this stirred up Hyuk's interests. 

No, you are not interested in this.

He had been battling with himself for a couple of hours already. To be fair, his interests were not dodgy or "impure" -- as the priests would say -- but there was a part of him that wanted to know more about that. These past days, the interns weren't the only ones talking about it. EVERYONE in the set was talking about how Kim Sun Hee might a have thing for her stylist.

A.k.a him.

He looked at her as she walked ahead of him, actively babbling about finding the right motel. Hyuk couldn't help but wonder how she could still have the energy to talk.

"...we'll have to act normal, like we're not going to do anything ," she was saying, "I don't want people thinking that Kim Sun Hee is that kind of woman. God, that wouldn't be good for my reputation."

He just smirked.

Seriously, what is it with this woman?

She knew that he was just walking behind her and it gave her such a thrill. 

Sun Hee wasn't too keen with the surrounding motels either. She was still frustrated with the staff for forgetting to book her a room, almost as if she didn't matter at all. If this were a regular day, she would've caused a scene and embarassed everyone invovled. Fortunately, she was feeling optimistic that day -- something terrible could end up better.

Just the reminder of the detective's presence was enough.

"We just have to keep up with our appearances," she told him, "I'm an actress, you're my stylist."

"Understood," he said shortly.

"I don't want anyone thinking the wrong thing."

"I get that."

"We can do this, right?"

"Of course, we can."

She couldn't help but smile.

Could this be her lucky night?

Keep cool, Sun Hee. You're an actress.

 "Don't get any ideas. I'm an actress and we're filming nearby. The crew didn't book a hotel so I'm here because I don't have a choice."

That part was true. But to make it more convincing, her partner had to play his role. She bumped into Detective Lee, hoping he'd get the message. She saw his bored face and without wasting another minute, he leaned down to look at the ahjumma in charge.

"I'm her stylist."

"I have only one free room," replied the old owner. 

Sun Hee laughed. "I can't believe...why there's always only one free room. That's too bad," she was saying. Beside her, she could see the detective just looking at her. He didn't say anything. She wished he couldn't see how excited she was. Instead of squealing in delight (like she always does), she maintained her composure. 

Without batting an eyelash, however, she stooped down to the counter. "We'll take it."

She nudged him again. Hyuk sighed.

"Quickly, please."

As the ajhumma searched for a key, Sun Hee looked around the sleepy-looking lobby. It wasn't the type of lodging she'd want to spend the night in. Sun Hee was very particular with her accommodations. If there was no spa or decent bathroom, she wouldn't take it. But right now, she couldn't be picky. No, Sun Hee knew she shouldn't be picky.

"We could try looking for another hotel, but we'd only get sore legs. Sore legs become swollen. The more sleep I get, the nicer my skin will be tomorrow," she was saying, touching her cheeks, "Why didn't they book a room for the actress?"

"I never wanted to know," said the ahjumma, handing over the key, "Here's the key."

Sun Hee grabbed the rusty looking key and looked up at Detective Lee. As usual, he was quietly surveying the area, seeing if there was anything shadier. He was always like that -- observant. But it was the best things about him. 

"Lead the way, stylist," she said. 

Lee Hyuk smirked as they headed towards the rooms. Sun Hee still didn't know what the night would bring. Of course, she wasn't thinking of doing anything frisky; she wasn't that kind of woman. She just figured that the confined space would finally get him talking. After all, there's no one but the two of them -- he had to say something, right?

As they were about to go, another coupe burst into the lobby.

"Do you have a room?" asked the man.

Sun Hee smirked. Good luck with that, she thought.

"Sorry, we only have one room left."

Both Sun Hee and Hyuk froze on their spot. They can't believe the ahjumma was betraying them. The former thought quick on her feet; she grabbed Hyuk and gave him a little shake.

"Pretend you didn't hear that," she whispered urgently. All they had to do was run to the room as soon as possible and that couple wouldn't even have a chance. She was about to pace, when he surprised her. 

He took her hand and placed in his. 

What?

With a cool expression on his face, he looked at her calmly. She saw one part of his lips raised up in small smile.

"I didn't hear anything."

She couldn't suppress her giggle as he led the way.

Hyuk didn't know what got into him. He wasn't like this; he was never this brazen. The last time he was was about two years ago. 

And he couldn't understand himself. 

As he walked down the sketchy hallways of the motel, however, he realized that he was holding Kim Sun Hee's hand firmly -- firmer than he was usually comfortable. She didn't say anything much, only that they had to hurry so the other couple wouldn't get ahead of them. He didn't reply; apart from looking for the room, he was still too busy re-evaluating his actions. 

They didn't seem reasonable these past few days, especially this one.

Finally, they arrived at their room. He let go of her hand and took the key from her.

"What was that for?" she asked him.

"What was what for?"

She raised her hand at him.

"You held my hand."

He looked at her. "Well, I was thinking that the other couple might have a better reason to use this room," he nodded towards the door, "They might think we're not going to maximize the use. Didn't want them to give any more reasons."

"So you held my hand?"

He opened the door. "They would've told the ajhumma that they need it more than we do."

And he went inside, because he knew he didn't know what to say anymore. Hyuk did not dare look at Kim Sun Hee. If what he heard was right and that this actress had a crush for him, there was bound to be some reaction, but he wasn't brave enough to see it. Lee Hyuk was anything but a man who gives in to rumors -- anything but that.

He didn't see her stare at him in disbelief. 

"Is he lying or what?"

The shower was too cold for her liking, but Kim Sun Hee knew that she couldn't expect anything. After all this wasn't a 5-star hotel -- it was a godforsaken motel that had questionable soap choices, cold water, and only two towels. Plus, the door creaked a lot and faucet was leaky. Sun Hee was bound to complain at the front desk by this time. 

But she was too preoccupied.

As she scrubbed her hair with cheap shampoo, she thought about it again.

"They would've told the ahjumma they need it more than we do."

So he just held my hand to make it look like we're a couple?

She turned the shower off and grabbed the first towel, drying herself. It was fortunate that Sun Hee always had a spare outfit in her handbag; she didn't have any problem using some stuff again for tomorrow. As she got out of the shower, she wrapped the first towel around and figured it wasn't enough. The second towel was calling her name.

He might use it though, she thought.

But her hair was dripping wet and she thougth again.

Well, he didn't look like he had spare clothes with him, she reasoned, and besides, I need this towel more than he does. I'm sure he won't mind. After all, he's okay with that. 

Annoyed, Sun Hee took the second towel and dried her hair with it. She quickly dressed herself up with the clothes she had, folding the second pair of pants neatly. It was odd to be inside a shady motel room and showering, despite the fact that there's a guy outside -- and not just any guy. It was THE guy she liked, THE cold guy...THE DETECTIVE.

Who pretended him holding her hand meant nothing.

"Ugh," she said, drying herself up. She hung the other towel frustratedly and got out.

She was about to complain again when she was stunned by what she saw.

The Detective did not feel her presence yet. Sun Hee tried to make sense of the situation -- his leather jacket hung on the nearby chair, his black shirt lay on the bed, and Detective Lee Hyuk sat on the bed -- topless. He was trying to reach his back, applying some sort of ointment. It was then Sun Hee noticed the prominent details of his back.

She had to admit, the tattoo of dark angel wings on each shoulder blade was astounding, but that long gash made her wonder how he got that in the first place. Quietly, she took small steps and saw other details: more scars littered here and there. Every scratch looked prominent because his skin was pale white. But at the back of her mind, she was wondering how he got them.

And why they looked so severe.

The creak of the wooden floor alarmed both her and the detective of each other's presence.

Lee Hyuk suddenly turned and looked at her.

"Oh, you're there," he said non-chalantly, but immediately grabbing his shirt, "I was...just applying medicine." Quickly, Hyuk put on his shirt.

"Wait, don't you need to dry them?" asked Sun Hee.

"I'll be fine," he assured her, "I just need to put the medicine so they'll dry up."

The detective stood up and slowly put on his shirt, but not until Sun Hee saw the other details. Just as she imagined, he had a good physique, almost what anyone would expect from a detective. But he also had scars here and there. She had to close , however, because the detective might think she was gaping at him (which she was). 

"You sleep on the bed," he was saying, peeking out of the shabby blinds, "I'll take the couch."

Typical.

"Are you sure? You won't fit."

"If I won't, then the floor is fine. For a shady motel, they managed to carpet the floor."

"Won't it be uncomfortable?"

He looked at her and flashed a small crooked smile. "I've slept in worse places," he said.

Suddenly, she felt bad for using his towel.

Lee Hyuk brushed past her and went inside the bathroom. She saw he was looking inside the cabinets. Eventually, he got out a small packet that contained toothpaste and toothbrush. He glanced at the dripping towel. Sun Hee gulped. Would he tell her off for being so insensitive and using his towel? She stepped away but she kept her eyes on him as he placed a small amount of toothpaste on the brush, his eyes still on the wet towel.

Would he say anything?

He started brushing his teeth and looked at the mirror instead. 

Sun Hee felt like she had to say something, but for the first time in forever, she was coming up with a blank. Fortunately, the cars outside were a distraction. If there was any good thing from staying in a motel in a red light district, you could count on the people to distract you from the awkwardness. She hurriedly placed her bag on top of the dresser and started combing her hair.

The detective, on the other hand, washed his face. He used the towel she used. 

He said nothing.

When he got out, he looked at her.

"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said, "I'm just curious."

He placed the towel on the chair.

The silence was getting more awkward the Sun Hee thought. She was racking her brains for any good conversation starter; she wanted to ask about the scars, but she felt like it would be too intrusive. There wasn't anything they could talk about for that day; he was easily bored with the scenes from today's filiming so that was out of the equation. 

What do I say?

"Don't move!"

She was startled with his sudden exclamation. Sun Hee looked at him.

"What?" 

"Don't move."

He was approaching her with such a serious gaze, she was starting to freak out inside.

"What? Is the stalker here?" she asked, frozen in her stance, "What? What?!"

Lee Hyuk said nothing and walked faster until he was inches away from her. Without a word, he took a slipper on the floor and threw it past her. Sun Hee squealed and ended up burying her face on the Detective's chest. What did he see? Was the stalker here? Were there cameras?

"There was a bug behind you," he said.

She looked up at him. He wore that one-sided crooked smile, as if he was mocking her.

"Why didn't you say so?" she asked.

"You might freak out."

"I don't freak out."

"There's another one behind you."

"WHERE!?"

Sun Hee squealed, jumping on the bed, and covering herself with a blanket while the Detective burst out laughing. She looked up at him from the chaos of pillows and saw that he was laughing heartily. Indignantly, she sat up.

"There was no bug!" she exclaimed, emerging from the blankets, "You scared me!"

"You said you won't freak out."

"But you did that on purpose!"

Detective Lee was still laughing as he kicked the dead bug away from them. Sun Hee, on the other hand, was red in the face from such embarrassment and annoyance, but hearing Hyuk laugh sort of eased her tension. He was smiling widely as she folded his shirt and placed it on the table. He rarely laughed like that -- deep and rolling.

It sounded magical. 

He was still taking deep breaths, in between laughing and breathing when he looked at her. The detective must've noticed that she was staring.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, "And don't tell me there's a bug."

She paused before smiling at him again.

"I'm just thinking that this is going to be a long night."

A/N: If there's one thing you need to know about me, I'm a er for cliffhangers. :) Like, seriously. 

You're going to hate me for it, but you'll keep coming back.