"Nothing. You were drunk, Miss Sun Hee."

She placed her last shot glass of Soju on the table, smacked her lips, and sighed. 

The actress figured her current worries were a mix of shallow and downright disturbing. As she thought about pouring herself another shot, she also thought about this concern regarding Detective Lee Hyuk and her feelings. Was it shallow or downright disturbing? Was it even a concern? Was it even worth worrying about or was she kidding herself?

The memory of Detective Hyuk looking at her so stoically, telling her that he felt nothing -- it hurt.

Because drunk as she was that night, she recalled the kiss being the only sober thing she did. 

It took every fiber of her being to just go for it, because that's what she always believed in. For a second, she thought that the detective might share a shred of feelings; he was different to her now. He was protective, he spoke more, and she could see parts of him thawing. Maybe, maybe...he could at least feel something for her. 

But he didn't. 

I'm going crazy over here.

This was the first time she felt so embarassed in her entire life. 

When she kissed him, she remembered how rigid he went for a second, almost as if he was burned or too shocked. But when she glanced at him for a second, she saw that he was thawing. She felt his lips, albeit frozen, starting to reciprocate.

Then, she had the sense to pull away.

And now, he told her it meant nothing. 

How could that be nothing? she whined, I don't deserve this. 

As she was about to pour her nth glass, she stopped.

Or maybe, I do.

Her past seemed to haunt her in the form of worries downright disturbing. It was ironic how things turned around this time; had she known this could probably sabotage her before, maybe...she would've thought twice. 

That unpleasant feeling churned in her stomach again. 

Maybe it's better this way then, she thought sadly, Maybe, I do deserve this.

At the back of her head, she wondered why life had to be this cruel. It was already enough that she was stalked, but why did the case have to fall in the hands of someone she wanted to fall in love with?

Who am I kidding? I'm already in love with him and I don't know why.

But apparently, it was wrong.

"Miss Kim, do you have any idea who would want to pursue you that extensively?"

Hyuk watched the actress as she sat in the interrogation room, faced with his superior. He was on the other side of the room, watching her intently. 

"I've always had stalkers in the past," she answered non-chalantly, "But nothing like this."

"Do you know anyone would would want to kidnap you?"

"Rabid fans."

Today, she didn't seem so in to it, almost as if she was either bored or tired. 

When she first came in the station, she lacked any of the excitement or lustre she had whenever she saw him. Sun Hee would usually loud whenever she saw him, but today, she was courteous, addressing the detective with a bow and a smile.

And that was it.

"Miss Kim, if there's any information we should know, we'd appreciate it," said DA Park, "We don't want to take your security for granted. Keep in mind that this is no ordinary stalker case. Your safety is on the line."

She shifted comfortably in her chair. "I understand that, DA Park," she replied, "But believe me when I say I have no idea. I'm used to people harassing me because of my fame," she then patted her face, "So, this is nothing new. An extreme level, maybe, but trust me -- I really don't know."

Hyuk bit his lip as he watched the actress. She seemed so confident and non-chalant with her situation, a stark contrast from the woman who panicked when the stalker broke into her room. How could she be like this?

He sincerely wondered if what he said had something to do with it. 

He hoped not.

Hyuk watched as his superior gave up on the actress, telling her that they will continue to pursue the suspect and, should she know anything, please call the station immediately. His sunbae gathered his filed and left the room, leaving an impatient Sun Hee looking around. 

Why are you being stubborn? he asked her through the glass.

"Ah, that girl said she doesn't know anything," announced the DA, arriving on the other side, "Maybe she's had too many stalkers, but she need not be a witch over it." He grunted as he set the file.

"It's your time to sweet talk the lady, Hyuk," continued DA Park, "She might tell you something."

"Do you think she's hiding anything?" asked the detective, still gazing at Sun Hee (who was busy looking at her nails).

"I don't know. What do you think?"

He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Let's see."

"...Jin Hae to pick you up. I know that you have filming today. Two rookie officers will be sent to watch over you. I hope you don't mind."

She sighed.

"I'm used to being watched anyway."

From where Hyuk was standing, he could see that she definitely looked tired and disinterested. Crossed arms and no smile on her face, Kim Sun Hee was definitely unhappy right now. She looked around the room with such disdain, it was so obvious she didn't want to be there.

"Is there anything else you need?" she asked him.

And she was really snappy at him today.

The poor detective was no stranger to a woman's mood swing -- Kim Sun Hee throwing a subtle fit was nothing new. The reason, however, he wanted to know.

"Are you okay, Miss Sun Hee?" he asked.

"I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

With nearly 10 years of experience, Detective Lee could tell if someone was lying to his face or not. He was sure that the actress was lying.

"Did I say anything to offend you?" he asked.

She looked at him.

"I'm just trying to be professional, Detective," she answered, "After all, I'm not drunk anymore, I'm sober. Isn't that what you want?"

There was a cutting edge in her voice and it made him feel unpleasant.

"Miss Sun Hee -- "

"No, I understand. You are right," she told him, "I'm sorry for being so unprofessional these days. I've made a fool of myself countless times."

He felt that sting in her voice when she said that. Suddenly, she stood up from her chair.

"Am I done already?" she asked, "Jin Hae did say she has to pick me up, right?"

"Miss Sun Hee -- "

"After all, this is how to be professional, right?"

She looked at him and smiled a smile unlike the ones that usually fascinated him. It was flat and forced. With a polite nod, she excused herself from his presence.

But his reflexes did otherwise.

His hand automatically held her wrist.

There was an awkward silence as the detective stood there, holding on to the actress' wrist. He didn't think that someone could be watching from the other side or about the CCTV camera watching from the corner. Sun Hee glanced at him while he kept his eyes fixated on the floor. Unbeknownst to the actress, he was racking his brains.

No words came out.

The actress just smiled and gently took her hand away.

"I'm leaving," she told him. Without another word, Kim Sun Hee walked out, leaving Detective Lee alone in the cold interrogation room. The sound of the metal door closing echoed within the four walls, but Hyuk did not care. 

He was too distracted with the sudden pang he felt in his chest. 

The poor detective cringed slightly as he experienced a sense of loss -- a deep and distubring sense. Hyuk couldn't understand, but for some reason, he felt really troubled with the fact that she left like that. His hand automatically touched his chest as he tried taking deep breaths. 

Without warning, a solitary tear rolled on his smooth cheek.

Jin Hae was reaching out to her, but Sun Hee just couldn't get a grasp of what was happening.

"I am."

"You look like someone just died, though."

The actress strapped her seat belt on. "I'll be fine, Jin Hae," she told her friend, "I guess it's just one of those days."

"Yeah, couldn't blame you. I mean, I'd feel down too if the detective I really liked turned me down after a kiss."

Sun Hee glared at her friend. "You really had to go there, huh?"

"I'm sorry!" exclaimed Jin Hae, "It's just that...I don't know. This is affecting you way much than I thought. And it's not like you've broken up with guys before, but here you are...nearly depressed."

"I'm not depressed!"

"Sure, you're not. You drank two bottles of Soju last night, remember?"

As Jin Hae started the engine, the actress heaved a sigh, recalling that drunken haze last night. It was filled with sad realizations she didn't want to remember right now. 

"You guys aren't even together, but this already feels worse for you," continued Jin Hae, "To be honest, it's kind of freaking me out -- how you're reacting to this."

"That's a nice thing to say to me, Jin Hae," Sun Hee remarked sarcastically, "You are very encouraging."

Jin Hae made a right. "I'm sorry, but hear me out, Sun Hee," she said, "It's just another guy. You really have to stay professional with this one because, hello, he's assigned to protect you. It's like an office relationship already and those never work out. Besides, you'll have other guys falling for you. Maybe you just have to accept the fact that the Detective is out of your bounds."

Sun Hee realized that already last night. Hearing it outloud made the pain worse.

"He's just another guy, Sun Hee. You'll get over it."

As Jin Hae the radio and sang to the newest tunes, Sun Hee couldn't help but sigh as she stared outside. 

Her friend was right when she the Detective was just a guy. But for the life of her, Detective Lee wasn't any other guy. Until now, she couldn't understand the connection between her and Lee Hyuk. 

When he touched her moments ago, she felt that intense longing she had always been feeling since she realized her emotions for him. She felt that he was going to say something, that he wanted to say something. But Sun Hee knew better than to expect.

She would rather go out than hear something she didn't want again. 

As the rain started to fall, she couldn't help but utter a silent thought.

Why can't I just turn my feelings off for him? Why is it so hard? Why?

Hyuk was already regretting his decision to call his brother all of a sudden. He didn't know what got into him two hours ago. But he felt so alone and he wasn't exactly the friendly type, so when the department decided to go out for a few drinks, he bailed.

But he felt alone and needed someone.

So he made the smart decision to call his hyung, who happened to be just around.

But when Ha Neul dragged him to a mudang (fortune teller), he immediately regretted his decision. 

"...and you will have plenty of money if you choose to invest in August," the fortune teller told his hyung, "But you have to be careful. Don't invest with a woman who has a big bossom, you might regret!"

Hyuk couldn't help but scoff. This was the reason he didn't like fortune tellers. Ha Neul, on the other hand, seemed very invested in what the old man had to say. 

"That's going to be a problem!" he complained, "I have a lot of female friends with big bossoms and pockets!"

"You'll have to choose then!"

Hyuk shook his head as he browsed his phone, deleting messages. He had too much already. As his brother argued with the fortune teller about women and money, he started re-reading messages and deleting them. 

He stopped at Kim Sun Hee's name, otherwise known as FNT.

His eyes were fixed on those three letters and his fingers tapped on the name, reading previous messages.

Did you get the aloe vera for your face?

Detective Lee, why are you late?

Detective Lee, are you alright? 

Detective Lee, are you happy today?

The last one was a message she sent five months ago. She took note of his rigidness and had the habit of randomly texting him stuff like that. Once, she told him that he should move his face more by smiling, otherwise "Your face would freeze!" as she said. 

Since that night of the kiss, she hasn't texted him anything random -- just the necessary ones.

It was such a drastic change. 

Unsettling too.

"Hyuk!"

His brother's voice broke his reverie. Hyuk looked up from his phone to see his hyugn wildly waving at him from the mat.

"Come here! I get a free fortune telling on the house today," his hyung said, "I figured you should have it."

"Why do I need it?" asked Hyuk.

"You need to know what's up ahead, Little Brother!" explained his brother, "Come on! I'm being a responsible hyung here. Take advantage of it."

"But -- "

"Don't mess with me, Hyukie! Come on now."

Hyung heaved a sigh as he dragged himself towards his brother and a questionable looking fortune teller. The latter was wearing traditional Hanbok that came in questionable colors and some makeup (he almost looked like a clown already).

"Come here, handsome!" said the fortune teller, "My I can already see a lot from your face only!"

"Sure you can," remarked Hyuk, sitting down beside his brother.

"Uh-oh, looks like we have a skeptic."

 The detective shook his head, trying to hid his skepticism, but it couldn't be helped. Once he sat down, however, the fortune teller already got his hand, startling him and making him tumble.

"Wow, look at those lines!" exclaimed the old man, "Full of mysteries. And that face!" He took Hyuk's face with both hands, "My god, he has the face of an Emperor. I can already foretell good fortune!"

He squeezed Hyuk's cheeks.

"What can you tell about my brother?" asked Ha Neul. 

The mudang turned Hyuk's face, caressing his cheeks. "Wow, aren't you such a good looking young man?" he noticed, "I can already see overwhelming luck with the ladies."

"Aisht, is that what you can say about my brother? And you call this deal a deal?"

Eventually, the mudang took his hands off Hyuk's face and started ringing that bell device on his table, singing stuff he could barely understand, waving his hands dramtically.

"Are you by any chance...a lawyer?" he asked.

Pft. Wow.

"Nope," scoffed Hyuk.

"But you work with the law."

"Detective, yes."

"I knew that," said the mudang, continuing to throw salt in the air and ringing his bell, "Oh hear out prayers for this very handsome young man! This handsome young man, what do you have for him, oh heavens?"

Hyuk was already too embarrassed as the fortune teller threw more salt in the air and rang his bell. He was waving his hands in the air.

"Ah, I can see that his career is straightforward," remarked the mudang, "He does his job well, beats criminals out, and has moderate amount of wealth. The gods of fortune smile upon him as he lives his fourth life!"

"I'm sorry, fourth life?" asked his hyung.

"Everyone has four lives; your brother is on his fourth."

"And that is?"

"The season of harvest," answered the mudang, "Ahhh, I can see that fate is favoring him this time around."

"This time around?"

Ha Neul was seriously invested in what the fortune teller was saying. Hyuk, on the other hand, remained on the floor, bored and very much disinterested. He blanked out as the pair discussed his fortunes.

"What was he before then?"

The mudang closed his eyes and threw more salt in the air then stared at Hyuk's face.

"He could've been a King in his first life. I clearly see the trademark of an Emperor on his face," remarked the fortune teller, "I mean, look at him -- he looks like royalty."

"Aisht, are you just saying that because he looks handsome?"

"No, but I firmly believe he used to be an Emperor -- no wonder, the fortune is plenty."

Ha Neul shoved Hyuk lightly. "Hey, have you been hiding money somewhere? This mudang says you're rich."

"I don't have money anywhere," argued the dongsaeng, shoving his hyung back. He wanted to glare at the fortune teller for spreading such lies, but the latter's eyes were already closed in concentration. 

"Ah, that is strange," he suddenly remarked.

"What?" asked his hyung.

"I cannot get anything on his second or third life," commented the mudang, eyes still closed. He then looked at the Detective, "But I do feel much longing and...sin." The fortune teller set his bell down and raised his eyebrows at the unknowing Lee Hyuk. The latter, on the other hand, was clueless as to what the mudang was saying. 

His eyes then flashed at him.

"I sense longing somewhere."

He said so without the pretentious knowing voice he used on Ha Neul. It made Hyuk shiver a little.

"Longing? What sort of longing?" asked Ha Neul, wildly looking from his dongsaeng to the mudang, both who were completely ignoring him already. Hyuk's attention was caught by the fortune teller.

The mudang leaned closer to him.

"Is there a woman?"

In an instant, Kim Sun Hee came into his mind. Once her face came into his head, he tried to erase it.

"The longing...it is unlike others," continued the fortune teller, "It is a longing bound by unrequited love." He then glanced at Hyuk, "It seems as if the it is also the type of longing that has haunted you for all of your lives."

What the hell is he talking about?

It sounded so absurd already. But why couldn't he stop listening?

"Love, eh?" commented Ha Neul, "So, my dongsaeng...needs to do something about that...longing?"

"He must learn to overcome if he wants to long no more."

It sounded like the hard truth.

The mudang leaned closer to Hyuk. 

"Do not let go again," he whispered, "Do not let go."

"What do you mean?"

The fortune teller gazed deeply into his eyes. "Do not ignore that feeling of lack inside you, Detective," he said, pointing to Lee Hyuk's, "Do not forget to reap the harvest. Otherwise, all would have been lost."

Hyuk found himself drawn to the mudang's words, to the point that both of them were already ignoring Ha Neul's input.

"Heed my words," said the fortune teller, "It is time for you to reap the harvest."

"Aisht, why can't I just forget about that guy?!"

Her sudden outrage startled the makeup artist, causing blush to fly in all directions. Sun Hee, however, didn't care. She was too furious with herself and the detective to care.

 "Would you stay still, Sun Hee?" demanded Jin Hae, "Let the makeup artist do her work and stop complaining about Detective Lee. The poor thing has no idea that you're ranting about him here. Otherwise, you'll mess up your palette for the gala tomorrow night!"

Sun Hee scowled as her makeup artist got to work, suggesting the right color for her the event tomorrow. She knew her best friend had a point, but she couldn't help it. She was severely annoyed with Detective Lee.

"Is he the one escorting me tomorrow?" she asked her friend.

"How should I know?"

"You do know."

"Speak for yourself."

Sun Hee shrugged as her makeup artist suggested shades of lipstick to match her dress for tomorrow night. Her mother station, CBS, is holding a gala tomorrow to celebrate all the dramas, actors, and actresses. She might not be that big in the industry yet, but it was the best place to start rubbing elbows with good directors and producers. 

As the makeup artist suggested shades, Sun Hee found herself trying to keep Lee Hyuk out of her mind while sorting out her priorities. 

This can't be, she thought to herself as the makeup artist whisked away the rejects, I can't always be thinking about this guy. I'm allowing him to drive me crazy and he has no right to do so. He's not even thinking about me. 

Sorting through her dresses absentmindedly, she remembered that blank look on his face when he told her that the kiss meant nothing. 

I'm just a nothing to him. Just someone he had to watch over, she complained, But who am I kidding? Its always been that way. 

I need a distraction.

Sun Hee heaved a sigh as Jin Hae thanked the stylist and took the bags of clothes and makeup for tomorrow's gala. The actress turned deaf to her friend's complains about carrying everything as she walked mindlessly past the boutique's dresses. She was just walking by, blank and all, when bump on the shoulder woke her senses.

"Ouch!"

"Omo!"

Immediately, Sun Hee got up, about to lash out.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," said a deep voice, "I didn't see you there."

"Well, you should at least try to -- !" she was about to complain when the face made her stop.

Hyuk fiddled with his watch first before he fixed his tie for the nth time. 

Both he and Sun Hee knew that he would watch over her during her special gala. It had been arranged a month ago. In fact, she was the one who strongly suggested that he attend. To ensure no one would notice, he could pose as her date. It was also during that time that his suspicions of her feelings for him became stronger.

But given the actress' cold treatment of him these past days, he didn't know how to approach her. That, plus the fact that he could be lying to himself about what he feels for her. 

That fortune teller's words about him and his so-called fourth life haunted him until now.  He wasn't very superstitious; he wanted nothing more than to think everything the mudang said was a joke. Right after he told Hyuk about reaping the harvest, he immediately snapped out of his serious reverie -- almost as if someone else had been doing the talking. 

He went on to say that Hyuk would probably end the dispute between North and South Korea and would have twelve kids.

He was pretty sure that last part was a hoax, but the middle...it was -- 

"Do not forget to reap the harvest. Otherwise, all would have been lost."

Hyuk adjusted his cuff links and shoved his badge deeper in his pockets as he stood by the entrance of the venue. 

Kim Sun Hee didn't tell him anything about tonight, so he assumed Jin Hae might drop her off. He wanted to pick her up himself, but he felt that he would die of the awkwardness. Best to meet her in the middle where there was a lot of people. Still, he felt bad for not having the initiative to patch things up with her. He wasn't dumb; he knew that they had a silent rift. 

But he was scared to blur the lines.

Maybe you can sort things out right after the event, he told himself, There's drinks inside. Once I loosen up, we can talk. No. We WILL talk. 

He sighed.

We have to talk.

Hyuk didn't know what to say, but he wanted to talk to her. 

"Detective Lee?"

He glanced at the sound of her voice and his jaws dropped a little. 

Kim Sun Hee looked stunning in that elegant black dress that hugged the curves of her body. Her hair was up in a bun, but the other locks fell gracefully, framing her small face. She has always looked stunning, but tonight, she was even more beautiful. As she walked up the steps, a small bag in hand, she met him with such grace, he didn't know how to react.

"You're here?" she asked, surprised at his presence.

It took the detective a second or two to regain his voice.

"Uh, yes," he answered, "I'm here to accompany you, remember?"

Sun Hee then remembered, but another voice answered before she could.

"That's a shame, because I'm here to accompany her."

A tall man wearing a white suit got up on the top step and stood beside the actress. He was good-looking too and he walked with such confidence. As he took Sun Hee's hand and placed it on his arm, he glanced at Hyuk. Surprise echoed in both of their eyes. 

"Ah, Lee Hyuk!" exclaimed the man. 

Sun Hee looked at both of them. 

"You know each other?"

Hyuk, on the other hand, was frozen. 

He couldn't believe that Cha Ju Han -- his constant competition at the police academy -- was holding Kim Sun Hee's hand.

That was supposed to be his job.

A/N: I told myself I wouldn't prolong this fan fic, but it ended up that I'm writing an entire drama again. Jeez. Haha. I'm so sorry. If you're not a big fan of long fics, feel free to unsub, but I would love it better if you stayed. Help me out and figure what the best plot would suit our PiChi couple. But I'm really grateful for all of your support.

Thanks and see you in the next chapter.