Chapter 9: Goodbyes

Bong Hee just woke up and found Ji Wook preparing coffee in the kitchen, talking to someone on the phone. She's still wearing his shirt from last night. She smiles naughtily at the memory.

Ji Wook: So..no leads yet? Hmm.. No, I'm not rushing. Take your time.. Hmm..yes. .... Yeah, I understand.

Bong Hee walked towards her husband and hugged him from behind.

Bong Hee: Good morning, jagiya..

Even if Ji Wook is frustrated early this morning, Bong Hee's gesture made him smile. He turned around to look at his wife's face. Bong Hee smiled. Ji Wook smiled too and gave her a kiss. He mouths, "good morning". Bong Hee can't stop smiling.

Ji Wook: (whispers) I'm just going to finish this call, okay?

Bong Hee nods and starts to pull away but he stopped her. "Don't go", he mouths again. She smiles and hugged him again while looking at him. He smiles and kisses her forehead.

Ji Wook: (returns to his phone call) Yeah... But officer, you talked to her already yesterday.. Hmm.. Okay. Uhm..yes she's here.. One moment. (He gestures to Bong Hee if it's okay to speak with the officer. Bong Hee nods. He puts the phone on speaker)

Bong Hee: Hi, it's Noh Bong Hee.

Officer: Hi, Mrs. Noh. I'm really sorry to be disturbing you & your husband so early this morning.

Bong Hee: It's okay..

Officer: We just need to ask you some questions today.. I know we've spoken last night but we had some news today.

Bong Hee: That's fine. What is it?

Officer: You said the guy was wearing a mask, right?

Bong Hee: Yes.

Officer: How about his voice? Do you remember it? If we play something right now will you be able to identify if he's the guy we're looking for?

Bong Hee: Uhm..

She got nervous in an instant when she remembered that night. "You're going to die tonight". She cringed. Ji Wook felt it because she's hugging him as they speak. He looked at her, worried. "Hey.."

She mouths, "i'm fine".

Bong Hee: Yes..I guess.

Officer: A guy in a black mask broke into someone's house yesterday. It's in another city but he could be the one we're looking for. We had to take our chances. (plays audio of the guy's statement in the precinct. Turns out that the guy is trying to rob the house.)

Bong Hee: (sighs) No. It's not him.

Officer: Are you sure, Mrs. Noh?

Bong Hee: Y-Yes.

Officer: Okay. That's all for now. Thank you for talking to us. Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. and Mrs. Noh.

Bong Hee: Thank you. You, too.

(End of call)

Ji Wook places his phone on the table. He holds her face.

Ji Wook: You okay?

Bong Hee: (nods and smiles weakly) I'm fine..

Ji Wook: We'll catch him soon, I promise.

Bong Hee nods. She just doesn't want to talk about it anymore so she changed the topic.

Bong Hee: Did you have a good sleep?

Ji Wook: (smiles) Of course. You?

Bong Hee: (smiles, as she blushes) Of course. uhm..jagiya?

Ji Wook: Yes?

Bong Hee: We are leaving tomorrow, right?

Ji Wook: Yes. You need to pack your bags. I've already talked to Eun Hyuk. And I'm calling the others to meet with us tonight. I don't want us going away without saying goodbye..

Bong Hee: Yes, I appreciate it. Thank you.

Ji Wook: No worries. I'll help you pack your things. But jagiya...this is really serious, huh. If you don't want to go I can call them right now and back out. Again, I'm not going to leave without you. I'll stay if you're staying, too..

Bong Hee: I'm serious. We're going.

Ji Wook: Okay then. (Smiles) Coffee?

Bo