"Did you have contact with anyone recently that you think could possibly want to harm you?"

"No"

"Who were you with before returning home?"

"I was with some friends. Young Saeng-ssi sent me home"

It was already late into the night when Young Saeng and Hae Yeon arrived at the police station to assist with the investigations.

Not wanting to add unnecessary stress on the already traumatized Hae Yeon, Young Saeng had requested for the
questioning to be held the next morning instead.

His request was rejected however, as the officers decided to work on the case as soon as possible for her safety.

"Young Saeng-ssi, why did you return to her place after that?"

"I received a phone call"

"Who was it from?"

"Viper. One of the criminals we're dealing with. He said there was a surprise waiting for her and I got worried"

"Why would they want to harm Hae Yeon-ssi? What is your relationship with her?"

"…"

"Young Saeng-ssi?"

"She's… a very important friend"

"Hae Yeon-ssi, please excuse us for a while"

Hae Yeon was led to a waiting room while Young Saeng continued with the questioning.

It was hard to believe what had just happened, and her mind was filled with a million thoughts as she sat alone on the couch.

The shock and fear she got upon returning to her home.

The grief when she realized that her pet companion had been killed.

The sense of relief when Young Saeng appeared.

The feeling of being held in his arms, and how he comforted her.

The words that caught her by surprise.

Flashback

"Don't worry, I won't leave you alone any more"

---

"She's… a very important friend"

End of Flashback

Hae Yeon's POV
A very important friend? 
No, what are you thinking? You're just a friend, nothing else. 

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Hae Yeon ah…"

Young Saeng returned to the waiting room after the questioning to find Hae Yeon fast asleep on the couch.

Not wanting to wake her up, he took a seat and carefully shifted her to lean on his shoulder,
and it was then when he noticed traces of tears on her face. 

Young Saeng's POV
I thought that staying away was the best way to protect you, but I was so wrong about it.
You must have been so afraid. I'm sorry… to have put you through all these.

---

Hae Yeon stared at the sight in front of her in a daze as she woke up, trying to recall what had happened the night before.

Flashback

"No! Cookie!"

"Are you ok? Everything's gonna be fine, I'm here"

End of Flashback

"…"

The last she could remember was that Young Saeng was comforting her after she woke up in tears from a nightmare.

There was totally no recollection of how she had ended up in a bedroom, and she was now being held by a sleeping
Young Saeng and lying on his chest.

Lying this close to him, she couldn't resist the urge to run her forefinger down his face while admiring his features.

After noticing that he had fallen asleep in a seated position, Hae Yeon carefully slipped out of his arms and pulled
the blanket over him. She was about to get off the bed when she felt a hand on her waist, and she soon found herself
lying face to face on top of Young Saeng.

"Are you feeling better already?"

"Y-yes. When did you wake up?"

"Someone was poking at my cheeks…"

"Sorry…"

"I'll prepare breakfast. You can use the bathroom if you'd like, I've left a set of toiletries and towel inside"

"Thanks… can you let go of me now?"

After ruffling her hair, Young Saeng let go of Hae Yeon and smiled as he saw her fanning her cheeks
as she scurried into the bathroom.

As they sat by the dining table for breakfast in silence, Young Saeng pondered over whether he should
bring up the topic of last night or something else instead. He wasn't sure how she was taking it, but he
finally decided they had to have a serious talk over it.

"I couldn't get Kyu Jong last night, and your place is still needed by the police for further investigation"

"Sorry about this…"

"No, it's all my fault that this happened to your house and Cookie"

"…"

The mention of Cookie brought tears to Hae Yeon's eyes immediately and Young Saeng rushed over to
her side upon seeing her cry.

"Sorry I -"

"It's ok, don't worry about it. Will you be fine? The person seems to have something against you…"

"Yah… I told you to stop worrying about me. But there are some things I need to let you know"

He began telling her about how Viper had found out about them spending a lot of time together and sent threats, 
and how he and Hyung Jun had spent several weeks watching over her from a far just to make sure she was safe.

The expression on her face after he finished telling her the details left him wondering if he should have continued
keeping them from her instead.

"Is this why you…"

"What is it?"

"No, it's nothing"

Hae Yeon's POV
He's just doing it out of responsibility.
I shouldn't get my hopes high...

"Hae Yeon ah, what if I told you to forget whatever I said last night?"

"..."

The doorbell sounded right at that moment before Young Saeng could continue with what he wanted to say,
and he proceeded reluctantly to open the door to the guest he was expecting.

Young Saeng's POV
What a timing Kim Kyu Jong...
After I finally mustered all my courage you just had to arrive at this moment…

"You finally remembered your cousin after spending the night with your ex?"

"No I wasn't with her the whole night. My phone was out of battery. I only saw your text this morning. Where is she?"

"Kyu oppa?"

"Are you alright?"

Kyu Jong checked on his cousin who had walked over and was relieved to see that she was doing fine.

He was appalled upon reading the messages from Young Saeng when he his phone in the morning
and rushed over as soon as he could.

"I'm fine"

"Thank goodness… thanks for looking after her Hyung. You didn't try to do anything funny, did you?"

"Oppa!"

"Yah, what do you think I am? By the way, she'll need to stay else where while the police investigates"

"My place is fine. Was it ok for you to miss work on such a short notice?"

"Oh my god! I need to make a call!"

Seeing Hae Yeon reacting just as expected, Young Saeng chuckled and stopped the panicking girl
as she was about to rush off.

"Wasn't that a little too slow? I've already made the necessary arrangements. You'll be off duty for a few days"

"A few days?"

"You might be needed at the station again. And it'll be better for you to find a new place to stay"

...........................................................................................................................................................................

hope you've all been fine! i'm so sorry for being not able to update regularly >.<
thanks for still being around :)