here is an update! it took me longer to update this. the story is building up so you might see it slow paced and boring...mianhe.

i'm doing another shoutout haha. dont mind me if i do this. again, it's somewhere in the story but again its not related to the story haha. maybe i'm not making sense again hehe. let's focus on the story.

photo credit http://media.tumblr.com/3b470949f3b7fb8165c4b5c7f08737b3/tumblr_inline_n8096yBCa41rtj41l.jpg

--

Somewhere in the city.

“How is the trial?” A low deep voice asked.

Two men who are of great physique couldn’t hide their fear. The man sitting across them is powerful and in control. That is what makes them fear him and at the same time hate and envy him.

“The trial is on track. It will be held tomorrow. And there is nothing to worry about. We all know that the trial is just for formality. The decision has already been decided.”

“What about Ham’s lawyer?”

“She is brilliant but she has nothing to build a case. Ham is clueless of everything.”

“In no time Ham will be convicted.”

The man nodded. “Did you find anything inside her house?”

“Nothing. Patrick may not have hidden it there.”

“May?” The man said making the two flinch. “Make sure that that paper is destroyed or returned to me.”

“Yes boss”

The attack on the Ham residences was orchestrated for them to be able to search inside Ham’s residence. Even if they have connection in the police force, they cannot just produce a warrant without alarming the higher ups. They have to work underground where they cannot be traced. The powerful man has connections in the police force and even with the gangs that is why he is respected and feared at the same time.

“I’ve been hearing that this reporter have lurking around the gang districts.”

“It’s just a nosy reporter covering for the trial. I’m sure there is nothing else.”

“Well I don’t want her around my area.”

“Once the trial starts, she’ll focus on the trial.”

“We can’t risk her finding anything.”

“Arasso. I’ll take care of it.”

--

Hyomin was in a book signing of Nana for her first book ‘I’m Nana’. Why she is here? She is not very sure herself. The day she went to meet Yang Seungho, he hand her Nana’s book and an invitation to this exclusive event. She was puzzled but she didn’t dare asked the gang leader. She went to the event thinking that this will lead her to something for her investigation. To her dismay, everything was normal. She patiently waited until the very end of the event but nothing happened. It was a complete waste of time. She made a mental note to call Soyeon and Seungho and scold them for wasting her precious time.

When she went out, Nana was debating with a traffic officer because of illegal parking. It was her driver’s fault but the traffic officer was pressing on Nana. Hyomin walked to them. “Hello, is there any problem?”

“Reporter Park,” The officer greeted the beloved reporter, “This car is illegally parked. Ms. Nana has already exceeded the time limit.” The officer explained in a polite manner.

Nana had this incredulous look. He wasn’t like this when the officer was talking to her. She is a top model, a celebrity and now an author but the tabloids have given her a bad image that was why the society has this bad impression of her. She was about to say something but Hyomin gave her a look to stay quiet.

“The thing is Mr. Officer. It was partly my fault. Nana was in a rush because she understands that there is a time limit parking here. She knew about the law but I was insistent on asking questions. Nana being polite and considerate didn’t decline answering my questions. Please, if you can consider it.”

“Arasso.” The officer looked at Nana and said, “Let this be a warning. Good day, Ms. Park.” The officer left greeting only Hyomin.

“I don’t remember you ever asking any questions. I doubted you even read my book.”

“I did read you book last night.”

“Oh thank you.” Nana didn’t expect that Park Hyomin will be interested in her book.

They noticed that a few people were taking pictures of them.

“Well I better go. Thank for saving me again.” Nana said not wanting to draw any attention from the paparazzi.

“Again?”

“It was a long time ago. You must have forgotten about it.”

“I thought you said ‘it never happened’?” Hyomin teased making them both smile.

Flashback

“I don’t want to go with you! Leave me alone! Let go!” A girl screamed as she tried to break free from the hold of a man.

“Young lady, I will not tolerate your behavior. You better come with me or…”

“Or what? What? Huh?”

Click.

The older man stopped and looked at the young kid with a camera. “Hey young girl, go away and leave us alone.”

“I can’t. You’re hurting my schoolmate.”

“This is none of your business. It’s a family matter.”

“It is. If it involves my fellow student like now. I am Park Hyomin from the School Newspaper Organization. You are hurting my schoolmate inside school premises.”

The man was frustrated but she let go of the other girl and left.

“Are you ok?” Hyomin asked the girl.

Instead of a thank you the girl just warned her, “Don’t dare tell anyone. This never happened.”

End of Flashback

--

Hyomin went back to office to prepare for her segment in The Tonight’s News.

“Hyomin, the bear wants you in his office. He is grumpy.” Her colleague added the last part in a whisper.

Hyomin walked towards the bear’s office wondering why he wanted to talk to her. Hyomin sat on the chair while her boss was staring at the computer.

“What’s this?” Taewoo asked showing her the screen.

“Park Hyomin and Nana Secretly Dating?”

“Secret Relationship Surfaced”

“HyominxNana Relationship has been Going on for a While”

Hyomin read those incredulous headlines. There were pictures of her and Nana earlier. Then they made some stories about them attending same events. “Tabloids! I helped her earlier from a traffic officer. That’s it!”

“There’s a photo of you attending her book signing.”

“I was there for an investigation for the Ham trial.”

Taewoo gave her a look.

“It’s true. But it was a waste of time because I was misled.”

“Don’t give me that crap. Investigating for the Ham trial? What will you find from Nana’s autobiography?”

“I told you I was misled.”

“Misled? By who? Gangs?” Taewoo showed pictures of Hyomin talking to gang members. Hyomin was taken aback. She didn’t know that she was being followed. “You’re working with gangs now?”

“I am investigating. I was looking on a different angle starting from Ok Taecyeon.”

“I don’t even understand why you needed to investigate. All the case files are with the police.”

“I’ve reported everything about it. I told you I am just looking for a different angle.”

“A different angle? For the story or for something else?”

“What do you mean?”

Taewoo slammed pictures on his desk. They were pictures of her when she visited Qri to the hospital. She was beyond shock. How could there be pictures of her with Qri. She was careful.

“We’re friends. So what? We respect each of our professional space. You know me more than anyone that I would not do what you are accusing me.”

“I do. You’re my superstar, remember? But I cannot risk the public seeing this. It will ruin you. It will ruin the network.”

“So what are you saying?”

“You are off the Ham trial.”

“What?! What do you mean? I’m no longer covering that story?!” Hyomin could not control her anger. Her voice can be heard outside. She wanted this story so bad.

“I’m sorry Hyomin. I don’t have that much choice.”

“So what? You’re taking everything away from me?”

“No, your segment in The Tonight’s News is still yours. But I cannot put you on the Ham trial. To avoid the conflict of interest issue being brought up. I’m only protecting you.”

“But…”

“My decision is final.”

Hyomin stormed out of Taewoo’s office. She was furious. Those pictures… When she thought she can have the biggest story, her biggest break… Just a day before the trial, everything was taken away from her. All her efforts have gone to waste.

The biggest question in Hyomin’s mind is how they were able to get pictures of her with Qri. The hospital was almost locked down. Reporters were off limits. Only close relatives were allowed to visit. No one visited Mrs. Ham that night and it was only her who visited Qri. There weren’t even any hospital staffs during that time. The only people around the hospital were a few police. And Detective Park Jiyeon. Detective Park Jiyeon.