“Evening chief,” Heechul greeted.

The low sun hidden by the gray clouds in the sky illuminated a gloomy atmosphere around them. It was also slowly making Heechul feel the fatigue that came from the no-rest periods during the past week. How could Chief Kang look so pudgy and happy on a day like this?

“I got here as soon as I received the call. How’s it going?” Chief Kang questioned rustling his hair full of white streaks.

“It doesn’t look good,” Heechul replied. “Must’ve been a brutish fight.”

“The blood looks pretty dried around here.”

Heechul turned to the ground then back to the chief, “Who’s going to be taking on the case? Lee Donghae?”

“Ah…well…” the chief sort of scratched his chin. “He’s got a lot of things on his hands right this moment.”

“Like what? As far as I remember he can probably handle 5 things at once.” Heechul remarked sarcastically.

“That doesn’t seem the case this time.” Chief Kang told. “Donghae was involved in a hit and run this afternoon so doesn’t seem he can be moving around.”

“Is it bad?” Heechul felt curious, he wouldn’t ever worry about that detective.

“He’ll survive,” Chief Kang answered.

Heechul nodded then asked, “What about Victoria’s stalker? Anything about that?”

“Victoria?” Chief Kang repeated. “You’re really something to be addressing her like that.”

“Oh…” Heechul laughed foolishly scratching the back of his head. “We were once acquainted.”

“Ah…really?” Chief Kang mused.

“Is Lee Donghae still in Seoul?”

“He’s currently in the hospital. Drop in on him sometime will you? He’d be glad to have some visitors.”

“I bet.”

And while he was in Seoul Heechul would also like to drop in on Victoria.

/////

Victoria watched as Donghae suddenly knocked out and wondered if this man was ever depressed about being alone as much as she was. She envied the fact that the uncle who had taken him in was still alive and healthy. He didn’t have to spend 4 years alone then bond with someone and still lose that person at the end. This man who lost his parents at 12 and still had the guts to go look their murderer in the face, this reason that had driven his desire to become involved with crimes, was he not just hiding his weakness under this façade of authority he loved holding? But instead of standing before her taking her here and there he was laying broken on this hospital bed, now does the sound of this make him pitiable? This detective who’d looked into her life secretly and hadn’t stopped involving himself in her life seemed to know her so well in such short time and in return allowed her to get to know him as if they were in a game of truce. Just when exactly would he stop barging in on her life? Just when would he stop trying to show that he wanted to befriend her?

The bright rays of the sun flew into the room through the square window directly opposite of the bed Donghae occupied. His midnight dreams had dissipated once his eyes opened up to the bare yellow room he didn’t recognize at first. He winced at the pain his chest brought him when he tried to move. He raised his left hand but stopped when he felt it touched something. Freezing he looked down to see Victoria leaning forward with her head resting on her arms sleeping on the little space there was on the bed. He was surprised by the fact that she hadn’t left and a small smile crawled onto his face. Slowly he reached his hand up and touched her silky soft hair before the door opened alarming him. Donghae turned to see Eunhyuk, an amazed expression glued onto his face.

“Wha…” he began saying loudly before Donghae hushed him.

“Be quiet,” Donghae whispered.

Nodding Eunhyuk closed the door and walked in with a bag of snacks.

“Your boss called me at dawn!” Eunhyuk whispered placing the bag of snacks on the ground. “Are you badly injured? Does it hurt?”

“I can’t move.”

“Really?” A smile crept onto Eunhyuk’s face.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m not laughing.”

“You just did.” Donghae pointed out then looked at the bag. “What did you bring?”

“Chocolates, chips, soda, water, and sandwiches.”

“Does this look like a picnic?” Dongahe questioned. “I can’t eat those.”

“Then…the professor and I can.” Eunhyuk nodded toward the sleeping Victoria. “But since when has she been here? All night? Cause I’m pretty sure she can’t have just gotten here, right? So, did you call her to come or something?”

Donghae couldn’t help but frown deeply at his friend with a slight glare, “Don’t go assuming things.”

“Well, alright,” Eunhyuk said sitting on the edge at the foot of the bed. “Have you found out who rammed into your car?”

“Chief Kang’s still trying to find people who were there when it happened,” Donghae explained, “they explained that the car drove off too fast after he just left me there.”

“Your feet doesn’t look so pretty anymore, but at least you didn’t get slapped in the face again.” Eunhyuk laughed and stopped when he met Donghae’s stare. “Are you hungry? I’ll get something for you to eat.”

“The cafeteria’s not open right now,” Donghae told.

“Huh? How would you know?” Eunhyuk arched his eyebrows.

“I just know,” Donghae said recalling the times he’d gotten food for Victoria before.

“Does your uncle know?”

“Don’t tell him…or Hee Sun. The last thing I’d need is Hee Sun on my back right now.”

“Really?” Eunhyuk asked. “Why do you make it sound like you’re irritated with her?”

“Nothing.” Donghae replied.

The accusations he’d received from Hee Sun were still fresh in his memory. It felt like a fire that never went out.

“Did you get home safe the other night? I should have driven you back.” Eunhyuk said.

“I did drive for a bit, but Victoria took the wheel when I got on the highway.”

Eunhyuk couldn’t help but smile in a teasing way, “I haven’t heard you call a girl’s name in such a long time it feels funny.”

“Shut up.” Donghae became silent then said, “Do you think you can reach your real emotions when you’re drunk?”

“Why would you ask something foolish like that?”

“I heard the question from somewhere.”

Eunhyuk grinned at his friend, “You have become very sneaky, haven’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean by that.”

“Of course you wouldn’t, but I’m just saying.”

Victoria suddenly yawned and sat up in her chair while rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on?” When she put her hands down she stared at Eunhyuk with a bit of surprise in her face expression.

“Ah…good morning,” Eunhyuk greeted first.

Victoria bowed in return, “Good morning.”

Awkward silence engulfed the room like a tidal wave.

Getting up from the chair she said, “I’m going to get going now.”

“Hyuk, give her a ride back.” Donghae ordered.

“Why?”

“I don’t need a ride back much less you being a worry wart,” Victoria commented.

Donghae slightly kicked Eunhyuk, “Then you should have gone back in the middle of the night unless you were waiting for me to tell you I’m worried this morning.”

Victoria frowned at him, “I can grab a cab.”

“I already said no.”

“What is your problem?”

“Umm…should I step out?” Eunhyuk asked pointing toward the door.

“Don’t go anywhere,” Donghae snapped.

Eunhyuk gulped feeling as if he were stuck in the middle of a couple’s argument.

“Why are you being like this? This is very childish.” Victoria stared hard at Donghae who did the same.

“I’ll give you a ride,” Eunhyuk offered getting off the bed. “We’ll go and come back ok, Hae?”

Victoria turned toward Eunhyuk with a small glare then turned around and opened the door feeling a bit angry walking out. Eunhyuk turned back to glance at Donghae before following her out the door. He caught up to her in the middle of the hallway.

“Uh…have you been here all night?” Eunhyuk asked now that he was at the same pace with her.

“Yea.”

“Thanks.” Eunhyuk said as the elevator door opened for them. When they stepped inside he continued, “Hae doesn’t usually have problems expressing himself but it seems like he’s having problems doing that lately.”

Victoria remained silent. She wanted to go back by herself. She didn’t need Donghae to assign his friend to be her baby sitter or take on the role of a body guard or however he wanted to put it. It felt like being on strict watch by the cops or something. Victoria just wanted to go alone and was it a big deal if she did?

“He’s been asking you senseless questions too, right?” asked Eunhyuk.

“Yea.”

“He’s a lively person, very dedicated to his work, and he cares deeply for his friends and family. So, don’t get angry with him.”

“Did I say I was angry?” Victoria asked as she stepped out of the elevator.

“Ok, I take that back,” Eunhyuk apologized hurrying after her, “my car’s over here.”

Victoria paused in her steps, rolled her eyes, then walked in the direction Eunhyuk was pointing.