The building burst into flames without warning and huge fireballs burst through the windows, spreading quickly throughout the halls and rooms. The fire crackled as it ate away at the building. Noxious black smoke began to rise into the sky and filled the building.

Passer-bys on the streets quickly dialled for the emergency services as people ran out of the smoking building. Sana was trapped inside with her friend, Yerin. The thick smoke was starting to fill their lungs as they tried to navigate their way out of the building. Every door seemed to be glowing as the fire raged behind them and they raced down the corridor, footsteps and choked coughs echoed down the enclosed corridors.

Another explosion rattled the building as they ran and Sana pulled Yerin, who was slowing down.

‘Come on!’ Sana shouted. Their eyes were watering from the acrid smoke and the finally made it to the stairwell. Bounding down the stairs three steps at a time, they forced their legs to keep moving despite the depleting oxygen levels. Their heads were pounding and their lungs screamed for fresh air. Yerin collapsed at the end of the stairs and Sana hauled the girl up, carrying both their weights as fast as she could out of the only exit in sight.

They were half way to the exit when a beam collapsed and hit Yerin on the back.

‘! Are you okay?’ Sana exclaimed as her friend let out a yelp of pain. The building was starting to give way and they had no time to waste. With her final burst of energy, Sana shoved Yerin out of the door and her knees buckled soon after.

They collapsed into a pile on the floor and a couple of people helped them up to move them to a safe distance from the building.

Sana’s head was spinning as she tried to process what was going on around her.

The blaring sound of police and ambulance sirens could be heard and she felt herself being loaded onto a stretcher.

‘My friend… Where is she?’ Sana croaked as a paramedic slipped an oxygen mask over her face.

‘She’s fine; she’s in the other ambulance. Just stay calm and breathe normally.’ The paramedic said as he shut the door and the vehicle drove off.

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Sana’s eyes fluttered open. The bright lights from the hospital room were blinding but she pushed herself to sit up.

‘Careful, you’re still a little weak.’ Sana turned and saw her parents.

‘Mama. Papa. Where’s Yerin?’ Sana asked. Her head felt like it was floating but her limbs felt as if they had extra weights tied to them, weighing them down.

Mr and Mrs Minatozaki looked at each other.

‘Why? What’s with that look? She’s fine right? Yerin is okay right?’ Sana asked. Panic was starting to rise as her parents remained quiet with this look on their face that made Sana feel very uneasy.

‘She’s alive but isn’t doing well.’ Mrs Minatozaki said.

‘What? Where is she? I need to see her!’ Sana half shouted as she tried to get out of bed. Her parents knew she wasn’t going to rest unless she saw Yerin for herself so they helped her to the ICU.

‘How did this happen? The paramedic told me she was fine!’ Sana exclaimed when she saw Yerin hooked up to multiple machines through the glass window.

‘The doctors said she inhaled too much smoke and her lungs were badly damaged. The carboxyhemoglobin levels in her blood were almost 60%; hence she needs the machines to help her breathe. There was some injury to her back as well. For now, we can only pray.’ Mr Minatozaki said and rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulders.

Mina awoke to an incessant knocking. Pulling her blazer off her face, she squinted against the sunlight and saw a figure outside the window.

'Yes?' She answered groggily, winding down the window.

'You can't park here ma'am.' A security guard said.

Mina looked out of the window and saw the sign. She must have missed it in the dark last night.

'Ah I'm so sorry. I didn't see that there.' Mina smiled sheepishly at the guard. She quickly started up the engine and drove off.

Stifling a yawn with her hand, she shook her head in hopes of clearing the drowsiness. Mina pulled the blazer off her lap and dumped it in the passenger seat.

She stopped at the red light and checked her phone. No new messages.

She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. Life is hard indeed. She was once a professional photographer for one of the top few magazines and was highly respected. She even had a girlfriend who was a model and things were going great. Just when Mina thought that perhaps they could settle down and get engaged, she found out that her girlfriend had been cheating on her. Why? Her father had disapproved of their relationship and had set her up with another guy in an arranged marriage.

The worst thing wasn't the heartbreak but rather the stinging feeling of betrayal. Couldn't she fight for them? Couldn't she go against her father's wishes? Both their incomes could support them and they could live even without additional financial support from her parents. Did their five year relationship mean nothing to her?

Confronting her, she was defended by her boyfriend. No, fiancé. He didn't even physically hurt Mina but his words pierced through the photographer like blazing daggers. Rich people being rich people blew the incident up and Mina was instantly slapped with the home wrecker title. Clients pulled their contracts out with her and she was left jobless. Deciding to cut living costs so that she could support herself for a few more years, she sold her house and has been living in her car ever since.

Life couldn't get any better.

She had been trying to freelance but who would hire a photographer wronged for being a home wrecker with malicious articles of her spread online? Mina learnt the hard way that with money, you can ruin anyone's life with the snap of your fingers.

A honk brought her back to reality and she realized that the light had turned green. She stuck a hand up in apology and quickly stepped on the gas.

She pulled up by the side of the road outside a small cafe. Mina had just taken her phone and wallet out of the side compartment when she heard a loud bang from the passenger side of the car.

The photographer quickly got out and walked around the car to see a lady sitting on the ground with a Canon EOS 5DS on the ground beside her. Now that's got to hurt.

'Are you okay?' Mina quickly approached the lady and picked up the camera. She turned it around to check for any scratches or cracks but thankfully there were none.

'I'm fine. I'm- holy .' The lady stared at Mina's car.

'What? Never seen a dirtier car? I don't have time to wash it.' Mina chuckled and extended a hand to help the lady up.

'No... It’s dented.'

'What?' Mina whipped around and saw that in the rear door, there was an indent the size of a fist.

'Well, it goes to show that even a DSLR is stronger than my crappy car.' Mina scratched her head. The lady gave Mina a once over.

'It's yours?'

'Whose car could it be?' Mina patted the roof of her black 2014 Subaru Impreza.

'Sorry, I think I misunderstood you, seeing that you're dressed like this.' The lady gestured at Mina's polished brown oxfords, black pants and crisp white shirt.

'Ah... I... have to look presentable.' Mina cleared . 'Here.' She handed the camera back to the lady.

'Damn... I hope it's not broken.' The lady said as she checked the camera.

'It's perfectly fine. It takes a greater impact to wreck this model than just running into the side of a car.' Mina smiled.

'How much would it take to repair that?' She asked.

'This? It’s fine really, a small dent is alright.' Mina waved her off.

'I really have to pay for it. It's my fault after all. 10000₩? 12000₩?' The lady dug through her bag for her wallet and Mina grimaced. She sure was persistent.

'She's there!' A yell was heard from the walkway and the two turned to see a couple of men running towards them.

'Get in!' The lady screamed and Mina quickly opened the door. She crawled over the gear lever to the driver’s seat and started the car. She floored the accelerator just as Sana shut the door and shot off down the road.

'Sorry about that too. I owe you. Twice.' The lady said and let out a sigh of relief as she sunk in her seat.

'Don't sweat it. And don't bother about the payment.' Mina said as she glanced at the rear view mirror to make sure they weren't being followed. Sure she needed the money but at this point of time, seeing how the lady didn't seem like she was very well off either, she wanted to let it slide.

'You're a photographer?' The lady asked.

'Uhm... How did you know?' Mina eyed her passenger from the side of her eye.

'I see a camera bag back there.'

'Ah... yes. I am.' Mina smiled wryly.

'For magazines?' The lady prodded Mina with questions.

'Used to.' The girl answered shortly.

'Sorry. Perhaps I'm asking too much.'

'It's fine. About your offer to pay me for the car, how about you help me get a job?'

'As a photographer?'

'Yes.'

'Will you work for me?'

'What?' Mina turned to look at the lady. She had her hair tied up in a high ponytail and her features were sharp on her small face. The lady was dressed in casual clothes; black ripped jeans, white shirt and a black hoodie.

'I'm a private investigator.' She said and Mina nodded in understanding.

'So that's why those men were chasing you.'

'Yeah. So will you? We're a really small firm and we really need an extra photographer. You'll be my assistant basically.'

'I'm in no position to be picky with my offers. I can start as soon as... now. Or whenever you're ready.'

'You can drop by any time tomorrow.' The girl handed Mina her name card.

'Minatozaki Sana. Thank you.' Mina smiled.

'You're welcome. You can drop me off there. I'll take a bus.' Sana said and Mina turned into the drop-off point.

'See you tomorrow.' Sana smiled before shutting the door.

Mina drove off and took a deep breath. Private investigator. Maybe this will be a fresh start to her life.

Mina pulled up at the front of a small office and lowered her shades.

'I guess she wasn't being humble when she said small.' Mina cut the engine and got out. She clipped her shades on the front of her shirt and walked in.

'Hello?' She called out and looked around. It was a really cramped office with three cubicles. Boxes were stacked up in the corners and metal cabinets were overflowing with manila folders.

'Hello. You must be the new photographer that Sana was talking about. Nice to meet you, I'm Park Jihyo, resident IT whiz.' A girl about the same height as Mina with light brown hair and see through bangs stood up from one of the desks crammed to the wall to shake Mina's hand. Another girl popped her head out from a desk at the far end of the room and walked over.

'Hey there. I'm Yoo Jeongyeon, photographer and PI.' The girl smiled and shook Mina's hand.

'I think your boss didn't get my name yesterday. Myoui Mina.' Mina shook the girl's hand but noticed how Jihyo's eyes seemed to have a sense of recognition flash by her dark brown orbs.

'Ah, Sana's still on her way so you can wait in your new work space. Come, I'll show you.' Jeongyeon smiled and led Mina to her desk.

'Cool, the corner seats are my favourite.' Mina nodded her head. 'Thank you.'

'No problem. I'll be getting back to work.' Jeongyeon nodded and sat down behind Mina.

Mina's desk was empty save for a few files which she assume to be completed cases piled at the side due to the obvious lack of space. She sat down on the swivel chair and took her phone out. No messages. Nothing new.

'Hey, you're early.' Mina heard Sana's voice from behind her and she spun around to see the girl with a bag slung over her shoulder.

'Yeah, I had nothing to do so..' Mina rubbed her hands together and pressed her lips together into a tight smile.

'I just realized I never got your name yesterday.' Sana said and Mina stood up from the chair to shake the girl's hand.

'Myoui Mina.' She introduced and Sana nodded.

'You're that photographer right?' Jihyo asked carefully as she walked up behind Sana.

'Yes. If my presence isn't really favoured here I can leave. I mean, I haven't officially started work yet.' Mina rubbed her hands on her thighs.

'Why? Jihyo, is there something wrong with her?' Sana asked.

'Oh no, I don't mean it that way. I'm so sorry, I was just curious and the feeling that I heard of your name before was just nagging at me. Sorry.' Jihyo bowed but Mina waved her hands.

'Please, it's alright.' Mina looked down to her brown oxfords.

'Why?' Jeongyeon repeated Sana's question.

'I was maligned in an incident a few years ago. Perhaps Jihyo would have the evidence to show you. But it's alright. I'm not asking you to believe me anyway. I'm just a photographer.' Mina shrugged. Sana looked at Jihyo who had brought her laptop. Sana looked as Jihyo scrolled through snippets and headlines of the articles published by tabloids and magazines.

'Whatever happened, the past is the past. It doesn’t define our future.' Sana smiled and Jihyo nodded enthusiastically behind her.

‘Agreed! Besides, we're same aged friends!' Jihyo beamed.

'Count me in as well.' The short haired girl grinned.

'Thank you. It's heart-warming to hear that. So, what shall I start with?'

'We're currently in the midst of a case. The wife of a lecturer has contacted us to tail her husband because she has suspicions about him having an affair with one of her students.' Sana explained and took a folder from her desk, handing it to Mina.

'A lecturer and a student?' Mina raised an eyebrow. That's erted indeed.

'Yes. You can start by tailing him.' Sana raised her phone to check the time. 'He should be in the campus by now. Seoul University.'

'That's a lot that he's risking for a minor.' Mina commented as she flipped through the documents. 'I'm going alone?'

'Unfortunately, yes. I have some work to clear for today.' Sana gave an apologetic smile.

'It's alright. I can manage.' Mina took her phone and wallet. ‘Is there a certain time that I have to tail him for? Like an hour?’

‘Nope, as long as you think there are enough shots you can wrap up and come back.’

'Alright, see you later.' She nodded and walked out to her car.

'I feel sorry for her.' Jihyo sighed as they watched the front door shut.

'She seems sensitive to it. Maybe it's best if we don't bring it up. I asked about her occupation yesterday and she seemed a little hesitant. Now I know why.' Sana sighed and clapped both girls on the back before going to her own desk.

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Mina arrived at the university and wore her aviators. She took her camera from the backseat before entering the university. There were students walking around as she made her way around.

‘Excuse me; do you know where the common area is?’ Mina asked one of the passing students.

‘Just walk straight and make a left. There’s a sign above the corridor as well.’

‘Thank you.’ Mina smiled and she was pretty sure the student blushed. Making her way towards the common area, she looked around the huge empty space and saw that there were benches positioned by the railings on the second floor.

She went up and sat in the bench at the very end of the corridor and found that it had a clear view of the study area. Mina took her camera out of the bag, a Nikon D750. She gently ran her thumb over the closed flash and sighed. She attached an 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G lens and switched it on.

Mina looked down just in time to see her target approach with his mistress. Mina quickly turned her body, pulled her shades up to rest on top of her head and rested the lens on the railing as a tripod. Focusing on her target through the view finder, she took a burst shot of him and his girlfriend walking towards an empty bench. She monitored them as they sat down and started to talk.

The girl was blonde and clearly looked like a foreign student.

‘Taking advantage of a foreign student that probably doesn’t know any better?’ Mina whispered to herself under her breath.

She took a few more damning shots of the couple initiating excessive skin ship and sitting a little too close for a simple student-lecturer relationship. They must have thought the coast was clear because the lecturer leaned over and placed a kiss on the blonde’s cheek. Mina had to thank her quick reaction for being able to capture the scene in another few burst shots.

‘Crazy man. Really crazy.’ Mina shook her head as she checked her pictures. The door to one of the rooms opened and Mina quickly removed the lens, packed up her equipment and left.