In the end Baram did not manage to send the new script drafts over by the end of the day as she promised. Instead, she decided to postpone it to the next morning, making sure to wake up extra early so as to get it done with and send it over to Junmyeon and Jin before they would wake up.

Having made sure to write a lengthy apology for the delayed draft, Baram shut down her computer and rolled into her bed, sighing into her pillow as she closed her eyes in an attempt to catch up on some sleep. However, no matter how much she tossed and turned, sleep simply would not fall upon her. Instead she found herself staring at her ceiling, her mind blank.

Giving up on sleep, Baram groaned into her pillow and reached for her phone. Tapping on it thoughtfully, she finally clicked the green icon next to the contact on the screen and waited for the person to answer.

“Why are you awake at this ungodly hours?” Youngjae yawned into the phone, annoyance oozing from his voice.

“Woke up early to finish work,” Baram hummed into the phone. “Then couldn’t fall back a sleep.”

The sound of shuffling could be heard from Youngjae’s side as the male shifted himself into a more comfortable position to talk on the phone.

“Need me to sing you a lullaby?”

“Not this time no.” Baram smiled softly.

“Are you dissing my voice?” Youngjae gasped in offence.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Baram chortled, though her expression immediately turned serious. “Listen, regarding Eclipse…”

“Can this wait?” Youngjae groaned, not wanting to deal with the matter until he had had proper breakfast and a cup of coffee to wake himself up first. “My brain is not functional yet.”

“Someone is framing them.”

Silence fell and Baram frowned. Checking that Youngjae had not hang up on her, the girl patiently waited for the detective to give some sort of response.

“I can’t just derail the whole investigation because of what you say,” Youngjae sighed loudly.

“Have a meeting with them.”

“What?”

Baram could imagine the look of disbelief on Youngjae’s face in that moment.

“You and Yugyeom. Come to Eclipse later today. They are opening their doors for you two.”

“Stay out of this Baram,” Youngjae warned, a hint of impatience dripping from his voice.

“I will,” Baram insisted. “After you agree to the meeting. There’s nothing to lose. If all you have against them right now is circumstantial evidence, work together to sort this out. What’s more important, chasing their tails or potentially digging into something concrete that could lead the investigation somewhere?”

Youngjae’s heavy breathing echoed in Baram’s ear as she bit her lower lip nervously.

“Fine.” Youngjae agreed reluctantly.

“Thank you.”

Exhaling in relief, Baram hang up on Youngjae and sent a quick text to Jaebum, updating him about the situation. Within minutes she received a response from Jaebum which included an angry face for having disturbed his sleep. Replying with a large smiley face, Baram let go of her phone and pushed herself into a sitting positions, her gaze landing on the red chrysanthemum flower that was miraculously still blooming beautifully.

Feeling the vivid colour of the flower crashing onto her, Baram removed herself from the bed and approached the coffee table, gentling lifting the delicate vase. her lips nervously, Baram headed towards the kitchen sink and poured the water out of the vase.

・・・

“I can’t believe you managed to convince Youngjae into agreeing to this meeting,” Yugyeom exclaimed, approaching Baram who was waiting for them at the back entrance of Eclipse.

“What can I say. I’m hard to resist.”

Youngjae scoffed loudly and pushed her forehead back, not having any energy to spare on the girl’s silly antics.

“Let’s just get this over with.”

Nodding, Baram opened the back door and led them in. Youngjae and Yugyeom exchanged a look, both amazed and disturbed by how at ease the girl was in manoeuvring herself through the currently desolate club that was yet to open for business.

Entering the main dance floor area, Youngjae gave Jackson and Bambam a weary glance as they casually greeted Baram, lifting the curtain that led downstairs for them. Youngjae kept himself alert and he knew that Yugyeom too was not feeling anywhere near as relaxed and comfortable with the place as Baram was.

“Just so you know, this is the secret speakeasy that only those with invitation can enter,” Baram stated, stopping in front of the double door of 1:31 am. “Jaebum agreed to let you in here as a way of showing their sincerity.”

“How nice of them.”

Rolling her eyes at Youngjae’s sarcasm, Baram pushed the doors open and led them into the speakeasy. Jaebum and Mark were sitting by the counter. Jinyoung was dutifully behind it, nodding in acknowledgment at Baram. Jaebum stared at the new arrivals over the rim of the pint of beer he was drinking while Mark kept his gaze focused on Baram, a thoughtful look in his eyes before he immediately looked away the moment Baram returned his stare.

Finding themsel