It was another restless night at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The news that broke just a few moments ago stated that the North has shown more activities near the DMZ and that there are movements near Yeonpyeong Island around late afternoon up until the evening. This report has alerted the Ministry of Defense firsthand, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was alerted to prepare for further negotiation process to avoid any unnecessary outbreak of conflict. It is something Kibum deemed possible in mind, but never he expected it would interfere his plans for the night. To think that I could have spent time with her again after quite a while, tsk... But then again, this might get uglier for some people...

He sighed a bit, as he gazed to his colleague, Jinwoon who barely got the chance of spending their newlywed period properly since the office called him in just after the wedding when the tension just about to rise. Quite a bad timing... no, scratch that, quite a bad luck he had, thinking that nobody might have predicted how both could have occured in the same time, Kibum thought.

Thank heavens Nicole knows what comes in hand if she took Jinwoon’s, some other people just could not bear how some high-achievers just cannot take their assignments half-heartedly. That’s pretty much what happened with Minyoung, or Min as she preferred, one of the senior analysts, who had been in an on-and-off relationship for quite a while until she decided she would not be involved in any relationship if it only burdened her disruption from work, in which she has dedicated herself in most of the time of her life. Kibum remembered her telling him and the other juniors that she had her share of trying to make things work while juggling with work, something like, “when you got to the point trying to balance both but the two of them just don’t work out, you know what to choose... the one you do better on.”

Kibum knew from the very start that he was joining a crew full of people who are highly-committed to the work they are in, and that these people are intellectuals that puts their country first. Some people see them as strict, over-achieving snobs; some see them as simply anti-social nerds that knew no fun, but for Kibum, they are simply people who are concerned to something they are passionate about; just like how other people are interested in a particular issue or field... it’s just that they are involved in such a legal, formal environment of work that it created such stereotypes. Kibum himself found these people a nice bunch to work with, after all.

Just then, Director General Kim came to start the meeting, waking Kibum from his trance. He got himself ready for some more discussions, wishing that this time they finally will reach a conclusion of what they will recommend regarding the situation. As much as he loves his job, lack of sleep is just eating out his proper self, not to mention that he has something, or more appropriately, someone in mind. Why hasn’t she texted back yet?

The thought was again cut short as the Director General began the meeting, “Has there been any other updates regarding the situation? Cheolyong?”

“So far, there has been less movements, Sir. Considering it’s late already, perhaps if the North is serious with this, then we might be able to see more reports or official statements in the morning, Sir,” Cheolyong answered, as Min nodded in agreement. Kibum noticed that both his seniors have not been able to come up with anything after the past hours of reading reports and monitoring for updates. Kibum himself has been making phone calls to the Ministry of Defence, while Jinwoon has been in touch with the National Intelligence Agency, but the four of them agreed that any conclusions are yet to be made.

“Right,” the Director General replied, “now, anything we need to address to the Minister regarding the news?”

“After further consideration, we believed that it would be too early to assume anything, Sir,” Kibum continued, “as Cheolyong has mentioned earlier, we would need to see what situation will arise by tomorrow to determine whether the North really intended to strike. The DMZ has taken notice and are ready for defence, as well as our Navy, but that is how we should show ourselves to the public, that we do not take our guards down, but still aiming for hindrance of conflict.”

The Director General nodded at this, “I thought so too. The Minister would make the statement tomorrow if anything is out. The media has gotten their sources, but they had not aired anything yet since they were still uncertain about it as well. But perhaps if the news broke, we will be able to respond immediately. Okay, moving on to the next agenda, how was the negotiation process with the North going so far?”

“Our proposal of holding another North-South talks is on consideration, Sir, but perhaps the North will not like the idea of a third-party, especially if the United States is going to be involved. What we can come up then is to propose a bilateral talk. The meeting is still waiting for confirmation to be scheduled,” Min replied, “this is where we thought it was kind of an opposite response with the recent activities of the North.”

The Director General squinted his brows, “It is weird, but then again, the North has always been unpredictable with their actions. What we could do as of now is to stay updated, so be alert.”

“Yes, Sir,” the group answered.

“Lastly,” the Director General stated, “have there been any contacts from the other states regarding the situation? How is our position viewed?”

“The countries that notified us about the movements was, of course, firstly the United States, then followed by China and Japan respectively. These countries told us that they are putting more attention to these movements as well. The United States, more openly expressed that they are going to keep us informed as well as inquired us to stay in contact with them,” Jinwoon outlined, then glanced at Kibum to let him continue their assigned report.

“This means that only our neighboring countries, and of course the big 'brother', knew the recent developments of our situation with the North. But internationally, our stance is favorable; advantageous, in fact. Perhaps the international responses continuously asking the North for a truce, this would make our proposal for peace and bilateral meeting more favourable for the North as well,” Kibum ended.

“Alright. All of you had done well,” the Director General rised from his seat, “this meeting is a wrap. I’ll see you guys again tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Sir,” all of them responded as the Director General walked off the meeting room with a simple nod. This earned a collective sigh of relief from the crew remaining, followed by laughters as they find their synced sighs funny.

“God, Imma kill that Kim Jonghyun if he ever summoned us this late again! I hope cabs are still around,” Min complained as she hurriedly collected the reports and gathered her things.

“Then I should see whether he’d be killed by tomorrow night, or perhaps the following night,” Cheolyong commented as he looked at Min directly, “seriously, you know that we’ll never be resting properly until the tension died down. We had it around 4 months before, I recalled.”

“You’re right. I’m just so tired that I exaggerated,” Min sighed, then she glanced at her team, “you guys have done well today. Really sorry for the late meeting though.”

“It’s okay, we can manage. I don’t know about the newlywed, though,” Kibum smirked sheepishly at Jinwoon.

“Yah!” Jinwoon gestured to hit Kibum, responded by another laughter from the team. Just as he was about to dodge it, Kibum felt his phone vibrate. He hurriedly checked the message as he has been expecting it for quite a while. Reading the message, his expression softened, gradually changing to a grin. Then he quickly took his bag and hurriedly bowed to his colleague and seniors.

“I’m heading out first, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Kibum made his way out as the others saw him dialing a number in a haste. Soon his “hello” echoed the room, but that’s the last thing the group heard.

“What’s the hurry with him?” Min asked as she glanced again at Jinwoon, “aren’t you the newlywed?”

“Not you too, Sunbae,” Jinwoon gave her a look, “anyways, I might be the newlywed, but I guess that guy has something occupying his mind for too long.”

“You mean someone?” Cheolyong tried to pry, as he knew Jinwoon has been friends with Kibum from before they got in the line of work.

Jinwoon smirked, “I don’t know, perhaps.”

“Hey, hey, why the sudden surge of estrogen that got you guys gossipping? Last I remembered I’m the only female in this office,” Min snapped, “go home! I don’t tolerate lateness tomorrow. I’m off!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, you're home already?"

"Oh, Kibum. Yup, finally. You're on your way back now?"

"Yeah, the meeting just ended. How was it earlier?"

"It was no big actually. But I guess it was just the beginning, that's why. We'll be in charge again tomorrow, after a sudden notice."

I stopped at my tracks since I found it strange that she says so, "Hope it's nothing serious though. Just be careful, okay?"

"I know. You too. Seems your office got a sudden notice of something as well." She realized.

"Yeah, this is just starting, so my seniors say. Anyways, I'm really sorry to call the dinner off just like that."

"No worries, we'll make time. Hey, it's late already, drive home safely."

"Okay, I'll hang up. See you in the morning, Am."

"Haha, see you in the morning, neighbor."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shorter, and pretty much just a continuation of the previous chapter. Oh, and yes, it's Kibum and Amber talking. Hope I didn't get you down on this :( I just feel a little break will do, but more to come in the next chapter :p Will be back with the seventh soon! Please comment to let me know how you guys find the story so far :)