Flashback Chapter 

 

 

“I in hate this God Damn hell.”

 

 

“What was that, Choi?”

 

 

Agent Choi Anna wasn’t even aware that she was thinking aloud until her partner spoke up. She have been muttering silent curses the entire drive to their field assignment.

 

 

“I said why can’t we be assigned with the cases in Seoul? Instead of being assigned here in a middle of nowhere.”

 

 

“Oh really?” Agent Ham Eunjung narrows her eyes at her. “I thought for a second there, you were saying I in hate this God Damn hell.”

 

 

Damn her partner and damn her sarcasm…

 

 

 “Shut up.” The agent snaps back, punching her partner on the arm in retaliation. “Can you believe they send us here? In this farm town? And for what? Can’t they take care of their own murders?”

 

 

“It’s not just unsolved murders, Choi…” Agent Ham finally puts down her Sudoku and turns to her partner. She have seen some gruesome murders in her line of work, but it sends shiver down her spine thinking about their latest case. “The suspect had been reported to have eaten his victims. Can you imagine that? That's just crazy.”

 

 

“Pffft… I would go crazy too if I live in this town.”

 

 

The further they drive, the deeper the scowl that forms in Anna’s face. It felt like she’s being to another world. For Anna it felt like the skyscrapers have slowly crumbled into rice fields and the asphalt roads were obliterated into dirt.

 

 

This was definitely not something she wants to be a part in.

 

 

The sight of the hunking black SUV driving was a jaw dropping scene for the people of this simple town.

 

 

 “Look at these brats… it’s as if they haven’t seen a car in their entire life.”

 

 

“Be nice, will you? I mean look at this… It’s like were in family outing or something.”

 

 

But it wasn’t only the kids who notice the car; the adults couldn’t help but gawk curiously as the vehicle turn to park by the tree. Everyone from the elderly women selling their goods to the men drinking by the streets turn as the two gorgeous city folks have came to their town.

 

 

“Good morning Halmoni…” The nicer agent waves playfully to the women.  “I’m Agent Ham Eunjung, this is my partner Agent Choi Anna. Were from the Bureau of investigation.”

 

 

“They sent women?”

 

 

Agent Choi couldn’t help but scoff at such a chauvinistic remark.

 

 

“It’s been proven time and time again that women have great attention when it comes to details. That makes us so much better than the male agents. We need to talk to Sheriff Pho.”

 

 

The women exchanged embarrassed looks, nudging one of the silver haired lady to fetch for the authority. The old woman steps inside a tavern and came back out with a hobbling potbellied, balding man.

 

 

“Heeeyyyy… I’m Chief Pho…” The Chief’s voice slurred at his every word. “Ohhh… they send ladies.”

 

 

He smiles in approval as he stares at the two beauties. Now it doesn't surprised Agent Choi why crimes are rampant in this town, their sheriff looks like the town clown.

 

 

“We are here for business.” The tanned beauty commanded.

 

 

“Yes… yes… Miss… Let’s get you pretty ladies out of this heat and come inside.”

 

 

He leads them inside the tavern. The place look so cheap, it made Anna’s skin itch. It was crawling with drunken locals and the whole restaurant interior was poorly done. From the peeling wallpapers, to the red checkered table cloths and the mismatch plastic chairs.

 

 

“We are here to help investigate about the recent murders in your town. We believe you have the suspect in custody.”

 

 

The chief starts to sheepishly scratch his head.

 

 

"Good… good…” The sheriff starts to shake his head. “You are going to take him back to the city and put him on lock up, right?”

 

 

Agent Choi and her partner exchanged befuddled expressions. Why would this middle age, overweight man be so terrified of this suspect?

 

 

“We have to assess his situation first, right now we just want to question him.”

 

 

The sheriff beady eyes widened at the request, as if it’s the most ridiculous thing he have ever heard.

 

 

“One of my deputies is in a hospital now after that… that… madman took a bite at him. We threw his crazy to jail and you know what he did to the other inmate?”

 

 

He leans closer to the two agents, as if he’s about to share with him a dark secret.

 

 

“He ate him.”

 

 

The sheriff whispered in a tone that made both agents squirm uncomfortably in their seats.

 

 

“Ate him like he was some piece of meat. I will drive you there, but there is no God damn way that I will ever go back inside that hellish place.”

 

 

“Well then… Fine suit yourself…” Anna clears and tries to regain her composure after hearing such preposterous tale. “We would still want to interview him.”

 

 

“Whatever.” The sheriff shakes his head, raising his hands in surrender. “Whatever you want Agents… just take him to the city with you, would you?”

 

 

He quickly clears his throat when he saw the fuming expression from the Agent’s gorgeous face.

 

 

 “You know tonight, the family of the fourth victim is having a wake. Maybe you ladies should go there.”

 

 

The sheriff flashes a smile, showing off his gold tooth.

 

 

“Enough of this crazy talk… How rude of us to not offer two very fine Agents some food. Would you two like some drinks? It’s on the house.”

 

 

“Do you have bottled water?”

 

 

“Yes… of course we do… Yoonhee!!! Yoonhee!!!”

 

 

The tanned agent was too busy scrolling down her phone to notice the girl walking by.

 

 

“Yoonhee!!! These are the brilliant agents from the city!!! They came all the way from the city to help us farm people. Make sure you give them anything they want.”

 

 

“Yes. of course… sheriff…”

 

 

It was the sound of the girl’s gentle voice that Anna first noticed. She turned around and was instantly smitten by the doe eyed beauty standing beside her.

 

 

Eunjung tries to hide her chuckle as she saw her partner’s reaction to the girl. The girl looks so pure, al almost to the point of holiness. Eunjung and Anna were so used with the girls back home with their thick make up and skimpy clothes, that looking at this girl was like a breath of fresh air. She was fair, gentle and just stunning.

 

 

“Choi… Yoh Choi?”

 

 

“What? What?” The tanned agent finally woke up from her trance. She immediately shot a death glare towards Eunjung’s direction. 

 

 

“She’s waiting for your order.”

 

 

“Oh ummm… I… would like some…” Anna tries to look at the pathetic excuse of a menu for anything to eat. “What’s good here?”

 

 

“Ummm… You must be exhausted with your travel. Maybe you would want some of our beef noodle soup.”

 

 

 “No… just water for me… bottled water.”

 

 

The cocky agent hands the worn out, tattered menu back to the girl.

 

 

“Ok… I’ll get it right out for you.”

 

 

The girl bows politely and walks away. Eunjung could see where Anna’s line of sight was. The doe eyed girl was picking up plates from an empty table, and on another table a group of men was giving Yoonhee filthy looks, like they were seconds away from devouring her.

 

 

They look like mad men, hooting and howling as if they never saw a woman before. But Anna admired how Yoonhee remain poise, responding by smiling politely at them.

 

 

“My… my…” The sheriff shakes his head, admiring the beauty. “That Yoonhee is such a beauty. She doesn’t even know how beautiful she is. I bet she’s prettier than any of those girls in Ms. Korea.”

 

 

Anna stares back at the beautiful server and for once, couldn’t help but agree with the incompetent sheriff.

 

***

 

 

Agent Choi was thankful she didn’t eat anything today or she would end up lurching out everything. The two were instantly hit by the overpowering smell of rotting flesh and decay. But it wasn’t just that, the whole entire room look like a bloody scene from a horrible horror movie.

 

 

The wall was splattered with a dark crimson red and some organ matters. A murky crimson red have now seeped through the department floor, evident of the blood bath.

 

 

Anna quickly gritted her teeth at the sight of what’s inside the cell.

 

 

Eunjung didn’t have as stronger stomach than Anna and quickly hurl out her entire breakfast at the nearest trash bin.

 

 

“Don’t contaminate the crime scene.” Anna shot at the other girl.

 

 

The tanned agent slaps on her surgical gloves before tiptoeing closer to the metal bars. She could feel her teeth grinding on each other to keep herself from vomiting. The victim has been reduced to a head of guts and flesh mesh together in a bloody heap, that they would have to scrape and hose down what’s left of him.

 

 

“We need to get a blood sample from him.”

 

 

“What? Are you even thinking straight?”

 

 

“There is something wrong with him.”

 

 

“Wow… you figured that out.” Eunjung scoffs in sarcasm.

 

 

“But we’ll never find out what it is, if we don’t get a chance to study him.”

 

 

“Well… you do it… I’ll stand here as backup.”

 

 

The monster was too engrossed on ripping out his victim’s flesh that he didn’t realize the two girls walking closer. It was only when the sound of a loud tap of the agent’s high heel that got his attention.

 

 

He stood up, dragging along some intestines that’s wrap around his ankle.

 

 

“Ummm sir! I’m agent Choi Anna and this is my partner Ham Eunjung…” The tanned agent showed her badge. “We are here to- “

 

 

UUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH…

 

 

He gnashes his bloodied teeth at the two, trying to claw wildly from behind bars.

 

 

“Hold him… so I could get a sample.”

 

 

“Are you effing out of your mind!!!”

 

 

“Shut up and do it.”

 

 

Eunjung sometimes wonder why she even succumb to this pushover. But she knew that if ever she get into a situation, Anna was there to save her.

 

 

The suspect started to get more violent and agitated, smashing his bloody face on the metal bars.

 

 

“Alright… I’m done let’s go.” The tanned agent hurriedly put all the evidence back inside her bag.

 

 

“You owe me dinner forever, you jerk.”

 

 

***

 

 

“Leave the talking to me.” Eunjung whispers to her partner as they walk in the funeral home filled with grieving people. Asking a family if they could autopsy their love one, needs to be handled with sensitivity and empathy and Choi Anna lacks both.

 

 

 

The tanned agent doesn’t care on what Eunjung was planning to do. She does a thorough scan of the crowd, until she saw who she was looking for. Yoonhee was the only thing worth looking at in that forlorn place.

 

 

With her simple white dress, she looks ethereal. She has that warm smile that melts the frigid hearts in that room as she offers the guests some sandwiches.

 

 

“Choi? Choi?”

 

 

But her partner was not even close and was already on her way to the beautiful server.

 

 

“Hello…”

 

 

Yoonhee spun around, her face glowing as she stands face to face with the agent.

 

 

“Oh… Agent… You want some?” She offers Anna some sandwiches. “Oh wait… you don’t eat meat.”

 

 

“That was just during lunch, I eat meat now.”

 

 

Yoonhee purse her lips to hide her smile. The agent might look too serious but there is like a playful spirit to her that Yoonhee wish she could get to know more.

 

 

“What kind of sandwiches are those?”

 

 

“I have three kinds, I got chicken, tuna and egg. Which would you prefer Agent?”

 

 

“Did you make all of them?”

 

 

“Yes… I did.”

 

 

“I’ll take all three then…” Anna without a sense of shame, took one of each. Yoonhee’s doe eyes just seem to sparkle in amusement around the agent.

 

 

“Let me put it on a plate for you.”

 

 

 “So, do you know the deceased?” Anna asks Yoonhee, wondering what information she could share.

 

 

“Yes. It’s a small town so we pretty much grew up together. I actually knew all of them.”

 

 

Anna could see the tint of sorrow in Yoonhee’s eyes.

 

 

“Even the suspect?”

 

 

“Yes… Even Yesung oppa… He isn’t like that, he…” Yoonhee could feel tightening up at the thought of him. “He was a good guy. But he suddenly got sick, and ummm… next thing we know he’s… he’s changed.”

 

 

“Sick?”

 

 

“Yoonhee?”

 

 

Anna quickly scowls when this frail looking flower boy pushed himself between her and Yoonhee. His girlish looks, tight polo shirt and even more tighter khaki pants, sticking out like a sore thumb in this homely town.

 

 

“Doctor Jang? Would you like some?” Yoonhee picks up her tray and offers him a selection from her delectable sandwiches.

 

 

The scowl in Anna’s face only grows deeper as he lays his grimy hand on Yoonhee’s shoulder.

 

 

“What did I tell you, Yoonhee? Just call me oppa…”

 

 

“Ok… ummm oppa.” She smiles shyly. “Ummm… Doc- I mean oppa, this is Agent Choi Anna. She came here to investigate with the murders. Agent, this is Jang Geun Suk, he’s our town doctor and at the same time our medical examiner.”

 

 

“Medical Examiner?” Anna raised her brow in disbelief.

 

 

“Actually… I’m a virologist, but I found my calling helping people, curing them of their sickness.”

 

 

Jang Geun Suk flashes an endearing grin, hoping to charm the dark haired beauty. But Anna Choi just scoffs at his face, she wasn’t buying this man’s noble crap.

 

 

“And this medical examiner thing- What is it? A sideline?”

 

 

Geun Suk’s face turned sour, the agent’s words were like a slap to his face.

 

 

“You can see our town isn’t really a hotbed for criminals. So, they didn’t really feel the need to employ for a medical examiner.”

 

 

“You don’t need a hotbed… you already got one. Only one doc and you can’t even make a complete medical report.”

 

 

Geun Suk was rarely agitated, but this girl was doing it so easily.

 

 

“Look Agent… This isn’t the right time or place. ”

 

 

“You’re right… How about we take this outside?” Anna was not afraid to smash her fist in his face. The agent now doubts that it’s because of their clashing ideals in their jobs, but more of how he acts so slick around Yoonhee.

 

 

A loud shriek interrupted the confrontation. Anna look around to the source of the ruckus, but she didn’t look too far because there it was, right in front of her, the coffin shaking violently like it was possessed.

 

 

 But it was when the coffin fell to floor, that’s when all hell starts to break loose.  It was every man or woman for themselves, all of them scrambling, pushing their way out of the room. Anna didn’t knew what came up to her, but her first instinct was to make sure Yoonhee was safe.

 

 

Anna shoves Geun Suk away to get closer to Yoonhee.

 

 

“Get out of here.”

 

 

She grits her teeth as she pushes her way through the panicking crowd. She tries to shake off the fear escalating inside of her, but it was much harder than she thought as she saw the corpse trying to scratch his way out.

 

 

“Hyunseung! Hyunseung!!!” It was the victim’s mother trying to reach out to her dead son. “He came back!!!”

 

 

“Maam… step back!” Anna commanded as she pulls out her pistol.

 

 

“DON’T KILL HIM!!!!” For the victim’s mother, she couldn’t see any monstrosity only the fact that her son came back to her.

 

 

 “HE CAME BACK… HE CAME!!! ARRRGGGHHHH!!!”

 

 

Anna and Eunjung grimaces at the sound of glass shattering, the corpse have clawed through his mother’s ankle, taking a nice big chunk out of her leg.

 

 

Bang.

 

 

The corpse now heaved one last dying groan as his brain splattered all over the floor from the gunshot. But it was the scream of his grieving mother that shook the entire room.

 

 

“MURDERER!!! YOU DESERVE TO GO TO HELL!!! YOU KILLED HIM!!! YOU KILLED MY SON!!!” 

 

 

But the agent just remained cold to the shouts of insult. She had a job to do, and being sensitive wasn’t one of them. But the agent’s ignorance didn’t stop the woman from screaming.

 

  

***

 

 

“Agent?”

 

 

When she saw the surprised look at the pretty girl’s face, Anna realized how weird this might all look. How could she just visit someone she just met hours ago? But she knew she was going to be restless for the entire night if she didn’t get a chance to see her again.

 

 

“Oh hi… ummm… I…” Anna kept on fidgeting with her jacket’s zipper, an unconscious habit she has when she’s nervous. “I ask sheriff Pho where you live. I just… I just want to make sure you’re okay after what happened tonight.”

 

 

“It was quite scary to see something like that.” Yoonhee admitted sheepishly “But I’m ok.” Yoonhee bows down thankfully at the Agent’s concern. “Thank you so much for asking.”

 

 

“No problem. It’s my duty.”

 

 

Her job description was to investigate the murders, not ask pretty girls if they were ok. But Choi Anna does, what Choi Anna wants to do.

 

 

“Well… that’s all. I just want to make sure you’re okay. Good night.”

 

 

“Wait Agent…” Yoonhee calls out before Anna could step away from her front door. “I know it’s probably such a long day for you. But would you like to have some coffee or something?”

 

 

The thought of having some coffee seems so inviting. And maybe some caffeine is the cure she would need to help her figure out some things.

 

 

“Yeah… that sounds good… Thank you.”

 

 

The home looks like a shack that could fall apart when a gust of wind blows through it. But of course, she wasn’t going to tell Yoonhee that.

 

 

It surprised Anna how comfortable and homey it felt. It didn’t have those imported furniture or top of the line gadgets, in fact it’s far from it.  But Yoonhee arrange her home to where everyone who walks in would feel right where they belong.

 

 

“Let me go make you some coffee.”  Yoonhee says before walking over to her small kitchen.

 

 

Anna did a quick study of the home from her position on the couch. She sees family photos on the mantle with Yoonhee growing up along what looks like her mother. Anna search but couldn’t find a father in the picture.

 

 

“Do you live by yourself?”

 

 

“Ummm yes.” 

 

 

“Where’s your family?”

 

 

“Oh… ummm… I never got the chance to know my dad. So, it’s pretty much been my mom and me. But she got sick… a couple of years ago and ahhhh… passed away.”

 

 

Anna cursed inwardly for being such a tactless jerk.

 

 

“I’m so sorry about that.”

 

 

“No… it’s ok… You didn’t know. How do you like your coffee?”

 

 

“With lots of sugar and cream or milk whatever you have is fine.”

 

 

“Ok…” Yoonhee soft giggles were the best thing that Anna heard all day.  “You like them sweet, don’t you?”

 

 

Yoonhee is most probably talking about the coffee, but the first thing that came to Anna’s mind was the beautiful, sweet girl smiling at her from the kitchen.

 

 

“Yes…”

 

 

“So, where are you and Agent Hamm staying?”

 

 

“It’s this motel I think… I don’t know the name. I just go there to put my bags.”

 

 

That was the truth. In fact Anna contemplated of sleeping in her car instead of that ratty motel. From the sound of Yoonhee’s amused chuckle, it was obvious that the girl felt the same way.

 

 

She hears Yoonhee giggle a bit from the kitchen, before walking in bringing two cups of coffee and some sugar cookies.

 

 

“Thank you.” Anna didn’t realize that she was starving until she almost finished up the whole plate of cookies. “Wow… this is good. It's like better than starbucks...”

 

 

"Really?" Yoonhee's eyes brighten up. "I never been there, but I heard a lot about it."

 

 

"You never been there?" Anna looks at her in shock. Growing in the hustles and bustles of the city, it’s pretty much her staple meal to have a Starbucks coffee. Now that she thinks about it, if this whole agent thing doesn’t work, maybe she could audition to become a Starbucks model.

 

 

"Did you make it?”

 

 

“Yes.” Yoonhee’s eyes beamed at the compliment. “That’s like my favorite thing to do… cook and bake.”

 

 

“If you sell some, I will buy a lot… like so many.”

 

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

It made Anna unconsciously smile how everything she says just makes the other girl blush. She is starting to love this shy quality about her. There was just something genuine that Anna has never felt with anybody else.

 

 

“When I have extra time, I usually bake and sell some pastries.”

 

 

“Really?” Anna sounded so impressed. “So, you work in that crap- I mean place… Then you sell some too? You’re quite the moneymaker, aren’t you?”

 

 

There was that blush again, just unconsciously making Anna’s heart flutter.

 

 

“It’s a big help with the bills. And it’s something I really enjoy doing. I’m hoping I could save up to maybe go to culinary school someday.”

 

 

“Really? Where to?”

 

 

“I have pretty much stayed here my entire life. I would really like to visit some other places, maybe go to Seoul and get into one of the culinary schools in there.”

 

 

It surprised Yoonhee that despite the cold demeanor of the Agent, the girl seem to be have a more sweeter side to her. Yoonhee have never felt so open with anybody before about her dreams, about her future and it made her feel so thankful to have someone she could share it with.

 

 

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be top of your class. If you ever go there, go give me a call. I live there all my life, so I could show you around.”

 

 

“Thank you… How about you? It must be amazing and scary doing your job.”

 

 

Their exchange of stories carried out throughout the night. Their conversations were filled with laughter, accompanied by more sweets.

 

 

Anna didn’t realize how late it was until she catches Yoonhee trying to stifle a yawn. When she checks her watch, it was almost close to 3 am.

 

 

“Oh… God… I’m sorry for keeping you up this late.” Anna quickly stood up, hoping she didn’t overstay her welcome. “I better go ahead.”

 

 

“No, agent…”

 

 

“Anna…” She corrected the other girl.

 

“Huh?” Yoonhee flutters those lovely doe eyes, and Anna thought that it’s the most adorable thing in the world.

 

 

“My name is Choi Anna. No need to call me Agent. It sounds like a super hero or something.”

 

 

“Anna… You have such a lovely name.” Yoonhee sounded so bashful.

 

 

The tanned girl never heard her name sound so beautiful until it slipped off Yoonhee’s lips.

 

 

“It’s too late and with all these murders going around. I don’t think it’s right if I would let you go there tonight.”

 

 

“Oh don’t worry… I could handle myself.”

 

 

“Please stay… You could sleep on my bed tonight.”

 

 

“Oh… hahaha…” Anna’s mind is soon filled with different thoughts.  Different inappropriate thoughts. “Won’t it be awkward? Sharing one bed?”

 

 

Yoonhee’s doe eyes widen in surprise, before unconsciously chuckling at the Agent.

 

 

“Oh no… I’ll sleep here in the living room. You could sleep in my bedroom.”

 

 

“Oh…” That felt pretty awkward for Anna. “Okay.”

 

 

***

 

 

Anna had slept in swanky hotels with their 1000 thread count sheets before, but it didn't give her this much comfort as much as Yoonhee's bed. Maybe it has to do with the scent of her strawberry shampoo that sinking on her pillows or her sheets lingering of her cocoa butter lotion, Or maybe it’s that feeling that when she wrap herself around it, it felt like it was Yoonhee holding her close.

 

 

The bedroom door was slightly ajar. And from her position, she could see Yoonhee, shifting around on her sleeping mat.

 

 

Anna let out an embarrass gulp when Yoonhee caught her staring. She quickly closes her eyes and hope to God that Yoonhee believes that she’s asleep. But when she slowly opens her eye trying to take a sneak peek, Yoonhee just ends up catching her again.

 

 

The doe eyed girl only chuckle at her mischief, but smiling that sweet smile again.

 

 

“Good night…” Yoonhee whispers.

 

 

“Good night…”

 

 

Anna had finally gotten those words out. She watches as Yoonhee flutters her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep.  Anna soon heads to her dreams, carrying visions of Yoonhee along with her.

 

 

***

 

 

“Aren’t you going to spill?”

 

 

Anna responded to Eunjung’s demand for details by flipping the sorry looking menu.

 

 

“So, today… You can pick. Either you do the blood works and tissue sample or you could interview witnesses.”

 

 

Anna quickly changes the subject. It’s not like she was embarrassed about what happened. But it was something that she would have like to keep for herself. Like a special secret only meant for her and Yoonhee.

 

 

“Oh c’mon… you have to tell me… Or maybe what? She turned you down, huh?”

 

 

“Nothing happened.”

 

 

“Really?” Eunjung raised her brow. She knew how her partner operates. Though Choi Anna seems like a cold hearted bit*h; she could turn on her charms that no one has ever had the power to resist. “So, you just slept there?”

 

 

“And we talk.”

 

 

Eunjung was about to poke fun at her partner being too slow, but stops when she saw the small smile garnering in Anna’s lips. It wasn’t like those provocative smiles that Anna has after a hot night. In fact it was the kind of smile, she have never thought she could ever see in Anna. For once, Anna looks genuinely happy.

 

 

“Oh… look who the cat just dragged in.”

 

 

Anna turns towards the counter and even from where she was sitting, she could see the disappointed look in Yoonhee’s face. The pudgy woman was waving Yoonhee off, while Yoonhee tries to downplay the rejection with a polite smile.

 

 

And Anna wonders why seeing the girl hurt affected her this much. She hardly knew the girl, yet she’s starting to care a lot about her.

 

 

***

 

 

“Yoonhee.”

 

 

Yoonhee pulls her basket close to her. She couldn’t help but be embarrassed to be around the agent. What would Anna even think of her when she was talking so proudly of her dreams of going to culinary school, but she can’t even make one sale of her sweets?

 

 

“Hello Agent.” Yoonhee bows down, trying to avoid the gaze of the other girl.

 

 

“Anna…” The agent corrected her.

 

 

“Oh yes… sorry… Anna.”

 

 

“What do you have there?” Anna’s puppy eyes blink curiously at the basket Yoonhee was carrying.

 

 

“Oh this? I ummm made some pastries.”

 

 

“Well… you know me and Eunjung would be working overtime tonight. So, we won’t have time to go grab something to eat. Maybe I could buy some.”

 

 

A sweet smile finally made its way to Yoonhee’s lips. This was the nicest thing she had heard today.

 

 

“Sure. Ummm… I have…” Yoonhee starts to dig inside the basket.

 

 

“How much for everything?” Anna cut her off.

 

 

“For what?”

 

 

“For everything. How much is it for everything?”

 

 

“Ummm… around 27 dollars?”

 

 

“For everything?”

 

 

Yoonhee thought the hesitation from the Agent was because of her ridiculous price.

 

 

“Is that too much? I could sell it for 20.”

 

 

Yoonhee’s innocence just made Anna laugh in amusement.

 

 

“You’re a bad businesswoman you know that? I think maybe around 40- 45 dollars or something?”

 

 

“That’s too much.” Yoonhee says shyly.

 

 

“I think that’s what its worth.” Anna takes out her Louis Vuitton wallet and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. “I only got a hundred.”

 

 

“Oh… I don’t have any change for that. You can pay me lat-“

 

 

“Take it.”

 

 

Yoonhee just stood there with a questioning look on her face, trying to process in her head what was happening.

 

 

“Take it…” Anna put it on Yoonhee’s hand.

 

 

“Thank you… I’ll give you the change later.”

 

 

“Well. How about this? Me and Eunjung are having a hard time finding a decent place around here to eat. But I know you make great food, so how about feeding us for the couple of days that were staying?”

 

 

Yoonhee nodded happily. “Oh… that’s a great idea.”

 

 

“Good.” Anna digs in the basket and took out a muffin. “Thanks for breakfast.”

 

 

“Thanks for everything.”

 

 

***

 

 

Most people seem to have a clear boundary between work and their personal life. What goes on at work should stay at work and vice versa. But Agent Choi Anna wasn’t one of those people. Maybe that’s the downfall too of being single, because personal and business just seem interlaced with one another.

 

 

Like right now, Anna’s motel room look like an investigation room. She even borrowed a white board just so she could pin the victims pictures and write facts underneath it.

 

 

Of course it came to no surprise that the victims and even the suspect draw a connection to one another. It was a small town, everyone is going to be related to some degree.

 

 

They have been able to extract some blood work and tissue sample from Hyunseung, much to the chagrin of his still grieving mom. They have send it along with Yesung’s evidence to the city and hope to find a comparison between the two.

 

 

Right now, she’s trying to make an initial report out of this Yesung character.  She had cross paths with psychopaths before but nothing like him. Maybe some virus could have caused this? But how come she had never seen or heard of symptoms just like his?

 

 

The only thing she could get from her head is one thing.

 

 

Cannibalism.

 

 

The agent typed on her computer’s search bar.

 

 

She was drawing in a blank here, wondering if it was better to have some shut eye. Her partner has already retired for the night, snoring loudly in the room next door.

 

 

Anna slouches on the rickety chair, thinking what she would give for a steaming hot of coffee. Just when she was slowly drifting to sleep, someone starts to knock on her door. 

 

 

“Come in.”

 

 

 “Hi…”

 

 

Anna could barely keep her eyes open with how tired she is, but the sight of Yoonhee was like electricity jolting her up.

 

 

“Hi… I made you and Agent Ham dinner.”

 

 

“Oh…” Anna starts to chuckle. “That actually starts tomorrow.”

 

 

“Oh…” Yoonhee embarrassingly mutters, and start to fiddle with the basket handle. “Well…Those were mostly pastries… I made you some real dinner.”

 

 

Yoonhee was about to lay her basket on the table, when the pictures on the white board caught her attention.

 

 

Her face was drained of all color as she saw the pictures of the people she once knew as hollow, soulless corpses. Their eyes still bore the gaze of terror from the brutal ordeal they went through. Yoonhee holds on to the edge of the table trying to steady herself, it was a good thing that Anna was there to keep her on her toes.

 

 

“C’mon… let’s go to the balcony.”

 

 

“You look busy.” Yoonhee says after taking a seat besides Anna.  “I’m so sorry for interrupting.”

 

 

“No… no you didn’t… I needed the break… Sorry it’s quite a mess here.”

 

 

Yoonhee shakes her head. “Isn’t this your bedroom?”

 

 

“Yes…”

 

 

“Ummm… how could you sleep being surrounded by something… something so…”

 

 

“Gruesome?”

 

 

Yoonhee nods her head in wonder.

 

 

“I… I actually don’t know.”

 

 

Anna took an exhausted breath. Slowly slouching herself on the terrace plastic chair. Truth was, she have forgotten how it felt to have a good night sleep. Her work had become so ingrained in her that she could barely tell the difference between sleepiness and being awake.

 

 

“Well… I don’t want you to be sleepy and hungry.” Yoonhee proposes as she takes out the lunchboxes from the basket and starts laying it out on the rickety wooden table.

 

 

 “Hey… this is pretty good.” Anna compliments her as she starts digging in the salad.

 

 

“I’m glad you like it.” Yoonhee’s eyes disappear into a smile. “You look like a salad kind of person.”

 

 

The agent ends up smirking goofily at the description. “I guess I’m that predictable, huh?

 

 

“Actually no…”

 

 

Anna turns toward Yoonhee with a curious look.

 

 

“There is always something that surprises me about you.”

 

 

A shy gasps slip through Yoonhee's lips as she saw how intense Anna was looking at her.

 

 

“You have a lovely view here.”

 

 

Anna doesn’t think that the view of their decrepit downtown was lovely.

 

 

“No… not the town…” Yoonhee chuckles as she pick up the hint of disbelief in Anna’s face. “Of the sky.”

 

 

Anna finally looks up and this time agreed with the girl. She hasn’t realized until now that as much as she sees the night sky, she have never really took the time to appreciate it. Maybe she didn’t just have the time, or maybe the right company.

 

 

“Picnic under the stars.” Anna says jokingly.

 

 

“Picnic under the stars.” Yoonhee exhales deeply. “That sounds lovely.”

 

 

***

 

 

“So? You two have a date?”

 

 

 

Anna’s good mood was instantly dampened from Eunjung’s nosiness. Why can’t the other girl just worry about her damn job and leave her personal life alone?

 

 

“No…” Anna corrected her. Her eyes still glued in front of her laptop. “She brought dinner. So, we had dinner then I walk her home.”

 

 

“Such a gentleman.”

 

 

Anna scowls at Eunjung’s lame joke.

 

 

“Then… she doesn’t want me going by myself so I slept over at her place again. What?!”

 

 

 “Are you sure that it’s just a sleepover?”

 

 

Anna was quite close to smacking that knowing smirk off Eunjung’s face.

 

 

“Trust me. I know when it’s just a sleepover…”

 

 

The smile never left Agent Ham’s face, looking at her partner so flustered was just so amusing for her. It was a good thing the sound of the doorbell interrupted the awkward tension.

 

 

***

 

 

“Hello?”

 

 

Agent Ham took a good, long hard look at the doe eyed beauty in front of her. She barely have any make up and wearing a simple dress. She was quite the opposite from all of Agent Choi’s partners but she proven that it takes more than short skirts and grinding to win Choi’s heart.

 

 

“Hello…” Yoonhee bows down respectfully “Is Anna there?”

 

 

Eunjung raised a brow, confused on who this Anna person is.

 

 

“Anna? Oh ANNA!”

 

 

The agent started to chuckle, Agent Choi never liked people calling her by her name. This was definitely a first.

 

“Yoonhee…” Anna shoves Eunjung out of the way. “Hello.”

 

 

The two shared a knowing smile. A smile only the two of them could understand. And while Anna’s gaze remains at Yoonhee, the shy girl couldn’t hold the intense look from the other.

 

 

“Hi…. I know you’re busy so I brought you and Agent Ham some lunch.”

 

 

“I could eat right now. Eunjung let’s take a break.”

 

 

She didn’t wait for a response and steps outside to join Yoonhee. The doe eyed girl takes a kimbap from her bag and offered it to the other agent.

 

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

Eunjung looks away when she saw that Anna wasn’t too pleased sharing her new girl’s affection.

 

 

***

 

Agent Ham couldn’t help but wonder what spell Yoonhee did to make Anna fall head over heels over her. But truth was, the sight of her once so cold hearted partner melting into a pile of cheesy goo was just too fun to see.

 

 

There was Anna just laughing and talking to Yoonhee. What they talk about nobody knows… But it’s like they just build their own little world, where the only thing that mattered was the two of them.

 

 

*** 

 

 

Anna playfully put a piece of the headphone on Yoonhee’s ear, as the two just enjoyed lunch.

 

 

“You know this song?”

 

 

Anna playfully leans sideways when she hears Yoonhee softly humming along to the song in the IPOD.

 

 

“What are you doing?” Yoonhee squeals in surprise, or more of embarrassment.

 

 

“I didn’t know you like girls generation?”

 

 

“I do…” Yoonhee mutters embarrassingly. “I don’t know that you like girls generation.”

 

 

“I do… they’re pretty…kekeke.  I just imagine you to be a trot fan. Kekekekekeke.” Anna burst out laughing, much to Yoonhee’s expense.

 

 

Yoonhee has every intention to hush the girl. But when she saw how happy Anna look, how beautiful she was when she was just so carefree. She couldn’t help but just stare. It made her wonder why Anna keeps on frowning all the time, when she looks so beautiful when she laughs.

 

 

“What?” Anna pouts after finishing her laughing fit. Before Yoonhee would froze up nervously from the pout, but now it’s different. Yoonhee think of Anna like a spoiled little pup, who always need to have what she wants.

 

 

“Nothing.” Yoonhee shakes her head. “It’ll be my little secret.”

 

 

  “You’re Ms. Independent, huh?” Anna pretended to be hurt at the rejection, but Yoonhee’s sweet pinch turned her frown into a goofy smirk.

 

 

“Yes I am…I want to be that kind of girl. I want to be like you.”

 

 

“Like me?” Anna turns toward the other girl.

 

 

“Yes… You know where you speak your own mind and you don’t care what people think about you. I think having that kind of personality just makes a world of difference. It makes you more happy.”

 

 

“You think I’m happy?”

 

 

For once Anna was the one who couldn’t hold on to the gaze. It’s like she knew her walls were crumbling right before their very eyes. She knew that if she looks at Yoonhee, that all her fears, all the insecurities that she had bottled up inside would pour out of her.

 

 

“I think I’am now.”

 

 

***

 

 

 

 “Mr. Jang… I’m so glad you could come.”

 

 

He approached the gray haired lady, laying a supportive hand on her back.

 

 

“Ahjumma, What have I been telling you? Just call me Geun suk.”

 

 

“Oh sorry…” She chuckles sheepishly. “Geun suk-shii my boy…” She gives his wafer like arms a gentle squeeze.

 

 

“So, what did you call me for?”

 

 

“Well… me and Mrs. Tan have seen Yoonhee walking around with-”

 

 

“Oh the agent…” Geun suk interrupted, having no intention of hearing what she had to say. “Yoonhee is just being a dear like she always is, nothing to worry about.”

 

 

“Oh… we apologize for that.” She apologizes and tries to dismiss it with a smile “We just want to make sure. It’s a bit strange how close the two are getting-”

 

 

“Can’t two girls just be close friends?” Geun suk pointed out.

 

 

“Well… yes but… the agent seems very enamored over Yoonhee, and Yoonhee seems fascinated with the Agent too. And from what I hear, they have been spending the night together since the first time the Agent step into town.”

 

 

“That’s enough…” Geun Suk puts a stop to this before he seriously snaps.

 

 

But obviously the elderly woman didn’t notice his irritation and kept on blabbering.

 

 

“You are such a good man, Geun Suk even with Yoonhee’s shameful behavior here you are, still loving her.”

 

 

It was more of an obsession over Yoonhee. But sometimes the line between love and obsession is too blurry that people tend to confuse the two.

 

 

Geun suk could feel his throat starting to tighten at the thought of that woman. He was close to having that happily ever after with Yoonhee, then this woman just steps into their world and take what rightfully belongs to him.

 

 

Geun Suk hated her, how she reminded him so much of how weak he is.

 

 

Choi Anna that was the name of the woman he would someday meet in hell.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 Both Yoonhee and Anna were aware of how people are looking at them. Especially in a place so buried in traditions, it can’t be help that most of the people in town look at them with such disgust. But the happiness, they each shared with the other meant more than what others think.

 

  

Tonight, Yoonhee was preparing some pastries for tomorrow. She didn’t know if having Anna there would actually be helpful. The girl could be such a distraction, but a welcome distraction.

 

 

“Why are we using rotten bananas?” Anna quickly frowns when she saw the dark peeled banana that Yoonhee was going to use for her banana nut bread. “You’re not trying to make me sick, so I could stay here longer do you?”

 

 

Yoonhee at the beginning couldn’t understand all of Anna’s self bravado. But instead of getting annoyed with all this arrogance, Yoonhee was more amused by it. She realized that whatever the agent does or say makes such a difference in her world.

 

 

“No… The riper the bananas are, the more tastier it would be…”

 

 

“That’s not ripe. That’s rotten.” Anna pointed out. “Are you sure you’re not playing me?”

 

 

“Why would I be?”

 

 

“Because… you can’t live without me…”

 

 

“Says who?” Yoonhee narrows her eyes playfully at the other girl.

 

 

“It’s obvious…” Anna mocks the girl’s expression, narrowing her eyes as well.

 

 

Yoonhee figured out that it was quite useless trying to argue with Anna. The agent was just too clever and too much of a sore loser to accept defeat.

 

 

Yoonhee starts to chuckle as Anna leans close and wraps her arm around Yoonhee’s waist. This was another quality of their relationship. The two of them, or more of Anna was quite touchy, not like Yoonhee has any objections.

 

 

But then she realizes the situation that they’re place. She has never cared so much about somebody, not until the agent came into her life. But what happens when everything gets solved? Who was she compared to the beautiful ladies who are probably groveling at Anna’s feet?

 

 

“I’m sorry…” Yoonhee tries to pry away from Anna’s embrace. “I just have to finish this.”

 

 

“Okay…” Anna was a bit startled at why Yoonhee just pulls away so easily.  “Is there-“

 

 

“No…” Yoonhee cuts her off before she finished asking. “You are probably tired. I could do this.”

 

 

“Me? Tired? Kekekeke…” Anna laughs, grabbing one of the bowls. “Oh please… I could mix…”

 

 

“No… it’s okay.” Yoonhee almost yank away the bowl out of Anna’s hands. When Anna saw how Yoonhee wasn’t playing around, it scared her. Scared that she upset Yoonhee, Scared that Yoonhee was pulling away, and just plain scared of being apart from her.

 

 

“What is it that is making you quiet like this?”

 

 

Yoonhee couldn’t even bear look at Anna, the sound of her voice was obvious on how mad she is.

 

 

But Anna being the stubborn person that she is, couldn’t take a hint and pried some more. “Come on say something…”

 

 

“What are we Anna?”

 

 

Anna just stares at her continually…

 

 

“I mean when you go back, what is going to happen? I know I sound so selfish right now, but It scares me... That all I will ever be is just somebody from your past, when here I’am just waiting for you to come back.”

 

 

Her tears have slowly fallen along with every word she said. She would have wanted to hear from Anna that it wasn’t true. That she was all she ever cared about, but instead when she looks up, she didn’t saw the love, but those brown eyes were dark in emotions.

 

 

“Well, what do you want us to be?”

 

 

Yoonhee search Anna’s eyes for a clue. She wanted them to be together, but was she being too ambitious of wanting someone like Choi Anna? 

 

 

“Answer me, Yoonhee!”

 

 

“No… no it’s not that… You’re going to leave me… I’m scared of that thought Anna. You have been such a part of me, and I don’t know anymore how it is to be without you. I don’t know whether I should give you up now, because you’re going to leave anyway.”

 

 

“Give up? Is that what you want? Here I’am doing these things for you. If there is a time where I didn’t show you how I really feel, then I don’t know what else do I need to do.”

 

 

“I wish I know…”

 

 

Anna opens , wishing she could have said something. But in her mind, Yoonhee have just pushed her away. she’s just been pushed away. Why would she force herself somewhere, where she’s not wanted?

 

 

***

 

 

Eunjung was caught awkwardly staring when she sees how red Anna’s eyes were. She has never thought it was possible, that someone as cold hearted as Choi Anna would be crying.  When Anna realized how pathetic she might have look, she quickly snarls building her defenses again.

 

 

 “Look who’s here…”

 

 

Just when she thought that this day couldn’t get any worse, here was pain in the rear Hyomin just joining in the fun.

 

 

“Miss me, Choi?”

 

 

 “What do you want?”

 

 

Anna marches to the minibar, grabbing whatever alcoholic beverage she could get her hands on.

 

 

“Are you offering me some?”

 

 

“No.”

 

 

Anna growls when all they had available was some beer. It was too weak for her, and she needed something strong that could knock her out for Good.

 

 

“I’m here to tell you that this case is officially closed.”

 

 

The tanned agent’s beer spilled out of the can as she slams it on the counter.

 

 

“You didn’t come all the way here to tell us that. What do you really want?”

 

 

“Well… maybe if you weren’t so busy trying to get lucky with that girl, then you could have figured it out.”

 

 

The poor beer can was not getting crumpled as Anna clenched her fist tightly on it.

 

 

“Don’t you bring Yoonhee’s name in here!”

 

 

“Oh sorry…” Hyomin raised her arms in mock surrender. “What is it, Choi? Some love problems with your farm girl?”

 

 

“Don’t you speak about her as if she’s beneath you. She is more than any of you will ever be.”

 

 

Hyomin seem unphazed with the sudden outburst.

 

 

 

“You know what Choi, I never have thought that you will be the type to get distracted. But oh well… I’m giving you 24 hours to sort everything out. And whether you like it or not, we go on with the plan.”

 

 

***

 

 

She wonders what Yoonhee is doing now.

 

 

She was supposed to be compiling her research, she should be investigating, comparing notes, making analysis. But here she was, feeling the exact opposite of what she’s supposed to feel.

 

 

There was no use trying to do something, when both her heart and brain was still so far off. She tries to steer clear away from work, maybe take a little breather by opening her mail.

 

 

And instead of making her forget, it only made everything just feels so much worse. Right there in her hand, was the different catalogs and applications from different culinary schools in Seoul. It was supposed to be her surprise for Yoonhee. She was supposed to take Yoonhee away from there.

 

 

But she was Choi Anna, she expects herself to bounce back easily when she returns to Seoul. She will forget this case, forget this God forsaken place and above all just forget about Yoonhee.

 

 

The question now was… Could her heart make her forget?

 

 

***

 

 

Anna was so sure that she didn’t make a single sound as she tried to slip the folder underneath the door. But obviously, Yoonhee might have super sonic hearing because there she was opening the door. And Anna could only gulp as she was caught crouched down in such an embarrassing position.

 

 

But Yoonhee didn’t care how her lover looks like. All she knows now is Anna is right there, right in front of her.

 

 

“Oh…” Anna abruptly shot up straight. “I just… I got this for you.” She pushed the manila folder in Yoonhee’s hand. “That’s all, good night.”

 

 

“You couldn’t even knock.”

 

 

Anna has already started to walk away, but she could still hear the crack in Yoonhee’s voice. Like the girl was on the brink of crying.

 

 

“You couldn’t even knock to give to me. Is that how much you can’t stand to see me?”

 

 

“It’s not that. I just don’t want to bother you.”

 

 

“No… Anna… Why would you think that? When did I ever make you feel like you’re bothering me?”

 

 

Every tear that fell with every cry, was starting to tear Anna’s heart apart.

 

 

“Is it me? Is it me that is bothering you?”

 

 

“No… Yoonhee… stop thinking like that. Please! Look I have a lot of things to do. Go get some sleep or something.”

 

 

Yoonhee starts crumbling down as she saw Anna let out a long sigh. Anna might not have said it in words, but the sound of her exasperated sigh made it obvious for Yoonhee that she was nothing more but an inconvenience.

 

 

“Whatever I did Anna to make you feel like this, I’m sorry.”

 

 

Yoonhee waited for Anna to say something but all she was met was utter silence.

 

 

“Goodbye Anna.”

 

 

“No.” Anna holds on to the door. “No… I don’t want us to say goodbye.”

 

 

The bottled pain inside of Anna have finally broke down, and all of her feelings of anger, regret and jealousy starts to pour profusely. 

 

 

 “We are not supposed to happen Yoonhee! I’m just supposed to finish this job and move on. But how could I when here you are… Just… just.”

 

 

Along with her outpour of her emotions, Anna’s tears flowed just as mercilessly. Seeing the one she loves the most so vulnerable gave Yoonhee the will to be the stronger one. She took steps that she couldn’t make earlier as Anna was pushing her away. She reaches out for Anna’s hand, before slowly pulling the girl in her embrace.

 

 

“Baby.”

 

 

Hearing that word made Anna cling tighter on Yoonhee.

 

 

“Whatever happens Anna… Whether we have to be apart or not… I know someday, somewhere we will be together again.”

 

 

Anna was supposed to be the stronger one. But here she is, holding on to Yoonhee like her whole world would crumble once she pulled apart.

 

  

Their lips slowly brushes into a gentle kiss, both hearts echoed in the same beat as their tongues slow dance inside their lover’s mouth. And as their kiss grew deeper, Anna slowly realizes how fast and reckless she was falling. Here she was, feeling so needy as she clench to her lover like it was her only source of strength.

 

 

But as they grew breathless in their kisses and their embrace covered every inch space, Anna felt that she still doesn’t have enough of Yoonhee. She was stilling herself as she felt Yoonhee’s clothes balled up in her hand, as if she was seconds from pulling it apart.

 

 

“Baby?”

 

 

Yoonhee’s breathless moan just drive Anna even more crazy…

 

 

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry Yoonhee.” Anna pulls away, even though it ached her terribly not to touch her lover.

 

 

 “No.” Yoonhee shakes her head. “Please baby.”

 

 

And as Anna felt Yoonhee’s hand leading her to her buttons, the ache that she felt turned into a desperate need.

 

 

“I want you so bad.” Anna begs as she lay sensual kisses on Yoonhee’s neck. “I need you so bad, baby.”

 

 

“Then, do what you want to do to me.” Yoonhee whispers.

 

 

And as Anna slowly lays Yoonhee in the bed, slowly peeling away her lover’s clothes, Yoonhee just have one breathless request.

 

 

“Tonight make me yours.”

 

 

 ***

 

 

Yoonhee could hardly keep her eyes open as her body just collapse for the fourth time that night. Anna was of course the one to blame, but it’s not like she didn’t want this. Yes, she was aching in both pain and pleasure, but she’s willing to go through to it again, even the entire night.

 

 

 Her lover just pulled away for a few seconds, but returned even before she could regain her breath.

 

 

But Anna wanted to try something new, she have been aching to devour her lover. But knowing that Yoonhee is quite the bashful type, it might take some gentle cooing.

 

 

So, Anna thought of a plan. She started out with a kiss, sweet and lovely, while her fingers tiptoed down Yoonhee’s stomach again. A gasp escaped Yoonhee’s lips at the intrusion.

 

 

“I’m sorry, baby.”

 

 

“It’s ok, love.” Anna kisses her lover on the lips, reassuring her that it’s ok.

 

 

She started slow, until she could feel Yoonhee moving along to her rhythm. But Yoonhee’s whole body stiffens as she felt Anna’s kisses going lower.

 

 

“No… baby no…” Yoonhee’s cheeks were flushed at the thought of what Anna was planning.

 

 

“It’s okay…” Anna softly nibbles on Yoonhee’s flat stomach. She intertwined their fingers together, squeezing it to calm her lover. “I love you darling…”

 

 

Those were Anna's last words before her kisses travel down between Yoonhee's thighs. She could feel Yoonhee squirming uncomfortably at every taste.

 

 

“It’s okay, love… I love you… I love you…” Anna whispers as she gently move deeper. And as she heard some moans escaped her lover’s lips she knew that Yoonhee have now gotten herself lost in the pleasure.

 

 

And soon, Yoonhee let go, her hands flying to her lover's dark locks, pulling Anna close to take more of her... And what innocence she once had, have now dissapeared as her voice echoes around the walls for Anna to devour her... to devour all of her. 

 

 

***

 

 

Yoonhee was looking wide eyed at the different catalogs spread on the bed. She turns to her lover, and when she noticed that Anna’s focus wasn’t on the catalogs but on her. She quickly pulls the blanket to cover herself.

 

 

It made Anna laugh and press a playful kiss on Yoonhee’s hair at how naïve she is, trying to hide her body. Even if Anna have already kissed and enjoyed every inch of it. 

 

 

“I suggest you go here.”

 

 

Anna picked out a maroon catalog with wide smiling chefs on the cover among the catalogs spreads out on the bed.

 

 

“It’s near my place so I could just drop you off there on my way to work. and look at the cover, they look so happy.” 

 

 

Yoonhee starts to chuckle before showing Anna the green catalog with chefs who are busy cooking. “How about this? Is this far?”

 

 

“Hmmm? They don't look as happy as the people in this school. ” Anna couldn’t help but kiss Yoonhee again, but this time, just a chaste one on her forehead. Yoonhee snuggles in her Anna’s chest.

 

 

“Yoonhee?”

 

 

“Hmmm?”

 

 

“I think we made love enough to last you until I come back.”

 

 

Yoonhee curls in her lover’s embrace, kissing Anna in her chest.

 

 

“When will you come back?”

 

 

Anna ended up pulling Yoonhee tighter, just pressing her lips on her girl's forehead. She wishes she could answer her and give Yoonhee the answer she would have wanted.

 

 

But seeing how Anna remained still, just cradling her in her arms was enough to answer Yoonhee's question.

 

 

“Don’t worry…” Yoonhee presses her lips on Anna. “I will wait for you.”

 

 

“Forever?”

 

 

“Forever…” Yoonhee answers. She stares down at her hand and was smiling as Anna slips the platinum ring on her finger.

 

 

“For infinity…” Anna could feel the cool metal on her touch. “You and me.”

 

 

They kiss again and this time, their lips linger in each other for a while longer.

 

 

“Well… if you miss me…” Yoonhee teases, while Anna is leaving her gasping as she keeps nibbling on her chest. “You can just call me on my cellphone.”

 

 

Anna pulled away from her lover in disbelief. “You have a cellphone?”

 

 

“YAH!” Yoonhee smacks Anna on the arm, before trying to crawl out to reach something from her bedside drawer.

 

 

Anna started chuckling, peppering her girl’s back with sweet kisses as Yoonhee was still busy trying to look for something.

 

 

The cool agent immediately frowns at the abomination that was Yoonhee’s phone. It was bulky, heavy and even had an antenna. It was an embarrassment.

 

 

“HEY!” Yoonhee yells as Anna lunges her phone away.

 

 

“No girlfriend of mine will be caught using that. You can take mine.” Anna gives Yoonhee her IPHONE

 

 

Yoonhee was holding the Iphone in both her hands, as if it’s the most precious things in the world.

 

 

“What about your phone?”

 

 

“I’ll use the company phone. I’ll get one as soon as I get back. Then… I’ll call you… Before you know it, I’m picking you up and moving on to my place in Seoul.”

 

 

Yoonhee nods happily, smiling at the thought of their future together. She slides the lock button and her smile was beaming when she saw her picture as Anna’s wallpaper.

 

 

"I look at that when I miss you."

 

 

“But were always together.” Yoonhee pouts thoughtfully “How could you even miss me?”

 

 

“Whenever were apart… I do.”

 

 

Anna tucks Yoonhee’s dark hair behind her gorgeous ear, before they kiss once again. They kiss like it was their last, pulling each other closer as they couldn’t ever be apart.

 

 

They soon got lost in each other once again, slowly becoming one in their touches. They refuse to let go, scared of the thought of being apart.  

 

 

“I love you.” Anna whispers these three words only meant for Yoonhee to hear.

 

 

“I love you too.”

 

 

***

 

 

“Times up.”

 

 

Those where the two words she heard the moment she walks back in the motel. Hyomin was sitting on the couch, poised like a venomous snake, ready to spread her poison.

 

 

“Whatever you say. ” Anna struggled to remain cold. Building up her walls to not show her how much she’s hurting.  

 

 

 “I came back here to protect Geun Suk.”

 

 

The raven haired agent takes out the lone beer from the fridge and starts to laugh mockingly at the other agent.

 

 

“You are lost out of your God Damn mind if you think about protecting that scum.”

 

 

“Apparently Geun Suk is much more than just this ordinary town doctor. He is a very important person.”

 

 

“Oh really? How can you tell? From his skinny jeans?”

 

 

Hyomin narrowed her eyes. The tanned agent has always been a proven wiseass. “From a source.”

 

 

Anna chugs down the beer, not caring if it has any effect on her or not. She needed to stop this throbbing pain immediately and for now alcohol would do the trick.

 

 

“And oh yes…” They don’t like how you’re getting too close.”

 

 

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

 

 

Hyomin pulls out her gun and pointed it straight at Anna’s forehead.

 

 

“I have to kill you.”

 

 

***

 

 

Yoonhee shudders as the sound of sirens erupted out of nowhere. She didn’t know but there was this tugging feeling in her chest like she knew that something was wrong. But as she race outside to find out what it was, she realize that it wasn’t just her who have heard it, but the entire town.

 

 

A loud cry pierced through the atmosphere as the whole town saw paramedics recovered the corpse from the motel.

 

 

She squeezed her way through people, making it all the way towards the ambulance.

 

 

“What happened?”

 

 

“They found one of the agents shot and killed.”

 

 

Yoonhee opened , but no words comes out instead it was her eyes who did the talking, as her tears starting pouring. She wasn’t even sure if it’s Anna.

 

 

“W-which one?”

 

 

“The dark skinned one… Choi Anna?”

 

 

“NO!” She squeezes her way to get closer to the ambulance. “I want to see her… Please...”

 

 

The paramedic fixes his cap, lowering it down to where you couldn’t pick up how he looks like.

 

 

“I’m sorry miss, but this is a criminal investigation. We have to send her body to get autopsied.”

 

 

“Please… What hospital are you going to?” Yoonhee asks desperately.

 

 

 “Yoonhee?”

 

 

Her whole body froze when she recognize the sound of the voice. She slowly cranes her neck and came face to face with Geun Suk. There was no ounze of compassion, no ounce of care instead all she could see was his maniacal grin.

 

 

“Don’t worry…  Just stay with me and I’m going to make sure nothing happens to you.”

 

 

The blaring sound of the ambulance sirens shook Yoonhee out of her daze. She turns away from Geun Suk, her whole focus on the ambulance, her heart breaking at the sight of her lover being taken away.Her hand clenching tightly to her ring, holding on to the only thing that reminds her of her love.

 

 

***

 

 

“Sorry, I’m late captain.”

 

 

Anna pulls down the white blanket and nearly smacks the goofy smirk off Daesung’s face.

 

 

“Shut up.” Anna starts to search for something to warm her up. Acting dead and frozen was much harder than she thought.

 

 

“That was some acting job you did there.”

 

 

“All I have to do was play dead.”

 

 

Anna cringes as she felt the blood trickle down her forehead.  Of course they have to make it as realistic as possible. And what’s a show without the audience or in this case, witnesses?

 

 

But among the faceless crowd, one just stood out. And Anna had to shut her eyes hoping to stop her tears. But the vision of the girl she loves, crying for her was enough to tear every composure she had. She felt warm streaks flow down her cheeks, and for once she felt so helpless.

 

 

How could she accept being a part of such an elaborate plan of saving the world, when she couldn’t even be with the one she loves?

 

 

“Stop the ambulance”

 

 

“What?” Daesung stares in shock from the rearview mirror. “You are kidding, right?”

 

 

“No. I’m not… If you don’t stop this ambulance. I’ll get off it myself.”

 

 

“You can’t be ser- YOH CAPTAIN!!!” Daesung yells out, trying to keep his hands on the wheel while screaming at his boss who was on her way to jumping off the back of the van.

 

 

“CHOI ANNA!!!” He yells out in frustration as he couldn’t do anything but watch as Anna jumps out. “STUPID!!!” He slams his fist on the steering wheel, he picks up his phone and cradled it under his ear.

 

 

“Hey Hyomin… Yeah it’s me… So, ahhh…” He scratches his head in embarrassment. “Agent Choi… She ummm left?” He cringes as Hyomin started chewing his ear off. “Yes… that’s what I mean… she’s gone.”

 

 

***

 

 

“Crap.” Hyomin growls before almost lunging her phone at the wall.

 

 

“What was that all about?” Eunjung asks in such a carefree tone, like it doesn’t concern her at all.

 

 

“That idiot Choi… she got out.”

 

Somehow it more of amused Eunjung than annoyed her.

 

 

“I guess that idiot is really in love, huh?”

 

 

“You know what she’ll do! She’ll kill Geun Suk and run away with Yoonhee!”

 

 

Eunjung shrugs although admitting that it’s quite true.

 

 

“Well… let her… Geun Suk deserves to die.”

 

 

“That’s not how the plan goes!” Hyomin was fuming, her veins pulsating madly at how their whole plan just fell apart. “Anna knew that.”

 

 

“So, what are you planning now?”

 

 

“As long as we have Yoonhee we have the upper hand.”

 

 

TBC