THIEF: BTOB Sungjae ✔

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5
Finding Sab
Yook Sungjae:

     "Ahh, hyung! Come ooon, let me know where she lives, please?" I continue to nag Lee Minhyuk, but he just laughs at me.

     I shake my head and pour a little more of the beer I ordered for him. I plan to get him drunk tonight so I can get information about Sabriel. Anything that would lead me to the girl. She's too mysterious for my sake.

     She didn't really come back, or I don't knowㅡmaybe she still follows me around like a cat. Unseen and soundless.

     But it's been a few weeks. Almost a month now, I think. I've done every dangerous thing I know just in case she shows up. Just like those superheroes in the movies but dammit, I must have been really just a mission to her. She doesn't really care about me at all.

      One day, I needed Minhyuk's advice. He's a friend older than I am, whom I met in a pub where he poured out his sorrows to me. Anyway, I've gone to his place for the first time and I found this framed picture hanging on his wallㅡa group of people from his work, which includes agent Sabriel in it. Since then, I've been trying to get some information out of him. But his lips are tightly zipped.

     "I told you we're not allowed to give out personal informationㅡ"

     "Just drink."

     He laughs again. "You're trying to get me drunk, huh? You won't get anything from me, Yook Sungjae."

     And... he's right. I didn't get any clue or information from him until he fell asleep. I kick the space. This is so frustrating! It's like she's just been a dream. Like, she doesn't even really existed. Who knows, maybe I just created her inside my head?

     I can't get her off my head. I like her and I'm not kidding when I say she drives me quite insane. I've never felt this way before.

     I gasp in ugly surprise when Minhyuk's phone begins vibrating on the table. Then an idea flashed inside my head! He must have Sab's phone number.

     I patiently waited for the phone to stop vibrating then I quickly browse his contacts, going straight to letter S.

     But I didn't find Sab's name there.

     I even go through his inbox and stop to stare at the picture of one of his contacts. A huge smile forms my lips. There she is.

     I quickly open the message box and only hesitate a little before I read them.

     Hyejeong?  Why's the name different but Sab's the one in the picture? Could that be her real name? Hyejeong? I smile. It suits her.

Hyejeong:

I need a better mission. I'm leaving this one. Can't I just go with you?

My jaw dropa. Sab could say such things? She could be clingy too?

Minhyuk:

You should ask Mr. Lee about that. Why? Did my friend Sungjae treat you bad? If yes, then that's strange. He's a real nice guy.

Hyejeong:

Why do I feel like you're selling him to me? I won't buy him, Minnie. He's too precious.

     I pause. I don't know what to think of first. Her calling Minhyuk Minnie, or her calling me precious.

     Still, the saved name is Hyejeong. I have known Sabriel isn't going to be the real one.

     I suddenly feel nervous when I hear Minhyuk move, so I quickly saved Sab's, or whatever her name is, phone number on my phone.

• •

Shin Hye-jeong:

     "You're gaining some weight. At least, go exercise if you got fired." Seolhyun says while preparing for school.

I make a face. I don't know why I woke up so early today. "I didn't get fired."

     I asked Mr. Lee for new a nee assignment, but he gave me a few weeks worth of leave instead.

     "Whatever. You've been really sulking here at home. Anyway, I'm leaving. I'm laaate!"

     I look at her finishing her overall look with another brush of lip tint. "Why do you doll-up yourself so much? You're going to school, not a party." I can't help but say.

     "It's like the same."

     I chuckle. "Are you kidding me? School isn't meant to be a place to have fun."

     "Yes, it is. The only thing that ruins the image of schools is homework." She says, smiling across the mirror. Then she smiles. "Please don't forget to feed Yookie." With that, she leaves the apartment, leaving me with a pair of puppy eyes staring at me.

     Yeah, from a secret agent to a puppy caretaker. Just great. The little one jumps on bed and lays down beside me, whimpering rrom Seolhyun's departure. "Aigoo. You're so cute. You remind me so much of... of someone." I tell Yookie, smiling as I pet him.

     I take a shower and then I take the dog out for a walk. I frown at the thought of his name. Sounds pretty much like Yook. Yook Sungjae. I wonder how he's doing. I shake my head. I should really get him off my mind. I've been thinking a lot about him lately, mostly whether he's safe or in danger.

     It's dangerous to get attached to missions.

     "Why did Seolhyun name you Yookie? That almost sounded like yuckie." I say as we get back home. I lazily sit on the front yard.

     I take a book from my sling bag that I've been reading since I got my leave. Yookie sits down next to me and begins looking at me with those puppy eyes again when I take out a small pack of biscuits. "Ha! Yookie, I'm good on resisting people's charms including dog charms. So no, you can't have a biscuit no matter how cute you are." It's not that I'm heartless, the biscuits are just chocolate flavored.

      Yookie begins wiggling his tail to my bewilderment, and then he runs to the medium-sized gate of ours and starts barking non-stop.

     My brows furrow. "Come out now. I know someone's there." I say, warily.

     I set the book and the biscuits down, preparing for my ground and for whoever it is.