An honest lie | Kim Taehyung (editing*)

- Mysterious woman -

XXXV

"I'm sure of it. She talked to me, I remember."

"But you don't remember what she looked like or if she even was here in the first place." Taehyung mocked Jimin as he sipped the freshly made orange juice, Namjoon had prepared for him while in the midst of Jimin's non-stop arguments.

The young journalist fully turned to his friend with squinted eyes. "I don't suppose you would ever believe me, since you so kindly enquired how I'm not trustworthy enough to share important information about-" He cut himself off, as he breathed in from his nose and shut his eyes in attempt to calm his nerves.

"About..?" Taehyung trailed.

Jimin flattered his eyes open and shot the detective with a deadly glare. "Nevermind." He dismissively twirled away in his chair and stared out the big windows to where the small park was located in front of Eda's building.

Taehyung clenched his jaw. "You know what?" He pushed his chair away from the counter to face Jimin better. "I've had just about enough of your attitude!" He growled. "I'm trying to do my job here, and I knew from the beginning that you couldn't handle it because of your feelings involved in this case. Now I'm not about to ruin my investigation because of my friend's infatuation with the person who's turning out to be a suspect in Palazzi's case."

At that phrase, Jimin stood up with pure rage and faced Taehyung in close proximity. "Don't you dare Tae! She didn't do anything!"

Taehyung followed his moves and stood up as well now at the same eye level, although a few inches taller than his aggravated friend. "I told you you can't handle it!" He hissed with determination.

Jimin frowned once he finally figured out what his best friend had intended. He was testing him again. He dropped his gaze and scoffed. "Dick move."

Taehyung nodded. "I know, but as a detective," he searched for Jimin's eyes. "As your friend, I need to make sure you can keep your emotions at bay. If you were to find out she was gone, or killed, or if she was a criminal, what would've been your reaction then?" He asked him now calmer.

Jimin still kept his gaze elsewhere, finding truth in Taehyung's words, but not wanting to admit it. He knew in the back of his mind that if either of the things mentioned by the detective were to happen, he himself wouldn't even want to imagine what his reaction could compromise in his and Taehyung's life.

He sighed heavily in defeat and walked away out the door without a word spoken. Taehyung watched his friend with softened eyes and shook his head when he was finally out of the pub. Namjoon on the other hand had been assisting the whole scenario with a known gaze.

"You did the right thing." The elder one spoke.

Taehyung bit his lower lip in frustration. "I had no other choice. He's already involved, if Palazzi were to find out about his part in all of this could be a problem."

Namjoon nodded, understanding where he came from must be a tough spot, and went back to polishing the kitchen.

"Wait."

He halted before stepping in the back door and faced Taehyung who watched him carefully. "What is it?"

Taehyung nibbled with his fingers and leaned forward on the counter. "Who was the woman?"

Namjoon scowled. "What woman?"

"The woman Jimin keeps talking about."

"I thought you didn't believe him." Namjoon assumed and started to untie his apron.

Taehyung shook his head in denial. "I never said I didn't believe him." His voice lowered an octave.

Namjoon shrugged. "I don't know honestly."