Who Are You? (Jensoo)

Tragedy Strikes Again

"Lia! Are you even ready for school yet?!" Tae-hyung shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm right here, Tae." Lia said in the kitchen.

Tae walked over and raised an eyebrow. "You don't usually come down so fast. What's special today?"

Lia stopped eating and swirled her spoon in the bowl. "Nothing."

Tae sighed and sat at the kitchen counter beside her. He checked his watch. 7:15.

He was getting late for work....

But he could wait.

He took off her suit jacket and threw it on a chair.

"So tell me what's wrong?"

Lia sadly glanced at him. "I'm really fine. I just...I miss Jisoo."

Tae-hyung smiled. "Should I call her today?"

"No....it's okay. She's probably busy with her work."

Tae-hyung flicked her forehead. "I'm sure she can manage a few minutes to wish you happy birthday."

Lia's eye brightened. "You know?"

Tae scoffed. "You're looking at a senior investigator at the KIB. Of course, I know your birthday!"

Lia smiled and gave him a big hug. Tae's breath hitched.

He hadn't been hugged in a long time. Much less by someone he cared about.

And Tae had grown to care about Lia a lot. She became like his daughter in the last few months they had spent together. He would pick her up from school, take her out for dinner when she did well on a test, watch horror movies together...

Tae-hyung slowly dropped his arms around her lightly and squeezed. "Happy birthday, Lia. Why don't you go to school and I'll bring a cake home. We can put Jisoo on FaceTime and celebrate. How does that sound?"

Lia squeezed him harder and Tae choked out a cough.

"It sounds amazing. Thank you." Then she pulled away and started to quickly finish her breakfast with a smile and Tae listened.

.................................

Shortly after he got to work, he called Jisoo and she picked up immediately.

"TAE!" She shouted into his ear and he had to pull the phone away.

"Yes?" He answered.

"IT'S LIA'S BIRTHDAY!!! YOU NEED TO PLAN SOMETHING!!! I CAN'T BE THERE!!! UGH I HATE THIS MISSION!!!"

Tae smiled. "How about you update me first then I'll update you about what we're going to do."

Jisoo told him about the deal at Shangrilla Hotel. The final installment.

"Ok good. I know you couldn't take pictures last time but use Jennie's help. And I am going to be meeting you there to get the photos...after I make sure Lia is secure at my house."

Jisoo smiled. "Ok...now you're turn."

Tae looked down with a warm smile and told her what he wanted to do and Jisoo said, "Awww! You're so sweet! I love the idea! I'll keep my phone with me and we can quickly talk for an hour before we leave for the party."

"Good."

...........................

That evening Jisoo sat in her office with a locked door and stared at her phone with focus.

It was the only birthday of Lia's she was going to miss.

She sighed and looked at the red dress thrown over the chair in the back of the room.