Uncover

29.

"So, what did they say about Bomin?"

Jieun's smile fell. She pursed her lips and shared a look with Jisung. "He's out of danger."

"Wait for real?" Jieun nodded. Mark slapped her shoulder in relief. "Yo, that's good news. Why the sad face?"

Jieun looked down at her fingers, the words refusing to come out of her mouth. Jisung placed a comforting hand on her head as he spoke up on her behalf. "Bomin hyung and Jisoo noona will be moving to the States. Their parents lashed out at Noona, saying they don't want her anywhere near their children. Noona has been talking to Jisoo noona in secret. Luckily Detective Taeyong used his authority to let Noona stay here till Bomin hyung wakes up."

Mark pursed his lips at the piece of information. Knowing Jieun's nature, he could predict exactly the sort of thoughts that were going on in her mind. "Jisung take her back home."

"Uh?" Jisung scrunched his face as he looked from Mark to Jieun then back to Mark. Jieun on the other hand, crossed her arms.

"Mark, I'm not going anywhere. Didn't you hear Ji-" 

"I did. Which is why I know that this environment is not good for you. I know you are blaming yourself every minute."

"I agree." Renjun commented from where he was standing. Mark's brows furrowed a little as Renjun's rose in response. Jisung stared at both the boys, nodding his head. 

Jieun huffed. "Look at you two. Who are you to tell me what is right for me and what is not?"

"Your BF."    "Family."

Renjun and the boys sharply looked at Mark. Jieun screwed her eyes shut and internally groaned at the boys' antics.

"BF?" Renjun asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. Got a problem with that?" Mark said with folded arms and a hint of smirk. "You are her family? How come? I have never met you before."

"Urgh god you two!" Jieun hit Mark's arm and slightly pushed Renjun's shoulder. 

"Markie! Why would you phrase it like that?" 

"Markie?" Renjun muttered under his breath. Jieun exhaled in annoyance before turning to Renjun.  

"He means 'best friend'. Don't know why he said it like that but trust me it's not what you guys were thinking."

"So there's nothing between you two?" Haechan mused, watching Renjun bore holes into the ground.

"Depends on what aspect you are asking about." Mark starts with a grin. "I-" Jieun slapped a hand on Mark's mouth, cutting him off before he could utter something weird. "He says random things, please ignore."

"I see the whole bunch is here." A deep, authoritative voice interrupted.

Everyone turned their heads to see Taeyong approaching them with Doyoung and Jaehyun walking behind him.

"Detective Taeyong!" Jieun exclaimed in relief. Side-stepping past Renjun and Mark, she hurried over to Taeyong.

Taeyong's stern lips pulled up slightly at the sight of the girl and he reached out to pat Jieun's head affectionately. Everyone watched in awe. It was a known fact by now, Detective Taeyong was rarely seen without a scowl in public; only select few possessed the ability to bring about a smile on his face. So to see him be so gentle with Jieun the boys and his colleagues couldn't help but be surprised. Some like Haechan, Mark and Doyoung were even shocked. 

"Tae?" Doyoung softly touched his arm. "We should hurry." Taeyong's eyes shifted to the rest, and he silently took a step back. 

"Miss Jieun, Mrs. Kim wants to talk to you."

With long strides, Jisung made his way to Jieun's side. "Why?" 

"I'm afraid we don't know." Doyoung shook his head. Jaehyun added, "but she requested everyone to be present there. So I'm assuming whatever she has to say, it's very crucial to the case."

Taeyong had been watching Jisung's hesitant eyes move to Jieun from time to time. "Don't worry, if she tries anything with Jieun, we'll all be there. I-" He paused and put a hand on Jisung's shoulder. "We won't let anything hurt her. I promise you."

"I'll hold you to your word."

~~~

"How are you holding up?"

"What do you think?" Eunbi averted her eyes and cleared her throat. "I mean, I'm just... holding up." She awkwardly mustered a small smile. Afterall she wasn't used to interacting with Jieun without anger or hatred lacing their conversations.

Jieun's lips parted in surprise. "Oh! Well, that's great- I mean, it's not great that you're here in this condition, but like, what I meant was that it's great that you're atleast doing okay...?"

Eunbi stared at Jieun blankly for a while and then let out a soft sigh. "Jieun." Jieun immediately became tense and stopped speaking. She let her gaze meet Eunbi's and to her surprise Eunbi's eyes held a deep look. "I get it." 

Jieun's lips parted. This was the first time she had seen Eunbi look at her without any hint of disgust or hate or anger. She didn't know how to feel. For as long as she can remember, she had dreamed of a moment like this. But now that it was actually unfolding before her, she had no idea on how to react.

"That's a first." Standing closely behind Jieun, Jisung was having his own battle of thoughts. Considering the history between the three of them, he couldn't help the words which left his mouth. 

"Jisung!" Jieun lightly smacked his arm.

Eunbi only hummed thoughtfully as if agreeing to his words. "Forgive me."

"What-"

Eunbi raised a hand to stop Jieun. Instead of speaking she just scanned the Park siblings. "I don't know why..." she started and then closed her eyes as if recollecting something painful. "...I couldn't bring myself to apologise sooner."

Everyone in the room shifted uncomfortably. No not at Eunbi's words. Her words almost didn't register in their minds because their focus was on a certain someone who walked in through the door.

Since Eunbi had her eyes closed, she couldn't see the reason behind the shift in the atmosphere of the room. She instead took the silence and tense mood as her cue to continue talking.

"The guilt of what I have done, what I have become... I feel disgusted with myself. Forgive me Jieun. Forgive me Jisung. I know it's too late to say this-" 

"Er Mrs Kim-" Jaehyun started, wanting to tell her about the additional presence in the room, but Taemin put a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Don't. Let her speak."

"-I no longer deserve to be forgiven and I get it if you both choose to resent me for the rest of your lives. But it's time I tell you the truth because I'm afraid we don't have much time left." 

"What the hell do you mean by that!?"

Eunbi's eyes shot open at the startled voice. Her moist eyes took in the figure of the part angry and part shocked newcomer. "J-jungwoo?"