Love Of Hope

Denial

Murder most foul," Hye Sung exclaimed with an indignant gleam in his eye. He dragged Hye Jeong unceremoniously to the glass room and jabbed his finger against the window. "How are we to extract information from a corpse?" He demanded. "By Hades' beard, you've exacerbated an already precarious situation!" Hye Sung railed, his anger palpable. "You must atone for your actions," he proclaimed, "or else, I'll ensure you're held accountable." Hye Jeong shrank with shame and guilt, feeling as though she'd disappointed the man who was both her mentor and protector.

Hye Sung's gaze returned to the body on display. He whipped out his phone and called for a colleague to come collect the evidence. "You've made our job much more arduous," Hye Sung sighed, "but I'll perform my part to the utmost." Hye Jeong nodded gratefully, overwhelmed with gratitude for Hye Sung's magnanimity.

Skipping forward in time, Hye Jeong woke up to a pristine, serene Saturday morning, full of hope and possibility. She embarked on her journey to purchase provisions, but to her chagrin, she quickly realized she'd neglected to pack her funds. She hastily pivoted her route, making a swift stop at the nearest bank to withdraw some much-needed currency.

As Hye Jeong stood in line, she heard a resounding, explosive bang that echoed through the entire building. She lifted her gaze, her heart pounding in her chest, and spotted a hooded man wielding an automatic rifle. He shouted at the manager of the bank to open the vault, prompting the other patrons to freeze in fear, while Hye Jeong's mind was overtaken with panic.

With a swiftness she'd never before felt, Hye Jeong sprang into action. She swiftly tackled the miscreant to the ground, disarming him and shooting out the electricity panel. In the ensuing darkness, Hye Jeong guided the bank manager and other customers into the vault to hide. She reflected on the countless times she'd concealed her mother from the wrath of her abusive father when she was a child.

The police quickly arrived on the scene, and Hye Jeong was lauded as a hero for her quick-thinking and bravery. However, she knew that all she'd done was what needed to be done.

As Hye Jeong entered the private headquarters, all she could hear was her brother shouting, "You've jeopardized the safety of our identity! What kind of hotel worker stops a bank robbery?"

"My sole purpose was to avoid any loss of life," Hye Jeong said.

"If you'd been the one in my place, you'd have never stopped that robbery." Hye Jeong said sarcastically.

"I was worried if anything would happen to you... You're my only family," Hye Sung replied.

Hye Jeong was surprised by her brother's unexpected admission. He'd never spoken about their connection out loud before. But as quickly as the emotions swelled up, Hye Jeong tucked them away. "I'm awaiting my passing, you aren't aware that I'm going to pass away? Can't I simply make it happen faster?" Hye Jeong said sadly.

Hye Sung was taken aback by his sister's harsh words, and he released a heavy sigh. "I'm cognizant that you're dying, but you can't surrender right away. I know that you have a disease, but you must fight it!"

Hye Jeong turned on her heel and left without another word. She wasn't ready to face the truth just yet.

*time skips*

Hye Jeong walked through the crowded streets, feeling the burden of her troubles weighing heavily on her soul. The noise of the bustling city swirled around her like an endless cacophony of despair, and she felt a sense of hopelessness settling into her bones.

She stumbled towards the bar, a place where she could drown out the thoughts that plagued her mind. As she approached the establishment, she noticed the lights outside were dim, the atmosphere inside matching the mood of her own heart. She felt a strange sense of comfort in the darkness, as if it were a sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world.

The door creaked open as Hye Jeong entered, the smell of stale alcohol and cigarette smoke filling her nostrils. She took a deep breath and started to shuffle to the bar, ordering the strongest drink on the menu without even bothering to check the price. She raised the glass to her lips, hoping to numb the pain that was tearing her apart.

As she drank, Hye Jeong couldn't help but think, "If I'm destined to depart this world, what difference does it make if I take care of myself?" She took another sip, the spirits burning a path down her throat as she continued to dwell on her mortality.

Feeling numb from the liquor, she made her way to the dance floor to lose herself in the rhythm of the music. A gentleman approached her, expressing his concern for her wellbeing, but she was too inebriated to accept his offer of help. Instead, she grabbed him and kissed him deeply, her mind clouded by the fog of alcohol.

The gentleman, however, was neither incapacitated nor disoriented. He took charge of the situation and pulled Hye Jeong back into his arms, his lips pressed against hers as he refused to let her go. Despite the difference in their states, their connection was undeniable, the man's sober presence acting as a source of stability and comfort to her intoxicated mind.

"Take me home with you" Hye Jeong ask the gentleman. He knew he couldnt refuse it.