Always Forever

#5 Where our hearts lie

We may be miles apart but our hearts still belong together~

**~~**

Inside the spacious, well-lit office of South Seoul's Metro Police Department, the officers have their swivel chairs lined haphazardly in the walkways between their desks. The morning hour's always rush hour. A report came from the forensics earlier, copies of which the front desk jackie handed them over.

There wasn't enough time to run to the conference hall. And this is how impromptu meetings happen in the PD.

Guk-doo's tall figure remains poised against his desk, facing the crowd that's his coworkers, his long legs crossed at the ankles. His one hand is deep in his coat pocket and the other holds the forensic report of the bombing incident. With an air of confidence, he reads it aloud for the chief and everyone to hear.

"The main chemical used in the blast was lead azide." He pauses and looks at everyone's faces. "Coincidentally, a company off the Busan coast reported the theft of the same explosive chemical three weeks ago."

The Chief seated in the middle of the front row adjusts his coat, pushes his spectacles up his nose. "West of Busan is where the Black Wrestlers are active. You were right, Guk-doo. This was their work."

He adds, "But we can't go in and arrest them all without proof. Not that arresting an entire mafia group is an easy feat for us. We need the higher-ups moving and other vital things. We can't act without orders. And Black Wrestlers continue to act as if they are dormant."

"Black Wrestlers. Damn, screw the rules. I wish I could throw them all behind bars. Or worse, detonate their base." Guk-doo curses audibly. The Chief chastises him 'Don't be reckless'.

Guk-doo apologises, bowing abruptly and tilting his head to the side. Only to grimace at the pain coursing through the muscles along his left jaw.

The Chief sends him an odd glance, pausing on his way towards his cabin. "Are you in pain? Wait, your jaw appears slightly red."

Guk-doo chuckles dryly and reaches for a sip of water from the bottle on his desk. "It's nothing, sir."

Do-young, Guk-doo's friend and colleague who's seated at his desk in the corner of the room, pokes his head up from his computer. "What, did you fall off your bed and hit your face, Guk-doo-ah? Or did a girl hit you or something? Tried to kiss her, did ya? And she punched ya!"

Guk-doo coughs violently, choking over his next sip of water. Do-young has to be perceptive and hit the nail on its head! Ugh! My throat is burning.

Chief tells Do-young that Guk-doo had a girl, not sure he has her now. "A police officer is better off without things such as those."

Do-young whines that it's a shame. "You're cruel, chief! Why'd you say that? You're married too."

"Right, because I found the right woman."

"Duh, I agree with you, Chief! Girls these days don't wanna date cops!"

The Chief lets out a good-natured laugh. Unlike the other bosses working around in the building, high up on the other floors, here is a kind man who mingles with his team and can be strict when needed. He now instructs Do-young and everyone to focus on work.

"You okay, Guk-doo?" Do-young asks once the chief is gone and everyone else has returned to their positions.

"Yeah," Guk-doo reassures him before occupying his chair and turning on his computer.

The Chief's parting words ring in his ears. Truly. A cop is better off without things such as love. He knew and yet...

Love is why his heart feels so hollow. He couldn't sleep a wink last night. His jaw hurt, the ring of the Bong-soon's slap echoed in his ears. Though not terrible, a dull, constant ache lingered — the remainder of what transpired between them. In several futile attempts, he stayed up trying to reach her phone in vain.