Whispers of the Past

Chapter 14 - Unveiling the Past

Nabi's determination to uncover the truth about the horrifying attack she had endured in middle school had intensified over the years. The pain of betrayal by her best friend Sooya and the shadowy memory of the six unknown girls haunted her every day. She needed answers, and she was ready to take action.

One brisk autumn morning, Nabi sat in a small, dimly lit office across from a private investigator named Detective Lee. His office was cluttered with files and the faint scent of old paper, a stark contrast to the memories of her youthful innocence. Detective Lee, a seasoned investigator with a compassionate demeanour, listened intently as Nabi recounted the painful events of that day.

"It was a spring afternoon," Nabi began, her voice trembling slightly. "I had just walked out of the shop, and my friend who was with me suddenly had to leave for some reason. That's when those six girls approached me. They wore heavy makeup, and I had only met them once before. When they first threatened me some days prior,  they seemed to know who my boyfriend was—Choi Minho and had threatened me to leave him alone. They dragged me into a nearby alley and threatened me about Minho."

Detective Lee nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Did they mention any names or motives during the attack?"

Nabi shook her head, her eyes filling with frustration. "No, they only spat expletives during the assault, and I couldn't concentrate on their faces. It felt like they were sent to punish me for being in a relationship with Choi Minho, but I had no idea why."

Detective Lee leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Nabi. "I understand how important this is to you, Nabi. We will begin by looking into any connections or leads related to Choi Minho. It may be a long and challenging journey, but we'll leave no stone unturned."

Nabi nodded, her resolve unwavering. "I need to find out who did this to me, Detective Lee. I've carried this burden for far too long, and I need closure."

As Nabi left the investigator's office, she felt a renewed sense of hope. The past had cast a long shadow over her life, but she was determined to shine a light on the truth. The journey to uncover the identity of her attackers had begun, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead to finally put her painful past to rest.

~ A month later ~

Nabi was consumed by her quest for answers. She had been digging into her past, searching for any hidden connections and clues that might lead her to the truth. Her determination was unwavering, but she knew that confronting her past would come with its own set of challenges.

Meanwhile, Minho was grappling with his own emotions. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Nabi before, that there was more to their connection than he initially thought. He had spent sleepless nights trying to piece together the fragments of memory that had resurfaced since the end-of-year party.

Finally, the opportunity he had been waiting for arrived. His promotional work for Nabi's company gave him a legitimate reason to visit her office. He had rehearsed what he wanted to say a thousand times in his mind. It was time to confront Nabi and unravel the mysteries of their shared past.

Nabi was sitting at her desk, engrossed in her research when Minho entered her office. She looked up, her heart racing, as their eyes met. She was surprised to see him there, but she composed herself quickly.

"Mr. Choi, what brings you here?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Minho cleared his throat, his nerves getting the best of him. "I wanted to discuss the promotional campaign with you, but there's something else I need to talk about."

Nabi gestured for him to take a seat, her curiosity piqued. "What's on your mind?"

Minho hesitated for a moment, then decided to dive in. "Nabi, I can't stop thinking about the past. About us. I feel like there's something we're not saying to each other."