FINE WINE || L.HS

1. NEW YORK, HERE WE COME

JULY 2024

It was a Sunday morning in the city that never sleeps. The clock just ticked the quarter past six in the morning and the airport was already crowded. New York City, it is.

Planes were taking off and landing and she, she just got off one of these. Fresh air flew into her nose after a long flight of nearly 15 hours. She looked around and smiled.

A grand adventure awaited her here in this city. In the time to come, she would complete her business here. She is a leading investigator and detective in South Korea and is now handling the biggest case in the country. Haeun, is her name.  

She already has several solved cases to her name, along with her business partner Sunghoon, aka her best friend. Together they have now flown over to the other side of the world to solve their 10th case.

 With solid feet on the ground, Sunghoon and Haeun gave each other a high five that they survived the long flight, after solid turbulence. "Proud," Sunghoon said with a big, broad smile on his face.

Haeun laughed out loud. "Flying isn't that bad," she said and gave him a playful push on the shoulder.

Together they walked to the airport itself, collected their bags and left the building. Sunghoon held out his hand to a cab and got into the yellow car. 

"Where are the lovebirds going?" The taxi driver asked, smiling.

"Oh, we're just friends and collegues," Haeun laughed, kind of awkwardly. 

Sunghoon looked at Haeun, who was blushing. "We're heading to the Park Central hotel."

 The taxi driver nodded and drove off. 

They enjoyed the whole environment, from tall buildings to the people walking on the sidewalks. Everyone looked so fashionable and everyone was very lively. The whole city was blooming with happy people.

Driving past some of the beautiful highlights of New York, the duo immediately got a beep on their earpiece. They were startled, but immediately managed to pull their earpiece out of their bag. They looked at each other and put it in their ear.

"Happy flight, Haeun and Sunghoon? Welcome to New York. As you may have noticed, we are quite busy, so be sharp in your duties over the next few weeks. We have a lot on the schedule, so we will be beginning this night. Just use your morning to settle and use your afternoon to prepare," the boss of the duo spoke. 

"Tonight?" Sunghoon said stunned. "That's fast."

"I want the two of you to go to a jazz club tonight. Dress nice and blend in. I'll send you the coordinates later today. Our culprit will be there and I need Haeun to seduce him and Sunghoon to follow him and make sure Haeun is safe. You need more information about his stay in New York. Both of you will wear a microphone that will record every word you say. Stick to your alias and don't let him know your names. Understand?"

"Okay," Haeun replied.

It didn't take long and the connection broke with headquarters in Seoul.

 "We arrived," The taxi driver spoke up as he parked the car on the side of the road. 

"Thank you for driving us safely," Sunghoon said and handed him some cash. 

The duo stepped out of the car and stood there, in front of the hotel. 

"It's... one of the prettiest buildings I have ever seen!" Haeun exclaimed, stunned by the large building.

"I hope a good outcome awaits us here," Sunghoon said.

Haeun looked up at him and smiled. "Same."

They both disappeared in the building just a second later, hoping on a journey that will succeed.