My lawyer {BBANGSAZ}

Chapter 7

Hanni

"It's not me, I swear!" the guy protests, his eyes filled with desperation. 

"It's your plate number," I state, pressing my tablet against the glass barrier that ensures the prisoners don't escape during visits.

"Miss Pham, my car was stolen!" he sat back in defeat, burying his face in his hands. 

Seriously, why can't my life just go easy on me for once? I'm sure it's not too much to ask. I close my eyes, trying to calm the distress that's slowly wrapping its hands around my neck, suffocating me. 

"Can you prove that?" I questioned, trying to keep my stoic ice cold princess demeanour.

"You can go to my apartment building and check the CCTV footage," for once his words don't seem contorted with desperation, and he seems somewhat relaxed and assured. 

I'm so fucking scared. What if I fail again, and someone dies because of me?

Damn it, I can't afford to have those thoughts right now.

Getting up, I stuff my tablet back into my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder.

"Alright, I'll be in contact with you soon Mr Park,"

The CCTV room is dark and musty as I step in, the plethora of screens blinking back at me. It feels like I'm a celebrity on stage in a concert. I slip into the office chair that stands there alone, and start going through the different footages, until I find the one that displays the plate number I'm looking for.

I skim through the video, the events within the screen unchanging, the car still parked in its rightful place. Something about that plate number honestly feels awfully familiar. Just the mere sight of it sends a shiver down my spine and I don't know why.

My body immediately sends emergency singles in strong waves through me when there finally is movement in the video frame. I squint, watching as a familiar looking figure strolls in casually, playing with car keys and whistling so care free. But it's not familiar because it's Park Sunghoon. It's familiar in the same chilling way as the plate number. Do I know this person?

Nevertheless, I now knew Sunghoon was wrongfully accused. I downloaded the footage onto my tablet, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what the fuck is happening. 

On the bus ride back to the office, I keep trying to identify the mysterious figure, each time feeling like I'm getting closer to finding out. It's like trying to identify where a sound is coming from, and each time you feel like you're close, you're not. 

It's damn frustrating.

I look at the number plate again, trying to refresh my mind. But then, I immediately wished I did not look at those numbers. My phone drops to the floor, my blood turning cold, eyes wide as saucers and my hand shaking. 

It's them.

The same car was used to kill my father.

The horror soon morphed into adrenaline and anger. I snatched my phone from the ground, punching the button to indicate I wanted to get off. My hand gripped the metal pole, as I tried to steady my breathing.

I rushed off and ran like never before to the police station. I barged in like an angry bull, clearly irritating the officer. My head was pounding and I was beginning to get dizzy, but I needed answers.

"I need to see Park Sunghoon! I'm the lawyer from earlier!!" I exclaimed desperately, my facade wavering. 

Sunghoon looked confused upon seeing my state and how restless I was as he was escorted to the visiting area. He sat down, his eyes holding expectancy for the news I bring.

"How old is that car?" I asked, tears pricking at my eyes.

"Um...it's my dad's, he got it for his 18th birthday and he's like...20 years older?" he furrowed his brows, trying to figure it out.

Tears finally spilled out and I let head collapse onto the narrow space between the barrier and the bench. I couldn't tell what I was feeling, but I've finally found out who was responsible. Because it was never an accident. My dad's death was a hit and run too.

So there's a connection between all these cases. And it looks like...somehow, all the people so far are close to me in some way. My aunt was seeking justice for the death of my cousin, who I considered a good friend of mine. 

But why the fuck are they doing this to me?