REPLICA (BOOK 2)

Lobby Talk

"Hyunjin." Wooyoung rushed into the lobby. "We have a problem."

"Yeah, I see that." The secretary replied, reading the text from his boyfriend for the fifth time. "San and Felix were just in a car chase?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That this is totally about Hongjoong?"

"Yes."

"How is he up there?"

"The clone? He's great, but he just thinks he has amnesia."

"Oh, so he doesn't know."

"He'll figure it out. It's like when a robot starts to question life."

"So he is a cyborg?"

"I don't think so. There's nothing robotic about him. He genuinely seems like a human being. He also told me a ton of shit."

"Spill."

"Not now. We need to find out what the hell is going on with San and Felix."

Yeosang walked over to the best friends with an adorable smile, happy to have a little reunion.

"Hey, guys."

"Where have you been?" Hyunjin asked.

"Sometimes when I'm bored, I print out coloring sheets and use sharpies." He held out a stack of papers proudly as Wooyoung stared at him with his jaw dropped and eyes squinted.

"Sorry, what?" The personal assistant couldn't believe it.

"Oh, and Winter."

"Winter?"

"Yeah." Yeosang blushed, cheekbones prominent as they turned red. "She's pretty."

The best friend duo gasped, excited for the hacker.

"Have you talked to her?" Hyunjin asked.

"Yeah, she's really sweet."

"You need to ask her out on a date."

"I doubt she's into me."

"Yeosang, everyone is into you." Wooyoung chimed in. "Just ask her. The worst that can happen is she says no so you can't go by the printer and get your coloring pages anymore."

"But I like my coloring pages." He mumbled.

"So pure, it really does something to my heart."

"Hold on." Hyunjin held his hand out to stop the two from talking. "I got an update from Felix."

"What's going on?" Yeosang asked.

"Him and San were just chased down on the highway. The car is totaled."

"Don't tell me that." Wooyoung whined. "San wanted to use my car today."

"Well, I got bad news for you."

"Where are they now?"

"On their way to Mingi's. Apparently he got the face of one of them."

"Is it Cyber Industries?"

"No, which is why they're taking Mingi's car and headed there after. They also believe it has to do with Hongjoong. They're hoping Yoongi will have an answer for them."

"So does that mean we're in danger too?" Yeosang wondered.

"Definitely, but I don't know how to tell Seonghwa if he's going to be near Hongjoong at all times." Wooyoung sighed. "He doesn't know he's a clone, I'm almost positive."

"You talked to him?"

"I did, yeah. Just the two of us."

"And?"

"Long story short, Minho traumatized him so that's why he went insane. It was actually a very sad story."

"So you don't think he'll turn on us and go crazy?"

"I don't know about that one. I'd say we're at a 50/50 shot as of now."

"What do you think will make him flip the switch?"

"Once he finds out that Seonghwa is the one that killed his real body."

"Would that be in his memories?"

"Nope."

"So how would he find out?"

"I have no clue, but the clone has only been awake for two days and he's progressed quickly. If he keeps it up, it'll be smarter than us and that could be an issue."

"You got me all nervous now." Hyunjin added. "How do we avoid that?"

"By treating him like the Hongjoong we first met. It was easier for me to differentiate the two than I thought. He said something that really struck me."

"Which was?"

"He said he can see himself doing things in his memories, but they're just memories. He doesn't emotionally connect with the version of himself that he keeps seeing."

"He might get there over time."

"Either he's already developed great lying skills or he genuinely may be a new person since Minho isn't in his life anymore."

"We'll see."

Upstairs in Seonghwa's office, he was sat down at his desk as he worked. He figured Hongjoong would want his utmost attention, but fortunately, he was too busy playing with Ace. For the CEO, it was comforting to have him around.

He noticed the incoming intercom call from the lobby floor and picked up the phone.

"What's up?" He answered.

"Are we on speaker?" Hyunjin asked.

"No, why?"

"Good. We're gonna need to speak in code for a minute."

"Gotcha."

"San and Felix were just in a car chase - guns blazing, the whole nine. It was two black SUVs without license plates and tinted windows. Felix shot one of the tires so the one spiraled out of control. Mingi got a face and his name is Jeon Wonwoo. He isn't a part of Cyber Industries like they first thought. But we're all pretty sure that whoever they are, they're after Hongjoong. So right now, San and Felix are on their way to Cyber Industries to talk to Yoongi and see if he knows anything."

"Okay."

"Okay? That's all you got?"

Seonghwa had a million things on his mind, but because of Hongjoong being in the room, he had to bite his tongue.

"For now."

"Oh, right. I told you to speak in code. Duh, my bad."

"Yup."

"Are you freaking out?"

"Yup."

"I think you need to stay here for a few extra hours today. Don't go home unless we go to your house and clear it."

"Jisung is there."

"Oh, right. I'll have Wooyoung contact him."

"How's San and Felix?"

"They're perfectly fine, but Wooyoung's car is fucked."

"He had a black Mercedes, right?"

"Are you gonna get him another car?" Hyunjin laughed.

"If he does his job, yeah."

"I will!" Wooyoung interjected. "Protect Seonghwa part two is a go!"

"How lovely."

"For now, don't tell Hongjoong. We don't want him knowing he's in any danger." Hyunjin said.

"Obviously."

"We'll protect him too, don't worry."

"I know you will."