Killer's Kiss

Chapter thirteen

Chaeyoung adjusts the strap of her bag as she rereads the list of volunteers for today's interview. Her heart tightens with a familiar pang as she considers the reason behind it all. This project—sharing the stories of survivors from the horrific attack on their university—is her way of honoring the friends she's lost. It's a small step toward shedding light on the corruption that caused so much destruction. She hopes the video will gain enough attention to make a difference, or at the very least, spark conversations.

As her eyes scan the names, one in particular makes her pause. Taeil LaRue. Of course. Her lips curl into a grimace. Seriously? She remembers all too well the way he'd cat-call her during her floral-skirt days, the relentless likes on her social media posts, and the overly familiar kisses on the cheek. Taeil was a man who expertly danced the line between harmless flirtation and outright harassment, never quite crossing it but staying uncomfortably close.

Naturally, he'd volunteer. The thought of sitting across from him for this interview makes Chaeyoung's stomach churn. She lets out a sigh and focuses on the task at hand. It's been two weeks since her return from Tokyo, and while she's relieved she hasn't crossed paths with a certain anger-inducing woman, she knows that respite won't last forever.

Her thoughts briefly drift to the signed agreement from before her trip—still no response, still no assignment. She mentally reviews the three simple rules of the deal:

Never inform anyone of your whereabouts during a task.

Never let the target spot you while tailing them.

Don't leave evidence.

Fucking easy. And yet, the waiting has her nerves on edge. Any day now, she expects a message on her phone—a summons to act, no matter the circumstances. It could come in the middle of a test, a meal, even her graduation ceremony. The mere thought of being interrupted during a pivotal moment sends a ripple of annoyance through her, but she'd endure it. After all, the sooner she fulfills her part, the sooner she can free her father from prison.

A few hours later, Chaeyoung and Jennie arrive at the hall set to host the interview. The space had once been used for conferences, and miraculously, it was one of the few buildings left untouched by the explosion. It felt eerie stepping into this preserved relic amidst the ruins, a stark reminder of what had been lost.

Fifteen of the twenty students on her list are already present. Of course, Taeil was the first to arrive, his punctuality ironic considering his usual cavalier attitude. He trails Chaeyoung like a shadow, his persistence so irritating that Jennie eventually intervenes, dragging him away from the blonde by the arm.

Jisoois here too, radiating warmth and quiet support. Chaeyoung notices the soft glances Jennie steals toward her partner and smiles faintly. It's easy to see why Jennie's so smitten—Eva, despite her edgy appearance, exudes the loyal and playful energy of a golden retriever.

"Here." Jennie's voice snaps Chaeyoung back to the present as she hands her the sheet of questions. Together, they set up the camera, adjust the lights, and arrange the seating area with a plain white backdrop. A small coffee station is tucked into one corner of the room for breaks.

"Finally, everything is set," Jennie says with satisfaction.

Chaeyoung nods, her lips curling into a smile. She thrives in moments like these—busy, productive, and, most importantly, in control. Tomorrow, she starts her first shift at a new job, unrelated to the deal for her father. Jennie has even been considering taking up part-time work to pass the time.

"Okay, who's first?" Chaeyoung glances at the queue of volunteers, now complete with all twenty participants. She already knows the answer before anyone speaks.