one in our FOREVERMORE

Chapter Five Torren

The following morning, I wake up after three hours of sleep, and to my surprise, my brother is already up.

"Where are you off to this early, Fratello?" I inquire as I head into the living room, knowing he's usually not an early riser.

"Just meeting up with my German college friend for breakfast," he answers casually.

"Waking up early for a fuck?"

He chuckles. "Nah, I mean she's hot, but we're genuinely just friends. She was my closest friends during our master's. She's never shown any kind of interest-"

"Hold on," I cut him off in disbelief. "A woman doesn't want to jump into bed with you?" I'm too amused right now.

"It's not like that. I never made a move," he hastily defends himself.

"Ah, because you finally realized she's not into you," I jest.

"Oh, fuck off." As he walks to the door, he adds. "Besides I'm getting to know Felice, which means I'm not interested in any other girl." He throws a pillow from the couch in my direction, and I effortlessly dodge it.

After he leaves, I start preparing some rice for breakfast, so that I can eat it with a comforting bowl of Perilla oil Makguksu. Though I grew up in Italy, I traveled a lot, many times to Korea, even as a kid and nothing quite compares to Korean comfort food.

Once dressed in a suit, I catch the sound of Jae-suk's return. Anticipating his usual banter, I meet him in the living room. But surprisingly, he's quiet.

"How did your 'not-a-date' go?" I inquire, fastening a watch around my wrist.

"Oh, believe me. That was definitely not a date," he bursts into giggles. Weirdo. As I get ready to head out, he queries. "Where are you going?"

"Lori sent me a location. I want to check it out," I respond casually.

"Alright," he giggles once more. I would ask, but I couldn't care less at the moment.

Lori's message regarding Rossi was a complete lie, I'm heading straight to the museum. As she insisted, she didn't want me to return, something felt off about that. I don't believe her. Maybe I should visit without breaking into the building though. Parking once more in the customer lot, I realize I'll have to enter through the back door anyway. Once the security takes note of the weapons I carry, I'd have to spread some blood onto Leya's museum floor and walls, and I can forget talking to her again after that. So, I walk in through the back entrance and dial her secretary's office line. But he's not picking up... he's always behind that fucking desk. En route to the elevator, I spot him in the corner of my eye, engaged in conversation with an elderly couple.

Advancing, I address him, prompting the couple to leave. "What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Jang... uhm..."

"Why aren't you upstairs? Where's your boss?"

"I'm doing something right now. Leya is out for a walk with Max but will be back soon."

"Fine, you can do your little something later, come on." I turn, leading the way to the elevator. He swipes his access card, and we step inside.

As we make our way towards her office, I inquire. "Does she-"

"You can wait in her office," he says, settling behind his desk. Did he just-? Did he really just cut me off?

I am getting pissed. "What did you just do?" I furrow my brows. "Don't you ever cut me off again," I warn, anger simmering within me, and he visibly swallows hard. Suddenly, I hear the sound of high heels from behind and I know exactly whose they are.