Fatal Trouble | Y.Jw

| 2.8 |

On her fifth day in the apartment, Jiyeon had managed to unpack everything completely. The fourth she had spent in bed, having troubles with a headache that would come and go. The only thing that had come and gone more than her headache was Jungwon.

Most mornings he was already out, according to Mrs Mae, by the time Jiyeon got up. At some point during the day, he'd drop by with something and disappear into his room for ten to fifteen minutes and then he'd be gone again until far into the night.

"It's almost like living alone," Jiyeon remarked, sitting down in Mrs Mae's kitchen and sipping from a tea cup, "this is a really good tea."

"It's my own blend," Mrs Mae excused and smiled gently over at Jiyeon before taking out her cake from the oven, "I always wondered why he'd rent such a big place when he's never home. He's been renting it for quite a few years. Since his career really started taking off."

"It seems odd, doesn't it?" Jiyeon questioned to herself, "why wouldn't he rent a place to just him, where he doesn't need a roommate?"

"I think he enjoys the company," Mrs Mae sighed and slumped down in the chair across from Jiyeon. Giving the cake time to cool off a bit.

"What company? He says hello the one time I see him during the day," Jiyeon let out a small laugh.

"Maybe it's just the feeling that someone is waiting for him to get home."

"I don't know... I quite like having the whole place to myself," Jiyeon murmured, "he's always so... blunt and direct. I feel stupid sometimes. I mean... I can't even land a job."

"That has nothing to do with your intelligence, dear," Mrs Mae assured and waved it off, immediately looking over to her stairs once heavy footsteps rushed down them.

"Mrs Mae!" Jungwon loudly called out and turned the corner rushing into the kitchen, "have you seen J- oh, hello," he smiled widely once he noticed Jiyeon sitting at the table as well, "getting a taste of her own blend I see."

"I'll have you know, it's really good," Jiyeon excused and took a sip of the tea again.

"I know, spiked with painkillers," Jungwon snickered and looked over at Mrs Mae the moment Jiyeon had stopped sipping from her tea and widened her eyes at the older lady across the table.

"You can't just go give away my secrets," Mrs Mae complained and nudged Jungwon with a tired smile.

"I've been served it loads of times when I've gotten into trouble way over my own head," Jungwon excused to Jiyeon, who slowly put down her cup.

"Which is often," Mrs Mae sighed and Jungwon only chuckled in return, "now have I seen what?"

Instead of asking Jungwon simply moved his hand and pointed at Jiyeon. Mrs Mae calmly nodded.

"I have seen her. More than you have in fact," Mrs Mae remarked and Jiyeon snickered to herself before turning her head to look at Jungwon.

"If it's groceries I've left a note on your door on how much you owe me," Jiyeon calmly excused.

"I didn't know you did the groceries," Jungwon frowned.

"Who else would've done them...?" Jiyeon questioned slowly.

"Fair point. No, I got a break in the case! I know what's going on!" Jungwon happily declared and Jiyeon nodded, "I just have no idea where he is."

"That's nice," Jiyeon nodded, "at least one of us can pay rent."

"You'll get a job sweetie, you've done all you can do," Mrs Mae assured and patted Jiyeon's hand gently.

"I thought you'd write about the case. Be the first one on it," Jungwon remarked.

"Where would I've gotten the time?" Jiyeon questioned, "by the time I actually found time to do it the police already issued a statement to the press and it's just everywhere," she reminded and rubbed her eyes with a sigh, "not all of us can get freelance work because we're needed every time something happens."

"Mmm... no," Jungwon hummed and got out his phone at the sound of a message, "but you could."

"I have tried already, I am not good enough," Jiyeon reminded him sternly.

"No... you could come with me," Jungwon excused and turned his phone around to show some weird number having sent a text message with only coordinates, "you're already packed out anyways. You've bought groceries and gotten a nice cup of tea with Mrs Mae. I think you're all ready to join me again if you'd like."

Jiyeon stared at him for a few good seconds. Mrs Mae simply got up and checked the temperature on her cake, tapping it lightly in a few places.

"Think a bit quicker, Jiyeon. I need to go," Jungwon reminded and Jiyeon simply kept staring up at him.

"I slow you down," she pointed out and he frowned in amusement, "I'm stupid in comparison."

"Not at all," Jungwon shook his head, "come on. I think you see more than you give yourself credit for."

Eventually, Jiyeon sighed and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair.

"That's right," Jungwon grinned widely, "we'll be back before morning Mrs Mae!"

"I want her back in one piece!" Mrs Mae sternly remarked and Jungwon hummed and waved it off as he pushed Jiyeon out of the door in front of him and rushed to call a taxi.

All the while Jiyeon kept an eye on him. An eerie feeling of familiarity bubbled up in her stomach as she watched him.