Uncover

49.

"We are not angry at you Mark hyung but-"

"But you feel hurt that I hid things from you." Mark completed for Jisung.

Jisung presses his lips together. "Yes and no." He spares Jieun a glance and looks straight at Mark. "I understand why you did it. We all do."

Jisung looks over to Jungwoo and the older boy blinks in affirmation. Jisung then turns to Jieun and she too gives a silent nod.

"We're hurt because you could've trusted us." Unknown to him, Jisung clutches his cup noodle a little tighter. "Not me, I know telling me would be no good. But atleast Jungwoo hyung or Jieun noona? He was your best friend and she-"

Jisung stops, biting his lips to not say the words that were almost on his tongue, but Mark gets the message almost instantly. Mark's face turns unreadable. "You knew."

Jisung takes a huge bite of the noodles. "It's hard not to notice." He plays with his fork as he swallows. "I may be younger, but I am always watching those around her."

Mark leans back in his wheelchair. "Figured."

Jungwoo senses what Mark left unsaid so grabs Mark's wheelchair to push him towards the door.

"Jungwoo?"

"We need to talk."

~~~

I have always rooted for you." Jungwoo blurts out as he wheels Mark towards a less crowded corridor.

Confused, Mark looks up at Jungwoo. Feeling eyes on him, the latter looks down briefly before staring ahead. "You and Jieun."

Mark clears his throat, suddenly realising that this is the first time he's felt that he is talking not to his best friend but to Jieun's older brother and for some reason it felt weird and uncomfortable. 

"Are you-"           "I always thought it was strange."

Mark quickly shuts up, knowing that Jungwoo had more to say. The boys reach the end of the corridor that is dimly lit and has only one other person sitting on the benches. Jungwoo positions Mark's wheelchair and then sits down on a bench.

"No matter how cheerful and carefree you were around us..." Jungwoo looks Mark straight in the eye. "There were moments where you seemed too serious, too distant."

Mark remains silent, sending questions Jungwoo's way with his expressions alone.

"Maybe because I was scared of what I would learn." Jungwoo turns his gaze away and directs it to the ceiling. "Or maybe I trusted you to tell me someday, on your own."

"Is that why you didn't question me in the cafe that day? When I told you take Jieun, Jisung and their friends home?"

Jungwoo tilts his head and gives a small smile. "Something like that."

Mark breathes heavily. "Can I ever make it up to you?"

Jungwoo hums but doesn't respond immediately. After staying quiet in deep thought, he turns to Mark lazily. "Just answer me honestly. Was our friendship all an act?"

Mark instantly shakes his head. "I may have approached you intentionally, but when we talked after basketball that day, under the stars... Duty or not, I knew I genuinely wanted to be your friend."

Jungwoo's fingers tap the side of the bench and then suddenly the tall boy breaks out into a smile. "Then you never wronged me, my friend."

~~~

"Mark, are you awake?" Jieun asks in a soft voice, her head peeping in with the door to Mark's ward slight ajar.

Hearing no reply, Jieun is about to close the door when she hears rustling of sheets. Alarmed, Jieun freezes in her place. And then she hears it again, a bit louder and aggressive this time. As if a cloth was being aggressively grabbed and shaken.

That's not Mark. He would respond to me. If not Mark, then who...? Jieun, stumbles back, the hairs on her arm standing up.

As soon as she turns around though, she spots Mark in his wheelchair approaching her. She parts her lips to say something, but Mark puts a finger on his lips. With one hand, he gestures her to move towards him and with the other, he pulls out a gun. Though shocked, Jieun doesn't stop to ponder on how Mark sneaked a gun inside the hospital or how he hid it on his wheelchair because right at that moment, the door to Mark's ward slams shut with a loud bang.

Jieun jumps on spot and then almost screams when a hand suddenly grabs her shoulder from behind. 

"Mark, should I take her to Taeyong?"   

Relief courses through Jieun's veins at the sound of the voice. She opens her eyes and finds Detective Johnny standing by her side. 

Mark nods sharply. "I'll stall for as long as possible."

"What? Mark you are injured!" Jieun instantly refuses. 

Johnny though reluctant himself, locks eyes with Mark. Through silent communication, understanding passes between the two officers of Neo Police. Now with a firm expression, Johnny starts to drag Jieun away.

"Detective Johnny..."

"He knows what he is doing Jieun."

"But-"

"He has his orders. Though injured, he's still an officer of the station Jieun."

Jieun doesn't argue though countless scenarios and worries well up inside her head. Swiftly but silently, they reach Taeyong's ward which was on the opposite end of the floor. Johnny pushes her towards the door.

"Do not come out until one of the officers or Renjun come to get you."

Alarmed, Jieun's hand freezes on the doorknob. "Renjun's out there?"

Johnny purses his lips, clearly not wanting to divulge more information than he should. "Jieun, please. Don't make this harder."

Johnny watches as fear and sadness clouds Jieun's connotation. Empathising, he wraps his arms around Jieun in a quick but tight hug. "Taeyong promises, no more tears. So do I. I'll keep them safe."

Jieun hides her tears in Johnny's sleeves. "You too. I want every one of you to come back safe." She steps back and lifts her head. "And alive. Please."

Johnny ruffles her hair one last time before pushing her inside the room.

Hiya! I'm back!

Belated Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a Happy New Year in advance guys!!

Look forward to more updates. My New Year Gift hehe.

Also, oh Jieun. Poor girl can't catch a break at all.