East

Chapter 4

March 04 | 07:00

They had stayed at the studio until Sora had dried-off and they had found some dry clothes for her. Sora had not minded being on her own in a strange place for the night. She saw the logic of being off the street and away from the thugs.

Jung Rae-Won had offered to have both of the women stay at his apartment and had been surprised when Ye-Jin had accepted. He knew this was more to do with how frightened she had been than his personal charms, but he was happy to feel that she was safe. As a gentleman he had given up his bed in favor of the couch and this morning Ye-Jin had woken to the smell of fresh coffee.

Rae-Won noticed her head as she poked it out of the bedroom and thought, not for the first time, that he would like to see that sight every morning.

"Good morning," she said sleepily, as she arranged her hair with one hand.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you. Did you run a check on my guardian angel?" She took the mug of coffee that he held out for her.

"I did ..."

"And how grateful are you feeling toward her?" she said, poking fun at the fact that he was suspicious of everything and everyone.

"Well ... I have to say that I don't hate what I found out."

"Very generous of you, but what did you discover?"

"Lee Sora, age twenty-three, no criminal record, Black Belt in TKD and several wins in local tournaments. I couldn't find any trace of links to the NIS. I spoke on the phone with the owner of the cafe that she just left and he was glowing in his praise for her. I think he already regrets having to let her go. But his loss might be our gain."

"What do you mean?"

"I think I want to offer her a job."

"Really?" Ye-Jin was surprised as Rae-Won had always preferred working alone. "Why? And what would she do for you?"