Beyond the Stars

|3|

Morning came and Yeon Hwa was ready to greet the day. She held her accordion folder close to her side to prevent losing case papers. She entered the big gray glass building confidently.

"Good morning Prosecutor Hwa." A man said to her.

"Good morning Investigator Shin. How are you today?"

"I'm doing okay. Not the best but I'll make it through the day." He forced a smile.

"Sounded like a rough week. Why don't you get yourself some coffee. My treat." She said as she looked through her purse for some cash.

"Oh no. It's ok. I'm good. I don't need coffee."

"Here you go. Take it. Coffee will help." Yeon Hwa says as she hands him the money. "And when you come back, meet me in the conference room."

"Ok then. Thank you, Prosecutor Hwa."

"Anytime." She says.

Yeon Hwa continued to sashay. She walked down the hall and clicked the up button and took a step back to wait for the elevator. As she waited for the elevator to come down, a young man bumped into her, dropping her notes and papers onto the floor.

"Ugh." She gave him a dirty look.

"I'm sorry." He said as he turned to help pick up her papers.

Yeon Hwa wiped away her ugly face expression quickly. She put on a bright smile and combed her hair with her fingers.

"Sang Chul." She said.

"Yes?" He said as if he didn't know her. "Oh wait uh, it's Yeon Hwa right?"

"Yeah."

"Oh. Sorry for bumping into you and dropping all of your papers." He said as he handed her the pile of papers he picked up.

"No, no it's fine. Thanks for helping me pick them up."

Yeon Hwa tried to hold in her smile. She thought it'd be stupid to smile over something like this. She continued to pick up her papers. She furrowed her eyebrows at a few sheets she knew that wasn't hers.

"Uh, I think these are yours." She said as she handed them over to him.

"Thanks. I was trying to look for those too." Sang Chul chuckled nervously. "Oh here's another one."

He quickly grabbed the piece of paper and got up. He extended his hand to help Yeon Hwa. She smiled at him and he returned it with a one-sided smile.

"Well I have to get going. I have an important case to discuss with my team." Sang Chul said as he slowly backed away.

"Yea. You go ahead. And thanks for helping me." She said.

"Of course and thanks for helping me. Yesterday."

"No problem."

There was an awkward moment of silence. They both stood there and stared at each other.

"Uh ok bye. I'll see you tonight." He waved with a smile.

Yeon Hwa had totally forgotten about her date with Sang Chul. It'd been a while since her last date.

*****

"Good morning Prosecutor Hwa." Her team welcomed her as she stepped into the conference room.

"Good morning team! I have great news!" Yeon Hwa left a pause for a 'dramatic effect'. "Last night I went through some files after doing some hardcore reading last night,"