I'm In Trouble

Clip 19

He stood in front of the tattoo shop as night had fallen. The sign had been turned to open and Baekho took a deep breath. He looked at the street, mind remapping the very image of the accident from the picture right there. He shook his head and told himself to focus. He opened the first door, taking note of the bell. Just as he descended the stairs, someone came out from the bottom door. The male smiled and waved before rushing up the stairs. Baekho glanced over at him and raised his brows. His stare followed the male all the way out and he blinked. That was....Choi Minki, wasn't it? All these time he couldn't find the other and he was just here? His suspicions only grew more as he made his way to the second door and opened the door. The male he recognised as Aron was cleaning his needles, glancing up when he heard the bell.

"Welcome," he said in a warm tone. Baekho smiled in response.

"Hello."

"First time?" Aron questioned but quickly took notice of the tattoo on his arm. "That's definitely not my work."

"Ah...no. I didn't come here for tattoos."

Aron chuckled and went back to cleaning. "What happened to my customers nowadays? Everyone seem to be coming in for a chat instead."

Baekho sensed a bit of tightness in his voice as he said that. "I apologise. I should introduce myself first but uh... Could you take a seat? This is really important to me."

Aron was surprised to hear that from a stranger he didn't even know. He wiped his hands and took a seat after getting two cups of tea for them. "What did you say your name was again?"

"I'm... Kang Dongho," Baekho said honestly. Aron immediately stiffened, mouth agaped in disbelief.

"W... What... Is this a prank?"

"No. I'm here to ask you about the accident that my parents were involved in."

Aron clenched his fists and pursed his lips. Out of everyone who could have found him, the son had to. Aron felt the guilt squeezing his chest, making it difficult to breathe. "I-I see. I have already told the police everything they want to know so..."

"But that's not the truth, is it?" Baekho said and Aron flinched. He breathed in shakily and his eyes just stared straight down on the ground, unable to look Baekho in the eye.

"I'm sorry. I can't tell you the truth."

"Are you being threatened, Aron sshi?"

"I.... I can't tell you anything. You should just leave."

Baekho glanced around the shop. "Aron sshi."

"Im really sorry." Aron lifted his hands to his eyes and started to wipe away his tears, trying to keep his voice stable but Baekho could tell he was crying. What could have possibly happened to his parents that would make someone just cry like this? "You deserve to know as their son but I can't tell you. I can't."

Baekho took out his notebook and wrote his number as well as some words down. "It's okay, Aron sshi. Here. It's my number. If you ever feel like talking, just call me, okay?"

Aron took the paper and managed to wipe his tears away to take a look. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the words, "Are you being watched?" written as well. He gulped and looked at Baekho, giving him a small nod.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to call you if I feel like talking," Aron replied and kept the number in his pocket. Baekho got up and knew there was nothing else he could do here for now. He paused though before leaving.

"Oh. Are you...and Choi Minki...friends?"

Aron blinked and nodded with a surprised look. Baekho wasn't sure what that expression meant but he was also surprised himself that Aron considered him a friend. A friend.

"Okay. Thanks for having me and not chasing me out. Maybe I'll come by for a tattoo next time."

"I'll be glad to have you."

Baekho walked out onto the street again, shivering from the cold breeze and hugging his coat tighter to himself. He took out his phone and wondered if Minhyun was done with his job. Well, not like he should be bothered with the pop star. He really sho-

"Baekho!"

"Well. The devil has arrived," Baekho blurted out.

"Devil? That's rude. I'll have you know I-"

"Yeah, yeah. Come on," Baekho said and dragged Minhyun along with him. The other still had a face full of makeup and hair styled suavely. Baekho would be lying if he said his heart definitely did not skip a beat. "What happened to disguising yourself? And what the hell are you doing here?"

"I... I rushed over in a hurry... I wasn't sure... I mean, I was just worried about you," Minhyun muttered and stumbled over his words. Baekho chuckled and raised a brow.

"I'm not popular like you. You're the one who should be careful."

"Well, true. But... What happened? Did you figure anything out?"

"No. Aron can't tell me anything but at least, I managed to give him my number."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Cause he's being watched. I don't know how or who but this is getting troublesome. I feel like he's being threatened way more than I expected. He's just a tattoo shop owner though so it has to be something he accidentally seen that very morning."

"Hmmm... Is there anything I can do to help? Anyone you want me to talk to?"

Baekho sighed and shook his head. "I don't want you to put yourself in the spotlight anymore than you already do but there is something else you could do for me."

"What is it?"

Baekho entered a building and Minhyun hadn't even realised where they were until he was brought into a room.

"Huh? When did we-"

"You were too busy talking that you didn't even see where I was bringing you?" Baekho chuckled and sat down on the bed. "Ahhh. And here I thought you'll be excited."

Minhyun blushed and coughed a little. "We were talking about the case so I was giving my attention to that. Are you sure about this? I might lose myself again if you let me."

Baekho patted the bed and smiled. "I wouldn't bring you here if I wasn't sure. You still have a lot of forgiving to do."