Uncover

5.

Renjun's eyes were cold and void of any emotions. He stared back at Jieun, with an impassive face. Then he abruptly looked away and stared at his phone screen.

From the moment they met, he had seemed mysterious to Jieun. He would not show any emotions and not even talk. Even when he had said his name, he had seemed cold.

 As if talking to me, would do him any harm. Jieun thought to herself.

Jieun had always been good at reading people. She could always read through people's behaviour, most of the time. It's one of her strengths, you can say. Helps her to put on the mask as required by the situation...

Jieun was staring at Renjun. She couldn't take her eyes off him. No matter how much she looked at him she had no idea what he was thinking.

"Stop staring will you?"

"Sorry?" Jieun was deep in thoughts and so when a voice abruptly cut through, she looked around. Everyone was staring at Renjun and her.

"I'm sorry, are you talking to me?"

"Are you deaf as well as dumb?" he spoke in monotone.

"Hyung!" Before Jisung could say anything more, Chenle held him back.

"Tsk. Too noisy.  I'm going back." 

Renjun stood up and left the room. There was complete silence in the room, as Jieun kept staring at the closed door.

Huang Renjun.... he's the only one.   I... can't seem to read him.

Renjun walked past the waiting area, towards the entrance. Just as he passed the reception desk, he heard-

"Excuse me, could you tell me the room number for Miss Park Jieun?"

Renjun stopped and glanced briefly at the person. He took in his appearance. 

The boy looked tall... around 5'11. He looked in his twenties. His sleeves had slight blood stains and his arm was bandaged. He had a grim expression on his face, but he still somehow managed to look innocent. 

Renjun silently observed him. He found it very strange, that for someone visiting a patient in the hospital, the boy looked quite unperturbed. But he didn't say anything and continued on his way.

The boy on the other hand made his way to Jieun's room.

~~~

"Noona, don't pay attention to his words. Something must've been irritating hyung and he took it out on you." Chenle said with a frown on his face.

Jieun laughed. "What are you frowning for?"

"Because his words might have hurt you. We are used to him so we don't mind. But you... you aren't...."

"Is he usually like that?"

"Well, usually he can be more harsh and savage-"  Jieun shook her head and stopped Haechan from saying anything else. "No~ No~ I mean, is he usually so quiet and... reserved?" And impossible to read, she thought to herself.   

"Hm. He's always cold and distant like that. He's not like that with us.... well technically even with us he is like that but you see, he might look like he doesn't care, but actually he does." Jaemin explained.

"He simply doesn't want to show his emotions." Jeno added.  

"Was he-"

Jieun was cut off by the door of her room being opened. And the boy, Renjun saw earlier entered.

"Jungwoo oppa...." 

Jieun trailed off, looking at the boy standing in front of her. She looked between Jisung and Jungwoo anxiously, as the former stood glaring at the latter.

Jieun was panicking internally. She knew Jisung would get angry if he came to know about the incident. Chenle had managed to hide it from him somehow. But now, with Jungwoo here.... he'll come to know everything.

What is Jungwoo oppa doing here? This is so Irregular. Even if all this is because of him, it isn't like him to care about what happens to me. I was the one who got myself involved. So why....

"Just leave. I know you too are here to taunt us." Jisung's voice was low and deep. 

Jungwoo ignored Jisung and walked towards Jieun.

"They caught her. She's being kept in police detention. The police want to record your and Chenle's statements. Tomorrow. 9 am. Be there."   [Foreign swaggers: or be square~] 

Jungwoo turned to leave. "Wait!" Jisung exclaimed. 

Jungwoo stopped and gave him a sideway glance. Haechan, Jeno and Jaemin slowly backed up towards the chairs. Chenle stared at Jieun, Jisung and Jungwoo nervously.

Jieun closed her eyes in frustration. Oppa, you could've simply informed me through phone! Why did you have to-  Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath. Calm down Jieun. First think about how to handle this situation.

Jisung turned towards Jieun with a questioning look. She understood what he wanted to ask, but she didn't have the heart to tell him so she averted her gaze.

"P-police? W-what's going on here?" Jisung asked slowly, looking at Jungwoo with wide eyes.

Jungwoo turned to look at him, tilting his head slightly. "Why? Your dear noona didn't tell you anything?"

Jisung gave Jieun a hurtful look and then looked back at Jungwoo. "What is it? Tell me. Hyung...."

Jungwoo looked at Jieun and Chenle and sneered. "Why your best friend also didn't tell you anything?" Jieun looked into his eyes and warned him, not to say a word. Oppa. Don't.

He just smirked in response. "Jieun-ah, do you want to tell him or should I tell him?"

Jieun stayed silent so he faced Jisung and continued to speak.

"A stalker."

"A what!?" Jisung exclaimed. "Noona, what is he talking about?"

"Jisung-ah let me complete. It's bad manners to interrupt when someone is speaking. Is this what your dear sister taught you?"

Jisung glared at him but said nothing.

"Good boy~ Now where were we?" Jungwoo leaned back on the wall, with his hands in his jeans pocket.

"Oh Jieun, did you tell them about the knife?"

"Knife!?" Jisung and the other boys excluding Chenle shouted.

"Why else do you think my arm is bandaged? Chenle, Jieun you guys seriously didn't tell him anything? This is amusing!" Jungwoo gave a cynical laugh.

"Wait, you were there?" Jisung asked confused.

"Hm. She was my stalker."