A Hundred Years (Michaeng)

Chapter 7

Yoo Jeongyeon's Adopted Daughter, Dahyun

"Dahyun, will you just eat the damned thing."

Dahyun just poked and prodded the meatball, the last one on her plate, "But it's soggy, I don't like them when they're soggy."

Jeongyeon grabbed the meatball with her fork and replaced it with one from her plate, "There, do you like that one?"

Dahyun poked it with her fork, testing it's strength, then she smiled brightly, "Yeah."

Jeongyeon sighed and ruffled Dahyun's hair. Dahyun pouted and Jeongyeon smiled at her, "You look just like your mother when you do that."

"Who was my mommy?"

Jeongyeon inwardly choked on her words, she had dreaded this conversation since taking custody of Dahyun. "Her name was Im Nayeon"

"Was she pretty?"

Jeongyeon nodded solemnly, trying to keep the emotion from her voice, she didn't want dahyun to see her cry, "She was beautiful. One of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Nobody could know her and not recognize it, she was truly radiant."

Dahyun got off of the chair and hugged Jeongyeon's leg, "Are you okay, mom?"

Jeongyeon would normally correct her when she called her that, but she couldn't find the strength. She picked Dahyun up onto her lap and embraced her, "Yeah, it's just...it still hurts."

Jeongyeon gave Dahyun a big smile, "But I get to take care of you, and that means the world to me. Now, are you ready for school?"

Jeongyeon set Dahyun on the ground and she ran to get her backpack. She's growing up strong, Nayeon. You would be proud.

After dropping Dahyun off at the school, she made her way through the thick morning traffic to her job. She got to her desk, which still had the file folders on it and sighed, More of this bullshit, what's next? She thumbed through the folders finding the one that said 'Myoui'. Why does that name seem so familiar? Where have I seen it before?

____

Jeongyeon doesn't remember the day clearly, what she does remember is approaching Nayeon's house and finding more police than she had ever seen in one place. Her heart raced and her mind ran wild with what might have happened, Nayeon, I hope you're okay. She ran across the street and was stopped by an investigator she recognized as Sanchez, "Ms. Yoo, you might not want to see this."

He would turn out to be right. Jeongyeon flashed her badge and was allowed into the bedroom. As soon as she turned the corner, her eyes teared up. What had seemed odd to her then, and she still had no explanation for it, was the lack of blood. There was blood, but not as much as you would think. Nayeon lay across her bed, her head at an odd angle, her skull smashed in and her limbs splayed out.

The coroner noticed her tears, "The cause of death appears to be head trauma, someone bashed her skull in with a blunt object. She has several broken ribs, a broken arm and lacerations that would indicate that she put up a fight."

She turned to the inspector, "Was there sign of forced entry?"

The inspector shook his head, "No, whoever did this was allowed in."

She had a grim thought, "Was there...?"

The coroner shook his head, "No sign of sexual assault."

"Since you and Ms. Im were close, I was hoping you could look around and see if anything is missing."

Jeongyeon's first thought was Dahyun, but she did a walk around the room. Nothing looked disturbed or out of place, on her nightstand stood several pictures, she smiled when she saw one of them in their police blues. She remembered spotting a matchbook beside the lamp for Pantomime in Austin, Texas. Pantomime, owner Mina Myoui.

____

She snapped back to the present, That's it, Pantomime, but what does she have to do with Nayeon? Jeongyeon made a phone call and, within the hour, had a plane ticket to Texas and arranged a house sitter for Dahyun.

____

Pantomime was busy on a Friday night, and Chaeyoung was dressed to kill. She wore a black blouse and skirt, something she had never worn before, and had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her short legs ended in a pair of black boots. She looked for Mina, spotted her and shoved her way through to her. Mina was talking to a couple, when she spotted Chaeyoung her jaw dropped.

Chaeyoung walked up and Mina kissed her lightly on the lips, Chaeyoung blushed at the public display of affection, "Minari..."

Mina put her hands on Chaeyoung's hips, "Does Chaeyoungie not like me kissing her?"

Chaeyoung hugged her, "But we're in public."

Mina let go, letting her eyes drink Chaeyoung in, "Now all these people know that you're mine, and to stay away from you. You look beautiful, by the way."

Chaeyoung thanked her and bought drinks for the both of them, remembering Mina's 'special'.

They spent the night drinking and socializing until closing and Chaeyoung drove Mina home. They went upstairs and lay on Mina's couch watching shitty late night tv. Chaeyoung felt a pull on her shirt, soft lips on her neck, "Chaeyoung, will you make me dinner?"

Chaeyoung bared her neck, "What do you want me to make?"

Chaeyoung felt fangs dig in, "Some Chaeyoung stew would be great."

Mina bit down and Chaeyoung grew flushed, Mina pressed close and Chaeyoung put her arms around her. Chaeyoung became aroused, she felt a hand enter her skirt and massage her. She threw her head back, feeling the rush of Mina's hands and her mouth upon her. She was close to climax Mina stopped, she pulled her teeth away from Chaeyoung's neck and wiped her mouth. "Is that it?"

Mina kissed Chaeyoung slowly, "Now we get to have fun."

____

Jeongyeon stepped off of the plane, immediately feeling the dry heat of Texas. Oh my god, I might dehydrate just standing here. She walked as quickly as she could until she got into the terminal, she rushed to a vendor and bought an expensive bottle of water. She drank the whole thing while waiting for a cab. Worst five bucks I've ever spent.

She found a hotel room and prepared to visit Pantomime the next day. I don't know what you have to with Nayeon, Myoui, but if you had something to do with her death I will end you.