Taehyung
I arrived in front of Natalie’s door. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I pressed the doorbell. I could always use the key she left for me under the pot, but I never liked using that unless it was an emergency. It would feel as if I was invading her privacy.
I heard the buzz and then the door opened – thanks intercom. I sighed as I mentally prepared myself. No matter how many times I came here, seeing her always seemed to fill my heart with a certain heavy weight. I pushed open the door and walked inside to find her waiting there.
‘Hello Taehyung,’ Natalie said as she looked at me from her wheelchair. I smiled sadly, even though I tried to hide my emotions. I could never accept what had happened to her. She should have never gone through that, even if she had broken my heart.
Once upon a time, she had been a strong woman – she was athletic and always moving about. She stood tall, often wearing heels and pencil skirts for her office or her jogging pants for when she trained. She always used to smile brightly, so brightly, her eyes twinkled and sometimes disappeared. She had the brightest smile – a smile that could light up any room she was in.
She had always been kind and caring and always ready to help. She had volunteered in South Africa and in Peru. She used to visit her grandmother in the home for the elderly and spend hours with her and the other elderly who had no one to visit them.
She always mentored the new workers with such intensity but with such care – she never made them feel inferior and everyone loved her for it. She was a superstar at her work, making her employee of the month for several times.
‘Earth to Tae!’ she called out, bringing me back to reality.
‘Sorry, I got distracted. What were you saying?’ I asked as I scratched the back of my neck.
‘Well, I was asking you if you want to head to the kitchen instead of staying in the foyer,’ she said with a slight giggle.
‘Right, sorry, I’m really distracted today,’ I said as I turned to close the door behind me. I turned back around and followed her to the kitchen.
‘Long day at work?’ she asked as we got into the kitchen. I nodded and she smiled. ‘Tell me about it,’ she said as she motioned for me to sit down against the table while she wheeled herself in.
‘Jimin and I were investigating a murder. Turned out that the person who murdered our victim was actually trying to stop him from stealing from the company they worked at and got into a fight with the victim who got physical with our killer,’ I explained.
‘Let me guess, he tried to protect himself and the so called victim fell and hit his head?’ she asked, one eyebrow raised.
‘Yep. You always had a knack for this stuff,’ I said to which she chuckled.
‘How could I not? I spent years listening to you talk about this stuff,’ she said but her smile seemed to falter as she recalled our memories.
‘Anyways, I brought you some food,’ I said, showing her the bag I had with me. ‘I brought some spicy jjajangmyeon for you and some not so spicy for me,’ I said with a chuckle.
‘Yummy! My favourite. I’ll bring us some chopsticks,’ she said but I quickly stood up.
‘I got it Nat,’ I said as I went to the drawer. I took out two pairs of chopsticks and handed them to her. I went to the cupboard and pulled out two plates and two glasses and then to the fridge to take out two bottles of beer.
I went back to the table to see her smiling, this time fondly. ‘It’s good to see you still remember where everything is placed,’ she said.
‘How can I not?’ I asked with a wink to which she smiled. ‘Let’s eat,’ I said as she nodded. We both began to dig in as we both talked about our day.
‘I guess I’m lucky that my colleagues are really considerate. They’re working on remodeling one of the offices downstairs so that it would be mine and I won’t have to use the elevator all the time,’ she explained.
‘That’s good and of course they would Natalie. They love and adore you over there,’ I said as I wiped my face from the food.
‘It’s more than I deserve,’ she said with a bitter chuckle. I looked at her as I put the napkin down.
‘What are you talking about Natalie? You’re an amazing person who deserves the world,’ I said.
‘That’s not true and we both know it. I don’t understand how…,’ she paused as her eyes began to tear up. She fought against the tears, not wanting to let them drop.
‘Don’t know what Nat?’ I asked, probing her to speak and not bottle everything inside.
‘I don’t know how you keep treating me like, so nicely and so, so kindly when I broke your heart!’ she said, her voice slightly raised. Two tears ran down her cheeks, causing me to sigh.
‘Yes, you did. You made a mistake, one that really hurt me, but it does not mean you’re not a good person who shouldn’t be treated well,’ I said but she shook her head as more tears fell.
‘No Tae,’ she said, shaking her head even more, almost as if she was desperate to show her disagreement. ‘I should have been stronger. I should have never fallen for temptation and cheated on you,’ she said and I sighed. ‘But what can I say huh? I got what I deserved,’ she said with a bitter scoff.
‘Natalie,’ I began as I stood up and went in front of her. I turned her wheelchair around and wiped her tears using my thumbs. I sighed as I took her hands in mine. ‘If you think that accident was something that you deserved, you’re wrong. You’re very wrong,’ I said.
‘I don’t know Tae. I still can’t forget the look on your face when you walked in on me in bed with him,’ she said as she sniffed.
‘Yes, I was hurt and angry but I wasn’t just angry at you,’ I said with another sigh. ‘I was also angry at myself. I didn’t make things easy for you. I forgot our anniversary, multiple times, I forgot your birthday and stood you up so many times because of work and the worst of it all, I even forgot your graduation. I don’t blame you for seeking for the love and affection that I was not giving you,’ I said.
‘You were busy with work Tae. I should have understood that and accepted that. You were out there saving people and bringing people justice. I was just being selfish,’ she said.
‘No Nat, you weren’t. You wanted to feel love, real love. Truth is, I think we both fell out of love but still loved and cared for each other,’ I said.
‘I can’t deny I still care for you. I’m always worried that you’re going to get hurt,’ she said and I nodded.
‘Likewise. God, when your mother had called me to tell me you were involved in an accident, I felt my whole world collapse,’ I said.
‘My mother called you?’ she asked and I nodded. ‘I never did find out exactly how you had found out. All I knew was that I woke up after a few days, paralyzed from the waist down and you and mum sleeping in my room,’ she said.
‘I still remember it clearly. I had just finished wrapping up a case with Jimin. We had gone to the bar for a drink and then I got the call. Your mother had been crying but she managed to tell me how you and that piece of * had gotten into an accident because he was drunk,’ I said. ‘I had dropped everything and Jimin actually drove me to the hospital because I could barely think and I found your boyfriend with a few stitches while you were in surgery,’ I added.
‘So much for being my boyfriend huh?’ she asked with a slight scoff. ‘As soon as he learned I was paralyzed, he left, leaving only a letter. He just disappeared, as if we never had anything,’ she said.
‘You never deserved any of this Natalie – not me treating you that way but even more so, the accident or that * abandoning you when you needed him the most,’ I said.
‘Maybe yes, maybe no. We can keep arguing about that, but I am glad that you still cared for me and still do,’ she said.
‘Always. We were best friends before we became loves. Sometimes, I wish we remained just that, but I don’t regret the times I spent with you. We made a lot of good memories,’ I said.
‘Yeah I can’t deny that,’ she said with a smile.
Sejin
I stood in the office with Shi-Hyuk as we waited for the members to show up. ‘Do you think they will come?’ Shi-Hyuk asked.
I leaned against my chair and tapped my pen. ‘I think so. I have this gut feeling that this team will do great things together,’ I said with a smile.
Before Shi-Hyuk could say anything, a knock on the door seemed to echo in the room. ‘Come in,’ Shi-Hyuk said. I watched the door open as Yang Misun walked in. ‘Ah Miss Yang. I’m glad to see you here,’ Shi-Hyuk said.
‘I’m glad to be here,’ she said as she gave a slight bow and came to sit down. ‘Have none of the others arrived yet?’ she asked, looking around.
‘Not yet Miss Yang. It seems like your reputation of being very punctual is rather true,’ I said to which she nodded.
‘I hate being late, especially to something like this,’ she admitted just as we heard another knock. The door opened and Namjoon walked in.
‘Ahh Mr. Kim, welcome,’ Shi-Hyuk said as Namjoon gave a quick bow.
‘Hello, I hope I’m not late,’ he said, almost sounding a little flustered. He looked around and raised one eyebrow. ‘Though, from the looks of it, I’m not since we should be eight, right?’ he asked.
‘Always so perceptive,’ I said. I looked at Misun who was studying him. ‘You’re also right, you are eight. I’m going to go get some coffee for myself until we wait for the others to show up. Anyone wants anything?’ I asked as I stood up.
They all shook their heads and I nodded. left the room and went towards the staffroom. I filled the kettle with water and switched on the kettle. I waited as I thought about what was going to happen today. Either they accept, or they didn’t, but if they did, this could mean the start of a new chapter. It would mean having a team of specialized personnel who can help people without the bureaucratic * holding them back. Both the Chief and I had big expectations from them. Seeing their files and hearing what their co-workers said, we both believed they were the change we needed. They could be the beginning of a better future.
I smiled as I grabbed the mug and put some coffee in it. I put one spoon of sugar and then grabbed the kettle. I poured the water and mixed it well before grabbing it and headed back towards the meeting room.
As I walked, I heard giggling and I stopped, turning around. My eyes fell on two young police officers, two newly recruited officers who were hiding behind the wall. They were both looking at Taehyung and Jimin who must have just arrived.
‘Aish they’re so hot!’ one of them exclaimed while the other one hit her.
‘Yah! Don’t shout! Someone might hear you,’ the other one replied. It only made the other one giggle.
‘So? I’m only saying the truth. Come on! You can’t deny that they’re really hot!’ she said.
‘I didn’t deny it but I don’t want anyone hearing us going like this about our seniors,’ she replied with a pout.
‘I heard that today an elite team is going to be formed. Two of them are from homicide department and have been working together for years. I wonder if it’s them,’ she said, completely ignoring what her friend had said before.
‘Either way, we’ll find out eventually. Come on, let’s get back to work,’ the other one urged her.
‘Hmph you’re such a spoil sports,’ she replied as the two began to walk. I laughed to myself as I made my way towards the meeting room. I opened the door and smiled as I saw everyone there, except for Jungkook.
‘Seems like almost everyone is here,’ I commented as the Chief nodded.
‘We’re simply missing the younger one,’ the Chief replied as I sat down. We exchanged a look – almost as if both of us were wondering if he was going to accept or not.
‘Maybe,’ I began but got cut off as the door opened. All heads turned towards the door as a sweat covered Jungkook came in, completely out of breath.
‘Sorry I’m late but we were just finishing up a number of arrests,’ he said as he rubbed his neck nervously. He looked at everyone, his eyes lingering slightly on Misun. His eyes were full of curiosity.
‘It’s okay Mr. Jeon. Please, have a seat and then we can get started,’ the Chief said as Jungkook sat down.