Chapter Text
Shadows were now his only companions in the forced sanctuary of his office. Even the low hum of the central air-conditioning abandoned Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok about an hour ago. Yet, he was far alone in the tall, gray building that housed the Eastern Seoul Prosecutors Office.
In several offices over several floors, there would be bodies still hunched over their desks; others may be setting up cots to spend the night, while another team of prosecutors, investigators and officers could be in a conference room preparing for a case.
This would be the third full week he had stayed past 10 o’clock. They would have caught up with the last of his predecessors’ unfinished cases this week. Non-stop work of mundane content. Thank goodness Ms. Choi was assigned to him. While it had been years since they had last work together, it was like riding a bicycle. She knew exactly what he wanted before he had to ask. That in itself, save time.
Her presence was helpful.
Si-mok glanced at the folder that Ms. Choi had set aside for him. Today was her first full day, but it was as if she had been with him from the start of his transfer. Her sharp eyes picked up an unusual statement that the also-efficient Investigator Lim missed. No doubt, because of their previous work experiences, she knew he’d be intrigued by the inclusion of this phrase and circled it: “Unknown source of income.”
It was for a miniscule amount in the eyes of the law and had little impact on the final verdict. But he didn’t like “unknowns.”
The alarm on his phone went off prompting him to start clearing his desk. Only the folder was left untouched. All it needed was his signature and he could add to the pile of processed cases. For all intents and purposes, in the eyes of the law, everything was on the up-and-up. The case could be closed.
Not yet. Let me spend a day on it.
He reached for the empty take out coffee-cup and paper-bag. But before he could release it into the trash, the image of the smile that came with the unexpected visit by his beloved just a few hours ago – with tea and a snack, no less – brought a wave of contentment over him.
In the elevator, he wondered if he should return the favor of a late night snack. But knowing Han Yeo-jin, she probably bought extra omlet bbang and swung by another coffee shop on her way back to HQ.
He’d check-in with her once he got home. She, too, would still be at work. From what she had shared in her short visit, it sounded like she would be home later than he. They were both motivated to finish everything tonight with the dreaded dinner at his mother’s house tomorrow.
A cool breeze greeted him when he exited the large glass doors of the building. In his line of sight was the expected black car parked in the byway, the reason for his alarm. Also expected was the figure leaning against the car: former prosecutor Seo Dong-jae.
Even in the dark, the tall, confident stance of Seo Dong-jae, now legal advisor to the Hanjo Group. Si-mok nodded when he was closer to his former senior-trainer, colleague….and suspect. “Good evening, Mr. Seo. You’re punctual these days.”
“Why the formality, Si-mok? We have enough history between us now to dispense with honorifics when it’s just the two of us.”
“Some habits are harder to let go.” Si-mok studied Dong-jae’s appearances further: his hair was styled perfectly; his shoes were polished as were the tie-clip, cufflinks and watch. “You have someplace else to go to after this.”
“Yes,” Dong-jae confirmed. “A last minute call from Chairperson Lee. When she calls, I jump. But the job is keeping me in Seoul. I’ve seen my children more often in the last six months since starting at Hanjo then in the last five years.”
“I found the file.”
“Looks innocent enough, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Just like the ten other cases before it.”
“Your predecessor, Prosecutor Oh, was very good at his job. Both of them.”
Si-mok blinked. “What do you mean?”
Dong-jae laughed as he playfully hit Si-mok’s shoulder. “Ahh… after all these years, I’ve caught on. You want me to tell you what I mean. No, no, Si-mok-ssi. I may be an old dog, willing to switch masters base on what I’m fed, but I’m still capable of learning new tricks.”
“Pardon?”
Don-jae winked. “You know how to reach me if you have any questions.”
“I did. About the prosecutor’s two jobs?”
“Other questions.”
“Why this file? This case?”
“Let’s just say Hanjo would be interested in seeing certain entities receive the full wrath of justice.” Dong-jae bowed exaggeratedly. “And no one yields that sword better than you, Prosecutor Hwang.”
Dong-jae walked around his car but just before he entered it, he called out to Si-mok. “I understand you’ve been seeing a lot more our Senior Inspector Han recently” He held up a thumbs-up sign. “If you need any advice about matters of the heart, I’m also available to discuss that!”
Si-mok watched the car pull out of the parking lot and disappeared into the bright lights of the city.
How did he know about me and Han Yeo-jin?
Chapter Text
“Why are you answering the phone?” Han Yeo-jin yelled when she heard the male voice. “I called your wife!”
“She’s busy–“
“Get me your wife!”
A few seconds later the calm voice of Cho A-yeong answered. “Yeo-jin-eonni? Is anything wrong?”
“I don’t know what to wear!” Yeo-jin wailed.
A-yeong’s voice picked up a notch. “Is it tonight? Tonight!”
(In the background, Yeo-jin could hear Jang Geon ask “What’s happening tonight?” to which A-yeong answered with a “Aren’t you late for work? Go already!” followed by the sound of a door slamming.)
Yeo-jin fell backward on the pile of clothes she had pulled out. “I should have bought something new. I told myself I needed to. But you know…work…”
“You have plenty of nice clothes. I’m alone in the bedroom now. Turn the camera on and model me your two main choices. You can do this! I have faith in you! Take a deep breath! Let’s do it!”
Encouraged by the support of her closest female ally, Yeo-jin picked herself off the bed and reached for her first choice. “A-yeong-ssi? I’ll change first. Will you hold on?” She positioned her phone on the chest of drawers then quickly put on her first choice.
“Is that a dress?” A-yeong said, her eyes wide on the small screen.
“I have one,” Yeo-jin said. “What do you think?”
“It’s very appropriate,” A-yeong replied as Yeo-jin turned in the tea-length navy-blue dress with high mandarin-style collar. “It shows how tall and slender you are. You could be a model, Yeo-jin-eonni.”
Yeo-jin grinned. “No one has ever said that before! Maybe even for a fashion brand like Louis Vuitton? I love their bags!”
“Er… I was thinking more like Puma. How about you show me the next outfit instead!”
Yeo-jin stuck out her tongue at the camera then glanced at the clock. Aigoo! She needed to leave in fifteen minutes! She still had to swing by the bakery to pick up cake then some flowers. She quickly stepped out of the blue dress and changed into the jumpsuit.
“Oh! That’s nice too! I like the dress but this looks more like you!” A-yeong said. “Hwang Si-mok’s parents are going to so impressed!”
Yeo-jin’s face must have shown her skepticism at that comment as A-yeong burst into laughter.
“Well,” Yeo-jin rationalized. “At least I know I can’t make the situation too much worse between Si-mok-ssi and his parents. It’s already uncomfortable on the best days.”
“Sounds complicated. But good luck!” A-yeong says holding up clenched fist. “I hope, at least, it will not be uncomfortable.”
Chapter Text
Si-mok remembered why he seldom dined with his mother and stepfather. No one wanted to be there. Everyone was tensed.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t care. But now, he was particularly sensitive to any environment that may be detrimental to Han Yeo-jin’s sensibilities.
Hwang Si-mok watched his beloved push back a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He had to restraint himself seconds ago from doing the same, an act he had done many times over the last few weeks. And when he did so, she would have a soft smile as she rewarded his act with a soft brush of her fingers onto his.
The woman currently sitting next to him, however, seemed distant. Cool, calm and controlled. The Senior Inspector was dining with his mother and step-father and not the wanna-be illustrator who’d spent half a month’s salary on a signed first-edition comic book of a superhero in red tights.
“What interesting work, Senior Inspector,” his stepfather droned. “I suspect you must be pleased not ot be in field anymore.”
“I miss it actually, and after my upcoming review, I might make a change.”
This wasn’t news to Hwang Si-mok. They’d spent many evenings over dinner discussing the pros and cons of staying with the Intelligence Bureau or returning to the Station. She was now qualified and experienced enough to apply for Superintendent role, but no positions were open in the immediate Seoul area.
“Does that mean you don’t wish to have children, Senior Inspector?”
Si-mok felt himself stiffen. He looked at Han Yeo-jin who smiled at his mother. “Plenty of women have children while they work. My former mentor, Chief Choi Bit, was able to balance both work and family commitments.”
“Mother–“
“You look older. Child-bearing becomes harder when one is older. Though it may be wiser not to have children.”
“Mother--“
“What Si-mok had could be inherited.”
“Mot--"
A hand rested on his arm, drawing his attention from what he was about to say. “Is that your phone or mine?” Han Yeo-jin asked. “Must be mine. My apologies. The police are never completely off duty.” She had her hand in her jacket as she pushed away from the table.
Si-mok frowned. He didn’t hear anything….
His stepfather grunted. “She’s dedicated. That’s good to see.”
Yeo-jin returned to the tables seconds later but remained standing. She bowed. “Again, my apologies. There’s an emergency at work. I thought I had everything covered. Si-mok-ssi, would you mind driving me back to your house? I left my briefcase there. There are some files in it I must check.”
He blinked but understood. This was a ruse; a ploy. They were going to escape.
“But you brought the dessert,” Si-mok’s mother protested.
“I hope you enjoy it then. It’s from an excellent bakery,” Han Yeo-jin said, bowing one more time.
They were in his car ten minutes later. “I’m not sure what just happened,” Si-mok said as he started the car.
Yeo-jin looked at him expectantly. “You’re not feeling any pain?”
“No.”
She looked satisfied. “Good. I think we left at the right time. A conversation about children we don’t have wasn’t going to be good considering all the stress you’ve been under at work recently.”
He turned to Yeo-jin. “The fake phone call was for me?”
She punched him hard on his arm. “Of course! Did you think I’d have problems with your mother’s interrogation of me? I’m a Senior Inspector with the Korean Police and a graduate of the Police University, Prosecutor Hwang! I’ve been trained to tolerate all levels of questioning!”
Si-mok smiled.
He quickly left the parking lot but his eyes caught the black sedan that followed them. It was the same car he saw earlier today on their way to his mother’s house. He decided to take a slight detour from the route he had planned to take.
“You noticed it too,” Yeo-jin murmured.
“How long have you known?”
“When we first arrived, I noticed the car pull into an empty space. But the driver didn’t get out,” she said, looking at the side mirror. “I gave him – or her – the benefit that he needed some time in the car before going home. But he was still sitting there when we left your mother’s. Are you working on something interesting?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m just a paper-pusher right now. So the odds are that we are being tailed because of something you’ve discovered in a case.”
Si-mok considered Yeo-jin’s assessment. “Mr. Kang Won-chul had suggested my being transferred back to Seoul was intentional.”
Yeo-jin nodded. “More likely than not, Si-mok-ssi. It’s an open secret that you could be a threat to many people in power.”
“Ms. Choi’s placement with me was also intentional.”
“Wait. What? Are you suspecting Ms. Choi of something?”
“I’m uncertain if she knows she’s a pawn in this game, or if she is a willing participant.”
“But it’s Ms. Choi!”
“People change, Yeo-jin-ssi. And some changes aren’t always for the best. Our paths crossed because good people made bad decisions. One died; one is in prison.”
Hwang Si-mok looked into his rearview mirror again.
“Still there,” Yeo-jin said. “Two cars down, one lane over. He’s a professional.”
“Shall we assume he’s following to observe rather than harm?”
“I think that’s safe. We were exposed at least three times this evening where he could have hurt us, if that was his goal.”
“Agree.”
“Let’s play along, shall we?”
“As you wish, Senior Inspector.”
Chapter Text
A few minutes later, they decided to stop at a petrol station. The black sedan passed them but came back behind after they left.
Things can change so quickly, Yeo-jin thought.
The dinner at Si-mok’s mother’s went as expected. Yeo-jin’s only goal that evening was diffuse any situation that could trigger Si-mok’s headaches. Since becoming a couple, she had started reading more about the procedure he had endured as a child. The fact he was fully functional as an adult – regardless of what others may think as lack of manners in day-to-day interaction – was a miracle in itself.
Loving him now included knowing how to create an environment where he could somehow release all the stimulations and input that he couldn’t process normally.
As soon as his mother started throwing out questions that felt too personal, Yeo-jin decided it was time to leave. They were supposed to head back to her apartment tonight; she had some soju ready and had bought a new romance book for him to add to his collection.
Recognizing they were being followed by an anonymous figure for unknown reasons was the surprise of the night. She glanced over at Si-mok, his eyes primarily on the road by also scanning the mirrors and the GPS.
She took out her phone
HANYEOJIN: We’re being followed. Black Sedan. Unknown licensed plates. Sending our location now.
Seconds later:
JANGGEON: Got it. I’ll text you again where we can pick up the tail. Be safe.
Yeo-jin relayed the message to Si-mok who nodded in response.
“Do we drive back to your place as planned?” Si-mok said. “My guess is that they already know where we live. But that would be just a guess. We don’t even know who ‘they’ are?”
Yeo-jin looked at the GPS on the dashboard. “If we head to this area, there should be enough people around to keep us safe. We can wait there until the police arrive.”
“Aren’t you interested in finding out who they are?”
Yeo-jin glanced at the side mirror. “They’re no longer trying to hide that they are following up, Si-mok-ssi.”
He understood. The level of danger went up a notch. Only the confident hunter would reveal itself to its prey.
The intended destination was for the parking lot adjacent to a popular park. On a Friday night, especially, it would attract more than its normal share of people. But the parking lot itself was empty of people; whoever wanted to be there was already there enjoying the clear cool night with Seoul under a blanket of stars.
They both turned when a black sedan parked on the main street. Yeo-jin’s eyes widened. “That’s not the same car.”
The doors opened. “This one has more than one person,” she whispered.
“It’d be safer to stay in the car, Yeo-jin-ssi.”
She shook her head, watching the three masked figures in black, walk to them in an unhurried but steady pace. “We could be trapped if we do. If we confront them outside, if we have to, we could run.”
She heard Si-mok’s protest as she opened the car door while calling Jang Geon. He answered immediately.
“The culprits are approaching us,” she said.
“We’re not very far away. Protect yourself,” he instructed.
Si-mok now walked in-step with her. Three men, she noted. 1.7 to 1.9 meters. Faces covered in black balaclavas. No other distinctive features identifiable from 20 meters…10 meters…
She flashed her badge. “I’m Senior Inspector Han. I ask you to stop in place.”
Simok did the same. “I’m Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok. You’ve been following us. Stop where you are now.”
The sprint toward them was unexpected. Si-mok moved in front immediately but his figure was aggressively pushed aside. She prepared for the hands of a stranger. Instincts and adrenaline kicked in.
The first blow staggered her but she attacked back. She knew she had to concentrate, that to protect them both she had to protect herself first. She knew he would be thinking the same.
The sudden pain from her knees claimed the scream of pain she didn’t want to let out.
“Yeo-jin!”
The fear in Si-mok’s voice reached the depth of her being. Even as she struggled to regain control of body, she looked for him. She wanted to turn and tell him she was okay. That she would get up; that she was trained for this… but she saw his fallen figure. He couldn’t be…
She felt strong arms grab at her, but all she saw was her love so still. Too still.
Rage, fear, anger, desperation merged into a fireball of strength and she released it on her attackers. “NO!!!!!”
Chapter Text
He fought hard to move through the haze of pain, of fear. She needed him, but it was man’s voice that was leading him out of darkness.
“I don’t see any injury on you, Prosecutor. We need the paramedics to check you out,” the deep voice said. “But I need you to open your eyes right now. Can you sit up? She’s hurt but won’t get treated until she knows you’re okay.”
He dug deep and let out a groan as he felt an arm move to help him up.
“Si-mok! Si-mok! I need to get to him!”
His eyes opened at the sound of his beloved’s cry, but it was Senior Inspector Jang Geo’s face that he saw first.
“Steady. She’s fine. We’re trying to get her treated but she’s kicked one paramedic already.” Jang Geon looked over his shoulder, a small smile on his face. “There are two patrolmen and Detective Park trying to hold her back.” He turned to Si-mok. “Can you stand? It may calm her down a little to see you on your feet?”
Si-mok nodded, then winced as a heavy blow from his inside his head threatened to pull him back into the darkness of oblivion. He breathed through his mouth and pushed against Jang Geon’s body in support.
“He’s fine, Senior Inspector Han! Look, he’s up!” Jang Geon sighed. “Detective Park, let her go! Just stop hitting my officers, Senior Inspector!”
A cry of relief then seconds later, Si-mok was enveloped in Yeo-jin’s tight embrace. Her love fed into his body and strength returned to his arms to hold her tight. “Are you okay, jagiya?”
“Just a little cut on my leg,” she said. Jang Geon’s scoffed. She pulled back and cupped his face. “Your head? The pain?”
“It’s clearing up.”
Tears of relief streamed down her cheeks. She hid her face into the crook of his shoulders, her arms tightening.
His vision now fully back, he saw Detective Park approaching them. “Senior Inspector Han? Please, let them finish dressing your wound. Otherwise, you may need stiches.”
Si-mok reluctantly but gently pulled Yeo-jin’s arms from around him. “Knowing you are being taken care of would make it one less thing for me to worry about, my love. Please. I will be fine. I just need a few minutes to recover.”
She blinked away her tears and raised her chin. “Yes, yes! One less thing to worry about. Of course! Yes, I’ll go have them put another band-aid on.” Her high-pitch laugh caused Jang Geon to winced. “I don’t’ really need stiches. It’s just a little cut. Nothing to worry about, okay? Okay!”
Jang Geon came to Si-mok’s side to offer his assistance again and instructed Detective Park to take Inspector Han to the ambulance. “I’ll walk with him slowly, Senior Inspector Han. You get fix. Don’t let him worry!”
“Right! Don’t worry, Si-mok-ssi! See, I can skip!”
Si-mok watched Detective Park try to keep up with Yeo-jin while simultaneously trying to stop her from skipping.
“Did you catch them?” Si-mok asked.
“No. We arrived in time to prevent serious harm to the both of you. They left the sedan they came in and escaped in a car that was waiting for them.
Si-mok frowned then closed his eyes at the returned pounding. He fought through it; he had to know. “What do you mean a waiting car?”
“We think the car they escaped in was the car that followed you. It was ready to pick up the culprits, to help them escape.” Jang Geon’s voice became thoughtful. “They had re-enforcements but didn’t use them. Anyway, our CSI team is on the way. Maybe we will be lucky and find a clue in the car they left behind.”
“There were three men before I… lost consciousness.”
“When we arrived, we saw her fighting two. The third was on the way to her.” Jang Geon’s voice dropped a notch. “Makes me glad I spent all that time with her in the gym. She fought like a lioness.”
“While I lay on the ground,” Si-mok.
“I have no doubt, Prosecutor, that you did what you could.”
“I couldn’t keep her safe.”
Jang Geon stopped their walk. “The rest of us did. Did before; will do so again.” Si-mok met the steely gaze of the usually amiable man. “Just because you are now the most important person in her life doesn’t mean the rest of us have lost a place in her heart. It’s a big heart. And we will protect it. You, me, everyone who loves her. Together. Understood?”
Si-mok blinked. “Yes.”
Both Yeo-jin and Si-mok refused to go to the hospital, promising Jang Geon they would swing by the police station the next day to give their statements. This was far from procedural but everyone involved knew an unprovoked attack and possible attempted kidnapping on a prosecutor and a senior inspector in the police force was going to be beyond normal anyway.
Jang Geon said he’d station a patrol car at Yeo-jin’s apartment and would contact the Eastern Seoul Prosecutor’s Office as well.
“Rest,” he said to both of them when he dropped them off. “I’m glad you both have each other tonight. I want to be the one to take your statements tomorrow. Call me before you head to the station, okay? I’ll meet you there.”
Si-mok couldn’t rest. He studied the sleeping figure next to him all night, wondering at the bruises she’d sustained, at how much pain she really was in. Her profile was perfect, and even in slumber, she inspired a warmth and comfort from within.
The image of the hit that brought her to her knees drowned the warmth immediately.
He slowly left their bed, picked up a sweatshirt and walked outside. It was late in the morning; the city was bustling, going on as if his life hadn’t been shaken. That was a familiar feeling. Until Han Yeo-jin entered his life, he considered himself nothing more than a little ant in rice field.
Unimportant.
She changed that perspective.
Arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind.
“You should rest, jagiya,” he said.
She pressed herself into his back. “You barely slept yourself, Si-mok-ssi.”
“I apologize for waking you.”
“You didn’t. Well, not on purpose. Once you leave my side, I feel a loss.”
He turned slowly, careful not to break her hold on him. He leaned against the balcony wall and gently pulled her closer, nestling her into the curve on his body. Resting his head on top of hers, he wondered at the words he needed to use, to express how deep his regret was that he couldn’t protect her.
“Stop it,” she whispered. “Whatever you are thinking about, stop it. I can feel you tense up.”
“I failed you last night.”
She embraced him tighter. “I feel as if I did the same. Maybe if I had listened and stayed in the car, you wouldn’t have been hurt.”
“I blacked out.”
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Maybe. But you were also being punched.” She raised herself and reached for his face. “There are bruises here.” She kissed where a finger had gently touched. “And here…” She kissed the next spot she’d touched. Fingers trailed toward his neck; a thumb’s gentle graze made his hair stand-up. She rested her forehead on his, her arms now on his shoulder. “We’re not going to second guess how we respond in a crisis. That would be dangerous for us. I trust you to do your best; you know I will do the same. Okay?”
“But--“
She placed her fingers on his lips. “Say it like you did the first time.”
He inhaled deeply at her request. Another set of memories came by, vanquishing what had shook him mere minutes ago. He was now filled with a strength that came with the gift of her heart.
“I love you, Han Yeo-jin.”
She smiled, brushing the hair from his forehead. “I love you too, Hwang Si-mok. And whatever happens next, we’re in it together.”
“As always.”
She smiled. “Yes, as always.”
********
It was past midnight, but the private rooms at the exclusive dining club located in an otherwise sleepy street remained busy. Muffled laughter could be heard through the corridors while a jazz band played in the main bar area.
On most nights, if given a choice, former prosecutor Kang Won-chul would rather be home, in his pajamas, digging into the latest bestseller crime novel. But since moving into the private sector, the late night meetings have only increased. A good deal of business was done over glasses of wine, whiskey, cognac, champagne, or all of them.
Tonight, however, was a last-minute meeting. He was the last to arrive, bowing deeply as he entered the dimly lit room. Leather furnishing and a private bar suggested this was one of the more exclusive rooms in the dining club.
“What news, Mr. Kang?” said the figure seated closest to him.
“They’re both still alive,” said Kang Won-chol. “I’ve managed to obtain a copy of the report they filed at the Yongsan Police Station this afternoon.”
“Any serious injuries?” asked another.
“No.”
A third voice spoke. “I wasn’t expecting them to show themselves so soon after Hwang Si-mok’s move. What changed?”
Mr. Kang volunteered information he thought relevant. “A source tells me Hwang Si-mok has found the case in question. And he has yet to sign off on it.”
“That’s faster than expected. I guess it was a good call to bring Ms. Choi into the Eastern Seoul Prosecutor’s Office.”
A fourth voice startled Mr. Kang. He knew better than to look toward the darkest corner of the room. Seated far away and isolated, the muted tone of the voice suggested this stranger was the most powerful of the five of them in the room and he knew it.
“It has begun then. Let’s see whether Prosecutor Hwang and Senior Inspector Han continue to hold to their sense of principles. Everyone has a price.”