Chapter 25 – My Heart Is So Scared (1)
Seo Minho versus Hyeon Ganghun.
Two men who were similar in height, physique, and facial features.
They both were even dressed in black suits.
Jiyeon felt the air crackle between the two.
If Ganghun was a hunting dog, Minho was a wild beast.
When two males were confronted with each other, a dangerous balance was revealed.
"I wasn't in a position to tell you this earlier, but I have something to say to you both."
Jiyeon was anxious for what he was about to say, but she kept silent for Hyeon.
"What?"
Minho slowly took a deep breath and turned to look at Jiyeon.
"I know who killed my brother."
This man's penchant for saying things at the most unexpected time and place was unparalleled.
Ganghun opened his mouth in surprise.
"Then…who is it?"
"The killer is at this funeral."
Minho's eyes and voice were filled with conviction.
He was as serious as a man who had never told a joke in his life.
"What did you say?!"
"When this service is over, I'll come and see you in person."
He bowed his head.
Before Ganghun and Jiyeon could pursue him, Minho turned around and headed back to the funeral.
"Prosecutor Cha. Did I hear him wrong? Did he say that he knew who killed the vice chairman?"
"Yes, that's what he said."
"He said he would come to the prosecution on his own, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"What the hell…did he mention it when you were interviewing him?"
She cast her mind back to that night but she didn't recall such a thing.
Something else had been occupying her thoughts.
-Miss Cha Jiyeon. Are you a good prosecutor?
Why did he ask that?
She could fill the night sky with her confusion as they left the funeral service.
Ganghun located his car in the parking lot, and Jiyeon bowed goodbye.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Ganghun opened the car door.
"Get in."
"What?"
"I'll give you a ride."
"It's okay. I can take the subway."
"I'm not the kind of person who always gives out favors. Take it."
She hadn't planned to get in the car, but Ganghun's words changed her mind.
"Then I'll owe you one."
Ganghun's car was filled with soft music, along with a scent that always seemed to soothe her.
After asking where Jiyeon lived, Ganghun drove skillfully without the aid of a navigation system.
"You know the streets well."
"I've lived in Seoul for thirty years."
"I was born in Seoul and lived here for a long time too. Though I don't have a driver's license."
"You need a man who's good at driving."
After saying this Ganghun ducked his head.
"Was that sexist?"
"Ha ha. I don't think so. I just haven't had much time to learn how to drive yet."
"Don't worry about it. There are plenty of people who don't drive at all for their entire lives."
This was the first time they had a private conversation that wasn't about the case.
His usual firm, direct manner of speaking had already softened.
She could have forgotten about the case for a while and gone home unburdened, but there was still another nagging complication.
She had not been able to contact her brother Ji-uk for days.
His phone was still turned off and it was driving her crazy.
She called and texted several times a day, but she did not know when his phone would be on again.
She asked Detective So Yudo to find out her brother's whereabouts, but he hadn't contacted her back yet.
She felt guilty asking for personal favors, and she didn't want to feel like she was pressuring him.
Her brother's phone was off again today.
If this situation continued until tomorrow, she had no choice but to go to Detective So Yudo.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Ganghun's question startled her out of her thoughts.
"Hm? No, I don't have one."
"You keep nervously touching your cell phone. I thought you might be waiting to hear from your boyfriend."
"Wrong, I'm afraid."
"Really? Man, I'm bad at reading people's feelings."
"The ace of the Central District Prosecutor's Office is bad at something?"
"I'm serious. That's why I'm obsessed with evidence."
Ganghun's words made her feel dizzy.
All this time during the preliminary investigation, was he that trusting in her to investigate?
Was he too dependent on logic and reasoning?
Ganghun's attitude when he talked about evidence seemed so cool.
She gave a sudden chuckle.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing."
Jiyeon continued to hold back her smile and turned back to her thoughts.
If Prosecutor Lee Yun-kyeong was here, she would be so disappointed.
As Ganghun drove he never missed a turn.
His driving was as smooth as his manners and Jiyeon even felt a little drowsy at one point.
"Thank you, sir!"
Ganghun smiled at her as she exited from the car.
"Go to bed. And you can come in a little later tomorrow. You look short on sleep."
Oh…did he notice?
Jiyeon rushed into her apartment.
She was tired, but she felt good.
Ganghun's kindness seemed to wrap around her and warm her from the inside.
She didn't shower, only managing to take off her makeup before collapsing into bed.
She fell into a deep sleep.