A soft sigh escaped Yi-soo’s lips. The weight of the impending trial hung heavy, elusive and shrouded in uncertainty. “It seems like we couldn’t get a statement yet as it’s still pre-trial. But the truth will soon come to light,” she murmured.
“It’s really fortunate that he’s been caught,” she reflected, her thoughts veiled in contemplation. “To get a confession that he acted under Kang Jin-won’s orders would make the trial flow more favorably.”
Hyun-seong’s concern rippled through the silence, his apprehension palpable in the air. Yet, Yi-soo remained resolute, her spirit unyielding even in the face of adversity. The ordeal had rattled her, yes, but beneath the turmoil lay a core of steel, unbroken and unwavering.
“I feel much better now,” she confessed, her admission tinged with a hint of vulnerability. “Of course, I don’t have the confidence to face the culprit directly.” With a deliberate motion, she emptied her glass, the hollow clink a final punctuation to her resolve.
Turning towards Hyun-seong, she offered a faint smile, a silent acknowledgment of their shared burden. “Should we call it a night?” she pondered aloud. “It might seem odd to sleep at this hour when everyone else is waking up…”
But sleep offered solace, a temporary reprieve from the relentless march of time. With a sense of resignation, Yi-soo settled into the embrace of the bed, the softness of the mattress a welcome respite against the ache of exhaustion.
As if attuned to her silent plea, Hyun-seong extended his arm. “Alright,” he acquiesced.
“Mr. Yoon Hyun-seong smells nice.”
Hyun-seong frowned. “The scent of cologne should have faded away by now.”
A hint of amusement danced in Yi-soo’s eyes as she buried her face in his chest, his scent a familiar comfort amidst the uncertainty. “It’s not about the perfume,” she confessed, her words a whispered confession against his skin. “It’s your scent, Mr. Yoon Hyun-seong.”
With a sigh, she surrendered to the embrace, her body sinking into the warmth of his presence.
“…Can I ask you for one thing?”
With a gentle nod, Hyun-seong welcomed her request. “Go ahead,” he encouraged, his tone tender and reassuring.
“Don’t go anywhere until I wake up… Stay here with me.”
In response to her earnest request, Hyun-seong chuckled softly. “I’ll stay right here in front of you, so don’t worry. Just sleep deeply without any dreams,” he reassured.
Rather than offering wishes of sweet dreams, Hyun-seong wished for Yi-soo to find peace in her slumber. And as she surrendered to sleep, her eyelids closing completely, it felt like only moments had passed since darkness enveloped her.
Yet, the warmth against her cheeks and the steady beat of his presence chased away any remnants of fear. Time seemed to ebb away, marked only by the rhythm of Yi-soo’s breaths, gradually transitioning from restlessness to tranquility.
Hyun-seong, vigilant and unwavering, kept watch over her without once allowing his own eyes to close. His fingers traced delicate patterns through her hair, a silent reassurance in the stillness of the room.
“…Sleep well,” he whispered, his voice a gentle caress as he lowered his head to press a tender kiss against her smooth forehead. Outside, beyond the veil of blackout curtains, the soft melody of birdsong greeted the dawn.
***
“Oh my, Prosecutor! Are you alright?” Ho-yeon’s voice, filled with genuine concern, cut through the Monday morning chatter as Yi-soo stepped into the office.
“Let me take a look. Have you heard about Detective Ahn contacting you? He said to come by at 10,” Chief Choi’s words followed in quick succession, the urgency palpable in his tone.
Yi-soo sighed inwardly, the weight of the past few days still lingering heavily.
“Prosecutor, why did you come to work today? After what happened… wouldn’t it be better to take a few more days off at home?”
Two days had passed since the ordeal, yet the concern from her colleagues felt fresh as ever. Before she could even hang her coat, they bombarded her with questions, their voices blending into an overwhelming cacophony.
“No, how could a lawyer from Yoon & Kang kidnap a prosecutor? Honestly, how is this even possible?” Ho-yeon’s disbelief spilled forth, intermingled with Chief Choi’s musings. “This world is truly coming to an end. Of course, just because they’re legal professionals doesn’t mean they don’t commit crimes, but now I don’t even know who to trust anymore.”
The barrage of words continued, each question punctuated by another, leaving Yi-soo momentarily speechless. Before she could respond, Chief Choi fired off another quip, his tone a mix of frustration and concern.