Please don't hate me.
Of course, you are my friend, I love you.
But I just love myself better.
Tsk! This is a perfect time.
I sneaked into the certain room, slowly closing the door behind. The office was deprived of the owner's existence, allowing me to take its full advantage. I tiptoed towards the desk, sliding my hand underneath. As soon as it succeeded in getting a touch of the specific place, I crouched down to take a full view. The lock was staring back with its blue eye screen blinking with a small dash in its middle. Serpentine my fingers moved entering the digits. With the last tap done, I gazed sharply at the brown smooth surface, as if it was a cave full of hidden treasures that no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard of. It was one indeed, with just a small difference. Getting what expected would, of course, make me and the department rich, however, will cause the same much fatal trouble to seven delinquent boys.
Just like the tick of a clock, a small wooden part hung down soon, revealing its hollow but congested part inside.
Open sesame!
I steadily ran my hands inside, some rectangular structures rubbed against my tips. My face lit up in the gleam of satisfaction. It was easier than I thought. Too easy, making me attain a suspicion...
Shrugging it off, I brought out what my hands reached. Some files, almost all were brown leathered, only a few in blue. Nothing was written on their surfaces, with no title or any footer, just a blank smooth soft cover that shielded the entrance to their inside pages. WIth the mini camera in hand, I was ready to create some duplicates of them as thumbnails. But before anything, I myself needed to take a look first.
The first file rested in my hand, I kept looking through turning pages over pages. My hopes had to fall down instant. There was nothing significant. Some age-old contracts the company had once made, a few bills and miscellaneous. Finishing going through the whole of it, I looked into a few others, getting the same result. The fourth one that I took had some unknown persons' photos in it, with some tick marked to-dos were written alongside. To act as an odd mark, there was the presence of a few newspaper cuttings...
Why would a person be interested in a news of a bank getting robbed? Or a piece of news regarding the death of a high-class entrepreneur through poison? On top of that, a manager, who works for some idols in a mere entertainment company?
Snapped.
The next few had the similars, company-related issues and nothing else that could come to my work. I pursed my lips in disappointment. All these days of work and prolong wait in this itchy place- the effort that I gave was too high to get this void result as a payment. However, I wasn't willing to accept it already- only due to that one thing.
The existence of the hidden compartment.
Why would one require to make a disguised compartment under own office's desk just to keep some contract and company files in? Maybe, this was a shield, to protect the right ones by keeping them in the middle of randoms. It was a better logic. However, my patience along with expectation was gradually getting downed with the number of files lessening one by one. I spared a quick glimpse at my wristwatch. My free time to remain in this room was about to come to an end too.
I opened the second blue file, getting sight of another person's photo like the ones before. However, this one appeared slightly different...
Chey Geun-Hye.
If it was possible to detect someone's personality or work through only their faces, I would tell, this man seemed like a gentle looking mobster, like an evil stone to cast terrors in all those minds which view through its featured veil of darkness.
On unknown reason, the file of all seemed more intriguing to me. There were only three pages inserted in it. The first one contained his picture, along with a little biography. I had no time to read. Done with clicking, I swiped to the next one. The surface was unsmooth, it was once crumpled then ironed with the hand again to get it straight. Nothing was really written on the blank white piece of paper, except for just a few words.
477, Hotel Geu----
The knob slowly twirled, and the door was pushed open. The manager came in holding a phone near his ear. A hint of annoyance mixed with serenity formed his appearance. The door shut behind him, and he walked towards his work desk.
'Yeah, okay. I think that will be better too.' With that, he cut his call. Taking enough time, his eyes moved around to spare a glance to the whole room, as if searching for something off of its place. His hands moved down beneath the desk cautiously. He didn't even have to crouch down. Like a memorized trained pet animal, he did his work with a blind unrequired sight. All the files were brought out at once on the desk. Buzzing a whistle out of his mouth, he tucked his hand in casually bringing out a packet of cigarette with a lighter. One cigarette was lit up and held by his lips.
A few seconds passed with him only releasing smoke into the air-filled space. What he did next was, totally unexpected.
The lighter lost its hold from his palm, landing on the pile of papers arranged in front. In a second, the white pages were lit up on fire, sparking yellow-orange flames in the upper direction, rising and getting spread like petals of flowers.
No...!!!
I bit my lip to resist the loud curse forcing to come out like a shriek. From the much view I could get hiding behind the large shelf, the flame could be seen clearly, gradually turning the whites into gray ashes. If I could at least get a glimpse over all of them- I pouted in silent regrets.
The moment, there was a knock on the door. 'Manager nim?'
'Ah, Jimin-ah.' The blonde-haired guy peered his head in, followed by his whole body next. 'Namjoon hyung is occupied. So, he asked me to come instead.'
'Alright. The whole plan is done. As Suga gave, I reached the profiles out to him. And guess what? It worked. He fell for them.' The manager smirked, dusting the remaining ashes away into the trash bin at the side.
'He gave a number. He said, if you are interested, call him soon. I suggest better finish it off within today.'
'Daebak! Then, should we fix, right after the show?'
'Right after the show.' Drawing a file forward to the male, he said, 'The final file.' It was the same blue file I went through a moment ago.
'Task 30...'
'The plan is written on the last page.'
The only page I didn't get to check...
'I suggest y'all get everything on a planned list.'
'All right. I will hand it over to Namjoon. Thank you.' 'Wait, Jimin.' He called back, 'as you are going, if you can, please do me a small favor giving this list of papers to Y/N. She must be in her office now.'
After a small yet noticeable pause, the male replied, 'Sure manager-nim. I will get going then.' He proceeded towards the exit. The manager went back to his seat, getting engaged with his real work for the company.
I stared motionless at the fewer ash particles still lying on the carpet near his desk. With them turning into specks of dust, my whole plan was shattered too, at least a part of it. It will take more time to collect all the pieces of evidence now.
Nevertheless, it was my time to get out fast. With the man sitting before his desk, it wasn't possible to go out through the door. But I needed to act quick. Looking around for a second, I instantly found out my alternative. The only other way that was left to use.
The window...
'Y/N? Are you in there? Can I come in?'
'Just a second...' I threw myself down on the chair the soonest the door got open. 'Hello, Jimin. Good morning. What brings you here?' I threw a quick wide smile at the male entering through. My eyes fell first on his hands. The file wasn't with him that time. He was coming after handing it over to Namjoon. Damn...
'Manager-nim told me to give this to you.' He drew forward the paper. 'Thank you very much.' I said, taking it into my hand then stuffing it in alongside the pile of papers gathered around the entire desk. In a try to gain a very busy look, I buried my face down on whichever piece of file came near my eyes. My hand clicked lazily on the phone beneath the desk. I needed to tell Momo everything about it soon. And soon means, right now.
'Y/N.' I looked up, finding the male still standing in front of my desk. 'Yes, Jimin?' Passing some seconds in silence, he was finally able to speak, 'I am sorry...'
I looked at him with confusion. 'For behaving that way last night. I didn't mean to say those things to you.' He muttered, yet enough loud for me to hear. As he said, the aura of awkwardness that he carried in for himself hit me too. I fidgeted on my chair trying to find something to say in return.
'It's fine.' I flashed a sheepish smile, 'Everything you had said was indeed true, anyway,' 'It's not the only reason I am saying sorry for,' He continued, 'I apologize for keeping your thing with me for a long time, without you knowing.'
'Speaking of that,' I punched him on his arm, 'Why did you curve your name on my bracelet?'
'Ouch!' He flinched in surprise, 'What was that for?' 'It was gifted..' I puffed my face, 'and you ruined it.'
'I just did that for fun. I didn't know that it was so dear to you.' He lowered his gaze, 'Sorry...'
'I somehow ruin everything all the time. I don't know, everything likes to go wrong with me.' Observing the male mumbling with lowering his gaze, I couldn't but stand still in surprise. This is not the Jimin I was used to talking with, it seemed like someone else. For some reason, his sincere words reached my core. I spoke softly, 'It's okay. I forgive you this time.'
He looked up and smiled. 'But,' I interluded before his lips could move to speak, 'You gotta buy me another one.' He chuckled. 'Okay, so...' his hand moved forward, 'Friends from now on?'
'In apology for being rude to you. I don't want you to be just our manager. We all are a family, including those who work hard along with us. In that sense, yeah?' He said, seeing me in perplexity.
A family...
I was a family?...
The way he talked, he stared, compelled my brain to initiate a thought rising from astonishment. I sucked in my lips, still trying to understand the boy who stood before me. His handsome face looked so soft and innocent. The gesture he put drawing his hand forth looked veritable, coming from the heart. For a normal person like me, it was hard to deny his offer. So, I did. And I was authentic at my place in the same manner.
'Aha.' I smiled joining my palm with him. Those plump pink heart shapes protruded, letting his beautifully structured white teeth glaze out like pure crystals. A stream of adrenaline rushed through my capillaries. I jolted my hand off of his and looked away. I can't, I can't let myself get deceived, I can't let myself into it. I knew to remain still in my place, I knew I had to complete my mission.
But I couldn't deny that he was beautiful.
'I need to go back to the others now. Take care.' He turned towards the door, intending to leave.
'Wait Jimin,' He looked back by my call, 'I need to give you something.' 'Here.' I brought forward my fist, holding the tiny thing enveloped within my fingers. 'What is it?' He asked, arching an eyebrow, 'A gift?'
'Not from me,' I immediately said, 'It's...Liza, you know my friend from the fansign? She went crazy after she heard I was here working for you, then begged me to pass this gift to you.'
'Aha, lemme see.' He rolled the black bracelet on his thumb, 'Aww. It's cute. You have a nice choice.'
'I said it's not from me!' I spoke fast, 'And why would I give you a gift? You don't deserve a return for giving something back which rightfully is mine!'
'Anyway, thanks. I mean, give my thanks to Liza.' He smugly smiled, 'It's really beautiful.'
'Then wear it.'
'Okay.' He glided the round thing down his wrist, 'I will keep it worn all the time!'
'Sure do. Liza made it herself. If you don't, she will get upset.' I said. 'She made it? Woah! That girl is super crafty!' He widened his eyes, 'Tell her that I really loved it! Anyway, I should really go now. Work hard.' He gently ruffled my hair turning it into a mess. 'Hey,' I brushed his hand off.
'I was just wishing you well.' He winked, 'Take care.' Turning his back towards me, he finally proceeded towards the door. 'Goodbye, Y/N-i.'
The door closed behind him with a small thud. A snicker itself left my mouth.
He doesn't even know what I gave him...