Back at the office the next day, So Hee walked into Tae Ho's office, looking a bit distracted. "I need to leave early today," she said, her tone brisk. "A friend of mine is moving away, and there's a farewell party."
Tae Ho glanced up from his desk, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. "Fine. Just make sure you're here first thing tomorrow. We need to go over the interrogation footage."
So Hee nodded and quickly left the room.
In the interrogation room, they watched the footage of the culprits spilling details about Boss Kim. "We don't know much. We only took orders from someone named Boss Kim. We've never seen his face and don't know his real name."
"They mentioned the name 'Kim' several times," Tae Ho noted, rewinding and playing the key segments. "It's a start."
As the day went on, they aligned the information they had, hoping to find more leads on this elusive figure.
Later that night, Tae Ho noticed So Hee had left his leather jacket in the office. Curious, he logged into her social media account. His eyes narrowed as he saw a picture of So Hee with a male friend, both smiling brightly. The caption read: "Farewell, my dear friend! I'll miss you, boyfriend."
A pang of jealousy struck Tae Ho, but he shook his head, denying any feelings. "It's none of my business," he muttered to himself, though the irritation lingered.
Leaving the office, Tae Ho decided to head home. As he walked through the streets, he spotted So Hee, clearly drunk, leaning heavily on her male friend. His stomach churned with a mix of sadness and annoyance.
That night, he was unable to sleep because he couldn't stop thinking about the boy. Curiously,Tae Ho scrolled through So Hee's posts again. One word stood out, making his heart skip a beat: "boyfriend." He stared at the screen, internal shock and confusion overwhelming him.
His roommate, Si Woo, walked in and saw Tae Ho in a state of panic. "What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Tae Ho, still staring at his phone, muttered, "It's her... She posted a picture with some guy. Called him her BOYFRIEND."
Si Woo burst out laughing. "You're jealous, aren't you?"
"Jealous? Me? Of course not!" Tae Ho snapped, but his flushed face betrayed him.
"Sure, sure," Si Woo teased, patting Tae Ho on the back. "Keep telling yourself that."
The next day, Tae Ho was cold and rude to So Hee, his words sharp and unyielding. When she walked into the office, he didn't even look up from his desk.
"Morning, Tae Ho," So Hee said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Whatever," Tae Ho replied curtly, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Throughout the day, he avoided eye contact, gave her the silent treatment, and responded to her questions with clipped, one-word answers. So Hee, confused and hurt by his behavior, turned to Si Woo.
What's going on with Tae Ho?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Si Woo sighed, trying to suppress a grin. "He saw someone's social media last night. It upset him."
Realization dawned on So Hee. She marched straight to Tae Ho's office, determination in her eyes.
"What are u doing", she asked calmly.
"Nothing u should be concerned of", he rolled his eyes.
She was fueled with anger and demanded, "Is this about what you saw on my social media?"
Tae ho didn't reply and continued his work.
So hee turned his chair towards her, "Act like a human and answer me."
Tae Ho glared at her, his frustration evident. "Shut up."
So Hee stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "Make me."
Tae ho glared her with his dark eyes andiIn a swift motion, he grabbed a knife from his desk, pressing it gently but firmly against her lips. The shock in So Hee's eyes was evident as he pinned her to the counter, his breath warm against her cheek.
"Next time, it won't be a knife that shuts your lips," he whispered, his voice low and threatening, yet laced with an intensity that made her heart race.
So Hee's breath hitched as she met his gaze, her cheeks flushed. " Are you going to keep threatening me?"
Tae Ho's eyes softened just a fraction, his smirk growing mischievous. "Maybe I am. Maybe I just like seeing you blush."
She tried to keep her voice steady, but the proximity and the heat of his breath made it difficult. "You think you know me so well, don't you?"
"Well, it's a lot easier to read someone when they're this close," Tae Ho murmured, his voice dropping to a low, almost teasing tone. "And right now, you're giving me a very clear picture."
So Hee swallowed hard, her heart pounding. The air between them crackled with tension that left So Hee both exhilarated and unnerved. As Tae Ho released her from his hold, the knife still hovering close, she looked at him with a mixture of defiance and curiosity.
Tae Ho stepped back, his expression a complex blend of frustration and something more vulnerable. "Get out. We have work to do."
So Hee straightened up, her face still flushed, and turned to leave.