MJ 72

Lee-eum fell asleep in the guest room because Choi Won-joon had taken over the bedroom last night, and when he briefly opened his eyes at dawn, he found Choi Won-joon clinging to his back like a demon. He thought about kicking him off, but he was too tired, so he left him alone, and when he opened his eyes again, the man was nowhere to be seen in the house.

Knowing that the shoes in the hallway were gone, Lee-eum sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He was annoyed because he hadn’t slept well, but what made him even angrier was that his aversion had lessened compared to before.

At first, he felt goosebumps and hated it whenever he came near, but last night, he left him alone because he was too lazy to wake him up. He wondered if he was getting used to it. Was this what Choi Won-joon was aiming for? Amidst his troubled thoughts, a lunch box on the table caught his eye.

【Something came up at work, so I left first. I slept well thanks to you. Thank you.】

I’m exhausted, but you slept well, huh? Lee-eum grumbled and went into the bathroom. After washing up, changing clothes, and making a cup of coffee, he opened the lunch box on the table. Did he remember that he said his stomach felt queasy when he ate breakfast? Unlike before, it contained a clear soup that wasn’t spicy and side dishes with a soft texture instead of greasy food.

After hesitating, Lee-eum sat down and took a spoonful. It tasted good, so after eating it all, he tidied up roughly and went down to the underground parking lot for work. When he got into the car, he saw the camel pen he had received from Choi Won-joon stuck in the storage space under the door. When he shook the pen, the camel moved comically. Lee-eum chuckled without realizing it and then drove off to the police station.

When he arrived at the police station and took out the pen, Jeong Nam-su, who had just arrived at work, ran over quickly.

“Sunbae!”

“Good morning.”

“What’s that in your hand?”

Lee-eum showed him the pen, and Jeong Nam-su laughed, examining it from side to side, saying it looked funny. Then the two of them went into the office, but the atmosphere was unusual, and even people from other teams were nearby, milling around.

“Damn it! How can a detective do that?”

An unfamiliar man shouted at Detective Park, pointing his finger at him, and Team Leader Oh stepped in to stop him.

“Oh, it seems like there was a big misunderstanding, please calm down!”

“Calm down? You want me to calm down? Park Woo-young, you tell me! Is it true or not? You went to my wife’s flower shop and even made plans to meet at a motel on the weekend! I have all the evidence, are you still going to deny it!”

Normally, Detective Park’s personality would have been to shout back, telling him not to talk nonsense, but his ears were red and he just kept rubbing his face. The team leader managed to appease the man and send him away, and Detective Park, left alone, sighed deeply and then grabbed his car keys and coat, leaving the office.

“What? Did Detective Park have an affair?”

“Didn’t Detective Park say he had someone he was going to marry? But why is he having an affair with a married woman?”

Detective Lee gestured to the other team members.

“Mind your own business and let’s get to work. It’s nothing good to talk about.”

At that moment, Team Leader Oh came in, rubbing his already sparse hair. Everyone watched the team leader carefully, and the team leader, who had returned to his seat, threw a file on his desk and burst into anger.

“Damn it, the beef I ate yesterday is coming back up! You guys, behave yourselves too. It’s enough to listen to the victim’s situation, why are you comforting them with your body! Ugh, really.”

Ah, I see. It was the victim who reported the robbery before. He remembered Lee Mi-ran said she ran a flower shop. Lee-eum also remembered Detective Park saying she was pretty in passing. Then, before he could think any further, a phone call came into the office. Nam-soo answered it and glanced at Lee-eum.

“Yes. Please hold.”

He held out the receiver, and Lee-eum mouthed, asking who it was.

“It’s a woman. I don’t know who it is.”

Lee-eum connected the call to the phone on his desk and put the receiver to his ear.

“Yes, this is Kim Yi-eum from Western Police Station Violent Crimes Unit 2.”

【Hello, this is Lee Mi-ran.】

“Excuse me? Who did you say you were?”

【Won-joon’s mother.】

Lee-eum thought. Who is Won-joon’s mother? Then he stared straight ahead with a struck expression. That’s right. That guy had a mother too. Well, he couldn’t have flown in from outside the earth. It felt a little strange that she said “Won-joon’s mother” so affectionately. Lee-eum hid his bewildered expression and looked around at the people. Everyone was focused on Detective Park’s situation and didn’t pay any attention to him.

“Hello… What can I do for you?”

【Actually, I want to meet Detective Kim… Would you have time?】

Lee-eum bit his lower lip. He felt like he knew why Choi Won-joon’s mother had contacted him without having to think too deeply about it. She waited quietly for an answer, and Lee-eum checked his schedule and told her that he could make time in the afternoon.

❖ ❖ ❖

Lee-eum sighed softly as he looked at the art museum building. It was the art museum run by Choi Won-joon’s mother, and perhaps because of people’s attention, she had called Lee-eum here instead of somewhere outside.

When he went inside, an employee immediately guided him to the director’s office. There were quite a few people even on a weekday, and as he walked along the hallway, paintings and sculptures were visible everywhere. He had learned while investigating Choi Won-joon that his mother was born into a family of painters.

Her father was a famous painter, and she was also a promising artist in her youth. It was a mystery how such a person met and married a gangster. Lee-eum suddenly thought of the unique sculptures in Choi Won-joon’s house. Was he also influenced by his mother?

Meanwhile, the door to the director’s office opened, and a woman sitting on the sofa stood up. She was a Western-style beauty with a straight posture and distinct features that didn’t match her age. He could tell that Choi Won-joon resembled his mother a lot.

“Welcome. I don’t know if I’m being rude to someone as busy as you.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Please sit down. Hye-mi, please get us some tea. Detective Kim, what kind of tea do you like?”

“I’m fine. I have to leave soon.”

“Oh, is that so? Then it would be better for both of us if I get to the point quickly.”

She had her hands clasped tightly together and looked very cautious. The more he looked at her, the more calm, elegant, and dignified she seemed. It didn’t match at all that Choi Won-joon came from such a mother.

“First of all, the reason I asked to meet Detective Kim is because of our Won-joon.”

Lee-eum had guessed as much, so he waited silently instead of answering. But then Madam Lee stopped talking and looked at Lee-eum’s face intently before smiling.

“Detective, you have a very good face. There are many handsome people, but it’s rare to find someone with such clear eyes, they’re sparkling like jewels. Your parents must be proud.”

Lee-eum was a little embarrassed by the unexpected compliment.

“That must be why our Won-joon was drawn to you.”

He felt uncomfortable and wished she would get to the point and finish the conversation, but with a knock, someone who seemed to be her secretary brought a document envelope. She took the envelope, placed it on the desk, and slid it towards Lee-eum. Lee-eum’s gaze followed the envelope. It was the scenario he had roughly expected.

“I hope you don’t feel burdened and accept it.”

A sneer leaked out inside. The ways of the rich were no different in TV shows or in reality. Usually, they would throw a small envelope of money, but this was a document envelope. He wondered if it contained a house deed. Lee-eum smiled bitterly and pushed the envelope back.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t need it.”

Madam Lee looked slightly embarrassed.

“Have I made a mistake?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that I’m not in any kind of relationship with President Choi Won-joon in the first place. So, please rest assured.”

Oh my goodness. She covered her mouth and looked distressed. What was with that reaction? Shouldn’t she be jumping up and down with joy? He couldn’t figure out her true feelings and was curious when Madam Lee put her hand in the envelope and took out the contents.

Lee-eum was speechless for a moment. What was in the envelope wasn’t money or a house deed, but a photo album. Madam Lee looked at Lee-eum while holding it preciously.

“I made a big mistake. I thought you two were meeting in a good relationship. So, I brought this to show you, but I’m sorry.”

Lee-eum couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“Perhaps… Do you not know that I’m a Beta?”

“I know, but it doesn’t matter. I think it’s enough if Won-joon likes you.”

Lee-eum wanted to correct her. To be exact, Choi Won-joon doesn’t like Kim Yi-eum. He just sees him as a tool for a good night’s sleep. He’ll leave whenever another tool appears. Meanwhile, Madam Lee naturally opened the photo album.

“Since you’re here, would you like to look at Won-joon’s pictures?”

Lee-eum’s gaze went down. Choi Won-joon as a child had noticeably distinct features, curly permed hair, and a face that showed a lot of shyness, unlike now. As he looked at it, someone came to mind.

Young-shik….

As he turned the pages one by one, the smile disappeared from Choi Won-joon’s face as time passed. It was too early to call it puberty, and Lee-eum guessed that the period was related to the kidnapping case.

After showing him the pictures, she handed him a letter envelope.

“This is a letter containing my heart. May I read it aloud here?”

Lee-eum was horrified and waved his hands, and she looked disappointed and tucked the letter into the photo album.

“Then read it when you’re alone. I know that many people have prejudices against our Won-joon. I understand because his father did such a thing in the past. Still, it’s different when you experience it. He’s really pure and kind.”

“…….”

“Some people say he looks scary just because of his appearance, but that’s because they don’t know my child well. He’s shy, so he’s aloof and cold at first, but when you get to know him, he’s the youngest, so he’s full of charm and how affectionate he is.”

“…….”

“Besides, he’s never had a proper relationship. He’s more innocent than he looks. But I can see that he’s completely fallen for Detective Kim, so I hope you two get along well.”

Lee-eum’s head was getting more and more dazed.

Ah, I’m getting drained. Why does this feeling feel so familiar?

I think it would be better to get hit with a money envelope?

“Excuse me, Madam….”

“Oh my, I’m so touched that you called me Madam! I feel like I’m going to cry!”

Madam Lee grabbed Lee-eum’s hand and was sincerely moved, and Lee-eum flinched and tried to shake off her hand, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so when he saw Madam Lee’s happy face. Eventually, he listened to the whole story, and on the way back, he had to come out with the photo album and letter in his arms.