Forbidden (Chapter 10)

It's time for chapter 10 of Forbidden! I'd like to say thanks to those people who commented and really like this story of mine, it means a lot. :) so thank you!! It seems our little herione has had her ups and downs living with Detective Kim, and her first falling out with him has led to some surprising consequenses, no? XD We shall see what sort of shenanigens they get into as the story progresses, but for now, ONWARD TO CHAPTER 10!! *confetti*

Chapter 10

The next couple of days passed without much incident between Detective Kim and me. He had told me that the reason he hadn't answered his phone calls from me the past couple days were because he was working a big case that was relevant to the Charlie Park and Hong Kong incident. It turns out that Charlie Park was part of an even bigger drug trafficking scheme involving YJ Finance; Detective Kim had been swamped with paper and undercover work, but thanks to Detective Shin they managed to catch them in the nik of time before anymore drugs made it into the country. I didn't ask much more about it--I was just glad everything turned out alright and he was safe.

He had kept his promise to me and either called and texted me whenever he could, easing my mind throughout the days I was in school. He recently texted me that he was really busy working on a case involving one of their own in the Police Agency. Apparently, the YJ case files were stolen from the H.I.T.'s Police Chief's office and they were going crazy looking for them...it also didn't help that they had found out the Police Chief's room had been bugged.

Stop right there, I texted back, while I was in the middle of Math homework. Isn't this top secret? You shouldn't be telling me this at all, let alone through text message. He answered back almost immediately, and I smiled to myself as I read his answer, and rolled my eyes.

You're the one who said--in tears, need I remind you--to always text you with whatever it is I'm doing.

Yes I did, but not Top Secret information, Detective.

It took him a while to respond that time, which was good for me considering I got almost NOTHING accomplished in Math...I should yell at him for that if I ended up failing the class and make him feel guilty. But then again, I might get "grounded" for failing. I almost laughed out loud; what could he POSSIBLY do as punishment to me if I failed math? Or any subject for that matter? The man's been living alone for most of his adult life and just recently accquired a kid whom he now has to be in charge of. I doubt he'd be able to do anything drastic; I think he nearly wet himself when I broke down crying at him the other day.

He answered me back with a "Well, next time be more specific with your demands," which I followed up with a (I only realized this after I hit send GODDAMMIT!) flirty, "I have high demands Detective, I don't think you'd be able to handle them," and got back to my math homework, my stomach clenching uncomfortably with what I had just sent to him. Thankfully, he never responded back and I figured it was either because he was extremely caught off guard by my answer, or because he as really busy with work. I hoped--no PRAYED--it was the latter.

Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of embarrassment in my stomach, I gritted my teeth and got to work on the rest of my homework, which consisted of Language, Chemistry, and Reading. I ended up spending most of my time at the kitchen table trying not to rip out my hair with such moutainous work that he been bestowed upon me by the oh-so-understanding teachers at Sook-Myung Girls' Academy. (Blech!) Thank God it was Friday and I could sleep in the next day!

After about 3 hours of Math and Reading (WHO THE HELL THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OK FOR ME TO READ HANGUL?! DEAR GOD!!) I thought I got another text message from Detective Kim while I was sitting on the couch, taking a break and watching a Korean anime on television. I ignored the buzz until it happened about 3 times simultaneously and I figured out it was an actual call. I quickly turned the tv on mute, checked the caller ID, and answered.

"Yes, Detective?" I said.

"How are you doing? Are you alright?" he answered. I blinked in surprise, but smiled. He really was trying to keep his promise. I lay back on the couch and let my legs dangle from one of the arms.

"I'm fine," I replied, "Just taking a break from my homework; I still have a lot to do. Jeez, teachers here really know how to pile on the workload. I mean yeah, I had a lot of homework in my old school, but nothing like this." He laughed and my insides swarmed with butterflies at the sound and I found myself smiling along with him. I felt my face grow hot and I smooshed my free hand against my cheek, trying to cool it down. Damn, ever since that night when I broke down and he held me in his arms, he's had that affect on me...not that I was complaining, it was just REALLY annoying for me cuz I was still trying to suppress it. He's my guardian for crying out loud!! He shouldn't make me feel this way!! DAMMIT!!

"Yeah, teachers here in Korea are a lot different than teachers in the West. Kids here are drilled to study hard in order to get into a good university since it's so competitive here, so they have to have a lot of homework and succeed no matter what," he explained. I huffed.

"That should be considered Child Abuse," I muttered. He chuckled at my response.

"Hey, I had to go through it too and I survived, I think you can too."

"Yeah, ok" I told him, rolling my eyes. "So what did you call me for, Detective? Or are you just worried about me ever since the other day when I yelled at you?"

"I am," he said seriously. My smile instantly faded and my face grew hotter and when I didn't reply he contined. "But we'll talk about that some other time. I'm just calling to tell you that I won't be home until late tonight--if at all; this case has really got me tied up. I actually hope I can go home, but I can't promise you that. I'll call you if I'm not able to make it."

"O-ok," I stuttered, trying to deal with the raging OMG! HE'S ACTUALLY WORRIED ABOUT ME! HE'S SO SWEET! fest in my head. That must have set off alarms in his head cuz--quite worried--if I was all right.

"Yes-yes!! I'm fine, just really.....tired," I lied, placing a hand on my forehead as if trying to calm the thoughts running through my head.

"Ok, well hurry and finish your homework and get some rest," he said, "And like I said, I'll try to be home tonight but I can't promise you anything."

"Ok, that's fine. Work hard!" I cheered. "Hwaiting!" He laughed and answered with a slightly embarrassed "Hwaiting" of his own and we hung up. I dangled my arm holding my cell phone over the seat of the leather couch, allowing it to fall from my slack grip. I sighed dramatically, puffing out my cheeks and rubbed my forehead as if still trying to calm my thoughts.

"AAARGH!! ENOUGH BRAIN!!" I screamed at the ceiling, completely frustrated at this point. I glared up at the heavens and pouted. "What the hell?" I questioned. "What the freakin hell? I hope You find this amusing, cuz I sure as hell don't. YOU ARE SO MEAN!!" I clutched fistfuls of hair and rolled on the couch until my spazzyness made me fall off. I just lay there staring between the legs of the coffee table, not moving.

"This blows," I muttered glaring into space. I lay there for another five minutes, wallowing in my anger, confusion, and irritability until finally getting up and finishing my homework. It took my mind off Detective Kim and my own feelings but it still wasn't pleasant.

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I woke up the next morning, groggy and tired but surprisingly in bed. That's funny...I don't remember falling asleep last night, let alone falling asleep in bed. The last thing I remember was finishing up my Chemistry homework. Maybe I sleptwalked to bed? No, that wasn't right. At least I hoped it wasn't. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to go shower but stopped when I smelled the unmistakable scent of coffee being made.

Wait. Coffee?!

I dashed to the kitchen not only to find a pot of hot coffee still in the coffee maker, but also my guardian standing watch over it, an empty cup on the counter by his side. When he heard me enter, he looked up and smiled at me which in turn made me feel super self-concious about my just-got-out-of-bed appearance. Great.

"Good Morning," he said to me in Korean. "You looked like you slept well."

"G-Good Morning," I answered surprised. Detective Kim then went back to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup while I watched him like I've never seen him before in my life.

"Wh...What're you doing here?" I ended up stuttering out slowly. He grinned at me as he took a sip of coffee. "I live here don't I?" he said, smiling. I fidgeted a bit and looked away and was quiet for a while before asking my next question.

"How did I get in bed?"

Detective Kim looked at me for a long time, his eyes warm and caring. His gaze made my stomach explode with butterflies, and I fidgeted even more and I scrated by bed-head hair trying to do SOMETHING at least to try and make the situation less awkward.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that," he finally answered, amusement in his voice. I looked up at him to find that he was still smilng kindly at me and had that cute smile on his face. I waited for the rest of his answer.

"I found you sleeping at the kitchen table when I got home around 3 in the morning," he said. "You fell asleep finishing your homework and you were sleeping on your Chemistry book. I didn't wanna wake you up, so I carried you to your room and placed you in bed."

My stomach seemed to sink to the deepest pits of Hell when he told me that. Not only could I NOT believe I fell asleep doing homework, I couldn't believe that I fell asleep AT THE KITCHEN TABLE AND HE HAD TO CARRY ME TO BED!! Was I snoring when he found me on the table?! WORSE!! DID I DROOL?! OMG!!!

"I have to admit, you were cute sleeping on the table like that," he continued and I looked at him in wide-eyed disbelief. "And you're quite light too; I had no problem carrying you to bed. And when I put you in bed, you mumbled in your sleep and turned on your side. It was very cute."

OH. MY. GOD.

"I'm going to shower," I stated and went back to my room with my face feeling like it was on fire. I grabbed my towel, and slammed the bathroom door and started my shower, having the steam and warmth of the water try and soothe me. Didn't work so well as my insides were still a raging inferno and my face felt like a volcano. I smooshed my hands against my face as the water carressed my body and I stared the the floor of the tub as the water flowed down the drain.

"I can't believe that happened," I muttered, blinking water from my eyes. "I can't believe that actually happened!! He....he...." I couldn't bring myself to say the rest of what was in my mind--it was just too embarrassing.

"Aaahh!! I can't believe that happened, it's so emabrrassing!!" I whined as I scrubbed myself furiously with soap and water. I told myself it was to wash off the feeling of humiliation. Didn't work so well. I had finished cleansing myself and wrapped my towel around my body and peeked out the bathroom door, checking to see if Detective Kim had gone to work, which would save me from even more suffering.

"I thought you drowned in there, you took so long," his voice called out to me. I flung the door open, letting the steam out and faced him in the hallway between his room and mine.

"What are you still doing here?! Don't you have work today?!" I screamed, holding the door open with one hand and clutching my towel around myself with the other. He was quiet for a moment, staring at me. And that's when I realized that I was staring at him and only in a towel. I slammed the bathroom door and leaned against it, my heart beating a million miles a minute, and my breathing labored.

"YOU SAW NOTHING!!" I screeched from behind the door. Detective Kim said nothing for a long time and I partially wondered if he was still there. I got my answer though, when he said something to me that made my heart skip a beat.

"Let's go out," he said from outside the bathroom. My brain seemed to malfunction for a moment, while I tried to process what he said. Go out? Like...OUT out? I mentally kicked myself. No, retard that's stupid--not to mention totally unprofessional. Unprofessional? What is this, a workplace? Oh...wait....come to think of it, this whole thing with me living here with him is basically like business. He takes care of me, and I pretty much stay out of his way....

The knock on the door made me snap back to reality and the worried tone of voice Detective Kim called out to me with, made me really listen to him.

"Kimi....are you alright?" he asked. I opened the door just a smidge and peeked out at him through the tiny opening.

".......Where are we going?" I asked, grateful for the door hiding my face so he wouldn't see me blushing. He smiled that cute (AND TOTALLY HAWT!) smile at me and said, "We're going out for breakfast. My team and I are going to surprise our Supervisor, and make him treat us for breakfast." I grinned.

"Wow....that's not completley childish in any way," I answered back sarcastically. Then a thought occured to me. "Wait....if you've already decided to bring me along with you....wouldn't that mean everyone's going to find out about me living with you? Even though no one's s'posed to except for Prosecutor Kim and Detective Cha? Wouldn't you get in trouble?"

He looked uncomfortable for a moment and hesitant. He looked away and down at the ground, as if in shame but quickly regained his composure and smiled once more at me.

"You're not one of the criminals I have to deal with everyday; the only thing you do is get up, go to school and then come back home. I hate having you be basically trapped here, so I'm taking out with my team and telling them everything. I may get in trouble sure, but it'll be worth it if I can give you a lot more freedom than you do now," he said. I stared at him, touched by his words. I looked down at the floor so he wouldn't see the tears of gratitude shine in my eyes.

"Thank you," I mumbled in Korean, in a voice that was barely above a whisper. He reached his hand into the bathroom and patted my head caringly.

"Get dressed, and then we'll get going," he told me, and then went into the living room and turned on the tv. I wiped my eyes and sniffed, my mood instantly better in that 3 minutes of bonding time and I smiled to myself and hummed SHINee's "Romantic" as I went back to my room and got dressed in a denim mini-skirt, black knee-high stockings, black Converse, a light pink long sleeved shirt, and a denim vest with attached white cotton sleeves and a hood. It was warm in comfortable in this winter weather.

I actually put makeup on today--something I rarely do, even in school. You can guess why I did it today. I put on some lip gloss, and light blush on my my cheeks, while a small amount of eyeliner and mascara darkened my lashes. I brushed out my hair and placed some small but cute, pink barettes in my hair to keep my bangs out of my face. I gave myself a once over in the mirror, and feeling satisfied I went out to meet my guardian who by now was flipping through the tv channels.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said as I came into the living room, feeling more than a little self-conscious. Detective Kim looked up at me and I swear he looked a tiny bit surprised at my appearance, but I couldn't tell for his facial expression switched instantly to something else I couldn't read.

"You look nice," he told me, getting up from the couch. "But it's a bit cold out, you might want a jacket." I nodded and went to get my coat from my room and then we finally went out the door.

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It was an awkward car ride to Detective Kim's Supervisor's house. When we got to the Police Agency, Lieutenant Cha looked like she was about to shit kittens when she saw Detective Kim bring me into the H.I.T. headquarters and tell her that he decided to bring me along. She then proceeded to drag him out and take him someplace so she could have a private word with him. I didn't need and explination to know that he was getting shit for it.

While he was being ripped on by Lietenant Cha, I got aquainted with the other Detectives whom I just realized I hadn't seen since the Hong Kong incident. I recognized Detective Jang right away and smiled warmly at him when he greeted me.

"I'm glad to see you're doing ok," I told him in Korean. "How is Hee-Jin?"

"She's doing fine, thank you," he answered, smiling. " I'll tell her you said hello."

Detective Nam then came up to me and greeted me kindly and so did Detective Shin, though he looked at me suspiciously and I fidgeted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"So," he said to me, "What brings you here with Detective Kim? You don't expect me to believe that you two are just friends with you being as young as you are. How old are you anyway? 16? 15?"

"I'm 17 sir," I answered, annoyance prickling up my spine. "I'll be 18 in a few weeks." Jeez, what a jerk, asking such upfront questions!!! I made a mental note to stay away from him.

"And as to why she and I came here together, I'll explain everything when we get Chief Cho," came the voice of Detective Kim as he and Lieutenant Cha came back from their "talk." I was more than a little relieved to see him, and when I looked at him he gave me a look that said that everything was all right and taken care of and I had nothing to worry about.

"Kim Il-Ju," stated Detective Shin suspiciously once again, and eyeing Detective Kim with as much scrutiny as he did me. "Don't tell me that you're in some kind of inappropriate relationship with her. You're a cop, for God's sake."

"WHAT?!" shouted Detective Kim, Lieutenant Cha and myself in unison, looking at Detective Shin like he had just lost his damn mind. I prayed that no one noticed me blushing like a fool.

"It's not like that at all!" explained my guardian to Detective Shin, annoyance brimming in his voice. "What kind of person do you take me for?! I told you I'll explain everything when we get Chief Cho, and I will! Don't make up stories and say nonsense like that! That's a serious accusation anyway!! What's wrong with you?!"

"Ok, ok," replied Mr. Sleaze-ball (yes, I'm using his nickname that I gave him way back when. It fits him perfectly). "Just checking." And he walked off with such an air of nonchalance that I wanted to kick him where the sun don't shine.

"Forget about it, let's just go," ordered Lieutenant Cha and she and the rest of the team followed her out of headquaters and into their grey police van. Mr. Sleaze-ball was driving, my guardian was in the passenger seat, Detective Nam and Jang were in the middle seat and I was in the rear with Lieutenant Cha (SAVE ME!! D: ). As he promised, Detective Kim explained everything about him and myself to his fellow detectives and every once in a while they would glance back at me and then go back to the story and listen intently to Detective Kim. I on the other hand, stared directly at the floor of the van, not looking at Lieutanant Cha because I could tell she just wanted to rip my guardian apart....and I didn't doubt for a second that she'd do the same to me as well if she wanted to. Or worse: send me back to Canada.

So you can imagine how awkward the car ride was for me. And it didn't get any better, because as soon as we got to Chief Cho's house (IT'S FREAKIN NIIICE!! OMG!!) Detective Kim proceeded to imitate Super Junior and greeted him with a "We are H.I.T. -handsign-" and I just about died of embarrassment FOR him. Everyone else just looked at him.

"You don't think that was funny?" he asked, majorly embarrassed, looking at all of us and stopping at me with a sheepish grin on his face. I shook my head, covered my face with my hand and walked away, trying not to laugh. He tried calling out to me, but I answered him with a dismissive, "I don't know you!" and ignored him. However, the next thing I knew, the team carried their Cheif into the van and drove off to God knows where. Yep...basically they kidnapped him. COPS. The COPS. KIDNAPPED. SOMEONE. Fuuuucked uuup!! But in a good way, I guess.

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We ended up going to an outdoor breakfast/park....thing and all of us sat at one of the patio/gazeebo type things and all had a good time, laughing and joking. Chief Cho asked me a lot of questions about my home life before I came to live with Detective Kim (who had explained to him why there was a kid here, and everything. Thankfully he didn't seem to mind--he even said he would have done the same thing had he been in Detective Kim's place). I answered him as best as I could, and was surprised to find that I wasn't getting annoyed or angry as opposed to when I usually did when asked about my pre-Korean home life. I guess it was because I was happy not having to hide the fact about why I decided to come here, and also having to come to live with Detective Kim. I was more than happy not having to have that burden on my shoulders anymore.

The mood was happy-go-lucky for a while, until Chief Cho pointed out that even though the team expected him to treat them all to a nice (and expensive) breakfast, he didn't bring his wallet.

"You dragged me out and threw me into the van," he stated and laughed maniacally while the others just stared at him. "You brought this on yourselves." I looked around at all the Detective's disheartened faces and covered my mouth with my hands, trying (and failing miserably ) to hide my own hysterical laughter.

"Ah, see! Even she's laughing at your stupidity!" exclaimed Chief Cho, patting my back in gratitude and joining in on my laughter. I then felt a small stick hit my chest, and looked up to see Detective Kim grinning at me.

"Yah," he said in Korean, smirking, "It's not polite to laugh at other people's misfortune."

"It's not your misfortune she's laughing at, it's your idiocy," retorted Chief Cho, making the both of us laugh even harder. Our laughing made everyone else laugh, and the mood was lightened once more as Detective Kim asked a waitress to come and take our orders and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

After a good time of laughing and joking, I got up from my spot and decided to wander around the grounds, and enjoy the scenery a bit. I stared up at the sky as small flocks of birds flew overhead, and kept my distance as I watched squirrels dig in the ground for their lost acorns and whatnot. I ended up walking far from the group of police officers and found myself at a small bridge over a little creek, where fallen leaves floated atop the waters and melting snow dripped from the icicles.

I stared into the creek, thinking of all that had happened in my life so far and how truly grateful I was that it had turned out in such as way that was for the better. I was happy that I was here, happy that I was doing well for myself, and most of all happy that I had a wonderful guardian like Detective Kim to protect me. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Detective Kim smiling at me and came to stand next to me on the bridge.

"You ok?" he asked me, mirroring my stance and leaning against the metal railing. I nodded and placed a lock of loose hair behind my ear.

"Just thinking," I answered. "Not really about anything in particular though. Just finally realizing how happy I am right now, as opposed to how I was before." I looked at him and he nodded and stared out into space.

"I'm glad," he said to me. "You deserve to be happy after everything that you went through--not only back in your home of Canada, but here too. You've been through a lot." I nodded and smiled.

"True. But I have you to protect me, so I don't think things like international kidnapping and all that jazz will be happening for a loooong time."

He laughed and pulled me into a one armed hug. I felt my face burn, and the icy wind stung my cheeks as the searing blush colored my face. DAMMIT, NOT NOW!! WHYYY?! As quickly as he had done it however, he let go and I was left in the cold aftermath again, with my heart beating wildly. Ugh...I REALLY needed to figure this crap out; it's driving me absolutely NUTS. >.<

"Come on, we're about to leave so let's get back to the van," he said walking back to the others. When he didn't hear me following him he turned back to me and grinned impishly. "Unless you want to stay here in the cold, I'd be more than happy to leave you here."

"Oh yeah right!! You wouldn't leave me here!! You'd be too worried about me!!" I yelled, catching up to him and playfully hitting his arm. We joked and laughed all the way back to the others, and somehow someway, our journey ended with me being slung over his shoulder like a wild animal when we actually made it to the other Detectives.

"She commited a crime and struck a police officer, I had no choice but to carry her like this and then I'm taking her in for questioning," he told them while they stared at us.

"PUT ME DOWN, YOU JERK I'M WEARING A SKIRT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! HAVE YOU NO SHAME!!?"

When we get home....he DIES. >:(

Forbidden (Chapter 9)

Aigoo! It seems like this story was put in the back burner, no? Well, you all can thank good old College for that!! But, now that I'm off till September, this story (as well as my other ones on fanfiction) can be my top priority!! To those of you who have had a hell of a lot of patience with me, I thank you for being so patient and putting up with me. THANK YOU ALL! HAVE SOME COOKIES!! On to Chapter nine!!

Chapter 9

I tossed my book bag down next to the coffee table and flopped down on the couch not bothering to change out of my uniform. I had a rough day at my all-girls school, and I wanted nothing more than to just sit and do nothing for the rest of the day. Unfortunately for me, my teachers had decided to pile on the homework, which would more than likely take me hours to do, so it wasn't like I could lounge about for long.

Don't get me wrong--I hated going to an all-girls school--but after attending for a week, I had grown tolerant of the place. When I had learned that I had been sent there by my guardian when I had gotten home that first day, (I took the bus) I did not speak to him when he had called the house checking to see if I was there. Instead, I left the phone ringing, and when he finally arrived home and attempted to scold me, I shoved a piece of paper under his nose that read "I will not speak to you until further notice. Do not call my cell phone, nor the house; I will not answer. I am extremely pissed at you. ~Kimi" and then walked to my room where I listened to my iPod on full blast and ignored him for the rest of the night. (Though, seeing as how I didn't see him for the rest of the night, I assumed he had gone back to work, which was all right with me.)

I had not seen him since that incident that Monday afternoon when I had gotten home from my first day of school. He had kept his word and had not called me on my cell once since I handed him that paper, nor had he called the house. I had gotten over my anger at him some time ago, but my pride prevented me from being the first one to actually talk to him. I debated on whether or not I should pay him a surprise visit at the Police Agency when the phone rang and I leaped off the couch and practically dove for it.

"Yobuseyo?" I said into the receiver, somewhat breathlessly.

"So you're speaking to me again?" came the voice of my guardian, Detective Kim, on the other end. My heart seemed to inflate with joy at hearing his voice (granted it was dripping with sarcasm, but I really didn't care at the moment). "I thought you weren't going to talk to me until further notice," he continued in English.

"You're the one who called the house," I answered back, cheekily. "So what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call, Detective? Just wanted to check up on me?"

"Yes," he answered bluntly. "Make sure you do your homework." I suppressed a sigh. Of course.

"Oh, and one more thing," he continued, "try and contact some of the girls from the Hong Kong investigation; make sure they're doing ok. I'll see you later." He hung up. I put down the receiver and groaned. First time talking to him in a week, and the first thing he wants me to do is my homework. I looked to the coffee table where my book bag lay toppled on its side and weighted down with heavy books. The feeling of dread that came with having to do homework filled me to my very core.

"The faster I get it done, the faster I can do nothing," I muttered to myself as I raked my hand through my hair. I sighed, and went into my room to change out of my uniform and into something more comfortable to attempt to do homework in. I came back out wearing baggy grey sweatpants, socks, a fitted orange t-shirt, and my hair in a ponytail and sat down at the table and took out my books, papers, and pencil from my bag.

"Let's get down to business," I muttered to myself....then I finished with "to defeat....the Huns~." (Because everything is better with a Disney reference! :D) After some immense struggling with my Math, Language, and Chemistry homework, I finally finished everything I had to do......and it was only 11:30 pm!! (Oh joy...) I dropped my pencil and slammed my head into my Chemistry book when I saw what time it was. Dear God, I was exhausted; giving this much homework should be illegal.

I got up, stretched, and hobbled back to my room for the rest of the night planning to get the most out of my six and a half hours of sleep. But before I retired for the night, I decided to give Detective Kim a call. Don't ask me why, I just did. Unfortunately, he didn't pick up his cell phone, striking me as odd, since he always picks up no matter what. I tried a few more time, but each time it went directly to voice mail. I glanced at the clock, unease rattling my nerves. It was almost midnight, and I needed to get up soon and be prepared for my Chemistry quiz tomorrow, so I gave up trying to call him and went to sleep, praying that he was ok.

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I face-planted against my desk as the bell rang for lunch; God I was tired...and that stupid Chemistry quiz wasn't helping my mood. Nor was the fact that I couldn't get a hold of Detective Kim all morning, and I hadn't been able to since school started. I had been too preoccupied with worry to really focus on that quiz so I knew I had completely bombed it, but right now I could have cared less. I lifted my head up and rested it on my hand, my elbow propping me up as I stared out the window and my stomach rumbled, painfully reminding me of its emptiness. (I had slept a little through my alarm, so I didn't have time to make myself lunch, nor did I have money to buy myself some, fml.)

As I stared out the window, thoughts of Detective Kim entered my mind and it began to race with questions and concerns about his well-being. He had never NOT answered his phone before, and I found myself thinking up the most ridiculous (yet totally possible) situations in which he wouldn't be able to. The worst one was when I dreamt last night that he had somehow been killed by some crazy murderer, which I then woke up from in a cold sweat, shaken and scared and had ended up crying. Then, after I had calmed down a bit and drank a glass of water I managed to go back to sleep, though the dream was still fresh in my mind.

There were plenty of other scenarios like that in my head that had filtered in throughout the day, and I was concerning myself with one of them when a voice thankfully interrupted my mental breakdown. I turned my head and saw Hee-Jin standing in front of me, smiling at me with her dark straight hair down and framing her features and makeup slightly coloring her face.

"Annyeong," I said, bowing my head slightly and smiling. She did the same as she greeted me, and said in Korean, "Would you like to eat lunch together? I mean, since meeting in Hong Kong, we never really got a chance to talk, and now that we're in the same school and in the same Chemistry class...." her voice trailed off as she ended her sentence pathetically.

I stared at her before answering. Now, if I was to be brutally honest with her, I would have said no and been content with starving until I had returned home because--let's face it--Hee-Jin is not my favorite person in the world. From what I saw of her in Hong Kong, she's a downright spoiled, bitchy person and certainly not the type of girl I'd want to be friends with. But, because I'm a nice person and didn't want to hurt her feelings, I said the exact opposite.

"Sure, I'd love to," I answered also in Korean, wanting to kick myself in the face. (Curse my kindness!) "Oh good!" she sighed and took up a chair and sat in front of me at my desk and brought out two bento boxes and handed one to me. I looked at it for a while, and then back at her.

"Is this for me?" I asked. She nodded and smiled and opened her bento. Inside, there was rice, vegetables, fruit, and spicy calamari. She then picked up two pairs of chopsticks, handed me one, and then started eating. I hadn't touched the food she had given me and just stared at her while she ate and after about ten minutes she finally looked up and--chewing on calamari--asked me why I wasn't eating.

"It's ok for you to eat it; made it for you," she added while I continued to stare at her. I blinked once, said nothing, and quickly opened my bento and started eating. It was delicious. I glanced up at Hee-Jin as I ate and saw that she smiled once at me and continued eating her own lunch.

"So, um...Kimi," she said hesitantly after a while. I looked up from my food and saw that she was now at picking her own with her chopsticks and staring down at it. I waited. Finally she stated, "If you don't mind me asking....how-how did you end up in Korea?" Of course. I bit back my annoyance at having been asked a question I had avoided since coming to this country and tried to answer without barking.

"Personal reasons," I answered, carefully choosing my words. "It's a long story and I'd rather not get into it." She nodded and said nothing more about the subject and asked another question.

"Where are you staying if you don't mind me asking?"

She glanced up at me and her onyx eyes locked with my brown ones as I stared her down, causing her to blink in unease and go back to staring at her food and picking at it with her chopsticks. I gazed intently at her for a very long time before answering her slowly.

"Why are you asking me this?" As if it were nothing important, she shrugged and answered back, "I'm just curious is all. I mean...of all places, you ended up here and involved in international kidnapping and all...it's just...surprising."

"That's not it," I answered quickly, my voiced laced with annoyance. "You're lying, I know you are. Tell me the real reason why you're so curious about me." She scoffed a few times and pretended to look offended before finally answering me.

"Well....it's just....when you and the other girls were kidnapped again..." she stammered nervously, faulting under my harsh glare. "The girls' were wondering...and it got me curious too--I mean I'm not sure if it's true or not, but the girls did say there were some kinds of signs--"

"Spit it out, Hee-Jin!" I finally snapped at her, my temper getting the better of me.

"Are you and Detective Kim....y'know....together?" she finally blurted out, awkwardly. That did it; what little patience I had left completely vaporized as I sat, scowling at her though careful not to explode in front of her and cause a scene. Instead, I shoved the bento box she had given me for lunch back at her, got up and left the classroom seething with anger. It wasn't the fact that she had asked me such a question, that I was pissed; it was the fact that she actually thought I was incredibly stupid to fall for her 'let's be friends' act so she can coax me into spilling my living arrangements so she could go and report it to the rest of the girls.

I stormed to the girls bathroom, shoved open the door, and leaned against a sink and gazed at my reflection in the mirror.

"Tch...do I look like an idiot to her?" I sneered in Korean. (I had gotten into the habit of muttering to myself in Korean. I found it quite fun.) "Who does she think she is?" I growled as I wet my face with cold water as I tried to calm myself. After I had counted to ten, and was feeling a little better, I headed back to my Chemistry class to grab my belongings before I had to head to my next one: Language.

Hee-Jin was no longer at my desk when I arrived back, but instead with her own little clique of friends away from my desk. When I passed them to gather my belongings, some of them gave me dirty looks, which I ignored. I didn't care whether they thought I was a bitch or not, it was none of my business anyway; maybe they shouldn't have a two-faced snake as a friend.

I picked up my bag from the floor and went back outside into the hallway, taking my cell phone out in the process. I turned it around in my hands as I exited the school and went to a deserted area far from students' listening ears as they stood out and about in the frigid air, their faces rosy pink and their breaths crystallizing in the cold. They were talking and walking around as girls do, sharing the latest gossip and trying to keep warm with their hands shoved deep in their pockets and scarves wrapped around their necks.

I shivered as I opened my cell phone, cursing myself and wondering why the hell I had decided to go outside when I could have easily just stayed in the hallway and tried to make sure no one would hear me. (Again, that would have been waay too easy). I punched in Detective Kim's number and waited. No answer. My insides went as cold as the winter air around me--this was the second time he didn't answer in two days. I tried a couple more times, but each time the ringer would go on about five times then I would be directed to voicemail. I hung up my phone, and sighed in worry and frustration. All I wanted was to see if he was ok since I hadn't been in contact with him since yesterday and he still wasn't answering. What the hell was going on? The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch hour and I reluctantly went back inside the school with the rest of the students to my Language class, worry eating away at my brain.

---------------------------------------

I wrenched open the apartment door and flung myself inside, glancing down at the floor hoping to see a pair of expensive looking shoes. Nothing. Not wanting to believe what my eyes were seeing, I kicked off my own shoes, and bolted to his room, hoping to see a sleeping Detective. Nothing. I growled in frustration and slammed his door...then kicked it. Repeatedly. WHERE THE HELL COULD HE BE?! I ran a hand through my hair, and stomped to my room where I threw my bag in my closet, and flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

I tried to reason with myself that this was to be expected from him--I mean, he DID have a rather intense job to do, but still...something inside my head screamed that something was wrong. I tried to push that feeling out of my head all day, but it kept slowly coming back and being repeated in my head. Something's wrong, something's wrong, something's wrong.

"Nothing's wrong!" I said harshly to myself. "He's just being a butt and not answering his phone; he might even have it on silent....but then again, a police officer always has to answer his or her phone, and putting it on silent would be a huuuge mistake." I sat upright in bed, deep in thought as to what might have happened to my guardian throughout the course of two days. The thought's that ran through my mind however, were so frightening that I almost made myself hyperventilate and have a heart attack so I abruptly stopped thinking and decided to preoccupy myself with homework.

"Something completely different to keep my mind busy," I reasoned. "Very, very, very, busy." I got out of bed and marched to my closet where I had flung my bag, and taking out my books, went to the kitchen table to commence my homework. I littered the kitchen table with my belongings, and got knee deep in my Language homework, which consisted of me having to translate some Engilsh texts into Hangul and Hangul into English. Neither of them were easy to do, and I nearly ripped out my hair trying to figure it out. Dammit, why couldn't I just get Rosetta Stone? That would have been SO much easier.

After about 2 hours of deciphering Hangul to English and vice versa, I started on my Math, which I considered a blessing from God after having to go through Language Hell for the past two hours. And I hate Math. I glanced at the clock to see how much time had passed.

6:00pm.

Alright...so doing homework was actually a GOOD idea. I stretched and went to my room to change into my PJs before really getting into my Math homework. As I changed, thoughts of my guardian came back to mind and I angrily pushed them away. I wasn't going to think about him for the rest of the night, no matter how worried I was. And no matter how much this uneasiness was eating away at me, I wasn't going to give into it. I'll just have to suck it up and wait for him to come home.

If he comes home, said a nagging voice in my head. I pulled my tank top over my head and stared at my reflection in my dresser mirror.

"He's coming home," I answered it fiercely and exited my room, planning on focusing so much on my Math homework that my head would explode. I sat back down and got straight to work, finishing at 11pm and feeling exhausted. I wanted to go straight to sleep, but something stopped me from doing so and--going against my better judgment--I went to my room, grabbed a blanket, and planted myself in front of the television and started to watch some stupid variety show. Apparently, my mind had decided to tell the rest of my body to stay up and wait til Detective Kim came home just to see if he was ok...whether the rest of my body wanted to or not.

I didn't move from my spot, until 3 in the morning when I finally heard the front door open and Detective Kim come striding home, as if he had another normal workday. When he had taken off his shoes and saw me sitting on the couch watching TV, he looked at me in surprise, while I glared at him from where I sat.

"Kimi," he said, walking into the house. "What are you doing up? It's 3 in the morning, you have school tomorrow. Go to bed." He then proceeded to get a glass and pour himself some water from the fridge. I on the other hand, didn't move and inch, and continued to gaze at my guardian like an angry hawk.

When Detective Kim saw that I hadn't moved from the couch, he put the glass down, looked me directly in the eye, and said "Didn't you hear me? I said go to sleep. It's late."

"Oh, I heard you," I answered, nonchalantly. "I'm just choosing not to listen, that's all."

".........What?" asked my guardian, almost rhetorically. "What did you just say to me?" I ignored his ominous tone and stood up from the couch, clutching a pillow to my chest as if for comfort and protection from his reaction to what I was about to say next.

"You heard me," I retorted, my temper rising as I grasped the fluffy pillow tighter in my hands. From what I could see of his face, his jaw was clenched in rage at my defiance and disrespect and had taken several swift steps towards me. But before he could even reach the final step to where I was standing, my temper got the better of me and I flung the pillow at him, which hit him square in the face and made him stop dead in his tracks.

The light from the television illuminated some of his features and I could see that he was most definitely glaring at me and took several more deliberate steps forward. It was then that I completely lost control of my anger and grabbed the remaining pillows from the couch and hurled them at him, as if shooting him with fluffy bullets.

"YAH!" he yelled at me, fed up at my behavior and catching one of the pillows and thrusting it to the ground. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"

I stayed silent, glaring at him.

"Have you forgotten that I am your guardian now? I'm not one of your peers at school; I'm your elder and I deserve respect!" he scolded me. "You seem to have forgotten that I'm doing you a favor; I didn't have to open my home to you--I could still be living alone if I had chosen to!"

"Then stop acting like you're living alone, and start realizing that you do have someone who lives with you!!!" I hollered back, ignoring the angry tears that started to fill my eyes. "You're not alone in this house anymore--you have someone who shares the same living quarters as you do, and who depends on you: me!!"

He stared at me for a moment, registering my words.

"I tried calling you so many time today and yesterday, but you wouldn't answer you're stupid phone!" I continued screaming, the tears now flowing from my eyes and down my face. "I was worried sick about you!! I didn't know if you were alive or dead; if you would come home or not--and the worst part about it is, I can't go to the police station to see if you're ok, because nobody's supposed to know I'm living with you aside from Detective Cha and Prosecutor Kim!! So I was basically stuck here in the house all day worrying about you with nothing but my own horrid thoughts about what happened to you!!"

I hung my head and covered my face with my hands, sobbing. I was not only crying because I was angry--and I was livid--but I was also crying because I was relieved. I was relieved that he had made it back home alive and well. I was happy that he was here....with me. I don't know how long I stayed like that, or how long I was crying for. But the next thing I knew, I felt two powerful and strong arms wrap around my shaking body and hold me tightly. Securely. Safely. I was taken aback for a moment, then realized that Detective Kim was hugging me, and relaxed into his grasp, sniffling like a baby. He rested a hand on my head and stroked my hair and placed his chin on my scalp.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "so sorry. I do forget that I'm not alone anymore, and that I have someone who depends on me. I've been alone for so long....I guess old habits die hard. I've never had someone waiting for me at home, or worrying about me. It's just something I'll have to adjust to."

I had stopped crying then, listening to his words and his heartbeat as I rested my head against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Do you forgive me?" I sniffed again, and looked up at him trying to look determined, but I knew I failed at it miserably.

"Only if you promise that you'll always answer your phone when I call and tell me where you are. If you can't answer your phone then text me; you look like you're tech savvy, texting should be easy for you. Ok?" I reasoned. He smiled at me, and I felt a blush creep across my already tearstained face.

"Ok." he said, "Now go to bed." He dislodged himself from me, making me feel cold and vulnerable for some reason. I had to suppress the urge to not go and attach myself to him once more; as if I didn't want him to let me go....as if I didn't want to let him go. Nonetheless, after he handed me a napkin and I wiped my face and nose, I bid him goodnight and went off to bed. But as I tucked myself into bed and snuggled into my covers, I couldn't shake the feeling of how much I wanted to be with him at this very second. How much I wanted to feel his arms around me again.

I felt another blush sear across my face, and I buried my head under my covers and turned on my side. I closed my eyes and started to count sheep, trying to relax my mind and drift off into sleep. Unfortunately, sheep were not the ones to permeate my dreams that night...on the contrary...it was Detective Kim who now managed to make me drift off into sleep.

Forbidden (Chapter 8)

Hello everyone! Man, it's been a while right? Sooo sorry for the long wait. My computer had some problems sooo....I couldn't do anything with it for a while. (-cough- more like MONTHS! -cough- ) anyway, about this story... IT'S AWESOME ISN'T IT?! So, I'd like to apologize even more, but I figured you guys have been waiting long enough waiting to see what happens to our heroine soooo....... HERE'S CHAPTER 8!! =D

Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning, in a king-sized bed, feeling very well rested and surprisingly wide awake. I ran a hand through my hair (ignoring the knots), and observed my surroundings. Wait..... this doesn't look like one of the many hotel rooms that I'm oh-so-comfortable in sleeping in.... I whipped my head left and right, trying to find something familiar, other than my suitcases. Nothing. I was about to shoot out of bed and call the cops, when memories of what happened to me so far flooded into my brain. The events replayed in my head until I got to the part concerning my current whereabouts.

That's right... I'm living with Mr. Sexy--no, wait...Detective Kim--now. I had almost forgotten. A small smile played across my face as I thought of the detective, and I felt my face grow slightly hot. Now, this guy was really hot and just drop-dead gorgeous, and for me to be living with him was just..... WOW! Bashfulness and giddiness surged through me and I felt my smile grow until it became a big stupid grin on my face. To counter such an idiotic facial expression, I grabbed one of my pillows, buried my face in it, and squealed. I then flopped down onto my back and stared at the ceiling, my arms spread away from my body.

I lay there thinking and enjoying the silence when I suddenly remembered that there was something important that I had to do today. I sat bolt upright in bed--totally grateful for the fact that there was no other bed above me to cause me searing head pain had I done that at Mi-Young's place and went out to the living room to look at the time. (I didn't have a clock in my new room yet) I yelped when I saw the clock and dashed back to my room, grabbed my towel, and went to shower. I was supposed to be at the Police Agency at 9am and it was already 8:15. Now, to some of you, that might seem like a LOT of time...but I really didn't know how long it would take me to get there, so by my standards... I was already late.

I finished my shower, raked a brush through my hair, dressed in jeans and a white turtleneck sweater, grabbed my purse and dashed out the door. I didn't even bother with breakfast, so I guess I was going to starve until I got back. I assumed that this whole thing wouldn't take more than a half hour or whatever, so the faster I got this over with, the faster I can come back and eat some food!

I dashed down the street and around a corner when I realized... I had no idea where I was going. Goddamn. I sifted through my purse only to find that I did not have my cell phone on me. Strike two. Oh, and I don't have a key for the house--it had been pretty unpredictable the past couple of days, so I wasn't really surprised that I didn't have one. But at a time like this... I sure as hell wish I did.

I huffed and moved my bangs out of my eyes. Well, this is just great. I slung my purse over my shoulder, and started walking. Where? I supposed I could asked for directions to the Police Agency--somebody has to know where it is. I continued to walk along the sidewalk, hoping that by just going straight, I might find the place. I was walking for about 10 minutes when I suddenly heard the screeching of tires, and I shot my head up to see what happened. Before I knew it, I was abruptly man-handled and dragged into the back seat of a van and two guys sat on either side of me, gripping me tightly by the arms. The expression on their faces were one of stone. I tried to shift in my seat, but the slightest movement made them grip my arms tighter, pinching my skin.

My heart started racing, as fear and panic started seeping through my veins. Granted, I should have been scared the minute I saw these guys, but I guess it was just a delayed reaction. Like really delayed. I tried to look at my ambushers but even the shifting of my eyes made them stare down at me, as if daring me to look them dead in they're eyes. And I can honestly say that wasn't a dare I was willing to take.

I did the only thing I could do and just sat in between the two brutes and waited, petrified, until we made it to our destination. I didn't know how long it took us to get to wherever it was they were taking me, but all too soon we had arrived and they dragged me out of the van and to a large cabin in a somewhat densely wooded area. Fallen leaves littered the ground and cracked under our feet as they practically pulled me toward the cabin where they shoved me inside the door. Inside, I saw a doctor, two more big guys, and a surgeon table standing ominously near the door. Before I could get a better look, I was shoved forward placed behind a makeshift curtain where some of the other girls from EGM were huddled in a corner and being watched by another of our kidnappers.

"Kimi!" cried Su-Jung and she held out her hand to steady me as I was flung towards them. I lost my footing, and ended up kneeling beside her and some other girls; I could see the fear in their eyes that was slowly seeping into me as well. Crap..... now, I realize this isn't good. I huddled closer to Su-Jung and she clung to me almost as tightly as my kidnappers had; I could feel her shaking as I glanced up at her face and saw tears glistening in her eyes.

"What's going on? Why are we here?" I managed to ask so low, that I prayed our captors couldn't hear me. She shook her head frantically, staring wide-eyed at me and giving me two answers: 'Don't ask questions' and 'I don't know.' We sat in silence for about 20 minutes, watching the doctor and some other guys go back and forth in our field of vision, carrying needles, and other surgical instruments to the table on the other side of us and I heard footsteps going away from us and another coming towards us as one of our captors came, dressed in all black and stared at all of us menacingly.

"Is that all of them?" he asked his companion in Korean, then looking at us once more.


"It should be," he answered, "Where did Jin-Ho go?"

"He went outside to move the van, because some idiot can't park," said the latter with a sneer.

The other nodded. "All right," the other guy said and stepped to where we were and we all huddled in a corner, whimpering--scared and petrified. We saw him grab a girl in a pink jacket, jeans, and pigtails and drag her on the other side of the curtain where the surgeon table, doctor, and the other guys were waiting. As she was being lugged away, we heard her scream in protest and beg him to let her go, but he wouldn't let up. We all sat in silence and listened, horrified, as we heard her being forced onto the surgeon table and her screams being muffled as they gagged her and her arms and feet banging on the table as they bound her to it.

The rest of us sat still, not daring to move. Some of the other girls started sniffling and whimpering and I glanced at Su-Jung and wasn't surprised that she too was crying. I was too petrified to cry let alone hear the muffled angry cries from outside. Wait, what? I strained my ears to listen more, trying to ignore the sobbing of the girls. Yup...those were voice I heard outside.

What's going on?" I heard one of them ask. It was quiet for a moment, then another answered, "It's the police." My fear immediately subsided as I saw our captors run from their posts of watching over us, and towards the door.


"Get the drugs out first!" yelled one guy.


"B-but the cops are here," answered the doctor cowardly. My insides boiled with anger. If you didn't want to get caught, then why are you here?!


"There's only four of them. Get the drugs out NOW!" ordered the first guy. Not even half a second later, I saw the doctor just jet and the other guys yell "RUN!" and they all started shooting out of there like bats out of Hell. Seconds later, the police came in and quickly pursued them. Detective Kim was the one who spotted us as two of his fellow detectives chased after the felons.

He rushed over to all of us, helping each one of us up and checking to see if we were OK and we weren't hurt. I was the last he helped up, and when he offered his hand and pulled me to my feet, he gripped my arms tightly, gently squeezing them as I looked up at his face. He looked at me dead in the eyes, and I couldn't read his expression.

"Are you OK?" he asked me. He sounded urgent, so I nodded hurriedly in response but said nothing. He squeezed my arms again, then directed his attention to the other girls. They all were still shaking and their faces were still red and tear-stained, but other than that they said they were fine. Detective Kim then beckoned us all to where his fellow detective--Detective Jang--was, freeing the girl on the surgeons table. When I saw him, my eyes widened and I looked from him, to my super-secret guardian. I opened my mouth to ask how the hell they managed to save him from the Triad in Hong Kong, but he beat me with a question of his own, which he asked to his fellow detective.


"Is she all right? She's not hurt is she?" he inquired. The girl sat upright on the surgeon table, too shaken up to speak, so Detective Jang spoke for her.


"She's fine," he answered, "a few scrapes, but nothing too serious." He looked at Detective Kim and added in a final tone, "Now, let's get these girl out of here and back to their families." My stomach pinched, at the sound of those words, seeing as how my "family" was standing right next to me. He wasn't showing me any affection--like putting a protective arm around me--but I wished like hell he was, cuz I was still totally freaked!


My guardian nodded once and ushered us single file to the awaiting police van outside. I saw the other detectives come back with the other crooks and my mind refreshed back to the bar when I was looking for a job. The sleaze-ball looking guy--whom I believed was Mr. Shin (or...I should call him Detective Shin now) came with one suspect in hand and thrust him into an awaiting police car and another--the big, stupid looking one whom I remembered was Detective Nam--came sauntering over with two more suspects.


I was lead into the van with the other girls as we waited to be brought to either the police station or to our families. My guess was the police station--it seemed like the logical choice. Besides, some of the girls' parents might already be there waiting for them. That thought left me with the lingering question as to what I was going to do once we got there. Like I said, my guardian was literally RIGHT OUTSIDE (and was now harassing the suspects). I suppressed a sigh. I suppose I could wait till his shift was over.... and be bored out of my mind while I was at it. But really, what other choice did I have? I'll answer that--none. I dug my fingers in my hair in frustration.


"Are you OK, Kimi?" asked Su-Jung who was sitting on the other side of the van next to the window.


"I'm fine," I answered, not looking at her. "I just have a headache is all." Lie. I'm mentally preparing myself for the infinite hours of boredom to befall my way. Ooh, jooy. I continued to stare at the floor of the police van until the opening of the door made me look up to see--you guessed it--my super-secret guardian.


He looked at all of us and said clearly in Korean, "We're going to take you to the station where your parents await your arrivals. There, they will take you home; I'm sure they'll be more than relieved to see you all well and safe." The girls nodded, and smiled at him--excited about being able to go home and forget all this ever happened. Before he closed the door though, he took one long look at me. I stared back, though I couldn't read his expression. His eyes were fierce as if he was trying to communicate with me telepathically (good luck with that). Eventually, the mini staring contest got to be too much for me, and I looked away, trying to hide a blush that I felt searing across my cheeks.


When the door finally closed behind me, I thought it safe to look up again. Unfortunately, that was also when the girls thought it was OK to start telling me that my face was red and giggling.


"Giggling should be illegal," I muttered, quoting a line from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the book not the movie). The girls along with Su-Jung all made comments about my blushing and how cute Detective Kim was. That got my insides all fired up with jealousy. Wait, why should I be jealous? I'm friggen LIVING with the guy!! But still.... they didn't know that. Nor did they NEED to. Besides... it's not like they have a chance of having him. Not that they should even be THINKING of having a chance. I mean, he's like what? 23? Yeah, too old for them.


We finally started heading to the Station (the girls still talking about the incident before) and just like Detective Kim promised, the girls' parents were all waiting for their daughters. Each girl ran to their families with tears in their eyes, while I lagged behind and ducked into the women's bathroom and out of sight. They didn't need to know that I didn't have family here (anymore), and I didn't want them to feel sorry for me. I waited in the bathroom for at least 20 minutes before finally coming out only to find Detective Cha outside waiting for me.


"Il-Ju is looking for you," she said to me in Korean. She sounded cross.


"Il-Ju?" I asked also in Korean, confused. "Who is that?"

"Wow.... you're living with him, and you don't even know his name?" she responded, smirking. "Just follow me," and she started walking away while I ran to try and keep up with her. Then it clicked.

"D-Detective Kim's first name is Il-Ju?" I asked in Korean, jogging behind her as we rounded a corner. She didn't slow down nor did she look at me when she answered, "Yes. His full name is Kim Il-Ju; I'm surprised he didn't tell you when you're living with him. Nobody else knows about that right?"

"A-anniyo," I answered, still jogging. Man, this lady walks fast...this is the most exercise I've ever gotten. "Just you...him...and Prosecutor Kim," I wheezed out as we rounded another corner and down a hallway and entered a door with the sign "H.I.T." above it. There was a giant sign that said "Homicide Investigation Team" and an office space with a large desk in the center and 5 computers. Four on about each corner of the desk, and one at the head of it. Detective Cha led me into the office and beckoned me inside.


"Il-Ju will be here in a moment. Have a seat," she said, and left to God knows where. I quietly sat down in the nearest office chair, placed my purse on the table, and tried to make myself comfortable--which was hard considering that I had NOTHING TO DO. I found a stapler in front of me and grabbed it, and after digging around a bit I retrieved a small pad of post-its in one of the drawers. Let the joy commence!

I tore off bits of Post-its and started doing some Origami (yes, I have Origami skillz) and managed to make a small crane, frog, and more frogs. Frogs are the only things I really know how to make. And cranes. Cranes and frogs. Yup. Anyway, after my 10th frog, and 4th crane, I took the stapler and some more post-its and drew eyes on them and stuck them onto the stapler so it looked like it had eyes.

"Raaawr! I am the Stapler Monster! I have come to eat your pathetic frogs!!" I said, moving the stapler around all menacing like. "Not if we can help it!! Cranes! Attack!" And thus the EPIC BATTLE of the cranes versus the Stapler Monster ensued! The cranes dive-bombed the Stapler Monster without any sign of letting up! But wait! The Stapler Monster can fly?!

"MWAHAHAHAHA!!! Fools!! Oh.... wait.... you can fly too?! GODDAMN!!" said the Stapler Monster as the cranes continued their assault. "Noooo!!!"

"Having fun?" said a voice behind me, and I jumped and turned and dropped everything. Detective Kim was standing in the entrance-way, watching me be an idiot. He didn't look happy or angry... just... eh. I quickly stood up and tried to make it look like I wasn't acting like a child approximately 5 seconds ago.

"Uhm....h-how long were you standing there?" I stammered in English, pushing the Origami and Stapler Monster aside behind my back. He smirked (omg, another blush! dammit!!) and came striding into the room, picked up the Stapler Monster, stared at it for a while, then finally answered back in English, "Long enough to see that this guy was losing the battle." I laughed nervously but said nothing. My insides were in a raging inferno of embarrassment.

We stood in silence for a minute while I awkwardly fidgeted waiting desperately for him to say something. When he didn't, I was about to open my mouth to say something, but at just that moment he decided to speak.

"Do you have your things in order?" he asked me. My heart sank into my stomach and I felt myself begin to shake and my body turn cold.

"Y-yes....why?" I stuttered out, "You're not sending me back home are you? I told you that I'm not going back to Canada!!" He raised his hands as if he was surrendering and stared at me.

"Calm down," he said, "I'm not sending you anywhere. I'm just taking you home. And here," he added as he stooped to open his drawer next to his computer and pulled out some papers and handed them to me. "I printed out these applications for schools around Seoul--don't think just because you're living with a cop, you're going to get away with not getting an education. When we get home, I want you to fill those out. I'll have to come back here soon, so I can't stay with you while you do that."

I stared at him. Really? Do I look like I need a babysitter to fill out papers? Please. I sifted through the applications--there were only about four or five, and they all seemed to be in English. Good, I wouldn't have to struggle with it. I looked up at him.

"Ok, so you're taking me home and then coming back here," I repeated to him, "sounds ok to me. But do you mind if we make a pit stop first? I didn't have breakfast, and I'm starving."


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We stopped by McDonalds (HOLY CRAP, MICKEY D'S?! WHY DID I NOT NOTICE THIS BEFORE?!) and I got a chicken selects meal and then Detective Kim drove me home. He said I could eat in his car, just to be sure not to make a complete mess. While I ate I asked him a couple of questions, one that was burning in my mind all day.

"Detective," I started, feeling a little weird addressing him with that title even though we were living together. "How did you manage to get Detective Jang back from the Triad in Hong Kong?" I looked up from munching on a strip of chicken to see that Detective Kim was staring intently on the road, his face held in a dark scowl. It was a long time before he actually started to speak, though when he did, it was as if his words were laced with acid; he sounded so venemous.

"Those idiot police in Hong Kong..." he spat, his eyes narrowing dangerously. I started to get really nervous--maybe I shouldn't have asked. But before I could say anything, he continued on with what he was saying.

"After I had taken you girls to the Korean Consul, I met up with Detective Cha, Prosecutor Kim, and Sung Dong-Joon--the head of the Consul--and a Hong Kong policeman. We told him that Charlie Park must be arrested but he said that he couldn't arrest him because there wasn't any evidence nor proof of his crime. But Detective Cha said that she had been locked up, and that there was a shootout between her and him in the parking lot of the building where she was being held captive."

I listened intently. This was pretty deep stuff; I couldn't believe it. I waited for him to say more, totally forgetting about my chicken strips...and my meal in general.

"When the policeman heard that, he said that since Charlie Park is a UK citizen and a respected businessman, they need to be careful. I was losing my patience; if he was such a respected businessman why would he kidnap others? The police said that was only what we assumed, and that they needed more proof before they did anything. I lost my temper then. Detective Jang was still missing and Charlie Park was still at large and they weren't going to to anything about it?! I already felt awful for allowing them to capture him--I couldn't take another slap in the face. So I told him off. Then he got me even more riled up--I said some things--and then stormed out."

I stayed quiet, waiting for more.

"The other two followed me, which I wasn't at all surprised about," he continued. "I also wasn't surprised when they started lecturing me about where it was that we were and how we needed to be careful. Then I blew up at them too, taking all my anger and regret out on them. I threatened to quit if we didn't get Detective Jang back safely. Detective Cha seemed to agree with me that we should do whatever it takes to get Detective Jang back alive, and when she said that the Triad had the upper hand since they had guns, I went into the glove compartment of the car I rented and pulled out a manilla envelope, weighted down with 3 guns."

"Are you crazy?!" I hollered. "If you had gotten caught, you would've been thrown in jail!! What's wrong with you?!"

"Well, we didn't did we?" he shot back at me, with a smirk. I stayed quiet for a moment, then mumbled out, ".....I guess not....continue!" I was getting into the story now. So not only is Mr. Sexy drop dead hot.....he's a total BADASS!!! I'M LIVING WITH A HOT BADASS!! GO ME!! =D

"So anyway, I had thought up a plan the night before--"

"You mean when we were at the hotel?" I interuppted.

"Yes, then," he answered me. I nodded, and he continued.

"So, that night--when you were at the Consulate--Detective Cha, Prosecutor Kim, and I staked out Charlie Park, and managed to corner him in his van and made him tell us where Detective Jang was. We were going to exchange him for our comrade. So... in the dead of night--with Charlie Park held at gunpoint by myself--we managed to force him to tell us where Detective Jang was being held captive and Prosecutor Kim drove us to the location. Since I was holding Charlie Park at gunpoint, there was basically nothing the scumbag could do but let Detective Jang go. And there you have it," he finished. "But don't repeat a word of this to anyone, understand?" he added sternly.

Yeah, who on Earth am I going to tell? I nodded anyway, just to make him feel reassured. When we finally made it home, he immediately ordered me to fill out the applications (oh joy...) and left without another word. I groaned. Now I'm stuck here....BORED. Luckily, I had brought the rest of my meal, so I decided to munch on that while filling out the apps. I finished them in about 2 hours (taking long breaks in between) and then began to try and find something to do. I took a nap.


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Detective Kim didn't return that night. Nor did he return the next day--not that I was worried, he's a big boy. But I took the liberty of mailing the applications myself, and then I decided to just wander. I'm not going to be stuck in the house all day just because I'm paranoid of people kidnapping me. Come on people, I'm no pussy.

While wandering, I managed to buy myself a digital clock for my room, and some toiletries, and other essentials (like SuJu posters....yeah, yeah, shaddup) to liven up my room. I then bought myself some ice cream, and some instant noodles and decided to head home and decorate. As soon as I locked the door and kicked off my shoes, I was in my room slapping posters on the wall, putting up some really nice curtains I bought, some colorful rugs and some stuffed animals, a bright comforter that I stuffed in my closet, and then I stood back to admire my handy work. Perfect. Now to go watch TV until my brain fries.


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Almost a week passed and Detective Kim dropped by every once in a while, but then always returned to go right back to work. I was used to it, but then I started to feel lonely. Yeah, being in a house by yourself is cool, but after a few days.... IT'S SO BORING!! So I was quite surprised to find Detective Kim home on Saturday and using the shower when I accidentally walked in on him. The glass door of the shower wasn't completely fogged over with steam so..... let's just say that I saw more than I bargained for that day before both of us screamed in shock, and I bolted out the door.


My face was burning, and I had slapped my hand over my mouth (reflex) and started fanning myself in a poor attempt to ebb the blush searing across my face. FAIL. I went into my room and waited until it was safe enough for me to use the shower. After I had finished and dressed in black jeans and my purple hoodie, I joined Detective Kim for breakfast.


"Good Morning," I said warmly, trying to ignore the wake-up call from earlier. He said nothing, and looked at me for a long time--almost glaring at me. I cracked.


"OK, I'm sorry I walked in on you, I didn't know you were even home; you've been gone forEVER!! I-I didn't even see anything! I swear!! It was too foggy anyway for me to get a good look," I blabbered. He raised a questioning eyebrow and I slapped my hands to my mouth, in complete shock and disbelief of what had just vomited out of my mouth.


"I didn't mean that," I finally answered, praying that he'd understand. "Really....I swear I didn't--"


"You have a letter," he said, cutting me off and handing me an envelope from the table. I looked at it curiously, and finally opened it. It was an acceptance letter; I was to start school on Monday and I was to get my uniform sometime before then. Ugh....great. Uniform.


"What is it?" he asked. I looked at it, shrugged, and answered "Just an acceptance letter to one of the schools you made me apply too." I wasn't ecstatic about it--I don't know anything about these schools, so my way of thinking was 'if they want you, just go for it.' I handed him the letter so he could read it, while I made myself some toast.


"I'll get your uniform for you, today," he told me, as I sat down and began eating. "I'm hoping to be done early anyway." I looked at him while munching on my breakfast, smiled and nodded in thanks. "Why aren't you at work, today?" I asked in between bites of toast.


"I asked for the day off," he replied. When I asked why, he answered "To spend time with you and show you around Seoul. You're living with me and we haven't actually spent time with one another to get to know each other." He smiled at me, which made me blush and look away and devour the rest of my toast.


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Monday morning came and I showered and dressed into my new school uniform (it was actually pretty cute), and Detective Kim drove me to school. I waved goodbye and turned to look at my surroundings and drink in my new school. There were girls sitting on the outside benches and talking, girls standing in their own little circles and talking, girls talking to some teachers...... wait..... there are girls EVERYWHERE.


I whipped my head around and actually did a mini circle in my place. More girls. No.... there has to be at least ONE guy here. I scanned the area....nope. ALL. GIRLS. THIS CANNOT BE!! I dug my cell phone out of my pocket, punched in Detective Kim's cell number, and waited for him to answer. He answered on the 3rd ring.


"Yes, Kimi?"


"WHAT KIND OF SCHOOL DID YOU SEND ME TO?!" I hollered. There was a pause.


"Sookmyung Girls' High School," he finally answered calmly. My insides shriveled and vaporized.


"YOU SENT ME TO AN ALL GIRLS SCHOOL?!" I'm going to KILL him!!