"Okay, ma'am can you tell me what exactly happened tonight one more time? We will be back with a team tomorrow to finish with the evidence."
"My boyfriend and I were out to dinner, I asked to stop by so I could pick up some blueprints for the remodel since it isn't too far out of the way of my home. We pulled up to this." Soo-Min gestures to the building.
"Are there any security cameras in place in or around the building? Do you know anyone who would want to do this, anywhere we can start looking?" She begins to answer and is immediately cut off by Jumin.
"Yes, we can have them to you tomorrow. I will need to retrieve them from my office. As for the who, there is a woman who has destroyed her property in the past and continues to harass the both of us, Sarah Choi." He can feel her gaze burning a hole in the back of his head.
"Alright, that works for me. We will be back with a team once it is light out, please don't touch anything else and we can speak more tomorrow, here, around you both for your time and cooperation. I'm sorry this happened to you Ms. Gho." The officer holds a card out with his information and the case number on it. "If you need anything regarding the case or any non-emergency problems come up please contact me immediately. Have a good night."
"Yes, thank you officer." Soo-Min takes the card from the police officer, shoving it away in her purse as the officer gets into his car and drives away. Jumin places his hand on her shoulder only to for her to roll his hand off her. "You have some serious explaining to do, start talking."
"I was just trying to protect you. I had the cameras set up in case of emergencies with your ex being released and Sarah being… well, her. I-I just want to be able to feel like I'm doing something to protect you while so much is out of my control."
"I get that, but that isn't your decision to make. You seriously crossed the line. Did you put them anywhere else?" Jumin turns his eyes away from his girlfriend. "Jumin! Where are the others?"
"One outside each door to your home. I swear to you that I wasn't trying to invade your privacy or spy on you. I just, you won't let me help you and I didn't know what else to do."
"I will ask for your help IF and WHEN I need it. I am not in danger at the moment. We don't even know if he will show up here. I appreciate your concern and I am not trying to make you feel invalidated but this is seriously not okay. I need some time to think about all of this and sort out my feelings." Soo-Min begins to return to the car that has been waiting for them.
"Soo-Min, I really don't want to break up over this. Please let's figure this out together." He opens the car door, allowing her to slide in first.
"I never said anything about breaking up. I don't want that nor do I feel it would be necessary. Just let me be mad about it for a while, jeez. I'm not going to let you get out of this relationship that easy."
"So you aren't breaking up with me?" Soo-Min shakes her head, continuing to look out the window of the limo.
"...no, so just stop talking, please." Jumin knows when to leave it be and opts for giving her an acknowledging hum in return. A few silent minutes pass when Jumin decides to try and at least show her some form of affection in hopes to calm her from not only his wrong doings, but what has just happened to all that she has worked so hard for. His hand snakes its way onto her knee. A sharp sting runs through the top of his hand, it was smacked rather hard. He gazes over to see if she is giving him the evil eye, but is a bit shocked that she seems to have never stopped looking out the window.
The ride to Soo-Min's home is unbearably quiet. While Jumin has always preferred silence this was a different kind of silence, one that made him uneasy and nervous. Soo-Min begins to exit the car a few seconds after it has stopped on the street in front of her house.
"Are you spending the night or are you going home?" Jumin looks at her, confused she would even ask seeing as how she is upset with him.
"I figured you would want some space. Are you sure you want me to?"
"It doesn't matter to me either way, Jumin. I'm going to shower and go to bed, I'm tired. If you want to stay, stay. If you don't, don't." Without waiting for a reply she closes the door and walks away.
"Driver Kim, please be here at 11am tomorrow." Jumin exits the car before receiving confirmation from his driver. His long legs allow him to close the distance between himself and Soo-Min before she can unlock the front door.
"Couldn't stay away, huh?" She jokes as Jumin locks the door behind them. The small, blonde plops into the grey, suede chair nearest the door and attempts to unbuckle her shoes. He can sense her struggle, quickly crouching in front of his struggling girlfriend to assist her.
"I wouldn't miss an opportunity to be in your presence." He smirks. Soo-Min watches him as he so delicately removes her shoes, placing them on the floor on the side of the chair. Jumin rises in front of her and offers his hand.
"Thank you for the help, but don't think you are out of trouble yet. I'm still mad." Soo-Min takes the offered hand to stand on her aching feet. She rises onto her toes, placing a soft kiss on Jumin's cheek. "I'm going to shower. Make yourself at home." Jumin hums in response as he watches her disappear up the stairs. Once he hears the sound of the bedroom door close and the shower runs he dials Luciel.
The room is covered in complete darkness as the the sound of the bedroom door clicking closed breaks the silence. Jumin quickly removes his clothing before climbing into bed as quietly as possible, trying not to disturb Soo-Min in case she is sleeping.
"Do you really think Sarah would do something like that? It seems super risky." Soo-Min rolls to face him. Jumin places his hand on her hip, rubbing small circles over her hip bone.
"I don't know, love. I think desperate, threatened people do crazy things."
"Jumin, I can't deal with this too. I feel like I'm being crushed under the weight of everything that is unfolding at once." He can hear the her hitch in her throat, she's crying. Jumin pulls her close to him, pushing his fingers into her damp hair and kissing her forehead.
"We will get through this. You aren't alone. Whatever you need from me, I will do my very best to provide it. Sarah will be taken care of, I will not let her to continue to harass you."
"Thanks. I'm gonna go to sleep. You should too, it's late." She rolls with her back now facing Jumin. He waits the normal 30 seconds after she has stopped moving to make sure she is settled and comfortable before taking his position with one leg over hers and arm draped over her waist. Jumin gives a light kiss to Soo-Min's t-shirt covered shoulder before they both drift to sleep.
The sight of about 10 police officers and the store taped off came into view as the car got closer to its destination. Stepping out of the car the sound of camera shutters and hard boots on broken glass breaks through the overwhelming silence between them over the last five hours. The stagnant air of the morning has thrown Jumin off kilter, she should be mad. When she is mad she makes it painfully obvious and his eardrums occasionally pay the price. She isn't happy with him, that is also obvious by the lack of affection or even words and eye contact. This silence, it makes him uneasy, maybe he should ask her about it. Jumin lets her walk ahead while he contemplates his best plan of attack.
"When do you think I could start cleaning up this mess? I was supposed to open next month. God, that's out the window now huh?" Soo-Min asks the Sheriff.
"I would say within the hour the clean up crew will get working on it. They will clean up anything broken and the graffitti as well. We will get back in touch with you once we go over the footage Mr. Han sent to the office."
"Alright, thank you. I will be back later then. I have other matters to attend to." Soo-Min turns on her heels with a isgn and makes her way to Jumin. "I'm going home. I'm going to walk there. I need the air." Jumin grabs her arm before she could walk away.
"Soo-Min, listen I am really sorry about invading your privacy. I don't want you to be mad about this. Tell me how I can fix this."
"I'm not mad Jumin. I swear. Nothing needs fixing...okay?" She kisses Jumin on the cheek and walks away. The only thing that keeps Jumin from going after her and trying to press the issue is the fact that he knows she hates to be chased down. Jumin pulls out his phone, logging into the messenger and steps back into the car, pulling away from the scene and heads over to the C&R building.
Jumin: Hello.
Yoosung: Hi Jumin
Jaehee: Good afternoon Mr. Han
Jaehee: Hello Yoosung
Jumin: There is something I must ask you both.
Yoosung: Umm.. sure thing.
Jaehee: Of course.
Jumin: How does one bring up a topic of conversation to someone who has clearly stated they do not want to speak about, though the conversation has been left unfinished.
Jaehee: You have to be delicate, subtle.
Yoosung: Just slide it in to the conversation.
Jumin: This was insightful.
Jumin: Good day
Jumin logs off
"No, thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting with you monday. Have a nice day." Soo-Min hangs up the phone. The conversation with her lawyer was productive and the case is strong. Her mind wanders to Sarah, the pink headed travesty with serious psychotic tendencies. She wonders if it really was Sarah, or maybe -
"Mommy?" The little voice behind her makes Soo-Min jump. She wipes away a tear before placing her hand onto Isuel's head.
"Yes baby? What is it?"
"I want to talk to Jumin." Those words warm her heart. She had never seen him look at anyone like he looks at Jumin. His eyes light up with admiration and love.
"Jumin will be over later, honey. He is working right now." Soo-Min pushes her fingers through her son's hair, giving him a kiss on the forehead. "Now go get dressed please. Nana and Papa are waiting for you."
"Yes, mama." Soo-Min picks up the dinosaur backpack from near the door and heads out with Isuel.
After Soo-Min drops Isuel off at her parents she makes her way to the store to make any necessary calls and clean up whatever was left over. Stepping through the broken glass door, most of the debris was gone except for a few stray pieces. She walks to the storage space in the back noting a surplus of leftover paint which prompts a sigh of relief. At least she could paint over what wouldn't come off the walls. Urgency flows through Soo-Min's blood, she picks up a gallon of paint and a roller, setting to work on what she could in that moment. She gets halfway down the hall as her eyes begin to sting, tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. Soo-Min sets her supplies on the floor gently before resting against the wall. There is no stopping the flood of tears. She slides down the wall, her bottom landing on the floor, sending a sharp pain into her hips as she chokes back sobs.
Too much. This is all too much.
Soo-Min taps the back of her head against the drywall, not so gently. The tears stop and a ringing in her ears take over, sending her deep into thought. Everything goes blank. No feelings. No thought. Just the buzzing in her brain and the wetness on her face when a vibration in her pocket breaks her trance. She wipes the tears away on the back of her sleeve.
"Hello?"
"Min, why are you crying?"
"Was crying, past tense. How can I help you Mr. Han."
"Okay well, priority number one is to figure out why you WERE crying. The rest can wait until after."
"Just overwhelmed, Jumin. I'm fine though, really. I just needed a little catharsis."
"I will accept that answer, bringing me to priority number two. We need to sit down and talk about the cameras. I know you must be upset and angry with me."
"Dammit Jumin! I can't say it many other ways. You have texted me multiple times and asked if I was mad. How many ways can I say no? I'm not mad! I can't afford to be mad at you right now. I need to let it go for my own sanity. There is far more pressing matters than an imaginary spat you have so decided needs to happen between us."
"Okay, okay. My apologies. Priority number three then, will you join me at my penthouse this evening? I feel a change of scenery may be beneficial."
"Fine, as long as that raspberry colored sewer rat doesn't show up."
"I can assure you that extra measures will be taken to ensure we have no such disruption. I just want to spend a quiet, relaxing evening with you. We haven't gotten the chance to be completely alone in quite some time."
"I already said okay. You don't need to do extra convincing. Just no fancy food please. I really want Thai takeout for dinner."
"Your wish is my command."
"Woah, don't go giving that around all willy nilly like that. I might be selfish and ask for you to go down on me too." Soo-Min giggles into the phone. She can hear him grunt in an almost laugh on the other side of the phone.
"I would be happy to oblige. You taste much sweeter than any dessert I could have my chefs prepare for me."
"Mr. Han, is this really how you should behave while on company time and in your place of work no less?"
"I have done the risk factoring and it is a chance I am willing to take."
"Ooooh my god. Goodbye Jumin. See you tonight."