It took me a while, but here's the next chapter. Sorry for the delay.
You belong to me - Chapter 3
It was early afternoon after a whole morning of rehearsal for Suyi and a quick lunch. To tell the truth, it had been more of a walk-through where Suyi had to stand and a quick sound check. It hadn't been that interesting in Takeo's opinion, but the girl's eyes had sparkled all the time, earnest concentration switching with light laughter. As long as she was content, he was so, too, and he couldn't stop himself from smiling at some points. This work wasn't as laid-back like at the school, but it was easy-going, nonetheless.
Takeo had just brought Suyi to the dressing room where she would change before giving an interview later today. The manager had waited for them, saying a few things to the girl about the interview and then shooing her into the room to change, but he hadn't gone into his office. Instead, he lingered behind, seemingly waiting for Takeo and him to be alone in the corridor. Takeo couldn't help feeling a somewhat nervousness taking over, and he was right. Just seconds after the door fell closed behind Suyi and her make-up artist, Young-Jae beckoned Takeo over to a place some steps away from the room.
"I have to talk to you about something. Here, read this," the manager ordered and held out a piece of paper towards him. Takeo took it, and his eyes widened slightly at the sight. It was a printed text, written in red italic letters.
"'I'm looking forward to see you again, my angel with a golden voice. Remember that you belong to me,'" Takeo read out aloud, but in a low voice; his brows furrowed. There had to be some deeper meaning behind it, or the manager wouldn't have shown it to him. And the only important thing in common that they both cared for was Suyi.
"It's not the first and definitely not the last letter of that kind, but added to the envelope were a ticket to her next concert and a photo of her. Do you remember she wore that red dress yesterday?"
"So someone took a photo of her in that dress?"
"Yes. And that's why I wanted to talk to you. We have some weird fans, but that's way out of the ordinary. Take special care of her."
In other words, someone had followed them yesterday, took that photo of Suyi and sent it here? To make it in such a short time showed the effort it had taken. So what kind of photo was it? Where did the sender buy the ticket? Was it a developed picture or a Polaroid picture? And how was it sent here? By normal mail service? Or dropped into the mailbox directly? He would have to ask the manager about this in detail and have Tao take a look into it for sure.
"Suyi shouldn't know about it, right?" Takeo said his question more rhetorical than wanting to receive an answer. So the manager only nodded without further voicing his thoughts. Takeo heaved a sigh. There he had thought that it would be easy to look after Suyi. Not that he wouldn't be able to take on anyone that dared to threaten her, but she had gone through enough the last few days to now fear for her safety again. He had to make sure to keep the knowledge of that stalker from her. Preferably, that man should be caught and disposed off or put into custody somehow, and Suyi never would have to know about him. Any further conversation between the two men was stopped by the opening of the door to Suyi's room.
"Come to my office before you leave tonight," the manager said in low voice, and Takeo nodded as he grasped the chance to gain more information. With a last wave to Suyi, who was peeking out of the door, Young-Jae disappeared down the corridor.
"Finished already?" Takeo asked, giving his attention to the girl. She only laughed and shook her head.
"No, I just changed. I still have to endure getting my make-up and hair fixed."
"Endure?"
A mock indignant shout could be heard from behind her, sending the girl into another fit of giggles. In the door gap appeared the head of the make-up artist, also grinning. It seemed to be an inside joke between those two as they shared a glance, and their smiles broadened.
Though there was the thought of the stalker still lingering in Takeo's mind, he couldn't stop from smiling himself. This was what he liked about the human children. They were light-hearted and had a way to make others feel the same joy in living as they did, even made them want to participate. "So, you just wanted to inform me about it?"
"No! We just thought you would rather sit inside than stand in the corridor while waiting." With those words Suyi, now in a bit more decent dress of a light blue color, opened the door further in an inviting gesture. It wouldn't have bothered Takeo to stay put in the corridor for a while or even for hours. In his time with the Union, he had held out and kept watch in far worse settings, so this warm corridor with its pleasant decorations was almost comfy. But it would please Suyi if he joined her. That much he had learned in the last few months with the children. Through some miraculous circumstances, they liked being around Tao, M-21 and himself, not that he would complain about this fact.
So, without further delay, he followed the girl's invitation into the comfortable room. A quick scan told Takeo that there was no threat for either him or Suyi, the shutters safely shut. The room's walls were colored in light beige; the floor was covered in a dark, soft carpet. Dresses, accessories, and shoes were lined up on one wall; next to it was a dressing table while another corner was reserved for a couch. Finally, Takeo gave his full attention to the woman next to Suyi.
She had her arms crossed above her chest and gave him a suspicious look. "So, you're the new bodyguard?"
Takeo forced himself to smile at the young woman. Suyi seemed to like her. She was eyeing him cautiously and a bit confused. Takeo returned her look, his smile faltering. After a few moments she nodded contently and stretched out her hand, now wearing a smile herself.
"Hey there. I'm Eun-Mi. Nice to meet you. You seem like a nice guy, so don't you dare disappoint me."
"I don't intend to," Takeo answered, bewildered at her words. Again, he seemed to have missed an inside joke between the girl and the woman. They exchange a glance through the mirror and chuckled quietly. Suyi was quick to assure him that it had not been meant in a mean way, but Takeo waved off her apology. For now he was more occupied with thinking about the stalker that seemed to have taken a liking to the idol. He hadn't thought that there would be a real danger for Suyi. After being an Union agent, the 'normal' world seemed so harmless and innocent; he had almost forgotten that there could be insane people lingering in the shadows, too.
He stood at the door, listening to the sounds from the corridor and the quiet chatter of the women. They talked about some other idol, switching to the upcoming concerts, to finally reach a point where they seemed to chat about two different topics but still understood each other. It was a mystery to Takeo, but he didn't dare to inquire about it.
After a few minutes, the make-up was done, and Suyi stood up, ready for the interview.
"Finished and ready to go," the make-up artist assessed with a proud look. "Except your bodyguard wants to have his make-up and his hair done, too?"
There was this slightly crazy glee in her eyes that reminded him of Tao. Shaking his head and shoving Suyi out of the door, Takeo decided that it was time for a controlled retreat. The amused laughter of Eun-Mi followed them down the corridor.