“When the house’s construction is finished, should we invite Gayoon for dinner there?”

“He said he would come?”

Evelyn nods before they go into silence. Daehwan is tuning the channels on the TV remote, he hasn’t talked or looked at her face since she’s sitting beside him.

“Sure, that’s a good idea.”

“You’re free tomorrow?” She continues.

“Yeah.”

He answered shortly. And back to the TV remote picking any shows that interest him. Tonight their off time matched. It wasn’t any special moment, they just watched the TV together after dinner.

They’ve been busy with their own businesses for some weeks. Once Daehwan was home and had off days, Evelyn would travel abroad for business purposes. So does it happen as Daehwan was busy with investigation and staying outside, she’s home waiting for him to come.

It’s not their fault if people assume they’re having a fight again. Which wasn’t true at all. Although they seem distant. At least on Evelyn's side, she’s unbothered by it. Daehwan is still God’s favourite, he’s lucky for dating someone like her. Never complaining for seeking attention or romanticised clingy behaviours.

***

“How’s Daehwan hyung doing?”

Gayoon breaks the ice with Evelyn once they’re done checking the construction spot. She called him asking whether he was there and two hours later arrived there.

“As I remember from two days ago, he seemed fine.”

She answered him with a flat tone. Gayoon wonders whether they’re having a fight again, so he doesn’t ask more questions.

The construction made the air around the land dusty, so they walked away to the backyard area. There are a few small hills behind. Everything belongs to Evelyn’s private properties. One day Gayoon asked her why she had to buy a very large piece of land behind the house. She just said, “Cause I can?”

“Hey, please come and have dinner with us once the house is finished.”

“Really? Can I do that?”

“I’d be my pleasure, absolutely. Bring your roommate too.”

He stares at Evelyn surprised, as he remembered he’s never told her anything about his roommate.

“How do you know I live with someone?”

“Daehwan told me.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I won’t ask more. Save it for later.”

He nodded as they shade under a small tree. Evelyn bought him a cold drink from her way there.

“Is this the spot where you would make the catio for your cat?”

She nodded. There’s a lofty wired landscape behind the constructed house. It has nothing much, just some bushes growing wildly. There are two doors connected to that area. One to the side yard, and the other is to the backdoor of the house.

“I can’t wait to see it.”

“My cat?” He nodded again.

“Do you like cats that much?”

He responds with a gleaming smile.

***

At the different location, far from the villa. Group of police team up besieging a place. They’re in position for the raid of one suspected building resided by a fugitive. The three of them are full of optimism to catch the suspect, they were briefed and instructed well before hitting the spot. Sneaking their steps up to the stairways of the flat entrance, armed in a ready position to shoot in case the person decides to escape.

One person knocked politely to the door. Nobody answered. Then another attempt of knocking. Later still no response so the door was forced open by one of them. A figure slid down the apartment windows. The man busked down from the 2nd floor falling right to a mini truck loaded with vegetables right below it. The vehicle steps on the gas like thunder, going down the road. There’s another accomplice helping the suspect run away.

“Hurry up, go catch that motherfucker!”

Rush and panic, everyone ran down the street. Another member goes behind the wheel and is ready to get the car out of the alley it’s parked in. Out of nowhere  another car appeared from the crossed road, driving them back into the narrower space between two buildings.

“Hey, move away, QUICKKK!”

Daehwan’s face popped out the window, yelling at the innocent citizen. She realised she was just crashing into a police’s car. Nervous and peeking eyes nervously, instead she hits on the pedal deeper and drives forward out of shock. They have to move more backwards to avoid accidents.

“Hey, watch out!”

“It’s a …”

He put his head into the car quickly, shocked and stunned. They watched the side mirrors crushed by the brick wall, Daehwan was just imagining if it was his head. The doors are all battered. They are totally trapped now.

“Argh!!! not again….”

He screamed inside his head. The radio still on, Woorim from another car heard the commotion and wondered.

“Sunbae, what’s going on?”

Daehwan picked it up, “My car crashed and got trapped in a narrow alley down the road.”

“Thanks to someone…”

He grunted to his side, making his mate feeling guiltier than ever.

“What about the suspect, did you catch it?”

“You punk … How can I catch him when I’m trapped here, argh, screw it!”

He tossed the radio and leaned back. Full of disappointment. Undoubtedly they lost the suspect and can only wait for help to come now.

Hours ticking. Not even a single tow truck showed up. Daehwan gets impatient, he calls Woorim by the radio once more time, “When will they come?”

Panicking, “I called several places nearby. None answered since the operating hour was already over.” Woorim kept dialling some numbers on his phone.

“For real?”

Daehwan vents his impatience by banging the cracked side window. Though the driver already apologised multiple times, he nagged him more because it won’t help with the situation they’re into. And it is not fully his fault to blame it. In the midst of the chaotic situation his phone rang, it was Evelyn.

“Where are you?”

“I’m still in Gangneung.”

He stopped talking, unsure either to explain or not.

“Uhm, I don’t think I can manage to go home tonight.”

She doesn’t talk immediately either, “Why?”

But then a cold response was spoken out.

“I have a situation here.”

Daehwan explained the whole detail to her. She listened earfully to his story and ended the call after a short “alright”.

Now he grunts even more. “I’m screwed.”