Case 10: Nostalgic Meeting

Jae Min took her home in his car, he bid her farewell. "Take care Rae", he smiled. "Yes, see you tomorrow", she smiled back. Jae Min car left her apartment complex. Rae has two homes, she would either sometimes sleep in the detective agency or her apartment.

If she wants a private quiet time, she would return to her apartment either to read books or sleep. Even though the detective barely could sleep, with her brains always activated during the night to conspire some meaningless theories.

When Rae was about to go inside, another car showed up and honked at her. She’s surprised and turns her gaze to the source of the loud sound. A black sports car stopped by. The owner of the car opened the driver window only to reveal Vicky's brightened face.

"You just arrived?" Vicky asked her.

"Yes, did you just finish work Vicky?", she asked him back. He nodded in confirmation, he asked her where he could park his car and Rae showed the direction to the apartment car parking lot.

She decided to wait for him in front of her apartment room. Worried that he got lost, Rae texted him how to get to her room and specify her room number. The detective waited for Vicky obediently when suddenly she felt a pat on her head from her left side.

"Hey Rae", Vicky smiled.

He was about to pat her head again, this time the detective avoided his pat on time.

"Just because you're taller than me, doesn't mean I let you pat my head vigorously".

Vicky chuckled, "Do you still watch cartoons?".

"It’s called anime, what of it?", she asks him coldly.

"You're a weeb like usual" Vicky pinch my cheek.

"Stop touching me, you insolent man!", I bit his fingers

"Ah, that's sexy", Vicky teased me. "Bite me more".

The detective blushed in fifty shades of red as she pushed him and growled at him. Vicky laughed merrily when he saw the detective, he apologized for his previous behavior. The lawyer sometimes treated her like a lost kitten, she is not exactly a direct person after all.

Rae opened her flat with a keycard, the interior of her flat is quite spacious. Vicky scanned the interiors of her flat with curiosity. The grey sofa and armchair piqued his interest. He sat down and gestured to Rae to sit next to him. 

"Anything to drink, Mr. Vicky?", Rae ignored his gestures.

"Just water", Vicky replied.

Rae poured cold water just as he requested and gave it to him. "So how's your work as a detective? Aren’t you longing for your previous Inspector position?", Vicky asked in enthusiasm. 

Rae raised her eyebrows in confusion, "I see words traveled fast about my retirement as an Inspector". Rae takes another glass of water and sips it slowly. “I want to be freed from my position as an Inspector, it is exhausting”.

He grins cockily, "Words traveled fast, Inspector Rae". Rae elbowed his side, surprisingly he flinched.

"Come on, don't abuse me", Vicky sighed. "Give this old man a break".

"Wow, did you just call yourself an old man?", Rae smirked cheekily.

"Yes, basically I am two years older than you Rae", he flashed her a smile.

Vicky and Rae laugh simultaneously, ahh she hasn't laughed in ages. She doesn't know why Vicky's presence makes her feel better about herself. They laugh like there's no tomorrow and suddenly Vicky's arms caught her off guard. 

Vicky pulled the detective toward him, to sit next to him. He circles his arm around the detective's neck as he pulls her closer to him.

"Ahh this feels nice", Vicky exhaled.

"Mind your manners, pervert", she glared at him.

"No, it's just that cuddling with you always feels nice you know", Vicky caressed Rae’s hair and pulled her to his chest. Her head rested on top of his chest, she could hear the sound of his loud heartbeat right next to my ear.

Vicky and Rae used to have a "special" relationship. Starting from three years ago, both Rae and Vicky would date and meet up frequently just like lovers do, even though they weren't lovers. They were in this kind of relationship for a year, and then they fought. She wanted to end it but Vicky seemed to be reluctant to end the "beneficial" relationship, which made them argue for decades then split up.

But it looks like Vicky wasn't really that angry toward the detective, she thought for sure that he would lash at her like usual but he didn't. 

Despite Vicky's daringness and attention, Vicky likes to criticize people and when he does it, he never holds back. Even though he thought of that person as a best friend or family. That's just the kind of person Vicky is, he's diligent, hardworking, and hard to satisfy. 

His perfectionism was mostly the cause of our conflicts and his conflicts with others, which is why he had lots of acquaintances and yet no less close friends. People only care about the fact that Vicky is the son of a famous judge.

"Is it good?", Vicky asked her.

"What are you talking about?" she snarled at him.

"Well meeting me again, are you still mad at me?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes, I would be lying if I said I didn't," Rae sighs.

"Yes, that's why I ask you directly. You're always honest Rae. I feel like you and I are the same, ''he smiles at me. "Both of us are perfectionist, friendless, and cold".

"Probably because we used to be soulmates, Mr. Vicky?", Rae trailed sarcastically.

"Sheesh, do you have to admit that bluntly?" Vicky laughed awkwardly.

"What's wrong with that? There's nothing wrong about admitting certain things for the sake of facts", I pout.

Vicky pats her head gently, treating her like a loved one. Vicky gentle caress made the detective sleepier than before.

"I'm sleepy" Rae yawned.

"Okay, let's sleep together," Vicky smiled.

Rae was flabbergasted by his suggestion and pushed him away.

"You're joking, right?" Rae growled.

"No, do I look like I'm joking?" Vicky said seriously.

Yes, this is the part that she hates about Vicky, he's cold and yet clingy to the person he adores the most. When he's comfortable with someone, he could suggest something that was very unlike him, just because Vicky considered her as someone special.

"Wait, did I just say he's considered me as someone special? Silly me. He's not like that'' I chuckled.

As she entered her bedroom, he followed Rae as if he's used to it.

"You're being a nuisance Vicky" Rae snarled at him.

"So you want me to go home?" Vicky pouts sullenly.

"Uh, yes?" Rae raised her eyebrows.

Vicky looked at her with puppy eyes, he insisted that he wanted to stay with her.

"Tell you what, if you let me stay I'll cook your breakfast", Vicky smiled reassuringly.

"Oh really now? Can you do that?'' the detective scoffed. "Didn't you mess up my kitchen back when we're fake dating?".

"Uh no?", he asked me back, unsure.

"Oh come on! You broke my favorite Stitch cup back then! You even dropped the plates everywhere!", Rae scolded him.

"Uh oh", Vicky was left speechless.

The detective admired Vicky's persistence but he's being selfish now. But then again, she decided to allow his special privilege only for today. She pokes Vicky's face, he faced her with a hopeful gaze.

"Fine, do whatever you want Mr. Vicky. Just don't oversleep" she told him.

Vicky's face brightened and he immediately jumped on her rosy bed.

"What are you doing?" Rae snarled.

"Preparing myself to sleep and cuddle" Vicky grinned at her.

Rae blushed at his shamelessness and his honesty about his desire. She wished she could be as honest as he is. She pushed him off her bed annoyed, he was surprised and flinched.

"Ouch! Why!?'' he snarled at her.

"Wash your feet before bedtime, I don't want your dirty feet on my bed. Plus, get yourself a clean shower!! You're filthy!", she scolded him again.

He looks pretty dispirited as he walks tiredly to the bathroom, Rae is pretty surprised that he already prepared pajamas and a shower kit inside his bag beforehand. It was as if he knew he would stay over in her flat. After fifteen minutes of showering, Vicky came out refreshed. After that, she follows suit and goes for a shower.

When she came out from the shower, Vicky gestured to her to sleep next to him. He pulled her to the bed since Rae is being too difficult, she positioned herself next to him as he snuggled closer for her warmth. Vicky pulled her closer to his chest, his body warmth decreased Rae’s fatigue little by little. The lawyer engulfed her with his protective strong arm.

"I am worried," he sighed.

"About?".

"You, because K University is around here".

"I see".

"Listen, can't you just back out from this case? I feel like you might disappear on me again".

Vicky’s hand trembled, his arms were no longer as strong as they were before. His arms still around me but quivered meekly as if he’s under pressure.

"I can't do that, I have to catch the killer who killed my mother and Taemin’s father".

"I see" Vicky replied dissatisfied with my answer.

Seeing how dispirited Vicky is, I decide to change the topic

"If I catch you doing anything inappropriate to me, I'll kick you from the bed", I threatened him. Vicky nodded drowsily, he looks very exhausted as well.

"What time do you usually wake up? "he asked me all of the sudden.

"Uh, six I guess".

"Wow, seriously? I woke up two hours earlier than you", he tells me proudly.

"You're being childish, and why four o'clock?".

"Morning jog", he said cockily. "How about you?".

"Me? Huh, well I had a hip hop course on Thursday Night", she replied proudly as well.

"Huh, why hip hop?".

"Because hip hop is fascinating and I want to try" Rae replied smugly.

Vicky chuckled lightly, he caressed Rae’s silver hair repeatedly at the same pace. As a normal human girl, her heart couldn't stop beating due to Vicky's advance flirts strategy. But slowly his hand stopped moving, he yawned and laid his head on the soft pillow. She looked at him cautiously, his eyes were already shut tight.

"This is madness, I can’t sleep", Rae sighed. She pokes his cheek to make sure he's asleep soundly. He snored softly, he made an irritated face thanks to Rae’s excessive poke on his cheek.

"Stop it ugh", he groaned annoyed.

Since he didn't have the energy to do anything inappropriate, she decided to trust her instinct. They did a lot of cuddles three years ago, but now it seems so different.

"Goodnight Vicky", she yawned as she curled into C shape with blankets to engulf her for warmth.

"But for some reason today is hotter than usual I wonder why" Rae scooted away from Vicky silently.