Case 6: The Beginning of Conflict

Present-day

"Wait what-", Rae is too confused to even process what just happened. A young man that she never saw just showed her a police badge as if it is his pride and joy.

"Oh, Troy! Are you the transferred police from New York station?", Jae Min greeted him with a big smile. The female detective looked at Jae Min, possibly surprised, how he knew this young man's identity. Jae Min and that Troy people seem to be preoccupied with their world, the female detective decides to leave them be in their little world and search the crime scene.

She wondered whether the forensics caught something new in the investigation, it's been in her mind and hopefully, they aren't as tardy as she thought they would be. She squinted her eyes toward Jae Min and that Troy person who looks like an obnoxious brat.

"Jae Min, long time no see! How long has it been? Seven years since highschool huh?", the young man pat Jae Min shoulder. They seem to have fun on their own, the detective thought should have left them alone since the beginning.

She kneels around the crime scene. Rae checks the crime scene seriously just in case anyone missed any small evidence, a precaution step to take. Not long after reaching yet another dead end, she stands up, exhausted and sweaty, she decides to take a breather.

"Oh hi", a familiar figure greeted me across the yellow police line. That familiar figure I immediately recognize from the crowds is him Taemin.

"Ah Taemin", the detective tries to keep her poker face "Have you finished your business?".

She shouldn't be distracted by his sudden appearance. However, she’s still blushing like a tomato.

“Yup, I talked a bit with the owner of DressRom," Taemin explained.

"Isn't that the famous Fashion Designer? What are you doing there?" Rae tilts her chin.

"I got their approval for collaborative work", he gave her a big smile. "Oh, that's great Taemin. What are you aiming for?" the detective asked.

"Let's just see,'' Taemin said relaxed. Taemin's mother suddenly appeared behind his back, she caught her by surprise.

"Taemin, come on we will be late!", his mother ranted at his oldest son.

"Mum! I can go by myself please" Taemin resigned himself in embarrassment.

Taemin's mother glanced at her and smiled sincerely.

"You must be Rae, Taemin told me a lot about you dear", she patted her shoulder.

"Wait what? Taemin did?" Rae forced herself not to smile like a fool in front of Taemin's mother.

"Hello, I am Rae Silverstein. Nice to meet you, madam", Rae bowed deeply.

"My, my you're such a polite girl! I am Kim Tae Ra, Taemin's mother", she shakes my hand firmly.

Rae could feel her cheeks reddened and her body temperature rise in a matter of seconds. She fiddled with her fingers nervously, Rae is confused on how to show her good image in the middle of the crime scene.

"Say if Taemin gets promoted, would you like to join us for a special feast?"Taemin's mother looked at her with sparkly eyes.

Taemin seemed to be taken back and scratched his head awkwardly, "Mum what are you-".

"Umm, I'm very sorry but my presence would make Taemin uncomfortable I mean...it's supposed to be his family time, correct?", she asks timidly.

Taemin's mother met his son's gaze as if she asked for his approval indirectly. 

Taemin sighed, "Sure, it's fine". His sigh made the detective wonder whether her presence annoyed him. She couldn't help with the negative thoughts that filled her brain.

When she was about to ask him, the newcomer came over to them.

"Ahhh Taemin! Long time no see", Troy hugged him like a teddy bear. Taemin replies with a hug as well.

"Wait, they know each other?", she tilted her chin confused.

"Troy, how’s work?", Taemin smiled at him.

"Ah it's been hectic these days", Troy pouted.

That's when the detective conscience kicked in, if this continued Taemin might be late for his work.

"Umm Taemin, shouldn't you go to your office? What time is it?", the female detective checks her watch.

"I guess after lunchtime sharp, around 1 pm," he replied casually.

"Taemin, you should go now, there's nothing wrong with going there earlier than the schedule for preparation," she suggested to him. She checked her watch again for confirmation and if her calculation is correct then he will arrive there one hour earlier.

Taemin and his mother nodded in unison and about to say their farewell, the newcomer Troy butted in with a flirtatious look.

"You're such a loyal pet Rae", Troy giggled.

She narrowed her eyes to Troy who pierced his eyes through her defenseless state. For some reason when Troy gazed into her, she felt naked and insecure as if she was under his spell. There is something about him that made her feel being watched and being played at, perhaps his playboy look boosted that feeling.

"I know you don't remember me because all you've been thinking about is Taemin that and Taemin there, I know all about you Rae" Troy teased her devilishly.

"No guys exist in your eyes, other than Taemin".

"What is this man talking about?" Rae feels slightly angry and empty.

"You followed Taemin like a lost puppy, that's cute" Troy smirked.

Her gaze darkened and my panic kicked in, she was engulfed in a cold sweat and her fist itched to hit his pretty face. Her hands felt slippery and she bit her lips awkwardly. Whenever Rae is nervous or stressed, she always bit her lips to the point she cuts her lips.

This is one of the times she felt cornered and stressed. She gazed at Taemin uncomfortably, she didn't want him to know that she likes him romantically since high school. By the looks of it, Taemin looked rather worried and frustrated with Troy taunt.

"Troy that's enough" Taemin pushed Troy lightly.

Troy laughed jokingly, "Come on Taemin, it's no longer newsflash anymore-".

Before he could continue his words Rae grabbed his collar and punched Troy on his perfect face. The punch scene caused a commotion on the crime scene, Rae was held back by Taemin who tried to calm her down. Troy fell with his back landed on the ground, he had a cut on his lip thanks to my 'no holding back' punch.

"I don't like what you just said Troy", the female detective glared at Troy. "Mind your own business, Troy".

Jae Min came to the scene and helped Troy get up.

"Rae, please calm down", Taemin reasoned with her. He still held both of her arms, he narrowed his eyes to Troy.

"Troy you're being rude to Rae, you should apologize to her", Taemin said disappointedly to Troy.

Troy gazed into Taemin's eyes and sighed.