CHAPTER FOURTEEN

KYUNG EUNSOO

I walked Taemin to the bus stop after work and then hurried back home. I made sure all the doors and windows were locked and secured before going into my room. I pulled out my laptop and took a deep breath. I typed in the first name, Shin Mirae. A bunch of random things came up and I was at a loss. I didn't even know what I was looking for. I kept scrolling, until I came across an article. I clicked on the article and began reading.

" The victim, Shin Mirae was found dead in her home, by her husband and children. After a few days of reporting the case, the victim's family was found dead in an old construction site. A few witnesses had stepped forward to bring the murderer to justice. The suspect was arrested on the morning of March 21st 2010. Since the beginning of the investigation, the suspect denied having any knowledge of the murder and pleaded not guilty. A few days into the investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime and was later sentenced to death ".

I hurriedly typed the next name, hoping I was on track. I kept scrolling for a while and soon enough, I found the article. The second person, Choi Jihyun was killed in 2012 while Kang Yoonmin was killed in 2018. Now Lee Kwangsoo? It all sounded too familiar with what happening now. The patterns were all too similar.

I scrolled down a little more and I happened to stumble across another article. The title gave me a flash of hope.

LEE TAEMIN

I paced around in my room, thinking long and hard on what to do. I was torn between telling the truth to Eunsoo and protecting what little dignity my father has left. I felt guilty everytime I heard Eunsoo talk about his father. If I really want to work with him and figure all this bullshit out, I'll have to come clean. I can't keep lying and hiding this.

" No one else is getting dragged down by my father's sins"

I just hope it doesn't change anything. I thought I was keeping it a secret because I was trying to protect my dad but it turns out that what I was afraid was Eunsoo hating me. He would probably hate me and never talk to me again....I really like Beijing around him.

" I'll have to come clean "

.....

Eunsoo and I had decided to meet up at my house tomorrow, since tomorrow is my day off. I went over to mum's room to check on her, before going back to bed.

KYUNG EUNSOO

After the bell, our homeroom teacher walked in and the whole class went quiet.

" Hello everyone. Congratulations on finishing your final exams. I want you.....

She kept talking about college and some random stuff but I wasn't paying any attention. All I could think about, was the new discovery I made. I was supposed to meet Taemin at his house but I decided to meet him at his school instead.

I don't know if the excitement I felt was because of the discovery or because I was going to see Taemin. I increased my pace as I headed for his school. A few minutes later, I got to his school and saw him walking out of the school gate. He looked better than he did yesterday.

" Taemin!!!Lee Taemin!!

I yelled and waved at him, when he turned to my direction. He smiled shyly as I walked over to him.

" So.....how was your exam?"

He asked, while staring at me with glistening eyes.

" It was okay....I guess. How was your's?"

" It was alright "

" Okay. I have something to give you later "

Soon, we got to his house and headed up to his room. His mum wasn't home and I didn't see any other kid.

" Are you an only child?"

" Yeah. I am"

" Oh....ok"

In that split second, it occurred to me just how little I knew of Taemin

" Eunso I have something to tell "

" Taemin I have something to tell you"

We said, at the same time. I stared at him for a while and he looked disturbed.

" You can go first Eunsoo "

" Are you sure?"

" Yeah"

" Ok.....so last night, I was checking up all those name and I came across some articles. They were all murdered "

" What if it was just a coincidence? How were they related to Tiger Corp?"

" At first I thought I thought it was just a coincidence but then I came across another article that talked about the three murdered victims and their connections to Tiger Corp "

" Do you have the article saved?"

" Yeah. Come here"

I took out my laptop aand put the article up

" About the not so talked about murder cases from 2010,2012 and 2018 there are a lot of things that were hidden from the public eyes. The victims Shin Mirae, Kang Yoonmin and Choi Jihyun all used to work together at Tiger Corp until they quit. The suspicious thing about Tiger Corp is that most of the people who left them had ended up dead or missing. Why is no one questioning them. Before Shin Mirae died, she had gone to the police station with all the evidence she could gather on Tiger Corp, ranging from murder, impersonation, drug deals, fake I.D and so much more. Unfortunately for Shin Mirae, he was murdered the next day and somehow Tiger Corp was never mentioned during the investigation. I know I'm risking it all by putting this article out but I'll make sure I bring the truth to light even if I lose my life"

The look on Taemin's face was something I couldn't comprehend.

" Hold on Taemin. There's more". I said and pulled out my phone.

" I searched for the name of the writer and it looks like she used to work with a media house called YDG. She lost her job after publishing that story. She opened her own channel and she posted about that case regularly".

I opened a video on my phone and handed Taemin one of the earphones.

" People keep saying I have no proof and that I published an article on baseless facts. Shin Mirae came to me to book an interview, the day before she died and I will release those evidences and show the world just how disgusting the system we live in has become".

I turned off the phone as soon as the video ended.

" That was the last video she posted before she went missing. Different people claim to have seen her in different places "

" She's dead?"

" I don't think so. After watching her last video, I sent her a private message "

" Wasn't that video posted in 2020? What makes you so sure she's alive?"

" Because she replied. I texted her and told her about my dad's situation and Tiger Corp's involvement. The problem is that I don't know what to with her reply "

" Why? What did she say?"

" She just sent me a picture of a lake and a pudding "

" What? A lake and a pudding? Are sure her account wasn't hacked? "

" I don't even know. Take a look"

" Hold on....I've seen this lake.....Ahhhh.....I can't remember where". Taemin said with a shrug.

" I was thinking we should ask some YDG staffs about her. Maybe we can get something out of them"

" Sure. Let's do that"

" So.....what did you want to tell me?"

" I...it's nothing".

LEE TAEMIN

" So.....what did you want to tell me?"

When I heard that question, I suddenly remembered how he called my name earlier and how amazing it felt to be with him. I didn't want to jeopardize it. I wanted to be selfish for once. I would tell him later.

" I....it's nothing "

" Are you sure?"

" Yeah"

" Okay. I have something for you. Come here"

He said and pulled me to sit on the table in front of him. I sat on the table and watched him walk over to his bag and pull something out. He walked over to me with his hand in a fist. He kept coming closer and closer until my head was almost touching his chest. I felt him put his arms around my neck and fasten something. I glanced down and saw the star shaped pendant of the necklace around my neck. He moved back but only enough for me to see his face.

" I was going to give this to you on your birthday but.....you know....things happened "

" It's the same one from that night". I said as I traced the pendant with my finger.

" Yeah....I just thought it would look good on you so I got it. Happy eighteenth birthday Taemin "

" Thanks"

I said and looked up at him. There was something about having him this close to me, that sent chills down my spine. He leaned forward and ran his fingers on my neck. His actions made my heart thump so loud. I was scared he was going to hear it.

I froze when he moved his hand up to my face. He stared into my eyes as his warm fingers brushed against my cheek and I think in that moment, I forgot how to breathe. His hands suddenly stilled and he moved away and sat on my bed.

" It does look good on you ". He said while avoiding eye contact.

" Yeah. I guess so. About meeting my Uncle..

" What about it?"

" He is coming over for dinner tomorrow. You can come over tomorrow and we can talk to him together "

" Sure.....uhmmm....It's getting late. I should go now"

" Oh...okay. Let me walk you to the bus stop "

" No....it's fine. It's late now and I don't want you to walk alone"

I walked him to the door and watched him go down the street. I was about to go inside, when I felt a presence behind me. I braced myself and reached for the bat that I hid behind the door. I took a deep breath and turned around while tightening my grip on the bat.

" Mum"

" Yeah...what's with the bat?"

" Sorry...I thought you were someone else "

" Whatever. Who was that young man that just left here?"

" My friend "

" Lee Taemin you're still too young and I know you can't get pregnant but please still be careful "

" Mum!!!"

I yelled as she walked away giggling. I was happy to see her laugh again. I went into my room and pulled out the journal, after making sure everywhere was secured.