CHAPTER 9: Her Eyes.

Chin was intently scribbling when Elly burst into her place, bubbling with excitement.

Elly: "Hey, Chin! How about some lunch?"

Chin paused, considering, "Hmmmm, ok but you are treating me today."At this Elly laughs : "I will give it a thought on our way".

They headed to Elly's all-time favorite restaurant, a cozy place with dim lighting and soothing jazz. Seated at their table, both ordered their meals with a sense of anticipation.

Chin, absently stirring her iced tea, gazed out the window. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she noticed Taewoo. He was sitting across the room with a girl, engrossed in conversation. The girl looked like she could be Taewoo's girlfriend. Chin's curiosity stirred.Unbeknownst to her, Taewoo was actually with Hazel, as they were conducting investigations in the area.

Chin: "Elly, I've changed my mind. I don't feel well. Let's leave."

Elly, mouth full of salad, raised an eyebrow : "What? We just ordered. And this place is so fancy. Why the sudden change of heart?"

Chin grew more insistent : "Please, Elly, let's go home. We can watch a movie or something."

Elly, shaking her head and chewing: "No way, Chin. I'm not wasting this expensive meal. You're welcome to join me, or you can head home alone."

Chin's patience wore thin : "Fine, Elly. You enjoy your meal. I'll go home myself."

She reached for her drink but, as she turned around, collided with Taewoo. Chin's drink splashed onto Taewoo's expensive-looking dress shirt. Flustered, she bowed her head and excused :"Oh, I'm so sorry. It was an accident."

Taewoo didn't answer , and made his way towards the exit door while grabbing Hazel's hand .

Elly, trying to salvage the situation, chimed in:"Excuse me, sir. I'm really sorry about that. My friend here just made a mistake. Can we make it up to you? Maybe you could give us your number so we can compensate you?",Chin tried to stop Elly, but it was too late. Taewoo, still not facing them, replied curtly.

Taewoo replied coldly : "Your friend already has my number."

Elly looked puzzled, and kept on staring at Chin . As Taewoo walked away with Hazel, Elly questioned Chin : "How do you have his number, Chin?" Chin reluctantly confessed: "He is Taewoo." After this, she told Elly everything she faced during past few weeks.

Back at their base station, Hazel couldn't help but question Taewoo's behavior : "Taewoo, who was that girl? Why were you so rude to her?" Taewoo, focused on his work, responded curtly :"She's a suspect, Hazel."

Hazel probed further, "I get it, but you were exceptionally rude. Have you met her before this case?"

Taewoo admitted, still not looking up: "I think I saw her at the subway once. I don't like her eyes , I feel uncomfortable that is why i was slightly extra rude , nothing else."

Hazel offered a different perspective, a small smile on her face : "You know, some times when people like something too much, they can't look at it. It's like their hearts can't handle the intensity."

Taewoo nodded in response, refocusing on his work.

Inside Mr. Mark's office, Miss Lewis, his assistant, entered with a bright smile and wished him:"Happy 31st birthday, Mr. Mark!"

Mr. Mark, engrossed in his work, didn't look up : "Thank you, Miss Lewis."

Miss Lewis leaned closer, her voice gentle: "You're still working on this case, even after what happened to your father."

Mark, his eyes never leaving his documents, replied with determination : "I need to solve this case as soon as possible."

Miss Lewis, concerned, probed further: "Are you doing this for your father or for that girl?"

Mark's grip on his pen tightened : "Initially, it was for my father, but then...I met her. If I hadn't met her, I would have closed this case after my father's death. But now, I'm doing it for her."

Miss Lewis, ever perceptive, couldn't help but ask : "Have you met her more than once? Do you really like her that much? Is she pretty?"

Mark continued working, his voice steady and thoughtful: "I don't know if she's pretty or not. I like her eyes. When I saw her for the first time, I looked into her eyes. They were cold, but there was a hint of warmth. I got lost in those eyes and never really looked at her face. So, I don't know, and frankly, I don't care if she's pretty."

After saying that, he got back to his work, completely ignoring the impact his words caused on Miss Lewis; Miss Lewis stared at him for a moment and then left his office. Mark started looking outside the window.