Finding the Truth

"How are you feeling now?" Nina asked as she saw Luna entering the gallery.

"I'm good, Madam, thanks to you and your brother," Luna replied with a smile.

"How are things going here?" Luna asked as they walked into her office.

"Everything's okay, except for the tabloid reports," Nina said, handing her some news clippings. "I meant to mention it yesterday, but I didn't want to bother you."

The headline on the article read, "Expecting the Collaboration of DrawWithin and DrawBeyond Using a Pretty Daughter," accompanied by an image of Luna from the auction day. The content was full of nonsense and false claims.

The tabloid's cruel insinuation was meant to humiliate her, twisting her family's reputation and making her a pawn in a game she had no control over.

"Why do they have to do this?" Luna murmured, her voice strained as she tried to hold back her anger.

She was used to dealing with the scrutiny, but this felt different—this felt personal. 

"When was this picture taken?" Luna asked as she sat down in the chair, her eyes scanning the news.

"I think it was after we left, your parents and your aunt and uncle must have had the discussion," Nina replied. "But it seems like someone secretly caught it."

"Didn't Dad say anything about it?" Luna asked, looking at Nina.

Nina shook her head in response. "No. I already sent an email for it to be taken down, but it might take some time."

"That's fine," Luna said, her gaze drifting toward the window as she seemed lost in thought.

Suddenly, she stood up and walked over to Nina with a sly look in her eyes. "Speaking of this, do you remember the promise you made to me?"

Nina immediately sensed that something was off, and a sense of unease washed over her. This was not going to end well.

She responded, trying to stay calm, "I don't."

"You said you would do whatever I ask if I helped your brother, didn't you?" Luna's voice had a threatening undertone as she leaned closer to Nina.

Nina, trapped by her own words, had no choice but to acknowledge the promise.

"I did, didn't I?" she replied with a smirk, trying to mask her unease. But she struck it with good logic.

"Well, it seems to me that it's the other way around. You didn't exactly pick up my brother, did you? He was the one who found you and helped you that night. So, I don't think I owe you anything."

Nina tried to push back, doing everything she could, but there was a growing sense of dread in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that Luna was planning something huge, something she wasn't yet prepared for.

Luna suddenly shifted her demeanor, her tone softening as she looked at Nina with pleading eyes. "Nina, only you can help me. You're my only best friend. I can't trust anyone else with this," she said, her voice full of vulnerability.

Luna's words left Nina cornered, with no clear way out. She could see it now—the subtle manipulation, the weight of the task Luna was about to demand. And the silence between them spoke volumes; the tension was intense as Nina wondered just how far Luna would go.

"What is it? I can't promise I'll do anything without knowing what you're asking," she replied with a resolute tone, trying to stay cautious.

But Luna, knowing that her friend was wavering, decided to play her last card. She turned away, her back to Nina as she started to walk towards the door.

"It's fine, leave it. If you don't want to help, that's okay. I'll handle it on my own," Luna said, her voice almost cold now.

The words hung in the air, and Nina knew Luna was playing with her emotions. She paused, uncertainty creeping in. Would she be able to stand her ground, or would she fall into Luna's trap?

Luna knew exactly how to push Nina's buttons. She could always count on her best friend's protective nature. As soon as Nina reacted with frustration, Luna smiled slyly, knowing she had won.

"You devil!!!! Don't you dare use that trick on me. Do you think I can't catch on to what you're about to do?" Nina snapped, her voice full of exasperation.

Luna halted in her tracks, turning around slowly. "You think I can't do things without getting caught? Do you really think so?" she challenged, her eyes gleaming with defiance.

Nina stared at her, the weight of the situation settling in. She knew Luna—if she set her mind to something, she would follow through, no matter the consequences. And deep down, Nina understood that if Luna was determined, she wouldn't be able to stop her.

The only option left was to help her, even if it meant diving into something that could bring trouble.

"Okay!! Okay, tell me, what is it that you want?" Nina asked with a deep sigh, clearly frustrated but unable to deny her friend's persistence.

Luna returned with a slight smile, her expression softening as she spoke, "You have to dig into the truth about what happened between our families."

"No way. If your father finds out that I'm doing this, he'll fire both of us," Nina replied, shaking her head in disbelief.

"It's only been a few days since he allowed you to manage the gallery, apart from just your artwork. I can't put you at risk. Can we please stop this here, Luna? Please."

Luna's face hardened with determination. "I can't keep being that child anymore. I'm grown up now, Nina. I need to know what happened to me. And I strongly believe there's something in my past that I can uncover if I dig in this direction."

Seeing the resolve in Luna's eyes, Nina knew there was no turning back. She could try to stop her, but it would be useless. Luna wasn't going to drop this. With a heavy heart, Nina sighed deeply, knowing she had no other choice but to help her friend, no matter the risks.

"I know you won't back down, will you?" Nina muttered, feeling helpless but accepting the fact that Luna had made up her mind. "Alright, I will help you. But we need to be careful. There's a lot at stake."

"Thank you, Nina. I knew you would help me," Luna said with a smile, her excitement shining through as she hugged her immediately.

She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the picture of her aunt and uncle on the tabloid.

"Let's start with the photo. If I go ask my parents about this meeting, they definitely won't tell me the truth. First, let's find out who took this picture and wrote the article. They must have overheard something during the discussion. We need to know what they talked about."

Her eyes remained fixed on the picture, a deep resolve in her expression. The plan was set, and she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

****

"Dr. Hyunsu, aren't you starting work next week?" a young man asked, his voice laced with playful sarcasm as he watched Hyunsu filling out paperwork at the administration desk.

The young man was none other than Hyunsu's old friend from high school, and they hadn't seen each other in ages.

"What took you so long to get here, assistant?" Hyunsu shot back with a mischievous grin, turning the tables.

"Who's the assistant? I'm a doctor, you moron! You see this tag on my doctor's coat? Dr. Jinwoo", he said, trying to show off the tag.

"I'm a busy man, you know. Highly needed and important around here. You'll realize soon enough," Jinwoo replied, puffing his chest out in pride.

"Oh, really? You're that busy, huh?" Hyunsu laughed, raising an eyebrow.

"I've already told the dean to transfer you as my assistant. Just filled out your paperwork right alongside mine," he added, closing his pen and handing the completed forms to the woman behind the counter.

"Why do you have to make my life so much harder right after you come back?" Jinwoo groaned. "And seriously, what does the dean see in you? Why the heck would he hire you here with such a ridiculous salary package?"

Hyunsu chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Oh, trust me, you'll get used to it. You're stuck with me now."

He couldn't help but grin. The years had flown by, but their friendship felt just as natural as it had back in high school. Without saying much more, the two of them exchanged a quick, genuine hug. It was brief, but filled with warmth—something that only years of shared experiences could create.

"Can't believe it's you," Hyunsu said with a chuckle, pulling away.

"I thought I'd be stuck with a bunch of random assistants here, but look who's here! The one and only Jinwoo."

Jinwoo laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, you know I had to save you from the 'randoms,' didn't I? Come on, let's catch up. I've got the grand tour ready. Don't want you getting lost in this maze of a hospital."

The two of them started walking down the halls, with Jinwoo pointing out different departments.

"So, how's life treating you? Got bored of playing scientist in Japan?" Jinwoo asked, glancing at Hyunsu with a knowing smile.

"Been up to any more trouble?"

"Trouble? Always, but not the kind you're thinking of" Hyunsu raised an eyebrow. "I've been a model citizen. It's you I'm worried about, though," he teased. "How's the whole 'doctor' life treating you?"

"Still as serious as ever? but I'm just glad to have you back. It's been a while since I had a real partner in crime."

Hyunsu smirked. "Just wait. You might regret that when I start bringing my own brand of trouble to the hospital."

"Can't be worse than the last guy they tried to pair me with," Jinwoo said, rolling his eyes.

"Now, let's get to the real part of the tour—lunch. I'm starving."

Hyunsu grinned. "Lead the way. I'm sure I'll need the energy for whatever's coming next."

As they passed by the bustling nurse's station and into a quieter part of the hospital, Hyunsu could tell Jinwoo was genuinely happy to have him there. It had been a while since they had a chance to just hang out like this, and the old banter came back easily.