3. Next level

A more than a week has passed and there was no news from the police, Lim was very anxious. After a long wait she couldn't wait any longer , it was time to bring matters into her own hands.

She decided to visit Max's boyfriend's new appartment on a warm sunny Wednesday. Alex lived at a very quite neighborhood unlike Lim's. When passing thought Alex's neighbourhood there were lots of big houses which seemed to be well maintained but no one seemed to live in it. Lim's neighborhood was always crowded and busy with the older people going to work or students running to school.

She had never seen his place but during a call, he mentioned that he lived at house number 360(A) which was down the street.

*DINGGG DONGGG

The house in front of her was no appartment but a big mansion. She was confused as if she was standing at the right door, the house was opposite of how Alex described it.

The door slowly opened, stood a tall young man with dark hair, grey shirt and black pants; any typical man's wear.

"Hey, Lim come in?"

"Hey Alex how are you?"

"Um- living a fake life"

Alex laughed at his not funny joke, when Lim looked at him all confused.

"Are you done?Can i come in?"

Walking inside the house was another whole story, a large room with two stairs from the top connecting at the ground, a golden chandeliers hanging down from the roof; a room found only in fairy tales and movie.

Lim's jaw dropped to the ground she had never seen such a wonderful and beautiful thing.

"Wooooow this is speechless beautiful."

"Thanks, would you care for a glass of champagne or water?."

" A glass of champagne isn't that bad."

Walking in the common room was a big wall tv and a white sofa which looked too expensive to sit on. A big showcase with lots of small beautiful decors.

Why did Max even declined to stay in a place like this, she must have lost her mind. Places like this is onces in a lifetime, this is every girl's dream.

Colon walks in with a bottle of champagne and two wine cups in his hands. He gently poured the champagne into the cups, he was like a professional bartender.

"Here is a cup for the lady."

"Thanks, you should do this for your living, it's like your born to do this."

The champagne was clear golden and the foam were still rising to the top. She took a sip from the glass; a sweet- bitter grape taste and little bit of cherry to it.

"This is some good stuff."

"I got it from my parents place."

"Did you go to Max's funeral?."

" No, I was about to but I head from Max's sister that it was only for the family members and no one was allowed to attend."

" Yea me too i didn't attend but I'm planning on visiting her grave soon, let's go together."

"Yes let's do that."

There was a long awkward silence in the room for about 20 minutes,the only sound heard was the clock ticking.

"So- i actually came here to ask for your help. I want to look into Max's case since the police have been not much help and recently I have been feeling very anxious regarding this case. Would you help me?"

" I will feel bad if I don't help you and since Max was everything to me, I'll help."

" I knew I asked the right person for this."

Alex picked up his glass of champagne and lifted it towards Lim.

" A toast for our journey on avenging Max's death."

"A toast for our journey."

_________

The next morning Lim collected all the news and magazines related to Max's case. She pinned all of them on a board, made red lines to connect all the details related to the case. Most of them talked the same thing but in different styles, there were only a few information that she could get.

"I need to find more information. This will not do."

She got in the shower thinking of the things that she could do to get more information and which people to meet. She got ready for work, she wore her usual black pants, white shirt, black heel and a long brown coat. It was cold outside, winter was no it's way.

Since Lim worked at a Media company she had easy excess to anything related to the recent new.

Later at work Lim was working on some paperworks when she came across an article about the recent murder cases which was going trendy on the media.

Lim's work at office was to go through all the articles prepared by the media team and arrange them to be send to the publishing team.

She carried the articles about the murder case and rushed to the media department.

The media department was always so noisy and lively all day long. Their block looked like it was not been cared for a long time and the media team was always looking for fun they always forget about their works until the dead line. When a new media member joins the department they always seemed to be smart and hard working but after some days they all become the same; lazy.

Right after opening the door of the department smoke came flying out of the room and filled the whole corridor.

Lim rises up her hands showing the articles she was holding.

"Who is working on this article?!"

There was a long quite strare at the article than a young man stood up and ran to another room. Her brought back a old looking man with baggy pants, oversized shirt and a really large coat which made him look like he was straight for the streets.

" That's my work. Is there a problem? Miss editor?"

The man sounded very arrogant which made him look even worse with the fashion he was wearing.

"I need more information on this article, I'll be waiting for it. Bring it to my office by Monday noon."

"Yes Miss Editor boss."

Lim was annoyed but she didn't tell anything, she just dropped the article and left.

"Hey Lim, where did you go?"

Sam came running to her right after she entered her department door. Even though she was annoyed she forced a smile on her face.

" I just went to the media department for some changes in an article."

"We were about to go out for lunch, do you want to join us?"

"No i will not be joining for lunch today I have a few unfinished works and you already know how angry boss will be."

" Alright then we'll be going ahead. Do you want me to bring anything for you?"

"No it's alright. I have packed lunch."

All the office works left for lunch and the office went dead drop silence.

"This fell very lonely but relaxing."