A New Day 8

"Open the glove box," she said, her voice cutting through as the car veered onto a wide highway. Ahead loomed a towering building, its golden star glinting atop a sleek facade.

HIRIS City POLICE Station, sprawled in bold black letters across the star's center, the structure stretching over 100 meters high, as broad as a football field—a monolith of law and order.

Gino popped the compartment, revealing a passport and driver's license, both stamped with "Reffie." He squinted, pulling a magnifying lens from his pocket—old habit—and scrutinized them. The photo matched his face, the details airtight. Legit. He tucked them into his jacket, zipping them secure, and leaned back.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked, her tone softening, though her eyes stayed on the road. Something in his gut twisted—a warning, a flicker of doubt—but his resolve held firm.

"Yes," he said, firm and final.

Her face lit up, a grin breaking through her cool mask. "I knew it."

"What?"

"You want to be closer to me, don't you?" Her voice turned teasing, her head tilting toward him.

"No."

"You want to see my face all the time, don't you?"

"No."

"You want me to teach you all these new things," she pressed, her grin widening, "and slowly, a spark lights between us—a forbidden teacher-student romance. Or wait… an office romance—"

"We won't even be in the same building," he cut in, exasperation creeping in. "You're Hiris Secret Security. I'm a special cop. Different departments."

"So you do accept the getting-closer part? And the romance?" She smirked, undeterred.

"Have you even been listening?"

"No," she admitted, her laugh light and unapologetic.

"Drop me here," he said as they rolled into the station's parking lot, a sea of cars gleaming under the sun. She pulled up beside the elevator, tires crunching gravel, and unbuckled her belt with a soft click.

"Are you nervous?" she asked, her gaze softening, searching his face.

"Yes and no," he said, a nervous smile flickering as he unbuckled too.

"So this is where we part ways."

"I guess so," he said, pushing the door open. "Bye."

"Bye…"

Her voice trailed off, expectant, her fingers tapping the wheel. She waited, tense, her cool facade cracking into unease. She wanted something—a gesture, a word—but he stepped out, one foot on the pavement, showing no sign of it. Her breath hitched, her hand twitching toward him.

"Hey, wait!" She grabbed his shoulder, stopping him before his other foot hit the ground. "I want to tell you something."

"What?" He turned, meeting her eyes.

"No matter what side you're on, I'm always on yours," she said, her voice raw, unscripted, spilling straight from her chest. Her face glowed with a peculiar warmth, an affection that caught him off guard.

"I know," he said, his own smile mirroring hers, soft and genuine. The moment hung, imprinting on her mind, and she turned away, gripping the wheel tight, her cheeks flushing. The cool redhead unraveled, embarrassed by her own sincerity, unable to hold his gaze.

As she fidgeted, Gino leaned in, pressing a quick peck to her cheek. "See you again," he said, hopping out and darting toward the elevator, leaving her flustered in his wake.

She touched her cheek, her reflection in the rearview mirror beaming with satisfaction. "See you again, too," she murmured, her tone flirtatious, her eyes tracing his retreating figure until the elevator doors slid shut.

She drove into the basement and then to a secluded corner of the lot, parking with a soft screech, and stepped out, humming a merry tune—"hmm… mm… mmhmm…"—her steps light. Popping the trunk, she revealed a woman inside—bound, gagged, her eyes wide with terror. Sweat streaked her face, wrinkles creasing her forehead as she whimpered through the cloth, muffled cries barely audible.

"Did you hear it?" The redhead's serious face returned, her voice low, edged with menace.

The gagged woman nodded frantically, her head jerking up and down, her body trembling in the cramped space.

"Who do you think he is?"

Another nod, desperate, pleading.

"Yup, you guessed it. He's my boyfriend," she said, her tone flipping to friendly, a grin breaking through. She climbed into the trunk, squeezing beside the captive, her suit crinkling as she settled in.

"His name's Gino. Gino~. Nice ring to it, don't you think?"

The woman nodded again, eager to please, her eyes darting for any hint of mercy.

"But you know what I think?" the redhead continued, her voice dipping conspiratorially. "I think it's not his real name."

The captive listened, rapt, her survival hinging on every word, searching for a lifeline in the redhead's ramble.

kssh

The redhead cracked open a can of lime soda fished from the trunk's clutter, the hiss sharp in the quiet. She took a sip, exhaling with a satisfied "Aaah!" and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

"Either way, I don't care what his real name is. If he doesn't want me to know, I won't pry."

sssip~

"Why's a name matter when you know the person? I can call him whatever I want, right?"

sssip~

"You know, our first kiss was in a basement like this," she said, a blush creeping up her cheeks, her eyes distant with memory.

sssip~

"It's a moment I'll carry past death. Think he remembers it too?"

sssip~

"I don't get how it works, but I can't let him out of my sight."

sssip~

"Do you think I'm some psycho, over-possessive girlfriend?"

sssip~

"No? You think I'm normal? Hope so. Though I don't see what's wrong with being possessive."

sssssssipp~~

She shook the can—empty, not a drop left. "This is how I feel when he's gone," she said, her voice heavy, somber. "Anyway, that's it for now."

She tossed the can back into the trunk and stood, brushing off her suit. "You've been a great company. Nice girl chat—though you mostly nodded like a distressed pig."

The gagged woman stared, silent, her breath shallow. The redhead pulled a file from the trunk, flipping it open, her voice casual as she read aloud.

"Supposed to kill you yesterday at your place. Crime of… baby kidnapping? Ha! What, wanted to change diapers 'til they're potty-trained? Ahahaha, funny woman."

pichk

A silenced shot rang out, a bullet piercing the woman's forehead mid-laugh. Blood trickled, her body slumping lifeless in the trunk. The redhead checked her watch, her grin fading to focus—Gino would be out of the Captain's office soon.

"Gotta hurry," she muttered, slamming the trunk shut, dusting her hands, and brisk-walking to the elevator, her steps clipped and purposeful.