INVESTIGATING ALEX

Shawn was resolute in his quest to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic figure who had boldly claimed the role of John's bodyguard. Every clue seemed to deepen the mystery, fueling his determination to peel back the layers and reveal the reality lurking beneath the surface.

At the same time, John fell asleep, anxious about the nightmares that would wake him up.

As dawn broke, the household buzzed with activity, each person engrossed in their pursuits. Shawn delved into his investigation of Alex, while Anna, aka Alex, quietly observed John, intrigued by his interactions and demeanor.

Little did Anna know Shawn was quietly piecing together her past, unaware of the powerful influences that protected her secrets. Shrouded in mystery, she had connections that made it challenging for him to learn anything substantial about her background, family, or career.

As the clock struck three a.m., John stirred awake, once again consumed by the burden of his dark memories. He buried himself in office work, each keystroke a distraction from the relentless nightmare haunting him—a painful reminder of a day he longed to forget. Attempts to rid himself of this spectral torment had proven futile: doctors had failed him, friends had betrayed him, and relocating had only shifted the nightmare's grip.

Next morning

In the kitchen, Grandma Ria was giving orders to the servants for breakfast with her usual authority. As the day progressed, no one noticed the turmoil within John’s mind as he prepared to meet with clients.

"Shawn, can I ask why you need a half-day off?" John inquired, glancing up from his paperwork.

"I’m investigating someone," Shawn replied, severe yet evasive.

John nodded, sensing the urgency behind Shawn’s words, and waved him off. Shawn’s instincts told him that it was crucial to share his investigation with John, he felt he was inching closer to valuable information. Yet John, respecting Shawn’s reserved nature, opted not to press further. He trusted Shawn implicitly—a level of trust he reserved for no one else, not even his grandmother.

Once outside the office, Shawn followed a lead that hinted at Alex's connection to an orphanage. John had once mentioned that the orphanage was part of the Matthew Corporation’s legacy. However, a visit to Madame Rey, the determined manager, revealed the harsh truth: the legal documents were clear—she owned the land, irrespective of any ties to the Matthews.

Faced with this disheartening news, John chose not to retreat. Instead, he assembled a skilled legal team with one goal: to find a loophole that would allow him to claim the orphanage he felt so deeply connected to.

While John had amassed considerable knowledge regarding the orphanage's ties to the struggling Matthew Corporation, Shawn sensed that John’s interest was fueled by something more personal. His eerie nightmares, filled with images of trapped souls and the absence of his parents, seemed intertwined with his fixation on the orphanage.

Determined to confront his painful past, John even hired a team to search for his missing parents, who had disappeared after the very accident that plagued his dreams nightly.

Shawn visited the orphanage. He showed a picture of her to the children there but received only confused stares in return. However, when he revealed a photo of Anna, the reaction was immediate. One boy shouted, "Sis Anna! She stays with us here, but not right now. Mama Rey says she’s busy." It was evident that the children held Madame Rey, or "Mama Rey," in high regard, a title Anna herself did not use but admired deeply.

Shawn asked, "What can you tell me about her?" The children spoke of Anna’s regular Sunday visits, their excitement palpable at the prospect of seeing her soon.

Keth, a boy among them, looked forlorn. "Sis Anna always comes to see us on Sundays. I think she might be here tomorrow too."

Another girl, May, piped up. "But if she comes, Mama Rey will tell us. I don’t think Sis Anna is here right now; she’s on another business trip."

The kids eagerly gathered around, buzzing with curiosity about whether Anna would swing by for a visit tomorrow. Their conversation was filled with excitement as they speculated on what fun activities they might share if she came over.

As lunch beckoned and the children were ushered away, Shawn kept silent, his mind buzzing with the possibility of discoveries. He stepped out of the orphanage, eager to relay his findings to John and dig deeper into this unfolding mystery.

Meanwhile, in Mr. Kim's office, a sharp knock announced the arrival of Cris, who bore the news that sent a ripple of curiosity through Kim.

"Sir, someone is investigating Agent A9. Here’s the intel on the investigator," Cris reported, handing over a stack of documents. Although the investigator's identity remained a mystery, Kim recognized names he had encountered before, adding layers to his intrigue.

Unfazed, Kim asked, "Did you share the information I requested?"

"Yes, Sir," Cris replied.

"Good," Kim responded curtly, masking his thoughts. As Cris departed, a nagging uncertainty lingered in his mind—why had Kim allowed access to information that could jeopardize their agent? It felt calculated, too easily pointing toward Anna’s identity and whereabouts.

Agent A9, better known as Anna, holds a unique position within the ranks of the GIA. The designation "A9" signifies her status as a special agent, a title that embodies her exceptional skills and dedication to her mission. With every assignment, Anna proves that she’s not just another agent; she’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of espionage.

Cris didn’t realize that Kim had ulterior motives, orchestrating a meeting between Anna and John—with the potential for larger, unforeseen consequences. The stage was set, and the players were moving toward a fateful intersection.

After investigating Anna, Shawn returned home and decided to talk to John about his findings. He is loyal to John and values their friendship, believing it’s important to explain the situation to John so he can take precautions. Shawn is aware of John’s trust issues and suspects that Anna has ulterior motives for being there.

All day, Anna has been with John, and today is usual, with John being bossy and his employees fearing him. Anna judges him constantly.

Unbeknownst to Anna, Shawn is delving into her life, piecing together secrets she believes are hidden well.

Shawn arrives after half a day of investigating Anna and sees her giving John an accusatory look because he fired one of his employees for requesting a day off due to personal reasons.

Shawn walks into John's office. He asks, "John, I want to talk to you about something." John nods in approval.

"Alex has a connection to the orphanage that is linked to the Matthew Corporation."

As John was poised to sign the contract, his pen suddenly slipped from his grasp, clattering to the table with a thud. He glanced over at Shawn, their eyes locking in a moment charged with unspoken tension.

John asked in shock, "What?"

He continued, "Didn't you investigate Alex before?"

Shawn replied, "I did, but I was wrong. I'm sorry."

John shouted, "Sorry! Are you crazy? How can you be so careless, Shawn?"

Shawn lowers his head. It is the first time he has made a mistake. He always obtains accurate information about the person he investigates, but with Alex, he cannot gather all his information.

John leaned in with a curious glint in his eye and asked, "So, what else did you discover? I need all the details, Shawn!"

Shawn looks at John and replies, "I have some information about Alex. He is connected to a girl named Anna from the orphanage. One more thing: Anna is coming to the orphanage tomorrow. She visits every Sunday to spend time with the kids and Madam Rey."

John nods in response. Shawn has kept to himself the thought that Anna might actually be Alex and that she is staying with them. However, he chooses not to share this with John, as he suspects there is more to the story. Instead, he wants to ask Alex about it himself.

John said after a while, "We will go to the orphanage tomorrow. Tell Alex that he can have the day off. I do not want him to know that we know his little secret." Shawn nods.