Never Date A Man In Pink

The rain had stopped, and the quiet, dark street in front of the Hunter's mansion seemed very lonely at 10 pm. Ye Rim moved uncomfortably, despite being in the company of a person who didn't cause her any distrust or discomfort. But remember that a few days ago she was standing there, next to Dae Won, a monster, talking amicably with him ... Her heart froze at the thought of her own naivety.

Jae Wook opened the window a little and a little fresh air got into the car, bringing with it the smell of the wet grass from the Hunter's garden,

"When I met Shin, I kept thinking about Eun Ha… and that she always acted strange, carrying that green pen all over the place… But I remember thinking it was good for you to have her close by," his tone sounded just like someone engaging in a pleasant conversation to break the ice before going to the important point.

"Hm, you can't imagine my shock at finding out. But everything is settling just right. She is finding her identity. And she found someone she likes, finally. You didn't say that back there just to calm her down right? Is he really going to be okay?" Ye Rim needed to know.

"I hope so. Apparently fairies can regenerate if they are not hit in the heart or in some specific cases. Just like vampires I guess. I've seen him hurt, and he doesn't have scars, so I guess there's a way," he drummed his fingers on the side of the car, keeping one arm out of the window. Despite being a little cold, the chilly, cool air contributed to the clarity of thoughts, so Ye Rim didn't complain,

"I am more relieved. I also understand little else, but Shin-nim said that this being is dangerous."

"I know, Ye Rim. But…" Ji Jae Wook turned to Ye Rim with a serious and concerned look, "This isn't what I want to talk about at the moment. It's about Lee Dae Won."

Ye Rim swallowed. He was an excellent detective, who loved his job above all else, but she doubted that he could read thoughts with his deduction techniques.

"What about him? I said everything I knew in the statement," she instinctively became defensive.

"Of course you didn't. Since not everything was asked," he smirked, "You need to tell me exactly what kind of relationship you have, or had, with him."

"OPPA!" she had dreaded that question since admitting in testimony that she had come to his house that morning.

"Ye Rim, did you give him any hope? Did you flirt? I need to know," it would be difficult for the relationship between her and her ex-fiancé to be entirely professional, although he wasn't even looking at her while asking the question.

"I didn't. I definitely didn't flirt with him either. But sometimes it confused me. I didn't know what his intentions were. He was never clear. I couldn't explain the feeling I had about MP Lee. He acted adorably, and was sometimes scary. I saw him manipulating other people, and I'm sure he did the same to me. But most of the time he was a gentleman, refined, kind, a bit shy mostly. What I mean is that, sometimes I suspected that he was helping me because he had an interest in me. And sometimes he was convincing about wanting to help me start my career," Ye Rim sighed, feeling a shiver as she recalled some conversations with Dae Won.

"Ye Rim, little time has passed but we are working with a very dedicated team. At this moment Lee is free awaiting trial. We are struggling to gather compelling evidence that he kidnapped Kim Ji Hyeon. Our profiler ... she says he has a scary psychological profile. Everything we raised up now indicates that you, Ye Rim, were Lee Dae Won's most recent obsession."

The singer took a deep breath, biting her lower lip,

"I can't say that it surprises me, although it scares me. I felt a little bit suffocated by all Lee Dae Won's interference in my life, but he was very convincing on several points ... Oh, I'm so ashamed! I felt that there was something strange and yet I let him influence me, convince me, and do things for me! I convinced myself that he was an admirer of art! I was vain! And he acted like a psychologist… Pointing out my character's weaknesses and saying he's trying to help me improve… Everything he helped me achieve… What am I going to do?!" suddenly the things she didn't even want to think sprang to her lips. The inconvenient truths that she would like to hide from herself. She covered her face with her hands, embarrassed to admit.

"Hey, calm down! Just calm down!" Detective Ji put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly, "You can't blame yourself for getting involved with a guy like him, who specializes in reading people and has a scary hero syndrome. He undoubtedly thinks you are something he must save from yourself. How he thought of the dog on the road and how he probably thought of Ji Hyeon in the past. This guy is very engaging and suffocating, it's hard to get rid of him."

"But… so I don't understand. The police psychologist thinks Dae Won is a psychopath but does he have a 'hero syndrome'? Did he truly want to help me?"

"It is a little complex, but I will try to explain. First, whether or not he is a psychopath is something for a later stage. Only that, investigating his work environment, his relationsh.i.p.s, school and college records… In short, the information that we raised in this brief period of time ... It was enough to determine a profile that must be very close to the real Lee Dae Won. The person who surely hid Ji Hyeon for years and published her compositions as his own. Our colleague appointed you as the likely next victim, and that Lee was in the process of 'switching'. In reality ... it looks like you aren't the actual pivot for his behavior, but who you're involved with," Jae Wook looked embarrassed.

"Wait ..." Ye Rim felt even more confused, as she tried to understand what she was hearing. "Was he leaving Ji Hyeon for me? You mean there are really chances that she is dead? And ... What do you mean 'you're not the pivot? Isn't that scary enough already? He wanted to put me in the bas.e.m.e.nt in place of Kim Ji Hyeon?! He… wants to look like a hero to someone, but not necessarily to me?!"

Shock and indignation made her dizzy, and Ye Rim put her hands around her head for a moment, as if she could stop the thoughts from bouncing inside. Jae Wook was silent for a moment, and then turned his body fully towards her, again squeezing her shoulder assuringly.

"There's only one reason why I'm telling you all these things, Ye Rim. We still don't know how this is going to end. He's very wealthy, from an influential family, and if we only find circ.u.mstantial evidence, he may never be convicted. My job is to find Ji Hyeon and put this crazy guy in jail. But ... he still hasn't given up. The report of the last conversation you had, the fact that he gave himself up ... He still wants to continue his game of influence. All he wants to do is reach Dr. Kim."

Ye Rim was too shocked to say anything or close her mouth. Jae Wook's gaze strayed a moment and said,

"And speaking of Dr. Kim, I think it's him watching us like an owl five minutes ago."

"What?!" she looked everywhere, until she saw Jun Hyeon across the street. She hadn't been paying attention, but Jae Wook knew it all along!

"Do you want me to explain ourselves to your boyfriend? He must have an awful idea of what both of us were doing," the Detective opened the door locks, loosening his seat belt. Ye Rim did the same.

She was undecided, but an explanation would only make things worse. But before they got out of the car, Ji Jae Wook said,

"You have a few ways about it, Ye Rim. Escape Dr. Kim's interest with a good excuse and thus avoid this whole sordid case as well. Tell him about the things I said and watch him walk away from you to protect you, and at the same time consume himself from guilt. Or ..." smiling, he let her think for herself about other alternatives.

When they left, they went towards Kim just as he came towards them. Jun Hyeon was impassive, his gaze fixed on her. She didn't see his car anywhere. Should she smile? Should she keep her serious? She didn't know how to act.

'Why am I so nervous if I wasn't doing anything too much, just talking to a friend?' she wondered when they came face to face.

"Hello, Dr. Kim. We arrived about five minutes ago, and we didn't see you there," Jae Wook kept a slight smile, not to show animosity, but at the same time making it very clear that Jun Hyeon's attitude was suspect. Jun Hyeon looked at him, and Ye Rim felt tiny between the two tall men,

"Ah. Good evening. I saw the parked car when I arrived. I thought it was suspicious and parked in the back," he shrugged, keeping his eyes on Jae Wook and pointed to the beginning of the street.

"Hm, clever move. It's good to know that you're watchful, Dr. Kim. Mr. Shin was injured in a confrontation with a criminal, I found Eun Ha and Ye Rim at the scene. Ye Rim didn't have a ride back, so I obliged, but we took the opportunity to clarify some pending matters. But I have to go. My job is not yet over," Jae Wook said casually, leaving no room for question. Ye Rim followed Kim's reactions as he received the news that someone injured Shin. And at the same time, there was this awkward mood between the three of them.

"Is Hyung hurt?" Jun Hyeon asked, looking away at last to ask Ye Rim, and she nodded, 

"We better get in. You are a doctor, and you can help."

He showed confusion for a moment, but nodded.

Detective Ji waved at them, already moving away, and when the car turned around to leave, Jun Hyeon said, heading for the gate,

"I would very much like to know what you were talking about."

Ye Rim swallowed.