Woo-Jin spent another week in that hotel room.
Finally he decided it was enough, and here he was again in a bar.
Not that he had stopped drinking; in fact, that was all he did all that time.
He decided he just needed to clear his mind, and a change of environment would be great for that.
Throwing some heat suppressants just in case, he walked into a bar overflowing with people.
He found a corner by the counter and ordered his usual drink. An alpha approached, sitting near him; he ordered the same drink and even asked to pay for Woo-Jin's.
Maybe he didn't know him, or it could've been the opposite, but it was happening. Normally people flirt with him to get free drinks.
He almost considered hooking up with the guy—until one of his so-called friends showed up and ruined the mood completely.
He got so annoyed that he decided to leave the place.
He walked on the dark streets, with enough light to see but not enough to make it warm. This road was filled with bars and clubs, even prostitute centers.
He just needs to get to his car that he parked a little farther than needed.
Days and nights are gloomy; he can't tell, but time is at it again.
His face had a slight frown in place of the sarcastic smile he used to have.
He is tired.
- - -
"This doesn't feel real." Hyun-So walked closer instead of retreating.
Do-Jin smiled and let Hyun-So touch his face.
"I still feel like I am in some kind of illusion." Hyun-So cupped his face with both hands.
It's been a week or more. They spent their days like they normally did, apart from being a little touchy.
And Hyun-So's breakdowns from time to time.
The one thing Do-Jin had never guessed about him was that he could be really clingy.
Not that he accepted his own behavior when mentioned.
The staff wasn't taking it strangely somehow, a grown punk-looking guy being this cuddly.
Apart from being shocked, Do-Jin was really enjoying himself.
"What would you like me to do for it to feel real?" Do-Jin wrapped his arms around Hyun-So's shoulders.
"I have no idea." Hyun-So leaned in for a kiss that Do-Jin eagerly returned.
After they broke away, he continued, "I want to move slow, but I can't wait either."
They swayed together slightly, side to side.
"It's okay, you can take your time. I am not going anywhere." Do-Jin whispered lightly in his ear, making him shiver a little.
Oh, he is sensitive here.
"Let's go inside; it's getting colder." Do-Jin let go of him only to hold his hand as they walked in the room from the balcony.
"The rain hasn't stopped these days." Hyun-So sat down on the foot of the bed that they have been sharing these days.
"Mountain area and cloudy season go well together after all." Do-Jin handed him the cup of coffee he was preparing a moment before. "It feels cozy because of the cold outside."
Hyun-So took a sip out of the hot coffee, warming up instantly. He nodded.
"We can't go back yet, but we have to soon, maybe after the rain has stopped for a while." Do-Jin drinks his own sitting beside him.
"There is something you are worried about." Hyun-So looked at him.
"We had spies before and probably now too; as three different organizations are aware of your existence, it's a matter of time before the news becomes public. The government agencies won't let that slide." Do-Jin couldn't look him in the eyes; he was worried.
"Are you worried they will shut your lab down?" Hyun-So asked.
Do-Jin snapped at him in an instant, realizing late that his reactions were a little intense. "No, I am worried they will take you away to poke and test. In the name of study, they will treat you like a lab rat."
"Oh, makes sense. It's in human nature to be curious about everything." Hyun-So smiled.
"You are too chill about it all." Do-Jin put his cup away, getting down on his knees between Hyun-So's legs. Holding his arms, he said. "It will be painful and humiliating. I can't even think about it."
"I know, they aren't taking me anywhere just yet. And when they tried to… we will figure out something." Hyun-So put away his own almost empty cup and rubbed his head slowly, like he was comforting him.
Like he was pampering a pet animal.
Do-Jin caught up to the realization slowly. "Am I a dog to you now?" he jumped up, throwing both of them on the bed. Pinning Hyun-So down with his hands and weight.
"I mean, you guys are like wolves. Dogs and wolves are quite the same, aren't they?" He laughed.
"Mm-hm, and where do you keep receiving all this information?" Do-Jin grinned lightly.
"Research—I am really good at that." Hyun-So smiled back at him.
- - -
Multiple complaints had been received in the past few months.
All from the same block.
The area where a branch of HCP Pharmaceuticals was located, the one in control of famous Biomedical Engineers and Biochemist Kim Do-Jin.
The man stood in front of the building, hands in his pocket.
The sudden cuts of electricity had drawn a lot of attention to the company.
He was sent here to check the base of this problem.
He walked in, no discomfort or hesitation in his stride; he had done this before.
Dealing with companies who believed they were the highest authority in their field was nothing new to him.
As he entered the building, he immediately noticed the tense atmosphere among the employees, who seemed on edge. It was clear that his presence was not going to be welcomed with open arms.
Not that it mattered to him; in fact, he enjoyed watching those rich bastards get all uneasy in front of him.
No one stopped him.
He showed his badge to the receptionist, quick enough to just reveal the department name, but that was more than enough for her.
Electrical Safety Corporation
The disturbance had been noticed by the authorities.
The receptionist walked with him, giving a call to Byung along the way.
She took him to one of the meeting rooms as told.
Byung arrived quickly after that.
"Where is he?" he asked her, fixing his tie again.
"He is in the meeting room on the 3rd floor, sir." She wasn't calm in any way but kept it professional. "He said it was about the sudden cuts of electricity."
"Alright, I will deal with it. Where is the secretary, Ha?" he asked instead; he had told them to only call him if it was an emergency and not Do-Jin.
"He had taken a day off to visit his mom, who is sick."
"Ok," he dismissed her and walked out of the elevator.
He entered the room.
The man he had to talk with was quite comfortable.
"Hello, I am Han Byung-chul." He introduced himself, extending his hand for a handshake.
"I have heard quite a bit about you, Mr. Han." He didn't move to shake his hand. Neither did he introduce himself.
Quite rude too.
He let it slide and sat down on a side chair as the man apparently took the head one.
"Mind if I ask for the complaint files?" Byung asked gently.
"Why not?" He slid the files to him and crossed his fingers together, a smile forming on his face, giving Byung chills.
He read through the files, and there was no way they could get through these easily without revealing the lab.
"So, where is Mr. Kim?" The man asked casually, like Do-Jin was his formal friend.
"He is out of the city, on a vacation." Byung looked up to answer and went back to reading.
"Obviously, he is. When his employees work their ass off," he added sarcastically, leaning back on his chair.
Byung didn't take it professionally this time.
"To be clear, mister. He had overworked himself quite a few times to set a record."
The man's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Well, that seemed to backfire. What possibly got into his mind to smile like that?
"Is that so? What could he be working on for so long that he hadn't shown his face in public? And to my knowledge, he hadn't disclosed any new 'discoveries' of his for a while now."
This was a trap. The whole question, and Byung can't fall for it.
"He will soon. You have no reason to be concerned about that."
"I believe it's all my concerns now, Mr. Han. You are almost on the last file." He leaned on the table, a hand supporting his chin.
Byung ignored him and read the file through. The first page of the last file read as 'search warrant'; the next one contained the reasons.
Byung went still for a while.
"The disturbances have been ongoing for months—loud noises, power outages, unexplained activity. The locals are getting suspicious. So, I have to go into details here, Mr. Han. I will be back in a few days; try to be cooperative with me. It will be easier for both of us."
He stood up and fixed his clothes and walked out of the room. The air in the room was thick with tension. And Byung knew—it was only the beginning.
Byung knew that the investigation was far from over, and he needed to prepare himself for what was to come next.
First he had to call Do-Jin to tell him, 'The vacation is over.'