After Dark (Prompts)

Personal Taste - 13

(Repost)

"Good afternoon. I'm looking for Inspector Ha?"

Joo In-ah walked in the small office located at one of the buildings in the city. She went there directly after her talk with Dr. Kang.

"I need to protect him. I was thinking of calling the cops but I don't want to make it worse for Hoon," In-ah ranted on. "Besides, do I really have a case?"

"Of course, the decision is yours but I would suggest not to leave your partner out of this," Dr. Kang advised. "If you need help but don't want to call the cops yet, I know someone."

Inspector Ha Chae Yoon.

According to Dr. Kang, Ms. Ha is a former police negotiator and recently put up her own investigation and security services. At the very least, Joo In-ah could seek her advice. If needed, services could be engaged. It wasn't going to be cheap, but luckily she could afford it.

The first thing In-ah noticed about the offices were that it gave off a very modern atmosphere. White glass and acrylic desks, ghost chairs, and white computers on top of them. The first few people you would notice were all women -- the receptionist, the guard at the door and a woman In-ah could see somewhere in the back offices.

The receptionist pressed a button on the intercom and spoke to the person at the other end of the line, giving the details Joo In-ah provided. "Ms. Joo In-ah is here for Inspector Ha. I'll escort her to meeting room A. Please advice Ms. Baek, too."

Playing with her bag strap as she waited, In-ah hoped that this meeting would be productive. She had been unsettled since she received that note and all she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and shut the world out.

However, it was Hoon who was being threatened and she couldn't sit on it.

Joo In-ah did not know what to expect but the beautiful women who walked in surprised her.

One was in casual clothes -- jeans, a black shirt and an boots, her short hair neatly tucked behind her ears, and the only accessory visible was a wedding ring. Meanwhile the other one was in a white silk number that hugged all her curves, satin white pumps, her long black hair tied stylishly and flowing down her back, her make up was little heavier and her fingers displayed an engagement and a wedding ring.

Realising she had stereotyped the people she will speak to, Joo In-ah quickly shook her head. Standing, she greeted the ladies.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Joo. I am Ha Chae Yoon and this is my associate, Baek Jang-mi," Inspector Ha started.

"Good afternoon, Inspector Ha, Inspector Baek," Joo In-ah greeted.

Baek Jang-mi laughed. "Wow that's a first! Don't call me Inspector. I was never a cop."

Ha Chae Yoon, for her part, smiled kindly. "You don't have to call me Inspector either. I'm no longer a cop. But, I understand that Dr. Kang still calls me that. Speaking of Dr. Kang, she called me to say you might need help but didn't give me the details."

Joo In-ah nodded and proceeded to share her concern. "You see, Hoon and I have a past and I understand we would not be the people cops side with, but we're really trying our best. Hoon has been having a difficult time with promotions at work and I worry that this would affect him further."

"And what help do you need?" Ha Chae Yoon asked.

Joo In-ah slumped her shoulders. "I don't know. To be honest, I don't know. All I am certain of is that I wish to protect Hoon."

"And Hoon is the boyfriend?" Baek Jang-mi clarified. Joo In-ah nodded. "And we love the boyfriend very much?"

"Jang-mi," Ha Chae Yoon reprimanded.