Whispers 'n Bullets

Chapter 4: Point of Contention

Danielle arrived at the headquarters later than usual, her steps hesitant as she made her way through the bustling corridors. The bandages wrapped around her face drew curious glances from her colleagues, but she paid them no mind, her thoughts consumed by the events of the previous night.

As she entered the main office, Minji's stern voice cut through the air, her frustration palpable as she addressed Danielle. "Late again, Danielle?" Minji's tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing in disapproval as she took in the sight of the bandages adorning Danielle's face.

Danielle winced, but her expression remained nonchalant as she met Minji's gaze. "Yeah, sorry about that," she replied casually, her tone dismissive.

"Got a bit caught up last night."

Minji's expression softened slightly, though her disapproval remained evident. "Caught up in something?" she echoed, her tone tinged with skepticism. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Danielle shrugged, feigning indifference. "There was a scuffle at a bar nearby," she admitted casually, her gaze drifting away.

"I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Minji's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her disbelief evident as she regarded Danielle with a mixture of concern and exasperation.

"You got caught in a bar fight, again?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how reckless that is? You could have compromised the entire operation!"

Despite Minji's admonishment, Danielle remained unfazed, her demeanor unchanged. "Yeah, yeah, I know," she replied with a careless wave of her hand. "But hey, no harm done, right?"

Minji sighed, her frustration evident as she shook her head. "You're lucky nothing worse happened," she admonished, her tone stern. "But this can't happen again, Danielle. We're professionals, and we can't afford to let personal matters interfere with our work."

With a shrug, Danielle offered a half-hearted nod of agreement, though her mind was already elsewhere. As Danielle made her way through the corridors of the headquarters, her thoughts drifted back to the events of the previous night. Despite her outward nonchalance, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at her conscience.

She couldn't shake the memory of the bar fight, the chaos and violence that had erupted so suddenly. And amidst the turmoil, there was one face that stood out in her mind—the face of a certain girl she had crossed paths with.

Haerin.

The memory of their encounter sent a shiver down Danielle's spine, a reminder of the tension that simmered between them. She knew she had pushed Haerin's buttons, testing the limits of their rivalry with her flippant remarks and careless attitude.

But now, as she reflected on the consequences of her actions, Danielle couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. She may have brushed off Minji's reprimands with her usual bravado, but deep down, she knew that she had messed up.

As Danielle entered the gym, hoping to clear her mind with a workout, she was surprised to find it empty except for one unfamiliar figure. A tall, lean man with a serious expression stood in the center of the room, his focus entirely on the punching bag before him.

Caught off guard by his sudden presence, Danielle hesitated for a moment before deciding to approach him. "Excuse me," she called out, her voice echoing in the empty space. "I didn't realize anyone else would be here."

The man turned to face her, his gaze piercing as he assessed her with a cool detachment. "No need to apologize," he replied evenly, his tone measured. "I come here to train alone. Helps me clear my mind."