"We presume that you already know the reason we are here, Miss Sarocha," Detective Push began as they settled into Freen's dressing room.
"Yeah, two policemen already came here the other day," Freen replied.
"Yes, we are aware of the previous visit," Detective Push acknowledged, adjusting his notepad. "However, we are here to gather more information and discuss some new developments regarding the incident."
"My answer remains the same, Detective Push," Freen said firmly. "I have already told the previous officers everything I know. I don't see how anything could have changed since then."
"Miss Sarocha, we are here to help, not to accuse or interrogate," Detective Push reassured. "We understand that you have already shared your knowledge, but new evidence has come to light, and we believe it may be relevant to the case. Our goal is to ensure justice is served and find the truth behind what happened."
"What about it?" Freen's interest was piqued as she leaned forward. "What new evidence do you have?"
"We are here to show you this." Detective Push pulled out his phone, but then he stopped and looked around the room.
Freen's POV
"I know a place," I immediately suggested when I sensed this was going to be a sensitive conversation. "There's a quiet café nearby where we can discuss the new evidence in private."
I was speechless when I saw the video Detective Push showed me. We are now sitting alone in a corner of the café where there's no window, and the style of the café is cubicles at every table. The dim lighting and soft music playing in the background create a sense of intimacy, ensuring that our conversation remains confidential. As we delve deeper into the evidence, I can't help but feel a growing sense of unease about the case.
Meanwhile, his colleague Bright sits at a nearby table, discreetly observing our conversation. His presence adds an extra layer of security, reassuring me that our discussion is being closely monitored. I can't help but wonder what role he plays in all of this and if he holds any key information that could help solve the case.
Because I observed him, he seemed bothered by something. I wonder what else they are not telling me, or is it just my assumption?
"So, what do you think, Miss Sarocha? Do you have any idea why someone would intentionally kill your boyfriend, Blew?" Detective Push asks after showing me the video and statements of other witnesses.
"Ex-boyfriend, Detective Push. And just like I said earlier, and the other day with the police who first interviewed me about this, I really don't have any idea." I answered, frustration creeping into my voice. "Blew is an asshole, but he's not the type to be involved in anything like this. I'm sure of that—we've known each other since we were kids."
Detective Push nodded, understanding my frustration. "I understand your loyalty towards Blew, but we need to explore all possibilities. Is there anyone you can think of who might have had a grudge against him or a motive to harm him?" he asked, hoping for any leads that could help solve the case.
I shook my head."Yes. I'm sure Blew might be an asshole and a playboy, but I don't know anyone he had serious conflicts with. He was always the life of the party, but he never seemed to hold any deep grudges against anyone. Everyone loved him—or at least, that's what it seemed like."
I shook my head.
Detective Push scribbled some notes in his notepad, clearly disappointed with my lack of leads."Alright, we'll keep digging then. If you think of anything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please don't hesitate to reach out to us," he said.
"I have a question, though." I had to ask, since I'd been observing but never got the chance, being too busy otherwise.
"Yes, Miss Sarocha?" He was already standing in front of me.
"Do you happen to suspect anyone in the film industry?"He looked at me hesitantly, like he was weighing every word before speaking.
"Anyone is a possible suspect, Miss Sarocha," he finally said. "We are investigating all leads and considering all possibilities. We don't want to overlook anyone who could potentially be involved in the case."
His answer wasn't surprising, but it confirmed what I had been quietly wondering all along.I wasn't mistaken—I had seen police around the filming site long before Blew's murder.Back then, I brushed it off as nothing.Now, I wasn't so sure.
I stepped forward, stopping Detective Push before he could exit the café."Detective Push," I said, my voice firmer now. "Do you believe this is connected to Mr. On's case?"
He paused, his expression unreadable."Unfortunately, I can't disclose any specific details at this time," he replied cryptically. "However, it's critical that we look into every connection that might exist and amass as much data as we can."
Then why did he show me all that evidence?
I didn't press further. I just nodded and watched as he walked away, disappearing into the soft shadows of the café's corridor.
I stayed behind, letting the hum of the quiet café settle around me. My thoughts were racing, but I had already made a decision.
Pulling out my phone, I scrolled to a name I hadn't contacted in a while.
The line rang three times before a familiar voice picked up.
"Hello?" the calm, knowing voice of a man answered.
"Hello, Mr. M. I have a job for you."
BACK TO THE PAST
"She remembers me, Miss Nam!!" Freen's happiness echoed all over the mansion. Miss Nam was already suffocating from Freen's tight embrace.
"Ulk, Freen, I know you are happy, but please don't kill me," said Miss Nam, struggling from Freen's embrace.
"Ow." Freen quickly let go of her, seeing Miss Nam's reddish face coughing as she released her.
Freen covered her mouth in shock. She had not realized how tightly she had been holding onto Miss Nam and felt guilty for causing her discomfort. Freen's eyes widened as she rushed to apologize: "I'm so sorry, Miss Nam! I didn't mean to hurt you." She anxiously waited for Miss Nam's response, hoping that she hadn't caused any lasting harm.
"It's okay. Just go get your things. Lady Rebecca hates waiting," said Miss Nam, still coughing.
And Freen really rushed her way to her room, still jumping and dancing.
"And she really did leave me dying here," Miss Nam said with a straight face.
"Kids," she said, shaking her head, and started her way to the carriage where Lady Rebecca was. As Miss Nam made her way to the carriage, she couldn't help but wonder how Lady Rebecca would react to the delay caused by Freen's exuberance. She hoped that Lady Rebecca would be understanding and not hold it against her.
She didn't want another drama between the two. She smiled as she remembered her and her best friend Kade; they also started as enemies, and who would've thought they would be changing each other's lives for the better? Miss Nam knew that relationships could evolve and change, and she hoped the same would happen with Lady Rebecca and Freen. As she approached the carriage, she took a deep breath, ready to face whatever reaction awaited her.
"Aunt Nam," said Irin, who was already inside the carriage with Lady Rebecca.
"You mean, she's your aunt?" asked Lady Rebecca.
Nam was surprised by Lady Rebecca's reaction. Have they been talking about me? she thought.
"Yes, Lady Rebecca. She's the aunt I was talking about." Miss Nam looked at the two talking naturally, like they were already best friends.
"Wow. Did you purposely assign her to me, Miss Nam?" Lady Rebecca asked Miss Nam.
"No. It was Mr. Lee who was making the decision regarding the assignments of servants," Miss Nam simply answered, not minding her niece, Irin.
"And you, young girl, you didn't tell me you'd be working here." Finally, Miss Nam sat herself beside her niece.
"I didn't know you were working here , Aunt Nam; it was Mr. Lee who recruited me in our village and said he had a perfect job for me. And he seemed good and trustworthy, so I accepted," said Irin in a jolly way.
"Wow. Such a small world, indeed." Lady Rebecca's reaction as she heard her servant Irin explain her connection to Miss Nam was one of surprise and amusement. She couldn't help but chuckle at the coincidence. "Well, Irin, it seems fate has brought us together in more ways than one," Lady Rebecca said with a smile. "I'm glad to have you as part of our household staff."
"I am more glad to have such a beautiful and wonderful person to serve with, Lady Rebecca," Irin happily said.
Irin's words were genuine, reflecting her gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Lady Rebecca. She admired Lady Rebecca's kindness and grace, which made her job all the more fulfilling.
Meanwhile, Miss Nam looked straight at them as she witnessed how the two happily embraced each other while praising each other.
She couldn't help but feel weird about it. What the hell? Did they really just meet each other? They acted like they'd known each other for so long.
"Kids," she uttered again, just letting them go and choosing to look outside, waiting for Freen, who seemed to have been inside for so long.
"What is that kid still doing inside?" she whispered.
"Mr. Lee?" Freen called as she saw the man in white standing inside the maid's quarter. His hands were inside his pockets, and his back was facing Freen.
Mr. Lee faced her as he heard her call.
"Freen, are you going now?" He said with a smile.
Freen was skeptical of Mr. Lee's presence inside the maid's quarter but dismissed it as she was still excited that she would be going to the old mansion together with Lady Rebecca.
"Yes, and I'm so excited." Freen's enthusiastic answer reflected her anticipation for the upcoming trip. She couldn't wait to explore the grandeur of the old mansion and spend time with Lady Rebecca, which had always been her dream. As Freen bid Mr. Lee goodbye, she couldn't help but wonder what he was doing in the maid's quarter, but she decided to focus on the exciting adventure ahead instead.
"That's good; you should enjoy every minute of it," Mr. Lee answered.
"Yes, I'll do it, Mr. Lee," Freen answered with a smile.
"Ahm, do you need anything, Mr. Lee?" Freen asked, noticing the odd expression on his face. Mr. Lee hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "No, thank you, Freen. Just make sure to take good care of Lady Rebecca during your time together." Freen nodded, still curious about what she had seen but deciding to let it go for now. She turned and left the room, excitement bubbling inside her as she prepared to make her dream come true.
But before she totally got out of the room, she noticed something strange in Mr. Lee's face. It seemed glowing, but she shook her head. It must be the sun's reflection on the windows.
On the way to exit the mansion, she saw Miss Nam walking towards her.
"What took you so long? I thought you had already packed your clothes," Miss Nam asked. Freen smiled and replied, "I apologize for the delay, Miss Nam. I just bumped into Mr. Lee in the maid's quarter." Miss Nam nodded understandingly, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she asked, "So, what's the big secret? What's got you so excited?" Freen couldn't help but grin mischievously as she whispered,
"Nothing, Miss Nam; it was just because I will see the old mansion again," Freen answered.
"So Mr. Lee was in the maid's quarter?" Miss Nam asked while they were walking in the hallway.
"Why is he there?" Miss Nam asked.
"I don't know, too," Freen answered.
They both dismissed the thought and continued walking down the hallway, their footsteps echoing off the walls.
They finally got out of the mansion as they approached the carriage, where Lady Rebecca was.
"What took you so long? You are the first person who made me wait that long." Lady Rebecca's voice was filled with annoyance as she glared at Freen.
Freen may not understand what she is saying, but she understands what it is for.
Irin was shocked at the lady's change of attitude. She saw Lady Rebecca to be patient and kind. However, before she could say anything, Freen quickly apologized and explained the unexpected delay in their arrival. Lady Rebecca's expression softened slightly, but there was still a hint of irritation in her eyes.
Freen was about to sit beside Irin, but Lady Rebecca glared at her.
So, she decided to just sit beside Lady Rebecca, but she put some distance between the two of them, hugging her bag of clothes, intoxicated by Lady Rebecca's heavenly scent. Miss Nam shook her head and decided to get in the carriage beside her niece, Irin, who was looking confused at what just happened.
They didn't notice how secretly Lady Rebecca smiled at Freen's decision to sit beside her as she unconsciously got a fan and started fanning herself with a handkerchief. The cool breeze from the fan provided some relief from the intoxicating scent that had overwhelmed her earlier when Freen passed by her.
Miss Nam was confused by how these kids were acting, especially Lady Rebecca, who was holding a fan but using a handkerchief to fan herself.
"Kids," she uttered again.
And then their journey began towards the old mansion, not knowing what awaits them there. The carriage rattled along the bumpy road, the anticipation and excitement growing with each passing mile. Lady Rebecca's mind was filled with questions, wondering if they were making the right decision to visit the old mansion after all these years. Irin, on the other hand, couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding that hung in the air. Little did they know, their lives were about to take an unexpected turn as they stepped foot in that mysterious place.