While Bryan was sitting on the couch and watching K-drama on TV, he heard a door slightly creaked open, revealing a stressful Valerie walking in with her folder on her arms.
"You look awfully hassled like you got ran by a stampede," he chortled.
"Oh, save your breath... I've met up with a strict CEO Jimin. He doesn't seem too interested at all in the questions I have asked," Valerie crossed her arms, sighing in exasperation.
"Maybe it's because it's a bit too personal, don't you think? I mean, you may consider yourself as a private detective, but honestly, that guy does have a point," Bryan stated and munches on the popcorn with a crunching noise.
Valerie scoffed and headed to the kitchen without responding back as she opened the cabinet drawers to make some tea.
Bryan glanced at her back observantly and noticed her silent behavior. "Hey, I'm not trying to discourage you, nor dare to question you again about why you seem to care. Because I know that we came all the way here to not only bring them back together. Mostly, we came here to solve the case as to what happened at that party."
"I know. I'm not saying anything right now,'' Valerie said.
"So what's troubling you?" Bryan asked blankly.
"It's just the fact that I've reminded Jimin of his dream, he was putting up the walls around him like he's afraid..." Valerie explained thoughtfully and continued on. "When I look into his eyes, I see despair and loneliness he's been keeping inside."
Bryan stared at her skeptically and nodded. "I see. He might have a rough day since he's involved in business stuff that's been going on. Best to leave him because we gotta move on to the next person."
Valerie agreed as she dipped the tea bag on the two mugs after pouring hot water on them. "You're right."
Bryan opened his phone and showed the picture of the location in front of her. "Here. This is where the other member is."
Valerie squinted her eyes, then blinked a few times normally. "Okay. Thanks."
"No problem. I'm finally recovering from sickness, thanks to the medication therapy you have given me. I really appreciate them," Bryan said smiling.
"You're welcome. Glad I took care of you properly," she said giggling.
"Yup. I wish Ava was here with me," Bryan said, frowning.
"You two should face-time each other," Valerie insisted.
"I'll do that now," Bryan said as he clicked on the contact of his girlfriend and ring.
"I'll go on ahead. See you later," Valerie said, sipping the tea before she grabbed her keys on the table and shut the door behind her.
Meanwhile on the subway station, there were a few people passing by the underground carrying the bags, suitcases, and strollers. A guy was slowly swaying back and forth as he presses on the keys. He was holding firmly on the brass woodwind instrument and blowing the mouthpiece to play one of his favorite jazz music.
Three people had tossed the coins in the jar and nodded back at them. He was left alone in the area as soon as he packed his stuff inside the case. Once he heard footsteps, he looked up at the person standing in front of him.
"Hi there. Would you mind if we take a walk outside? I'm Valerie Nown. I'm a private detective from New York," she said, gesturing her hand out in which he shook with his politely.
In the evening when the sun was setting down on the horizon of the ocean, they both were strolling at the wooden dock.
"I'm here to ask you questions if that is alright with you," Valerie said reassuringly.
He nodded slowly with a blank expression on his face.
"Oh, gosh. Here I go," she said nervously in her mind and asked. "I just want to know what happened at the New Year's Eve party incident, especially your former group."
He stopped for a second as he turned his body around to face her and said faintly. "Let's sit on the bench."
"Okie..." she mumbled softly and rested there. She saw him place the instrument case down, waiting for him to speak up.
"The first time I met them, I was very outgoing and playful whenever we went out for biking, hiking, swimming, and played all kinds of other sports. We love to cook and eat together sometimes. There are times where we cry, laugh, get mad at even the smallest things. We were more than just friends who met each other on the first day of our debut. Looking back at them now, I just feel content," he explained, curling his back forward as he rested both of his elbows on his lap.
"And don't you ever think of going back?" Valerie asked.
He looked down in thought and answered. "No... I don't think I will because what's the point? Plus, I'm perfectly happy where I am. I have my own band at the bar, which is across the streets."
Kim Taehyung. A saxophone player at the Tang Bar with his new members on stage that only plays classical and jazz music where people stop by to have drinks, including some of the performances by slam poets, actors, and other singers. He happens to be living in a small apartment by himself besides the fact he's been feeding other stray cats that come to visit him on the weekends. He was somewhat mellow and relaxed, not having to contemplate about people or things since he wants to keep it consistent. No interruptions or delirious distractions that kept him from pursuing his own career. Just him and his saxophone.
"I should probably get going. My gig wants me to be there in ten minutes," Taehyung said as he checked his watch on his wrist. He stood up and bid farewell when he lifted the case off and walked away casually. "Bye."
"Alright..." Valerie murmured and sighed sadly while she continued to watch him disappear out of her sight.
Abruptly, she heard a loud ding from her phone and pulled it out of her jacket after she read the message.
"Val, I'm willing to help you. Let me know how it went with Taehyung. I know where the youngest former member is. I'll tell you the details once you come home," Bryan said with a happy smile.
However, Valerie was feeling far off from being cheerful. She was starting to realize that they were both going nowhere to solve the case with each member.
She can only hope that the last one does not refuse, so she has to think of another plan.
ns 15.158.61.42da2
