Stuck in a world of confusion, agitation and scepticism, statements and imaginary images rambled in Taehyung's brain. A speck of light told him to speculate on a particular person while another piece told him he was thinking in the wrong direction. Hundreds of theories rested inside his spirit, but too afraid to spill them out loud, he just kept silent.

From the fog-stained window, he could make out hundreds of buildings standing on the road, throngs of people walking there. A tall boy stood there, clicking a selfie as he posed with a friend and his smile was so huge that it spread across his cheek.

Taehyung sighed, closing his eyes. For a second, he wished he could replace him— be carefree for a moment or two. He had sacrificed his whole life for crime and law and never got a chance to live like those carefree boys who had nothing to worry about except for their girlfriend and gaming nights.

He yearned that he could close his eyes and think about things that make him happy rather than researching the case of a dead bride. The atmosphere was rusted, his head was whirling and the car being driven at such a slow speed wasn't being helpful.

It didn't occur to him when he actually drifted away from the real world, falling into a small nap but when he heard Jennie's faded out voice asking him to wake up, he knew it was time he returned to his destiny that was helping people get justice.

Entering the lobby that smelled like chestnuts and almonds, the Manobans sat royally on the beige couches, a man who looked in his early-fifties sat in front of them, with four men standing beside him.

"Mr and Ms Kim, meet Mr Navar, the head of Barcelona municipality," David Manoban spoke out loud as if announcing something. Jennie already understood what was coming further, as they introduced themselves.

Mr Navar cleared his throat before giving a small file to Taehyung, "I allow everyone present at the unsuccessful marriage to leave the Barcelona region. I think you should not hold them here for longer as well."

Taehyung gazed at the Manobans and Jisoo in shock, how could they allow this? "Mr Manoban, how could you let this happen? All the evidence is here, the murder took place here."

Aran kept his arm at the armrest, "Our stocks are falling and we need to get back our business. We are already facing a lot of loss and we don't really want to be homeless. The other guests want to go back as well."

"Your sister has been murdered, and you care about the stocks?" Jennie asked, uncertainty highlighting her voice. Aran rolled his eyes, "Both are equal for us, our will to live. Now that one is gone, I think we need to focus on another one, we don't want to lose it as well."

Jennie was about to argue but then Mr Navar stood up, greeting the Manobans once again and giving the detective duo a handshake before standing up and walking outside, his guards following him. The duo then spotted one of the guards holding a small suitcase, keeping it safely stashed under his arm.

They understood everything. The Manobans had paid the government and police for this.

"We should stay in Barcelona, this is where all the events took place," Taehyung said calmly but Aran raised his head, arrogantly speaking, "What evidence have you even found yet? I'm sure Korea would be a better place for this case. We cannot wait here for long, we have jobs to take care of. So kindly pack your bags because we have booked all the flights."

Jennie crossed her arms, "We're not your servants."

Aran smirked, making Jennie look at him with disgust, "But you are. We are paying you to find my sister's murderer. It's not the other way around honey"

Jennie was about to say something harsh, her facial expression said it all but then Taehyung grabbed her hand, stopping her again and giving her an "I will handle this," look. Licking off his dry lips, Taehyung spoke nonchalantly, "That's not a very polite thing to say to people who are helping you. Please remember that you are the one who needs us, not vice versa."

Ireshi lightly scoffed but a small glare from her husband to enough to keep her mouth shut— David Manoban stood up, and keeping a hand on Taehyung's shoulder, "I apologize for my family's rude actions but please consider our situation as well."

"Let's go to our suite," Jennie whispered in her partner's ear who simply nodded.

***

Jennie pushed a pink shirt in her suitcase, her forehead creasing as she craved an espresso. "That Aran is such a jerk," she whispered quietly, looking at Taehyung who was watching another video attentively. Pausing the video, he shrugged "Don't think about him. He is like every other rich spoiled person."

"But I still don't know how can we solve the case in Seoul when everything lies here," Jennie spoke zipping her bag as she slumped on the bed. "I actually feel like going to Seoul is a better idea because we could find more of Lisa's belongings, meet more people related to her and so on. We can always keep up with the police here if they find anything," Taehyung uttered

Jennie stared at the blue ceiling, "I just do not understand how they prioritize their stocks over their family member. Isn't losing your family member the worst feeling in this world? Like, you cannot get over their...death for years."

Taehyung watched the reference in a jiffy, and he expected Jennie's eyes to be brimming with tears but when he stole a glance at her, she rather looked...emotionless. Like all the emotions had gathered together but then ran away, too afraid that if they meet, a major break down can happen.

He gently held her hand, the corner of his mouth forming into a small smile. That's what he liked about her. She was also very rich but she still remembers the people she lost in life, and she still has respect for them, unlike the Manoban family who faked everything, even their tears.

They hadn't talked about her family much, every time Jennie would end up crying and he certainly did not want to see her usually bright face stained with tears. It wasn't like they had not at all tried to talk about it, they did and they even tried to investigate it but it was impossible... there were no clues at all.

Her parents had died when she was ten and her brother had just...disappeared in the dark and never came back.

Jennie was afraid she was getting weaker day by day. Just solving this case and interacting with the Manobans made her realize how much better as a person she was. That reminded her of her own situation years back when she once cried all night because she missed her family instead of thinking about her job. Of course, you cannot cry forever but prioritizing some funds over people who loved you so much is kind of...terrible, to say. Especially when the wound is pretty fresh.

"What are you thinking?" he asked her, closing another video that turned out to be useless. Jennie sighed before sitting up, tucking a strand of her hazelnut brown hair behind her ear.

"Taehyung... isn't this weird. They know Lisa has been murdered, they know the murderer is probably in Barcelona right now, moving freely and clicking pictures at the beaches but all they care is about their...company. Aran's sister died on the happiest day of her life but he doesn't bother. It depresses me how they have someone to sue but they just don't consider that.."

Taehyung understood how badly Jennie wanted to solve this. She had always dedicated everything to solving murder cases because she never wanted someone to be left without answers like her. He didn't know what to say, it all seemed foggy. Like Jennie had said something so deep that he didn't know what to reply.

and so he just leaned forward

When she suddenly felt his face closer to her, she felt it was out of the blue...but who was complaining? Suddenly it didn't matter if the Manobans were rude to them or Jisoo and Ten weren't being helpful even if they could help them a lot.

Jennie closed her eyes, the same way they did in the hopelessly romantic movies but she heaved an inaudible sigh when she rather felt his cheek brush against her, pulling her in a hug and not a kiss.

She couldn't imagine her first kiss without her standing on a beach, wearing her favourite Chanel red crop top and using the mouth freshener for like three times before it happens. 

But then, the imaginary image of how her first kiss would be like kicked itself out of her thoughts and suddenly she felt her cheeks burn because of the way Taehyung's chest was pressed so close to her. 

***

In the evening, the atmosphere of the suite reserved for Manobans was pretty different to compared the other evenings. It wasn't silent and gloomy, but normal. Jisoo and Ireshi were talking about makeup, Aran and David were reading emails and contracts related to business and four glasses of cocktails were kept on one of the tables. 

"I think I forgot my phone in my room. I would be right back," Jisoo excused herself suddenly, not able to find her phone anywhere. Slipping out of the suite, she walked towards her room but when she saw Jennie and Taehyung walking in the same hallway as her, she fastened her pace, wanting to avoid them. 

She was right. She had mistakenly left her phone in her room. Picking up and then turning back to be with the Manobans, she suddenly saw Jennie and Taehyung standing on her doorstep. 

Jennie kept a hand on the door, "Can I talk to you Jisoo?" 

Hesitantly, she nodded. She had met Jennie and Taehyung when they solved the case of her neighbour and they ended up exchanging numbers. Even though they never talked personally, Jisoo started finding them overwhelming. 

or maybe it was just because she was involved in the case they were currently solving. Jennie took a seat on the bed, Jisoo following. Taehyung gave Jennie a hand gesture and slipped outside the room, dialling a number. 

"How are you?" Jennie asked, taking Jisoo by surprise. They weren't being friendly to the Manobans and her and were strict work-related-chats only people. Or maybe Jennie was just trying to be friends so she could tell her everything she shouldn't. 

Jisoo's own thoughts had started to scare her, "I'm fine."

Jennie stiffened at how annoyed she sounded and how her face said she wanted to get out. "Tell me something about Lisa?"

"She was my best friend of thirteen years as I told you. We met through this weird project and she was sad about me being her partner because of the financial difference but our friendship suddenly bloomed." Jisoo took a small breath, worried she would break down. "She was my only friend. I never tried to befriend anyone else because I thought I won't need one. I had her. You won't understand that feeling...It was just so special to be with her."

Jennie nodded even if she had different opinions. She did understand. Being with Taehyung makes her feel like she really does not need other people and he was enough. 

Jisoo took another breath, "You don't understand Jennie...how much she meant to me. If I ever meet the person who murdered her, I would literally kill them right on the spot."Jennie's eye jolted wide. Jisoo didn't sound sad on that part, but rather angry and violent.

"I understand you... the thing I don't understand is how the Spanish government allowed everyone to leave the area while the case is still going on," Jennie mentioned, even though she was sure they had been bribed. Jisoo opened her mouth, "It was beca-"

"What are you two doing?" 

author's note: I had a fever while writing this so forgive me if it's bad