.

.

NJ : What is it?

With a few moments of confliction, he decided to tell him, already planning to discard the idea. 

AT. WANG : Well, if we can make a blind attack—basically from a side that's unexpected, we could make him unstable.

Feeling there was more to word, Namjoon kept his silence letting the other complete.

AT. WANG : Being called an assaulter, he would most definitely make a wrong move in the plagiarism case. We can have our advantage, then. Also do justice to all the girls he's done the nasty, along side.

Namjoon's numbed senses seemed to rejuvenate as he could finally see a ray of hope. That, he could potentially make Seong PD pay for every tear he had caused to Seol Ah.

AT. WANG : However, it is too risky. If he succeeds to get out of our claim, we might have to suffer a greater penalty than we would be already doing if we lose. So, we are dropping the idea altogether.

Not a breath of hesitation, Namjoon's retort came sharp and quick.

NJ : No. We are not.

AT. WANG : Huh? Namjoon-ssi there's-

NJ : I have hit my bottom, Attorney Wang. If I am to be penalized anyways, I might as well take the risk.

The attorney resonated with this take and opinion. Nonetheless, he heeded to make Namjoon aware of the possible damage and its gravity, should the ploy backfire.

AT. WANG : Are you sure though? I mean, knowing the con he is, he could turn every allegation towards you in the worst case scenario. There's a good chance for that, since Seol Ah-ssi stays with you. A plagiarist and a molester—is not the best title you would want to be remembered as.

NJ : (-not budging-) But if we win, we are going to save many others from falling prey to his antics. If being the one at stake, I am willing to take such risks, I want my attorney to support me and do his best. 

If the client was ready to risk it all, it was then the attorney's only right duty to make sure it does not go in vain.

Had he not done that, attorney Wang would have felt undeserving to calling himself an advocate. Practicing a discipline that—people trust—serves to bring about justice in the world, attorney Wang was filled with courage to take up the challenge.

He swore to himself, if he failed to get Seong Pd behind bars and save his selfless client, he shall shut his law firm down for good. That, he shall never come back to the profession he adored enough to go against his family. He reflected it would be a disgrace and insult to all the sacrifices he has made to become the advocate he proudly introduces as.

AT. WANG : (-determined-) Let's take this to the very end. I am going to make sure we win this or I am leaving to the countryside.

A small grin planted over Namjoon's lips at his amusing delivery. He felt confident now that he saw his attorney gleam with enthusiasm. Although, the singer felt assured of his claim yet was iffy about its inception nevertheless.

NJ : But, how are we going to make such allegations without any basis or evidence? He's got high reputation. Who would believe us?

AT. WANG : If we don't have the evidences, we can just make them. (-smiles-)

Unsure about his means, Namjoon figured to voice his doubts right away.

NJ : What are we plotting exactly?

A moment of silence, heartbeats prominent, a pair of confused and curious gaze—contrasting to the ones calm and confident.

AT. WANG : Sting Operation.

.

.

.

Those two words kept echoing around in Namjoon's head ever since they were pronounced.

All storage in his studio was ruffled and made into a bolus of mess in search of Chae Ri's residential address.

Nothing could be procured from there even after an hour's consistent and thorough scrutiny.

Intuitively, he ran the search in his bedroom. In one of the less frequented cabinets in his walk-in wardrobe, he laid hands on something. Something he never wished to find again.

It was the letter that Chae Ri had left, one year ago. He feared the resent and remorse he had been trying to rule out from his daily life, would return once again reading through the words written therein.

And he was right. The dried marsh, now freshly watered, sucked him down as he found himself holding the letter before his eyes.

It was the first time, he was reading it after learning the actual truth behind her excuse, that he called 'selfish'.

Kim's words that she had cried constantly throughout the whole ride to her home, weirdly reminded him of Seol Ah's sobs. They corresponded and amplified the resent and agony heard in those wails.

He plopped himself on the cold tiled floor from his asian squat, that he did to reach the cabinet earlier.

Each puzzle piece connected and they inevitably rode him back to the present moment. The present time which was inturn a consequence of why he was there holding Chae Ri's letter in the first place.

Thereupon, casting his melancholic thoughts aside, he busied himself on the task he was at.

NJ : (-bringing out a file from the very bottom-) Found it.

In a few moments, he sent the soft copies of the papers he had of her job description and resumè.

Attorney Wang didn't respond right away, which made his conscious wander around back to the time when none of the mess had yet happened. The golden time when he used to smile often.

Illusion was it or a virtual interpretation‐as he calmly breathed staring at the blank ceiling of his room‐he could see Chae Ri.

He could see her smiling. It was so infectious, it automatically brought the same to his face everytime he looked at it.

She managed his public appearances.

She accompanied his sudden crowdless days.

She made him coffee.

She helped him in compostions being the first one to listen. The first one to review and critique the piece. 

She stacked his books in shelves; she aligned the music sheets, all neatly and everyday before she left for her home.

She also reminded him to rest and take days off. 

Before he realized, he grew dependent on her more and more.

Her visuals were a lot fainter now. The paints being washed away with the splash of time. Memories were slipping.

On an imaginative attempt, he could see her writing the letter, tears trailing her cheeks alongside.
The possible visualization that he derived of how it might have come about.

A blink cleared the blur in his vision as a small tear landed on his bed sheets from the corners of his eyes.

He balled himself to a side, eyes shut and resisting to recall anymore of those images, anymore of Chae Ri.

Unable to control his conscious however, he flashed out of his room aimlessly. He had only reached the door of his studio, when he found Seol Ah resting on the couch.

She had her eyes fixed on a diary where she was seen busy—writing something down. With the ear plugs on, she didn't hear his footsteps.  She remained unbothered. It was only until she felt someone's eyes that Seol Ah lifted her gaze.

Namjoon shot his sight at his studio, the very moment her head rose towards his direction. And before she could see his wet eyes, he walked in his studio casually.

"He just left casually again. Will he ever notice, that I am still here‐waiting?"
She, with that as the final line, closed her journal where she writes very occasionally, still quite often.

Seol Ah, with one last glance at his studio, left for her room. She was waiting all along. Waiting for him to return from the attorney's place, and share the gist like he normally did. She waited for him to come out of his room, not to hinder in-between for he seemed in a rush about something more important. Only for him to give her a nonchalant glimpse before vanishing into his studio.

She waited still. A little longer.

She waited all along.

.

.

.

Getting distracted by Seol Ah in the hall, he currently focused only on the case and pondered over the sting operation.
He extensively researched through all that he could gain about it from the internet.

Namjoon sighed leaning to the head rest after a good amount of homework done on their masterplan.

With a chance recollection, he was reminded of his reporter friend. The one, who had first introduced him to his own audio clip from Seong Pd.

Thereby, immediately dailed him to inquire about the same.

*Over the call*

NJ : (-upon an answer-) Yes, Jo Yi Seob. It's me, Nam-Joon.

YI SEOB : Yes, what's up? Hey, wait! Are you dating?

NJ : Oh, c'mon, give me a break! No. And if I ever do, you'll be the first one to know. You can take my word for it. So, please stop asking this everytime.

YI SEOB : (-chuckles-) Don't forget the deal later. Anyway, I suppose you didn't call me just to check up on me? Or did yo-

NJ : Yeah, I didn't.

YI SEOB : Okay. Rude.

NJ : (-ignoring his comment-) Yi Seob-ah, do you remember the last time you told me about an audio clip that SK used against me?

YI SEOB : (-after a silence-) Oh, yes! What about it?

NJ : I was wondering, how'd you get your hands on that, again? 

YI SEOB : Ah, it was a junior friend from SK, who passed it on. Actually, we both kn-... (-gets interrupted  by someone-) ..Oh, Joon-ah, sorry. I am in a hurry right now. Lemme just send his contacts to you. Would that do?

NJ : Oh yes, that'll be perfect.

YI SEOB : Alrighty, I will text you, then. See ya!

Yi Seob ended the call in a hurry. And paced towards the direction he was called to as he simultaneouly shared the contact information in their chat room.

Namjoon's phone buzzed a text notification in seconds, and he tapped on it right away.

NJ : "Kim Ok Tak"? The name kinda sounds familiar.

Without much chew, he made a call holding the phone to his ear. He patiently waited for the line to receive.

NJ : (-over the call-) Hi, am I speaking to Kim Ok Tak-ssi?

OK TAK : Sounds about right. How can I help you?

NJ : Oh, this is Kim Namjoon. I got your contact from Jo Yi Seob. He is a friend of mine.

OK TAK : Ah, from Yi Seob Hyung? Yes, please go ahead.

NJ : Yeah, so, I will cut to the chase. I am calling about the audio clip he received from you about a month ago, I suppose.

OK TAK : Ah huh, yes I remember.

NJ : Very well. There's actually a lot regarding that that I wanted to ask you about. Can we perhaps meet up sometime, if that's fine with you?

OK TAK : (-sounding uncertain-) Sure thing. But, as you might've heard from Yi Seob hyung, I work under SK entertainment. If I am seen to meet you anywhere, I might get into serious trouble. Can we do it somewhere, a little private, in that case?

NJ : Oh, absolutely! How about my house?

It was in a remote and, in essence, a reserved area away from the common folk. Without special permission, no one could enter the premises. Besides, several other celebrities dwelled in the same boundary. Even if anyone tailed him, they wouldn't be able to tell whom he went inside to meet.

Knowing how it usually works for celebrity dwellings, the informant felt a little confident about the suggestion.

OK TAK : Okay. I will be there, if tomorrow's good for you.

NJ : Oh, it is definitely fine with me. I will pin you the address. You can drop by anytime, I will be at home.

OK TAK : All right. I will give you a call when I reach. See you, then. Greetings.

NJ : 'Will be looking forward to that.

With the end of the call, Namjoon felt a little at ease for a complete stranger, namely Ok Tak to be readily onboard to help him, selflessly.

He was prompted that there were still a few in his favour that he blinded himself to acknowledge. Although, he indeed was a little skeptical about this man as to why he was siding him, in the first place. Time will speak, he availed.

.

.

.

Time skip~

.

.

.

OK TAK : Annyeonghaseyo! (-smiles brightly-)

Namjoon was caught off guard of the guest's unexpected friendly conduct at his doorstep.

NJ : (-awkward-) Ah, yes. Annyeonghaseyo. Please, come in.

Ok Tak, a fairly-built figure with a handsome face could be bet to already have quite a fan following among his co-wokers.

His amiability, however, had Namjoon still lost in his mind. He wondered if hisself was always this rude or that was simply how people actually socialized in the present day and age.

They had a few formal interactions before they settled—comfortable around the lounge.

OK TAK : (-still smiling-) How have you been... Joon Hyung?

He was already distracted by the guest's words when his informal or rather overtly casual address struck Namjoon bewildered. It was one phone call—how did he grow so friendly that quick. Namjoon felt it was weird.

NJ : (-flustered-) Huh? H-hy-hyung? 

______

Why an early update?
-No reason. Just wanted to drop a surprise that obviously no one wanted lol. ><

Update next sunday?
-90% yes,
5% no,
5% not sure.

Hope you liked the chapter. :)

Seol Ah's journal entry :