Money Loving CEO's Detective Lover

Gayoon entered the forensic lab where Jaein was crouching over the remnants of the latest victim. She had laid the body parts in order but the scene looked disturbing to Gayoon who was inwardly grateful that at least this victim chose to move on rather than linger behind. 

"What's the cause of death?" Gayoon asked despite knowing what caused the victim to die.

"Same ol' same ol'," Jaein sighed. "The victim is in her early twenties. I'd say she's around twenty or twenty one. She was first knocked out by a potent drug and then kept in a very cold place for days before she was killed. She died last night probably around midnight."

"11:59 PM to be exact as per Hwang Minho's story," Gayoon stated. "He just gave his testimony on how he knows the killer and why the CCK is after him."

"Oh yes!" Jaein exclaimed. "The talk of the town is that he asked you to move in with him."

"I am not moving in with him!" Gayoon protested. "I��m merely going to live there temporarily to protect his daughter and sister-"

"So did you guys do the deed yet?" Jaein asked, ignoring the detective's flustered look.

"W-what?" Gayoon exclaimed. "We are in the middle of an investigation here! And there's a dead body on the table! I think her issue is more pressing than my sex life!"

"Uh huh," Jaein shrugged. "You guys haven't done it then."

Gayoon gaped at the crazy doctor who strode over to a table and took off her gloves. She took out a glass and poured herself some wine from her secret stash.

"You're not supposed to drink that!" Gayoon scolded Jaein. "Especially in here!"

"When you're around dead bodies all the time, you'll need a drink too," Jaein said wisely, unaware of the fact that Gayoon used to be surrounded by things even worse than the dead. "Besides, the autopsy is done and I've finished the report too. I can binge on some good wine now."

Gayoon pursed her lips in disapproval. There was no use in telling off Jaein who was the best forensic doctor in the city. She had never given a wrong report and had helped in solving many cases. Gayoon may have been able to communicate with the dead at one point in life but Jaein understood them like the back of her palm.

"Poor girl," Gayoon said, trying not to glance at the corpse. Even hearing Minho and Mina's predicament was scary for her. So it was unfathomable to imagine the pain the poor victim must have gone through.

"Calling him a monster is too tame," Jaein said, sipping her drink. "I've seen many monsters but this guy is the reincarnation of the devil himself. You know, I see mangled corpses everyday. Just last night, a corpse of a guy with his head smashed in arrived at the lab. Nothing was left of his brains and maggots had infested it. Whoever his killer was did not just murder him but completely annhilated him. And yet, this cannibal killer takes the cake when it comes to monstrosity."

"How do you manage to tell such gruesome tales while drinking?" Gayoon winced.

"I'm used to it," Jaein shrugged. Gayoon shook her head but inwardly, she understood Jaein well. After spending years in the police force, even Gayoon realized that humans were the real monsters. Ghosts were only a pale imitation of what they used to be when they were alive. Living humans were scarier.

And with CCK on the loose, Gayoon was even more scared. That man was targeting Minho and possibly Mina. How long would it take for the killer to realize that Minho's biggest weakness was Jina?

Her heart ached at the thought of that little girl being in danger. She was an innocent soul who did not deserve to be stalked by the nightmarish CCK, who would no doubt find out about the little girl. The man was going to get his hands on her and Gayoon must protect her at all costs.

"Will you take up the offer?" Jaein asked, reading Gayoon's mind. "Living in Hwang Minho's house?"

"I will," Gayoon sighed. "I have to protect Jina."

"Is it because she reminds you of your daughter?" Jaein asked shrewdly. She knew very well that Gayoon had once worked as a surrogate for an anonymous man to whom she handed her child over to. Gayoon had confided in her a few years ago but it did not shock Jaein much. She had noticed the detective's strong maternal instincts when they were investigating the murder of a child. Moreover, her interactions with Jina were also a giveaway.

"Why don't you meet her?" Jaein pointed out. "You can ask that lawyer who set you up for the surrogacy."

"I don't have the right to do so," Gayoon replied. "And I won't either. I've given her up on my own and even though I regret it, I can't disrupt her life now. Besides, I'm sure she has a new mother and her family loves her a lot."

"What if the father is a terrible person?" Jaein frowned but Gayoon shook her head.

"He's not," she said firmly. Even if she had never seen the man in person, she could tell with absolute confidence that he was not a bad person and loved their daughter very much.

"How do you know?"

"I just do…" Gayoon said, trailing off. Her mind was playing a memory from all those years ago. At that time, she was nearing the end of her pregnancy and had temporarily moved into a private nursing home where she was catered to by the best doctors…

The eighteen year old was terrified as she looked at her new surroundings. The nurse who was sympathetic to the young mother's predicament, gripped her shoulder.

"Don't worry Gayoon," she assured her. "You'll be safe here. It's only temporary. The baby will be well taken care of here and your labor will be smooth as well."

Gayoon smiled at her but then lowered her head. She had signed up for this deal to get rid of her ability but lately, there were too many ghosts haunting her. They were attracted by the baby's powers which were growing in her. Every minute, she was being bombarded by ghosts who wanted their last wishes to be granted.

"Are you alright?" the nurse asked in worry.

"I'm just...a little weak…"

Gayoon had been feeling feverish since morning but did not dare to say it out loud. The nervousness in her heart coupled with the pregnancy had sapped her of energy. She touched her bulging belly, trying to control her tears.

What was she throwing her child into? The ghosts were going to haunt the innocent child and Gayoon severely regretted her deed. Her desperation to get rid of her abilities had only endangered an innocent. I'm so selfish! She lamented. She did not know motherhood was this painful. If she had known that she would end up unconditionally loving this unborn child, then she would have never gone through with this.

"Rest well, Gayoon," the nurse told her. "After all…"

She flashed the girl a wide, toothless smile. Her eyes darkened and a pearly light emitted from her. The woman's skull was smashed in as she gleefully looked at the young mother.

"You still have to find my killer," the nurse said. Gayoon closed her eyes and looked away. The nurse's laughter echoed in her ears as the ghost waded away, leaving her alone. Gayoon collapsed on the bed next to her, tired and exhausted by the ordeal.

Tears rolled down her cheek as she lay on the bed. Her temperature was rising and she did not have the energy to call anyone. All she wanted was for the ghosts to go away from her and her child. 

Clutching the pillow close to her, she sobbed. Please protect my child, she begged. I'll do anything but please protect her. She could not stop her tears as they kept on flowing from her eyes until she finally fell into an uneasy sleep.