THE LAST STRAW

THE FIRST thing that Wonhee did was to look around and make sure that she was still in the salon.

Yes, the location didn't change.

Is this a prank?

She was scheduled to appear on a variety show next week, and that show was known for pulling pranks on their unsuspecting guests.

However…

"This isn't a prank, Miss Chu," Seodam said, addressing her formally this time. It seemed like he could tell that Wonhee was wondering if her arrest was real or not. "Please come with us to the office of the Awakened People Association. Again, this isn't a prank."

"I can tell," Wonhee said while looking past Seodam's shoulders to observe the men behind her boyfriend. "I recognize that uniform."

Those men in black suits were from the Awakened People Association aka 'APA.'

It was the branch of government that dealt with anything related to Awakened People.

That's where Seodam Oppa works. As a Hunter from APA, he has the authority to arrest Awakened People and Civilians.

Wonhee realized she was in a tricky situation.

Hunters from APA, as long as the order was made by APA, could arrest both Civilians and Awakened People without following due process. That meant that even something as simple as a tip-off from an anonymous person could get someone– anyone– arrested as long as the APA deemed the information reliable.

The new world is ruled by APA and the Big 4, after all.

"Noona!"

Wonhee's deep thought was interrupted when she saw Ahyeon.

Her friend-slash-bodyguard tried to run towards her, but the Hunters from APA immediately apprehended Ahyeon roughly.

Seodam stood up and asked his men to not cause a commotion.

"I'll cooperate with you, so don't touch my bodyguard," Wonhee said while standing up, then she turned to Seodam with a small smile on her face. "Oppa, it's been two weeks since I last saw you."

They were supposed to meet a week ago, right after Seodam came out of the Crack safely.

That day, Wonhee received a call from her boyfriend telling her that he couldn't make time for her yet because of work.

But look who's here now.

"I didn't expect us to see each other again this way, but I know this situation requires us to set our personal feelings aside," Wonhee said calmly. Then she raised her hands a bit. "Mr. Lee Seodam, can you please take these off? You don't have a warrant arrest for me."

One of the men behind Seodam scoffed. "APA Hunters don't need–"

"I already said I'll cooperate,' Wonhee said politely, smiling at the Hunters because provoking them would only put her at a disadvantage. "Sir, I'm only a Civilian. Even if I try to run away, I'm sure you'll be able to catch me easily." She tilted her head to one side, acting innocent. "After all, I heard APA Hunters are the best."

Of course, that was just lip service.

Everyone in Korea knew that most of the best Hunters out there were working for the Big 4 and not for the government.

But Wonhee's flattery seemed to have worked, though.

The other APA Hunters didn't complain when Seodam uncuffed her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Chu. I didn't mean to treat you like a criminal when the investigation hasn't begun yet," Seodam explained while removing the handcuffs. "The tip-off we received said you just took a powerful Forced Awakening drug. All the Civilians who took such drugs had lost their minds, so I prioritized restricting your movement in case you went on a rampage as soon as you woke up."

Out of all the things Seodam said, one thing stuck to her mind.

As expected, someone tipped APA off.

Why did Wonhee feel like she was being framed up?

"Wony Noona didn't take any drugs," Ahyeon said firmly, glaring at Seodam. "You should know that Noona isn't that kind of person, Lee Seodam."

Seodam didn't turn to Ahyeon. "We will find out the truth after the investigation, kiddo."

Wonhee interrupted Ahyeon who was about to talk back to Seodam. "Ahyeon-ah, it's okay. I'll be fine because I know I'm innocent," she assured him. "Please call my agency and my lawyer. Let them know about what happened. Ah, please make sure Yool won't do anything reckless once he hears about my situation."

"But, Noona…"

"Please, Ahyeonnie."

Ahyeon looked like he was about to cry, but nodded and put on a tough face in the end. "We'll get you out soon, Noona."

Wonhee smiled and nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."

She left the salon while being escorted by Seodam and the other APA Hunters walking behind them.

What Wonhee didn't expect was the swarm of reporters waiting for her outside.

It was as if the reporters were waiting for her.

How did they know…?

"Miss Chu, is it true that you took some Forced Awakening drugs?!"

"Is it because you wanted to become a Guide for Lee Seodam?!"

"How did you get your hands on those drugs?!"

The flashing lights didn't faze Wonhee because she was used to it, but she appreciated the fact that Seodam took off his jacket and used it to cover her while he was pushing the reporters and their cameras away from her.

She was still shaken, though.

Someone called the reporters as if that person knew she'd be arrested for allegedly taking Forced Awakening drugs.

Now Wonhee was certain.

I'm really being framed up.

***

"MISS CHU Wonhee, there are witnesses who heard Miss Choi Sumin talk to you about becoming a Guide."

Ah, of course.

Wonhee already kind of figured out the problem began when Sumin crashed into her photo shoot two weeks ago.

<"Hey, Crown Princess. Do you want to be a Guide?">

That was what Sumin asked Wonhee back then, and everyone in the set had heard it.

"Choi Sumin didn't talk to me about becoming a Guide, President Kwon," Wonhee said in a calm yet firm manner. "She only asked me if I wanted to be one, and I politely declined. There was no discussion whatsoever because I shut her down right away."

The 'President Kwon' that she mentioned was Kwon Jiwoong– the president of the Awakened People Association (APA).

I think he's just in his late thirties, around my older brother's age?

Since Kwon Jiwoong was also an Awakened Person, his visual upgrade didn't only enhance his face– it also made him look younger.

Not that being in your late thirties makes you old.

Anyway, when Wonhee arrived at the APA Headquarters, Seodam escorted her to a room that looked like a police interrogation room.

Fortunately, her boyfriend stayed there.

He's on the other side, though.

"Miss Chu, we received a tip-off that said you took a Forced Awakening drug this morning."

"What if I had taken it without my knowing?" Wonhee refuted. "My manager unnie brought me iced coffee this morning. It tasted strange, and I informed her about it before I fainted."

President Kwon smiled. But although his smile and tone were both polite, his words were somehow chilling. "Miss Chu, it doesn't matter to APA whether you took the drug willingly or not. We'll take your blood sample to determine whether you've consumed the drug. If you did, then we have no choice but to keep you in custody while you're under investigation."

That was ridiculous.

If they were in the old world, that kind of action wouldn't fly.

But in the new world, APA is the king and every single word they say becomes the law.

"Then I'll exercise my right to remain silent from this moment," Wonhee said calmly. She was upset, but she wouldn't let her emotions get the better of her. "I'll wait for my lawyer to get here."

"Of course, you can do that, Miss Chu," President Kwon said, standing up while smiling "apologetically" at her. "Unfortunately, once we take your blood sample and the result returns positive for drugs, you'll have to forfeit your "right" to remain silent. APA takes anything related to Forced Awakening very seriously, Miss Chu. So, I'm hoping for your kind understanding."

Wonhee just smiled and nodded politely.

President Kwon is polite, but there's something about him that makes me uncomfortable.

"I'll return with the medical team," President Kwon said, then he patted Seodam on the shoulder. "I'll leave it to you then, Hunter Seodam."

After that, the APA President finally left the room.

Whew.

"Wonhee-ya," Seodam said, breaking his silence for the first time ever since they got there. "Be honest with me: did you do it?"

Seodam remained silent while President Kwon was low-key threatening Wonhee earlier.

And that was the first he had to ask her?

That hurts.

"Seodam Oppa, do you not trust me?"

"It's not that I don't trust you, but you have a reason to be desperate to become a Guide."

"And what would that be?"

"You might be feeling jealous of Ruda," Seodam said awkwardly. "So, I'm thinking you're desperate to become a Guide because you want me to stay with you."

Pfft.

It was so funny that she couldn't laugh anymore.

"Oppa, it seems like I've been too good to you and your family," Wonhee said, smiling bitterly. "Why don't we end this hurtful relationship now?"

***

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