Money Loving CEO's Detective Lover

Chapter 290: Ruby Locket

"You've grown big!" Doyoung squealed in joy. She was in her mansion, working on some of her paperwork to quit the modeling agency when her friend, Ohm Bosung, stopped by. Bosung was the same age as Doyoung and they had gone to the same kindergarten, remaining friends ever since. 

Bosung smiled at her. She was not as gorgeous as Doyoung but possessed an innocent beauty. Her round face and large, clear eyes made her look very womanly while her straight, reddish hair was unique among the masses. Wherever she went, her red hair stood out which made even Doyoung a little envious. At that moment, Bosung was eight months pregnant and nearing her due date.

"He is a feisty one!" Bosung giggled. "Very naughty. He keeps on kicking whenever he's hungry. But other times, he's such a sweet and calm baby."

"I'm sure he's gonna grow up to be a wonderful boy!" Doyoung sighed. "Children really do grow up fast. It feels just like yesterday when Siwan was just a tiny little thing in my womb. The doctor showed me his sonogram. He was as small as a pea! And now, he's ten years old!"

"The doctor showed me the sonogram as well!" Bosung exclaimed. She pulled out a picture from her bag and handed it to Doyoung who looked at it with interest.

"He's so healthy!" Doyoung smiled. "I still can't believe that you're pregnant. I mean...you've always said how you want to stay single!"

Bosung's smile faltered a little. They had not met for almost an entire year after Doyoung went on an assignment abroad and had only reconnected recently. It came as a pleasant surprise to Doyoung seeing how far along Bosung was in her pregnancy.

"Well...I'm raising him alone," Bosung admitted. Doyoung was shocked at that revelation. Bosung's parents were very strict and never approved of their daughter dating anyone. Besides, Bosung never went against their wishes and did not date men either. She would never be the type of person who would sleep with a guy without marriage and get knocked up. Her parents would disown her instantly if that happened!

"What?" Doyoung exclaimed. "Where's the father?"

"He's...it's a little complicated," Bosung said. 

"How did this happen?" Doyoung demanded. "Were you...were you forced-"

"No!" Bosung said firmly. "We fell in love and even got married. My parents did not approve of him and they disowned me. So we went off to live on our own until...until my husband had to leave for some urgent work."

"Then why are you raising him alone?" Doyoung demanded. "Why isn't he coming back?"

"It's a long story," Bosung laughed, trying to change the subject. "He will be back someday but not right now. I really can't explain! But I know he'll be back."

She clutched the locket around her neck. It was a small ruby pendant which sparkled brightly. Doyoung studied it carefully and was slightly surprised. Her experienced eyes could tell that the gem was worth millions of dollars! It was a rare piece so only someone who would be as rich as the Kang's could afford it. Bosung was from a very ordinary family and there was no way she could afford it.

"I know he'll be back," Bosung repeated. "He left me this memorabilia for my protection."

"Protection?" Doyoung echoed. "From what?"

Bosung contemplated her words carefully before saying in a cryptic tone, "The darkness which is in front of us but blinded our eyes."

Doyoung could not make head nor tail of what she had just said. Bosung was always a strange one but she was acting even stranger.

Bosung, who was still holding the locket, suddenly stood up.

"I have to go," she said in an urgent tone.

"What are you-" Doyoung began but Bosung cut her off.

"I-I have a doctor's appointment!" Bosung lied. "I can't miss it! I'll see you later!"

Before Doyoung could say anything more, Bosung scurried out of the front door. She looked like her life depended on that doctor's appointment.

"Strange," Doyoung muttered. Maybe she really is in a hurry, she concluded before shrugging off her worries. 

Once outside, Bosung hurried towards the busy street. She kept on looking behind her to make sure that she was not being followed. Her heart thumped loudly against her chest and she clutched on to her belly as if trying to protect the life within it. 

I won't let them hurt you! She vowed. You will be a human being!

From the corner of her eyes, she thought she had seen a pair of black shadows tailing her but she could not be so sure. Still, it was not wise to take a risk and confront them. She was in no condition to fight them. The first priority was to protect her child.

Half running towards the crowded street, she made her way through the series of people who did not even glance at her. It was fine with her as long as the crowd camouflaged her. Those creatures must be looking for her but the ruby was keeping her safe. As long as she had it, nothing could find them.

"I'll protect you," she told her son who was peacefully residing in her womb. "Hobin."

.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Gayoon asked. She felt nervous upon hearing Minho's proposition. They met up at Choi Hyeri's last known address which she managed to collect from the central database.

It was a tiny apartment in one of the public dorms. The greenish walls were decaying due to negligence and there were large stains on them. There were no guards and the people living in the complex stared at the couple. Gayoon knew very well that a lot of the residents were involved with criminal activities and would not let go of an opportunity to mug the couple if they could. 

Minho's well kept appearance was also attracting their stares. He ditched his usual suit and changed into a casual t-shirt but his aura gave him away. Undercover missions were not his strength anyway.

Gayoon took out her badge and used a safety pin to attach it to her chest pocket. Upon seeing the police badge, the residents quickly looked away. They were fearful of the policewoman, not wanting to mess with the law.

"Looks like Choi Hyeri had it rough," Minho muttered. "What's her apartment number?"

"310," Gayoon replied. "On the third floor."

They climbed up the steel staircase which spiraled upwards. The smell of rotten fruit mixed with trash lingered in the air, making Minho wince. He was finding it difficult to breathe while Gayoon was used to it since she came across even worse stenches in her career.

"There!" Gayoon said, pointing at an apartment on the end of the third floor corridor. 

"Let's go," Minho said, pinching his nose.

"I really think you shouldn't enter the dead realm in this building," Gayoon cautioned. "The people here are criminals! They must have killed dozens of people and sent their ghosts into that world!"

"Did you feel any ghosts here?" Minho asked in a hushed tone.

"A few are lingering around," she whispered. "But they don't know I can feel them. Which is why I'm telling you not to go!"

"I have to try," Mihno said. "Choi Hyeri must be in there."

He stepped forward towards Hyeri's apartment. The door was locked but he did not need to enter it with a key. The dead realm would unlock it for him.

He raised a finger and concentrated hard. Gayoon watched him, her heart field with worry as he drew a circle in the air.

"Patentibus," he muttered.