#JMC3

Now that they return, what do they plan? Do they have a plan to reopen Joana's case? I'm sure they will cooperate in that case.

 I hope so. 

I stop my Ford Taurus in front of a mansion-like or more correctly say, actually mansion house. That can be seen even when you are outside the gate. I can see it because the gate is not that high.

 I think I'm here, as people describe their property. This is it. I climbed out to the vehicle and stepped in front of the human gate. I rang the doorbell three times. And waited a few seconds when an uniformed woman finally opened the gate for me. I estimate that the woman who approached me was in her 40's. And as I see on her outfit, she's maybe a maid.

 "Yes?" a woman greets me without a smile.

 Her face and posture were formal, with no sign of any reaction. 

  "Are Mr. And Mrs. Lee here?" I asked, without any reaction too. But the woman was still wearing her emotionless face. Well trained, I guess. She's so good in hiding her emotions. 

  "May I know who you are?" 

 

  "I'm a good friend of them. I heard that they have returned home. Can I talk to them?" I said. At that moment I smiled. I won't gain anything by fighting her with an expressionless face. 

"Just a moment," she answered, then closed the door gate again. I raise my brow and sigh.

They're really in here, lucky I am. At the same time unlucky because I'm just here under the scorching sun. I don't want to go back to the car because the maid might come back right away. But I regret hoping that she will come back soon. I checked my wrist watch several times because the maid still didn't come back. I think I was abandoned. Or maybe it's a kilometer away from the gate to where her boss is. After 15 minutes more or less, the human gate opened again and an uniformed guard looked out this time. Where is the maid?

 "You can get inside," he said irritably. 

Is the guard also abnormal? It's like they don't have a seminar. Even a smile can't even be seen on their face. Weird creature. To my annoyance, I glared at him in a dark gaze. That's why his frown disappeared and his face softened. So I smirked. Then I stepped inside. He's a good dog, anyway that acting like a lion. Before I finally entered I stopped and turned to him. 

"Are you not allowed to smile?"

 "What?" asked the guard. 

"Nevermind," I just said and went inside completely. The guard gestured his hand to the pathway leading to the mansion's main door itself. 

There were three maids waiting there, including the maid who opened the door for me earlier. I walked towards them. 

They led me inside. After arriving in the living room, they just left me alone. They didn't just tell me to sit down. They are really creepy.

  Even the energy of the house is creepy, it's so sad. Their is a heavy feeling inside here.

 I looked around the living room. The interior design is beautiful. It's so big inside, It's even bigger than our house. Also there is a grand staircase, which has a white and gold motif. I think they are billionaires, according to their luxury design of their house. 

 In front of the sofa, there is a large family portrait hanging on the wall. I think it's human size. I see a happy family in the picture. There was a man and a woman sitting on a double seater sofa, both in their 50's. I think it's the parents of two beautiful and handsome creatures behind them. I immediately recognized the beautiful woman. She is Joana and I think the man with her is her brother because they almost look alike. The smiling beautiful lips up to their eyes, which they inherited from their father. My full attention turned to Joana. The joy on her face is very different from the Joana I see in my dreams. Her eyes are sad and pitiful. Very different from the picture here in front of me, an innocent girl who doesn't seem to have any problems. Their family is happy. It can be read in the eyes of everyone who looks at me. 

Poor Joana, a worthless person ruined your life. Your dream. I promise you, I will find whoever killed and tortured you. He will pay for what he did. I will make him nailed, for you and all his female victims. You all deserve justice.

 I gasped when I saw the gradual change in the appearance of Joana's face. A cold wind also blew and passed in front of me. The previously happy face was replaced by a sad picture. I also saw blood flowing from the painting. I recoiled in fear. Even though I've seen it in my dreams several times, It's still scary to look at. I also saw the crying woman, just like the one in my dream. The people next to it have disappeared and I can only see sadness in the frame where the bloody woman is still there. She's may be right here beside me. 

"Who are you–?"   

  I caught my breath when someone spoke behind me. I automatically turned around, I even felt my heart freeze in shock. I think this is Joana's mother. But before I spoke, I looked at their family picture again. It's back to normal. I just felt my senses. Maybe I just mislook it earlier. Or maybe I'm daydreaming again. I looked at a lady again. Just like her maids and guards, the lady's face was also expressionless. The people who live here are maybe infected by the grief of the family due to the loss of Joana.

Even though she is so old, and even though the sadness is obvious on her whole face, she is still beautiful. She looks so sophisticated and beautiful. But she is even better if the happiness I see in their portraits can be seen on her, also on her face. But I understand her, because I have also experienced loss. What's worse is that there are two of them. It hurts so much, until now the pain in my heart remains.

 I remembered my mommy from her. They dress the same. Luxury can be seen in their clothing and accessories. That I didn't inherit from my mother because I dress simply. I miss my mom so much.

"Hey young lady," said the old lady. 

My wandering mind immediately returned. 

"A-annyeonghaseyo, Mrs. Lee," I greeted her then bowed. I know a little Korean language because I love k-dramas. It's a good thing, though.

 She just nodded, and I almost didn't even notice that she nodded because of her modesty. She seems grumpy.

 "Have a seat," she said without emotion. 

  "Thank you." I am sitting down, of course I've been waiting for a while.

  I don't want to sit without being told because maybe it's not allowed to sit. Because if it is allowed, why the maids didn't tell me to sit down. Ah, why would I think those nonsense thing?

"What do you want?" she said directly after sitting on the vacant sofa in front of me. I looked into her eyes and saw only pure sadness. Then sighed, I feel guilty. I don't think this is the right time to open up but I don't want to waste any time especially since I'm already here. 

"I won't waste any time, Mrs. Lee," I grabbed my ID from my jacket pocket and showed it to her. "I am Detective Chan, from the Manila Police Department." 

 "So?" she simply and coldly said after taking a look at my ID.

I put the ID back in my pocket and smiled even though I feel the so much tension between us.

   "I am here to inform you that I will reopen the case of Joana Lee, your daughter," I said directly. I saw that she was stunned and gave me a bad look. I braced myself not to be defeated by her gaze. 

"Ma'am, I just have a few questions..." 

"No!" she interrupted what I was about to say.

 I swallowed because of her sharpened  gaze on me. I think she is angry. But why? She must be happy because there is someone like me who cares about sickening justice for her beloved daughter. 

"Maam..."  

"I used to trust before. I spent millions just to catch that freaking killer! But you didn't show me anything. Repeated questions and repeated answers, but still nothing happens until you all just shut up. And just simply closed my daughter's casel?! Then now you'll come back again. What for? To have our money and to prove to us that you are all still worthless! That you're greedy for money. And then  what? You will close the case again after having all our money? You'll just make us naive!" she shouted at me.

 I admit, I am hurt by her accusations that I didn't even do. But I know it's just part of the pain she's going through so I understand. I will understand her.

   "Ma'am, Just calm down. I am here to help. I..." I pointed to myself. "I will bring you the killer myself, Ma'am. It's a promise," I tried to calm down so that the old woman would also calm down.

 I saw the first of her falling tears. And her shoulders slumped. I felt her pain. 

And I was also confused, what if someone saw us? They might think that I hurt her. I feel like I regret ever going here. But that's the way it is, there is a chance like this. Sometimes we can't not meet our expectations. 

"I'm sorry Mrs. Lee if I disappointed you," I said respectfully and apologetically.

 "I'm wasting my time, talking to you," she said. She stood up and was about to leave, but I quickly stood up and quickly grabbed her hand, making her stop. 

"Maam, Just trust me. Give me one more chance. Last chance," I beg.

"If anyone is going to handle Joana's case, it's not you," she said coldly. 

So, who does? Because he is the one I will talk to.

 "Mom, What's happening here?" 

We both turned around from the source of the voice.

 I saw a man walking towards us, I think he is Joana's brother. He's more handsome in person than the portrait I saw earlier. He looks at me badly and his eyes are cold, just like his mother. No emotions can be traced, all I can see is fierce.

Our eyes met but I immediately avoided looking into his eyes because I felt like I was getting burned.

 When he got closer, he looked down. I followed his gaze which turned out to be in my hand. That was still holding on his mother's arm. I swallowed. He might think something is wrong.

He took my hand off from his mother's arms. It's like I'm harassing his mommy the way he took my hand off. Then he looked at me badly. He held his mommy who was crying. Then he called the helpers to help her mother to go to her room to rest. 

When his mommy disappeared from our sight and only then did he turn to me. 

"You can leave whoever you are," he retorted. It's strange, the way he wants to sue me. I feel like an evil spirit. When he noticed that I didn't move from where I was standing and was just staring at him. He took my hand and dragged me towards the main door. This man is supposed to be a love at first sight, but his behavior is disrespectful. I struggled. What did he think of me? A parasite, a charity? As if I owed him my life. That he can easily drag me like a beggar. Pashneya! 

This one is crazy. Yes, I am an outsider, but treating me this way is unjustified. I will leave if he will say so in a nice way. 

We didn't even get to the main door when I grabbed my hand, then I stopped, so did he. I folded my arms across to my chest and faced him bravely. I don't care if I'm an outsider. What he's doing is rudeness. 

"Mr. Who you are. Where are your values? Your good manners and right conduct? Did your school teach you that behavior? You act like a maleducated. You don't have to drag me to leave. I can leave without you dragging me. You don't even know how important the reason  why I'm here," I said calmly but with emphasis. 

He just smiles sarcastically.

 "Miss who the hell you are..."  

"Detective Chan," I corrected at the same time introducing myself.

 "I don't damn care who you are. Just get out of my face and get out of my house! Because you don't know what I'm capable of, and I can do whatever I want to do to you because this is my property.  And how dare you make my mom cry, huh?" he said in irritation and threatened me. 

As if I'm threatened.

  "If your sister didn't bother me, I won't bother your family," I murmured.

  "What?" he ask with a frowned face.

 I stop. Shit! Why am I seeing myself staring at him? Is he angry? He's so cute, though. I just stared at him in amazement.

 He's taller than me, I'm only 5'6 with 2 inch heeled shoes compared to him. He is so cute and he has these tantalizing eyes that can make you feel hypnotizing. He has a perfect jawline, perfect curved lips and cute chick bone that curtsy every time he talks. His nose is tempting to squeeze, he looks like a Korean actor whose handsomeness makes my panties drop. He is full of his sex appeal. He is an ideal man for every girl's fantasy. My god, I'm losing my arrogance. Merciful deity, can this creature be mine? 

"Hey, miss, are you listening?" 

His slang word is also good to hear. He also has this baritone voice that makes you dance. Because it's like music to hear.

to be continued...