INM 1 Part 2

I ignored Brian’s words “Don’t bother the police investigating a murder case!”, I hung up the phone. I was sulking after being told the same thing by the cop when a passerby helped me. Despite all the fuss, the incident ended quite simply, leaving me feeling unsettled.

I expressed my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to her and then quietly walked through the streets of Brisbane on my way home.

Australia’s third largest city, Brisbane, differs in latitude and climate from the nation’s capital, Canberra, the economic hub of Sydney, and the very liveable Melbourne. Although it is considered a subtropical region, the fact that I can walk around in short sleeves on a July night in the middle of winter makes that claim questionable. Long-time residents of this city unanimously talk about “global warming” and “freak weather,” but as someone who’s only lived here for three years, it doesn’t quite resonate with me.

I decided to take a slight detour and headed southwest. Soon I reached an area with upscale restaurants where you can enjoy a meal while gazing at the river. Continuing along the road, I came to the entrance of a park with a well-maintained promenade. In front of me was a fairly large river with boats passing by all day. The water on the opposite bank reflected the lights from buildings and cars, making it sparkle, while the water on this side was dark, reflecting the shadows of the forest and the resting boats, making it even darker.

As I gazed into the darkness, I began to feel better and finally set my course north. I crossed a street lined with privately owned restaurants and apartments, passed two streets lined with luxury hotels.

Turning left at the corner of a jewelry store that seemed out of my league, my residence was right in front of me. An unmistakably luxurious apartment on the same street as the Hilton Hotel.

Squinting at the orange light streaming through the glass doors, I stepped into the foyer. As I walked past the concierge desk and the waiting area sofas, as I always did, I noticed a tall man leaning against the wall, not sitting on the sofa. I gasped when I recognized his figure.

His hair, a slightly disheveled ash-gray almost black, and his tall frame of 189 centimeters. Long legs dressed in black pants. His gray-blue eyes, tinged with melancholy, and his lightly tanned, fair skin.

His serious, handsome face and straight posture seemed to have carefully removed all elements of “sloppiness” from this world. As I tried to remember if I had ever given him my address, I stood there staring at the man who had left me three years ago.

I wanted to turn around and run, but I couldn’t. I sighed and walked over to the visibly angry man.

He noticed me and glared at me. Ah, I remembered, he always had a terrible look in his eyes.

“Brian.”

I wanted to curse how weak my voice sounded. Trying to hide my excitement, I continued bluntly.

“Long time no see. How did you find out where I live?”

Brian stared at me and calmly replied, “I asked your mother.”

“What?! I never gave her my address…” I started to say, but then I remembered that I had sent her a birthday card recently. I frowned, feeling as if my kindness had been repaid with betrayal.

“The next birthday card will be sent without a return address.”

“Do you and your mother really understand what it means to be denied?”

“I can’t help it. If I don’t send it, she’ll sulk and it’ll be a big deal.”

I sighed and thought of my mother. A beautiful but tough woman, who used her illogical theories without ever doubting her own rightness. We fought often when I lived at home, and even after we were disowned, we still argued occasionally.

In that moment, Brian’s calm voice and the familiar, easy interaction with someone I had known for years, despite our separation, made me let my guard down. So I walked toward him without caution, and even when he grabbed my upper arm and tightened his grip, I just looked up at him in surprise.

“I finally got you, you bastard.”

The voice, which had abandoned its previous calm, reminded me that it was extremely displeased.

“Luke, you…”

“Awful! What kind of person are you! You tricked me.”

As I twisted to shake off his grip, I yelled.

“It’s because you always run away! Just take me to your room quietly. I won’t leave until you spill the beans, and be prepared for a thorough scolding!”

“Why is it assumed that I will be scolded?”

“Excuse me, sir?”

“Megan!”

I brightened at the sight of the woman giving me a suspicious look from reception.

“You look stunning as always! Call the police!”

“Don’t use the police as a handyman service.”

Saying that, Brian pinched my nose with his free hand and began to pull me toward the reception desk.

“Hi, Megan? I’m Brian Darcy, his childhood friend.”

He handed over his business card with an efficient gesture. Megan looked at me questioningly, and I nodded reluctantly, confirming that the man’s introduction was true.

“Are you aware of the trouble he’s in?”

“Yes, the police asked if he was here… and I know a little about him.”

“He’s panicking about it, so I came to help him.”

“I’m not panicking! I am fully prepared to escape if I am unjustly imprisoned!”

“As you can see, this is the situation. And it’s called a false accusation, Luke.”

“Oh, right, that!”

Megan sighed deeply and looked at me sympathetically as I nodded.

“If his confused testimony disrupts the investigation, it would be a disservice to both the police and the victim. I want to hear his story first.”

Saying that, Brian winked at Megan.

“Believe it or not, I’m a former cop.”

“Well, you’re a little too charming to be a cop.”

Megan’s suspicious look from earlier had completely disappeared and I started to panic.

“His room is on the fifteenth floor. The key is in his right back pocket.”

With that, the beautiful woman quickly pressed the elevator release button, and Brian flashed a dazzling smile.

“Thank you, Megan. You’re perfect.”

Then he reached into my pocket and pulled out the key. I jumped and struggled against his unceremonious hand.

“Megan, this is sexual harassment! Call the police!”

“You’re such an idiot, Luke.”

Saying that, she lowered her eyes to her hands. I saw that she had a magazine that was published today, and despair washed over me. Being a heavy bookworm, once she started reading, she wouldn’t look up until her shift was over. The fact that she talked to us earlier was a sign of her goodwill toward me.

As I was being dragged to the elevator, Megan casually said,

“Look at your face later and see what kind of expression you’re making.”

Her words made my cheeks flush with heat.

It’s not my fault! It’s because he’s ridiculously handsome, damn it.