anwhile, in Benjamin’s Ho...
Mint and Benjamin sat on the couch, the latter putting so ointnt on the healing wounds on her face. The bitterness in his eyes was enough to show his lingering displeasure about what happened to her.
Mint smiled wearily as she stared at him, letting him rub so ointnt on her cheek.
"I told you I can do it," she said playfully. "You didn’t have to do it yourself."
But her remark only earned her a glare from him.
"If you’re not going to say anything good, then don’t talk," he barked, shifting his attention to her bruise. "I’m busy here, and even if I let you in here and cried with you, I’m still upset. As long as these injuries are present, I’ll keep feeling upset."
"Then, that’s going to be in another two weeks... or three? Maybe four."
Benjamin paused and gave her a dead look while she chuckled.
"Beanie," Mint held his arm and gently put it down, facing him squarely. "I an it."
She nodded at him, squeezing his arm lightly. "Once this case is closed, I’m going to retire."
Benjamin puffed his cheeks, clicking his tongue. He squinted his eyes suspiciously. She’d already said this earlier while sobbing, but then again, he didn’t want to take it to heart. After all, she could’ve just blurted that out in the heat of the mont.
"Really?" he asked, skeptical.
Mint nodded. "This ti, I’m serious. I’m quitting after this case."
"..." A brief silence fell on Benjamin’s shoulder as his eyes scanned the sincerity of her declaration. "What if the case never closes?"
Her brows rose at his question.
"Mint, you’ve been in this job for as long as I can rember. And even before you took the seat of Holand Security, you’ve been part of the justice system," he sighed. "What I’m saying is, it’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that... I know if not thousands, then hundreds of cold, unsolved cases are out there. What if this becos one of them?"
"Wouldn’t that an you’re never quitting?" he added.
A mont of heavy silence fell on their shoulders.
Unlike the usual irritation in his eyes, worry quickly overwheld them.
If there was anyone who knew Mint, it would be Benjamin. He could even say he knew her more than she knew herself. Therefore, it worried him that she was putting everything on this case. He had never seen her so obsessed with a case.
"It will be solved," Mint spoke after a prolonged silence, nodding at him mildly. "It will not beco just one of those unsolved cases. Not when this case... has hurt plenty of people, families, and even nations." — Nations might be an exaggeration, but it had already affected so places, directly or indirectly.
"I’m close, Beanie," she added, her voice soft, but he could hear the trace of resolve in it. "It’s why they’re targeting more and more. I am close, and no one’s going to stop until I get my hands on what they were trying to hide."
Benjamin pressed his lips into a thin line, feeling a little helpless at this point.
"You were close, and you almost died if not for Second Brother pulling you away from death’s door," he mumbled, his eyes softening with deep concern. "Would you end up like this again every step you take closer to the truth?"
He paused, gulping the building tension in his throat. "Mint, tell . Is this really that important?"
"..." Mint didn’t answer, but the look in her eyes was clearer than any words she could say as an answer.
"What if next ti, it’s not just a beating, but a bullet in the body? Or worse, an injury that you will have to carry for the rest of your life?"
"Benjamin, this case... is more important than my life right now."
How he wished she had just kept quiet and let her silence give him the answer. Because now that she said that, he knew just how much it ant to her.
And sotis, being a family had its complications.
He wanted to be supportive and feel proud of her resolve, but then again, the other part of him simply wanted to beg her for the hundredth ti to stop.
Why?
Because she was his family. A sister. A cousin. A friend.
Benjamin lowered his head, his lips curving down along with it. Mint, on the other hand, squeezed his arm, witnessing his gloom take over.
"Beanie," she called, but he didn’t et her eyes. "Please. Just hang on a little."
"For much longer?"
"Just... just a little..."
Benjamin looked up this ti. "... maybe?" he returned, as a continuation of her remarks. "Weren’t you going to add that?"
"No." Mint shook her head, forcing a smile. "Not maybe. I’m sure. I’ve spent years trying to catch these people. I’m not spending another year for them."
Another heavy silence settled over them as they held each other’s gazes.
Her reassurance felt as thin as a thread, but the resolve in her eyes was as bright as a wildfire. And knowing there was no point in arguing, Benjamin let out another heavy sigh.
"Can you at least promise one thing?" His question made her brows rise. "If you’re going to die... make sure you die in one piece. Don’t co back in pieces because I’d rather not find your body and hold a funeral with an empty casket."
"Better yet, make sure you die where no one else could find you," he corrected. "At least, I’d have a hope to cling on to that you’re still alive... sowhere. Maybe, with amnesia or sothing like that."
Mint blinked, scratching the back of her head. "Well, if I’m going to die—which I’m sure I won’t— I don’t think I have the option to arrange that—" she bit her tongue when his teary-eyed glare sharpened into a stare.
"Of course," she laughed, nodding. "Yep. It’ll definitely be a missing person case."
"Tss." He clicked his tongue as he brushed her hand off his arm. "Shut up now. I’ll finish the other wounds, so stop talking. I’m already sleepy."
Mint smiled, moving her face closer to let him do his work. But just as he covered the first healing wound, her phone rang.
Ring...
Both of them turned their heads toward the table on their side, catching her phone ringing. Benjamin quickly frowned while Mint smiled awkwardly.
"I’m not going to take it," she announced, reaching out for her phone while keeping her eyes on him. "No work for now. I’m still recovering..."
But then, she saw the person calling.
It was Slater’s code in her contacts.
Seeing the change in her reaction, Benjamin sighed. "Just take it," he said, getting up from the couch. "I’ll get so ice packs, so you better make sure that’s a quick call."
With that, Benjamin got up and left. Watching him go, Mint let out a defeated chuckle before shifting her attention to the phone. She glanced at where Benjamin had gone before answering the call.
"What is it?" she greeted, only to furrow her brows as she listened to the other end of the line. "What the hell?"
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