"Well, it goes like this…" Elaya explained everything.
Ava stood up. "What? Can we catch him with his sneeze? Sounds no way."
Elaya also stood up. "I guess you're right."
They watched the recording again.
"Elaya, look—a lighter in his hand," Ava pointed, and they zoomed in.
"See the way he's twisting the lighter—quite a unique way," Elaya focused, closed her eyes for a second, and brushed her forehead hair aside. "One whole round from forefinger to last finger," Elaya whispered.
"Exactly," Ava gestured with her hands.
Elaya went to her flower shop, and Ava went to the police station (Warner Station).
Ava entered as some officers stopped her with a hand.
"Dare to touch me and you'll know what's coming," Ava said through gritted teeth. "I have to meet Czar Warner right away."
She crossed her arms against her chest, glaring at everyone there.
Czar was doing his workout shirtless on the ground—push-ups—counting.
"125… 126… 127…"
He stood up hearing voices outside his room, and in an instant, a lady came inside. Her eyes widened.
"Astagfirullah—your shirt!" Ava turned back, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.
"Permission is a thing, I guess?" Ava sighed, realizing she had acted rashly. "My apologies, but this is urgent."
"Well, you can turn this way. I'm putting my shirt on," Czar gave a cold glare.
Ava gulped and began speaking. "I'm also a police officer." She passed her card to him.
He took it while sitting on the chair, one eyebrow raised. "I've never seen you here though. Anyway, how can I help you?"
Czar picked up his phone as it buzzed.
"Why don't you increase security at night too, where murders by the Blood Sucker happen? You're the highest authority at the police. Every officer relies on you, even when you don't seem to be officially that high in position," Ava said straightforwardly, her hands on the table, glaring at him.
"Who said I'm not in a high position? My position may not look high, maybe I'm good at faking—just like you," Czar smirked and stood up, leaving Ava frozen for a second.
"I don't understand what you mean—and you didn't answer my main question," Ava said, maintaining her calm demeanor.
"We're off. Someone needs help," Czar said, putting on his watch. "Next time, young lady, ask the government—not me," he added in a low tone, eyes focused on his watch.
Ava left before him. "Jerk," she mumbled.
"I have to follow him," Ava said in her car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. She started the engine and began following him.
"Ava Ibrahim is following me. Don't worry—just like I know your name, I'll surely find out who else is with you here," Czar smirked, glancing at the rear camera.
"This is the route where Elaya's flower stand is… I guess he knows I'm following him. And if I speed up too much, he'll know Elaya and I have a connection," Ava exhaled heavily. "Ya Allah, protect my love, please."
Both cars stopped.
Elaya's flower shop was being smashed by some men. Czar moved toward Elaya, and Ava did too. When the men saw Czar, they stopped and ran away.
"Catch them—the only way to escape this route is Karoski Turn," Czar called someone and said on the spot.
Ava moved closer when one man left behind attacked Elaya with a hammer. In an instant, Elaya moved aside. Ava pulled the man's hair from behind, and Elaya launched a direct punch to his stomach, her eyes blazing.
When Czar saw this, the man became slightly unconscious and was about to throw the hammer at Elaya's face. Czar grabbed the hammer from behind and smashed it onto the man's feet.
"Poor punk," Czar said, glancing at both Elaya and Ava.
"Good one, Czar Warner," Ava said and left the scene.
Elaya looked at her ruined stand and lowered her gaze. Czar sighed.
"Ask the government to help you. I don't think anyone else can. You're pretty enough, so you can't beg, right?" Czar slipped his hands into his pockets, eyes cold. "The lenses you used—why do you think he didn't notice you on your first day here?" he mumbled while walking away.
Ava texted Elaya after reaching a spot some distance away from the flower stand.
"Elaya, Elaya—are you fine?" Ava's breathing was unsteady.
The reply came as always: "Ah, Ava… I'm okay, Alhamdulillah."
"Please just go home for now, and be careful—Czar might chase you," Ava texted.
The reply came: "Ok."
Ava's head fell back against the seat as she closed her eyes.
"He had a tattoo on his back—two eyes with grey color, with something written in Turkish, I guess: 'Ah, gözlerine esir olmak.' I don't know if I said that correctly," ava facepalmed and looked out the window.
"Czar Warner, even if you beg from nine to five," she chuckled and whispered inside her head,
"no one will give you alms even in a year."
She was inside the cab when her phone rang, and Ava texted:
"Czar Warner is chasing you, dude. You better know what to do."
Just as Elaya read it, the cab suddenly stopped—and Czar Warner's car was the one that blocked it.
Elaya rolled her eyes, stepped out of the cab, and approached Czar's car. He stepped out too, folding his sleeves, revealing his exposed tattoos. He leaned against his car and gestured leave to the cab driver.
"There are so many dangers in Seoul. It's better if I drop you safely at your home," Czar said, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting for an answer.
Elaya shook her head in refusal, her glare cold, sharp, and unforgiving.
Czar made a sad face.
"The lenses you're wearing—you think they'll protect you from him?"
He chuckled and gave her a fake smile.
Elaya smirked and signed in sign language:
"Who will protect you from me, asshole?"
She walked past him, but he lightly held her wrist.
"Did you just cuss me or what, huh?" His tone shifted to anger.
Elaya yanked her hand away in frustration. She opened her phone, went to Notes, wrote:
"Asshole, you are."
She showed it to him. His eyes widened.
"How dare you!" he shouted.
She ignored him and walked past, but he followed her.
"You think I'll let you leave this easily, Elaya Siddiqie?" he said through gritted teeth—
Just then, Emris appeared.
"Elaya," Emris said in his bold yet softened tone.
Both Czar and Elaya turned back.
Emris stood there with a wide smile. Elaya looked confused as he walked forward, passed Czar, and held Elaya's hand.
"Let's go home, dear."
"Are you her boyfriend?" Czar asked, his gaze fixed on Elaya.
"Yes, sir," Emris replied in a deep, soft tone. He bowed slightly, held Elaya's hand tighter, and whispered, "I'm here to help you."
This time you're saved. Every time, a knight won't come to save you from me, Elaya,
Czar's thoughts screamed inside his head.
Elaya blinked twice, but her mind went blank when Emris sneezed.
Something clicked.
It's him, her thoughts screamed—but she kept her expression normal.
In another lane, Emris bowed.
"You can go now, lady. I saw you were being troubled by Czar Warner, so I helped you," he said before walking away.
Elaya made sure no one followed her until she reached her house.
"Who was he… is he that…?" she whispered to herself.