INTERCEPT

The next day, after a busy few days at work, Taeyang decided to take some time to look at the house he wanted to buy. He wore a comfortable oversized white shirt and loose-fitting oversized jeans, making his look casual yet neat. Despite his simple style of dress, he still looks charming, with an aura that cannot be ignored.

However, the journey to her dream home did not go smoothly. On the way, her car suddenly broke down. "Aishh, shiball... this damn car," Taeyang muttered in annoyance, patting the steering wheel of the unresponsive car. He checked the car, which was now completely dead, then got out and decided to walk towards the main road to find a taxi.

After a few steps, he finally managed to stop a taxi. As soon as the taxi door opened, Taeyang saw a young girl sitting in the driver's seat. The girl looked innocent, like a college student on her way home from class, wearing simple casual clothes. Although she looked ordinary, Taeyang could sense that there was something different about this girl-a firmness in her eyes that could not be hidden.

Taeyang didn't really care. He sat on the passenger seat and immediately put on his headset, avoiding further conversation. The girl tried to speak, asking questions about the destination. "Where do you want to get off, sir?" she asked several times, but Taeyang still didn't answer, only listening to music from his headset.

But the girl didn't give up. "Sir, where do you want to stop?" she asked again, this time in a slightly more curious tone. Taeyang finally raised his head and replied in a flat voice, "Over there," while pointing in the direction he was headed. But just as he was about to reach into his pocket for his wallet, Taeyang realized that he had forgotten his wallet - left behind in the broken down car.

"Aishh, damn," he muttered to himself. Then with a mischievous smile, he teased, "Looks like I forgot my wallet." He winked and handed her his detective business card.

The girl looked at the business card, surprised to see "Detective" written on it. "Detective...?" she thought. She chuckled, feeling a little confused by Taeyang's casual demeanor despite having just admitted to forgetting his wallet. "You poor detective, pretending to forget your wallet," she said with light sarcasm.

However, Taeyang just smiled without answering, knowing full well that his appearance and demeanor often rubbed people the wrong way. Although his house was modest, his bank account was high, and that day he was planning to buy a bigger house for his future. However, to the girl, Taeyang just looked like an ordinary young man, who seemed to be a little careless with his wallet.

When the taxi stopped, Taeyang got off casually, leaving the girl still looking at him curiously. "Thank you," he said with a smile, then walked away with a firm stride. The girl remained silent for a moment, feeling that there was more hidden behind Taeyang's appearance, but she had no idea that that day was the beginning of an unexpected encounter.

After getting out of the taxi, Taeyang continued his steps towards the house he was about to see. Despite his modest appearance, he couldn't shake the sense of contentment growing inside him-he was living his life in a unique way, unencumbered by anything. In his opinion, wealth or social status was nothing to brag about, what was important was how to take his work and life seriously, even though many did not know who he really was.

Meanwhile, the girl who had taken Taeyang in a taxi was still standing there, staring at the detective's business card that Taeyang had just given her. "Detective... huh, cute," she muttered, smiling a little as she continued on her way to her campus. Although she felt a little perplexed by Taeyang's relaxed demeanor, there was something about the man that caught the girl's attention. Maybe it was his calm demeanor, or maybe it was because she could sense that there was more to him than met the eye.

The girl, named Jiwon, is a student majoring in criminal psychology, who is interested in studying the mindset of criminals. Although she is rarely directly involved in the affairs of the outside world, her interest in criminal cases has led her to frequently read the news and analyze the behavior of people around her. However, his exceptional martial arts skills were not acquired from college studies, but rather from the intensive training he had participated in since childhood, a hobby that became a way for him to maintain a mental and physical balance.

She loves simplicity and doesn't care much for material things. But when she met Taeyang, she felt there was a different side to him that she couldn't fully understand-his calm but unpredictable demeanor, as if he held many secrets. As a criminal psychology student, Jiwon becomes unconsciously curious to learn more about the man.

When he arrived at the house, Taeyang was amazed by the view in front of him. The yard was vast, stretching up to an acre, surrounded by a soothing green landscape. At the entrance, a black iron gate stood tall with an elegant design. After passing through the gate, Taeyang was greeted by a long driveway, with tall bushes along the sides. The bushes were very neatly trimmed, forming a beautiful symmetrical pattern, giving a luxurious and organized impression.

He drove slowly on the smooth little stone road, taking in the surroundings. The driveway ended in a large parking area, designed to fit several vehicles at once. Taeyang paused for a moment, observing how the area was strategically positioned, giving easy access to the house without detracting from the scenic beauty.

Once past the parking lot, he continued towards the main house. The path turned narrower and was made of gray paving stones, which were neatly arranged and clean. Along the small road, there were towering trees on both sides, casting cool shadows on the way to the main door. The fresh scent of leaves and grass filled the air, making the atmosphere even more cozy.

Finally, Taeyang arrived in front of a house that stood majestically with a classic modern design. The walls are mostly made of glass, combining minimalism and elegance. A small staircase with iron railings led up to the large main door, made of dark teak wood with delicate carvings. She looked up slightly, noticing how the architecture of this house really took into account every detail. Although he didn't care much for luxury, Taeyang had to admit that this house had an appeal that couldn't be ignored.

Taeyang stepped up to the main door, where a real estate agent was waiting for him with a friendly smile. The middle-aged woman wore a neat blazer, reflecting her professionalism. "Welcome, Mr. Taeyang," she greeted politely. "This is the property you inquired about. I'm sure you'll love every detail."

Taeyang nodded briefly, then said, "Okay, show me around." His tone was calm yet firm, as usual. Although he did not show much emotion, his eyes were keenly observing every detail around him, as if searching for something more than just aesthetics.

The agent opened the main door, revealing a spacious living room with shiny marble floors. "This main room is designed with an open space concept, allowing for natural lighting from the large glass wall on the west side," he explained, pointing towards the glass wall that revealed a stunning view of the back garden. "The house has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a study, a private library, and of course, a swimming pool in the backyard."

Taeyang stepped inside, noticing the high ceilings with elegant crystal chandeliers. In the corner of the room, there is a modern fireplace surrounded by a large light gray sofa. Every element of the interior was harmonious, showing that the house was designed to create a cozy yet luxurious atmosphere.

"Would you like to see the kitchen, sir?" the property agent asked, breaking the silence. Taeyang nodded, then followed her into the kitchen located next to the living room. The kitchen was a perfect blend of modernity and functionality, with long white marble countertops, shiny stainless steel appliances, and minimalist wooden cabinets.

As Taeyang looked around, his mind began to think about the life he might lead in this house. He imagined having a place to truly relax after long, stressful days as a detective. However, underneath his calm demeanor, he was always cautious when it came to making big decisions.

After walking around most of the house, they finally arrived at the back garden. The view made Taeyang pause for a moment. A large infinity-edge swimming pool overlooks a green hill, creating a peaceful atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. Near the pool, there was a small gazebo with lounge chairs, ideal for enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning.

"What do you think, Mr. Taeyang? Does this house live up to your expectations?" the property agent asked, smiling expectantly.

Taeyang rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "This house is... perfect," he replied simply. However, there was a hint of doubt in his eyes, not because this house wasn't suitable, but because he was still thinking about whether this house really suited him who worked more than he enjoyed time at home.

"Good. If you want to proceed with the purchase process, we can arrange everything," the agent said enthusiastically.

Taeyang nodded. "I'll consider it first. I'll let you know tomorrow." He glanced at his watch, realizing that it was getting late.

After saying goodbye, Taeyang walked out with slow steps, enjoying the fresh air in the spacious courtyard. However, Taeyang's mind was again disturbed by the image of the taxi driver's girl. He didn't know why, but there was something about Jiwon that felt familiar, even though he was sure he had never met the girl before. With a faint smile on his lips, Taeyang continued on his way, letting fate work its own way.