Whispers Of The Unseen

Chapter 38 - Haerin's POV: Just Take It Off

My heart pounded as I stood at the doorstep, my finger hovering over the doorbell. What if this was all a misunderstanding? Maybe Minji had no idea I was coming. What if she was with someone else? I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

The seconds that followed felt like an eternity, but then the door opened, revealing Minji on the other side. She looked just as imposing and attractive as always, but there was something different in her eyes, a hint of vulnerability perhaps.

"Haerin," she said, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and something I couldn't quite place. "Come in."

As I stood in Minji's spacious apartment, the atmosphere mirrored her personality - sleek, modern, and sharp. She approached the front door, and I followed her inside.

The apartment was cool and well-lit, yet I couldn't spot any air conditioning units. It had an elegant and minimalist design, with gray walls and lighting that emitted a subtle blue hue, giving the place a clean and sophisticated aura.

Minji, in her simple black tank top and loose black bottoms, exuded an air of casual authority. Her slippers hinted that she had just taken a break from her daily routine, and her fluffy hair suggested she had recently showered. I couldn't help but notice some tattoos peeking out from under her clothing.

She gestured for me to sit on the large grey L-shaped couch, which I did rather awkwardly. Minji wore an amused smile as she handed me a juice box. I accepted it with a respectful bow, feeling the weight of her presence.

"Why are you so nervous?" Minji asked, perching herself on the couch frame. I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Your house is nice," I replied, attempting to deflect the unease.

Minji nodded in acknowledgment but wasted no time getting to the point. "Why am I here?" I asked, curiosity and anxiety mingling.

Minji took a deep breath before answering, "There's something you need to see. But before that, have you eaten?" I shook my head eagerly. Minji rose gracefully from her seat. "Follow," she commanded with her usual air of nonchalance, and I quickly shuffled behind her, bracing myself for whatever was to come.

Minji swung open the gleaming stainless-steel fridge in her impeccably organized apartment, a reflection of her own meticulous and commanding demeanor. As I glanced at my phone's clock, it displayed 9 PM, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips. The events of the day had left me bewildered, and I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.

"What is going on?" I questioned, my voice infused with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. I needed answers, and I needed them immediately.

Without turning to face me, Minji ignited the stove, its blue flames dancing to life. "Our hard work is paying off," she responded, a soft smile gracing her lips. But she remained turned away, leaving me to ponder her words.

"That's what's going on," she murmured cryptically, causing me to furrow my brows in confusion. "What do you mean?" I pressed, my desire for clarity growing stronger.

Minji dabbed at her nose and elegantly wiped it clean, her movements precise and calculated. She then turned around, her gaze locking onto mine as she leaned against the sleek black counter. "Mr. Lennox and your friend, Claire," she began, but I swiftly interjected, "She's not my friend." Minji leveled a look at me that spoke volumes about her disapproval of me interrupting. "They seem to have something they're holding over us," she continued, prompting me to nod in acknowledgment.

"What?" I leaned in closer, eager for more information.

"Photos, videos they've been trading them like photo cards" Minji declared, her grip on the counter underscoring the gravity of the situation. My eyes remained fixated on her hands, adorned with those distinctive rings that had always piqued my curiosity. "But I managed to retrieve them from her," she added, eliciting a tilt of my head in curiosity.