The Tale of the Gingerhead (CATNIPZ/BBANGSAZ FANFIC)

Chapter 15: Vanessa

Couple more days left before it's Christmas. Everybody have been so busy with their works that they're starting to forget that that special day is nearing.

Minji did the dishes while Haerin is sitting by the table watching her quietly.
"Don't forget to turn of the tv once you're done watching, okay? The electrical bill this month has fluctuated and I'm telling you, if you don't listen to me you're gonna get us both living in a dim house."

The cat-eyed girl just listened on to the taller who who spoke, dried her hands before grabbing her coat that's hanging on the chair.
"I'm going to work now, don't go anywhere else, I'll be right back."

Again, no reply, just a stare and Minji is already used to that.
"Oh, right.." Minji remembers something so she decided to ask it now or else she'll forget it again.

"Tell me honestly.. when you're not around.. where exactly do you go to?"
Minji swore she saw Haerin's eyes dilates before blinking them away, she turns to her side and hums softly. "Um.."

"Just around the neighborhood.."

Minji squints her eyes before saying,
"Has Mrs. Park already seen you?"

Haerin tilts her head to the side, she does recall interacting with the old lady a month ago and it wasn't really a good one. Minji deadpans and she too remembers it.

One day, Haerin found a good timing to slip out of the house when Minji was out to work and comes back before Minji comes home, as she held the doorknob and twists it, her ears perks when she heard footsteps, she turns around and saw Mrs. Park from across the street.

They both made eye contact and both didn't bother to talk for a second or so, Haerin can feel that the old lady is studying her so she turns on her heels to leave when she saw the lady waves her to come over, she hesitated at first but then did so anyways.

She left a good one meter distance from the lady before, she bows a little and the latter spoke up.
"It was you."

Haerin had to hide her nervousness, the idea of the old lady finding out her secret and telling the whole neighborhood or worse the whole city about frightens her.

She was good at it, hiding her emotions. She just hums. Could it be that this old lady remembers her as the figure she saw inside Minji's house when the ravenhaired girl is still not aware of her secret?

"I don't get why she had to act like she doesn't know? For a second I thought there was an evil spirit lurking inside that house." Haerin silently sighed, thankfully the lady doesn't really put too much pressure on it since she isn't really planning on chatting with her for too long, at least not right now since she had other places to be before Minji comes home.

"Well what's your name, young lady?"

"Haerin." she shortly reply's and the lady can tell that she isn't much of a talker especially to new people.

"My, what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. So tell me what's your relationship with Minji? Is she your cousin or—"

"I'm... her friend." she gave it a thought, the old lady noticed her uncertainty.

"Oh, I see. Well do you have time? I could use some help with my homebaked cookies. I have no one else around to taste them." Haerin finally relaxes and says.

"Ofcourse, Mrs—"

"Park. Call me Mrs. Park." the old lady flashes her a smile that makes me wonder why Minji thinks the old lady is creepy.

"Ofcourse Mrs. Park and nice to meet you."

Not long after, Minji was walking down the street humming a familiar song, hans in the strap of her bag when she stops on her tracks.