You've got me mesmerized

32.

32.

Since they had to meet her dad the next morning, Danielle crashed at the dorms that night. However, she couldn't fall asleep and after a few hours of forcing herself to lay in bed, she discreetly stood up and looked at Haerin sleeping peacefully one last time before leaving the room.

Then, she went to the living room and sat on the couch, just imagining all the scenarios possible for their meeting with her dad. Overthinking was giving her a headache.

Minji was the first one to wake up and when she saw Danielle looking soulless with dark circles under her eyes, she worriedly approached the girl. “You didn't sleep at all ?” She asked.

Danielle shook her head slowly. “I tried but couldn't.”

“You're worried about your dad ?”

The mixed girl nodded. “Yeah… I hope he won't say anything that will hurt Haerin.” She sighed. “I don't want him to cause any trouble to her… And there's also this sending me overseas situation.”

“I see… But you know, you shouldn't worry that much about Haerin. You keep calling her kitty but let me tell you… there's a real tiger sleeping inside her.”

Danielle chuckled, Minji’s analogy sounded kind of funny. The Korean smiled, happy that her friend was looking a little better. “I don't know if she ever told you…” She added. “But when we were in middle school, Haerin used to be bullied.”

Danielle frowned and shook her head. Haerin almost never talked about her childhood nor her family and the few times this conversation came to the table she always found a way to dodge it. The mixed girl always wondered why and what Minji just said stirred her curiosity once more.

“I see… “ Minji muttered. “She'll tell you about it someday eventually. My point is that, even if everyone was against her... This girl, I never saw her cry. Instead, she enrolled in a karate class all by herself and once she knew enough about how to fight… She planned an ambush on her bullies and beat them up one by one.” She chuckled while recalling the memory.

Danielle’s jaw dropped. “You're joking… right ? I don't believe that. Haerin despises anything related to physical effort. I think I never saw her exercise.”

Minji chuckled. “I’m telling you the truth. She doesn’t like sports but she’s ready to do anything to not let anyone walk on her.”

“Now that I think about it… That explains how naturally she kicked Heeseung the other day…” Danielle realized out loud.

Minji noddedd. “What I am trying to say is not that she's going to beat your dad if he doesn't let you stay here… But I can assure you that she won’t give up so easily. She’s really stubborn when she wants to.”

Danielle stayed silent, lost in her thoughts for a moment. “Thanks Minji… I’m still stressed but that did make me feel better.” She finally said.

“No problem, Marsh.” Minji smiled before getting up to prepare breakfast for the three of them.

Once they arrived at the company later that day, Haerin wished that it was just a meeting between her and Mr. Marsh. Danielle and her mother being in the office too made it feel like a weird family reunion. It was awkward.

She felt like she could deal with Mr. Marsh, he did have a sort of frightening aura but he was also someone that would act pretty rational. Haerin felt like she could predict his reaction.

However, Mrs. Marsh, even if she was on their side, was a free spirit. Haerin really had no idea of what that woman was thinking of and that was more stressful than dealing with the real antagonist.