Bluff (BBANGSAZ)

IX

Hanni's POV

As I stepped through the front door, I braced myself for the usual scolding from my mom.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU DIDN'T EVEN REPLY TO MY TEXTS" she exclaimed, not even giving me a chance to respond. "LOOK AT YOUR PHONE, HOW MANY MISSED CALLS HAVE YOU RECEIVED? AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO ANSWER ME FOR ONCE? AND NOW YOU'RE HERE ALMOST 1 IN THE AFTERNOON? DID YOU DRINK WITH YOUR FRIENDS AGAIN? OR FLIRT WITH SOME RANDOM KIDS AT SCHOOL?" The pounding in my head intensified, but I understood that she was just worried about me.

"ANSWER ME, HANNI!" I tried to speak, but she cut me off. " I DID NOT RAISED YOU LIKE THA-" I attempted to explain, but before I could, she suddenly stopped and her eyes widened, as if she had seen a ghost behind my back.

"Oh, hi there young lady, do you need something?" Oh, I thought she already left after dropping me off. It's literally funny to watch how my mom looks embarrassed in front of Minji.

Minji approached and bowed in front of my mom, who was left speechless by her presence.

"Good morning, Mrs. Pham. I'm here to apologize on behalf of Hanni. I just took her on a date because this week has been really draining. I hope you'll consider it," she said and bowed again. My mom shot me a side-eye and then smiled at Minji.

"No problem, young lady," my mom replied. Wtf? When it comes to me, there's a huge problem but with a person she just met right now, no problem?

"I'll get going, Mom-uh, I mean Mrs. Pham. Thank you for understanding." Woah, that was fast she just called my mom as mom. Maybe she's the real daughter then.

"Thank you also for bringing back my daughter safely," my mom said as she guided Minji to the entrance.

I found myself sinking into the couch, lost in thought. I glanced down at my bandaged foot and quickly put my shoes back on when I heard my mom's footsteps approaching. I hoped she wouldn't notice.

"Hey, we're not done yet" people nowadays doesn't give me any peace.

"Mom! That girl kidnapped me. She took me to a place I didn't even know" I vented, but my mom didn't seem convinced. Did I look like I was lying?

"Stop lying, Hanni. She looks kind. Don't accuse her like that. She even took you on a date" my mom retorted, surprising me with her defense of Minji.

"Come here, my beautiful daughter," she said sweetly. My mom could be a dragon, but she had her sheepish moments, too. I walked over and sat beside her.

"What happened to your foot? Why are you walking like that?... Don't tell me you two have se-" I quickly covered her mouth to stop her from finishing her sentence. I was surprised that that thing crossed In my Mom's mind.

"STOP MOMM. You're disgusting. She's just a friend, and it's her fault for bringing me there, so I slipped" I tried to defend myself.

"You're just clumsy, Hanni. It's not her fault. What's her name? I forgot to ask," my mom inquired. I hesitated, worried that she might try to set me up with Minji if she found out who she was.

"Uhmm, her name is Minji, Kim Minji" I replied, hoping to change the subject.

"Oh, Kim Minji. I like her height. She's pretty tall and gorgeous. Are you sure you don't like her? I thought those were your types" she teased, playfully tickling me.

"Mom, HERE YOU GO AGAIN. She likes someone else, okay? Plus, she's really creepy, mysterious, arrogant, self-centered, weird, cringe, and nonchalant. Those are the characteristics that I REALLY, REALLY hate" I insisted.