Anytime, Anywhere | DAERIN

chapter 6: dine in

It came as no surprise when Haerin led them into a fancy restaurant, where a reservation table awaited them. Not to mention they got a VIP treatment from the staffs the moment they stepped foot inside.

"Good evening, Miss Kang." the hostess chimed in. Haerin nods nonchalantly.

Kang? Haerin's last name is Kang? Danielle realized this is the first she's heard of it but it rings a bell, she just couldn't figure it out.

Kang Haerin.

"Right this way, Miss Kang and.."

As their eyes briefly flickered towards Danielle, there was a momentary pause and hesitance, almost as if they were mentally processing the unexpected plus one beside Haerin.

".. Ma'am." the uncertainty lingered in the air.

Danielle made a mental note that she's going to rate this place a 1 star on all of their social media pages, including her dummy accounts and might as well Hanni's.

The foreign girl also noticed the people in there are decked out like they're headed to the Oscars, while she felt like she just stepped off the bus. No wonder she's getting those knowing glances, especially when she's with someone who the staffs appeared to be paying so much respect.

She thinks this is Haerin's entire fault all because of her impulsiveness when Danielle could've at least worn something that could align with the memo of this place or pitched the idea of slurping rice soup somewhere simpler with freedom. But would Haerin even let her?

"Why the hell is this place full of discrimination from these moneybags, even the staffs?" Danielle muttered under her breath, clearly fed up with the scrutinizing atmosphere.

"You were saying?" the brunette slightly flinched when she felt Haerin's hand at the small of her back.

"Nothing." she dismissed her. Both then followed the hostess who was guiding them to their reservation.

Luckily, their table was like a room, it was isolated and more exclusive than the rest. This has got be Danielle's saving grace, away from the prying eyes and enjoy her meal without someone watching her every fork move.

It didn't take long for them to pick out some dishes. The food arrived promptly by the servers and they started digging in.

"So, you work at Ador Realty?" Haerin decided to strike up a conversation midway through slicing her beef wellington. Danielle's knife almost flew off her hands.

"It's not like you don't already have my resume in your hands." the Aussie said with a tone of sarcasm because really, who was Haerin kidding? Danielle was convinced she had a backstage pass to her entire life.

"I was just impressed. People say it's hard to get in there." Haerin chuckled, taking a decent bite.

"Oh, you bet. I worked like a dog in my first years," Danielle continued chewing on her food, now more relaxed. "But the pay is worth it. And, well, it's Ador, you know? They're a big deal in the industry."

Ador Realty has quite the reputation in the real estate scene. It is also one of the most prominent corporations in the country especially since it's part of the Ador Group of Companies.

Ador's conglomerate is a big deal in business world– it's huge and respected, run by a family dynasty in South Korea and is passed down through generations to keep the success going strong.

"That's good to hear," Haerin nodded approvingly. "So, tell me–"

"Enough about me! I mean you already seem to know everything, while I only have the basics about you." Danielle cut Haerin before she could finish.

True enough, Danielle's knowledge about Haerin was limited to the essentials. She hadn't even thought of her last name until the staff addressed her.

Kang Haerin, rich, mysterious, possibly and undeniably a sex maniac in her kind, and nothing more.

"Who knows, you could be part of some big crime syndicate, plotting to lure me and sell my organs in the black market." Danielle finished her plate, shooting a glare at the person in front who happened to burst into a booming laugh.

"You have a wild imagination, Danielle." Haerin said, pinching her nose bridge in a way that was ironically hot.

"Just being cautious," Danielle retorted, crossing her arms and unintentionally putting her cleavage on display, which didn't escape the cat-like eyes.

The brunette shifted uncomfortably in her seat, realizing she had taken off her blazer and was only wearing her sleeveless white top, exposing her shoulders and forearms.

"That's good for you." Haerin remarked, draining the last of her red wine before standing up. Confusion clouded Danielle's face as she wondered where the latter was off to.

But then, she heard a slight slamming sound from behind her. The door. Her heart skipped a beat.

Danielle gulped silently as Haerin, from behind, leaned down, her hands gently grazing the smaller's arms, sending shivers down her spine.

"But I like your imagination to run wild in another way." Haerin's voice dropped two octaves as she whispered.

The room hung with tension as Haerin traced her nose along Danielle's bare neck, inhaling deeply. She bit her lip, suppressing any audible response. It frustrated her how Haerin could have this effect on her, making her knees go weak, and switching something inside her to submit in an instant.

Haerin was not planning on doing that here, was she?

"H-Haerin... what are you doing?" Danielle stuttered.

"Just showing you my wild side too." the feline smirked, her eyes gleams with mischief as her hands made their way down to Danielle's skirt, slowly sliding it up.

"This isn't a good idea," the latter protested, her breath hitched with each passing second heavier than the last.

"Let's find out first before concluding things." Haerin suggested. "For all we know, you might actually like it."