Psychopath Billionaire | BBANGSAZ

xx

During the following days, I didn't see Minji at the restaurant, and it made me wonder if she had changed her mind about going out with me.

It was noon, and I was helping the cook in the kitchen when the bell over the entrance door rang. Felix nodded, indicating that I should go to the table, so I grabbed the menu card and stepped out of the kitchen.

Minji was sitting at table five, looking out of place. Her intense eyes were scanning the room, probably trying to locate me. I was surprised but had expected her to show up. I had thought about packing up and leaving, but I realized that Minji would find me in hell if she had the chance, and honestly, I didn't have enough money to travel or find a new place. I wanted to save the money I had from selling the earrings I received from Minji.

I walked to her table and put on my most polite smile. "Good afternoon, ma'am, here is the menu," I said, handing her the menu. "I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order."

I sent my coworker Chaewon to take her order, but she came back into the kitchen a minute later. "She says she won't order anything unless it's you," Chaewon said. "Is that your ex?" I nodded. She fanned herself dramatically. "She's hot as hell, almost looks like a Hollywood actress. So why the hell did you break up with her?"

"Chaewon!" Felix yelled at her. "Get back to work. There's enough time for gossip after your shift." Chaewon groaned and rolled her eyes.

"I need details, Hanni."

"Chaewon..." Felix warned again.

"Okay, I get it." She shot him a look and continued sweeping.

I sighed and headed to Minji's table. She looked impatient. "Have you decided what you want to order?" I asked.

She looked at me directly. "I'm not here to eat. I just want to talk to you."

"Well, I have work to do," I reminded her.

"It won't take long. Please." She was using the word "please."

I bit my lip. Before I could respond, Felix walked to the table. I wondered if he had sensed the tension. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

Minji's gaze turned icy, and the softness I had seen a moment ago clouded over with threat. "Is there? We were just talking."

Felix tried to match Minji's hard look, but I knew she would win this epic staring contest.

"Look, I think she made it clear last time that she didn't want you here, and I see you here even when she told you clearly. That tells me you're causing us problems. Here's a question: Do I need to involve the police?" Minji chuckled. If Felix were smart, he'd let her go.

I put my hand on Felix's shoulder to tell him to shut up before it was too late.

"Mr. Lee, I really appreciate you taking care of my girl, but that doesn't give you or anyone the right to insinuate that I'm a criminal. I was simply persuading my girlfriend, trying to correct misunderstandings."

"I'd call it stalking rather than persuading. And I have proof," Felix said.

I decided to intervene. "Felix, it's fine. She was just talking."

"Are you sure it's okay, Hanni?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Whatever you need to talk about, do it outside," Felix said and walked away.

Outside in the parking lot, we stood by her car, which was a new bright red Maserati. I wanted to believe she had brought it to impress me. "I'm sorry about Felix. Sometimes he gets a bit defensive."

"Did you tell him everything?" Minji asked.

It took me a moment to realize what she was talking about. She was talking about the horrible things she had put me through. I had shut down after leaving Jake's house and swore I'd never talk about it. Besides, I didn't have enough proof to take her to the police.

"I didn't," I assured her.

She nodded. "So, have you thought about it?"

I shook my head. "I need time to think. The things you did to me... I can't forget them easily and start going out with you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Minji looked away as if she were guilty. "I said I was sorry, what more do you want me to do?"

"Sorry isn't enough, Minji," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

Minji kicked the car door hard, but it was a good thing the car could withstand such a hard hit. Her jaw tightened, her fingers clenched into fists. "We could argue all day, or you could promise to give me an answer the next time I come to the restaurant. How will it be? Because as I said before, I can be very persuasive."

"I need more time, Minji," I said.

She gave me one last look and got into the car. The Maserati screeched as it left the parking lot.

* * *

That night, I made myself a cup of hot chocolate and curled up in bed with a book. It was a Friday night, and Chaewon had called a dozen times during the night to spend the night at my apartment for a girls' night and wanted to know all the details about Minji.

I was happy to do it since I was running out of friends. Chaewon was a bit clingy but nice. I ordered a pizza and found a classic horror movie. The good thing was that Felix had left his old TV here.

The doorbell rang, and I glanced at the clock; it was past ten p.m. She was right on time. I opened the door without looking through the peephole and immediately regretted it.

Minji was at the door looking out of place. She smiled and then staggered, which is when I knew she was drunk. She was also holding a huge bouquet of red roses.

"You're drunk," I said.

She walked into the room and handed me the flowers. I placed them on the coffee table. Suddenly, she collapsed on top of me, burying her nose in my neck. She smelled of her familiar expensive perfume mixed with a hint of alcohol. Her strong arms wrapped tightly around me as she pulled me against her.

I tried to break free. "Minji, please..."

She pulled back a little to press her finger to my lips. "Shh... Shhh." I looked into her eyes, all in their drunken glory.

Her brown eyes were dilated to a darker shade. "Min wants to talk, baby," she slurred.

"I told you I needed time to think," I said.

"How much time do you need?" she asked calmly.

I was at a loss for words because honestly, I didn't have an answer for that. I spent an unsettling amount of my time wondering how I was going to answer that question.

She cupped my face in her hands. "Look at me, Han. Don't you see how sorry I am?"

"Minji, I..."

"Don't you understand how much I love you?" she continued. "One chance, baby. Just one. That's all I'm asking."

"Only on one condition," I said abruptly.

"Whatever you want," she assured me.

"There won't be any more rules," I said.

To my surprise, I saw Minji nod. "If that's what you want, that's what you'll get. Absolutely no rules."

Before I could continue, Minji staggered, fell onto my bed, and passed out.

This was going to be a long night.

I wasn't going to risk sleeping tonight, not when there was a good chance I'd be drugged and wake up in the Kim mansion. I took off her shoes and covered her with a warm blanket.

I needed a cup of coffee.

When I checked my phone, there was a text message from Chaewon.

Chaewon: Hanni, I can't make it tonight. Sorry.

I wish I had seen that text earlier.