Passion and Power

Chapter 50

Hanni's eyes went wide at the sight of her coach, leaning with a smirk against the sink of the restroom.

"Good evening, ladies. Enjoying your 'quick hello'?"

"Coach, hi!" Hanni started her nervous ramble. "We uhhh. Minji lost her earring and I was just trying to..."

"You have to the count of five, Pham. Then I want you out of my sight."

Hanni snapped her mouth closed, gave Minji an apologetic look and squeeze of her hand, then darted from the room.

Minji watched her go and then turned with what she hoped was a charming smile back towards the coach.

"Kazuha, sorry for the misunderstanding, I assure you that..."

"Minji, please." Kazuha put up her hand as if to shield herself from the bullshit. "Spare me."

"OK, then allow me to apologize. Whatever you're about to say - you're absolutely right."

"Great, then you agree that..."

"Absolutely! Hanni and I cannot possibly be seen together..."

"It's not just about what people see..."

"And as I was saying, we can't be seen together...or BE together..."

"Right, but that's not all..."

"Of course. Because we need to keep at a safe distance, so as not to distract her, or slow her recovery in any way..."

"Yes, exactly. The stakes are too high!" Kazuha broke in, seeming determined to gain control of the conversation.

"I agree with you Kazuha. One-hundred percent."

"Not to mention the repercussions that could come to you from your own Board, if it comes out that you're together. We don't want to jeopardize future sponsor support..."

"Kazuha, truly. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle my own Board." In a flash Minji's tone had turned from accommodating and conciliatory, to ice cold and not giving an inch.

"Of course. I don't mean to..."

"Of course not." Minji broke in to spare Kazuha her scrambling. "Now, as it turns out, I have no engagements tonight. May I buy you a drink?"

"And there it is. That Kim charm I always hear so much about." Kazuha said with a reluctant grin.

"From what I hear, it is hard to resist." Minji chuckled.

"Then why would I even try?" Kazuha smirked. "You know, Australian Whiskey is not half bad. And not cheap either, so, if you're buying..."

"Lead the way, Ms. Nakamura." Minji gestured broadly.

"It would be my pleasure." Kazuha winked at Minji and offered her arm.

***

"Yunjin, how could you?"

"Hanni, I promise - I didn't say anything!" Yunjin pleaded. "I just...Coach came down to the bar for a drink. She asked me where you were and just...looked into my eyes. She...she read my mind!"

"Yunjin, give me a break!"

"It's true. Of course I didn't tell her where you were! She asked if Minji had landed, and whether she'd come to the bar - I couldn't lie about that! All I admitted was that she had. When Coach asked where she was I just clammed up. I guess when she couldn't see you or her she made the reasonable deduction that you two were together...somewhere..."

"Ugh, just...never mind! We should get some sleep." Hanni said, exasperated.

"We should." Yunjin agreed.