The Heir (BBANGSAZ)

Chapter 5: Melodies In The Night

The mansion was quiet as Hanni wandered through its dimly lit hallways. It was late, and sleep eluded her. Living in the opulent house still felt surreal, and she often found herself restless, her mind buzzing with the events of the past few weeks.

As she made her way through the corridors, she heard a soft, haunting melody drifting through the air. The sound was captivating, drawing her towards its source. She followed the music down the hallway and paused outside the drawing room, where the door was slightly ajar.

Peering through the gap, Hanni saw Minji seated at the grand piano, her fingers dancing over the keys with practiced grace. The moonlight streamed through the large windows, casting a silvery glow on Minji's focused face. She played with a passion and intensity that took Hanni's breath away.

Hanni hesitated, not wanting to intrude on the private moment. But as the music wrapped around her, she found herself stepping quietly into the room, unable to stay away.

Minji didn’t seem to notice her presence, lost in the music. Hanni watched in awe as Minji's fingers moved effortlessly over the keys, the melody shifting from hauntingly beautiful to soft and melancholic. It was a side of Minji she hadn't seen before—a vulnerability hidden beneath her cold exterior.

When the final notes lingered in the air, Minji lifted her hands from the keys and let out a deep sigh. It was only then that she noticed Hanni standing by the door.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was filled with unspoken emotions, the music still echoing in the room.

"I'm sorry," Hanni said softly, breaking the silence. "I didn't mean to intrude. Your playing is beautiful."

Minji's expression was unreadable as she stood up, closing the piano lid gently. "It's fine," she replied, her voice lacking its usual edge. "I didn't expect anyone to be up at this hour."

Hanni took a step closer, her curiosity piqued. "I couldn't sleep. The music... it was captivating. Do you play often?"

Minji shrugged, looking away. "It's a way to clear my mind. I don't usually have an audience."

Hanni smiled gently. "You play with such emotion. It's like you're telling a story."

Minji's eyes flickered with something Hanni couldn't quite place. "It's just music," she said, but there was a softness in her tone that suggested otherwise.

Hanni took another step closer, feeling a strange sense of connection. "Do you compose your own pieces?"

Minji nodded slightly. "Sometimes. It's a way to express what I can't put into words."

There was a moment of silence as Hanni absorbed this revelation. It made sense now, the way Minji's music seemed to speak to her soul. "I'd love to hear more of your compositions someday," Hanni said sincerely.

Minji's gaze softened, and for the first time, Hanni saw a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "Maybe," she said quietly. "If you’re still interested."

Hanni nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. "I'd like that."

Minji glanced down at the piano, her fingers brushing the keys absentmindedly. "It's not often I share this part of myself. Music is... personal."

Hanni's heart ached with a strange mix of empathy and admiration. "Thank you for sharing it with me tonight."

Minji looked up, meeting Hanni's eyes with a hint of a smile. "You're welcome."

They stood in the soft glow of the moonlight, the silence between them no longer uncomfortable but filled with a newfound understanding. It was a small moment, but it felt significant—an unspoken promise that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to bridge the gap between them.