Passion and Power

Chapter 52

Hanni's body jerked harshly when she woke in the back seat of the NIS Hummer. She was experiencing a flashback of being trapped in the windowless room for hours, with no idea of how or even if she might get out. But as she breathed in Minji's scent she quickly remembered that she'd made it out and started to feel more calm. She opened her eyes and found herself stretched out across the seat, her head on Minji's thigh, using it as a pillow. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up and looked around to try to get her bearings.

"This doesn't look like my hotel." She said, looking out at a beautiful glass structure overlooking the water.

Minji ran her fingers through Hanni's hair. "No. This is my hotel. And this has been fully approved by your coach. You can stay with me here tonight. If you want to."

"Yes. Of course I want to stay here with you." She breathed in the calming scent deeply to steady herself and face the outside world.

"Then we can go in whenever you're ready. Everything's arranged so we can go straight up."

"Let me guess. To the penthouse?" Hanni said, her eyes flashing.

"You know me well." Minji murmured.

Minji thanked the agent and began to extract them from the very tall vehicle. She took Hanni's hand and led her inside. She clearly wasn't worried that anyone there would see them. Of course, Hanni realized Minji would only stay in a place where she knew she could trust the staff to be discreet. Hanni could tell people noticed them, but no one approached. There was a hotel staff member holding the elevator and Minji walked them right inside. Without a word the elevator operator hit the button to take them to the top floor. Minji continued to hold Hanni's hand and stood close until they stopped and the door opened to the penthouse suite.

As she stepped out, Hanni was amazed at the opulence but didn't want to look around. All she wanted was to be near Minji. Minji seemed to feel the same way, taking Hanni into her arms as soon as the doors closed.

"I can't believe I'm here. With you." Hanni whispered into her neck.

"I know, a drastic change to be in a luxury hotel after what you just went through."

"It's not that so much that as...I haven't been with you for what...feels like so long."

"I know, baby. I can't explain how much I missed you." Minji whispered into her hair, holding her close. "And I'm so sorry. I'll never forgive myself for what Taehyung did to you..."

"Minji, please. Don't...please don't blame yourself for that."

"Let's not...let's not try to unpack all that right now." Minji said, running her hands through Hanni's hair and gently moving her head so that she could look into her eyes.

"Listen, I know you're exhausted, but Danielle and Sana really want to see you." Minji said. "I let them know we were on our way back and I don't want to worry them. Can I give them a call so they can come up?"

"You mean, they're here already?"

"Yes, well. When I arrived in Sydney and heard Sana was coming I arranged for her to stay here. And since your disappearance Danielle has been here too, so that she could be close to your mom and Haerin."

"That was...that was really generous of you to do that for Sana. I'm sure she's never stayed in a place like this before."

"Actually, I wanted to insist she take this suite once she arrived, but when you disappeared everything else went out the window."

"I'm sorry. I know everyone must have been so worried."

"Hanni, just...stop. If anyone is to blame, it's me."