Passion and Power

Chapter 58

Once again Hanni found herself leaping out of bed with a complaining whine. She stood and gave Minji a quick kiss before heading to the shower.

"Sorry, darling. At least we can get you over there quickly." Minji slipped into a robe and began dialing Kai.

Hanni showered quickly and came back out with the realization that she had nothing to wear except her party clothes. The players had left everything in the locker room when they decided to go directly to the party.

"Oh no. Looks like it's the 'Walk of Shame' outfit for me."

Minji looked at her with wide eyes. "Maybe I have something that could fit you."

Hanni laughed. "Something tells me, if I wear something of yours that will be just as obvious as wearing my outfit from last night."

"What are you trying to say?" Minji looked at her with an arched eyebrow.

"Nothing! Just that...we have different styles."

"Well, I love what you're wearing right now." Minji said with a predatory smile as Hanni stood naked except for a towel loosely wrapped around her waist.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." She went over to Hanni and gripped the top of her towel.

"But this is my favorite." She yanked it off and pulled Hanni to her, inside her robe so as to feel Hanni's bare skin against her own.

"Ohhh. Mine too." Hanni luxuriated in the feeling as they began nuzzling into each other. They both groaned at the sound of Minji's phone vibrating against the table.

"That would be Kai letting me know the car is out front. Don't worry, if you go now you'll get there with enough time to change before breakfast."

"No fair." Hanni grumbled, but she released Minji and rushed to get into her clothes from the night before.

"Just think - soon you'll have a break. No training everyday, no coach telling you what to do..." Minji tried to sound reassuring as Hanni scrambled.

"Yeah. Well, after a lot of press and parties."

"You poor baby. Must be terrible, all those people hanging on every word you say, taking your picture, worshiping you..." Minji teased. Hanni laughed and darted over for a quick kiss before rushing to the door.

"See you later?"

"I certainly hope so." Minji smirked.

***

"Good morning, Ms. Pham!" Kai offered as Hanni plopped into the back seat.

"Morning, Kai. Thanks for taking me - you're totally saving my life!"

"Happy to help."

As Hanni settled in she noticed Yunjin's smell and remembered she'd also been in the car the night before. Some things were a bit blurred in her memory due to all the drinking and dancing.

"By the way. What's with this 'Ms. Pham' business? You called me that last night but I was too drunk to call you on it. I thought we agreed you would call me Hanni when we were in Tokyo together."

"Right, I...well, that was a while ago. And now you've won the World Cup and..."

"Kai! Does the World Cup change that you are a part of my Tokyo Crew? And all the fun we had there? Or that we're friends."

Kai smiled. "No ma'am."

"There you go again."

"Hanni."