Thin Line Between You & Me

Chapter five: You're not even mine and I'd treat you better

Minji

Remember Rachel and Samantha?

Well right in front of me, this old wrinkly pig kept trying to get a peek of them. And you know, I tried my best to stay calm, trying to ignore it because after all. This is a life or death meeting. I sat at one edge of the table with Hanni beside me, and then on the side sat the pig who doesn't seem to look away from her at all. I'm so close at exploding right now, but Hanni had her hand on my knee trying to calm me. She knew how important closing this deal was.

"So, Ms. Kim, what do you think? Deal or no deal?" I looked at Mr. Hwang that sat across the table, his eyes looking at me with expectation. My eyes landed on his son who kept throwing little arrows at Hanni, she squeezed my knee when she noticed me glaring at the young Hwang. I stood up which caused the rest of my team to stand up. "I appreciate the offer, I really do, but I'm not taking it. So, no deal. I'm pretty sure there will be better associates coming your way ." I said and he looked shocked. "Ms. Kim, if I may ask, what's wrong? Is it not up to your expectations?" I shook my head.

"I'd like to work in an environment where I know that me and my secretary will be comfortable. And I'm not going to tolerate having more than half the men fantasizing about my secretary at night. The project is perfect, but your workers are not. My sincere apologies." And with that, I reached my hand out for her which she took with confusion. I bowed at the men in the room who weren't part of my team, they were looking at me with their mouths wide open. Once we exited the meeting room, everyone could hear the yells of Mr. Hwang.

"Minji, you just declined a millions worth deal, your father is going to be pissed. The last time that happened he almost knocked your teeth out. Go back in there and say you changed your mind." She was right, my father was going to beat the crap out of me, but I preferred that, to having these animals prey at Hanni. I'm not going to allow that. Never ever, I swore to myself to protect her, it may not be my duty as her boss, but it is my duty as her friend that she trusts. "I'm Kim Minji, I can find a better deal in a better place. Don't worry so much about it." I said and she shook her head at me.

"Minji, listen to me, your father is going to explode once he finds out. And no reason you tell him will make him stop." She said, caressing the part of my arm that held a scar. I smiled down at her. "I wasn't going to work in a place where I knew that you were bound to be sexualized and assaulted. Do you think I'll really allow that? I can deal with my father's hits, but I wouldn't be able to deal with knowing that these assholes would try to do something to you." I said and she looked down.

"Minji, I don't want you to get hit because of me." She said and I shook my head grabbing her face. I looked at my team and gave them a knowing look, they nodded and headed out. "Hanni, I care for you, I'll look out for you, always. If I get hit, I know it'll be for a good reason. I'm protecting you, Hanni." I said. She looked at me with swelling tears in her eyes. "Why do you care about me so much?" She asked and I froze. Why do I? I've never been like this to anyone.

My whole life I've spent it only looking out for myself, not for anyone else. I could have friends, but I wasn't there all the time. Much less did I care for them the way I care for her. And I couldn't even find myself to lie to her. "Hanni, you mean a lot to me, more than I'd ever admit to myself. I'd place my life on the line for you. I know it's a little intense, but it's the truth." I said, she was looking at me with the softest eyes ever. After what happened at my house, you know, the little kiss on the cheek that she gave me. Something had seemed to shift inside me, and I don't know what. But it's a good shift, a shift that I'm up to feeling.

"It's nice to hear that, after everything with Yuta." She said, looking down. I flicked her forehead and she throw me a glare, pinching my arm. "Ow!" I whined as I rubbed the spot she pinched. "You deserved it!" I squinted my eyes at her and she squinted back at me. "Whatever!" I said as I started to walk away and I heard her giggle as she started to catch up to me. Being like this with Hanni came by so normally. It's as if me and Hanni have been friends since the age of the dinosaurs. But we all know the true back story.