MIDNIGHT | NEWJEANS

CH.20 HAUNTING LONGING

ADOR City, Kang Manor
Narrator's Point Of View

The taste of a happy ending was short-lived. Back in her bedroom at the family home, she realized she had lied to her girlfriend about working late, and a sense of betrayal washed over her.

The phone's glow illuminated her impassive face. Something had been gnawing at her for a while, but she'd pushed it aside. Now, sprawled in bed, worry consumed her.

Mom
Saturday, 4:30 pm

Invite Danielle over for dinner again honey, It's refreshing to see you back together.

Read

-Flashback-

Since the doctor's return, Danielle had reconciled with Haerin's family and spent much of her time with Eugene. It was comforting to know that despite their troubled history, Danielle still valued their friendship enough to mend it. She'd been staring at her mother's text for hours, unsure of how to respond. She suspected Hanni might be jealous after finding Danielle in her  office the other day. However, she craved the comfort Danielle offered, and their newly rekindled relationship was precious to her. 

As if on cue, a knock sounded at her door. She'd texted Danielle and Eugene to come to the manor.

"Is dinner ready?" Haerin asks her friends, they were now settled on her bed. Danielle's head resting on her shoulder while Eugene's head was on her lap.

"Nope, you're mom wouldn't let me help her." Danielle said with a small smile. She and Eleanor had always been the best of friends when she used to date Haerin.

"I lied." Haerin uttered.

"To who?" Eugene asks, now sitting up to face her best friend.

"Hanni. I told her that we were working late so I wouldn't be home till midnight." Haerin sighs, she buried her face into her palms.

"Why the hell would you say that to her?" Danielle's brows were now raised in suspicion.

"Because I didn't wanna hurt her feeling, I can't tell my girlfriend that my mom prefers you over her." Haerin said, she lays back down in defeat and guilt.

"It's your fault for not telling your mom that we weren't really back together." 

"Auntie wouldn't have thought of that if you guys weren't so fucking sweet all the time, now would she" Eugene said. She knew about their history, and that kind of love that Haerin had for the young australian is hard to get rid off. No matter how strong one might be.

"Maybe It's best if you just told her that we aren't really..you know." Danielle stood up as she walked towards the ajar door. The tone of her voice hinted with sadness.

"You're right, the last thing I want is to start my relationship with Hanni with a mistake. I promised her I'd do better." 

ADOR City, Marsh's Hotel and Lodges Co.
Narrator's Point Of View

Danielle enjoyed a rare moment of peace. Ever since her breakup with Minji, her mind was free from worrying , but her heart stubbornly clung to lingering echoes of her. 

Free from thoughts of Minji, her mind wandered to Haerin. Memories of their past flooding back in, It brought her a sense of peace and happiness. 

"Unnie, you okay? You've been staring at your coffee for the past 5 minutes. Minji troubling your mind?" Her secretary Hyein said, she was sitting on the sofa with a clipboard on her hand.

"Nope, someone else." Danielle mutters softly. It was wrong to yearn for someone already committed. She wondered how different her life would be had she not betrayed her.

ADOR City, Kang Manor
Narrator's Point Of View

The bedroom became a bit suffocating for Haerin, she settled herself down stairs on their little nook. Trying to free her mind from the thoughts of Danielle, It was wrong to think about her, simply wrong. 

"Trouble in paradise?" Soobin said as he sat next to her.

"Just trouble." 

"You can talk to me about it, I'm a little jealous that you always open up to Eugene." Soobin pouted, to which Haerin could only grimaced at.

"Fine, big baby."

"I haven't told mom about Hanni, she thinks that Dani and I are back together. Danielle's been pushing me to tell Mom but-" Haerin stops, her breath caught at the back of her throat. What was holding her back from telling, Eleanor? 

"But you've been enjoying having Danielle around, haven't you?" Soobin knew better, he basically knows everything that runs around in his young sister's mind. 

"Danielle and I knew each other longer, we knew each other better. We grew up together, from little kids, to stupid teenager, and now; troubled grown ups." Haerin's mind wandered at the memory of her childhood, a childhood with only Danielle in it. 

"The way you talk about her, the way you look at her, and the way you treat her is a total difference with Hanni. Danielle touched a deeper part of your heart, soul rather. While Hanni's trying so hard just to scratch the surface. You've committed yourself to loving and cherishing Hanni, open the door and let her in. Danielle was then, Hanni is now, know the difference. Stop looking back, but if you ever do, remember the way she broke you. Don't you dare hurt Hanni, Kang Haerin." Soobin's brows were knitted together in seriousness. Haerin could only nod, he was right anyway.

"I have to get home, ask the family driver to make sure Danielle and Eugene gets home safe. I can't stay any longer. Hanni's waiting." 

ADOR City, Apartment
Narrator's Point Of View

It was a sunny day, perfect to go out and enjoy the beach with your friends and girlfriend. Danielle's relentless persuasion had finally paid off, Haerin gave in and asked her mom to let her borrow their beach house for the whole weekend.

Everyone seemed so excited to spend the day under the warm sun, except for one. Pham Hanni. She had nothing against Danielle and Haerin's current relationship, although there is this lingering jealousy, she tried her best to ignore it. Hanni's greatest worry was her relationship with Danielle. She couldn't face her friend after the night with Minji, consumed by guilt for her silence.

It was more than just the kiss at the park, their encounters back at their shared apartment. All of it was eating Hanni from the inside.

"We can cancel if you're too tired, bub. Let's get take out, watch a movie, and cuddle." Haerin hugged her from behind, the girl's head resting on her shoulders.

"No, I don't wanna be that bitch who cancels the last minute." Hanni melting in her girlfriend's embrace.

"Alright, let's cuddle then pack for the trip." Haerin said as she hugger her tighter.

"I love you Han."

"I love you too, Rin."

.

.

.

.

Note: Been gone for way too long, my bad. I'm running out of ideas for this story;) Thanks.