My lawyer {BBANGSAZ}

Chapter 10

Minji

The bustle of the hospital became nothing but background noise to me, the backing track as the main melody of my thoughts overpowered any distraction. I buried my face in my hands, trying to sort out the jumble of thoughts that danced hauntingly around my head. 

Mr Park indeed appeared to be the one behind the wheel that day. I could recognise that scar anywhere, it was the one he showed me proudly and accompanied it with a story that stuck with me forever. It was his symbol to me. But that only begged the question, amidst my confusion and feelings of betrayal and guilt, why would he do this to me? Does Hanni somehow tie into all of this in a way I'm unaware of?

"Unnie!" the familiar voices of my best friends felt like the sunshine after a terrible disconcerting storm. I lifted my head and was met with the concerned faces of Dani and Hyein. They both looked just as bewildered as me. We basically had our hearts connected, we could easily empathise with each other, and that's what I think made our bond so special.

I only wordlessly got up and hugged both of them. Dani didn't waste any time and she hugged me back, while Hyein seemed kind of stiff, probably because the position she was in was sort of awkward.

When I finally let go, Dani and Hyein tried their best to distract me from my current crisis and I couldn't be more grateful for their presence. Ni-ki and Heeseung were with me as well, standing guard. They were there during the whole Mr Park incident but they couldn't get there in time, they literally went on their knees for forgiveness for their 'failure' and I had to pull them up to get them to stop making a scene. It's not their fault anyway. After all we're all just humans.

"Kim Minji?" the doctor that was put in charge of Hanni came up to me, clipboard in hand and a warm smile plastered across his face. I got up, nodding to confirm as anticipation and nerves filled my pounding heart.

"I'm Dr Cha Eunwoo it's nice to meet you," he briefly introduced himself. For some reason the mere introduction made me feel uneasy. Not because I found Dr Cha suspicious, but mainly because I suspected he was acting this way to soften the blow of whatever horrible news he was about to deliver.

 "Unnie, breathe," Hyein rubbed my back gently as Dani stroked my hair. I hadn't even realised I was holding my breathe.

Dr Cha gave us a smile and I could tell he was probably quite popular in school. He was probably one of those boys that could make girls smitten for him with just a glance as though he had some enchanting magical power. Surprisingly he seemed quite modest for someone with such a ethereal face.

"Miss Pham Hanni is currently in a stable state," he said, and that immediately gave me a sense of reassurance as my legs nearly gave up. They felt like jelly the entire time and standing felt like an effort. "But she fell into a coma during the surgery, she lost a lot of blood and adding to that, she's been suffering from severe anxiety and depression, leading to exhaustion and malnourishment. These factors all contributed to her comatose state, we'll discuss a course of treatment once she awakens," 

I nodded slowly, taking in everything that had just been thrown at me. It only makes me more frustrated, as I can never seem to figure Hanni out. Just what is she so scared of letting out? Nevertheless, that's an issue for another time. 

"Can I see her?" I hesitantly asked.

"Yep, follow me," Dr Cha gave me another sparkling smile and I swear half the patients and nurses in the hospital were staring at him like he was the most beautiful painting they've ever seen. I wonder how he handles all of this seemingly unwanted attention. I mean, I myself have men who have their eyes glued to me 24/7, and I dislike it a lot.

We reached the room 722 and Dr Cha bows before leaving us to it. I reach for the silver door knob, and open it. It silently opens, and I'm immediately attacked with the typical smell of the hospital I'm all too familiar with. I furrow my brows in confusion when I notice this is no ordinary room. This is the room patients who have suicidal or self harm tendencies are placed in. It's void of any sharp objects or potential hazards and the window is too small for a human to fit through, placed purposely high to prevent anyone from jumping out. It's almost like a prison and I kind of find it ironic. I don't think this would make anyone feel better. 

But that means...is Hanni self harming? I mean, I saw her scratching at her arm but I just thought it was out of stress or something. But there seems to be something deeper than that. I avert my gaze to the said girl, who is lying motionless on the bed. Her heart monitor beeps steadily, assuring me that she is still here. Her face is pale and the oxygen mask fogs up with each breath. I leave Dani and Hyein standing by the entrance with curious looks plastered on their faces as I walk up to Hanni.

I take her small and cold hand, gently intertwining our fingers. 

"I hope you'll let me in so I can understand you more, I'm sorry I said all those things, I really shouldn't have taken out my shit on you....wake up soon, I'll be right here," I whisper into her ear, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face delicately, as though she's a wilting flower. 

I sit there in silence for a bit, the only sound being the rhythmic beeping of the machine as I caress her hand with my thumb, hoping my words reach her even in a comatose state. For once in a while, I'm not thinking about the looming threat of Mr Park's shadow, all that's on my mind is Hanni. 

"Enough depressing stuff! Let's go have dinner!" Dani suddenly strolls into the room, her sunshine smile plastered across her face. 

I pretend to give her an annoyed glare, but I can't help the grin that paints itself across my face. I'm so glad I have good friends like Dani and Hyein.

We're about to go when a cat eyed girl suddenly busts into the room, her eyes fixed on the bed where Hanni lays. Dani suddenly seems so shy as soon as she and the cat eyed girl finally make eye contact. Hyein nudges me, a cheeky smirk creeping onto her lips.

"She's smitten," she sing songs quietly.

I giggle at that, feeling a little better. 

I'll figure everything out soon enough. It'll be ok.

I hope....

??? 

"Is she dead yet?" my boss asked as I timidly entered his office. 

"She should be sir, the knife penetrated all the way through and I picked an area where her death is guaranteed, but she'll suffer enough before that," I answered, bowing my head respectfully. It's forbidden to make eye contact with the boss unless he gives you permission.

The boss lets out a hollow laugh, the depth of his evil schemes visible in that single sound, sending chills down my spine. I gulp nervously as I sense him standing up and walking around his oak wooden desk. He grabs his lamp that illuminates the otherwise empty and old fashioned room in a dusty orange glow. He shines it on me as though he was an investigator interrogating a subject.

"Look at me Park," he whispers, his voice a deep rumble in the ocean. 

I look up, his dark brown eyes penetrating mine. 

"She better be dead," he snarls, getting up and snatching the box of cigarettes lying on his desk. He lights one up and takes a swig, blowing the smoke out slowly. The smell suffocates me, but I hold in the cough.

"I assure you she will be Mr Pham,"