My lawyer {BBANGSAZ}

Chapter 19

Minji

The silence right now is killing me and the worst part is I can't tell what she's thinking. She just has this blank face on, with not even a hint of a blush at least. I'm starting to wonder whether she even heard me, or perhaps she's just avoiding answering. But that would mean indirect rejection, damn. My ecstatically beating heart slows down, the butterflies of anticipation making their exit as I hold back the tears knocking at my door. 

I'm about to completely break the hug, but Hanni suddenly pulls me back, pressing a quick and shy kiss to my cheek. I'm stunned to silence like I'm suddenly a statue. I look down, my eyes still wide as I try to process what just happened. Hanni's cheeks are slightly pink and she lets out a cute squeak when she catches me looking at her. 

I can only laugh as she buries her face on my shoulder, trying to conceal her embarrassment. I lean down and press another kiss to her head, then I pull away, kissing her forehead and both cheeks and my smile only widens as I hear her sweet melodious giggles as I shower her with love. 

"Minji stop!" she exclaims playfully. I rest my forehead against hers, looking into those blue eyes of hers. For once they don't have a single trace of pain in them, only happiness and warmth as she looks into my eyes. Her smile is so beautiful, I want to be able to see it everyday. 

Someone suddenly clears their throat and we both pull away, a blush painting our cheeks as we exchanged flustered looks. Dr Cha is standing there, blushing slightly as well in embarrassment of walking in on the moment perhaps. Dani, Hyein and Haerin are huddled in a group outside like penguins giggling to themselves. I was too immersed in Hanni's beauty and cuteness to notice anything around me, so I have no idea what happened and I was starting to get suspicious of those three, I nearly forget they were even there.

"Um...I'm here to check on Miss Pham's condition," he says awkwardly, shifting on his feet. I nod, giving Hanni some space as I exit the room.

I'm immediately bombarded with a whole truck load of teasing remarks.

Hyein was making kissy gestures at me while Haerin and Dani were cooking something up on their own.

"Hanni and Minji, sitting in a tree-"

I cover their mouths as they were singing so loud that some people turned to look at us weirdly. Seriously these kids are so shameless!

Hanni

Minji stayed with me throughout the night, making sure I was comfortable and showering me with warming gestures. I'm still not sure about this, but my heart is telling me that Minji is the one. I've never felt so safe in someone's arms before and I've never trusted anyone so much before. Like I said, there's something special about the CEO that I couldn't quite figure out, but perhaps it's love. 

This just feels right, although I'm still scared. Dad is in jail now and so is Mr Park, but the memories of all those traumatising events, the nightmares that haunt me like shadows in my dream land, I can't help but fear that if I give into these feelings, Minji might get hurt.

My mood deflates again as those thoughts run an endless marathon around my head. Do I even deserve to be loved? Maybe everything is the universe's way of telling me I'm destined to be alone, and this is yet another test. The uncertainty won't stop knocking at my door, the little bit of hope I have struggling to keep the door barricaded. 

"Care to share your thoughts?" Minji's warm voice pulls me out of the tornado I conjured in my head. I turn to her, looking into her brown eyes that are full of genuine concern and care. I bite my lip, trying to keep the tears in check. This hurts so much, I want to be with her, I want to hug her and love her, but why am I so hesitant?

I know I love Minji and that's a fact, but every time I find myself laughing or smiling in her arms it just feels wrong, like I shouldn't be smiling or laughing. She's ready to be with me, to gift me her warmth and love, yet I'm still holding back and being a selfish coward. 

"Han, what's wrong?" Minji grabs my hand gently, guiding me to look at her. 

"I...I'm scared," I whisper, my voice choked with unshed tears. 

Minji

She was so happy before, giggling and smiling as she's snuggled in my arms. But now she's crying again, her eyes filled with fear and conflict. Her mood changes like the wind and I want nothing more than to understand her and carry her pain with her. 

But there's still so much more to Hanni that I have yet to learn, yet she still hasn't given me the keys to her heart. She's still so closed off, but I'm willing to wait for her, and I'll be there to guide her. 

I cup her cheek, caressing it gently with my thumb as I give her a comforting smile. Hanni looks so vulnerable right now, and it breaks my heart. I have this instinct to wrap her in my arms and protect her from anything that might pain her. She's too soft for this cold and hard world. 

"Why are you scared?" I ask, my voice soft as I encourage her to speak.

She stays quiet for a bit, contemplating her answer as she averts her gaze from me. 

"I...I don't want you to get hurt because of me...I..I know they're in jail now....b...but I...I'm just not loveable," Hanni speaks up, her voice shaky and soft.

"I won't Han, you saw how I kicked their asses, and besides, it doesn't matter because I love you," I reassure her. It's true, real love can surpass all boundaries, it's the most powerful thing in the world but that also makes it someone's weakness. But when you love someone that weakness means nothing. 

Hanni giggles a little at that and she visibly relaxes, her body becoming less tense. I smile at her, admiring her delicate features that reminds me of beautiful flower petals. The moonlight shines on us, the silent witness of this moment of connection. I lean in and kiss her, and this time I deepen it, the expression of love speaking for the many unspoken volumes of our story and our blooming love. 

Hanni

I'm back at the office now, and I'm reading through the files I managed to get together regarding the whole thing with my father and Mr Park. Luckily I was smart enough to have a recording device with me that day so I have audio evidence of their crimes, and I've done more research and interviewed a bunch of people involved such as Sakura and Chaewon.

The full story is slowly piecing itself together and I don't know how to feel. It's all so complicated and I'm still struggling to take in the fact that half of my life was lie, yet a completely true story. It feel surreal, like a series of vivid dreams and visions of memories. It's almost like I'm the main character in a horror movie, experiencing all kinds of supernatural beings, yet when I try and tell anyone they simply think I'm insane. 

I let out a sigh, looking at the files spread out before me. The hearing is a few days away and I have all this evidence, I'm actually feeling ok about it, but I can't help but worry that I might fail again...and I'll lose Minji, just like my aunt. 

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart attacked by my anxiety. It'll be ok, Minji is strong and as long as we love each other, which I know we do, nothing can break us apart.

I can do this.

We can do this.

I'm not alone anymore, I have someone with me now.

Let's do this Pham.