My lawyer {BBANGSAZ}

Chapter 21

Hanni

I can't tell which one hurts more. My stomach or my pounding heart as I await the judge's verdict. He's completely silent as he pores over some documents, analysing them in deep almost unbreakable concentration. Compared to me, Dad's lawyer doesn't look in the slightest bit nervous, let alone engaged in this court case. He seems a little too chill for my liking, and it makes me uneasy. What if they've planned yet another twisted plot against me?

My mind travels back to when the revelation of his sick desire to take revenge against me was as fresh as a freshly baked cake, or harvested fruits, or the blood of a corpse that once was a living human only a little while ago. A part of me agrees with the fact he placed the blame on me, and I end up falling into a spiral into darkness, and being thrown in the arms of the haunting shadow of my past that wraps me in its suffocating embrace. 

But Minji always made sure I knew that I wasn't at fault, her light overpowering the darkness that threatened to consume me, replacing the suffocating embrace with a warm hug that spoke the volumes of our love. Now, I look at my girl friend, and she gives me an encouraging smiling, pulling me into her arms and kissing me softly, the frantic beating of my heart slowing to be in sync with her calm one as though her kiss held magic within it. 

I feel the world dissolve into nothing as the only person I can see is Kim Minji. For a moment, nothing else seems to matter, no one else seems to matter, it's just Minji and I. She eventually pulls away and I struggle to hold back the pout that appears on my face. 

"You're so cute you know that?" she giggles, ruffling my hair.

"Shut up," I mutter, my cheeks slowly turning a tint of red, and it suddenly feels very hot in her.

"You know, you were such tough and confident rabbit, but now you're a shy baby bunny, my baby bunny," Minji leans forward, whispering into my ear, her hot breath tickling it and I struggle not to let out a whimper at the sensation, my whole face was most definitely as red as a fire truck. 

I can't believe she's flirting so shamelessly and boldly with me! But I can't deny, I like it.  I turn away, burying my blushing face in my hands as her laughter fills the air. For a moment I forget we're in a court room, until the judge clears his throat and bangs the dreaded wooden hammer.

This is it, this is when my life collapses like buildings in a powerful and merciless Earthquake, or this is when my life finally makes a break through. Either way, I'm glad I have the comfort of having Minji beside me. But still, I want to be able to walk home, knowing I have successfully served victory. 

I swear, I've never felt so nervous in my life.

The judge looks around the court room, as though scanning every single person, before his eyes land on me. A shadow of a smile flickers across his face, his hand flying towards the wooden hammer. My heart is racing, panting loudly in my ears as I wring my hands together in nervousness, sweat pooling in my palms. The physical pain in my stomach is replaced with a nauseating feeling, the tension is killing me.

Finally, his lips part and the words spill out of his mouth. 

"I sentence Pham Hanmin to jail and extra charges will be pressed against him," the judge speaks, his voice swimming  around the room, each splash in sync with my racing heart.

I freeze, processing the words. 

I did it.

I did it!

Before I know it, Minji is picking me up and spinning me in glee, her giggles filling the air as I could only squeal in surprise and happiness. 

"Put me down!" I playfully protest.