Please, Confess to Me

Chapter 16 : Cost of Love

Haerin handed Minji a newly modified contract. "This might be the most humiliating thing you've ever signed."

"Don't be so dramatic. We're just not making any money off it," Minji replied, scanning the contract and checking several key details.

"As a businesswoman, how can you sign a contract that won't yield profit?" Haerin asked.

Minji placed the contract on the table and said indifferently, "You'll understand one day."

Haerin tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"The CEO of Choi Technology is the son of the president of the South Korea Bank."

Haerin immediately reacted. "Part of the loan you took for Pham Group came from South Korea Bank."

"Yes." Minji didn't hide the truth. Although her company had a small city bank, it wasn't sufficient for such a significant loan.

"Was this part of your loan terms?" Haerin inquired.

"Yes." Minji completed signing the contract and set it aside. "As long as it involves Choi Technology, we let it proceed."

Haerin was taken aback. "How much do you have to pay? The shareholders probably won't agree to this."

"Don't worry about the shareholders opinions," Minji said, trying to reassure her friend. "I've established a separate, external company."

"I think it's wiser to pay off the debt as soon as possible," Haerin advised. "Even after mortgaging some of your Kim shares, you're still helping someone's son. And all this just because you wanted to assist Hanni. You've become a classic case of a woman losing her head over a pretty face. It's so different from when I first met you."

Minji couldn't help but recall how Hanni had cried in her arms last night. This morning, her wife had stood at the doorway, waving goodbye.

"Hey!" Haerin waved a hand in front of Minji's face. "I'm talking to you. What was that giggle just now?"

"Nothing," Minji replied.

"You were thinking about Hanni, weren't you?" Haerin could tell from her expression. "By the way, I helped you court Hanni yesterday. How did it go? Good, right?"

"I signed the contract, so you can go back now." Minji's tone shifted to a businesslike demeanor.

"I did you a huge favor. Where's my thank you?" Haerin said, incredulous.

"Didn't you say there's no need to thank you?" Minji looked up at Haerin.

Haerin couldn't help but admire her friend shamelessness. Just as she was about to respond, someone knocked on the office door.

"Come in."

Hyein entered with two cups of coffee. She handed one cup to Minji and another to Haerin.

As soon as Haerin saw the logo on the paper cup, she knew where it was from. Pouting, she complained, "Hyein, if your boss wants to drink this, that's her choice. But why are you giving me this too? Doesn't your break room have better coffee than this cafe?"

Hyein sneaked a glance at Minji and carefully asked, "Miss Kang, we ended up getting too much."

"What? Why?" Haerin asked, surprised.

Hyein glanced at Minji again before explaining, "When Karina went out to buy coffee with the money I gave her, the clerk mentioned that any Kim employee gets 20% off their purchases. So she ended up with an extra cup."

"20% off." Haerin looked pointedly at Minji and said cynically, "This couple really loves to flaunt their relationship."

Minji had been lost in thought when she took the lid off her cup and noticed the three heart-shaped marshmallows floating on the surface.