The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

23 | The Devil's Price

𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕

"I've already talked to Hanni about assisting with the surgery. Her reaction was just as I expected, and seeing her hurt like that is the last thing I ever want to see. But long story short, she agreed," Minji says, her expression grim as she sits at the long desk. 

Today, she's dressed in a full black suit with a bloody crimson tie that stands out starkly against the dark fabric. It's so obvious when she's upset—unlike me, she's the kind that's so easy to read.

Hyein, standing nearby with her arms crossed, raises an eyebrow. "You talked to her? How did you even get the courage? And how the hell did you manage to get her to agree? What kind of power do you have, Kim?"

Minji sighs, her eyes momentarily closing as she adjusts her tie for the nth time. "She's my girlfriend now."

The words hang in the air, echoing through the spacious conference room. The silence stretches. The walls seem to close in for a moment.

Hyein lets out a warm, almost mocking chuckle. "How the fuck...? Unless you fucked her?" 

Minji defends herself quickly, "Oh, come on, I'm not that bad! I'm the Chief Operating Officer, own a big house and car, plus I have a good personality." She pauses, then adds sheepishly, "Well, yeah, we did it. But it's more than that, I swear! I even brought her roses and asked her to be my girlfriend afterward."

Hyein snorts. "Told ya. Who else would want a loser like you?"

"I'm not that much of a loser," Minji protests in a very defensive tone. Hyein only laughs more.

"So now that Hanni's agreed," Hyein says, finally turning her attention to me. "What's the plan, Hae?"

I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs. The leather creaks softly in the otherwise quiet room. Taking a deep breath, I finally speak, "I asked Danielle this morning what she would think if I killed someone for her."

Both of them look stunned, eyes wide.

I continue, "Her reaction wasn't exactly positive. Quite the opposite, in fact."

Hyein smirks, shaking her head. "You're such a devil, Hae. You don't ask permission to do something bad. Besides, Danielle is an angel. Of course, she'd say something like that."

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the strands slip through my fingers. "I know I can be a devil at times, but Danielle comes first. I wouldn't commit to anything she doesn't want."

"Aww, you're getting soft for her!" Hyein teases, earning a playful shove from Minji.

"Remember when your dad said she'd change you? She really does know. She melts that cold heart of yours," Minji remarks, looking genuinely happy for me.

I scoff, ready to argue, but end up smiling at the irony of it all. I just love her so much, can you blame me? Without her, I would've never known what it's like to experience happiness again. Danielle sure is the light of my dark life.

"You're smiling," Hyein notes, breaking the silence.

I clear my throat and quickly compose myself, noticing Hyein looking at me in awe while Minji nudges her with a grunt.

"Why the hell did you say that? Now she's not smiling anymore!" Minji grumbles.

Hyein sulks, "I was just excited. It's been years since I last saw her smile."