My mafia | Daerin

5.

(after a week)

POV: Danielle
---

I was currently cooking some chicken stir fry for something quick and easy due to the fact I spent most of the time baking an apple crumble.

I heard the door being opened and then slammed shut, followed by angry footsteps. Crap! She's angry. What do I do? For some odd reason, I feel like I have to comfort Haerin. It's been about a week since she started talking to me more, and I started to feel an emotional connection to her, almost as if I care about her. Of course I care about Haerin. I care about virtually everyone I meet.

Maybe I should bring her some food. I started to pile the stir fry and apple crumble on a plate. Hopefully, she won't kill me if I accidentally disturb her.

I slowly and quietly walked up the stairs and down the hall to her office. I took my time turning the knob and opening her door. I peeked inside, but Haerin wasn't there. Maybe... her bedroom?

I walked in the direction of her bedroom, and once in front of her door, I took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in." Haerin still sounded angry. What am I getting myself into.

I opened the door slowly and walked in. I scanned the room quickly but didn't see her. Huh?

I heard a sigh. "Over here."

I turned to see Haerin on a balcony, gazing at the Gangam skyline, smoking a cigarette. I made my way to her and decided to set the plate of food on a nearby table.

I decided not to talk first, afraid to agitate Haerin, so I stood a few inches from her and rested my arms on the rail. I took a deep breath and gazed at the skyline with her.

For a few minutes, neither of us talked. Haerin smoked while I continued to stare at the buildings.

"Why did you come up here?" She spoke first, putting out her cigarette.

"It might sound weird, but I wanted to make sure you're okay." I smiled. Oh, the food. "And bring you this." I picked up the plate and showed her. She smiled.

"Thank you." She looked at me with an unkown emotion until her gaze left mine and went to the table. "Sit?"

Haerin pulled out a chair for me to sit on, and I sat down while putting the plate of food on the table for her. She took a spot next to me and started eating.

Nothing was said while she ate. It was silent. This time was not an uncomfortable one, though. It was a peaceful, at ease one. I relished in the beauty of the city at night. It was the closest I've come to being out experiencing the streets.

"How long did this take you to make?" Haerin suddenly questioned. I blushed.

"Four hours."

"Four hours?!" A look of shock washed over her face.

"Well, I have nothing better to do. I get really bored, so all I do is cook and read, but that gets boring sometimes too." I rushed our, embarrassed.

"Do you really have nothing to do?" She asked for confirmation.

"There are things to do here, but I just miss the city and all things that come with it. I miss going out, the atmosphere of many people around, and even my job. It's weird, but I just miss it."

"Hmm. Okay." She stated, thinking. Nothing was said for a bit until I decided to ask a question.

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you so angry today?" Her eyes shot up to mine, and a look of anger filled her eyes.

"You don't have to answer. It's okay." I quickly said to try to calm her down.

Haerin sighed. "It's just one of my enemies. I thought he was gone, but it seems he's resurfacing. It's nothing for you to worry about."

"Is it hard? I asked.

"What is?" She sounded confused.

"Being the mafia king. No one really knows anything about you or what you do, but defending your right to this country against the other mob bosses must be hard, isn't it?" I explained.

"It's not necessarily hard at the moment, but that's because I've learned everything I need. When I was learning, it was." Hmm. Interesting.

"What was it like learning? If you don't mind me asking."

"I can't speak for others, but for me it was tough." Haerin paused, and her gaze floated away from my eyes to the skyline. "Others have their parents teaching them how to take over the family, but my parents passed away before I started school, so I had to learn everything on my own. That was hard. I had no one to turn to when I made a mistake or when I needed help, so I became extremely independent, too independent. All I was focused on was my work for my whole life, so I ended up with only one best friend. Everything else didn't matter to me or wasn't in my life for very long. The only reason I met my best friend was because I was partnered with her at work and I was lucky to meet her." She stopped.

"Have you gotten close with anyone?" I felt like I was prying, but I wanted to know more.

"Only my bestfriend. I never had any other friends, never tried anything with girls, and never had any parent figures." She sounded sad.

"It sounds lonely." I mumbled.

"It is." I looked up to her face to see her eyes already trained on my face. I reached out and put my hand over hers, which was resting on the table.

Her eyes flashed with that unkown emotion again. We stayed like that for a few moments, but then, she snapped out of it.

"It's getting late; you should probably get to bed." I nodded and stood up, taking the plate with me to bring downstairs. Hand reached out and took the plate from my hands.

I'll take it down. I'll walk you to your room." I followed her, thinking. Haerin had no love growing up—no father to teach her sports and how to drive, no mother to cook for her and comfort her. Maybe she just needed someone to love her, to keep her company, to end her loneliness.

I got so lost in my thoughts, I almost bumped into her when she stopped. I quickly looked up and saw she opened the door for me.

"Thank you." I whispered as I made my way inside.

"Danielle." Haerin called out. I turned around to meet her face.

"Yes?"

"Don't cook dinner tomorrow and dress up. I'm taking you somewhere." With that, she closed the door.

Involuntarily, the corners of my mouth lifted into a small smile.

---