The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

E I G H T

Hanni crossed her arms over her chest, blocking off part of her plunging neckline. Maybe Sullyoon was right—at least about the call girl part. Maybe she did look like a tramp compared to the rest of the women. She turned her head to the side and stared over at Kazuha. She wanted to look anywhere but at Minji. She wanted to go back to the loft, take a shower, and forget this whole night. Kazuha was right... she didn't belong with this group.

She quickly wiped a tear before it fell.

"You look beautiful, Hanni," Jake said to her. Then he looked at Minji. "Is it okay if I take her for a twirl before my wife shows up?" Minji nodded and grabbed another drink from a tray passing by. She knew Sullyoon was trouble the moment she walked in.

Hanni was thankful for the distraction. She followed as Jake led her to the floor. He gently placed his hands around her waist. "Hey Pham, don't worry. That Sullyoon has claws, and she enjoys shredding anything in her path. You held up pretty good."

A few moments of silence passed as Jake and Hanni swayed to the soft beats of the music.

"Has Minji ever done this before, Jake?" Hanni whispered to him, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Was this some sick, twisted power trip?

"No, never. I mean, Minji never had to. You should see the girls pulling each other's hair out to get into her clubs, her restaurants, her house... her bed. Let's just say there are a lot. So, this was all a shock to me. I didn't expect Minji to be really serious about it. You know, adding days and stuff," Jake answered, and then he brought her close to his body, adding, "We're not bad people, Hanni... Minji and I... we use some tactics to scare people... we have to do it to survive and rule this business area, but that's about it..."

Hanni hummed in response.

"Shit, I'm drunk. I've said way too much. Please don't tell anything to Minji," Jake added nervously as he twirled Hanni on the dance floor.

Hanni laughed and then sighed. She wasn't sure what to make of that. After a few minutes, Seokmin came back again, cutting in to have a dance. Hanni could tell that both of these men were trying to protect her so Sullyoon couldn't approach her again. Hanni glanced over at Minji, who was staring at her. She quickly looked away. After a few more dances with some strangers, she walked back over to Kazuha.

"You're a big hit tonight. I see all the girls are hatin' on you," Kazuha joked as she served another guest.

"Please... these women have everything. I'm... well, let's just say they shouldn't envy me in the least," Hanni added, taking a flute from the counter and downing it.

"I still can't figure out why you're here," Kazuha said, staring at her.

"Long story," Hanni said, while popping another appetizer in her mouth.

Kazuha glanced at her watch. "Hey, Niki," she yelled over to another waiter. "Can you finish this up for me? I gotta take off. Gonna be late." Niki nodded, and Kazuha looked at Hanni.

"You wanna go to a real party?" Kazuha asked, with a devilish smile.

At that moment, Hanni didn't really care where she went. She just wanted to get away from this hellhole.

"Absolutely."

In Kazuha's beat-up Ford Mustang, Hanni felt at ease. She had only just met this girl, and already she was driving off with her to God knows where. Her normal self—the Hanni from several days ago—would have said no. But she felt like being a little dangerous. Being around dangerous people had its effects, it seemed.

"Mind if I smoke?" Kazuha asked. Hanni shook her head. Kazuha lit a cigarette, placed it between her lips, and looked over at Hanni. "You really do look beautiful in that dress. I mean, I don't know what you normally look like, but you are so, so, so hot."