The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

S E V E N T E E N

Minji made her way to the bedroom and found Hanni pulling her dress down and stepping out of it. She removed her strapless bra and panties, but before she could put on anything to sleep in, Minji grabbed her and gently pushed her back onto the bed. Hanni just stared up at Minji, nothing really registering in her eyes. Minji removed her shirt and unbuckled her pants, pulling off her clothes before easing herself on top of Hanni. She pulled the covers up over them and began kissing Hanni's pulse point. But Hanni didn't move. Her back didn't arch. Minji braced herself with her arms, looked down at Hanni's face, and noticed that Hanni's expression hadn't changed. She was just lying there, motionless.

But Minji knew Hanni's body. She knew how to make her come and forget their problems. She kissed her way down Hanni's body, but when Minji reached Hanni's womanhood, a chill ran down her spine. There was no arousal. No wetness. Her touch had no effect on Hanni.

Minji rose up, came face-to-face with Hanni to glance at her again, but still nothing. She bent down to kiss Hanni but stopped when she saw a single tear roll down the side of Hanni's face.

Damn. It had never been like this between them. Even when Hanni hated her, Minji could turn her on. Hanni's body would naturally respond to her. But now...nothing. Minji rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. What had she done? Hanni hadn't moved an inch. Minji would have felt better if Hanni had screamed at her or tried to hit her, like in the past. But nothing.

Minji needed to clear her head. She needed to get away before she broke down and screwed everything up again by telling Hanni how she felt. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, she would draw up the agreement papers to end their arrangement. This couldn't go on anymore.

Minji got up from the bed, dressed quickly, and walked out of the bedroom. She grabbed her keys from the counter and left.

Hanni rolled onto her side when she heard the front door slam. She had never felt so empty and hurt in her life. She wouldn't wish this kind of confusion and pain on anyone. Minji had kissed her. She'd made her feel special just two nights ago, and now...she'd pretty much equated her to a prostitute she had no respect for. Hanni didn't understand what had happened and figured she probably never would. Perhaps there was never really anything there to begin with. Maybe it was all in her head. She felt like such a fool.

But Hanni knew what she had to do now. She had to take control of her life and stop letting people run it for her. She had to be smarter, stronger, grow a thicker skin, and stop being the victim. She knew of one option. One way to end all of this now. It was a long shot, but she had to try. She would wake up early in the morning and set her plan in motion.

Hanni woke up extra early the next morning and called Minji's house, praying that Minji wouldn't answer. Her prayers were answered when Jake picked up. She pleaded with him for an address, and after a few minutes, he reluctantly gave it to her. She could tell he probably knew what she was about to do, but at this point, she didn't care. She just hoped he wouldn't tell Minji until she was done.

Hanni arrived an hour later at the address Jake had given her. It was An Jaemin's estate. He immediately buzzed her in, and she drove down his long driveway. Like Minji's, his house was beautiful. It looked like a large villa that belonged in Tuscany or somewhere exotic. A fountain with koi fish sat directly in the center of the circular driveway.

Jaemin came outside to greet her with a large smile on his handsome face. "Hanni Pham, what a pleasant surprise. How are you?" he said, giving her a handshake and then pulling her in for a hug.

"Hello, Mr. An," Hanni said.

"No, none of that. Jaemin. Just Jaemin," he smiled down at her.

Jaemin hooked his arm through hers and led her into his stunning house. She could see through the back windows that he had a tennis court and a pool. He quickly showed her around before they went to his office. Once inside, Hanni sat opposite Jaemin, looking around at the artwork on the walls. She then glanced at him but quickly lowered her eyes. She couldn't believe she was about to do this. She was so nervous. He'd probably think she was crazy.