The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

T W E N T Y

Hanni was so proud of herself. She had finally learned to perfect lasagna. She had been looking over several recipes all day and found the perfect one. Sure, it was a basic dish, but she was still proud she had made it. The cheese was a bright golden color, the edges slightly browned, and the smell—oh, it was fantastic. She couldn't wait for Kazuha to taste it. Kazuha wouldn't be able to make fun of her Italian cooking anymore, especially after her own attempt at chicken parmigiana the night before, which was... well, there was no other word for it: nasty. Hanni had spent the entire day bragging about what a good cook she was, but tonight, she would redeem herself. She was adding tomatoes to the salad when she heard the front door unlock. She quickly picked up her lasagna masterpiece and headed to the front of the house.

"Ta-da!" she shouted, holding the scrumptious dish right under Kazuha's nose as she entered.

But Kazuha didn't smile. She didn't even look at her. Kazuha looked down at the dish, then walked past Hanni. Hanni slowly turned, wondering what she had done. She quietly watched as Kazuha removed her coat and ran a hand through her wet hair, standing with her back facing Hanni.

Hanni stared down at her dish, then back up at Kazuha. "Kazuha? I didn't think it was that bad," she tried to joke.

Finally, Kazuha turned around to face her, and Hanni saw that Kazuha's eyes were red. "Hanni... I—damn it!" Kazuha shouted, rubbing her face with her hands.

"Kazuha, what's wrong? You're scaring me here..."

"I did something... that... well, I'll probably regret. No, I know I'll regret. Just, please, find it in your heart to forgive me. Please," Kazuha said, walking closer to Hanni. "I'm so, so sorry, Hanni..."

A cold chill crept through Hanni's body. She stared at Kazuha's face and realized something really bad had happened.

"What do you want me to forgive you for?" Hanni whispered, setting the lasagna on the nearby coffee table.

Kazuha exhaled. God, Hanni looked so small and fragile standing there, looking at the dinner she had prepared. Kazuha exhaled again and rushed out her explanation, as if to lessen the blow. "Ms. Kim... she... ugh, she offered me an opportunity to open my own Italian restaurant... I..."

Hanni tried to smile, but she sensed there was more Kazuha wasn't telling her. Why would Minji make that offer... especially to Kazuha? "Well, that's good. It's what you've been waiting for. I'm happy for you."

"Damn it!" Kazuha exhaled sharply, kicking a nearby flower pot over. The sudden movement and loud crash caused Hanni to jump, but she stayed silent, waiting for Kazuha to reveal why she was so upset.

"She... the only way I can get the offer is if I make you leave my house... tonight," Kazuha whispered, staring at the floor.

Hanni couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not again.

This can't be happening.

No way this could be happening.

"And you said yes..." Hanni whispered, staring down at her perfect dinner creation, sitting atop the coffee table. She felt Kazuha edging closer to her.

"Yes," Kazuha quietly whispered back. Immediately, as if on cue, tears sprang to the surface of Hanni's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. In that moment, she hated her life. She hated that people had this power over her, that they could just use her and toss her out. Minji, her father, and now Kazuha. The pain of her existence started to really hit her hard. She moved around Kazuha and walked toward the bedroom, struggling to keep her breathing steady, but it was painful to hold back.