The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

T W E N T Y S E V E N

They lay there, wrapped around each other, staring at the still fan above them. Her dingy single bed wasn't made for much action, and she briefly wondered if that's why Minji hadn't touched her yet. She looked up from her place under Minji's arm and found Minji fast asleep, a content expression adorning those plump lips. Hanni quickly sat up and placed a sweet peck at the corner of Minji's mouth before nestling deeply into her own personal paradise.

The next morning, Hanni awoke to the sound of her shower squeaking. She rolled over in the tiny bed and realized that Minji obviously wasn't there. She stared up at her ceiling. Did I do the right thing? she thought as she heard Minji walking back toward her room. She guessed that was the good thing about her apartment. If someone tried to break in, she'd hear them easily. From the squeaky doors to the creaking floors, you couldn't hide the fact that you were walking around.

Minji made her way back into the room in her dress pants, her clean white shirt unbuttoned to reveal a black sports bra and tight abs. Her hair was still wet as she pushed it back with her fingers.

"Um, you don't have any hot water," Minji said, raising an eyebrow.

Hanni groaned and looked at her alarm clock on the floor. "Oh, I'm sorry. Around this time of day we never have hot water. I have to take a shower really early in the morning or midday. Any other time, there's never hot water. Sorry, I should've warned you."

"No problem. Besides, you were sleeping so soundly that I didn't want to wake you up. but, now that you're up, let's get some breakfast," Minji said, walking over to her and sitting on the bed. She leaned down and kissed Hanni, letting the little droplets of water from her hair fall onto Hanni's alabaster skin.

"Ugh, you're getting me wet," Hanni laughed, pushing Minji away.

"Hmm, that's not the first time you've said that to me," Minji joked, dodging Hanni's playful punch. But just as quickly as the spirited banter had started, it stopped. Minji noticed her face change, and Hanni looked sad.

"Minji, what are we doing?" Hanni tentatively voiced her question.

Minji slowly ran her finger over Hanni's flat stomach. "Well, we're in love. What do people call it these days? The phase before marriage, where two people are together?"

Hanni's eyes widened, then she smiled. Minji literally had zero idea how love and relationships worked. Minji didn't even realize that she had just shared her future plans out loud.

"Um, dating?" Hanni offered.

"Yeah, that. We're dating now!" Minji added, running the back of her hand through Hanni's creamy skin, under her camisole.

"So, you're my girlfriend?" Hanni asked.

"Yeah..." Minji responded instantly, a mega-watt smile spreading across her face.

Hanni glanced around the fancy café where they were having breakfast. She thought cafés were tiny little places where you could just get a sandwich, not a place that had tablecloths and wine glasses. She looked over at Minji. She was staring down at the menu. God, this woman always looked so damn fine. Minji refused to wear her dirty suit from last night, so they had to stop at a Prada store so she could get a change of clothes. Hanni asked if she could pick out her outfit. At first, Minji had refused, but enough pouting and Hanni won out. She was so used to seeing Minji in suits that she decided to get her something a little more dressed down. She chose a nice lightweight gray T-shirt with cool designs on it, dark blue jeans, and a belt. Hanni let Minji pick out a pair of shoes, and of course, the woman picked out a pair of Manolo Blahniks. Minji also purchased a pair of sunglasses that she swore had a price tag of five hundred and fifteen dollars. Five hundred and fifteen dollars for sunglasses?!

But now, they sat in this nice café, waiting for their server to arrive. Hanni observed Minji's facial features. Minji's parents must have been pretty damn good-looking because they had one hell of a fine daughter. Her face was perfectly symmetrical. She was tall, and her body was ridiculously proportionate and fit. Minji glanced up at her while she was in the middle of her observations.

"Something wrong?" Minji asked.

Hanni shook her head and glanced down at the menu.

Maybe nothing was wrong for Hanni, but Minji definitely wanted to get something off her chest. After the waiter arrived and they gave their order, Minji asked, "So, where do we go from here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we just established this morning that we're a couple now, right?"

Hanni nodded. Minji narrowed her eyes on her. "You know, that's the second head gesture you've given me. You know I don't like them."

Hanni rolled her eyes and smiled at Minji's pout. This was the first time she had seen the woman in front of her pouting. "Yes, that's correct," she added.

"Thank you. So, now that we're a couple, are you going to move in with me?" Minji asked. Hanni immediately looked down, and Minji knew her answer right then. She took a sip of her coffee and glanced around the café.

"Minji, I—I don't know. I just feel like this is all still so sudden. This is the first time I've been on my own two feet, and I like it. I know it's not as luxurious as living with you, but it's the first thing I can somewhat call my own. Do you know what I mean?" Hanni asked, staring up at Minji, hoping she would understand.

"Yes, I do. I don't like it, but I understand it," Minji answered.

For a moment, Hanni was taken aback. She almost thought Minji would throw a fit or call her apartment a filthy name. But something about Minji was different. And she really liked this different Minji.

Minji watched in utmost horror as Hanni's hand moved and then landed on her cheek to actually pinch it. "Aw. You are so cute, Minji!" Hanni heard the response from the dimple-popping face in front of her, and Minji furiously looked around in embarrassment. No one she knew should witness this moment. She's Kim Minji, for god's sake; people feared her presence!

"Hanni..."

Hanni heard Minji whining like a little girl, her face flushing crimson, and that just made her smile brighter.