The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

T W E N T Y E I G H T 🔞

After breakfast, the two talked as they walked downtown. The city was slowly getting into the Christmas spirit, and as they made their way through a busy street, Hanni kept looking at Minji because she didn't consider Minji to be a... walking person. Minji loved her cars; she had at least 20 of them, and yet here she was walking through the city like a random New Yorker. As people bustled through, Hanni watched in awe as Minji switched sides, carefully turning Hanni towards the less busy, shop side of the street. She was already in love with the ruthless Minji, but this caring and understanding Minji might as well make her give her heart to her for the rest of her life.

They came across a furniture shop, and Minji pulled Hanni inside. She was afraid to touch anything for fear she'd break something that was more expensive than what she made in a year.

Minji pulled her towards the back, where the beds were on display.

"Pick one," Minji whispered to her, pecking her cheek.

"Minji, no! I know mine's not much, but it's fine," Hanni said. She could see the hard line of Minji's jaw set as she quickly exhaled.

Maybe the ruthless Minji is still there. Maybe it will always be there. She looked up at Minji as Minji pulled her aside and held her gaze.

"Hanni, I know you realize I have a lot of money. But this isn't about that. If you won't move in with me, then at least let me keep my sanity by allowing me to buy you a better bed. I want to come home to you, Hanni, and I want to wake up with you in my arms. This will make it possible."

"Is this why you didn't touch me last night? Because my bed was crappy?" Hanni rolled her eyes at her own silly question.

Minji's eyes widened because she wasn't expecting... this. She moved closer and cupped the pale cheeks in front of her.

"No, Hanni. That's not why I didn't make love to you last night..." Minji emphasized the "make love" part because they were in each other's embrace the whole night, and that's definitely touching.

"I hadn't slept in days prior to coming to you. When I confessed my feelings for you, for the first time in months I felt light. So the moment you curled up beside me, I was out like a light..." Minji said as she bent down to peck the pink lips in front of her.

And again, Hanni felt taken aback. Minji went from a woman who barely spoke to someone who was baring it all and that too with utmost sincerity. She returned Minji's kiss with equal reverence.

Hanni still wasn't used to this concept of money being spent on her. She knew she should try to be appreciative of the opportunity, but it still felt wrong to her. Her father hardly ever spent a dime on her, and perhaps that's what was holding her back. But from the look on Minji's face, she wasn't going to argue back. "Alright, alright Minji," Hanni said, finally giving in, letting out a loud exaggerated sigh. Minji smiled down at Hanni as she stood on her toes and kissed her again.

Maybe this relationship could really work.

Over the next few weeks, Minji and Hanni fell into somewhat of a normal routine that normal couples did. But Minji's purchases didn't stop at the bed. Minji insisted on buying her a car. Hanni didn't want something too flashy and pricey, so she settled on a regular two-door, black Jetta. Of course, it was the latest model, but she figured she could handle that with her current paycheck—now that she was drawing a full paycheck, as Minji told her she had paid Jaemin back and this time Jaemin couldn't refuse. She couldn't stop Minji from paying the down payment for the car, though not having to ride public transportation anymore wasn't something she'd miss.

Minji was also adamant about her having a smartphone. Hanni had never really wanted one because she felt they were a hassle and an unnecessary bill, but Minji got her one anyway. Hanni asked to pay for the bill, but Minji just looked at her like she was crazy. But thinking about bills, Hanni thought about her parents and their bills. She tried to not let it bother her, but it did. She wondered if Mr. Bang had finally kicked them out or if Minji's visit months ago had scared him into giving her folks a little extra time on paying the rent each month.