A Billionaire For Hanni

Chapter 34

Danielle tilted her head, studying Hanni's expression. "You know, bottling things up isn't exactly your style. What's holding you back?"

Hanni let out a long sigh, leaning against the counter. "It's complicated, Dani. Minji... she's so good to me. She believes in me more than anyone ever has. And I care about her, I really do. But..."

Danielle waited, her arms still crossed but her gaze softening. "But?"

"But I'm not sure it's the same for me," Hanni admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like I'm living up to her expectations, not my own. And then there's you—" She stopped abruptly, her cheeks flushing as the words caught in her throat.

Danielle raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Me?" she echoed, leaning closer. "What about me?"

Hanni waved her hand dismissively, shaking her head. "Forget it. It's nothing."

Danielle wasn't convinced, but she decided not to push—at least not yet. Instead, she reached for Hanni's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "Look, you don't have to figure it all out right now. But you should stop pretending everything's fine if it isn't. That's not fair to you, or to Minji."

"I know," Hanni murmured, her shoulders slumping. "I just... I don't want to hurt her."

Danielle smiled gently, her tone softening. "You're not doing anyone any favors by keeping quiet, Hanni. Trust me. The truth can be messy, but it's always better than pretending."

Hanni nodded slowly, though the knot in her chest remained. "Maybe you're right," she said finally, though her voice was still uncertain.

Danielle gave her a playful nudge. "Of course I'm right. I'm always right. Now, how about that coffee? You look like you could use it."

Hanni chuckled despite herself, grateful for Danielle's ability to lighten the mood. "Fine, but I'm picking the place."

"Deal," Danielle replied with a grin.

The two of them grabbed their coats and headed out into the crisp afternoon air. The city buzzed around them, and for a moment, Hanni allowed herself to be distracted by the comforting presence of her friend. But even as they walked side by side, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered questions she wasn't ready to answer.

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That evening, Hanni stood before the mirror, observing her reflection as she tried to make sense of her thoughts. The conversation with Danielle had left an unsettling feeling she couldn't shake. But when the clock struck dinner time, she forced herself to push aside the doubt. Minji deserved her full attention, and perhaps tonight would be the chance to truly understand what she felt.

When Minji arrived, the air in the room seemed to shift. She was wearing an elegant black work dress, perfectly tailored to accentuate her figure. Her hair was tied up in a messy way, exposing her radiant face. Her presence emanated confidence and authority, yet there was a softness in her dark eyes when they met Hanni's.

"You're charming" Hanni said, a little absentmindedly, as Minji approached her with a smile that seemed made just for her.

"Not as much as you," Minji replied, setting her bag down on the table and reaching out to gently touch Hanni's face. "I've thought about you all day. I couldn't wait to come home."

Those words made Hanni's heart race, but not in the overwhelming way she had expected. It was a soft, reassuring beat, like the sound of light rain. Still, the uncertainty inside her continued to burn, even as the sight of Minji in all her beauty and grace made her falter.