A Billionaire For Hanni

Chapter 37

Hanni stood behind the counter of her newly opened shop, the warm, rustic interior a far cry from the high-paced world she was used to. Wooden shelves lined with carefully curated items from local artisans, soft lighting casting gentle shadows on the walls—it felt like a place of peace, a place where she could breathe. It was a space she had created for herself, an escape from the busy expectations of the world around her, and certainly an escape from the complexity of her relationship with Minji.

The events of the past few weeks weighed on her thoughts, clouding her mind. Minji's unwavering support, her quiet gestures of care, had left Hanni feeling both comforted and confused. She couldn't deny the warmth she felt when Minji was around—the way her heart would flutter at the smallest smile or touch. But there was something else too, something she couldn't put into words, a lingering hesitation that kept her from fully embracing whatever it was that was growing between them. Hanni didn't want to hurt Minji. She didn't want to be the cause of any more uncertainty, but she also couldn't ignore the conflict brewing inside her.

As Hanni lost herself in thought, the soft chime of the doorbell broke her reverie. A customer had entered. She looked up, a small smile already forming on her lips as she recognized the familiar face.

"Soobin," she greeted, feeling a slight jolt of surprise. He was the last person she expected to see today, especially after their brief interaction at the charity event months ago.

Soobin's easy grin greeted her in return, his warm brown eyes scanning the space before settling on her. He looked just as he had that night—effortlessly charming, with an air of relaxed confidence that made him approachable.

"Hey, Hanni," Soobin said, stepping inside with a casual ease. "It's been a while. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this place. Thought I'd check it out for myself."

"I'm glad you stopped by," Hanni said, motioning to the cozy space around them. "It's still a work in progress, but I'm happy with how it's coming together."

"Yeah, I can see that. It's got a really... comfortable vibe. It feels like you," he said, his gaze not leaving her. The compliment felt genuine, unforced, and it made Hanni's heart skip just slightly.

There was something about Soobin that made her feel at ease. His presence didn't carry the weight of expectation or complication—something that was all too familiar with Minji. She appreciated Soobin's straightforward kindness, the way he listened without trying to steer the conversation or make it about anything other than her. In contrast, Minji's actions had always felt laden with unspoken meanings—her attentiveness always felt so layered, like there was more at play than simple affection.

"So, what brings you in today?" Hanni asked, leaning against the counter, her thoughts still slightly scattered.

"I wanted to check out your shop. But also..." Soobin paused, looking at her with an amused glint in his eye. "I wanted to see how you were doing. You looked a little out of sorts the last time we met."

Hanni's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, but before she could respond, Danielle appeared from the back, her presence like a soft breeze. She gave Soobin a polite smile, her eyes twinkling with the knowing glint of someone who understood what was happening in the room.

"Everything good, Hanni?" Danielle asked, her tone light but with a touch of concern.

"Oh, yeah, Soobin was just admiring the place," Hanni replied, a little flustered at the interruption. "He's been meaning to stop by."

Danielle gave Soobin a warm but curious look. "It's nice to meet you, Soobin. Hanni's put a lot of effort into making this place special."

Soobin nodded, his gaze shifting between the two women. "It's clear. You've done a great job."