The Devil's Pact | BBANGSAZ

T H I R T Y F I V E

Hanni stared at Yejin's kind eyes. "I didn't do it just because of the money. A lot of it was because I didn't want my mother hurt. She's a good person who was just dealt a raw hand...the hand being my father. I just didn't want her hurt, and I wanted a new start for her," Hanni admitted.

"You don't have to explain anything to me or anyone else about your decision. We do strange things for those we love. When I was younger, if someone would have threatened my kids that way, I would be on my back in a second. I mean, legs up, ready to hand him a cigarette afterward... wrong or not."

Hanni burst into laughter at Yejin's overly honest and funny admission. She laughed so hard that she fell on the ground and pulled Yejin with her. The two of them lay among the lush green grass and hay, until their laughter was no more than light giggles. Hanni had to grab her side to ease the pain in her stomach from laughing so hard. Then they both collectively exhaled.

"I needed that," Hanni whispered.

Later that night, Hanni dialed Minji as she lay in bed. Jake had given her a new phone with a new number so she could talk with Minji whenever she wanted. Hanni twisted a strand around her finger until Minji answered her cell phone.

"Hey, baby," Minji said groggily into her ear.

"Hey, you. Did I wake you up?" Hanni asked. It was only eleven, and Minji usually never went to sleep early.

"No. I just dozed off, but I wasn't in the bed. I'm at my desk," Minji told her.

Of course, she was. Where else would she be? Minji couldn't possibly be like most human beings and sleep in a comfortable bed.

"You sound sleepy, let me let you go, and I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"No. I'm awake and I want to hear your voice," Minji said.

Hanni giggled. "I'm not used to this... more romantic side of you."

"Neither am I," Minji admitted.

"I like it though."

"Do you? What else do you like?" Minji asked in her low, seductive voice that drove Hanni crazy.

"Nope, not going there. I'm in your mom's house, Minji," she whispered on the phone. "I'm not about to talk dirty to you."

She heard Minji chuckle, then sigh.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little stressed. I might go for a run later on. Did my mom show you around?"

"Yes, she did... and I learned a lot about you." She laughed when she heard Minji groan. "Don't worry, it was all good. Your mom wouldn't dare say anything bad about HER Minji," Hanni mocked. "She really is an amazing woman though. Don't know what the hell happened to you."

"Watch it," Minji teased.

"I met Hanni today."

"Ah, Hanni. She's a looker, isn't she?"

"Yes. She's so beautiful, Minji. You are full of surprises though."

"I wish you were full of me," Minji growled.

"Minji! Stop it!" Hanni yelled, then lowered her voice, while she peered around the room. "Your mom could be listening."

"If my mom is in your room right now while you're trying to sleep, then I have bigger problems than I thought I did," Minji joked.

"Eww, you are so gross. Okay, I'm hanging up. Good night. I love you."

"Good night, baby. And I promise to have everything settled soon. I love you," Minji said. Hanni clicked off the phone and stared up at the ceiling. Settled? Was that code for 'someone had to die' for things to be back to normal? She couldn't lie to herself; she would be glad when this whole thing was over and behind them—but at what cost? She hoped it turned out to be nothing more than some gang members trying to scare someone they had seen enter the restaurant. Yes, that was what she was hoping for. She squeezed her pillow, wishing it were Minji, and closed her eyes.

Minji pulled into the gym parking lot, reading the clock in her car. It was 2:00 a.m., and though her gym was open 24/7, the parking space was mostly deserted, barring two other cars. This was far from her usual workout time, as she tried to work out in the mornings, or if it was late night, she just went for long runs.

The private gym was mostly empty when Minji made her way towards the treadmill. She was in her workout gear, and there was some heavy bass pumping through her AirPods, which is why she didn't hear a certain redhead approaching her from behind.

Minji was feeling a rush of emotions. The late-night runs weren't helping her curb her anxiety anymore, so she had decided to do some heavy workouts tonight instead. As she increased the speed on her treadmill, she heard the familiar voice of her ex-girlfriend.

"Too stressed out?"

Minji immediately brought the treadmill to a halt and looked at the redhead, who was dressed in a white sports bra and matching shorts. "What are you doing here, Sullyoon?" she asked as she moved towards her gym bag to take out her towel to dab herself dry. So much for working out.

"This is a public place. I'm here to work out," Sullyoon said as she pulled out her skipping ropes and started jumping on it, all the while eyeing Minji devilishly.

Minji stared at Sullyoon, who was putting on a show by bouncing her assets deliberately in Minji's face. Minji sighed; she neither had the patience nor the time for Sullyoon's childish game. She stuffed her hoodie into the gym bag, zipped it up, and made her way toward the exit. Maybe it's not too late for a long run anyway.

She had just made it to the door when she felt Sullyoon's hand circling her waist from behind and a bare chest pressing against her back. She immediately whirled around, pushing Sullyoon off, but the redhead lunged at her again, trying to kiss her in a desperate attempt.

"Come on, Minji. Let's enjoy it for old time's sake."

"WHAT THE HELL, SULLYOON... LET GO... JUST LET GO!" Minji pushed Sullyoon harshly, causing the redhead to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

"THIS IS ASSAULT, SEOL!" Minji sneered as she looked at Sullyoon's naked form on the ground. She still couldn't believe that Sullyoon would act so low. God. What had she even seen in this woman?

"What? You can't get it up now?" Sullyoon smirked as she stood up and made her way toward her gym bag like nothing had happened. "Your girlfriend is not here... I just thought you could use some sex as a stress buster. We used to do it all the time, Minji."

Minji just shook her head in disbelief and turned to leave again. "How do you know Hanni is not in town?"

"I have my sources."

"Sullyoon—" Minji took a deep breath to tame the anger in her voice, "If you have anything to do with the attack on Hanni's restaurant, I swear to God, I'll make your life a living hell."

Sullyoon pulled a t-shirt over her head and wrestled with her yoga pants for a bit before making her way toward Minji again. "I'm not the only one who's pissed off at you, Minji..." she said, stepping closer to Minji and invading her personal space. "So easy of you to think it was me."

And with that, Sullyoon left the gym, leaving a more confused Minji in her wake.