Strangers with Benefits (Minji and Yoohyeon)-Jiyoo

13

She walks to her car and freezes, her back to me.

"I was nineteen when my parents died. Siyeon was 11 years old. She did not understand well what was happening, but she understood that mom and dad would never return. We then lived in another city. I was going to marry the son of my parents' friends. I don't know why I wanted to do this at all, maybe to please them. "Minji turns to me. "Before they died, a couple of days before that, my father came up to me and said that if I was not sure about the wedding, then I did not need to do it. But I knew this would be a great opportunity for him. For his work. He was a construction worker, and this asshole was the son of a businessman.

And our union was, rather, an excellent investment in the prosperity of the business than the step that I really wanted. I liked him, he seemed good, but I didn't love him or anything like that. She pauses and looks away. And I see Minji's eyes shining.

- What ... What happened to them? My voice grows, and I carefully try to clear my throat so as not to frighten her away.

- An accident, supposedly the father was drunk. But he never drank before the trip. Especially with my mom. I'm sure everything was rigged.

- But ... by whom? - I am sincerely horrified by what I heard and want to sit down.

- When you are rich, help orphanages, hospitals, donate part of the money to charity, and at the same time do not take bribes and play fair, sooner or later there will be those who want to discredit your reputation. And to offer something not very good. My father just disagreed. And he prevented those who wanted to sell part of the "black" money through his accounts for charity. And he was removed because of that.

"I ... I'm sorry," nothing smarter came to my mind.

"Thank you," Minji smiled faintly and continued, "and then many took off their masks. And the so-called "friends" of the family, and the groom, and many colleagues of the father. Everyone wanted to snatch their piece. Gut whatever is left and grab more. I didn't understand much in business then, and I couldn't think in cold at that moment - Siyeon and I were left alone. There were no relatives, no one else was, so some of them managed to get me around. When it came to what was happening, I found a good outside lawyer, raised all the documents. In general, she advised us to move farther and start all over again in a new place. We sold two large apartments, a summer house, cars, some money was on the account, plus compensation. It was possible to live on this, so we moved to a city three times smaller than the one where we lived before. I immediately formalized the purchase of two apartments, for me and Siyeon, and invested part of the money in the business. Also construction, but mainly municipal facilities. At first I was just one of the founders, but then I bought out company shares.

It was not in vain that I went to study economics, apparently, and the grip was probably passed on from my father, "Minji grinned sadly. - It was only difficult with the registration of guardianship over Siyeon. But the money helped to get the necessary pieces of paper. And after we began to live together.

She was very young, she helped me in everything. I graduated from the institute, transferred to a local one and worked in parallel, and studied the intricacies of management. At sixteen she said that she had found a job and would combine it with her studies, she also said that she wanted to live separately, in hers apartment. So that I already take up my personal life, since I no longer need to educate her. And ... here we are. Now you ... know my whole fucking life.

She fell silent, but I knew that she had not said everything. After a couple of minutes of silence, Minji continued.

- All these years I had only sister. She is the only one whom I trust and trust unconditionally. I tried to build normal human relationships, but failures awaited me. They lied to me, cheated on me and tried to profit from me. Even before the move, I saw how those whom I considered almost family betray. I have seen how people are capable of incredibly vile things because of money. And I realized that if the closest ones are capable of this, then ... what the hell? And I decided that there would be no more disappointments in my life. But why deprive yourself of physical pleasure? Therefore ... - exhales heavily and looks up at me, - in general, I decided that I would simply not let anyone near me. I will not let you into my life, into my family. The rest. Because any attachment is painful. I went through this and again I do not want all this.

I look at Minji and most of all I want to hug her.

"But I never meant to hurt you," Minji said honestly without looking away.

I'm still a little shocked. I expected a sad story of a broken heart, but not that.

- I know.... Now I know. I'm sorry that I treated you like shit, just ... - I hear her voice start to tremble and break, so I take a step towards her and squeeze her in my arms.

- I know Minji. I understand everything, - I interrupt her, because I can not listen to her apology. She said enough to just forget it all.

Pressing Minji closer to me, I can feel her tears on my neck. I think I saw and heard too much today.

I don't know how much we stayed like that. Five minutes or half an hour. And I do not want to let Minji out of my embrace, but we did not finish. I understand why she behaved this way, but I do not understand why she told all this. Get off one's chest? Give us a chance? I pull back and hold my hands just below Minji shoulders.

- Are you okay?

- Yes. Sorry for what I ... arranged, - Minji clears her throat and pulls away. The moment of weakness is over.

- Let me take you home? - I really think that in such a state it is better for her not to drive, - and then I will return for my car, okay?

Minji sighs and nods silently.

I park where she says and get out of the car. I hold out the keys and understand that I need to say something, but I do not know what to say.

-Will you come in?

"I ..." I run my hand through my hair and scratch the back of my head, "I don't think that's a good idea."

- Don't make me persuade.

- let's go.

I can't find anything better than following her.

We go up, we go into the apartment. I take off my shoes and understand that I haven't been here for a long time. But if earlier the meaning of my being here was obvious, then why am I here now?

Minji comes close to me and pulls me by the collar of my jacket. Her forehead rests on my forehead and Minji closes her eyes. She doesn't kiss, doesn't fit under the shirt, we just stand in silence. And I understand that I have never been so close to her. And I can imagine how difficult it was for her to step over herself. And once again I am amazed at her courage. And strength. And I understand that I have to repay her, if not the same, then at least be honest.

- Minji, I am grateful to you that you told me everything.

- Why did you stop coming? Her voice is muffled, and I know she really cares about it.

- It's just ... I can't share you with others. I don't want to be part of your schedule and "one of".

- But before ...

-Before," I interrupt her. I don't understand why she's saying that again. Is it not clear that it hurts me to think that she is with someone else?

- I.. I love you, Minji. And I don't need just a small part of you. I need you all. But I know ... I already know what you think about this, and I will not demand anything. We just look at it differently. Maybe someday you will meet someone you can trust, "I say quietly, as if I'm saying goodbye. Although in fact it is. She's not going to build a real relationship, and I no longer need this fiction.

Minji buries her nose in my neck and exhales.

-Yoohyeon what a fool you are. She says so softly that I almost have to hold my breath to hear.

- Sorry? - I am surprised at such a statement, but I know that it is quite in her style.

- You are a fool, - Minji pulls away and looks into my eyes.

- Um ... Okay, - again I don't understand anything. What did I say again?

- Yoohyeon do you think I would introduce you to my sister or tell you all my ins and outs, if you were just "one of"?

- Well ...

- Not "well", - Minji interrupts me and looks seriously, - after our second meeting, more precisely, we can assume that after the first, there was a difference of several hours, I was with no one else. Except you.

I know you've all been waiting to hear about Minji's story.
I hope you liked it.