The next day...
Hanni turned on her PC without bothering to look at their IM. She knows Minji woke up late today.
Hanni pulled out her phone to reread a message from Seulgi thirty minutes ago: 'Driving now. See you later. Love you!'
Hanni covered her mouth, trying to suppressing a squeal from escaping her throat. Until this moment, she can't bring herself to believe that they are together now, that Minji is hers, that out of the many fangirls in the office it is her who had caught the latter's attention.
"I guess that smile means you're okay now, huh?"
A cold voice from behind startled her. Hanni was so high in clouds she didn't notice Danielle is already looking over her shoulders.
"Is that Minji?" Danielle walked back to her table.
Hanni glared at her friend. "I'm still mad at you, do you know that?"
"Mad at me for what?"
"For telling Minji."
"Oh, that. So, she really went to your place yesterday, huh? Shouldn't you be thanking me instead?"
"But you told her everything... and it's embarrassing..." Hanni covered her face.
Danielle chuckled. "So, did you two talk about what happened?"
"Yes, and we're okay now."
"Okay like?"
"Just... okay..."
"Will you spill out more details?"
Hanni remembered how exactly the talk went. But her mind jumped on what happened during their dinner date, and even on their phone talk that made her giggle in delight numerous times on her bed last night.
"Oh. My. Gosh. I know that face, Hanni!" Danielle pointed at her. "I know that face!"
Hanni, who didn't realize that she was already smiling, immediately pursed her lips. "What?"
Danielle bent down in front of Hanni. "Tell me, can I squeal now?"
"Squeal for what?"
"Well, you said you two are okay, right? Does that mean that she already knows you love her?"
"Yes..."
"And you know that she loves you too, right?"
"Mmm-mmm..."
Danielle held Hanni's hand tightly. "So, are you guys together now?"
Hanni smiled coyly. Thinking about the revelation yesterday still sends giddy feelings all over her body.
Hanni nodded. "Yes, officially together since yesterday."
And Danielle really did squeal.
—
Hanni is passing by the elevator area when the lift door opened, revealing Minji from behind.
"Hey," Minji greeted, walking towards her.
For the first time in her life, Hanni doesn't know how to greet someone. She knows a simple hi would do. However, a part of her wants to run and embrace the approaching person. She was thankful that her brain is functioning well at the moment, keeping her sane and reminding her they are in the office.
"Hi."
"I missed you..." whispered Minji.
The urge to wrap her arms around Minji is kicking again; Hanni hugged herself instead. "We were together just last night, right?"
"I know. But I still miss my baby."
"You're crazy."
"I'm crazy about you."
Hanni playfully hit Minji's arm. "I didn't know you have this mushy side."
Minji chuckled. "You don't like mushy?"
"I can handle mushy as long as we're not doing it here in the elevator area where all the employees are passing by."
"Right, right."
"Where's your necklace?"
Minji pulled out the thing inside her shirt to show it. "Did you think I'd forget to wear this?"
"No. I'm just making sure you wear it out now."
"Hmm? Really? What's with the sudden change of mind?"
"Just letting your fangirls know you belong to somebody else now. Tell them to talk to me if they have an issue with it."
Minji's mouth formed an O shape. "Wow. You're hot when you're possessive, huh." She nudged Hanni a little. "I like it."
"I'm serious, okay?"
"I know, I know..."
"It's almost 8 o'clock now, Minji. I suggest, instead of flirting here early in the morning, you better log into your PC now or else they'll tag you late."
Minji straightened her body and saluted. "Yes, boss."
Hanni laughed. "I'm serious, Minji. It's already 7:59." She showed the time on her wristwatch.
"Oh shit. I really should go now. See you later, honey."
Hanni watched as Minji disappeared from her sight.
If she knew she'd be this happy, she shouldn't have denied this for long.
—
It was Friday afternoon the same week. Minji and Hanni are still in the parking lot, discussing where to have dinner this time.
"Why don't we go to your Aunt Vic's restaurant?" asked Hanni.
"I want to but it's gonna be a long drive." Minji slumped over the steering wheel. "I'm kind of tired. Aside from the distance, I'm sure there'll be heavy traffic because it's been raining the entire day."
Hanni tapped Minji's nape. "Are you feeling all right? Is your head aching?"
"It's just lack of sleep. Someone has been keeping me up late since Tuesday."
Hanni raised an eyebrow. "What, so you don't like talking to me?" She was about to pull her hand but Minji grabbed it.
"Hey, I'm just kidding, okay?" Minji kissed the back of Hanni's hand.
Hanni still managed to pull her hand away. "Hmph. If you don't want to stay up late, then go find someone who will not talk to you every night."
"Hey, are you seriously mad at me?"
"Don't talk to me."
Minji chuckled. She poked Hanni playfully. "Hey, baby, stop being grumpy or else..."
"Or else what?"
"Or else... I'll kiss you..."
Hanni turned to Minji. "Some kind of threat there, huh?"
"Well, it is a threat to someone who has never kissed, right?"
"Wow. Talking like you're an expert?"
Minji blinked.
"Unless you lied to me, I believe you and Haerin never kissed before, right?" said Hanni, smirking.
"Are you trying to tell me I can't do it?"
Hanni raised her palms up. "That didn't come from me."
"Hah, are you challenging me? I can give you a lip-lock right here, right now."
Hanni snorted, expressing her skepticism.
Without further ado, Minji leaned forward in a swift to bring their faces closer. Victory sparkled in her eyes when she noticed Hanni unconsciously moved back in defense.
"What? Afraid of me?" asked Minji, smirking.
"N-no." Hanni looked away, blushing. "I just didn't expect that."
"You've challenged the wrong person, honey."
"Oh really? Is it normal for your heart to beat that fast? I can literally hear it, honey."
The two engaged in a staring contest until Minji gave in. She eventually pulled back with a defeated smile.
"Admit it to yourself, Minji, you just can't do it."
"You're lucky I deemed this place inappropriate for our first kiss," said Minji, finally starting the car engine. "Come that time you'll be in trouble, woman."
Hanni chuckled. "If you say so. So where are we going?"
"I don't know. Is there any specific food you'd like to eat tonight?"
"Why don't you cook dinner for me this time?"
"You mean at my place?"
"Yeah. While watching a movie?"
"Sounds great. But what time should you be home?"
"Who says I'm going home? I'll sleep over there."
1
A smile broke out across Minji's face. "This will be fun."
—
They bought some ingredients from the supermarket before heading to the apartment.
Although everything looks organized and clean, nothing has changed since the last time Hanni's been there; the couch is in the same position. The furniture is still placed at the same exact place Hanni had seen them before.
Minji went straight to the kitchen with the grocery bags. She filled up a glass with water and puts it on the counter. "Thirsty?"
"Oh, thanks." Hanni walked towards the kitchen and drinks from the glass. Her eyes roamed around the area. "This place could use some colors, Minji."
Minji was busy arranging the ingredients on the counter. "Ah yeah? Feel free to redesign it."
"You've been living here for years and you haven't thought of adding some decorations or so?"
"Interior designing isn't my thing. It's boring."
"It isn't boring. You are boring." Hanni put the glass down. "Your apartment looks boring because of you."
Minji snorted. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"You ARE boring."
"Oh yeah, really?" Minji dropped the cloth and slowly took steps towards Hanni, a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
Knowing something's up with her girlfriend's mind, Hanni took a step backward. "Minji, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing. You wanna see how BORING I am?" Minji slowly resumes walking step by step, trailing her hand along the counter.
"No, Minji..."
"Why don't we have a little fun so you won't get bored?"
Hanni took another step backward. "Minji... this is not fun, okay?"
"Booo!"
"Eeeeee!" Hanni attempted to flee but her attacker ran after her.
"I see the baby wants to play chase, huh?"
"You won't catch me!"
"Let's see then. Waaaaa!"
"Eeeeeee!"
They eventually reached the couch where they were circling around.
"Minji! This is not fun anymore!" Hanni exclaimed, still trying her best not to get caught.
"Not until I catch you!" Minji jumped over the couch and caught Hanni around her waist. "Gotcha!"
"You cheated!" Hanni can't do anything now as Minji's arms were wrapped around her.
Minji plonked herself down on the couch, along with Hanni who landed on top of her. Both were panting from the little chasing they had.
"Your heart is beating fast," said Hanni, her ears against Minji's chest.
"Yeah, chasing you have always made my heart go crazy."
"You're being mushy again."
"People are mushy when they are in love, honey," said Minji, caressing Hanni's hair.
"Oh, really?"
"You're so beautiful." Minji kissed Hanni's head. "I love you."
A sweet smile drew across Hannis face. "Why do you love me?" she asked, wagging her feet.
"I don't know. Do I need reasons to?"
"Well, not really. Just wondering."
"How about you, why do you love me?"
Hanni looked away, thinking of anything to say. She gave up in the end with a smile. "I don't know either."
"See?" Minji traced a finger on Hanni's face. "When did you realize that you love me, hmm?"
Hanni scrunched up her face. "Hmmm. I'm not sure. Maybe this Monday, at the party?"
"Just this recently? Seriously?"
"I don't really know. I mean you've always been special to me, and I know I've been jealous of your girls ever since. But yeah, I didn't think I was in love at first. How about you? When did you realize that?"
A smile slipped across Minji's face. "I forgot."
"Ugh. You're not supposed to forget things like that," Hanni retorted, slapping Minji's arm.
"Haha! I'm just kidding."
"So, when exactly?"
Minji let out a loud exhale. "Remember the first time we had breakfast together in the office?"
Hanni looked up trying to recall when it happened. "Mmm, that was last December, right, before the New Year's off?"
Minji guided Hanni's head to her neck as she hummed to agree. "I went home that day smiling, realizing that I'd fallen for you."
"Wait, you mean you already felt it even before we went to Haeundae?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Oh my gosh, Minji. Oh my gosh..."
"What?"
"You took advantage of me in Haeundae!"
Minji laughed. "Oh, c'mon. I wasn't the one who pushed us to go there, remember?"
"Yeah, but you still managed to score while we were pretending!"
"Hey, the farthest we've done is cuddling in front of Haerin and Jungwon, okay? And let me remind you that pretending wasn't my idea. If I had known better I think you liked me long before we've actually flirted."
"Yah! Conceited!"
Minji quickly stole a cheek kiss from Hanni. "Mmm! You're so cute!"
Hanni blushed. She leaned forward to kiss Minji's brow, cheek, and then chin. Hanni buried her face back into Minji's neck.
"Can we cuddle like this for a little while?"
"How come you kissed my face yet avoided my lips?"
"I'm afraid I might be bad at it."
"Impossible. Want to practice on me?"
Hanni looked up and saw Minji already looking at her. She buried her face back down again. "I don't want to disappoint you..."
"Oh, you surely won't. C'mon, look at me," said Minji, lifting Hanni's chin and gazing into her eyes.
"S-should we really do it now?"
"Don't you want to?"
"Umm..." Hanni looked up the ceiling. "I'm feeling conscious because your lights are too bright."
Minji smiled and traced a finger on Hanni's lips. "Excuses." Out of nowhere, she felt Hanni's stomach growls against hers. "The kiss can wait but your stomach can't. Let me get up now to prepare something for my baby."
"But I still want to cuddle," said Hanni, tightening her hug.
"We can cuddle all night long, honey. Let me just prepare you my masterpiece recipe."
"And that is?"
"Boiled eggs. Perfectly boiled eggs."
"Wow. That's exquisite."
"And mouthwatering." Minji winked. "Why don't you take a shower first while I prepare food? I'll get you pajamas."
Hanni had always loved a nice hot shower on a cold rainy day. She can't take the smile off her face while listening to the sizzle of the pan from the kitchen.
She still can't believe that this is happening now.