The early sun rays painted the bedroom with beautiful orange and light pink shade. Minji yawned and rubbed her eyes gently, still sleepy. Her hand reached forward and tested the other side of the bed, looking for a warm body to hug, but the soft sheets were the only thing she could find.
She snapped her eyes open and sat up on the bed, hurriedly. Her eyes were staring at the empty sheets next to her. Why wasn't Hanni there? She turned her head, scanning the bedroom. Even Hanni's stuff were gone.
Minji furrowed her brows, was this a bad dream?
Quietly, she shoved the blanket aside and got up from the bed, heading to the living room. The room was quiet and quickly, Minji realized that she was alone in the apartment. Even Hanni's shoes and jacket were gone.
Minji stood still, near the kitchen area and looked around the empty room. Damn it! Did I scare her off?
She pinched her nose bridge, feeling a sudden frustration.
Why the hell did I act so childishly in front of her? Crying and whining like some baby, ugh!!
Minji wanted to slam her head on the counter. The shards of glass were still all around the floor and the liquid was shining in the morning light. Just looking at it made all the anger and overwhelming feeling return. Minji gritted her teeth, remembering the events from last night. There was no way she would cry again because of that bitch.
She swallowed.
But maybe... just maybe because of Hanni. She would never forgive herself if Hanni had left for good this time.
Right then, there was the sound of keys turning in the lock and the front door opened. Startled, Minji straightened up and turned towards the door. She watched as a very familiar short woman stepped inside and started taking her shoes off. Hanni stopped her movement as she realized that someone was standing in the kitchen area.
Silence filled the apartment.
The sunlight painted Hanni's face with golden colors and her beautiful chocolate eyes were almost sparkling. Her shiny hair was a shade of brown and her rosy skin looking nearly too soft to touch. She was so breathtakingly beautiful in the sunlight that for a moment, Minji was mesmerized. How could anything be so heavenly?
She blinked her eyes and cleared her throat, "I thought you..."
"Left?" Hanni guessed, "I thought we're past that part," she chuckled cutely.
Immediately, Minji shut her mouth. She realized how stupid she had sounded just now and she averted her gaze, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I just–" thought you left me.
Just like Lisa.
Minji kept the words to herself. She hated how vulnerable she looked in front of the Vietnamese. This was not how people were supposed to see her but somehow Hanni had gotten through her walls. Just the thought of Hanni leaving had gotten her so...
There were a few quick steps and before Minji could react, she felt arms wrapped around her waist. She gasped and looked down, seeing Hanni hugging her tight. The woman buried her face in Minji's chest and tightened her grip.
"I don't want to hide anymore. I want to stay," she whispered, "with you."
Minji could swear her heart made a back flip. Her emotions started piling up and she closed her eyes, holding back her sudden tears. She leaned her forehead on Hanni's and embraced the hug, sighing, as Hanni's calming scent surrounded her. Not in a while had she felt so at peace.
"Let's talk, okay? Let's talk about what this is and what it is not," Minji whispered softly, breathing in the strawberry perfume. She could only hear a little murmur from Hanni but she knew the woman had agreed.
It was clear now. Nothing could come between them and nothing would stop Minji from protecting the most valuable thing she had ever had.
***
Minji pulled a shirt on and tied her hair up on a messy ponytail. She then walked out of the bedroom and looked around. A small smile formed on her lips as she noticed Hanni sitting on one of the sofas, scrolling on her phone. The small woman raised her head and smiled warmly as Minji took a seat in front of her. Minji saw how Hanni took a deep breath in, as if she was nervous. Then she opened her mouth.
"So..." she twirled the phone in her hand before placing it on the table, "We should probably start from the most critical thing," she sighed and her face darkened.
"KSA is after you, isn't it?"
Minji's smile vanished the moment she heard the name of the company. "Yes," she admitted gloomily, "I suppose they are."
She didn't want to say it out loud, but it was true. For some reason the CEO of KSA had made Minji her target and she was even willing to go as far as to send a group of special forces after her. Minji wasn't sure what they wanted from her but she wasn't delighted by the extra pressure on her work. And judging by Hanni's expression, Hanni didn't seem to be thrilled by the thought either.
"Do you have any idea why they chase you?"
"No, I was hoping that you'd tell me," Minji grinned, earning an eye roll from Hanni. "It may have something to do with the fact that I interfered with your missions. But if they wanted me dead, why beat around the bush like this?" She thought, out loud.
"KSA is on top of their game for a reason, they're not just going to blow up buildings because they want one person dead. They'd make sure no one would find out."
"Well whether they want me dead or not, you are even in greater danger," Minji pointed out. She could see Hanni stiffening, "Your boss doesn't seem like the type to let it go just like that. You've already been helping me, and if we continue like this you might get cau-"
"Minji," Hanni interrupted suddenly, "I want to do this."
Minji fell silent.
"I'm done with running. I knew the risks when I decided to help you and I don't regret any of it."
"But KSA–" Minji began.
"I still want to work for them. I am loyal to them. But if I had to choose between them or you, I'd choose you. A million times."
Minji was speechless, she had never seen Hanni so determined and her words made a warm feeling appear in her chest. She smiled slightly, although she couldn't shake the odd feeling in her stomach. She knew Hanni was loyal to her company so what had she expected? That Hanni would leave them and start working for her?
No way.
"I'll protect you, okay? I won't let them do anything bad to you," Minji promised, looking right into Hanni's eyes.
"I know, I trust you," the Vietnamese smiled, but her smile was weak, "I'm just worried. If Lisa..."
Immediately, Minji clenched her jaw.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to–" Hanni rushed as she noticed the expression on Minji's face.
"No, it's okay, I don't care," Minji averted her gaze coldly, "she's nothing to me now."
There was a silence. Minji didn't dare to look Hanni in the eye for the fear that her lie would be exposed as soon as she did. She prayed that even one of them would believe it.
"Minji..." Hanni's voice was a sad whisper, "Do you think... do you think that she will leak the USB footage?" She asked, carefully.
"If she does that there's no going back. And she knows that," Minji growled, staring at her hands that were pulled into fists. "But right now... I wouldn't bet on it."
Lisa had always been a little unpredictable but she had a good heart. Or so Minji had thought. She didn't want to believe that her friend would go as low as to expose Hanni to the company just because of her pettiness and hatred towards the woman. But after last night, Minji wasn't sure about that. She wasn't sure at all.
Minji raised her head a little surprised as Hanni stood up, walked around the table and took a seat next to Minji. The woman placed her hand on Minji's and looked at her with her deep, worried eyes.
"It's okay, we're together now and that's what matters the most. We will find a way," Hanni assured her with her gentle, soothing voice.
Minji turned to look at Hanni and for a moment, she was lost in the beautiful eyes that were looking at her so gently. How could anyone be so perfect? Slowly, she leaned her head on Hanni's shoulder and felt how Hanni put her arms around her.
"I really.. want to stay with you as well," she finally whispered, gripping on Hanni's shirt. She didn't want it to be unclear anymore. Being apart for so long had made her realize just how much she cared for the woman.
"We can make it work," Hanni murmured, "and I'll prove you just how much I trust you."
Confused from the sudden loss of warmth, Minji blinked her eyes and watched as Hanni stood up. The woman walked to her bag and picked up something that reminded Minji of a folder. She then returned to the sofas and extended it to Minji.
Minji furrowed her brows.
"What is this?" She asked as she took the folder from the Vietnamese.
"I was called to the headquarters this morning. This is my next mission."
Hanni's words made Minji furrow her brows even more. She glanced up at the woman, "Are you sure I can see this?"
Hanni nodded calmly, "It is better to organize our missions so that we don't get in each other's way."
Minji nodded slowly, "You have a point," she then opened the folder.
Words could not describe her shock as she saw the pictures of a very familiar face. The feline features and the sharp, cat-like eyes made shiver ran through her entire body. Had Hanni really been sent after this woman?
After reading through the details, she closed the folder. "Your company surely likes giving you a challenge," she laughed dryly, before handing it back.
Hanni had an asking expression on her face. "What makes you say that? Do you know her?"
"You could say so," Minji grinned and stood up from the sofa. "Do you really not know who you are dealing with?" She headed to the bedroom where her laptop was laying.
Hanni followed her to the door, "Miss Park told me the necessary but if I'm being honest, I don't really understand what is going on."
Minji opened the laptop on her nightstand on searched for a file that she had long forgotten. With a quick few clicks she opened the document.
"So who is this Kang Haerin?" Hanni walked closer.
"Remember the stock market crash a few years ago which led to the collapse of a major bank?" Minji asked gloomily, as she scrolled down to show news and pictures of the event in question.
"I do," Hanni replied, "It had a huge impact on the economy and investments."
"That's correct. I hate to break it to you, but this little target of yours and her company was behind it all. And if only that was the only thing they've been doing."
Hanni turned her shocked gaze on Minji.
"Unfortunately, they can't be traced. Many even say that the company doesn't have a name. They're like a ghost, hiding in the shadows," Minji stopped at a few blurred pictures of a young woman. "Kang Haerin has been on my list for a while now but tracing her is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Every time I think I'm closer, she disappears– without a trace. She hardly makes any public appearances, and for a reason. Many want her dead."
Hanni listened closely, with a worried expression on her face.
"But I assume your boss has gotten a valuable clue since she's giving you the mission now. I hate to admit it but she probably has more connections than I do," Minji closed the laptop.
"She did talk about some information she received recently," Hanni was quiet for a while, looking thoughtful. Then she gasped, "How about we work on this mission together?"
"I don't know about that," Minji glanced at the Vietnamese.
"Think about it! We both have the same target anyway– and it's not like KSA will know," Hanni smiled with hope in her eyes.
The brown eyes were nearly sparkling and Minji couldn't help but chuckle. Hanni really seemed to be excited to go on a mission together. And if she was being honest, it did make sense. Plus she wouldn't be able to proceed without any clues anyway.
"Fine," Minji smirked playfully, "Let's do it. Let's hunt her down together."
Immediately, Hanni's eyes widened in excitement and a big smile formed on her lips, "Ooh this is going to be so exciting!" She almost clapped her hands.
"Exciting?" Minji laughed, "You sure are an interesting case," she rolled her eyes, "We will talk about this later. But for now, all we can do is to wait and see what your boss has to offer."
***
Jisoo covered her big yawn with her hand as she proceeded down the long aisle. It was dark and quiet, everyone had left the headquarters hours ago.
Well, almost everyone.
Jisoo opened the door to the glassy office. She glanced at the beautiful night city view that could be seen from the huge class windows. The light painted the office all the way to the desk that was at the end of the room. Her eyes focused on the person behind the desk.
Rosé was resting her head on the desk. She had buried her head in her arms and no doubt that she had fallen asleep. Jisoo sighed quietly, as she walked closer. How many days had Rosé worked overtime this week? How many nights had she slept in the office?
She stopped at the desk, looking at the sleeping person with a sad look. She was worried about the woman. The recent missions and the sniper hunt had really brought a lot on her plate.
Carefully, she picked up a fallen coffee cup organized a few things on the desk. She had been supposed to inform Rosé about the news she had received, but she didn't have the heart to wake the woman up. Before leaving, she patted Rosé's head gently.
Just when she had turned around she heard a sleepy voice behind her.
"Unnie?"
Slowly, Jisoo turned around. Rosé raised her head and blinked her eyes.
"You should be home resting," Jisoo scolded the blonde with a gentle look in her eyes.
"Unnie I can't, I have work–"
"You fell asleep," Jisoo crossed her arms.
"No I didn't! I was just resting my head!" Rosé insisted, earning a long stare from the older one. "Why are you here?" She changed the topic, "Do you have news for me?"
For a second, Jisoo wanted to lie. She then sighed and took out the document she had printed for Rosé, handing it to the blonde.
"We have received a nameless clue about the sniper we're chasing. The clue led us to a car rental on the east coast, close to Gangneung."
"What on earth has she been doing on the east coast?" Rosé read the document, leaning on her chair.
"Hard to say, but what is interesting is the date of the rental," she watched as Rosé's eyes slowly slid on the upper corner of the paper, "It is the same date as the explosion of GL Electronics headquarters. It is very possible that these two things have a connection."
"Oh I bet on it," Rosé let out a dry laughter. She placed the papers on her desk, "Trace that car and find out what she has been up to. This may very well turn out to be a game changer," she smirked.
"As you wish," Jisoo nodded.
There was a silence. Rosé turned her questioning look on the raven beauty. "Was there something else?"
"Well..." Jisoo dragged the word, "We got a warning of a possible leak downtown... that kind of leak."
Rosé furrowed her brows, thinking for a while, then her expression darkened.
"I'll take care of it."
Jisoo watched as the young CEO stood up, took her car keys and threw the jacked on her shoulder.
"But Rosé, it's almost two in the morning! Can't you let someone else handle this?"
Rosé continued her walk to the door.
"Rosé?!"
"It's my problem, I'll take care of it," the blonde said, over her shoulder.
Helplessly Jisoo watched as the woman walked out of the office, leaving her alone.
What on earth is that woman planning on doing?
***
Lisa twirled the USB stick in her hand, leaning her chin on her palm. Why was the world spinning? Or was it her who was spinning? She closed her eyes for a second and placed the stick on the bar counter. She accidentally almost flipped over one of the empty glasses on the table.
Gosh, she hid her head in her palms and rubbed her forehead. Wasn't drinking supposed to help and make her forget? She felt a weird sting in her stomach. Maybe she had taken too many shots.
She raised her head and again her gaze fell on the small stick. Why was it so hard to choose? It should be an obvious choice. One call and that woman would be destroyed. One, little call. So why did it feel so wrong? Why was she hesitating?
Could it be... that it wasn't Minji who was wrong?
Minji... Lisa bit her lip, preventing sudden whine. She couldn't remember a thing she had said to her, but she did remember how she had been feeling. And the feeling was like a poison rotting her inside out.
Someone took a seat next to her. Then she heard an angelic voice.
"I didn't think I'd run into you here," the voice spoke to her, sending shiver down her entire body. A little clumsily, Lisa turned her head to the newcomer. Her vision was blurred but she could still see the beautiful features of her new companion.
"You're pretty," Lisa smirked at the woman. She couldn't see the expression the blonde was making, but something told her that she wasn't used to such compliments.
"Get up," the blonde ordered coldly, "I'm taking you away from here."
"What makes you think that I'm getting into a stranger's car?" Lisa scoffed, amused. But she blinked her eyes, surprised, as the woman suddenly leaned closer.
"We aren't strangers now are we, Manobal?"
"How do you know my–" she couldn't finish the sentence as the blonde grabbed her arm and started pulling her up from the chair. "Fine!! I'm coming okay?" Lisa stumbled up, trying to clear her head.
"Good," Rosé watched as the brunette started walking towards the door. She was about to follow her when suddenly her eyes caught something.
There was a small USB stick on the bar counter, near the glasses. She furrowed her brows and picked it up, observing it closely.
What is this...?
A/N: I am alive!! The beginning of the year was a little busy for me and I had an important exam (which I passed btw) but now I have time to work on this story again!! (So excited!!)
I'll be writing regularly so updates should come every 2nd week:)
Take care everyone!