𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐏𝐎𝐕
I carry a tray of hearty morning meals—waffles with flax and almond butter, a scrambled egg, toast, a fruit salad, healthy protein smooth fruit juice, strawberries, and blueberries. Honestly, I don't even know how these whole hearty morning meals fit in the whole tray but thanks to my mamma for helping me prepare everything.
I push open the big wooden door. A happy smile that I don't realize I've been curving fades the moment I see Hanni trying to get up by herself from the bed.
Quickly, I place the tray on the nightstand, rushing to her side to offer support.
However my efforts are met with a sharp whisper, "D-don't touch me." her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and defiance.
Her words sting more than I care to admit.
"You can't walk without someone's help, picollo," I insist, trying to keep my voice firm despite the hurt.
She glares at me with a very sharp look, then nudges both of my arms away. "I can walk on my own. Also, stop calling me picollo. I'm not little." She hisses.
Though her words stung, I couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for her fiery spirit. "But you are so little, picollo," I tease, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Our banter was interrupted by Hanni's sudden stumble, her injured ribs protesting against the strain. Without hesitation, I reach out to steady her, pulling her close against my chest.
Her breath hitched at our proximity, her body tense with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
"Picollo—"
"I'm not little!" She responses, her words cutting through the air like a knife.
"Pham Hanni." I mutter her name in the softest tone.
She stiffens. Her angry demeanor turns confused. "How do you know my name?"
"Hyein went through your purse and found your identity card. But don't worry, all of your money is safe." I answer without hesitation.
She gulps visibly slowly as her throat throbs. "What else do you know about me?"
"You're a lawyer under an Italian legal firm named Francesca De Luca. You've been winning numbers of cases before, high-profile criminal ones." I tighten my hold on her waist.
Her whole body stiffens more. "You know too much..." She trails off and looks away, clearly uncomfortable with the revelation.
"Not as much as you know me, picollo."
A line of confusion appears between her brows as she looks at me back. "Excuse me, Mrs. Criminal, you haven't even told me what your name."
I chuckle softly. "Don't you know me already? Since you're too obsessed with those high-profile criminal cases."
"No. Just because you're a high-profile criminal doesn't mean I know you." Liar. What a good liar.
"Ahh, I see." I just go along with her games. "I'm Kim Minji. Or Samuel Lorenzo. Whatever you want to call me."
"Samuel?" Her eyes light up in confusion.
"My Italian name."
"You're mixed?"
"I'm Korean Italian."
Hanni nods slowly, her gaze softening as she takes in my words. "Hmm, that's too much for breakfast, Miss Lorenzo," she comments as her focus shifts on the tray I brought.
"My mamma helps me and it seems like we're both overdone for you." I titter. "It's been a long time since I had a girl to make breakfast."
Hanni falls silent for a moment before asking, "So should I eat first or shower first?"
"Anything you want," I reply simply.
"I guess I'm going to go with shower." She declares.
Our eyes meet, she looks away from me quickly. I chuckle at how cute she is.
"Right. But let me carry you."
"Wh-what?" Red flashes up both sides of her cheeks.
"Let me carry you. Your ribs are injured, not to mention how big this room is for you to walk to a bathroom. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Hanni hesitates before finally giving in, nodding her head reluctantly.
"Come. Hug my neck." I lower my body toward her, ordering.
Slowly, Hanni encircles her arms around my neck, her touch sending warmth to my stomach. With practiced ease, I slip my arms underneath her knees and shoulders, lifting her effortlessly into my embrace.
As I carry her towards the bathroom, I can't help but marvel at how right it feels to hold her in my arms. Despite our unexpected meetings, I can't deny the connection that has formed between us.
Hanni squeezes her eyes shut, her grip tightening around my neck.
"It's okay," I assure, whispering softly.
"Don't drop me, don't drop me, don't drop—" She chatters over and over again, burying her face against my neck.
"I won't, Hanni. Count on me," I promise. I adjust her position in my arms to secure her more.
As we reach the bathroom, I carefully lower Hanni onto her feet, my chest tightening at the thought of letting her go. Will she be okay bathing by herself?
Hanni disappears into the bathroom. I lean against the door, my mind awash with conflicting emotions.
𖨆𖨆𖨆
I can't help but feel anxious as Hanni showers. Every creak of the floorboards, every splash of water, weighs on my heart with worries. I offered to help her bathe, but of course she refused and screamed at me. Now I'm left to agonize over the possibility of her slipping or hurting herself.
Handing her Danielle's clothes, I notice she struggles to dress herself inside. It takes her almost an hour to finally finish a whole shower. Later on, I change her bandages and coax her into eating breakfast.
God damnit, what is wrong with me? She's a grown woman, Minji. She doesn't need you for every single thing.
I've never felt this protective over anyone before, not since... not since four years ago.
It's like an internal instinct—this need to care for her, to shield her from every evil in the world.
After breakfast, I call my personal doctor in to check on her condition. Her heartbeat and blood pressure are more stable, she just needs time to heal. The doctor changes her IV drip before leaving us alone once again in the room.
Turning on the television, I let Hanni choose whatever she wants to watch. To my surprise, she picks We Bare Bears, the last thing I'd expected her to pick. As we delve into the show together, I find myself drawn into the innocent world of cartoon bears, laughing along with Hanni as she talks excitedly about her favorite Ice Bear and what happens next.
In this moment, I realize how much she fits the role of being my lover. Not only does she look exactly like Maeva, but their personalities, preferences, behaviors—everything is the same.
It feels like I'm back with Maeva again, finally having the chance to love and be loved. But I don't want Hanni just for that. I want to know her, all of her. She's having the same face and personality as my past lover are just a bonus. Maybe, too much bonus.
All of my thoughts are interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. I watch as she pulls it out of her handbag, her eyes lighten at the sight of the word 'oppa' on the screen. Before she can react, I quickly avert my gaze, pretending to be preoccupied with something else.
"I think... I want to answer this in private," Hanni says quietly.
"I'll stay outside," I insist before getting up.
Walking away from the room, I close and lean against the door. My chest tightens with thousands of thoughts.
Is she taken? In a relationship? Married?
The questions swirl in my mind, each answer more devastating than the last.
Deep down, I have to face the truth. We're not dating. We're not anything. It's just a business agreement, nothing more. And after she pays me and I find the killer, I have to let her go.
There's nothing between us.
There's never been anything between us.
I'm the one who was holding onto a hope that never even flickered.