“Hey! I missed you!” Ji Eun laughed, returning the hug but then glancing nervously at Leo, who lingered just behind them. His tall figure and imposing presence made her uneasy, causing her to stiffen slightly.
“Sorry for canceling on you suddenly,” Ji Eun said, her voice shaky, as she shifted her gaze to the polished marble floor. The weight of Leo’s stare felt heavy, like a storm cloud looming over them.
“No worries,” Leo replied, his tone casual but his eyes sharp, observing the dynamic between the two friends. He was used to people feeling intimidated around him, but it didn’t faze him. After exchanging polite goodbyes, he stepped back, allowing the two friends their moment.
Mina pulled away from Ji Eun, her eyes sparkling with excitement, a stark contrast to the tension in the air. “I got you something! I also bought a dress for your little sister. I can’t wait for you to see it!” She practically bounced on her heels, the fabric of her shopping bags crinkling in her grip.
“Oh, Mina, you’re too sweet!” Ji Eun said, her face lighting up with genuine appreciation, the tension in her shoulders easing. “You really didn’t have to.”
“But I wanted to! Let’s go to my room and check them out!” Mina insisted, her enthusiasm infectious. She led Ji Eun down the corridor, her laughter echoing in the elegant hallway adorned with family portraits and soft, golden lighting.
As they walked away, Leo signaled to Marco, who had been waiting discreetly nearby, blending into the background. With a subtle gesture, Leo indicated for him to approach.
“Marco,” Leo said in a low voice, his expression shifting to one of seriousness, “I need you to dig into Mina’s past. There’s something off about her father, and I want to know what we’re dealing with.”
“Got it, boss,” Marco replied, his expression turning grave. He understood the weight of Leo’s request; it was more than just curiosity. It was a protective instinct, a shield against potential dangers lurking in the shadows of Mina’s life.
As Mina and Ji Eun giggled and chattered about clothes, Leo watched them from a distance, arms crossed over his chest. The sight of Mina’s laughter brought warmth to his chest.
But the unease regarding her father gnawed at him. He knew he had to stay one step ahead to ensure her safety.
Meanwhile, in Mina’s room, she and Ji Eun were talking a mile a minute. Mina’s voice was animated as she held up the clothes she had bought, laying them out across the bed, her hands moving as she talked about the day.
Ji Eun laughed, catching onto Mina’s enthusiasm. “You really went all out. How many stores did you raid today?”
“Oh, you don’t want to know. Leo actually bought most of it for me—” Mina paused, realizing what she’d said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Ji Eun raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Looks like he’s treating you well, huh?”
Mina’s expression softened, her hands still folding a soft scarf she had picked out for Ji Eun’s younger sister. She paused, letting out a small sigh, her gaze dropping to the colorful fabric in her hands.
“Yeah... maybe he is,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it out loud made it more real.
Ji Eun, meanwhile, had already begun exploring the expanse of Mina’s bedroom. The room was so large, it could have easily fit a small apartment within its walls. “I still can’t get over this place,” Ji Eun muttered, her eyes wide as she touched the polished mahogany dresser and admired the plush, velvet sofa in the corner. “It’s like stepping into a luxury hotel suite.”
Mina let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at Ji Eun’s awe. “You said the exact same thing the first time I came over,” she teased, her smile now genuine, even if only for a moment.
As the evening wore on, the tension that had briefly clouded the room slowly dissipated. Mina and Ji Eun found themselves falling back into the easy rhythm of their friendship.
They sorted through the bags of clothes Mina had bought, discussing fashion trends, debating which colors suited Mina’s complexion, and planning what they would wear for their next girls' day out.
Laughter filled the air, bouncing off the walls painted in soft pastel hues, which were adorned with posters of their favorite K-pop idols. Ji Eun held up a pair of ripped jeans and a sleek black top, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Mina, you’ve got to wear this tomorrow,” she declared with the air of a fashion consultant. “It’ll look killer on you.”
Mina took the top from her, holding it up to her frame in front of the mirror. She tilted her head, a hesitant smile playing on her lips. “You really think so? I’ve never worn anything this... edgy.”
“Trust me,” Ji Eun said, crossing her arms with a knowing nod. “You’ll look like a total badass. Besides, you could use a little confidence boost after everything.”
She gave Mina a playful nudge, and the two girls exchanged a look that spoke volumes—of shared memories, unspoken worries, and a bond that had survived more than a few rough patches.
When they finally sank into the plush bed, surrounded by the mountain of shopping bags and half-folded clothes, Mina grew quieter. She leaned closer to Ji Eun, her expression turning earnest.
“Thank you for coming, Ji Eun,” she said softly, her hands clasping her friend’s tightly. “I know how you feel about Leo… how uncomfortable it is for you to be here.” Her voice wavered, a hint of vulnerability slipping through. “I just… I really needed you today.”
Ji Eun's smile softened, her eyes reflecting genuine affection. “Mina, you’re my best friend. It doesn’t matter how busy I am or how much I dislike Leo,” she added with a slight grimace. “I’ll always be here for you, okay? You’re important to me.”
The room fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only existed between people who had known each other for years. But Ji Eun’s expression shifted as if something heavy was weighing on her mind.
Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke, “Actually, there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”