A DEEP sigh is the only answer Minjoo could give Eunyoung. The semester has already started but Ahn Yujin’s anger hasn’t been extinguished. She would just lock herself in her room, call Minjoo when she needs to make some progress on her masterpiece and send her out without even saying a word. Minjoo tried to reach out and use that time to have a sincere talk but Yujin won’t say anything. It is as if she doesn’t hear her.

“She still doesn’t open up to me…” Again, Minjoo sighed. “I already apologised and all but she still doesn’t want to talk to me, Imo. Is my decision that bad?”

Eunyoung took a sip of her coffee. “I guess that child got really surprised. I believe she just feels threatened that you are going to leave her once you get famous.”

“But I won’t do that…” Minjoo continued to sulk. “And me getting famous is not a sure thing. I just want to try it… My parents think I can do it… Even Hyejoon-ssi thinks I can… I thought Yujin would feel the same…”

“I know, child. I believe you.” Eunyoung gave her a pat on her back. “Rest now, Minjoo-ssi. I am sure she’ll open up to you soon. I am apologising for her behaviour.”

Minjoo shook her head. “You don’t have to apologise for her, Imo. Also thank you for comforting me. I hope she really does.”

Eunyoung weakly shook her head. “Her old behaviour is getting back ever since that man came back.”

Minjoo felt her heart tightened. She knows exactly who Eunyoung is talking about.

After finishing her cup of coffee, Eunyoung excused herself and went home. Minjoo sat back to the sofa followed by another deep sigh. She wants to believe Eunyoung’s words that Yujin would open up to her soon but the atmosphere between the two of them doesn’t give the same feeling.

“What should I do?” Minjoo grabbed the pillow beside her and buried her face on it. Was it really bad that she wanted to try modelling? For as far as she remembers, she really enjoyed the mini photoshoot that she had with Hyejoon. It somehow opened her eyes to a new world. She never knew that pictures with her on it would look so good until that very moment. At that time someone believed in her beauty that most people say the only thing that she has. That moment she felt that maybe she can use that one thing to get along in life.

Well, she didn’t think about it seriously until emails came flooding her inbox. It is from someone with a very familiar family name but the contents aren’t really pleasing. It made her feel invalid and dirty at the same time. So, she thought of challenging herself to reach something that is out of her own efforts.

When she told Hyejoon that she is interested in modelling, Sakura had already signed the contract. The other girl immediately signed the agreement after the decision for Hyejoon’s modelling agency was finalised. She did it just to tell her loyal fans that she is doing good. She thought that it would be a nice gift to them and at the same time, she wants to help Hyejoon and Bomi. It wasn’t because of Minjoo.

“Who would’ve thought that Kkura has feelings for me?” Minjoo murmured to herself. She still couldn’t believe that all this time the person that has become a shoulder to lean on is also in love with her. Whenever something bad happens, Sakura is the first person she would turn into. She has become a shoulder to lean on in times of need. It is the same thing whenever something good takes place. She can’t remember how many times she told the other girl of her love to Ahn Yujin. She never thought that she was already hurting Sakura all the time.

She wants to have a sincere talk with her best friend but she is worried that Yujin’s temper would worsen. It was never her intention to disappoint Yujin but Sakura is also a dear friend to her. She just can’t avoid her the whole time, especially because Sakura didn’t do anything wrong in the first place.

Minjoo gasped when she heard Yujin’s door slam. She subconsciously straightened up and looked to where Yujin was. The other girl laid her eyes on her but she didn’t say a word. She just passed her by and went straight to the kitchen to get some water. Minjoo couldn’t do anything but watch her every move. Once again, Yujin laid her eyes on her as she was on her way back to her room.

“Go and sleep early. I am doing something else tonight.”

Then she heard her door slam again. Minjoo sulked again. She felt like all her energy was vacuumed out by that cold treatment. Unknowingly, tears just start to fall.

“I won’t leave you, Yujin but…” Minjoo buried her face on the pillow. “…why are you driving me away?”

To: Kim Minjoo

From: [redacted]

Subject: Notice

Message:

So, how is a leech like you living your life so comfortably? No problem, right? Everything is just laid out in front of you. Food on the table, a nice bed to sleep at. You even attend school with an unreleased car in the market. Free school fees, free books. I guess your clothes are free as well. Would you please enlighten me, Miss Kim, is there anything in your possession that you earned yourself? I bet your clothes are all bought for you as well. And they are not just clothes, right? They are all branded and most of them are imported. Until when will you live a life like this, Missy?

If you want to continue living like this, don’t just settle with my [ ]. I can give you something better. Anything you want! How about just being my girl? A man is a better deal than a woman. Think about it.

I know you can not say no to my offer. I wonder when your hard-to-get act will last.

MINJOO immediately closed her laptop and shook her head. Until now she doesn’t want to believe that she is receiving such mail from a well-respected man. She was surprised when she first saw that man’s name on her inbox and got even more shocked when she opened the said message.

That man was telling her to be his concubine. He laid his desires in very casual mail as if he is dealing with a business partner. It seems like he is already used to dealing with girls like this.

Feeling like throwing up, Minjoo ran towards the bathroom and washed her face. How many times should this kind of mail show up? Does she deserve to receive such offers? Is she really the type that people see as someone that would just go with anyone?

The girl went back to her room with her face still wet. She didn’t even bother to wipe her face. She looked around but she couldn’t see anything that she could consider as hers. There was nothing that she earned, most of it was bought by Yujin for her. Her phone, the laptop that she received on her birthday, the clothes that she would just find on top of her bed as Yujin’s random gift. There’s nothing that she gained on her own strength.

Minjoo closed her eyes and dropped herself on the bed. She already gave up the deal that she was supposed to have with Hyejoon. She let go of the chance to be something because it is a threat to their relationship. She had to call Hyejoon and apologise for Yujin’s action. She doesn’t remember how many times she said the word ‘sorry’ after telling the photographer that she would not be participating in the project anymore.

It was a tough decision. Considering the disgusting and frightening messages that she’s receiving, missing the chance that might turn her life upside down left traces of regret. Until now she still thinks that it was wrong to let the opportunity go, especially now that Yujin is still angry at her.

She wants to believe it is okay. Everything is going to be okay… maybe.

She wants to tell Yujin of what’s happening but she couldn’t say a word since she could see how important Yujin’s family is for the other girl. She treasures those who stay at her side. She treats and respects them really well. If she tells her about what’s happening, she’s afraid that Yujin might do something unforgivable.

“That dirty bastard! You should tell Yujin about it already. She has to know it.”

Hyejoon’s statement echoed in her mind. With no one to turn to, Minjoo told the glasses guy about the situation when she was asked why she suddenly accepted his offer. She could also clearly remember the answer she gave on that question.

“I want to prove something. I want to prove that I am not an easy girl. I want to achieve something of my own strength. People say that all I have is beauty, if that’s the case then I would like to use the only thing that I have to make a name for myself.”

“Where did I get the courage to say those words anyway?” Minjoo covered her eyes with her arm. This is getting out of hand.

She jerked when she suddenly heard a notification from her phone. Getting anxious that the mails also reached her KTalk now, she closed her eyes while waiting for her phone to unlock. She was only able to breathe properly when she saw that it was only Sakura.

Speaking of Sakura, they still haven’t had a proper talk after the incident in Busan. Unintentionally, she avoided talking with Sakura because she’s afraid that it might fuel more of Yujin’s anger. But Sakura is Sakura. She is her best friend. Even though the other girl may have feelings for her, she didn’t do anything against her. Sakura was always there for her and avoiding her definitely makes her feel guilty.

Minjoo opened up the message.

“Is there a chance that we could talk tomorrow at Joohyun-unnie’s café? I just can’t bear what’s happening anymore.”

Minjoo gave out a sigh. She could see how Sakura gets hurt whenever she turns away from her through the pain evident in her eyes. She’s worried about Yujin but Minjoo’s heart is in deep confusion as well.

She typed a reply.

“Let’s meet tomorrow during my vacant. Are you fine with 15:00?”

Not long after she sent it, a reply came.

“Thank goodness you replied. My class is only in the morning but I can wait until 15:00. I live inside the school anyway. See you tomorrow, Minjoo~”

Minjoo didn’t send a reply but just stared at the ceiling for a long while before finally standing up. She went straight in front of Yujin’s room. Taking a deep breath, she gave a knock on the door.

“I am busy. Go on and sleep.”

Minjoo felt her heart sink with that cold answer but she tried once again. “Y-Yujin… I just want to know if it is okay to—”

“Do anything you want. Why are you asking for my permission now? Do whatever you want!”

The girl’s eyes widened. She felt like she lost her voice for a moment.

“S-Sure…” Finally, she was able to talk even though she felt like choking. “If that’s what you want.”

Minjoo marched back to her room and buried herself in her bed.

“Silly Ahn Yujin…” she murmured to herself and cried herself to sleep.

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