"Come on! Pick up, pick up," I muttered, hand shaking as I held my phone up to my ear.
Despite all my silent prayers, the call went to voicemail once again.
"Hello. You've reached the voicemail box of Lee Wonho. Please leave a message after the-"
"Fuck," I muttered, making another attempt at calling Wonho.
But this one went to voicemail too. He must have been avoiding me, because there was no reason he couldn't answer one of my twenty calls. I decided to leave him a voicemail this time, one that would hopefully scare the shit out of him.
"Wonho," I seethed, gripping tightly onto my phone so it wouldn't slip out of my sweaty palm, "I swear to god if you don't call me back right now..." my voice trailed off for a moment, "I'm going to be the absolute shit out of you," that wasn't much of a threat, since I'm much smaller than Wonho, but I continued anyway, "I know you're avoiding me. You can't get away with this engagement. I'll fight against this... we will fight against this, Shownu and I. You son of a bitch. If it's the last thing I'll do, I will never marry you. And you can bet on that."
I ended the voicemail, still seething.
How could Wonho drop this bombshell and then just ignore me? I deserved an answer from him! But I guess it was no use reasoning with a crazy man.
I had to break off this engagement on my own. And that couldn't be accomplished at home. The energy in the house was far too stifling, I wouldn't be able to plot well here. Without saying another word to my backstabbing parents, I grabbed my purse and ran out of the house. I didn't stop until I was far enough away that I felt less smothered. Eventually, I found my way into a coffee shop.
My first instinct was to call Shownu, but I hesitated.
'I don't want to dump this on him.'
Besides, I was far too overwhelmed and angry to articulate well to Shownu what was going on. I needed time to cool off.
At that moment, it hit me. I didn't ever tell Shownu that Wonho kissed me. (I didn't want to needlessly piss him off after we just had a fight.) I didn't want to have to explain all of the past drama to him.
Part of me hoped that I could break off the engagement without telling Shownu.
"I can fix this," I muttered to myself.
But not alone.
I needed the help of someone who was more conniving and vengeful than I could ever be.
"Jennie!" I said the first name that came to mind.
'Hell no. No way will I ever ask that bitch for help.'
That didn't leave me with many other options. I no longer had any... friends. The only friend I ever had was Hyeri, and she wanted nothing to do with me. So I was left with zero options...
Then, it hit me.
I do have a friend. One friend. And he's probably dying to hear the tea.
I pulled out my phone, searching through my contacts before making the call.
Eventually, he answered, "Hello?"
"Minhyuk, I need your help."
An unmistakable Ferrari pulled up outside of the coffee shop. It drew attention from everyone, because that sort of car was never seen in this area. I spotted Minhyuk's handsome face in the driver's seat immediately.
"Girl... you look awful," Minhyuk said as I slunk into his passenger seat.
"Gee, thanks," I replied sarcastically, "My whole life has just been falling apart in the last hour."
"Oh, really?" Minhyuk asked, turning to face me. He put a hand on my shoulder, eyes apologetic, "Are you going through a fashion crisis?"
"No, it's more serious than that," I continued, looking down at my lap. It was embarrassing, what I was about to tell Minhyuk. But I needed to confess, nonetheless, "My life is... falling apart."
Minhyuk became more serious once he saw the look on my face.
"Wonho asked my parents to arrange an engagement between the two of us," Minhyuk gasped, his hand placed over his chest, "And my parents... accepted. They said if I don't go through with it," I paused, my throat squeezing as tears welled up in my eyes, "That they would kick me out."
Tears were falling down my cheeks now. I hung my head, my hands in my face. It was embarrassing to cry in front of Minhyuk. Though we were friends, I still didn't know him well. Every time we met, it was because I had some issues going on. I couldn't help but beat myself up because of this.
"Oh my god, this is so tragic!" Minhyuk explained, patting me on the head, "Your roots are growing in. We need to fix that right away."
I looked up slowly, shocked, but almost amused, by Minhyuk's remarks.
"Come, we'll go to me salon."
Minhyuk turned on the car and off we drove. On the ride there, I tried to get myself together, crying out any other tears that were left. Minhyuk drove silently, changing the music every now and again before we pulled up to his familiar salon.
I soon found myself sitting in a comfy chair, bleach being applied to my dark roots.
"I'm thinking you need a bit of a trim too," Minhyuk muttered, examining the ends of my hair.
I shrugged, "Whatever you think is best."
"Well, here's the lesson I have for you tonight," Minhyuk continued, "Sometimes I think you need to take control. There are certain things that you can let other people decide for you, like your hair color or nail color. Those are unimportant things. Besides, I'm the guru of hair, so you should let me decide. But, when it comes to your life. You have to decide. At the end of the day, you'll have to live your own life. Not your parents, you."
Minhyuk's reflection in the mirror caught my attention. I had never heard him speak so seriously before, it made him look manlier and more mature. This side of him was something I couldn't get used to.
"Don't let your parents or Wonho decide your future for you," Minhyuk continued, "I mean, if your parents had anything to do with your style in the past, then you definitely shouldn't let them decide anything at all."
I chuckled, "I know. I just don't know how to stand up for myself. The first time I stood up to the bullies at school was just recently. Before that, I was a doormat. I've never said 'no' to my parents my whole life. So I don't know how to convince them that going bankrupt is better than forcing me to marry Mr. Moneybags."
"Bankrupt?" Minhyuk raised an eyebrow, pausing, "You didn't mention that."
"Oh, right," I sighed before explaining, "I guess they spent up all the money we have. And they think their best option is to marry me off to the highest bidder."
"Gross," Minhyuk muttered, shaking his head, "It might be best for you to just leave the house if this is how they're going to treat you."
I paused, considering it for a moment.
If I left the house, I could do whatever I want. I could avoid the engagement since my parents would no longer have control over me.
I could only imagine the unbridled freedom I would have if I ran away. No one could tell me who to marry, or what I can and can not do. I would no longer be put under their microscope if I just... ran away.
"Maybe you're right." I nodded, "Maybe I should run away."
"Well," Minhyuk grimaced for a moment, clearly lost in thought, "Running away should be the last thing you do. If you can make your parents respect you, then your problems will be solved, and there would be no need to run away. I mean... could you imagine never talking to your parents again?"
I paused, imagining all the good times I shared with my family. They really did treat me like a princess when I was growing up. Though they were busy building a business, they still put aside time from me. Every Sunday, we'd have a special breakfast and spend all day bonding. We took many trips to Lotte World, I still recall every inch of that place...
Could I live with never speaking to the parents that I love so much?
Sure, they were making a terrible decision. But it was because they were stupid and desperate.
But I was desperate, too. I couldn't give up on Shownu, no matter what; not even to save my family's finances.
"I love my parents, but I can't let them rule my life," I muttered, "If they don't change their minds, then I'll run away with Shownu."
"Run away with Shown?!" Minhyuk repeated, shocked, "That would be...." he smirked, "scandalous. Can't wait to read about that on the front cover of a tabloid."
I chuckled, "But I have to reason with them first."
"Good idea," Minhyuk nodded, "It's best that you at least give it a try."
Then, I had an epiphany. Possibly the best idea ever.
If I can convince Shownu to get engaged to me instead of Wonho, then they'll have to accept. My problems would be solved. I'd be engaged to the love of my life, and the family would be pulled out of bankruptcy. Of course, that would only work if Shownu and his parents were willing to arrange an engagement.
But, I have faith in us.
"Now, tell me some other tea," Minhyuk pressed, changing the topic, "What else is going on in your life?"
With so much drama going on, I didn't even know where to start.
"Harin has an eating disorder," I said nervously. My conscience was telling me to shut up about it, because I still felt bad for what I said to her. Once I had all this drama sorted, I wanted to apologize to her.
Minhyuk wasn't the least bit phased, though, "Not surprised. Most models have eating disorders. Next."
"Ok," I searched for something else, "Wonho... kissed me."
Minhyuk gasped, stepping back, "Oh my god! When? Where? How? Spill!"
"During the class vacation," I explained, turning red, "he tricked me into being along with him. And we got into an argument, because we always do."
"Go on," Minhyuk pressed.
"Then he told me a bunch of bullshit. But eventually he pointed to a romantic dinner setting that was meant for us."
"Cliché," Minhyuk shook his head.
"He told me that Shownu isn't right for me and then he kissed me," I finished, blushing at the memory.
"Did you like it?" Minhyuk teased, playfully hitting me on the shoulder.
"What?! No!" I yelled, blushing madly, "It was... gross!"
"The lady doth protest too much," Minhyuk chuckled, "But, I understand. Wonho is hot, super hot. That shit attitude of his ruins it, though."
"You got that right," I grumbled.
Wonho's attitude and knack for scheming made him absolutely repulsive to me.
"I know him pretty well, actually," Minhyuk sighed, "He gave me his phone number back in the day. But I didn't know he was a super rich kid. Now I feel dumb for paying for his lunch."
Minhyuk set down the bleach and brush, leading me to the hair dryer.
"You know, he grew up in the country? Tongyeong to be exact," Minhyuk chuckled, "Never would have thought a guy like that grew up in the middle of nowhere."
"Country...?" I muttered, brow raised.
This was news to me. For all I knew, Wonho grew up in unimaginable opulence. Why would a rich kid step foot on, let alone live in, the countryside? Maybe his Dad was hiding money under some castle that Wonho grew up on. Or, was that his version of a vacation home?
"Yeah," Minhyuk disappeared to find his phone. He came back and handed it to me, Wonho's contact information on the front, "That's his phone number."
My eyes scanned over the contact, noticing that it was a different from the number Wonho was using currently.
"How did you know that?" I asked.
Minhyuk sat down and got comfortable, "Well, it's a long story. But long stories are the best, am I right?" Minhyuk winked before continuing, "One day, a long while back, my beloved Nanny passed away. She raised me, so I was devastated to hear the news. She lived out in that area, and I was invited to her funeral. Of course I went. I got dressed in my best black Gucci suit--by the way, I wore the Gucci belt way before it became popular--and set off. I was feeling very altruistic that day. Death really made me think. So when I saw this guys walking along the dirt road in the middle of nowhere, all alone, I had to stop for him; especially when I saw he was around my age."
"Interesting..." I muttered.
"So I asked my driver to stop. I rolled down my window and asked him if he needed a ride. At first, he ignored me. So I asked again. When he turned to look at me, he looked annoyed that I was talking to him. But, he accepted. When he got in the car, I saw that he was covered in dirt and sweat, like he'd be walking for hours. I thought he was homeless. So I asked if he had eaten recently. He was hesitant to respond, but eventually he confessed he hadn't eaten all day. (Now I know he was probably on some stupid diet.) I asked him what the best food in the area was, and he told me to stop by this little mom and pop naengmyeon restaurant. Me, my driver, and Wonho stopped at the restaurant and ate. He scarfed that food down like he hadn't eaten in weeks. The naengmyeon was good, but not that good. Anyway, after he ate, he got up and left without thanking me. Fucking rude."
"Really?" I asked, chuckling.
Minhyuk nodded before continuing, "I wanted to take him out to eat again, one day. Because I was in that altruistic mood. I thought he was being an asshole because he homeless or struggling. So I got his phone number before he left. I felt dumb when I saw him at a highend club a while later."
I raised a brow, "Clubbing?"
They were definitely underage back then. Neither of them had any business clubbing, even now.
Minhyuk frowned, "Yeah, and he stole my VIP table. I almost asked him for the lunch money back."
"You should have!" I joked.
"Well, I didn't," Minhyuk laughed, "He ended up paying for me and my friends the whole night. So I guess we're even."
Minyuk checked his watch before adding, "We should wash that out now, it should be done."
We walked to the sink and Minyuk shampooed the bleach out of my hair. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice the unbearable tingly sensation that bleach causes.
Once the bleach was thoroughly washed out, Minhyuk led me back to the chair. I sat down and he brought out the scissors.
"Anyway, my Cool Girl lesson for you today is..." Minhyuk said as he cut away, "First, never let your roots grow out this much ever again," I chuckled at his slight jab, noticing the side of his mouth curling up into a smile before he continued, "But most importantly, Yuri, you need to grab hold of your own life. Don't let anyone decide anything for you. And if something isn't right for you, move on. It's time to see that Cool Girl Yuri break past her façade. I dress you as a Cool Girl, but I want your attitude to be just as confident and aggressive."
He finished cutting my hair and looked at me through the mirror.
"I believe in you, Yuri. Now go out and take over the world, okay?"
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Happy New Year everyone!
Any New Years Resolutions?
I'm thinking about trying to write an original story with original characters in this new year. But I don't know if I'll publish it.