Finally, it is a free weekend. Iseul is at your brother's, Ms. Pak is visiting her family, and there is no immediate work that needs to be done. Mina is coming over later for a girls weekend, which you needed desperately. You had gone to the store earlier and picked up some liquor; you know you will need it because every time Mina comes over you end up having a heartfelt conversation that gets a little too real. There is only six more days until the party and you are planning on getting a dress tomorrow with Mina.

"Hey mama!" Mina yells, opening the front door.

"Hey, I'm in the kitchen."

"Of course you are." Mina giggles, dropping a pizza on the counter next to you. You pull out two glasses and mix together some 1800 and Mountain Dew.

"You just get me. So tell me about that heir guy. I know his name can't be 'Douche Canoe." she kisses you on the cheek. You take a quick swig of the drink.

"His name is Jumin Han, and he is a stuck up rich guy who thinks he can have whatever he wants." Your phone rings, displaying the name "Pompous Idiot" across the screen. "Oh. My. God. It's him. Does he have a sixth sense or something." You sigh while Mina pulls herself onto the counter and begins to sip on her drink.

"Hello."

"Hello, Ms. Gho. This is Jumin Han."

"Hello, Mr. Han. How can I help you."

"I have been thinking about the party and if you are to accompany me I would like to buy your dress for the event., since technically you are being coerced into attending."

"Uhh… yeah. That is going to be a hard pass."

"Fine, as you wish. I would like to insist but, please let me know if you change your mind. Please do not wear anything gaudy or flashy. I don't want to draw too much attention. I will pick you up one hour before the party is supposed to begin."

"Jeez, why don't you just pick out my entire outfit for me and spare me the agony."

"That would be preferable."

"I was kidding! Do not do that! I have to go. Bye, Mr. Han."

You hang up and Mina is giving you her one eyebrow raised 'so tell me about it' look.

"Who the hell does that?! You don't just spend your money all willy nilly on some woman you barely know. What kind of person does that?"

"Rich people." she stares at you blankly, studying your face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because I think sometimes I know you better than you do, and I think that you might have a little teeny tiny crush on one Mr. Han." she giggles, nudging you with her shoulder.

"Oh shut up, I don't need your lip service." You nudge her back a little harder and take your place on the couch in the living room. You turn on Rocky Horror Picture Show, you two watch it every time she spends the night.

"Besides, he is so full of himself, he is just another rich asshole who wants to make me a slave to his company by doing nice things so I owe him. He is probably just taking me to this party so he can parade me around like some prize token." you snuff.

"Or. Or. Oooor… He is a decent guy who has taken a genuine interest in you because you are a strong, independent, beautiful, wonderful mother, who doesn't take any bullshit." Mina giggles. After about twenty minutes she pauses the movie.

"We need to talk." She turns toward you.

"Oh god, about what?"

"Why are you refusing to put yourself back out there? I want to see you be with someone who is totally head over heels for you. I mean I know i'm not exactly the pinnacle of greatest relationships. My boyfriend lives in Japan for christ sakes but, I think you need to let people in and give them a chance."

"Why do we need to talk about this?" you let out a long sigh taking another swig from you glass.

"Because you are unhappy and everyone can see it. You just bury yourself in work and keep busy so you don't have to deal with your feelings. Come on, I've known you for nearly fifteen years and I know when you are avoiding your feelings." Mina places a hand on your leg.

"You know why I don't let people in. After what happened with… I just can't." You get up and walk to the kitchen. Mina follows you, she is not going to let you walk away from it this time.

"Yes you can! Not everyone is a psychotic, manipulative piece of shit like Gi is." Mina raised her voice, she never does that.

"Stop okay! Just stop. Do you really think someone will love this? They will love damaged goods? My mind is basically shattered, I have no idea how to love someone the right way. My body has been mutilated! No one will love a girl who is covered in scars like these, no one will love a girl who has baggage like this. He ruined me, forever. He said if he can't have me he will make sure no one else can. He lived up to that promise." A tear falls off your cheek and you push past Mina and lock yourself in the bathroom. You put your hands on the sink and stare at yourself in the mirror. You hear a few soft taps on the door

"Minny, I-I didn't mean to upset you. I just want you to be happy. I'm sorry… Please come out." Mina knows she shouldn't have brought it up but, she knows how you keep things bottled up inside.

You lift your shirt to look at the scar on your stomach. It runs from your right left hip to your naval and you hate it. You hate looking at it. You hate what he did to you.