MOMO
Day 3
"I can't do this!" I choked out before puking into the bowl once again.
"Momo, you're doing well, and I'm not going to be the one to tell the Boss you gave up after only three days," Jihyo said, holding my hair back.
Pushing her away, I backed up against the tub. "My skin is so beaten up, it changed colors. I can barely stand. I can't do this. I can't. I'm in so much pain all the time, Jihyo. Please, let me give up."
Jihyo sighed, kneeling in front me. She took my hands and pulled me to my feet.
"You are stronger than you think, Momo. In three days, you have come so far. Yes, I know you are in pain. But you aren't the same Momo. So suck it up, get dressed, and go to dinner so we can get to work tonight," she demanded, handing me an outfit to wear.
Grabbing the clothes, I glared at her. "I hate you."
"No, you don't." She smirked, before leaving.
It hurt like a bitch getting into those clothes. My arms felt like they were being burned off. If I hadn't just thrown up everything in my stomach then I would have just gone to bed, but I was so damn hungry. Washing out my mouth, I rinsed before heading down the stairs slowly.
"Momo?" I jumped at her voice.
Not Nayeon.
"Yes, Nayeon?" I turned to her when we reached the dining hall.
She looked me up and down but didn't say anything. Stepping into the dining room, both Evelyn and Dongwoon stopped speaking and just stared at me.
How did Mina handle all the staring? Whenever people stared at her, she simply walked prouder.
Taking a deep breath, I walked slowly to my seat. Placing the napkin in my lap, I grabbed some food and pretended they weren't there.
"Okay, Momo, enough. What is happening to you? Are you all right? I'm worried," Evelyn asked, causing me to jump.
"Nothing, I'm fine," I replied, filling my plate.
"The way you wince when you breathe means you, at the very least, have a bruised rib. Not to mention the busted lip you're hiding under makeup. But those are only the wounds we can see. I'm willing to bet Dahyun's life on it, so tell me the truth, Momo," Dongwoon demanded as he cut into his lamb.
"I'm taking a self-defense class," I answered, waiting for them to flip out. However, only Nayeon seemed shocked.
"Why in God's name are you taking a self-defense class?" It seemed like a stupid question.
"Because I would like to defend myself?"
"This is about Mina isn't it?" she snapped. "She is killing this family and tearing us apart from the inside out."
It's not like we were perfect before.
"What would Dahyun think Momo? What if you were to get hurt? You have no idea what you're doing. You aren't some—"
"Shut up!" I yelled, standing up angrily. "What I want to do with my life and my body is none of your damn business. The only person's opinion that matters is Dahyun's. We get it, you're bitter that Mina stole your thunder and that the magazines no longer give a shit about you. But it doesn't mean you have to take it out on me. Go look up baby names or something, and leave me the hell alone."
When I was done, I blinked a few times, unsure of where that came from. Taking a seat again, I kept my head down and finished eating.
"Sorry for cursing, Evelyn."
"Not at all. It seems like you have been holding that in for a while." She laughed when I looked up.
Dongwoon frowned. "Who is giving you these lessons? Are they trustworthy?"
"Jihyo, Mina's—"
"The slave girl who follows Mina around like a lost dog?" Nayeon snorted, drinking her wine.
"Nayeon, that is enough," Dongwoon snapped, and she stood up straight immediately. "Momo, when do you train again?"
"Tomorrow at five," I answered, smiling at Nayeon.
"Very well, I shall see you both then."
Shit.
Day 5
"Do it," I told Jihyo as I sat in front of the mirror.
"Are you sure Momo?" Evelyn asked, looking at my hair.
"It is just hair. It will grow back, right? Jihyo almost ripped my ponytail out during our fight yesterday," I said. After everything, Evelyn and Dongwoon were both watching as if it were some damn sport. Dongwoon didn't really speak. However, he would frown every time my body collided with the floor.
Jihyo demanded I learn how to use my size to an advantage, so everything I learned had been quick jabs and kicks. She made me jump up and down for an hour straight before having me kick her hands. But I could barely even stand up, let alone kick. When I puked, she gave me water, some bread, and a six-minute break before putting me to work again.
"Here I go," Jihyo said, and I closed my eyes. All I heard were the scissors snipping away at my hair.
"Evelyn, your niece will still love me if I'm bald right?" I joked.
"Um—"
"Evelyn!" My eyes flew open, and I stared at my reflection. I looked so different. Not bad different, just different.
Evelyn gasped. "Jihyo, you must cut my hair from now on." She messed with some of the edges of my hair until she met my eyes in the mirror. "You look beautiful, and Dahyun, will fall in love with you all over again."
God, I hoped so.
"Now you, Jihyo." I smiled, standing up as I pulled her down.
"Mo . . ."
"Nope, we're doing this, and if you don't, I will cut your hair while you sleep," I threatened, causing her to roll her eyes.
"I don't sleep," she joked.
"Why doesn't that shock me?" I smiled, grabbing the flat iron.
"I think we may have some contacts. Let me see if there are any for your prescription," Evelyn said quickly, walking out of the room.
"Sexy Jihyo is under here somewhere." I grinned. "This is going to be like one of those teen movies."
Day 7
I pressed my dress down for what had to be the ninth time since we stepped out of the car. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so excited to see her. However, the first person to step out of the jet was one of the men I didn't recognize, followed by Mina. She looked me over as she made her way toward me.
However, I couldn't pay attention because there was my Dahyun. Her eyebrows squished together as she looked at my hair.
"Do you like it?" I asked her as I brushed the back down a little.
She reached over and played with a little before looking back to me. "I'm kind of shocked, but you look cute."
Cute, not beautiful, but I would take that for now. It was better than nothing.
