Chapter Text
2022 - May 15 - Sunday - 11:12PM
There was always something about night time that captivated Minji. Whether it's the mystical glimmer of the crescent moon in, or the way staring into the everlasting depth of the night sky makes her feel that sense of tranquillity. After a hard days work, the peace finally arrives and she accepts it warmly.
It has been harder to find her comfort recently. There are reasons of course, reasons that she has been trying to get over and avoid but it takes time. She's sure that one day, she will be able to look at the starry sky, and not want to cry so much that her unlucky, wounded heart simply can't beat any longer.
Minji laughs at this. It's funny how when she tells someone how she feels, how all she wants is for her poor heart to stop while she's sleeping, so she doesn't have to wake and face the brutal sting of her current daily life, they tell her things like; 'you will get over it eventually' and 'I understand how you feel'.
They don't really understand, as the way everyone faces situations is different.
Similar to when somebody passes away; some might cry, a few may stand there all benumbed, some will laugh and deny the hard truth even if it's right before their eyes. Heartbreak and sorrow, Minji's emotional reality is not something she feels just anyone can sympathize with as of now or ever.
She tells herself that she isn't being dramatic, over and over as she repeats her new routine, over and over. Leaving her house has become a struggle, as well as feeding herself, checking her phone and getting dressed. Everything is too much effort that Minji feels is all put to waste. Even stroking the cat became a chore. Nothing has a meaning anymore, what is the point of doing these things if they leave you senseless to the point of misery?
Ever since the day she was left lonely - to take care of herself in such a cruel world (which she hadn't seen a single flaw in for the past 10 or so years until now), she asks herself that question.
What is the point, if she isn't with me right now?
2014 - January 14 - Tuesday - 10:42PM
Minji sighs, putting all her focus on watching the lively flicker of city lights as she rests in the passenger seat of her boyfriend's new car. In all honesty, she didn't realise the car was new. It's black, just like the last one - and the one prior to that.
Maybe this one was a little bigger, a little shinier - however it wasn't until she got inside that she realised and even then she wasn't excited, it's only a car after all. San didn't seem too satisfied that she had hardly bat an eyelid, like he'd gotten it with the sole purpose of impressing her.
The problem was, Minji knew that he didn't pay for it. A rich boy, still in school coming from a wealthy and noble family, has bought himself three new cars in the past few years? Yeah, right. She's sure it's the result of some begging and pleading from his parents.
She still smiled and pecked his lips, holding his dorsal hand as he drives the two of them to the theatre.
Date night, is what he calls it. Minji prefers evening out, even if it is a date still.
Weirdly, something in the windows of shops they drive past, or music playing from vast areas of the city makes her more intrigued than this 'date' does.
"I'm glad we're here. I heard this play was wonderful, I thought you would love it." San grins, peering back and forth between Minji and the busy street road.
"I'm sure I will." Minji lied, forcing the corners of her lips to rise for him, as she imagined how the night would plan out. They'd get inside, watch a play in silence while occasionally chuckling with the presence of each other's company rather than words or affection, then leave and go home to say their goodnights just like that.
It seems romantic, the high school thoughts that she'd turn to the side and he'd be watching her instead of the play, making her cheeks glow a rosy colour as her heart doubles in speed. However the reality is pretty different.
Minji doesn't mind a play but she likes to visit them on her own, when she's in the mood. Her perfect date is... anything really. Something where she can talk, hold hands and find comfort in the other person's speech and character.
This kind of date though, it's the way San likes things; arranged and etiquette.
Maybe Minji would enjoy it, if it weren't with him. He makes things hard sometimes.
"We almost never get to go out like this, just the two of us." He chuckles. "Seems like you're always cancelling on me."
Minji blinks twice. This in fact is true, she does cancel but not on purpose. San goes to university everyday, studies in the evenings and works at the weekends. Whenever he gets free time he will ring Minji with little to no warning and wrongfully just expect her to be free. Sometimes she is, in which case they'll (rarely) do something. Nonetheless, Minji still has a life and other things to be doing, sometimes she's busy and San doesn't like that.
"That's not my fault and you know it. You're always at university."
He exhales, "I'm trying to get my qualifications."
"I know. So don't blame it on me when we can't get together."
"Whenever I am free and we can get together, you take leave on me. You say you're meeting with Handong or whoever sparks your interest these days."
She finally removes her hand from his, "Handong is my best friend, I see her more than I see you."
"That's an issue, isn't it?" He looks her in the eyes as the car pulls up carefully behind the bustling theatre. "You shouldn't be discarding of me for her."
"Well I'm here now, aren't I?" She bursts, opening the car door unexpectedly roughly. Soon after, San follows and she walks by his side to the front of the theatre known as 'The Velvet'. She's been here once before, alone.
"Oh, I forgot my wallet in the car. Go get the tickets." San points to a ticket booth and inside sits a seller, dressed in red and white uniform. Pretty old fashioned, Minji thinks as she takes a look around while making her way to the queue.
Gold columns hold up the monumental upper stories, while posters and billboards showcase up-and-coming must-see plays and productions. Minji manages to spot the one they shall be viewing this evening; 'talking to the wall'.
She doesn't know what it's about, however judging by the image of a petite woman with hair tied in a bun as she sports a silky dress, her weight being held in the arms of a dependent looking man in a suit, it seems to be some early 19th century romance. That's right up San’s street.
She sighs as the queue moves forwards, waiting for San to return but he doesn't yet. After a few more people, she reaches the front of the queue and there sits a girl, dull eyed and frizzy haired. She smiles at Minji, looking way too weary to be enjoying herself. What an awful job it must be, handing out ticket after ticket for hours upon end. She's alone in the booth too.
So Minji makes sure to beam a smile at her brightly, hoping it will at least make her day a little better. Thankfully, it seems the ticket seller notices as her eyes show a little life and her smile grows a tiny bit, however not much.
Realising San isn't back yet, Minji considers stepping out of the queue to wait since she doesn't have the money to pay, except she knows San will give her a hard time for it. She turns back to see that no people were behind her in the queue, so she decides to just talk to the seller.
"Hello... two tickets for the play please."
"That's 80." She says, holding out two tickets she had just pulled from some kind of worn-out machine.
"Do you mind waiting for just a minute. Someone else has the money, they will be here soon." Minji purses her lips, feeling like a nuisance, like she should've just waited for San. Why is he taking so long?
Nonetheless, the seller cranes her neck behind Minji then back at her eyes, smiling gently. "No worries."
"Thank you."
"Here with a special person then?" The seller asks after taking a sip from a mug.
Minji scrunches her nose, peering off into the distance for San. "My boyfriend. He suggested coming."
"That's sweet." San appears around the corner, tucking his cold hands into the pockets of his tan overcoat. "Is this him?"
Minji nods, making eye contact with the seller as San appears by her side.
"Sorry for the wait." He says, whipping out his wallet as he shows the seller a smile Minji knows too well. One she calls 'the flirty smile'.
He's a striking man, for sure. With his silky black hair and dreamy eyes. He knows how to talk to people and is what some may call manipulative within his own means. Girls surely drool over him everywhere they go. Minji doesn't really mind. No, she doesn't really care.
This kind of smile is what he uses on women, the same one he used on Minji the first time he spoke to her and on the few dates they had following it. She hasn't seen it directed towards her since. It's the kind of smile he knows makes a girl's heart stop, he does it to be playful and Minji doesn't mind. Or maybe, she just simply doesn't care.
Normally a girl will fold her lips, hiding a smile or subconsciously twist her hair, even with Minji stood right by him. They seem to look past her, disregarding the fact that he is clearly a taken man.
However this time, the seller doesn't bat an eye to him. She feebly nods and looks down, rejecting eye contact. Minji looks at San who frowns, definitely having his ego hurt by this woman, possibly the one woman in the world who doesn't look like a desperate puppy at his feet.
He just huffs and pays her the desired amount and takes the tickets, walking off without Minji until he turns back and calls for her.
"Come on." He sulks as he hands her a ticket.
Minji can't help but chuckle. It's the first time this has happened to him, rejection from a woman. Rejection rightfully, he shouldn't even be mad while his girlfriend is stood at his side.
"You're laughing?"
"Hmm." Minji nods, trying her hardest to stop.
"Why's that?" He asks, genuinely. Like he's unaware of the fact that Minji knows exactly what he's doing, abusing his looks to get tonnes of women to thirst over him.
"No reason, just something funny the seller said."
She doesn't miss the way San’s jaw flexes and his shoulders rise at the mention of the ticket seller. And Minji surely doesn't miss the entertainment this brings her. She thinks he's being rather silly, rather pathetic.
"Look, I just payed for you to be here." He stands firm in the middle of a large passage, people stood around the edges or walking back and forth past them. "I didn't have to do that, did I?"
Minji just looks at him, no longer laughing, no longer amused by his fragile emotions. That uneasy feeling of worry for herself rises as she stays small in front of him, trying to look anywhere other than his eyes.
"Answer, Minji, did I?"
"No." She whispers simply.
"Exactly. Please, let's enjoy the play now." He walks off, finally allowing for Minji to release a breath she didn't know she was holding. A few eyes watch as she follows after him, overly embarrassed. It shouldn't be like this.
For the first part of the play, she sits and enjoys as San told her to. The play was exactly what she imagined. A man (who unsurprisingly reminds her of the man she is seated by) and a woman, much similar to herself.
This is not a play promoting women in power or the fighting for rights of a woman. It's a play to show the way a woman used to be treated in the past, like dirt. It only takes one single man in her life to make it hell. But she's not surprised. The kind of play San would enjoy.
For the second half, things took a little turn.
Something was spoken in the play. Something that Minji simply couldn't ignore, she just had to laugh at the abhorrent meaning.
The man had come home from work, feeling defeated as a woman had been offered a promotion over him, quite a rare situation of this period. It was shocking, he spoke with such a grandiose tone. Minji noticed how the woman didn't even look like she cared. How she just let him speak to her like that, how the only reason he was upset was because a woman good at her job had earned something and thinks she's better than him.
Now, Minji doesn't stand up for herself against San. She never has and she's not sure why. But she surely knows that she wants to and she knows his views are outdated. It made her laugh how the woman in this play seemed to not worry about any of that, she let the man trample on her and she came out with a smile on her face. In reality, that's what many women do. Even if deep inside they want to shout for what they believe in, no matter the consequences.
Oh but trust, she tried her hardest to hold in that chuckle. It just had to come out.
San glared through the side of his eye, not helping her amusement how he found the play so serious and relatable. It just made her giggle more.
He looked around, embarrassed by her.
"Minji." He whispered. "Stop being this way, you're distracting others."
She stopped laughing and watched as San’s frantic self-consciousness lowered as the eyes stopped watching them. Gosh, the way he became so nervous and angry with her, she almost wants to do it again, just to spite him.
So? She does. She snickers, burying her head in her hands as she tries to hide her loudness as to not disturb others, they've not done anything to her to deserve the distraction after all. Just San.
"Can you stop?" He grabs her wrist, whispering in her ear with as rough a voice as possible. "You're humiliating me. This is a formal setting. What is even funny? The play? The ticket seller?"
Oh man, what a mistake that was. It only took those two words 'ticket seller' to make Minji snort a little, tears begin to form in her eyes out of laugher as she thought back to the hurt ego of her boyfriend earlier on.
He did something unexpected, tightening his grip on her wrist as his breathing began to pierce her ears. "If you don't stop right now."
She mumbled in pain, not liking his forceful hands clinging to her bone. No longer than a second passed of that before he pulled away, coughing and representing himself as he straightened up in his chair, eyes glued back intensely on the play. She watched in disbelief, unable to fathom the situation.
It was hard to disregard, she just wanted to cry and run away, the tears already begun forming in her eyes. Ultimately, the best thing to do is to head out and compose herself for a minute, get some fresh air. The play was almost over but she didn't feel the need to see the rest of it.
"I'm heading to the restroom for a second." She whispered, receiving a nod of approval. She hates that she feels she needs one from him.
Instead of the restroom, her feet take her along the warm lit passageway and out the inviting double doors, into the cool air of the late evening. It was a little colder than before, considering it was almost 11pm, and her jacket slept on the back of her chair back in the theatre.
Feeling the delicate breeze nibble her bare arms and shoulders, she snaked her arms across her chest, folding her fingers into her palms as she sat on a shiny memorial bench just outside a window of the theatre.
Her eyes were bitterly cold, a consequence of the pre-tears she shed colliding with the winter air. It was too cold to cry now, so she sat, taking a breath and leaning against the back of the icy bench, flinching a bit as the temperature soaked through her thin dress material.
Looking around, there were quite a few people out. Most in the distance, exploring the wider parts of the city. Only a few stood close-by. All of them wore coats, all apart from one. She recognised her as the famous ticket seller from before. Minji instantly let out a smile.
With her being at ease outside alone, she was almost too blithe to return inside. It's not like she's missing out on much, the play wasn't her thing anyway. Since she hadn't many intentions of going back soon, she thought some company wouldn't hurt. Plus, this seems like a terribly lonely job. Maybe the ticket seller would like some company too.
She walked over to the booth where the girl sat on her phone, eating some sort of sandwich while her mug freshly refilled. Three little knocks on the ticket booth window startled the woman, whose young and wide yet drained eyes peered up at Minji, as she froze with her sandwich halfway in her mouth.
She smiled and put her sandwich down, actually seeming rather upset she couldn't finish it, causing a wave of guilt to flush over Minji. It might have been the only meal she had that day and Minji has stolen her chance for now.
Never mind, she thought, more importantly now she needs to form some words.
"Uh... hi." She mutters, suddenly feeling insecure.
The girl brought her uneasiness back to level with one uplift of her cheeks. "Hello. Not enjoying the play?"
"Uhh, no. I knew I wouldn't as soon as I saw the poster for it."
"Why did you come?"
She hesitates answering, however settles on telling the truth. "My boyfriend surprised me."
"Ah. He seems to have made the wrong decision then, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Is he alright with you being outside here alone?" The girl behind the window asks, closely observing Minji as she wraps her sandwich back up. "At this time of night?"
Minji rubs her arms. "I just told him I'd head to the restroom. Still I don't think he'd care too much if he knew I were out here."
The seller can't help but sigh at the truth of Minji's situation. "There isn't much room in here... hold on."
She turns back, fiddling around with some stuff in the small box like booth before exiting, holding what looks like a coat. "Wear this."
"Oh no, there's no need for that."
The seller sighs again, seeing that Minji is obviously chilly and just lying out of mannerism. She takes it upon herself to wrap the tartan coat around Minji's shoulders, allowing for her arms to slide in. She walked over and perched on the memorial bench, Minji following behind.
"Thank you." She whispers as she sits down.
The seller replies, "No problem..."
"Minji."
"Minji." She smiles, holding a hand out. "I'm Yoohyeon."
"Nice to meet you Yoohyeon." Minji smiles, mirroring the unfazed smile on the girl whom she had finally put a name to her face. "Is it fun? In your booth?"
"Most fun, I spend all my free time in there." Yoohyeon jokes, although her face expresses the disgust she must feel. "It's not very much fun no."
"Don't you ever watch the play or go inside? I mean, everyone is in there, surely your presence at the booth isn't necessary this night anymore. It's the latest viewing after all."
She hums, gazing into the distance at the night sky. "I actually enjoy sitting here. It's nice to look out into the city, plus it's kind of soundproof and warm in my little booth. I like it most at night when I can see the sky." She smiles genuinely. "Also, watching the play means paying for the play. If it was a good one I might consider it but this one..."
"It's awful."
"Really that bad?"
Minji nods. "So bad that I began laughing and left. The lead woman is clearly head over heals for this disgusting rot of man. I don't know how people enjoy it, relate to it. Especially women, it's basically making a statement that we don't have rights. It's not even trying to bring attention to misogyny, it's clearly written by a man for a man. In this day and age... enjoying that should be illegal. Awful."
"Wow, you seem to have some strong opinions on this. I'm just going to guess here that you are a proud feminist."
"I think all women should be."
Yoohyeon nods, leaning back on the bench as her hands slip into the pockets of her tracksuit joggers.
"Are you?"
"I suppose so yes. I spend a lot of time looking at my religion and how it teaches that woman have the same worth as man."
Minji didn't expect it, for Yoohyeon to be religious. She regards that as ignorance for quickly judging her when she only just met the girl. She just didn't seem the type to follow a religion, but she guesses unless they have an obvious physical feature that showcases their beliefs, anyone can be religious.
"Oh really? What religion is this, if I may ask?"
"Christianity."
"That's wonderful." Minji says, finding that both her and Yoohyeon were now staring off into the stars in the sky.
"It's been a little while, don't you think your boyfriend might go looking for you?"
"I thought he would be but he thinks I'm in the restroom and he's not welcome in the ladies ones."
"How about I go check? See if he's sat in his seat still?"
Minji's eyes widen, wondering how someone could be so kind to her after only just meeting. Maybe Yoohyeon just wanted something do be doing to keep her mind busy.
"Okay." She nods.
"What seats were you?"
"Z23 and 24, they're right near the back, by the exit doors."
Yoohyeon nods, heading inside, leaving Minji alone with the night for a minute. Quickly returning, with pursed lips and a shaking head, she sits beside Minji again.
"He's still there."
"Hmm. I thought so." Minji scoffs. "He doesn't care for me."
"I'm sure that's not true..." Yoohyeon mutters, attempting to reassure Minji.
"Oh trust me, he doesn't. It seems like he cares, like he treasures me more than anything in the whole world but truthfully, I don't think he cares what happens to me. I think he cares that he has somebody to flaunt, to make him look better."
"Sounds like he is quite a determined man?"
Minji laughs. "Determined when he wants to be, sure. He takes big stride in his studies, his work and his many cars. He's determined when it comes to making me look good but I don't think he's determined to make me feel good emotionally."
Yoohyeon doesn't really know what to say. It's been a while since she'd spoken to somebody like this, on a topic of relationships which she herself is not too familiar with. She can tell what's happening, how Minji is feeling, but she's not sure how to make her feel better.
"I don't know if you want my advice Minji," she begins, "or if you care. But to me, that doesn't seem so healthy."
"No?" Minji asks, quite awestruck by Yoohyeon's interpretation. Minji is a wise girl, it's shocking to her how she never noticed until now that her relationship is the actual worst thing in her life. She knew it was bad, but this bad?
Yoohyeon shakes her head and as she does, Minji looks down, able to see the a little part of the mark on her wrist from underneath the blue and beige coat she's wearing. She sighs, a tear forming in her eye. "How could you tell?"
"Tell that it's unhealthy?"
"Yes, I mean, thinking back now it's true but it's taken me years to notice and you've spotted it in mere minutes." Minji explains, confused at her reality.
"I don't know." Yoohyeon leans back. "A hunch? I think strangers can tell a lot more than the actual people concerned sometimes."
"So... you think everyone can tell apart from me? I must seem like a fool to every body."
"No, not at all. Just a few people. You know that saying, love is like an onion?"
"Huh?"
Yoohyeon chuckles awkwardly. "I mean, an onion has many layers, which you peel and keep peeling until you reach the centre. The centre is the relationship, the real emotions and love you share. Whether it's good or bad, that's what makes the relationship. The layers around, they're what people see. They're the things you put in the way to block the truth. If you're trying to forget something that has happened, or if you're putting on a fake emotion, that's a layer. It hides the truth. Or at least that's one interpretation of the onion love."
Minji listens carefully, admittedly imagining an onion being peeled, as Yoohyeon describes what seems to perfectly describe her and San. On the one hand, she's surprised that Yoohyeon has flawlessly grasped something that even she couldn't do so far. On the other, she's quite upset that it's taken this long to do anything about it.
"That's... a very interesting take and quite frankly, it couldn't be put better." She says, making Yoohyeon turn to look at her. "May I ask, what layer of mine and San’s relationship onion are you seeing?"
Yoohyeon frowns. "Definitely not the centre. I think only the people whom the relationship is shared between are able to see that. I'd say I see the outermost layer, just like most others do. Until you peel it away and tell me details, that's all I'll ever see."
"Wow." Minji exhales, wiping a tear. Yoohyeon's words spoke right into her heart, making her realise things she might never have done if not for tonight. "What do I do now?"
"Do whatever you feel is right."
Just as Minji smiles sincerely, showing her own gratitude to the ticket seller, the doors to the theatre spring open and people begin to exit. They both stand, facing each other as Minji scans the ocean of people for San. There, he is, looking around for her while holding onto her jacket and bag.
"Thank you, so much." She thanks Yoohyeon, who smiles at her, holding a hand up to wave as Minji runs over to San.
Taking a big breath because she's taking a big step in her life, she reaches him and looks him in the eye. The only thing she sees is anger, no worry or remorse, no guilt, just pure rage. She searches harder, wondering if any of the things she's looking for will finally appear after being buried under face but they don't.
"Where did you go? You weren't in the restroom were you? Were you out here?" He asks, no actual bother evident behind his tone.
"Yes, I was out here." She says, turning to walk to the car, passing Yoohyeon with a faint smile on the way by as she mouths 'good luck'.
"Why's that?" San follows behind. "Didn't like the play?"
"The play was horrible."
"Well. Why did you leave?"
Minji ignores him, walking straight to his car.
"Huh? Answer me, Minji."
She waits by the car door, telling him to unlock it which he does with a groan. He gets in shortly after and gives her the bag and jacket, starting the car. Minji stops him.
"Don't start the car."
"Why not? Minji, why were you outside here?"
"Think, why could I possibly have left?" She asks, sitting forward in her seat to look back at him as his eyes look for a possible solution.
"I don't know, stubbornness? Ungrateful that I didn't get you a better seat?"
Minji laughs as everything he is thinking about her is exactly what he is himself. "I think you're describing the wrong person. After how many years and you still don't know me. Wow."
"Well that is just you, ungrateful, always asking for the best."
"What?" Minji asks, laughing as she really can't believe a thing he is saying. It's like he's talking to a different person, like he's drunk and doesn't even recognise her. "I don't ask you for anything, San."
He widens his eyes and scoffs. "You lie. Just tell me why you are out here and we can move on."
"It's shocking how you're pretending not to know."
"Pretending? Babe, I simply have no idea what you mean. I'm clueless right now."
The scary thing is, Minji can't tell if he's being serious or not. Does he not think what he did, hurting her like that, was wrong - or is he avoiding it because he knows he could get in trouble?
"You grabbed me."
San laughs, "What? No I didn't."
"You did and it hurt me, San."
He frowns in ignorance. "Oh when I lightly touched your wrist? That's barely a hold, Minji. I barely touched you."
Shaking her head, Minji holds up her wrist to show him the bruising mark on her goose bump-skin. He inhales at the sight and opens his eyes more, shaking his head.
"I don't know what you mean. I didn't do that."
"Are you serious?"
He nods, putting the keys into the car and getting ready to start it but Minji stops him.
"I'm tired." Minji suspires sadly.
"Well if you'd only let me take you home-"
"No." A tear falls from her eye, holding the soul of every tear she's kept inside these past few years. "You, I'm tired of you and of us."
"Don't be stupid. What do you mean?" He taunts, taking his fingers away from the wheel.
Minji is aware that this is taking a deep spiral, one she didn't know she'd be embarking on this evening. But she's ready. She's just hoping that it's true and her emotions are real right now, she can't regret it later on.
"You know what I mean. You're so manipulative, it's almost as if you expect my life to revolve around you. 'I have some free time let's call my girlfriend who definitely isn't doing anything because she spends her time waiting for me, her Prince Charming to come and see her, like a proper lady should.' God, you're so self-centred it kills me having to put up with you and your misogynistic views, you know that?" She cries, shouting more cruelly than she ever has before at him. Finally, she takes a breath while she watches his face scrunch up.
"You're saying I'm the problem here? Like you communicate with me at all."
"I never get a fucking chance to. Whenever you're free we do things like this, extravagant things which are only done to show off. I don't care for them."
"You could've told me then."
"What, would you have liked it if I said 'I don't want to watch this' after you'd already decided and drove me here? You'd probably shout again."
"I never shout."
"Don't make me laugh. You shout so much, so meanly."
The argument gets more heated, to the point that Minji is crying and San’d posture is strong and upright to defend himself. A silence waves over them as San’s expression turns from one of confusion and misjudgement, to that of pride and conceitedness.
"You never cry because of me though."
Enough to push Minji over the edge. She laughs and grabs her bag and coat in her knuckles, readying to leave the car.
"Where are you going?"
"We're done, San." She tells him, opening the door however being stopped by the weight of his wrist on her upper arm.
"You can't be serious. Get back in the fucking car."
She turns back to him and looks him in the eye, "No San, let go." Surprisingly, he does, as of course he's aware they are in public and eyes began to swarm. Minji can only imagine what would've happened if they weren't in public, if there was nobody to save her and ridicule him.
Just to spite him, Minji leaves the car door open and walks in front of it quickly, running back outside to the theatre. Maybe it was a bad idea, where is she going to go with only her phone and a few cosmetics in her purse? She thinks, wiping tears which she's sure have smudged her makeup as she puts the jacket on.
San’s car appears round the corner and he rolls the window down, much to Minji's dismay.
"Just get in. How are you going to get home?"
"No, San. I don't know but I don't want to see you ever."
"Fine." He smacks the wheel with his hands. "This isn't my fault, if you get abducted or something remember I offered you a ride." He begins rolling the window up as a barely audible 'bitch' escapes his tongue. He drives off, over the speed limit as Minji perches on the memorial bench, avoiding the glares from people still leaving the theatre.
On the plus side, she thinks, she did it. It had crossed her mind before, what if I broke up with San, would I care? Would it make much a difference to my life apart from not being gifted unwanted riches?
In conclusion, no it wouldn't. And so far, apart from not being able to get home, she doesn't have many worries or doubts that she's done the wrong thing. She realises now that he is a disgusting person, especially not admitting that he hurt her when he definitely did and there are probably some witnesses too.
She can't help but sigh, contently. It feels as if a burden has been lifted. She can't remember the last time she felt happy and safe with him, like he truly made her happy without diamonds or clothes.
It's odd how she can't feel the cold much anymore.
"Some company?" Yoohyeon asks, appearing in front of Minji. She's sure the ticket seller had seen everything go down just now. She feels guilty, loading all this trouble onto Yoohyeon whom she had only just met, however she smiles, allowing for her to sit by her side. "Did things work out?"
"Depends in what way you are implying." Minji sniffs, wiping her nose with a little smile.
"Hmm... did you talk to him and do you feel better about what you spoke about?"
"If you're asking if we broke up, yes." Minji smiles. "I think I'm okay. I think it's for the best. I'm sorry for all this burden, telling you all of this."
Yoohyeon shakes her head. "No worries, it's the most interesting evening I've had since I started working here."
Minji laughs, something about the way Yoohyeon's eyes were half closed from fatigue and her hair was shoved up like it had fallen out twenty times already, makes Minji think that the girl is being completely honest.
"How long have you worked here for?"
"About 2 years. I came here as soon as I left school at 18." Yoohyeon explains, producing a jaw drop from Minji.
"You're 20?"
Yoohyeon nods. "Only just turned 20. Is that surprising?"
"No, no you look it now that I think. I meant, the way you speak it's so mature."
Shrugging, Yoohyeon simply agrees. "I've actually been told that a lot."
Minji smiles, noticing a little life in the eyes she looks into. Well, more than there was earlier on.
"How about you, how old are you Minji?"
Minji fakes a gasp. "Asking a lady of her age?"
"I believe you did the same thing?" Yoohyeon plays along, a smug smirk on her face as she folds her arms.
"Fair play." She chuckles. "I'm 22."
"No way." This time it's Yoohyeon's jaw that drops, as Minji raises an eyebrow. "You look younger than me."
"Not a chance." Minji laughs, secretly happy about the compliment. She gets told that she looks young quite a lot, but right now she's sure that Yoohyeon has a more youthful look than herself.
Yoohyeon laughs along. "You don't have a ride?" She says suddenly. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry but your uh... conversation was quite loud and-"
"No worries, Yoohyeon. I assumed most people would hear it." Minji sighs. "No, I don't have a ride. I might just have to call my friend to pick me up."
"I would offer you a lift but I walked here." Yoohyeon pouts, thinking what she could do. "Ah, I know."
"There's really no need, I'm sure my friend will get me."
"Oh okay." Yoohyeon sits patiently as Minji rings Bora.
Define Handong; a trusty friend for life. Minji's upset that she has to do this but it really comes down to it. It's past midnight and Handong sleeps way before this, Minji knows because of the amount she has messaged her after getting home late and she's already asleep.
The beeping ringtone ends with 'unable to connect to call', earning a sigh from Minji. She knew Handong wouldn't pick up but it was worth a try.
"She's most likely sleeping." Minji chuckles, feeling awkward.
"Hmm, it's very late." Yoohyeon frets, standing up. "Wait here." She runs off into her booth as Minji watches from a distance through the booth window. Yoohyeon returns with her bag. "I'll get you a cab."
"Yoohyeo-" Minji starts but is cut off by the shake of the ticket sellers finger in front of her as she taps on her phone.
"Please, let me do this. I think you've had a bad night and clearly you're almost out of options for a ride home. Your ex is a dick for leaving you here just like this, even if you denied it. Should've given you some money or something."
Minji finds it sweet how much this stranger cares. Cares more than anyone else, her parents, her ex-boyfriend. It's bringing her a sense of comfort, that she doesn't want to lose. She feels like doesn't want to never see Yoohyeon again.
"Alright." Minji gives in, knowing she doesn't live that far away so the price won't be much. Yoohyeon hands her phone to Minji, open on an app for calling a cab. "Are you sure?"
"Of course, it would make me feel better knowing you're home safely after this evening."
Minji smiles, nodding as she types in her address. She's sure Yoohyeon cannot access her address if she deletes the tab but she feels as though it wouldn't matter if she did. Although Yoohyeon is a stranger, Minji feels sheltered by her, like she could tell her everything about herself and not have to worry about being judged.
The cab is called for and arrives 10 minutes later, after more conversations full of delightful small talk and subtle giggles, Minji gets in with Yoohyeon by the cab door, handing her more than enough money.
"This is a bit too much."
"I don't have any notes worth less. You keep it all, buy some coffee for yourself."
Without knowing, Minji makes a little face at the suggestion of coffee. She doesn't like coffee however the sediment from Yoohyeon makes her want to buy all the coffee in the world.
"How about I buy you a coffee instead? To thank you for this, for the cab and this whole evening?"
Yoohyeon smiles, leaning on the edge of the cab as the window is rolled down, the driver losing his patience as he waits for them to finish.
"No need to thank me." Yoohyeon says, as Minji nods bluely. "But I think I'll accept the offer."
In that moment, she saw that Yoohyeon was a moral person, sparking much interest in Minji. She's quite frankly, never met anyone like her, from what she's learned so far about the ticket seller. They exchanged numbers in hopes that they'd meet again, over a cup of coffee.
Well, Yoohyeon over a cup of coffee and Minji with a cola.
And that's just what happened, one exact week later on the very next Saturday. Minji paid, with Yoohyeon's money and some of her own otherwise it defeated the purpose of paying Yoohyeon back for her kindness.
They continued to meet, and seemed to become very close friends. San had tried once to contact Minji to apologise, however she denied contact and that was that.
She thought nothing he could do, no flowers or kisses could make her feel the same way she did 2 years ago. Nothing he could say would gain her forgiveness, the bruise on her wrist only now began to fade.
And funnily enough, the bruise on her heart disappeared the moment she got offered a cab ride from the young ticket seller.
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