"Dressing Zico"

The next morning, Zico had a breakfast meeting with the other members of Block B. They met in one of the conference rooms at the hotel and Zico had breakfast delivered. I was just meeting the rest of the boys and they were a lot different than their image. They were all sweet, and a little quiet, and very polite. Zico had warned me that they might be a little rowdy but they weren’t that way at all. When I mentioned this to him he just said it was because there was a woman present. B-Bomb, who I learned is really Minhyuk, made a plate for me. Jaehyo sat beside me and whispered dirty little secrets about the other members and some even included him. He showed me pictures on his phone as proof that he wasn’t making it up. Kyung and Jihoon talked mostly to Zico while Ukwon sat quietly and nibbled at his food. Minhyuk filled his plate twice and sat on my other side, listening to Jaehyo and making corrections to the stories that he was a part of. Taeil sat on the other side of Jaehyo and made corrections to the rest.
When the managers and directors and all of the official people showed up, the actual meeting began and I took a seat in the back of the room. Everything was in Korean and I didn’t understand any of it. A very sweet woman named Young Lee came and sat by me. She didn’t seem to be there in any official capacity either and she would tell me the gist of what was being said. They were discussing the creation of a new album, how many and what songs were to be included and if the boys had anything they had been working on that they wanted to try to put on the album. They all seemed a little surprised and very interested when Ukwon said that he had something he had been working on. Also Jihoon and Kyung had things they wanted to contribute. Zico said he had several songs ready to go for the entire group. When does he find the time to write?
They wanted a whole new concept and look for the group for this comeback. They didn’t necessarily want to change their image that much, just show another side to their craziness. The potential name of the album was going to be “In the Wake of Madness” and they wanted most of the songs to be a little wild. They were reentering the system after a long hiatus and they wanted something that was going to be eye and ear catching. Something that said that Block B was back and they were there to take over.
Zico said that he wanted me to work with the groups stylist to come up with their new looks and the whole room turned to look at me. I guess Zico forgot that I don’t speak Korean and didn’t understand that they wanted my agreement so I know I must have looked like a deer in headlights. Young Lee whispered to me what they had said and I said, “Oh! Yes! Of course. I would feel privileged to work on that. Thank you.” I don’t know if they understood but they nodded and smiled and went back to their meeting. I’m sure they understood yes so it was all good. I’m going to kill Zico! I thought and glared at him. He didn’t see it so it didn’t do any good. Then they said something else that I more or less ignored except for the name Alicia Wright. When her name came up, I noticed a lot of people look over at Zico. He just looked down at the table. Kyung leaned over and said something with a very serious look on his face and Zico just shrugged. Young Lee once again whispered to me that they had changed their last stylist and that Alicia Wright was going to be the one working on this comeback and that I would be working with. I felt very intimidated. She was a huge name in the fashion world and I was essentially a nobody. Well, I wanted to make contacts and I couldn’t make a better one than Alicia Wright!
After that, they started talking a lot of boring business stuff so I sort of checked out. I looked around the room at all of the people gathered and I could see why the seven boys of Block B were stars. They stood out among all of the others. They all had a uniqueness that made them almost shine, even in everyday clothes.
When the meeting was over, they all agreed to meet up that night at Club M, the same club that Jong had taken me too. I made a comment to Young Lee that I would be skipping the party when Jaehyo came up behind me and said, “You might want to reconsider. You should go.”
“I’ve been there and it really isn’t my kind of place. But thanks,” I said.
“No, I mean, you really should go. Alicia Wright is going to be there,” he said.
“It’s not really the atmosphere that I’d like to meet her for the first time in. Thanks for trying to help me though,”
“I AM trying to help you. Alicia used to date Jiho. She was completely obsessed to the point that he had to break it off and that’s when she left and we got another stylist,” whispered Jaehyo.
“I see,” I said.
“You should go. He broke up with her but he didn’t really want to. She has a way of digging her claws into him and making him do whatever she wants. For some reason he just goes along with her and she always seems to get what she wants. The only reason he broke up with her last time was because she was affecting his work and we all came down on him. We basically said he could stay with her or stay with us. She’s bad news.”
“Thank you Jaehyo. I believe I will go. After all, Zico did buy me a new pretty red dress,” I said.
“Smart girl! And a little more advice… stick to him like glue. Don’t let her get between you two at any time. I know it sounds silly but trust me. I know how she is and no offense but I’m afraid she would eat you for breakfast, bones and all. You seem very sweet and she’s anything but. Truth be told, she’s a major bitch!”
“Gotcha! I’ll make sure to stake my claim.”
Jaehyo smiled and left with the others.
Looks like I’ve got work to do.

I decided it was time to get pretty. Zico was busy and couldn’t take me out so I convinced him to let me go with Marco. It was surprisingly easy compared to our usual exchanges about my going out alone. He seemed very distracted and I wondered if it was because of Alicia Wright.
In the car, I talked to Marco. He doesn’t talk back or maybe even understand what I’m saying but he’s a great listener.
“You know Marco, when they said I was going to be working with Alicia Wright, I was excited and a little scared. She’s the big time. I could learn so much from her but I could also completely embarrass myself. Now, I have an even bigger problem.”
“You do?” asked Marco as if he was really listening.
“Yes. She is going to try to steal Zico from me. Well, according to Jaehyo. Maybe he’s wrong. Maybe she’s over him and he’s over her and I’m panicking for no reason. He did tell me he loves me.”
“Jaehyo?” asked Marco.
“No silly! Zico. Surly he wouldn’t just say that and then drop me to go back to her. Except I’ve seen her. She’s gorgeous. She’s tall and voluptuous with her curves in all the right places. She has big blue eyes and long blond hair and a butt that was probably given to her by Adonis himself. Look at me Marco!”
“You are very beautiful Miss Elizabeth,” he said.
“No. No I’m not! I’m plain and short with boring brown hair and boring brown eyes and a butt that was given to me by the pilsbury dough boy! I don’t stand a chance do I?” The more I talked, the more I began to panic.
“Miss Elizabeth, you are beautiful. Your hair is not boring. It has red and gold and copper and is much more interesting than a blond that probably isn’t really blond. Your eyes also have green and gold and they smile and make people happy. And I haven’t looked but I’m sure you have a very nice butt too. Mr. Woo is crazy for you. I’ve seen it as has everyone else. Don’t worry.”
I was stunned. That was the most English I had ever heard Marco speak. That was the most I had heard him say at all! I put my arm through his and squeezed it in a tight hug. “Thank you Marco! Thank you so much.”

We got to the salon and I had them do the works. I talked Kim Marco into sitting down for a pedicure. He pretended not to like it but he kept grinning. I almost talked him into getting a massage with me but he said that it would make him too vulnerable and he couldn’t do his job. He was right. After my nails and my skin, I had my hair done. They wanted to put in a little color but after what Marco had said, I wouldn’t touch the color of my hair for anything. I don’t know if I looked prettier when I left but I felt prettier. I decided it’s good to be pampered every now and then. I even got Marco to admit that his feet felt better.
Since I was out, which was a rare privilege, I took advantage of it and did some shopping. First, we went to eat. I always had to talk Marco into doing everything and eating was no exception. He usually gives in after about the third try. Maybe Zico was right. Maybe Marco was just a big playmate for me that could also kill people. Whatever. I had fun with him.
Next, we went shoe shopping. Marco held my purse while the man who was helping me ran around like crazy to find shoes to please me. I didn’t know why he seemed so nervous and fidgety until Marco bent over to tie his shoe and I saw that big gun on his hip. I left with only two new pair but they were gorgeous.
I went into the jewelry store to look around. I didn’t really have any nice jewelry and I wanted to look at earrings to go with the red dress that Zico bought for me. Security had to check Marco’s credentials before they would let him in with his gun. I went ahead and started looking around and Marco kept watching me as they checked him out. It was a small store and I don’t know what he thought was going to happen but I guess that was his job. I ended up buying a delicate ruby and diamond necklace and earring set that was on sale. I also bought a gold bracelet for Zico. I didn’t know if he would wear it but I wanted him to have it. I secretly bought a gold stud for Marco. He didn’t know it yet but he was getting his ear pierced.
We left there and I found a place where I could get Marco’s ear pierced. I didn’t say anything at first, just went in and looked around. Then I said, “You know what I would really like Marco?”
“No, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I would love to see you with an earring,” I said.
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that,” he said.
I pouted. “But Marco! I bought you a gold earring and everything,” I whined and grabbed his hand.
“You did?” he asked.
“Yes so please, please, please do this one little thing for me. It would make me so happy,” I smiled up at him.
He looked around to make sure no one could hear us and whispered, “I’m afraid of needles, Miss Elizabeth.” He blushed.
“It’s okay Marco. They use a gun. You like guns!” I reasoned.
His eyes got big. “A gun?”
“It’s an earring gun. Please, Marco? I won’t ask for anything else if you’ll do this for me.” I batted my eyes flirtatiously. “Look, it will match your gold tooth!” I showed him the little earring.
His mouth made a tight little line as he tried to think of a way out of this but he finally sighed and said, “Okay. But will you hold my hand?”
“Of course I will!” I hugged him.
I got him to sit in the tiny little chair and I laughed because he looked like he was going to burst out of it at any moment. The little woman came over and prepared everything and I held Marco’s hand. When she swabbed his ear, he jumped. When she drew the little dot, he jumped. When she picked up the gun, he jumped.
“Close your eyes Kim Marco,” I said. He did. It was over in a second but I would hear about it for the next three weeks. He would not let me forget that I had put him through so much torture.What a big freaking baby! I thought.
“It looks awesome! Thank you Marco! I love it.” I told him when we left the store. “Stop touching it! Don’t! Leave it alone or you’ll get it infected.”
He kept reaching up to touch his ear and I’d have to smack his hand. “Please don’t ask anything else of me like this Miss Elizabeth.”
“I won’t.” I smiled up at him and he gave me a smile back. We went back to the hotel.

When I got to my room, there was a familiar shaped package on the bed. I threw my other bags on the bed and ripped into it and found what I had expected to find. A new phone. It was another gold phone but the diamonds on the back spelled out, “Property of Woo Jiho!” Did he give me the wrong one by accident? I wondered. I looked in the contacts and once again they were all locked on Zico. I pushed the button and waited for him to answer.
“Hey,” he answered with a slow deep voice.
“Thank you for my new phone,” I said.
“You are very welcome,” he said. He sounded funny.
“I have a question,” I said.
“Shoot.”
“Why does it say ‘Property of Woo Jiho’? Is it just a loaner? ‘Cause I can buy my own phone.”
“It means you, dummy,” he said.
“What does?” I asked.
“Think about it. You can get this one,” he said.
I thought about it. “Oh! Zico! Is that how you see me? Your property?” I asked.
“Absolutely. And don’t you forget it.”
I should have been angry at the implication of being owned but I liked that he thought of me as his.
“I got you something too,” I said.
“You did?”
“Mmm-hmm. It’s not much but I hope you like it.”
“I would love anything you wanted to give me,” he said. He was slurring his words a little.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m just getting a little head start on tonight. I’m with Kyung and Jihoon having a few drinks. Are you coming to the club?”
“Aren’t you taking me?” I asked a little surprised and actually a little hurt.
“We are going straight over. Get ready and I’ll have Marco bring you.”
I was a little disappointed. “Oh. Okay. I’ll see you there I guess.”
“Okay,” he said.
“If I even go. I’m sort of tired,” I said. And yes, it was a test.
“Maybe you should just stay there and rest if you don’t feel good. I’ll understand.” He failed.
“Maybe I should. Will I see you tonight?” I asked.
“Probably not. I don’t know when I’ll get in. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” I said.
There was a pause. “Maybe? You have somewhere to be?”
“I might. I don’t know yet.” I was starting to tear up so I decided to end the call. “Well, goodnight Zico. Have fun.”
Another pause. “Goodnight,” he said.
I hung up.
I can’t believe that just happened. I wanted to cry but I wouldn’t let myself. Now I had to decide if his reaction was because of being with Block B or because of Alicia Wright. I thought about not going. He seemed to not really want me there anyway. What if I went and he ignored me. I would be heartbroken. What if I didn’t go and tomorrow he comes home with Alicia? I decided to go.
When I got ready, I made sure everything was perfect. My hair had been pinned up with soft curls coming down to frame my face. The necklace and earrings were perfect for the dress as were the stiletto red shoes with the silk ankle ties that I had bought earlier. I always wore subtle makeup but tonight I vamped it up a bit. A little more eyeliner. A little more lipstick. A little more color. The dress was red silk. It was tight, short, and showed a little of this and a little of that but not enough to get the whole picture. It was the sexiest thing I had ever worn.
I had Marco change into a black suit with a black shirt and tie. If he was going to be my date then I wanted him to stand out. Not that he didn’t already, being a pile of muscles, but I wanted him to stand out in a different way. Kim Marco cleaned up good. He was a very handsome man if you looked at him just right.
I was ready. I just hoped it was enough to keep Zico’s eyes off of Alicia and on me.

The club made Marco very nervous. It was cramped and loud and I’m sure for a bodyguard it was a nightmare. It seemed louder and more packed than the night I had come here with Jong. I actually saw some of the same people that I had seen that night. I saw some of the Block B members but I didn’t see Zico. So many men tried to approach me but they were barred every time by Marco. He would just step in front of them and shake his head. They always turned and went the other way. Quickly.
Zico had been easier to find when he had white hair but when I finally did catch a glimpse of him, Jaehyo came over and blocked my view. “I thought you were going to come with him,” he said. It was so loud, we had to yell everything.
“I was but he was already out so he told me to meet him here,” I said as I tried to look around him. “Is that him over there?”
He kept trying to block my view. “Listen, they’ve only been talking for a little while so don’t get upset okay?”
“Who?” I asked.
“Jiho and Alicia,” he said trying to keep my eyes on him.
“What is a little while?” I asked.
“She was already here when he got here. He was supposed to bring you! What happened?” he asked.
“He went out with Kyung and Jihoon and when I called him he said for me just to meet him here,” I said.
“He told me you weren’t feeling well so you weren’t coming. That’s when SHE found him and she’s been glued to him ever since,” he said.
Every time I would move, he would move with me. It was like we were dancing. “Jaehyo! Why are you blocking me? What’s going on over there?”
He grabbed my hands and got very close to my ear. “Jiho’s drunk and being an idiot and I don’t want to see you two fight. You know how he is when he’s drinking,” he said.
I thought of what happened in the kitchen after only four bottles of Soju. I knew I had to get to him. “Let me by, Jaehyo,” I said.
He turned his head to look at them and said, “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get him to come to you?”
When he turned, I took that opportunity to peek around him and what I saw made my stomach clench. I got light-headed and I thought I was going to throw up. Zico was standing against the wall, or rather using the wall to hold himself up, and leaning against him was a tall, curvy, bimbette with legs to the sky, and long blond hair that ended at what some magazines had said was “the best ass in the U.S.A”. Even from the back I could tell it was Alicia Wright. She was wearing a pink dress that was so tight it was basically a second skin and was so short I could almost see things only her doctor has seen. She would have looked less vulgar if she had just been plain naked. She was plastered to Zico, whispering in his ear and he was laughing his flirty laugh.
I looked up at Jaehyo with tears in my eyes. “You know what? He’s busy right now so I think I’ll get a drink first.” I turned toward the bar and Marco moved in front of me to clear a path. Jaehyo followed me. I don’t know why he was taking such an interest in this situation but it was sweet of him to try to help.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” he asked.
“I think it’s the best idea!,” I said. To the bartender I yelled, “ I’d like one of those blue fruity drinks you have!” He nodded and got to work on it.
“No, it’s not! What you should be doing is going over to Jiho and letting him get a look at you in that dress! You look incredible! He’ll flip!” said Jaehyo.
I slowly turned to him and smiled. “Thank you Jaehyo. I plan to do just that as soon as I get a little liquid courage.”
“Why do you need that? From what I understand, you’re already pretty ballsy!”
The bartender sat the drink in front of me and Jaehyo snatched it. “Because, not only is Alicia Wright after my Zico, but she is also my nemesis in the fashion world. She’s like me with a major upgrade!”
“That’s bullcrap! She’s a total whore! Are you sure you want this? This is a very powerful drink. Maybe you should stay sober.”
I looked over to where Zico and Alicia were standing and I saw him give her a sip of his drink. I took the drink from Jaehyo and downed it. It was so delicious. You couldn’t even taste alcohol and that’s what made it dangerous. I looked over at them again and he brushed her hair back and whispered something to her. I turned back to the bartender and yelled, “Can I have another please?” He nodded.
Minhyuk came up beside Jaehyo and said something to him that I couldn’t hear. Then Jaehyo yelled back, “I think there’s gonna be a fight.”
I got my second drink and downed that one too. “No there’s not. I’m not going to fight tonight. At least not here.”
Minhyuk looked at my glass and said, “Soon you won’t be standing either.”
“That’s her second one,” yelled Jaehyo.
Minhyuk’s eyes widened. “You better sit her down,” he said.
“I won’t let her fall!” yelled Marco.
“Okay! Let’s do this!” I yelled. I took a step forward and almost stumbled but Marco’s arm went around me like a steel band. “I’m good, Marco!” I yelled and he gingerly let me go. I straightened myself up and pulled my dress down.
“Maybe you shouldn’t…” Minhyuk began.
“Nah, let her go! Maybe she’ll knock Alicia on her ass. I’d like to see a good cat fight,” said Jaehyo.
I don’t know why but I didn’t get that drunk. From the way the boys were talking, I should have been passed out on the floor but I only felt a little warm and dizzy. I think it may have had something to do with Master Pao’s cure. I think it inoculated me against alcohol. Well, mostly, because I certainly felt brave enough to face Zico now.
Marco walked in front of me so Zico was blocked from my view but I heard his distinctive voice when he saw Marco. “What in the hell are you doing here?” Then Marco moved to the side.
“Oh fuck!” Zico yelled. He stood up from the wall and away from Alicia. I stood there glaring at him and not moving so he came to me. He smelled strongly of alcohol but then I probably did too. He also smelled like expensive perfume. It wasn’t anything I could have afforded. Alicia stood back, twirling her straw and looking me up and down. “I thought you weren’t coming,” he said into my ear.
“I can see that,” I yelled back and looked at Alicia.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Nothing. Wanna dance?” I asked.
“You look fucking hot!” he said.
“Don’t talk to me like that Zico. You didn’t answer my question,” I said.
“What question?” he slurred.
“Let’s dance,” I said and put my arm around his waist. I slid my body along his so he could get a great view of my cleavage and kissed his cheek.
“Damn! Yeah, alright.” He turned to Alicia as I clung to him and said, “It was nice talking to you again.” She looked like she was mad enough to spit nails and I would be her target. I gave her a smile and a small wave as Zico led me to the dance floor. It’s going to be so much fun working with her. Oi!
Once again, the dance floor was so packed that you were essentially dancing with everyone. There wasn’t a part of my body that didn’t get touched or rubbed against. I wrapped my arms around Zico’s neck and he wrapped his around my waist. He pulled me so close that I could feel his heartbeat. The song was very sultry and sexy and the entire crowd seemed to move in a constant body roll. It was almost like having sex with our clothes on. I kissed his neck and he moved his leg between mine so that whenever he moved, it rubbed me in the most sensual way. I almost forgot we were surrounded by people when he put his mouth over mine and gave me the longest, sweetest kiss he had ever given me. I forgot about Alicia, the club, Block B, the crowd, and everything else. Zico filled my world. He often had that effect on me.
When the song ended and the rest of the crowd warmed up and started jumping around, we stayed the way we were, kissing and moving slowly against one another. Zico yelled next to my ear, “You really do look hot tonight.”
“Thank you. So do you!” I yelled back.
“Yeah, but I always do. That’s nothing new.” He laughed.
“You’re an arrogant ass!” I yelled.
“I know.” He pulled me close again and started kissing my bare shoulder.
I closed my eyes to enjoy it and then I thought of something. “Want to introduce me to Alicia Wright?” I asked.
“Not really,” he said.
“Why not? I’m going to be working with her. It might be nice to meet her beforehand.”
He didn’t say anything for a few minutes. Then he said, “Alright. Why the hell not!” He took my hand and we went over to where she was standing. She was talking to three other people but when she saw Zico, she left them and put on the biggest fake smile I had ever seen. That was until she saw me coming up behind him. She barely tried to hide her disdain when he said, “Alicia, this is Elizabeth, the girl I was telling you about. You’ll be working with her on the comeback album.”
“Elizabeth!” she said. It sounded slimy. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Hello Miss Wright. It’s an honor to finally meet you.” Yes, I sucked up.
“Alicia please! I’m not old enough to be Miss Wright yet!” She laughed a fake laugh. Also, another con on my side was that she was younger than me. “I only got to watch one episode of that little fashion show you were on. I loved some of your ideas.” Jab number one and Jab number two. She took a sip of her pink drink.
“Thank you,” I said.
Zico stood back and pretended not to be paying attention. That’s when I know he’s paying the most attention.
“So, what have you heard about me?” I asked.
“Excuse me?” Alicia asked.
“You said you had heard a lot about me. I was just wondering if it was good or bad.” I smiled my best fake smile.
Zico looked up and put his head back.
“All good of course. Is there some bad stuff? Jiho, you didn’t tell me there was bad stuff!” She flirtatiously slapped his arm. “He just told me that you were also from the U.S. and that you were a sweet little thing with some talent that I might be able to work with.” Jab number three. And yes I was keeping score.
I grabbed Zico’s arm and said, “Jiho! You’d better not tell her about the bad stuff. That has to stay in the bedroom! And the kitchen. Oh, and the living room. Mmmmm… and the shower!” I used my most flirtatious giggle.
Zico grabbed my arm and said into my ear, “Stop!”
“Jico! You didn’t tell me you were knocking boots with this little thing. That’s so cute. You’re such a naughty boy,” said Alicia a little less flirty.
Jico?
He didn’t answer.
“Has he brought out the oils yet? Are you two that far in? I taught him that and it became one of his favorite things, didn’t it Jico?” JAB! JAB! JAB! JAB!
“SHUT. UP. ALICIA.” Zico’s face was getting red and the vein in his neck was pulsing.
“Oh yeah! We’ve been there,”I said. I felt like I had been punched in the gut.
“Honey, you’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg! We’ll talk. I’ll tell you exactly where he likes to be licked and tickled,” she said and laughed. JAB x A THOUSAND! I wanted to slap her face. What does she have, like a million teeth? I wondered as I looked at her giant smile.
“That’s okay. I want to find those things out for myself. It’s like a treasure hunt. Right now he’s busy trying to find out where to tickle me, isn’t that right JICO?” I needed to get away from Alicia Wright or I was going to break my word and there was definitely going to be a fight.
“Okay! That’s about enough of that!” yelled Zico. “Goodnight Alicia.” He took my hand and pulled me away. I gave her another bitchy wave as he took me as far away from her as he could get me.
When we got to the bar, I yelled to the bartender, “Can I get another one of those blue fruity drinks please?”
“NO!” yelled Zico. “CANCEL THAT!”
“YOU CAN’T CANCEL MY ORDER!” I yelled at him.
“I JUST DID!” he yelled at me and then to the bartender, “IF YOU SERVE HER ANOTHER DRINK, I’LL KICK YOUR ASS! GOT IT?”
The bartender’s eyes were wide when he said, “Got it Zico! No drinks for the lady!”
We were attracting the attention of those around us. Even over the music. The other Block B members began to gather around us.
“WHY CAN’T I HAVE A DRINK?” I asked him.
“YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH!” he yelled.
“I’VE HAD TWO!” I yelled.
“THAT’S ENOUGH! WHO LET YOU HAVE TWO? I TOLD YOU THOSE DRINKS ARE STRONG!” he yelled.
“NO ONE EFFING LET ME AND YOUR EXACT WORDS WERE THAT IT WOULD LAND ME ON MY BACK! DON’T YOU WANT THAT ANYMORE OR HAVE YOU DECIDED TO GO BACK TO THE OLD DOG? SHE SEEMS TO ALREADY KNOW ALL OF THE TRICKS!” I yelled. I was starting to tear up. Angry tears!
“YOU NEED TO GO HOME! KIM MARCO! FUCKING TAKE HER HOME! NOW!”
Marco started to come toward me but I put up my hand. “I’M NOT EFFING GOING ANYWHERE JICO! NOT UNTIL I’M EFFING GOOD AND READY!”
He stared at me. No, he glared at me. He was grinding his teeth. Finally he said, “This is why you can’t drink. You cause me way too much trouble when you are drunk.”
“I’m not drunk! I’m hurt and pissed off but I’m not drunk,” I said.
“Why are you hurt?”
I just looked at him. I really hope he just asked that because he is also drunk! “I think you’re right. It’s time for me to go.”
I took Kim Marco by the hand and led him out instead of the other way around. I didn’t want him to see me cry. Zico either.

At the hotel, I didn’t take off my dress or my makeup. I didn’t take my hair down and I didn’t brush my teeth. I took my shoes off and crawled under the blankets. I cried myself to sleep.
I don’t know what time it was but my door opened. I had locked the chain lock so he could only open it a crack but Zico started yelling, “ELIZABETH! OPEN THIS DAMN DOOR! NOW! DON’T EVER LOCK THIS DOOR AGAINST ME! LEEEEET MEEEE IIIIIIINNNN!”
“GO TO BED ZICO! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU RIGHT NOW!” I yelled. I didn’t turn over or even open my eyes.
The door burst open, the chain flying across the room.
“YOU DAMN WELL WILL SEE ME RIGHT NOW BITCH! YOU WILL SEE ME WHENEVER I WANT!”
I jumped and screamed. I sat up and pulled my knees up to my chin and pulled the blankets up to my nose.
“I’M FUCKING ZICO DAMMIT! I’M YOUR BOSS AND YOUR LOVER AND I’M THE FUCKING DRAGON! YOU CAN’T LOCK THE DOOR OR TELL ME NO OR DRINK OR LEAVE OR DO ANYTHING UNLESS I SAY SO!”
Marco came in and stood behind Zico.
“YOU DON’T OWN ME ZICO!”
“FUCK IF I DON’T!” He reached down and ripped the blankets away from me. “You really do look hot in that dress!” He started to push me back on the bed but Marco put his arms under Zico’s arms and pulled him back.
“GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME! I OWN YOU TOO! I’LL FUCKING FIRE YOU YOU BASTARD! LET ME GO AND GET OUT!”
“Mr. Woo, you’ve had too much to drink and you need to go to your room and go to bed,” said Marco.
“YOU’RE FIRED! NOW GET OUT! LET ME GO AND GET OUT YOU BIG UGLY BASTARD!”
Marco had Zico’s arms pinned and began carrying him toward the door as Zico yelled more obscenities. “You go to sleep Miss Elizabeth! I’ll take good care of Mr. Woo. Don’t you worry about a thing.” Then he pushed the elevator button with his elbow and waited. Zico yelled and struggled but when the doors opened, they disappeared and the yelling stopped.
Shaking, I pulled the blankets back over me and then over my head and cried myself to sleep for the second time that night.

Notes