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Chapter 8 - The Tattered Gown

She turns to stomp away, but she doesn't realize that the hem of her long gown is caught under Kang's shoe. As she forcefully steps forward, the sound of fabric ripping fills the air.)

Eun: (Gasping) Ah! What... what did you do?!

Kang: (Eyes wide in shock) Wait! Stop!

Eun quickly tries to cover the tear in her dress with her hands, looking at him with a mix of embarrassment and anger.)

. Eun: Huh? What do you want to do now? Again...? Kang: (Takes off his coat and places it over Eun's shoulders) Sit still. I won't do anything; just come with me. Eun: Where? Kang: (Places a hand on Eun's shoulder and begins to lead her away) To the waiting room. Eun: Uh... Kang: Don't ask any more questions. Let's go before anyone sees us. I don't want anyone spotting us together. Eun: (Brushing Kang's hand away) There's no need for that; I can walk on my own. I haven't had *so* much to drink that I'm completely wasted. Kang: I have no interest in that either, so go ahead and walk yourself. (Kang walks ahead.) Eun: (From behind, in a hushed voice) (He tore my dress, yet he still can't bring himself to say "sorry.") (Just then, while muttering to herself, Eun trips over her dress and falls. Kang turns around to look at her, chuckles softly at the sight, then walks over and leans down toward her.) Kang: What happened? You said you could walk, didn't you? Eun: Are you making fun of me? You're so mean. Kang: Alright then. (He turns to leave.) Eun: Where are you going? Kang: If I'm so mean, why should I help you? Eun: Sorry! Please help me. (Kang scoops Eun up into his arms.) Eun: (Flustered) This... Kang: Just so you don't fall again. Eun: Right. (Kang carries her into the vanity suite and sets her down on the sofa.) Kang: Sit here for a little while. Eun: Okay. (Kang makes a phone call, while Eun starts teasing him from behind.) Cut!

Won: Where is Lee? (Just then, she spots Lee talking to someone and walks over to him.) Wan: Excuse me, Lee—I need to have a word with you. Lee: (To the other person) Just a minute. Lee: What happened? Won: I think we should head home. Lee: Why? And where is Eun? Wan: She... she's had so much to drink that she's in the restroom throwing up. Lee: What? (Annoyed) Why did you leave her alone? She always makes a scene after she's been drinking—you know that, don't you? Won: I was actually going with her, but she said she needed to call you so she could get a ride home. Come on, let's go see where she is. Lee: Yeah... hurry up. [Scene Cut]

Kang: (On the phone) Hello, Miss Shan? Please bring the dress designed for the model over to the vanity suite—and bring some juice to help with a hangover while you're at it. Miss Shan: Alright, Mr. Kang. (A short while later, Miss Shan arrives with the dress. She hands the juice to Mr. Kang.) Miss Shan: Here you go, Mr. Kang. Mr. Kang: Right. Pick out a nice dress—one that will fit her. Miss Shan: Understood, Sir. (Kang hands the juice to Eun.) Mr. Kang: Drink this; it'll help clear up your hangover. Eun: (Pushing the glass aside) Ugh, I don't want to drink that! It's probably bitter, and I'm not even *that* drunk. Mr. Kang: (Trying to force her to drink) No, you *have* to drink this. Just drink it—got it? Eun: Ugh... (She turns her face away; Kang tries to feed it to her from behind.) Mr. Kang: Stop acting up and just drink it. (He manages to get her to drink it; watching this, Miss Shan smiles to herself.) Miss Shan: Mr. Kang, you two look very good together. Eun: I'll drink it myself! It's not nice to force people. Mr. Kang: (Laughing) The way you were talking yesterday—and how adorable you look after having a drink! (Changing his demeanor) Just ignore that. (To Miss Shan) Mr. Kang: Miss Shan... Miss Shan: Yes, Mr. Kang? Mr. Kang: Have you picked out a dress yet? Miss Shan: I don't know what to say; I just can't figure out which dress would actually fit her. Mr. Kang: Alright, let me take a look. Miss Shan: You know, Sir... Mr. Kang: No, but I'll figure it out. (He begins selecting a dress for eun.) Mr. Kang: This one would be too big on her... not this one either... (Just then, Kang pulls out a stunning black gown.) Yes, this is absolutely perfect. Take this one, Miss Shan. This dress is flawless. I'll wait outside; please help her get dressed. Miss Shan: Yes, Sir. (Kang waits outside while Miss Shan assists eun. A short while later, eun steps out wearing the dress—and draped over it, she is also wearing Kang's coat.) eun: Wow! This dress is absolutely magnificent! (She begins spinning around in circles with joy.) (Kang keeps watching her, looking pleased.) "I really like this." Mr. Kang: "Mrs. Shan, please summon Miss Won here." Mrs. Shan: "Very well, Sir." (Mrs. Shan exits.) Kang: "Miss eun, you're going to fall!" (There is a note of irritation in his voice.) "Miss Won, come here—now!" (eun stops, walks over to Kang, and embraces him.) eun: "*Ah*, I'm exhausted. I want to go home. Carry me, Mr. Kang!" Kang: (Nervously) "Have you lost your mind? Get away from me!" eun: "Carry me! I told you I'm tired!" (Scene Cut

—Just then, Lee and Won arrive.) Won: (Laughs upon seeing eun's state.) "Wow..." Lee: (Walks over to eun, gently separates her from Kang, and takes her into his arms.)

Eun: (Seeing Lee) Lee? You're here? Please, don't start now. I really am fine now. I even had a drink to calm myself down. (Kang's mood sours upon seeing Eun in Lee's arms.) Lee: Yeah, alright. You can leave now. Won Won: Yes. Lee: Take Eun out to the car. Wan: Come on, Eun. (She starts to lead Eun away.) Eun: (To Kang) Bye, Mr. Grumpy Kang... Lee: That's enough, Eun. Go with Won. Eun: Yeah, yeah. (Eun and Won start to leave.) Lee: Wan, wait a minute. Wan: What is it? (Lee walks over to Eun and takes off the coat she is wearing.) Eun: What are you doing? Lee: Go on, now. Won to herself: Why is he doing this?) Yeah, you come along quickly, too. Lee: Yeah. (Eun and Wan leave, and Lee walks over to Kang and hands him back his coat.) Lee: Here. We don't need this anymore. Kang: Yeah. (He takes the coat.) Alright, I'm leaving. Lee: Wait—one more thing... Thanks for helping Eun. Kang: I didn't do it for Eun. I did it so our party wouldn't be ruined. Lee: Well, whatever... Thanks, and bye. We'll see each other again sometime, if you'd like. Kang: Yeah, sure. Why not? (And the two of them head out separately.)

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