Chapter Fourteen

“So where did you and Sunny sneak off to yesterday?” asks Yoona while shifting positions on the recliner she was resting on.

“You and Sunny went out?” asks Sooyoung confused as she sets her yogurt down on the coffee table.

“Homework. She’s my history partner. Remember that project that was assigned? I picked her up to work on the project,” answers Hyoyeon with disinterest, “it's due in two days.”

“Really? We have to get started on it,” exclaim Yoona and Sooyoung simultaneously. Hyoyeon rolls her eyes and continues thumbing through the magazine she was currently reading.

“Has Yul and Taeng started?” asks Yoona.

“Who knows.”

“So are you’re not dating Sunny?” questions Sooyoung as she picks her yogurt back up.

“Sunny is your girl friend. Why would I take your girl friend?” asks Hyoyeon while dropping the magazine and looking at Sooyoung. Sooyoung shrugs her shoulders and takes a bite of her yogurt looking off to the side.

“Well you did have a crush on the girl when she was dating your sister,” comments Yoona.

“It wasn’t a crush, it was a slight interest. And I picked her up for school related things. Unlike you, I want an education,” retorts Hyoyeon irritated.

“One you don’t need an education to protect Tae. And two you don’t need education to k-“

“Shut up Yoona,” orders Hyoyeon as the front door opens and in walks Yuri.

“Sorry I’m a little late,” states Yuri as she walks around and takes a seat on the couch.

“That’s okay. The midget is spending some time with Jessica,” responds Sooyoung. Yuri looks over her shoulder and sure enough the two were in the kitchen talking with smile on their faces.

“When did she get here?” questions Yuri.

“Well before any of us.” Yuri nods her head.

*****

“You don’t have to help,” states Taeyeon as she begins washing the dishes they used.

“Okay,” Jessica dries her hands off.

“I didn’t mean it.” Taeyeon hands Jessica a plate only to have Jessica shove her hand back.

“Nope,” responds Jessica with a smile.

“Fine,” Taeyeon grabs a cup and fills it with water flinging it at Jessica. An ear piercing scream fills the air followed by a whine and a blow to the back of Taeyeon’s head. “Ow!”

“Tae,” Both girls turn to see Hyoyeon leaning standing in the archway. “Clean up and send her home so we can get this meeting started.”

“Alright,” responds Taeyeon as she turns back to cleaning the dishes.

“Is she the older sibling?” asks Jessica as she turns to reach for a dish only to have her hand slapped.

“Leave them alone.”

“But you just asked me to help.”

“I know but the more you help the faster the dishes get clean and the sooner you have to go home. And no she’s not the older sibling, I am,” answers Taeyeon as she continues scrubbing a dish.

“So are you saying you want me here?” asks Jessica slightly interested. Taeyeon nods her head. “But we’re just friends, remember.”

“I know. I like the company of my friends.”

“Taeyeon!” shouts Hyoyeon from the living room.

“I’m hurrying,” responds Taeyeon as she splashes the water. Jessica watches the girl curiously noticing that Taeyeon’s mood was becoming more and more sour by the minute.

“Does this meeting has to do with your parents job?” asks Jessica. Taeyeon nods her head, “so that’s why you want me here. To stop the meeting.”

“I like your company,” answers Taeyeon while not looking at the younger girl. “Even when you hurt me I like your company.” She turns and gives Jessica a smile before turning back to the last few dishes, “I can be normal,” she whispers to herself but Jessica still catches it.

“Let’s go get some ice cream,” states Jessica hoping the girl’s mood would change. Maybe Tiffany is right about her liking Taeyeon. 

“Can’t.”

“Yes you can. We sneak out the back.”

“They’ll hear the car.”

“We take the bus.”

“You’ll get in trouble.”

“With who?”

Taeyeon sets the last dish down and wipes her hands off, “Hyo.”

Jessica scoffs. Why should she be afraid of Hyoyeon? So the girl threatened her that doesn’t mean anything. “You’re the older sister she should fear you.”

“Yeah well I’m not exactly scary.”

“You are when you have that creeper grin going,” answers Jessica.

Taeyeon smiles a little and looks out to the living room to see her group lying around. She turns back to Jessica, “I guess I owe you ice cream another time.”

“You’re really going to let-“

“It’s for my father,” states Taeyeon. Jessica nods her head and exits the kitchen with Taeyeon following her. She opens the door for Jessica and steps out with her onto the front porch. “I’m sorry they’re kicking you out.”

“It’s okay.” Jessica begins her trip down the few stairs and out the front yard waving as she went. Taeyeon sighs before turning and reentering the house.

“Are you two official now?” asks Yoona interested.

“No.,” answers Taeyeon as she knocks Yuri’s legs off the couch finally joining the circle.

“So why are we here?” asks Sooyoung bored.

“Something about we should be holding our own meetings to get use to the idea of taking our father’s seats,” answers Taeyeon as she reaches under the couch and pulls out a file folder dropping it on the coffee table.

*****

Jessica enters her house and looks around to see if anyone was awake. “Sooyeon you’re back,” she peeks her head in the kitchen archway to see her family eating. “It’s a surprise to see you up this early. Where did you go? Come sit.” Jessica nods her head and takes her seat at the table. “So where were you?” asks her mother as she scoops some food onto a plate prior to setting it before Jessica.

“She probably went to go see her boyfriend,” states Krystal.

“Boyfriend?” asks Mr. Hwang while sipping on his coffee.

“Yeah…she’s dating someone named Tae something,” answers Krystal. Jessica shoots her sister a glare.

“How do you know this Krystal?” asks their mother.

“I overheard her and Tiffany talking about a Kwon and Tae this morning,” answers Krystal with a smile. “Tiffany’s dating a Kwon and Jessica’s dating a Tae.”

“You both have boyfriends?” asks Mr. Hwang slightly surprised, “Maybe this move wasn’t such a bad idea. You girl’s were always so close and never hung out with anyone. I was beginning to have suspicions.”

“Of what?” asks Tiffany interested, “Ow!” She looks up at Jessica who was sitting across from her and glaring at her.

“Is everything okay Miyoung?” asks Mr. Hwang.

“Yeah just stubbed my toe. But of what?”

“He thought you two girls were in a homosexual relationship,” states Jessica’s mother as she takes a seat next to Jessica.  Both Jessica and Tiffany choke on their food and look at each other. “It was such a ridiculous idea. And I kept telling him that. You girls are just close that’s all.”

“Yeah,” answers Jessica.

“So when do we get to meet these boyfriends?” asks Mr. Hwang.

“We don’t have any boy friends,” states Jessica.

“Sooyeon-”

“Jessica,” corrects Jessica.

“Jessica, “ restarts Mr. Hwang, “It’s okay if you are dating.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend and she misheard everything. We were talking about two girl’s name Kwon Yuri and Kim Taeyeon,” states Jessica annoyed.

“That can’t be true unless you’re dating girls,” states Krystal upset that her idea of getting the two older girls busted was failing.

“Are you?” asks their mother.

“No. It’s just two girls who we hang out with. I’m done.” Jessica pushes her chair back and stands up, “I have work in an hour.”

“Me too,” pipes Tiffany as she follows after Jessica to the second story.

*****

“She said she hates secrets,” states Taeyeon as she walks beside Yuri in the mall. “She says they ruin relationships.”

“So what are you going to do?” asks Yuri. “I’ll support your choice and so will Soo and Yoong. It’s just Hyoyeon who we have to worry about.”

“I’ll support my sister,” states Hyoyeon as she joins up to them. “It’s your call Tae. Tell her everything and have her become disgusted. Or tell her everything and she thinks no different. Or just keep it all hidden and let things happen in time. No one’s saying you can’t besides father and yourself since you want to be normal.”

“You are,” states Yuri.

“I’m only doing what I was asked. Keeping Taeyeon out of harm.”

“Guys, you arguing isn’t helping,” states Taeyeon.

“I think you need some alone time. Go walk around the store and prey on girls,” states Yuri with a smile, “and call us when you’re ready.” Taeyeon nods her head and leaves the Hyoyeon and Yuri behind.

“Well I’m off to work,” states Hyoyeon, “when does your shift start?”

“In two hours,” answers Yuri. Hyoyeon nods her head and heads across the mall. Yuri stands in spot unsure of where to go before heading to the department store that Tiffany works in.

She enters the store and becomes even more confused on what to do. Looking around she makes her way the shoe department catching a glimpse of Tiffany. “Yuri?”

“Hi Tiffany,” states Yuri as she approaches the working girl.

“What are you doing here?” asks Tiffany.

“I have no clue. I guess I just wanted to see how you were doing,” answers Yuri. Tiffany nods her head.

“I’m okay now. I talked things out with Jessi.” Yuri nods her head. “Do you want to go out again tonight? Not like a date…I mean we can just hang out.”

“Sure. I have to work on that history project. So we can hang at my house.”

“You haven’t started?”

“No me and Taeng are partners. And I guess we’ve been too busy chasing after pretty girls.” Tiffany blushes a bit and lowers her head.

“Maybe we should change partners. Me and Jessi haven’t really started either.”

“We should ask them.” Tiffany nods her head, “well I’ll let you get back to work. See you tonight?” She nods her head again this time biting her lower lip.

*****

Taeyeon sits in a secluded corner of the bookstore with a cup of coffee in her hand. She takes a sip of the dark liquid before making a face at how funny it tasted. She hears a giggle and looks up and spots Jessica standing in front of her with an arm full of books. “What’s wrong? Not sweet enough?” asks Jessica. Taeyeon nods her head. “So how did you’re meeting go?”

“Okay.” Jessica nods her head and sets the books down on the ground and turns to shelve them.

“Ah…Jessica?” calls out Taeyeon.

“Hm?”

“I like you.”

“I know. You’ve stated that plenty of times.”

“No. I like you and I believe that in order to have you chase after me I have to be less secretive. Because you dislike secrets. So I’m going to reveal some things about myself and I hope you’ll take time and consider things based on our time spent together rather than what I’m going to say. I really like you and…” She pauses for a moment, “I’ll wait until the end of the month still and then give up. I just don’t want for you to find me disgusting or revolting because of my family choices.”

Jessica stops shelving books and turns to look at Taeyeon who was staring right at her. “My family is looked down upon in the community a lot by those who know our true identity. And we’re filthy rich. But the money we get is dirty. My family gets their money through laundering, extortion, and everything else bad that follows under the words 'mafia' or 'gangsters'.” Jessica resumes shelving books unsure of what to say to what Taeyeon had admitted. She just assumed that the girl was rich not part of some organized crime syndicate.

“You’re family fills the streets with crime?”

“No…not here at least. Overseas,” answers Taeyeon.

“Are your hands dirty?” asks Jessica as she places the last book on the shelf and turns to look at Taeyeon.

“No. I only attend meetings. I haven’t been given the right to handle anything.”

Jessica nods her head, “Ice cream after work?”

“You’re not disgusted?!” asks Taeyeon confused. She nearly spills her coffee.

“Oh I’m disgusted. But you asked for me not to judge you as based on your family. And I’m not. Besides we’re getting ice cream as friends.” Taeyeon nods her head and stands up.

“I want your secrets next,” states Taeyeon as she takes a deep breath.

“Whatever midget.”

“Cute midget,” corrects Taeyeon.

“Whatever,” states Jessica.

“I’ll be waiting right out front when you get off,” states Taeyeon as she makes her way out of the store. Jessica smiles at Taeyeon.

*****

“So are you going to finally admit you like her?” asks Tiffany as she walks Jessica to the front of the mall where Taeyeon was waiting for her. “You already told me to give up. And it seems like you’re coming to terms with liking her. And she’s obviously serious about you two dating. I mean what girl admits that her parents live in the crime syndicate to a girl who she’s chasing after.”

“She’s no longer chasing and we’re friends,” responds Jessica.

“You’re wearing her jacket again,” states Tiffany, “you went to her house. You’re the one who wanted the ice cream date in the first place. You like her.”

“Tiff-“

“No. I want to move on Jessi. But I can’t until I know that you move on.” Jessica turns and looks at Tiffany before biting her lip. “Go out on a real date and tell her you like her.”

“I have a month,” states Jessica defiantly.

“No you have til the end of the month. That’s exactly 14 days. And the line for her is only growing. Hi Taeyeon!” Taeyeon waves at Tiffany before smiling at Jessica, “take really good care of my sister.”

“I will. So you’re helping Yuri with the project?” asks Taeyeon.

“We think it’ll be better if we change partners since Jessi and I haven’t done anything either.”

“I’m okay with it.”

“Sure you’ll be okay,” mutters Jessica, “But I guess if we have to.”

“Okay. Bye Taeyeon. Bye Jessi!” shouts Tiffany as she turns around and runs back to the mall where Yuri was waiting. Jessica watches her enter the mall before turning to Taeyeon who was climbing into the car.

“Do I admit something I’m unsure of or do I wait until I’m sure and hope it’s not too late?” whispers Jessica to herself as she looks at the car.