“What do you mean by you cannot find her body?! All of the bodies are accountable for except for my cousin’s?!”

Yuri was appalled to learn that the search party was called off. All except for Yoona’s body was not found. The plane did not explode so when it crashed; the whole body of the plan was submerged at the bottom of the seabed. They could find all of the passengers and crew except for Im Yoona.

“I’m sorry, Miss Kwon. We had combed the whole area around the crash site but her body was still undetectable.”

“THEN YOU SHOULD SEARCH THE WHOLE SEA! THE AIRLINES WAS AT FAULT! THE WEATHER WAS NOT GOOD AND YET YOU ALLOWED THE DAMN PLANE TO FLY!”

Yuri found out that the airlines went ahead despite bad weather reports. Most of the victims’ families were planning to sue the airlines. Yuri was so compelled to do so. She was really upset.

“Miss Kwon, we will continue to try our best to assist you. But we’re really sorry for your loss. We will compensate you with the best that we could.”

The PR manager was apologetic but Yuri was devastated. Yoona was lost at sea. She had no idea where her cousin was resting and she couldn’t even bring her back to where she belongs.

“Yoona....”

Yuri broke down and the PR manager quickly enveloped her in his arms. He then pulled her away gently and a counsellor was on stand-by. The counsellor took over and both cried in silence.

It was really a difficult moment. She couldn’t find solace even though the counsellor cuddled her gently in her arms. It was not enough.

“I know it’s really hard. But I hope this will give you comfort.”

Yuri smiled slightly but it was not going to comfort her. The one person she grew up with had perished forever.

“Yoona ah, I’m sorry.”

That was all Yuri could offer in her silence.

-

It was even crazier in Seoul. Taeyeon had gotten the news and she had no choice but to break it to Jessica. Tiffany was informed too. She was really concerned for Yuri when the latter called home and broke down. Tiffany was helpless and now seeing Jessica going berserk was not helping either.

“Sica, please calm down.”

Tiffany tried pulling her best friend into her arm but futile. Jessica was really devastated and desperate. She attempted to run out of the apartment but Taeyeon caught her in time.

“Let me go! Let me go, Taeyeon! I want to find her!”

“Jessica, please. Please don’t do this.”

But Jessica was throwing herself against the floor; dragging Taeyeon with her. She punched the concrete floor with her knuckles; they bled and Taeyeon quickly covered her palms over Jessica’s. The pounding was hard and Taeyeon winced each time her knuckles hit the floor.

However the pain in Jessica’s heart was even more than that. Taeyeon could feel Jessica’s heart breaking apart.

“Let me go.. please. Yoona’s waiting for me.”

“Jessica, I’m not letting go.”

“Kim Taeyeon! I want to find Yoona! Even if she’s dead, I want to find her body!”

“Soo Yeon ah, please don’t do this!”

Irene looked on with a broken heart. She has never seen her mommy like that before. She just stood on the sofa with tears kept falling from the side of her eyes. Tiffany sat next to her and pulled her into a tight hug. Taeyeon was still holding on to Jessica.

The four ladies just cried their eyes out. It was not easy for Jessica; it was not easy for the rest of them too. Jessica was still struggling against Taeyeon’s grip but eventually gave up. Her eyes were red and swollen; Taeyeon was in complete despair. She rested her chin on Jessica’s shoulder and whispered softly.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s over, Taeyeon. It’s over. Yoona’s gone. Yoona’s not coming back anymore. She’s gone for good. And I did that to her.”

“No, you didn’t. It was never your fault.”

“I should have stopped her from leaving. I should have done everything to stop her. I took things for granted because I thought she was always going to be there for me. But now... now she’s gone, Tae. She’s completely gone now. How am I supposed to live my life without her?”

Jessica closed her eyes and Taeyeon looked even worse than before. Everything just fell apart and she couldn’t help but blaming herself. Taeyeon knew she was responsible for all this and the look on Irene’s face even confirmed her fears. Her little girl was inclined to blame her for her Mommy’s desperation.

Irene was staring at her. At the back of her mind, Irene couldn’t help it but thinking what the future would look like if her Taeyeon Omma didn’t return to them. Her Mommy could probably be happier and smiling right now. She knew it was never Taeyeon’s fault but she couldn’t help it.

She slowly stood up and walked over to her Mommy. She avoided looking into Taeyeon’s eyes directly as she knelt down beside her Mommy.

“Mommy, Irene’s scared.”

Jessica opened her eyes slowly and watched her daughter’s tears fell profusely. She released herself from Taeyeon and pulled her daughter closer to her instead. The mother and daughter sat there; crying and Taeyeon looked on; wearily. Taeyeon knew both were upset. Taeyeon knew they were upset with her but they couldn’t tell her.

She stood up and walked to the side; dragging her feet along. Tiffany was watching them and sighed. This whole thing was a huge mess.

“Yoona ah, where are you?”

Tiffany whispered softly.

-

Tobey was watching Anna busied herself in the kitchen. She was helping his mommy. He grinned to himself as he pictured having a family with Anna. No doubt, the man had fallen in love with Anna. He was really proud of himself when his friends were amazed at how pretty Anna is.

But he knew Anna was eager to find her true self. She wanted to know where she was from; who she was and what happened to her. His mother was aware of Tobey’s feelings for Anna but she was sceptical about it.

“What do you mean I cannot love her?”

“I didn’t mean that. But it’s wrong to keep her with us when she probably has a family waiting for her. She might be married with children and they’re waiting for her to return home.”

“But she couldn’t remember anything.”

Tobey pouted. He knew his mother would disagree with him.

“That’s why we need to help her. Imagine how sad her family is if we keep holding on to her.”

“But she makes me happy.”

“Tobey, if god is willing, Anna will be with you. But if she’s not meant to be yours, she will never be yours.”

Tobey wasn’t thrilled with the last sentence. He stormed off and ran away from home. Anna saw him but Tobey ignored her when she called out his name. He ran off and jumped on his bike; leaving Anna and his mother screaming for his name.

He was wandering from place to place. He was really mad at his mother but he knew she was right. He might have slight autism but Tobey was brought up as normal as his parents could. He was able to think even though he would prefer to have things his way.

He stopped at a nearby lake. He parked his bicycle on his side and sat at the lone bench; facing the lake. It was a beautiful place and Tobey had always liked it. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a polarid photo. He stared at the photo for quite some time.

That photo was found in Anna’s pocket when his family found her at the sea. His mother was the one who found out. She had asked him to return it to her but Tobey kept it instead. He was selfish. He wanted Anna for himself.

But he wondered. Anna was standing closely with another woman. The woman looked gorgeous too. She was really beautiful; as beautiful as Anna. They looked close and Tobey somehow suspected that they might be lovers. The smiles on their faces were evident and radiant. Anna was hugging the woman tightly in her embrace. There was just so much love in Anna’s eyes.

Tobey was envious at their closeness and he got greedy.

“I’m sorry but I love her.”

Tobey gripped the polarid photo tightly in his palm. He was never going to return it back to Anna; ever.

-

“Where did you go?”

Anna stood at the front door when she spotted Tobey returning in bicycle. Tobey looked on as evident of worrisome on Anna’s face. She was genuinely worried about his safety.

“I went to the lake.”

“You’re not supposed to leave just like that. What if you get lost?”

Tobey scoffed. Anna smacked his forehead.

“Ow!”

“Mom is upset.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, your mom is upset with you. You know she’s not feeling well. Why did you just run off and make her worried over you?”

“Did you just call her Mom?”

“Yes, what’s wrong with that?”

“I thought you’ve always called her Mrs Maguire?”

Anna’s frown turned into a smile instead. She put her arm around Tobey’s shoulders.

“She’s like a mother to me. Is it wrong for me to call her Mom?”

“Well, only when you’re married to someone, then you will call someone else’s mother Mom too.”

“Not really. We usually address all mothers as Omoni.”

“Omoni?”

Anna was taken aback when Tobey questioned her. Omoni doesn’t sound English. Anna’s mind started to stir. She was trying to recall something. Tobey saw the wrinkles on her forehead as Anna shut her eyes tight.

“Anna, is everything alright?”

“I’m having a headache.”

“Hey, take your time.”

“Huh?”

“You look like you’re in pain. Let’s take your time to recall your past.”

“Do you think it’s alright for me to stay here? I must be giving so much trouble to you and your parents.”

“No, you don’t! We will always welcome you!”

Tobey was almost screaming and Anna was surprised at how anxious Tobey was. He was never agitated like this before; not to her.

“Okay, okay. Calm down, Tobey.”

“Please don’t say like that! You know how much I care about you. I don’t care how long it would take you to remember your past but I’ll never chase you away!”

“Tobey..”

“You can stay here for as long as you want. I’m not letting you go!”

Tobey ran up to his room; leaving Anna bewildered.

“Tobey, are you in love with me?”

Anna had her suspicion too.

-

Soo Young read the news on Yoona’s plane crash. She was despondent when the report stated that all except for one passenger bodies were accountable for. The paper stated IM YOONA and Soo Young’s heart sank into the deepest pit.

She couldn’t believe it when the news reported that the plane didn’t break apart so the whole body was submerged on the seabed. However one of the seats was missing and it happened to be Im Yoona’s seat. It was her seat number.

“Oh my god.”

Soo Young was speechless. How could this happen? Why was it only Im Yoona? What was God planning to do? How long did he plan to test Jessica’s patience? Jessica had waited 20 years in vain for Taeyeon. And when she has found someone who loves her dearly; God decided to take her away from Jessica.

Soo Young couldn’t help it but feeling sorry for Jessica. And she was worried for Taeyeon too. She must be blaming herself for Yoona’s demise. She must have felt miserable because Yoona gave way to her. Yuri told her everything before leaving.

Just then, her phone rang and she answered immediately.

“Soo Young..”

“Yuri?”

“Yoona’s gone.”

Soo Young’s heartstrings tugged painfully.

“Hey, I don’t know what to say.”

“I have no idea what I should do now, Soo Young.”

No words can comfort Yuri. Soo Young was stunt. She knew no words; no amount of comfort in her words could ever ease Yuri’s heart.

“Be strong, Yuri.”

That’s all Soo Young could say.

-

Jessica managed to fall asleep. Irene was already sleeping next to Jessica. The pair was hugging each other on Jessica’s bed. Tiffany helped Taeyeon to bring them up to the room. Tiffany pulled the blanket over the mother and daughter while Taeyeon looked on. She was emotionally exhausted.

Tiffany felt sorry for Taeyeon. She knew too. She knew Irene and Jessica were irrationally blaming Taeyeon for Yoona’s death.

“You think I was at fault too, right?”

Taeyeon suddenly spoke up. Tiffany shook her head.

“I know how you feel. Maybe you’re feeling the worst among all of us.”

“If I knew this would happen to Yoona, I’d never return to their lives.”

Taeyeon was staring at the woman she loves so much and the daughter she wanted to care for the rest of her life.

“I spent 20 years thinking that I shouldn’t return. And they spent 20 years wasting their time and my daughter lost her childhood years without her mother by her side. I so desperately want to turn back the hands of time right now.”

“Me too. I wish this was just a nightmare; a dream.”

“Yuri must be mad at me right now. I caused her cousin’s death.”

“Kim Taeyeon, you didn’t cause Yoona’s death.”

Taeyeon was surprised. Tiffany was on her side. But the woman shook her head.

“No, I’m not on your side but I just wanted you to know that whatever happened was just a coincidence. Nobody could predict anything. You didn’t fly that damn plane.”

“Jessica loves her, Tiffany. She’s no longer in love with me. She has found someone new. And I robbed her happiness away; yet again.”

Tiffany sighed.

“Jessica chose to stay with you because you’re sick. You just had your surgery. I know this is just like a freak accident but again, you didn’t plan this to happen. So stop blaming yourself. I’m sure Yuri’s not blaming you either.”

“But they do.”

Taeyeon was gesturing to the two on the bed.

“Give them some time. They suffered the most. It’s natural for them to think irrationally. I’m going to fly to UK. I’m worried about Yuri being all alone there.”

“Yeah, you should accompany Yuri at times like this.”

“You’ll be fine with them?”

Taeyeon took a last glance at the two ladies she loves the most before turning back to Tiffany. She smiled weakly.

“I’ll still keep my promise. I’ll take good care of them. So don’t worry.”

-

 Unknown to Tiffany and Taeyeon, Jessica wasn’t sleeping. She just closed her eyes; trying to avoid Taeyeon. She wasn’t too sure what she would do so by pretending to be asleep seemed to be a better choice.

She wasn’t thinking straight earlier on. She was so desperate and devastated because she lost Yoona. She irrationally pushed the blame to Taeyeon but Tiffany was right. Taeyeon didn’t plan all this to happen.

Taeyeon didn’t fly the plane. She didn’t plan all this to happen. This happened because it happened and perhaps God was testing Jessica’s faith once again.

Maybe she didn’t love enough. Maybe God felt it was better to take Yoona away because he knew she would just ended up hurting Yoona more than she was right now.

But God was wrong. Jessica thought to herself. However she was not going to give up on GOD. This time, she would sincerely pray that he would listen to her somehow.

“If you’re trying to take Yoona away because you thought I’d hurt her but let me tell you now. This won’t stop me from loving her. If you have taken her away from me; it’d only be fair if you let her know that I love her. I love her so much that it hurts. But I’ll never stop. So, please let her know. Please let Im Yoona knows – Jung Soo Yeon loves her.”

Jessica prayed silently with her tears fell from the corner of her eyes. But she felt someone wiping them away. Her heart ached.

“And please, please let Taeyeon find someone she could love. I’ve had enough of suffering for 20 years and please don’t prolong Taeyeon’s pain either. Let her find someone to love. Please, please listen to me. God, please stop our pain once and for all.”

Jessica was heartbroken but she hoped the best for Kim Taeyeon.

-