Flashback

Jung’s Residence

(Krystal POV)

“Soojung”, my dad calls when I passed the eating room. “Come here, have breakfast first.” I go back to eating room halfheartedly. I already know my parents plan about set me up with another girl. Well, my sister actually told me first. In this past week, I tried hard to avoid my parents.

“But, I already had my breakfast”

“Where do you eat honey?” my mom asked.

“In my room”

“Sit down Soojung, you’re not sick, aren’t you?”

I smiled, and shaking my head, “No dad, I’m fine, I worked something on my laptop, so I made my breakfast and I ate in my room”, my dad just nods.

“Daddy, it’s not like I don’t want to stay and talking with you, but I kinda in a hurry”

“Why?”

“I want to go to stationary store, I want to buy my drawing equipment before I go to office”

Jessica, just chuckled hearing my excuse, she knows I’m avoiding our parents, “But we have a lot of drawing equipment at office, besides you can always ask your assistant to get it for you.”, I gave my sister a death stare.

“Alright if you in a hurry, I’ll make it quick then…” my dad starts, “you remember uncle Liu right?”

“Your childhood friend and business colleague”

“Yes, I want you to meet his daughter”

“But… Why?”

My dad sigh, “well… thing is, uncle Liu, the last time he came to California, he talked to me, he worried, he is concerned about his daughter”, “his daughter, she’s dating a lot of girl, and uncle Liu is worried, what if these girls only wants her money, not his daughter”, “so he asking me, if you want of course, to let you two meet, if thing going well between you two, then… you know.”, “Uncle Liu looking for a nice girl, who smart, and well mannered, to become her daughter in law, besides, he knows you, and he feel safe if his daughter dating you somehow, he thinks you two are perfect together.”

“No… No dad, I don’t want to, I don’t know her” I began to sulk.

“Well, that’s why, we asking you to meet her”, I already cross my arms in front of my chest.

“Honey” this time my mom get to talk, “we didn’t asking you to marry her right away, you can have your time, get to know her, if you don’t like her, then we call it off. Don’t worry you still have a say in this.”

“But, Mom, you heard what daddy just said, she is basically a player, what if she cheated on me or something.”

“But what if you are the only one who can change her Soojung?”

Im shaking my head, “Why are you agree to this, you can always say no to uncle Liu”

“Soojung, I owe uncle Liu our life, the home you live, the car you drive, he is the one who helped me to open my first office, he’s my main investor. If not for uncle Liu, I could never build my company, I owe him that much. So when he came to me, asking for help, then I’ll try with all I have to help him” my dad explained.

“But don’t worry” my dad continues, “I already told uncle Liu, if anything happen, my daughter is not happy, then we call it off. Your happiness come first soojung. If you don’t like her, just tell me. Amber, her name is Amber.”

My dad chuckled like he remembered something, “it’s funny how you two never met, considering uncle Liu always visited us, maybe because you spent your time everytime in your room”, “She’s a good girl actually, she’s like a ball full of energy. And I think you’re gonna like her.” My father wink at me. What was with the wink anyway?

“Are we still in debt with uncle Liu somehow?” I asked curiously.

“Not financially, but morally.”

“If you can get along with her, then your father and I can go back to California with no worry at all, someone will take care of you here.”

“Sica can take care of me here”, my sister just shrugged.

 “It’s not the same, what if I’m busy? With work, or… Tyler” my sister wink at me, I mouthed ‘gross’ to her.

“Fine, I’ll meet her”

---

---

 

Present Time

Krystal POV

Truth is I don’t have any plans with my friends, I just go back to my office. I don’t have any friends here, all my friends in California right now. The only friend I got here is actually my sister, well my sister introduced me to her friends, we exchange ‘hi’ and ‘how are you’, but they’re not really my friends. I saw Jessica, working on something in her office.

“Hey baby sis” she greeted me without lifted her eyes from the paper.

“Hey…”, “how do you know, it was me?”

She glances at me and smile, “Your perfume, which is mine, I know the smell”. “Besides you’re the only one in this building who enter my room without knock first.”

“Yeah… Yeah, whatever.” I just stare at her while she works, until she put down her glasses and stop highlighted notes.

“I thought you were on a date.”

I shrug “Well, we meet like 5 minutes and its done”

“What? Why? She left you?! That Amber girl, she had the nerve to mess with the Jung” she said angrily.

“No, I’m the one who left”

She look at me confuse, “But why?”, “was she impolite to you?”

I smile remembering how confused amber’s face, “No, she’s okay I guess… definitely a smooth talker, flirty, charming…”

“Wow, so much for 5 minutes. You like her?”

I tilted my head to the side, “For a girl I met in 5 minutes, she’s interesting.”

“Oh God” my sister laughed, “you definitely like her, you smile a lot while we talk about her.”

My smile got wider, and that’s make my sister laugh even more, “just be careful baby sis, she had the looks, the money, you really have some serious competitors, her reputation with girls, is something you don’t want to hear.”

“Well you’re here longer than I am, so tell me what you know about her”

 “I don’t know her, we’re just exchanges hellos”, “we just have the same social circle, I know her name, maybe she knows mine, but we barely talk, you know?” I nod, “my friends know her, she knows my friends things like that, that’s why we end up at same club, and same party, same gathering, but I don’t really know her.”

 “If you want to meet her you can come with me, tomorrow, there is this party at Jackson’s place, he invited me, he asked me to bring you along too, and amber will be there.”

“Really?”

“Yes Jackson and amber is like attached to hip or something, they’re like partners in crime. She’ll be there.” My sister explained while scribbling notes.

“Party is not really my scene, well, I just wait then, besides I give her my number.” I shrugged.

“Just… don’t go easy on her”

“Not planning too”

We both silence for like 10 minutes, I let my sister work, while I’m checking my phone, there’s a new message from unknown number, I open it and read.

‘I hope you arrive safely to where ever your destinations are –Amber’

 ‘I arrived safely, thank you. And I’m sorry for cut it short, maybe next time.’ I replied back.

“Come on, just go with me this Saturday, I don’t want to go alone” my sister continued.

“Where’s Tyler?”

“He’s not really friend with Jackson, so he don’t want to go”

Another text message, ‘So… there’s next time? Glad to know that ;) ’

“Why were you ended it?”

“Hmm?”

“Your date… 5 minutes? That’s rude, and who are you texting anyway?”

I sighed, “I don’t know, maybe I’m afraid, and it’s Amber.”

“What are you afraid of? Amber texted you?”

“I’m going back to my office now”

“You didn’t answer my questioned”

---

---

 

Amber POV

“Is she pretty?” Jackson asks while stuffing his mouth with cheeseburger, I just stare at him blankly.

“Are you kidding me? She’s like… prettiest girl I’ve ever met, did I do something wrong?”, “I mean… 5 minutes” I’m shaking my head, “I’m looking good right?”

“Dude, you look awesome, new suit?”

“My mom bought it, just for this special occasion”

Jackson chuckled, “come on, if she don’t like you then it’s her lost, come to my party tomorrow, lot of chicks there, hot chicks.”

I just shrugged my shoulder, “Bro, you okay?” Jackson touch my forehead, “you’re quiet, that’s odd”

“I’m curious about her you know, am I that bad?”

“Come on Man, she replied your text right?” I nods, “Then, there’s still hope”

I smile while I read Krystal replied, ‘Of course, I’d like to know you better - Krystal’

---

---

 

                Jessica and Krystal arrived at Jackson’s house around 9 p.m, and the place is already full with people. Jessica enter first, Krystal followed behind her.

                “Jung-sis!” Jackson shout, “Welcome!”

                “Jackson! Thanks for inviting us” Jessica shouts back, “Why the hell the music is so loud”

                Jackson just laugh, “well, louder the merrier, alcohols over there, if you’re designated driver you can get soda or punch over there including the snacks, if you want here in a living room is fine, but there’s lot of people too in the back, my swimming pool.”

                “You didn’t said it was a pool party, I could bring my bikini” Jessica jokes

                “Well you can enter the pool fully clothed or no clothes at all, I don’t mind.”

                Jessica slaps his arm, “ert!”, Jackson just laugh while them to where jessica’s friends are. Krystal watch the whole interaction, and couldn’t help but shaking her head and thinking this Jackson guy is associate with Amber.

                Krystal can spot Yuri, Tiffany, Eric, Yoona, and Henry, talks in a group, they’re jessica’s close friends.

                “You want something to drink? I’ll get it” Jessica offered

                “Nah.. I’ll get it, you wait here” Krystal went to table where Jackson pointed earlier.

                Krystal chooses the non-alcohol drinks. When she returned to the group she definitely didn’t notice Amber already standing there talking to Eric and Henry, thanks to the dim lights.

                “Unnie, your drink.”

                After hearing the voice Amber turn to look Krystal standing there, offer Jessica her drink. Amber just realize that Jessica and Krystal are sisters. Jung. Yeah, Jessica Jung, ofcourse. They’re look a like, although, Krystal is 100x prettier than her sister.

                Amber eyeing krystal for 5 minutes already, she looks pretty and y at the same time. Krystal wear a simple mini black dress that hugs her curves perfectly, she looks y even without trying. Krystal still busy talking to Yuri. So Amber wait.

                “That’s Jessica’s sister, Krystal.” Henry explained to Amber, not knowing Amber already knew who she was.

                “I know Hen, we already met”

                “Really? Where?”

                “Yesterday. Now I’m gonna talk to her”

                Henry just chuckled, “Well good luck, she’s not like the typical girl you playin with, she already reject Kai.”

                Amber give him side smile, “Well, good think is, I’m not Kai.”

                Amber takes a deep breath, and calm her nerves. Why is she nervous anyway. When she walking to Krystal direction, krystal lift her head and looking at Amber direction. Amber can see krystal squinted her eyes a little bit try to see her.

                “Hey you”

                “Amber” krystal said back, amber already like the way krystal said her name.

                “Mind if I join you?”, Krystal shaking her head. “It’s a surprised to meet you here”

                “Why so?”

                “I don’t think you’re a party type.”

                Krystal smile, “True”

                Amber smile back, “You look beautiful by the way”

                “Thank you, you look good yourself”

                “Let’s go to the balcony upstairs, too crowded here, and too noisy, I almost can’t hear you”, krystal nods and followed amber.

                They pass the stairs up to the second floor, some guys tried to approach krystal but when they see amber death glare they’re all back off.

                “You don’t mind I take you here right? I want to talk to you, but down there, is really loud.” Amber explained

                “I don’t mind.”

                “So…”, “Why were you left me?”

                “Wow, straight to the point” Krystal chuckled, “It’s stupid I guess, and I’m sorry leaving you like that”, “It’s just… when I hear about you and when I see you in person, I think I tried to not believed what these people said about you, what your father said about you.”

                “Father is exaggerated, he can be dramatic sometimes.” Amber tried to shrug it off, “but you don’t believe it…”

                Krystal smile, and that’s make amber’s heart beat rapidly fast. “Who am I to judge you, I don’t know you…”

                “I see there’s a ‘but’ coming” Amber tease krystal, and she nods.

                “But… I’m afraid to hear ‘I told you’ from people around me, funny how they encourage me to meet you then next time they warn me about you.”

                “Well, its natural, they just trying to protect you. My father is persuasive, he can make everyone said yes if he want, I guess that’s why your father agree to this, to us.” Krystal didn’t said anything back.

“I sense, your dating history not ended very well.” Amber tries to pry.

                “Lets keep that story for another time.”

                “Yeah, sure, we have a lot of time to get to know each other”

                Amber observes Krystal, amber thought Krystal is naturally soft spoken. Krystal has intense stare when she talking seriously, and that’s y as hell.  And Krystal got excited when they talked about food.

                They talked among themselves almost an hour now, they’re totally forgotten about people around them. Until Jessica find them while looking for Krystal.

                “Soojung”, hearing the voice, Amber naturally bowed to her as acknowledgement, “I’m looking for you.”

                “Oh?”

                “Tyler, called me, he wants to come at home, so do you wanna go home?”

                Krystal contemplated whether she follow her sister or talking with amber. “I’ll take her home” Amber suddenly said. “If krytsal don’t mind of course.”

                “No, I don’t mind” krystal answer almost instantly.

                Jessica eyed both of them, “bring her home before twelve” Jessica said seriously. This makes amber taken a back a little bit knowing krystal has a curfew.

                “Unnie!”, “Don’t listen to her amber.”

                “No.. no… it’s ok, I’ll bring you home before twelve, I don’t want to stay late too, I have a meeting tomorrow morning”

                Jessica laugh, “No, I’m just kidding amber. But, if anything happen, and you decided not to go home…” Jessica pointed at Krystal, “then text me.”

                “Gosh unnie, you’re embarrassing. Just go home!” Krystal tried to hide her embarrass face.

                “Alright bye! And remembered kids, be safe.” Jessica said while retreat. Amber couldn’t help but laugh, those two are funny, make her remember Jackie.

                “Soojung?”

                “That’s my Korean name”

                “Cute”, “Can I call you Soojung then?”

                “Sure, what about you? Anything I need to know about you?”

                “What do you want to know about me? Lets exchange basic info between us” Amber suggested

                Krystal lift her eyebrows hearing that, “Such as?”

                “Your favorite color, animals, food, songs, something like that…”

                Krystal laughing hearing that, “It’s like two kindergarten students try to get to know each other”

                “Aww come on Krys, it will be fun…”

                They exchanges info between them, the more they talked, the more Amber fell a little bit. Krystal is not like any other girls, her smile contagious, and judging by those lips, Krystal might be a great kisser. Damn it Amber! Stop looking at her lips. You look like a ert. Amber focus back listening Krystal rants about how cucumber is a nasty thing.

                They exchange info almost an hour now, and they always have something to talk to. Amber contemplated for a second and decided to just saying what she’s been thinking, “Krystal, lets be honest here…” Amber starts

                “What? Why so serious?”

Amber chuckled, “Just listen to me”, “I’m not looking for another friend, I have a lot of friends, I just want to clear my intentions to you, I want to try this, Us.” Amber said seriously, “not because my parents asked me to, but I want to get to know you.”

                “Amber, I think this is too fast…”

                “No.. no Soojung, I’m not asking you to become my girlfriend now, we’re not labeling anything yet, let us, you know… let’s hang out together, let’s spend time together. But I don’t want there’s anyone else between us in this phase.” Amber grabs Krystal’s hand. While searching for Krystal’s eyes and stare at them deeply.

                “You don’t have someone special right now right?” Krystal shaking her head, it’s a no, “Any special friend that might be make me jealous for stupid reason someday? Please tell me if you have one, then I tell my father to call it off, I don’t want to force you into this if you’re not interested.”

                Krystal tilted her head to the side, “You don’t need to worry about me Amber, besides you’re the one with girlfriends.” Krystal chuckled try to ease the conversation.

                But serious expression stayed on amber’s face, “They’re not my girlfriend, I don’t even remember they’re name or faces, and that’s not something I’m proud of. My last relationship was like 3 years ago or something, I’m completely move on, and I want to try this, whatever is this, with you.”

                Krystal didn’t answer right away, she didn’t say anything for 10 seconds, that was a longest ten seconds in Amber’s life, until Krystal answer her with, “Okay, but we taking things slowly, we’re not girlfriends…yet, but I’m committed to you, no one else between us. But if anything happen… bad things happen one of us not happy, then we break this.”

                Amber nods happy with the result, “Sounds good”, “but how slow this is going to be?”

                Krystal smirk, “I set the pace” she answer playfully

                “Do you kiss on a first date?” Krystal smack amber’s arm, “hey for future references, geez…”

                 “Now drive me home!”

                “Alright princess”

                Krystal scrunched her nose, “If I’m princess, then what are you?”

                “Prince?”

                “N’ah… servant”, “lets go servant”

A.n:

1. English is not my first language, sorry for any grammar mistakes.

2. So that was chapter two, progress between them! Because I don’t really like a slow-building relationship story.

3. Thanks for reading, thanks for the comment, thanks for the subscribe tho’, I feel loved!!!

4. Any prompt? Hit me up in comment section.