Thirty-One

     “We already went this week.”  Jessica’s words are monotonous.  Although Jonghyun’s back is facing her, she faces another direction.  “What do you want?”

     The elevator stops moving and comes into a halt.  Jessica realizes and becomes anxious, “Yah, the elevator’s st-“

     “Don’t get close to Yuri.”  Jonghyun’s words are harsh and piercing, just as they always are when it is just the two of them.

     Jessica becomes pissed.  “This isn’t the time to talk of that.  The ele-
     “I KNOW!”  Jonghyun immediately turns and pins Jessica to the wall.  Jessica sends out a shriek and closes her eyes, scared.  “I know.”  His voice is softer.  “Tonight, we’re not going anywhere.  I just want to have a talk with you, and here’s the best place.”

     Jonghyun sees Jessica’s eyes slowly open as she realizes and understands the situation.  “From now on, I’m not going to that place anymore.”

     Jessica’s eyes widen.  Does he finally understand my-

     “But, in return,” Jonghyun’s voice become loud again, hard, and rough.  “you mustn’t get close to or be friends with Yuri.”

     “What?’  Yuri again?  You want to be alone with her that much?  The scene of Jonghyun covering Yuri’s mouth and taking her to another place from before comes into her mind, making Jessica wants to cry.  Her eyes are already filled with water, “What does Yuri have to do with it?”  Luckily, her voice doesn’t crack as she speaks.

     “Everything.”  Jonghyun can’t tell Jessica that Yuri’s a lesbian because it could to lead to what he knows about the President and then, it could go downhill from there.

     So, you don’t want Yuri to know about your past relationships and about what you do.  Jessica thought she would finally have Jonghyun all to herself when she had concluded that she’d continue to work for Jonghyun to still be close to him, instead of Yuri.  But, at the end, she still gets you?

     “Just listen to what I said, and if I do see you two together, I won’t let you off.”  Jonghyun doesn’t wait for a word from a protesting Jessica and presses a button to open the elevator doors.  The stop is on Jessica’s dorm’s hall.  “Good night.”  He waits for Jessica to get out.

     Jessica knows Jonghyun’s words are final.  And by final, it also means he won’t listen to anything she says.  Heck, he’s never listened to me in the first place.  A tear drops from her eyes and she quickly wipes it.  She takes a few steps out of the elevator.  Without looking back, Jessica mutters, “Good night.”

     When the elevator doors closed, Jonghyun squats down to the floor and puts his head on his knees, angry at the situation he’s in.  Sorry Jessica.  Just be a little bit more patient with me now.