The next day, Kyuhyun was, yet again, enjoying his favorite past time—which is pestering Donghae.  He was slouched on the sofa.  His feet rested on the coffee table—free to do anything since Jessica wasn’t around.  Donghae would often scold him if he does that.  But much to his shock, he didn’t utter a single word.

Donghae was busy looking through a folder labeled 2010 Business Contracts.  To Kyuhyun, he was acting really weird.

Maybe, it’s because of a girl. He thought. 

He observed him.  His hyung radiated a cheerful aura.  So yeah—the reason for his odd behavior is probably a girl—and maybe, specifically this one who just came in.  He smirked.

Donghae looked up and readied his smile to greet her.  “Hey!  Morni—”

“Hey yourself,” Jessica replied coldly and went straight to her desk without even looking at the boys.

She spaced out causing Donghae to worry.  He wanted to remove the knot on her forehead.  But he can’t.  What if she’d bark at her once he asks if she’s alright?

“Problem?”

Damn you, Kyuhyun.  Donghae cursed in his head for stealing the line he was supposed to say.

From being worried, his emotions switched to irritation.  He could throw Kyuhyun off the building this instant.  But it was gone as soon as Jessica turned to him—glowering.

“What now?” Donghae mumbled and gulped as she threw him daggers—err—deadly looks.

“I think your best friend can explain, Kyuhyun-ssi,” she said without breaking their eye contact.  It was spoken in a dangerously calm voice.

“What did I do?” Donghae asked innocently.

“What did you do, Hyung?” Kyuhyun mocked him.

Strike 2.  Cho Kyuhyun.  “Honestly…” his face became contorted.  “Molla—”

Jessica groaned in frustration.  “You’re giving me a terrible headache, Sajangnim…”

Donghae winced as if he also felt her pain.  Well—she told him it was his fault.  Did he cause those dark circles in her face, too?  She seemed deprived of sleep.  What was she thinking of in those sleepless nights?  Can he hope it’s him?

Geez, you’re hopelessly delusional, Donghae.

“Guys,” she spoke after a while.  “If you’re—if you were me—what’s the right choice to take?” she started off in a serious tone.  “I had... this friend who was given a contract to work at the borders of South and North Korea—”

“Is your friend in the army?” Donghae asked, irritating her more.

“No—will you listen to me first?” she cocked her brows at him.

He raised both his hands as a sign of defeat and zipped his lips quietly.

“But the thing is her parents wanted her to stay—manage the major operations of their company,” she continued.  “You see, both works can threaten her life.  The war is still raging yet if she stays, there are those who wanted her dead here, too.”

The boys can only blink in response.  It was a big pr