CHAPTER 8

       Yuri slowly pulled away from the girl; earning a disappointed frown from the latter. He chuckled to clear the lump on his throat before speaking up.

       “Hi, Joo Hyun,” he greeted calmly. “What are you doing here?”

       The girl called as Joo Hyun answered after stealing a glimpse at Jessica.

       “Owh, just visiting my dermatologist, Oppa…,” she trailed off before continuing and looked at Jessica.

       “And… what are you doing here, Oppa?”

       “Ah,” Yuri finally noticed that both of girls felt bit awkward since he hadn’t introduced them each other.

       “Joo Hyun, this is Jessica,” he said and saw Jessica slightly bowed to her.

       “And Sica, this is Joo Hyun.”

       “I accompany her to meet a doctor, anyway,” he explained to Joo Hyun. Joo Hyun remained silence, as if waiting him to explain more, but seemed Yuri won’t add any sentences; so finally Joo Hyun piped up again.

       “Ah I see. Anyway, I got to go now, Oppa. The doctor’s waiting for me,” she said after glancing at her watch.

       “Bye, Oppa. Bye, Jessica,” she bid a goodbye and left.

       “She’s cute,” Jessica suddenly mumbled, out of the blue, making Yuri’s eyebrows knitted together.

       “Sorry?”

       “Aniya,” she quickly replied; whereas actually Yuri heard her remarks clearly. He just didn’t get why Jessica said it out of the blue. Unconsciously he held Jessica hand and towed her; guiding her to the building. Jessica didn’t pull away and trailed him; her mind was still thinking about the girl, wondered if she had any relationship with Yuri.

(Ahhhh… what’re you thinking about, Sica? It’s no one of your business! Even if she had any special relationship with Yuri, you had nothing to do with it…)

       “Sica, are you all right? What the doctor said?” Tiffany quickly rose from her chair and asked with concern once Jessica was back to Taeyeon’s house. She frowned as she caught Jessica expression wasn’t as bright as usual; however she still couldn’t figure what happened out.

       “Yeah, I’m fine,” she forced a smile to Tiffany.

       “Thanks God, there’s no bleeding or fracture inside her head,” Yuri chimed in thankfully.

       “Uh yeah, thanks for accompanying me, anyway,” Jessica tilted her head to Yuri and said thanks awkwardly.

       “Oh, it’s nothing,” Yuri quickly replied, suddenly wondered why she acted weird during this day. There’s an awkward silence for a moment, before finally Jessica clear again.

       “Oh, yeah, everybody, I guess it’s time to leave,” Jessica said again, making Yuri dumbfounded.

       “But, Sica, I still have to take care of…,” Tiffany uttered confusingly as she remembered she still had to take care of Taeyeon. Moreover, she had no place to go for now. She couldn’t back to her house, living under the same roof with the jerk, of course. Jessica quickly cut off.

       “Oh, no worries. I mean, it’s me who have to go now,” she said. “I think I shouldn’t bother Taeng and Yuri anymore…”

       “Bothering us?” Taeyeon threw her a baffled look and laughed. “You didn’t bother us at all, Sica. You could stay here as long as you want.”

       “Yeah, that’s right,” Yuri chimed in again. “Why so sudden?” he asked confusingly. “And where’re you going to go?”

       “Why so sudden?” Jessica repeated with odd tone. “Because I don’t want to bother you, as I said. And… of course I’m going to back to my flat.”

       Yuri suddenly crossed his arms and standing in front of her. He shook his head firmly.

       “No, I won’t let you do that,” he stated seriously; making Jessica jolted in surprise.

       “Why I can’t back to my own flat?” she giggled pathetically and shook her head in disbelief; was about to go to the room she used to sleep to take her jacket; but Yuri quickly stepped backward, blocking her way again. Jessica couldn’t help but glare to him.

       “What are you doing?”

       “You’ve heard me. I won’t let you back to your flat, Sica,” he said calmly.

       “Oh, and who are you now? The governor?” she replied sarcastically.

(Ugh, I don’t get it… why this princess suddenly act cold toward me again – Yuri POV)

       “You know your place wasn’t safe anymore. The bastards can back anytime,” Yuri explained patiently. Seemed he wasn’t provoked by Jessica’s attitude at all. And secretly, Tiffany gave him a credit.

       “Yuri’s right, Sica. Your place isn’t safe anymore,” finally Tiffany decided to pipe up, as she thought Yuri’s remarks were make sense.

       “Ugh, doesn’t matter,” Jessica said after gulping, as she had no company again in this matter. “I just can find another place to stay,” she said nonchalantly and avoid gaze from Yuri.

       “Where?” Yuri asked and stared at her.

       “Uhm, dunno. Anywhere. It won’t be hard,” Jessica shrugged her shoulder, still avoiding eye contact with him.

       “Look. You didn’t have any idea where to stay,” Yuri’s tone began slightly hard, but he didn’t yell. He shifted his position a bit, to make the girl couldn’t dodge his sight again. Finally their eyes met.

       “Why you’re so adamant?” Yuri asked, in the verge of patience.

(Ugh, this girl is really stubborn… Why she can see what I was worrying about… - Yuri POV)

       “Look,” she said after marshalling some words. “I knew you’d helped me and I’m very thankful about it. But it didn’t mean you can control what I’m going to do.”

       The three of them were startled listening to Jessica’s remarks. It’s slightly harsh, isn’t it? Yuri tried to act as poised as possible; however he knew his heart was already hurt hearing it. Of course, he never thought as the way she thought about. He sincerely helped her and didn’t mean to control her life at all. He just wanted her to be safe and didn’t want her to be hurt again.

       Jessica wasn’t didn’t realize the change of mark on his face. And when she knew she’d already been out of control, it’s too late to take back all her words. Deep inside her heart, Jessica cursed and blamed herself for being so stupid.

(Look at what you’ve done! Great! You’ve messed it around, stupidos! – Jessica POV)

       Finally Yuri shifted himself again, didn’t block her way again, instead, he was making a way for her. And at that time, suddenly a twinge of regret just popped inside her heart.

       “Okay, I’m sorry if I’ve bothered you,” Yuri said gently. “I didn’t mean to control anything in your life. Just do what you want to do. And you don’t need to feel owe me or so, because I sincerely help you.”

       After saying this, he just left.

(He must be really pissed off now… And I would never see him smile at me again… Stupid you, Jessica!)

       KNOCK. KNOCK.

       Yuri was still closing his eyes; lying down on the bed lazily when the door knocking sound was heard. It’d already been few hours after she left and no matter how upset he was, he still couldn’t get her out of his mind.

       “Who’s it?” he shouted unwillingly as he wasn’t in the mood to talk with anybody.

       “It’s me… Tiffany. May I come in?”

       “Ouch,” he quickly rose and put his shirt on, as he just been half- before. “Jamkan,” he said and went to the door to unlock it.

       He plastered up a smile as saw her stood in front of the door; then widened the door to invite her come in.

       “Did I bother you?” she asked dubiously.

       “Not at all,” he said. “Just make yourself comfortable.”

       Tiffany shoved a chair and sat there.

       “I come here to apologize on behalf Jessica…,” she said sincerely but Yuri hastily lifted his hand.

       “It isn’t necessary,” he cut off and smiled. “There’s nothing more to do with it.”

       “Of course it’s necessary,” Tiffany persisted. “I knew you’re been pissed off.”

       Yuri rolled his eyes as Tiffany didn’t buy his lies.

       “Yeah, slightly,” he admitted and was back to his bed; trying to act nonchalant.

       “Hey, Yul… Are you mad with her?” Tiffany asked carefully.

       “Why I have to mad to her?” he giggled pathetically.

       “Because she already said what she wasn’t supposed to say,” Tiffany replied. “I knew you didn’t mean to control her life or so.”

       “Thanks for not getting me wrong,” Yuri answered quickly. Tiffany shook her head as she knew was sure Yuri wasn’t “slightly” pissed off.

       “Do you believe if I say that Jessica didn’t mean so?”

       “Didn’t mean what?”

       “She just spilled it out without even thinking about it,” Tiffany explained. “I’m sure she didn’t consider you like it.”

       “Oh yeah?” Yuri made a face.

       “So why she had to be so sarcastic to me?”

       “Ummm, about it, I also couldn’t figure out, Yul,” Tiffany said. “I think you should know better.”

       “Me? Why did you think I suppose to know better?”

       “Because… this morning she seemed act nice to you and after you two was back from hospital, she suddenly acted so weird toward you. Didn’t you realize it?”

(Damn… Is it possible… it’s caused by Joo Hyun? I mean… what did it mean?? She’s getting jealous? Oh, Jesus Christ… how could it be??? That ice princess was getting jealous at me?? Ha ha ha…)

       Yuri suddenly displayed a creepy smile, making Tiffany frowned in confuse.

       “Yah, Yul!” she yelled, yanked him from daydreaming. “You freak me out… Why you suddenly smiled?”

         Discovering he’d already lost his control, he quickly hide his smile and acted nonchalant again.

       “Nothing. Just think how ridiculous all of those things happened recently.”

       “So…,” Tiffany trailed off. “Would you like to forgive her? I’m really sorry, Yul…”

       “You don’t need to be sorry, Fanny~aaa,” he replied gently. “There’s nothing to be forgiven as well. I wasn’t mad at her, actually. Don’t worry,” he winked and smiled, this time wholeheartedly.

       Jessica began to felt regret as she reached her flat. Stupid! I’m really stupid! Why I had to act rude toward him? He’s really nice and kind to me… He always helped me… He always had good intention toward me… And look what I’ve done toward him? I slapped him twice… And he still protected and saved me from the bastards… He hovered to me all the night, during I was unconscious, and he accompanied me to see the doctor afterward… Why I couldn’t control myself? Was I jealous??? Did I like him? And now… now… I bet he wouldn’t forgive me… I had already hurt him… Fool… I’ve been a fool…

       While still losing in thought, she fished around her handbag, trying to find the key and didn’t notice what was going to happen to her.

       All out of the sudden, a man with pet hat emerged and as she didn’t see it coming, the man easily attacked her and covered . Jessica struggled to fight back, but it’s fruitless since she’s too weak against the man. One of his hands tidied up her hand in back, while the other was still covering . Jessica’s eyes were widened in fear.

       “You’re such a ! Look what your boyfriend did to my brother!” he whispered with his creepy voice near her ears. It frankly sent shivers up and down her spine. Jessica shuddered in fear hearing his remarks.

       “Now I won’t only you, but I will throw you on public as well so all the Seoul citizen could enjoy the scenic view freely!” he whispered again and Jessica could feel his tongue her neck disgustingly.

        At that time, Jessica was really dreadfully scared.

(This is the result of your own stupid, Jessica… Don’t you dare to regret it… It’s all your own fault…)

        She couldn’t help but dropping her tears unstoppably. She knew the miracle wouldn’t come twice. She knew this time Yuri wouldn’t come again to save her…

        Or?

       Is it possible? The miracle came twice?

       Suddenly she felt the man loosen his grip and at the next second she heard the man yelled in pain.

       “Don’t you dare to touch again, bastard!”

       Wait… The voice…

       She quickly opened up her eyes and tilted her head to make sure whose voice it was. Though it’s unbelievable, it’s real. It’s him.

       She could see Yuri peppered him with his blow until the man was knock out and crumpled in pain on the ground. Seemed still wasn’t enough, Yuri rewarded him with a hard kick on his stomach; making the latter shrieked in unbearable pain.

       “Look!” he exclaimed. “This is my last warning to you and your gang. Don’t you ever touch her or her friend again! Because if you’re still daring to do so, I guarantee you won’t see tomorrow coming afterward. You had no idea about me and believe me you don’t want to proof it.”

       When Yuri was about to kick him again, suddenly Jessica hustled to him and wrapped her arm around him to impede him go on.

       “Yul! Don’t! You can kill him!”

       “I don’t care. Go away from me. Don’t block my way!” he stated vehemently.

       “No… Don’t do it, Yul,” Jessica pleaded softly; she began to cry again.

       Yuri slowly loosened his fist as he was just melted again hearing her puppy voice; but his breath was still unsteady as he was still overwhelmed with serious anger. Jessica who could see his smoldering eyes just tightening her embrace, hoping it could soothe his anger as she didn’t want Yuri to kill him.

       “If I don’t kill him today, tomorrow he would do the same thing again to you!”

       “No… I won’t… I promise…,” the bastard said frantically.

       “Do you hope I will buy your lie?” Yuri asked.

       “I promise… I won’t make any mess with you and the girls again… Please let me go…,” he pleaded, dreadful.

       “Yul… You’ve heard him… I’m sure he won’t dare to do it again…,” Jessica whispered softly; still embraced him. Finally his anger was gradually subsided. He tilted his head to look at her.

       “Are you sure you want me to let him go?”

        Jessica nodded her head.

        “Okay!” he exclaimed. “I’ll let you go this time. But remember, I won’t forget your promise.”

       “Gomawoyo… Gomawoyo…,” the man hastily got up and was about to leave the place.

       “WAIT!!!” Yuri yelled again, stopping the man in track. He turned back frantically again. Jessica could see the man was dreadfully trembling now, a far cry from his behavior before.

       “W-what else?? Y-you said would let me go…,” he stammered asking.

       “Yeah. But I think you have to say thanks to my girl as well,” Yuri said. “You knew literally she’s the one who saved you. You owed her.”

       “Y-yul…,” Jessica whispered and threw “it isn’t necessary” look toward him, but Yuri seemed ignore it.

       “Gamsahamnida…gamsahamnida,” the man bowed ninety degree toward her, then just hastily dashed, leaving the place as soon as possible. At that time, Jessica could see him smiled complacently.

       “Are you okay?” finally he asked after the man vanished from his sight.

       “Uh-uh,” Jessica nodded her head awkwardly.

(Men… what should I do now? He saved me… again…)

       “Did he hurt you?” he asked in concern. Jessica slowly released her hand from him, as she began to realize she’d already hugged him so long. But suddenly Yuri was curling his arms around her back; let her embrace into his hug again. Jessica couldn’t feel anything but so secure inside his hug.

       “No,” she said coyly as she started to begin warm inside herself.

       “Thanks God I came in time,” he mumbled and Jessica noticed their face now were so close. They were never as close as before, actually.

       “Why did you stop me to kick him? The bastard deserved to get it, you know?”

       Jessica peered up to look at him.

       “Because I don’t want you to be a killer,” Jessica said understandingly; making Yuri jolted in surprise.

       “W-why… I… just didn’t think that far…”

       “Because you weren’t,” she said. “You have a good and warm-hearted. You’re the nicest guy I ever met. And I don’t want you to make a bad record in your life,” she blurted out bluntly; making Yuri felt like fly to the seventh sky and struggled hard to act as cool as possible; while his heart already pumped faster and uncontrollable.

       “Why?” he asked again.

       “Why what?” Jessica asked in confuse.

       “Why you didn’t want me make a bad record?”

       “Because… because I know it wasn’t real you… I…,” she trailed off and trying hard to spill the next sentence. “I care about you…”

       Yuri held his smile hard still want to spin out some time.

       “Why do you care about me?”

       Jessica gulped.

(Damn… Why he didn’t just let me go off???)

       “Because you… you… care about me too…”

       “Oh yeah? I thought someone had got me wrong about it this morning?”

       Suddenly her expression was turned into the dark one.

       “Mianhae…,” she said feebly. “I didn’t mean to say it… I didn’t mean to hurt you… Mianhae…”

(Ouch this girl… No no no… don’t cry… don’t cry in front of me… You melt my heart again… I can’t stand to see you cry…)

        “Gwaenchana…,” Yuri said gently and pulled her closer into his hug deeper, then her back up and down. Jessica instinctively buried her head into his chest and sobbed her.

       “Uljima,” he whispered soflty. “I knew you didn’t mean it. Gwaenchana…,” he assured her.

       Jessica didn’t answer as she still couldn’t stop her sob; and Yuri used the chance to speak up again.

       “Joo Hyun was nothing to me,” suddenly he said out of the blue; making Jessica couldn’t hide her surprise. She slowly lifted her head to stare at him again; wondering why suddenly he gave her that in-relevant information; but all the things she could see was only he smiled warm at her.

       “She’s my ex,” he continued again. “We’re already over few months ago and I only consider her as my sister.”

       “W-why…,” she trailed off. “Suddenly you gave me this information?”

       Yuri smiled in his victory.

       “Because I couldn’t stand to see you cry again. And to make it clear that I’m now single,” he said.

       “W-what?”

       “You like me, don’t you?” he said confidently; making Jessica’s face suddenly blushed.

       “I…,” she felt so speechless and hard to spill out any words.

       Yuri touched her cheeks gently and wiped away her tears.

       “Nado joahae,” he said sweetly.

       “Na?”

       “I like you Jessica… A lot,” he said. “And I think now I begin to fall in love with you…”

       Jessica seemed so taken aback hearing his sweet confession and she knew she couldn’t hide her redden face anymore now. Yuri giggled cutely looking at his girlfriend face.

       “You suppose to say something,” he teased.

       “Mwo?” she tried to glare and acted cold again. “You didn’t even give me a question!”

       Yuri burst into laugh and now staring at her deeply.

       “My bad… My bad!” he laughed. “Jessica, would you be my girlfriend?”

       “With all my heart, Yul…,” she nodded coyly.

       Yuri smiled complacently hearing the answer and he slowly cupped her cheeks and pulled it closer to him. He angled his face a little and Jessica followed him; anticipating what was going to happen. They exchanged a smile for a moment, before finally their lip met and said hallo for a first time; creating a warm and beautiful interaction as if they wanted to be relished forever.

Yulsic Moment!!!

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to be continued...