CHAPTER 4

Hours later, they finally were able to finish the first part of the project. Jesse was cracking his neck to ease his tensed bones while Tiffany rubbed her eyes repeatedly and mumbling some incoherent words. He had to suppress a smile due to the adorable sight, however, when Tiffany saw the time on her computer, she doubled her eyes in shock:

“OH MY GOD! IT’S 22:30 PM ALREADY?!”

“Yeah, I guess so. Good thing we are able to finish it, right?”

Jesse added with a satisfied smirk while grabbing his belongings and placing them in his backpack. Meanwhile, Tiffany was turning off her computer and reached her purse, quickly getting her phone inside. Once she checked the display for possible missed calls, she frowned sadly… her so called boyfriend didn’t call or even send a message to see if she is fine. Dating a famous model can be really a headache sometimes, she even tried to call him earlier, but he didn’t answer as always. She only snapped to the reality when she noted someone in front of her with a worried expression on the face:

“Hmmm, Tiffany-shi… You know you can call me if you need anything okay? But… d-don’t stay at the office until late, isn’t safe for a lady like you walking around here and alone.”

Unconsciously, a sudden flutter crept in Tiffany’s heart as she heard the warm and honest words coming from Jesse’s lips. She couldn’t help to eye-smile genuinely due to his concern and serious expression…

“He is so cute… ^^ OK, WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?!”

Tiffany quickly shook her head to push those weird thoughts away. Yet, she smiled brightly in gratitude due his actions. The poor guy badly could utter another word due her blinding mega-watt smile. So, when she was about to thank him, a loud grumbling sound echoed all over the office. Both of them widened their eyes due the loud sound echoed again. They quickly dropped their heads down in shock to see the sound’s source… which was Tiffany’s stomach…

Once they automatically looked up, their eyes met and Jesse couldn’t help to let a heartily laughter escape from his lips as his adorable boss pouted and crossed her arms like a sulky kid. The sight was so adorable that he felt his heart melting; however, once his laughter subsided, he wiped the ‘imaginary’ tear and spoke gently while smiling:

“Come, I know a place where we can eat at this time.”

Before Tiffany could argue, Jesse already stood behind her, gently motioned her to the elevator. Although she still was sulky due his laughter, she let a smile escape when she saw his begging and puppy eyes asking for her forgiveness. Seconds later, there was the couple laughing with each other. Once they left the building, they marched for their destination, but not without chat and bicker to each other as if they were long time friends…

-x-

Tiffany was amazed with the sight; it was a cozy and humble restaurant. They were in front of the glass door and suddenly, Jesse’s words caught her attention:

“Well, it’s nothing fancy, but…” He said gently as he opened the door for her, before adding with a grin: “But the food is great.” It took some seconds as Tiffany finally smiled and nodded her head speaking honestly:

“Don’t worry… I like simple things the most.”

“In that case… after you, Miss Hwang.” Jesse motioned respectfully as his boss complied and entered in the simple restaurant. The place was kinda empty due the time, but with a huge mass of people making their orders and everything. Once they found a table close to the window, Tiffany was about to sit when Jesse quickly blocked her way as he gently pulled the chair for her with a smile in his lips. Tiffany smirked and uttered a ‘thank you’ as she seated, still felling something inside of her fluttering immensely due her assistant’s smile and actions. He was a gentleman indeed; not even when she was with her current boyfriend, she could remember these small, yet amazing actions. Maybe at the beginning of their relationship, but now… not even a call.

However, when they were about to start a conversation, a beautiful waitress came to their table and offered the menu, speaking into a polite tone:

“Welcome at the YoonHyun’s Restaurant. May I he--- Oppa?!” Jesse was surprised to see the girl staring at him in awe with a shy smile in her face. He quickly stood up and opened his arms as the younger girl complied, hugging him tightly as he spoke:

“Oh my God, JuHyun! I barely recognize you; you look beautiful all grown up!”

“Oppa~~” The girl aka JuHyun whined in embarrassment as she hid her flushed face with the menu. Meanwhile, Tiffany who watched everything couldn’t help to feel a slight pang of jealously arising in her being, she never sees Jesse so comfortable and smiling with another girl. Yet, she felt her heart easing a bit when she noted that their relationship was purely friendship, but her train of thoughts was stopped due Jesse’s voice:

“Oh I almost forgot to introduce you two. Seohyun, this is my boss, Miss Hwang. Tiffany-shi, this is my cousin’s girlfriend and our childhood friend, plus one of my favorite maknae… Seo JuHyun.”

“Oppa, you don’t change, don't you? *chuckes* so many titles. Nice to meet you, Miss Hwang.”

“Me too, Miss JuHyun. Oh, you can call me just Tiffany. Miss Hwang makes me feel old. I have already told Jesse to call me like this, but he insists to be respectful all the time.”

SeoHyun nodded and chuckled along with Tiffany as they laugh at Jesse’s pout. Afterwards, SeoHyun turned her attention to Jesse as she dipped her head coyly, yet speaking into a delighted tone:

“Jesse-oppa, have you heard the news?” Jesse creased his brows in curiosity and shook his head. With a wide grin forming in her lips, Seohyun quickly showed her hand revealing a simple, but a beautiful engagement ring. The couple on the table gasped in surprise and Jesse smiled widely as he pulled the slim and shy girl for a tight hug:

“Omo! Congratulations, JuHyun! Finally that shikshin made a good choice! So, how does it go?”

“It was last weekend. Oppa made a romantic dinner after I made him watch the Keroro’s marathon and then… he proposed me. I am so happy!”

Meanwhile Tiffany smiled at the younger girl who was gleaming. Getting married was the biggest dream for any girl, well, most part of them; she thought bitterly to herself, wondering if her boyfriend would propose her someday, no, risk that… if one day she will marry with someone who loves her and she will love back. Then, she congratulates the young and tall waitress as Jesse suddenly snapped playfully:

“That it’s great news indeed! But where is that shikshin a.k.a my cousin anyway?”

“Did I hear my name?” A tall and handsome brown haired boy came behind SeoHyun, hugging her tightly as the latter squealed and scolded him. He faked a pout and she couldn’t help to gave in and pinch his cheek gently, smiling heartily as he was laughing widely, more like a crocodile laughter. Once, he saw his blonde cousin, he momentarily pulled him from a hug with a wide smile in his lips:

“Yo, cousin! Long time no see. I guess you already heard the news, right?”

“Hahaha yeah, and it was the best thing you did. You better not break her heart ok?”

“Aish, of course not! She is my sweet potato, right hon’?”

“Yoong-oppa…” Seohyun hid herself behind the strands of her dark her in shyness:

“Hahaha she loves this nickname.” Yoong said proudly as he held her hand gently; making the poor girl blush more; yet smiling at his tenderness. Once they looked to each other, their smile widened with love filling their eyes. Yet, he snapped from his Seo-land, when he turned to his cousin and asked promptly:

“Hey cous, so… did you were missing us or just the food?”

“Ya, you!” “I am kidding, cous’. You know you can come here anytime.”

“Oh, by the way, I want to introduce you someone. Yoong, this is my boss, Miss Hwang Tiffany. Tiffany-shi, this loudmouth here it’s my cousin, Im Yoong.”

Tiffany smiled and offered her hand for a handshake, yet she was in awe with the guy’s beauty, maybe the beauty must run by their family since he resembles Jesse a little. Yet she had to admit that she is more enchanted by Jesse’s person anyway. After they introduced themselves, Yoong suddenly snapped his fingers as he remembered something after take a good look on Tiffany:

“Oh, now I remember. Hey, cous, Krys was right. No wonder you have a cru—mphhmph!!!” He was quickly silenced as Jesse and Seohyun shut his mouth with their hands with a scowl in their faces.

“Hahahaha, Yoong. Don’t you have a meal to do?!” Jesse glared at him, trying to cover with a nervous smile as Tiffany watched them in awe, completely oblivious of the situation. She just giggled at the family’s relationship; much more when Jesse pushed him to the kitchen. Once he came back, Seohyun shook her head and muttered with her head bowed in embarrassment:

“Please, forgive him. I will deal with oppa later… but, what can I get for you two?”

“SeoHyun, please, bring us that special dish which is my favorite.”

“All right, on the way, oppa!”

She added with a smile and finally left to the kitchen. At their table, they could heard Seohyun scolding Yoong as the latter whined like a child. Once Jesse and Tiffany were alone again, they chuckled at the scene as they looked to the other’s eyes. The laughter subsided, and Tiffany couldn’t help to feel curious as she asks:

“So… what did you order?” Suddenly a mysterious smile crept in Jesse’s lips as he explains: “It’s a surprise. Trust me; I believe you are going to like it.”

Tiffany nodded with a giggle in agreement. Meanwhile, Jesse muttered in embarrassment as he looked down:

“I am really sorry for my cousin; he can be really annoying sometimes.”

“That’s fine, Jesse. They are nice; besides, it’s good to know your friends and family. But, tell me more about you.”

“Oh, there was nothing special about me. I am just a normal and simple or boring person.”

Jesse said weakly as he looked to his side, trying to avert Tiffany’s curious stare coz it was hard to stay composed with a beautiful pair of eyes looking back to you, isn’t? Suddenly, she shook her head and smiled, supporting her chin with her right hand:

“I disagree. I think there is much more that I wanted to know about you, besides, didn’t I tell you that I like simple things?”

His heart hammered inside his chest due her sincere words, so when he looked up, his heartbeat got worse when he saw those big brown orbs sparkling in anxiety. Sighing in defeat, he grinned and nodded his head as he started, already getting her interest, who listened everything attentively like if someone was telling her a nice story:

“Hmm, Age 24. Favorite color black and blue. My favorites hobbies are jog or…sleep *Tiffany laughed at this part*. I am studying stewardship at the SM University. Oh, I was born in San Francisco where I lived with my family until I reached my teenager years. I came here to Korea to start to improve my studies and I started to work at my 16 years old. I have a father, mother and my younger sister, Krystal. Hmm that’s it… And what about you, Tiffany-shi?”

After the latter digested Jesse’s brief bio, she beamed to know that they were born at the same place. So she took a deep breath as she started to speak about herself. She almost let a giggle escape from her lips when she saw Jesse’s curious expression like a naïve kid. Each time she spoke by herself, she felt flattered about someone who wanted to know her true story, but a sudden sadness came to her heart when she remembered an old, yet lively memory:

“I know my father only wants the best for me and trust me, but… I don’t know, sometimes I wish that my mom could be here too. On these times, she always knew the right thing to say to boost our trust…I – I missed her so much…”

Jesse felt his heart squeeze when he heard her sorrowful tone, much more when her eyes were b in tears. Tiffany had told him about her dear mom who passed away; he could tell that she was really important and loved by his boss. He wanted to help her so much right, but what could he do? His heart swayed with the sudden thought, he hesitated, but in the end, he realized that it was the best thing now. Taking a deep breath, he carefully placed his hand atop of hers, giving a suave squeeze in assurance. Once his boss looked up in surprise due his bold and comforting action, he smiled softly as he reached a tissue on his pocket and wiped the small tears in her eyes:

“I completely understand your situation, Tiffany-shi. But I know that from the heaven, your mom it’s cheering for you because I am sure that she always believed on you, just like your father, your friends and… well, me too. I am more than sure that you can so much more than you think you can’t do, you just need some faith and the rest… you already got them all.”

A stunned Tiffany was unable to say a word after Jesse’s advice. No one in her whole life was able to be so honest and direct with her; but this boy, he really was different. Only with a few words, she felt a boost of trust filling her being just like her mother used to do. Slowly, a sincere smile formed in her lips as she nodded her head in thankfulness making her assistant smile along. Afterwards, Seohyun brought the special dish to their table and Tiffany’s eyes sparkled as she saw their meal:

“OMG! DUKBOKKI!!! I don’t eat one of these in ages! How did you knew?!”

Jesse and Seohyun chuckles at the young lady’s excitement as the latter took a deep sniff on the delicious meal. Seohyun quickly left as Jesse simply answers with a smirk:

“Hmm lucky shot perhaps? Hahaha but don’t worry about it! Come on, dig in!”

He cheered for her as she rapidly dives in on their food, getting large amounts of meal. Meanwhile, Jesse barely touched his own dukbokki as he was mesmerized while observing his happy boss clearly enjoying her meal. The corner of his lips moved to upwards as he thought undeniably:

“She is really adorable…”

A few rounds later, once their table was filled with empty bowls; Tiffany sighed in content as she smiled to herself. They were about to chat a little more, but when their saw that was almost midnight, the couple stood up from their table to the cashier. When Tiffany was about to reach the money in her purse, a hand stopped her; quizzically, she looked up to see a smiling Jesse looking down to her as he spoke softly:

“You don’t have to, Tiffany-shi. You are my guest, remember?”

Automatically, Tiffany vehemently shook her head in denial trying to convince him:

“Bu-but Je-Jesse! This isn’t fair! We stood until late working on a project and now are you going to pay for everything? No no no, you can’t do this!”

“Oh, looks like I can and look… I already did *chuckles*” Jesse stifled his laughter at the sight of a pouting and sulking Tiffany. The latter was puzzled when she realized that Jesse used her distraction to pay their bill. Letting a loud sigh in frustration, she felt ease again when SeoHyun and Yoong waved at them, saying their farewells. She couldn’t help to smile and wave back, feeling happy to make new friends. But, her truly surprise and happiness was to get know the real Jesse Jung bit a bit.

-x-

They took a cab to Tiffany’s “Home” since Jesse would only leave before send her safely to her ‘house’. Once they stepped out of the cab, they were laughing and chatting about their early moments. When they arrived at a big gate, they relented their steps as Jesse dipped his head down and spoke sincerely again:

“Oh, I am really sorry if I made anything wrong today, Tiffany-shi.” The latter shook her head and chuckled as she adds into a heartily tone:

“Are you kidding me? I would in major problems today if it wasn’t you, Jesse. By the way, you were right… the dukbokki was amazing indeed *giggles*”

“Really? I am glad that you liked. Honestly, I was afraid that wouldn’t like due… the simplicity and everything?”

Suddenly Tiffany looked up to him seriously and took a step closer. He looked down to her eyes and for a moment, both of them felt a sudden fluttering on their stomach. Then, a genuine eye-smile formed in Tiffany’s face as she honestly admitted:

“When I said that I liked simple things the most, I really mean it, Jesse. I treasure these things because reminds me my childhood and because it’s special for me. And honestly, I will repay you no matter how or when; don’t think that I will forget this one, mister.”

Once he caught her words, a heartily laughter escaped from his mouth as he shook his head, raising his hands in defeat:

“Ok ok, you are the boss anyway. Yet, I still had some tricks under my sleeve, Tiffany-shi.”

They end up laughing again until the moment the silence surrounded them. Under the moonlight’s glow, they could spot a warm smile forming in their lips. No words were exchanged between them, but inside their bodies were a huge commotion and a warm feeling. When Jesse took a deep breath and looked down to his shoes to hide his blush; he was about to leave when something or rather someone surprised him deeply. Before he could utter a word, his boss stepped closer and couldn’t help to wrap her arms around him for a caring hug.

In the same second, he widened his eyes in shock as a sudden feeling exploded inside his chest. His body was melting when her suave fragrance entered by his nostrils; the feeling of having her arms around him was indescribable. But while his mind was a huge blank, shivers run by his spine as his heart pounded so loudly that he was afraid that she could listen. However, his trance mode last so little when she whispered a gentle ‘thank you’, he recovered himself and gently, he returned the warm hug while closing his eyes in bliss. This must be a dream… Once she withdrew from him, she giggled at his surprised expression and whispered gingerly:

“Thank you a lot, Jesse. You are really a gentleman. Please, go home safely and call me once you get there okay? Good night.”

So he nodded dumbly in return as she smirked and opened the large gate. Now, at the other side of the bars, Jesse was getting back to the reality as he quickly replied trying not to hyperventilate:

“Oh, g-good night and have a good sleep…”

Tiffany nodded with an eye-smile as she finally turn around, walking rapidly trying to get a rid of the flushed face. Her heart was like a thunderstorm, pounding and beating so fast and she didn’t even know why. Never in her whole life, she felt something so warm… and so strong. While she entered in her house and scolding herself sulkily:

“What were you thinking, Tiffany?! Aish!”

She wouldn’t ever imagine that Jesse was feeling the same thing and feeling his heart fluttering just like hers. Once she lied on her bed and closing her eyes, a subtle and coy smile crept in her face as she remembered the hug. How safe, comfy and warm she felt inside those arms… but why in the Earth is she thinking on this?! Sometimes her heart dream too much…

However, outside the mansion, a stunned Jesse turn around to leave to his home. Yet, he placed his hand on his heart and on his heated cheek, surprised to see how warm he was and how fast was his heartbeat. Then, a delighted smile formed in his lips slowly as he finally whispered in awe:

“Tiffany…”

 

TBC

REPLIES:

@narachan: Thanks, my friend. I am glad that you enjoyed and read this story.

@budhakz: Wow, nice to see you here, dear friend ^^ I am kinda new here, so i haave a lot to learn. Wow, best author?! O.O Hahaha Although i'm really flattered, there is a lot of authors better than me, oh about that yes, this must be because i love JeTi a lot hahaha. I miss you on ssf =/ i dont remember the last time you there T.T I even send you a pm, Love Fable have only one chapter to end ;) anyways, i'm really glad to see you here, and please, come again, i missed you too. I know what i mean, i miss JeTi updates there, but you can count on me. Take care and God bless ya!

@eyelovegg: Hahaha just like the natural Jessi, really sweet haha. Thats i can tell, JeTi meant for each other lol, thanks for comment!

@shajanie: Sure it is, plus, Jessi cares about Fany a little too much lol thanks for comment, dear reader.

A/N: Sorry for my small hiatus, my dear readers. I'll try my best to update this soon ok? Thank you, dear readers and subscribers! Take care and God bless all!