Chapter 6

“J-Jesse?!”

They simply stood there in surprise while staring each other and agape. Snapping from his thoughts, Jesse rushed to Tiffany’s side and asked with a sad frown in his forehead and concern in his voice:

“Mi-Miss Hwang, what are you doing here?! Oh my God! You are shivering!”

He felt a tug in his heart when he noted her white lips, her red nose and her puffy eyes as if she was crying for a long time. Quickly removing his jacket, Jesse gingerly wrapped the cloth around her and rubbed her arms repeatedly, hoping that the friction would warm her. The latter was stunned with the display of affection and concern, no one beyond her family and close friends would worry so much. She simply was agape while watching him taking care of her while instantaneously, her interior got warm, not because of his jacket, but the warmth emanating from his touches. She only snapped from her train of thoughts when his worried voice asked softly:

“Miss Hwang… I don’t want to sound indelicate or intrusive… but what are you doing in the park and that late? Don’t you know that it can be very dangerous for a lady like you walk around completely alone?”

Feeling guilty by his words, she realized what she had done, but moments ago, she couldn’t think of anything else. So she gulped and didn’t have courage to look in Jesse’s worried eyes as she spoke weakly:

“I – I don’t know… it’s just… I needed to think… and well, I seated here and… I don’t even realize the time…”

“I see… but can’t you call your driver? I can stay with you until he come here to fet—“

“There is no use… my battery died… and I guess no one would mind since the maids and the driver went to their homes… I don’t want to bother them now…”

Tiffany said into a faltering tone while looking to her side, looking like a lost child wanting her mom. Although a little oblivious, Jesse was doing the right thing to send her back to her home, yet part of him was so moved and her tone was so inviting that he was almost taking her to his home. No, but he couldn’t that, maybe she would take in the wrong way and this was something that he definitely didn’t want. So he took a deep breath and seated at her side in the bench as he spoke gingerly:

“I can take to your home if you want to, Miss Hwang. I won’t mind---“

“Jess?” Her husky voice broke his concentration as he looked at her intently, waiting for her answer. Slowly, she turned to his side and raised her head slowly… when their eyes met, all the warmth spreads in their pounding hearts and blush creeping in their cheeks. She nibbled her lip hesitantly and opened as she asked so softly that Jesse practically melted in his spot:

“It wouldn’t matter because… I know that… n-no one would be t-there… Jesse… if I am not asking too much… c-could you… could you… accompany me… tonight?”

The blonde guy refrained the action of widening his eyes due to her request. His fast heartbeat doubled the pace as his mouth was hanged open. Seeing those lovely and melting brown orbs staring at him with a lost and innocent look moved his heart deeply. The only thing he could do was sigh and stand up as he offered his hand:

“My home is nothing fancy; to be honest it’s very simple and humble. But you are more than welcome. Now…shall we?”

After his sentence, his semblance softened and a kind smile crept in his lips. Feeling much more confident, Tiffany smiled genuinely as well as she gently placed her hand inside of his. Once their hands touched, their fingers intertwined automatically and instead of look each other shocked, they simply smiled to each other warmly with their eyes gleaming in something new. Together, they walked to Jesse’s home without exchange a word, but even within a silent atmosphere, they never felt so comfortable and warm with each other like they are doing now.

-x-

As soon the ‘couple’ reached Jesse’s apartment, they strolled by the long corridor and stopped in front of Jesse’s apartment door. Out of sudden, he couldn’t help to steal a glance of the beautiful lady beside him, yet he was surprised and not mention it, a little flushed to see that she was doing the same thing. Since both of them were ‘caught’, they could only chuckle and grin shyly towards each other. Trying to ease the silence, Jesse cleared his throat and spoke as he caught his keys inside his pocket:

“Well, here we are, home sweet home. As I said, we are pretty simple and humble”

Tiffany giggled and squeezed his hands in comfort as she spoke not taking her eyes from him:

“Didn’t I tell you before that I enjoy simple things? Don’t worry, Jessie.”

Feeling his heart much lighter, Jesse smiled genuinely as he nodded his head in agreement, a little flushed due the fact that Tiffany’s hand was intertwined on his. However, the jingle sound coming from the keys echoed all over the silent corridor and when Jesse was about to turn the knob, the door was opened abruptly, followed by a body throwing against his neck, while storming him with questions:

“Oppa! Where have you been?! I was trying to call you and nothing! Don’t you know I was worried?! And what’s wrong with you?! Listen, if--- ?! … Who is she?”

Krystal immediately removed herself from her brother’s neck and narrowed her eyes to see a young woman staring at her totally uneasy. In other hand, Tiffany joined her strength to not look sad after the scene she just witnessed… untangling her hand from Jesse’s, she tilted her head in defeat and smiled weakly as she spoke uneasily:

“T-that’s fine, Jesse. You do-don’t need to bother, I didn’t know that… *gulp* that you were … with someone… I – I will get some cab and go back home… T-thanks for everything Jesse… I am really sorry for bothering your night… bye…”

“Of course he is attached to someone… which girl would be stupid enough to let someone like him slip away… he is one in one million…”

Noting the sudden change mood and tone coming from Tiffany, something inside of his mind clicked. He widened his eyes in realization after his love interest sighed heavily and it was getting prepared to turn around to leave. While the latter was walking away while feeling a tug in her heart, Krystal urged him to go after her; not thinking twice, Jesse rushed to his boss and held her hand gently, making her turn around as he spoke earnestly while looking at her eyes, almost desperately:

“M-Miss Hwang, I believe you got all wrong! Hmm come with me, please!”

“What?” Her sad expression turned to a confused one as she raised her browns in surprise. Then, Jesse gently leaded her to his apartment. He placed the two girls before each other and smiled as he gestured with his hands:

“Miss Hwang, this is my younger sister, Jung Krystal. Krys, this is my boss… Miss Hwang Tiffany.”

“Ohhhhhh!!!” At the same time, both girls raised their eyebrows finally understanding the whole situation. Out of sudden, Tiffany smiled in relief as she burrowed her face in her hands, trying to hide her blush as she spoke in embarrassment:

“Aigoo! I am so sorry! I am such a babo! I was thinking that you two… er you know…”

Jesse and Krystal frowned at the same time as they looked to each other, trying to digest what Tiffany was saying to them. Once they finally understood, they gasped, widened their eyes and made irked face while scowling:

“Ewwww!!! Do you thought that me and oppa…?! Yikes! No no no, we are siblings! Besides, that it’s gross!”

To prove her point, Krystal hugged herself and shuddered at the thought. Jesse and Tiffany couldn’t help to laugh at the younger girl’s funny actions. However, when their laughter subsided, Jesse motioned Tiffany to have a seat on their couch as he and his sister took the other seat. Yet, Tiffany couldn’t help to feel uneasy while Krystal watched her like if she was a professional investigator, out of sudden; she opened a huge smile and snapped her finger as she spoke in confidence:

“Aha! I like her, oppa! She is nice and beautiful! No wonder that you fell over heels about h-!”

“JUNG SOOJUNG!” Jesse barked in embarrassment when his dongsaeng ‘accidently’ and almost revealed his secret. He smiled uneasily at his boss who was with her eyebrows knitted in confusion. He tried to use his ice glare to his sister, but no use since she is immune to his ice demeanor; then she merely crossed her arms and smirked mischievously. Losing the ‘glaring game’, Jesse sighed heavily and stood up as he spoke weakly:

“Krystal… can you help me to find some clothes that we can borrow for Miss Hwang since she will sleep with us tonight?”

“What am I to you? Your maid?!” The younger girl snapped playfully, but not without her brother growl inwardly: “Kryssss?” “Easy! I was kidding, oppa.”

She hissed when Jesse raised his brown and gave her a blank face. Meanwhile, Tiffany stifled a giggle with the scene before her, she just couldn’t help to enjoy and laugh at the bickering siblings, yet she could see that both of them loved each other, of course, maybe because she did the same thing with her siblings. Nonetheless, moments later, she snapped from her thoughts when the Jung siblings came back as Jesse gingerly placed some clothes in her lap as he spoke gently:

“My sis borrow you this. There are some pajamas and… new underwear. And there are clean towels on the bathroom. You can shower first to relax a little; you need it more than me…”

Unable to hide her smile, their eyes locked as Tiffany spoke sincerely without break the stare:

“I… I am really sorry for bothering you so mu-“

“Don’t worry, Miss Hwang… you don’t bother us at all… but later… if you feel better… I will be all ears for your reasons.”

Nodding in agreement, she felt her heart sway inside her chest while looking those melting and hazel eyes. However, she shook her head and picks her things to have a relaxing shower. Minutes later, feeling much better she walked to the living room where the siblings were bickering again. Only at the sound of her chuckle, they stopped abruptly and looked to the opposite places lamely. Yet, her assistant couldn’t help to look like a gaping fish once he admired her beautiful view after shower. The way her merely moisten hair was dripping slowly and one shoulder was a little exposed, this was enough to make his poor heart pound hard inside his chest while he still admire her. Soon, realizing that he could be ogling, Jesse snapped from his trance and stood as he got clean clothes and spoke to his boss softly:

“I – I am gonna take my shower now, but if you need anything, you can talk to my sister, Miss Hwang. She will be a good sister who won’t embarrass her brother… right?”

The younger sibling waved her hand dismissively and cocked her head with a smile:

“Chill out, oppa. I will make Tiffany unnie more comfortable, right unnie?”

Tiffany giggled and nodded her head while eye-smiling making the poor Jesse more dazzled. Yet, Jesse still was there like if he was mesmerized by her eye-smile while they were staring each other warmly. Seeing the warm mood between them, Krystal stifled a laugh and spoke quietly:

“Hmmm oppa? Don’t you have to take a shower…kinda… right now?”

He widened his eyes and scratched the back of his neck as he hurriedly spoke:

“R-right! Yeah! I will be right back, girls!”

Tiffany gratefully nodded as the poor and stunned guy rushed to the bathroom. Her eyes never left him as Krystal kept watching the funny scene. Of an eye of a stranger, anyone could tell that those two have feelings towards each other, but the biggest problem it was that they were too dense to realize it… But this isn’t a problem for Cupid Krystal! She remarked into her mind as she smirked mischievously:

“Oppa… you will thank me later…”

“So… Fany unnie… oh, do you mind if I call you unnie?”

Tiffany shook her head with a smile as she spoke gently:

“Not at all. As a matter of fact, I feel more comfortable with you calling me like that.”

Having a clear sign, Krystal nodded with a smirk as she proceeded with her plan:

“Oh great! So Fany unnie… tell me how oppa work in your company! If he isn’t behaving himself, I can punish him, you know?”

“*Chuckles* You don’t have to, Krystal. Jesse is beyond that I ever imagine it. Oh, do you mind if I –“

“Oh not at all, unnie. But continue, what do you mean? Like oppa is more than… you imagine it?”

Suddenly, the mood started to get serious as Krystal frowned in confusion. So Tiffany, smiled weakly as she looked down while speaking sincerely:

“You know… your brother… it’s like one in one million. Ever since I had to control the company while my father was away… at first, I didn’t know what to do, I was getting desperate. But thank God, I have the chance to cross my path with a strange person… and stain his shirt with my coffee…”

“Omo, so it was you!” Krystal added in awe while Tiffany shrunk in her place with just one eye open as she spoke apologetically:

“Sorry about that…” The younger girl giggled and waved her hand showing that everything was fine and she could continue. Feeling more comfortable, Tiffany slowly raised her head to speak her genuinely as if she was trying to show Krystal that she meant every single word:

“Jessie… ever since the first time and even without knowing who I was, he always was so good to me. And I wouldn’t ever imagine that he would be my assistant, yet I am really glad to have him around. He put so much trust and faith on me that it made make me feel secure with myself. He is very important for me, not just as professional… but as a person too… I – I never have met someone like him… never…”

“But… sometimes… I don’t know… when I look at him… I can see that it’s something missing on him… like all those times he was so reclusive and shy… honestly, I wish I could do something to help him and make him open himself, you know?”

“Hmm not bad for a dense girl” Krystal remarked in her mind as she rubbed her chin. After Tiffany finished, the younger sibling spoke honestly filling Tiffany’s words:

“I see… actually what you saw it's just oppa’s defense system. Don’t you ever noted that he can be very cold sometimes?”

“Actually not…” Tiffany added with a confident smirk making Krystal gap in confusion as she explained:

“To be honest… Jess is the warmest person that I've ever met. He is very genuine and gentle. I don’t know why the persons call him an ‘ice prince’ … do you know why?”

After some seconds, Krystal nodded sadly as she looked down, sighing:

“Actually, yeah… there was a long time ago…”

Feeling much more interested in Jesse’s story, Tiffany turned her attention to Krystal who looked down with a sad frown in her forehead. Even being a little hesitant, the boss couldn’t help to ask carefully:

“But… what happened?”

Letting a stream of air escape from her nostrils, Krystal started slowly, still frowning:

“This subject it’s very personal… but what I can tell you… it was about a girl… a girl who broke his heart…”

Tiffany’s expression turned into a sad one with Krystal’s words, still she let her continue:

“I can’t tell you the whole story since oppa will tell you everything later… but you see… oppa is the kind of person which his dream is to find someone to love and love him back and then, build a family. That girl he used to date, she played with his feelings when he was even planning to ask her hand, she chose to run away and be a free spirit with a random model… I know oppa can be very dense, whining and childish sometimes, but… he was the one who practically raised me and … I've never met someone so incredible like him. Like you said, he is one in one million… I am proud to be his sister… but do not tell him this or he will get clingy on me aishh…”

The girls end up giggling due to Krystal’s irked face, yet once they laughter subsided. Tiffany couldn’t help to feel curious with her assistant’s love life as she asked gently:

“Hmm Krys… do you think that… your oppa has forgotten about this girl… and… might be interested in someone else?”

BINGO! The question that Krystal was waiting, however, for her dismay, she could see the bathroom’s door opening and her brother coming to her view. Then, she glanced the curious lady in front of her and merely smiled mischievously as she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly:

“Actually… oppa seems very different now… he is smiling often and sighing happily when he comes back of his work… oh my goodness… I ask to myself who is the lucky girl who is stealing my brother’s heart…”

*Silence*

“Is everything fine? Why am I getting the impression that you two were talking about me?” Jesse narrowed his eyes playfully to both girls as they returned with an uneasy laugh and Krystal quickly rushed to the bathroom. Meanwhile, she couldn’t help to roll her eyes and slap her forehead, mumbling: “My God, they are perfect to each other! How can they be so dense? Aishhh!”

Back to the ‘couple’, Jesse took the seat across Tiffany and about to ask her if everything was fine, a loud growl echoed in the living room. They widened their eyes in shock, but when the growl repeated and they localized the grumble’s source, Tiffany blushed right away in embarrassment as she looked down. Jesse widened his eyes and rapidly stood up as he grunted and slapped his own forehead:

“OH MY GOD! I AM SO DENSE! Of course you must be hungry! Wait here, Miss Hwang! I will prepare something for us! Aish stupid stupid stupid!”

His boss couldn’t help to chuckle while Jesse rushed to the kitchen and kept knocking his head and scolding himself. Yet, minutes later, the savory’s scent infested the whole apartment as the Jung siblings prepared the table. They three were enjoying the tasty food in silence, yet in the end, Krystal and Jesse would end up bickering to each other again while Tiffany laughed at them heartily enjoying the family moment. Some moments later, it was time to sleep, after Krystal said her ‘good night’ for Tiffany, Jesse went to his sister room and cover her like he always does. When he was back to his room, he adjusted his bed for his boss and he grabbed some sheets and pillows to himself as he walked to the door:

“I’m sorry that there isn’t a guest room, but you can sleep here while I will take the couch.”

“But Jesse, I don’t mind! I can take the couch! Really!” Tiffany tried to intervene, but Jesse smiled gently and shook his head speaking softly:

“And how am I supposed to sleep letting a lady sleep on the couch while I am sleeping comfortably in my bed? Of course I would get worried. Now, take the bed and this is final.”

“Ok… bossy…” A hearty chuckle escaped from his mouth when his boss grumbled in defeat while pouting and crossing her arms, the scene was too cute to bear. Then, Tiffany looked around and admired his room, for a guy, his room was simple, yet very clean and organized. She smiled to see many books in a bookshelf; Jesse definitely was an interesting person… So, the blonde guy accompanied her to his bed and let her take her place as he gingerly covered with the comforter like he did to his sister. If it was possible, Tiffany’s heart pounded furiously with their proximity, yet she was getting warm and touched with Jesse’s care. They held a warm stare, yet Jesse blushed and walked to the door, he smiled at her shyly and spoke softly:

“Good ni—“ “Hmm, Jesse?” “Yes, Miss Hwang?” Tiffany’s finger made random patterns in the comforter as she asked like a shy kid while looking down:

“Will I be asking too much… if I say that I want your company a little longer…?”

The assistant’s eyebrows raised in surprise due his boss humble wish and… how could he deny it? Chuckling slightly, he walked back to the bed and seated on the mattress as he spoke gently:

“Of course not, you don’t have to ask, Miss Hwang. So… what do you want to talk about?”

There was silence for a moment while Tiffany stared at the moon by the window while Jesse stared at her intently. Then, after some seconds, she finally dropped the bomb:

“Jesse… did you already… fall in love before?”

He tensed to the question and when his boss noted his lack of answer, she looked up to him to see that he was looking at the moon. Then, a bitter smile played in his lips as he started quietly:

“About four years ago… I thought I was…”

“And what happened?” Tiffany pressed on, really curious and apprehensive to know who was the girl which stole and broke Jesse’s heart. The latter, dipped his head down and whispered hoarsely:

“It was my first year in college… and there was her… Park Gyuri. She had the beauty and the charms to make any guy fell over heels about her… and I wasn’t different. At first, our relationship was going fine, yet… when I wanted to have a serious relationship with her; I even bought a ring of commitment to give her at our anniversary. But that same day, she told me that she has decided to attend in the model agency in Japan and couldn’t have someone… holding her here. So, even broken… I released her from our relationship and it didn’t take too much to know that she… well… were kinda busy with a rich model in some affair…”

“Oh, Jesse… I didn’t know! I am so, so sorry! She doesn’t deserve you; she was the one stupid to let someone like you go.”

To prove her point, Tiffany frowned sadly and seated as she enveloped Jesse’s hands with hers while they stared at each other’s eyes caringly. Jesse couldn’t help to feel his heart fluttering with her words, and he was thankful that the room was dark or else, his boss would see the blush in his cheeks. However, he smiled genuinely when she squeezed his hands into a comfortingly way. Seconds later, he shook his head with a smile as he stared at her intently, rather coyly:

“She doesn’t bother me anymore now… and answering your question… I thought I was in love that time, but no, I was just infatuated… Yet… for now… I am positively sure about what I am feeling…”

“And what would it be?” Tiffany asked curiously, yet at the same time afraid of his question. What if he told her that he fell for someone else? Still was a risk that she had to take it. Then, with a bashful smile playing in his lips as he admitted sincerely:

“I don’t know how to explain… but ever since I met this… lady… I never was the same again. I sleep and wake up thinking of her, waiting to see her smile, to see her face or at least, listen to her voice. She is the most beautiful person that I've ever met and with the most pure heart that I ever saw. And… what I feel more, I know that isn’t a mere infatuation, but something greater that I ever imagine it… she is like an angel on earth…”

“Oh…” She was outspoken with his sincere words, his eyes and voice were filled with so much… feelings that unconsciously… her heart get warm and thumped hard inside her being, as if those words were meant for her. Yet, she knew that it was wrong, although she was sad due to her discovery, she couldn’t let Jesse realize her frustration. However, after a long sigh, she finally spoke looking to the mattress:

“Do you wanna know what was I doing at the park?”

“Only if you want to tell me.” He added gently as Tiffany felt comfortable to go further. Breathing heavily, she resumed her story about her situation with Taecyeon while Jesse listened everything attentively. Once she was over, she chuckled bitterly and spoke sadly:

“You must be thinking that I am some kind of joke? I think that too… Sometimes I ask to myself why am I still with him? But I guess I am so afraid to get older alone and don’t find the one I love that I just conform with myself. It’s so hard to find someone who really loves you because of who you are and not for what you have. And that does why admire you, Jesse. Even you saying that you want simple things, at least your heart chose someone… *bitter chuckle* this girl must be very lucky to have your heart…”

“Miss Hwang…” Jesse called her even more softly while his boss was sniffing and tearing after pour her heart out. He gingerly wiped her tears away as he leaned, speaking warmly without break the stare:

“You are not a joke. You never were. It’s just you never found someone who realize how precious you are. Honestly, for what you told me, you shouldn’t suffer because of this guy which didn’t know how to treasure you. Sometimes… we just need to open our eyes to see that something that we are looking for… is right in front of us…”

After his sentence, the mood started to get warm and tense, but neither one of them had courage to be honest. They were simply staring at the other melting eyes as like a magnetic force drained them for each other. Their eyes were saying so many things, their hearts almost jumping out of their chest, yet Jesse knew that still wasn’t the right time. Tiffany need to be sure of herself and then, he could confess his feelings. Sighing deeply, they snapped from their trance as Jesse helped Tiffany get settle again into the comfy mattress as he whispered softly:

“I wish I could be useful.”

“Of course you were, I am sorry for bothering you. But… thank you, Jesse. Thank you for everything. G-good night.”

He chuckled and nodded his head as he covered her gently, repeating the same words:

“Good night…”

Yet, he was in awe when he realized that his boss already was sleeping. Admiring the adorable and cute scene, his body moved by itself as he leaned, closed his eyes and kissed her forehead very gently. Not regretting of his actions, he smiled and spoke softly:

“Sweet dreams… Tiffany…”

Then, taking a deep breath, he shook his head due his moment of impulse and walked to the door silently. He turned to his boss and smiled to himself as he spoke into his mind:

“I wished be the one to hold you in my arms and never let go… and then, I could finally call you… my love…”

With that, he finally left the room, lost in his thoughts without imagine … that Tiffany was blushing, feeling her heart fluttering while she caressed the spot where he kissed on her forehead, still was warm. Slowly, a shy smile formed in her lips as she finally fell asleep, but with a big smile plastered in her face. Amazed with the fact that for the first time… he called her by her name… and she loved the way her name were uttered gingerly by his lips… what amazing feeling…

-x-

On the next day, things were getting normal in the huge office, except the fact that the president, Tiffany Hwang intrigued and thoughtful about her discussion with her supposed boyfriend. Yet, on the previous night, her mind was open thanks her assistant, no one ever was so direct and honest with her. A big part of her ‘friends’ told her that she and the model were perfect to each other, but why? The reasons were very futile and superficial. Last night she was trying to remember a reason of why she still was with him? But none, every good reminiscence him actually never happened. She couldn’t deny that she felt attracted by him and his charms at first, but now… she couldn’t remember a good memory with him. Most part he would be away from her for a supposed model photo shoot and when they were together, he would fill her mind with himself, saying how good looking, rich or perfect he was.

He was empty and Tiffany let herself be drawn by his human black hole for a long time. She was tired of the same excuses and the makeup gifts. They never talked about future, family and kids, yet what was the point of build a family with someone who cares only about himself? No, this already got too far and it looks like she took a while to realize it. However, there was she seated in her office while watching her assistant remarking and lecturing about their secret project, the same project that they would present to the chairmanship tomorrow. While watching Jesse excitedly talking by the subject, Tiffany’s mind drifts away wildly.

His lips would move to upward whenever he looked so fierce and concentrated in adjust the project or how serious and cute he looked when he was trying to get her attention. After the last night, Tiffany felt her heart much lighter and open thanks to the blonde guy beside her; at one side, she had the reason of her tears and problem called TaecYeon, but then, in other hand, she had this odd, coy and kind person which lift her mood and calm her heart with only a warm word or a genuine smile. Much she discovered about Jesse, the more she wanted to get know him deeply.

Nonetheless, another day in the office has ended, she made her mind and wasn’t going back now. While Jesse was preparing his belongings to leave, his boss stopped beside him, already holding her bag as she spoke gingerly with a smile:

“Hey, Jess. Can I talk you for a sec?”

His eyes widened as he hurriedly shook his head with a goofy grin in his face:

“Of course, Miss Hwang. What can I do for you?”

She chuckled at his answer as gently placing her hand in his shoulders. His breathing hitched for a moment as he stared her intently, feeling his air disappears while letting his love held his shoulders kindly. Their eyes locked for seconds as she finally uttered:

“I just wanted to thank you for last night…” “But Miss Hwang, you don’t have to—“

“No, Jesse. It wasn’t just nothing. You don’t have any idea how your words and actions helped me. If it wasn’t you, I would still feel lost and insecure, but thanks to you, I opened my eyes and now… I am more than sure than anything about what I am going to do.”

He frowned in confusion and tilted his head to his side. When he was about to ask her, she smiled nervously as she looked down and then up to met his stare with her caring ones:

“Could I ask you another favor? I promise that it will be the last one.”

Jesse chuckled and shook his head as he reached her hands which were in his shoulders and spoke sincerely, letting their eyes twinkle in warmth towards each other:

“Miss Hwang… don’t worry, I am more than happy knowing that I am able to help you.” His boss’s heart pounded hard at his honest words and smile. Returning his smirk with her eye-smile, she nodded and pulled him to the elevator as she spoke hurriedly:

“Thanks, Jesse. You are the best!”

He just smiled dumbly while totally unaware of his boss’s plans. However, minutes later, there was the couple in front of a fancy and particularly expensive hotel. The assistant looked at his boss quizzically since he didn’t had any idea about what they were doing here. Yet, his boss simply giggled and pulled him by his hands, saying:

“Let’s go, Jessie!”

The latter didn’t know if he melted because of the warm and cute nickname or the fact that his boss was having recently a serious habit of holding his hand, which he didn’t bother at all, as a matter of fact, he loves the feeling of having her delicate hands inside of his. Back to the reality, after they pass through some floors, right now they were in front of a door labeled with the ‘617’ number. Jesse looked at Tiffany still quizzically as she gingerly (for his disappointment, not mind herself too) untangled her hands of his, saying into a shushing tone:

“Jesse… I have to settle some … unfinished business and I won’t take too much. After I end here, we can take a last look in our project and who knows… get a yummy food on YoonHyun’s restaurant. So what do you say?”

She added with an eye-smile immediately infecting the blonde guy before her. The latter nodded his head in agreement as she beamed, already asking gently:

“That’s great! So, Jesse… I will just ask you to wait on that couch while I hmm… solve some problems and we can go. Remember, wait for me okay?”

“Sure, Miss Hwang. You don’t have to ask.”

He affirmed with a gentle smile making his boss’s heart pound in her chest and her mind twirl in excitement and coyness. However, she nodded with an eye-smile and finally walked to the door once she realized that Jesse seated on a couch close to the corridor’s corner to wait for her. Now, in front of the door, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and repeated to herself to gain some confidence:

“Come on, you can do it, Tiffany.”

Then, she got a lonely key inside her purse and placed on the keyhole slowly, unlocking the door at the same moment. However, taking another deep breath, she opened the door and entered in the room while Jesse could only stare at spot where she was while totally worried.

“Miss Hwang… I hope you know what you are doing…”

Back to his boss, the latter frowned in confusion to see the place completely dark. She looked around to see any signs of a certain someone, but none… not even a single life in this room. So she sighed deeply and turned around to leave, yet a peculiar sound most like a moan reached her ears. Her eyebrow automatically rose when the same sound echoed again in the apartment. She looked to her side and realized that this sound came from a certain bedroom…

Feeling her heart beating fast in anxiety, yet fear, each step she took close to the locked door, more her heart was getting heavy. However, when the sound turned much clearer, she took a deep breath and hesitantly reached the door’s knob. Once decided, she held her breath and opened the door rapidly; her eyes almost popped out of her face due the scene before her. dropped in shock to see the disastrous scene… her so called boyfriend and a random model semi- while busy into a heavy make out, totally unaware of her presence. Although she felt the rage and tears building in her face, the feeling of relief filled her soul, now she had all the reasons to start what she planned. With a dry laugh escaping from her lips, she crossed her arms and spoke sarcastically even feeling hurt:

“So… just a co-worker? It’s good to know that you really esteem teamwork with random models, Taec…”

“!!!”

TaecYeon immediately withdrew from the model who looked very hot and bothered as he looked totally shocked to see his ‘girlfriend’ glaring at him with rage in her eyes. Before having a chance to speak, Tiffany shook her head in disgust as she turned around to storm out the room. While the angry brunette left Taec’s room, she went to corridor, ready to call her assistant and leave this place for once. Out of sudden, the model came running down the corridor only using his pants as he hastily reached Tiffany’s arm, making her turn around into a swift move:

“Babe! Babe! Wait! What you saw… Is not what you are thinking! I wasn’t thinking straight… i-it was a mistake, babe! I swear that it was the first time!”

Tiffany scoffed due his lame excuses and roughly removed her arms from his hands while pointed her finger accusingly at him:

“Let’s see if I understand correctly. I enter your apartment, find you making out with a random model and now you say that it was a mistake? Tsk… Taec, do you really think that I am that stupid?! Who are you trying to fool?! I AM TIRED OF THIS! I AM TIRED OF YOU AND YOUR EXCUSES!”

“But, babe –“

“WE ARE DONE! At first I thought I would feel remorseful what I was about to do, but now I think I took the best decision. No… this was something that I should have done for a long time ago…”

Meanwhile, Jesse was stuck on the couch pondering if he should intervene or not. He was tempted to punch TaecYeon’s face due his audacity and cynicism against his boss, yet he craved his fingers on the cushion as he glared angrily the model. He couldn’t help to repeat in his mind while taking small breaths:

“This is not of my business. This is not of my business. This is not of my business.”

Back to Tiffany and TaecYeon, the latter looked at her in fear as she suddenly smiled in satisfaction, finally uttering making sure that he listened every single word:

“TaecYeon… you are fired!”

“WHAT?! You can’t fire me! Who are going to make the commercials of your stupid and broken company huh?!”

Tiffany didn’t flinch at his angry tone as she merely shrugged and spoke without any concern. Her calmness only triggered his anger as she crossed her arms, explaining into a determinate tone:

“It’s looks like I can and I did. Good luck finding a new job, Taec. I don’t want to see your disgusting face ever again!”

She added with her angry scowl and finally giving her cold back at him. Starting to walk away from him, Tiffany was about to call Jesse when her ex-boyfriend gritted his teeth angrily and stomped his foot behind her. So, he roughly made her turn around while holding her wrists tightly, hurting her in the process as he barked:

“Don’t you dare turn your back at me! Do you think just because your dad is absent you can do whatever you want?!”

“You are hurting me! Let me go!” Tiffany’s face showed discomfort as she frowned, starting to feel pain due his rough grasp. Meanwhile, Jesse felt his blood boiling in rage, already standing up to the couch, yet still repeating the words in his head and without break the stare on them: “This is not my business. This is not my business. This is not my business.” TaecYeon scoffed and laughed in disdain, still holding her wrists roughly as he cocked his head forward, snapping:

“You are no one to order me around! YOU NEED ME OR YOUR COMPANY WILL GET DEEP IN SHI—“

*SLAP* !!!

He immediately let go of the grasp to hold his reddened cheek, totally shocked as he looked at her. The latter was glaring at him in fury and soon, he felt himself getting blind of rage. He glared at her in deep anger while gritting his teeth and raising his hand as if he was ready to gave her a hard slap. Once Tiffany realized the real situation, she gasped and felt her heart squeezing in her chest, she was afraid. But then, her faithful assistant who couldn’t watch the scene any longer still was repeating the mantra on his mind. But seeing the danger, the words emitted from his mouth like this:

“This is not of my business. This is not of my business… This IS my business.”

Tiffany squeezed her eyes shut, waiting the hard slap reach her. She was too shocked to react or run away, only a miracle could save her now. Yet, she felt something wrong… why was she still… intact? She waited and the slap never came, when she opened her eyes hesitantly, she immediately gasped and widened her eyes to see her savior:

“JESSIE?!”

It looks like the latter managed to hold TaecYeon’s arm in the last second, before his hand could hit her. She was in awe that her assistant placed himself in front of her, completely protecting her from Taec’s slap; he looked so cool and … attractive like a super hero, a knight or cowboy protecting her from the distress. That moment, her heart pounded erratically into a new feeling when she was too busy while staring and admiring Jesse’s fierce expression against her ex. The blonde assistant roughly let go of the grasp with such strength that the model loosed his balance and fell flatly on the floor. Jesse stood before Tiffany not taking his angry eyes of TaecYeon, the latter gritted his teeth again, feeling much more angry as he barked with a scoff:

“You again?! What are you?! Her personal pet or gigolo?! Have you already got this scumbag to get your pants, bitc—“

*HARD PUNCH*

Tiffany gasped in surprise when Jesse gave a strong punch right in TaecYeon’s face, before he could even finish his sentence. The model fell fatly on the floor again, but now his nose was dripping with blood and he was really dizzy. Tensing his jaw and gritting his teeth in anger, Jesse snapped into his most cold tone:

“Wash your mouth before speak about Miss Hwang, jerk.”

A stubborn TaecYeon rose from the floor totally dizzy as he spitted and spoke in disdain, feeling cocky:

“Y-you were lucky that I – I was unprepared… co-come on, lets see you can do!”

Jesse rolled his eyes due his remark and stood still. Tiffany was looking at the scene apprehensive, fearing that Jesse could hurt himself. When TaecYeon charged against him, Jesse waited his attack:

“You will regret now, scumbag! I know TaeKwonDo! Haaaaaa-!!!”

In the last second, Jesse gave a swift kneeled in his stomach almost making Taec’s eyes pop out of his face due the lack of the air in his lungs. Jesse used this chance to give another punch right in his face, knocking him out at the same moment. When the model finally fell totally unconscious on the floor, Jesse crossed his arms and spoke back emotionlessly:

“And I know TaeKwonDo, Aikido and Karate… scumbag…”

“Oh my God! Jesse, are you okay?”

His heart started to beat fast with at the sound of the concerned voice behind him. His semblance softened at the same moment he saw his boss frowning worriedly at him; then, she rushed to him and gasped while pointing to his face:

“You are bleeding!”

He creased his browns in confusion and before he could touch the spot she pointed, his hand dropped and a blush aroused in his cheeks when soft and warm hands touched his face:

“Aww, Jessie… what did you get yourself hurt because of me? He could have hurt you, you know?!”

The assistant couldn’t help to chuckle and held her hands gingerly in his face as he looked downwards; his eyes were gleaming with tenderness and love; and if he wasn’t hallucinating, he could swear that his boss was staring at him caringly and lovingly at the same way. Although his breathing was getting heavy and his heart almost bursting out of his chest, he had to hold himself to not lean and plant a kiss in her lips. So, after smirk momentarily, his expression was serious as he whispered genuinely:

“I am really sorry for minding in your business, Miss Hwang… but I couldn’t stand with that jerk yelling and saying nasty things about you. The moment I saw that he could have hurt you… I swear that I just couldn’t…bear… I - I apologize.”

Out of sudden, Jesse’s draw a blank when he felt something soft and warm in his cheek. He gasped slight once he realized that it was his boss’s lips touching his skin very gently. Once she withdrew, she placed her hands behind her back and looking down like a shy schoolgirl. Automatically, he dumbly held his kissed cheek while looking down at her; before he could speak, her soft words soothed his heart:

“You don’t have to apologize, Jessie… actually… this was the most kind thing that someone ever did to me… thank you…”

“You are welcome… Miss Hwang…”

Again, he felt his heart pounding in his chest when his boss looked up and gave one of her most beautiful eye-smile. Words failed to explain of how beautiful it was the lady before him. He could only stare at her like a love fool as they held a meaningful stare. Then, she stepped closer and reached his hand while speaking gently:

“Let’s go… we have to treat this wound and no buts…”

“All right, all right…”

He pouted, then flashed his odd, yet charming smile while making his boss’s heart goes wild. He wouldn’t ever imagine that Tiffany’s heart was beating so fast like his; a warm feeling kept throbbing in her chest, her stomach was fluttering and her face was getting warm, for sure she was flushed. Although they walked in silence by the long corridor, any person which passed by them could swear that the ‘couple’ was really in love with each other. Maybe because the signs that they didn’t even know that they were displaying like…

Hands gingerly intertwined, a vivid blush in their cheeks, lovingly smiles in their faces, and eyes full of warmth and … a hidden love for each other. The feeling was right there, yet how long it will take for any one of them… take the first step… and confess their true feelings?

TBC

REPLIES:

@HwangJung: I'm glad that you enjoyed, my friend. Thanks for comment!

@narachan: Yup, poor Jessi, but dont worry, things will change soon... I agree, JeTi belongs together. Ahaha me too, who doesnt like to see a jealousFany once in awhile right? Anyway, thanks for your lovely comment and i'm really honored to know this. Thanks for your support! Take care!

A/N: I'm really sorry for the hiatus, but here i am with a LONG update lol sorry for the grammar errors and etc. Thanks for support, votes and you, readers and subscribers ^^ Take care and God bless all!