Jessica sighed as she knocked on the door to her bedroom once again. She had given Tiffany some time to cool off but the girl had been locked in her room for hours and Jessica was starting to worry. Jessica knocked on the door reluctantly once again.

She heard shuffling inside but no answer. “Open the door… please.”

Still nothing.

“Ms. Hwang, plea—“

“Don’t call me that!” The door swung open and a raging Tiffany bust out, pushing Jessica back, and yelled “My name is Tiffany!!”

Gentleness had never been Jessica’s strong suit and in that moment she couldn’t help but blurt out “Why can’t you just let me go?!”

“What the …” Tiffany looked so insulted Jessica instantly regretted saying those words. Tiffany’s voice became low, as she said “I tried… but then you went and found me, and you took me in, AND YOU ED ME”

Jessica winced as Tiffany’s voice progressively got louder and louder. “Do you see how I might have gotten the wrong ing idea? DO YOU?”

“…I—“

“Forget it. I already gathered my things so I’m gonna go.” Tiffany went back to the room and got a bag she had prepared. She made her way to the door and Jessica could see she was blinking away tears.

Jessica could do nothing but watch as Tiffany walked out of the front door, but not before turning around and saying “Goodbye Ms. Jung”

That was it.

That was the second Jessica understood. It hurt. It hurt to have Tiffany say her name so impersonally, with so much spite. Jessica looked up and already regretted what her body and heart forced her to do. She caught Tiffany’s arm before she could even get two steps out of the apartment and pulled her back inside.

Tiffany scoffed as she struggled to keep her balance. “Here we go again Jessi. You want me to go but you won’t let me leave.”

“I –“

“You always ask me what do I want from you but you and I both know what I want. I think I’ve been very honest about what I want. I’ve been patient Jessi but maybe it’s time you’re honest with me too.

“I –“

“You know what, no. Maybe it's time you’re honest with yourself. Because whether you like it or not I know you have feeling for me too.”

Jessica looked up exasperated. She took a second to calm down before placing a hand on Tiffany’s face, holding her in place and forcing her to give her her undivided attention.

“Could I get a goddamn word in?” Jessica’s gentle tone of voice didn’t match the words coming out of . Tiffany nodded lightly and gulped, bracing herself for whatever Jessica would say next. It was always a gamble. A fifty-fifty chance of whether it’d be something that’d make Tiffany’s heart soar or completely break it.

“You’re right.”

“About?”

“Most of it.” Jessica sighed. “I have f-feelings.”

Tiffany could burst. She was finally getting what she wanted but she couldn’t help but feel it wouldn’t change much.

“I do feel attracted to you. I do care about you.” Jessica said carefully trying to find the words to say. She was not the type to be expressive about her feelings. She wasn’t like Tiffany; so open and affectionate.

“But?” Tiffany knew Jessica far too well.

Jessica couldn’t meet Tiffany’s eye as she was vulnerable for the first time in a long time. “I’m not a good person… I’m not like you. You are the best person I’ve ever met. You deserve so much more than you’re getting. You deserve more than me… you deserve more than your father.” She mention Mr.Hwang with resentment in her voice.

Tiffany began to chuckle. “You think I’m a good person?”

Tiffany placed her hands over Jessica’s, who was still holding her face gently.

“Jessi I am my father’s daughter. I don’t think you realize that I’m just as bad as him. I’ve done very bad things Jessi.”

“That’s different.”

“Why? Our pasts are our pasts. You deserve the love I have for you and I hope I deserve yours. Its as simple as that.”

Tiffany placed her hands on Jessica’s waist and pulled her closer. She placed a finger under Jessica’s chin and gently forged the other girl to meet her gaze.

“I love you” Tiffany whispered.

There was an unspoken promise made in that moment. No one said anything but they could feel it. There was no turning back.