It had only been 12am but the music had been booming so loud and the booze haven’t stopped coming in. Clearly Jonghyun could see from her eyes that Se Kyung was almost drunk.

“ Hey, come on this isn’t like you. Why aren’t you drinking? “ Key yelled over the music. Jonghyun didn’t have a reply. Because even he himself didn’t know why.

He shrugged but grabbed a glass of vodka anyway, then he gulped in down along with Key before Sooyoung came to drag him down to the dancefloor.

Se Kyung haven’t been quite herself today, choosing to organize her birthday party in a club, turning up in a body fitting tight black dress that Jonghyun didn’t quite fancy the slight tiness of it. Top it off she was drinking like there’s no tomorrow. But still it was her birthday and he had been quite a bad boyfriend not being able to spend much time with her these days so he decided to just let it go.

“ Are you having fun?” Jonghyun asked, pulling his girlfriend closer to him. She was still dancing even so.

“ Yeahhh I love this ! We should do this more! “ She smiled half dreamily, feet unable to stablize herself well.

Jonghyun held her shoulder tighter, afraid she was gonna fall. She was spinning more and more out of control. He was quite surprised as each hours go by. What was wrong with him?

It wasn’t too long ago that he didn’t quite like how she was so uptight about clubbing and drinking and she wouldn’t even let him go ( although he still did). He had always been asking her to come along and have fun with him and yet now that she is here he didn’t like what she was.

Like the appeal of this party girl wasn’t working out for him anymore.

He tried to dismiss the thought once again as Se kyung had already disappeared to the dance floor with some of her friends.

Minho came over and handed him yet another glass. “ You alright?” He had one arm over Jonghyun’s neck and another arm slid across Yuri’s waist.

“ Are you carrying out the secret mission well?” Jonghyun texted Jessica. Recently they have changed radically from sending hateful texts to each other to a more retarded , light-hearted ones.

“ Yes. Trust me sir, I am Jessica Bond.” She replied. Jonghyun couldn’t help but laughed out at the thought of picturing her in the tuxedo.

“ Where’s Jessica?” Yuri brought Jonghyun back to attention.

He looked up, processing her voice in the loud music then replied, “ Oh she’s at home. Curfew and all”.

From the corner of the dancefloor came a little scream. Jonghyun quickly turned his eyes to it for a check. It seemed like someone had accidentally knocked over someone else’ drinks but it didn’t look like something serious.. But a quick zoom in showed him that it was actually Se Kyung that had been too drunk to stop toppling over people’s drinks.

This was not good. “ Hey I’ll be back! “ Jonghyun patted Minho and Yuri’s back as he quickly got down to where Se kyung was.

As soon as she was within reach he took her by the hands, “ Come here babe. You’ve had too much.”

“ NO! “ She smiled, flinging herself out of his hold. Jonghyun grabbed her again, insisting on it. Why was she being so difficult?!

“ I said I’m fine! Come on let’s have fun! “ Se kyung instead wrapped her arms around Jonghyun’s neck, her body almost totally leaning towards him because she couldn’t stand straight. But Jonghyun wasn’t in the mood. He didn’t want this girlfriend to be wasted like this, embarrassing herself everywhere! It just wasn’t classy.

But Se kyung was too intoxicated to sense all these frustrations. Instead she made it worse by whispering to him, “ Don’t be so uptight! Didn’t you say I should have fun? Don’t I look hot tonight? I’m partying like you do! You should love me even more this way! “

Jonghyun yanked her arms off carefully, holding her stable and began leading her out to the back door.

Jessica would never have done this. She wouldn’t have been so irresponsible. She would know how to have fun but not be a nuisance and she definitely wouldn’t be pissed drunk like now!

“ Where are you taking me to?” Se kyung asked, stumbling over everything that passed them.

“ Outside for fresh air. I have something to give you. “ jonghyun replied, not really focusing on anything except getting them both out through the door.

Once outside it was slightly better. He could see her clearly now. Her make up had been half ruined with her mascara and eye liner running all over. She wasn’t looking good. But still, she was pretty. His girlfriend was still pretty. And he knew she had only done all these to make him happy. Besides its her birthday, she should be having fun.

Come here, he pulled her in closer then took out a small box from his pocket. He handed it to her and she opened it, it was a thin golden necklace a bird that wrapped around a little pearl drop. 

He wasn’t sure if she was sober enough to even process it but it seemed like she had.

“ It’s beautiful! “ she exclaimed, taking it out. She grabbed him into a tight hug as Jonghyun rested his head over hers.

He quickly put it on for her and took a step back, it’d look perfect on her.

“ How do I look?” Se kyung said, standing back and smiling at him.

Jonghyun didn’t speak.

It was.. pretty.

But it wasn’t like how he had expected it. It didn’t look.. perfect on her. Like it did with Jessica.

He gulped. What was he doing? How could it be, that he actually thought that the necklace looked better on Jessica? This was his girlfriend who he had intended to give it to in the first place!

How could it be that he felt like taking it out from Se Kyung and putting it on Jessica instead?

“ Well, how is it?” Se Kyung asked again, Jonghyun snapped out of his thoughts. He realized she wasn’t exactly sober. She could hardly stand straight.

Then he just replied, “ You’ve had too much, I’m gonna take you home now okay? “ 

On the way home in the cab Jonghyun couldn’t help but thought about how this night had turned out the opposite of what he had been expecting.

For weeks now he had been waiting for this day, the day he could celebrate and party with his girlfriend that he loved so much, spending the first night in a long while away from Jessica and with the girl he actually loved. There was booze… party.. loud music.. friends..

But why didn’t he enjoy it totally? Had he turned lazy or had he changed?

Because all he could think of now was going back to eat supper as he watched TV with Jessica on the couch.

Finally the cab pulled to a halt outside his house. He quickly paid the cab driver and got up quietly, creeping back to his door.

It was about 1am now and he hoped no one was awake, no one should be anyway.

He grabbed the door knob silently, turning it carefully as soft as he could. As it opened, a ray of light hit his face.

How could it be? Why were the lights in the living room on!?

Then he saw Jessica. In the middle of the living room.

" What are you doing? You're cr-"

.

She was kneeling. Infront of her parents.

Why were they here? Oh god. He must have forgotten all about it. Her parents were coming over to visit tonight and yes, they were the real nazi. The only reason why Jessica had turned out to be so strict and fierce was because her parents gave birth to her. And he had a taste of this MANY times before back in the states. Very scary experience, he must say. Just thinking about it gives him the shivers now.

" Okay look i am so sorry I swear it was all my idea it wasn't her" He began explaining frantically as he ran over to his God parents. His hands grabbed his God mothers’ begging her to understand the situation. But her face was stone cold. Just like the face Jessica had everytime he argues with her out of doing something.

She didn’t move, " Just go to your room Jonghyun".

" What about jessica?" He asked, pointing towards the girl who was kneeling with her head down infront of them. He was positively sure she was crying!

" I'll deal with her" came the voice that sounded like it was at the verge of exploding terror.

Jonghyun knew what that meant, and he instantly tried harder." What do you mean you'll deal with her? Please please mom you know this is all my fault please don't punish for her for it alright? Come tell her Jessica, say it. Tell her what I told you! "

He looked over at Jessica. Her lips were pursed. Her eyes were red but she wasn’t crying. Yet.

" Why aren't you saying anything? Jessica this is not the time for this, hurry just say it! "

He urged her again. But not a single muscle on her face moved.

" Go up to your room Jonghyun. I will deal with you later. "

He couldn’t believe this. It had to be stopped. He stared at Jessica still in disbelief.

" Why are you making her kneel like that? Are we still in ancient China? It's ridiculous mom! God get up jessica! "

He walked towards Jessica, yanking her up to the feet with his arms, but she flung her arms out of his hold and remained still at her position.

The impatient mother watching didn’t look too happy now." For the last time, I'm telling you to go up now"

Jonghyun threw his hands up and protest,

" No i'm not going anywhere! The one you should be punishing is me not her! Please okay? Just let her rest, i'll do whatever you want, "

But he could see from the expression that she wasn’t taking in the deal. So he tried to go the other way, " Mom, please.. "

Then she got up for the first time, and he knew what was gonna happen. Stepping forward towards Jessica, her voice was loud like a thunder,

" Have I not taught you well? Did I raise you to be like this? Did I teach you to lie to me? I trusted you to teach him well and look at you now, look at the mess you have made ! "

Oh no oh no.

Jonghyun looked around desperately and his eyes finally met his god father’s.

" Dad come on! Do something! Please, you know this isn't right! " He returned a sympathetic look.

Jonghyun wasn’t gonna let this happen! " MOM PLEASE!"

She turned to his in respond and ordered sharply" You jolly well keep your mouth shut. Go up to your room NOW "

She wasted no time in turning back to Jessica, who was still immobile and kneeling on the cold hard floor." Since when do I have an dishonest daughter like you? I was so confident that you could lead him well, that you can do me proud. But you just disappointed me, do you have anything to say to me, Jessica Jung? "Jessica remained quiet. The thunder came again, louder and harder than before" DO YOU?"

Jonghyun blurt out again as he couldn’t stand the sight of Jessica not being herself, staying quiet and taking all these that wasn’t even fair.

" This is crazy why aren't you saying anything Jessica? TELL HER! Why are you taking the blame for this? It's not even your fault. It's not funny okay? If you're trying to make me feel guilty you have made your point now just open your mouth and speak up for yourself! " He argued. He noticed that her mother had turned around now. Good maybe she had.. he turned around again, the he saw that she had returned, walking back towards them with the cane.

The cane. That had well disciplined him so much that he recalled not being able to sleep well for so many nights because of all the scars..

He was seriously panicking now. He grabbed Jessica’s face by his palms, and told her for the last time. " Jessica listen to me,  you have one second to explain yourself right now. I don't think you know your mother well enough. is about to get real and you seriously need to stop playing games and speak up right now before you regret it. I swear you will regret this "

Jessica’s eyes were watering but still she didn’t speak.

Breaking the tention, her father finally spoke, " Honey, don't do this please. "

But it fell on deaf ears. " No, I need to. I'm gonna discipline her right at this minute before she gets any worse! "

Jonghyun knew there was no way out of it, he was already kneeling too and he could only grab her cane to stop her for the time being.

" PLEASE! PLEASE! I'm begging you okay?! Please you're not gonna hit her with that, you know that's too much, hey HEY HEY !" One painful whip came hitting him, the loud sound made Jessica jumped as Jonghyuns scrambled into a mess." YAH JESSICA HIDE BEHIND ME NOW THIS THING HURT LIKE A !! MOVE!!! " His ams stucks out on both sides to protect her as she curled into a frighten ball.

" WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS? WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?! " Her mother continued, as each time the cane came down whacking them was harder and harder.

Jonghyun could feel the sharp pain sipping in now. " MOM! PLEASE! JESSICA ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! " He looked back at her. Jessica had her head down, he could hardly see how scared she was.

And the caning didn’t stop till jessica's dad finally caught her by the arm.

" That's enough. Why don't you rest first okay honey? Let me deal with them." He said in a calming voice. Finally she let go of the cane as it fell down hard against the cold floor. Then she turned around, covering her teary face in her palms and walked up the stairs.

Jonghyun could finally heave out a sigh of relive. " Thanks dad, you know you could have come earlier.. "

He examined Jessica, who was now shivering so much that it was unbearable to watch." Well you know her.. it could have been worse. She's been under a lot of stress lately, don't mind her." Then he bent down and hug Jessica.

"Are you alright Jess? Don't take it to heart alright? You know she loves you so much that's why she did that. and I love you no matter what. Promise me you're gonna be okay? " He asked over her head. He could feel his daughter’s sobbing.

" I think she's not gonna speak for a long time, why don't you go and check up on Mom. Don't worry i'll take care of her, " jonghyun said finally, eyes fixing worriedly over Jessica.

" Alright then. You take care and do this again alright?"

" Yes. Definitely won't. " He reassured his God father for the last time.

Then he left.

And finally the storm was over, part of him was glad but another part of him was angry. He didn't understand why she was being so stubborn and put herself through all these . What if he hadn't come home earlier? How long have she been kneeling there and god knows what could have happened to her if he wasn't here?! What's wrong with this girl?! Is she out of her mind?!

It was driving him crazy and his tongue almost couldn't hold itself back from scolding her but another bigger part of him stopped it all.

For the first time in his life, Jonghyun never felt like that before. The overwhelming urge of wanting to protect a girl so badly like he was gonna destroy everything that was attacking her.

In this darkness, Jessica was crying and shaking in his arms as he held her. And it felt like if he let go, she would just fall apart. But of course he would never do that. He would never. Hugging her tight, he wanted to comfort her and protect her like that. To let her know that it was all alright now and no one was ever gonna hurt her again. Her tiny frail body was still trembling under his careful and protective hold. She was scared, but she was even more hurt. She was sobbing uncontrollably now.

" It's alright now okay? it's alright.. I'm here I'm here.. " his hands gently cupped her head as she in his arms.

" Silly.. why didn't you tell her the truth? You know i would have just made you wash my toilet for a week for selling me out.. But look at you now, is it worth it? " He explained. He was careful with his tone not to hurt her anymore. He wasn’t quite good with this though, but he was trying his best.

She didn't reply, she just cried. Half because this stupid boy couldn't see what she just did for him, though she herself couldn't believe she actually did that too. But another part that ache even more was how her mother coldly and harshly treated her, like she wasn't even her daughter. Just a servant that made a mistake.

" Come on hush.. don't cry anymore alright? You know she didn't mean what she said.. she's always like that when she's angry. She'll definitely regret it tomorrow! I swear. You know she loves you more than anything.. "

He tried his best to make it painless for her. And if he could, he would take all the pain away from her and take it all by himself. Just anything, anything to keep her from feeling this way. She was so broken like he had never seen before and for some strange reason, he couldn't bare to see that.

His heart ached.

He wasn't sure of what he was feeling.Maybe it was the bond that had after all these time. She was like his best friend now.

Realizing that her body was incredibly limb and cold now, he began to slowly examine her. Observing carefully from her arms down to her legs, he hoped she wasn't hurt. “Okay at least you're ok-“

" Yah you have a scar here! Didn't I tell you to hide behind me?! Can't you just listen to my instruction for once? Does it hurt?! " angry now, he trailed along the burning red lines that ran across her pale white legs in frustration. It must have hurt, why wasn't she saying anything?

"

 What about yourself? ", her soft weak voice escaped her lips finally between her tears and hiccups.

" Me? Just worry about yourself ! This is nothing to me. Trust me I've gotten this way too many times from your mom before. ", he spoke as uncaringly as he could, but he suddenly realized the immense pain that was sipping through his skin now. There must be about 8 or 9 deep raw scars on his arms and backs.. and it definitely still hurt just as much as he remembered them to be..

" How can a girl have such an ugly scar like that?! You better make sure it recovers! " he told her fiercely, hiding the concerned tone underneath those words.

But instead of retorting like the normal aggressive jessica, she kept quiet with her head rested on his chest. He should have known better. Just for one night, just for tonight, Jessica wouldn't retort, she wouldn't argue. She would just stay here like that, letting him protect her without budging. He knew all that well. And so he let her be. He didn't know how long it was, perhaps it was 20minutes or maybe it was an hour. But they were quiet like that till he felt her soft peaceful breathing against his body and he knew she was asleep.

Carefully and attentively, he held her up in his arms and brought her back up to her room. It felt different and it felt.. nice.

To see her quiet and feminine like that for once. Tugging her into bed, he couldn't help but notice how pretty she actually was. And beneath all that tough exterior, she was really quite soft and weak inside. She still wanted and needed to be protected by someone no matter how hard she tries to pretend she doesn't need to.

His fingers couldn't help but trace along her close eyes. They're gonna swell like crazy when you wake up for sure.. he laughed softly.

Finally, he realized he should be going back to his own room now. He laid in his bed for a long time without sleeping. Many things was running through his head. Mainly about Se Kyung and Jessica. A lot has happened to night and it was more than enough to keep him up thinking all night long. It was all too confusing.

But above all, the one thing that was floating on his head was the fact that Jessica had kept her promise and protected him. The jessica he knew was someone that would never bow to anyone for anything even if she was dying but instead, she kneeled down because of him. The jessica he knew would speak up for herself and never let anyone insult her pride but instead, she kept her lips shut and took all those blames.

He didn't know why he was smiling to himself a little in the dark. Maybe its the alcohol residue, but this Jessica makes him feel warmer than anyone else could.

-