My heart is pounding. The elevator arrives on the first floor, and I scramble out as soon as the doors slide open, stumbling once, but fortunately not sprawling on to the immaculate sandstone floor. I race for the wide glass doors, and I'm free in the bracing, cleansing, damp air of Seoul. Raising my face, I welcome the cool refreshing rain. I close my eyes and take a deep, purifying breath, trying to recover what's left of my equilibrium.

No woman has ever affected me the way Jessica Jung has, and I cannot fathom why.

Is it her looks? Her civility? Wealth? Power? I don't understand my irrational reaction.

I breathe an enormous sigh of relief. What in heaven's name was that all about? Leaning against one of the steel pillars of the building, I valiantly attempt to calm down and gather my thoughts. I shake my head. Holy crap - what was that? My heart steadies to its regular rhythm, and I can breathe normally again. I head for the car.

X

As I leave the city limits behind, I begin to feel foolish and embarrassed as I replay the interview in my mind. Surely, I'm over-reacting to something that's imaginary. Okay, so she's very attractive, confident, commanding, at ease with herself - but on the flip side, she's arrogant, and for all her impeccable manners, she's autocratic and cold. Well, on the surface.

An involuntary shiver runs down my spine. Jessica may be arrogant, but then she has a right to be - she's accomplished so much at such a young age. Jessica doesn't suffer fools gladly, but why should she? Again, I'm irritated that Yoona didn't give me a brief biography.

While cruising along the highway, my mind continues to wander. I'm truly perplexed as to what makes someone so driven to succeed. Some of her answers were so cryptic - as if she had a hidden agenda. And Yoona's questions - ugh! The adoption and asking her if she was gay! I shudder. I can't believe I said that. Ground, swallow me up now! Every time I think of that question in the future, I will cringe with embarrassment. Damn Yoona!

I check the speedometer. I'm driving more cautiously than I would on any other occasion. And I know it's the memory of two penetrating dark eyes gazing at me, and a stern voice telling me to drive carefully. Shaking my head, I realize that Jessica's more like a woman double her age.

Forget it, Fany. I scold myself. I decide that all in all, it's been a very interesting experience, but I shouldn't dwell on it. Put it behind you. I never have to see her again. I'm immediately cheered by the thought. I switch on the MP3 player and turn the volume up loud, sit back, and listen to thumping indie rock music as I press down on the accelerator.

As I hit the highway, I realize I can drive as fast as I want.

X

We live in a small community of duplex apartments in Incheon, close to the campus of INU. I'm lucky - Yoona's parents bought the place for her, and I pay peanuts for rent. It's been home for four years now. As I pull up outside, I know Yoona is going to want a blow-by-blow account, and she is tenacious. Well, at least she has the mini-disc. Hopefully I won't have to elaborate much beyond what was said during the interview.

"Fany unnie! You're back." Yoona sits in our living area, surrounded by books. She's clearly been studying for finals - though she's still in her blue flannel pajamas decorated with cute little rabbits, the ones she reserves for the aftermath of breaking up with boyfriends, for assorted illnesses, and for general moody depression. She bounds up to me and hugs me hard.

"I was beginning to worry. I expected you back sooner."

"Oh, I thought I made good time considering the interview ran over." I wave the mini-disc recorder at her.

"Fany unnie, thank you so much for doing this. I owe you, I know. How was it? What was she like?" Oh no - here we go, the Im Yoona Inquisition.

I struggle to answer her question. What can I say?

"I'm glad it's over, and I don't have to see her again. She was rather intimidating, you know." I shrug. "She's very focused, intense even - and young. Really young."

Yoona gazes innocently at me. I frown at her.

"Don't you look so innocent. Why didn't you give me a biography? She made me feel like such an idiot for skimping on basic research." Yoona clamps a hand to .

"Jeez, Fany unnie, I'm sorry - I didn't think."

I huff.

"Mostly she was courteous, formal, slightly stuffy - like she's old before her time. She doesn't talk like a woman of twenty-something. How old is she anyway?"

"Twenty-seven. Jeez, Fany unnie, I'm sorry. I should have briefed you, but I was in such a panic. Let me have the mini-disc, and I'll start transcribing the interview."

"You look better. Did you eat your soup?" I ask, keen to change the subject.

"Yes, and it was delicious as usual. I'm feeling much better." She smiles at me in gratitude. I check my watch.

"I have to run. I can still make my shift at Melatone."

"Fany unnie, you'll be exhausted."

"I'll be fine. I'll see you later."

X

I've worked at Melatone since I started at INU. It's the largest independent hardware store in the Incheon area, and over the four years I've worked here, I've come to know a little bit about most everything we sell – although ironically, I'm crap at any DIY. I leave all that to my dad. I'm much more of a curl-up-with-a-book-in-a-comfy-chair-by-the-fire kind of girl. I'm glad I can make my shift as it gives me something to focus on that isn't Jessica Jung. We're busy - it's the start of the summer season, and folks are redecorating their homes. Mrs. Kwon is pleased to see me.

"Tiffany! I thought you weren't going to make it today."

"My appointment didn't take as long as I thought. I can do a couple of hours."

"I'm real pleased to see you."

She sends me to the storeroom to start re-stocking shelves, and I'm soon absorbed in the task.

When I arrive home later, Yoona is wearing headphones and working on her laptop.

Her nose is still pink, but she has her teeth into a story, so she's concentrating and typing furiously. I'm thoroughly drained - exhausted by the long drive, the gruelling interview, and by being rushed off my feet at Melatone. I slump on to the couch, thinking about the essay I have to finish and all the studying I haven't done today because I was holed up with ... her.

"You've got some good stuff here, Fany unnie. Well done. I can't believe you didn't take her up on her offer to show you around. She obviously wanted to spend more time with you."

She gives me a fleeting quizzical look.

I flush, and my heart rate inexplicably increases. That wasn't the reason, surely? She just wanted to show me around so I could see that she was lord of all she surveyed. I realize I'm biting my lip, and I hope Yoona doesn't notice. But she seems absorbed in her transcription. "I hear what you mean about formal. Did you take any notes?" she asks.

"Um... no, I didn't."

"That's fine. I can still make a fine article with this. Shame we don't have some original stills. Good-looking, isn't she?"

I flush.

"I suppose so." I try hard to sound disinterested, and I think I succeed.

"Oh come on, Fany unnie - even you can't be immune to her looks." She arches a perfect eyebrow at me.

Crap! I distract her with flattery, always a good ploy.

"You probably would have got a lot more out of her."

"I doubt that, Fany unnie. Come on - she practically offered you a job. Given that I foisted this on you at the last minute, you did very well." She glances up at me speculatively. I make a hasty retreat into the kitchen.

"So what did you really think of her?" Damn, she's inquisitive. Why can't she just let this go? Think of something - quick.

"She's very driven, controlling, arrogant - scary really, but very charismatic. I can understand the fascination," I add truthfully, as I peer round the door at her hoping this will shut her up once and for all.

"You, fascinated by a woman? That's a first," she snorts.

I start gathering the makings of a sandwich so she can't see my face.

"Why did you want to know if she was gay? Incidentally, that was the most embarrassing question." I scowl at the memory.

"Did she’s offended by the question?"

"No. Not really." I shake my head.

"Woah. What a news! What did she say after this?" Yoona grins.

"She asks me that question."

"Oh! And what's your reply?"

"I give her a 'yes'. And why the hell did you ask her this kind of question?"

"Whenever she's in the society pages, she never has a date."

"It was embarrassing. The whole thing was embarrassing. I'm glad I'll never have to lay eyes on her again."

"Oh, Fany unnie, it can't have been that bad. I think she sounds quite taken with you."

Taken with me? Now Yoona's being ridiculous.

"Would you like a sandwich?"

"Please."