AUTHOR'S POV

It's a usual busy day in California. While Miss Emma Schneider is going through the furniture design proposals, she was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. The number that's flashed on the screen belongs to Jessica. But when she answered the call, it was not her daughter's voice that she heard but of another female.

"Good day Miss Schneider," the caller greeted, sounding a bit nervous. "It's me, Yuri."

Miss Schneider was initially worried that a stranger might have stolen her daughter's phone and was just copying Yuri's voice. But after confirming that it's really her daughter's girlfriend who's calling, her worries gradually dissolved.

"Good day to you too, Miss Kwon. How are you?"

"I'm fine ma'am. Much better than I was the first time we met."

A smile played across the older woman's lips. Yuri definitely sounds happy. She felt proud because it's her daughter who brought this positive change in the young woman's life. 

"I am glad to hear that Yuri. For sure my daughter is so happy to see you in that state. Jessi used to worry a lot about you because of what you'd been through. Where is she by the way? May I talk to her?"

"I'm afraid she cannot talk to you right now Miss Schneider. Jessica is still sleeping in our suite. It's only been an hour past midnight here in the Philippines."

"Oh. So the two of you are still in Boracay. When are you going back to the ship? Jessica told me that you'll only be staying there for a week. If I am not mistaken today is your last day right?"

"Yes ma'am. Tonight is supposed to be our first flight."

"Supposed to be? Are you suggesting that you guys changed your plan? Is that why you're calling me?"

"Um yes, it is. But the truth is it's only my idea to cancel our trip back to the ship. Jessica is still not aware of it."

Miss Schneider is guessing that Yuri has an important thing to tell her. So she encouraged the young real estate developer to say what is on her mind.

"Well I'm...I wanted to make a request Miss Schneider. I'm not really good at asking favors but I want to try, hoping you'd hear me out."

"Okay. I'm listening. What is this request that you wanted to make?"

Yuri first took a deep breath to ease her nervousness. After that she bravely told Miss Schneider the reason why she's calling her. "Ma'am, will it be alright if I'll bring Jessica to Seoul? I want us to spend a short vacation there before we return to the ship."

The businesswoman wasn't expecting to hear such request from the one who clearly understands her situation with Jessica's father. It mummed her for a while. In her silence, Yuri continued to say what's on her mind. She gave her best in explaining why she made such request to the person who might strongly oppose her plans.

"Jessica's symptoms are getting worse Miss Schneider. I'm afraid that it's a sign that she'll soon be losing her sight. Before that happens, I want her to be able to fully get to know me. And I thought of doing it by bringing her to my city - to the place where I was molded into who I am now. I know you do not want her to go anywhere in my country because it's where her father came from. But I'm begging you to consider my request Miss Schneider. We will only be staying there for a few days. I promise I will not purposely make her meet her father. If I have to devise measures to prevent Mr. Jung from seeing her, I'd willingly do it. Just please grant me my request. Being able to show Jessica the kind of life that I have and the kind of place where I grew up will mean a lot to me."

It was hard for Miss Schneider to say yes to Yuri's request. All this time she'd been doing all that she can to prevent Jessica from reuniting with the man who abandoned them. She doesn't want him to be part of their lives ever again. It's enough for Jessica to be bearing his family name. However, fate often finds it's way of interferring with how she wants hers and her daughter's life to be like. One of the times that it did is when her daughter fell in love with Kwon Yuri.

It took more than five minutes before the tan girl was finally able to hear Miss Schneider granting her request. "Just promise me one thing Miss Kwon - No matter what happens, Jung Woo Sung must not succeed in taking my daughter away from me. My sources say that Woo Sung's family is looking for an heir to their business because his wife cannot conceive. Since their blood is flowing in my daughter's veins, Jessica is their prospect now. I cannot allow that to happen Yuri. Just like me, they discarded my daughter like trash. Now that they see her worth they want to get her back. I'd rather lose my possessions than to let them have Jessica. If there is someone I'd willingly entrust her with, it's only you and not her father nor anyone in his family. Do you understand what I'm saying Miss Kwon?"

"Yes ma'am. I promise I will not let Mr. Jung have her. Also, thank you so much Miss Schneider. Thank you because you're trusting me."

"Don't mention. I'm just doing what will make my daughter happy. Jessica loves you so much. She has a strong faith in you that is why I'm trusting you too. Take care of her Yuri. Make Jessica's last moments of being normal something meaningful and worthy to remember. A happy memory to cherish in her life that will soon be voided with color is what my daughter deserves. It's what she wanted ever since she learned of her condition."

Warm pearls of tears streaked down Yuri's cheeks after the phonecall. She's overwhelmed because of the faith that she gained from the mother of the woman that she loves. For Miss Schneider to trust her that much is vital in maintaining her relationship with the interior designer.

******

After breakfast, instead of packing for their flight later, Yuri busied herself by surfing the net. From time to time Jessica sees her jotting down notes which further made her curious of what her girlfriend is up to.

"Yuri?"

"Yes love?