Jessica was sitting at her desk, tapping her pen incessantly on the table. She abandoned her work a long time ago and was deep in thought. She had an unexpected visitor earlier this morning. It’s safe to say, said visit wasn’t pleasant. It had certainly dampened her mood.

 

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door.

 

“Come in.”

 

The door opened revealing her assistant who smiled at her courteously and bowed.

 

“Ma’am, you have a visitor.”

 

“Another visitor?” she thought.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“It’s Mr. Kwon.”

 

Hearing the name, Jessica’s face immediately darkened.

 

“Tell him I’m busy.”

 

“But, umm ma’am. He insisted on seeing you.”

 

She dropped the pen on the table.

 

“Then tell him that I don’t want to see him and that he’s not welcome here.”

 

Hearing her tone of voice, her assistant nodded and bowed before she left.

 

A few moments later, her door burst open revealing the last person she wanted to see right now. Jessica released a sigh at the intrusion.

 

Her assistant quickly followed, looking all panicked and apologetic. She bowed deeply at Jessica.

 

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. He suddenly ran here,” her assistant said.

 

“Call security,” Jessica ordered.

 

Her assistant nodded and quickly went away.

 

“You’ve got some nerve,” the man said.

 

He glared at her.

 

She glared back.

 

“I should be the one saying that,” Jessica shot back. “What makes you think you can just come here?”

 

He sneered at her.

 

“I was the one who helped you bring this company to life. I have as much right to be here as you. I’m also a part of this company.”

 

“You did help. But it would have gone bankrupt if it weren’t for me. You’ve neglected your responsibilities. I had to bring Tiffany to takeover your spot which to this day I don’t regret doing.”

 

He clenched his jaw.

 

“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m the one who bought this company for you.”

 

“Which I later bought from you,” Jessica quickly replied. “With interest.”

 

He was about to reply back but Jessica cut him.

 

“Is that what you came here for? Money? Have you finally gone broke?” she asked.

 

“I-”

 

“I have the contract with me stating that you no longer have any ties to this company after I bought all of your shares.”

 

“Jess, please-”

 

Jessica shot him a death glare.

 

“Don’t call me that. Don’t get overly familiar with me.”

 

“That’s just cold, Jess,” he said, enunciating the nickname.

 

Her glare intensified.

 

“You think you have the right after what you’ve done? Do I need to refresh your memory?”

 

He grit his teeth and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

 

Jessica carried on anyway.

 

“I wouldn’t have cared that much about you crashing my car. But the fact that you endangered someone else’s life is unforgivable. To top it all off, you were cheating on me with her!”

 

“I was just taking her home!” he argued.

 

“While drunk?!” she exclaimed. “And I’m not stupid. You think I don’t hear things?”

 

“They’re lying!”

 

“You and I both know that the only liar here is you.”

 

He looked so desperate in front of her.

 

“Come on, Jess. We used to be friends. Help me out,” he begged.

 

“Keyword there, “used”. Past tense,” Jessica pointed out. “You’re not getting anything from me so you better just leave.”

 

His knuckles had turned pale white from clenching his fists so hard. He approached her, dangerously close. Whether Jessica felt threatened or scared, she didn’t show it.

 

Luckily, security came right before he could do anything and quickly escorted him out the building.

 

Jessica releases a sigh of relief.

 

She rubbed her temples as she felt the mental strain of events of this day.

 

“I feel a headache coming.”

 

---

 

Sooyoung blew a low whistle.

 

She leaned by the entrance as she watched her hit the sandbag with a series of punches. She watched with pure amazement. She also couldn’t help admire her figure in her gym wear.

 

This was a whole new side and she’s so thankful she saw it in person.

 

“What did the poor sandbag ever do to you?” Sooyoung asked as she slowly approached her.

 

Jessica stopped her movements all together and snapped her head to Sooyoung. She couldn’t help the smile that replaced her frown earlier at the surprise visit.

 

Sooyoung handed her her towel and water bottle. Jessica took it gladly. She asked for a moment to catch her breath as she wiped her sweat and drank some water.

 

Sooyoung took the chance to rake her eyes all over her much to her embarrassment when Jessica caught her staring.

 

Jessica shot her a smirk.

 

“See something you like?”

 

Seeing as there really was no point hiding it, she nodded as she gave her another once over. Jessica slapped her with her towel, shaking her head at her blatant staring.

 

“What are you doing here?” Jessica asked.

 

“I missed you so I came to see you.”

 

She was already hot from her exercise. But her smile was so disarming Jessica felt the heat from her cheeks intensify from the incoming blush.

 

“Thanks for coming. Just seeing you is helping my mood a lot more than the past hour I spent on this punching bag.”

 

Sooyoung raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“Is something wrong?” Sooyoung asked.

 

“Nothing,” Jessica lied.

 

“Are you sure?” Sooyoung asked as she took a step closer.

 

“Yes.”

 

Sooyoung snorted.

 

“You’re a terrible liar, Miss Jung. You just implied you were in a bad mood.”

 

“It’s really nothing,” Jessica insisted. “It’s just work related.”

 

Sooyoung was torn between pushing her to reveal the truth or letting it go for now since it seems she was adamant in keeping it a secret.

 

“Fine,” Sooyoung relented with a sigh.

 

Jessica was relieved to hear that.

 

“I didn’t know you boxed,” Sooyoung said, changing the topic.

 

“My father used to do it as a hobby. I remember tagging along with him to the gym in high school and he’d urge me to try it,” she explained. “I found myself loving. It’s quite cathartic, especially after spending hours meeting with the board.”

 

Sooyoung couldn’t help but stare off into space.

 

“What’s with that look?” Jessica questioned.

 

“I never really pictured you as the athletic type. It was actually a surprise to me seeing you here.”

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“Well...you just seem so…la-”

 

She didn’t dare finish after seeing the look Jessica was giving her.

 

“It’s not like we’re all blessed with a metabolism like yours,” Jessica huffed. “Anyways, I’ll just go take a shower first.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Jessica walked in the direction of the private female gym lockers. She didn’t notice Sooyoung following until a hand slammed down on her gym locker just as she was about to open it. She jumped in surprise and quickly turned around.

 

She was immediately greeted by Sooyoung’s lips. She instinctively kissed back but pulled away just seconds later.

 

“What are you doing?” Jessica asked.

 

Sooyoung paid no heed to her words and brought their lips back together. Jessica pulled back, placing her hands against her chest and lightly pushing her away.

 

“I’m all sweaty,” Jessica pointed out.

 

“I don’t care,” was Sooyoung’s nonchalant reply.

 

Jessica bit on her bottom lip as she glanced at the way that Sooyoung was looking at her. With one hand planted on the locker door, Sooyoung used her free hand. She brushed her thumb against Jessica’s bottom lip, releasing it from her bite.

 

“You’re just so ing y right now,” she husked. “Hot and sweet.”

 

“You mean sweaty, right?”

 

“I meant your kisses,” Sooyoung smirked. “You don’t need me to tell you how hot you are.”

 

It was Jessica who initiated the kiss this time, weaving her hand through Sooyoung’s hair and pulling her in.

 

Sooyoung didn’t waste any time slipping her tongue inside . She pushed Jessica against the locker, her hands now at her sides. Jessica’s one hand remained in Sooyoung’s hair, her nails scratching her scalp while her other hand was clutching on to Sooyoung’s back.

 

Sooyoung broke their heated kiss and proceeded to make a trail of kisses on her jaw and down to her neck. One of her hands slipped underneath her tank top, feeling the slightly damp skin. Her other hand was placed under her thigh, pulling her leg up and anchored it on to her hips. She placed one leg in between hers and rubbed it against her center.

 

Jessica let a moan escape at the sudden sensation.

 

“Shhh. People might hear,” Sooyoung said as she pulled away from kissing her neck.

 

Jessica glared at her but Sooyoung could only chuckle.

 

She leaned down and kissed her lovingly on the cheek then continued to kiss up her jaw to the skin behind her ear.

 

She bit down on the patch of skin and then on it. All the while, Sooyoung rubbed her thigh against her core faster. Jessica let go of her back and used that hand to cover to stifle her moan. Removing her hand made it hard to stay up right, with one of her legs being held up after all. Sooyoung sensed the loss of balance so she held on tightly to her waist.

 

Sooyoung’s other hand had moved up from the flat of her stomach to cup one of her s. She made open mouth kisses down her neck to that certain spot near her collar bone she knew all too well. Kissing that spot caused Jessica to dig her nails into her scalp and she had to bite into her hand to suppress her moan. She continued to rub her thigh up her center as well, making it hard for Jessica to be quiet.

 

Oh how Sooyoung would love to hear her moans.

 

Jessica’s breathing had turned heavy and her cheeks blown red. The feeling of her on her skin, her hand squeezing her , and the way her leg would brush up against her core were becoming all too much to experience all at once. She could feel herself coming closer to the edge. Her hand was hurting from biting so she made use of Sooyoung’s shoulder instead.

 

They were too deep into it to stop and care that they were going to have their first inside a gym locker.

 

But then...

 

Sooyoung abruptly pulled away from the sound of the door opening. She pulled away so fast that Jessica nearly fell from the sudden absence of what served as her anchor. Fortunately, she was able to lean her back against her locker just in time.

 

She tried to control her breathing and did her best to get back some of her composure.

 

“You really shouldn’t push yourself too much, Sica,” Sooyoung spoke, pretending as if they were in the middle of a conversation.

 

The intruder, as Sooyoung would like to call her, was one of the employees. She bowed in their direction upon seeing their CEO. Jessica could only nod at her as a greeting. The employee hurriedly went to her locker. The two watched in their peripheral as she got her towel and walked to one of the shower stalls.

 

Once she was out of sight, Jessica approached Sooyoung and hit her on the head.

 

Sooyoung yelped from the pain.

 

Jessica grabbed her by her collar and whispered harshly at her.

 

“Now I’m even more frustrated because of you.”

 

Sooyoung had the audacity to smile at her.

 

“I could help you with that later,” she said in a flirty tone as she grazed the side of her face with her fingers.

 

Jessica sighed in frustration as she let go of her. She went on to grab her towel from her locker and walk in one of the empty shower stalls.

 

She took a very long shower.

 

Sooyoung didn’t mind the wait. She had a smile on her face that didn’t seem like it would leave at any moment.

 

---

 

“Jess, I think we’re in trouble,” was Tiffany’s panicked tone.

 

“What is it?”

 

“We’ve suddenly lost some of our investors.”

 

Jessica’s eyes grew wide at that.

 

“What?! Did they say why?”

 

Tiffany shook her head.

 

“They just notified me now,” Tiffany replied.

 

“We haven’t lost any of our major investors, have we?”

 

“No,” Tiffany answered. “Not yet at least.”

 

It was quite a predicament. Especially when they were in the middle of expanding. She couldn’t help but think that something fishy was going on. This was so sudden and they almost did it at the same time. It can’t be a coincidence

 

Her thoughts suddenly went back a few days ago when her unexpected visitor came.

 

“Could it be?”

 

If her guess was right, this only meant they had to hasten their pace. They had to push through with the expansion before things were too late.

 

“Tiff, call on a board meeting.”

 

“I already did,” was Tiffany’s proud reply.

 

Jessica smiled at her friend.

 

The board seemed a bit alarmed at the news. Tension rose when they proposed they rush things forward. Some of them disagreed that they couldn’t rush into things and now that some of the investors had pulled out, it would cause some delay in the production of their new line which they will launch at the same time as their opening of new stores.

 

Yes, stores.

 

Jessica had thought bigger and decided that she’ll open other stores, not just in New York, but also some countries across Asia.

 

She and Tiffany have been busy these past weeks gathering investors overseas.

 

Jessica had no choice at this point.

 

She had to shutdown some of them to allocate the money and production to other branches they’ve deemed more of a priority. Though it was hard and felt heavy on her heart to make the decision, it had to be done.

 

Tiffany agreed, albeit reluctantly as well.

 

The board voted and the majority agreed.

 

Jessica had to open one of the bottles of her prized wine collection afterwards. Tiffany joined in as well as they talked about their worries of what could happen next.

 

“Jess, I’m just guessing but, does this have something to do with Soo-,” Tiffany abruptly stopped and then continued, correcting herself. “Mr. Choi’s visit a few days ago.”

 

Tiffany had learned about what went down between Sooyoung and Mr. Choi from Sunny. She was shocked and immediately sided with Sooyoung after hearing some bits about their family situation.

 

Jessica sighed deeply and nodded at her.

 

“I think so.”

 

“What exactly did he say?”

 

“I want you to leave my daughter,” he said bluntly.

 

He skipped all formalities and immediately spoke his mind the moment he entered her office.

 

“Excuse me, sir. But I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Jessica asked, confused at his presence.

 

“My daughter, Sooyoung. I want you to break up with her.”

 

Jessica was visibly surprised at that. But then she remembered seeing the bruise on Sooyoung’s face. All her defenses went up and put on her business face.

 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Choi. With all due respect, I’m afraid that her and I’s relationship is none of your business.”

 

The man became enraged hearing this.

 

“You will do as I say or else I’ll reveal your relationship to the public,” he threatened.

 

Jessica simply raised an eyebrow at him and calmly replied.

 

“Seeing as you’re so ashamed of the fact that we’re dating, wouldn’t revealing our relationship affect you as well?”

 

His face twitched at that.

 

“You’re right,” he agreed. “But how about you parents? I assume you haven’t told them yet?”

 

Jessica kept a straight face and didn’t answer.

 

However, that was all he needed. He smiled a bit.

 

“Remember my words. If you don’t break up with her, telling your parents won’t be the only thing I’m planning to do.”

 

With that, he turned his back on her and walked out of her office.

 

“He said that if I don’t do as he says, he’ll…”

 

“He’ll?” Tiffany urged on.

 

Jessica eyed her before downing the rest of the wine on her glass.

 

She sighed.

 

“This wasn’t exactly how I planned on telling you,” Jessica said.

 

---

 

“I think we should tell them,” Sooyoung blurted out.

 

She was lying on her back on the floor of her apartment. Jessica on the other hand had her legs sprawled on her sofa while her back leaned against the arm rest, busy typing away on her computer.

 

“What was that?” Jessica asked.

 

Sooyoung sat up from the floor and turned to her.

 

“I think it’s time we told them,” she said. “About us I mean.”

 

Jessica saved whatever she was doing and closed her laptop and set it aside on the table beside her. While she was doing that, Sooyoung had stood up on the floor and approached her.

 

She straddled Jessica until she ultimately sat on her lap, her arms resting on her shoulders. Jessica wrapped her hands around her hips as she looked up at her.

 

“Really?” she asked.

 

“Really.”

 

“Okay,” Jessica replied, smiling at her.

 

Sooyoung smiled back.

 

“You look really good in glasses,” Sooyoung commented.

 

Jessica raised a brow at that.

 

Sooyoung removed the pair of glasses and inspected them.

 

“They’re reading glasses, right?” she asked.

 

“Yes. I use them when I use the computer for too long or read at night.”

 

Sooyoung nodded. She placed the glasses on the bridge of her nose, wanting to try them on.

 

“You don’t look too bad with them, either,” Jessica remarked.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“So are you going to get off of me any second now or do I have to push you?”

 

Sooyoung pouted.

 

“Mean.”

 

“You’re heavy.”

 

“Yah! We’re almost the same weight,” she shot back and then smirked. “Not to mention, I’m taller than you as well.”

 

Jessica pinched her sides causing Sooyoung to squirm. She then proceeded to tickle her. Sooyoung couldn’t contain her laughter as she tried to pull Jessica’s hands away. She succeeded eventually as she held onto her hands tightly to prevent them from tickling her again.

 

She looked down victoriously as if saying she failed and that she wasn’t getting off.

 

Jessica sighed and leaned her forehead against her chest.

 

She could hear the slightly fast paced beating of Sooyoung’s heart. When Sooyoung’s grip loosened, she freed her hands and then wrapped her hands around Sooyoung’s waist.

 

“Stay,” she mumbled.

 

“Hmmm?”

 

“I said stay.”

 

Sooyoung scrunched her brow at her.

 

“One minute ago you wanted me to get off and now you want me to stay?”

 

Jessica simply nodded against her chest.

 

She found her girlfriend’s quirky behavior amusing sometimes. Referring to her by the ‘G’ word was something she was getting used to. She felt happy saying and even just thinking about it. It never failed to make her smile knowing that she can call her hers.

 

Hers.

 

Possessive.

 

It’s unbecoming of her. But she can’t help but want to hold her close to her heart.

 

She wrapped her arms around her back, pulling her closer.

 

They stayed like that for who knows how long. Sooyoung only pulled away when she noticed that she lay limp in her arms.

 

She had fallen asleep.

 

She carefully got off from her and laid her down on the sofa.

 

She left to get a pillow and a blanket. She placed the pillow underneath her head and spread the blanket over her.

 

Sooyoung was about to leave when she stopped in her footsteps and turned her head around. After contemplating on it, she walked back to the sofa and laid down next to her. It was a tight squeeze so Sooyoung had no choice but to lay half of Jessica’s body on top of hers. Their new position was that Jessica was lying her head on her chest, one of her arms over her waist and the other underneath the pillow.

 

Once she was finally comfortable, she pulled the covers over them.

 

“Good night."