Chapter XV - Combat, Business Transaction

“I’ll just be a moment,” I said, pointing out to a door with my cousin’s name on it. “See you after you’ve finished changing?”

“Okay~!” Yuna held my hand for a moment longer. “Don’t be long.”

“Of course!”

I watched her walk away. Watched her spin and goof around towards the changing room, enjoying herself in this whirlwind of motion. The hem of that short white dress danced around her, tempting my eyes along her lovely thighs, before she disappeared behind a black curtain.

Sigh. I'm going to miss her in that dress.

Satisfied, I turned around and headed toward the door with heavy steps. Steps I tried to hide as I got closer and closer.

I knocked.

“Come in,” went unnie’s voice.

Of course, I acquiesced.

Jessica’s office was a testament to her perfectionist lifestyle and modern woman persona. Everything had sharp edges and right angles. Everything had its place. No wasted space. No wasted colors. Just glass to let some natural light in and low room temperature to match her cold presence.

It was her lair.

The final boss room.

You know, they say that if praying doesn't work, and words are ineffective, all that’s left for you is to fight.

I never liked having to resort to violence much. It always gets so messy. But today, I just might.

“Hello, baby cousin,” Jessica spoke with sickly sweet words, sitting at her throne of a desk and typing furiously without looking at me. “I’m glad you two were enjoying yourselves”

“Thanks to you, unnie.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere in this industry... except here.” What a devilish smile she wore. “But sure, you’re welcome.”

“Hmm, may I?” I gestured to a seat in front of her desk.

Things like this needed to be handled with care. Not to be dramatic, but this is a matter of life or death here.

“Of course. Although, there is no need for you to be so formal. We are family after all.”

Especially with her as my opponent.

“Even so…” I said it in such a patronizing tone that I she couldn’t help but smile. “I dare not speak so casually with you. Especially one as esteemed as you… Professor Jung.”

We laughed. Laughing along to these childish games we played.

“Hehe. I told you to only call me that when you saw me at the university.”

“But you’re never around to begin with. Do you even teach classes anymore?”

“Just once a week this semester. Been having to split priorities here as well.”

“Hmm. No wonder grad students have so much free time.”

“They should be using that time to study instead of playing games like you.”

“Haven’t had time to recently, all things considered.”

“Please tell me that ridiculously large house your family owns is still in one piece.”

“Don’t worry, the house is fine. You missed one hell of a party though. Shame you didn’t come. You could have even brought your wife out and had a blast.”

“And help you clean up afterwards? ‘...Because we’re family’? No thank you. Plus, I highly doubt your party guests would appreciate two of their teachers coming in like some school dance chaperones. Not to mention, highly unprofessional.”

“What? You two? Legendary Queens of the university? They wouldn’t mind! You’re not that much older than us!”

“Ugh… Don’t make me sound like a cartoon character or something. And I know what you’re doing so you can quit trying to butter me up and get me to pay you more.”  

Hehe… Whoops.

“Money please~!” I held out my hand, sticking out my tongue as I was caught.

“Heh. Here.” Jessica handed me two sealed envelopes. “I had those prepared before you even got here just in case you tried anything. And make sure give the other one to Yuna.”

“What!? I’m not going to steal from my girlfriend! I’m a liar, not a thief!”

“And yet while you make such claims, you expect me to believe you?”

“I- Ah.” me. Got me there. “Okay, fair point. But still!”

“My worry doesn't come without cause.” She leaned back a bit, smiling like an older sister. “By the way, how are your classes going? Not getting into any trouble, I hope?”

“Not in the slightest!”

Except, you know, lying to my teacher that my mom was sick just to get out of working on my assignments. Although, I’m not in trouble for that yet so I’m still in the clear.

“Uh-huh…” Jessica looked unconvinced. “The other teachers treating you well?”

“They are. Ah! Well there is this one guy…” A pause. A thought. ”Whose name I can’t remember… Didn’t leave much of an impression. Anyway, he’s just kinda annoying.”

“Hmmph, well I’m sure you’ll manage somehow. You always do.”

“Yup~!”

“Good.”

“...”

Silence.

The awkwardest of silence.

A silence to end all of existence in a matter of seconds.

Jessica had that kind of power.

“So…” I started, tapping my fingers on the armrest. “...What do you think?”

These business-like conversations were getting a bit tiresome. Why don't we get to the bottom of this?

Why I brought her here of all places for our first date?

Why I needed cousin to observe her?

I’m sorry, Yuna. Please forgive me. I didn't mean to lie to you… I just want to help you...

“Frankly, I approve,” unnie nodded her head. “She seems quite attached to you and it’s a good fit.”

“That’s not what I meant… But thanks…”

“Your welcome... But to get to the point… ” She crossed her legs, taking on a more serious pose behind her desk. “Her breathing is all over the place, meaning she's out of practice. You could tell while she sang. Went a little flat at the end of that high note.”

“I really don’t have an ear for this stuff…”

“You get used to it eventually. Anyway, despite that, her conditioning is good. She got away with the note purely on lung capacity, muscle memory, and natural raw talent. Not to mention that her posture is perfect. A prime example of a student who was reccomended by the dean. Given some time and enough training I’d imagine she’d do quite well as a singer. Based on that alone, I wouldn’t mind taking her on as one of my grad students in the future.”

“So… It’s nothing physical that’s stopping her…” I sighed heavily. “I was afraid of that…”

“Unfortunately, that is correct,” Jessica nodded her head at the thought. Slowly. Almost menacingly so. “Meaning that whatever throat condition Yuna has been telling my wife... is a complete lie.” Baring her teeth, her words sounding threatening. “See? You two really are a match made in heaven.”

Yes.

That’s right.

The world is quite small. Very small.

Jessica didn't need me to tell her about Yuna. She's already heard everything.

“You aren’t going to tell Tiffany unnie, are you?”

Her smile had fangs.

“Are you asking me to lie to her?”

“No, I’m asking you to hold on.” I gave her a wild smile. Crazed and confident like the way only a liar knows how when they were forced to being honest. “Just give me time to figure this out, okay? I want to help her! I really do. So just… Please?”

A wild toss up. A last ditch effort.

I was playing with fire here, knowing that one mistake could end it all for me. For Yuna.

“Sigh…”

A moment.

Two moments.

And then another.

“You know how Tiffany gets when one of her students is having a problem.” Jessica let out another deep breath. “She’s been worried constantly about Yuna since this charade started.”

“I know... But if you give me-!?”

Jessica raised a hand to shut me up.

Inhale.

“I know you will do whatever it would takes… And… In all honesty, based on what Tiffany’s told me, I doubt Yuna would’ve been able to sing for me today if you weren’t around. That girl has attached herself to you and won’t let go. And you can tell how much she loves singing… You could see it on her face. That last shot at the end was perfect… Brilliant… It would be a real shame if she lost her scholarship and didn’t continue with it.

“So do it, Yennie. Figure it out. Play detective and solve this case... because you’re the only one that can.”

I got up and bowed.

“Thanks unnie.” I was grateful. Really. “I promise you, I’ll figure this out.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Sensing our conversation over and not wanting Yuna to wait any longer, I said my good-byes and hurried out.

Exhale.

A sigh of relief.

Well then. That didn’t go as badly as I had expected.

“Does she know?”

My hand had barely touched the door handle when she spoke again.

“What?” I asked, slightly confused.

“That you are trying to solve her problems behind her back,” Jessica clarified. “Does she know?”

“No… If I told her, I’m afraid she will push me away… And if that were to happen, then no one could save her…”

“Hmmph… So we are both lying to our significant others… Well, that makes me feel loads better.” Her words were caused a chill to run down my spine, completely lacking in any sense of sarcasm or sincerity. “But understand this…”

I turned to look at her, watching her cold eyes and sharp voice tear me to shreds. Almost kneeling against that glare. Like a peasant to a queen atop her throne.

“If Tiffany finds out that I’ve helped you in this farce of yours… I will never forgive you…”

“Y- Yes, unnie.”

And I walked away.

No.

I ran.

I ran away.

Escaping her grasp and shutting the door behind me. My chest was pounding hard as I leaned against the wall. I got what I needed. I got my end of the bargain. And yet it feels like I lost this battle.

My cousin destroyed me. She completely and utterly destroyed me.

“Hey! Yerin unnie!”

Yuna was walking over from the changing room, a fashionable mess wearing her heavy makeup and hair teased, mismatched by the casual clothes and lay-about gate.

“Hello, dear.” A calm smile. Just enough to ease her thoughts and think nothing amiss. “Shall we head out?”

“Yup, yup~!” She held my hand as we walked out. “Did Jessica unnie seem satisfied with the photos?”

“That and thensome.” A white sealed envelope. “Here, from unnie. For your troubles.”

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Models do get paid for their efforts, you know. We’re no different.”

“W- Wait!? What!” Yuna was panicking, taking glances at the CEO’s door. “I- I- Uh…”

“It’s fine.” She was so cute when she was like this. “I took care of it. Don’t worry your pretty little head… Now then. Hungry?”

“Hehe… Starving!”

The entrance way was filled with orange light as we neared the exit, signaling the end of another day.

Shall I count myself lucky then? Even though I felt like I lost, didn’t I still succeed?

No. Something was missing and it was starting to bug me how much I couldn’t figure out what.

“Jung Yerin-shi?” The young girl at the front desk called for me as we passed. In her hands were a flat white box with a black bow and another envelope. “I was instructed to give these to you.”

“Um, okay?” I grabbed them both, first opening the envelope.

Dear Baby Cousin;

I didn’t know what to get you for your birthday until I saw you today. I’m sure you will figure out what to do with it.

It’s worth ₩500,000.

Happy Birthday!

Jessica Jung

She… She didn’t… Did she?

I didn’t even have to look to decide what to do.

“For you.” I said, handing the box to Yuna to open, who was visibly confused.

Inside was a newly pressed dress. A copy of the same short white dress she was just wearing before.

“There’s a note in here…?” said Yuna, picking up a small piece of paper.

Ah, wait. What?

“‘Yuna…’” she read out loud. “‘If I didn’t give this to you now, I’m sure Yennie would stop at nothing to try to convince me otherwise. I had my secretary have a new one resized to fit your measurements. Let me know if it needs further alterations. And please, take care of my baby cousin for me. Jessica…’ Wait!? This… This is mine!?”

“Hahahaha~! Yup! See? I told you you had nothing to worry about!”

“But isn’t this expensive?”

I showed her my card. dropped, eyes going wide.

“Your… Your cousin is really impressive…”

Hehe. Yuna, you don’t even know the half of it...

Unnie must have noticed me enjoying how Yuna looked and had it done while we were doing the photo shoot. And knowing unnie, it will fit Yuna perfectly.

Sigh.

I’m no match for my cousin.

She destroyed me. She completely and utterly destroyed me.

Oh man… Scheming and deep planning runs deep in the Jung family. Lots of info dropped this chapter. Even though it was 90% just a conversation. Lol. I do hope you realize that this entire rthing was all part of Yerin's plan to help Yuna. She's slowly gathering data and making deals with people who may be able to help. Lots and lots of stuff flying around here. 

This chapter was set to establish that as brilliant as Yerin believes she is, she is not infallible. There are many that can knock her down a peg and there is plenty more who still can.

Oh. And I’m sure you noticed something has changed… LIKE THAT NEW STORY COVER!!!

Let me know what you guys think about it.

Please comment and remember that you are awesome.

Have good memories and nightmares~!