Jessica rolled around in her bed.  It was three o’clock in the morning and she woke up again because she was so confused with what to do.  Should she tell Jiyong what happened?  That frightening note and that surprise appearance from that woman startled her.  Should she get Jiyong mixed in with the drama?  He didn’t need the stress.  She huffed and stared at the ceiling.

            Who could have it possibly been?  Who was that mystery woman?  Her first guess was that it was either Jia or Jiyeon.  They were probably angry that she didn’t seriously regard their warning in the grocery store.  They had a similar build as the woman who had approached her.  That woman had to be one of them! 

_____________________________

            The couple had just had their breakfast as they enjoyed their company together.  Yoona pressed her lips together as Seunghyun took another call.  She noticed that he was slowly getting more and more involved with the company.  He was already dealing with some of the stock reports and investments proposed.

            “No, I can’t go to that meeting,” he barked through his cellphone, “How dare you question me?  Do you really want to get fired?  I can fire you right now if I’d like!  Reschedule that meeting for next week!”

            Yoona froze as she watched her boyfriend practically yelling at his phone.  One minute, he was so caring and sweet, and the next he was like an evil villain.  Yoona nervously swallowed as she looked at her phone.  Seunghyun continued his rant with one of the company’s secretaries.

            She just received a text from Nichkhun.  She immediately disregarded it.  The worst thing that she could do as of now was to reply to it when she was near Seunghyun.  He would be curious and read it like how he read Geun Suk’s texts to her.  She ignored the text by looking at her picture gallery instead.  She began to scroll through her pictures until she saw a familiar face.  It was a picture of Yoona and Hyeri throwing the peace sign.  Yoona giggled to herself catching Seunghyun’s attention.

            “I’ll talk to you later,” Seunghyun snapped and then hung up.

            Yoona looked at her boyfriend as he gave an intrigued look.  He leaned in closer to Yoona to see what she was giggling about.  Yoona was glad that she wasn’t looking at a picture of any of her guy friends.  He would throw a fit.

            “Darling, what are you looking at?” he questioned.

            Yoona showed him the screen to her phone.  He studied the picture—not showing a bit of emotion. 

            Yoona explained, “She’s the girl I’m mentoring.  Her name is Park Hyeri.  I feel really bad for her because her mother died and she doesn’t even know who her father is.  She’s such an angel.  She’s a bit shy, but she’s the cutest thing ever.”

            Seunghyun’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the little girl posing next to Yoona.  Her chubby cheeks were inevitable to notice. Her eyes formed the shape of crescent moons while she flashed her white teeth.

            “How old is she?” Seunghyun finally asked still not showing a bit of emotion.

            “She’s four,” Yoona answered.

            “Oh,” he simply replied as he nervously looked away.

            Yoona looked at him with intent.  He seemed to be really uninterested in Hyeri, but why was he acting so strange?  It was as if seeing this little girl made him very uncomfortable.  Yoona fought the urge to sigh.  Maybe he didn’t like children.  He seemed to be the type to not want children, but Yoona refrained herself from coming up with conclusions too soon.  She had guessed in the beginning that he would be the type that could never stick to one girl, but here he was fully devoted to her.

_________________________________

            Jessica’s first formal event made her nervous.  To know the fact that she was going to be surrounded by snobby socialites intimidated her.  She wore a beautiful black dress that highlighted the curves she had worked hard for.  With a diamond necklace Eugene had bought for her, she looked completely stunning.  Her hair was curled to the side while a pair of matching diamond earrings hung down her earlobes.  Her heels made her feel taller, but Jiyong’s height still exceeded hers.  If she had no prior experience with heels, she would have probably fallen on her face.

            “I’m so happy that you decided to go with me,” Jiyong excitedly revealed, “I can’t stand these kinds of events.  The mayor only invited us because he wants to know that he’s important enough to consume some of the Choi family’s time.”

            The mayor’s birthday bash was highly publicized in the city.  He boasted that many celebrities were coming; his main things to brag about were that people from the Ahn and Choi family were going to attend.  Kahi and her daughter, Hyuna, represented the Ahn family.  Jiyong and Jessica attended as representation over the Choi family.  Danny was working overtime with Seunghyun, Yoona didn’t feel comfortable going without Seunghyun, Janey hated these kinds of events, and Eugene had insisted that she needed to give Jiyong and Jessica time alone in a formal event.

            Jessica was still thinking about what happened.  Ever since what had happened, Jessica grew very cautious.  That woman that followed her had done her research.  She knew where Jessica was at what time.  Jessica knew that she could be in the same room as her.  What troubled her was that the woman had angrily requested that she leave Jiyong.  She couldn’t even think about parting with him.  When she was with him, she was at ease.  When she was apart from him, she longed for him.

            Jessica looked around as she sat in a chair.  In front of her was a whole set of plates, forks, bowls, spoons, and knives.  The wine glasses matched them well.  It was pretty absurd how many forks there were.  Back at home, Jessica only used one fork for her meals.

            “Don’t be intimidated by all these people,” Jiyong whispered in her ear as he draped his arm around her shoulders, “You’re the most beautiful person in the room.”

            Jessica lightly blushed and then looked around the grand ballroom.  There were many women dressed in name branded gowns.  Here she was with a dress that she had made herself.  She pressed her lips together and gave Jiyong an assuring smile.  He gently kissed her temple and then kissed the back of her hand twice.

            As soon as he did that sweet gesture, a photographer snapped a quick picture.  Jessica grew embarrassed as Jiyong gave the photographer a steady nod signaling him to go away. 

            The whole event had seating arrangements.  Jessica looked at the empty seats in next to them.  There were about two more empty seats.  She had already acquainted herself with some of the other guests, who were mostly older politicians.  She tucked her hair behind her ear when she saw two women approach the table.  The two were just breathtaking.  The blonde one was wearing a short black dress while the brunette wore a one-shouldered blue dress.

            “Jiyong oppa, I didn’t know we’d be sitting in the same table!” the blonde one cheered. 

            The woman walked up to Jiyong and gave him a tight hug.  Jiyong gave a big grin as he embraced the woman back.  Before jealousy could overtake Jessica, Jiyong introduced her to the blonde woman.

            “Babe, this is my cousin, Chaerin,” Jiyong introduced her, “Chaerin, this is the love of my life, Jung Jessica.”

            Jessica sneaked a nudge to his side because he had introduced her as the love of his life.  Jiyong silently winced as Chaerin broke out into a large grin.  She loved that Jiyong was so deeply in love with Jessica.  Instead of having the usual formalities, Chaerin briskly walked up to Jessica and gave her a tight bear hug.  Jessica’s eyes widened and hugged her back after a few seconds.

            “I’m glad that you found a way to tame this wild man,” Chaerin referred to Jiyong, “That’s what he needs in life—control, and I’m sure that you can offer that.”

            Jessica smiled as Chaerin went back to her seat.  The meals were getting served, but Jessica couldn’t help but notice that both Chaerin and Jiyong ignored introducing the woman next to Chaerin to her.  She nervously swallowed and tried to ignore any bad thoughts.

            A politician sitting next to the brunette tapped her on the shoulder.  He was an older man with circle glasses. 

            “Dara sshi, why won’t you engage in conversation with the others that are your age?” he asked.

            Jessica looked at her.  Her name was Dara; what a pretty name to match her pretty face.

            Dara politely answered, “I’m not feeling too well tonight.”

            She gave an embarrassed smile and tried to avoid the rest of the awkward conversation.

            “But you’re close to these people right?  Isn’t he your boyfriend?” the old man asked as he looked at Jiyong, “Are you guys in a lover’s quarrel?  Young couples these days always fight.”

            The man’s wife brutally pinched his thigh as he screamed out in pain.  The man’s wife gave an embarrassed laugh and bowed to the young aristocrats.  The man was obviously clueless about everything due to his old age.  His wife, who was slightly younger than him, knew that Jiyong’s current girlfriend was sitting right beside them.  She felt bad for the awkward situation that they were in.

            Dara quickly looked down on her lap as Chaerin stared at Jiyong and Jessica with wide eyes.  Jessica gave Jiyong a dirty glare while Jiyong tried to take her hand into his.  Jessica tried to hide it, but it was obvious that she had brushed his hand away from hers.  She continued to eat her meal in silence.

_______________________________________

            Yoona stretched her arms out with a satisfied smile on her face.  She had finished her homework first than Yuri.  Yuri frowned as she rolled on her belly on the soft carpet floor.  Yoona began to put away her homework into separated folders.  Yuri was considered to be intelligent, but she could never finish her homework first than Yoona. 

            “Yoong, you’re too fast!” Yuri complained, “I don’t want to do my homework anymore.”

            Yoona replied, “Just finish it!”

            “I only have a page of note taking left. It’s not due until four days,” Yuri logically observed, “I’m sure I’ll finish it in time.  Yoona, I haven’t seen Seunghyun lately.  Where is he?  We’re at his house, but he’s nowhere to be seen.”

            Yoona explained, “Seunghyun has been starting to work with his father.  I think his father is trying to transition him into the president slowly.”

            “We’re getting so old.  You and I have been taking extra classes to graduate early, and we’re going to graduate within a year if we keep it at this pace.  Seunghyun oppa, Young Bae oppa, and Geun Suk oppa are graduating this week.  Jessica is also graduating from her fashion school.  Next thing we know, we have the careers of our dreams with families.  That’s exciting, but scary,” Yuri swallowed.

            Yoona bit her lip.  What was her future going to be like?  She never thought about getting married and having children.  She knew that Young Bae and Yuri were expected to end up with each other.  They loved each other so much that they had already planned their future together.

            “In time, I bet Seunghyun oppa will ask you to marry him,” Yuri spoke, “I can see it now…by the way, I want to be one of your bridesmaids.  I called it!”

            Yoona blushed, “I’m not even engaged!  I’m still young!”

            “It’s just for future reference!” Yuri defended, “Why are you even doubting it?  I’m sure that Seunghyun will ask you to marry him in time.”

            Yoona wasn’t sure about that.  She still needed to build up more trust with Seunghyun.  She knew that Seunghyun was hiding something from her, and she wanted to have a relationship with him that didn’t hold any secrets.

            “Yuri, will you help me with something?” Yoona finally asked.

            Yuri grunted as Yoona pulled her into Seunghyun’s bedroom across from her bedroom.  She couldn’t believe that she had agreed to it.  She agreed to snoop through Seunghyun’s room. 

            They entered the large bedroom.  Of course, it was bigger than Yoona’s.  It was a direct contrast from Yoona’s room.  Yoona’s room was so flowery and girly; Seunghyun’s room looked as if it belonged to a vampire.  She was sure that if he had let some sun into his room, his room would look a bit more appealing.

            “What if he catches us?” Yuri worried.

            “He left an hour ago,” Yoona informed her, “He’s usually there for three hours or so.”

            Yuri burst her bubble, “His bedroom is huge!  How will we find evidence about his supposed first love?  How do we even know that he kept anything that reminded him of her?”

            “He doesn’t let the maids in his closet.  That means that he’s hiding something.  I know he is,” Yoona assured Yuri, “I’m sure of it.  I have a feeling that there’s something there that he’s guarding.”

            “A woman’s intuition,” Yuri whispered as she referred to Yoona’s instincts.

            Yoona and Yuri walked to his walk-in closet.  Yoona thought there was going to be a lock on it, but there wasn’t.  Yoona twisted the doorknob and entered the vast closet.  It was big enough for her to do backflips in!  She her lips as Yuri got to work and looked through his large closet.  His closet was filled with so many designer clothes.  Yuri opened a drawer and withdrew from it right away.  She had just encountered his underwear drawer.  She pushed the drawer back into its place and continued to search through his closet.

            Through all of the shoeboxes, Yoona saw one that was distinct.  There were boxes that contained shoes from top brands, but the Converse shoebox stood out to her.  She pulled it out and opened the box.  Inside, she saw a few worn out journals.  They didn’t look new.

            “What is that?” Yuri asked.

            “I…I think it’s his journals,” Yoona spoke softly.

            Yuri asked, “Are you going to read them?”

            “Yes,” Yoona revealed, “I know I’m invading his privacy, but he already invaded mine.  He looks through my texts, and he even had his workers follow me.  I’m sure that he’s done more.”

            “What’s your purpose for this?” Yuri sighed.

            “I want to figure out what he’s hiding from me,” Yoona stated, “I’ll put it back before he even notices.”

            After their little mission, Yuri had to leave to go on a date with Young Bae.  Yuri had promised that she wouldn’t mention it to Young Bae.  She wasn’t even planning on telling him because it was none of her business.  Yoona locked her bedroom door and set a journal down on her desk.  She only took one.  That was all she needed.

            She sat down on a chair and opened the journal.  His handwriting was pretty neat for a man.  Yoona took a deep breath as she began to read.  The journal entries were made from five years ago.

October 17

            I have fallen in love with her, but I know that she’s unsure of how she feels.  She’s stuck between two men.  She has two men that are pursuing her, so I don’t blame her.  I had prayed for this to stop from happening, but it did.  Because the both of us love her, my relationship with someone important to me has been put in stake.  I don’t want this to happen.  I hope that it all ends well for the three of us.

            Yoona’s eyes widened as she flipped to another random page.

November 3

            Her decision is final.  She chose no one.  How could she do this?  I loved her and gave her everything.  I loved her unconditionally.  She just ran away leaving us both with broken hearts.

            Even if I’m angry, I can’t help but have the love for her still in my heart.  Her beautiful eyes will always be beautiful to me.  Her voice will always be angelic.  I will always love her.  I don’t think I can ever find anyone better.  I’m so stupid.  I fell in love with someone I wasn’t supposed to love.  I can never find another that is better.  She is irreplaceable.

            Yoona’s head began to spin after she read those two journal entries.  They were short, and they got to the point.  She rested her head back against the backboard to her chair and let out a sigh. 

            “Jiyong, why didn’t you drop me off home?” she heard a distant voice.

            Yoona recognized the voice quickly and realized that it was Jessica.  Jessica was trying her best to be quiet.  Yoona put the journal into a drawer in her desk and walked towards her door.  After unlocking the door, she peeked outside her room.  She saw Jiyong following her in the hallway.

            “Babe, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Jiyong apologized.

            “You knew that she was coming, but you didn’t tell me,” Jessica coarsely whispered, “You knew that your ex-girlfriend was going to be there.  Do you think I’m stupid or something?  Do you still have feelings for her?”

            “Of course I don’t!” he promised.

            Jessica shook her head, “I’m going to sleep in Yoona’s room.”

            Jessica saw Yoona shyly peeking out of her door.  Jessica gave a hopeful smile and Yoona opened the door for her.  Jessica marched in while Jiyong ran both of his hands through his hair.

            “Sorry, Jiyong,” Yoona expressed, “I’m sure she’ll cool down in the morning.  Good night.”

            “Good night,” Jiyong tried to smile.

            Yoona slowly shut the door and then looked at Jessica.  She looked enraged.  Her breathing was heavy and it was evident because her chest was heaving up and down.  She still had her red dress on and her skyscraper heels.  Tears were forming in her eyes, but she fought it.

            “What’s with the argument?” Yoona asked, “You two were fine before you left.”

            Jessica answered, “His ex-girlfriend was there.  He knew that she was going to be there, and he didn’t say anything.”

            “Why are you angry?  That’s his ex,” Yoona pointed out.

            “I’m angry because he didn’t tell me!  She’s perfect…and I’m just…me,” Jessica’s voice grew shaky, “She’s so pretty.  She’s the perfect woman.  I cannot think of one flaw that she has.  I’ll never compare to her.  She beats me hands down.  He should have told me that she was going to be there.  At least, one of Seoul’s most powerful politicians wouldn’t have embarrassed me.  A guy thought she was still with Jiyong.  I feel like a fool.”

            Yoona understood her pain.  They had similar backgrounds.  They both came from modest families.  Money was always something that they struggled with.  It was hard to compete with their boyfriends’ perfect ex-girlfriends.  Yoona didn’t even know whom Seunghyun’s first love was, but she had already made a guess that she could make Yoona look like a fool without even trying.

            “Unnie, everything will be just fine,” Yoona assured her, “Jiyong loves you dearly.  His past is done.  You’re his present and future.”

            “I wish things for me and Jiyong were like things for you and Seunghyun,” Jessica suddenly whispered.

            Yoona didn’t make a reaction.  She just hugged Jessica to provide her some support.  If Jessica knew that Yoona was on the same boat as her, she would take back those words.  Yoona nervously swallowed as Jessica let out the tears fighting to escape her eyes.

~~~~~

            Yoona couldn’t sleep.  She stared at the ceiling and then at a clear window.  It was a clear night outside.  Yoona looked to her side and saw Jessica sleeping soundly.  She had borrowed some of Yoona’s pajamas and went to sleep right away.  It seemed as if the social event had taken a drain on her.

            The hallway lights flicked on; Yoona saw the yellow light under her closed bedroom door.  She heard footsteps against the hallway’s wooden floor towards her room.  The door slowly opened as she saw a familiar face poke out of the door.  Seunghyun observed her room to see her in her bed with her eyes open.  Seunghyun then saw a figure next to her.  He couldn’t tell who it was because the person had their head under the covers. 

            Bad thoughts immersed Seunghyun’s mind.  What if it was a guy?  Would Yoona even bring another man to his own house?  He swiftly walked towards the bed and was about to yell something aloud.  Yoona sensed it and sat up right away.  She was going to stop him, but he halted in his tracks himself.  Jessica had kicked the covers off of her body revealing her identity.  Seunghyun felt at ease and gave a sigh of relief.

            “What are you thinking?” Yoona quietly scolded, “Do you think I’d cheat on you?”

            “I just get scared,” Seunghyun confessed in a low tone, “I feel as if I don’t deserve you.”

            Yoona crossed her arms and pouted out her lips.  Sometimes she felt the same way.  She never hid anything from him, but he was keeping his secrets to himself.  She knew this wasn’t how love was supposed to be.

            “Seunghyun, do you have something that you should tell me?” Yoona gave him a chance, “Yoochun did say that you had a first love, and you denied it.”

            “I denied it because it’s not important,” Seunghyun reminded her.

            He then leaned in for a kiss, but she backed away and turned her head to the side.  He sensed how upset she was feeling.  She nervously swallowed as she continued to avoid his eye contact.

            “It’s not important,” he reminded her, “You’re what’s important to me.”

            “I wish you would tell me,” Yoona ignored him.

            He sighed, “Yoona, now’s not the time.”

            He then kissed her forehead and led her back to her bed.  He put the covers over her body while Jessica took the blanket she had kicked earlier and wrapped her body in it.  He gave a soft good night kiss and smiled.

            “I love you,” he whispered, “Good night, darling.”

            “Good night,” she bitterly replied.

            He walked out of her bedroom and shut the door behind him.  As soon as she heard him enter his room and close the door, she took out her phone.  She couldn’t believe she was going to do this.  She looked through her contacts and saw a contact name she never thought she would text.

~~~~~

To: Park Yoochun

From: Im Yoona

Hello, Yoochun sshi.  I’m sorry for disturbing you so late at night.  When we had dinner together, you told me that you’d tell me about Seunghyun’s past if I ever asked.  Does the offer still stand?

~~~~~

Authors' Notes:

Sunshine94:  Okay, this has to be the first time in two weeks that we are both free from homework, school, or family events!  We decided to update our story so that we wouldn't be keeping you guys waiting too long.  Thanks for reading!  We really do appreciate your support! ^__^

jessicajessica:  Like sunshine said, thank you for reading!  We'll try to manage our time more efficiently so that we can update more.  :)