Chapter Sixteen: Questions? Questions? More Questions?

I’m sorry I didn’t really have time today. Been really busy. 

It’s fine. I was doing my homework anyway. =] And thanks for helping me on some questions!




 

No problem! I wish I could’ve helped you more. It really to pull a double shift. Tiffany had a meeting today and she didn’t want Yuri to cover her shift.

They’re still at it?




 

Yup! Tiffany’s still living with me. Too much pink in my house! ><

Hahaha! But pink is a nice color. 




 

I don’t think you noticed… but I like black.

But you don’t wear black that often anymore????




 

That’s because it’s too hot to wear my leather jackets. 

Lol! Then wait for winter? Or fall?




 

If it’s not hot tomorrow, I’ll wear my leather jacket AND we’ll ride my motorbike! > 

Motorbike?! Travelling that far?




 

You think it’s unsafe?

Hey! I was just kidding! I’ll see you tomorrow?

You’re not mad at me… right?

Oh sorry for not replying. I was talking to my mom.
I’m not mad! Lol! 




 

I’ll pick you up tomorrow at nine? With a car. I promise.

Lol! Sure! Go to bed! It’s already 11!




 

Good night, kid.  Sleep tight!

Good night, ahjumma. =] Don’t oversleep!






 

******

The blonde finished pumping gas to her car, and so she walked to the convenience store where Taeyeon was. Even though they were pretty close to the orphanage, the blonde figured that Taeyeon would want to buy some snacks from the store.

When Jessica walked in, she noticed a girl wearing a nice summer dress was standing by the snack section and had a couple of chips in hand and was still looking around. She found out Taeyeon hugging the chips adorable, and so she couldn't help but smile at scene in front of her.

Feeling that there were eyes on her, Taeyeon looked back and noticed that Jessica was already standing there. "Baked Barbeque Lays or Regular Barbeque?" She raised the items in each hand.

"Baked." Jessica replied as she watched Taeyeon return the other bag of chips in the rack.

"Figured." Taeyeon was still standing there, eyeing more junk food for the trip. "What else do you want?"

"We'll be there in about thirty minutes,” Jessica walked towards Taeyeon and stopped beside the kid. “Isn’t a bag enough?”

"Are you sure? How about when we’re going back to Seoul later? It’s not like we’re going to throw them.” After skimming through the selection, Taeyeon looked Jessica in the eyes. “Cheetos?”

Smiling, the blonde just nodded. If that was what Taeyeon wanted, it wouldn’t be bad to heed to her requests, right? Jessica then walked towards the drink station, grabbing six bottles of apple juice. After grabbing their beverages, the blonde headed over the cashier and waited for Taeyeon to finish.

Four huge bags of junk food were in Taeyeon’s embrace as she headed towards Jessica. The cashier then started to ring them up. “Twenty-two thousand nine-hundred Won,” the lady behind the counter said. She looked at Taeyeon who opened her wallet. Noticing this, Jessica hurriedly grabbed her wallet from her back pocket and handed the lady some cash and telling the lady to keep the change.

Jessica noticed that Taeyeon was looking her way, so she met Taeyeon’s eyes with a blank expression. The blonde grabbed the bag from the counter. “I really think this is enough.”

The kid sighed. “I should’ve paid.”

Heading for the exit, Jessica shook her head. “It’s fine. I invited you anyway.” She opened her car door for Taeyeon.

“But,” Taeyeon stepped into the car and then continued, “you do so much for me.”

“Shouldn’t I?” Well, that struck Jessica. Shouldn’t she be doing things to Taeyeon? To help her whenever she could? To provide for her? To treat her like a… but wait! Taeyeon had a point. Jessica did too much when in fact they weren’t even really dating. Was she supposed to not treat the kid the same way she’d treat her lover? Then how? It was the only way she knew how.

“Well,” Taeyeon continued as Jessica got in the driver’s seat. “It’s wonderful that you’re nice to me. But…”

“But?” Jessica asked as she started to drive, heading to the orphanage.

“Well… nothing really.” Jessica quickly looked at Taeyeon who was smiling sheepishly at her.

Jessica felt her lips curve at the sight. “Then no complaints, right?”

Taeyeon simply shook her head and opened the bag of Baked Barbeque Lays. “Here you go,” Taeyeon offered the bag to Jessica.

They both started munching on their snacks as they headed to the orphanage. “Do you come here often?” Taeyeon asked while she was looking outside the window, watching the greenery that the city didn’t have.

“Well,” Jessica started and caused for Taeyeon to look at her. “I’d say twice a year? I’ve been so busy these past few years with overseas schooling and building our restaurant that I barely have time to visit.”

“Oh?”

“Tiffany always went with me except today. Yuri used to when we were in High School and just recently.”

“Oh…”

Jessica quickly looked to her side, “Don’t worry about it. They’ll like you.”


 

*****

Jessica unlocked the car doors and stepped out into the dirt paved road. She travelled around the car then reached out her hand to open Taeyeon’s door. When Taeyeon stepped out and followed the stone steps that led to the orphanage, Jessica made sure that the car was alarmed. The blonde then noticed a tinted, black car that was parked by the gate. It was the same vehicle that followed them from Seoul, right? Well she still wasn’t sure. There was a huge possibility that she may be over thinking things.

She then followed the stone steps, trailing Taeyeon from behind. She hurried to catch up to the kid then stood by the front door of the orphanage with Taeyeon beside her. “Ready?” She asked the kid as she flashed a smile.

Taeyeon pivoted her head to face Jessica as she smiled back at her. “Yeah.” With that said, Jessica rang doorbell and soon after, an old lady greeted them at the door.

“Miss Chan!”

“You’re finally here, Jessica.” An elder lady swung the door wide open with a sweet smile on her face. The lady then spread her arms open as she walked closer to Jessica; her smile grew wider by the second. “I missed you,” she said as she pulled the blonde to an embrace.

“I missed you, too, and the kids!” How long had it been since Jessica last visited? For some unknown reason, she always remembered Miss Chan’s ethereal grin and the warmth that she emitted. This visit made an exception to that. “How are you?” She withdrew herself from the lady to break the embrace. “You look as young as ever.”

The old lady simply laughed. She was a bit used to the blonde’s flattery since she kind of figured that Jessica was good with words. This made her immune to Jessica’s compliments. However, who was Jessica kidding? The lady was fifty-five and she asked Miss Chan if she was doing something to make her look forty, when it was apparent that the lady was aging quite rapidly. It may be because of the number of kids she had to take care every single day that tired her, causing her to age faster.

“You’re so silly like always,” the lady said as she smiled. Noticing there was another person standing beside Jessica, she looked at Taeyeon and flashed a smile at her, which the kid returned. “Who might you be?” She then looked at Jessica and asked, “You brought a friend?”

Well, what was Taeyeon to Jessica again? Was she simply a friend? But they were dating, right? So she couldn’t just say she was a friend. But she wasn’t her girlfriend either so Jessica couldn’t tell Miss Chan that Taeyeon was her girlfriend. “Uhmm…” Jessica started and before she could even process the right label to their relationship, a familiar figure came out of the door, revealing her first girlfriend, Park Minyoung. “You made it!” Jessica flashed a smile at Minyoung as she hurriedly took a step forward and embraced her ex. “Oh God, I really didn’t think you’d make it since you told me it was your mid-terms!”

“Like I’d miss this for the world.” Minyoung wrapped her arms around Jessica’s waist, pulling her tightly so that their bodies seemed to be one for a second. Jessica gave in to the force Minyoung exerted and couldn’t help but notice that she was taking in Minyoung’s scent. Fresh and cool as always. “I miss you a lot, you know? It’s been months! Well, a year actually.”

Jessica pushed herself away from Minyoung, but still maintained a close distance enough for her to smell Minyoung’s perfume. “I know it’s been years. But,” she grinned sheepishly. “I mean, it sounds so wrong but,” Jessica paused and then continued, “you still use the same perfume?”

Minyoung nodded, smiling widely at Jessica. “I can’t believe you still remember! It’s still the same one. It’s pretty cheap for something that smells this good, right?” Minyoung nudged her. “Anyways, you’re the one to talk. You smell like me too!”

Jessica couldn’t do anything but admit to it. She really did like the perfume. The blonde could blame the zesty scent, but she knew better than to lie to herself. If it wasn’t for the fact that Minyoung gave it as a gift, Jessica wouldn’t have known its existence. So, Jessica had to thank Minyoung for that. Which she did, many years had passed since her seventeenth birthday, and here she was, still using the same scent. “It smells good.”

“Right…” Minyoung agreed sarcastically. “It just reminds me of you. Admit it.”

Now that Jessica thought of it, Minyoung was right. Not because Minyoung gave it to her, but because it reminded her of the experience she felt while being with Minyoung. She compared her to a fresh breath, something to distract her from everything that suffocated her, and, of course, she was something she could never get tired of. Even after all these years had passed by since, it was apparent, that they were still one the best of buddies. “Sure. I’ll admit to it.”

“Good!” Minyoung giggled and Taeyeon’s still figure finally caught her attention. “Hi!” She greeted the kid. “My name’s Park Minyoung, how about you?”

Taeyeon flashed a smile, raised her hand, offering a hand shake, and said, “Kim Taeyeon.”

“Are you…” Minyoung stopped and looked at Jessica. “I never knew you had a younger cousin other than Hyomin.”

“She…” Jessica had to stop. This question had been bugging her ever since they started this dating thing that seemed to keep the relationship unlabeled. What was Taeyeon to her? What were they to each other? “She’s….”Jessica looked at Taeyeon from the corner of her eyes, and caught Taeyeon also looking at her with eyes wide open.

Taeyeon sighed as she looked away from Jessica and back at Minyoung. “I’m former president Sooyeon-unnie’s friend. Well…” Taeyeon paused, retracting her words. “You could say she’s helping me with Student Council stuff. I’m Kim Taeyeon, SSA’s current student body president.”

What? Since when was she just President Sooyeon to Taeyeon? Huh?! What were those words Taeyeon just uttered? Before Jessica could explain further, Minyoung was already talking to Taeyeon and Miss Chan was also joining the conversation that Jessica couldn’t follow. It was something about a trip to an orphanage for community service.

Wait… community service? Did Taeyeon simply agree to be part of this for the community work? To be in a charity event? But this wasn’t a charity event that would be on news papers! This was Jessica’s party.

One thing led to another and Jessica found herself following the girls that were talking to the hall where the kids were staying. When Jessica walked in, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed, forgetting the thoughts that crowded her mind. The staff and the kids that Jessica sponsored until a family would adopt them all sang Jessica Happy Birthday, wishing her well after the song and thanking her for all the good things she had done for them. The kids all ran to her, hugging her waist and so she bent down a little to embrace each one of the kids.

“Happy birthday, Jessica-noona!” a boy said to her as he flashed his toothless smile. “We have biiig cake for you in the kitchen!

“Ssssh! You shouldn’t tell unnie that! Minyoung-unnie said it should be a surprise,” a girl said as she placed her index finger on her lips. “Now you ruined it.”

“It’s okay.” Jessica flashed a smile as she rubbed the boy’s shoulder to make him feel better. “Your Minyoung-noona already told me that she bought me a biiig cake!” She then stretched her arms sideward, trying to present a figure of the biiig cake. “So you didn’t ruin any surprise. Minyoung-noona did.” Jessica shifted her head to look at Minyoung who was carrying an infant. That infant may be new to the orphanage. “Right, Minyoung?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, guys. I couldn’t lie to Jessica because… well… she’d be mad at me if I lied to her.”

“Hey! Don’t say that. They might think I bully you.” Everyone laughed as they witnessed Jessica pout. She was indeed a bit more carefree whenever she was in the orphanage since she knew she had to be a friend to all these kids. If she acted more of herself, a cranky, boring, workaholic, then what would the kids think of her? After all that, the kids and everyone else went to tend to their own businesses, having fun with the clown show on the small stage that Jessica had booked to perform.

“Hi…” a toddler walked closer to Jessica. She was staring at Taeyeon who was just standing beside the blonde. She tugged Taeyeon’s skirt as her other hand was occupied as she on her thumb. “Are you new here? You wanna be my friend?”

Jessica couldn’t help but snort a laugh, suppressing to burst to laughter. She knew it! Someone would think Taeyeon would be a new unnie to them. Well, the orphanage houses people until they were eighteen so it was a given that Taeyeon could be a new kid there.

Taeyeon bent down, patting the kid’s head. “Sure! I’d love to have a friend like you,” she finished with a smile plastered on her face. She then lifted the kid who was, by the way, half her size. “What’s your name?”

“Jiyeon,” she said as she flashed a smile at her and wrapped one of her arm on Taeyeon’s neck for better support. “Just… Jiyeon.”

Jessica couldn’t help but feel Jiyeon’s words struck a chord in her. Just Jiyeon? Of course, most of these kids didn’t have a last name…

“Okay, just Jiyeon. You wanna be my friend right?” Taeyeon spoke, which stopped Jessica’s train of thoughts. Jessica watched Jiyeon nod eagerly. “Then we have to watch the show with the other kids, okay?”

“But… but…” Jiyeon pouted.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Jessica finally joined the conversation. “You don’t like the show?”

“Uhmmm….” The kid only looked down.

“Are you scared of the clowns?” Taeyeon asked and saw Jiyeon slightly nodding at her. “But clowns are funny. How about this, because I’m your friend, we’ll watch together?” Taeyeon looked at Jessica. The blonde simply nodded and so Taeyeon and Jiyeon walked towards the other kids who were watching the clowns.

Jessica checked everything to see if the set up was good, and it was. There were clowns, the caterer was there, the food was already set up, the magicians were on their way, the decorations were there, and the gifts that she planned to give to the kids were all in the storage. Perfect. She never felt this much work whenever it was her birthday, but because Yuri was stuck in the restaurant and Tiffany was still not in the mood to party because of their fight, they were both left in Seoul, leaving Jessica to handle all this. Remembering her friends, Jessica couldn’t help but feel sad that they weren’t there to celebrate with her.

“Hey,” Jessica heard, causing her to look back. “Why are you here and not watching the clown show?”

“Well… I’m checking everything. And plus, Taeyeon’s there to entertain the kids.” Jessica nodded her head once to Taeyeon.

“Oh? The current president of SSA?”

“Yeah.” Jessica proudly smiled. “She’s amazing. You know she’s a regular customer at my restaurant? She comes there every single day.”

“Oh? Really? Because you’re the former president of SSA or what?” Minyoung raised a brow at Jessica, questioning the statement. 

“Well… no one knew I was Jung Sooyeon. She didn’t know that. She was just there every day to eat the same dish so I became curious. You know what I’m saying?”

“So you became curious and you invited her here? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, no! We’re friends. I mean… like… you know… like…” Jessica had troubles forming an explanation. Just how much was she supposed to tell Minyoung?

Minyoung laughed at Jessica as she wrapped an arm around the blonde’s shoulder. “You’re dating her?”

“Well…” She trailed off.

“Then why didn’t you guys say so? It’s pretty stupid to not introduce her as your girlfriend. It’ll seem like you’re ashamed of her.”

Ashamed? Jessica was not ashamed of the kid! It was just because she couldn’t really tell what she was to her. What was she supposed to say anyway?

Minyoung looked at Jessica, whose head hung low. “Are you dating her?”

“I don’t… know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know? You can’t not know you’re dating someone, Jessica.” Minyoung giggled. “What are you? A high school student? Even when we were in high school, we both knew we were dating so what’s the deal now?”

Jessica looked at Minyoung, their faces were pretty close. “Well,” she started and then pulled Minyoung to sit on a chair that was placed in front of a table. Jessica occupied the seat next to her and told Minyoung the details of their relationship from being the regular customer, to a friend, even the poison in a bun, and the birthday party which Taeyeon gifted her the watch she was wearing now. She told Minyoung everything and her ex paid attention to the things she said. That was the good thing about their friendship, they were still close and still cared for each other like sisters. People could say that former lovers couldn’t be friends, but here was Jessica, proving them wrong.

“So... she can’t date because of some reason you don’t know?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Who are you kidding, Jessica?” Minyoung leaned back to a more comfortable position as she sighed. “How can she not date, and date you at the same time?”

“Well, we don’t date like that though. We just…”

“Do things that lovers do.” Minyoung rolled her eyes at her ex-girlfriend. “That’s the most ridiculous excuse you’ve come up with just to bed a girl.”

“Hey! I’d never touch her like that!”

Minyoung laughed, entertained by Jessica’s out of character reaction. “Okay. Okay. Whatever.”

Jessica sighed. “I honestly don’t know how to treat her…” she mumbled those words out. “I mean… I don’t want to be too attached to her you know.”

“Why not? She seems nice. Look at her.” Minyoung nodded her head once towards Taeyeon who was still holding Jiyeon, who was sitting on Taeyeon’s lap. “Remember last year? Jiyeon just stuck with Miss Chan? Now, she’s with Taeyeon. Your girlfriend’s not that bad.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Jessica said as she looked away from Taeyeon and back at Minyoung. “Whatever. So, how are you anyway?”

Minyoung talked to Jessica about her current girlfriend who was in the in London, studying financing with her. She even showed the blonde a picture of the real blonde girl she was dating, and yes indeed, Minyoung’s taste in women never failed to impress Jessica. Well, Minyoung did date her so that automatically made Minyoung’s taste in women impress Jessica – conceit excluded.

“Here’s a picture when we went to Paris.”

Jessica couldn’t help but feel this stupid knot forming in her stomach as she looked at Minyoung and her girlfriend kissing. She didn’t want to admit it, but she knew better. It was jealousy that was causing those knots to form. She wasn’t jealous because Minyoung was already with someone else. They were simply friends. She was jealous because she never really had a picture with Taeyeon – not one. And here Minyoung was, showing off her bombshell of a girlfriend. The blonde couldn’t help but snatch a glimpse of Taeyeon, who was in fact looking at her, too, as flashed a smile. Was that coincidence? Jessica just smiled back at Taeyeon, and then looked back at Minyoung, who was still talking about how amazing her lover was.

Minyoung continued on talking about all the exciting things that had happened to her these past couple of months. Jessica couldn’t help but note, and laugh, at the intriguing events in Minyoung’s life. But, compared to Minyoung’s, what in Jessica’s life was funny, or even exciting at the least? What had happened to her these couple of months? Well, her restaurant happened. What else? She moved in to another condominium unit. That was something. She met Taeyeon about two months ago – at least on speaking terms. A lot of exciting things happened to Jessica but she couldn’t bring herself to talk about those when the most mind-bugging was Taeyeon happening.

She still didn’t know what they were. What their relationship should be labeled as. Taeyeon said they were just friends, so were they really? If Taeyeon herself said it, then of course Jessica couldn’t say they were dating, or exclusively dating. Jessica simply sighed.

Noting that Jessica wasn’t really paying attention, Minyoung then said, “Wow. You’re not paying attention,” as she slapped Jessica’s arm lightly.

“What?”

“You seriously should just go talk to your girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend seems to be boring you.”

“I told you already she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh, right.” Minyoung rolled her eyes. “Not a girlfriend, not dating either. Just out and acting as a couple, right?”

As mind-boggling as it sounded, it was true. But, her conscience didn’t agree to simply saying it as easy as that. “Whatever, Minyoung.”

“Come on, Jessica.” She playfully nudged Jessica’s shoulder. “Show me how you treat your girlfriend.”

“Not my girlfriend…” Jessica said with an irked tone. Just how long with Minyoung go on with this? She had always been the immature one, and this thought caused Jessica to sigh.

“Then, if I hit on your girlfriend, you wouldn’t be hurt?”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Jessica raised my tone, thinking that it would reach Minyoung’s stubborn head.

Hearing someone behind her clear their throat, Jessica looked over her shoulder to see Taeyeon standing there. “I…” Taeyeon pointed over her shoulder, “I need to go.”

“What?!” That alarmed Jessica, causing her to stand up, facing Taeyeon and taking a step closer to the kid. “Are you feeling ill? Do you want me to drive you home now?”

Taeyeon smiled weakly at Jessica and said, “No, my head’s just hurting. You should stay here since this is your party. I have my driver waiting for me outside.”

“They travelled that fast? We’ve only been here for…” Jessica raised her arm to look at the watch Taeyeon gave her, noticing that they’ve been there for almost four hours. Had it been that long? Had she been chatting all this time? Four hours? She neglected Taeyeon for four long hours? And to add to that, she invited Taeyeon, and left her to entertain the kids while she chatted it up with her ex. “Oh my god! I’m sorry! I didn’t even realize you’re feeling sick and I left you alone. I should really take you home.”

Taeyeon shook her head, giving an obviously forced grin. “My driver’s already outside. They followed us here from Seoul. I thought you noticed the black car following us this whole time.”

“Well… I did. But...”

“I’d go now. Plus, you have to give the kids your gifts, remember? So you should stay here,” she said. She looked passed Jessica to look at Minyoung. “It’s nice to meet you Minyoung-unnie.” She bowed at her. “I hope to see you again.”

“You’re leaving?” Minyoung asked, pouting. “I thought we could at least talk. I really wanted to get to know you!”

“I’m not feeling that well. I’m sorry.”

“Oh?! Then Jessica! Take her home, you useless girl!” Minyoung shot Jessica a look.

“Oh no. No.” Taeyeon waved her hand in front of her. “It’s fine. I have my driver outside. Go ahead and catch on things.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Taeyeon. I hope to meet you again, okay? Maybe before I leave for London.”

“I’ll make time.” Taeyeon said with a weak smile. She then looked at Jessica, “Sooyeon-unnie, I’d go now. Thanks for taking me here,” Taeyeon said and then walked away, heading for the front door. “I’ll go now.”

Jessica was going to at least her to her car, but Taeyeon’s words just prevented Jessica’s mind to function once again. Sooyeon-unnie? Since when was she a Sooyeon-unnie to Taeyeon? Was she really just former president Jung Sooyeon to Taeyeon? Nothing more? Was their friendship, relationship, whatever label it was, even special in any way?
 

“Sooyeon-unnie?” She mumbled as she looked at the figure, walking towards the exit.