Chapter Two: Tour Of Italy

“Jessica, shouldn’t you visit us from time to time?” Jessica listened to her mother scold her. “It’s been a week since you visited your parents.” 

“Mom, do you hear yourself? It’s a week. It’s not like I didn’t visit you guys for years.” Jessica sighed, and gave emphasis on her words. “You act like I didn’t visit you for years.”

“But I miss my baby girl.”

Jessica looked down, hiding her blush as if people actually heard her mother’s embarrassing words. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t heard her mom call her that before. It was just natural instinct to hide whenever her mom said something of inconvenience. Well, she wasn’t exactly a baby anymore.

None of the customers paid attention to her as she looked down, hiding due to embarrassment. She knew that Tiffany would kill her if she saw Jessica in the restaurant, but she didn’t really care. Jessica was too lazy to even cook for herself after the afternoon ride she had. All she wanted to do was sit and enjoy a meal that’s cooked by someone else. 

“Honey, you should visit me soon, okay?”

Jessica shut her eyes, and then nodded. It was as if her mother could see her. “Sure. I will.”

“Okay, my case will start soon. Bye. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Sighing, Jessica was looking around the restaurant. Was she right to take the vacation? The restaurant was really packed with people and there was no actual vacancy. Should she just go in the kitchen and help them out?

“Hello Taeyeon,” Jessica’s attention was averted from her inner thoughts as she heard the name of her regular customer. The host greeted the regular as she walked in the restaurant. “Actually, we’re full right now so do you mind waiting for about twenty minutes?”

Jessica looked to the main entrance of the restaurant and witness Taeyeon, who had her long hair tied in a pony tail; her long hair was somewhat wavy and her bands were pulled up. The kid sighed and looked at her watch. She was wearing her usual outfit; her school uniform. “Really packed, huh? I‘m really hungry and in a rush, too.”

The host gave an apologetic smile and said, “I’m sorry. I‘ll try my best to squeeze you in.”

Jessica got up of her chair and walked towards the host, “You can actually give my table to her. Just cancel my order.”

“Are you sure? But didn’t you just order?” The host asked her boss.

The blonde nodded, “But it’s fine. She can have my seat.”

Taeyeon shook her head, “Oh, no. I’ll just wait. I don’t want to get your seat.”

“But aren’t you in a rush?” Jessica’s brows furrowed.

Taeyeon looked at her watch, “Well, maybe I’ll just grab fast food. Thanks for the of---”

“No. Fast food isn’t healthy. You should just eat here and take the seat.”  Taeyeon realized it was true. It had been more than months since she last had fast food. It was just too greasy and she didn’t like that. Jessica then broke Taeyeon’s inner babbles and said, “I insist.”

Feeling guilty for taking someone seat, Taeyeon then offered, “But you have to sit with me.”

“You can tak----”

“If you don’t sit with me, then I won’t take your table. I don’t want to waste your time.”

Jessica nodded. She didn’t really intend to use this gesture to be on Taeyeon’s good books. She just really did it out of refinement. 


They were both led to the table where Jessica was, and by coincidence, it was the same spot where Taeyeon always sat. 

“Are you frequent here?” Taeyeon asked to ease down the silence that was filling in between them.

“Ugh… you can say that.”

Taeyeon smiled, “So you like their food, too?” 

Noticing that Taeyeon was excited, Jessica smiled back and said, “I eat here on a daily basis.”

“You too?!” Taeyeon exclaimed in happiness, “I come here everyday and get the same thing.”

Jessica nodded. She then eyed the waitress, who was serving them their plates. There was this certain smirk on the waitress’ face, and so, Jessica gave her a look. A look that said, ‘don’t let Tiffany know about this or you’ll die.’ She was defying her best friend’s wishes by being here.

She kept telling herself that she didn’t care if Tiffany ever found out that she was there, but in all truths, she was more than nervous to hear her friend nag. Well, maybe nervous wasn’t the right term. She was simply not looking forward to Tiffany’s future nags, and more nags. The girl could actually be loud. Despite her angelic features, it seemed like Tiffany was Satan’s child. No one would want to see hell-Fany break loose, especially not Yuri. Maybe that was the reason Yuri was the ‘Yes, baby’ type of girlfriend. Never did Jessica hear Yuri complain or argue with Tiffany, and Jessica concluded it was because of Tiffany’s scary demeanor.

Taeyeon took a bite of her pasta. “Are you in college?” 

Jessica shook her head, “I just got my bachelor’s in science degree months ago.”

“You’re twenty-two? Twenty-three?” The midget tried guessing.

“Turning twenty-two.”

Taeyeon’s mouth hangs open, “You don’t look that old.”

Jessica chuckled and began eating her food. “How about you? What year are you?” She asked as she finished chewing her food. She pointed at Taeyeon’s uniform; it was from the International School just a couple of blocks away from the restaurant, and it was also the same school that Jessica attended during her Middle School and High School year.

Of course, it wasn’t as if she was stalking Taeyeon. It just so happened that Jessica knew the location of the school for it was her Alma Matter. Well, not only that but it was also because that school was very famous for being exclusive. 

“I’m a Senior.” Taeyeon shyly admitted. 

Jessica thought to herself, so she is in a Senior.

“I know I don’t look like it but I can prove it to you!”

Flashing her smile, Jessica said, “I believe you.”

“Oh…” Taeyeon began and then continued, “You just had that certain look. I thought you didn’t believe me.”

“Nah. I believe you. Some people just look really young.”

“And I’m part of that population.” Taeyeon joked.

Jessica laughed, “It’s not a bad thing.”

“It is when people at school always tease me that the Middle school department is in another building.” She finished with a sigh.

“Well, you’re in High School and you know that. It doesn’t matter what people think.”

“True. But if I truly want to be a lawyer, then I can’t be looking like a kid my whole life.”

“I don’t think you look like a kid.” Jessica encouraged. “You look like a teenager to me.”

“Hey! I’m already eighteen! I’m an adult.” Taeyeon pouted.

“Eighteen. Noticed there’s still the teen there?” Jessica joked.

“Meanie.”

The blonde couldn’t help but laugh, but she somehow felt bad that she was laughing at the midget. “So, you want to be a lawyer?”

“Yeah.”

“My family wanted me to take up law, too.” Jessica remembered those times when her dad argued with her saying she wouldn’t have a good future in culinary, and that she should just stick to what their family did - law firm. Jung and Associates was one of the best law firms in that could represent anyone from divorce to corporate case to criminal cases. Name it, and the firm could represent it. If she was to become a lawyer, she would already have people working under her since their company was not just based in their city, but throughout South Korea.

“Oh? Did you take it? Was it hard?” Taeyeon was curious.

“Well, I took accounting for a semester. CPA law is really interesting. But I can’t really bring myself to like it. No passion whatsoever.” Jessica explained the truth. She really did try to please her family, but she didn’t like what she was studying. Culinary was something that she truly wanted and so she pursued it. “But if you have interest in Law, then you should. It’s really just not for me. It was actually a good thing that I still got my credits for those classes I took.”

Taeyeon nodded. “Cool. I really do want to be a lawyer.” She then took a sip of her soda. “Hey, I’ve been talking to you the whole time but I still don’t know your name. My name’s Taeyeon by the way.” She said with a smile.

It’s not like Jessica didn’t know who she was, but she didn’t want Taeyeon to know so she said, “Nice to meet you. My name’s Jessica.”

“Pleasure’s all mine.”


Jessica was almost done with her plate when she eyed Taeyeon’s food. It was barely touched. “Taeyeon, I thought you’re hungry?”

Taeyeon followed Jessica’s gaze, “I’m full now.”

Jessica frowned. She was a chef after all, and she knew that Taeyeon was lying. “You didn’t like it.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

“It’s delicious. Don’t get me wrong.”

“But?”

Taeyeon bit her lower lip, and then confessed. “It just tastes different just like yesterday.”

“You can tell?” Jessica didn’t know if she should feel pleased or disappointed.

“It’s just that…” Taeyeon started and then looked at her food. “I really liked the pasta I ate three months ago and I still like it now… but somehow, it’s different today.”

“Maybe someone else cooked it.” Jessica said.

Taeyeon frowned, “Maybe.”

“So you’re disappointed?”

Taeyeon shook her head, “No. It’s still worth the money I spend on it. You have to agree that the food here isn’t really cheap.” Jessica nodded. Of course she knew the food in her own restaurant weren’t cheap. Their supplies came from around the globe, and it had always been prime brands. “It’s just that it’s really hard because I’ve been eating the same thing for months and---”

“And your taste buds are familiar with the food.” Jessica concluded. She could understand that her cooking and Tiffany’s cooking may be similar in some ways, but of course, it was still somehow different in others.

Just then, Jessica heard Tiffany’s voice, “My favorite regular.” She gave emphasis on her R. Jessica looked the other way, hiding from Tiffany. Jessica knew Tiffany often talked to their regular customers for public relations purposes, so it was no surprise that Tiffany was there. “Oh, you didn’t finish your food?”

Taeyeon gave a shy smile and said, “I’m full.”

“Do you want a to-go box at least? You barely touched---Jessica?!”

Oh crap! I got caught!

“How many times do I have to tell you that you can’t be here?!” Tiffany scolded. 

Taeyeon simply looked at the two, back and forth, and she couldn’t follow through. It felt like she was stuck in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel.  

“I just came here to eat. Nothing’s wrong with that.” Jessica finally faced Tiffany with a nervous smile on.

Tiffany glared at her best friend, “You can always cook at home.”

“Tiffany, you have a customer here. We’ll talk when we reach the condominium.” This blonde really knew how to play with Tiffany.

Tiffany looked at Taeyeon who was now feeling very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Taeyeon. It’s just that this blonde here never listens. I hope she wasn’t disturbing you.”

Taeyeon hurriedly shook her head, “Oh, no. No. Your girlfriend was really nice to---”

“Girlfriend?!” Jessica and Tiffany both exclaimed. “We’re not together. Eeew!” They both said on the same time, shivers ran through their spines.

Taeyeon giggled, “I see. You guys must be really good friends then.”

Tiffany nodded, “Well, yes. We’ve been friends since we could remember.” she finished with a smile. “We’re actually very similar, yet not so similar.”

“Oh? That’s really interesting to know. I mean, childhood friends still in contact… that’s awesome.” Taeyeon then looked at Jessica and said, “So you came to visit your friend?”

“No. I was just too lazy to cook at home and I live really close by.” Which was of course, in all accounts, true. She was lazy to cook and clean up, and it was also true that she was around the area… on her way home, which was only a couple of blocks down.

Tiffany scoffed, “And you cook for a living?”

“You’re a cook?”

Tiffany then looked at the midget and said, “Well, no. Cooks are different from Chefs. Jessica’s the head chef here and my co-owner. We’re both professionals.” She finished, flashing her eye smile.

“What?!” Taeyeon exclaimed in disbelief. 

Jessica smiled, “Yes. I---”

“So… you’re the one that cooks my food?” Taeyeon cuts Jessica off. 

Tayeon’s gaze held Jessica’s for a second, but the blonde quickly looked away. “Yes.” 

“Really!?”

Tiffany couldn’t help but giggle and then said, “I’ll leave you two here.” 

“No wonder the pasta tasted different.”

Jessica then looked at the wasted food on the table. She knew Taeyeon would no longer eat it. “Are you free tomorrow?” Jessica noticed the sudden change in Taeyeon’s expression. The kid… the young lady seemed uncomfortable with what Jessica said. Of course. Who would feel comfortable setting up another meeting with  a stranger? They might have exchanged their names, but they were still strangers. “Oh, no, no. I just want to give you a refund. You know?” Jessica was in a panic.

“Huh?” Taeyeon was taken aback by Jessica’s sudden confusing words.

Jessica shook her head a little to clear her thoughts. “I just want to cook the usual for you. I think it’s a waste that you didn’t eat anything. I’d offer to go to the kitchen now, but I know you’re in a rush.” and Tiffany would kill me.

Taeyeon nodded and grabbed her bag on the other chair. “I am. I have another schedule soon.”

Didn’t she want for Jessica to cook for her? Why didn’t she answer?

Jessica then asked, “So I’ll see you tomorrow?” 

Taeyeon grabbed her wallet from her handbag, grabbing her money. She flashed a smile as she placed the money on the table.

Jessica smirked; amused that the kid was living by her schedule. 

“So I’ll see you?” The kid stood up from her seat without uttering a word but simply smiled at the blonde, she then headed towards the door. “Well, I’ll be here. The same time.” Jessica said, loud enough for Taeyeon to hear.

Jessica sighed and looked at the wasted pasta on the table. “So she hasn’t eaten the pasta for two days?” she mumbled to herself as she gathered her stuff after leaving her payment on the table. She might own the place, but business was business. Regardless, she’d still have to pay for the food she ate.

I guess I’ll hear hell-Fany tomorrow.