Author’s POV:

 

“Should I go and visit?” Jessica yawned, adjusting her head on her pillow.

 

Kris’ eyes widened and he sat up attentively. “Really?” he suddenly had high hopes.

 

Jessica giggled and pulled the duvet higher up towards her chin. “I was just kidding. I have work. It would be nice though, wouldn’t it?” she blinked at him with tender eyes.

 

Kris’ shoulders deflated as he sank back into his seat. “You had my hopes up, babe.” He scrunched his lips.

 

The couple was still video chatting with each other. It was early morning. Around 5:45am. The two were unable to sleep without each other after many years of sleeping on the same bed together. It became a habit, a surely bad one, as the two would be sleep deprived without each other’s presence. Although, the married couple didn’t seem to mind because that only reminded the both of them about their strong bond with each other.

 

Both Kris and Jessica had not gotten a wink of sleep ever since Kris had left for Japan. It was the first night that they were not together and obviously the two had no choice but to stay up. It’s been several hours since they first video chatted at midnight. The two basically saw the sun rise.

 

With Jessica huddled on their bed at home, she had lied down and placed her laptop on the adjacent pillow. Seeing his wife snuggled into the duvet made Kris want to crawl right in and cuddle with her instead of being in a small computer room where he had to sit on a black leather chair.

 

“Shouldn’t you be preparing for a meeting, Mr. Wu?” Jessica noticed the time and questioned her husband who had a set schedule each day in Osaka. “I don’t want you to be late for your morning meeting.” She had memorized Kris’ daily schedules before he left.

 

“I can spare ten more minutes.” Kris stretched in his seat. “Oh right, I saw Tao earlier. Where’s the bratty panda now?”

 

Jessica scrunched up her nose. “Don’t harass your dongsaeng. That ‘bratty panda’ has been keeping your wife company and making her feel better ever since you left.”

 

Kris’ facial expressions loosened after hearing how Tao had to comfort his wife. Kris felt at fault for making Jessica feel so sad. He couldn’t have felt any more remorseful because he knew he didn’t fulfill his vows towards Jessica. He wasn’t there to make her laugh when she cried and he sure wasn’t there to kiss away the pain Jessica had felt.

 

“Sorry.” He apologized for the third time since the call.

 

Jessica only gave him a forgiving grin. “I already forgave you, Kris. Stop apologizing.” She hugged onto her pillow cutely before sitting up on the bed.

 

Kris gave her an inquiring look, wondering what she is doing.

 

“Should I get Tao for you? He was actually pretty excited to see you earlier before.” Jessica lifted her laptop up.

 

Kris chuckled. “The panda told me he didn’t want to talk to me anymore. He’s probably still angry at me, even in his sleep.” He noted the time and figured Tao would still be sleeping.

 

“It wouldn’t hurt to at least see him once more.” Jessica slid off the bed with the laptop in her hands the whole time. “I’m sure he still wants to talk to you. Tao can’t hate you forever.” She gave him a knowing look.

 

Kris shrugged. “Sure, why not. It’d be nice to see the boy waking up looking like a mess.”

 

Jessica laughed and began walking out of the room. “I’m sure he’s still sleeping deeply.” She held the laptop closely as she shuffled her way down the hall.

 

Kris suddenly spoke up. “Babe, you’re not wearing a bra.”

 

His sudden comment made Jessica stop in her tracks and blush red. Lifting up her laptop, Jessica came face to face with Kris. Of course her husband would be trying to look through her shirt, even over a video call. Kris chuckled when he saw her reddened face.

 

“Go back and change. I’m not letting Tao see you like that.” Kris ordered and Jessica quickly obeyed. “I hope you didn’t dress like that in front of Tao.” He crooked his eyebrow up.

 

Jessica pouted her lips. “I only took it off after you called me.” She set the laptop down on the bed.

 

After getting used to living with Kris for years now, Jessica’s level of comfort changed drastically. Especially since she was more than comfortable with her husband, the level of clothing she wore around in the house has decreased. Of course, Kris was always there to remind her about her clothing, especially when people other than Kris were around.

 

Tottering towards her drawer with her back facing the laptop, Jessica pulled out her undergarment. Kris couldn’t help but watch closely when Jessica proceeded to change. Seeing her pull off her oversized shirt, Kris bit his lip. Jessica quickly changed and slipped herself back into her shirt again, all with her back facing Kris.

 

Once Jessica turned around to pick up her laptop, Kris only pouted. “You should’ve turned around.”

 

Jessica gaped at him with a glare. “ert.” She trailed her way back towards the door.

 

“Can’t help it if my wife is irresistable.” He chimed. “At least my love bites are still there.” Kris commented, noting her marked neck. “Now everyone will know you’re mine…along with what we do as well.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

 

With that being said, Jessica slapped her hand over her collarbone area. Kris only grinned smugly. Jessica rolled her eyes at his raging dirtiness. She definitely married a ert.

 

“I still have yours, babe.” Kris pulled the collar of his shirt down to show that Jessica’s mark was still there.

 

A little cute grin settled onto Jessica’s lips before she placed a light knock on Tao’s door. She heard no reply and opened the door quietly. Turning the laptop around, Jessica let Kris see what Tao looked like in his sleeping mess.

 

Walking up towards the panda, Jessica suppressed her giggles before reaching forward to poke Tao’s cheek several times. Tao only cringed and involuntarily wiped his face.

 

“Put the laptop next to his ear.” Kris whispered, instructing Jessica.

 

The deep sleeping panda didn’t even notice or hear anything at all. He didn’t suspect anything, being the poor defenseless victim at the moment. Jessica did as she was told and scooted the laptop next to Tao’s ear. Without further notice, Kris startled Tao with his loud voice.

 

“HEY! Wake up!” Kris suddenly shouted, making Tao’s ears ring.

 

Tao suffered from a panicky shock and immediately scrambled on the bed. The panda sat up on the bed with his eyes wide open, wondering what was going on. Once Tao’s eyes targeted Jessica, he blinked in confusion. Trailing his eyes away, Tao noticed Kris’ face on the laptop screen that was sitting on his bed.

 

Tao flinched, “What’s he doing here?!” he pointed a disgraceful finger at Kris.

 

“Good morning to you too, Tao.” Kris scoffed.

 

“Go away!” Tao screeched, still angry with Kris to even keep up a conversation. “I said I didn’t want to talk to you anymore!”

 

“Hey…” Kris’ voice softened.

 

Tao flipped the duvet over his head and plopped back down onto the bed. “You’re nothing to me!”

 

“That’s awfully nice to say to your hyung.” Kris’ exasperated.

 

“Who said you are my hyung? For all I can count, I only have ten true hyungs!” Tao corrected him with a nonchalant tone.

 

Kris crooked his head with defeated shoulders and a hard stare. “Ouch.”

 

“Tao,” Jessica carefully sat down on the bed to lift the covers off his body. “Don’t be so mean.”

 

Tao scurried his head out of the duvet with furrowed eyebrows. “Why? He’s an old man who cheated on you noona. He’s a liar.” He frowned.

 

“I misunderstood. Kris didn’t do anything wrong.” Jessica explained, making Tao’s face contort into a weird expression.

 

“Then why was he practically ?!” Tao pointed at Kris’ calm face on the laptop screen. “A-And that stupid girl!”

 

“At that time, I had just come out of the shower. I forgot my clothes.” Kris reasoned with precision. “Jihae was on my laptop out of curiosity. Apparently she wanted to buy a similar laptop brand.”

 

Tao’s meek look was all that he managed to showed. “Oh.” His voice was small. “Hehe…sorry, hyung.” He pettily scratched the back of his head.

 

Kris leaned forward, narrowing his eyes on the now not-so-confident panda. “Yeah…now what did you just call me around two minutes ago?” he snarled, not liking the fact that he’s being called old.

 

 

---

 

 

 

A couple days flew by. Things were normal and going well. Jessica and Kris would have their daily talks and conversations over video calls till the morning. Tao and Kris have reverted back to their hyung and dongsaeng statuses. Their lives seemed to be regular.

 

Jessica had a day off and had gone with Tao to his job today. After his boss’ consent, Tao was allowed to let Jessica hang out at the café as long as he was working today. The café was not crowded and it seemed cozy and nice with the few quiet people.

 

Kicking her feet, Jessica was seated on the countertop. Watching Tao seriously making a cup of coffee, Jessica somehow had the same constant thought that she had been having for the past couple of days. Fiddling with the coffee machine beside her, Jessica sighed.

 

“Noona, what should I make for this coffee?” Tao looked up and let her decide on the cream decoration that was to go on top of a certain customer’s drink.

 

“Mm…a heart.” Jessica mindlessly named off a design she would frequently see in a cup of coffee.

 

Tao proceeded to decorate the cup of coffee in front of him. “What’s on your mind, noona? You look like you’ve been thinking for a while.”

 

Jessica leaned her head on the bulky coffee maker she was sitting next to, looking at her dongsaeng with a contemplative face. “Tao, should I go visit Kris in Osaka?”

 

Tao nearly made a mistake on his design at the sudden inquisition. “What?” he sputtered back, halting any movement he was making.

 

“I’ve been thinking about going to Japan to visit Kris.” Jessica spoke clearly. “I just don’t know if I should.” She fiddled with her fingers.

 

Tao sighed, “You miss hyung a lot, don’t you?” he gave her a solemn look, knowing how down she must be feeling.

 

Jessica nodded her head dejectedly. “Kris seems to like the idea of me going though, even if I keep joking about it. Maybe if I go, I can actually get some sleep.” Her fingers consciously felt the spot where her dark circles were concealed with makeup.

 

“Well, I think hyung would definitely be happy if you went. I’m sure he misses you too.” Tao agreed, continuing to manage the coffee in front of him again.

 

“Right?” Jessica perked up. “But then I worry about being in the way. I don’t want Kris to be distracted by me during the whole business trip.”

 

Tao finished his cup of coffee and quickly set it on a tray that had other orders as well. Quickly hoisting the tray up, Tao swiftly walked out from behind the coffee bar counter. Once he had presented certain customers with their orders at several tables, Tao came back to the coffee bar and continued the conversation with Jessica.

 

“Noona can help with the job.” Tao suggested, as he delicately placed a muffin on a small sized plate. “If hyung is busy, you can help him be his secretary or little helper. Plus, you’re actually the only person who can persuade hyung to do anything within a couple seconds. I doubt he’s going to be late for anything if you’re there to keep him on track.” He shrugged before going off to deliver the muffin to a customer.

 

Jessica was left there to think. Did she really want see Kris? Yes. Did she miss Kris? Yes. The idea of getting to actually have physical contact with her husband seemed the most persuasive and appealing. She missed his daily kisses and hugs. So what’s stopping her?

 

“Have you reached a decision yet?” Tao asked, walking back into the coffee bar.

 

Jessica only shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know…I just have this feeling that I might regret going.”

 

“What’s there to regret?” Tao questioned, not seeing anything bad that could happen with her visit. “You’ll be with hyung and hyung will be with you. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

 

“Yeah, but…” Jessica sighed and her shoulders sagged. What is there to be regretful for? She thought.

 

Tao popped a piece of cupcake into his mouth. “You don’t have to reach a decision now. There’s still ten days until hyung gets back.”

 

“Ten days too long…” Jessica murmured under her breath.

 

“You still have time to think about it, noona.” Tao smiled with encouragement. “You want some of this cupcake? It’s really good!” he changed the topic and gestured the cupcake in his hands towards her.

 

Jessica broke out in a grin. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be eating the cupcake that’s for sale. That’s going to come out of your paycheck, Tao.”

 

A frown drooped on Tao’s once happy face. “Oh, right…” a flash of realization hit him.

 

Just then, Tao’s manager came out from the back room. Tao stiffened up. Jessica looked at the manager and then back at Tao, a little snicker coming out of her smiling mouth.

 

“Tao…did you eat another cupcake?” Tao’s manager didn’t look too impressed, but more like he was exasperated.

 

 

---

 

 

That night, Jessica was busy looking online for airfare tickets and traveling agencies. Researching, Jessica became even more persuaded to actually go to Japan. The flight time was short and painless and from the looks of it, Osaka looks beautiful.

 

But the question still remains: Should she go?

 

Jessica didn’t know why she was having second doubts. Maybe it was because she’d be asking for vacation time off of work? Or was it because she’d be leaving Tao all lonely?

 

But she hasn’t taken a vacation off work this whole year and Tao seemed perfectly fine with having her go to Japan as well. Jessica didn’t see anything wrong with going. She just didn’t know why she felt some kind of barrier that seems to keep her from going.

 

Jessica flipped herself to lie on her back. Is it because of Jihae? Deep down, was she scared of facing Jihae? Jessica shook her head. She shouldn’t fear Jihae. If anything, Jihae should be scared of her. Thinking about it, did Jessica fear competition with Jihae? Jessica groaned, not wanting to even think about Kris’ temporary secretary.

 

Deciding to put face, Jessica knew perfectly that Kris was hers and vice versa. Even Kris is aware. Why should Jessica feel inferior to Jihae? She’s better than Jihae. If Kris is standing by Jessica’s side, Jessica shouldn’t have a problem facing Jihae. In Jessica’s perspective, she already won and Jihae won’t even have a chance. Jessica has Kris and there’s no way Kris would budge to any of Jihae’s tactics.

 

Jessica unconsciously nodded her head in finality. She had just settled her mental battle, but she still had to make a final decision to either go to Japan or not.

 

Just in time, her laptop produced a familiar ringing sound. Rolling over onto her stomach, she immediately grinned when she saw that Kris was video calling her. Straightening up, Jessica accepted the call excitedly.

 

Kris’ face appeared on Jessica’s screen. Giving him a lovely smile, Jessica couldn’t help but brighten up by just seeing Kris. With her simple grin, Kris forgot all about his tiredness and fatigue. Reciprocating her smile, Kris ecstatically gave her his signature flawless smile.

 

“Hi there, my beautiful wife.” He stared right at her with his genuine sparkling orbs.

 

“Hello to you too, my handsome husband.” Jessica’s smile seemed permanent.

 

Right then on the spot, Jessica decided that she would go to Japan. 

 

 

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{Author's Note}: Oho~ Please leave your lovely comments below!^^
I'm still in the process of working on the poster for this fic...it's actually done, but I feel like it's not good enough. 

Thank you beautiful readers for upvoting! ^^
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