It had been a few minutes since the celebrity couple had excused themselves and things seemed to have gotten back to normal for the family that was settled at the poolside. Jessica had tried to avoid communicating with her parents by talking to her cousin. Taeyeon, on the other hand, was being bombarded by questions from both his parents and his soon to be in-laws.

“So, Taeyeon…I’ve heard a lot about you from the media…How does it feel like to become a Hallyu star?” Mrs. Jung asked as if she was a host of a certain TV show. Taeyeon shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he tried to answer the question being thrown to him. 

“Uhm…Mrs. Jung –“

“Call me umma, from now on…” 

“Uh…Umma…Well…Being a Hallyu star…wasn’t really easy for me…I mean…I had to keep myself in shape…I had to attend vocal lessons right after school and I had dance routines too…It was pretty tiring…” Taeyeon managed to muster an answer as he tried to avoid the prying eyes of the four adults who gave their attention to him. Jessica and Tiffany stole a few glances of him as they went about their own conversation. 

“Oh my…You are such a hardworking young man…and your father said earlier that you had just finished your post-graduate degree in Japan…So, you must be as good as our Jessica in business…” 

Taeyeon gave his future mother-in-law a sheepish grin. “Umma…I’m not really that good in business…I think Jaejoong-hyung is much better than I am at handling our family’s business….”

“Ah…yes…But his with our daughter is quite huge…I think you and Jessica are the perfect pair… Omo, I’m getting excited for you two to live together!” 

“Uhh…” Taeyeon seemed to be in a daze when he heard Mrs. Jung’s statement. 

“I want a grandchild, Taeng…Someone who will be as handsome as you or as beautiful as Jessica…” Mr. Kim added, amused at his son’s priceless reaction. 

Mr. Kim’s statement didn’t fail to reach Jessica’s ears which caused her to blush in embarrassment. Taeyeon saw her from the corner of his eyes making him turn to see her head hanging low. 

“Uh…Excuse me for a moment…” Jessica muttered as she abruptly stood up and headed into the house. Tiffany muttered a quick excuse before following her flustered cousin. Everyone stared at the two retreating figures for a moment before turning to face the only young adult left at the table. 

“Oh, those two haven’t changed a bit…Jessica and Tiffany are like sisters. They’re literally inseparable.” Mrs. Jung explained to the Kims. The older adults proceeded to bombard Taeyeon with more questions after Mrs. Jung’s remark on the two cousins. 
 

***

“Jessi…Are you all right?” Tiffany asked as she entered Jessica’s bedroom. The girl with the natural eye smile found the older girl slumped in her bed. She quietly approached her as she sat on the bed when Jessica took her hand and motioned for the younger girl to join her. Tiffany complied as she laid down on the bed and snuggled up towards the blonde. 

“This is all too sudden for me, Tiff…I don’t know what to do…” Jessica’s muffled voice said. The blonde’s face was buried on her pillow. 

“Aww…Jessi…I will be here for you…I’ll always stay by your side…” Tiffany mused as she pulled the blonde in her embrace. Jessica shifted to face her cousin as they laid comfortably and stared at each other for awhile. 

Tiffany brushed aside the hair that partially covered the blonde’s face and gave her cousin an eye smile. “Fany-ah…What would I do without you? I love you like my very own sister…” Jessica muttered as she rested her head on Tiffany’s sho