Kim’s Residence,

Taeyeon’s POV

I stood there in shock, unable to move. It wasn’t the slap itself that affected me but the meaning behind it. I’ve always put a solid wall between my parents and me, and I’ve always tried my best to not be affected by their words, their actions…by everything that concerned them. And up until now, I was quite successful.

I tried hard to distance myself from my emotions and while I wanted to scream at him, I remained like a stone. I didn’t even notice my mother standing next to me and asking me if I was fine.

“Why did you hit our daughter?” my mom scolded him while checking my pink cheek.

He was going to say something when I spoke first. “You have been waiting to do this right?” I finally looked at my father again, my eyes full of anger. “Are you satisfied now? Does it make you feel better?” I said bitterly.

“That’s enough you two” my mother scolded before my father could confront me again. “Taeyeon, you should go back to your room” she told me.

“I don’t feel like it” I said before heading toward the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” my father spoke up. “With all the reporters looking after you, do you think you can walk around freely?”

“I know what I’m doing” I answered back.

“I can see that. You’re destroying my company” he stated coldly.

“Taeyeon please” my mother begged.

I hate the fact that I can’t completely get away from them, I hate that little voice inside my head that tells me to listen to them because after all, they’re my parents.

My mother looked at me before forcing my father to walk away from the lobby. Once they were out of my sight, I let myself breath normally. Even though I wanted to get out of here, something was telling me to just obey.

Kwon’s Residence,

Yuri’s POV

I didn’t know what happened between Taeng and her parents after I left, but I bet it didn’t go well. I’ve never seen her father so cold looking before and it was the first time that he acted so distant with me. It was obvious that the scandal got the better out of him.

I went back home and told my parents about what happened at Taeng’s house.

“So they are back” my father said.

“And her father didn’t look happy…”

“There is nothing we can do honey. I’m sure her mother will make sure things don’t get out of hand” my mother reassured me.

It’s not that I didn’t believe her, but I knew better. No matter how strong she looks, Taeyeon is still weak when she is confronted by her father. She is only a little girl and although she doesn’t admit it, only her parents can really hurt her feelings.

“Is Jessica still with Tiffany?” I asked my parents.

“I think so. Maybe you should go see them and while you’re at it, ask them if they need anything. The girls haven’t eaten anything yet” she told me.

“I’ll bring them something now” I said before going in the kitchen.

Before knocking on the door, I wondered whether I should tell Tiffany about Taeyeon’s parents. I didn’t want her to be even more worried than she probably was.

“Can I come in?” I asked through the door.

As soon as I spoke, Jessica answered me. “Yes, come in”

Jessica and Tiffany were sitting on the couch. I noticed she was looking better than earlier, it seemed like Jessica was able to ease her a bit.

“I brought you some food” I said before putting the plate on the desk.

“Did you go see Taeyeon?” Tiffany immediately asked me.

No matter what happen between these two, they will always care for each other.

I hesitated before answering her. “Yes I did…”

Fany stared at me, expecting me to say more. After another hesitation, I told her. “Her parents are back”

She looked shock. Obviously, it wasn’t good news.

“Is she ok?” Tiffany looked concerned.

“I don’t know…like usual when her parents are back...What about you?” I asked her.

“I’m fine…it was just a little fight” she reassured me, but I knew it was more than that.

“Does it change something that her parents are back?” asked Jessica.

“It is just more pressure for Taeyeon” I said.

“Maybe I should go see her…” Tiffany said, more to herself. .

“I’m sure she will be happy to see you” I told her, thinking about how cold it was between Taeyeon and her father before I left.

“I’ll go now then” Fany stood up and walked to the door, like a robot.

“You can wait tomorrow morning Fany” Sica said, her face a bit worried.

“No, her parents are back and I know how she feels whenever they’re around” Fany explained, standing by the doorway.

She smiled at us, hiding her worries and trying to reassure us. Jessica and I shared a concern look while Tiffany disappeared in the hallway.

Kim’s Residence,

Tiffany’s POV

Though we had a huge fight earlier, I couldn’t help but go see her. I know that Taeyeon never feels well after meeting with her parents, and with everything that have happened I was afraid things went really bad.

When I went back to the house, I was welcomed by the maid. No doubts, her parents were back.

“Is Taeyeon still at home?” I asked her.

“Miss. Taeyeon is in her room” she indicated.

“Where are aunty and uncle?” I asked again.

“Mr. Kim is in his office and Mrs. Kim in the living room” she answered politely.

I hesitated a bit before walking to the living room. I could wait until tomorrow to greet her dad since he was in his office, but it would be rude if I don’t greet her mother before going see Taeyeon.

I found her in the living room like the maid said. She was sitting on the couch and going through a photo album. She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice my presence.

“Evening aunty” I greeted her.

“Oh Tiffany” she lain the album on the table and stood up to hug me. “How are you?”

“I had better days…” I admitted, looking at her.

Her smile dropped a bit and I knew something happened.

“Are you okay aunty?” I dared to ask her.

She smiled sadly before picking up the photo album. She went through the pages again as she spoke to me. “She was such an adorable child” she said, looking at a picture of a small Taeng.

“She was 3 years old here” she pointed at the picture. “So cute and bright”

I couldn’t help but smile. Taeyeon was really adorable. “She really looked happy” I stated.

“She probably was...unfortunately, through the years, this beautiful smile disappeared…” she continued, flipping page after page, I noticed that Taeyeon has stopped smiling.

“By 7 years old, she simply stopped looking at the camera” she stated sadly, staring at a picture of Taeyeon in what seemed like their garden. Taeyeon was standing on the grass, looking afar, like she was already lost in her own world.

I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t know how to comfort her and make things better because, I knew nothing about their family stories. I heard some stories about Taeyeon’s childhood, but not enough. So I simply let her expressed herself.

“This is our fault…” she started. “We knew, I knew Taeyeon had anger problems since the first time she responded to her father and her first fight in school, but we did nothing to prevent that from getting worse”

“You couldn’t know…”

“I should. I’m her mother but I was stupid. I thought that ignoring her problems and not scolding her would make me feel less guilty for being busy and not paying enough attention to her”

“I can’t believe that uncle let it go though” I wondered. While I can believe that her mother never scolded her, it was harder to believe that her father was the same.

“We both spoiled her because we were guilty, because we didn’t know how to deal with her and because it was easier to spoil her with presents than cancel some schedule to spend time with her…”

“You didn’t fail” I stated with conviction. “Taeyeon is a good person. She is a successful and mature girl, no matter what she has done”

I remembered the first time I met Taeyeon. It was on our freshmen year. I saw her from afar and she gave me the impression of being a strong and independent girl, which she is. Of course, later on, I learned about her reputation and even saw her in action which kind of changed my opinion of her…in a bad way.

But today, I’m in love with her and I know that there is nothing bad in Kim Taeyeon. All she needed was to be understood.

Auntie’s voice brought me back to reality. “She might go to jail Tiffany and for the first time, I feel that all the money in this world cannot change that fact” her mother said.

I looked at her, unable to say a word of comfort. How was I supposed to comfort her when I, myself was scared to death? I’m afraid of tomorrow. I’m afraid of what is going to happen, I’m afraid of losing her. All I could do was to be there…let Taeyeon know, her family know that I was there.

Auntie flipped through the pages again, reminiscing the past as she looked at the old pictures. I felt sorry for her, for them. When I think about my childhood, the time, the moments I spent with my parents, I cannot help but smile and feel energetic. I feel blessed. But when Taeyeon thinks about her childhood or her parents, I don’t see a smile, all I see is pain.

“You should go see Taeyeon. I think she needs you” her mother said as she squeezed my hand gently.

I looked at her a little confused, wondering if something bad really happened earlier but instead of asking more, I gave her an understanding smile before heading to Taeng’s room.

Yuri’s Room,

Yuri’s POV

“Do you think they will be ok?” Sica asked me after Fany left.

“Of course, it’s Taeyeon and Tiffany after all. They went through a lot already so I’m not worried”

“We also went through a lot, don’t you think?” she suddenly asked me.

“I feel like…it was harder for us. We broke up after all” I said.

It’s different. Our relationships are different. I feel like Jessica and I and Taeyeon and Tiffany, we all went through a lot, but in completely different ways. Both couple had their fare share of problems. While Sica and I struggled to get together, it seems like Fany and Taeng are struggling to stay together. Their relationship is being tested again and again.

I honestly feel like we all deserve a little break…we all deserve a pure moment of happiness.

“But we’re back together as well” she said with a smile before giving me a kiss.

It is about time that the storm passes…

“Yes, did I tell you how happy I was about that?” I asked, kissing her again.

“School is starting next week…” she suddenly said, a bit annoyed.

“And it doesn’t make you happy?”

“There are some people I’m not happy to see, that’s all” she pouted. I wanted to kiss her again.

“Who?”

“It doesn’t matter”

I leaned closer to Jessica. “Come on Princess, tell me who is making you angry” I stroke her hair gently.

“Well, whether I get angry or not will depend on you” she said.

“What?”

“I’m going to ask you something and I hope you give me an honest answer” she continued.

“Go on” I was prepared for the worst.

“Do you care about Park Gyuri?” she asked.

I was surprised to hear that name, I completely forgot about Gyuri since the last time I saw her.

“I feel bad about what happened with her, but I do not care about her” I said sincerely.

“I don’t want you to hang out with her”

“Jessica, she is not even my friend”

“You went on a date and kissed her…I prefer to think that she is your friend instead of a lover” she said coldly.

“Tell me Jessica, are you jealous?” I teased her.

“I’m not. I told you already, I don’t like her”

“I’m not going to hang out with her so you don’t have to worry”

“She really likes you Yuri and I’m sure she will try to get close to you again”

“Don’t worry, she will give up…eventually”

“I don’t think so…”

“Maybe we can help her give up on me” I leaned closer to her.

“Really? And how?” she asked, looking interested.

“Hmm…maybe if I kiss you whenever she is looking…”I suggested while staring at her lips.

“I knew you would say something like that” she smiled.

“And now I’m thinking…maybe we should practice a bit before Monday…” I said mischievously before leaning in and kissing her.

One of the things I love about Jessica is how easy she can switch her attention.

Kim’s Residence,

Tiffany’s POV

As I was approaching Taeyeon’s room, I heard a nice melody playing. I didn’t even have to guess, I knew it was classical music. The music was sad but I knew Taeyeon likes it. It makes her feel…peaceful.

I don’t know why but I didn’t knock on the door, I simply opened it. The room was dark and I could feel a cold breeze inside. Taeyeon let the windows wide opened. I didn’t even realize that it was raining outside. Slowly, I walked to Taeyeon’s bed and climbed on it. Though it was dark, I knew exactly where she was lying.

“Aren’t you cold?” I asked in the dark, sure that she was still awake.

After a couple of seconds, she responded. “No…I don’t even feel the cold…” her voice was tired.

Hesitantly, I searched for her hand. I let out a sigh of relief as I took her hand and she didn’t reject me.

“Your hand is cold” I pointed out.

Taeyeon stayed quiet for awhile before speaking again. “I’m sorry Tiffany. I’m sorry for what I said”

I wasn’t expecting an apology. Must admit, Taeyeon has changed…for the better. “Actually, I was wrong as well. I overreacted and I’m sorry” I apologized as well.

“I know you did it for me Tiffany…and that’s the reason why I was so angry. I don’t want you to do anything that can hurt yourself because of me” she explained.

“You know…I didn’t mean it…when I said…”I was talking about my last words to her before I left the house.

“I know” she quickly answered before squeezing my hand.

Though we made up again, I felt like something was still wrong. Taeyeon wasn’t all depressed because of what happened between us. There was something else.

“Your parents are back” I said slowly, expecting her to react when I mentioned her parents.

“I knew they were coming back”

“Did something happen?”

“It doesn’t matter”

“Do you think we will ever be able to talk to each other without hiding anything?” I asked a little irritated.

“It’s nothing Tiffany, not worth mentioning”

“For you. Not worth it for you” I stated. “Taeyeon, I care about you, every little detail or story is worth it for me” I told her.

Taeyeon remained quiet for a while and I thought she was going to ignore the conversation.

But she didn’t. “He didn’t even try to understand…he didn’t even ask for my side of the story”

“You father?”

“I’m guilty even when I’m not doing anything…” she let out a sarcastic laugh.

“I’m sure he feels guilty too” I said, remembering her mother’s words.

“Yeah he probably does. Guilty because I’m ruining the company and since he gave me all those responsibilities, it is his fault too”

“I don’t think it is like that Taeyeon…”

“Believe me Tiffany, nothing is more important that business. I know you want to believe he is a good father who can’t express his feelings to his daughter, but he isn’t. Never was, never will be” she said coldly.

“I refuse to believe that Taeyeon. I don’t know what happened in your childhood and I don’t know what your father thinks, but I want to believe that for every of his actions, there is a good reason, a good explanation.”

“Whatever…it doesn’t change the fact that he came back just to dig me a deeper hole”

“Did he say something about the scandal?”

“Not yet. He will probably summon me tomorrow morning”

“Can you promise me that it will go well?” I asked her, expecting a miracle.

“I can try” she said sincerely.

“Are you sure you are not cold Taengoo?” I asked her again.

Taeyeon released my hand and got off the bed. “I’m freezing” she laughed while closing the windows.

I sighed before getting under the blanket. Taeyeon joined me immediately.

“You didn’t take a shower, dirty Fany” she teased me.

“I’m lazy and the room is too cold” I found an excuse.

There was a sudden change of mood from Taeng but I didn’t point it out. She didn’t want to talk about her father and I could understand. I thought about the little conversation I had with auntie earlier and even though I wanted to tell her about it, I knew it wasn’t the right time.

Slowly, Taeng hugged me against her body and stroke my hair gently. “Everything will be okay Tiffany. Soon, it will be like before” she whispered in my ear. “I promise you”

I fell asleep right away.

I realize that when I am in Taeyeon’s arms, nothing else matter. Whether it is for an hour or a whole night, I can forget everything and just enjoy the moment.

Yuri’s Room,

Jessica’s POV

This morning, I woke up a little bit earlier because of Yuri’s phone. Yuri also woke up but since her phone was on the other side of the bed, she told me to answer it. I was still sleepy and very angry that someone dared to wake me up before noon on a Sunday morning.

“Alo? Yuri’s phone” I answered angrily, ready to scold the person on the other side.

Though I was still very very sleepy, I immediately woke up when the caller spoke on the phone.

“Yuri? Yuri is that you?” she asked. Though we’re not friends, it was impossible for me to not recognize her voice. Park Gyuri, my worse enemy.

“She is sleeping and please stop bothering her” I said coldly before hanging up.

I wanted to throw away the phone but I didn’t. Instead, I kicked Yuri until she woke up.

“Aie Aie Aie...what are you doing Jessica?” she complained.

I hit her with the phone. “Your desperate lover called you” I said angrily before getting up.

“Huh?” she was still sleepy and I knew it wasn’t really her fault, but I was just too angry to remain calm.

I went into the bathroom and left Yuri alone. I don’t know how I will handle Gyuri at school, I haven’t seen her since last time on the street, when she was kissing Yuri. Of course, I know that Yuri is not going to leave me for her, but seeing them together, even in class will be hard for me. I can’t stop thinking about what happened between them, whether there were feelings involved or not.

When I came out of the bathroom, Yuri was sitting on the bed, confused.

“She called me Jessica, it’s not my fault” she protested.

“She is still running after you, so it means you’re still giving her hope” I blamed her for Gyuri’s craziness.

“I’m not. I know she looks creepy but she is just dreaming, not doing anything bad”

“Oh really? You really think she is all innocent?” Yuri trying to defend her was just irritating me.

“What did she do?”

“Turn on your computer” I told her.

Once the computer was on, I went on the internet and opened Gyuri’s webpage. Since the last time I went on it, there were new pictures.

“So do you still think she is just dreaming?” I told her.

Yuri’s eyes went big and she looked through the pictures with a dumb expression. I bet she didn’t know Gyuri loves to photoshop pictures of them together. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw these pictures for the first time.

But Yuri’s reaction was quite different from mine. “Wah she is good” she said with a smile, obviously teasing me.

I hit her on the arm. “Do you want to print them out and stick them all over your room?”

“Jessica…” she pulled me in for a hug.

“That girl is obsessed with you Yuri and one day, she might do something dangerous. Stop her before she goes completely crazy, will you?” I asked her.

I wonder if I’m the only one who thinks that Gyuri is a psycho. Everyone around me see her as some crazy, snobby girl without any bad intention. Isn’t it obvious that the girl is simply out of her mind?

“I’ll talk to her” Yuri assured me. I knew she wouldn’t do it though. She just wanted to calm me down and drop this topic.

“No, I don’t want you to talk to her” I immediately refused.

“Sica, how do you want me to make it clear with her if I can’t talk to her?” she complained.

I thought about how unreasonable I was and gave up. “Don’t let me catch you kiss her…because I won’t kill her, I will kill you” I threatened her.

Yuri acted scared for a second before putting on a huge smile. “Yes, sergeant SIC!” she said before running in the bathroom before I could hit her.

I really shouldn’t be afraid of Gyuri, she isn’t a threat. I’m not afraid of her, just annoyed…mostly because Yuri was a bit like that before we got together. I pushed her away a lot of time, I was cold, I was mean, but she never gave up. Yuri tried and tried until I softened up and gave her a chance.

A part of me might be afraid that Gyuri ends up being successful at getting a chance with Yuri.

Mr. Kim’s Office,

Taeyeon’s POV

I didn’t have time to enjoy Tiffany’s company this morning, as my father summoned me as soon as he woke up. I knew it was hard for him to wait a day before lecturing me. If my mother didn’t stop him yesterday, he would have probably scolded me in the lobby.

When I went into his office, he was sitting on his chair, drinking his morning coffee and reading the newspapers. I avoided his gaze as I sat down in front of him. Before speaking to me, he put down his coffee and gave me the newspapers he was reading.

Without a word, I read the headlines.

<<Japanese company ends contract with Kim Corporation after Kim Taeyeon’s scandal>>

“There is also some news about you going to jail, but I don’t need to remind you” he said, looking straight at me.

“If you want to give me the usual speeches then do it quick. I don’t want to waste my time with you before heading to jail” I made a cold joke.

He was getting angry now, I could feel it. “Since you’re too immature and useless in handling the situation, I took matter in hands” he started.

“Of course you did” I said sarcastically.

“You’re going to give a press conference tomorrow” he announced.

I couldn’t help but smiled. “And who told you I was going to do it?”

“I’m not asking you Taeyeon. This is an order”

“And what am I supposed to say?”

“We have already prepared something for you. All you have to do is read it” he continued, like it was perfectly normal for me to do something like that.

It is always like that. He is never in the country, leaving me with all the responsibilities and calling from time to time to congratulate me on the good work. But when something goes wrong, he immediately come back to scold me and order me around. How am I supposed to get along with my father when the only time I see him, is when he is telling me how much I have disappointed him?

“I don’t feel like reading it…give me a summary instead” I requested, knowing that will annoy him.

He looked at me coldly before speaking. “Basically, you are going to deny all implication in this affair”

Did I hear right? “Excuse me?”

“You will deny everything and I will take care of the rest” he said.

It was my turn to get angry. “Do you really want me to do that? Do you really think that it is the right decision?” I asked angrily.

“Do you want to go to jail? Do you want to see the company falls?” he asked me back.

“I don’t care about jail!” I raised my voice. “What kind of person am I if I continue to do this? Don’t you care about what kind of person I become?”

I had a small, very small hope that my father wouldn’t react the same way as the lawyers or other people from the company. After all, I was still his daughter. I’ve always though that the most important thing for parents, is that their child become an honest person.

My father told me a thousand times that I was too irresponsible, and now that I’m ready and willingly taking full responsibility for my actions, he tells me not to?

“I care about your future and all I know is that jail is not a good thing for your future” he said again, still so calm and confident.

I looked at him in disbelief. This conversation was just…wrong. “I was raised with practically no rules. It is perfectly normal for me to beat someone else to death without having to apology, and before today, I didn’t have a problem with that. I couldn’t care less about these people, but now, I feel responsible. I can’t do that.”

“I’m telling you again Taeyeon. You are going to deny everything while I personally take care of the rest. This is an order.”

I stood up angrily, hopeless. “Aren’t you ashamed?” I asked him.

“Why should I? It is my duty as a father, to protect my daughter” he explained.

“How beautiful…should I shed a tear?” I asked sarcastically.

“You will thank me later, when you understand” he concluded.

I looked away from him, frustrated as I stood up and walked to the door. “Be ready at 8, tomorrow morning” I heard him said while I got out of the room.

I was so…disappointed. I didn’t want much, just some words of encouragement. I didn’t ask for help, I just needed to know that my family was behind me, supporting me. But I shouldn’t have been surprised though, it was expected from my father. After all, the only way to solve problems in this family is with money or threat. Sometimes, both.

Once I was out of his office, I took out my cellphone and dialed a number.

“My office in 15 minutes, I have a plan” I said on the phone.

I left the house immediately. There was no way I would listen to my father like that. I said I was going to take responsibilities over my actions and I will do it.