Two weeks had already passed by since the day Jessica first met uncle Noh. She was now in the hotel lobby and showed little spirit at cleaning the floor.

"Why do I have to do this?", Jessica whined as she let the floor mop resting against the wall.

Giving a frustrated sigh, she untied her bun and went through her hair with a hand. When she bought uncle Noh's business, she did not know that all his personnel would start drawing their pension along with him. She did not expect that due to this lack of workers, she had to personally do everything; from standing at the reception to cleaning rooms, and even mopping the floor at 7 am. The only thing she's spared from was helping in the kitchen. Still, Jessica had never had to labor this much.

She didn't dare to complain to anyone, though. Compared to Sooyoung, she still had an easy job. The taller girl had to drive into the forest almost everyday, taking care of the vacation houses. When a tenant left a house, Sooyoung was the one who was in charge of cleaning. Jessica just had to remember how she left the vacation house last time to know how much Sooyoung had to do. Even so, Sooyoung never complained.

Early this morning, Sooyoung had received a call from a renter saying that they had no warm water. She had to give up on her beauty sleep to drive into the forest and fix that. At that time, Jessica had still been sleeping.

"Come on, you can do it", the blonde told herself as she tied her hair up again. She grabbed the mop and stared lazily at the floor. "It's not even that dirty, why do I have to do this every morning?"

Jessica again gave a frustrated sigh. Having to clean the lobby everyday, she already hated it with passion. And the lobby hall being so large didn't make it any easier.

Jessica swung the mop on the ground carelessly, a trail of water followed as she didn't wring the mop properly earlier. When she noticed this, her face lit up a little. A little painting would hurt no one, but could kill some boredom. With that thought, she set the mop onto the dry floor and moved it around artistically. A circle for a face, two strokes for the eyes, and an upside down U.

"This is how I feel", she said to no one, pouting.

Jessica then turned around to the bucket of water, dipping the mop in. She halfheartedly bent down, wringing out the water. She wanted to walk pass her painting to get to the untouched side of the lobby, but being the clumsy girl that she was, Jessica slipped.

"Ahhh!"

Jessica shrieked as she fell backwards, the mop falling from her hand. She flailed her arms wildly, trying to balance but it was in vain. Squinting her eyes, Jessica knew it was too late and prepared herself for a painful landing.

But for some odd reason, it seemed to take forever to hit the floor. Not until then did she realize that her hands had somehow managed to grab something in the air, and without knowing what it was, she hung tightly on it. At the same time, an arm moved under her waist, preventing her body from falling any further. Someone had just saved her, and she was clutching that person's shirt as if her life depended on it. Which was true, to some extent. 

Jessica's eyes fluttered open immediately. When she saw who her savior was, her mouth hung agape in complete surprise.

"Sica, Sica...", the familiar voice softly said. "What would you do without me?"

----------

9 days earlier

"Uncle, we have the money", Sooyoung spoke into the phone, the biggest grin ever on her face. She and Jessica had sold the apartment, and the money was just transferred to Jessica's bank account.

"Oh, that's good news", Mr Noh's voice came from the phone. "You girls should meet me this afternoon, I'm at the hotel like usual."

"You really can't wait to retire uncle, can you?", Sooyoung joked.

"You have no idea, Sooyoung", the old man laughed. "See you girls later."

"See you later."

Sooyoung hung up and looked at Jessica. Even though the girl didn't say anything, Sooyoung knew what the blonde was thinking. She put her arm on Jessica's shoulder, her other hand putting the phone down onto the table.

"Don't you worry about it too much, Sica", Sooyoung said with an assuring smile. "I know quite a lot about hotel business, I won't let it go down easily. You just have to show your abilities in accountancy, that's more than enough. We can always call uncle Noh if we need help, too. Together everything's possible."

Jessica nodded and gave Sooyoung a smile in response. She never had any experience in the hotel industry, and she knew Sooyoung was aware of the insecurity inside her that this fact had caused. This business was like a gamble for her. Jessica couldn't help but to feel just so uneasy. She had given up on her family's only property that's left - the apartment - to buy uncle Noh's hotel and vacation houses. If anything went wrong, it would be the end, not just for her, but for her mom and her sister also. Their lives were depending on this business.

"That's right. If we're together, everything is possible."

Taeyeon's voice turned up out of nowhere, startling both girls. They turned around and saw the shortie approaching them with Sunny and Tiffany in tow.

"Taeng!" Sooyoung greeted, beaming. "Sica and I will be meeting uncle Noh this afternoon. The contracts will be signed soon, his business will be ours in no time!"

"I know", Taeyeon chuckled. "I just heard you on the phone. That's why Fany and I want to tell you two this, too."

"Tell us what?" Jessica asked, looking back and forth between her two friends.

"We've decided", Taeyeon took Tiffany's hand into hers and pulled the girl closer. "We've decided to come with you guys. You two have to hire us in your hotel, no matter what."

"Eh?!" Both Sooyoung and Jessica went wide-eyed in an instant.

"We're going with you guys", Tiffany repeated Taeyeon's words.

"No way", Jessica shook her head with disaffection. "Don't be stupid. Your lives are stable here. You got an apartment, Fany has a decent job, you guys can't just easily give up on that. I won't allow it."

"Too late," Tiffany smiled at her friend. "I've already quit my job."

Sooyoung and Jessica's mouth hung agape. Everything's too sudden.

"I'm sorry," Sunny sighed. "I tried to stop her, but she was too persistent."

"Fany, what the--", Sooyoung was about to rant, but Taeyeon cut her off.

"You two, listen. We have decided and you guys will either let us go with you guys, or let you us high and dry here in the city. I've already told our renter that we'll be moving out in a week."

"Tae..." Jessica weakly said. "You can't do this. Please, think about it again."

"There's nothing to think about", Taeyeon replied, not stubborn, but not showing any sign of giving up either. "We don't want to leave you, Sica. I'm a freelance writer, I can write whenever and wherever I want. Fany wanted to quit her job anyway, she was getting bored of it. Let us go with you, Sica. Aren't you worried we'll miss you too much if you're away?"

"But..." Jessica's voice startled to tremble. She continued shaking her head, even though she knew it's too late to convince her best friends to stay. They would not leave her, even if she shoved them away. Taeyeon and Tiffany - she just loved them so much.

"I--You guys... Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Jessi", Tiffany immediately embraced her. Jessica hugged the girl back tightly as Tiffany stroke her back. "Because you're more than just a friend to us, silly. After more than seven years, don't you think you're already like a sister to us? At least we always feel like we're part of your family. Your mom's daughters, Krystal's unnies."

Jessica couldn't hold it back anymore. She answered by sobbing quietly against Tiffany's shoulder. Taeyeon quickly came and hugged both girls.

"Thank you," Jessica managed to squeeze out in between her tears. Taeyeon tapped her back comfortingly.

"Awwww", Sooyoung went as she joint the group hug. She had watched the scene with a constant smile on her face.

The giant gathered all three easily in her arms. As Sunny just stood there smiling too, Sooyoung threw her an impatient look.

"What are you waiting for? Come here."

Sooyoung opened her arm on one side and let Sunny in. The short girl hugged Tiffany from the back, her head resting next to Jessica's still silently crying face. As they realize what they were doing, all five couldn't help but cracked up. They had bonded more than ever.

Thanks to Yuri?

Jessica didn't know. The only thing she knew was that again, even in this situation, she couldn't help but to think of her...

----------

8 days earlier

"Yuri", Old Kwon said as his granddaughter entered the office, bowing to him by habit. "I heard your secretary quit her job. What happened?"

Yuri straightened up as she sighed inwardly. So Jiyong had told grandfather about Hyomin's quitting. She still had to figure out her cousin's real intention behind this, because she highly doubted he hired Hyomin just to do her a favor. Jiyong hadn't been happy when he heard that Hyomin left after just a day, but he didn't confront Yuri with it. In fact, he hadn't even broached the topic to Yuri once.

"She didn't like the job, I guess", Yuri lied.

"What did you tell her to do?"

"I...", Yuri paused, thinking. She didn't need to lie on this part. "I gave her a stack of documents and told her to type it into the computer."

Old Kwon gave a small laugh, shaking his head side to side.

"I'm sorry grandpa", Yuri sighed. "But I really don't need a secretary when I pretty much have nothing to do."

The old man looked at his granddaughter, examining her defeated expression. He still hadn't let her join any huge project yet, let alone let her supervising one; something someone at her post should be doing all day. He had thought about it, however, and called her into his office today because of this. Yuri was still living in her apartment. He wanted her to come home, move in to live with the family. If she was willing to do that, he would give her a real chance to show her abilities.

"I understand", Old Kwon slowly began. "You feel unchallenged."

"Bored to death on a daily basis, to be honest", Yuri replied, a weak smile on her face.

Old Kwon was on the brick of telling her about his suggestion when she put a sheet of paper on his desk, sitting down on the chair across him.

"I know you mean well for me, grandpa. But I really can't just sit there and do nothing. If you don't want me to join important projects yet, especially those that could affect the Kwon's reputation, at least let me organize my own ones. I have a proposal. This project is small and not risky and won't place the Kwon's name in jeopardy at all, I promise."

Old Kwon listened all along, not reacting much. However inside, he was surprised. He didn't know Yuri was bored to the extent that she had to come up with an idea like this.

"What kind of project?", he calmly asked.

Upon this sign of interest from her grandfather, Yuri's face lit up.

"Something completely new." Excitement was visible in Yuri's eyes. "Something the Kwon Enterprise and I myself have never tried." She paused, creating suspension. "Hotel business."

Old Kwon eyed Yuri wordlessly. He waited for her to continue.

"I know this man from a few years ago, his name is Noh Juhyun. He owns the hotel and all vacation houses in the North Forest. His business was blossoming the last few years. But now that he is old, he wants to retire and sell his business. It's cheap, grandpa, compared to how well he's been doing. It's a good chance for us to try and set a foot into the hotel industry."

Yuri stopped as she waited for her grandfather to give his opinion. The old man leaned forward and took the paper from the desk, skimming through the content.

"Have you thought it through?"

"Yes, grandpa", Yuri said, determined. "I've gathered general information about the Noh business and listed the possible expenditures in that document. You can read through it anytime. I will use my own money for this project, if you allow me to. I just want you to know what I'm doing."

Old Kwon didn't look up from the paper, and Yuri could tell he was considering her proposal. After a moment of silence, he looked at the young girl again.

"Truth be spoken, this is quite an interesting project, Yuri. But I don't like the idea of you going all on your own."

"But grandpa--"

Old Kwon raised his hand, silencing the girl. "I'll give you permission for this project on one condition. The Kwon Enterprise will pay the expenditures."

Yuri froze in surprise. Old Kwon gave her a grandfatherly smile, and she couldn't help but smiled back. Even though having the Kwon Enterprise paying for the expenditures would mean the project was not her own anymore, Yuri didn't mind. She wasn't aiming for the profit anyway. Something else, or rather, someone, was much more important.

"Thank you, grandpa."

----------

7 days earlier

"I'm Kim Shinyoung", the midget shook Sooyoung and Jessica's hands. "I'll show you around the hotel. Please follow me."

The two girls entered the building with Shinyoung. They had only signed the contract with uncle Noh yesterday, but the old man didn't wait and resigned shortly, handing control over to the two girls. They would be moving into the hotel today, having their rooms already prepared. Uncle Noh had told them to use the four rooms on the ground floor for themselves, since visitors usually preferred rooms with balcony on the two floors above. Taeyeon and Tiffany would come and bring their stuff later. The two would get one room, Sooyoung one, and Jessica one.

"This is the lobby, and here's the reception", Shinyoung pointed at the reception counter, which was facing the entrance. "I know, the lobby isn't that big. Actually, the hotel itself isn't that big. People come here mainly for the vacation houses anyway."

Sooyoung nodded in acknowledgement. There was an elevator on the left side of the reception, the beginning of a hallway on the right side. She looked around once more before turning to Shinyoung.

"There is no staircase, right?" The few times she was here, she never saw one.

"Of course there is", Shinyoung made weird noises which the two girls interpreted as laughter. "If there was none, everyone would be stuck when the elevator's out of order for once."

"Right", Sooyoung's cheeks flushed a little. "I didn't think of that."

"Come along", Shinyoung said as she went into the hallway. "Here's the staircase."

There were indeed stairs leading to the upper floor on the left side of the hallway. Jessica turned to the right and noticed a door facing them.

"This is one of our rooms, right?"

"Naw, your rooms are over there. The four doors at the end of the hallway. This one is the door to the canteen", Shinyoung opened the door, revealing a big room inside. "As I said, this hotel is small, so we don't really have a restaurant inside. People usually only breakfast in the hotel, after that they're out the entire day. But we still offer brunch and dinner on our menu."

They entered the so called canteen, Sooyoung with an extra excited face. She had smelled food - delicious, mouth-watering food - and there was nothing that could make her happier.

"Get a hold of yourself", Jessica whispered as she nudged her friend.

"What? I haven't eaten anything since this morning", Sooyoung whispered back in protest. "I deserve a decent meal, really."

"Gosh, you've pigged out on what was supposed to be my 'good-bye breakfast' your mom made this morning, and now you're still complaining?"

"Hey, it was my good-bye breakfast too!"

Jessica just rolled her eyes at the taller girl.

"I can't blame her", Shinyoung cracked a laugh, joining the conversation. "Our new cook is like... the best cook of the nation. Lucky for you guys she's young and just got hired, thus doesn't want to quit anytime soon."

A small opening into the kitchen, which looked like a counter, was in the middle of the off-white wall, facing the door. Sooyoung presumed that was the place where people go to to get their meals from the cook. She already decided it would be her favorite place of the hotel and she would keep watch at this position whenever she had time.

When the tall girl was still daydreaming, Shinyoung led them to another door next to the counter, white-painted all the same. Sooyoung peeked through the opening into the kitchen but didn't see anything. All she could hear were sounds of something being fried in a pan.

"Hyoyeon! Your new bosses are here!"

Shinyoung opened the door and they entered the kitchen. Thanks to Shinyoung's humble height, Sooyoung and Jessica didn't have a hard time peeking over her shoulders to see the cook. They saw the supposedly best cook of the nation holding a swat in her hand, eyes wandering around, alarmed. The girl had shoulder-length brown hair, a slim figure that went well with her pretty face. Sooyoung believed she was a friendly person, despite the mean look she was shooting her surroundings at that moment.

"Shhh...", Hyoyeon placed a finger on her lips. "Don't move."

The three newly arrived persons complied, not moving an inch. Hyoyeon, still holding the swat menacingly in her hand, *****footed towards them. She looked around cautiously, glanced at the ceiling, threw a look on the ground, her eyes roaming everything but the new people. Thus, she didn't see Sooyoung's horrified face.

"The food--"

"Shhh!"

The brunette cut the short-haired girl off. It wasn't until then that she took a closer look at Sooyoung and Jessica, and as she did this, she froze. Jessica was giving her a questioning look, and Sooyoung still stared at her with that horrified expression. In fact, not just Sooyoung but Shinyoung also looked at Hyoyeon like she was about to cry. Hyoyeon, however, didn't pay attention to that. She was drawn to Jessica's forehead more than anything else.

Slowly, she approached the girl. Her eyes were glued to the girl's forehead, she was oblivious to the burnt smell in the kitchen. Hyoyeon raised her arm, the swat moving up into the air, and Jessica realized too late that she was about to be hit.

"AHH!"

The blonde screamed and shut her eyes out of reflex, but that didn't stop Hyoyeon to slam the swat onto her forehead.

"HA! I GOT YOU!", the brunette yelled in victory as a black dot-shaped something with the size of an apple seed fell onto the floor. Hyoyeon swiftly grabbed a kitchen paper and crouched down, picking up the dead fly.

"A fly?!" Jessica yelled, holding her forehead. "You hit me because of a freaking fly???"

"WHO CARES ABOUT THE FLY!" Sooyoung frantically screamed. "The pan! Look at the pan!"

"The pan, the pan, the pan Hyo!" Shinyoung cried out loudly as she pointed at the stove.

"Oh, sh*t."

Hyoyeon jumped to the stove, throwing the paper with the fly into the trash bin on her way. She immediately turned off the stove and removed the burning pan, but it was too late.

"My noodles!" Shinyoung cried. "My delicious chicken fried noodles!"

The short woman made sobbing noises and Sooyoung hugged her immediately. That's how fast people could get close when they shared the same interest. The tall girl looked wistfully at the burnt complex in the pan, and she heaved an exaggerated sigh.

"Goodbye, heaven I never had the chance to taste", she said overdramatically painfully, still tapping Shinyoung's back.

Jessica rolled her eyes at the exaggerating shikshins. Only Hyoyeon laughed.

"I'm sorry, the fly made me forget it all", she apologized as she threw the content in the pan into the trash bin. "I'll make another pan, especially for you, miss", she smiled at Jessica. "Because I hit you with the swat. But I'm just OCD like that when it comes to my kitchen."

"Hmph", Jessica grumpily responded as she rubbed her forehead. Shinyoung and Sooyoung's face, however, lit up visibly.

"I'm Hyoyeon by the way", the brunette said, wiping her hand on her apron. She then stretched it out to Jessica.

"I'm Choi Sooyoung, the new co-owner of the hotel", Sooyoung meddled in and shook Hyoyeon's hand. "You can call me Sooyoung. And this is your other boss, Miss Jung Jessica."

"Nice to meet you, boss", Hyoyeon smiled widely in response. As Sooyoung let go of her hand, she took Jessica's. "I'm really sorry for hitting you."

Jessica shook the girl's hand, her face still serious.

"If your fried noodles taste good, I'll let go of that accident", Jessica said. "And if the noodles are amazing enough, I'll even allow you to call me Jessica."

Hyoyeon grinned.

"Piece of cake, boss."

--------

That little challenge turned out to be a big success for Hyoyeon. She was now Sooyoung and Jessica's favorite personnel (neglecting the fact that every other staff member had quitted because they were old. And Shinyoung left because she wanted to start a comedian career in Seoul.) Jessica had decided to pay Hyoyeon more, so that the girl could help around with other stuff besides cooking. Sooyoung didn't feel the need to hire more workers since the hotel was pretty small, and they still had to make profit yet. Jessica couldn't object because she needed the money urgently. It was about time to pay some fees for her mom's cure.

That was why Jessica and Sooyoung had to personally do stuffs a hotel owner would normally only order others to do. Even though she hated it, Jessica didn't complain out loud. She tried her best to not complain, at least.

"This is how I feel", she mumbled after painting a sulking face on the marble floor this morning. She was in charge of cleaning the lobby, and waking up at six thirty with Sooyoung's recorded voice screaming: "WAKE UP AND CLEAN THE FLOOR OR I'LL STUFF CUCUMBER IN YOUR MOUTH!" wasn't something Jessica wanted to start her day with.

She turned back to the bucket of water and dipped her mop in. As she walked over to the other end of the lobby, the clumsiness that was a trait of hers caused her to slip on her water painting. Jessica lost balance immediately. 

"Ahhhh!"

She screamed as the mop fell out of her hand. Falling back helplessly, she shut her eyes in fear. Jessica could almost feel the pain of the collision with the floor when, luckily, her hero appeared, caught her by her waist in the nick of time, and thus saved her from hitting the ground.

"Sica, Sica...", the husky voice whispered ino Jessica's ear, giving her goosebumps. "What would you do without me?"

Her eyes fluttered open in an instant. Still lying in the person's arms, Jessica was struck as she saw the familiar eyes gazing into hers.

No, not you, she thought. 

Not this person. Not the one she thought she would never hear from, would never see, would never be so close to ever again. Not the one she was supposed to hate and despise, but still loved. Not her. Not...

"Yuri..."