"So… this is the hotel you were talking about? I am disappointed, Yuri. I thought you wanted to invest into something nice. The quality here is just poor."

Old Kwon looked around, examining everything from the floor to the ceiling. He disregarded Jessica and co., as if the girls did not exist. It made Sooyoung fume visibly, but Jessica quickly grabbed the tall girl's hand and calmed her down before she could jump on the old man.

"It's good compared to other facilities in this area, grandfather," Yuri replied in a surprisingly obeying tone, keeping her head down.

Jessica's eyes turned to stare at Yuri, not being able to hide the shock with how subdued the girl sounded. But Yuri completely ignored her, deciding that the floor was more interesting to look at. Jessica felt it became harder to breathe with each second passing by, as if the air around her was being sucked away slowly.

"Why are you dressed like this anyway?" Jiyong queried, giving Yuri a disapproving look.

Yuri, however, ignored her cousin and focused on her grandfather instead. Never could Jessica imagine that the old man had such an impact on Yuri. In fact, this was the first time she saw Yuri and her grandfather being together in one room. Just his presence seemed to intimidate the tanned girl, and Jessica couldn't understand why. Wasn't Yuri always the prideful girl who never bowed down to anybody?

"You are wasting too much time here," Old Kwon's voice was stern as he continued. "You are wasting time on things that won't lead you anywhere."

The man's eyes acknowledged the existence of Jessica at that very moment. Jessica knew he was talking about her, but she kept her composure and swallowed down the urge to counter the obvious offense. She might be hot-tempered at times, but she'd had enough experience with the Kwons to know a mistake couldn't be afforded when it came to them. The twitch she felt in her chest was not because of Old Kwon's words, but because of Yuri's reaction to them. The person who a night before said she was willing to try to make it up to her was now saying nothing and just looked down onto the floor, as if her grandfather's accusation was incontrovertible.

"I told grandpa about your real intentions," Jiyong meddled in with a hint of glee in his voice, glancing at Jessica.

Jessica saw Yuri shot her cousin a deathly glare, and she silently figured out what it was all about. So it was Jiyong who found out she was working at this hotel and informed Old Kwon. Jiyong probably told Old Kwon that the only reason Yuri was here was because of her, and how little the tanned girl was interested in the expansion of the Kwon business. Jessica felt the knot in her stomach that was feeling disturbed by Yuri's behavior untying itself slowly as Old Kwon's cluelessness convincingly proved the sincerity of Yuri's words last night. But she was also aware that this meant Yuri was now in deep trouble. Yuri lied to her grandfather to be here with her. Yuri tricked him into allowing her to run to Jessica. And now he had hunted her to this place, most certainly having a punishment ready in mind.

But then, what was Yuri waiting for? Why didn't she just cut the line and tell her grandfather she didn't want to follow him anymore? Why couldn't she just say she'd chosen Jessica and leave his side for good? What was she scared of?

I'm by your side, Yuri… she wanted to whisper into Yuri's ear. We'll go through this together. You and me... together…

But Yuri didn't give her a single look.

"Grandfather…" the tanned girl barely looked up as she talked to the old man, "I'm sorry, I—"

"We will be talking about that later, Yuri. I want you to return to the city by today," Old Kwon stated in a voice that left Yuri no chance to talk back. "You have a fiancée to meet tomorrow."

"F—Fiancée?!"

The statement caught the entire room off guard, even Jiyong's mouth was hanging agape. Jessica felt as if her heart had stopped beating, and she could only imagine what was going through Yuri's mind. The girl looked as though she was struck by lightning.

"Is there a problem, Yuri?"

"I—" Yuri quickly gathered herself. "This is too sudden, grandpa, I—"

"Wouldn't be sudden if you weren't away for almost three weeks."

Yuri gulped down the bitterness instead of fighting against it, not being able to talk back with a single word. The resigning silence of the tanned girl was a sign that she was running low on arguments, and Jessica's heart shattered because of it. She knew this would eventually have to result in Yuri accepting whatever the elder said. Yuri was going to marry someone. Yuri was breaking her promises, again.

Jessica stared at the tanned girl hard.

God, Yuri, just look at me for a split second!

She unconsciously gripped Sooyoung's hand tightly.

I need to see in your eyes that you will never let that happen!

But all she had to witness was a still intimidated Yuri who looked down onto the ground with no hint of resistance.

"I… I'll drive back after I have packed my belongings, grandfather."

Jessica felt her body go numb with Yuri's words as her grip on Sooyoung's hand became even tighter.

"Good. Then, it's settled," Old Kwon said with a pleasant tone. "I will see you tomorrow. We're finished here, Jiyong. Let's go."

The young man, as displeased with the situation as he seemed to be, opened the door for his grandfather and escorted him out to the car. The two men left without a goodbye, just how they arrived without an announcement either. It seemed like it wasn't until Old Kwon and Jiyong disappeared that Yuri was able to gather herself together, returning to be the one she really was. Or the one Jessica thought she was.

"Sica, I—"

"Don't say anything," Jessica cut Yuri off, her voice shaking. "I've seen enough."

"No! Please, Sica, you don't understand."

"There's nothing to understand, Yuri! You break your promises once again, because you have a fiancée waiting for you and you are going to see her tomorrow. You don't care about me, because you listen to everything your grandfather says despite how it might hurt me. You lied again, Yuri. You lied to me again."

Yuri contorted her face upon Jessica's words. She took a step towards Jessica, but the blonde backed away.

"Sica, you know you're the only one I—"

"Just leave, Yuri."

"You heard her," Sooyoung cut in, pulling Jessica behind her as Yuri attempted to move closer.

"Stay out of this, Sooyoung!"

"No!"

"Sooyoung," Jessica sighed, pushing the taller girl to the side. "I don't need you to protect me from her."

"Oh, you don't?" Sooyoung snorted. "Jessica! You almost fell for her tricks again! What did you tell me about she's changed, she needs you, she wants to be with you? Didn't I warn you that her words are all lies? All she does is bowing to her grandfather! You should have listened to me from the beginning!"

"It's not true!" Yuri yelled angrily.

"Guys, we're in the lobby—"

"Jessica might want to give you a chance," Sooyoung snapped at Yuri, cutting Tiffany off. "But I know better! I will not let you take her feelings for granted, just so you know. You better think of a plan to get me out of your way first before you attempt to deceive people again. I'd rather die than to let you succeed this time round!"

Yuri groaned as her hands shot forward to grab the taller girl's collar. She was blocked by a shrieking Tiffany in the nick of time, whereas Sooyoung was held back by Jessica. But the both of them were violently struggling to get out of the two smaller girl's grips, because all they wanted right that moment was to charge their rage at each other.

"STOP IT!"

Taeyeon's scream interrupted before Yuri and Sooyoung could hurt Jessica and Tiffany and bounce on each other.

"We're in the freaking lobby! It's freaking eight in the morning!" the shortie snapped at the two. "Guests can come down the stairs any moment! Did you two lose your minds?!"

Yuri stepped back as Taeyeon's words seemed to calm her down a little. However, the deathly glares were still shot back and forth between her and Sooyoung.

The reception phone rang at that very moment, breaking the tenseness shortly. Taeyeon hurried behind the counter and picked up, her eyes still watching Yuri and Sooyoung with an intimidating glare. But that glare disappeared completely after just a brief moment.

"Krystal is on the phone," Taeyeon informed Jessica, suddenly beaming. "We have good news, Sica!"

It took Jessica a second to register Taeyeon's words. Yuri was pushed out of her mind immediately as she hurried over to the phone, her heart racing in anxiety. She pressed the phone against her ear while the other clueless three observed her closely, witnessing her expression changing within seconds. The conversation was ended shortly afterwards, and Jessica turned to Sooyoung and Tiffany with a relieved smile on her face.

"Mom woke up and is in a healthy state of mind," she said in happiness. "No amnesia, nothing. Krys said she wants to see me as soon as possible."

"That's great news!" Yuri butted in before Sooyoung or Tiffany could say anything. "And perfect timing, Sica. I'll drive you back to the city. We'll go in half an hour."

----------

"Sica, are you sure about this?" Sooyoung grumbled as she leaned against the wall, watching Jessica stuffing clothes into a small suitcase bag. "I mean, we could call a taxi or something. It takes a while until one gets here, but you don't have to go with Yuri."

"It's okay, Soo. Mom is more important."

Despite the situation, Jessica had agreed to let Yuri give her a lift to the city. Sooyoung was of course against it at first, but with much persuading from Tiffany and Jessica, and without the usual support from Taeyeon, she eventually gave in. It was not like she was too stubborn to realize what was more important, or when to just have to allow things to happen against her liking. In this case, umma Jung had no doubt higher priority than anything else. Jessica had to get to the hospital as fast as possible, and a free ride was something she thought she shouldn't reject.

"Can I give you something to give to Sunny when you see her?"

"Sure."

Sooyoung went over to her bed and opened the drawer of her night table. She took out a neatly folded paper and gave it to Jessica.

"I wrote it the night before. I wanted to mail it, but now that you're going…" Sooyoung sighed. "Tell her I miss her."

"I will." Jessica smiled and tucked the letter into her handbag. "And don't worry too much about me."

Sooyoung bent down, enveloping Jessica in a hug. She heard the blonde chuckling and felt her back being tapped lightly.

"I'll only be gone for a few days. After I make sure mom's fine, I'll hail a cab and come back immediately. And maybe Sunny will go with me, too. I mean, she said she wanted to visit and has yet to do it, right?" They released the hug, and Jessica smiled at Sooyoung. "I'll keep in touch with you guys."

"And you don't want to do anything about Yuri's engagement?"

The question obviously hit a soft spot. Jessica's smile dropped, making Sooyoung regret mentioning Yuri at once.

"I just don't want you to do anything stupid," Sooyoung softly said, putting a hand on Jessica's shoulder. "I know how you feel about her, but I still can't trust her yet."

"There's nothing I can do, Soo. It's her business."

Jessica's voice was flat as though she didn't care, but Sooyoung knew Jessica well enough to know what the blonde was really thinking. However, she didn't say anything about it anymore and just nodded, letting the topic pass.

"Call us once you arrive safely at the hospital."

"I will."

They walked out into the lobby, and Sooyoung stood in silence, watching Jessica bid goodbye to Taeyeon and Tiffany. Hyoyeon looked a little baffled upon the sudden leave of her two bosses, but she said goodbye to both Yuri and Jessica with her usual cheery self. Sooyoung could already see how she'd have to explain things to Hyoyeon after Yuri and Jessica left. The girl would demand an explanation for sure. Hyoyeon was too smart to be content with a shady answer or a lie. Maybe, Sooyoung should tell Hyoyeon the entire story. The chef actually did look like someone who was trust-worthy and might have a few good pieces of advice up her sleeves.

Jessica and Yuri entered the car at last, and it suddenly hit Sooyoung that from now on, her life would be Kwon-Yuri-less for a good long while. She smiled unconsciously upon the realization, even though the worries about Jessica, Mrs. Jung and especially Mr. Jung were still present in her mind.

Yuri just needed to marry whoever it was that her grandfather chose. Jessica would eventually have to let go, and then, it would be easier to fight against the Kwons. Because, Sooyoung had always been aware of this, Jessica was the ultimate vulnerable point of their defense.

If to abate that weakness, Jessica's heart needed to break…

Sooyoung sighed inwardly.

It has to happen fast.

----------

The car ride had succumbed to silence ever since the moment it rolled out of the hotel's parking lot. Yuri had a lot to say and explain, but Jessica didn't seem like she wanted to listen. The whole time, the blonde girl was looking out the window, completely ignoring her. Yuri attempted to start a conversation a few times, but without Jessica's cooperation, she soon had to give up on her monologues.

Frustrated with herself after a while, Yuri took a sudden turn to the left and pulled the car off the road. Jessica let out a startled shriek as she was pressed against the car door, but Yuri ignored it. She drove the car to the front of the small convenient store on the side of the road and turned off the engine.

"I need a drink," Yuri said as Jessica finally looked at her. The glare she received was piercing, but at least it acknowledged her existence. "Let's go."

She gave the blonde no chance to reject as she broke the eye contact and turned around to get out of the car. She slammed shut her car door before walking over to the other side and opened it for Jessica. Yuri wasn't sure if Jessica was really thirsty or if it was just the fed-up look on her face that made blonde comply, but either way, Jessica hopped out of the car after a moment of hesitation and followed her into the store. 

The convenient store was small and empty without customers, just as Yuri had expected it to be. She wondered how the owner could survive, considering that there were only a few cars passing by on that road in a day. Not to mention, most people just drive pass the store without giving it a second look. Yuri, for example, didn't remember seeing it when she drove to the hotel a few weeks ago.

"Hello, can I help you?"

A short woman came out from the back, approaching Yuri and Jessica with her hands rubbed together.

"Yes, I need—"

"Shinyoung?"

Yuri's mouth froze in surprise, not expecting Jessica to know the owner's name. The short woman apparently recognized Jessica too as she suddenly beamed and ran towards the blonde, squeezing her with a hug. Yuri scratched her head, watching the reunion with confusion and, admittedly, a little jealousy in her heart. Why was it so easy for this Shinyoung, whoever she was, to touch Jessica and receive wide smiles from the ice princess?

"What are you doing here?" Jessica asked out of breath as Shinyoung let go of her. "I thought you wanted to go to the city and become a comedian?"

"I did! But well," Shinyoung gave a small laugh. "It wasn't as easy as I expected. Seems like only boss Noh and Hyoyeon liked my gag. The people in the city were not really amused by my meat jokes. They hate it."

"Aww, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay. I'm running this convenient store now. The job is a little boring, but I get paid and am assigned to the house in the back of the shop. It's enough for a living. If it wasn't for this, I might be starving on the streets right now."

"So you're working for someone?"

"Yeah, of course. Otherwise I'd be dead meat, too. I mean, I barely have ten customers a week. I have no idea why my boss isn't shutting down this shop." Shinyoung then lowered her voice, making Yuri and Jessica have to lean forward to hear what she said. "You know, it's a little creepy. My boss, I mean. I don't know who he or she is. We have always kept contact via emails, and he goes by the alias Yeosal Kim."

"Ten-year-old Kim?!"

Jessica erupted with laughter, and Shinyoung giggled along. Yuri was the only one who raised an eyebrow in suspicion, having a slight idea who that mystery person might be. Kim Yeosal was the nickname she gave Hyoyeon and used to call her with in their earlier days.

"How are the hotel and the vacation houses doing?" Shinyoung asked as Jessica finished laughing, and it couldn't escape Yuri's eyes that there was a shadow of regret crossing her face.

"Shinyoung, why didn't you come back to us?" Jessica replied with a question, her expression turned serious. "We're doing alright, but it would be a great help to have another person around who is familiar with the hotel work and all."

Shinyoung just sheepishly smiled and avoided Jessica's gaze, lapsing into silence. She didn't say anything, but both Yuri and Jessica understood. Shinyoung left Jessica during a time when the blonde was struggling hard to stand on her own feet and would have appreciated every help coming from people around. But Shinyoung disregarded Jessica's situation completely and went away. Now that she was going through a hard time, it just didn't feel right to suddenly come back and ask for Jessica's help. It was the guilt, her conscience, and probably a part of her pride that prevented her from doing so.

"We could still need you there," Yuri suggested, even though she did not know anything about Shinyoung's abilities. But if Hyoyeon was behind this convenient store, she would have reasons to keep the short woman tied to them. Maybe it was personal and Hyoyeon just really liked Shinyoung, but it could also be that Hyoyeon had foreseen they might need Shinyoung sometime in the future and did this for precaution.

Over the years, Yuri had learned to trust in Hyoyeon's instincts and intuitions above all.

"I… I don't know—"

"That's a good idea," Jessica cut Shinyoung's stutter off. "I'm leaving for a few days to visit my mother, so it would be great if someone can fill in. Come back to us, Shinyoungie. You like the hotel job more than this, don't you?"

"Of course I do. But Jessica, I—" The woman looked at the blonde with eyes that were about to cry and gave a heavy sigh. "I shouldn't have left the Noh chain, ever. I'm sorry."

Jessica smiled and bent down to hug Shinyoung, tapping her back consolingly.

"Don't worry yourself over that. Everyone makes mistakes."

"Exactly," Yuri chimed in. Jessica looked up and glared at her, but she pretended she didn't see. "We deserve second chances, Shinyoung. Everyone does."

"T—thanks," Shinyoung looked at Yuri a little confused, probably wondering who Yuri was and why this person treated her like they'd known each other for a long time, but still, she nodded in appreciation.

"I'll give you Sooyoung's number," Jessica told the woman and scribbled something down a piece of paper she took out of her handbag. "I have to go now."

"But we'd like to have something to drink before we go!"

Jessica gave Yuri another glare, but Shinyoung just smiled and went to the back of the store. She returned with a familiar-looking bottle in her hands, and Yuri's jaw dropped at the sight of it.

"Chinese medicinal liquor?!"

"You know this kind?"

"I—err… I think had experience with it before." She glanced at Jessica, hoping to see a reaction, but Jessica was looking at the bottle indifferently, as if she'd never seen it before.

"Oh, I see." Shinyoung handed Yuri the bottle. "It's good for your health. And no, this is on me. It's the least I can do, really."

Yuri gave in and stuffed the money back into her purse. Shinyoung showed them to the door and Jessica gave her a final hug. They said goodbye, and Yuri and Jessica made their way to the car again. Jessica went straight to the passenger side, intending to get in and continue ignoring Yuri for the rest of the car ride. But Yuri caught her arm before she could enter the car, holding her back.

"Sica…"

"What?" Jessica yanked her arm away.

"I just decided… I want you to stay at my place."

"… What?"

Yuri once again received a piercing look, but she kept her serious face. Because she was serious about it. She meant every word she said.

"Forget it," was Jessica's answer.

Yuri didn't expect anything else. "You leave me no choice."

The glare Jessica shot her turned into a bewildered look, but the blonde's question was soon answered as Yuri took out her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Yes it's me, Kwon Yuri," she spoke after the other end picked up, her gaze still lying on Jessica. "I want you to contact the director of Yoochi High School by today. It's about a student named Krystal Jung. I want her to be expelled, no reason needed. Did I make myself clear?"

Jessica's eyes widened in shock upon Yuri's words. Just when Yuri ended the call, the blonde's hand landed on her cheek and Yuri's face was thrown to the side harshly. The slap was hard. The hardest slap she had ever received from Jessica.

"You are… disgusting!"

"Will you stay with me?" Yuri ignored everything, including the pain on her cheek and the hateful look on Jessica's face. She held up the phone, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I can't force you, but I have influence on other people. I'm going to call him… And take it back. Just, don't leave me. Please."

"You—" Jessica's jaw clenched. "—fine!"

The blonde turned around, got into the car and slammed the door shut. Yuri stood outside and rubbed her throbbing cheek slowly. She redialed the previous number and pressed it against the other cheek, her eyes lingering on the fuming Jessica.

"I will do anything…" she mumbled, even though she knew Jessica couldn't hear it from inside the car. "Anything, to be with you."