Author: SOSHIsiad 

link: http://soshified.com/forums/topic/52939-keeping-jessica-two-shot-102410/page__p__3022347#entry3022347

Keeping Jessica

She's seen it in movies, news, and heard rumors, but not once did she think these things actually happened in real life. Nor to her.

"Are you sure you don't want one for yourself?"

Kwon Yuri sipped her sparkling wine that's costing her business partner an insane amount. They say that drinks like these cost about $5,000, Yuri thought to herself. She looked up from the sweet golden liquid and firmly shook her head, holding in any looks of disgust that she has of this moment with her business partner.

"I could get you a man..." he insisted. "To 'show' you around town." He snickered at his underlying meaning.

Yuri was young and new to the business practices in Korea despite being Korean herself. For the longest time, she has been learning the tricks of the trade from the ones whose companies are as old as her grandparents combined --the companies in Germany. Nobody knew better than the Germans on how to maintain businesses throughout the changing times, and no other country had such long-term relationships with their business partners.

After training hard with her foster parents in Germany, Yuri is back in Korea to revive her deceased birth parents' company. It was in such a distressed state that the current CEO jumped at Yuri's initial offer for a buyout. Despite being successful in Europe, Yuri learned after the first month that in Korea, the mind games and practices are different here. If it weren't for these differences, then she would rather be dead than sitting here with Lee Shin Min.

"Oh, here she comes!" her experienced partner said, nudging Yuri to look at the young girl approaching with another man who looked just as sleazy as the one sitting next to her.

The girl couldn't be much older than Yuri -which meant that the age difference between her and Lee Shin Min was at least 30 years. Yuri took another sip of her alcohol to get over this abhorrent fact.

"She's fresh meat that our company just got," Yuri heard the man who brought the girl in say.

Yuri didn't want to know or see, yet she couldn't help looking at the victim. The girl had slender legs, matching her slim figure. Silky, light orange-brown hair was flowing around her shoulders. Her flawless face also looked soft with a small nose and lips. To Yuri, she looked gorgeous.

The girl pulled at her black dress nervously before playing with her fingers again. When Yuri made contact with the girl's red eyes, she was completely captivated by them. There was a sadness to them, begging for help.

Just when Lee Shin Min was about to sign the papers in front of him, Yuri placed her hand over them. She took another swig at the wine, emptying the glass.

"I want her. She's mine."

Yuri's words shocked not just the two men in the room but the scared girl as well. Before she knew it, Yuri was putting her name and reputation on the most important piece of paper in her life. With shaking hands, the girl in the black dress also signed the contract.

"Well, Yuri, I never knew." Lee Shin Min looked at his young business partner with a sign of doubt. "They're expensive, eh. You have to buy them apartments and all sorts of other goods. Paying for their movie productions are expensive too."

"I could afford that." And if he was doubtful about it, Yuri could whip out the magazine that measured the top ten youngest entrepreneurs' wealth. But other than seeing her ranked as number one, he probably wouldn't understand the German article. It would just be easier to show him her bank account and the long number of zeros that followed the nine.

"But you're leaving town in a few days..." He was not happy that Yuri took his long awaited fresh meat.

"I'll be needing someone to 'show' me around town for whenever I'm here."

To stop the nagging man from giving her anymore dissuading words and to erase his doubts, Yuri claimed the trembling lips of the shaking girl. She held onto her waist and shoulder to prevent the girl's tremors to be seen. The girl clamped her lips tight so that Yuri couldn't enter her mouth with her persistent tongue. So Yuri pinched the girl's back, causing her to yelp in surprise. The moment her lips parted to make the almost inaudible shriek, Yuri swept her tongue in, letting the girl taste the expensive wine that she's been drinking to calm her own nerves tonight.

"Don't fight me," Yuri whispered into the girl's ear as she gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Would you rather be kissing him and doing god knows what?"

After witnessing their kiss, the man that brought the petite girl in handed Yuri her contract and a plastic card. "Luxury suite in Seoul Hotel, courtesy of our company. Have fun with your kept woman." He turned to Yuri's business partner. "Sorry buddy, better luck next time."

Lee Shin Min's cell phone started playing an old trot song. "Hello? Yes, honey. No, I'm not." He raised his desperate voice. "I swear! I'm still at that business dinner with Kwon Yuri. You remember her..."

Although he sounded frustrated, there was no doubt that he was the submissive one and not the other caller. He handed his cell phone over to Yuri.

"Hi, Mrs. Lee!" Yuri feigned a happy voice. "Yes, we're almost done. I'll release your husband once he drops me off at my hotel. Bye!"

After some more bickering with his wife, Lee Shin Min thanked Yuri and did exactly as what was said to his wife; He dropped her off in front of the hotel along with her new expensive companion.

"Wait, this isn't where I'm staying," Yuri said peering into the car's window with the girl's hand clutched tightly in hers.

"The hotel's already been paid for, so why not have some fun?" He replied and drove off in a hurry, unsure if he was being followed by his suspicious wife, leaving Yuri and the girl standing in the middle of the grand hotel's front entrance.

------------- 

A kept woman... that's what she is now. In more common terms, she's known as this tall girl's mistress, but really, it's not much different from prostitution except she was getting paid a lot more and being kept for a lot longer. That's why they're called kept women of the rich and powerful business people who can make their dreams of fame come true.

"My name's Kwon Yuri, what's yours?"

She heard the tanned girl say next to her on the bed, but ignored her and kept her eyes fixed on the phone. If she does anything, I'll call the police...

Papers rustled in the background of their hotel room. "Jessica Jung... Nice name. Do you have a Korean name?"

Again, Jessica remained unresponsive and just stared at the phone, repeating the number to the police in her head.

To get her attention, the girl tapped Jessica's shoulder, surprising the already jumpy Jessica and causing her to let out a high pitched scream. As a response, Yuri placed her hand over Jessica's mouth, pushing her down onto the soft bed. Jessica felt the girl's weight on her and continued her muffled scream, covering her eyes with both her hands.

She heard the girl laugh. "You're cute."

Jessica peeked through her fingers to see Yuri hovering above her with a dorky smile on her face, hand still over Jessica's mouth. She seemed harmless and so Jessica slapped the girl across her face, pushing her off of her. Yuri fell to her side in shock while Jessica sat up on the bed.

"What do you want from me?" Jessica managed to cry out. She zipped the jacket to the top that Yuri placed on her when the greasy man in the car was eyeing her through his rearview mirror.

"Uhh..." Yuri was flabbergasted. "Nothing?"

Jessica held onto the jacket's collar tighter, just like how she held Yuri's hand in the car. Jessica has heard stories of kept women. If they were lucky, they would be treated well by the kind men that bought them. The unlucky ones would be forced to be intimate among other things, scarring them for life. Jessica was unsure if she was lucky tonight or not, for she has never heard of stories of a woman keeping another woman.

She scooted to the corner of the bed, resting her back on the headboard and bringing her knees to her chest. She bagan to sob quietly, unaware that Yuri was sitting in front of her. She felt Yuri's smooth hands wipe away the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

"Are you a good person or a bad person?" Jessica asked in a quiet voice, looking into Yuri's warm brown eyes.

Yuri smiled. "Good."

"What are you going to do with me?"

Yuri wasn't so fast to answer this question. As Yuri thought about what Jessica asked, the silence in the room was creating an unbearable anticipation for Jessica. Her desperate eyes looked up at Yuri, worried by what she might hear.

"I'm going to keep you away from the bad people."

Hearing this, Jessica felt tonight's huge weight being lifted off her shoulder. Yuri smiled again, calming Jessica down some more. Tonight's unknown isn't turning out to be as scary as she had imagined it to be. It might've been different if it was the other man that got her instead.

Yuri ordered a set of pyjamas to be sent to the room. When they arrived, Yuri handed Jessica the pink pair.

"I can't imagine sleeping in that dress of yours to be comfortable." Jessica took the clothes from Yuri. "You can change in the bathroom."

Jessica quickly locked herself in the bathroom. She splashed cold water onto her face and just watched the water run in a complete daze. What am I supposed to do now?

Jessica hid in the bathroom for a long time. It wasn't until Yuri knocked on the door that she changed into her pyjamas. Yuri had already changed into hers and claimed the right side of the bed. Jessica was unsure of what to do next so she timidly stood by the bathroom door, holding onto her black dress in one hand and Yuri's jacket in the other.

Seeing that Jessica wasn't going to move on her own, Yuri approached her and carefully took Jessica's hand, not wanting to scare her. Yuri took Jessica's clothes and placed them in an armchair before leading Jessica onto the bed.

They were both sitting on the bed and Jessica had her guard up again. "Wha..." She gulped before continuing her stutter. "What do you plan on doing?" she asked with frightened eyes.

"Relax..."

"No." Jessica unconsciously blurted out.

Yuri chuckled. "Relax, Jessica. So tell me, what were you doing at that shady company tonight?" Yuri leaned on the headboard.

It all started with her naive dream, leading her to follow a recruiter halfway across the world to Korea. Her parents warned her, but she wouldn't listen and now she regrets it.

"I wanted to be a singer." There was a sparkle in her eyes when she told Yuri of her dream.

"Why this company?"

"One of the recruiters contacted me after hearing me sing at my school's year-end ceremony."

Yuri shook her head, repulsed. "They prey on school girls... Disgusting." She looked at Jessica with tender eyes. "You look like a smart girl, what made you believe them?"

Jessica scoffed. She learned firsthand exactly how deceiving looks can be. "He promised me..."

"What?"

"He promised me my own album. He showed me the plan that the company had for me. We would start off with promotions, then I would release a single and a MV for it, then I would have a mini-album. When my popularity rises, they promised that I would have my own album... I even signed a contract." Even saying all this, Jessica still believed.

It angered Yuri to hear how the place that Lee Shin Min brought her to had tricked Jessica into this scam. Contracts? She knew all about them and while Jessica locked herself in the bathroom, she studied the one that they just signed. The terms were bad for Yuri, but even worse for Jessica. If she were to reveal her 'owner', then she would have to pay the company hundred thousands of dollars. She could only imagine how much worse Jessica's artist contract is with them.

Yuri took the cushion next to her and hit Jessica with it, snapping her out of her delusion. "Yah! Promises are for little girls who believe in fairy tales!"

Jessica held the cushion to her chest. "It all sounded so... concrete. They gave me a song to work on. Do you... Want to hear it?" Jessica's eyes shone once more.

Yuri smiled warmly. "Of course."

Jessica sprang into life, with a huge grin on her face as she repositioned herself on the bed, sitting on her knees. She cleared her throat, "Ahem, ahem," and began to sing with the most beautiful voice Yuri has ever heard.

At the end of the song, Yuri clapped her hands. "Bravo!"

Jessica's ears started to turn red from embarrassment. To divert the attention away from her, she asked Yuri, "So what were you doing there tonight?"

Yuri sighed. She believed her business partner's promise also. He told her that they would go out for some drinks and after he'll show her how to do business in Korea. She just didn't expect him to use her as a shield from his wife so he could pick out a mistress beforehand. They've both been conned tonight.

"My business partner used me as a smoke screen. I really didn't want to be there. I didn't even know that these places or things existed!" Something was bothering Yuri and she had to ask. "Did you just start... I mean, is this your first..." Yuri raised her eyebrows at Jessica, unsure of how to ask her if she's been with other scumbags before. "Have you ever..." Yuri continued to go about the question but decided that knowing if this is Jessica's first time or not isn't as important. "Are you... mine only?"

Jessica blinked a few times at how Yuri struggled to ask her the question before changing it. It amused her how Yuri cared. "Kwon Yuri, did you not see how much you paid tonight? For that amount, I had better only be yours."

"Is that a... Yes?"

Jessica rolled her eyes, wondering who was the dumb one here. "Yes. And this is also my first time." Jessica's eyes became distant and sad. "I'm fresh meat."

"A bit skinny though..." Yuri joked to dispel the unhappiness, earning her a light punch from Jessica.

"Yah!" Jessica exclaimed with a grin before it turned into a smile of gratitude. She hugged Yuri who was still leaning against the headboard. "Thank you, Yuri," Jessica whispered.

They stayed up talking for most of the night, until Jessica started to slowly fall asleep. Yuri herself was already tired from the day's work and flight from Germany but forced herself to stay awake, keeping Jessica company.

------------ 

The next morning, Yuri was up before Jessica. She got ready and finished eating breakfast while Jessica was still sound asleep. Yuri chuckled to herself. How can a sleepyhead like Jessica deal with the hectic schedules of a singer? Her best friend was a singer and barely got 5 hours of sleep a day.

Yuri shook Jessica on the arm to wake her up. "Jessica..." The girl barely moved and so Yuri shook her harder. "Sica..."

She learned from their talk last night that Jessica feared cucumbers the most, so she leaned in close to the sleeping girl's face and whispered. "Alert, alert. There's a cucumber invasion! We're under attack and require Sergeant Sica to the rescue."

Jessica immediately broke into a huge smile at the dark girl's dorkiness. "Yah, Kwon Yuri, if it's cucumbers, I can't save you."

"Haha!" Yuri brushed Jessica's hair off her face, putting them in an awkward mood. "Umm.. Hurry up and brush your teeth. Your breakfast is getting cold." Yuri checked her watch. She was already late for her first meeting. "I have to go now. If you want, you could stay and sleep some more. I already paid for today."

Jessica emerged from the bathroom, watching Yuri gather her things from the bedside table. "You forgot your jacket!"

Yuri looked at it on the armchair, lying next to Jessica's dress. "You keep it. Cover yourself up good, you hear me?" Jessica nodded her head. "If I want to see you again, how do I find you?" Knowing that Jessica is from the States, she continued to ask, "Where are you staying?"

"I'm staying at one of the company's dorms. You could always ask for me there..."

Yuri frowned at the idea of Jessica being at her company's disposal. "I don't like you being there." She opened her purse and pulled out a key and scribbled something on a piece of paper. "This is my apartment in Korea. Move there immediately, okay?" Jessica nodded again. "And here's my business card. Call me if anything happens." Yuri checked her watch again. "I really have to go now. Bye!"

Feeling rushed, Yuri didn't think and did what only felt natural; she kissed Jessica on her forehead. She slowly stepped away, realizing what she just did.

Yuri did after all save her last night, and according to the contract, her saviour paid $50,000 for her. Yuri was civil with her the whole night and so the least Jessica could give her was a $50,000 kiss.

Yuri's face was only a few inches from hers. Jessica leaned forward, standing on her toes as she brought Yuri's head down for a kiss. She willingly parted her lips for her, letting Yuri touch her shyly with her tongue. Jessica deepened the kiss and Yuri responded feverently to the invitation, bringing it to a whole new level of passion that Jessica had never felt in her life.

Somehow, this kiss felt so right and to Jessica, a lot more than $50,000.

----------- 

The purpose of her trip was for business, but after that electrifying kiss with Jessica, Yuri couldn't help but think that it might turn into pleasure. According to the contract, Jessica was hers, but she wanted to think nothing more of it than Jessica being her personal tour guide in Korea. Yet at the same time, she was totally smitten by the American girl, thinking of her day and night. Yuri continued to stay at her hotel though, completely giving her apartment to Jessica.

It was her third and last day in Korea and there was no one else that she wanted to spend it with other than Jessica. Not even her best friend who was finally free.

The moment her last mundane meeting ended, she dialed Jessica's number. Jessica didn't pick up and so she called again. Yuri received the same voicemail message as before so she decided to pass by the recording studio to surprise Jessica.

By the time she arrived, Jessica had just completed her recording. Yuri waited for her quietly on the side, watching her thank the workers wholeheartedly. Jessica got ready to leave but saw Yuri standing on the side. Unable to hide her happiness, she ran up to her, smiling, and hugged her tight.

"Yuri!"

"Haha, hey Sica. Kwon Seobang's here to pick you up."

Yes, that was the joke between them ever since they started hanging out together as friends. It made the whole owning thing less awkward and serious.

They spent their last evening exploring Korea together. After Jessica's first attempt to show Yuri around, she knew that the light-haired girl was just as foreign as she was. Her understanding of Korean slang was just as bad. In the end, Yuri became the guide and Jessica, the tourist.

"Look at those glass apartments, Yuri!" They were standing by the mountain peak, overlooking the city. Not far from them was a glass building with new condo-apartments. "These people must have a nice view... Unlike me."

"What do you mean?" Yuri asked the girl who's swinging her hand.

"Our apartment faces this run downed building with advertisements on their roof for hemorroids," Jessica told her with her nose scrunched.

"I... never knew that."

A sudden thought occurred to Jessica. "Yuri... You've never been to the apartment, have you?"

It's true. The moment she landed, she checked into the hotel. Her assistant in Korea arranged the apartment for her and she was supposed to go there after meeting with Lee Shin Min that night. Although her assistant gave her another key, she never used it, in fear of frightening Jessica.

"I know!" Jessica's eyes lit up. "Why don't we have dinner at home. Then you can see the place. But wait, can you cook?"

Yuri chuckled at Jessica's question, having an idea of what she was trying to hint. In the past days when they went out to eat, Jessica would always exclaim how great the food tasted, but would always end it by saying, "If I only knew how to cook, I would make it for you."

It was the way that Jessica said things that made her heart flutter. Calling the apartment our apartment, home, saying that she would cook for her seobang... It almost seemed as if they were a couple, yet other than that kiss at the hotel, nothing intimate ever happened again. Jessica is just a good friend, that's what she's been telling people including herself.

Arriving at the apartment, Yuri saw that the view was exactly how Jessica described it. It was an open loft concept so the wall was just a giant window with the bed next to it. If the person were to lie facing the window, the first and last thing she would see for the day is a giant hemorroid ad.

Yuri walked along the right side of the bedroom. It seemed rather odd to her. "How come this side of the room is empty?"

Jessica appeared next to her holding a pair of furry slippers. "Oh, it's your side. I was wondering when you'll move in."

Yuri took the Mickey Mouse slippers and put them on. "Umm... I'm leaving after tonight."

Jessica's shock was replaced by despondence. She doesn't know why but in just the few time that they spent together, she became attached to the tall girl. Yuri made her feel comfortable and safe.

Yuri hugged her. "Sica, don't worry. I'll make sure that you'll stay mine and mine only." Jessica wasn't even thinking that but was touched by Yuri's concern. A tear drop rolled down her cheek, sliding onto Yuri's neck and down her collar. Yuri wiped her other tear away. Jessica threw her arms around Yuri's neck once more to hug her. "Silly girl. I'll be back, Jessica."

"Jung Soo Yeon," Jessica whispered to Yuri.

---------------- 

Every few weeks, Yuri would return to Korea to follow up on her company and everytime she went back, she would always go find her kept woman. She watched as the talented young girl rose to fame.

Yuri learned the games played in the entertainment field well. With the help of her best friend, she discovered that no matter how talented you are, few companies want to take a risk on newbies. That's why they train you to the bone.

Yuri didn't want that to happen to Jessica, especially not after seeing her eyes twinkle everytime she spoke about her dreams. So without Jessica knowing it, she financed Jessica's single release. Whenever she came back, she always did something behind the scenes for her. She helped Jessica get out of her slave contract with her company and she built a new media company just for Jessica. It was funny when Jessica called her long-distance to boast about this new company and contract, not knowing that it was Yuri who owned it. Her reply to a gleeful Jessica was, "I knew you could do it, Sica." Yuri did whatever she could to help give Jessica a better beginning. After that, it was up to the young girl to prove her abilities.

Yuri was at the new apartment with the glass balcony and window wall that they saw together at the mountain peak. It was her last day in Korea before she had to go back to Germany to help her foster dad with the new expansion. This time, she'll be gone for a lot longer.

During the year that she's known Jessica, she became used to her company and their friendship grew stronger over time. But when Yuri found out that she wouldn't be able to see Jessica for another year, she knew that this friendship of theirs was more. She had feelings for Jessica but was always careful around her, walking on egg shells in case she hurt her.

Yuri finished setting the flowers in the middle of the dining table. Tonight, she is going to confess her love to Jessica.

"Sica baby? Are you almost done rehearsing for your musical?" Yuri asked over the phone.

Jessica sighed. "Not quite. The producer wants to get everything perfect. He's actually asking me for my opinion, eh!"

Yuri laughed at Jessica's feeling of importance. "That's what happens when your album has gone platinum."

"Yah, stop teasing me. I'll be back soon. Maybe we'll go see a concert tonight?"

Yuri had plans of her own for them tonight. One of them involving Jessica saying yes to. "Maybe, we'll see."

"Okay, I gotta go. I'll see you when I get back." Jessica hung up in a rush just as she got called on stage.

Yuri received a call shortly after from Lee Shin Min. "Yuri, I need you here."

His explanation of why he needed her wasn't clear. Her company was surviving even without him as a consultant to the company. Nonetheless, it was her deceased birth parents' company and she was always extra careful, be it small problems or big. She took her jacket from the closet and left the apartment to meet Lee Shin Min.

---------- 

Jessica asked to leave the rehearsal early so she can pick up her gift for Yuri. Either ways, she just wasn't in the mood to practice. The longer that she stayed on the set, the less time she got to spend with Yuri and that thought distracted her more with every passing minute.

Jessica was super exhausted from her busy schedules. Since she became more popular, there have been more events for her. Her new company, KJ Entertainment, suggested that she reduce her workload, but she felt obliged to give back to her fans and supporters by making as many appearances as possible. Even while standing she could fall asleep. Hopefully at tonight's concert, the loud music and crowd will keep her awake so she could see more of Yuri.

Walking out of the shop with Yuri's gift in her hand, she giggled to herself, wondering if Yuri will be surprised. She held the wrapped gift closer. If it weren't for Yuri saving her that night, who knows what would've happened to her. Never did she doubt that what she felt towards Yuri was gratitude. But deep down, she wanted more than friendship. The moments when Yuri was back in Korea, she felt the happiest and safest. Even when she wasn't by her side, Jessica still felt protected, like as if Yuri was watching over her. However, at times, it would frustrate her that Yuri never treated her like a kept woman... at least that way, maybe they'll be officially together by now. Tonight. Tonight, Jessica will make her feelings known.

She saw Yuri's rental car in the apartment's parking lot. Jessica snuck up to the floor of their apartment and quietly got her keys out, wanting to give Yuri a surprise. When she opened the door, she was the one that was surprised. Another girl wearing her pyjamas was kissing Yuri. 

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Part 2: 

Yuri turned around at the sound of glass shattering. She saw Jessica standing at the door with tears in her eyes and broken glass all around her. She never expected Jessica to arrive home so early, much less to witness this.

Jessica turned around to leave and Yuri tried to chase after her but the other girl whom she just met held her back.

"Yuwree, you might hurt yourself. There's glass on the floor."

Jessica stopped at the sound of Yuri's name being called so intimately and glared at the third party.

"Sica, wait. I could explain." Yuri put on her shoes and accidentally stepped on Jessica's broken present --her first platinum album in a glass case.

Jessica stared at Yuri's shoes, crackling the glass below. More tears streamed down her cheeks. "Kwon Yuri, I HATE you!"

Yuri held onto her hand but Jessica struggled free. "Sica, let me explain..."

The crying girl shook her head, ready to pour her heart out. Never did she imagine that the catalyst in their relationship would be a third person. Never.

"That's why you never touched me or kissed me! You always had somebody else to do that with..." Jessica looked at the girl with the mushroom cut, all snug in her pyjamas and her slippers. She couldn't look at them anymore and ran out of there but this time Yuri succeeded in stopping her by yanking her hand.

"Sica, where are you going? Give me a chance to explain." Yuri pleaded.

"Where I go doesn't matter. Maybe I'll go find myself somebody who will actually care about me."

Hearing that Jessica was going to someone else angered Yuri and made her jealous. She forcibly pulled Jessica into her body, making the tear stained girl face her. "Jung Soo Yeon, don't forget that you're mine," Yuri said bitterly.

Jessica stared at Yuri who's clenching and unclenching her jaw. In the end, this is how Yuri sees me, a possession to be owned. Jessica slapped Yuri hard and felt the sting in her hand. She ran into the apartment and opened her drawer. The first time Yuri left, she had given Jessica the contract, permitting her to do whatever she wanted with it. But all along, she kept it safe. It was always their peace of mind that they would be together as long as this piece of paper existed --or so it kept Jessica to Yuri.

She held the paper in front of Yuri and ripped it to shreds. "Not anymore. You could do whatever you want with whomever you want and I'll do the same. Go to hell Kwon Yuri!" Jessica threw the key to the apartment at Yuri.

At this moment, they were both crying. Yuri regretted saying those words to keep Jessica with her. She regretted even more just standing there and watching Jessica leave.

Not knowing what had happened, the girl witnessing the whole fight started to scream at Yuri. "Why are you still standing there? Go after her!" Yuri remained where she was. "Kwon Yuwree! GO!"

"Tiffany... You sure you'll be okay by yourself?" Yuri asked the girl that she just saved.

She wasn't sure, but nodded her head anyway. This stranger saved her tonight but Tiffany ruined her saviour's life instead.

Yuri pulled out her cell phone to call her best friend as she ran down the hall to the elevator, chasing after Jessica who left only a minute ago.

The ringing stopped and somebody picked up. "Hello, my friend!"

"Taeyeon, you dork. Come over to my place right now and take the girl that's in there to your place," Yuri ordered.

"Sica?"

Yuri got in the elevator and pressed the level for the main entrance. "No! There's this other girl, Tiffany. Just take her and go."

"YulTiSic?"

"It's just YulTi at the moment..." Yuri became quiet as she stepped out looking for Jessica. "Sica and I got into a fight. She just left."

"Ooooh..." Taeyeon said apprehensively.

"Are you drunk?"

"No, no! I'll be there right away. You owe me, buddy. I want platinum for my next album too."

Yuri knew she was joking. With Taeyeon's fanbase, she's gone multi-platinum. "Thanks, buddy! I owe you one."

She got in the car and started the engine. Aside from the magnificent view, the apartment had another good point. To go back into the city, there's only one direction: down the mountain.

In no time, Yuri caught up with Jessica. She carelessly parked the car and ran after the girl in her white jacket. The sleeves were no longer white as she used them to wipe her tears.

"Sica!" Yuri embraced her from behind, hugging her tightly as she whispered into Jessica's ear. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

"You meant every word of it." Jessica struggled to break free but Yuri held on even tighter.

"No. I didn't. I..." Yuri swallowed. "I love you and I mean it." Jessica stopped moving. "That girl... I bought her."

Jessica spun around to face Yuri, looking at her as if she was a walking H1N1 virus. "You what?! So now that you don't own me anymore, you got yourself another one? You jerk!"

Hurt even more, Jessica continued walking. She just wanted to be alone but Yuri wasn't letting that happen. She ran in front of Jessica and held her shoulders.

"Sica, I meant I saved her tonight. Lee Shin Min, the guy that almost owned you, he was going after Tiffany and so I saved her. She just kissed me to thank me. I swear, it was just a kiss on the cheek!" Yuri felt like her life was hanging on a thread with the glare that Jessica was giving her. "I'll prove it."

Yuri pressed her lips to Jessica's, doing exactly what they did a year ago at the hotel, except it was Yuri who initiated the passionate kiss. Jessica laid her hand open across Yuri's shoulder, half heartedly pushing her away. Soon, Jessica was completely overtaken by Yuri's fierce hot kiss, letting her do the tasting.

Yuri broke away, half satisfied, half worried. "See, I taste nothing like Tiffany."

Jessica crossed her arms. "How would I know how Tiffany tastes like? I never kissed her."

"And I never want you to." She took Jessica's chin between her fingers, raising her head to look at her. "Sica, trust me, I wanted to kiss you and touch you so badly, to make you truly mine. But I was scared. Scared that you wouldn't love me and that you're just doing it out of debt."

Jessica was quiet which worried Yuri. She didn't know what was going through her mind right now. She confessed and told her the truth about Tiffany. Beyond this, there's nothing left for her to do but to wait for Jessica's reaction.

A black SUV drove up beside them, stopping in front of Yuri's car for a moment. The passenger window rolled down, showing a small girl and a mushroom next to her.

"Oh, Sica!"

"Yes?"

"You don't know me, well you might know me from TV and what not. I've heard a lot about you from Yuri. I'm her best friend, Taeyeon."

Jessica looked closer at the girl who appeared to be 10 years old behind the wheel of the giant car. "Oh! Taeyeon unnie!" Jessica exclaimed, knowing full well that she was the famous singer with strong vocals. Jessica looked at Yuri. "You didn't tell me your best friend is Taeyeon. The Taeyeon."

Taeyeon chortled and teased her friend. "Yul, you didn't tell me that your girlfriend is the Jessica Jung."

Yuri scratched her head. It was a weird time for introductions. "Ummm... She's not my girlfriend yet. Hehe," Yuri laughed nervously.

Jessica eyed the other girl who was no longer wearing her pyjamas. She approached her and upon closer inspection, noticed that her wet clothes smelled of alcohol.

"What happened to you?" Jessica pointed her slender index finger at Tiffany, holding it up like the Grim Reaper.

"I uh... Well, long story short, I wanted to be a singer and traveled to Korea by myself. I got scouted and signed with this company but it turned out to be a place where you're forced to entertain rich people before getting anywhere close to your dream. Tonight, I was fresh meat and somebody by the name of Lee Shin Min was going to take me but I fought back, as you can see." She gestured at her wet clothes and bruised wrist. "Yuri saved me... Then she called that pig's wife who happens to be a detective." Tiffany glanced at Yuri. "I kissed her for that."

Taeyeon felt sorry for the girl and held her hands. "Sica, now you know the story, forgive Yul. I could tell she really likes you." Taeyeon spoke up for her best friend. When Jessica still didn't say anything or move, Taeyeon added, "If you see me as your unnie and sunbae, go to your seobang."

Still Jessica didn't move, but they didn't know that it was because her knees were trembling so hard and her words were choking in her throat as she tried to speak.

"Forget it, Tae. She's free to go." Yuri walked away from them and got in her car, driving back to the apartment with a broken heart.

Taeyeon shook her head, showing her disapproval for tonight's result. She also drove off with Tiffany, taking the foreigner back to her place so she can stay there to nurse her wounds. Jessica was left alone on the street with nobody to hear her crying except the moon.

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Yuri stared at the door. She had already unlocked it but was not ready to face the memories of Jessica beyond this door. Just the thought of not seeing a giddy Jessica run to the door to greet her and call her Kwon Seobang brought tears to her eyes. With one hand clutching the door handle, Yuri leaned her forehead against their white door.

Waves of memories were like being rewinded in Yuri's head, bringing her to the very first time she met the nervous girl that was playing with her seductive black dress. Jessica was tough, but far too naive and trusting, hugging and kissing a complete stranger in a hotel. It was no wonder she got herself in that predicament in the first place. From that night on, Yuri protected her. But starting from this moment, maybe, just maybe she should let somebody else care for Jessica.

After all, Jessica would rather go find somebody else than listen to me, find out how much I care for her, and how much she means to me. But would I be able to let go? Had I not met this naive girl, would my heart feel so painful right now?

As Yuri thought about her rhetoric question, a pair of hands slowly and cautiously snaked around her waist. The person hugged her from behind and rested their head on her back before moving it onto her shoulder.

"Kwon Seobang..." she heard the sweet words whispered and hot breath tickling her ear.

"Je... Jessica?" Yuri held onto the hands in front of her. There was silence and Yuri tightened her grip. "Don't go find somebody else. I care about you. A lot."

Jessica withdrew her hands and Yuri turned to face her. With her finger, she wiped Yuri's wet eyes. "I know you do."

Yuri embraced the girl in front of her and Jessica rested her head on Yuri's shoulder. "Jessica, I don't know when, but I fell in love with you."

Jessica looked at Yuri, eyes sparkling brightly, like whenever she spoke about music. "Yul, I fell in love with you the first morning I met you." And like that first morning, Jessica got up on her tip toes, pulling Yuri's head down to meet her lips.

The kiss that Yuri received was priceless. It made her head spin with lust and her body tingle. She opened the door behind her, pulling Jessica's warm body with her. When they broke the kiss to breath in the happiness and gaze at each others warm eyes that were burning with desire, Yuri kissed her again, tenderly. With each step that they took closer to the bed, the more passionate their kiss became, and feelings intensified.

Clothes were discarded along the way until Yuri was lying down on the soft sheets with nothing covering her body except Jessica's. Yuri held onto the small girl above her, reversing their positions. She planted kisses all along Jessica's smooth neck and body, concentrating on pleasuring that spot before moving onto the next.

"Sica," Yuri looked at the girl breathing heavily below her, "I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend tonight, but I don't know if I could be satisfied with just that." She opened the box sitting on the table next to the bed. Holding Jessica's ring finger up, she presented a white gold ring, positioning it just at the tip of her finger. "If we do this tonight, I want to keep you forever."

Too emotional to say anything, Jessica just slipped her finger into the ring before kissing Yuri through her joyous tears. Yuri's tongue already made its way to caress Jessica's but through their kiss, Jessica managed to moan, "Yes, Yuri."

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In the middle of their bed, Yuri laid there thinking, hugging Jessica from behind, one arm draped over her waist and one leg comfortably tucked between Jessica's. This was how she should've been sleeping everytime she stayed in Korea, not on the edge of the bed, far away from Jessica's warmth.

She played with the sleeping girl's hand, running her finger back and forth over the ring's band. Yuri had planned to just give Jessica the matching necklace tonight and the ring much later, when the moment felt right. But after everything that happened tonight, after all the words they said and felt, there was no other person in the world that could make her feel this complete.

Yuri kissed Jessica's smooth, creamy shoulder. "I love you, Jung Soo Yeon."

"Me too, Kwon Yuri."

Yuri laughed at how she thought that Jessica was already asleep. "I promise I'll make you happy, no more tears," Yuri said quietly, pulling Jessica closer.

"I'm not a little girl."

Jessica's quick response amused her. It was exactly what she scolded Jessica about for following a stranger to another country, promising to make her an artist.

Yuri nibbled on Jessica's earlobe as she whispered to her, "No, you're not. You're a princess, the damsel in distress, and I, your dark knight in shining armor who saved you from the bad guys." Jessica turned around to face Yuri, a big smile creeping on her face. "And Sica, this is our YulSicaly Ever After..."