"Shhh… Jessi."

Jessica immediately stopped her sobs and held her breath. She froze with her body completely hidden under the blanket, not daring to turn her head around to see who it was. Though, there was only one person in this world who called her "Jessi."

"Jessi, I know you're not sleeping."

Jessica's bed shifted as Tiffany climbed in. She didn't want to turn around and to have Tiffany see her puffy eyes. But when Jessica heard silent sniffs coming from her friend, she practically kicked the blanket away.

"Why are you crying?" Jessica shot up into a sitting position and put a hand on Tiffany's arm, worried. She couldn't really see Tiffany's face but there was no doubt that Tiffany was shedding tears too.

"We—we fought," Tiffany sniffled.

"Again?" Jessica rubbed Tiffany's back comfortingly, knowing it was about Taeyeon. "But I thought you guys had made up earlier?"

"We have," Tiffany said sadly. "But somehow in bed we ended up talking about Yuri again."

Jessica sighed. She pulled Tiffany in for a hug, comforting herself also. It wasn't until then that Tiffany remembered she was crying too.

"Jessi, you were thinking about Yuri too, weren't you?"

Jessica didn't reply, but Tiffany knew she was.

"Can I ask you something?" Jessica whispered instead.

"Of course."

"Why did you agree for Yuri to stay?" Jessica sighed. "I know she'd be able to stay no matter what everyone said, but you didn't know about the contract when you were defending her."

"I wasn't defending her," Tiffany took Jessica's hands into hers. "I was just... it was... I thought..."

Tiffany stopped, thinking how to explain. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she looked at her friend sincerely. It was late in the night, but the lights from the parking lot outside were lighting up the room just enough for Tiffany to find Jessica's eyes.

"You still love her so much... I saw it in your eyes."

Having been seen through, Jessica was rendered speechless. Was it really that obvious?

She bit her lip as she let go of the tears she was holding back. It was true. What Tiffany said was true. Jessica couldn't hide this from her best friend, couldn't deny it in her heart. Emotions welled up inside her as tears just streamed down her face, landing on the hands Tiffany was holding tightly. Jessica held back a sob as she realized Tiffany's eyes were starting to water too.

"I'm fine," she quickly said, but didn't even bother to wipe her eyes.

"You don't have to act brave in front of me," Tiffany's voice cracked as she shook her head. "I was afraid that if you sent her away, you would regret it later. This way you have more time to decide. Jessi, what if she had changed? For you?"

Things like that only happen in books, Jessica bitterly thought.

"Fany, I really don't know," Jessica sobbed. "I wish she was! But everytime I see her, I get reminded of what she had done. I get reminded of how she said she didn't love me. I get reminded that I'm supposed to hate her. I get reminded of her grandfather, of Jiyong, of what they had done to my grandfather, and now my father. I'm scared about dad, Fany, do you understand? I'm scared about mom, about Krystal! I'm scared of what Yuri might have on her mind! I'm scared if I keep being naive, I'll be the one who harms my family again!"

Jessica sobbed and breathed. Tiffany immediately embraced her trembling friend.

"I hate myself for not being able to completely hate her, Fany," Jessica continued wailing against Tiffany's shoulder. "I hate myself for still wanting her after all she's done. It makes no sense! Why can't I stop loving her? She doesn't deserve it! She doesn't deserve it..."

Jessica's voice trailed off into sobs. Tiffany bit her lips, holding back her own tears. It hurt to see Jessica like this, but she knew she wasn't the one who could help. In fact, she began to doubt what she had apparently seen in Yuri's eyes, too. She didn't want to give any advice when she wasn't completely sure. If Jessica listened to her and Yuri ended up having faked everything once again, Tiffany didn't think she could face the Jungs ever again.

"What's going on?" Sooyoung's sleepy voice came from across the room. "Sica, are you crying?"

Jessica held her breath. Sooyoung would be enraged if she knew it was because of Yuri. Sooyoung would storm over to Yuri's room and strangle her for sure.

"No, it's me," Tiffany quickly replied, sniffling.

"Fany?"

The two girls saw Sooyoung sitting up on her bed.

"What happened?"

"Oh Soo," Tiffany continued sniffling. "Taetae and I fought again."

"Oh." There was another silence before the sleepy girl continued. "Do you want to stay with Sica tonight? I can sleep in your room. That shortie can't kick me out."

"Thanks Soo. That's really thoughtful of you."

"No problem," Sooyoung stood up. "But make sure you guys are going to make up tomorrow," she yawned and left the room.

Tiffany and Jessica were left alone, and fortunately, the blonde had stopped crying. Sooyoung being so sensitive and concerned about her and Tiffany had touched Jessica once again. She suddenly felt guilty that she had made the people she loved, and that truly loved her, worry so much over something involving someone who was worth nothing. Guilt showered her and she forced back the thoughts about Yuri. Jessica felt stupid. She was making Sooyoung worry, making Taeyeon angry at Tiffany, making Tiffany cry. What for? What kind of friend was she?

"Taetae and Soo won't let Yuri do anything bad again," Tiffany said reassuringly, even though she knew this only solved half of Jessica's problem.

"I have to pull myself together," Jessica decided, her voice sounding stronger. "I can't forgive her. I won't let her hurt me anymore."

"If you say so, Jessi."

"I'm a big and tough girl!" Jessica declared. "I'm not a softie who you can hurt easily!"

Tiffany stared at Jessica, a little baffled. Jessica stared back at her friend, and they finally fell into a fit of giggles.

"You and your mood swings. But I will give you mental support, bestie. All the time."

"Thanks," Jessica smiled. "I'm sorry I make you guys worry all the time."

"Don't say that," Tiffany replied and yawned. She lay down onto the bed, gesturing Jessica to do the same by tapping the space beside her. "We were clueless the first time. Now we have our fences up. Yuri knows that. Maybe she really has changed."

Jessica didn't reply to that. She lay down and covered both Tiffany and herself with the blanket. Whether or not Yuri had changed, Jessica had to show her she wouldn't be affected by Yuri's presence any longer. She needed to show Yuri that Yuri wasn't having any impact on her anymore. She would act normally around Yuri, as if she was over her already. This way Yuri wouldn't be able to hurt her. This way Sooyoung wouldn't have to worry. This way Taeyeon wouldn't have to get mad. Jessica hoped.

"I hope Taetae will see that, too," Tiffany sleepily said as she snuggled into the pillow.

"Don't worry. Taeng's just overprotective at times."

"Mmhmm," Tiffany agreed as she slowly drifted into sleep. Jessica watched her sleeping friend for another while, feeling much more peaceful than just half an hour earlier.

"I love you guys too. So much," she whispered.

----------

The next morning, Yuri woke up early. She took extra long time in the canteen for her breakfast since she hadn't been assigned to any area yet. Sooyoung and Jessica were the ones who gave the orders, but Sooyoung had left early with Taeyeon already. Apparently, they had to check on a few houses in the forest because a group of students were going to arrive around noon and rent several houses for two days. Jessica was still sleeping, because Tiffany had decided she needed sleep and turned off her alarm. Yuri ended up mopping the floor for Jessica that morning.

After finishing mopping and boring herself for another half an hour, Yuri peeked around the corner from the hallway and saw Tiffany talking to a guest at the reception. She smiled to herself, knowing the air must be clear now. There was only Hyoyeon left of the staff, but that girl was absolutely not someone Yuri had to worry about.

It was now eight in the morning, and Yuri decided somebody had to wake Jessica up. Since no one else was free, Yuri had to do it. She hadn't received the universal keycard for all rooms in the hotel, but she had been smart and stolen the spare keycard of Jessica's room from the reception earlier, before Tiffany's shift started.

Yuri quickly walked to Jessica's room, her heart beating faster. There was no doubt she was excited about this. She opened the door and entered, a smile flashed over her face as she saw the not-so-surprising sight. Jessica was lying in one of the single beds she and Sooyoung had apparently separated to each side of the room, an arm placed over her head that made it look like she was being punished. This gesture was like Tiffany's eye-smile, Yuri thought; a habit that was meant to never be broken.

Yuri noticed the blindfold, which was a new thing. Jessica probably had to wear it due to the light coming from the lamps in the parking lot at night. Yuri had the same light conditions in her room, but it didn't really bother her – she had always been an easy sleeper.

"Princess… wake up," Yuri sat down next to Jessica on the bed and whispered. As expected, her 'princess' didn't stir. Yuri gently shook Jessica's shoulder, whispering the same words again.

This time, Jessica grumpily mumbled something before turning Yuri her back. Yuri chuckled. How she loved this job.

"Come on," she pulled on Jessica's shoulder, wanting to turn the girl around.

"No, Ms Ahn," Jessica wailed sleepily, resisting Yuri's pull. "Just another five minutes…"

"Sica, I'm not Ms Ahn," Yuri chuckled. She pulled harder and successfully turned Jessica around this time. The blindfold slid off Jessica's face as a result, revealing the shut eyes of the sleeping princess. Yuri stopped and stared at Jessica's sleeping face, wondering what she must be dreaming of so that she even had to pout in her slumber.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up," Yuri sang, gently brushing a strand of hair off Jessica's face.

"I… don't… want… you…" Jessica gave back, apparently still talking to Ms Ahn. "Yuri promised… she'd call…"

Yuri froze, and Jessica turned on her side facing Yuri's body, blanket over head again. Not being able to hold back a smile, Yuri took a breath before gently pulling the blanket away.

"But… I am Yuri," she whispered and took Jessica's hands into hers. "Sica bab—"

Jessica's eyes fluttered open. "YAH!" She caught the sight of Yuri hovering over her head and her eyes went big and round in shock. Instinctively, her hand went straight up and landed across Yuri's face.

"OW!" Yuri exclaimed, holding her cheek. But that wasn't enough for Jessica. The blonde sat up fast as lighting, and before Yuri knew it, she was already on the ground, clutching her stomach. Jessica's foot had kicked her off the bed, causing her having to look up at a fuming Jessica.

"What the hell did you just do?!" Jessica stood up on the bed and yelled. With Yuri lying on the ground, her height appeared to be tripled.

"I… did nothing!" Yuri breathed as she was fighting the pain.

"LIAR!"

"No I'm not! I was just trying to wake you up!"

"No one asked you to! I have my alarm!" Jessica groaned. "How dare you disturb my dream! It's not even—" she glanced at the clock "—ten past eight! Wait, what? TEN PAST EIGHT?"

Jessica's hands went to her mouth. "Oh no," she muttered. Sooyoung was so going to scold her.

"Don't worry," Yuri wrapped herself up. "I already mopped the floor for you. And you are very welcome."

Jessica said nothing. She plopped down to sit on the bed, glaring at Yuri.

"What?" Yuri said defensively, standing up. It felt good to be taller than Jessica again. "If I didn't wake you up, who knows till when you'd keep dreaming that weird dream of yours."

"What do you know!" Jessica snapped.

"So you're telling me it's not weird to dream about your ex—" Yuri paused deliberately, causing Jessica's mouth to drop. "—housemaid? Huh!"

Jessica face darkened and she furrowed her eyebrows. She hoped she hadn't slept-talked too much. But she couldn't read from Yuri's face how much the girl knew about her dream. The best way to end this embarrassing incident was changing topics.

"Get out," Jessica said, standing up. "I need to change."

Yuri raised an eyebrow, grinning.

"Kwon Yuri!" Jessica yelled. "I'm serious!"

"Fine, fine," Yuri held her hands up defensively. She walked backwards towards the door and opened it under strict observation of Jessica's. Yuri stepped out. Before she closed the door, she added with the same big grin "It's not like there's anything I haven't seen, though."

A terrifying scream filled her ears immediately, and a pillow flew her way, but Yuri was fast enough to shut the door and save herself. She giggled to herself and turned around to leave. But she was surprised with a second hit on her cheek.

"Argh!"

This time, it really hurt. Yuri stumbled backwards, clashing her body against the wall. She looked up and immediately knew what had hit her. It wasn't Jessica's hand. It was Sooyoung's.

"Sooyoung," Yuri muttered, holding her face with one hand.

Sooyoung was standing in front of her, fists clutching at her sides. She gritted her teeth, panting through her nostrils. Her eye fired her anger at Yuri, making it so obvious.

"You can stay," Sooyoung hissed. "But no one allowed you to stay around Jessica. Don't you dare touch her EVER again. EVER."

"I didn't do anything," Yuri defended herself. "You're getting ridiculous, Sooyoung. It's not like she is your girlfriend."

"Neither is she yours!"

Yuri didn't reply.

"Listen, Kwon Yuri," Sooyoung hissed again. "I don't know what you're going to do this time, but I won't let you hurt any of us again."

"I'm not hurting anyone," Yuri frowned. "And I certainly don't want to hurt Jessica. Don't talk if you know nothing, Sooyoung. You know nothing about my feelings for her."

"Oh, feelings?" Sooyoung sarcastically said. "You are the one who knows nothing! There is no such thing for you. You're the same selfish jerk, and you will never change." As Yuri didn't reply, Sooyoung continued with gritted teeth. "In case you haven't noticed, Kwon Yuri, the more you get close to her, the more she gets hurt!"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't deserve her! You make her cry at night because she can't hate you but knows she can't forgive you either! Your presence reminds her of all the terrible things you did, and the worse thing is she blames herself on being naïve more than you on being sly! You have no idea how much you torture her, Kwon Yuri, because you're too selfish, drowned in your own needs and lust! If you really loved her, you would have never come back! She needs to forget you, for God's sake!"

"Oh shut up!" Yuri grabbed Sooyoung's collar and pushed the taller girl against the wall. She couldn't keep cool anymore. "I've heard enough of this sh*t! You're not the one who has the right to decide what Jessica needs and what not," she hissed against Sooyoung's face. "You think you care for her? You are the one who's being selfish, Choi Sooyoung! You stop me because it makes you mad everyone else is willing to give me another chance. You go crazy because you can't influence Jessica to stop being around me. You act like this because no one is listening to you!"

Yuri let go of Sooyoung's collar, stepping back. She was still glaring at the taller girl.

"Stay out of things between Jessica and me, Choi Sooyoung. She's the only one who will decide whether I can love her or not."

Sooyoung gritted her teeth in rage, but didn't do anything else. They glared at each other for another minute before Yuri hissed "And stop hitting me. Next time I won't be this nice again."

Then, she turned around and left.

----------

Jessica wiped her sleepy face, wiping off that tiny smile by the way too. She glared at herself in the mirror, but noticed with frustration that she looked more embarrassed and shy than angry with those red cheeks. Freaking Yuri and her 'It's not like there's anything I haven't seen.'

"Aish," Jessica sighed and looked away. She put her face towel aside and applied makeup on her face. She bit her lip to prevent herself from pouting, but she found no way to keep herself from thinking about what happened just earlier with Yuri in her room.

"How dare she," Jessica mumbled, trying to lead her thoughts towards the Yuri-is-unforgivable direction.

"How rude she was!" Jessica screamed, glaring at her reflection in the mirror. "That was just SO rude!"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sooyoung's head popped in from behind the door all of a sudden, an angry look on the tall girl's face. Jessica twirled around, knocking her eye care cream, her hand cream, and a few other creams on the floor.

"I—nothing," Jessica hastily answered as she bent down and picked up her belongings. Her ears went red as she dashed out of the bathroom, passing Sooyoung. "I did not just wake up, Soo. I was just reapplying my makeup."

She practically ran out of the room before Sooyoung could give a reply. Jessica could only hope Sooyoung would let this pass. Then she remembered she was the boss around here too, why did she have to be so afraid of Sooyoung? With that thought, Jessica pushed her chest up and walked straight with full pride again.

She put on a friendly face as she arrived in the lobby and saw a crowd. Tiffany was busy at the reception counter, talking to an older looking lady.

"Morning," Tiffany greeted as Jessica appeared next to her.

"Shhh!" Jessica kicked Tiffany's leg with hers. The last thing she wanted was guests to know there was a sleepyhead among the staff.

"So, here are the keys for you, ma'am," Tiffany turned around to the lady and handed her a bunch of keys. "I hope you and your students will have a nice stay."

"Thank you very much," the lady said, giving them a smile. "Excuse me, but do you mind if we stay here for another while? With a bunch of girls, you have to plan some time for them to use the washroom."

Tiffany giggled, shaking her head. "There's no problem at all, ma'am."

The woman smiled and turned around to her kids, raising her voice. "Everyone listen! Whoever needs to go to the toilet has to go now! We'll meet up outside in five minutes and I'll tell you more about what we're going to do with the vacation houses, okay?"

Everyone nodded and shouted okay, but only a few girls made their way to the washroom.

"Sunhwa! We're going to have to drive another 20 minutes to get to the vacation house," the woman sternly told one of the girls standing in the middle of the room. "And we will not stop the bus on the way again to let you do your business!"

Sunhwa blushed while others groaned. A few more girls trotted towards the washroom, even some boys reluctantly left their bags in the lobby and hurried to the washroom. The woman, who obviously was the teacher, made her way to the ladies’ washroom too.

"Who are they?" Jessica whispered to Tiffany as she watched the newly arrived guests. "Are they that class that's supposed to arrive around noon?" She looked at the watch. It was only almost nine in the morning.

"Yeah, they arrived earlier than expected," Tiffany answered. "Despite having to stop every now and then to let some people water the plants on the roadside."

"Fany!" Jessica elbowed her friend. "I can't believe you're making fun of that poor girl."

"Oh, I'm just in a very good mood," Tiffany giggled.

"Taengoo did something, didn't she?" Jessica smiled.

"She made breakfast for me and apologized. But I'm sure the reason why she gave in so fast isn't because she felt guilty. I think it has something to do with Sooyoung." Tiffany lowered her voice. "Apparently, her legs flew about and landed on Taetae's stomach every other hour last night."

Jessica laughed, remembering that the two single beds in Tiffany's room were put together to a double bed. She was happy that her friends made up so fast. Sooyoung once again was the hero of the day, even though Taeyeon might not agree.

Jessica was still chuckling when her eyes wandered around the lobby. She dropped the smile as she saw a familiar back of a tanned someone leaning against the wall, obviously flirting with a small group of girl students.

"Fany," Jessica said, coldly. "I think the plant next to Yuri needs some watering."

"Huh?" Tiffany looked up from her notebook in shock. "Seriously? But everyone's looking, Jessi! I recommend the washroom for now, really."

"I mean water-watering!" Jessica snapped, impatiently pointing at the glass of water on the counter, next to Tiffany's hand. "Give me that!"

Tiffany looked bewildered, but complied nonetheless. Jessica grabbed the water glass from Tiffany's hand and angrily walked towards Yuri and the girls in the corner. Tiffany watched her friend and bit her bottom lip in worry. Did she see a flame of jealousy in Jessica's eyes just now?