Jessica woke up abruptly from her sleep. The first thought coming up in her mind was that the effect of the medicinal liquor had faded. She wasn't feeling dizzy anymore, and her head felt lighter and clearer.

Coming with a clear head was the reminder that there was someone out there who might need a blanket too. Until now, she had completely forgotten that Yuri must be extremely cold without anything covering her body during her sleep. Not to mention, the living room was a tad chillier than the bedroom too. The realization suddenly turned the situation extremely serious, probably even into a matter of life and death, and Jessica was wide awake at once. She jumped off the bed, grabbed the blanket, and stormed out into the living room. The lights were still on and everything looked exactly the same, which made it easy for her to find Yuri.

"Oh no…"

Jessica bit her lip in guilt as she saw Yuri's body curled up at the same spot on the ground, the tanned girl hugging herself tightly, her teeth chattering. She quickly kneeled down next to the freezing girl and shook her shoulder.

"Yuri… Are you okay?"

No response came from Yuri except for the chattering and the occasional shivers running through her body. Jessica began to reproach herself for letting this happen as she tried to get Yuri onto the couch.

"Come on," she urged the unconscious Yuri and grabbed the girl under the arms, pulling with all her might. It took her a while before she was able to drag Yuri out of slumber, receiving a little cooperation from the sleepy and maybe still drunken girl. Jessica struggled hard with the bigger body until Yuri finally sat on the couch with her head resting on the backrest, arms crossed and pressed tightly to her chest.

"I'm cold…" Yuri mumbled, sleep-drunken, her lips barely parting.

Jessica quickly picked up the blanket and wrapped it around Yuri. The reproachful thought that she shouldn't have left Yuri alone repeated in her mind non-stop. She regretted her ignorance even more as, in the midst of tucking Yuri up, her hands accidentally brushed against the bare skin on the back of Yuri's hands. She bent down to take a closer look, and her eyes widened in surprise as she realized the skin on Yuri's hand had taken a purple hue. Jessica had never seen purple skin before.

On the edge of panicking and drowning herself in guilt, Jessica slipped under the blanket and hugged Yuri from the side, pulling the girl's feet onto the couch. Yuri automatically curled up inside the thick blanket and leaned her body leaning against Jessica's warm one, her head resting on Jessica's shoulder. Jessica tightened the embrace as she felt goosebumps on her arms again. Yuri's clothes were cold. Heck, Yuri's entire body felt like it just came out of a freezer. The only thing that was warm coming from Yuri was the breaths hitting her neck from the side, but nonetheless sending shivers down her spine.

It took a while before Yuri's arms loosened, her body relaxed in Jessica's hug, her teeth stopped chattering completely and her breathing became even again. Jessica sighed inaudibly, unconsciously pressing her cheek against Yuri's head. Her hand found Yuri's inside the blanket, and she intertwined their fingers.

Maybe she shouldn't be doing this, hugging Yuri and all, but right now, she couldn't care less. It just felt like the right thing to do. She wondered how Yuri had felt when the girl was watching her sleep the other night, because right now, Jessica couldn't find another word to describe her feelings better than nostalgic. Everything seemed like the old days, when their love was pure and free. She yearned for the past, for the simple bliss of just being together and not having to worry about anything else. 

"Yuri…" she whispered softly, not loosening the embrace a bit. "Tell me… How important am I to you?"

She wasn't expecting an answer, but then Yuri nuzzled her neck all the sudden, and her heart stopped beating for a second. She held her breath and waited. But Yuri just swallowed her saliva and soon became motionless again, breathing evenly through her nose. Jessica couldn't help but to feel her heart sinking.

"You said you love me…" she continued her little monologue, feeling Yuri's breaths so close to her neck that she almost expected Yuri to kiss it. "But how much, Yuri? How much do you really love me?"

She ignored the tremor in her voice as she heaved a saddened sigh. She had never denied that she loved Yuri, even when the truth came out. But from the moment she knew about the betrayal, her love was suppressed and overshadowed by other feelings. She knew Yuri loved her, by now she believed it, but was that love enough, was it more worth to Yuri than anything else? She didn't know. She wasn't sure. And she couldn't help but to feel insecure because of that.

The thought pushed her heart away again, to a safe distance to not allow Yuri to hurt her easily. She struggled out of their position, carefully laid Yuri's head down onto the couch and stood up. Her feet carried her to the window, away from Yuri's scent, and showing her the remaining drops falling from the sky as the wind kept joggling the branches of the trees in the darkness. Jessica sighed. The scenery was just adding to her depression.

One of the things she loved about Yuri was that the girl was always so darn good at making her feel protected and loved. When Yuri paid attention to the littlest things she did, sacrificing her own needs, willing to put up with uncomfortableness just to make her feel comfortable, like how Yuri didn't complain a word and let her have the blanket all by herself earlier; when Yuri looked at her with eyes that said she was the one and only person that mattered, it was so easy to forget about all the troubles in the world. At times like that, the love inside Jessica grew and her heart would take over, she would love nothing better than to drown herself in Yuri's arms.

That worked when everything was still okay. But now, nothing was okay, nothing was alright. She had to turn her back to the Yuri that wanted to love her, and it broke her heart into a million pieces to have to do so. But she didn't have another choice until everything was clear, until she could be assured that loving Yuri wouldn't clash with the responsibilities she had to take for other people. All the whys, all the hows needed to disappear. And she hated how until now, she was still denied the answers.

Jessica wiped away the tear that just succeeded in escaping her eye. How much longer could she live like this? How much longer could she bear this feeling? How much longer could she keep composure and control over herself when Yuri was around? How much longer would it take until she finally had enough and either gave in and risked it all, or pushed Yuri away and lost her forever?

Jessica didn't have an answer to all that. But she knew Yuri had to do something soon.

It was the moment when she couldn't keep up with the tears anymore and they freely streamed down her cheek that she felt these familiar arms encircling her waist. A warm body pressed up against hers from behind, a hot breath tickled her ear. She found herself holding her breath, awaiting the words she had been longing to hear.

"Sica… I love you…"

Yuri's whisper soothed her wrenching heart, making it easy to breathe again.

"I really, really do," Yuri continued whispering, and Jessica felt the girl burying her face in her hair, breathing in her scent that she knew Yuri loved so much.

She slowly turned around and saw Yuri looking her straight in the eyes, the tanned girl still dressed in those too-short pajamas but didn't look like she was drunk or sleepy anymore. Yuri had her hands placed on her waist, not showing any intention of wanting to let go. She found herself cupping Yuri's cheek as she looked at the taller girl with eyes that said 'I believe you…  In spite of what you did, despite where we are, I still believe in those three words you say.'

She wanted to say more, but the words got stuck in her throat, and the only thing she was able to release was more tears flowing out from her eyes.

Yuri's one hand went to her face too, the girl's thumb gently wiping over her eye. A sob escaped Jessica's lips, and Yuri's eyelids fell down slowly, as though the girl couldn't take seeing her cry anymore. Yuri leaned in, pressing their foreheads against each other.

"I am so sorry," Yuri whispered, her voice shaking against Jessica's trembling lips. "I'm sorry I made you wait too long for this. I know it hurts you to see me acting like I didn't care about the wrongs I did, but I just didn't have the courage to tell you sooner how sorry I am. I was afraid your love for me has faded, I was afraid it wasn't enough for you to accept me, or to give me a chance, even if I'm terribly sorry for everything."

Yuri moved away from Jessica's face, just enough to be able to gaze her in the eyes. Yuri wanted Jessica to see it, see the pain in her eyes, see that she'd gathered all her courage to tell Jessica now, and that every word she said was real, was true, was coming from the bottom of her heart.

"The only way I could be around you, my stupid mind told me, was that I have to act like I had a plan, like I was up to something unpredictable, so that you and everybody else had to think twice before sending me away from you. But I don't have a single plan, Sica. I don't have the smallest thing up my sleeve. I have no idea what I can do, what I should do or have to do. I just followed my heart as it screamed to be with you… I just blindly followed it, even though I don't know where this will lead me in the end."

Jessica held her breath as her hand left Yuri's face, sliding down to stop at the girl's thumping heart.

She followed her heart…

"If you love me so much…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Then why did you do what you did?"

Why didn't you follow your heart sooner? Why did you have to make me hate you when you know I love you just as much? Why, Yuri, why get us into this kind of situation in the first place?

"You are a fool, Yuri… A fool."

"I am a coward, Sica," Yuri squinted her eyes, laying her hand on top of Jessica's. "With the pressure I had to bear, I didn't dare to quit when everyone was watching me. But now, I regret everything I did that caused you pain. The rational being I used to be would say it's the price that needs to be paid to get to the greater goals, but you have changed that mindset in me. The time we've been together… it might belong to a plan, but no one could have planned for it to be the happiest time of my life. I didn't plan to fall for you so deeply. I didn't plan to fall in love with you at all. I dreaded the ending of our relationship and I tried to savor every minute, every second I could spend with you. I was supposed to be done with you when it ended, I was supposed to get over you, but I just couldn't. I can't… I can't just forget about you… about us."

Yuri's voice trailed off, and Jessica closed her eyes. They stood in silence for a moment, holding each other.

Get over us? I can't, either…

Jessica closed her eyes to let the last few tears run down her cheek, but opened them again as Yuri tilted up her chin, making their gazes meet again.

"That's why I am here, Sica. I don't ask for your forgiveness, because I know I don't deserve it yet. But I'm pleading you to give me a chance to make it up, even though I don't know how. I'm trying… I'm trying hard. I—" Yuri sighed against her face. "I miss you… I can't take not being around you any longer. The longer I waited, the more I was scared of losing you. The thought that somebody might take you away from me when you are the most vulnerable… it hurt so much. And I was afraid it could happen too easily. Do you understand, Sica? The thought that I might lose you forever, it was killing me inside—"

"Do you really think anyone can do that?" Jessica cut in with a whisper.

"I—I was scared. I haven't been this scared in my entire life."

"I thought you were smart," Jessica shushed Yuri, her hands holding Yuri's face again. Their foreheads were again pressed against each other, their noses touching lightly. "Why are you so stupid when it comes to me?"

"Because—" Yuri halted. "I love you… too much."

Jessica's heart felt like it was all the sudden released from all its burdens. This voice, this grip around her waist, this look in the eyes – that was Yuri, stripped off of all the lies. Finally, she could hear the words with a sincerity she knew she could trust. Finally, she felt like she was allowed to love Yuri with no boundaries again. Finally, the wait had paid off.

"Falling in love with you is something I can't undo, and it's the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. But the terrible things I did can't be undone either, and it's a shame. But… Sica, if—if you still have any feelings left for me… please—"

"I love you, Yuri."

"I—" Yuri's voice cracked. "I'm so sorry for everything."

"I believe you…"

"Please, just keep your faith in me a little longer. I'll work this out, I promise."

"We can try together," Jessica whispered, her tears had dried by now. "I don't want to lose you either. I don't want Jiyong and your grandfather to take you away from me. It hurt my heart just as much as it hurt yours to think that I had lost you to them forever. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this… Since the moment you caught me in the lobby, I've constantly hoped to hear you say that you were back because of me."

"I am," Yuri whispered as she moved her forehead away from Jessica's and looked her in the eyes again. "You're the only reason why I'm here. My heart belongs to you… as it always has."

A warm silence entered as their gazes locked together, their eyes slowly replacing pain and sorrow with love and hope. Only the rain could be heard, softly accompanied by their fast-paced heartbeats in the background. Yuri leaned in slowly, "I love you," she whispered again, and her lips met with Jessica's softly.

But Jessica instinctively backed away, making Yuri's heart freeze within a beat. Jessica could feel how Yuri was trembling, the hands around her waist tightening, afraid that she wanted to leave. Witnessing Yuri's fear and insecurity, which were clear signs of her vulnerability, Jessica's guard suddenly disappeared, her mind got turned off and her heart took single control. She leaned in, reconnecting their lips. The kiss was loving and tender, meant to be reassuring of their love, without worries, without troubled hearts, without fear and regrets. It was just their pure appreciation for one another, the feelings blossoming in the beginning of their ever so strong love. Jessica had missed these kisses – the kisses that made her the only one that mattered in the world.

But eventually, she found herself putting a hand on the nape of Yuri's neck, pulling the taller girl in for more. The kiss was deepened as desire started to take over, and tighter again became the grip on her waist. Jessica understood all the unspoken messages that were sent through the kisses.

I missed you. I missed you this much, I'm going crazy.

And her response was just as passionate. Her arms wrapped themselves around Yuri's neck; and she kissed her hard, kissed her madly – kissed her like there was nothing more important to do in this world.

When Yuri broke the kiss for them to fill their lungs with oxygen, Jessica felt herself falling and flying at the same time. Then she realized Yuri had lifted her feet off the ground, carrying her in her arms. She clung to Yuri's neck, never letting go, her eyes gazing into Yuri's warm ones. The look on Yuri's face was full of adoration and love, Jessica couldn't help but to get lost in them.

Yuri made small and slow steps towards the couch, eyes never leaving Jessica's. They stopped at the couch and Jessica understood fast; she grabbed the blanket, and they pulled it in tow towards the bedroom. Yuri laid her gently down the bed before kissing her again, one hand pulling the blanket to cover their bodies. Jessica closed her eyes, feeling Yuri placing kisses everywhere on her neck. She let out a soft moan, her hand running through Yuri's hair.

When the kisses temporarily stopped, Jessica opened her eyes to the sight of Yuri hovering over her face. She saw Yuri's eyes closed, the girl's eyebrows knitted in a way that didn't belong into the scene.

"What's wrong?" Jessica whispered concernedly, shifting herself to sit up.

But Yuri pushed her down gently, shaking her head. The tanned girl kissed her on the lips again, as if to show there was nothing she needed to worry about. It worked, because Jessica stopped thinking about it and worked her hands on the buttons of Yuri's top instead. She found her heart adopting the familiar fast pace of excitement and anticipation as she pulled the fabric out, revealing Yuri's tanned body. However, her sight was blocked because Yuri was still kissing her, and the girl's sneaky hand was now caressing her skin inside her own shirt. Yuri eventually broke the kiss and pulled the fabric over her head, making them both equally uncovered.

Jessica looked into Yuri's eyes, feeling Yuri's finger stroking her cheek with so much tenderness; it made her fall in love all over again.

"I love you," Yuri leaned in again and whispered.

She sighed as Yuri started to kiss her body, the touches sending shivers down her spine. The kisses slowly became lighter and lighter, making her have to arch her back as she was yearning for more. It was no surprise that her eyes snapped wide open in confusion when the sensation suddenly stopped, and instead of the kisses, she felt Yuri's head landing on her chest.

It was quiet as Jessica waited, wondering if Yuri was being silly and listening to her heartbeats. Because she was sure her heart was thumping so loud, Yuri didn't need to press an ear against her chest to hear it. But when she noticed the even breaths coming from the girl on top of her, she realized Yuri had fallen asleep.

Jessica chuckled, getting over the disappointment fast. The alcohol and the cold must have worn Yuri out. She felt her eyes getting heavy again, too, and pulled Yuri's body onto the bed next to her gently, snuggling with the girl in a warm hug. She pulled the blanket over their bodies, making sure both of them were covered, even though she was feeling ridiculously hot.

Jessica slowly dropped off. And for the first time since a very long time, she dropped off with so many butterflies in her stomach.

----------

"My goodness! Jessica!"

Jessica woke up next morning with Sooyoung's scream in her ears. Her body shot up like a rocket, not believing it was really Sooyoung who was barging into the room. Before she could see clearly with her sleepy eyes, however, Yuri's shirt on the floor landed on her face. She let the fabric slide down to cover her bare upper body and finally spotted the short-haired girl standing in the middle of the room, glaring daggers at her.

"Get dressed! NOW!"

Jessica was bewildered at the situation, but the anger in Sooyoung's voice left her no choice but to comply.

"I can't believe this!" Sooyoung turned around to face the wall to let Jessica put on her clothes. She threw her hands up into the air, ruffled her hair in frustration and groaned angrily. "I was worried sick about you last night, Jessica Jung! And what were you doing? You were here the whole night, and you—you—I don't even want to know what you did! But how can you do this! I can't believe—"

"Soo…" A dressed Jessica tugged at Sooyoung's sleeve, trying to calm the raging girl down. "Nothing happened. We just—"

"You lie naked in the bed with her and you tell me nothing happened?!" Sooyoung yelled, pointing at the pile on the bed.

"What's going on…?" Yuri finally woke up due to the noises. She rubbed her eyes sleepily before opening them wide in shock at the sight of Sooyoung.

"Let's go, Jessica!" Sooyoung hissed and yanked Jessica's arm, pulling the blonde out.

"What? Wait!"

Yuri jumped off the bed just when the two girls exited the room. She wanted to chase after them, but realized she had to find a top. It took a while before she could find Jessica's on the heater and quickly put it on. Not being able to care less about the outfit, Yuri kept the pajama pants and sprinted outside, looking for the other two.

She saw Sooyoung's car leaving the front yard of the house, with Jessica certainly sitting inside. Yuri did not lose a second but ran outside and chased after the car. It was in vain until she found her own car on the roadside, but she never gave up. She had no other choice. She would not allow Sooyoung to take away her girlfriend. Not when she just won Jessica back.

----------

"Let go of me!" 

Tiffany looked up from behind the reception counter and saw Jessica and Sooyoung struggling through the entrance.

"Jessi!" Tiffany's face brightened and she hurried to her friends. But when she noticed the look on Sooyoung's face and the tenseness between the two girls, relief quickly turned into confusion. "What happened?"

"I…" Jessica sighed. The blonde avoided Tiffany's eyes and looked at Sooyoung instead, the disappointment in the tall girl's eyes making her heart sink. "Sooyoung, listen… She's here for me. Because she loves me."

"She told you that and you just blindly believe her?" Sooyoung snapped, finally looking Jessica straight in the eyes. "I knew I shouldn't have let her go looking for you!"

"I trust her. I know she doesn't lie this time. I can tell."

"How can you tell, Jessica?! Stop following your heart blindly, stop being so naïve!"

"No, Soo. I'm not being naïve this time. I love her, you know I do. It means the world to me that she has left what she was initially going after, just to be with me. Don't you understand? I am not willing to let go of her, I am not going to give up on her when she's already here for me, I am not letting her family corrupt her and turn her into one of them! I don't want to lose her to them, Sooyoung. She loves me. She needs me, she—"

"She needs what?!" Sooyoung yelled, cutting Jessica off. "All she wants is to conquer! And you make it too easy for her because you can't freaking control yourself and just jump in bed with her when she asks you to!"

The words hit Jessica like a slap in the face. Tiffany's eyes widened as she stared at her friends, shocked with Sooyoung's aggressiveness more than what Jessica had supposedly done.

"That is none of your business, Sooyoung," Jessica eventually said, giving Sooyoung a blank look.

Just then, a loud braking noise came from the front yard, and the glass doors opened wide the next moment. Yuri came bursting into the lobby, panting hard. The six eyes lied on her, one pair with so much despise and hate that it made her cringe. Nonetheless, she went up next to Jessica and looked straight at Sooyoung.

"Don't take her away from me," she said through her ragged breaths, with all seriousness she had.

Sooyoung opened her mouth and was about to remark with a hateful comment, but a loud thud on the floor caught them all off. They turned to the source of sound and saw Taeyeon standing in front of the hallway, looking into their direction with shock. The four of them instinctively turned around and immediately realized what it was that made Taeyeon's mouth hang agape. Or rather, who it were.

Yuri gulped.

"Grandfather… Jiyong…"