Chapter Nineteen

Taeyeon looks out into the living room making sure that Jessica and Tiffany weren’t looking their way. Noticing that Jessica and Tiffany were to engaged in a conversation she turns back to Yuri and the bag on the table. “They dropped it off when you were at work?”

“Yeah,” answers Yuri while unzipping her bag and pulling out the envelope. “I was lucky Hyo didn’t see anything. Do you know how big of a rampage she’s going through right now?”

“I’ve heard from Sooyoung,” answers Taeyeon as she takes the envelope and begins looking for a place to hide it.

“We can’t hide it here. Hyo has 24 hour access to this place,” states Yuri while watching Taeyeon walk around.

“So what do you suggest?”

“Jessica and Tiffany,” answers Yuri causing for Taeyeon to stop. “I know we shouldn’t get innocent people involve and trust me, as much as I don’t want to do this I think we should.” Taeyeon turns and looks at Yuri, “Just tell Jessica to hold it and give it back when you ask for it.”

“I-“ They hear footsteps and look up to see Jessica entering the kitchen with Tiffany in tow. “Jessica? Do you need something?”

Jessica shakes her head, “We were just wondering what’s taking you guys so long.”

“Oh, well I was going through the surprise with Yuri,” answers Taeyeon. Tiffany raise a brow skeptically before walking over to Yuri and pulls the younger into a hug, tiptoeing to whisper something in her ear. “But since it’s pouring outside how about we just stay in and watch some movies?” suggests Taeyeon.

“What’s in the envelope?” asks Jessica curiously.

“Nothing,” answers Taeyeon as she places the item behind her back, “just some mail that was delivered here. It’s for my mom.”

“Oh, okay,” responds Jessica while taking a seat on the counter top. “So what was the surprise? Since it’s raining all of a sudden…”

“Uh…” states Taeyeon while looking at Yuri, since she had no surprise to begin with.

“Taeyeon did you even have a surprise?”

She opens her mouth to answer the question when the front door opens and shuts.

“Hey midget, we’re here!” Sooyoung enters the kitchen with Sunny, Seohyun and Yoona following behind. “Tell me why of all days you wish to have this outing when it’s pouring?”

“It wasn’t earlier,” states Taeyeon, “and back to your question. No…I didn’t plan a surprise. Or anything. The farthest I got in planning was inviting everyone out.”

“So what were you planning on doing?” asks Tiffany.

“Winging it,” answers Taeyeon.

“Last time you decided to wing something it ended up with us at a miniature golf course and an obsessive possessive younger sister decided to play target practice with your large forehead,” states Sooyoung while taking a seat at the table.

“My forehead isn’t that big,” states Taeyeon while rubbing it.

“So what are we doing oh mighty leader,” states Yoona while pulling out a seat for Seohyun.

“No clue.” The group grows silent not sure what to do.

“Um…” everyone turns and looks at Jessica, “I’m just curious, but why isn’t your sister here?”

“Hyo’s sick,” answers Taeyeon.

“Yeah in the head,” mutters Sooyoung receiving a hit to the back of the head, “Ow! What it’s true the girl is like on a serious rampage.”

“Anyways, anyone have any ideas as to what we should do for now?” asks Yuri shifting the conversation away from Hyoyeon.

“We can always just hang out in the living room and watch some movies and talk,” states Tiffany.

“Any objections?” asks Taeyeon while looking around. Everyone shakes their heads no. “Well I guess we’ll do that then.”

*****

Hyoyeon opens the door to Taeyeon’s bedroom; she looks up and down the hall making sure no one was watching her. She slips into the room and shuts the door back. They’re hiding something. She knows it. She makes her way across the room to the desk taking a seat in the chair.

Opening the laptop and pressing the power button she begins her search through Taeyeon’s files. The screen lights up the dark room and her fingers tap against the keyboard. There has got to be something about what Taeyeon is up to on this device. The girl never stays off of it. She begins randomly opening up folders only to find school assignments, songs and pictures of the group.

She releases a groan. “Where the heck are you keeping your secrets?” She prepares to close the computer when Taeyeon’s messaging window pops up. “What is this? Who is Tae talking to?”

*****

Jessica watches as Taeyeon fidgets next to her, playing constantly with her cell phone. She leans over, “is something wrong?” she asks startling the older girl and making her jump.

“N-nothing,” answers Taeyeon while giving Jessica a smile.

“We’re all out of drinks and snacks,” states Yuri while looking up from her position on the floor. Tiffany nods her head while still playing with Yuri’s hair as the younger girl was using her lap as a pillow.

“And whose fault is that?” asks Sunny while turning away from the movie.

“You’re girl friends, Taeng’s girlfriend and Seohyun’s,” answers Tiffany with a small laugh.

“Then they should go get the food,” states Yuri.

“It’s dark, cold and raining. Jessica and Taeyeon should go instead,” states Sooyoung.

“And why should we?” questions Jessica.

“You two are the oldest,” responds Sooyoung.

“How about we put it up for a vote?” suggests Seohyun.

*****

“I can’t believe they voted for us to get them their stupid food,” grits Jessica while pulling her jacket tighter around her body. 

“Well you did help eat the snacks,” states Taeyeon while walking beside her holding the umbrella over them. She looks to her right to see the slightly taller girl shivering from the wind and teeth chattering. She shrugs the sleeves of her jacket off before draping her jacket across Jessica’s shoulders.

“What are you doing?” asks Jessica surprise and confused.

“Keeping you warm,” answers Taeyeon before walking again. Jessica hurries after her trying to get underneath the umbrella away from the rain.

“You’re going to be cold. Even worse you’re going to get yourself sick,” states Jessica while handing Taeyeon back her jacket.

“Keep it. It seems you like collecting my jackets anyways since you never give them back. Besides if I get sick that means you get to take care of me,” states Taeyeon with a grin, “and I have the perfect nurses outfit for you to wear.”

“Who says I’m going to take care of you?” questions Jessica.

“I did, and you will. Or you won’t be able to see me for a while,” states Taeyeon.

“What makes you think I want to see you?”

“The fact that you miss having your little admirer around all this week.”

“Little admirer?”

“Yes, remember…you said I was a stalker and I called it admiring one’s beauty.”

“Oh, now I remember back when you were a pervert,” states Jessica while linking arms with Taeyeon. “But I’m still not taking care of you.”

“Why not? I’d take care of you. I’d cook you some soup, make sure you take your medicine. Even give you a sponge bath.” Jessica rolls her eyes.

“And here I thought you gave up being a perv,” she mutters. Taeyeon gives her grin before dragging her into the store.

“Let’s just get them their food.”

*****

“Do you think it was such a good idea to send those two out into the dark?” asks Yuri out loud. “I mean we all know that Taeyeon has a hard time keeping her thoughts and hands to herself.”

“They’ll be fine,” states Tiffany while watching the movie, “Jessi dad taught her some self defense.”

“I wasn’t worried about Jessica; I’m more worried about Taeng. Who knows what’s could happen.”

“Stop worrying,” states Sooyoung. “The Shorty can hold her own, and so can Jessica. They’re fine. I should be more worried about whoever decides to attack them. Whoever it is won’t be able to see the tomorrow.”

“If you say so,” states Yuri closing her eyes.

*****

Taeyeon leans against the freezer window eyeing the many flavors of ice cream behind the glass. “Which to choose, which to choose,” she chants to herself, “Chocolate, vanilla…”

“We’re not getting ice cream,” states Jessica appearing behind her. Taeyeon looks over her shoulder with a frown upon her face.

“And why not?”

“Because we already have sugar filled snacks,” answers Jessica while showing her the items that filled her arms. “And it’s too cold for ice cream.”

“It’s never too cold for ice cream,” responds Taeyeon. “It’s like saying there isn’t enough time for me to spend with you. There is plenty of time.”

“Taeyeon,” she grits through her teeth.

“Let the little girl be,” Jessica looks over her shoulder to see an elderly couple standing in a nearby aisle. “I’m sure you’re parents wouldn’t mind if your little sister gets some ice cream.”

“Parents? Sister?” questions Jessica out loud.

“Little,” repeats Taeyeon with a hint of dissatisfaction. “I’m the same height as her.”

“No you’re not, I’m taller,” states Jessica turning back to Taeyeon.

“I’m older,” retorts Taeyeon.

“Yeah but I look older so I win,” states Jessica while walking away. Taeyeon mumbles lowly before opening the freezer and grabbing a carton of ice cream. She closes the door and chases after Jessica who was looking at drinks.

“You’re correct. You do look older, you look like an old lady,” states Taeyeon bitterly as she grabs a bottle of soda and stalks off. Jessica frowns before walking after Taeyeon.

“I was just joking,” states Jessica, “no need to be mean.”

“I don’t like when people make fun of my height,” states Taeyeon while setting everything on the counter. She pays for the items before turning to Jessica. “Let’s take this somewhere else.”

“Where?”

*****

“You really are a kid, huh?” asks Jessica while looking out at the rain, “your idea of somewhere special away from the group consists of the jungle gym in the middle of the park when it’s raining. First golfing-“

“Correction miniature golf and go carts,” states Taeyeon as she opens up the carton of ice cream. She digs in the bag for the plastic spoons she bought; grabbing two, she hands one to Jessica.

“Right mini golf and go carts,” states Jessica with a smile. She watches as Taeyeon digs into the ice cream, eating it with a smile. She scoops some up before tapping Jessica’s lips with her spoon. Jessica slowly opens her mouth allowing for Taeyeon to feed her. They sit in silence feeding each other ice cream when Jessica decides to speak up, “What’s going on between you and your sister?”

“Family matters,” states Taeyeon.

“Like?” questions Jessica. “And don’t say nothing, because she wouldn’t have shoved you hard against the wall the other night.”

“Family business matters,” states Taeyeon while scooping some ice cream. She feeds Jessica, “the family business is collapsing and she believes that I have something to do with it- scratch that she thinks I’m the reason for it.”

“Are you?” Taeyeon looks Jessica in the eyes before returning to eating ice cream.

“I can’t tell you anymore, Jessica,” she states, “its bad enough you already know about the business. Spilling more means betraying the business.” Jessica nods her head. “How is your family?”

“Boring. Nothing interesting happens amongst my family. Tiffany’s all about Yuri now. Krystal has her own friends and the adults have their own life.” Taeyeon nods her head. She turns and watches the rain fall. Jessica scoots closer and leans her head against Taeyeon’s shoulder. Jessica grabs her hand and begins playing with her fingers.

“Jessica.”

“Hm?”

“Are you still afraid of my future?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I have this feeling that I will have to take over soon. I don’t want you to break up with me because of that.”

“Will you go good?”

“I am good.”

“Then you should already know the answer.” Jessica leans up brushing her lips against Taeyeon’s cheek. “I think we should return to the group.”

*****

Hyoyeon closes the laptop. Taeyeon wasn’t a mole. She was telling the truth and neither was Yuri. In fact, they were working to save the family business. She could have sworn that Taeyeon would be working to destroy the company since she hated it. She quickly turns around and exits out of the room quietly. She heads to her room grabbing her jacket and shoes, slipping both items on.

She needs to get to Taeyeon. She needs to figure out what the older girl was planning. She races out of the room at a fast pace. “Hyoyeon, where’s the fire?” asks her father as he steps out of the office.

“Nowhere but I need to get to Tae. We’ll be back later tonight.” He nods his head and watches as she disappears down the stairs in a blur.