Chapter Seventeen

Yuri spots Sunny across the mall talking to Hyoyeon, Sooyoung and Yoona. An unsettling feeling fills her stomach and she turns away and looks at Tiffany who was happily eating her ice cream cone. “Are you okay with everything?” asks Yuri.

“Hm?” responds Tiffany confused.

“Are you okay with the fact that I’m part of a, you know. And that Jessica is dating the heir,” clarifies Yuri has her grip tightens around Tiffany’s hand.

“Well, no,” answers Tiffany honestly. “Being involved with you means having association with what your family stands for. And I don’t like what your family stands for. It also means being in danger. So no I’m not okay with the fact that you are part of it. But I’m starting to like you more and more, so I guess I have to deal with it.” She gives Yuri one of her eye smiles before turning back to her frozen treat. Yuri nods her head and continues the walk with Tiffany. She turns back to look at the group to see that they have disappeared leaving Sunny alone.

“This can’t be good,” she mumbles to herself.

“What can’t be good?” asks Tiffany curiously having hear the younger girl.

“Nothing, let’s go visit Taeng and your sister.” Tiffany nods her head in agreement.

*****

“So why did you mother marry Tiffany’s father?” asks Taeyeon as she attempts to cook with one hand.

“Call your chefs or something,” states Jessica as she watches the girl fumble with the plates. Taeyeon shakes her head no. “Fine. Destroy your dishes.”

“Father will always buy new ones. And answer the question,” responds Taeyeon.

“Because they fell in love I guess,” mutters Jessica while picking at some of the cut fruit in front of her.

“What about your dad?”

“He died in a standoff with some gangsters or mafia men.” Taeyeon freezes for a second and turns to look at Jessica who was staring at the fruit on the table. Taeyeon was unsure of what to say or how to respond. “So without him around mom started dating again.” She sighs as Jessica continues the story.

“And it just happened to be Tiffany’s dad,” states Taeyeon trying to grasp the whole idea, “but you guys, you and Tiffany, were dating. So how did that come to be?”

“Once again, we kept it a secret. And the next thing we knew our parents were dating. And then one day when I came home from school with Tiffany both our parents were sitting on the couch. They told us to sit and then next thing I remember is helping my mom plan her wedding. And long after that did they say I do.” Taeyeon nods her head and finishes cooking. She grabs a plate and utensils making her way to Jessica. She sets it down in front of the younger girl. Jessica gives her a smile.

“And so you broke up with Tiffany?” She picks some of the food that she prepares up and places it against Jessica’s lips.

Jessica takes a bite and covers her mouth with her hand. “I told her that it had to end since we were now sisters. At first I was okay with the idea. But after  a while I was becoming more and more freeked out. So we ended it. You and Sunny?”

“What about me and Sunny?”

“What happened there? Why’d you break up?”

“Because I wasn’t that into Sunny. She’s a great friend. But that was all I saw her as. And Hyo sort of liked her back then. Plus she was nosey. And she found out about all of this. And was trying to make me get out of all this.”

“I know about this.”

“But I like you.” Jessica smiles and takes the turn to feed Taeyeon.

“Taeng!” The both look at the entrance way to see Tiffany and Yuri. “Hey can I talk to you for a second?” Taeyeon walks out of the kitchen and to the den with Yuri, “Hyo is questioning Sunny. I knew telling her would be bad. She’s going to spill.”

“That was the plan,” states Taeyeon while giving Yuri a smile. “If that is all…I’m going back to my girl friend.”

“Girlfriend? Really?” Taeyeon nods her head and returns to the kitchen. She watches as Jessica hangs up and turns to look at her.

“Is everything okay?” asks Taeyeon a little worried.

“Yeah, Tiff and I need to go home. We haven’t exactly done our chores yet.” Jessica stands, “We’re still going to the movies though. Tonight.” Taeyeon nods her head.

“I’ll let the family driver drop you off.”

*****

Taeyeon lounges around in the den when she hears the front door open. Peeking her head over the back of the couch she watches as Hyoyeon enters alone. “Hyo!” she calls out. Hyoyeon stops and turns to her sister. “We’re have you been?” she asks striking up conversation.

“Out,” answers Hyoyeon, “with Sooyoung and Yoona.” Taeyeon nods her head and returns to lying on the couch. “Where did you go?”

“I went with Yuri over to Jessica and Tiffany’s house, why?” It was now Hyoyeon’s turn to nod her head.

“No reason.” Hyoyeon makes her leave and Taeyeon returns to lying on her back. She picks her phone up and stares at the time. As the clock flicks to five thirty, she sits up and smiles widely.

“Hyo!” she calls out while sliding on her shoes. She stumbles out of the den and to the front door.

“What?” comes Hyoyeon’s voice from the kitchen.

“I’m going out. I’ll be back later,” answers Taeyeon.

“Where are you off to?” She stops in her tracks and turns to Hyoyeon.

“Taking…Jessica out to the movies.” Hyoyeon looks her over with a raised brow. “What? Don’t believe me.” Taeyeon slides on her jacket that was lying by the front door, “you can come if you like. But you’ll just be the third wheel.”

“No and I do believe you. Just stay safe. We don’t need another incident like that on our hands.” Taeyeon nods her head and exits out of the house, running to catch the bus.

*****

“So what movie do you want to see?” asks Taeyeon while holding turning Jessica who was browsing through what was playing. Jessica shrugs her shoulders. There really wasn’t anything that she wanted to see. “How about this one?” asks Taeyeon while just pointing at one.

“Sure….yeah we can watch that one.” Taeyeon releases Jessica’s hand and makes her way to the ticket booth to purchase their tickets. Jessica watches her before turning and looking at the people in the theater. She smiles as she watches a two boys argue over the popcorn when she feels someone grab hold of her hand again. “Got them?” she asks not turning to see who it was.

“Yeah, you want some popcorn or something?”

“No…I’m fine. Besides if I want some later you’ll get it,” answers Jessica as they head for the theater.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because I’m your girl friend,” answers Jessica.

“You’re going to abuse that title aren’t you?” Jessica nods her head before dragging Taeyeon into the room where their movie is to be played.

*****

Hyoyeon, Sooyoung and Yoona show up outside Sunny’s house. Yoona rings the door bell and the door opens within a few seconds the door opens and Sunny ushers them inside. Hyoyeon marches past the two taller girls and towards Sunny who had returned to her seat. “Spill,” demands Hyoyeon as she hovers over Sunny. The older girl crosses her arms and clamps her mouth shut. 

“I don’t think she’s going to say anything if you keep demanding things,” states Yoona while looking up from the food that she brought with her.. Sooyoung nods her head in agreement.

“Fine…Sooyoung do your job,” orders Hyoyeon as she goes back to her seat. Sooyoung nods her head and takes the seat next to Sunny.

“So what did Taeng tell you?” asks Sooyoung while grabbing Sunny’s hands.

“The mole,” answers Sunny while reaching up and combing her fingers through Sooyoung’s hair. “Taeyeon told me about the mole. Sooyoungie.” Hyoyeon motions for Sooyoung to get more information.

“What about the mole…S-Sunny B-Bunny?” grits Sooyoung as the girl scoots closer. Yoona and Hyoyeon laugh quietly to themselves at Sooyoung’s ordeal.

“Taeyeon knows the mole and the accident was a set up to make Mr. Kim even more paranoid.”

“What do you mean make him more paranoid?” questions Hyoyeon.

Sunny ignores the questions and continues with the task of making Sooyoung’s hair more tamed and tolerable. Hyoyeon glares at the shorter girl before turning to Sooyoung, “W-what do you mean make him more paranoid?” repeats Sooyoung.

“Make him so freaked that he leaves a hole open. Allowing the mole more and more access until his empire is toppled over.”

“And Taeng knows the person?” asks Yoona finally joining the conversation.

“Yes…they set up the accident.” Hyoyeon sits back in her seat her face becoming serious.

“The mole and Taeng working together,” states Yoona questioningly. “Yuri?” She turns and looks at Hyoyeon, “Do you think the mole is Yuri? She’s the only other person who’s actually been to a meeting. She and Taeyeon always get the information first.” Hyoyeon shakes her head no.

“Yuri’s not smart enough to out maneuver father. Though you are on to something, the mole has to be able to attend meetings. It’s the only way they would know more inside information.” Hyoyeon stands and heads to the door, “I’m going out. I’ll be back later.” She exits out of the house with a scowl on her face.

*****

Taeyeon and Jessica exit out of the movie theater hand in hand. “Did you like it?” asks Taeyeon as she turns to Jessica with an awkward smile. Jessica nods her head since words were too much of a hassle to produce and form into a sentence. “Okay.” The smile on Taeyeon’s face becomes less awkward and she leads Jessica to the exit. As they round the corner and walk through the doors, a pair of hands shoots out and grabs Taeyeon by the back of her jacket and flings her against the wall.

Shaking off the pain, Taeyeon looks up to see Hyoyeon pinning her to the wall, “Mole…”