When it Began, It Never Ended Ch.26 Pt. II
Two months later
“Where did you get your bed?”
“I had it shipped in from Germany.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever leave it now.”
“Yes you will, I’ll make you.”
“No, I’m sleeping.” Eunjung was lying in Jessica’s bed, napping under her giant fur blanket imported from Thailand.
“You have to spar with me every nap you take, and massage my muscles if you stay the night in my bed.” Jessica was going through her revolutions of workouts again, her limbs briefly cutting through the air and landing softly on the cold hardwood floor.
“I BUILT YOU THIS DAMN ROOM, I SHOULD GET THE MASSAGES!”
“I paid for all the new furnishing in this warehouse, I believe the least you could do is build my room.”
“Go back from whence you came, Satan.”
Eunjung felt the bed slightly move and the fur blanket be whipped from her hardly covered body.
“NO!”
“MINE!”
“SHARE!”
“NO!”
Jessica took her fur blanket and sprinted out the door with Eunjung close on her tail.
“Work those fat limbs!!!” Suji shouted from the couch she and Jiyeon were relaxing on, watching the two scurry past.
“Jessssiiiiiiccaaaaa!!!!!” Jessica was running up the stairs to Boram and Qri’s room. She’d have to slow down to open the door, Eunjung speeding up in anticipation.
As Jessica closed in on the door, she had the large blanket over her shoulder and a hand outstretched to open the door.
“Guy- AHHHH!!!
“AHHHH!”
Soyeon came out of the bedroom door and screamed in Jessica’s face causing her to scream back at her until they collided. Jessica toppled over Soyeon and onto her fur blanket as they did a somersault onto the ground.
“AHA!” Eunjung skidded to a stop at the door frame and pointed triumphantly at Jessica’s fallen form.
“Soyeon! YOU HATH SLAYED THE DEMON OF THE SEVEN SEAS AND BROUGHT FORTH MY FUR BLANKET. I THANK THY PURE AND BRAVE SOUL, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.” Eunjung stepped forward to claim the prized blanket, only to have her wrists swatted away.
“Excuse yourself, Obi-Wan, this is being confiscated.” Boram slipped off her bed and collected the blanket from under Jessica.
“But it’s mine!!”
“Jessica purchased it and didn’t use it wisely, so I’m taking it.”
“But that’s not fair!”
“Such is life, young padawan.”
Jessica got up from her dizzied state and turned to Soyeon who was unconscious on the ground.
“Are you guys going to help her?”
“We’ll let her use the blanket tonight, maybe she’ll feel better.”
“’Kay.”
Jessica turned on her heels and left the room, heading back down to her own room beside the kitchen.
When she got in, she went to her closet and pulled out a new fur blanket. This one was white, but it seemed uncharacteristically heavy.
Jessica felt around the blanket and realized there was one member missing from the bunch. She whipped out the blanket on her bed and Hwayoung came flying out of it.
“What are you doing in my closet?”
“What are you doing with tons of fur blankets?”
“They feel nice on my tired muscles. And stop deflecting!”
“Can I have one?”
“No.”
“Suji gets one…”
“I am her legal guardian.”
“In what country?”
“Mine, now shoo if you're not going to answer my question, pipsqueak.”
“I want one…”
“Sleep with Suji, maybe she’d share.”
“But she kicks.”
“Too bad, so sad.”
“When did you get so sassy?”
“When did you get so incorrigible? Call Suji in here for me.”
“Can I have a blanket?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Hwayoung walked to the door and poked her head out, “SUJIIIIII, SATAN’S CALLIIIIING~”
Footsteps skipped to the door before Hwayoung swung it open for her.
“Yeah, Ahjumma?” Suji stood at attention for Jessica.
“Sit. Hwayoung, leave.” Jessica picked something up from her desk and sat down as Hwayoung sighed and scampered out.
Suji was skeptical, Jessica usually only handed her gifts and told her to go play.
“I’ve been putting this off for some time, but tell me everything about your life.”
Suji looked at her like she was asked if the sky was green.
“What? Why?”
“Protocol.” Jessica put on her glasses and grabbed a journal, pen poised expectantly.
“I- Where do I start?”
“Where’s your family?”
“Mom died from heart failure, dad was killed by debt collectors.”
“Is that how you got in the prostitution rink?”
“No...” Suji’s face turned sullen, emotions high-strung.
“Go on.”
“I have an older brother, Kangin, who joined a gang and I ran away. He didn’t come running after me, and that’s how I ended up on my own. I was twelve and passed out on a street. I woke up in an apartment on the okay side of town, but no one was around. I stayed there for awhile and checks started coming in the mail. They were signed by an unfamiliar name, but I used them for food and necessities.” Suji sat down on Jessica’s bed, feeling tears prickle as she thought of her past.
Despite Jessica’s homeschooling and teaching to control her emotions, tears still escaped the child’s eyes.
“I was really lonely and I stopped going to school.” She sobbed as she continued and Jessica watched her.
“When I turned fourteen I started venturing outside and I met this guy. He was seventeen and I thought he was cool, so when he asked me to be his girlfriend I accepted. I really thought I loved him.”
Jessica scorned the naivete that plagued pre-teens.
“Until he tried raping me and I fought back. I bit him there, and he had it. I didn’t know he was actually accepted into a gang until after that night when he told me and tried selling me on the street. Soon, this lady found us and said she’d take me in and she brought me there. That same night, you found me.” Suji stopped crying and made her way over to Jessica and stood in front of her, head bowed low.
Jessica maintained a stoic face, but Suji didn’t mind it and crawled into her lap, snuggling her tear-stained face into Jessica’s soft hair.
“Thank yooooou.”
Jessica smiled and patted Suji’s butt. “There, there.”
Suji started kissing Jessica’s head while giggling and it made Jessica smile and coo at her like a child, ruffling her baby hair.
“Are you happy now?” Jessica let Suji shower her with affection while asking if she was all right.
“Yeahhhh, are you?"
“I guess so. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” Jessica pulled on a sincere smile for the younger girl.
“Wanna take a nap with Ahjumma? I’m sleepyyy~”
“Okayyy.”
Jessica carried the growing girl to her bed and slid them in.
“You’re getting too big for this.”
“I’m a growing girl.”
“I prohibit your growth.”
“’Kayyyyy.”
They snuggled under the large fur blanket and took an afternoon nap together. Both of them were living in their lonely worlds together, but one little fact caused Jessica’s eyes to stay open a moment longer than she intended.
Kangin was her brother, the same Kangin who was Tiffany’s groom.
*
“Sir, may I ask where she’s staying?”
“No.”
“With whom then?”
“No.”
“The district?”
“No.”
“B-But Sir, she-“
“Kangin! She will be at the wedding! I will make sure of it!”
“Yes Sir.” His voice was meek and injured.
“I’ll fetch her before the week is up and she’ll be behind you at the altar. Would you prefer a dress or suit for her?”
“Dress, Sir.”
“What kind?”
“Something pretty and elegant for a fifteen-year-old.”
“Well that doesn’t help. I’ll have Tiffany choose.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Should she bring a gift?”
“The pleasure of her company is enough.”
“I wish my daughter would say that for her birthdays.”
They shared a comical laugh before the mood became serious again.
“Sir, are you inviting Jessica?”
Machii quirked up an eyebrow, “What makes you think I would?”
Kangin shifted, “Well you did have your daughter fetch her when she was on a mission to woo the politician's daughter...”
“I didn’t know she’d be engaging in acts of intimacy with her that night.”
Kangin chuckled at the coincidence.
“I guess you’re right, but she was my best friend.”
“Was?”
“...” Kangin shifted again, tense.
“You didn’t have to accept the proposal, you know.”
“It was a request from you, I couldn’t decline.”
“You could have.”
“I could?”
“Do you guys see me as Mao Zedong or something? A Korean Stalin?”
“But, Sir, it would also be rude to decline.”
“We all have our reasons. I don’t train you guys to be minions; I train you guys to be powerful individuals.”
“Ah, yes, I guess we were too blinded by our gratitude.” Kangin chuckled as he eyed the carpet.
“Are you wondering what I’m doing to the cat?”
Kangin whipped his head back up from the ground; Jessica was the largest wonder of Machii’s tactics. She was female and everyone knew she had an explicit relationship with his daughter.
“If it’s not rude to ask, Sir.”
“She may or may not be at the wedding, Kangin. It’s her choice to come, she doesn’t need a formal invitation to her lover’s wedding, if you know what I mean.” The elderly man winked at him and Kangin almost felt a blush coming on. He was very aware when Jessica sneaked out that night to see Tiffany.
“How will she know the date?”
“Do you think she won’t find out her own way?”
“Fair enough. How public will the wedding be?”
“Very public.”
“And we’re going through with it? Completely? Honeymoon and all?” Kangin suddenly felt like he was being choked with the reality of actual matrimony finally sinking in.
“Do you not want to marry my daughter? Is she not good enough for your standards?”
“No! No, of course not, Sir. I would love to marry your daughter, but there’s much more to it than that.”
“Yes, I know.”
“You don’t think Jessica will interfere?”
“She’s much too scared.”
“Scared? I hardly think she’d be scared of anything.”
“Oh trust me, she’d be scared shitless in front of my daughter.”
Kangin stared and chuckled again, “I guess you’re right…”
“I also question her methods though, she could attempt kidnapping.”
Machii shrugged and Kangin nodded with him.
“Will you have guards standing by?”
“My guards will be attending the wedding.”
Kangin stood there for a second, processing the logic behind Machii’s words and slowly nodded.
“I see.”
“Good. At ease, soldier.”
“Yes Sir.”
Kangin bowed and exited the room.
He hummed a tune while walking down the corridors. He passed by a blonde fighting with the younger Jung and a little pale Sulli trying to pry the chips out of the blonde’s hands.
“They’re the last ones!”
“SO? THEY’RE MINE! I’M OLDER!”
“HARDLY! GIVE THEM TO SULLI!”
Kangin stopped for a second. He looked at the bag and realized they were almost out of that brand. He noted it and walked down to the kitchen, adding it to the shopping list and turned to the large pantry. There were hidden ones on the taller shelf to hide them from the stomachs of the younger generation. He grabbed a few and exited, making his way up to the still-disputing children.
“Hey kids, I found a few more, want to share them with me?”
The three kids stopped grabbing at each other’s hair and stared at him. They had never really hung out with Kangin before.
“Sure.” Sulli answered for them and they let go of each other’s hair on the count of three.
“So Nana, what grade are you in?” He passed out the bags and they settled on the hallway benches.
“I’m going into my Sophomore year soon.”
“Oh? So is my sister.”
The kids looked at him from behind their bags of fish chips.
“You have a sister?”
“Yes, and I’m happy to announce she’ll be at the wedding.” He smiled as he snacked on his own bag.
The kids stared at him in utter surprise.
“You’re excited for the wedding?” Krystal interjected with a question, the other kids frowning.
“Oh! I know what you guys are thinking. But yes, who wouldn’t be excited for such a joyous event? Families are gathering that my mates and I haven’t been able to see in awhile and you guys can even play a game while it’s going on.”
They looked at him strangely, wondering what game this queer man could be implying. Would he really tell them to play a child’s game?
“'Spot the Jessica.'” He watched them intently for their reactions and as each second passed, he got both a positive and negative reaction from the trio.
“Why would she be at the wedding?! She should just stay away! She’s done enough damage!” Nana didn’t like the idea of having Jessica at the wedding. It would just hurt Tiffany.
“Shut up Blondie! They’re meant to be! And my sister’s way cool! I bet she could kill you in a second!”
“Wanna see me kill you in a second?!” Nana raised her fist at the younger girl and Kangin finally interrupted their dispute once again.
“Well anyways, kids. I’m not sure she’ll really show, since this is Jessica after all. Have the dresses been picked out yet?” He looked at each of them for an answer and stopped at Nana.
“No, Tiffany unnie hasn’t selected yet.”
“Oh, I see. Well make sure she chooses wisely, all right? You’ll all be wearing similar dresses.”
“Yes Ajumoniii.” The three answered and Kangin cringed.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Okay Ahjussi.”
“Or that.”
“Oppa?”
“That sounds better.” He smiled and patted their heads with his clean hand as his other was still in his bag of fish chips.
*
“What do you think of this dress?” Yuri was sliding through dresses on the over-sized screen in Tiffany’s room.
“What am I? A white pumpkin? Too fat.”
“This?”
“An apple turnover.”
“How abo-”
“A breadstick.”
“Are you, by any chance, hungry Tiffany?” Yoona spied her from the desk and Taeyeon sighed.
“By chance, no. By the fact I haven’t eaten in the last eight hours, yes.”
There was a knock at the open door and Kangin appeared, “Would you like some chips? I can fetch you real food if you want though.”
“Just give her the chips.”
“All right.”
Kangin walked over to the edge of Tiffany’s bed and extended the bag to her.
“This is your guys’ favorite brand, right? I know you’re still more of a pocky girl though.” Kangin sat down beside Tiffany on the edge of the bed and looked at the large screen in front of them.
“That looks like a breadstick.”
“That’s what she said.” Yuri spoke from beside the screen.
Kangin laughed, “I didn’t know you guys were into subliminal jokes.” His grin was plastered, but the girls were eyeing him weirdly.
“No, that’s really what Tiffany said before you came in here.” The girls giggled except for Tiffany.
His smile disappeared into a sheepish grin, “Oh, sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure it would’ve been funnier too if it weren’t for party pooper Tiffany here.” Yoona jested from the desk.
“Ah, not having fun?” He aimed the question to Tiffany, but someone else answered for her.
“Fun doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. She’s more of a fungus.” Taeyeon snorted at her lame joke.
“Where’s Sunny? Isn’t she usually with you guys?” Kangin looked around the room in search of the petite girl, but stopped when he noticed the room went quiet.
“She’s already on her way back to Korea. The election is over and her father withdrew.”
Yuri answered for the hurt Taeyeon sitting on the floor.
“Oh, sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay, she could never love this poor soul of mine.” Taeyeon exaggerated a sigh and laid her body out on the floor, limbs splayed out dramatically.
“After I tried so hard to make her stay, there’s no place like home.”
Kangin smiled sympathetically at the younger girl.
“It’s okay, I’m sure you’ll find someone someday.” Kangin wondered at the irony behind his words and realized all the girls were looking at him again, including Tiffany with her contorted cringe.
“Is that a joke?” Tiffany pierced the air with her words and Kangin almost let a chuckle slip. This girl was so strung over Jessica, he wondered how his best friend was doing without this girl as well.
“No, but I guess it’s time I take my leave. Dinner will be done in an hour.” He smiled and ruffled Tiffany’s hair before excusing himself. But he suddenly turned on his heels before the door, remembering something, "and my sister is coming to the wedding, could you also pick out an appropriate dress for her? She's about the same age as Nana except much cuter." He smiled suavely at Tiffany before taking his leave.
Tiffany stared at the empty doorway.
“Who knew he could be so rude?” Tiffany spoke briskly while fixing her messed-up hair.
“This was the first time he’s actually spent time with us though.” Yoona inquired his reasons for doing so.
“Maybe to familiarize himself with his fiancée before the wedding.” Taeyeon purposely struck at Tiffany’s nerves.
“Are you trying to play with me Taeyeon?”
“Am I not making it obvious enough?”
“I’ll have you beheaded.”
“Do it. Save me from this pain in my chest!" She groaned and rolled over onto her stomach.
Tiffany scoffed and grabbed her room's remote, switching off all the lights and the screen.
“Get out of my room and let me rest before dinner.”
“Yeeees Miss Stalin, whatever you say Miss Staliin.” Yoona and Yuri left with heavy sighs escaping their lips, complete with a mock salute, albeit a half-hearted one. If Sooyoung were with them, maybe they would have gotten somewhere.
“I hope you wither up and die in that bed.” Taeyeon spoke from Tiffany’s floorboards as silence engulfed the two.
“I hope you grow old and die alone.” Tiffany retorted up from behind her bed’s canopy.
“No wonder Jessica left you.” It was a low blow, but Taeyeon didn’t care. This girl was acting extremely spoiled just because she let a bunch of misunderstandings come between her and her ‘one true love.’
There was a deathly silence before Taeyeon picked up on sobs coming from the bed and she suddenly felt guilty. But Tiffany should feel bad - how could she accept a marriage proposal that wasn’t Jessica’s? As much as Taeyeon didn’t seem to like Jessica, she really did like her. Her jokes were funny and she was always fun to play with.
Although the blonde almost killed her in a match, it was their parents’ faults. And even though she hurt Taeyeon, it was because she really treasured Tiffany, something Tiffany took for granted. Taeyeon secretly wished someone would love her as much as Jessica loved Tiffany.
“You’re really spoiled.” Taeyeon intended to comfort Tiffany, but it seemed she only had insults for her, turbulent thoughts running rampant as critical words.
“You know she was only on a mission to woo and kidnap Sunny. They only had enough intimacy to trick Sunny, and you know it wasn’t a lot. You know everything she did was so she could stay here with you, and you know she was giving up a lot to keep you out of danger. Fuck your excuse for wanting more freedom. If you wanted her love and attention, you could have simply just asked for it. What were you scared of? The fact she might not love you back? Because she made it pretty apparent.” The sniffling continued from the bed and Taeyeon wondered if she was still listening, but she was not going to stop when the opportunity to get through Tiffany's hard-headed nature presented itself.
“Fuck your dad. You know she rwon’t kill him as long as you’re blinding her with your love. Fuck this marriage, you know Jessica’s swallowing rocks somewhere just to keep herself away. And fuck you Tiffany, for being given a faithful love and throwing it away. You say I’ll grow old and alone, but you’ll always be the one alone. You push Jessica further and further away just so that what, maybe she’d try harder? Maybe she’d do something even more extravagant to prove her love for you? Kill yourself.” And Taeyeon was out of words unless she wanted to go in a circle and repeat the same things just to appease her troubled mind. At least she's speaking up for Jessica, the poor girl is probably out trying to end her misery somehow.
“Or at least wish her happiness and go find another source for your own, even though I don’t think you’d deserve one. But I hope Jessica’s trying to find happiness wherever she is.” Taeyeon felt better after getting her heart out, or at least part of it.
Taeyeon still remembered all the bad things Jessica did, though. She violated Tiffany once, again after fetching Krystal, and she was caught shirtless with Sunny on top of her, but she was going to stop it. And it was all for or because of Tiffany that she did all those things. Tiffany shouldn't have followed through with their father's plans to make her jealous, she shouldn't have seduced her when she finally came home, she shouldn't have acted so rashly with the whole Sunny situation, and she most definitely shouldn't have agreed to the damned arranged marriage.
Tiffany lay quiet in her bed, pondering what Taeyeon said. It was true Jessica wouldn’t kill her dad if she continued blinding her, but Jessica left. Jessica left because she agreed to marry Kangin, but her father told her to. ‘Fuck your dad’. Taeyeon was right.
Screw what my father wants.
If she’s going to marry someone, it should be Jessica. Despite Jessica being a girl, and the impossibility of reproduction, she loves Jessica. Yet Jessica deserves better and it hurt her to acknowledge that fact.
Knock knock
Siwon knocked gently on Tiffany's door and quietly informed her, "Princess, your father’s calling."
Tiffany got up and made herself as presentable as she could, ready to give her father a piece of her mind. "Stop calling me Princess, the cat’s gone." She stepped past Siwon as he asked, "Then what should we call you?"
"'Your Highness' has a certain ring to it." She jested with the butler, but she knew he’d take it seriously, especially when he answered, "Yes, Your Highness." She giggled, the delicate sound echoing down the corridor.
*