Chap 23

Jessica's POV

Call Kevin. He's waiting for your call.

-Yul

What on earth? I've been waiting for her to reply to my text and I receive this? Just when I thought she was beginning to unconsciously reciprocate my love, she pushes me away once more causing me to lose hope for the second time. I was so sure that her caring and concerned ways were beyond the friendship level. She even left her Kko Kko Tour to come see me. I don't know how she managed to do it because it's not something that a junior would do or is even allowed to do. Not only that, but the way she looked at me today was different and so were her hugs. It was like as if her inner soul was trying to tell me something, trying to communicate her love for me.

After realizing that I had lost my necklace, my first instinct was to call Yuri. I didn't expect her to show up like that today, nor did I expect her to cheer me up. I was extremely touched by her surprise visit and had almost felt ready to confess my feelings for her, even if the possibility of her loving me back is only 1%. But after receiving her reply to my text, after not hearing her say that she misses me too, I feel that I've been delusional all this time. She was just being nice to me and acting like her dorky self today.

Reading her text again, I need to know what this message means. I need to know what she's feeling and why this sudden 180 degree change from this morning. I press the assigned number to speed dial her.

Hello, hello! This is your Kwon Yuri. I'm not --

It didn't even ring once before going straight to her voicemail. It doesn't make any sense. None of this is making any sense. I was just on the phone with her and I just received her text. I try calling again.

Hello, hello! This --

Goddammit Yuri! I need to talk to you now. Answer for goodness sakes! I finally gave up calling after hearing her voicemail message for the sixth time. Angry and frustrated, I throw my phone across the room and it bounces off the chair before hitting the floor. Her message is as clear as the teardrop that's rolling down my cheek: she doesn't want to talk to me. Yuri turned off her phone so that I can't annoy her and the text implies that I should go bother someone else. If that's what she wants, then I'll grant her her wish.

Wiping my tears away, I pick my phone off the floor and speed dial Yuri's number. Once her personal message finished playing, I begin to record mine. "Yuri, do you know how much pain I'm in right now? I'm tired. I really am. Kevin's a nice guy... and thank you for reminding me that he's been waiting. I know what it's like to wait..." I pause briefly to regain composure from the slight cracking of my voice. "...and I think I'm done waiting. I'm going to start calling Kevin from now on. Goodbye."

The moment I hung up, my tears flowed freely into uncontrollable sobs. Why are you doing this to me, Yuri? Why the hot and cold treatment? I cry for a bit more before making my very determined phone call.

As the phone rings, I wipe my tears away with the back of my hands.

"Hello? Jessica?"

"Hi, Kevin. Is it too late to be calling?"

"No, no, not at all! I tried calling earlier... but I got your voicemail again."

Heh, the irony. Here I was trying to reach somebody who was intentionally ignoring my calls while I was doing the very same thing to another person.

"Sorry about that. I've been busy." I sniffle a bit to get the last bit of sorrow out of my system. "Was it something important?"

"Jessica... Is everything okay? You sound..."

Grabbing a tissue, I blow my nose. "I'm fine. It's just a little cold."

"It's not that. Your tone... You sound sad."

Well, that's because I am. But I'm not going to make myself pitiful by crying on the phone. Sucking in a deep breath of air, I try to feign a cheery attitude. "No, I'm fine. Just a bit bored. Finished reading all the books and now I can't seem to fall asleep. Don't know how I'll sleep tonight."

"I'm actually still at the bookstore, arranging the new books I received. You should pass by and pick something up."

I'm not really in the mood to read. And even if I was, how am I supposed to see the words clearly with my swollen eyes and tears. Not wanting to brush off the hopeful sounding Kevin, I make an excuse to not go. "It's late and so it's dangerous for me to go out by myself."

I could hear him think in the silence that I created. As he's thinking of what to say next, I stare up at my ceiling and can't help but have thoughts of my own. Yuri's been coming home pretty late due to her individual activities, but at least she has the driver walk her up so that's okay. She said that she prefers to be by herself though because she never knows what to say to the driver.

Kevin's voice breaks through my thoughts of Yuri. "Jessica, how about this, give me your address and I'll drop some books off now."

Without thinking much into it, I agree. "Okay. Call me when you get here and I'll buzz you up."

Seeing how Prologue is only about a five-minute walk from here, it didn't take him long to show up. I stand by the door, waiting for him to come up. That's when I start to think about all those times when Yuri waited for me. She's the one with longer legs along with Sooyoung and Yoona so they would naturally walk faster than me. Even with her short legs, Taeyeon was a swift one. But Yuri always turned back to walk with me so I wouldn't be left behind. Thinking about the small things like that made me tear up again. How can somebody who is so caring and attentive to such small things like this be so cold.

I'm sobbing quietly, forgetting that Kevin is on his way up until he's standing in front of me.

"Oh, Jessica... Is everything okay? What's wrong?" He hands me a tissue and takes another one out to dab at my tears.

I couldn't hold the pain in anymore and begin to cry again. He's holding me against his warm body as I cry harder, shaking from the sobbing. I didn't realize how long it took me to calm down once more and begin to pull away from Kevin's embrace. As I wipe my tears away with the tissue he gave me, I noticed another figure behind Kevin.

She walks past him but stops beside me, ignoring his presence entirely. As she stares at me, I could see the sadness in her eyes.

"Yuri..."

"I got your voicemail and so I ended my filming early." She glances at Kevin. "But I could see that Kevin's here for you now." Brushing past me, she stops at the door and turns around to say one last thing. "If you were really tired then you should go to sleep. Come." She reaches out to pull me towards her by my hand before I yank it out of her grasp.

When is she ever going to get it? I'm tired of her nonchalant ways, tired of waiting for her to respond, tired of guessing what I mean to her, tired of her playing with my emotions. Just tired of this rollercoaster ride.

With my usual cold expression, I say to her while looking at the floor, "I am tired, Yuri. But Kevin came here to see me so I'm going to stay out here for a bit longer." I turn my back to her and face Kevin. I feel the tears running down my cheeks again. Luckily, Yuri didn't say another word to me and just closed the door behind her, leaving me alone with Kevin.

Immediately after she left, I seek comfort in Kevin's arms, wetting his shirt even more.

-----

Since that awkward night, Kevin has been calling daily to check up on me. He even invited me out to celebrate my birthday to which I accepted. It wouldn't be on the actual day of my birthday because I'll be in Jeju then, but it's a celebration nonetheless.

All the girls found out and started teasing me about this 'big date' even though in reality, it's just a friendly outing. I didn't intend to keep it a secret. In fact, I purposely accepted Kevin's phone invitation in front of Yuri, testing her reaction. She's been staring at me a lot lately, just like in the beginning before we started to get close. Guess it takes my cold attitude for her to notice me. Whatever her reasons are for always looking my way, I remind her of what could've been if only she had answered my calls by flaunting my phone relationship with Kevin in front of her. Despite my cold act and having moved on, deep down I know that I still have feelings for her.

The weather has been getting warmer and so I would wear more dresses, showing off my amazing body --the amazing body that Yuri can't keep her eyes off. Even on the evening of my date with Kevin, I purposely selected a dress that showed off my shoulders and legs.

We're in her room trying on shoes that would match my black dress. "Yuri, what about these flats?" I extend my leg to show her the designer flats.

From the bed, she looks down at my feet and shakes her head. "Nah, I think you would look better in heels. They'll make your legs look longer."

I didn't really care that much about which pairs of shoes to wear. I already know which pair would look best with this dress, but I just wanted her to see me before Kevin picks me up. After showing her a few more choices, I finally slip on the shiny black heels that I had already mentally picked out to complete my look.

"So am I ready to leave?" I ask her.

She's staring hard at me, looking me up and down. "Something's missing." Getting up off the bed, she reaches out and runs a finger from my neck down to my collar. Surprised by this physical contact, I gulp down the breath that I was holding. I can't believe my plan is backfiring on me.

"Wh.. Wha.... What is it?" I nervously ask her. I 've been trying to get a similar reaction from her for the longest time. With me, all she has to do is just touch me and I'm starting to lose my senses and the desire to make her jealous.

Only when she walked towards her desk to pull out something from the drawer that I was able to breathe again.

"Close your eyes," she instructs me.

As curious as I am, I obey. I feel her standing behind me as she brushes my hair to the side. The feel of her breath and hands sweeping across my bare back to the nape of my neck sends flutters to my stomach. At the contact of something cold resting on my neck and collar, I open my eyes to look at it. My mom's necklace.

Yuri comes around the front to look at me, her fingers never once leaving my neck. She traces her finger along the silver string and rests it on the diamond pendant. I know my eyes are already starting to fill with water as my lips quiver.

With a warm smile, she places both her hands on my face and wipes the forming tears with her thumbs.

"How... How did you find it? How long have you had it for?" I ask her softly.

"I dropped my own earrings in the van and when I went to pick them up, I saw something sparkling underneath the seat..."

"How long?" I asked again but this time a bit colder.

"I found it the same day that you lost it. I was going to give it to you that night, but you were with Kevin... so I was going to give it to you on your birthday in Jeju Island." She pinches her ears with her fingers. "Sorry..."

Immediately, my anger disperses and I can't help but grin at her apology. Pulling her in for a hug to forgive her, I whisper softly against her shoulder. "Thanks." Why are you always there for me, doing these meaningful things when I least expect it?

There's knocking at the door and Sunny announces that there's a handsome man at the door, ready to steal me away. I feel Yuri start to pull away but I hold onto her tighter, not letting her. Yuri, tell me to stay, to not go with Kevin tonight and I won't.

"Haha! Sica, there's nothing to be scared about on your date." She pats my back one last time before pushing me off her. "Don't keep him waiting."

"What are you going to do?"

"Pack of course! We're leaving for Jeju tomorrow and I'm so sure you haven't even started!" Before pushing me out of her room, she pulls me back to give me her first kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, in case you come back after 12."

Pabo. That wasn't my question...

Yuri's POV

Where did she put her suitcase? Pushing clothes and boxes aside, I finally found her brown LV duffel bag hidden away in a corner with what seems to be her portfolio and some old scripts. Instead of reaching for the bag, I grab one of the stapled scripts that's all bent on the sides. Ahhhh! It was the script for one of the radio shows we did together. I laugh at the doodles all over the pages. This girl... no wonder she's always so out of it whenever the DJs ask her questions, she's not even paying attention half the time.

I was about to put it away when I saw a heart on the last page. JJ+KY. I take another script and recognize some of my own drawings among hers. I quickly flip to the last page and there it is again: JJ+KY written in the centre of the heart. It was the same for each script that I picked up. So she's been liking Kevin Yang for that long. Guess she must be ecstatic tonight. They're finally going on a date. My heart starts to ache at the thought of the two dating and holding hands.

Placing all the scripts back in its original place, I grab the professional black folder and start flipping through it. Inside are all the photoshoots that Jessica did for magazines, ads, and websites. Most of them were of her individually, but there were some group ones in there, and at the very end, was a picture of just her and me in an Elle magazine. Our heads and shoulders were touching but what this picture didn't show was Jessica holding onto my hand with hers... Her hand that Kevin's probably holding onto tightly now.

I try to forget Kevin's existence and looked at another picture of Jessica in a gold dress. She really is a good model. I chuckle to myself as I remember the time she tried to teach me some poses in front of Yoona and Tiffany. I can't believe I screwed up when I tried to imitate her, but hey, you can't blame me when your teacher has curves like Jessica's. And her small features that could easily go unnoticed, like her eyes and lips, are mesmerizing. She truly is a beauty.

I place the book on her table and turning to the last page, I quickly scribble something on the picture of us before closing it to start the packing for Jeju Island. Hopefully she'll see it one day because this is how I really feel at the moment.

After packing the essential toiletries and makeup, I open the doors to her closet. Rummaging through her collection of clothes, Jessica does have a knack for fashion whether it's casual wear or fancy dresses. I pick up a pair of short shorts. It might get hot and humid in Jeju... But I quickly decided against it and put it back in the pile. Having seen her in her short dresses and provocative skirts and shorts drove me crazy these past few days. Her legs might not be as long as Sooyoung's but they were perfect and they felt so smooth every time she brushed by me or when she rested them on mine when we watched TV a few times together. I fold a couple of skinnies into the brown bag. Jeju is an island surrounded by water. It gets cold.

Next is tops. What kind of tops would Jessica like to wear with her skinny jeans? I'm trying to think back to what she's been wearing lately and other than dresses that show off her creamy arms, she's been wearing a lot of sleeveless shirts. Since she's been wearing so many, they're probably all in the wash. I grab some hoodies off the hangers and a couple of long-sleeved tops.

Lastly, I open her drawer of lingerie. For this, I didn't even want to think about it in case I pass out from the blushing heat. I just grab whatever is on top and shove it into the side of her bag. Zipping her bag closed, I smile at my speedy and smart packing. I just hope that everything Jessica needs is in there. I start checking things off my mental list. Clothes, check. Toiletries, check. Shoes, I'll let her decide. Undergarments, check. Sunscreen, she could use mine. Oh! Hairspray! I completely forgot about that.

Jumping off Jessica's bed, I dash off into the bathroom to grab her bottle of hairspray. On my way out, Tiffany links her arm around mine and walks back into Jessica's room with me.

"All done with the packing?" Tiffany asks as she looks around in the bag for something interesting and pulls one of the black bras out.

I snatch it out of her hands and hastily put it back. "I would believe so. What do you want?"

"Nothing..." I could tell from her smirk and crescent eyes that she's up to something. "...nothing other than points."

Always t inking about points. "Obsess much?"

She pulls a pair of Jessica's underwear out of the duffel bag and waves it in front of my face. "Whipped much?"

"Yah! Fany!" I scream while grabbing the black garment out of her hand. This time, after putting it back into the bag, I zip it close and place the bag out of the short mushroom's reach.

Doubling over, Tiffany is holding onto her stomach while laughing hard. "Hahaha! Next she'll have you wash everything --by hand."

I knock her behind her head to stop her from her nonsense. "You've been hanging out with Taeyeon too much. Stop being so perverted."

"What? It's just underwear," she says innocently and rather blas?. "Not like as if you've never seen her in them." No I haven't because YOU were the one that changed her that night. I press my lips together to refrain from yelling at her. "Okay, seriously now. I want a point and you want Jessica. So let's do this."

"I want Jessica to be my close friend," I clarify.

"Whatever, Yuwree. It's all the same." She pulls a piece of paper from her backpocket. "So have you decided on what to do during your free time on Jeju?"

I haven't really thought about it. I tried to find an amusement park on the island but there doesn't seem to be one. Just a park with statues for sexual education. I thought about bringing her to a nice restaurant since it'll be her birthday.

But just to be sure, "Are you guys going to be throwing her a surprise party?"

"No, not until you guys come back from Jeju. It's too hard for all of us to just drop our schedules and fly over. Don't tell her this."

It'll be a little bit awkward just the two of us celebrating, but at least I could go ahead with my own plans. "Well, don't forget to include me in the surprise party. Just ask manager oppa for my schedule, but other than work, I'll be available at all costs."

"Somebody's a party animal..." Tiffany unfolds the paper in her hands and spreads it out on Jessica's bed. "Okay, it's not everyday that you guys get to go to Jeju, so whatever happens, do not let Jessica sleep!"

"Mmhmmm, I know."

But... She did mention in her voicemail that she's been really tired lately. Well, if she didn't stay up so late talking to Kevin she wouldn't be so tired. Maybe a nap here and there would be okay. At least she's not sad or in anymore pain because she has her mom's necklace now.

"How about Halla Mountain?" I ask Tiffany. It's supposed to have the best view and it looked so romantic when Hyun Joong oppa went with Hwang Bo unnie on We Got Married.

"Yuwree. Are you kidding? Really, you're joking right?" Tiffany says with disbelief. "Do you really think that the Sleeping Princess will wake up at 5am to hike up a mountain with you?"

She does have a point. "I guess not. Not unless I'm carrying her up."

"Exactly."

"I'm guessing that Sunrise Peak is also out of the question eh?"

"Yuwree, did you even have to ask?" She points at the paper. "Now look here. It's probably going to be a bit cold to go swimming so you guys could probably do this submarine thing."

I kinda already had that in mind, but I'll let this little mushroom take credit for it. She's been desperate to catch up to the others. So far, Sooyoung and Yoona both have two points each. Whereas Tiffany, who has been giving all her efforts, only has one point.

"Ok, what else do you suggest, Fany?"

"Shopping! Sica loves to shop. And what's a better way to bond than to go shopping? You'll find out all about her style."

Sigh... Fany, Fany, Tiffany. Tell me something I don't already know. I look at the rest of the suggestions on her list and I've pretty much had the same ideas in mind. There's the Pleasure Boat and this cultural museum we could go check out. Oh, but I had a lot more activities planned than Tiffany's list. Except now I'm going to have to cross out anything that requires waking up before lunchtime or that remotely resembles a form of exercise.

"So I did good this time right? I spent about 2 hours looking up all the information. I had to sacrifice my sleep to do this Yuwree!"

I know how long it takes to look everything up and then plan the itinerary. I myself spent about 3 hours. I really shouldn't be rewarding her since I had the same ideas. But seeing how she put in so much effort to help me out, I just didn't have the heart to say no. That and her puppy eyes.

"Very well. I'll give you one more point, making you at the same score as Sooyoung and Yoong."

Little did I know, Tiffany had another trick up her sleeve. "Yuwree, I was thinking, I technically got the two of you talking first. Remember the photoshoot? I was the one that suggested Jessica teach you. So that's another point." I'm about to argue with her that the contest between them three hadn't even start yet, but Tiffany continues her second justification without really having to pause for a breath of air. "Then what happened after was even better. If I hadn't let you sit beside Sica, then you wouldn't have been that physically close to her. Two points plus this one is another three points!"

"B...but... those don't count."

"Well then how come you baked Yoong her cake? How come that counted? Do you like her more than me?"

Aish, how am I supposed to respond to that? I also felt uncomfortable talking about Yoona in Jessica's room. It's like as if the brown haired girl is going to pop out and start asking me the same questions. Walking towards my room with a whining Tiffany following close behind attracted the two Shikshins attention and once more the three of them were secretly gathered in my room. I explained to them what Tiffany had proposed and they immediately refused. Seeing them bully her like that, I couldn't help but jump to her defense. In the end, I found myself awarding her those three points, putting her at the lead with a total of four points versus two. Once this was settled, only one of them left my room in smiles. Oh well, can't please everybody. I, myself wasn't too happy with this decision because that would mean less ideas to get closer to Jessica in case the magic doesn't happen in Jeju.

----

"Jessica! Wake up! I know we have a gorgeous view of Jeju from our room and all, but you still won't be able to see it with your eyes closed." I'm at the hotel room pleading Jessica to come out and spend the afternoon with me.

Since we arrived back at the hotel from our first day of filming, Jessica's been sleeping. Even during the plane ride she couldn't keep her eyes open long enough to tell me about her date with Kevin. Instead, she used my shoulder as a pillow and my arm as one of her dolls to snuggle against. Seeing her that exhausted, she must've stayed out with Kevin pretty late. Even I fell asleep while waiting for her to return to the dorm.

"Five more minutes, Yul. Just five..."

Did she even finish her sentence? "Jessica Jung! Wake up NOW otherwise I'm.. I'm going to get the cucumbers!" I can't believe I'm threatening her to wake up, but at least it worked.

To walk over to the bathroom for her shower, Jessica used my whole body as a second bed. Holding onto my hand and resting her weight against my body, she finally made her way to the bathroom's sliding doorway before letting go of me. We parted ways and I went straight to the bed to lie down. Trying to wake up Jessica is a task itself. An exhausting one. I found myself dozing off a bit but I never fell into deep sleep.

The sound of Jessica sliding the transparent bathroom door told me that she was done with her shower. Five more minutes, I told myself. She's not even changed yet. I'll just rest for five more minutes.

There was some shuffling around in the hotel room and I heard her unzip one of her luggages to look for a change of clothes. I continued to rest my eyes thinking that it'll take her another while to get ready. It wasn't until the feel of wet hair and bare skin on my own along with the weight of Jessica on my arm that my eyes popped wide open. Turning my head to the side, I saw Jessica lying beside me in nothing but a towel wrapped around her small body.

"Wh...what are you doing?" I screamed.

"Yah! I'm awake now so you could stop with your yelling."

She still didn't move so I had to slide my arm from under her before jumping off the bed. "What are you doing? Why aren't you dressed?"

My sweat was mixing with the droplets of water she left on my skin when she rested her body beside mine. Aish, I knew this one bed idea was going to be trouble. I should've just taken the room with the double beds. Who cares if one of us will be a lot further from the glass window with the panoramic view. Why did I let her talk me into getting a single bed?

I'm staring at a droplet of water that's making its way down her hair and onto her neck. It's slowly traveling down her collar and chest before disappearing into the towel. I can't watch this anymore or else my heart is going to explode from beating so fast. Jumping onto the bed, I grab one side of the covers and throw it around Jessica. I did the same with the other side, wrapping her body in it.

My action caused her to burst out laughing. "Yuri, haha! What are you doing?"

Looking at Jessica wrapped in the beige blankets like a butterfly in a cocoon, I couldn't help but smile at the amusing sight myself. "Why aren't you dressed?" I ask her.

Jessica attempts to sit up before falling back onto the bed. I grab the front of the blankets to help her up. "Kwon Yuri, what on earth were you thinking when you packed me my clothes?"

I look into her eyes, trying to read her expression. Did I forget something? No... Her undergarments, tops, and pants are all in there, so what's her reason for not being dressed? "I was thinking... That... You... I don't know. What was I thinking?"

"Exactly! You weren't thinking! It feels like 30 degrees out and all I have are sweaters and skin tight jeans to wear. Are you trying to roast me?" Jessica yells at me.

I look down at my own shorts and tank top in guilt. "You shouldn't be showing so much skin..." I mumbled to myself.

She leans in closer to me, pushing the blankets onto my arm. "What did you say?"

Looking straight at her pretty face, I tell her, "You didn't want to tan so all your clothes should protect you from the sun."

Because her arms were all wrapped up in the covers, she uses her head to push my shoulder. "Silly Yuri, there's something called sunblock. Anyways, judging from what you're wearing, I'm sure you brought clothes that are suitable for this volcanic weather. I'm borrowing some of yours."

Before I could protest, Jessica already started to wriggle her way out of the blankets. Jumping off the bed and running to the front door, I escape just in time before I see more of her skin.

"Sica, I'll wait for you downstairs. Going to find a map."

As I closed the door behind me, I heard Jessica giggling. No doubt it was because I was acting like an idiot.

I find an empty seat in the lobby and start fanning myself. Lately, my behavior has been really odd, especially when I'm around Jessica. I would say things that I regret or act cold when something bothers me. Worst of all, I don't even know what it is that's bothering me!

From fanning myself, I start to pat my cheeks to get the image of Jessica in nothing but her towel out of my head. I must've looked like a crazy schizophrenic who's talking and beating herself because one of the employees came over to me and instead of asking me for my autograph, he asked, "Ma'am, are you alright? I saw you fanning yourself earlier and you're all red. Do you have a fever? Should I call an ambulance for you?"

I'm completely lost for words and continued to stare at him while waiting for some noise to come out of my opened mouth. I felt two hands cupping my face and looked at who was touching me so openly.

"She is a bit flushed. Probably from the surprise earlier." I stare at Jessica flustered and shocked that she's telling this stranger about her walking out of the bathroom in her towel. "See it's my birthday today and some colleagues threw me a surprise party with some champagne. She probably had one too many glasses."

Oh... She was referring to that. Now I'm blushing even harder at my embarrassing assumption.

I finally utter a word out of my mouth. "Yeah..."

"Oh well, happy birthday ma'am! I'll send a complimentary bottle of champagne up to your room."

"Thank you!" Jessica says with a hint of cuteness in her voice. Taking hold of my hand, Jessica leads me to the front doors of the hotel. "Come. Show me what it is that you have planned for my birthday since there's no amusement park here."

We started the day by going to this museum that had not only the Korean culture and history on display, but also the great wonders of the world. It felt like as if we traveled to all these countries, home to all the famous structures we saw. As we passed by each display, Jessica was in more awe than the last.

After an hour and a half at the museum, we moved onto the next location, Pleasure Boat.

Since we weren't going to Hallasan, I figured this would allow us to see the most beautiful parts of the island given our short free time away from the filming crew.

"Where are we going to now?" Jessica asked me as I lead her to the docks.

I ignore her question in my excitement to surprise her. As we near the boat, I cover her eyes with my two hands and push her to continue walking with my body.

"Yuri, where are you taking me?"

"You'll see in a second."

Positioning her right in front of the cruise, I remove my hands from her eyes. "Surprise! It's not exactly the kind of boat rides at the amusement park, but this is the best that I could do." I smile sheepishly at my corny idea.

Jessica's first reaction upon seeing the boat was to gasp in amazement at the large cruise boat sitting in the waters before her. But it slowly changed into a puzzled look.

"Umm... Yuri? What is it?"

Sigh, this American girl. "You've probably never heard of it, but it's called the Pleasure Boat. It's a very popular ride among tourists and newlyweds."

"Newlyweds?"

"Yeah, they have their own cruise package though. We're going on the Paradise. It takes you around the island to places like waterfalls and such. And it --" Before I'm able to finish quoting from the brochure that I memorized two nights ago, Jessica is already pulling me to board the ship.

Everytime we passed by a beautiful scenic view, Jessica would tug at my hand to point it out. Meanwhile, I'm busy taking pictures of her and the scenery, and the view from my camera's lens is just as beautiful.

From the monitors on the boat, we could see the underwater sight below us.

"Look at all those fishes, Yuri! And that one! It's orange!" I look at the orange fish with white stripes swimming with a school of blue fishes. "Hey, Yuri, do you think that's Nemo?"

Clapping my hands together and laughing really hard at her observation, I think to myself how this girl never ceases to amuse me. If she liked watching the fishes swim below us from the screen, she's going to love the next activity that I have planned.

We get off the boat and Jessica is still talking about the cruise, about all the hidden sights of Korea. It's rare seeing her this wide awake, yapping away excitedly. I smile knowing that she's enjoyed both of the places on the itinerary.

Next is the submarine ride. This time, instead of seeing everything from a screen, we'll be looking at the sea life beside us from a window.

"It's not like the fishes that you see in the aquariums at the amusement park or the entertainers in Nemo and Little Mermaid costumes..." I explain again.

"No, it's not." I wasn't looking at her when she said this and so I felt a bit hurt. It wasn't until she pulled me into the vessel that I saw the huge smile on her face. "This is much better!"

By the time this ride ended, the sun was already starting to set and Jessica was also setting with the sun. Every few minutes she would cover her mouth to yawn. Even so, I'm dragging her by the hand to the last activity of the day.

"C'mon, hurry it up, Jessica!"

"Could we take a break? We didn't even eat yet."

"You've been snacking all day long! If I didn't know any better, I thought you ate all the fish food as you were feeding the fishes on the Paradise Boat cruise. C'mon we're almost there."

I hear her groan behind me but I didn't give in. In less than a few minutes, two handsome horses are standing in front of us with their trainer, shocking Jessica out of her sleepy coma.

"Wha... What is this?"

"It's not exactly your Merry-Go-Round..."

A scared Jessica starts to back away, but I'm still holding onto her hand so she wasn't successful in running off.

"Oh no, Yuri... No. I'm not getting on that thing! I don't even know how to ride a horse!"

The horse trainer looks at the frightened Jessica. "Miss, the horses are just as scared as you. Don't worry, I'll be riding with you."

Did I just see him wink? Nuh-uh, he did not just wink at Jessica. I release Jessica's hand and rest mine on the small of her back before snaking it around to her waist.

"It's okay, she'll be riding with me," I tell the winking trainer whose muscles are going to pop out of his shirt. Seriously, some people need to shop for their own sizes instead of being all delusional and buy one, or in this case, two sizes smaller.

Jessica looks up at me concerned. "Do you even know how to ride that massive beast?"

"Sure..." I've ridden on ponies before when I was younger. This should be the same. I hope.

"I... I don't know Yuri. Maybe I should go with him." She starts to make her way towards him and I see him smirk in victory.

Not so fast Mr. Winking Eyes. With my arm still somewhat on Jessica's waist, I push her towards a horse.

"Sica baby, trust me. Just get on." Turning to the trainer, I hand over my camera bag. "Here, you could take pictures of us."

"Are you sure? I want to live past my birthday you know." As she's saying that, I'm already helping her mount the horse.

In one swift motion, I get on behind her and grasp the reigns tightly. Now, how do you this again. Well, since Jessica's already on the same horse as me, guess it wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Excuse me, sir. Could you give me a quick lesson on how to ride horses?" I ask in my sweetest voice.

Jessica turns her head around to glare at me. "Yuri!"

After 'refreshing my memory', Jessica and I are slowly riding the horse towards the setting sun. With each step that the horse takes, my body is pushed forward, onto Jessica's. Even if I wasn't dying from that, our legs, arms, and hands were touching. At times, I even thought she was purposely rubbing her calf against my leg but I couldn't be so sure since my ankle was so-not-very-unintentionally brushing against hers.

Jessica leaned back into me and rested her head against my shoulder. When I looked down, she nuzzled closer, rubbing her cheek against mine.

"This is nice, Yuri," she says in a serene voice.

I relax my body against hers and move one hand from the reigns to hold her by the waist. "It is eh." We continue strolling on the horse in silence. Just to make sure that Jessica hasn't fallen asleep on me, I make a stupid, dorky comment. "Hey, is this like a scene from those romance books or movies where after the couple elopes, they ride off into the sunset on horse?"

Jessica suddenly turns around with such speed that I almost fell off the horse. "Are we eloping?"

"Uh...no? Haha!"

Leaning back into me once more, the two of us continue to ride in silence with the trainer following close behind us. At this close proximity, I could smell Jessica's kiwi shampoo mixed with the faint scent of her Daisy perfume.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I whisper into her ear.

Without a moment of doubt, she answers, "Mmmm, yes. Everything was wonderful. This is by far one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

After hearing this, I couldn't help myself and kissed her bare shoulder. "Happy birthday."

-----

The sun finished setting and we had a quick dinner before heading back to the hotel since we had to be up early for tomorrow's filming.

I was looking out our giant glass-like wall at the night view of Jeju Island waiting for Jessica to finish her shower so she can join me for a glass of champagne. On our way up to the room, I bought a souvenir t-shirt for her to sleep in, and before going into the bathroom, I gave her a pair of my shorts in case she walks out in her towel again.

Hearing her turn off the running water, I quickly pull the drapes closed to cover the night view. This will be my last gift of the day to her.

The moment Jessica slid the door open, the scent of her shower gel rushed out to greet me. Even in the small sized t-shirt, she looks like a little kid wearing their dad's t-shirt.

Sticking my hand out for her to hold, I smile back at Jessica who suddenly looks so shy. "Come, I want to show you something."

We walk to the window, hand in hand, and I pull the drapes wide open, exposing the lights of Jeju to her. Jessica lets out a little gasp and I twirl my hand around over her head so that I'm standing behind, with her in my arms.

Again, I start my speech, with my breaths close to her ear. "It might not exactly be the ferris wheel ride at the amusement park that you drew on your calendar, but I think this has a better view."

"Yuri..." she sighs with appreciation.

Letting go of her, I reach for the bottle of champagne that's in the bucket. I pop it open and fizz starts to spray everywhere. I was going to aim it at Jessica but she just finished showering and might kill me if she has to wash again. I pour us both a glass and Jessica downs hers in an instant. I'm still sipping on mine as she pours herself another glass. Not wanting to seem like a weaker drinker, I quickly match her number of glasses and soon, the bottle is empty.

Feeling a bit lightheaded, I lie down on the bed with my jet black hair sprawled out on the pillow. Shortly after, Jessica crawls into bed with me and lies down on my arm. Intuitively, I pull her close against my body and begin to feel the drowsy effects of alcohol takeover.

"I like you," I hear Jessica say to me.

"I like you too." Wait. This seems like a d?j??-vu. Did we have this conversation already?

"No. I really like you."

'I really like you too' was what I wanted to say back to her before I felt her soft lips on mine. I feel her tongue licking my lips asking for entry but it kept retreating. Whether it was her fear or doubts, I didn't allow her to pull back this time. I parted my lips so that I could kiss her deeply and passionately. All this time, I knew that our talks and hugs were not satisfying enough, I knew something was missing, and now I know what it is. I flip Jessica on her back without breaking the kiss. I continued to get more of her wet kisses. The feel of her tongue against my own was absolutely exhilarating and I couldn't get enough of it. Her lips tasted like cherries while the insides of her mouth tasted like the sweet champagne we were having just now.

My right hand moved along her arm and stomach, coming to rest on her bare waist. Inching the fabric higher, I start moving my hand back up. Jessica arches her back and moans into my mouth softly as I caress the sides of her waist.

"Yuri," she breathes.

And that's when I realized what I was doing. Yuri. Kwon Yuri. What are you doing? It's not you that she likes. She wasn't confessing to you just now. I slow down my kisses and eventually stop entirely. Pulling away had to be the hardest thing. I look down at her quizzical face and I knew that I had hurt her.

"Jessica... I.. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to.... I'm sorry!"

I jump off her and run out of the room. I didn't know where I was going or where I could go. I just knew I had to sober up.

---TBC