"Taeyeon, calm down. I don't believe them. The way you treat me since my very first day in this place is more than enough to convince me that you're innocent." I cupped her face and I made sure she's looking at my eyes when I spoke. I want her to see how sincere I am.
"Now could you please tell me what really happened from 2 years ago?"
She blinked her eyes several times before clearing her throat. "Let's take a sit." She said. And at that moment, I knew. She's about to tell me her reason. She's going to tell me her side of the story that no one had ever heard before. Well, except for Jessica for sure.
We sat on the couch, facing each other. She held my hand. She's playing with it for a few minutes and I didn't bother to interrupt. I know she's gathering her courage to say what she's about to say. This could be hard for her so I let her took some time to ready herself.
"Which one would you want to know first?" She asked, still playing my fingers.
"Why did you disappeared for a whole week after Jessica's family died?" I decided to ask the basic because I don't wanna overwhelm her if I were to ask who's the murderer.
I saw her gulp and took a deep breath. "Because of my father." Her voice cracked at the mention of her father. I furrowed my eyebrows.
"You see, unlike to what people gossip about, the Kims and the Jungs are friends. My father and Jessica's father are close friends. It explains how close Jessica and I. Well, yeah, our parents doesn't have the slightest idea that we were in a different relationship at that time." She gulped after that. Seemingly afraid that I'll get jealous of her past relationship with Jessica.
"So yeah, the Jungs are in my Father's Ranch that day not because I invited them but because they visited my father to talk about business. But suddenly..." She took a deep breath. "Gunshots were heard and the next thing they knew, they are all bleeding to death." My eyes widened. That's cruel!
"I was not in the Ranch that day. And I blame myself for not accompanying them instead. Because when I heard the news from my uncle, my father was rushed to the hospital and my mother is completely missing! I was so stupid! I should have just accompany them!" She's blaming herself in gritted teeth while hitting her head. I held her hand to stop her from hurting herself. I'm crying with her. I never knew that it could be this painful.
"My father was shot on his chest. The bullet had almost hit his heart but he was lucky enough to survive. We transferred him on a private room, he was in a coma for 3 days. When he woke up, he doesn't talk. He can't even move his body except for blinking his eyes. But nonetheless, I was so happy because he's finally awake. 2 days passed and he's recovering very well. I was sleeping on the couch in his assigned room when suddenly, I heard a loud noise. My father's body is shaking uncontrollably. I called the doctor. And while he was trying to save him, my father held out his hand to me. I held it and I saw his eyes. He's crying. He whispered a word to me." She stopped as she sob from the painful memory of her father. My eyes are swollen when I pulled her in my arms.
"Choi. That's his last word." She sniffed.
"I'm sorry you have to gone through that pain, Tae." I rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.
"It's not your fault. Anyway, I told my uncle about my father's last word. We planned to set a meeting with the Choi family because we believe that they are the key in this case. We sent them an invitation and they are kind enough to meet us after a week. We understood the time span because we know that they are also busy with businesses. After all, the Chois are not new to us. They are actually proposing a partnership with the Kims. So yeah, after two days of mourning to my father's death, I showed up to the university. Then, I started to hear different criticisms and accusations. But I did my best to shrug it off. I found Jessica and we talked about the case. That's when I found out that her sister is missing. So when the people started to notice that Jessica is missing, we are already on the search for Krystal and my mother."
I covered my mouth using my hand. So that's what happened. That is the reason why Jessica went totally missing. Turn out, she's looking for her missing sister with Taeyeon. Taeyeon didn't forced her. She willingly join Taeyeon to find them.
"It wasn't just the two of us who's searching for them. My uncle formed a team to help us find them. We spent days and nights without a sleep and we barely eat. We were too exhausted and that night that we call it quit, we saw a teenager sitting beside the road somewhere in Seoul. She's covered with dirt and some blood stains are all over her shirt. She wasn't crying actually, she was in shock. Staring blankly to nowhere. And there, we found Krystal." I saw a sign of relief on her face. I think seeing Krystal have woken up a new hope in their hearts. I sighed in relief too. It must be tough for the two sisters to lost their whole family. And I can imagine how happy Jessica was to see her sister alive. At least she's not totally alone.
"It took a week before Krystal talked to us. I guess the trauma is still there. So yeah, when she talked to us, she said she just saw their family laying on the ground covered with their own bloods. In other words, she saw them when the crime is already done. So she didn't witnessed what really happened and who killed them. But there's one thing she said that gave me hope. She said she saw two men back facing her, they are dragging my mother away from the crime scene. She said my mother saw her. And that she mouthed 'hide' to her. That's when Krystal hide herself from the bush. They pushed my mother inside a black sedan. And when they're gone, Krystal run and run until she got tired. That's how she successfully escaped. The thing that shook me is that, she said before she could go further, she overheard Sooyoung talking to a man. And there I found out that Sooyoung told them about the Jungs whereabouts." Suddenly, her eyes showed nothing but anger. She's glaring on her hands that are balled into a fist.
"Up until now the team are still searching for my mother. We've hired dozens of private investigators but we can't still find her. I'm so worried for her. I hope where ever she is, she's safe. I hope she'll hold on a bit more. We're close to finding her. I'll definitely find her." She said, determined. I nod my head to show my support.
"The Chois and The Jungs are rivals. And both families wanted to propose a partnership to us. So when Sooyoung found out that the Jungs are in our Ranch to close the deal, she told the Chois and they sent dozens of armed men to kill them." She said in gritted teeth. The veins in her knuckles are very visible because of how tight she balled her hands into a fist.
I held her hands gently. I rubbed each using my thumbs to soothe her. "By saying Choi, you also meant Siwon, right?" I asked to confirm my hunch.
"Yes. That jerk is using you to get into me."
"What do you mean? I didn't know you from 2 years ago, Taeyeon."
"Yes. But your father does."
"My father had something to do with this!?" I am clearly shock. How come?
"Your father is a close family friend. He's specifically close to my uncle. They have business partnership together. And yeah, your father knew everything about this. Which is why he decided to move in Jeonju when he heard about you and Siwon. He wanted to separate you two. And since you wanted to move out from them, he asked me to look after you." She smiled at me when she look up to see me furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. She held my hands that are still subconsciously soothing her hands and held it high to plant a soft kiss on each one of them.
"I told your father that I like you. And that I might fall hard if you were to get close to me. He warned me to keep my hands to myself but how can I do that when my hands can't resist to hold you?"
"So, you're saying that all of these are planned? My family decided to move here to separate me from Siwon? And that the room number I was assigned in this apartment is a part of the plan?"
"Yes. But my feelings for you is sincere. I really like you, Tiffany. Otherwise, I wouldn't accept your father's request no matter how attractive you are." She look straight in my eyes, trying to assure me that her feelings are real.
I didn't say a word. Instead, I pulled her in a tight hug. Sure, I was still shock for my father's involvement in this case but that doesn't change a thing. I really like Taeyeon. And I do believe that she likes me.
I'm here to help her. Now that I know the truth, I won't hesitate to help her no matter how small I can contribute. I'll stay beside her to give her strength.
We stayed like that for a while. Then eventually, we found ourselves cuddled up on the couch. I was laying my back on the couch while Taeyeon is on top of me. We're hugging each other tightly. No one wants to pull out. A comfortable silence envelope us after the emotional revelation of truth.
Sooyoung really have the guts to accuse Taeyeon when in reality, she's the one who sold the Jungs out. Now I completely understand why Taeyeon distant herself from them. If I was here, I won't even go back in this place.
One thing's for sure though. My amazement on Taeyeon's bravery grew higher. Her control to herself is on another level too. Imagine holding back yourself to shout at the same person that accuse you continuously is the same reason of Mr. Kim and the Jungs death.
"Tae, does Sunny and the rest have an idea about Sooyoung's betrayal?" I asked out of nowhere while brushing her hair using my hand.
"No. They are completely innocent." She hide her face on the crook of my neck. I can feel her breath tickling my insides.
I nod my head, acknowledging her response. Although I had a hard time to focus because of her face on my neck.
---
The next morning.
"Good morning, Tae." I whispered in her ear. She furrowed her eyebrows on her sleep. I'm already done cooking our breakfast and this cute little hooman is still sleeping soundly. I guess pigs will finally fly today. I chuckle.
Since it's still early, I decided to let her sleep more. I sat on the edge of her bed and stare at her while she's sleeping. She looks at peace. It's like as if she have all the time in the world. She is attractive as fuck! Very pretty.
You are the strongest and bravest person I've ever met, Tae. But even so, you're still a human. There are times that you'll get tired. And that's why I'm here for. You can rest in my arms and I'll do my best to put your stress away. I want you to seek such comfort to me. Taeyeon, I think I'm falling hard for you.
I bite my lower lip with that thought. I badly wanna tell her that I'm falling for her but I'm afraid that she doesn't feel the same. I'm afraid that she just likes me. So I guess I'll settle like this for now. I will just tell her next time. When I'm ready to any of the two outcomes. Either she feels the same or I get rejected.
"What's going on in that pretty mind of yours?" I was startled when I heard her voice. I look down to meet her eyes.
"You're finally awake." I chuckled.
"Did I sleep too long?"
"Nope. You're good. You must rest from time to time too." I smiled and she smiled too.
"I need to cook for us." She sat up straight, planning to stand up but I stopped her.
"No rush, Tae. I already cooked our breakfast." She stared at me with her eyes widened. I chuckled. She's so cute.
"But..."
"Shhh!" I place my finger on her lips to stop her from protesting. Gosh! I badly wanted to silence her using my lips instead. Why is she taking too long to take the first move? If she would stay like this, I swear I won't be able to stop myself anymore. I would kiss her hard until she forgets her name!
"Come, let's eat." I sweetly stated as I held her hand to pull her out of the bed. She just let me drag her until we reach the kitchen stool. We sat side by side as we eat our breakfast silently.
"Tae, if you already know that the Chois are the real culprit, then why didn't you told the police yet?" I asked out of nowhere. I was just wondering why the Chois are still free to go outside while Jessica and Krystal are hiding for their dear lives.
"There's no much of an evidence, Pani. Krystal may have heard Sooyoung talking to a man, however, she was incapable to see his face. Even the two other men who took my mother away, she didn't saw their faces. The case will only be dismissed considering the fact that the Chois also have a money. And let's not forget that they also have connections. So my uncle and I decided to find my mother first. Because we'll be risking her life if we were to speak to the police and tell them what we knew." She explained gently. This time, she is calm. She's not crying like last night. I'm relieved though. I don't want to see her crying anymore. It breaks my heart.
"So, your mother is the only witness we have."
"Yes. And she's unfortunately missing." She sighed.
***
Thank you for reading! ❣️🇵🇭
We have a double update today 'cause I don't think I'll be able to update tomorrow. 😅 I'll be busy doing my schoolworks. Anyways, see you again on Friday! 💛
Let's watch our girls later tonight at You Quiz on the Block 💛