Linger - Part 5
A/N: Have run out of words to say. Oh right! Maybe I should add a word of thanks to the Anon on SoGayShiDae who has been providing update links to this fic. I would have left a comment there but wasn't sure how to go about doing that. Anyway, thank you!
Part 5
Finished with sweeping up the lawn, Yuri returned all paraphernalia to the shed before going around to the front of the house again to have a look-see on what she might have missed.
For someone who had never mowed a lawn or pruned a hedge in her entire life, Yuri thought she hadn't fared too badly. But still, she was a tad worried. There were some uneven (just read bald) patches at the bottom of the lawn where she had mowed the grass too closely to the ground. She did, however, manage to get a more even cut after making some adjustments to the alignment of the blades which determined the desired grass height.
Pretty sure that a caustic tongue came with the rest of the Jung package, Yuri could only keep her fingers crossed that the woman wouldn't notice the uneven patches and have reason to holler at her. But on the event that she did notice and raised hell, Yuri had her comeback all thought out: Hey, it's only grass. It'll grow again.
As for the hedges flanking both sides of the driveway, Yuri had pruned them according to Jessica's instructions when she had asked how she should get them done.
A total greenhorn in all matters pertaining to grass and hedges, and gardening in general, but yet reluctant to let on that she really hadn't a clue, Jessica had simply said with that tone of authority, "Just flatten out the top and thin out the sides."
So that was exactly what Yuri did - trim just enough to flatten out the top and thin out the sides of the hedges.
Her eyes sweeping over the front yard one last time, Yuri nodded in satisfaction.
Now all that remained for her to do was to collect the remuneration for the services rendered and get the hell out, although money wasn't the primary reason for her being there. It was never about earning travelling expenses for that concert in Seoul. It was all about having the opportunity to see Jessica Jung again -she had wanted to see her- but after that totally unexpected gay bomb the woman had dropped on her, Yuri wasn't sure if she could ever look her in the eye again. It would be a whopping big lie to say that it didn't have an impact on her. After all, Kwon Yuri was only your average, hormonal, ovaries-about-to-explode, sensitive teenaged girl, who had just had her sexuality questioned by this older woman who definitely knew what she was talking about - if that extremely gay wallpaper was anything to go by. Hardly able to dismiss the thought, she had gone about getting the rest of her work finished with Jessica's words weighing heavy on, and impinging, every part of her mind that gave a damn.
*
Looking up from her laptop, Jessica noticed Yuri standing by the French window, peering in at her. Feeling a little apologetic for her little outburst earlier- For goodness' sake, Jessi. She's just a kid. Do you have to be quite so hard on her?- she gestured for Yuri to come in, reminding herself to be nice.
"It's all done and if there's nothing else, I'll be running along now," Yuri said as she came in through the floor-length window. "Want to take a look?"
Jessica thought the girl sounded a little apprehensive and it really wasn't the kind of response Yuri was expecting either when she replied with, "Nah, it's only silly old grass. I'll just get you your money and you can go."
Following closely behind Jessica on the way to the kitchen where she said she had left her wallet, Yuri noticed that she had showered and changed, the lingering scent of her shower-time essentials-shampoo, soap and possibly, body lotion- permeating her nostrils, wafting through the hallway even as they walked. She slowed down a little, just to create some distance between them. It was all she could do to stop herself from sticking her nose in that glorious head of damp hair.
Just before entering the kitchen, Jessica threw her head back to look at Yuri who seemed to have lagged behind, saying, "C'mon, kid. Are you like 80?"
Not even bothering to answer, Yuri could only shake her head as she sidled into the kitchen. First she calls me "kid" then asks if I'm 80. Fine, I'm an 80-year-old kid then.
"You look like you could do with a drink but I think you really should wash your hands first?" Jessica pointed to the sink as she made for the fridge. "Do you want soda, juice or water?" she asked, getting a can of beer for herself.
"You. I want you," Yuri mumbled without thinking while absent-mindedly washing her hands in the sink.
"Huh? I didn't catch that." Thankfully for the sound of gushing water, Jessica hadn't caught her.
Oh fuck. What did I just say? Yuri spun around, nervously wiping her wet hands on the back of her shorts. "JUICE. Uhm, juice please?" It wasn't her choice of beverage but juice sounded pretty close to you, she thought -- hoped.
Jessica threw her a can which she deftly caught but had trouble opening.
Looking on in open amusement as Yuri fumbled with the ring pull, obviously not getting any closer to quenching her thirst, Jessica took pity on her as she gently pried the can from her hands. The corners of her mouth twitching as she tried to stifle a smile, she wondered if this was the same smartass kid who had come to tow her car the other day. To think I reduced her to this. Be nice, Jessi. "Here, let me do it. Don't want us chipping another nail, do we now?" she said kindly, effortlessly opening the can and handing it back to Yuri.
Remembering what they had come into the kitchen for, Jessica found her wallet, counted out some notes, and gave them to Yuri who was downing her drink of some sweet, peachy concoction in big gulps; the juice dribbling down her chin, rolling down her neck and she hadn't even noticed.
Leaning into the kitchen island, all Kwon Yuri wanted was to finish her drink fast so she could make a quick exit.
Jessica Jung had an elbow propped against the island countertop, her hand supporting her chin, calmly sipping at her beer, and Yuri wondered why the woman was looking at her with what she thought looked like a smirk.
"What?"
"Why are you so nervous around me?"
"I - I'm not. "
"Oh yes, you are. You're so nervous that you have peach juice all down your chin and neck and you're not even doing anything about it."
Yuri swiped at her chin with the back of her hand and was dismayed when it came away wet. But what set her heart racing so fast that it was highly in danger of popping out of her mouth, was when Jessica Jung suddenly leaned close to her, wiping her chin with her hand, all the way down her neck in one continuous, fluid motion.
"Don't." Uncomfortable with the sudden contact, Yuri pushed her hand away, and as an added measure, took a step backwards as well. She had done so simply out of reflex and certainly hadn't meant to be rude. "You'll, uhm, get your hand sticky," she gushed, feeling the need to explain.
Jessica held up both hands in surrender. If she had a white flag, she would wave that, too. "I rest my case. You're so clearly nervous and uncomfortable around me. If this has anything to do with what I said just now, about you being gay, I was only teasing. Just joking, all right?"
"Well, it's not very funny."
"Yeah, I guess not," Jessica agreed. "But are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Never mind." Jessica sighed, not wanting to force Yuri into a corner. She wasn't sure if Yuri was evading the question or just being oblivious. But in any case, the girl had had enough scares for one day. "It's getting late. You should go."
"I'll let myself out."
"Would you like to come again to do the grass the next time?"
"Sure."
Passing by Jessica's work desk on her way out, Yuri noticed an ashtray filled almost to the brim with cigarette butts. Slipping on her jacket, she dug around in her breast pocket, drew out a pack of gum and laid it down on top of a box of cigarettes of an American brand, before letting herself out of the French window.
*
Jessica hadn't checked her email in days, apprehensive of what she might find. However, she couldn't put it off much longer especially when Tiffany had called to alert her on some urgent correspondence that needed her attention. Logging in, it was just as she had feared- her inbox was completely inundated with emails from one, Taeyeon_Kim@hotmail.co.kr . It was Taeyeon's private email address, the one she had outside of work that she used to communicate with close friends only.
Why do you persist in being an ass, Taeyeon? Haven't I already made myself clear?
Without opening a single one of Taeyeon's messages, Jessica deleted the whole lot.
Reaching for her cigarettes, she found a pack of sugarfree, ginseng-flavoured chewing gum. It brought a smile to her face as she turned the pack of gum over, reading the words on the packaging and recalling how she had frightened Kwon Yuri by springing that dastardly question at her.
What's this thing about gum replacing fags? First Tiffany and now this kid. Such a cute kid. So gay and she doesn't even know it. But that's just my gaydar which can be terribly off since I haven't turned it on in a while.
Jessica Jung had, in her younger and wilder days, quite often mistaken straight girls for gay when trying to hit on someone, with disastrous results, of course. But when Taeyeon came along and they subsequently fell deeply in love, she decided to put away her gaydar, since it had become redundant. After all, she thought she had found her one, true love, and there was no need for her to scout around anymore. As such, after so many years of inactivity, her gaydar had probably lost much of its prowess, not that it had ever been that receptive or sensitive in the first place.
It remained to be seen if Jessica Jung was right about Kwon Yuri.
*
Tiffany was late and she knew it. However, it didn't seem as if she was in a hurry to meet whoever it was she was supposed to meet, the way she took her own sweet time, sauntering into the crowded bar that was once a favourite haunt.
She found Taeyeon perched at the bar counter, a glazed look in her eyes, holding her whiskey and soda. Obviously, she'd had one too many.
"How many has she had, Bong Soo?" Tiffany asked the bartender as she took the vacant stool next to her friend. The bartender held up his hand to indicate five. "That's it. No more drinks for you, Kim Taeyeon," Tiffany declared loudly amidst the din.
"I hate youuuu, " Taeyeon slurred, resting her head on the countertop, looking dazed.
"Oh, believe me. The feeling's mutual," Tiffany patted her head. "Only I think I hate you more for dragging me away from my beauty sleep."
"You're such a shitttt."
"And you're an asshole. What do you want? It had better not be about Jessica because we've been through this a dozen times already."
Without a word, Taeyeon pushed 2 pink envelopes across the countertop to her friend. Tiffany picked up the one that was addressed to her but did not even bother to look at its contents. There was no need to since it screamed ENGAGEMENT PARTY INVITATION out really loud.
"I see you're going through with it, huh?" Tiffany slapped the envelope back down onto the countertop.
"Why are you asking the obvious?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You know why."
"I do but I don't necessarily understand your intentions?"
"You don't have to, but Jessica fucking needs to, so, will you please just tell me where she is?"
"I gave her my word that I won't tell."
"Then will you get her to call me instead? Pleeease?"
Tiffany Hwang was in a dilemma and it tore at her heart to see Taeyeon in a state of inebriation when she rarely drank, reduced to a blithering mess; the stoic calm and exuberant confidence she once exuded, clearly missing.
"I'm not promising what I can't deliver." Tiffany stuffed her invitation into her purse and then pointed to the other envelope. "And I think you've wasted your effort in writing out that invitation. Do you honestly believe she'll attend? Seriously?"
"Why do you keep putting me down?"
"Just telling it as it is, Taeyeon."
"Wet blanket."
"Whatever." Tiffany hopped off her stool, addressing the bartender while slipping him a fat tip, "Don't let her drive. Get her a replacement driver or put her in a cab, please?"
As she walked out of the bar, she could hear Taeyeon shouting after her, "I swear I'll find her! With or without your help!"
* tbc
Part 5
Finished with sweeping up the lawn, Yuri returned all paraphernalia to the shed before going around to the front of the house again to have a look-see on what she might have missed.
For someone who had never mowed a lawn or pruned a hedge in her entire life, Yuri thought she hadn't fared too badly. But still, she was a tad worried. There were some uneven (just read bald) patches at the bottom of the lawn where she had mowed the grass too closely to the ground. She did, however, manage to get a more even cut after making some adjustments to the alignment of the blades which determined the desired grass height.
Pretty sure that a caustic tongue came with the rest of the Jung package, Yuri could only keep her fingers crossed that the woman wouldn't notice the uneven patches and have reason to holler at her. But on the event that she did notice and raised hell, Yuri had her comeback all thought out: Hey, it's only grass. It'll grow again.
As for the hedges flanking both sides of the driveway, Yuri had pruned them according to Jessica's instructions when she had asked how she should get them done.
A total greenhorn in all matters pertaining to grass and hedges, and gardening in general, but yet reluctant to let on that she really hadn't a clue, Jessica had simply said with that tone of authority, "Just flatten out the top and thin out the sides."
So that was exactly what Yuri did - trim just enough to flatten out the top and thin out the sides of the hedges.
Her eyes sweeping over the front yard one last time, Yuri nodded in satisfaction.
Now all that remained for her to do was to collect the remuneration for the services rendered and get the hell out, although money wasn't the primary reason for her being there. It was never about earning travelling expenses for that concert in Seoul. It was all about having the opportunity to see Jessica Jung again -she had wanted to see her- but after that totally unexpected gay bomb the woman had dropped on her, Yuri wasn't sure if she could ever look her in the eye again. It would be a whopping big lie to say that it didn't have an impact on her. After all, Kwon Yuri was only your average, hormonal, ovaries-about-to-explode, sensitive teenaged girl, who had just had her sexuality questioned by this older woman who definitely knew what she was talking about - if that extremely gay wallpaper was anything to go by. Hardly able to dismiss the thought, she had gone about getting the rest of her work finished with Jessica's words weighing heavy on, and impinging, every part of her mind that gave a damn.
*
Looking up from her laptop, Jessica noticed Yuri standing by the French window, peering in at her. Feeling a little apologetic for her little outburst earlier- For goodness' sake, Jessi. She's just a kid. Do you have to be quite so hard on her?- she gestured for Yuri to come in, reminding herself to be nice.
"It's all done and if there's nothing else, I'll be running along now," Yuri said as she came in through the floor-length window. "Want to take a look?"
Jessica thought the girl sounded a little apprehensive and it really wasn't the kind of response Yuri was expecting either when she replied with, "Nah, it's only silly old grass. I'll just get you your money and you can go."
Following closely behind Jessica on the way to the kitchen where she said she had left her wallet, Yuri noticed that she had showered and changed, the lingering scent of her shower-time essentials-shampoo, soap and possibly, body lotion- permeating her nostrils, wafting through the hallway even as they walked. She slowed down a little, just to create some distance between them. It was all she could do to stop herself from sticking her nose in that glorious head of damp hair.
Just before entering the kitchen, Jessica threw her head back to look at Yuri who seemed to have lagged behind, saying, "C'mon, kid. Are you like 80?"
Not even bothering to answer, Yuri could only shake her head as she sidled into the kitchen. First she calls me "kid" then asks if I'm 80. Fine, I'm an 80-year-old kid then.
"You look like you could do with a drink but I think you really should wash your hands first?" Jessica pointed to the sink as she made for the fridge. "Do you want soda, juice or water?" she asked, getting a can of beer for herself.
"You. I want you," Yuri mumbled without thinking while absent-mindedly washing her hands in the sink.
"Huh? I didn't catch that." Thankfully for the sound of gushing water, Jessica hadn't caught her.
Oh fuck. What did I just say? Yuri spun around, nervously wiping her wet hands on the back of her shorts. "JUICE. Uhm, juice please?" It wasn't her choice of beverage but juice sounded pretty close to you, she thought -- hoped.
Jessica threw her a can which she deftly caught but had trouble opening.
Looking on in open amusement as Yuri fumbled with the ring pull, obviously not getting any closer to quenching her thirst, Jessica took pity on her as she gently pried the can from her hands. The corners of her mouth twitching as she tried to stifle a smile, she wondered if this was the same smartass kid who had come to tow her car the other day. To think I reduced her to this. Be nice, Jessi. "Here, let me do it. Don't want us chipping another nail, do we now?" she said kindly, effortlessly opening the can and handing it back to Yuri.
Remembering what they had come into the kitchen for, Jessica found her wallet, counted out some notes, and gave them to Yuri who was downing her drink of some sweet, peachy concoction in big gulps; the juice dribbling down her chin, rolling down her neck and she hadn't even noticed.
Leaning into the kitchen island, all Kwon Yuri wanted was to finish her drink fast so she could make a quick exit.
Jessica Jung had an elbow propped against the island countertop, her hand supporting her chin, calmly sipping at her beer, and Yuri wondered why the woman was looking at her with what she thought looked like a smirk.
"What?"
"Why are you so nervous around me?"
"I - I'm not. "
"Oh yes, you are. You're so nervous that you have peach juice all down your chin and neck and you're not even doing anything about it."
Yuri swiped at her chin with the back of her hand and was dismayed when it came away wet. But what set her heart racing so fast that it was highly in danger of popping out of her mouth, was when Jessica Jung suddenly leaned close to her, wiping her chin with her hand, all the way down her neck in one continuous, fluid motion.
"Don't." Uncomfortable with the sudden contact, Yuri pushed her hand away, and as an added measure, took a step backwards as well. She had done so simply out of reflex and certainly hadn't meant to be rude. "You'll, uhm, get your hand sticky," she gushed, feeling the need to explain.
Jessica held up both hands in surrender. If she had a white flag, she would wave that, too. "I rest my case. You're so clearly nervous and uncomfortable around me. If this has anything to do with what I said just now, about you being gay, I was only teasing. Just joking, all right?"
"Well, it's not very funny."
"Yeah, I guess not," Jessica agreed. "But are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Never mind." Jessica sighed, not wanting to force Yuri into a corner. She wasn't sure if Yuri was evading the question or just being oblivious. But in any case, the girl had had enough scares for one day. "It's getting late. You should go."
"I'll let myself out."
"Would you like to come again to do the grass the next time?"
"Sure."
Passing by Jessica's work desk on her way out, Yuri noticed an ashtray filled almost to the brim with cigarette butts. Slipping on her jacket, she dug around in her breast pocket, drew out a pack of gum and laid it down on top of a box of cigarettes of an American brand, before letting herself out of the French window.
*
Jessica hadn't checked her email in days, apprehensive of what she might find. However, she couldn't put it off much longer especially when Tiffany had called to alert her on some urgent correspondence that needed her attention. Logging in, it was just as she had feared- her inbox was completely inundated with emails from one, Taeyeon_Kim@hotmail.co.kr . It was Taeyeon's private email address, the one she had outside of work that she used to communicate with close friends only.
Why do you persist in being an ass, Taeyeon? Haven't I already made myself clear?
Without opening a single one of Taeyeon's messages, Jessica deleted the whole lot.
Reaching for her cigarettes, she found a pack of sugarfree, ginseng-flavoured chewing gum. It brought a smile to her face as she turned the pack of gum over, reading the words on the packaging and recalling how she had frightened Kwon Yuri by springing that dastardly question at her.
What's this thing about gum replacing fags? First Tiffany and now this kid. Such a cute kid. So gay and she doesn't even know it. But that's just my gaydar which can be terribly off since I haven't turned it on in a while.
Jessica Jung had, in her younger and wilder days, quite often mistaken straight girls for gay when trying to hit on someone, with disastrous results, of course. But when Taeyeon came along and they subsequently fell deeply in love, she decided to put away her gaydar, since it had become redundant. After all, she thought she had found her one, true love, and there was no need for her to scout around anymore. As such, after so many years of inactivity, her gaydar had probably lost much of its prowess, not that it had ever been that receptive or sensitive in the first place.
It remained to be seen if Jessica Jung was right about Kwon Yuri.
*
Tiffany was late and she knew it. However, it didn't seem as if she was in a hurry to meet whoever it was she was supposed to meet, the way she took her own sweet time, sauntering into the crowded bar that was once a favourite haunt.
She found Taeyeon perched at the bar counter, a glazed look in her eyes, holding her whiskey and soda. Obviously, she'd had one too many.
"How many has she had, Bong Soo?" Tiffany asked the bartender as she took the vacant stool next to her friend. The bartender held up his hand to indicate five. "That's it. No more drinks for you, Kim Taeyeon," Tiffany declared loudly amidst the din.
"I hate youuuu, " Taeyeon slurred, resting her head on the countertop, looking dazed.
"Oh, believe me. The feeling's mutual," Tiffany patted her head. "Only I think I hate you more for dragging me away from my beauty sleep."
"You're such a shitttt."
"And you're an asshole. What do you want? It had better not be about Jessica because we've been through this a dozen times already."
Without a word, Taeyeon pushed 2 pink envelopes across the countertop to her friend. Tiffany picked up the one that was addressed to her but did not even bother to look at its contents. There was no need to since it screamed ENGAGEMENT PARTY INVITATION out really loud.
"I see you're going through with it, huh?" Tiffany slapped the envelope back down onto the countertop.
"Why are you asking the obvious?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You know why."
"I do but I don't necessarily understand your intentions?"
"You don't have to, but Jessica fucking needs to, so, will you please just tell me where she is?"
"I gave her my word that I won't tell."
"Then will you get her to call me instead? Pleeease?"
Tiffany Hwang was in a dilemma and it tore at her heart to see Taeyeon in a state of inebriation when she rarely drank, reduced to a blithering mess; the stoic calm and exuberant confidence she once exuded, clearly missing.
"I'm not promising what I can't deliver." Tiffany stuffed her invitation into her purse and then pointed to the other envelope. "And I think you've wasted your effort in writing out that invitation. Do you honestly believe she'll attend? Seriously?"
"Why do you keep putting me down?"
"Just telling it as it is, Taeyeon."
"Wet blanket."
"Whatever." Tiffany hopped off her stool, addressing the bartender while slipping him a fat tip, "Don't let her drive. Get her a replacement driver or put her in a cab, please?"
As she walked out of the bar, she could hear Taeyeon shouting after her, "I swear I'll find her! With or without your help!"
* tbc