Hyunjung's mother is stern, sharp-tongued, and knows how to get everyone to do her bidding.
When that happens, it usually ends up with her and Hyunjung fighting, and when that happens, Hyunjung stays away.
"I don't want you to see me when I'm like this," Hyunjung has told her one time.
And by this, she meant furious. Hurt.
Jiyeon gives Hyunjung her space when such a thing happens as she, too, has had her moments of low where she couldn't even speak to anyone but Juyeon, which Hyunjung has respected fully.
That's why she doesn't interfere or inquire when she sees a dark ghost of anger on Hyunjung's face as they leave the charity event that Hyunjung's mother has thrown.
But a text from Sojung, Hyunjung's confidant, long-time friend, and business partner, asking her to stay with Hyunjung because she had a really bad fight with her mother unnerves her.
Don't let her be alone. 11:09
Please. 11:09
I can't leave yet, but I'll be at your place ASAP. 11:09
She's threatening to shut down our company. Again. 11:10
The whole ride home is made of silence, and it's deafening.
Jiyeon's been tensed, gazing outside the window and trying to figure out how exactly she was supposed to keep Hyunjung from leaving the house when all that connects her to Hyunjung is their required intimacy.
And well, the pretending game that they play perfectly when they're in public.
When Hyunjung parks the car outside their house but doesn't switch it off, Jiyeon's heart pounds and she thinks that maybe she can do something to help Hyunjung right now.
Hyunjung has always been decent with her after all, right from the start.
But Jiyeon hesitates.
They aren't even friends, Hyunjung might not want her help in this.
"Aren't you coming inside?" Jiyeon asks.
Hyunjung doesn't look at her, her fingers are clenched around the steering wheel. "I need some time alone, it won't take long," she replies calmly.
She replies calmly but Jiyeon doesn't sense any calmness at all.
She looks ahead and contemplates letting Hyunjung have her privacy.
But then again, Sojung has asked her to help - for the first time.
There must be something that she can do.
Something of the one true connection they have.
Sex.
Jiyeon reaches to switch off the car's engine, and with a little difficulty, she moves to straddle Hyunjung's thighs.
She knows that it might not be her place to prevent Hyunjung from doing what she needs to cool down, but her heart is strangely steady as she meets Hyunjung's widened eyes.
