[taengsic] Moonlight

Chapter 9

I've been crying for a long time
I can't see your heart
I'm standing here in front of you
Why don't you see me.

— Can You Hear Me, BEN.

"Tae..."

"Stop it."

"Tae, please..." Jessica slowly reached her hand out to touch Taeyeon's cheeks, resting her hands there with utmost gentleness.

Taeyeon surprisingly did not do anything and stood still as she let Jessica be while she slowly closed her eyes with a quiet sigh.

Jessica caressed her the pad of her thumbs on Taeyeon's cheeks, wiping the warm tears rolling down the latter's cheeks.

At that moment, deep down in Taeyeon's heart, it felt like Jessica was brushing the pain she had endured despite having her tears flow as if there was no end. It was hard for her to stop. And the pain made her think that maybe death was better than living. She was already dying inside.

But with Jessica there with her, touching her with such affection, she could feel the peace she was craving for. It felt so different and unfamiliar but she would like the feeling to linger for a while more, or even for a long time.

"I'm here..." Jessica whispered.

Everything was quiet and calm at that moment, as if time had stopped and froze just to give them a chance to feel each other's presences.

Flashback

Before the wedding ceremony began, Taeyeon went to meet Jessica and her parents-in-law in the waiting room after being told by her parents. Jessica was getting her make-up done accompanied by her parents and they had no idea that she would come to meet and greet them.

Taeyeon arrived in front of the door where Jessica and her parents-in-law were. When she was about to get a hold of the doorknob, she suddenly stopped and stood still without making any movement.

And the reason was none other than the conversation she overheard from inside.

"Honey, I hope you can do your best for this marriage. Remember, it's not easy for us to get this opportunity. This is our only chance to expand the wealth of our family. The Kim has everything, baby! And we can get that everything only when you do well. So, please, don't let us down."

"Your dad is right, honey. Please don't disappoint us and just do whatever it takes to win more trust from them. Especially, Taeyeon. She is their one and only daughter, and I'm sure you can get anything from her if you do your best. "

"Yes! Taeyeon, honey, Taeyeon! Taeyeon is the key! I don't mind if you want to love her for real or use her to help us, just please do us a favour to gain their trust."

Silently, Taeyeon was waiting for Jessica to say something. Yet she heard nothing. Nevertheless, she could not help her heart from planting the seeds of hatred against the Jung, especially Jessica, the bridge for them to win everything her family owns.

It hurt her so much at the fact that they made Jessica as a tool to feed their greediness.

It made her wonder, what had she done against them when all she did was breathing in such a small world where no one knew the painful life she had to live in?

Did it even make any sense that someone who was sure that she never did anything wrong to be thrown in a world filled with pain that looked exactly like a punishment as if she had committed the worst sin in her past life?

And just like that, Taeyeon left.

End of flashback

Taeyeon grabbed Jessica by her wrist and opened her eyes, which had turned cold as she stared at Jessica.