얼음꽃 (Frost Flower)

Chapter Seventeen

It was a typical Wednesday but instead of being at work, Yoona was all curled up in bed, busy recovering from that cold of hers as Taeyeon slaved away in the kitchen, doing whatever she could with her rusty cooking skills to whip up some broth for her poor friend.

Two failed attempts later, she finally succeeded, turning the heat off, and stirring in some additional garnishes for flavor. Ladling a good amount into a bowl, she headed for Yoona’s room. Carefully removing the moist towel from the girl’s head, she set it aside before shaking her slightly.

“Yoong, wake up… I made you some soup… have some while it’s still hot…”

The girl fidgeted a little before peeking through her eyelids. Seeing her awake, Taeyeon helped her sit up and propped her against some pillows.

“Can you cope? Do you need me to feed you?”

Chuckling, Yoona took the bowl from the blonde’s hands, “I’m not dying, Tae. Thanks for the thought but that privilege is reserved for my future girlfriend.”

Rolling her eyes, Taeyeon muttered, “Since when was that word added into your vocabulary? Do you have any idea what the word ‘girlfriend’ entails? Commitment. Last time I checked, you hated it more than a vampire loathed sunlight.”

The girl loaded a spoonful of chicken-flavored goodness into her mouth before speaking, “Were you not listening the last time we had a conversation? Sometimes I wonder if you even listen to what I say at all…” She made a wry face and went back to sloshing down the food. It tasted surprisingly good.

Their conversation was held up by a sudden ringing of the doorbell.

“I got this. Don’t you move a muscle,” Taeyeon patted the girl’s thighs and got off the bed, rushing down the stairs and hurrying to the door.

Swiftly throwing it open, she was greeted by an unfamiliar face. The woman was hugging a paper bag to her chest, and her brows furrowed slightly before she spoke, “Um, hello. Is Im Yoona in?”

Assuming it was another one of those annoying girls dropping by for some afternoon delight, Taeyeon folded her arms, “Yes, she is. But I don’t think she’s in the condition for anything fanciful. Who are you? I’ll convey your message.” She feigned a yawn as she finished her sentence, not too willing to entertain said stranger.

“I’m Jessica.”

Eyes widening, Taeyeon uncrossed her arms immediately, “The Jessica?”

“Beg your pardon?”

“Jessica Jung? CEO of Jung Enterprises, best friend of Tiffany Hwang, and the woman responsible for stealing Im Yoona’s heart?”

Taking a step back in surprise, Jessica lifted a brow, “Who are you?”

“Ah, I apologize for being rude. Kim Taeyeon, Yoona’s friend, and as you might know, Tiffany’s girlfriend. I’ve heard a great deal about you. Please, come in,” Moving aside, she allowed the woman to enter.

“Oh, so you’re Taeyeon,” Jessica nodded comprehensively, “It’s nice to finally meet the girl Tiffany’s been raving about.”

“How has she been?” The blonde asked after shutting the door. She really missed her girlfriend. They had not been seeing each other as frequently because the girl had been “busy with work” recently. Taeyeon knew that was really code for “I’m still not talking to you”.

“Quite fine. She misses you a lot.”

“She does? Then why--”

“Why’re you taking so long, Taengoo?” A voice called out from one of the rooms.