49: Enthralled Lull

"Now try it," I said to Taeyun. He took a sip from the side of the spoon I was holding. He closed his eyes and slowly chewed it. It was one of Charlie's recipes, his favorite Chicken rice vegetable soup. 

Since  Taeyun wanted to help with cooking I lent him one of Joey's Hello Kitty aprons. He cringed to see the pink color Jerry hold her stomach crackling hard at his 'Are You Serious? ' reaction. Though I had to keep my cool he looked cute in them rolling his white shirt sleeves back we start preparing dinner together 

"This is truly delicious." He sounded proud taking another sip. I bit down my inner cheeks not to smile at the simple compliment when I knew he was probably being nice or kidding, after all, he is the chef between us, not me.  I just cook whatever I've learned. I don't have any university degrees, not like him. 

"Don't flatter me ." I shrugged his shook head and took out the food. Jerry already put the small floor table in the living room where we sat crossing our legs together.

"Sorry, the place is a little small," Joey uttered seeing Taeyun struggling to sit 

He waves his hands "it's comfy," voicing he glances at me. "like home." I nod it's like home almost. The first month when we started living here Jerry and I had to do over shifts to pay all the bills, and bills with Joey's fees for classes and now we're on good terms. 

The munching sound from Jerry's acclaim of our cooking and how we can work as partners was a sure achievement. "Maybe one day for sure." I joked 

Taeyun agreed, "I would love that." Further, he continued to tell us about his boyfriend since Jerry was awestruck listening to it sometimes she would give an eye roll whenever Joey would mention her getting cheated on by Amy  in dreams for that Taeyun said " it's fine to worry and be Jealous,  it's not bad to want your better half only for yourself but yeah don't be too much give them peace too." 

I stare at him for a while " what do you mean too much?" I asked out of curiosity

He gazes at me " you know like controlling them I mean if you're worried and scared just tell them don't make it  confusing." 

"Yes, you're right," Jerry replied,  " We shouldn't be with someone who wants to control us." I frowned for a second. A trace of worry melded within her tone. Both sisters exchanged a glance with each other and then smiled. 

A few things we get to know about Taeyun's boyfriend he's a keeper and for the best thing in their relationship they don't usually fight his boyfriend is someone who would make sure to take care of everything guess loving someone older than you is not that bad moreover they know about differences and help you with your choices.  I hate to admit it but it does make me envy them.  Taeyun deserves to be loved after getting disowned by his parents. Everyone craves to be valued by their loved ones.   

'Don't you crave it too? ' a voice raises a question from the back of my head

'it doesn't matter. '

"Fate?" Taeyun's voice pulled me out of the haze 

"yeah?" I turned my attention back to him "what?"

"I asked, is there anyone you like ?" 

The room remains silent everyone stares  at me "yes' 'I answered there could be no lie between me and him 

Astonished by the answer his mouth fell  agape "Really is he from our school?"  His voice picked up interest

"No, she's not." Jerry snorted and rolled her eyes at me I glare back at her

"She? So it's a," He timidly begins

"A Girl yes can we just not talk about it, " Jerry hissed to Taeyun who saw the grimace of scorn on her features that didn't let him dig further. 

While we continued to talk about our school and Taeyun's experience in new universities we didn't realize it was almost 9 pm until he received a call from his boyfriend saying bye to Lee's sisters giving Jerry a squeezing hug I walked him down to the lobby. He outstretched his arms pulling me for a hug. I returned it to him patting my head he grinned. "So… Ms. Fate Adierson it was nice meeting you, and our precious family."

I pulled back and slapped his arms lightly"  being formal now Mr. Wang. " 

He shakes his head." maybe, " glancing behind me he mentioned toward the stairs." you can go back now I'll text you later. " 

"Okay, '' I smiled and waved my hands, "don't forget to say ' Hi' from me  to your Beloved!" I got an enormous amused giggle and a thumbs up in agreement, 

One day I'll meet him for sure. 

After I got back into the apartment Jerry was washing the dishes. I helped her. Sometimes it's rare to see the elder Lee giving the silent treatment; it was too odd. I couldn't help but ask. " Is there anything bothering you?" 

She stops and washes the bowls quietly working. When we were done she sat in the living room. I followed her and sat in front. Joey settled to my right. "last night… '' she let out  a sigh." Did Jennie do something?" 

"No, why?" I frowned seeing both of them in worrisome not like I remember much about last night the minor memory I have  is Jennie helping me with my seatbelt and then everything is just blurred

"cause last night Jennie Hang Kim was acting like she fucking owned you," Jerry grumbled looking down at her fingers gripping her wrist. 

Gazing at Joey I found her stiffening a little angry Jerry is scary. "It's not like she was ju— 

"Just what? don't talk to me taking her side we both know she doesn't give a damn about you, " She lours at me." I get it she gives you clothes treating you well but that doesn't mean she can take you with her whenever she wants, I'm your friend, Best friend" she emphasized the words 'best friend ' 

"It's not like that Je—

"No, you know what's the problem in this whatever she does she doesn't love you the way you do she's just mean sarcastic Selfish why do you have to fall for someone like her Fate?" 

Her… 

Why Her 

Biting down her lips she shifts her gaze to look outside the windows."I want you to be happy and be loved, not someone who is altruistic and gains nothing. " She wearily spoke 

I moved near to sit on the small coffee table "Hey," grasping Jerry's hand I mentioned Joey to sit next to her. " I am happy, " eyeing both of them I smile " do you know why? Because I have a family who loves me. And It's never about gaining Jerry."

Storking her cheeks to erase her anger I continued. " Just because I have feelings for her, it's selfish to expect that she feels the same and Love is not selfish. It's Agapē. " 

She rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her palm. "You and your physiology theories sound like Aunt Lee herself." 

"True." Joey conjoint with her 

"Jo, I thought you were on my side!" I gawked at her 

she raised her shoulders slightly  "but it's the truth you do sound like Mom." 

"I was trying to be serious. You two are unbelievable. " 

They chuckled" and You love us. " 

Oh, I do, Very. 

After  I get out of the apartment getting another scolding  from Jerry seeing Mr. Patrick was out of the blue but when he explained that Young Mistress send him I took a time to look at my cell phone as he drove  there were 3 messages: 

one was a photo of the food Jennie cooked a smile cast on my lips in her spell, the second one said <I'm Bored…> and the last one <Don't take Bus Mr. Patrick will be there soon> it was sent around 8:30 Pm, I wonder if Mr. Patrick was waiting since then it would be too bad if he was, it's almost 10:30 now.

Peering outside the window I let the cool air brush against my cheeks, closing my eyes I sighed. The cushioned seat felt delighted to lean on. Today was nice meeting an old friend, spending time together, and now getting back to the place that was supposed to be my home. Everything was just perfect. 

Once the door opened Mr. Patrick bowed 'Good night ' I bowed back."You too Mr. Patrick".

As I strode towards the Kim House pacing slowly, carefully opening the door I found the entrance lights were turned off, the living room was quiet as well. Maybe the boss lady is sleeping. I close the door ready to go to my room and take some rest, finally.

"Fate? " 

Or Not.