Tiffany taps furiously on the lift button arrow that is showing downwards, she look at the door down the hallway where she had been just 5 minutes ago. Who she thought she will see again, only faded away and replaced with another girl whom she's not familiar with. Finally her prayers were heard, the lift beep on its arrival, the door slides open. Another surprise for Tiffany to see who's inside of the lift.
Yuri takes her shades off as she steps out from the lift, "Fany" she looks down at the hallway which leads to the door of Taeyeon's penthouse.
"H-hey" Tiffany steps forward to the lift, pressing her palm against the open door, "I have to go, catch up later" with that she steps into the lift, not giving any chances to Yuri to further the talk.
Yuri nods her head, feeling the odd atmosphere surrounding in between them, she doesn't want to insist further, "Yes, we'll do just that, see you" she waves.
A small smile coming from Tiffany before the door lift closes. Tiffany pressed her back against the lift, inhaling deeply as she stares blankly at the ceiling above her, the mirror above her, reflection staring back at her apologetically for her decision to drop by.
"Done?" she smiled as she watches intensely the other girl taking a few more bites before placing the fork on the plate.
Taeyeon nod her head, picking the napkin up to wipe her mouth.
Hani got up from her seat and starts cleaning the table up, when she took the plate in front of Taeyeon, she was stop by Taeyeon who suddenly held her wrist, they look at each other quietly for one moment before Taeyeon breaks into a small smile.
"Thank you"
Hani leans down and forward to Taeyeon to give the senior a light peck on the lips, "You're welcome"
Just as Hani walks into the kitchen, the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it" announce Taeyeon and walks to the entrance of the door, she unlocks it only to welcome her manager standing at her door, "Kwon"
"What happened" Yuri questioned.
"What do you mean, what happened" asked Taeyeon in confuse.
Yuri stayed observant for a quick minute, seemingly the shorter girl in front of her seems clueless of what her question is, remembering how Tiffany leaves in a hurry, it all fits like an unfinished puzzled though it's obvious that Taeyeon seems calm and things wouldn't be this way if she has just met Tiffany.
"Lets talk inside" Yuri walks into the penthouse. Upon hearing the water running from the tap in the kitchen, she take a peek and is taken by surprise that another girl presence is in the kitchen, though she can't make out who it is judging from the back view but she is more surprised how quickly Taeyeon has moved on, "Who's that" she looks at Taeyeon.
Then only now Taeyeon realize the bigger problem that she and Hani is about to face.
"Have a sit in the living room, I'll introduce her to you" said Taeyeon to Yuri who obeys the instructions.
Taeyeon walks into the kitchen, one of her arm wraps around Hani's shoulders, "Hey..urm-"
"Ne?" Hani smiled at the action, she leans in a bit against of Taeyeon's embrace.
"Yuri's here" said Taeyeon shortly.
Hani immediately becomes stunned, she too, realize the real problem now.
"Don't worry, I'll tell her what is going on, nothing is going to happen to you...I promi-"
Hani pressed her left index finger against of Taeyeon's lips, "Gwenchana, lets face it together" she turn the water tap off and wipes both her hands dry and take Taeyeon hand in hers as they brace themselves for the trouble they are going to face.
"Urm, Kwon-"
Yuri turn around to look at Taeyeon, but she was more surprised to see her trainee standing beside of Taeyeon, "What"
"Hani-" Yuri looks at her trainee that were about to debut in a few weeks with much disbelief, "So much for 'I shall do all my best during my training' when you are going completely against the rule behind my back" her voice were slightly stern but mostly disappointment.
Hani knew she did wrong and there is no way she could argue about it, all she could do right now is hung her head low, avoiding eyes contact with her manager.
"Is not her fault, Kwon-"
"And you. As a senior, you should know the basic rules of a trainee, what will happen to a trainee if they decide to go against it, you should help to guide them to the path of success, not the other way. I'm really disappointed in you, Taeyeon, more than I am towards Hani"
Taeyeon wanted to say something, but she closes her mouth since it is not the right time to speak to Yuri from a friend point of view.
Yuri called the appointed manager assigned to look after EXID to pick the girl up from the lobby, finally, is just the two of them. Taeyeon poured herself a glass of water before joining Yuri back in the living room.
"Why, Taeyeon"
Taeyeon took a big sip from the glass of the cold water before shrugging her shoulders at the question, "There wasn't really a reason why it happened, it just happens naturally when two person who has feelings at each other"
Yuri eyed Taeyeon suspiciously at the answers given to her, "Two people have feelings for each other, you're telling me you have feelings for Hani? Or were you just plainly heartbroken and just do whatever it can to make Tiffany leave your heart and mind?"
"I am fond of Hani" said Taeyeon in defence.
"Will you still choose Hani if Tiffany wants to have you back into her life?"
Taeyeon blinks at the question, speechless. Yuri has her cornered.
"Won't that be unfair for the girl who really is fond of you, risking her debut status just to be with you when you're just accepting her into your life due to your own confusion of in between fondness and usage"
"Kwon, stop it"
"Taeyeon, stop what you're doing, I know you're trying to let go, trying to move on, but this is not the right way-"
"EVERYONE IS TELLING ME THAT I WILL BE OVER HER EVENTUALLY! BUT IT'S ALL A LIE, KWON" Taeyeon raised her voice, she slam the glass of water in her hand against the table.
Taeyeon eyebrows arch inwardly, "And now, that I am actually trying to move on, you're complaining? But when I am all drunk, trying to get rid of her myself alone, you complained...what is this Kwon? Why are you trying to push me off the cliff that I am already sitting at? Why? I thought we're friends"
"We are and that is why I am trying to help you"
"You're not!"
"By being flirty and sleeping around with trainee, that's the only way to get you out?"
"Is none of your concern, is my life after work"
"You're a celebrity" said Yuri sternly, "If it's so difficult, why don't you try and talk to Tiffany like an adult, solve whatever that is empty in between the gaps...perhaps after pouring it out, there's a solution to it"
"You are not, in my shoes and my place...I don't blame you. But, please forgive Hani, I was the main reason that got her confuse and I'll take full responsibilities of it..."
"Hey, hi" she smiles politely as she withdraw the empty chair out to take a sit.
"Ice blended chocolate should be a safety order right?" the other one said as she push the cup to the girl who just joined her at the table in the coffee shop.
Tiffany nods her head and slips a strand of hair behind her ear, "I supposed you have something you want to ask about?"
"Can't I just call you out as a friend who wants to have a drink and just spend some quality time together?" said Yuri in return.
"Life would've been much simpler if it is that simple, isn't it" a small sad smile appeared on her face for merely two seconds.
"Does Taeyeon not know of your presence at her penthouse few days ago?" Yuri asked carefully.
Tiffany shakes her head, "Please don't tell her about it...I don't...want her to misunderstand the reason I was there.."
"And why were you there in the first place?"
"I wasn't" she paused, "pregnant"
A bright smile appears on Yuri's face, "That's a great news!" too happy of the news, she reaches out to grab both of Tiffany hands in hers, "It means the two of you-"
Tiffany shakes her head, "It's not going to happen, Yuri-ah"
"Why"
Tiffany pulls out her left hand from being held, but to only place it on top of Yuri's hands, "I'm telling you this because you're the person who probably has known more about me than others...I'll be leaving Korea soon, in a month the fastest-"
"What? Why? What about college?"
"I've told my parents that I can't seem to cope and focus completely on college, so they too, supported me to choose what I think I should do, then perhaps continue the next semester in another year or two, when I'm ready, you know..."
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere, this is one thing that I probably won't tell anyone, so no one can find me..."
Yuri shakes her head, "Why do you have to do this alone, Fany-ah, we can-"
Tiffany shake her head, "I need some alone time, to find myself again...to find that strength and believe that I used to have..."
"What about..her?"
"At first, I was hesitating as well...I was very confused of my feelings lately, a part of me, wanted to believe that we both can start all over again but the other part of me, says that I am not prepared yet...I've hurt her once, I don't want to hurt her twice" said Tiffany, "To see she has finally move on-"
"She didn't"
Tiffany looks at Yuri.
"She was trying to make herself and people around her to believe she did, but who is she kidding?"
Tiffany shook her head, "At least she's trying, I trust her, I trust she will..."
Yuri suddenly thought of something, "So, you're currently not doing anything until you leave right?"
Tiffany nods her head.
"I have a vacant position that I would love to have you fill it in until you take your leave"
Tiffany looks at Yuri in confusion.
"I have a male model that needs an assistant for about a week, to assist him for a bit and I think you suits this vacancy very well, I've seen the way you work and is not easy for me to find someone like you, several people came for the interview, but they were lacking the passions of being initiative and innovative"
Tiffany wanted to say something, but Yuri cut her off-
"You were at her penthouse because you wanted to see her yet you don't want her to misunderstood your purpose but you would want to see her for the last time before you leave Korea..now, with you working under the same building, you can still see her but not make her misunderstand the situation"
Tiffany stays quiet as she think about it thoroughly, Yuri has the point but will her heart be able to control the temptation that may revolves around her when she meets and sees Taeyeon again?
Taeyeon told Yuri to give her a few days to settle things in between her and Hani, although after talking to Yuri, Hani has come to agreement that she should fully put her focus on her training days till she debut with her group instead of being torn in between a lustful relationship and her being as a trainee. Though they have not seen each other for a few days, but Taeyeon believe she has the responsibility to make things end nicely and that they could also remained as friends instead of not contacting with each other completely.
Taeyeon text Hani to meet her in the studio at the 18th floor. She arrived to find the studio still empty, Taeyeon make her way the brown couch and lie on it as she takes a quick rest. She has been keeping herself busy on the dance practice from day till night and night till day, since she would've been all alone again once she's home. Until someone opens the door, Taeyeon lifts her arms up. She sits up properly on the couch, feeling slightly apologetic to what happened in between them.
"Sunbae annyeong" Hani purposely greeted cheerfully, causing Taeyeon to chuckle at the hint of sarcasm, she's in relief that Hani didn't make the situation more awkward and appreciate that the junior was trying to enlighten the situation.
"So it's sunbae now?"
"You are my sunbae in any ways" Hani joins Taeyeon by the couch, "What is it?"
"Just want to apologize to you in a more sincere way rather than just through a text"
Hani smiles, "Is okay, I liked you too remember?"
Taeyeon smiles back in return at the answer given by Hani.
"Then I guess-"
"Taeyeon Sunbae...wait" Hani looks at Taeyeon, out from the expectation, Hani pressed up against Taeyeon and capture the lips with her red lipstick lips.
"Hani" Taeyeon groans, she didn't kiss back at first but when Hani was pressing up against her, a tongue slips in between her lips and into her mouth,.
Taeyeon stops Hani by pushing her palms against her shoulders, "We can't..." she smile apologetically, "At least for now"
It's just another ordinary day of her being alone in the studio after the long practice. Taeyeon just want to keeps herself busy, she knows if she goes home at such early hour, she'll probably drink herself to sleep like any other days that she has done before. The only for her to not drink herself to sleep is to entirely wear herself out by practicing hours after hours.
Taeyeon sat on the floor, her back leaning up against the huge mirror behind her.
She then thought about what Yuri said to her yesterday, "Perhaps it is not so bad after all if you would be willing to take the first step, by texting her? ...save the remaining of what is broken, keep a friendship of what is worth" Taeyeon sighs at the words given by Yuri.
Of course, she has thought about it before, even way before Yuri talked to her about it. She has given thoughts on calling Tiffany, hear the familiar voice again, that she has been longing for. But she questioned herself, if she were to ever hear that voice she is longing for, will it break her down to the start where she has build up from. She remember how difficult the first week was, alcohol is the only answer to her pain, to her sleep of the night.
Now with a much more mature thoughts, she could finally decide to just wear herself out by dancing for hours and once she's home, she hits the bed and head straight to dreamland instead.
God, what do you want me to do? Show me a sign please...just any- the sound of the door clicks open, Taeyeon look up, she wonder who it is at such hour, looking at the watch around her wrist, it's almost 3am. She waits patiently for the intruder to interrupt her alone time.
She immediately got onto her feet upon seeing who just entered the dance studio room. With much disbelief, she constantly repeats to herself in the mind mentally that its her eyes playing tricks on her, this couldn't be...this is impossible she repeats this continuously in her mind as she watch that person steps into the studio.
Their eyes did not leave one another.
"So is true what they said" the girl starts with.
"W-wh...what is true?" Taeyeon clears her throat, hoping she would stop stammering too much.
"You are the last to leave the building every night"
Taeyeon smiled a bit at the statement, a statement to show how weak she is, trying to get through with their break up, "Not every night" Taeyeon corrects her.
Taeyeon could feel sweats forming in both her palms, she hid them into her back pockets of her pants, hoping that Tiffany did not realize how nervous she is.
"How come...you are h-here?"
"I started working here yesterday"
Taeyeon look at Tiffany in shock. That is why Yuri has that prep talk with me.
"Just a part time job"
Taeyeon nods her head as she remains silent, is not that she didn't want to talk to Tiffany, there is so much she wants to talk to with the girl, so much to ask..but all at once, it's happening too sudden, out of plan, out of anything she could imagine of.
Taeyeon is not prepared.
The awkward silence in between them, made both of them feel uncomfortable.
"Don't stay back alone yourself so often" said Tiffany softly with genuine care.
Taeyeon again, nods her head to it.
"I guess I'll see you every now and then since we'll be working under the same building" said Tiffany.
"Yup"
"Well, goodnight Taeyeon" Tiffany bows a little before turning her heels around, leaving the dance studio.
Taeyeon watch as every steps that Tiffany takes, getting further and further away from her, her heart clenches tightly on the inside, "Tiffany"
Tiffany...? Tiffany smile to herself at her own thoughts, it's the first time ever she hears Taeyeon calling her by the name, no longer the nickname that was given by her when they were dating, you just said were...of course, she should be calling you like how others does, Fany, stop..you've swear to not let your confusion overtakes you when you agreed to take this job. You've fulfil one of your quest, to see Taeyeon again before leaving, to spend a few more while before you leave...keep that in your mind. She nod to her own thoughts.
"Yes?" Tiffany turns around, she fake a smile on her face, hoping that it could hid her longing feeling to Taeyeon.
Can I hold you once more? Taeyeon's jaw tighten against the thought in her mind, her hesitation is only leading her to temptation to embrace Tiffany once more again in her arms.
Taeyeon return a smile to Tiffany, "Goodnight" she bows.
Taeyeon kept her finger pressing up against the button as her other hand kept pressing the redialling icon on her phone screen. The door swing opens hard, causing Taeyeon to jump up a bit from the suddenness.
"You must be fucking kidding me Kim Tae Yeon" she said in her groggy sleeping voice.
"You have so much to explain!"
Taeyeon pushes her way through, pulling Yuri along with her as she enters the house.
Taeyeon take a quick short breathe in before twisting the doorknob to enter the office on the 8th floor, there she sees a person sitting behind the desk, her focus fully concentrated on the computer screen as her fingers hits against the keyboard, barely realizing the other presence who is watching her.
Those eyes that once used to always answer to her questions even without the need of me to say my thoughts out loud.
The nose that used to brushed against my neck whenever you hid your face at the crook of my neck.
The lips that is always warm against mine no matter what.
Taeyeon accidentally lets out a sigh, causing Tiffany to look up, surprised to see Taeyeon in her working office. They exchange smiles to one another upon their eyes meeting gaze.
"Yes?" asked Tiffany.
"Are you doing anything after work today?" asked Taeyeon with a straight voice and face which made Tiffany not being able to guess where this question could lead her to.
But the truth is, she doesn't, Tiffany shakes her head.
"The thing is, I need a help, I'm re-renovating my penthouse and all my furniture has to go...so I thought, I could use a friend to help me with the suggestions and picks"
Tiffany's mouth open but no words came out.
"Jessica and Yuri have their own dates to go"
"Wait what, that two is finally dating?" Tiffany's voice suddenly becomes cheerful upon hearing the news, seeing so, it made Taeyeon smile as well, she nods her head.
"It's their first date for tonight, that is why I don't think it's proper for me to interrupt their date for my own" Taeyeon added, "And, is an online shopping for the furniture, so don't worry about being tired and all..."
Is not about getting tired that matters, Taeyeon...is us... Tiffany thought silently. But when she looks at Taeyeon, the girl has a poker face on, she is either really not feeling any awkwardness around them anymore or she's just plainly expressionless that it made Tiffany can't tell, whether she has completely finally letting go of the breakup or was Taeyeon up to something?
"I just need a second opinion, you know I can't make decision well alone" Taeyeon added, she tried her best not to sound like she is insisting.
"..."
"I'll even buy you dinner as a commission" joked Taeyeon.
Tiffany burst out laughing at Taeyeon's lame offer, even Taeyeon chuckles out just by looking at Tiffany laughing uncontrollably but when they finally composed themselves, Tiffany looks at Taeyeon for a second, before agreeing to take Taeyeon's offer for tonight.
Taeyeon left a spacious space in front of her computer where Tiffany occupied most of the space, she didn't mind even if she was basically indirectly being pushed to aside. She leans her back against the chair, using her feet to secretly without Tiffany noticing, pushing her chair to move a little bit to the back so she is slightly a bit further behind of Tiffany.
She watches as Tiffany click on the right side of the mouse, typing in the Google search gear.
"Which site do you prefer?"
Tiffany suddenly turned around so quickly that it didn't give Taeyeon any chance to react from being caught for goggling at her from her back. Taeyeon witnessed how Tiffany blushed at the realisation , awkwardly and embarrassingly, Taeyeon use her feet again and pull herself forward, closer to the computer table again. They look at each other.
"Urm Taeyeon?" she looks at Taeyeon.
"Yeah..?" Taeyeon looks back, deepening the intense gaze they have for each other right now.
Tiffany breaks the intense eyes contact, Taeyeon cleared her throat.
Tiffany points at the computer screen, "Which site?"
"Oh, any...you can make the decision on that"
Not wanting to debate on this for too long, Tiffany type into the search gear on the site that her friend has mentioned before. Long after the happening, Tiffany is back to focusing on the computer furniture site, exploring from living room furniture to kitchen and then the bedroom. But every single time when it comes to picking the design of the furniture, Taeyeon would push the decision to Tiffany to make even when it comes to in terms of choosing the colour.
Finally she had enough of having to make all decision, she pushes the mouse away angrily and she turns around to glares at Taeyeon fiercely.
"Is this some kind of a joke of yours, Taeyeon? To ask me pick furniture from living room to your bedroom when your house looks perfectly okay!"
Taeyeon looks back at Tiffany with shock.
Tiffany shakes her head, she closes her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at Taeyeon again, "I've told you, I am not ready for us to start all over again. With you doing all this, is just sickening that you are using me with this kind of reason-"
"LISTEN"
Taeyeon has lost her patience, she sighs but looks at Tiffany tenderly.
"This is not a joke, neither I am using this reason to mend our relationship..."
Tiffany can't stand any longer, she stood up, picking her handbag up ready to leave the penthouse.
"Mi"
Just one word, but a word strong enough to make Tiffany froze on her spot, her feet seems to be put on a magical spell, cast at her to not move.
"I know you're leaving Korea soon...and I know, you're not telling anyone where you're going because you seriously needed some time alone away from all of these...and I know you, I know how stubborn you are when you have made your decision, nothing is going to change it"
Finally, she turns around to face Taeyeon.
"That is why I made you choose all of the furniture, at least when I come home, it feels like you are here" she admits her only reason for asking Tiffany's help on this, "I made Yuri tell me everything, because I find it fishy how she was prep talking with me the night before you suddenly starts working in our company again...I forced her to spill it out...that is how I found out that you were leaving in case if you want to know"
"Sorry"
"And I'm sorry that I can't change your mind" said Taeyeon.
Tiffany tries her best to control her tears from pouring out, she nodded her head, hanging her head slightly lower so Taeyeon could not see her eyes directly.
"This is...too much to handle" Taeyeon admits, "But what is love if you force your way through, right"
Tiffany nods her head again.
"You have my heart already, Mi" Taeyeon gets up and walk to where Tiffany is at, she hold Tiffany's hands in hers tightly, "And when both of us is ready someday, I'm going to find my heart again"