"TAEYEON! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" A wild bear came in the office of the Emerald magazine editing department.
Tiffany was so surprised she looked around her only to see that everybody looked relax except for Taeyeon who's looking super annoyed.
"This is the first print run and it sold out in one day! Even if we ordered a second run immediately, it will still take ten days for it to be ready! What the hell are we going to do in the main time?!" The man shouted as he walked across the room to Taeyeon's desk.
"It was your idea to order a smaller print run, wasn't it?!" Taeyeon whacked the desk angrily and stood up to face the big dude.
"Whaaat?!" The man certainly did not look pleased with her respond.
"You forgot that I wanted to order more than 30,000 copies? It was your boss who shot that particular idea down. Talk it up with him, not me!" Taeyeon huffed loudly, "It's your fault we're in this mess because you just couldn't grow a spine!"
"What the hell?!" The man didn't look like he was accepting any of what Taeyeon just said, "You know that I stood up to them as much as I could, you were there! You're clearly not taking this seriously!"
"I'm not taking this seriously?! Look who's talking!"
Both Taeyeon and the polar bear like man were making a ruckus and the atmosphere turned so tense that even people from other departments were running away.
Tiffany was so surprised that someone could bring this side so easily from Taeyeon and just couldn't help it but wonder, "Um Hyoyeon, did Taeyeon do something wrong?" Tiffany asked Hyoyeon who was picking something from her desk
"Hmm?" Hyoyeon looked up questioningly.
"They're talking about this month's release, aren't they? They did say that it would take some time to get a second print run, but if the book is selling beyond expectations, isn't that a good thing?" Tiffany frowned.
"No. It's actually the opposite. Waiting for the second printing is going to cost us because we will be losing sales." Hyoyeon answered with her usual relaxed and chill smile, "Actually, Taeyeon tried asking for more copies but the financial department shot us down. Taeyeon did her best to convince them otherwise, but it all fell on deaf ears so when the book was released we had nowhere near enough copies."
"I see. So who is he? Someone from the production department?" Tiffany asked referring to the polar bear fighting with Taeyeon.
"Nah, he's our company's famously grumpy bear. He's from the financial department and his name is-..."
"Kangin." A voice behind them spoke.
When they turned around it was none other than the grumpy bear.
"Oops, did you hear us?" Hyoyeon said with a grin.
Kangin glared at Hyoyeon before turning to Tiffany, "Who the hell are you? I have never seen you before."
Tiffany immediately stood up, intimidated by the man in front of her, "My name is Tiffany Hwang. I started working here about a month ago. Please bear with me while I'm getting used to things. I look forward to working with you." She bowed 90 degrees.
"Tiffany?...I see."
Tiffany looked down when she felt his grumpy eyes on her
"So you're the one who's riding on daddy's coattails. You're the only daughter of Hwang's publishing's president, right?"
You really don't pull your punches, do you?!
All Tiffany's co-workers watching from the background had their jaws agape and some were stifling their laughers.
"Well, whatever. Taeyeon, make sure something like this doesn't happen again." Kangin turned away from Tiffany to face Taeyeon again.
"Only if you persuade your boss to listen to me next time." Taeyeon flipped her hair and already back to her work.
Wh-...What the hell?
Why did he have to humiliate me in front of all those people?
We just met!
"Tiffany, don't let him get to you," Taeyeon said not looking up from the storyboard in hand.
"In my opinion, nepotism isn't such a big deal. In the world we live in, you need all the help you can get."
This is the head of the editorial department. Kim Taeyeon.
"That's right. it's not a bad thing that you were born under a lucky star."
And this is the managing editor, Kwon Yuri.
"Yeah, I agree. Besides, it's fun to make your goal in life to stand on your own two feet."
And this is Sunny Lee, a fellow editor.
"Yeah, besides, if you're good at what you do, it only makes sense to put you to work right away, right?"
Last but not least, Kim Hyoyeon, also an editor.
It's kind of nice how everyone's got my back.
A small smile broke on Tiffany's pretty face, "Um...thank you so much! I will- "
"Although..." Taeyeon interrupted her.
"If you fail anyway, you're no better than trash. just saying" They all said in sync and agreed with each other.
What the hell?!
You don't have to be so harsh!
Let's just say Tiffany realized why people from other departments try their best to stay away.
...
...
It's been one month since Tiffany Hwang, 25 y.o, was assigned to the editorial department of Im's publishing romance comics section, and has she changed her mind about switching careers?
Not in the least.
Today has been nothing but the usual so far. Work, work and work and more work.
I need to take these to be mailed and then...
Tiffany's mind was full of work as she entered the elevator that she didn't see someone also running towards the elevator.
"Wait a minute, I'm getting on too." Taeyeon managed to make it inside the elevator surprising Tiffany.
"I forgot something." Tiffany made an excuse and got off the elevator not wanting to be in the same small space as Taeyeon.
"Hey!" Taeyeon stared at Tiffany's back as the door closed separating them.
I wonder if that was too obvious. I really don't want to be alone with her for even a second, after all, Taeyeon and I...we dated for a little while ten years ago...even if we're both girls. No, even though it messed me up pretty badly, we weren't exactly dating. I was the only one who was serious about it. It was just a huge joke to Taeyeon, but something's been bothering me lately, because, to be honest...I can't really remember what happened after that moment, that moment when I said I love you to Taeyeon for the first time.
Taeyeon said that she didn't mean to do me and dump me. I don't know if she's telling the truth.
Still, I'm surprised at myself. I never thought I would be someone who could forget her first love like that.
No, that's not it either. I guess I made myself forget precisely because she was my first love. It wouldn't surprise me because the whole thing was such a huge shock back then, and there is what she said to me after we met again...
"I'm going to make you fall in love with me again"
No way, no way! No friggin way! I'm not the naive brat I used to be.
Who does she think she is anyway?!
Man, she pisses me off!
I just need to avoid her outside of work.
That's right, stop thinking about anything other than work
Work, work, work.
As Tiffany had those thoughts in her mind she returned to her desk and continued working, postponing making prints to later when there is a less chance of running into Taeyeon. Hours went by without Tiffany noticing how fast time had flown.
A towering pile of papers was put on her desk by none other than Taeyeon.
"Wha- What are these? Huh?" Tiffany asked, eyeing the tower up and down in distaste.
"Storyboards. Is this the first you have seen any?" Taeyeon asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes." Tiffany nodded.
"These are copies of the plot outlines, storyboards and final drafts of every story we have published in the past five years. The final drafts with red marks are before my time in here, and this is how I have marked my changes." She pointed at the notes written with a red sharpie on one of the storyboards, "Read these in one week and come ask me if you don't understand why I made a certain change."
"What?! I have to read all these?" Tiffany's eyes widened.
"You can't do it?" Taeyeon asked with a monotone voice which ticked Tiffany off somehow.
"N- No. I will do my best." Tiffany hesitated in her answer.
"What the hell? That's what losers say! Just give it to me straight! Can you do this or not?" Taeyeon was about to lift the pile of papers off Tiffany's desk but Tiffany immediately stood up and put her arms over them protectively.
"Of course, I can do this! No doubt about it!"
"Is that so?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow.
Yeah, I let her provoke me.
...
...
One week later
And I did it.
I read all of them even though it took me all night. I even wrote a report.
Who do you take me for?! I have three years worth of editing experience! That is probably why I got to supervise an author this soon. I might actually be the problem here. I wonder if I will know how to do all of the corrections on the story as I'm supposed to do. Maybe I should get other people to read the storyboard too?
Yeah, that might work.
But should I really talk to the others? This assignment is supposed to test my skills as an editor after all.
As Tiffany was lost in her own thoughts, Taeyeon passed by her desk and they shared eye contact for a moment.
A cold look from Taeyeon and a humph from Tiffany. The usual.
"Taeyeon. Kangin-ssi is on the line for you. He wants you to go out drinking with him tonight." Yuri said with the phone pressed agents her ear.
"Tell him I said no," Taeyeon said as she took a seat on her desk.
"Please do that yourself." Yuri sighed.
Kangin-ssi, huh. He's that rude man from finance who was here before, right? I don't get it. They had a screaming match yet they're going out for drinks?
"Please just take the phone. I don't want him to blame me for you saying no." Yuri said.
"Dealing with him is such a drag, so no thanks." Taeyeon shook her head and walked away from poor Yuri who was holding the phone for her.
Tiffany looked at Taeyeon sideways and watched her back as she walked to the elevator.
Huh?
What do I care who she's going out for drinks with?
I should just concentrate on work!
That's right. It's got nothing to do with me, so whatever.
...
...
A few hours later, Tiffany picked up her stuff and walked to the elevator, ready to go home. As she reached the ground floor her eyes widened at what she saw.
Taeyeon and Kangin standing in front of a vending machine in the middle of the lounge, talking. Tiffany immediately picked up her pace and hid behind a pillar before any of the two notice her.
Wha- What are they talking about in the middle of the lounge?
I really don't want to walk past them.
I thought they didn't get along, or wait, are they fighting again?
Tiffany looked again for a sneak peak only to see a big smile on Taeyeon's face.
Her heart started beating loudly at the sight.
Taeyeon is...laughing?
She held her chest as she felt a little pain.
She doesn't usually do that
Tiffany gulped and walked passed the two in a hurry. She offered a little bow out of politeness but she actually just wanted to go home already and watch no more of this.
"Hey."
Tiffany did not stop even though Taeyeon was obviously calling for her.
"Aren't you supposed to say something to your superiors when you leave?" Taeyeon yelled for Tiffany to hear.
"Sorry. I'm leaving first!" Tiffany rushed out making Taeyeon click her tongue.
"I'm going to head out too." Taeyeon crumbled the soda can in her hand and threw it in the garbage bin nearby.
"Remember to leave the 3rd open. Seriously when are you going to hang out with me again?" Kangin asked while watching Taeyeon put on her coat.
"I have got my hands full with our crappy authors. I will give it some thought once I'm done proofreading." Taeyeon huffed.
"You're such a liar. That's what you always say." Kangin frowned.
"Hey, I have kept my word at least once," Taeyeon said.
"I'm going to stop by later today," Kangin said as he followed Taeyeon to the entrance/exit of the company that Tiffany just dashed out of.
"Don't," Taeyeon said sternly.
"I'm seriously coming over." He said.
"Seriously, don't," Taeyeon said back.
"Don't go to bed before I get there, got it?! Taengoo."
Tiffany who was only a few steps ahead heard that.
What the hell?
They had such a huge fight earlier, but...they actually get along really well.
What are they to each other ?
He just called Taeyeon by a nickname.
S- So what?! It has got nothing to do with me if somebody decided to call someone by a nickname, besides, Taeyeon is just my boss, nothing else.
Precisely, what she does with Kangin has got nothing to do with me.
...
...
"Due to an accident earlier today, the trains are running late and overcrowded. We apologize for the inconvenience." The intercom closed and the lady's voice was gone.
Tiffany was grimacing hard, and the crowd in the train she's in at the moment only made it worse.
God damn it Subway(Not the restaurant but the real subway), why now? Why now when this person is in front of me?
She looked up for a moment and the grimace only got deeper when she was faced with Taeyeon's poker face that no matter how pretty it is, she seriously hates right now.
"Could you stop following me? What do you want anyway?!"
Taeyeon stared at her for a moment before opening her mouth, "Can't I go home?"
Crap, I forgot that we're neighbors!
It totally slipped my mind.
"Could you please take a step back? I'm all squished." Tiffany was actually really squished up on the train door which Taeyeon had no other choice but be squished up agents Tiffany because of the crowd pushing around behind her.
Tiffany muttered something but it didn't reach Taeyeon's ears.
"What?" Taeyeon questioned.
"I said it's hot," Tiffany repeated, looking away with a blush because of the forced close proximity of Taeyeon's pretty face.
"Really now I'm not that hot," Taeyeon smirked in a teasing manner.
Tiffany clenched her fists as her eyebrow twitched and resolved in taking one impossible step back just so their eyes wont meet.
I should stop talking to her.
Just four more stations.
"How are you doing with the author you're supervising?" Taeyeon suddenly asked.
"What?" Tiffany raised an eyebrow.
Taeyeon was making conversation, this was not good, "I'm talking about Jung Ranmi-nim."
"What about her?" Tiffany looked at Taeyeon sideways because she knew that if she looked at her straight, something might go wrong because of how close they are right now.
Tiffany didn't hear any answer from Taeyeon, instead, she felt Taeyeon's body get closer to her to the point of trapping her. Her arms were even on either side of Tiffany.
"Why are you trying so hard to avoid me?" Taeyeon asked with a dangerously low voice.
"What are you talking about? I'm not..." Tiffany clenched her teeth as she felt weird things happen inside of her because of the tone Taeyeon has just used.
Shit.
"Liar. You're clearly trying to avoid me." Taeyeon said, using the same tone again.
"You're imagining things. Why would I need to avoid you?" At this point, To avoid Taeyeon, Tiffany turned around, facing the door and Taeyeon stepped in close behind her.
"Maybe because I make you feel self-conscious?" Taeyeon whispered warmly in her ear.
"Why...Why the hell would you...?" The blush on Tiffany's face had already denied any negative explanation that was about to go out of Tiffany's mouth because Taeyeon was right.
*SCREEEEECH*
The train made a sudden turn that made everybody on their feet stumble but thankfully no one fell over.
"The train may make sudden turns, please be careful."
"Tell us before the actual turn!"
"Really now?!"
People were complaining here and there.
Tiffany couldn't hear anything from what they said. Her ears were full of the sound of her pounding heart as Taeyeon held on to her before she fell over earlier. She was literally hugging her tightly right now and Tiffany can't do anything but blush at the feeling of Taeyeon's warmth agents her body.
"You, okay?" Taeyeon asked, making Tiffany finally snap out of it when she heard Taeyeon's voice and immediately pushed Taeyeon a little to regain her former position.
"Y- Yeah. Sorry about that." Tiffany looked away.
What the hell am I doing, leaning against her?!
To avoid eye contact again, Tiffany faces the glass window on the door that was behind her. A few seconds later, she realized that she could see her reflection on the glass, and Taeyeon who's nearby could also be seen.
She's- She's definitely looking at me.
Taeyeon was indeed looking at her. Taeyeon was looking at her with a cold expression that Tiffany didn't get what it meant, it made her wonder.
Why?
If she has got something to say she should just spit it out!
And stop staring at me!
Despite having those thoughts, Tiffany couldn't help it but stare back at Taeyeon through the glass and curse herself for blushing just because Taeyeon was staring at her that way.
As if she's in love with her.
...
...
*click*
Finally.
Home sweet home.
Actually, not so sweet anymore because a certain someone is living right next door.
Oh man, I'm so tired!
What am I going to do? I just renewed my lease, but maybe I should seriously consider moving.
After gathering enough none-existing energy, Tiffany dragged herself from the entrance to the living room with the plan of taking a bath and just go to bed for tonight. However, the fax machine had other plans, it had a stack of papers in it which made Tiffany huff in exhaustion at the sight of more work.
Ranmi-ssi sent me her storyboard. I didn't think she would finish it today, she really outdid herself.
Tiffany smiled as she realized that things at work are kind of heading in the right direction.
This is no time for a bath. I have got to look this over and send a reply.
Leaving her coat on the floor, Tiffany took a seat on her couch and proceeded to look over the storyboard and mark her changes.
Wow.
I might actually be able to do this.
But I can't be sure if my suggestions are even close to helpful.
Oh right, I can just ask Yuri for help, she used to be Ranmi-ssi's editor before I came along.
Tiffany took out her phone from her bag and was about to call Yuri but then she remembered what Yuri had already told her.
"Be sure to show all storyboards to Taeyeon. It's the rule."
I just really really really don't want to see her again today, or tomorrow for that matter.
Oh right, I have got a fax machine for situations like these.
I hope Ranmi-ssi doesn't mind that I'm circulating her work.
Well, I still need to get Taeyeon's opinion anyways.
Tiffany got off the couch with a smile at her brilliant idea and started putting the storyboard back in the fax machine and pressed a few buttons that started sending the storyboard to Taeyeon's machine next door.
A few seconds in the progress, her phone rang.
I wonder who it is.
"Yes?" She just picked up without looking at the caller ID.
"I'M RIGHT NEXT DOOR! GRAB THE STORYBOARD AND GET OVER HERE!"
Taeyeon?!
"Uh, I don't...but..."
"Or should I come over there?" Taeyeon asked impatiently.
"No! Seriously. Please don't!" Tiffany yelled back in panic.
"You have got 5 seconds."
"I got it already! I will be right there." Tiffany said before ending the call.
Oh man.
I really don't want to see her.
Tiffany grabbed the papers again and struggled to drag herself out of the apartment but in the end, she found herself standing in front of Taeyeon's door.
She hesitated on whether she should knock or just commit suicides on the spot.
But wait! I can just stick it in her mailbox and then we can do the commentary over the phone!
Tiffany smiled to herself at her genius idea and proceeded to do just that.
*click* *bump*
Taeyeon's eyes widened when she opened the door only to have Tiffany who was leaning down to her mailbox bump into it.
"What are you doing?" Taeyeon glared and grabbed the storyboard from Tiffany's hands, "Come in, I will look this over." She turned around and made her way inside her own apartment.
Tiffany groaned but slowly followed Taeyeon inside.
"Right, make yourself at home. I'm always on stand by for work, so please feel free to use the phone if you need to." Taeyeon said as she took a seat on her own couch and signed for Tiffany to also sit down.
The huff that came out of Tiffany ticked her off.
"Listen up. I'm not going to tolerate a half-assed job." She glared at Tiffany for the nth time that day.
Wh- What the hell?!
When have I ever done a half-assed job?
Tiffany sat there awkwardly and watched Taeyeon put on her glasses, cross her legs and go over the storyboard.
Ugh, I want to go home.
To be honest, this place is a lot neater than I expected it to be.
Tiffany looked around in amusement, although Taeyeon's appearance does look clean and neat all the time, Tiffany did not expect her home to be the same way. Honestly, the place is so neat that even the huge bookshelf that took over a whole wall was organized by color. She recognized most of the books making her realize that they weren't only organized by color but also by height. This is actually the point of OCD.
"I'm done." Taeyeon put the storyboard on the coffee table between them, "So, what would you suggest as corrections?" She asked.
"Oh, right." Tiffany leaned forward, her professional side taking over, "I will leave the dialogued for later. let's concentrate on the flow of the panels first."
A couple of hours later, Their discussion was done and both of them leaned back on the couch, completely exhausted.
"Wow. This looks a lot better, this version flows a lot more smoothly." Tiffany let out a sigh of relief as she tapped the stack of papers on the coffee table twice to make it neat.
"We will still need to get Ranmi-nim's approval for our changes. I don't think it will be a problem, though." Taeyeon took off her glasses and stood up to stretch.
"Um...what did you think about my corrections?" Tiffany asked nervously, looking at Taeyeon's back.
"They were fine, or maybe I should say that you've got the basics down pat. You're just a little too perfect."
Tiffany did not know what to say, so she just looked at Taeyeon who was pouring coffee for herself.
"Oh well, you're still learning." She said.
Too perfect?
Tiffany frowned at the thought of how could that be a bad thing and opened the storyboard again to check her corrections.
Did I make some kind of mistake after all?
I wonder what she meant?
"Would you like some coffee?" Taeyeon offered which signed for Tiffany that she had stayed with Taeyeon for too long.
"No, thanks. I have got to call Ranmi-ssi, so..." Tiffany stood up, already turning her back to Taeyeon.
"It's past one in the morning."
"Then, I will just read through these one more time by myself. Sorry about the late hour."
Taeyeon let out a sigh and placed her cup on the coffee table.
"Hey, tell me something. Why are you avoiding me?" Taeyeon asked, her voice tone signaling that she's actually bothered.
"I'm- I'm not avoiding y- "Tiffany tried her best to deny the truth but Taeyeon had already seen through her.
"Are you in love with me?"