Back then, I spent days imagining how I would spend Christmas day with Sunbae. We would have a cake and exchange presents. The room would grow orange from the candle light. I imagined sparkles and shine, and my heart would start to pound.
And then 10 years later...
This is Christmas?
"I'm back!" Tiffany announced as she opened the door with a bang. Everyone was dropped dead in the office, "This isn't the last manuscript, is it? *huff* *huff*" She asked.
"Don't worry. The last one is from the great Jung Sooyeon Seonsaengnim." Sunny said, on the verge of death as she always is at this time of the cycle.
Tiffany felt sorry for Yuri who was clenching her phone so hard with the eyes of a serial killer.
"Hurry up and do the photo typesetting!" Taeyeon yelled (Photo Typesetting is gluing little pieces of text into the speech bubble on the manuscript.)
"Yes!"
Tiffany Hwang (25). It's been already several months since I was assigned to the Emerald editing department at Im's Publishing.
I originally worked as a literature editor at my dad's publishing company but people treated me as someone who succeeded only because of nepotism. So I found a job at another company just to show them.
For some unknown reason, I was assigned to a romance comics' magazine, which I had never worked with before. On top of that. Kim Taeyeon the head editor is...my first love, and we went out for a short period of time back in high school.
Frankly, this is the worst possible workplace for many reasons.
Tiffany rubbed her tired eyes
This is bad, I'm starting to see double from lack of sleep.
When I was editing literature, I never experienced these difficulties.
"Excuse me, but I really can't contact him, so I'm going to his place." Yuri stomped out of the office with the name Jessica Jung flashing in her red phone screen
"Arrrgh. this stupid end of the year schedule." Sunny banged the table with her fist.
The end of the year schedule is to cut a long story short, during the new year's holiday the printing and the intermediate companies are closed and that moves up the deadline...and...further-more,
"What? You can't find enough assistants? Did they catch a cold?" Tiffany yelled in the phone between her neck and shoulder while still doing the phototypesetting, "What? They are going to attend a winter festival?! Is it a live performance or something?"
"Actually other authors are also saying that they can't find enough assistants or the same reason too...I'm going to ask around, though." Tiffany sighed and closed the phone from Ranmi to continue working
"Enough of this! Why the hell do I have to endure this every year?!" Sunny screamed.
"That's because there are idiots who take the new years holiday at any cost. I have been saying that publishing related companies should be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." Taeyeon said with a satanic look on her face.
"Taeyeon, the printing and intermediate companies aren't convenience stores." Hyoyeon laughed.
Just then a man carrying a thick folder dressed weirdly knocked on the door, "I'm from a motorbike delivery. This is for Kwon Yuri-ssi."
"Yes! This way please!" Sunny and Tiffany exclaimed happily.
"Damn. Just when Yuri went out." Sunny clenched her fist.
"Anyway, just stick the phototypesetting," Taeyeon ordered.
*ring* *ring*
"Thank you for calling. I'm really sorry, but we have received the last manuscript now- OW"
Taeyeon threw a roller at Tiffany's head "Are you frigging kidding me?! At a time like this, tell them a lie and buy us some time!" She yelled.
"Ah, no! Please just ignore what she said! Oh, yes of course! I know. I'm very sorry." After closing the phone Tiffany continued working on Yuri's manuscript.
"Done with Tiff's! Next!" Sunny announced as she was done with Tiffany's manuscript and started helping with Taeyeon's.
"Tiffany, take those and Yuri's manuscript to the printing office," Taeyeon said, not looking up from the manuscript
"What? But I just came back." Tiffany looked up with a frown.
"They're your manuscripts! Hurry up and go already!"
"A- Alright!" Tiffany started gathering the manuscripts.
"Alright! Done with Yuri's too!" Sunny exclaimed happily and gave the manuscript to Tiffany.
"I have checked them but please double check at the printing office," Hyoyeon said as she handed Tiffany her manuscript.
Just then the phone rang again and thank god Taeyeon answered because it was the printing office again, "Tiffany!" She called.
"I know I will get there as fast as possible!"
Taeyeon patted Tiffany's shoulder as they passed by each other and what Taeyeon said next gave Tiffany a sense of proudness and somehow got her nervous.
"I'm counting on you. Be careful."
I...made...it...
Collapsing on a bench in public, Tiffany face palmed and rubbed her aching head.
The world is ready for Christmas and filled with cheer, and I wonder what on earth I'm doing.
The lights are blinding me.
The reaction of the people at the printing office was so harsh. I know it's our fault for not meeting the deadline, but still...
Oh, I almost forgot. I better text Taeyeon and let her know.
Getting up from the bench, Tiffany sent a text to Taeyeon and she just had to remember what Taeyeon said as she was leaving the office earlier.
Stupid.
What am I getting all nervous for?
She only tapped my shoulder.
...
The other night. It seems that...I slept with Taeyeon...for the whole night, but I was too wasted so I don't remember what lead us to do that.
This is the worst...
I can't ask something like this to the person directly. Even if I ask her, I don't think she would tell me. And even if she was to tell me the truth, I wouldn't know what to do. She's acting as if nothing happened so it's okay to leave her as she is, right? Otherwise, I'm in trouble. I'm already bothered by our past.
Now that we're in a boss-subordinate relationship, I don't want to make it more complicated than it already is. Our school days where we could easily talk about love and hate are long gone.
More importantly, I must become successful, show the people at my previous job what I could do. There's no time to waste.
Also, Taeyeon...has Kangin.
...
That's right. It doesn't...have to be me.
Just as she reached the office, Tiffany opened her phone and saw an unread text from Taeyeon.
Good job today, you can go home from there.
With a heavy heart, Tiffany pressed the elevator button but to her surprise, it opened quickly.
"So? What do you want for your birthday this year?"
And surprise surprise, It's Taeyeon and Kangin.
"You came all the way back here?" Taeyeon asked as both of them went inside with Tiffany.
"Yeah, I just saw your text."
"Wha, so slow."
And of course, Tiffany got irritated.
"I got a call from the printing office, too. It's all good now. You can go home."
"Okay, thanks."
Tiffany walked awkwardly behind the two as she realized that all three of them are going in the same way to their apartment.
"So? What kind of present should I buy?" Kangin asked.
"Oh...well, a house, some land or some cash maybe."
"You idiot."
Wh- What are they talking about?
Is someone's birthday coming soon?
"Excuse me, I will swing by the bookstore. See you tomorrow." Tiffany excused herself, finding the perfect chance to escape this awkward atmosphere upon passing in front of a bookstore.
"That's right, I wanted to buy a magazine too," Taeyeon said already entering the bookstore.
Read the atmosphere!
"I will be waiting around here," Kangin said, staying in place.
"Okay."
I will buy whatever and quickly go home before she gets back.
Tiffany grabbed the nearest magazine she could reach.
"That's one of our company's magazines, last month issue."
Tiffany face palmed at what Kangin said and returned the magazine to its place.
"Why don't you go home already if you don't want to stay with us?" Kangin asked.
He saw through me...
"Well, then...excuse me. I'm pretty tired so I will be going. Please tell Taeyeon that I left."
Just as Tiffany was out of the store, Kangin followed her out, "Hey." He called.
"Yes?" Tiffany stopped and looked back.
"Do you have any plans on the 24th?"
"The 24th...that's Christmas eve, right? I will probably be working as usual. Oh wait, it's on a weekend this year, isn't it? Is there something going on that day?"
"It's Taeyeon's birthday." (Just pretend it is)
Oh...
"O- Oh, I see."
Kangin raised an eyebrow, "You didn't even know that?"
"Umm...no, that's..."
"Well, it must be just a trivial thing for you."
"No, I mean..."
"Right, the other day you asked me whether Taeyeon and I used to go out. this will be a good opportunity, so I will tell you now"
Tiffany gulped.
"The answer is...yes. When she was hurt by you and left alone, I was there by her side. Showing up now, you may hold her attention, but don't be full of yourself. You don't even know when her birthday is."
Tiffany looked down.
"I have been saying that...I have nothing to do with her. but...u- uhmm..."
"What is it?"
"Well...uhm...Kangin-ssi and Taeyeon are...uhm...going out...now?" Tiffany asked nervously as she looked away from Kangin's eyes.
"You just said it has nothing to do with you. There is no need for you to know that."
"..."
"Sorry for the wait." Taeyeon apologized, walking out of the store to the sight of Kangin waiting alone.
"Where is Tiffany?" She asked while looking right and left for Tiffany.
"She said she was tired and went home," Kangin replied nonchalantly.
Taeyeon stayed silent for a moment and looked down, "...Right."
Tiffany had run home.
As soon as she reached her apartment, she changed and hid under her blanket in the warmth of her bed. She could hear her phone vibrating and her doorbell ringing. The text she received was from Taeyeon
Where are you?
It says.
But Tiffany did not answer any of them until everything went silent and she knew...Taeyeon had given up reaching her for tonight.
Her birthday.
Oh..
I see
It's been 10 years
I wouldn't have remembered it
Going out
I don't care
It has nothing to do with me
Nothing
Nothing..
It has nothing to do with me.
"Cheers!"
"Good work!"
Tiffany felt fuzzy seeing her previously dead co-workers all cheered up and refreshed.
They are currently at a booth of a local restaurant with lots and lots of liquor and food on their table.
"Ugh. This is bad. It's so tasty." Sunny grunted after tasting the alcohol.
"Sorry for being late." Yuri who had just arrived slumped tiredly in a seat they had saved for her.
"We already started," Taeyeon said.
"Were you at a meeting?" Tiffany asked Yuri who was rubbing her nose bridge in stress.
The face Yuri made after made Tiffany wonder just what kind of author is Yuri dealing with to make her this exhausted. She looked liked she had just murdered someone.
"We found some time, so I did the annual end of the year remorse meeting with Jung Sooyeon for a good four hours."
"Keep it moderate alright? I'm sure you made him cry." Sunny pouted.
"He deserves it."
"W- Well is he okay? He's one of the best-selling authors."
"He's fine."
"She might not look like it but Yul is actually very popular with the authors," Sunny said.
"Don't lie." Yuri glared
"It's not a lie. The one I'm in charge of also says she wants to see you." Hyoyeon said.
"She's normally a poker face, but when it comes down to it, she looks like she can find a way to save me 3 That's what they said. I don't understand what they see in you." Sunny frowned.
"Ah. But I think I understand it. They mean she seems reliable, right?" Tiffany asked.
"They also said that Taeyeon is good looking too, but she looks like a player so she's no good hahaha." Sunny laughed out loud pointing at Taeyeon who wasn't bothered at all by it.
Instead, she smirked and leaned on her cheek, "Wow. That's what I would expect from authors. Their judgment is accurate."
Tiffany looked down awkwardly, remembering their situation and her misunderstanding that turned both of them into jaded adults.
"But actually, I'm the type to wholeheartedly love one person at a time," Taeyeon said.
Sunny burst out laughing at that. Not believing it one bit.
"It's true. Right, Tiffany?"
Tiffany blushed, "How- How would I know that?"
"By the way. Tomorrow is a public holiday, the 24th and 25th are Saturday and Sunday, so that makes it 3 days off, right?" Sunny asked, counting the days on her fingers.
"Why can't we get the 26th off since the company will close from the 27th?" She continued.
"Don't complain. We get to finish early that day." Taeyeon said, taking a bite of the food on the table.
"Anyway, we went through all the mayhem this year again, huh..." Hyoyeon said with a sigh.
"Yeah...next year..." Depression was written all over Yuri's face.
"That's right, next year! Don't yell or shout. Get manuscripts before the due day and bring them to the printing office on time! And definitely get 8 hours of sleep every night!"
Despite saying that, all of them stared at the food with a traumatized look on their faces and thought Never gonna happen leaving Tiffany looking at them with question marks all over her face. Obviously not getting what the four had suffered since they started working.
After they were done eating, Yuri, Hyoyeon, and Sunny went on their way while Tiffany stood awkwardly next to Taeyeon.
"Oh, I might as well take that route." Turning around, Tiffany planned to go on a different way than Taeyeon.
"So you're too shy and can't even go home with me?" Taeyeon asked, already walking on her way slowly.
"What?! Who's being shy?!" Tiffany was ticked off by that.
"You."
And so...
Tiffany had gone on the same way as Taeyeon, and now she's stuck next to her on the train.
Glancing sideways at Taeyeon, Tiffany saw her yawning and slumping back with her everyday resting bitch face.
Work is finished, so if she asks me anything I will just reply with a simple answer.
"What are you doing on Christmas?"
"I'm going out for dinner with my boyfriend."
"That sounds nice."
Hearing the high school girls in front of them talk about Christmas, Tiffany felt her mind get messed up.
That reminds me. No one talked about Taeyeon's birthday at the restaurant. Do they not know about it?
Well, that's to be expected from Taeyeon. I wouldn't tell them when my birthday is either.
Right. The 24th is a Saturday. I won't see her on that day.
What should I do?...Should I say something?
But I don't have any gift to give.
Hmm, but I don't have to give her anything.
Still...
...
"U- Uhm..."
Hearing Tiffany clear her throat, Taeyeon's attention was brought to her.
"The day after tomorrow is a Saturday, so I will tell you now. H- Happy birthday."
It was silence for a moment and the next thing Tiffany knew, Taeyeon's palm was extended to her.
"What?"
"Present."
How brazen!
"I'm sorry but I didn't prepare anything," Tiffany said with obviously a pissed off tone and a twitching eyebrow.
"Are you serious? You're so stingy." Taeyeon's lips curled up but not exactly in a pout.
As a mature adult, she should just appreciate that I wished her a happy birthday, right?
Great! Now I'm irritated.
Come to think of it, I didn't have to tell her face to face.
"Did you remember my birthday?" Taeyeon asked calmly/
"What?" Tiffany glared, "No, that's not it. I heard it from Kangin-ssi. So..." Tiffany stopped there when she saw Taeyeon lean her cheek tiredly on her palm and looked somewhat pitiful.
Oh, damn it.
Did she find out that I forgot?
"Oh...no, not that...uhm..." Trying to make Taeyeon feel better, Tiffany failed horribly.
The train doors opened and Taeyeon got up, "A drive. The day after tomorrow."
"What?"
"Come on a drive with me. That's what I want from you." Taeyeon said in all seriousness.
"A drive you say...but where to?" Tiffany asked, following Taeyeon out of the train.
"I will think about it."
"Is there anyone else?"
"My car is a two-seater."
I don't want to go alone with her!
"U- Uhmm...I'm sorry, but I have something to do on that day, and it will take the whole day."
"Liar." Taeyeon chuckled sarcastically.
"I'm not lying!"
"Then cancel it. In compensation for being the second to last in bringing the manuscript in this time."
"That has got nothing to do with it! I really can't make it!"
"It's an order from your boss. Enough said."
"Hey, I said I can't. If you are so desperate..." Tiffany clenched her teeth but then relaxed all together, holding in the words she was about to say next and bought Taeyeon's attention to her again.
"What?"
"N- Nothing. It's nothing. Anyway, I definitely can't make it." Tiffany yelled that before dashing ahead of Taeyeon.
"Hey!" Taeyeon watched Tiffany dash away to their apartment building on her own, leaving her alone, yet again.
If you're so desperate...you should go with Kangin. I should say it. If I do, I can find out whether or not they're going out now. I can find out the truth. I could properly...put an end to this unpleasant feeling. If I do that...we could have a normal boss-subordinate relationship.
That's what I have been hoping for.
Even so...why am I so afraid of...knowing the truth?
*Ding* *Dong* *Ding* *Dong*
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
*Ding* *Dong*
*Beep*
*Riiiing* *Riiiing* *Riiiing*
*Ding* *Dong*
*Bang* *Bang*
*Ding* *Dong*
*Riiiing*
*Ding* *Dong*
*Riiiing*
*Bang* *Bang*
*Ding* *Dong* *Ding* *Dong*
*Bang*
That was just how much noise Taeyeon had to make on Saturday morning for Tiffany to open her door. None stop calls. None stop banging on the door plus the door bell.
When Tiffany finally opened the door, she had a murderous expression on her face, "You...You're being a nuisance to the entire neighborhood." She said, clicking on the reject call button on her phone to stop Taeyeon's call.
"We're going on a date, remember?" Taeyeon said, also closing her own phone.
A date...she said...
Getting annoyed by that, Tiffany slowly started retreating to her apartment, "Oh...I'm sorry, but I can't make it after all. and I just woke up, so...thanks for your understanding"
After 30 Minutes of scratching, dragging, shouting, screaming and getting scolded by the neighbors.
"Hey." Taeyeon glanced at Tiffany.
"Just how did you get your hair to do that?" Taeyeon looked at the three strands sticking out awkwardly of Tiffany's hair.
Tiffany ignored Taeyeon and hugged herself, feeling self-conscious being in Taeyeon's car, next to her while she drives.
How did this happen?
She forcibly dragged me out of my room, and I'm still in my lounge wear. On top of that...
"You know, there is supposed to be heavy rain this afternoon..." Tiffany grimaced.
"That's the best weather for a drive."
And just when I said that it started to rain.
After that, they were stuck in traffic over the awkward silence.
Tiffany settled with watching the heavy rainfall like a waterfall on the window and watched the cars on the other lane pass by. Sensing Taeyeon's movement, Tiffany glanced over only to see Taeyeon turning on the radio and some music was playing.
Of course, even Taeyeon can't put up with this silence. Even though...there is nothing to talk about.
Come to think of it, I had a bad dream today. When we had just started dating, I found out that Sunbae's birthday is Christmas eve. I was so excited all by myself, and I imagined how I would celebrate her birthday. That's right. I asked her when her birthday was. I loved her so much that it was natural for me to ask her about it.
In reality...we broke up before Christmas.
"New year..."
Tiffany's heart jumped when she heard Taeyeon's voice. When she looked over, Taeyeon still had her eyes on the road
"Are you going back to your parent's place for the new year?" Taeyeon asked.
"Yes. It's my family's custom that all the relatives gather together for the new year and make rice cakes for Tteokguk."
(Tteokguk is soup with sliced rice cakes. A traditional Korean food that is customarily eaten for the new year)
"Tteokguk?"
"Yeah. Are you going back to your parent's place too, Taeyeon?" Tiffany.
"No."
"Do you have work to do?"
"Actually, both of my parents have their own new families," Taeyeon said without taking her eyes off the road.
Oh, no.
"Oh...I see. I- I'm sorry. I asked you something unnecessary." Tiffany looked down feeling like punching herself.
"Don't worry. It's not like I'm still an adolescent." Taeyeon said, not bothered by it whatsoever.
Music played in the background as the two sat in silence again.
This is so awkward
"E- Excuse me. I'm feeling carsick. Can I sleep for a bit?" Tiffany said, facepalming.
I lied.
"Are you alright? Should I stop the car?" Taeyeon asked voice full of concern
"No. I will be fine if I sleep a little" Tiffany turned to the window feeling very self-conscious of how she's being. Bed hair, lounge wear, car sickness(A lie) and can't even hold a normal conversation.
How should I put it...even though it's Taeyeon. On someone's birthday...what kind of attitude is this? What should I do? Should I say happy birthday one more time? But I already said that the day before yesterday, and it's obviously weird to say it now.
If it were Kangin, he might know how to make Taeyeon happy.
...
I don't have to compare myself to Kangin
Letting out a soft chuckled at how pathetic she is, Tiffany missed the concerned glances Taeyeon threw at her.
Tiffany's eyes fluttered open to an empty dark car and her coat covering her cold body. It was already night time.
Whoa, I really slept.
What? Where is Taeyeon?
Looking right and left, Tiffany was mesmerized by the view outside of the window. The place was covered in white. Little flakes dropped from the sky to the floor.
Wow, it's snowing.
After wearing her coat and scarf, Tiffany opened the door and rushed to Taeyeon who was leaning on a railing.
"Are you okay?" Taeyeon asked calmly.
"Yes." Tiffany nodded, "Has the rain turned to snow?" She looked around excitedly.
"Yeah."
When she saw Taeyeon leaning back on the railing, Tiffany looked over only to see one of the most beautiful scenes she has ever seen in her life. The city is under them. The bright colors of Christmas lights sparkled. The houses and streets covered in pure white snow. The people walking looked like little ants from far away.
"This is nice. I haven't seen snow for a long time." Tiffany smiled.
"Do you like it?" Taeyeon asked.
"...Yes, or rather as long as you're happy...".
Tiffany turned to look at Taeyeon next to her only to see the most gentle, genuinely happy smile she has ever seen on Taeyeon's face.
"I...just wanted to see it with you." Turning back to the view, Taeyeon wasn't aware that she left Tiffany in a hot mess.
Her heart was pounding and she could feel her face heat up despite the cold. Looking down, Tiffany held on tight to the railing, "Uh...uhm, well..." Clenching her eyes shut, Tiffany took a deep breath, "Happy...birthday"
"Thank you very much."
Tiffany opened her eyes and blushed when she felt Taeyeon's surprisingly warm hand patting her hair. At that moment, Tiffany felt at peace. All of her senses were focused on Taeyeon. The cold snow stood useless against Taeyeon's warm hand that is caressing Tiffany's hair gently.
Taeyeon's...body temperature...
Taeyeon removed her hand and crushed an F-ing snowball on top of Tiffany's head, surprising the Ish out of Tiffany.
"It's cold!" Tiffany yelled when the coldness of the snow seeping into her scalp, "Wh- What are you doing?! It's cold!"
"Your hair is really annoying today!"
They glared at each other when Tiffany finally managed to remove Taeyeon's hand away.
"Good thing that it's snowing. Use it to fix your hair!"
"Hey! It's already dark so it shouldn't be a problem!"
"It's irritating me!"
"Then don't look at it if it's irritating!"
Tiffany struggled back against Taeyeon who had a bunch of snow in her hand and was trying to put it on her hair. While struggling, Tiffany had accidently pulled Taeyeon's arms to her resulting in their face being very close that even Taeyeon looked at her in confusion wondering how that happened. Realizing the situation, Tiffany released her grip on Taeyeon's arms only for her to be held instead and pulled closer.
She looked away. Her body heating up after seeing unsatisfied face. She felt a hand on her cheek. When she looked up. Taeyeon had already crash their lips together.
Feeling her legs get numb, Tiffany held on to Taeyeon's arms and clenched her eyes shut. The kiss didn't last long. A few seconds later Tiffany realized what she was doing and slightly pushed Taeyeon away, which Taeyeon surprisingly obliged to.
"Stop it...please..." Tiffany said, looking down. Her ragged breath visible in the air because of the cold weather.
Taeyeon stood there and also looked down, "Why?"
"Wh- Why you ask..."
"Tiffany..."
Tiffany clenched her eyes shut again, Taeyeon's soft voice calling her name was not helping her at all, "...Taeyeon...has Kangin..."
Taeyeon stared at Tiffany for a few seconds, "Say...why does Kangin always come up at a time like this?"
"Coz'...Kangin said that...you guys are going out."
Taeyeon frowned, "Are? Did he say currently?"
"No..." Tiffany shook her head, "He didn't say that, but..."
"Actually."
Taeyeon cut Tiffany off
"It's we were. Truthfully, we dated for a little while...when we were college students."
Tiffany's heart clenched painfully after hearing that.
Like I thought...it was true after all.
"A lot of things happened and I had a lot of temper back then. At that time I met Kangin and started that kind of relationship without thinking."
Tiffany didn't dare to look at Taeyeon, "Th- The cat that Kangin brought in the other day...that's the one you picked up when we were in high school, right?...Why does Kangin have it...?"
"At that time...Kangin said that a person who can't take care of herself has no right to take care of a pet, and he took it away from me. By the time I tried to get it back, the cat was totally attached to him."
It's not-...It's not...wrong of her to date someone or even a lot of people. So many years have passed since then. There were also times in the past when I had a boyfriend. I understand that!
Tiffany was clearly not pleased by what she heard
"We should go. Get in the car, or else you will catch a cold." Taeyeon muttered, already making her way to the car, "I'm surprised that you remember that cat. Even though you have forgotten all the important things." She said
Tiffany didn't say anything and just followed Taeyeon to the car.
Why...
"Why don't you come here with Kangin?!"
Why am I so jealous?
"LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS SAY, YOU IDIOT!" Taeyeon yelled looking very well pissed off.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING IDIOT?!"
"I SAID IT'S NOT WE ARE, IT'S WE WERE. I'M NOT GOING OUT WITH ANYONE RIGHT NOW!"
Tiffany was taken aback by Taeyeon's blow up.
Taeyeon let out a deep sigh and shook her head, "Perhaps, you don't really get along with him, but Kangin is my precious friend. That's why when I decided to work with him at the same company, I drew a clear line. He's my friend as well as my colleague." Taeyeon explained the rest calmly, making Tiffany look down in guilt for making Taeyeon blow up like that.
"But..."
"Like I said...no matter who I dated, I couldn't forget about you. I have-..." Taeyeon sudden silence bothered Tiffany. When she looked up at Taeyeon only to see her looking down with a hint of pink on her pale cheeks, "I have been in love with you for the past ten years."
Hearing that and seeing how Taeyeon looks like right now shook Tiffany's whole being.
So vulnerable and honest. That's how Taeyeon looked like. Cute. A few seconds passed and Tiffany can't take her eyes off Taeyeon, she's sure her face is as red a tomato right now
*Achoo*
"Get in the car." Taeyeon sighed and turned around again, continuing her way to her car.
Hearing something like...
What should I do during the trip home?
After getting in the car, Taeyeon took her coat off after turning on the heating system, "Let's head home, if the snow piles up more than this, it will be a problem. This car only has normal tires."
"Okay..." Tiffany replied awkwardly while also taking her snowy coat off.
"By the way, I just remembered something."
Tiffany looked at Taeyeon who was looking ahead
"When we were dating, there was a time when I role-played my birthday and Christmas by myself."
What?
"Like, imagining how big the cake for two would be. What Christmas present I should get for you and stuff. Well, in the end, we broke up before doing anything."
Oh...
But I- I also...
"Such an immature way of thinking, wasn't it?" Taeyeon said as she cleaned her black specs to wear.
Tiffany looked at her lap, finding the slightly damp spot because of snow more comfortable to look at, "I think...that's fine..."
"What?" Taeyeon stopped what she was doing and looked at her.
"I was...thinking...something similar back then..."
Hearing Tiffany's nervous tone as she said that, Taeyeon's eyes widened and immediately held Tiffany's hand. Next thing Tiffany knew, she was being held in a tight embrace. The smell of Taeyeon's shampoo made her head spin. The side of Taeyeon's hot face was pressed on her's.
"I wonder if the convenience store still sells cake," Taeyeon said, making Tiffany's heart squeeze painfully.
Pulling away from the hug Tiffany looked down.
"Look at me..." Taeyeon frowned and tried to lift Tiffany's face up, but Tiffany looked the other way.
"I don't want you to forget about this when you wake up tomorrow like you did the other day. So look at me properly."
Tiffany looked at Taeyeon's eyes and was instantly lost in them. Taeyeon slightly smiled and embraced Tiffany in another heart warming hug.
I was going to shout at her to stop joking, but when I saw her eyes look at me like that...both my body and mind were filled with her. I completely lost my senses. I was...only able to desperately hug her back and feel my heart squeeze painfully.
In the end, I bought a cake.
Tiffany squinted at the plastic bag in her hand as she neared the building she works in, Im's publishing, on a Monday morning.
We couldn't get it the day before yesterday. More importantly, I bought it, but what am I supposed to do with it? Just the two of us have a birthday party? No way! If I did something like that she would get carried away and I don't know what she would do.
Covering her blushing face, Tiffany remembered what the two of them did in Taeyeon's car and the face Taeyeon had while calling her name. Brushing the thought away, Tiffany got in the company building only to see Taeyeon walking the same destination as her, the elevator.
"Morning." Taeyeon greeted with her everyday resting bitch face as both of them went inside the elevator together.
"Good morning." Tiffany looked away not wanting Taeyeon to catch the red on her face.
"What's that?" Taeyeon asked looking at the plastic bag in Tiffany's hand.
"It's nothing." Tiffany answered as grumpy as always, hiding the bag away from Taeyeon.
"Is it for me?"
Tiffany almost face palmed as she realized that the plastic bag had the name of the pastry shop she bought the cake from on it.
"Do you have candles?"
"It's not for you! You got the wrong idea!" Getting a bit bitter, Tiffany got off the elevator, walked to the receptionist's of that floor, and put the plastic bag on the counter.
"I got this from an acquaintance of mine. Would you like to have it?" A not so happy Tiffany asked.
"What? Is that okay?"
"Wow, I'm so happy."
"Thank you very much!"
The two women were clearly very happy with their newly obtained cake.
Taeyeon who was pressing the elevator door open and waiting for Tiffany raised and eyebrow after seeing the two girls get unusually happy at the present from Tiffany. When they were left alone again in the elevator, Tiffany awkwardly extended her hand with yet another plastic bag in it to Taeyeon without making eye contact.
"Here...this is for you."
Despite being happy about it, Taeyeon didn't show much of a reaction while taking the plastic bag.
"A present? Hmm...thanks."
Peeking inside the plastic bag, Taeyeon slowly turned to Tiffany with a surprised expression.
"I...I thought about what to get, but I really didn't know so..." Tiffany said nervously.
Taeyeon looked back inside the plastic bag at the jumbo sized bag of gummy bears that she always eats little versions of on break time with a little card taped on it that says Happy birthday. Let's just say that Taeyeon had just fell in love more deeply with Tiffany at that moment.
"Also! I want to make this clear. As a boss you may be better than I thought, but that doesn't mean I like you as a person. Please don't misunderstand what happened the other day." Tiffany said harshly but looked at Taeyeon when she didn't hear a response but instead, she heard the sound of plastic ripping, "Wh- What?"
"Nothing..."
Tiffany squinted at Taeyeon who opened the bag of gummy bears and ate the head of one of them.
"I just...feel that I'm being loved."
"What?!"
Just then the elevator opened to the proper floor where their office is and Taeyeon walked out first followed by Tiffany.
"Which part of what I just said made you think that?!"
"Reading between the lines."
"What?! Hey!"
Attention was bought to the two as they walked in their office.
"Morning!" Sunny greeted them cheerfully.
"Today is the last day of the year so let's hurry up and go party already." Taeyeon's response made everyone smile.
"Hoooray! I totally agree! I love drinking in the morning...and afternoon...and night..." Sunny smiled.
"What?! No..." Tiffany watched everyone get up and follow Taeyeon on the way out.
"Please wait. Do you guys know the schedule for the next issue? I will be in trouble if I don't get the color pages by the end of the day." Tiffany followed desperately not realizing that she is being pulled out of work..
"I think I heard something just now, but it must be my imagination, right?" Sunny said, pretending that she didn't hear anything.
"Yup, you're hearing things." Hyoyeon agreed.
"Yah!" Taeyeon yelled.
"It's because they're making light of you that they're not listening to you. You should know the trick." Taeyeon said, leading the gang out of the office.
"What is it?! I don't know that! Please tell me!" By now, Tiffany was beyond pissed off and to add more to the fire...
"I have no reason to tell you for free." That was Taeyeon's only response.
Guy's we're releasing a magazine next month too!
We don't have time to ditch work!
This is not love
This is not love
This is not love
This is not the time for love!
222 day until Tiffany falls in love.