I used to search for all the books Sunbae had read and borrowed.
There were all sorts of books; one's I really liked, one's I didn't.
But I was still thrilled to be able to share something with her in this way.
That's all it was...
Yet it still made me very happy.
"Wait, what?! You actually took a taxi to pick up a manuscript?!"
Tiffany looked up only to see that she was caught in the middle of exiting a taxi by Taeyeon and Kangin. The company pays them for subway fees to pick up manuscripts. She glared at Taeyeon who's mouth was agape and Kangin who saw her get off a taxi in front of the company
"Don't tell me you take a taxi every time?" Taeyeon said in shock.
"Of course not! It couldn't be helped this time..." Tiffany looked down.
"How so?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow
"Well, you see...I was supposed to meet an author at her house, but I got off at the wrong stop...and then I was late coming back, so I panicked and took a taxi..." Tiffany mumbled.
Taeyeon and Kangin stared at her silently for a second, "Wow, what a loser." Taeyeon said.
"Just so you know, taxi fees aren't covered as expenses," Kangin said, crossing his arms.
"I- I know that." Tiffany responded awkwardly, "Anyway, what are you two doing out here?"
"Work, of course. We have got a meeting." Taeyeon looked back at Tiffany and gestured for her to come along as the three of them made their way inside the company.
"And starting three hours later than planned since someone fell asleep on the train," Kangin said. Clearly throwing shade at Tiffany.
"I- I see." Tiffany was again annoyed by Kangin.
Kangin is short with me as usual. Though I do understand why.
"Uh, I will take the stairs..." Tiffany left Taeyeon's side and was about to rush to the stairs but Taeyeon took the bag she's holding, stopping Tiffany in her tracks.
"Let me see the manuscript," Taeyeon said.
"Hey, that's my bag!" Tiffany unconsciously followed Taeyeon to get her bag back and didn't realize that she just went inside the elevator with them until she saw the glare Kangin was looking at her with.
The reason why Kangin doesn't stand me is because Taeyeon always pays unnecessary attention to me. I wish he would stop mixing his business and personal relationships. He knows that I told Taeyeon a dozen times to stop this, but our fights always wind up spreading here in the end.
"Please give it back!" Tiffany asked for her bag.
"Ah, quit bitching." Taeyeon was annoyed by Tiffany making a hassle and handed her back her bag.
Their hands accidently touched, making Tiffany jolt a little, "It- It's because you keep acting like a little kid!" She said. She immediately turned around to the door so neither of the two could see her red face.
And so...
I'm stuck here getting worked up over the smallest things...
Just by our hands brushing...
*Achoo*
Taeyeon sneezed, "Oh crap, I think I managed to catch a cold..." She sniffed, grabbing both Tiffany's and Kangin's attention.
"Do you have a fever?" Kangin asked.
"No clue."
"Hold still."
Tiffany tried her best to keep her face straight as she watched Kangin put his hand under Taeyeon's forehead, and Taeyeon did what he said and stayed still.
"Hey, you have a fever," Kangin said that in a scolding manner.
"...I'm fine." Taeyeon looked down and fixed her hair that Kangin messed up.
Without thinking...I averted my eyes.
Wh- What do I care what they do?
"Oh, right. Looks like that sales promo you drafted is gonna go through."
Tiffany looked back at the two after hearing Taeyeon say that. Her proposal was accepted.
"The proposal?" Kangin raised an eyebrow.
"The one your boss drafted." Taeyeon glared at Kangin.
"I told you to stop saying that." Kangin glared back at Taeyeon and turned to Tiffany, "When we passed it around to the shop, they seemed surprisingly on board. They're thinking of hosting a fair with an autograph session. You still feel up to it?"
"Of course! I would love to if it's possible!" Tiffany said, happiness visible on her face.
"Fine, I will bring by the necessary documents later." Kangin nodded.
The elevator stopped and Kangin got off on his floor with a wave to the two.
"Thank you! I'm sure the author will be thrilled!" Tiffany smiled brightly to Taeyeon. That smiled came down when she realized that Taeyeon had been staring at her for a while now, "Wh- What?" Tiffany asked, feeling weird that Taeyeon is looking at her in a way that she just didn't know what it means.
"Nothing..." Taeyeon looked down, "You realize though that this means you will meet a lot with the sales department, right? You're fine with that?"
"..."
Oh...that's right...
I will have to see Kangin all the time, huh...
Tiffany slumped down, clearly not feeling like doing it anymore.
"Well, can you do it or not?"
That question ticked Tiffany off. How dare she question her ability?! "Of course I can! and I will!" Tiffany said with determination.
"I see"
*Achoo*
Taeyeon sneezed again
"Are you sure you're alright?" Tiffany asked, concerned.
"Forget about it." Taeyeon nodded while sniffling, "Come to my place tonight." She said.
"What ?"
"I want to have dinner with you."
"...For work?"
"Off the clock."
The elevator door opened, and the two proceeded to get off.
"I'm fine with going to your place instead, though."
"H- Hey! Don't just make decisions on your own!" Tiffany snapped.
"Fine. My place it is."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to catch your cold."
Now Taeyeon was the one ticked off.
"Wai-...Taeyeon?! What are you d- " Tiffany was suddenly pulled into a room that she later realized that it was the coffee room. There are only coffee machines and because the room also doubles as storage, there are a few boxes in the back. Tiffany looked at Taeyeon with wide eyes. She tried shaking her arms off the wall but Taeyeon kept her hold tight, "What are you- "
"You love me, don't you?"
"Excuse me...?" Tiffany blushed.
"So why don't you try being a little more honest, huh?"
"Wh- Where did you get an idea like that?"
"You told your fiancé at the new year's party, remember?"
"Th- That was..." Tiffany averted her eyes, "That was just...I couldn't say anything else then...if you were really eavesdropping, you would know."
"You sure about that? It sounded like your true feelings to me..."
"Well, it wasn't! It definitely was not! Please, just act like you didn't hear anything."
"Sure. I can do that." Tiffany was forced to look straight at Taeyeon when Taeyeon push her cheek slightly, "So long as you say it again, right now."
"What?!" Tiffany looked down this time and shoved Taeyeon to the side, "I can't understand a thing you're saying! Please get out of my way!" Before Tiffany could walk past Taeyeon, she was grabbed again and pushed to the wall one more time, softly this time.
"You know, I have been meaning to ask..."
"What?" Tiffany sighed.
"Do you make a habit of sleeping with people you hate multiple times?"
Redness crept up more on Tiffany's face as she raised an eyebrow with a confused expression, "Wh- What are you trying to imply?! Do I look like that kind of person?!"
"If that's not the case, then you must like me, right?"
"No...you see...that's..." Tiffany looked down. That's the only explanation for what she did with Taeyeon the other day, really.
Taeyeon felt sorry for Tiffany because Tiffany herself looked confused. Maybe she doesn't even know it yet herself, Taeyeon thought.
"Right now..." The volume of Tiffany's voice dropped, "I just...cannot say...not yet."
Taeyeon sighed, "Geez, you really have changed! Before, you just came right out and blabbed your confession!"
"Stop treating me like I'm some idiot!" Tiffany looked up at Taeyeon just as annoyed as her, "Anyway, what are we supposed to do when we date?!"
Tiffany's question was simply answered by Taeyeon's soft lips on her's. Her eyes widened as Taeyeon pulled away.
"That." Taeyeon smiled.
Feeling like she might get swept away by Taeyeon again, Tiffany pushed her slightly.
This time Taeyeon didn't pull back and just stood there, "Not yet means you're still getting ready, right?"
"What?" Tiffany looked up.
"I'm fine hearing your confession whenever so just let me know when you're ready."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Tiffany got ticked off, yet again.
"Oh right. While we're at it. I know it's a little late now, but..." Tiffany's heart almost dropped to her stomach because of what Taeyeon said next, "I have to wonder if you even really loved me 10 years ago..."
...What ?
"Wh- Why would you ask that?" Tiffany was confused. Why would Taeyeon even ask something like this?
"What do you mean why?"
Did I really love her 10 years ago?! Is she serious?! What the hell is she saying, now of all times?!
Taeyeon looked at her cautiously, wondering if it's okay to mention what's on her mind, "You know, I first noticed this when I saw your resume, but..."
"What's going on in here?"
Tiffany got the shock of her life when Kangin swung the door open and walked in on their conversation.
"J- Just getting some coffee! The whole editing team asked me to get them some, see!" Tiffany immediately started pouring coffee from the machine in hope that Kangin will believe her.
"What?" Taeyeon asked, as stoic as always.
"I bought the proposal for the autograph session and book fair I just mentioned." Turning to Tiffany, Kangin waved a bunch of papers, "I looked over your proposal, but it was too weak. I have marked the weak points in red, so redo it." He said.
Tiffany looked at the papers Kangin placed in her hands, "...Right."
"And you go take some medicine." Kangin tapped Taeyeon's shoulder with a file he was holding.
"I told you I'm fine." Taeyeon glared. Still upset that Kangin interuppted their conversation.
"Like hell you are, you just hate taking pills is all."
"If you know that then go get me some liquid or powdered stuff."
"Quit your whining and come on..."
Tiffany who was looking down, feeling like a third wheel, shot her head up after hearing Taeyeon calling for her.
"Tiffany...got an answer yet?"
She looked away blushing and feeling flustered, "I told you...that was..."
Taeyeon stared at her for a second and sighed.
"What?" Kangin asked as the two left the coffee-room.
"Nothing."
Kangin nodded but he just had to look back at Tiffany before they exit the coffee room, "Get that proposal back to me by tomorrow. Stop dragging your heels and bringing down Taeyeon."
"Ah...right." Tiffany looked down and nodded.
I do...realize it, of course. Why do I get so worked up just by touching Taeyeon?
It's because...I love her...I guess?
Maybe I should really sit down and talk with her...but saying that now, I have to wonder how it would go.
It would probably just lead to even more problems. If it got out that a boss and a subordinate were dating...I couldn't possibly keep my job here. I probably couldn't get hired in this field again period, and I don't need to get involved in any relationships right now anyway. I have to release a best seller as quickly as possible and get back at all those jerks who accused me of nepotism. If I wind up taking over my family's company in the future, no one will be able to complain If I have got some actual achievements under my belt.
Taking over the family business, huh. I think mom is gunning for it, though. Who actually passes a company like that nowadays?
Oh...right. I wonder...
How is Kanggun doing? Mom keeps pasturing me to get in touch with him, but if I do that, I know I will just wind up hurting him even more. This is all my fault, huh. I should have been clear with him long before this.
Oh, yeah...I guess the same goes for how I treated Taeyeon, too. That reminds me, she was saying something about me resume earlier...I supposed I should really talk to her...and stop worrying about what will happen if I do.
Before I regret it...
Before I get hurt...
I should probably tell her how I really feel...
"Taeyeon took the day off?!" Everyone's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets and their jaws dropped open.
"No way! Seriously?!" Sunny asked.
"Seems she isn't feeling well," Yuri said
"What? Taeyeon isn't coming in today?" It was Tiffany this time.
"Looks like it" Hyoyeon nodded.
"Were you able to get in touch with her? It looks serious! That girl came in even when she had a fever of 40C!" Sunny chuckled remembering how last year Taeyeon was like.
*cough* *cough* Get your asses back to work *cough* *cough* *cough* - Taeyeon
"That reminds me, wasn't the company president supposed to hold a meeting today? For her to miss that, it's gotta be pretty bad..." Hyoyeon said.
"Pigs may even fly today!" Sunny said.
She didn't call me or anything. We even live next door. N- Not that there's any reason for her to do so...
No, no!
She's a grown adult!
I'm sure she's doing just fine!
I just need to focus on my work!
"..."
But...she's not the type to usually just take a sick day for a cold. Is she really doing that badly, then? I hope she isn't laid up in bed...I wonder if anyone's taking care of her, taking her to the doctor and all. She said she isn't in touch with her parents, so a friend or something, maybe?
A friend...
Kangin
Shaking her head to get rid of negative thoughts about Taeyeon, Tiffany went back to work.
Oh right, what am I gonna do about this proposal? I know I should get Taeyeon to look it over first. I guess I will just give Kangin my edited version for now.
Tiffany sighed and got up. She walked over to the sales department with a heavy mind, "Excuse me? Is Kangin-ssi here?" She asked as she entered the sales department office.
A woman turned to Tiffany on her aeron chair, "He took a half day and headed home. Running like that without an explanation, it's quite the inconvenience for the rest of us!"
Hearing that, Tiffany felt like she knew where Kangin might be.
Tiffany finished her workload for the day and went back to her apartment building. For the whole day she couldn't concentrate that well, not that she wanted to admit it, but...she was worried about Taeyeon.
I don't reallythink...there's any reason to worry, but...
Tiffany sighed as she stood in front of Taeyeon's door. She looked down at the plastic bag she's holding. Full of medicines.
I got carried away and nearly bought out the whole pharmacy, and I don't even know what's wrong with her. What should I do? Just stuff it all in the mail slot, maybe? I feel like I should at least listen to her voice...
It would probably annoy her to get a phone call while she's sick, and it would be bad if she had died alone in her room...but I so don't want to be the one to find the body.
But...
I'm-...I'm afraid to see who will answer the door.
I will just leave the plastic bag on the door knob. Ring the door bell. Then run and hide!
Tiffany gulped and rang the door bell. Nervous. Will it be Taeyeon? Or will it be...Kangin?
"...Yes? *cough*"
That's Taeyeon's voice!
She's been alone and bedridden this whole time?!
"Ah...umm..." Tiffany opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
"What are you, stupid? Get back in bed." *Click*
Tiffany's eyes widened after hearing Kangin's voice. The door swung open and Kangin was standing there, looking down at Tiffany with an unpleasant expression.
I knew it...
Kangin looked at Tiffany a bit confused.
"Who is it? *cough* *cough*" Taeyeon's voice came from inside of the apartment. She sounded in pain
"It's nothing. Just go back to sleep." Kangin yelled inside and stepped out of the apartment, closing the door behind him, "What is it?"
Tiffany looked down after seeing Kangin cross his arms, "Oh, I just...was wondering how Taeyeon was doing, and since I'm next door, it was no trouble, so..."
"She's been better but it's not serious," Kangin said.
"Oh, is that so?"
Kangin looked down at the big plastic bag Tiffany was holding with a pharmacy name on it, "Medicine?" He asked.
"Yes! I didn't really know what her symptoms were, so I just bought some random things. If they're needed, please help yourself!" Feeling the atmosphere get awkward, Tiffany spoke up again, "And also, I left the revised project proposal on your desk."
"I will look over it tomorrow." Kangin nodded and took the plastic bag from Tiffany's hand.
"Good work today. Bye." Kangin turned around with a wave.
"Umm! Excuse me, but...is Taeyeon really doing okay? If there is anything I can do to help, I would be happy to help!"
She heard Kangin click his tongue and turn around to her with no longer the polite expression he had 5 seconds ago, "Then don't involve yourself with Taeyeon outside of work more than you have to!"
"..."
"What? But.." The confused expression on Tiffany's face did not waver Kangin at all.
"Just cut the crap already. Is it really that fun to play with that girl's feelings?" He snapped.
"What? I don't underst- "
"I'm saying that you're getting her hopes up on purpose!"
"What? Why would I?" Tiffany tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"Take this and go home!" Kangin put back the plastic bag filled with medicine back in Tiffany's hands with anger, "I'm looking after her, so there is no need for you to worry for her sake."
Tiffany clenched the plastic bag out of frustration, "But, I just wanted to- "
"You're the one still clinging to the relationship you used to have with her!"
Tiffany raised and eyebrow, "...What?"
"Instead of just turning her down, you act like you might still accept. Seeing that kind of attitude from you really pisses me off. Don't you get just how much you hurt her?! I'm way better suited for Taeyeon than you!"
Hearing that, Tiffany's heart dropped to her stomach. She looked at Kangin's eyes. They looked sincere and serious. As if a fire is ignited in them.
"I love her. So I know everything about her. Everything! She told me everything! But just look at you?! What do you know about Taeyeon?!"
Tiffany looked down, "W- Well, I..."
"You ran off before you could learn anything! You have no right to fall in love with her!"
"..."
Tiffany felt pain in her chest. That was kind of unfair of Kangin, "Wh- Why do you have to go and say something like that? Even I-..."
"Because I love her more than you do." He said, quietly, "It was all just playing around for you right from the beginning, wasn't it? That's why you were able to just go study abroad without a word."
"What?! What are you saying?! It was nothing like that." Tiffany was offended. Kangin did not know about her and did not know what kind of person she was back in high school and yet he's judging her like that.
"Then what did I say wrong?" He asked.
Tiffany respected Kangin for his question. He was allowing her to correct him and tell him what it really was, "I had a very good reason for leaving the country! It's the same with work too!"
"You originally wanted to work with novel publications, right? Then go hop on your daddy's coattails and go find a different company to work for!"
But...why does Kangin know about my studying abroad?
Taeyeon told him?
Did she tell that...to Kangin?
Taeyeon...talked about all that with this person?
"W- Well then...maybe you should date Taeyeon again," Tiffany said.
...Wait, what?
"That would actually help me out."
What?
"Of course! All this has been a huge bother to me, actually! I just want to work like a normal person!"
What?
What on earth am I saying?
What do I do?
This isn't what I mean at all...!
"All the sexual harassment at work is troublesome. love her? You've got to be kidding me."
It's not...
It's not!
It's not what I mean!
What am I saying?!
Tiffany had her eyes shut and her fists clenched, "Quite the contrary, I actually hate Taeyeon!"
A few seconds of silence followed Tiffany's outburst.
When Tiffany opened her eyes, her heart dropped to her stomach when she saw that Taeyeon was standing there holding the door open, staring at her with wide big eyes.