Before I realized it...I was chasing after her. - Tiffany
Monday
At the beginning of the month, it was decided that Yoona would take over as the president of the company.
"I just went to check out the new building and man, is it awesome!" Yoona cheered, "I figured you guys are already getting prepped for the move, but I wanted to double check anyway!"
Let's just say that none of the Emerald editing department members were pleased by what Yoona said.
"So make sure you have got your stuff packed and ready to get out by 6:00 PM on Friday, 'kay? The movers will carry stuff to the new place over the weekend!"
After hearing that Tiffany shot a glare at Yoona, Hyoyeon was muttering curses, Sunny was planning to push her off the stairs, Yuri probably planned to commit suicide while Taeyeon was most likely plotting Yoona's murder.
"Why do you think we need to move to a new office at a time like this?" Tiffany asked Yuri who looked like grim reaper in a whisper.
"Dunno. Maybe just because she became president?" Yuri replied.
"Yo, Unnie! I see Emerald is in shambles as always!" Yoona approached Taeyeon, "Think you will make the moving deadline with all this crap around?" She smiled.
"Oh, of course. Even if this Friday happens to be the last day in this month's proof-reading cycle and moving plans over lap it!" Taeyeon clenched Yoona's collar while Yoona laughed away.
Yes...we're right in the middle of proofing this month's manuscripts, and as for me...I might sort of feel rather incredibly...SICK. I think...
No, no! It's just my imagination! I'm only worn out because I fell asleep on the floor again last night! Besides, now isn't the time to think about that.
Everyone went back to their desks and proceeded to do their work.
"Tiff! I'm finally done with my author!" Sunny slumped down, finally finished proof-reading her manuscript.
"Great! Thank you! That just leaves Jung Sooyeon-nim's manuscript before everything's been turned in!" Tiffany smiled, a hint of hope visible on her face, "How is Sooyeon-nim's manuscript coming, Yuri?"
Yuri who just finished a phone call had this face of a serial killer on her face, "Another 32 pages."
Almost the whole thing?!
Tiffany stood up and clenched her hair, "Will it be done in time?! Proofs are due on Friday!"
"Assistants have come in to help, so if past president is anything to go by, it should work itself out," Yuri said, was clearly irritated.
"Hahaha! That's Sooyeon-nim for you, huh...hahaha" Taeyeon laughed.
Her eyes aren't laughing! - The whole editing department thought.
"But well, even if it's last minute, the product is always good! The stories are interesting too." Hyoyeon said with a sigh
"That's notthe issue." Yuri face palmed in irritation.
Tiffany sighed and slumped on her desk.
Her whole body hurts, her brain is fried and her eyes burned.
Even though my own project's manuscript was finished on time, I can't relax until everything is submitted, since I'm the coordinator. I feel an ulcer coming on...
This is just as stressful as if it were my own manuscript.
Tiffany felt the room spin around her.
"Don't sleep in work!"
*Whack*
Tiffany jerked up and looked behind her at Taeyeon who just whacked her with that god damn roll of papers, "I wasn't sleeping!" She said as she watched Taeyeon walk back to her president chair.
"That fair announcement for the next issue's front page that you said you would write up yesterday, when are you gonna be finished with that?" Taeyeon asked.
"It's done!" Tiffany got up and walked up to Taeyeon's desk to give her the papers, "Oh right. I know it's a bit early, but I have collected Ranmi-nim's material for her new work. Could you look over it for me?" Tiffany said.
"What? Already?" Taeyeon frowned, "Her current serial won't be over for another 6 months..."
"Ah, yes, but I figured the earlier the better," Tiffany said, "I had a free moment and mentioned the topic to her. She had given the new story some serious thought already, so I wanted to look into it."
Taeyeon stared at Tiffany blankly for a moment, "Got it. I will take a look. And here, take these. I have finished looking over 3 of your storyboards."
"Huh? You're done already?" Tiffany was surprised when Taeyeon really took out 3 of her storyboards from her drawer.
"Yup."
Tiffany frowned and went back to her desk.
I just gave them to her last night.
Taeyeon is so busy with her own work, where did she find the time to check them?
Did she even check thoroughly?
Flipping through the papers of the storyboard, Tiffany found no fails. Taeyeon had made all proper suggestions and even fixed a lot of parts she did not notice.
Taeyeon chuckled when she saw the surprised look on Tiffany's face, "Fear not, my fair lady. I did actually check them in their entirety."
"I kno-...-ow...th- *ACHOO*"
Taeyeon once again stared at her blankly as she just let out a loud sneeze.
"Thank you very much. I'm going to the bathroom. Excuse me" Tiffany sniffled and got up.
"Hey Tiff, can you buy me some juice on your way back?" Sunny asked.
"Sure." Tiffany sighed heavily and went to the bathroom.
After finishing her business, she stood by the sink and proceeded to wash her hands. She glared at herself in the mirror and sighed yet again.
Ugh, the bags under my eyes are getting worse.
"Hey."
"ACK!" Tiffany jolted when she heard a voice behind her, "What is it?! Please don't scare me like that, Jesus!"
It was Taeyeon who just entered the restroom.
Tiffany crossed her arms and waited for Taeyeon to say what she wanted to say.
"Are you...feeling all right?" Taeyeon asked cautiously.
"Huh?" Tiffany raised an eyebrow "W- What makes you ask that?"
"You look pale, so I thought maybe you had a bit too much work on your plate perhaps."
"What? No, that's not it at a- "
"Caught a cold, then?"
Tiffany rubbed her nose "No, that sneeze was just from my nose being itchy."
Taeyeon apparently didn't buy that because she took a step ahead closer to Tiffany and held her shoulder. Tiffany's heartbeat quickened as she in return stepped back until she bumped into the edge of the sink. Taeyeon's cute face was suddenly getting closer. Tiffany clenched her eyes shut thinking that Taeyeon was going to kiss her, but a moment later, nothing of that sort happened. The only thing that happened was that Taeyeon swapped her hair behind her ear and pressed their foreheads together.
"Wh- What are you doing?" Tiffany asked with a red face, feeling like her heart is about to jump out.
"Doesn't feel like you have a fever," Taeyeon said as she removed herself from Tiffany and crossed her arms.
"Taeyeon, we're at work!" Tiffany looked away and held on to her arms feeling self-conscious all of a sudden
"No...you just looked like you were pretending to be cheerful, so..." Taeyeon also looked away, glad that her worries were not in the right place.
"Th- Thank you for your concern. But I'm as healthy as a horse!" Tiffany looked grumpy again and put the hair strand the fell over behind her ear again, leaving it as Taeyeon did.
"Is that so? I guess that's fine, then..." Taeyeon opened the door for both of them as they made their way out.
Taeyeon is sharper than I thought...
"Taeyeon ?"
"What?" Taeyeon did not look back at Tiffany who's trailing behind her.
"About those storyboards from before...I was amazed that despite your busy schedule, you were still so detailed in your suggestions. Are you sure it wasn't too much effort?" Tiffany fidgeted as she asked.
"Why would it be?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow, "Reading new stories is always fun. I have never once thought of it as bothersome. Is it not the same for you?"
"That's..." Tiffany did not answer Taeyeon's question.
But, I'm not-...to the point where things are fun yet. It's been more than 6 months since I became a comics' editor. I'm still blundering about as usual, of course. But I have at least reached the point where I can finish the tasks I'm assigned now. I'm sure she's got even less time to check proofs...and yet she still managed to look over it thoroughly. She even caught the parts where I wasn't sure what to suggest and properly fixed them. And it's more interesting now too.
They had stopped at the break room and Taeyeon proceeded to buy a drink from the vending machine.
"Umm, is there any trick to reading thorough these scripts? I would like to better myself at it..." Tiffany said.
"Trick...? It's just something that comes with a lot of practice and experience, right?"
"Oh, is it?...Before I forget. May I copy some pages from volumes 10 thorough 15 of the editor's training manual?" A.K.A Hell Files made by Taeyeon to train editors.
"What for?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow as she popped open her drink.
"No, it's just...ah! This machine is out of the drink Sunny wanted! I will go check the machine outside."
"Hurry, back then."
"Yes, ma'am!"
And just like that, Tiffany ran away from answering Taeyeon's question.
I want to become a full-fledged editor as soon as possible!
What Taeyeon said to me recently...really resonated me and gave me confidence.
Tiffany stopped her tracks and looked back at Taeyeon who was sipping her drink with crossed arms while watching. Her heart still leapt of it's place just by looking at Taeyeon from afar.
Though it might just be a difference in experience or talent...and even though I know it's pointless to compare myself to her...I just thought to myself...She's so good at this. She's so impressive. It made me...really wish I could be her.
"Ah...-CHOO *cough* *cough*"
Friday
Tiffany made her way out of the company building as everyone else's work hours were over.
As she walked, suddenly her body started pounding and throbbing. She hugged herself, feeling that the cold is affecting her way more than normal. She gulped as the realization sank in.
Was-...Was I really this under the weather?
Why? It's like the moment I submitted the proofs and finished preparing for the move, my body just finally gave out...
Is it because of the relief?
All I can tell is that this is definitely not good...
*Huff* *Huff* *Huff*
Taeyeon told me to get in her car...good thing I refused. I know exactly what she would say if she saw me in this state.
Should I take a taxi?
No, I feel sick, I would definitely barf.
Maybe I should buy some medicine and rest in a cafe for a moment...
Feeling like her body is about to give out, Tiffany bumped shoulders with someone, "I'm sorry!" She immediately bowed to apologize.
"Heeey! If it isn't !"
Looking back at the person she just bumped into, Tiffany realized it was Yoona, with another tall super beautiful girl beside her.
"Heading home? Good work today!" Yoona's smile looked a little tired, compared to Monday, Yoona's energy seemed to have dropped to a noticeable rate. She isn't as loud as she was and her face is paler. Even the bags under her eyes looked worse. Even so, she still managed to look stunning.
"Are you heading home too?" Tiffany asked with a smile.
"Yup. Just grabbing some food on the way. I thought I might buy some more of those chocolates you gave me earlier while I was out. They were delicious! I'm hooked!" Yoona smiled widely.
But we bought the biggest box, she already ate them?
"I'm glad they were to your liking." Tiffany had difficulty to keep her smile up.
"Oh, hey! About the party to celebrate my new position..." Yoona's grin came down to a frown when she saw Tiffany's face a bit dazed and she was slightly panting,"...are you okay?"
"Huh?" Tiffany snapped out of her daze and looked up at Yoona.
"You seem pretty pale, is all..." Yoona was clearly concerned about Tiffany.
Tiffany looked down in daze again, "My apologies...I'm fine...I'm just a bit out of it from the relief that I have tomorrow off, that's all...how embarrassing..." Tiffany chuckled in embarrassment.
Crap...my head...feels kinda fuzzy...
"Taeyeon is riding you hard?" Yoona chuckled.
"Huh?!"
R- Riding me? Taeyeon?
H- H- How did she know?!
"I will gladly be your agony aunt! Spill! Spill!" Yoona laughed at poor Tiffany who let out a sigh of relief that Yoona didn't mean what she said in that kind of way.
"Oh no...it's not that work is too tiring or anything! Besides..." Tiffany paused to catch her breath a little, "...Taeyeon does several times the work I do *Huff* I'm still no good. I'm still trying much harder to do better."
Finishing with a huff, Yoona's eyes sparkled when she saw Tiffany's face when she mentioned Taeyeon.
"Unnie...the time." The pretty girl accompanying Yoona spoke up, grabbing Yoona's attention right away.
"Ah! I'm sorry to have stopped you on your way!" Tiffany apologized again with another huff.
"Are you really okay?" Yoona asked with a frown, leaning down a little bit to look at Tiffany's face probably.
"I'm fine...excuse me..." Tiffany nodded at Yoona and the cute girl besides before turning on her heels. She was about to walk but she couldn't. Looking down at the floor, Tiffany found out that her vision has become a bit hazy. Her head was pounding and her body was aching. Her vision just kept getting hazier and hazier...
"Unnie?!"
Yoona's voice was the last thing she heard before everything went black.
"Yoona!"
Yoona looked up to see Taeyeon running towards her with the most panicked expression on her face
"How Tiffany?!"
Yoona stared at Taeyeon for a moment, the smile no longer on her usually cheerful face, just seriousness written all over it, "She's in the exam room now. They had her hooked up on an IV drip earlier." Yoona pointed at the door behind her.
"What's the matter?" Taeyeon asked.
"They're probably telling her now."
Taeyeon still couldn't relax "But how were you..." Taeyeon frowned, a bit confused as to why Yoona was the one to bring an unconscious Tiffany to the hospital.
"We ran into each other by chance in front of the company. She woke up in the car after she passed out, but just in case, we brought her here since we were already on the way." Yoona crossed her arms.
"I see." Taeyeon lowered her head to Yoona "I'm sorry for all this trouble."
"Nah, don't sweat it. I figured with her family the way they are, it was better to call you up first before there was a fuss." Yoona sighed.
Just then, the door of the room behind them opened revealing Tiffany with a deathly expression on her face that immediately turned into a shock/scared one when she saw that Taeyeon was there
"Taeyeon...what are you doing here?"
"Oh, sorry. I called her." Yoona said nonchalantly.
Taeyeon looked like she was about to murder her which terrified Tiffany.
"So you were feeling sick."
Tiffany lowered her head, "No, I...I really did think that I was doing fine, so..."
"What's the cause?"
"Well..." Tiffany gulped "G- General neglect of health and...overwork, plus a cold...and malnutrition..."
Taeyeon's eyes widened with a frown "Overwork?...and malnutrition? What the..."
Taking a step further from Taeyeon, Tiffany realized that Yoona was still standing there, "I'm so sorry for the inconvenience! Your dinner..." Tiffany looked apologetic towards Yoona who smiled at her tiredly.
Yoona smiled, "Don't worry about that. Just go take care of your paperwork."
"I'm really so sorry!" Tiffany apologized for the last time before going to take care of her paperwork.
"Ah, well. At least it wasn't anything serious." Yoona shrugged.
Taeyeon sighed, clearly upset, "That little..."
"By the way..." Yoona started, "How is Tiffany Unnie doing?" Yoona asked.
"If you mean at work, she doing her job well."
Yoona crossed her arms and looked away "I guess I mean more mentally."
"Huh?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow.
"We were chatting a bit earlier and she seems to think that she's no good and needs to try harder or something. Seemed kinda backed into a corner."
Taeyeon didn't say anything to that but wasn't surprised to hear it either.
"But hey...if I'm totally off-base, I'm sorry." Yoona chuckled tiredly.
"Actually..." Taeyeon sighed and looked down "You mentioned that you do business with the Hwang family, correct?"
"Yup."
"They...do plan on having Tiffany take over their company in the future, don't they?"
"Well, duh." Yoona let out a stressed huff just thinking about the Hwangs "Hwang Publishing is a stead-fast family business, you know. Granted, it's not like I don't understand wanting to rebel against that sort of thing."
Taeyeon clearly was bothered by what she was hearing.
"Of course she's under pressure from her family's expectations...and social values." Yoona continued, "And then seeing how her own abilities fall short of what's expected of her..." Yoona clenched her teeth, remembering going throw that period herself long ago, "The more she discovers about herself...the harsher reality seems."
Seeing that Taeyeon was not pleased by what she's hearing about Tiffany, Yoona continued, "Ah, but...keep in mind this is just from my experiences. You're the one who actually sees her in action. Just remember that these are the sorts of issues she might be dealing with." Turning around on her heels, Yoona waved with a little smile "I will leave the rest of this to you. I'm gonna eat."
Taeyeon was about to bid her goodbye but Yoona turned to her again.
"Oh, also!" She came back, grabbing Taeyeon's attention again "Did you know why she quit her previous job?" Yoona grinned/
"Ah, wasn't it..." Taeyeon paused trying to remember "I was angry that people thought I got my job from family ties and connections...or something?" Taeyeon repeated what Tiffany had told her.
"Yup, that's it!" Yoona nodded "I heard it from my dad."
"So straight forward it's oddly refreshing." Taeyeon shrugged with a smile.
"But if you read between the lines...it means she wants to make a best-selling book using only her own talent. Am I right?" Yoona smirked, "It actually reminds me of you, Unnie."
Taeyeon looked at Yoona in surprise.
Were they...alike?
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Tiffany ran over to Taeyeon's side, "Ah..." She gulped and looked down.
Taeyeon stared at her for a moment before her face turned form stoic, to a frown to a pure angry grim "So? This overwork and malnutrition? Explain." Taeyeon crossed her arms, waiting for a proper explanation from Tiffany.
"No...it's just...I honestly wasn't hungry, so I..."
"Wai- ! W- Wait, just- "
Once they were back to their apartment building, Taeyeon grabbed Tiffany and barged into her apartment.
"Taeyeon! Stop, please!"
Immediately heading to the refrigerator, Taeyeon yanked the door open.
"I see. So this is the problem." Taeyeon clenched her teeth and her eyebrow twitched at the sight of Tiffany's fridge. Jelly and Water. That's it. That's all Tiffany ate.
"No, I..." Tiffany looked at Taeyeon in panic "I promise, I do eat!"
"Instant food and convenience store lunches, right?!" Taeyeon yelled.
Tiffany looked down in guilt "W- Well, and energy jelly and pudding...and pastries. I have got some granola bars as well..."
"Huh?!" Taeyeon snapped "I'm bringing food from my place! You sleep!" Taeyeon yelled and pulled Tiffany to the bedroom, sitting her on the bed.
"N- No, thank you. Not that I don't appreciate it...I mean, they gave me an IV drip, so I don't..."
"Tiffany!" Taeyeon made Tiffany look up using her stern voice "Fine then. From now on, you will eat one full meal a day with me!" She pointed at her making Tiffany widen her eyes.
"Huh?!"
"I'm taking charge of your nutrition!" Taeyeon crossed her arms.
"Y- You have gotta be kidding me..."
"This is an order, you damn idiot!" Taeyeon was clearly the most pissed off Tiffany has ever seen her. Even more pissed off than when she found out that she didn't know Tiffany's real name for ten years. Letting out a tired sigh, Taeyeon looked away and face palmed, "Anyway, Just..." She started calmly "Seriously, don't ever collapse like that again. I thought my heart was gonna stop in my chest."
Seeing how worried Taeyeon is about her, Tiffany looked down in guilt, "I-...I'm sorry. I- I know it sounds like an excuse...but I really didn't notice it had gotten so bad..."
Taeyeon who couldn't stay mad at Tiffany for long just sighed again and pushed Tiffany gently so her head is laying on the pillow, "I get it. Now get to sleep already."
Tiffany turned to the other side, avoiding Taeyeon who sat on the edge of her bed.
"Am I working you too hard...?" Taeyeon asked, scared that she might be the cause of this.
"What?"
"It didn't seem like you were having trouble...but if you're working so hard that you pass out, I should probably reconsider some of the tasks I have been giving you."
Tiffany clenched the side of her pillow "No, I'm...fine with the amount of work I'm getting."
"Then why did you collapse?" Taeyeon sounded desperate in need for a proper answer.
"That's..." Tiffany trailed off. Hesitating to answer Taeyeon's question. Knowing that she would be angry.
"Tiffany?"
Tiffany cleared her throat, pretty scared to tell Taeyeon the truth, "Umm...a- actually...e- extra self-study..."
"Self-study?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow and looked at Tiffany.
"Well, I...I just...I was thinking about what you said before. I want to be a full-fledged editor as soon as I can, so..." Tiffany swallowed to get rid of her dry throat.
Taeyeon then noticed the huge piles of romance comics and their storyboards all marked and had a lot of notes sticking out of them plus the copies of her editor training manual on the other side of the bed which caused her to look at Tiffany with a scared expression, What has this girl done to herself?
"When you told me earlier that I was doing well...I was very happy. B- But I know I shouldn't be satisfied with just that. I have to work harder, so...so I got a bit carried away...and sleeping...and sometimes eating became too much of a bother..."
"You idiot!" Taeyeon slammed the bed.
"It wasn't interfering with work, so what does it matter?!" Tiffany sat up.
"What good does it do you if you collapse form it?!"
"W- Well, I had planned to recuperate over the weekend to fix everything!"
"That's going overboard, dumbass!" Taeyeon sighed and lowered her voice "So, in order to find time to study, you didn't sleep and cut out meals until you totally wore yourself out and wound up fainting...like an utter idiot." Taeyeon clenched her teeth. This idiot right here is the girl she's in love with.
"I- I told you that I hadn't noticed how bad it had gotten!" Tiffany said frantically.
"Notice that kind of thing!" Taeyeon face palmed and sighed for the nth time that day, "Geez...you always get carried away with everything. I told you not to stress over it."
Tiffany looked down at her blanket with a blush, "Even if it only helps a little...I wanted...to catch up to you, Taeyeon."
Taeyeon's eyes widened for a second before she leaned on her hand tiredly and looked at the ground sadly.
"How stupid. Think about it. There's a huge gap between our levels of editing experience. It took me years to get to where I am now anyway. You haven't been in the comics' business for a whole year yet. You think you can bridge that gap in a few months? There's no way you can make up for years worth of experiences that quickly."
"I know that! You don't have to explain that to me." Tiffany said. Actually pretty disappointed.
"You made yourself collapse because you don't understand." Despite her bothered tone, Taeyeon chuckled "Besides...you really think I will be so easily overtaken? Idiot." Taeyeon smiled and closed her eyes in pure bliss, "You know, It's funny. After all this time, you're still...chasing after me, even now."
Tiffany's eyes had just realized it. All this time...she had been chasing for Taeyeon. For all this time, just to catch up to her, ".N- No...it's not...like that...really...I simply..." Curse her blushing problem for giving her feelings away.
"You aren't me, you know. So there is no real reason for you to try and be like me." Looking at embty space, Taeyeon smiled softly to herself, "You can do things your own way. You don't have to stress out. I'm not going anywhere."
Tiffany stared at Taeyeon's back fondly. What a person Taeyeon is.
"Make sure you rest for this weekend. I will bring some food by later." Taeyeon stood up and looked at the ground, "See ya."
"Huh...?"
"Call me if you need anything," Taeyeon said.
At first...I was content just watching her.
But...
Before I realized it...I was chasing after her.
Taeyeon looked back at Tiffany in surprise. Not quite believing what is happening right now. Tiffany had just stopped her from proceeding further out of the room by holding on to her jacket from behind.
"What..."
"Ah!" Realizing what she had just done, Tiffany let go of Taeyeon's jacket and panicked, "I- I'm sorry! It- It's nothing. I didn't mean to!"
Taeyeon stared at Tiffany who looked down, flustered much, "...You want me to stay with you?" Taeyeon asked, pushing Tiffany gently to sit on the edge of her bed.
Tiffany flushed red and fidgeted. "I-...I didn't say that..."
Taeyeon looked down at her "Then...what do you want?" She asked.
Tiffany clenched the fabric of her pants, not knowing what to say to answer that question, she was not ready yet to admit anything to Taeyeon. The simple act of reaching out and holding Taeyeon's hand got her point through. And Taeyeon was grateful for that.
"Ah...umm..." Tiffany felt her heart rate skyrocket.
"Don't worry. Even Iwouldn't try to have sex with someone who just collapsed." Taeyeon said, "That's actually why I started to head home a minute ago. So just...go to sleep already."
"How can you expect me to do that?!" Tiffany snapped.
Taeyeon is currently laying on Tiffany's bed with her, both of them facing each other with the covers on them waist high and Taeyeon's arm around her while the other was an arm pillow for her.
"I- I'm sorry. I stopped you earlier, but now..." Tiffany struggled to get up but was held down by Taeyeon, "I'm fine now, so you can-...you can go now..."
"Hang on. Gimme your hand." Taeyeon ignored what Tiffany said.
"Huh...?"
"It's fine. You can go to sleep." Taeyeon got a hold of Tiffany's hand and put it on her waist which got Tiffany even more flustered.
Tiffany didn't know what to say or what to do so she just rested her hand there. 5 minutes deep, Tiffany was completely mesmorized by Taeyeon's cute little face. Taeyeon was truly beautiful.
"You're cute..." Taeyeon suddenly said.
"That's...!" Tiffany looked away, getting flustered again. Taeyeon is thinking the same thing she's thinking about, "That's...not true...you're the one who's-!" Tiffany cut herself off upon realizing what she was about to tell Taeyeon.
In returned, Taeyeon was smiling softly at her.
Next thing she knew, Taeyeon leaned in very close to her face. She just slightly opened he rmouth and closed it agian, feeling her breath hitching and her face heating up upon the closeness of their faces. Tiffany saw how Taeyeon gulped and scooted a bit away from her before looking back at her eyes. She felt a little upset by the fact that Taeyeon didn't do what she wanted to do which made her slightly frown.
Another 5 minutes passed by and they were still staring at each other's faces This time...Tiffany was the one to lean in. To Taeyeon's surprise...their lips met softly for 2 seconds before Tiffany pulled away with a deep blush on her face, not daring to look back at her.
"You know, you have been rubbing my hip for a while now...it's turning me on." Taeyeon blurted.
Realizing what she was doing, with a soft gasp, Tiffany removed her hand from Taeyeon's body only for it to be placed back again on Taeyeon's hip.
"If you want to touch me elsewhere too, go ahead."
Feeling incredibly turned on despite being sick, Tiffany inhaled sharply before going over Taeyeon's small body. Taeyeon smirked and let Tiffany lead. Leaning down to capture Taeyeon's luscious lips, Tiffany devoured her whole. Taeyeon smiled into the kiss as Tiffany locked and unlocked their lips.
However, it didn't take long for Taeyeon to flip their position and take charge. Not liking how Taeyeon took the lead, as usual, Tiffany kissed her more roughly. Taeyeon gave in to Tiffany's kiss and enjoyed Tiffany being a power bottom for the first time.
A frown was on Taeyeon's face when she felt Tiffany stop the sweet action.
"Tiffany...are you all right?" Taeyeon asked, pulling out of the kiss Tiffany was giving her just a moment ago.
Tiffany's face was still red, her eyes were closed and apparently...asleep.
Chuckling at the cute sight, Taeyeon fixed Tiffany's hair strands and just stared at her sleeping face with a smile on her own face.
"Tae...yeon..."
Hearing her name being called with a sad tone, the smile on Taeyeon's face vanished, "What...?" Taeyeon leaned in closer to Tiffany's face and just couldn't take it anymore, she laid on the bed again and hugged Tiffany's hot body tightly, "I'm...right here with you...Fany-ah."
My stress just dissolved all at once...and I was swept away into a deep, deep ocean of sleep.
But strangely, the whole time...I could feel the warmth of Taeyeon surrounding me.
*Yawn*
Taeyeon sat up and itched her sexy bed hair. She looked at her side where Tiffany was still apparently sleeping. Smiling to herself like an idiot, Taeyeon patted Tiffany's hair before getting up to get some water.
"Ow! Why would she leave stuff right here?" Looking down at what she stepped on, Taeyeon found that it was...a fully lit room by the sunlight. No...not a room...it was purely a huge landfill of garbage.
Seeing that...Taeyeon's eyes sparkled and her OCD sense kicked in.
Monday
"Aww, man! I have no idea where anything is?!" Sunny whined as she threw away an empty box behind her.
"Well, we did just stuff things randomly in boxes on Friday, so..." Hyoyeon said, searching through more boxes.
"Ugh, just break open all of the boxes!" Taeyeon yelled, feeling incredibly irritated and frustrated with the situation they're in.
They had just moved into the new building and now they are suffering the consciousness of not labeling nor organizing their boxes when they packed on Friday. The 5 of them were currently trying to find their department boxes and stuff that belongs to them within the boxes of the whole company.
"Argh, dammit!" Taeyeon who was sitting on a huge box, threw away an empty box roughly to where Sunny had been piling up empty boxes for a while now, "Why the hell do I have to clean up 4 days in a row?!" Taeyeon felt extremely irritated because the whole place is just a huge pile of mess that they have to clean up and she just can't stay calm in these situations.
"4 Days?" Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Tiffany collapsed on Friday..." Taeyeon said.
"Hey! Taeyeon!" Tiffany snapped, not wanting that info to spread.
"Huh?! Were you sick, Tiff?!" Sunny was surprised to hear that.
"Oh no, no. It really wasn't as big of a deal as it sounds!" Tiffany shook her hands in the air in denial.
"Then when I hauled her ass home, I found out her place was a total dump, with dust and trash everywhere, ugh! And all she had in her fridge was water and energy jelly to boot!" Taeyeon grimaced, recalling the mess in Tiffany's apartment.
"Please stop it!" Tiffany snapped.
"It took 2 whole days to clean it all up!"
"TAEYEON!"
"Huh? So you mean you went out of your way to spend the whole weekend helping Tiffany-ssi clean up?" Suddenly all the fangirls and fanboys of the TaeNy ship in their company gathered around the Emerald department members, "Why would you go that far, though? That's pretty unusual, huh?"
Taeyeon raised an eyebrow "Why?" "She smirked, "...Out of love of course,"
WHAT?!
Tiffany's jaw dropped to the floor. Chaos rose up in the whole floor once again of people screaming and cheering while the other Emerald department members were crossing their arms in the background and smiling in approval.
"Gotta be love, huh..." Sunny nodded.
"Love, indeed." Yuri nodded.
"Can only be love!" Hyoyeon nodded.
"Th- That's not it at all!" Tiffany snapped again trying to calm down the people going gaga over her, "There's a perfectly logical explanation for this..."
"KYAAAAAAAAAAA 3"
"EEK!"
"OMG!"
"Please listen!" Tiffany snapped for the nth time that day.
"Tiffany."
Tiffany turned around only to see the other 4 A.K.A the hosts crossing their arms and the words Get A Clue written on their faces. Finally realizing why the 4 of them always acted so gentle and nice with everyone despite their twisted and weird characters. It was so they can get their way with anything they want like decide the number of copies for a book or even get out of trouble all using their looks.
"Love...is a many-splendored thing..." Tiffany said, showing her most attractive fake smile that did not quite reach her eyes. The TaeNy fans A.K.A their co-workers from other departments, of course, went gaga over that and the screams might have been heard by the neighboring building.
Sunny clapped "Oh man, it's great seeing our Tiff getting into the Emerald spirit like this!"
"Tiff! Remember to tear up! Turn on the waterworks now!" Hyoyeon cheered.
Yuri and Taeyeon settled with nodding proudly at Tiffany seeing how she is completely one of them now.
I don't need a love like that!
Screw this.
Screw this!
SCREW THIS!
Taeyeon, You are really just sooo...!
Days until Tiffany (Completely) falls in love: 104
...
...
...
Choi Sooyoung...is apparently a college student working part-time at a bookstore.
Tiffany looked up at the beautiful tall girl who looked back at her with sparkly eyes.
"Wow! All of the Emerald editors are just so beautiful! Amazing!"
...I could say the same for you...
Tiffany was just introduced to this girl called Sooyoung who apparently is the one who's causing their sell rate to go up in this particular store.
"That reminds me, have you always been with Im's Publishing, Tiffany-ssi? It's our first time meeting so I wondered." Sooyoung smiled.
Tiffany smiled back at Sooyoung "Oh no, it hasn't been too long since I transferred to Im's publishing."
"Oh, well. That explains it! It must be tough, being so busy!" Sooyoung looked apologetically at Tiffany knowing exactly how rough it could be being an editor because of a certain short haired blonde that sits next to Tiffany in the office.
"Indeed." Tiffany nodded "Oh! But...the Sunbae who sits next to me gives me lots of advice and helps me out all the time...so I somehow managed. Her name is Sunny. Do you know her?" Tiffany shivered on the inside upon calling Sunny a Sunbae even though she was.
The moment the name Sunnywent out of Tiffany's mouth, Sooyoung's eyes sparkled.
Back at the office, Tiffany was engrossed in work when she remembered something.
She looked at Sunny who was drinking coffee on her right, "I finally met the rumored Sooyoung-ssi from the bookstore nearby at an autograph event the other day...and you wouldn't believe how much she asked me about you, Sunny-ah! Are you close?" Tiffany asked innocently causing Sunny to spit out her coffee and accidently burn herself and ruin all the papers she just printed and dirty the floor.
For some reason, Sunny really chewed Sooyoung out later.
Valentine's Day in Emerald Editing DepartmentIt's February 14th in Im's Publishing's Emerald editing division, and the moment I arrived at work...a mountain of chocolate was waiting...
"Eh? Wh-..." Tiffany's eyes popped and her jaw fell open when she arrived at her department "What's with this mountain of chocolate?!"
"Wow! You Emerald girls are the same as always!" Said by Yoona who was just passing by.
"Yoona-ssi..."
Yoona glanced at Tiffany then back at the tall mountain of chocolate.
"Woooow so is this all for the editors? Though I'm proud to say I have received my fair share as well!" And by fair share, Yoona meant a mountain similar to this one.
"Is it...always like this?" Tiffany frowned.
"Well, they all say they don't accept chocolate for themselves personally, so all the people who like them go crazy, refusing to admit defeat every year!" Yoona nodded, proud of her Unnies.
"Eh? Really?" Tiffany asked confused, not understanding what people see in them other than their looks. Their personalities were all just messed up and twisted and incredibly jaded.
"Well..." Yoona caressed her invisible goatee and squinted, "Taeyeon has the market cornered on people who want to be her lover and be worshipped since she has that swagger, while Yuri appeals more to the homemakers who aspire to have a healthy family life since she's very dependable, And Hyoyeon's more the object of affection of those seeking mysterious thrills since you never know what she's thinking. While Sunny's popular with those who like cute girls who are younger than them. Even though she's way older than she looks!"
Tiffany grimaced after hearing all that.
"You can't blame them for getting excited with thisspread to choose from!" Yoona nodded.
"Uh huh...how do you know so much about this?"
"Hehehe! Don't underestimate me!" Yoona grinned, "Ah, but I'm sure there are plenty aiming for you, Unnie!"
"N- No way, that can't possibly be..." Tiffany was surprised hearing that. She couldn't see what other people saw in Taeyeon and the others yet herself.
"Hahaha! There's no way there aren't any! You're gorgeous Unnie. Watch your back..." Yoona's face suddenly turned all serious and somehow scared as she leaned closer to Tiffany and said in a low voice "For lurking all around...are people eager to scale the rungs of the social ladder by marrying into a wealthy family...company president for a life partner with loads of cash and a secure future where they never have to work a day in their lives again..."
Hearing that, Tiffany gulped, somehow feeling like someone was watching her, "Ah...b- but I really have nothing...besides, chocolate passed out at the office are little more than an annual tradition, right?" Tiffany said, taking off her coat and trying to settle down without causing the mountain of chocolate to fall over.
"Maybe you see it like that...but to those who never get to spend time with you...it's a once a year chance to get you to notice them, see? And if they can't get you to accept it on a personal basis, they will just send it directly to the editing division, probably. They will spare no effort to get closer to the object of their affection." Yoona paused and looked at Tiffany's slightly pink cheeks as she stared at a certain shorty "And maybe you might find you actually have feelings for one of them..."
"Yoona-ssi, Seohyun-ssi was looking for you..." A guy said as he passed by.
"Oh god...I gotta go."
And just like that, Yoona dashed out of the floor.
Tiffany stared at Taeyeon who was currently receiving chocolate from some girl who looked at Taeyeon shyly.
I will bet Taeyeon has...someone she has genuine feelings for...
"What?"
Tiffany got flustered when she saw that Taeyeon caught her staring, "N- Nothing! Good morning." Tiffany immediately averted her eyes and got up, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
Going out of the office, Tiffany saw that Taeyeon was following close behind her.
"Aren't you going to give me chocolate?" Taeyeon asked.
"Huh? Why on earth would I be expected to give you anything?" Tiffany grimaced and glared at Taeyeon,"Wait-...why are you coming with me?!" Tiffany snapped.
"What? Do I need a written permission from you to go pee?" Taeyeon raised an eyebrow.
"Not at all. Feel free!" Tiffany made her way inside the restroom followed by Taeyeon.
"I see...hey, aren't you supposed to give chocolate out, if not for love then for showing gratitude?"
"But why does that mean that I have to..." Tiffany got her grumpy cat mode on again.
"I just think that people who can't be that considerate will never get anywhere in life, personally. Do you not understand being considerate, my little princess?" Taeyeon mocked, making Tiffany irritated again.
God, she pisses me off!
Ugh is she an idiot?!
She could open up a candy shop with all the chocolate she received!
Tiffany grimaced at the mountain of chocolate on top of their joined desks in the middle, one wrong move and the mountain would fall.
Huffing in annoyance, Tiffany went back to work.
What does she need me giving her any for?!
She's absolutely ridiculous!
But...
Maybe it wouldn't hurt...to give her a little something...?
"..."
NO WAY!
Even considering it is ridiculous!
Work!
Work!
"..."
"..."
But...
"..."
GAAAAAH THIS IS SO ANNOYING!
I'm so annoying!
Tiffany unconsciously slammed the desk out of frustration causing the mountain of chocolate to start wiggling.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH! THE CHOCOLATE MOUNTAIN IS FALLING!" Sunny screamed as they starting running away from the collapsing mountain.
"HAAAAA! I'M SO SORRY!" Tiffany yelled, taking shelter under the desk.
"YOU IDIOT!" Taeyeon yelled.
Tiffany Hwang found herself once again being given the run-around by Taeyeon.
And ended up giving her chocolate just to get some peace of mind.