Grumpy

(Ending)

 

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

 

Tiffany’s POV

 

“Miss Hwang?”

 

“Hmmm?”

 

I answered without looking on my secretary while I was sipping a tall glass of ice coffee and busy doing my job. Ice coffee has been a very kind friend for me for years. It was actually a potion that keeps me awake in those sleepless nights of meeting deadlines for designs. I’ve been working nonstop for years just to reach where I am right now. I started from the bottom now I’m here ( =P ) In those times where everything seems to be disorganized and I felt like nothing. I strived very hard to made my dreams come alive. Now, I’m at top of my game, I have to work harder to maintain what I have. I was so busy doing my job that I do not have a time to even spare a glance with people around me. But suddenly, the next thing my secretary said brought strange familiarity on my ears.

 

“Here is the new artist we hired, Miss Kim Taeyeon.” Jessica said

 

I stopped typing and looked at them... For the first time, I stopped doing my work for a minute and looked at my secretary and to the small petite woman beside her, Taeyeon... Something about that name catches my attention. My heart started to beat faster for unknown reasons and my palms started to sweat as nervousness took place on me... I was never nervous, most of the time; it was people will be nervous around when they see me. Everything that is happening right now is totally out of the norm.

 

“T-Taeyeon?” I spoke as I looked at the petite woman. Suddenly, I was stuttering like I was not the CEO of this company and was like an employee facing an interview

 

“Yes Miss Hwang...the one and only” the petite woman said as she smiled at me. She was staring at me as if she can see through me up to the deepest part of my soul. That eyes... It is so foreign yet so familiar. That voice... Is a voice of a stranger and yet it brought familiarity on my ears.

 

I was staring at her for a while until she winks at me

 

 

My eyes widens in surprised as I choked my drink.

 

 

“Ahuk! *cough* *cough*” I rubbed m eyes as if I was confirming to myself if I was dreaming or not and looked at her again.

 

Did she just do that to me? Her superior to note! God, the nerve of this lady! But why am I blushing?

 

“Are you okay Miss Hwang?” Jessica asked as I keep on staring on the petite woman and she did too for a while but I later avoid her eyes and spoke nervously

 

“I-I'm okay Jessica..,I-I'm o-okay...” I said and laughed awkwardly afterwards and looked at her again.

 

I figured out that, no matter how much I avoid her eyes, she was just there, boring me alive and looking at me as if she’s judging everything I’m doing. I tried to glare at her for her to stop looking at me but she just smiled and her eyes twinkled and from that moment, I swear I saw stars in front of me,

 

“Do you know each other Miss Hwang?”

 

“N-No...I-I don't k-know her.”  I said as I cleared my throat as I stole glances at her, I saw her flinched as she closed her eyes for a while and opened it, I swear I saw her eyes glistening as if she was about to cry but she remained composed as she looked at me. I felt like one of those bullies in high schools that made this small woman cried. I suddenly felt guilty without doing anything. This woman looks so innocent, she’s looking at me as if she wanted to convey some message to me but I cannot catch it. Maybe, it was just me being paranoid in every way.

 

“So as I was saying, I was just touring her on the office and I thought our nicest CEO shall meet our newly hired talented artist for our winter collection.”Jessica said proudly

 

“O-Oh, i-is that so?”

 

“Yes, Miss Hwang.” Jessica said as she confusedly looked at the nervous CEO “Are you sure you're okay Miss Hwang?” Jessica asked again

 

“Yeah...I--I’m okay...A-Are you done with t-the tour?” I asked

 

“Not yet Miss Hwang. After I showed her around the office, Yuri will drive Miss Kim to the office housing. Miss Kim told us that she is new here in the city and she’s officially our employee so we decided to give her the housing incentive.” Jessica said

 

“N-New in the city?”

 

“Yes, she just came today.”

 

“C-Can I see her résumé?” I wanted to know more about my employee. Something about this woman intrigues me. Maybe because, this woman was able to get my attention from working. I want to check if she's really worth it to have this attention I'm giving right now.

 

“She doesn’t have one Miss Hwang.”

 

And from what I heard, my ears started to get red as I fumed in anger, clearly  my HR did not follow rules of employment and how could I know if this woman is a worthy artist to enter my institution? She might just ruined the winter collection! There is only thing I cared about life, it is my fashion line. My career is something I give importance to and no one shall ever take it away from me.

 

“WHAT?! THEN HOW ON EARTH DID YOU HIRE HER? THIS IS 21ST CENTURY, ALL EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE RESUMÉ!”

 

I-I'm sorry Miss Hwang... B-But...Taeyeon is a g-good one. I s-swear!” Jessica was scared at the mad CEO.

 

“I’m sorry Jessica. B-But we have to find another one.”

 

“Miss Hwang... If resumé was the problem then, why won’t we make one for her...” Jessica asked

 

“How?”

 

“Yuri and I only tested her artistic skills but you can give her a job interview yourself.” Jessica suggested

 

“Why would I give her a job interview?” I scoffed

 

 

I'm a CEO, ain't nobody got time for that!

.

“Because I'm good and it will be a waste to throw some talented person like me... You need me here” the woman said confidently as if she was challenging my authority

 

“You seem to be so full of yourself Miss Kim.”

 

“Try me.”

 

“Is she that really good Jessica?” I asked

 

“Yes, Miss Hwang.”

 

“We’ll see about that. Come here and sit in front of me.” I said

 

She sat in front of me. Between us is an office table I want to remove to be closer to her, but I wouldn’t do that of course.  Strange, this woman keeps on making me feel things. I suddenly became uneasy and uncomfortable as she keep on staring at me.

 

“W-Will you s-stop staring at me l-like that, Miss Kim?” I said nervously

 

“Why Miss Hwang! Eye contact is very essential on job interviews.” she said without taking het eyes off of me

 

I sighed as she tortured me with her  eye contact but a brilliant idea came to me. My face lit up a bit as I beamed a smug smile upon her.

 

“Now, Miss Kim. I have to interview you and test your English proficiency...” I said

 

“E-English?” now it’s her time to be nervous

 

That’s what you get for being such a charmer!

 

 

“Yes, English...You don’t seem to look confident now Miss Kim.”

 

“A-Aniyo.... I’m always confident.” she smiled but deep inside I know she's cursing dozen of words as she nervously chants ‘I don’t fu$&-#$ know how to speak English well!’. I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. My, I just won over this flirty employee,

 

“So now, Let’s start the interview.” I smiled and she just nervously nodded

 

“So Miss Kim, Tell me about yourself.” I asked

 

“Mmmm-my name issshh T-Taeyeon...I painter.” she looked up at the ceiling as if the ceiling will give her answers

 

“What is the school you graduated from?”

 

“S-School... Village Valley.”

 

“V-Village Valley?” I asked confusedly

 

Weird, I suddenly thought of how Village Valley looks like. Maybe, it’s a nice place to be at. I suddenly thought about paradise. I haven’t been on a vacation for a long time. Maybe, I’ll visit there if I have time.

 

“Yes.”

 

I continued

 

“What was your General Weighted Average?”

 

“General...W-What?” she asked confusedly

 

“Your General Weighted Average.”

 

“Oh, weight... 48 kg.”

 

Jessica laughed out loud and I face palmed myself and continued the interview

 

“Why did you apply in this company?”

 

“J-Job.”

 

“I mean, what do you expect from this company?”

 

“Salary?”

 

“What was your last job?”

 

“No need job, me rich” she said proudly

 

“Why did you apply here then?”

 

“Me need to see byuuutipppuuulll lady.” she smiled and winked at me but I ignored her.

 

“What is your hobby?”

 

“To paint.”

 

“How long have you been painting?”

 

“30 years.”

 

“Then, what is your age?”

 

“28”

 

“How come you paint for 30 years and yet your 28?”

 

“Over time.”

 

Jessica giggled from the side but I glared at her so she composed herself.

 

“What is your strength?”

 

“I am Taeyeon.”

 

“What are your weaknesses?”

 

“You...”

 

“Where do you see yourself five years from now?”

 

“With you.”

 

I blushed and Jessica on the other hand was amused on what is happening.

 

“Are you an optimist or negative thinker?”

 

“Ooppptiiimiissssshhh”

 

“Sight an example.”

 

“When will I issshhhtart?

 

Jessica laughed again with a recorder behind her back. She recorded the whole thing for Yuri. I  on the other hand was frustrated and stressed. I decided to ignore Jessica’s playful deeds and continued with my interview to get this done.

 

“If I ever hire you, when do you plan to come to work?”

 

“C-Coming soon!” she clapped her hand and cheered

 

And the interview ended there

 

“This is hopeless Jessica.” I rub my face with my palms. “Her English is horrible!” I complained

 

“Miss Hwang, I didn’t apply to speak English. I applied to draw!” Taeyeon complained too

 

“She’s really good Miss Hwang...I-I mean look at her draft sketches...”

 

“I...Let me see her draft sketches.”

 

Jessica handed the papers to me

 

I was shocked and beyond impressed as I take a look at the designs... Its exactly what I want for the winter collection. This woman seems to be doubtful because one, she is strange, two, she’s so flirty and office romance is strictly forbidden in my company and three she doesn’t have a résumé but wow, she’s a genius artist!

 

“Miss Hwang... Do you like what I draw?” she asked

 

“These are the designs I want...” I said in shocked “You know what, fu$&* your English. You’re hired!” I said and reached for her hand to shake but instead she hugged me tight.

 

“Thank you Fany!” she whispered in my ear as she hugged me as if she’s never going to let me go.

 

“F-Fany?”

 

My heart started to beat faster... Gee, I guess I’m having too much caffeine in my body.

 

 

“Okay, please let go.... I cannot breathe!” I said to keep the professional barrier on track “Miss Jung?” I said

 

Jessica looked at me “Yes, Miss Hwang?”

 

“Have you informed her about our company policy?”

 

“Yes, I gave her the manual.” Jessica said

 

“How about the unwritten rules?” I asked

 

“Unwritten rules?” Taeyeon asked

 

I sighed as I glared at Jessica and she gave me that innocent sorry look. I started to brief Taeyeon about my three rules.

 

“If you want to stay long in my company just followed this three rules strictly... First, Respect your superiors and know your boundaries. Second, work hard... Give your 101% if it’s not enough strive harder. Strictly follow the office hours only an hour break do not exceed and slacking off is forbidden. Third and final, no office romance. Date outside the office. My company is not a match making service. I’m paying you to work and not to date. And in fact, dating will affect employees’ performances... “

 

“Wait, no office romance?” Taeyeon chuckled “Seriously, you’re not modern Hitler or something right?”

 

“I am not joking in anyway Miss Kim.” I said seriously “I just recently fired two of my employees because they were dating instead of working in the office.” I said with a stoic face to make Taeyeon feel the wall between us

 

“You know all these, right Jessica?” I asked

 

“Ahuk! *coughed* *coughed*... Y-Yes, Miss Hwang!” she said in a higher pitch and cleared

 

Taeyeon looked at Jessica; she shook her head and smiled “One day, you’ll regret that rule of yours.” Taeyeon said

 

“Well, if you would excuse me...I'm busy as of the moment.” I said as I went back to my chair

 

“Thanks for the time Miss Hwang!” Jessica bowed

 

Taeyeon gave me her final judging look and shook her head as she smirked. Right after they went out, I sighed in relief as sweats build up on my forehead and armpits. I checked the AC and fan myself.

 

“Why is it so hot in here?”

 

The AC was in its coldest

 

 

 

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

---

 Taeyeon’s POV

 

Something isn’t right about Tiffany. Before, she is warm, friendly, considerate and affectionate but now, she's cold, bossy and inconsiderate. And to mention that, she forget about me. She doesn’t even remember me. Every time I tried to search for her eyes, it was all different. I cannot see the Tiffany I know and loved seven years ago until now. But I waited for her for five years, I cannot just surrender and put to ways all my efforts. I want to look after her, even though she changed. I want her to remember me. I want to bring back my Tiffany. The person I loved and cherished.

 

On our way to the parking lot, I was walking with Jessica. Jessica seems to be bothered and nervous. She looks so problematic and stressed. We saw Yuri in front of the office car, waiting for us. Jessica glared at her while Yuri just frowned confusedly and pouted innocently as Jessica entered the car.

 

“Miss Kim, take the back seat.” she said coldly

 

Yuri entered the car and I too did. I can see Yuri looking at Jessica as if she was asking what’s wrong. I can totally sense the tension in the atmosphere.

 

“Sica...I’m hungry.” Yuri pouted as she was driving

 

“So?”

 

“You’re supposed to treat me. I won the bet. Taeyeon got in!” Yuri said excitedly

 

“Urgh, fine. Just go to the nearest drive thru.” Jessica said as she sighed

 

Yuri ordered food on the drive thru and was kind enough to treat me burgers, I mean, Jessica was he one who paid but Yuri was the one who initiate to treat me. Yuri kept on munching her food and Jessica kept on having her poker face plastered on her face.

 

“Sica...You want some?” Yuri asked as she shoved burgers on Jessica’s mouth

 

“Yah!”

 

“HAHA!...You should’ve seen your face!” Yuri teased

 

Jessica gave her a deathly glare and Yuri shut up immediately as she handed Jessica some tissues and wipe her face.

 

“Sorry...” she said

 

“Let's just go seobang...I-I mean Yuri! Hehe...” Jessica said nervously as she peeked on me through the mirror

 

Yuri started to drive off and strike up a conversation towards me

 

“So...How was CEO Hwang?” Yuri asked

 

“She’s strange...” I said

 

“She’s naturally like that. Just like her secretary slash HR beside me.” Yuri teased Jessica but the latter slapped her arm “OUCH!... Okay! I’m sorry...”

 

“She was not like that before...” I said softly

 

“You know her?” Yuri asked innocently “She’s quite popular in the city, I guess.” Yuri conclude her question all by herself “She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Yuri said and I could swear I saw Jessica’s eyes fired up through the rear mirror

 

“Yes, she’s beautiful...” I said as I remembered of the past memories that Tiffany and I shared

 

“But I never saw her have a boyfriend...” Yuri chuckled

 

“Oh?” I asked

 

So, she was single all along? Nice! I still have a chance after all.

 

“She’s so busy and not to mention she got a strange cold attitude. She’s super strict and a perfectionist. I guess that’s the reason why guys don’t like her. They get intimidated by her.” Yuri said “I might as well give her a ticket to the convent” she joked

 

“She cannot go to the convent; she’s going to start a fight there if she does.” Jessica commented “And all the employees she fired will go on strike if they knew about it.” Jessica drinks her cola as she was seated at the passenger seat

 

“She fired a lot of employees?” I asked

 

“Yes! Especially the one who dates in the office...” Yuri said innocently and Jessica on the other hand choked on her drink

 

“Ahuk! *cough* *cough*”

 

“Are you okay Sica?” Yuri asked and Jessica just glared at her

 

I’ve been observing these two for a while; I knew something was going on based on my observation so to conclude everything...

 

“You guys are dating, right?” I asked or more than stated

 

Yuri coughed and Jessica too

 

“I don’t remember you choking some food too.” I said amusedly

 

“W-Were....n-not!” Jessica denied

 

“O-Oh... No no no... I-I mean Y-Yes! We-re n-not!” Yuri said as she stopped the car

 

I just smiled and shook my head

 

“It's too obvious.” I said

 

Jessica looked back at me and Yuri did too.

 

“W-We’re not dating! I swear...” Jessica said

 

“P-Please  don’t tell this to CEO Hwang...I’m begging you!” Yuri said in panic

 

“KWON YURI YOU STUPID FOOL!” Jessica smacked her head

 

“OUCH, YAH!”

 

“Hey stop that nonsense bickering!” I halted the two before Yuri can retaliate “I won’t tell.” I said

 

They both stared at me with their puppy eyes “You promise?”

 

“Only with one condition...”

 

“What is it? We’ll give you everything! You want the moon? I’ll lasso the moon for you!” Yuri said and Jessica smacked her head again

 

“Shut up Kwon!” she said and looked at me “What is it?”

 

“Tell me everything about Tiffany and make me closer to her.” I said

 

“Alright, deal!”

 

 

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

---

Tiffany’s POV

 

My days in the office become awkward and weirder. It's been two weeks since I hired Taeyeon as my artist for the winter collection. She's a good artist. She really knows what are the designs I like so I am impressed but Taeyeon keeps on being weird herself.

 

There will be times when she will walk closer to me just to tuck my hair on my ears. Sometimes she will stare at me for a long time without uttering a single word. But the funny thing is, I'm not doing anything to stop her.

 

Every time I am talking to someone at the phone, she will glare at me and will be super cold towards me the whole day right after. And on the next day, she will smile at me the whole day. She's just so bipolar and it drives me crazy.

 

Taeyeon and I started to be always together due to the winter collection show designs. It’s already 10 o’clock in the evening and yet we haven’t finished our fifty designs quota. We stayed in the office doing some sketches we need.

 

“Taeyeon, what designs usually people like during winter?” I asked in frustration as I put down my pen and stared at the blank piece of paper in front of me

 

“Winter is cold and lonely... What people do look for is warmth and comfort. Simple and natural designs tend to give people more comfort. Designs that can make them move freely and at the same time express their personalities and mood plus can make them comfortable is enough.” Taeyeon said as she continued sketching

 

I closed my eyes for a brief moment then Taeyeon speak

 

“Done with the 25 sketches.” she said as she put the papers in front of me

 

“What? You’re surely fast!” I said

 

“It’s easy.”

 

“You sure is full of yourself.” I shook my head and looked at her sketches. Her designs are exactly what I want. “Wow, these are really superb! How do you know these exact designs I have in mind?”

 

“Because I know everything about you Fany...” she said seriously as she looked at me as if she’s seeing everything about me and yes, she’s seriously is a creep. If she’s not just so great in designs I would’ve fire her.

 

“I’m your superior, call me Miss Hwang.” I ordered as I blushed

 

“Ahhh, kyeopta! You’re all flustered my Pink pig” she said as she smiled smugly

 

“W-What...YAH! HOW DARE YOU CALL ME THAT?!”

 

“Fany the pink pig!” she kept on teasing

 

“YOU!...YOU’RE A WITCH!” I retaliated

 

She suddenly looked at me and stopped laughing.

 

“You...called me witch!” she said happily as she sat close to me

 

“You’re weird... You seem to be so happy about it. You’re a bipolar witch.”

 

“Oh yeah?” she said as she stared at me and went closer to my face

 

“Y-Yeah...”

 

‘Right...I'm a witch. And you know what I usually do to children?”

 

“W-What...”

 

“I tugged their collars and put them on my casserole!” she said as she laughed out loud while I was sweating hard due to fear

 

“YAH!...YOU CREEP!”

 

 

 Starting from that night, I started to have weird nightmares and my head stated to hurt most of the time. Today, I told my secretary that I'll be going home directly due to my head ache. I decided to take some meds and go to sleep

 

I had another series of dreams.

 

I saw a child with his plastic toy car. He was running as he tugged the needle attached to it. I chose to follow him. I saw a demarcation line and a sign post ‘WARNING, DO NOT CROSS’ And then, I saw a black house beyond the border. It was really scary . I entered the house’s gate. I was standing in a rose garden. Full of blossoming red roses. I was tempted to pick one because I was captivated by its beauty...

 

After I picked a rose, I smelled it and adored it. I was surprised when I heard a voice behind me.

 

“YAH, HOW DARE YOU PICK A ROSE ON MY GARDEN?! DON’T YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE OFF LIMITS?! ARE YOU STUPID OR JUST SUPER DUMB?!!!” An angry pale blonde woman with her white long dress said to me as she pointed the rose on my hand.

 

“I...I-I... Y-Your R-Roses are b-beautiful and I-I...”

 

“Give me the rose back.” she ordered

 

“N-No...” I was really afraid but I do not want to give the rose back

 

“I said, give me the rose back....” she said as she went closer to me

 

“NO!” I accidentally yelled and that pissed her off

 

“THAT’S IT! I’M PUTTING YOU ON MY CASSEROLE!!!” she lifts me up and carried me towards the black house and I screamed at the top of my lungs...

 

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!”

 

I woke up and sat up immediately... Damn these nightmares!

 

What is it with Kim Taeyeon ... It gets weirder everyday... But why do I always dream about her? I opened my drawer and get my book and opened to a specific page that contains the thing that always makes me wonder.

 

It was a dried rose that I kept on looking at throughout this years. Weird, I should’ve thrown this because it’s a trash already but I cannot.

 

‘What is it with you that I cannot throw away?” I asked no one as I stared at the dried flower.

 

 

 

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

---

Taeyeon’s POV

 

Yuri and I walked towards the office lobby together when we heard yelling and we saw Tiffany was yelling on her employees at the lobby with Jessica her secretary by her side.

 

“I TOLD YOU, NO COFFEE BREAKS ON OFFICIAL DUTY TIME! IS THIS WHAT I AM PAYING YOU ALL FOR?! I DIDN’T PAY YOU TO SLACK OFF! THIS IS NOT STARBUCKS!”

 

“M-Miss Hwang...I-I’m s-sorry...” one of the guy employees said

 

“W-We’re s-sorry ma’am! W-We’ll return to our post i-immediately...”

 

“No need for that...”

 

“W-Why…M-Miss Hwang…”

 

“You’re all fired!” then she walked towards the elevator and got totally pissed of what she saw

 

She also got fuming in anger then the elevator had gone maintenance

 

“URGH, STRESS!” she yelled “CALL THE MAINTENANCE HEAD QUICK! She ordered to Jessica, her secretary

 

“R-Right away Miss Hwang...” Jessica hurriedly called the maintenance head “He’ll be coming in a minute.” Jessica informed

 

“Tell him, if he’s not in front of me in 30 seconds, he’s fired.” she said as she put her hands on her head and tapped her fingers as she brought out her phone and started the timer

 

An old man immediately appeared in front of them as he pants “M-Miss Hwang... You called for me...I go here in 30 seconds, I h-hope I-I’m not fired.” he said as he catch his breath

 

“You got here in 30.5 seconds so that means you’re fired!” Tiffany started to walked on the staircase and the man tried to catch up with her

 

“W-Wait, ma’am!”

 

“URGH, STRESS!” she yelled and glared at the man and the man stopped following her

 

“Let’s go Jessica.” she said coldly

 

Yuri and I can only stare on what’s happening in awe.

 

“Wow, double trouble... Miss Hwang is totally building her firing squads.” Yuri said

 

“Firin