Tiffany loved pizza. This place was a branch restaurant that originally located in Los Angeles. Somehow it eased the longing of home. She felt kind of familiar with the furniture, the atmosphere, and the people. Including the woman who was sitting right across her. She was a stranger, technically speaking, but in a way to another, she was familiar.

Taeyeon didn’t order pizza. She didn’t like it. She didn’t like any western food. She only agreed to come here because Tiffany offered it. She was not hungry so no need to refuse.

They didn’t talk much. The awkwardness was too great to avoid. The kiss didn’t happen even though they both obviously wanted it. Taeyeon pulled back before their lips touched and Tiffany let her get away.

“Tell me,” Tiffany said before she drank the coke from the straw. “What’s on your mind?”

“If I tell you honestly, I will only put more burden. So what’s the use?”

For a split seconds, her heartbeat jumped irregularly by that ambiguous statement. “We can share the burden.” She muttered rather shyly.

Taeyeon chuckled, averting her orbs right into Tiffany’s. “You. And how we meet under the unsuitable situation.”

“We may never meet at all if it’s not because of this.”

“So you’re grateful, huh?” Taeyeon teased.   

Tiffany shrugged. “Will it taint your impression towards me if I say yes?”

“Sadly what you said is the truth.” The surgeon pulled out her phone and put it on the table. She stretched her aching back. “Where does that leave us, then?”

“At the moment, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know or you don’t dare?”

“I stand corrected.” Tiffany leaned back, crossing her legs. “But I want to know you more. However, since it is impossible to cross the line, as a starter, do you mind sharing anything related to the case?”

“Is this,” she paused, “your way to get more information from me? So I go on and won’t stop at this point?”

“Are you saying I’m manipulating you?”

“Are you?”

Tiffany tilted her head to the side. “You know, as an attorney it is pretty easy to ‘manipulate’,” she quoted with her fingers, “the clients, the opponents, even the judges. It depends on how you see it. We help our clients to get the justice they deserve. Sometimes it doesn’t mean total freedom, but reduction of punishment. You made a mistake. In the eye of law, you did. Do I think you deserve losing your license? Or time in jail? Or pay for a fine? No. Because I see you gain nothing from this. Because you were there, you realized what you did and you have your reason. But this reason, Doctor Kim–”

“I thought you’ve started to call me Taeyeon Kim.”

“We’re discussing your case. No informal name calling.” Tiffany waved off. “This reason, Doctor Kim, is unacceptable for her family. Not when you say nothing but she asked me to do that, I did as she said. They need more, an actual reason to help them understand. Mr. Dong is not a poor. He’s not looking for money. He wants you to pay for the pain you caused. People got mad when they don’t understand.”

“So you’re manipulating me?” Taeyeon repeated curiously.

“I’m trying to talk you into this, yes. But at the same time, the bigger motive,” she whispered the last