===

 

Taeyeon: Hi Tiffany!!! Can I come over to your office today? 

Tiffany: Hi. I'm sorry but I'm meeting someone right now.

Taeyeon: Oh. :( 

Taeyeon: How about tomorrow? :)

Tiffany: Sure. 

Taeyeon: Yay! See you tomorrow!! Anything that you want to eat so I can bring it with me?

Tiffany: Surprise me.

Taeyeon: I love surprises! Alright! See you!! :)

Tiffany: See you.

 

Tiffany placed her phone back on the table and turned to her friend. "What's with that look?"

 

"A few minutes ago, you were whining about how getting into this relationship was a mistake. And now..." 

 

"Now what? I'm not doing anything."

 

"You look happy."

 

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tiffany ignored the accusing look as she stirred her drink.

 

"You were smiling while texting."

 

"Right."

 

"Are you seriously denying the fact that there was a stupid grin on your face while replying to her messages? Even that old man over there can testify to it." Her friend subtly pointed at the old couple seated around the corner.

 

"Okay, fine. Whatever!" Tiffany flailed her hand in annoyance. "Fine,I admit. She's annoyingly and effortlessly cute. Has this stupid smile on her face every time she greets me. She's like a soft little puppy and ugh.Is this even normal?!"

 

Her friend burst out laughing as Tiffany buried her face into her palms. "See, this is why you should've dated more. Now look at you, all confused and helpless."

 

"Thank you so much for your verykind words."

 

"You're welcome." 

 

"This is why dating is stupid. It will just distract you and all that nonsense that you don't even need." Tiffany huffed as she leaned back in her seat.

 

"Dating this cute young lady will do you good, Tiffany."

 

"How?" 

 

"She will provide all the love and attention that you need."

 

"I don't need any of those."

 

"You do. Everyone does. And I bet you lowkey love it when she showers you with all that unadulterated love." Her friend giggled when Tiffany unconsciously blushed at the teasing.

 

"This meeting is over. Thank you for wasting my time." Tiffany stood up with another huff and waved goodbye to her still grinning friend.

 

===

 

Knock knock knock

 

"Please come in." 

 

"Hi Tiffany!" Taeyeon eagerly went into the office, cheerfully showing the paper bags she had brought. "I got us some lunch, dessert, and some afternoon snacks!"

 

"Okay...?" Tiffany furrowed her brows as she observed the girl taking the containers out of the bag. "Isn't that too much?"

 

"You said surprise me,so..." Taeyeon presented the lined up food on the coffee table. "Tada! 5 different dishes!"

 

"You're overdoing it." Tiffany shook her head as she left her seat. 

 

"But I made them myself." Taeyeon slumped her shoulders with a cute sad pout on her face.

 

"You did...?" 

 

"Yes. But of course with a little help from our in-house chef." 

 

"Ah." Tiffany nodded and just stared at the plastic containers. "Looks good, though." She turned to look at Taeyeon who smiled widely in return. 

 

"Let's eat!" 

 

"Alright." Tiffany took a spot on the sofa and grabbed one of the paper plates. Before she could even reach for a fork, Taeyeon had already placed a ton of food on her plate. "That's enough."

 

"Okay." Taeyeon frowned a little and placed back the sandwich on the container. 

 

"You're not going to eat?" 

 

"I will eat later. So... how's the food?"

 

"It's really great. Thank you." Tiffany got squished against the sofa as Taeyeon gave her a tight hug. 

 

"I'm so glad you liked it. I did put some extra love in cooking them." 

 

Tiffany snickered at the comment. "You're being cheesy."

 

"As cheesy as that lasagna?" Taeyeon gave her a toothy grin as she pointed at the half eaten food.

 

"Time for you to eat something." Tiffany pried the arm away and took a sandwich from the table, stuffing it right into the girl's mouth. "Eat more, less cheese and I'll let you stay until I get off work." 

 

Taeyeon nodded vigorously and immediately grabbed a plate. "Yes, Miss Hwang." 

 

"Oh god. Don't ever call me that." 

 

"Why not?"

 

"It makes me feel so old."

 

"Alright." Taeyeon nodded obediently. "Let's eat some more!"

 

===

 

Taeyeon's supposed short visit got extended way too far and somehow, Tiffany didn't mind it. As they walked side by side at the nearby park after dinner, she couldn't help but remember the conversation she had with her friend. It still seemed like a stupid idea for her to be dating, or so she thought. 

 

Tiffany was a strong independent woman who need no lover, or whatever. But there she was, trying to suppress a smile when Taeyeon's hand kept on grazing against her own. And there she was, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling inside her chest when the girl subtly slipped her fingers right into hers.

 

"I think we should go home now." Taeyeon stopped from their tracks and faced Tiffany.

 

"Right." 

 

"Let's go." 

 

The ride to Taeyeon's place was spent in utter silence. As Tiffany watched the girl from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but wonder what's going on her mind. Taeyeon had that small smile on her face while looking out the window, observing the random buildings they passed by. 

 

"Okay, this is me." Taeyeon unfastened her seatbelt after the car had come to a stop. "It was such a wonderful day." 

 

"Yeah."

 

"Did you have fun?"

 

"I did." Tiffany mumbled. 

 

"So did I. But too bad the day has come to an end." Taeyeon sighed dejectedly. 

 

"Right."

 

"Alright. I won't hold you any longer. Have a good night's rest, Tiffany." Taeyeon leaned in for a light peck on Tiffany's cheek before giving her a gentle hug. 

 

"You too. Don't stay up too late." Tiffany was surprised at the unexpected kiss but of course she didn't show it. 

 

"Good night." Taeyeon got off the car and waved goodbye. 

 

Tiffany waited until the girl got into the house before staring blankly ahead. "Okay, what just happened." She absently held her chest then took a deep breath. "I swear, this is sostupid."

 

===