As a photographer, Eunji has seen plenty of beautiful women over the years. She has worked with countless models on the top of their games and she was never shy to voice out her appreciation. But the woman that caught her attention across the bar was just… breathtaking. She couldn’t help but notice that the girl looks too innocent, too pure to be at a very noisy and messy place like this. At the same time, she had this aura around her that tells Eunji that she could fit in anywhere if she wanted to and that piqued Eunji’s interest even more.

 

“Looks like you’ve spotted someone.” She momentarily stopped staring at the stranger and turned her head to Naeun beside her. She smiled, “Nah. I’m gonna pass this one.”

 

Naeun made a face, “It’s been forever since you last dated. Seems like you’ve given up on love, Jung. That’s not good.”

 

“Who said something about giving up? I just don’t feel like dating now. Besides, I’m always traveling somewhere, a relationship is basically impossible.” Eunji briefly said as she drank her beer.

 

“But you’re lonely.” Naeun pointed out and Eunji almost laughed. Almost.

 

“Please.” She scoffed, “I’m having the best time of my life. Clients are pouring, I get to go to places I’ve dreamed of, life’s good. I’m not lonely.”

 

Naeun sent her a look that says she’s not buying anything Eunji said. “Plus, if I actually get lonely, I still have you.” She jokingly added and pouted her lips at Naeun.

 

Naeun pushed Eunji’s face away and gave her a disgusted look, “If you still think that we are gonna happen, then I’m going to crush your hopes now, honey. That ship has sailed.”

 

Eunji chuckled as Naeun went over to some of her friends. How would Eunji describe her relationship with Naeun? They’ve done tons of shoots together. Naeun was one of Eunji’s longest clients and they just click so well together. Eunji would be lying if she says that she hasn’t thought about them as a couple. It’s impossible not to. They spend time together even after shoots. The line that they try not to cross when it comes to their playful flirting has long been blurred. She lost count on the times they shared “friendly kisses”. And the fact that Naeun is gorgeous doesn’t help her case too. So, when Eunji thinks about it, they should’ve happened a long time ago. But maybe it was her last grip on professionalism, if she still had one, that always stopped her on making a move with Naeun. Or maybe she was just simply scared of risking of what they have for something more. And before Eunji knows it, their time has passed. If she does something about it now, it wouldn’t be right anymore. Just like what Naeun said, their ship has sailed. So, she just enjoys whatever this thing she has with her. She can’t drown herself on the maybes and the what ifs because that would just eat her up. There’s no use on thinking what didn’t happen in the past. She should try and look forward to what could happen in the future.

 

Speaking of what could happen, she tried looking for the girl that caught her attention earlier. She might’ve been distracted for a while then, but her mind quickly jumped back to the girl. Eunji spotted her at the same place she first seen her. “She’s still alone. Looks like she didn’t come her with someone.” She thought. She doesn’t know why she cares if the girl was with someone, it’s not like she plans on introducing herself to her.

 

Or should she? Eunji was sure she wants nothing more than to walk towards the girl, see where it goes, and nothing’s stopping her from trying. She knows she shouldn’t compare, but this isn’t like her situation with Naeun. She has nothing to lose here. She could freely come up to her, say that she’s interested, and ask if she maybe wants to go out sometime. If the girl accepts, then good. If she declines and thinks that Eunji’s a creep for approaching her like that, then Eunji could walk away and forget this happened. She honestly doesn’t see any harm in trying.

 

Eunji finished her drink, took a deep breath, and started walking towards the woman. When she got close enough to her, she needed to pause for a moment because damn. She thought the girl was breathtaking from a distance, but her beauty was just unbelievable up close. At this point, Eunji knows she’s falling a little bit more. And it’s ridiculous because she doesn’t even know her! Maybe that shows how shallow Eunji is since she’s quite sure she’d do anything for her solely based on how. good. she. looked.

 

Eunji cleared and stood beside the girl, “Do you mind if I join you?”

 

The girl turned her head, and it took everything in Eunji to not let her jaw drop. Yeah, she looked that attractive. The stranger shrugged and said, “Not really.” Eunji sat on the stool beside her and thought about what she should say next.

 

“I’m Jung Eunji, by the way.” She smiled and offered to shake hands. And wow, how good she felt when the woman accepted it. “My name’s Chorong.” She replied.

 

Chorong. It was nice putting a name to a face. And if Eunji wants to see this face and hear her voice for the next couple of days, she needs to speak now.

 

The thing is once she’s this close to Chorong, oh she likes her name, she thinks she lost the ability to look away from her. She was completely mesmerized and dumfounded at the same time by how whipped she is for someone she barely knows.

 

Chorong was looking at her, might be because of how she’s staring at her so openly. And Eunji figures that if she doesn’t speak instantly, Chorong would really be weirded out and walk away. So, all she really gotta do is open , and ask Chorong if she’s interested in grabbing a coffee some time.

 

This is it. It’s now or never.

 

But Eunji felt something before she could even begin speaking. It’s that same old feeling she used to get whenever she comes close to taking a step forward with Naeun. And before she knows it, the words were already coming out of . “I’m looking for a friend. I hope you’re looking for one too.”

 

And as Chorong gave her a smile (that she swears sparked something in her), Eunji thought that this was better. Maybe they should start off as friends. After all, that’s how most relationships start, right? Yeah, Eunji’s gonna take this one slowly. If all goes well and they become really good friends, then Eunji has plenty of time on her hands to ask Chorong out the next time she has the chance.

 

The night Eunji met Chorong was the start of a surprising friendship. Eunji says “surprising” because when she first saw Chorong that night and when she started a conversation with her, what she was aiming for was to ask the girl out on a date. What she ended up doing was befriending her and Eunji couldn’t even say that she wants to change what happened.

 

They exchanged numbers after that night. They just clicked so well from the beginning and Eunji really liked spending time with Chorong. The two of them met for drinks just a few days after that. They bonded over everything and got to know each other pretty well. Eunji learned that Chorong was a songwriter. Eunji might’ve mentioned that she played the piano as well, so Chorong said that they should make a song together if they had the time. Chorong lives with her cousin, Hayoung, and she’s basically her mom. With the amount of time they spent together, it didn’t take long until Eunji also invited Chorong to her studio one day and introduced her to Naeun.

 

“You’re dating, aren’t you?” Naeun asked when Chorong offered to go buy them some coffee at the café nearby.

 

“You were waiting for Chorong to leave just to ask that question, didn’t you?”

 

Naeun’s eyebrows went up, “You’re not denying it. I must be right.”

 

Eunji put down her camera and pointedly looked at Naeun, “And I’m not confirming anything, either.”

 

“Eunji, stop playing games with me. Chorong’s nice. I can see why you’d date her.”

 

It looks like Naeun wouldn’t stop until she gets what she wants so she just muttered, “We’re not dating. We’re just friends, okay? So, you can drop it.”

 

She saw Naeun cross her arms and eyed her suspiciously, “So when are you gonna drop this ‘friends’ act and actually ask her out?”

 

“I’m not dropping anything, Naeun. We’re just friends and I like having her as a friend.”

 

“Oh please. You don’t think I remember?” Naeun rolled her eyes, “Chorong was the girl you saw at the bar, weeks ago. And don’t tell me you weren’t interested in her that night. If you actually approached her back then and you were hanging out ever since, then you’re just working your way up to asking her out.”

 

Eunji couldn’t even deny anything Naeun said. “Okay. Maybe, just maybe, I was actually interested in taking her out for a date that night. But I backed out the last minute and asked if she wanted a friend instead. And it wasn’t that bad. It’s actually going good; you see that right?”

 

“You’re telling me just like that, you don’t want to date her anymore? You’re actually content on just being friends with that amazing girl?” When Eunji sent her a look, Naeun quickly added, “She told me that she’s living with her cousin and she sounds like a job. If Chorong could handle that and still have her life intact, then she’s amazing.”

 

Wow. Eunji knew Chorong was something but hearing Naeun speak about her like that.. she felt a little bit proud. (Don’t ask her why because she doesn’t know what she would tell you.)

 

Naeun was the one constant thing in her life right now. She’s been there for years and she thinks she’ll still be there in the future too. Naeun doesn’t hold back when she talks about the girls Eunji has dated in the past. If she doesn’t like someone, she says it. So strangely enough, hearing Naeun kind of approve with Chorong makes her a little bit happy.

 

But then again, she doesn’t have any plans on taking things with Chorong to a new level.

 

“I don’t know what to tell you, Naeun. But what I know is, Chorong and I enjoys what we have now. I’m not gonna do anything that could possibly ruin that.”

 

Right on cue, Chorong entered the studio after she said that. Eunji couldn’t help but look at her as she gives out iced coffees to her staff. How she quickly fit in in a new environment, Eunji’s environment, makes her smile unconsciously.

 

“You’re so obvious, please. If you look at her any harder, I’m afraid she’d melt on her spot.” Naeun whispered. “You gotta learn how to take a risk, Jung. It’s not good living your life thinking about what could happen. Sometimes, you just gotta do it and see where it takes you.” Naeun took a deep breath and finished, “I should be the only one in your life that got away. Don’t do that with Chorong too.”

 

Eunji was speechless when Naeun walked towards Chorong and got her coffee. That was the closest thing they got to acknowledging what they have, well what they almost had, and it struck Eunji to the core.

 

Naeun might be the one that got away but she’s still here. She stayed. Would that be so bad with Chorong too?

 

But she can’t deny the fact that there were days before where she thinks about what a great thing Naeun and her could’ve been if she took her chances. And she doesn’t know if she can go through all that wondering again with Chorong. That would just be too many what ifs.

 

So, for the second time since she first saw Chorong, Eunji made up her mind. She’s going to take her chance and ask Chorong out. This was what she wanted before, anyways. Befriend Chorong and if it goes well then ask her out. Naeun was right. She needs to take a step forward to satisfy her curiosities. If she doesn’t, and their moment passes, she’ll once again be left wondering.

 

Eunji collected all her courage and started marching towards Chorong. When she reached her, she opened to start talking but Chorong beat her to it.

 

“I met someone at the café!!” Chorong excitedly announced.

 

Oh.

 

Chorong cheekily smiled at her and continued, “Her name’s Bomi. She’s a part time worker there and she’s cute.” Chorong stopped to bite her lip and shyly added, “She gave me her number.”

 

Right there and then, Eunji wanted to scream out of frustration. She was so close to finally asking her out. So close.

 

Just like the first night they met, Eunji pushed back the words she initially wanted to say and forced a smile, “Well, good for you, Park Chorong.” She threw an arm around her shoulder and squeezed it. “You were out for 30 minutes and you came back with coffees and a possible date. Tell me everything you know about this Bomi girl.”

 

She’ll never miss the chance next time. For now, she’ll wait and see how far this Bomi situation goes.

 

By now, Eunji should’ve learned her lesson already. Nothing goes her way whenever she waits too long.

 

This realization comes to her during their break in between shoots and Chorong was supposed to visit her in the studio. But when she checked her phone, Chorong had texted her that she was gonna be a little late because she’s meeting Bomi.

 

Bomi and Chorong has gone on a couple of dates for the past month. Judging by how often Chorong talks about Bomi and actually meeting Bomi once or twice, Eunji can say that it’s going pretty well.

 

And Eunji is torn between liking it and absolutely hating it.

 

No matter how cliché it sounds, seeing Chorong happy makes Eunji happy as well. She knows Chorong. If she saw her unsatisfied by how things with Bomi were going, she would’ve stepped in immediately. But that day never came. Chorong was just constantly happy when they’re together and she takes that as a sign that her and Bomi are okay.

 

On the other hand, Eunji can’t stop thinking about how close she was on being in Bomi’s position a month ago. She could’ve been the one making Chorong happy. She could’ve been the one taking her on dates. And she hates that she can’t do something about it now. Again, she’s left wondering what could’ve happened if she just grabbed her a chance a little earlier.

 

She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Naeun beside her, “If you furrow your eyebrows any further, I’m afraid it’ll stay like that forever.”

 

Eunji ignored her and tried to busy herself with the camera hanging around her neck.

 

She should’ve known better than to think that Naeun would leave her alone if she just didn’t pay attention to her. “I’m gonna take a wild guess and say that you’re irritated because Chorong isn’t here yet. That’s just a wild guess, though.”

 

Eunji could see past through this innocent façade Naeun was displaying. She perfectly knows that her ‘wild guess’ isn’t so wild after all. Naeun just wanted to see how far she could push Eunji’s buttons before Eunji spills everything.

 

Naeun accepted Eunji’s silence as a permission to ask more. “Not that it’s any of my business but, where exactly is Chorong?”

 

Before Eunji could stop herself, she was already bitterly throwing out the words, “She’s with Bomi.”

 

Eunji wasn’t expecting for Naeun to laugh out loud. Even the staff was surprised, it’s not everyday that you see Son Naeun burst out laughing.

 

“What are you laughing at?”

 

Naeun stopped and tried to catch her breath from laughing so much and smirked. “I haven’t seen Jealous Eunji for a while. It’s funny.”

 

“I’m not jealous.” That was not very convincing but Eunji had to try denying it.

 

“You’re not fooling anyone here, Jung.”

 

Eunji was about to answer her when Chorong entered the room. It doesn’t matter how long she’s been hanging out with Chorong, one thing that’s not gonna change is how mesmerized Eunji will be every time the girl appears. She just takes Eunji’s breath away with every little thing she does.

 

“Whipped.” Naeun whispered.

 

“Shut up.” Eunji responded, still watching Chorong walk towards them.

 

“Hey.” Chorong said with a smile. Oh god, that smile. She’ll do anything just to assure that she gets to see that smile for a very long time.

 

And just like that, all her thoughts earlier were erased. “Hey. How’s your time with Bomi?” Eunji casually asked and she heard Naeun bit back a laugh.

 

“Oh. It was okay.” Chorong looked hesitant but still continued, “I said that we couldn’t see each other anymore.”

 

Eunji couldn’t even say that she was shocked. She was beyond that. Even Naeun wasn’t saying anything.

 

Chorong was the one who broke the silence with a chuckle. “You two looked more shocked than Bomi when I told her that.”

 

“What happened?” Eunji wanted to thank Naeun when she asked that because she was still processing what Chorong just announced.

 

She shrugged, like it was no big deal. “I just don’t see myself with Bomi in the future. I mean, yeah it was fun, but I just don’t think that would take us somewhere long-term. So, I figured I shouldn’t drag it out longer when I couldn’t see the point anymore.”

 

When Eunji has finally composed herself, she asked. “Well are you okay? You should’ve gone straight home.”

 

Chorong dismissed her, “Nah. I’m good. Besides, it wasn’t as hard as you think it is.” Eunji raised her eyebrow at that statement. Chorong sighed. “I’ve been thinking about ending it for quite some time anyway.”

 

“What do you mean? I thought things were going well with her?”

 

Chorong nodded. “Yes. Bomi was nice and she treated me so well but..” Chorong looked away as she said, “I figured it was wrong to stay with her when I’m actually waiting for someone else.”

 

Now, Chorong’s just dropping bombshells one after the other and Eunji just wants to sit down for a minute. She heard Naeun’s gasp and Chorong smiled before walking towards the water dispenser.

 

Naeun grabbed her arms and looked at her seriously. “Please tell me you understood that.”

 

“What?” Eunji dumbly asked.

 

“You’re ‘someone else’! She’s waiting for you! She ended things with Bomi for you!” Naeun exclaimed.

 

Eunji froze. That was too good to be true. “How sure are you that it’s me? What if it’s you?”

 

Naeun glared at her, “Do you want me to go her and ask her out then?”

 

Oh god, no.

 

Naeun smiled. “You finally have your chance again. Don’t screw this up.” She pushed her towards Chorong and whispered, “Go get your girl.”

 

Eunji took a deep breath. This is finally happening, and she’ll be damned if she lets this moment slip away again.

 

“So, waiting for someone huh?” Eunji asked, trying to play it cool even though her heart was beating so fast.

 

Chorong paused and looked at Eunji as if she was figuring out the next thing to say. “Yeah. Do you wanna know a secret?”

 

Eunji was momentarily confused but managed to nod. Chorong took a step closer and whispered, “I was actually wating for her ever since the night we first met.”

 

After that, Eunji couldn’t help it. A big smile displayed on her face and she held Chorong’s hands. “She says she’s sorry for making you wait so long.”

 

A hint of blush appeared on Chorong’s cheeks and Eunji wanted to jump out of happiness because she was the reason for that. She made Chorong blush!

 

“She really said that?” Chorong asked in a voice that almost resembled a child’s and Eunji nearly melted by the sound it.

 

“Yeah. She also wants to know if you would like to go on a date with her.”

 

That’s it. She finally said it. It’s out there.

 

All that’s left is Chorong’s answer.

 

She felt herself let out a sigh of relief when Chorong said, “Tell her that I would love to.” And intertwined their hands.

 

Now that Eunji took her chance, she think’s she won’t ever let go of this one.