That darned familiar perfume. 

He greeted first.

That voice.

Ume smiled and greeted back, trying hard not to notice that skip in her heart just now. 

"So... you are doing well?" He spoke first again.

"Yes, I'm okay. I'm teaching some of your team members Mandarin."

"Ah... you are always so good with languages."

"Thank you... So... where are you heading to?"

"Ah... practice."

"I see. It must be hard."

"It's okay."

"Have you seen Song-Ah?" Ume couldn't resist punching him below the belt. He deserves that much.

"S-She... We broke up." He sounded genuinely sad. Ume squeezed her eyes hard. She always does that when she is trying to prevent herself from saying something she'll regret.

"Sorry to hear that." She finally mustered the right words.

"Ah... I felt sorry to her too."

I know.

"I got to go. The boys are waiting."

Ume took a step forward.

"A-h... Ume noona?" 

She stopped, not looking at him.

"Shall we eat together some time?"

A dozen answers were tumbling in her brain. Most of which were too inappropriate to come out from a proper lady's mouth.

She looked at him and smiled squarely. 

"That'd be great. But my boyfriend would probably like me to eat with him instead."

Ume was surprised to see that flinch in his face. She was sure she didn't have any tender feelings for him anymore. But she didn't know how Jongdae feels about her. And she hates herself for being curious. 

He smiled, "Ah... I'm sure he wouldn't like that. Is he working with you?"

Ume hadn't prepared for such a question. She had made up a fake boyfriend to squash any possibilities of him asking her out, now what should she say?

"Sam!" 

A bright and cheery voice rang out. 

Both of them turned towards the source.

It's Kyungsoo. 

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Thanks for the encouraging comments lovely people! Keep them coming!