“Ughh…”

I squinted my eyes and adjusted myself to the dimness of my surrounding. Scanning the room and the blunt outlines of furniture, I discerned I wasn’t back at my apartment.

The sun was just at the brink of breaking dawn in the distance. It was probably just a few minutes past five in the morning and it would have been better if I went back to sleep. However, I knew better. Sandman’s dream dust had been blown off by the wind, nudging me to get up and brush the sleep-woven cobwebs away.

Indeed, I had no choice but to wake up.

Blinded by the sun’s rays, I tried to pull my arm above my head but then realized I was stuck under a dead body weight. Brows narrowing, I recollected my thoughts and looked down on my lap. There, I saw the most beautiful girl ---Tiffany, still deep in slumber, hair strewn all over her cheeks and chin, arms draped just before my knees, and chest heaving in slow peaceful rhythm against my thighs.

She was breathtaking, even if she was dreaming. An angel brought down from the heavens, a goddess on Earth, a nymph among humans… a…

I stopped and looked at her longer. Is that…don’t tell me, she’s…

She was drooling, a clear trail of saliva marked at the edge of and I realized part of my pants also got wet.

What the -----? I laughed aloud, immediately turning to the couch and buried my mouth in the cushion. Wow. That was just unattractive right there.

Once I made sure I wasn’t going to break out chuckling again, I looked back at Tiffany and pondered. I then let out a sigh.

She was beautiful, albeit she still looked tired---distressed maybe or even anxious. Something was bothering her last night yet I was not a hundred percent sure if she really was. There was still so much for me to know about her and it was somehow good enough I was taking things slow, although, it had been really hard. How could one simply take control of her self once this angel slash goddess slash everything bewitching starts kissing you?

I lifted my hand and parted her bangs lightly on her forehead, sighing once again, both from the doubt and the exhaustion.

As I tried to scoot my body and slip my waist under her, I felt the strain from my back once more. It almost felt like my spine was going to snap into two like a piece of dried twig. Ah. Crap. This is what I get for not working out and for sleeping so uncomfortably.

I twisted my torso and craned my neck. Sitting in the radio booth for hours and hours without a word of complaint was such a small feat compared to this---dozing off in a sitting position with an added human blanket. It wasn’t that I was complaining; she was the prettiest blanket I’ve had on me. It had just been too long since I’ve slept with somebody on top of me, quite literally.

I stretched a bit further. After making my second attempt, I successfully slipped off Tiffany and fell on her carpet floor with a slight thud. Immediately, I checked on her, hoping I did not disturb her sleep. Thankfully, she was still in dreamland, crouched into fetal position and hands tucked under her head this time.

I stood up slowly and smiled for a while, watching the baby sleep peacefully. Nothing made me more relaxed than just watching her. Although, that seriously sounded a little bit too creepy for other people. Imagine what my listeners would think. Great. Now, I’m not just lovesick delusional; I’m also borderline stalkerish.

I realized I broke out into a smirk and I just stretched my arms up to loosen the awkwardness and tension. As much as I would have wanted to spend a few more minutes gazing at my new inspiration, Nature’s call was starting to nag at me relentlessly. 

Tiptoeing around her unit, I finally found the bathroom next to Tiffany’s bedroom and without having second thoughts, I rushed inside and did my business.

Feeling refreshed a few minutes after, I closed the door to her bathroom ready to come back to the couch when I stopped dead in tracks, staring at the door ajar to Tiffany’s room.

Curiosity then jumped like a cat inside me, like a lion on a springboard, and I couldn’t fight the urge to somehow dig into the mystery. She wouldn’t mind, would she? Checking the living room with one more glance before taking a step, I decided that I’d just have to take a peek and then go. I’ll be quick as lightning. She definitely wouldn’t mind.

“Well, what a surprise… more pink.” I mumbled as I stumbled inside. The room was in a lighter baby shade of pink --if that was considered a color-- and her bed was rather small and simple, contrary to the princess bedpost I was imagining in my head. In fact, everything in her bedroom was kept plain and simple. Nothing denoted spoiled bratty in it except for the absence of green in white light. Note to self, I should consider telling Tiffany that pink is basically red and blue light together, more apt to be named ‘minus green’. I paused to shake my head. Ah, well, on second thought, pink sounds better and I’d rather not see her face fall apart after hearing the truth as explained by Physics. Wait, what the hell am I even talking about?

I looked around some more and I started to notice more details. One wall behind her dresser was full of frames encasing diplomas and certificates of various awards, both academic and extracurricular. I walked closer and browsed each one. I couldn’t help but swell with pride knowing she was very accomplished and distinguished.

Beautiful. Smart. Fit. Perfect. What more could I ask for in a girl?

I dragged my palm behind my neck and held myself admiring the stuff Tiffany had garnered in her younger years. Taking another step to the left, my eyes scoured the decorated wall to the packed top of her dresser. There were more photos, several small picture frames and trinkets arranged neatly. A couple was of Tiffany herself and there was one in a slightly bigger print that seemed to look like an older version of her in black and white. She looked very pretty and mature. Must be her late mom, I thought while smiling.

As I was about to pick the picture off the top, my gaze was distracted with another picture---a rather recent family picture. I easily recognized three people as Tiffany’s relatives, basically her dad and two older siblings but there was another female in the photo, about the same age as we were, slightly darker in complexion and it looked like both Tiffany and her were close--- too close.

Mhmm. I think Pany-ah only mentioned two siblings. Who’s this? My hand hovered over the frame. Slowly, I plucked it off the shelf and raised it up to my face but I noticed something else. Right behind that family photo was another simple frame with just the two of them. They looked happy--- the taller girl circling her arms around Tiffany’s waist and Tiffany giving her a peck on the cheek. I gulped dryly and felt a small dagger pierce through my chest. They’re probably just close friends. Like seriously Taeyeon, you can pull off the same picture with Sunny. I wavered at that instant. Ok. Maybe not with Sunny. Or anyone for that matter.

I kept repeating those words in my head, making a mantra out of it. Friends. Friends. Friends.

“Tae?”

My head swiftly turned to the one by the door. Her hands were crossed over her chest and she ruffled her locks as she approached.

“Pany-ah.” I squeaked and hid the family photo at my back. “Uhmm. Sorry, I used your bathroom and your door was open so I got a bit curious.”

She took a detour and opened up her curtains before coming close to me, shedding light across the room and brightening up the pink walls. She looked down on the floor and then back at me, mumbling. “That’s fine. It’s not a problem. Honestly, I thought you had left but then saw your blazer still by the chair so I came looking. Why didn’t you wake me up?”

My heart relaxed while I stifled a laugh, trying to play it cool as I marveled at how lovely she looked in the morning. How sublime would it be to wake up every single day to this grace?

“I’m sorry. You were too adorable with drool down your mouth so I didn’t bother to wake you.”

She punched me hard on the arm and I almost dropped the frame behind me. “Oww.” I squirmed in pain, rubbing the portion of harsh contact.

“Ya. That’s not exactly how you should talk to girls early in the morning Tae,” Tiffany remarked disapprovingly, “especially with a girl you’re supposedly dating.”  

I stuck my tongue out after pouting. She simply shook her head but then noticed the item in my hand. “Wait, what do you have there?”

“Ah, this?” I raised the photo up. “Evidence. I was looking around inspecting if you were some sort of serial killer. I can never be too sure so I had to make a background check. I found it on top of your dresser while I was making my investigation.”

Tiffany playfully rolled her eyes as she came closer until there was nothing but an inch of space between us. Her nose almost touched mine and she replied in a very airy and beguiling manner to which I had to bite my tongue just to fight myself from gasping.

“Serial killer huh? Well, if I was indeed a murderer, I would have had done the crime last night by the river. You know, easy clean up, no hassles, no traces. Plus I think I’d be too pretty and fabulous to be killing----“ Her eyes fastened to the photo in my palms and she paused abruptly, swinging her gaze up to the dresser top.

“Tsk. Tsk. I knew you’d confess. I should have become a police officer or something. Or report you. How about serving me as your punishment? I’m amenable to that.” I mocked, egging the latter to surrender, however, I received no reaction, just Tiffany’s gaze shifting so suddenly. “Something wrong Pany-ah? I was just kidding, you know.”

“Huh? Oh. Nothing.”

She took the photo from my hand and replaced it on top of the dresser. Her shoulders were slumped forward and I noticed that she had also discreetly faced down the picture that had her and that other girl.

It bothered me afresh and my curiosity was eating me, more like the lion now munching on my guts. I often heard people say that ‘curiosity killed the cat’ and I wondered then if it was true because I was about to be one feline who’d be diving into a car’s headlights.

“Ughm. Pany-ah. Who’s the other girl?” I asked timidly, afraid I was crossing the line. It was a bit nosy on my part but I couldn’t help it. “Relative?”

Tiffany’s brows rose and I couldn’t tell if she was feigning her emotions. I couldn’t read her well--- not that I could read other people well, either. “Oh, her? Met her in the university back home. Used to hang out together and took the same courses. Used to work together too,” she exhaled, glassy eyes hovering over her features, “she used to be my best friend. Used to…”

Her answers were very limited and I was starting to feel queasy. I didn’t understand why I felt like I needed to poke around more. “Used to?”

Tiffany’s arms landed square on my shoulders and the next thing I knew she had planted a morning kiss on my lips. I blinked and kissed her back lightly.

“You still taste like coffee.” She commented after pulling back, smiling from ear to ear.

“Is that your way of saying I have stale breath?” I said in return, smirking. I instantly forgot what we were just babbling about.

“Certainly not. I just kissed you, didn’t I?” Tiffany jeered. “Hmm. Maybe, you just want me to kiss you again.”

I stood speechless for a second before I regained confidence. “Hmmm, I guess, maybe a yes but I think you’re just overly delusional. Everything tastes and smells like coffee to you.”

“That’s not a hundred percent true, “ she pushed, “I think you’re just sweeter than coffee though.”

Her pupils vanished under the thin arches of her lashes and she jutted her lips to swoop in for another peck. Once again, I pecked her back and I couldn’t help but pull another wide grin. “You just had to compare me to coffee, didn’t you? What is it with you baristas?”

We swayed together as Tiffany glided her arms around my shoulders.

“Coffee is everything to us. Why? Hate it?” she retreated laughing, taking both my hands in hers and swung them playfully.

“Nope.” I mused and an idea popped into my head while I pulled her slightly closer again. “Speaking of coffee, I have a question. I’ve been thinking about it last night and I was wondering what your answer would be.”

Tiffany’s arcs dilated and I swore she looked too excited, as if someone was going to propose to her or something like that. Wait, does she think I’m going to ask her outright after just one date?

“I thought you wanted to go slow?” Tiffany interposed, fiddling with my fingers until she interlaced hers between mine.

One of my hands broke free and grabbed the back of my neck. I was slightly embarrassed. I didn’t mean to lead Tiffany on something different. “Ah yeah. Yes, of course. Why would you think…”I huffed and controlled myself before continuing, “I- I just wanted to ask... ughm… if I was coffee to you, what would I be?”

Her hand squeezed in mine, more like her fist clenching and she raised her head up, as if the answer was pasted on the ceiling. I waited for her response, a little more uneasy again. How hard would it be to pick a type coffee drink to represent me? Or did I just make a douchebag move again? Should I have said something else?

Tiffany’s eyes narrowed into mine and I had to gulp just at the sight of her stare.

Geez, I think this cat just officially became road kill.

“Ughm. Did I say something wrong Pany-ah?”

She bit her lower lip and broke into convoluted grin. “Bee. Chair. Een. (bicerin)”

My mouth hung unhinged from the joints and my mind revolted. Did she… no… did she just openly cuss at me? In English?

“What? B--”

“You heard me. Anyway, Tae, it’s going to be half past five soon. I’ll have to go down to Pink’s. I’m not sure if Sooyoung would be there to open up the shop for the rest of the employees.” Tiffany glanced up at her wall clock.  “So I’d have to get going.”

“Oh. Oh yeah.” I mumbled, still confused. “Right. B for business. Ughm, I think I should go back to my place too. I forgot I’d have to help Soyeon-unnie with another radio program they’re beefing up so I have to come in early today.”

She finally let go and I suddenly felt empty. Somehow, I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay there. Forget the radio show. Forget the café. I just wanted to be there longer and maybe go back to sleep in that couch. I wouldn’t mind if I would be in that sitting position again and doze off with her as my beautiful blanket.

“Why not just wash up here. I’ll lend you clothes.” She suggested out of the blue.

My eyes widened. “What? No! No, I’m fine. I’ll just go back to my apart---“

“Please?” Tiffany added with a hint of aegyo. My heart collapsed and my knees grew weak. Sunny did this every time but was totally ineffective against me. Tiffany, on the other hand, just made me crumble like a piece of day-old toast dipped into my espresso. “Have breakfast with me at the café too? Please? I owe you last night.”

I sighed and puffed my cheeks. “You do realize you’re making it hard for me to say no. Stop adding that terrible lopsided grin that you have. It doesn’t suit you or anyone.”

“Aww. But Taetae…” She beamed, teasing while cruising to her closet to retrieve a towel. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to undress you, you or anything like that. I’m just lending you clothes and have you change here to save time.”

“Ha. Sure.” I scoffed. “I knew you’d be such a killer, maybe a to add. You said it yourself.”

The towel was shot through the air with incredible force and speed. Fortunately, I caught it before it hit me square on the face. After I had put the towel down, Tiffany stepped up in front of me and leaned into my ear, much to my surprise.

“That’s fine. I’d commit a crime anytime for you.”

Air failed to escape my lungs. My ears felt like they were lit, the burn radiating down to my cheeks.

“Now. Hurry up and bathe. I’ll follow right after with your clothes.” Tiffany prodded, pushing me out of her bedroom. As an added shock, she even slapped my on my way out. “Don’t forget to lock the bathroom door. You’ll never know who’d come in and decide to shower with you.”

I was speechless again. No matter how I tried to become sly around her, I was still caught in my own game and I become defeated every time.

“What’s the problem Tae? Cat got your tongue?”

I blinked and snapped from my thoughts. Yeah. Sure. The cat’s definitely dead by now. “Huh? Ah. Yeah. I’m seriously locking the door.”

We both chuckled as I scurried off from her bedroom.

“Tae?” she called out again as I hid behind her bath curtains. I was already hot and bothered.

“Ah yeah?” I replied back, shouting as I turned the shower knob on and gushing water obscured all sounds.

“What do you think about wearing something pink?”

I slapped the knob, turning the gushing water off. “What?”

“Nothing! Hurry up!”

-------

“Unnie~! Good morning~!”

The exuberant youthful chef bear-hugged Tiffany.

“Yoona! Why are you here?” Tiffany asked as we both entered from the back of the building. To our surprise, aroma of coffee and bread raided our noses and the busy sizzling of pans and pots pierced our ears.

“I opened up the café. Sooyoung-unnie asked me last night to do it for you since she told me that you might be waking up pretty late today. She said you’d be tired but I told her you wouldn’t be.” Yoona teased with a wide grin. I came around Tiffany and Yoona’s eyes just jumped out of its sockets. “Taeyeon-unnie~! Good morning! Omo, I didn’t recognize you! I thought Tiffany-unnie was with someone else!”

I ruffled my bangs down and exhaled heavily. “G’morning Yoona.”

She inspected me from head to foot and back up, her brows raised and jaw dropped. “Pink pants?”

I closed my eyes and sighed. I was hoping nobody would have noticed. I really should have gone back home and changed there. Tiffany was too adamant to dress me up her way.

“I told you I didn’t want this Pany-ah.” I grumbled but my words fell on deaf ears.

“Well, she looks cute doesn’t she?” Tiffany added, “I think she looks better this way.”

Yoona agreed avidly and circled both of us, inspecting while index finger between her teeth. “Come to think of it. Those are all your clothes Tiffany-unnie. This couldn’t be Taeyeon-unnie’s style.” She stopped and gasped like she just had an epiphany while her two index fingers clashed against each other. “Unnie~! You… and Taeyeon-unnie… Eeeeee!!!”

Tiffany used her palm to cover Yoona’s mouth. I just inhaled and exhaled like it was the only thing I was capable of doing although I could feel my ears burn again.

“Ya! Nothing happened Yoona-ah! We just had a date last night. That’s all. Now, keep your green thoughts to yourself.”

I shrank in my own skin like I needed to hide from everyone else who would see me. I swore I was redder than the shade of pink and it wasn’t comforting that a younger lady had to drive out the point home for me. It wasn’t really others’ business to judge whether something did happen between Tiffany and me. It wasn’t like I was exactly friends with them. To think, I haven’t been that close to Tiffany’s employees very well. We’ve all been just acquaintances.

Yes, acquaintances. Wait. Didn’t Minho say before they were already acquainted with me? Has Tiffany been talking about me all this time with them? Has she been just trying to get me?

“That’s pretty hard to believe,” someone said behind us.

Great. Another person to rub in the humiliation.

Sooyoung just arrived and dropped her bag on a chair while she eyed me the same way Yoona just did. I blew my fringes and chewed on my cheek. This was not entertaining anymore.

“Good morning Taeyeon-ssi.”

“Hey.” I replied with a nod.

“Is Sunny with you? Wait, or did you and Tiffany arrive here together from her apartment?” Sooyoung grinned while I remained rather quiet. I was starting to lose patience and Sooyoung just thinned it out more while nudging Tiffany. “Hey Tiff, I told you to lay off doing it on the first night. So how was it? F for fun?”

My tongue clicked unto the roof of my mouth. Why was it such a big deal to everyone in this café? And F? Is this all they wanted to see? If we had done it?

Yoona suddenly groaned and looked at Sooyoung in a petulant manner. I huffed again and resorted to placing my hands into my pockets. It would have been wrong of me to judge them so lightly so I gave them the benefit of the doubt.

“Aigoo. I guess I lost to you Sooyoung-unnie. I really would have thought they wouldn’t do it. I guess Tiffany-unnie really is a fox.”

Lost? What are these two even talking about? Did they just make a bet? Do they even realize I’m in front of them? I panned my gaze from one chef to another and then to Tiffany who seemed to be stifling a laugh. Why is she even laughing? Is she in this too?

“Don’t blame me Yoona. I already warned Tiffany yesterday. Our boss is a killer, you know, girls just fall at her feet” she burst into chuckles while I gritted my teeth, “but you do owe me 10 bucks. Pay up.”

“Sooyoung! That’s enough.” Tiffany finally reprimanded, eyeing me from the corner. The joke was not fun at all and not any longer. I looked down shaking my head and the view of the pink pants even aggravated whatever I was feeling at that moment.

“But!”

“I said that was enough. You too, Yoona.”

“Unnie~”

Tiffany suddenly took my hand and dragged me away from the kitchen. I mindlessly followed. Somehow I didn’t exactly know how and what to respond to the teasing back there.

Once we reached a table, Tiffany asked me to sit but I remained standing. Confused, she bent down searching my eyes and questioned. “Hey. Don’t mind those two back there. They were just making fun of me. They weren’t serious at all. Sorry about that.”

My lips were kept sealed and she continued her nonchalance. “You know what Tae, you should sit down. I’ll grab you your espresso and toast. Then we’ll eat together. Sounds good?”

She squeezed my arm and rubbed my back. As she was just about to leave, I stopped her by taking her wrist. “It’s fine. I’ll go. You should start prepping for service.”

“No. It’s okay. I’ll be quick with your coffee.” She lifted her hand and rubbed my cheeks. “C’mon, I really want to spend my morning with you.”

I gripped tighter and paused her once more. “I already lost my appetite. I-I’ll be going Pany-ah. Excuse me. I’ll just call you later before I get to my radio show.”

“Tae,” she asked, “what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“Nothing.” With that, I walked past her and tread on.

This time it was her who stopped me. “Look, I’m sorry. I apologize on behalf of those two. It was just a joke to get at me. Not you. I don’t exactly understand why you’re acting strangely right now. You’re really a bicerin.”

“A what?” I furrowed my brows, ceased my steps and cocked my head.

“Nothing Tae.” Tiffany subsided and retreated back to the back of the counters. “You have a good day at the station today.”

The chimes of the café echoed into the cold morning.

“Yeah, sure.”

----------

"Sup Tae," Sunny greeted while I was typing away my next assignment. I was staring at a half-page storyline. I had been jamming my fingers into my laptop’s keyboard for the past two hours but I was only able to come up with nothing but gibberish sentences. Pulling my blog up was not helping either.

"Oh. Hey." I said back briefly as I pulled the earphones off. "Nothing much. I'm doing another write-up to submit for a publishing company."

"I see. They finally contacted you huh?" She replied, taking the seat beside me. She straddled another swivel chair and rested her head above the backrest. Thinking I shouldn't worry too much, I reclined back to my usual niche and typed away, adding another line for the new book collaboration.

My fingers suddenly froze on the keys.

"Wait. What do you mean they contacted me?" I frowned as I leaned forward after analyzing what she had just said. "Does that mean you have something to do with this?"

Sunny grinned and scooted a few more inches away from the conference table. "Yeah. I think so. Maybe. I don't know."

"Soonkyu!" I barked making her jump in her seat. Her eyes were straightway round and distended.

"Alright fine. I showed them your blog. They didn't know it was you at first and then they said they liked the work so they became interested with the author. I told them they could contact the author via your email.” Sunny sank her head behind the backrest. “Swear on my grandparents’ grave, I didn’t tell them about your identity prior to you meeting them or anything!”

I closed the laptop brusquely and pinched the bridge of my nose while my other hand drummed my fingers on the mahogany tabletop.

“Soonkyu…” I growled.

“What? Ok, I’m sorry! I was going to tell you about it yesterday but you went missing plus I’ve heard from Sooyoungie you were going to have the date with Tiffany. I didn’t want to ruin your mood though you seem to have a ruined mood all the time. I did you a favor somehow.” She raised two fingers above the chair, “Peace Tae?”

I pinched the bridge even tighter and I remembered the not-so-good morning at the café, courtesy of Sooyoung and everyone else, Tiffany included. “You could have called me or something. Leave a note here. Maybe even raid my apartment. Requested a singing telegram or whatever! Still, you should have told me.”

“Hmm. Sure. Singing telegram. Now, why didn’t I think of that? Have it sung to SNSD’s Gee tune. Or maybe I should have done it with a folksong too and have it rapped. Yeah. That would have worked.” Sarcasm was evident in each syllable that she spoke and it only made matters worse for me.

I rolled my head back and grunted. I wasn’t in the mood to get any cleverer with a blonde anymore.

“Fine. Thank you.” I said.

“What?” Sunny rose from her chair and seated her self properly this time.

“I said thank you,” I blew out, raising the white flag, “thank you for giving me that opportunity to publish my work. It’s really something. I thought about it long and hard considering I’m not out and proud but maybe this is one good step for me to be more open to everyone and reveal that I’m gay.”

“Ughm, okay. I guess you’re welcome.” Sunny scratched her head. “I’m not sure where you kept the real Taeyeon but I like this non-ing clone better.”

I glared at her and stood up from my own chair. I just remembered again what Tiffany had said when I asked her on what kind of coffee drink I was and all I got was that weird reply.

“Oh, please, not you too.”

“What? I didn’t say anything,” she whined, raising her hand up. “Oh yeah. By the way, I got something for you. I swung by Pink’s during lunch. Sit back down.”

I sunk back in the chair and groaned. “What is it? I’m not really in the mood for coffee, Sunny.”

“Here Tae, it’s from Tiffany. Sooyoung and Yoona also added a slice of cake. They’re full of remorse. They really thought you wouldn’t take the joke hard.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Ah, so they’ve told you.”

Sunny took out a short glass of coffee and the packed slice of tiramisu from a paper bag. Something was peculiar with the drink this time. It was in a petite vessel with three shades of liquid inside. The lowest was brownish, the second was black and it was topped off with a layer of white. I’ve never seen it anywhere else before.

Just as I was going to lift the cup up, Ji-eun knocked on the open door and entered timorously. “Taeyeon-unnie, here are the files you wanted for the other radio show. I only gathered the ones from the past two years since the archives have been mislabeled. I’ll give the rest later when I find the boxes. I’m sorry I couldn’t trace them all,” she pushed her glasses up and bowed down to Sunny. “Oh, good afternoon Sunny-unnie. I apologize for intruding.”

“Hi Ji-eun. It’s fine. I was just feeding the grouchy monster beside me. No worries.”

“If this had poison, I think I would have just gone ahead and ate it. That way I would be dead and I won’t have to deal with you.” I rolled my eyes and took one of the folders, scanning the contents swiftly. Sunny responded to me by sticking out her tongue like a toddler as usual. “By the way, thanks Ji-eun. Don’t wor--- “

“Wow! Unnie! Where’d you buy the bicerin! It’s been so long since I had one! I haven’t seen any coffee shop here which serves that!” the young intern exclaimed.

“ering?” Sunny and I repeated, obviously offended.

“Huh?” Ji-eun scrunched her forehead and readjusted her frames again. She pointed at the small glass of coffee and explained herself. “Unnie. no, bicerin… bee… chair… een. It’s what that drink is called.”

“Ohh…” Sunny bit her lip while I just wished I could smash my head on the desk. So she did answer my question. Tiffany did nothing wrong. I was just darn stupid not to know.

 “My grandpa used to make us that drink when I was younger. It’s a very special drink. The origin of the drink traces back to Italy and there’s only one café that serves the authentic one. I’ve heard only females also ran the café. My grandfather visited that place once in his teens and he wanted to share the experience with us. As kids, you don’t normally would like the taste of coffee but bicerin is different because you have three things in it. Basically, you have the coffee, chocolate and the milk on top. You don’t necessarily mix the drink so you get several layers of taste.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you were enthusiastic enough to know stuff about coffee, Ji-eun.” Sunny commented.

“Ah, no.” Ji-eun remarked, arm behind her head and smiling like a ten year old. “I’m not like Taeyeon-unnie’s friend who’s a barista but I knew a little bit from my grandpa and that’s probably just the only one I know. The drink just reminds me of the old man. I kind of miss him. He joined grandma a few years back.” She paused again and bowed down a few times. “Ughm, gee, I probably blabbed too much. Sorry.”

“Oh, so you’ve also met Tiffany?” Sunny interrogated and Ji-eun only nodded animatedly.

“What did you think of her Ji-eun? Did she appear peculiar or strange to---“

I finally cut through both of them and slid the glass towards the intern.

“Here,” I pointed at the drink and glanced at Ji-eun, “you have it Ji-eun. You must have missed your grandpa.”

“But, unnie. Sunbaenim…I can’t. This must be yours.” Ji-eun raised both hands defensively.

“You have it. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known what it would have meant. Please, take it. I would be pleased if you did.”

“Oh, ok. Thank you unnie.” She bowed again. If I wasn’t mistaken she seemed to be blushing at that moment. “You’ve been so nice to me. Thanks so much Taeyeon-unnie.”

“Well, you’re a nice girl too.” I chuckled as I pat her head when I stood up. “Sorry, but can you keep watch of my laptop and sort the folders? I’ll get to them in a while. I just have to go somewhere. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Ah, yes of course. No problem unnie. I’ll take these.”

Ji-eun grabbed all the folders and my laptop in her arms, hugging them to her chest. 

“Sunny, you have the sweets. I know you’ve been eyeing it.” I added as I eased out the creases in my pants and made my way out to the door.

“But? Oh well, okay.” Sunny said as she turned her swivel chair. “Wait, where are you going again?”

I grabbed my coat off another chair and donned it. I smiled back at Sunny and mock saluted. “I just need to have lunch.”

“Huh? Oh~! Alright, I think I know what you mean.” Sunny nodded and winked back. Just as I passed through the door and crossed the hallway, I heard Sunny call back. “Ya! Taeyeon-ah, wait a minute, come back.”

“Huh? What?” I backstepped my way and inclined my head just by the doorframe. “What is this time?”

“I like your pink pants by the way,” she teased while eating a portion of the cake.

“Shut up blondie!” I barked back and I just heard her laugh as I left. I pulled up Tiffany’s coat back up to my cheeks and smiled, murmuring to myself.  “Sunny’s right. I guess I like this too.”

-----

“Taeyeon?!”

“Hey, Sooyoung. Sorry for coming in through the back.” I greeted the tall lanky head chef through the back door of the café as she opened up.

“No. No. Please, come in. It’s cold outside.”

“Thanks.”

As I opened up my coat to warm up in the kitchen, Sooyoung practically towered in front of me and nudged my arm. “Ughm, sorry about this morning Taeyeon-ssi. It was entirely my fault. Yoona and I rarely get the chance to tease Tiffany so we kind of went overboard. It wasn’t until Sunny slammed a pan on my head earlier today that I realized I was wrong.”

The thought of a cartoon Sooyoung smacked with a pan by Sunny made me titter. I couldn’t help but be amused by it and I already had forgotten what the conflict was all about. “It’s fine Sooyoung. I was a bit too thin-skinned. But Sunny did beat you up, huh?”

“Yeah, even Yoona got punished. She had to do market today and for the rest of the month. Tiffany made you coffee and Yoona and I were obligated to make some cake to go with it. Sunny then initiated to bring it you. Did you get it?” Sooyoung explained as we walked by the kitchen counters.

“Oh, yeah. I did. You owe Sunny a lot.”

“I know. She keeps me grounded. Thanks for being cool with it.” She said, leaning back over the oven. “Anyway, what’s with the additional flowers by the way?”

I looked down and held up the bouquet of white chrysanthemums and purple hyacinths. “The bouquet is my apology to Tiffany.”

“Oh… that’s weird. We…I mean… I thought you had sent these pink lilies?”

“Huh?” I looked at the vase of pink lilies on he far side of the kitchen and shook my head. “No. I haven’t sent anything.”

“That’s weird.” Sooyoung bit her thumb and shrugged it off. “Anyway, Tiffany, she’s out in the front, in one of the tables. She’s been reading documents and sorting accounts all morning and she’s been quite a tiger. None of us could dare come near her, even Taemin who seems to be her favorite. I guess she’s still mad at us and I think you’re the only one who could tame her.”

“Oh wow. I guess thanks for the warning.”

“No problem. Wish you luck.”

Sooyoung tapped my shoulder and I went straight ahead, out into the counters past Minho and searched the café for Tiffany. I turned around once but couldn’t seem to see past the people standing. It wasn’t until Minho himself pointed the direction to guide me. I nodded in gratitude and set foot towards the other corner of the café.

“P-pany-ah.”

I called out shakily as I approached the table. Tiffany stopped and glanced up from her paperwork then recognized me.

“Tae. Why are you here?” she asked. Her voice was stern but still laced with care.

“Busy?” I pointed to the pile of papers in front of her.

“A bit. Been trying to sort out everything for that investor.”

I gestured to the seat opposite her and laid the bouquet on top of the small square table. “Can I join you?”

“Sure.” She bobbed and then directed her finger to the posy. “What’s that about?”

I settled down on the seat and smiled timidly. “The florist said chrysanthemums mean truthfulness and purple hyacinths symbolize apologies. So I got them,” I bit my lower lip and sighed, “to say ‘I’m sorry’ for the way I acted. I got too sensitive. Forgive me.”

‘Hmm’ was all that she replied before she picked up her pen and resumed her paperwork.

“Hey.” I stretched out my hand and stopped her. I pulled off her pen and wrapped my palm around her hand. She raised both her brows and looked around but I simply focused on Tiffany. “So I’m a bicerin huh?”

Tiffany finally broke into a giggle. She expired faintly and nodded. “Yes. Yes, Taeyeon. You definitely are.”

I eventually broke into a smile as her husky laugh swathed my ears. “So coffee, chocolate and milk? I’m all three?”

“Yes.”

“Care to explain, Ms. Barista?”

“Why?” She asked as she tried to pull her hand back but I held it tight.

“Just explain.”

“Alright.” Tiffany brought out her other hand and started counting. “Okay, one. So you’ve noticed the top is milk, right? It’s just how you look. You’re very innocent and pure. You’re actually quite childish in nature and the tiniest dirt could tarnish your reputation easily. Thus, you resemble someone who needs to be taken care of.”

“Okay.” I pulled off a smug and grabbed her other hand over the table. She looked around to her other customers and raised her brows but I tugged on to her fingers and urged her to focus on me. “Continue Pany-ah.”

“Well, okay. Ughm. Coffee. The black part is espresso. It’s bitter and dark. Just like how you are with your initial reaction to things. You tend to keep things on your own and you resent people who wish to bring light into you. You opt to hide in your own bitterness and sometimes it is not likable.”

I nodded vaguely and replied. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“The third layer, chocolate. You’re a good mix between bitterness and sweet. You have that light decadence that makes me quite addicted to you and nobody could resist chocolate. It brings a person happiness and energy; the same things that you make me feel. And all of that are put into one small glass, one small you. And I as the one who gets to drink it, gets to taste each and every layer of your personality, Tae.”

“Hmm.”

“And just so you know, I am enjoying my drink slowly.”

 She pursed her lips and stretched them to a timid smile. I couldn’t resist the chance.

I stood up from my seat and leaned forward, hands still in hers and torso bent over her paperwork. I brushed my nose against hers.

“Tae? There are people here.”

“I know. So what?”

I took my hand out and held her chin. She peeped into my eyes and questioned me with raised brows again. Without any further delay, I just then planted a swift kiss on her forehead. An audible groan quickly escaped Tiffany’s lips and she rolled her eyes once I withdrew a few inches away.

I chuckled. “Just kidding, Pany-ah.”

I raised her chin up once more and this time, it was real. I kissed her on the lips and it lasted for a few good seconds before I sat back down on my seat.

Tiffany blinked a few more times before she grasped reality.

“So, was that sweet?” I asked, smiling, my hands rubbing her fingers lightly.

Tiffany raised her hand and rested her head on her palm while looking at me. She smiled back endearingly and twinkled her eyes. I haven’t seen her happy that way before.

“Yes.” Tiffany bit her lower lip and took my hand near her lips. She laid down a chaste kiss on it and then rubbed my palm back. “Very.”

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A/N:

sup guys. so here's another coffee cup. I tried comparing Taeyeon to the drink and I hope I've made some justice though I'm quite hesitant to say yes. Bicerin is made up of equal portions of milk, espresso and chocolate, famous in Turin Italy and an authentic product from Caffe al Bicerin. Bicerin is pronounced as bee-chair-een in Piedmontese and it directly translates to small glass (small=Taetae...lol). The cafe is said to be run by only females and the chocolate added in this drink is said o be homemade, making it very special. Lol. ok. i think i blabbed too much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Drink up! Cheers!

special shout-out to all readers who have been my twitter buddies! Thank you for sharing your lil tidbits of life and caffeine. :) hugsies! it's fun having actual convos w/ you guys.

btw, do comment if you have time, especially those who are new subscribers. once again, thanks for the votes. i still find it ridiculous but well, what the heck. til next brew. byeers!