“Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Miyoung~

Happy birthday to you!~~~”

“Happy birthday, Tiff!!!” Sooyoung yelled loudly against the blasting music. They are at Seohyun’s club and the socialite especially closed the place to celebrate Tiffany’s birthday. It has been almost a year since Taeyeon went to New York and a lot of things changed for good. Seohyun is already part of their circle of friends, Yuri and Jessica now have a schedule on their wedding which is happening summer next year, and Director Kim is back in the country to focus on Ceci magazine and expanding their business as they ventured with the country’s notable production company.

“We could’ve just celebrated at the apartment…” Tiffany said after making her wish and blowing the candle on her birthday cake.

“Aish, we want you to have fun and Seo’s club is just perfect, right guys?” Yuri swings his arm around the birthday girl’s shoulder and everyone agreed to him as they all cheered and went to their VIP lounge to start the celebration.

Tiffany chuckled at her friends and co-workers that were also invited along with some of her and her friends’ acquaintances. The club was running like usual except that only those who are invited can enter the place.

They were all having fun and partying like crazy but it was obvious that though Tiffany is happy, she’s still missing someone and wished he could be there to celebrate with them.

“I heard Taeng’s gonna have a UK tour before the year ends and an Asian tour early next year…” Seohyun asked as she and Tiffany were left in the lounge while their friends rule the dancefloor.

“Yeah, he’s been so busy the past few weeks practicing and preparing for it.” Tiffany smiled with a glimpse of sadness.

“His comeback stage in Broadway was really a great success. No wonder why he was given such big opportunity. You should be proud to have a man like him.” Seohyun offered her another glass of drink but she politely declined as she doesn’t want to be drunk since there’s no one who’s going to take care of her when she gets wasted like what Taeyeon usually does.

‘I am… I am proud of him… but he’s not MY man...’

The two talked more mostly about fashion and social events and Tiffany then received a video call. She excused herself into a quiet place and Seohyun just chuckled at her obvious excitement upon seeing who’s calling her.

“Happy birthday, princess!~~” Taeyeon dorkily grinned while cutely waving his hands.

“Thank you and good morning to you, dork!” Tiffany giggled at him as he cutely pouted while fixing his messy bed hair.

Since there was a thirteen hour difference between them, Taeyeon has just woken up from his short sleep since he’s been practicing really hard for the musical’s UK run in a month time. He was supposed to be back in the country after the Broadway stage series was done but due to the great success of it, he was then asked to be the protagonist for the musical Les Misérables’ International Tour.

“How’s the beautiful birthday lady?”

“Fine… they closed Seohyun’s club and now they’re partying like crazy, especially Yul, Soo, and Nic.”

“As always, huh?... but… why the long face?”

Tiffany smiled at him while she sat on the washroom’s countertop to be more comfortable. She tried her best to look happy while talking to him but she just misses him so much and really wanted him to be there with her at the moment.

“I wish you’re here...” she softly said, forcing herself to smile and not to cry.

“I’m sorry if I couldn’t be there… but my heart is with you!~~ Cheer up, princess! This is your birthday so you should be happy. Oh! I know what’s gonna make you smile right now, hold on!”

Taeyeon placed the phone on top of his nightstand, making sure it is set properly before he skipped to get his violin. Tiffany raised an eyebrow while watching him rummaging on the violin’s case and then smiled when the guy finally went nearer the camera and dorkily grinned at her.

“Ready?” he asked, earning a cute nod from the girl and she couldn’t help but giggle when he randomly put his shades on and stepped back a little so the girl could see his whole body completely.

Tiffany laughed upon seeing him completely. He’s still wearing his blue checkered pajama pants, white shirt, black sunglasses, and his already longer hair was still messy but it looked y on him.

Taeyeon then played something on his iPod that’s connected on the home theater he has on his apartment.  After the intro beats, he then plays the violin and at the same time, sways his hips from side to side with a slight forward ing motion – simultaneously doing the violin and dance cover of the song ‘Gentleman’.

Tiffany couldn’t stop grinning and laughing at him as he continued with his funny yet cool and amazing performance for her. Watching him playing the instrument while swaying his hips with loads of attitude and dorkiness, yet still looking y, totally completed her day and made her whole-heartedly happy.

“That was amazing!” she praised him as she brightly smiled when Taeyeon finished his special performance.

“I’ve never felt so embarassed in my whole life until just now.” he laughed and the girl joined him while teasing him more on how y he looks when he’s swaying his hips earlier, making his face to turn redder in embarrassment.

Taeyeon always plays around with his co-actors and other staff members during breaks. He and Taecyeon always do the dance moves in front of their friends just for fun and he wanted Tiffany to see it because he’s sure that the girl would love to see him do the crazy dance. He also started to play violin again since he got back to his apartment in New York as he promised the girl that he’ll play violin for her perfectly one day.

“You should’ve told me that you’re gonna do that! I could’ve recorded it…”

“Aigoo~~ you really enjoyed it, huh? Okay~~ I’ll do it again and record it then I’ll send it to you.”

“Really?! Awww~~ thank you, Taetae! I’ll look forward to it!~~”

“As long as you’re happy, Fany-ah.”

Tiffany sweetly smiled at him. She sighed in content and then stared at Taeyeon like they’re not talking over a video call but in person, with a loving smile plastered on her face.

“Yah, why are crying?” Taeyeon worriedly asked as he held his phone closer.

“I’m just really happy, don’t worry. I… thank you… I miss you, Taetae.” she smiled and wiped the tears that rolled down her face due to happiness and sadness at the same time. Though they’re miles apart and could barely talk with each other, Taeyeon could still manage to make her really happy and she was touched by his simple yet sweet gestures.

“I miss you too, princess. Now, don’t cry… I’ll feel bad if you’ll continue to cry.” he cooed and warmly smiled at her.

The two talked a little more, catching up with each other as it has been a month since they last talked for more than two minutes over the phone because of Taeyeon’s busy schedule and the time difference. Though they would usually chat with each other, they still preferred hearing each other’s voices or do a video call.

“Our first stop in Asia will be Seoul… come and watch it, please?”

“It’s still a few months to go…”

“Eh??? That’s why I’m asking you now to make sure that you’ll be there to watch me perform. You’ve never seen me perform yet so… I need you to be there. Please?~~~”

Tiffany softly giggled when he unconsciously showed his aegyo while asking her to watch his musical that will be held early next year in the country. Though Taeyeon really didn’t need to ask her since she’ll definitely watch it, she still felt happy that the guy asked her.

“Okay, I’ll be there. Let’s see how great you really are, Kim Taeyeon.”

==================================================================================================================

Time quickly flies by and Taeyeon’s musical tour in Europe has already begun. He was also making news due to the success of the show and slowly being known in the country as Korean media couldn’t wait for the musical’s stop in the country. He already had been featured in some international shows, newspapers, magazines, and websites covering the renowned musical.

“Missing someone?”

“D-director Kim…”

“Aigoo~~ when are you going to get used to call me Aunty? I hope you don’t mind me sitting here.”

Tiffany frantically shook her head and her boss chuckled at her. It was weekend and Tiffany decided to go to the park alone and take some pictures. She was just resting while sitting on one of the benches facing the pond and she didn’t expect to see the Director at the public place.

“Your boyfriend is getting more popular these days. Don’t you get jealous of those girls who were basically throwing themselves at him?” Director Kim asked, smiling while watching her at the corner of her eyes.

“N--- I… we… h-he’s not my boyfriend, Director--- err… Aunty .” She almost whined and the older girl chuckled at her.

“Yet… not your boyfriend yet. Aigoo~~ kids these days… making simple things complicated.” The older woman , making her pout as she sulk in her seat.

The two women have been closer but Tiffany is still not used to call the older woman as Aunty. The two gets along really well, and Director Kim knows the younger girl’s love story as she was oddly open and comfortable with the older woman to tell her anything about her feelings like they are really mother and daughter.

Tiffany also tried to return the ring that she gave to her. She said she couldn’t take it as it seems like the ring was really special. Mrs. Kim told her that she really wanted her to have it and insisted to just accept it as her future wedding gift. The ring was indeed special but she didn’t tell it to the girl as it is a Kim’s family ring that was given to her by her husband as an engagement ring and she wanted to pass it to the younger girl. In the end, the older woman won and Tiffany just could say her big thank you to her for giving her such precious jewelry.

“By the way, my son is arriving early next year and I want to feature him on our magazine. I want you to be the head of that project. It’s the first time that he agreed to be featured on our own magazine so I want you to take good care of him.”

“O-okay.”

Director Kim silently chuckled as Tiffany gave her an obvious curious look. The older woman often talks about her family too but she never named them and ofcourse, she left some things that could make the girl figure out that she’s talking about the people who are close to her. She still hasn’t told her and Taeyeon the truth but Yuri and Jessica found out when she had a dinner with the Kwon family, and although dumbfounded, the young couple agreed to keep it from Tiffany until Taeyeon comes back.

“I’m sure you’ll get along with him pretty well.”

==================================================================================================================

“Whoah~~ Taeng is really getting popular, huh?”

“He’s getting more handsome too…”

“Oh! Look at this!”

Yuri, Jessica, Sunny, and Victoria surrounded Sooyoung to see what he’s talking about. They are at their usual café and they were checking the web about Taeyeon in Sooyoung’s iPad while waiting for Tiffany and Nicole. It is already the first month of the year and they are all excited to see their friend again who’s arriving in a few weeks.

“Isn’t that the MTV VJ?”

“Yeah, she is Lee Hyori.”

They continued to check the pictures they found online, surprised and awed at the same.  They were pictures from paparazzi that apparently spotted the famous MTV VJ having lunch with Taeyeon in a café in Paris. The two seems to be close and both seem to not care about the people taking their photos. There were also some news and rumors about the VJ dating Taeyeon but both of them haven’t commented about it yet.

“She’s hot.” Sooyoung absentmindedly mumbled, earning immediate glares from the girls.

“They look good together.” added Yuri but he immediately regretted it as he received a smack on his head from his fiancee.

“Yah! Aish, make sure Tiff won’t see those until we know the truth if they’re really dating or not.” Jessica said, earning nods from them as they all went back to their seats.

Not long after, Tiffany and Nicole came and they all chatted like usual. They teased the Art Director about Taeyeon’s arrival and the engaged couple couldn’t help but to mentally snicker as they couldn’t wait for Tiffany’s reaction when Director Kim introduces Taeyeon to her as her son.

“Soo, can I borrow your iPad? My phone’s dying and I need to check something on my email.” Tiffany grabbed the iPad on the table but she was startled when everyone but Nicole stopped her as they yelled ‘No’, making the other people in the café to look at them.

Tiffany blinked and then raised an eyebrow at her friends. Even Nicole gave them confused look and they awkwardly smiled at the two while Sooyoung tried to hide his Ipad.

“What’s wrong with you guys?” Tiffany looked at them weirdly before she snatched the tablet from Sooyoung. She then unlocked the screen and unfortunately, Sooyoung didn’t close the browser and the first thing that she saw was a picture of Taeyeon whispering something to Hyori while they were going out of a cafe.

Sooyoung facepalmed himself as he saw what the girl is looking at when her expression changed and the others kept their mouths shut as they waited for the girl’s reaction. Nicole also peeked on the tablet and her eyes widen as she was also surprised with what she saw.

“I’m sure they’re not dating.” Sunny decided to break the silence.

“I guess they’re just close friends. I remembered Krystal has mentioned the girl’s name before.” Victoria added before drinking her milk tea.

The others agreed and Tiffany forced a smile to them before closing the browser and proceeded to check her email. She indeed felt jealous upon seeing the pictures but she just kept herself calm as she doesn’t want to jump into conclusions. However, her mood visibly dropped and her friends could just sigh as their attempt to cheer her up failed.

==================================================================================================================

“I’m really fine, Jess.”

“Are you sure? I haven’t seen you for days and you’re not answering my calls, Tiffany Hwang.”

Tiffany avoided her eyes and sat on the bench near them. Jessica dragged her from her office to the mall as she was worried for her bestfriend. After the girl saw the pictures of Taeyeon with the famous VJ and model, Tiffany would either sulk in her apartment or busy herself at work.

“I’m just busy with work. You know how crazy my job can be…” Tiffany explained.

“Taeng has been asking me your whereabouts because you’re not answering his calls and messages either. Tiff, I understand you’re jealous and hurt but do you think Taeng would go around and date someone else if he knows that you’re waiting for him?” Jessica raised her voice as she sat next to her, crossing her arms like an older sister scolding her younger sibbling.

“He has the right though…” she softly mumbled, causing Jessica to stare at her in disbelief.

Jessica sighed in frustration before she flicked the girl’s forehead, hoping to knock some sense in her. She already asked Taeyeon what’s his relationship with Hyori and she and Yuri laughed at themselves upon learning that the girl is Taeyeon’s cousin. However, the engaged couple chose not to tell it to the girl as they wanted to let her know by herself.

“So you’re just gonna give him up just like that? You’re really a coward.”

Tiffany looked at her as she was hurt by what she said. However, she couldn’t argue back since it was true. For more than a year of being away with Taeyeon, she didn’t feel scared as she knows that the guy would come back to her but after seeing the photos of him with another girl, she’s now afraid that she’s losing Taeyeon to someone else.

“I’m scared, Jess. What if… what if he already found someone else?”

“Do you want him to find someone else?”

Tiffany immediately shook her head and Jessica warmly smiled at her. She held her hand and lightly squeezed it like giving her encouragement as she wiped the tears b in her bestfriend’s eyes.

“I don't want him to love anyone else but me…”

“Then do your part. Don’t wait for things to happen. Make them happen. You love him and there’s no doubt that he loves you too. Who else would be stupid enough to love the possessive and easily jealous Tiffany Hwang?”

Jessica joked around to lighten up the atmosphere and Tiffany chuckled at her. She then hugged her bestfriend, thanking her for being a good friend to her and they proceeded to enjoy themselves as they bought almost everything they saw in the mall. Tiffany went back to her usual self and she mentally noted to say ‘yes’ to Taeyeon if he’s going to ask her  again to be his girlfriend even though she ne