It's the big day, in the early morning. The boss and the employee, in their studio, are finishing up their respective work, while the crew from SM entertainment is marching in to assist the duo.

 

 

 

“Hey, you there. Don’t touch my Lego.” Taeyeon sternly orders as she spots one man trying to lay his fingers on her sacred “lego city”.

 

 

 

The studio is now packed with people and machines, making a Canadian worried.

 

 

 

“Taeyeon-unnie.”

 

 

“Huh ? You hungry ?” Tae expresses her concern towards the younger without her eyes leaving the screen.

 

 

 

“No. Am I going to clean the studio after the shooting ?” Timidly, Wendy voices out her concern.

 

 

In return, her boss shows her signature smile and the dimple on her left chin. “I am just a bit stingy about the spending of the studio. I am not broke. In this case, I am willing to hire professional cleaning ajumma or something to clean up the mess.”

 

 

Wendy is more than relieved. But Taeyeon hasn’t done yet.

 

 

“And you, Wendy Son Seunghwan, is now promoted to be designer, a.k.a my assistant. From now on, the chores will be done by part-time workers instead.” 

 

 

Taeyeon always has a plan, perhaps an evil one. 

 

 

The 20-year-old doesn’t notice anything unusual, since she is extremely thrilled that she is now free from endless slavery.

 

 

 

“Unnie you’re the best, I love you ! Getting to know you is the best thing in my life, so far.” Wendy gives her boss a warm hug. 

 

 

“No wonder your nickname is Olaf. You like warm hugs.” Taeyeon breaks free from the younger girl and resumes working. 

 

 

 

The preparation work continues. 

 

 

The cody unnie all has the clothing ready and comes up to the one and only photographer, “So the photo-shoot starts after lunch ? We are almost done with setting up.”

 

 

“Yup. After lunch. Let’s say lunch-break is from 12:30 to 14:30.” Taeyeon wants this shooting to be perfect. Not only because of money, but also because of a friend.

 

 

“Okay. And Irene’ll be arriving by 14:15.” 

 

 

 

After dealing with the crew, Taeyeon bumps into a sneaky Wendy. 

 

 

“Unnie, about that Irene….. How is she like ?” Wendy curiously asks, since she has read her profile for job purpose yet doesn’t have the chance to dig out more about the soon-to-be idol. 

 

 

 

“A pretty girl.” Taeyeon hasn’t really thought much of Irene since that night. 

 

 

“More. You got to eat dinner with her on Saturday night, while I was cooking ramen alone at home. So, details.” Wendy is a little jealous.

 

 

 

“The serious type, I’d say. Not the kind of girl who is easily to get.” 

 

 

“I’m not asking if she is approachable.”

 

 

 

“Okay, got it. She is the type who shuts her heart from the others. But maybe if you get close enough, I think she’d be totally someone else, like all sweet and lovable.” 

 

 

Taeyeon knows a lot. And Wendy knows. 

 

 

 

One day, when Wendy was cleaning the house as always, she found some bank statements casually lying on Taeyeon’s desk. Out of curiosity, she took a quick glimpse of them. 

 

 

After knowing her for nearly a year, the Canadian finally realized she has found herself one very wealthy Korean. Although she has no love interest in Taeyeon, it’s nice to be the one and only friend of a rich human. At least, she doesn’t have to worry about nowhere to live nor nothing to eat.

 

 

Taeyeon later confessed that she has a buried past. 

 

 

“I once worked in a firm. A large international firm in Seoul. I made a lot of money. I bought fancy cars and luxury goods. Maybe that’s not what I wanted. Or maybe I was sick of the filthy faces of those rich people. Anyway, I quitted and tried many other jobs. Now I end up here - taking pictures and , but I’m happy with that.”

 

 

That’s all she said.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the present, the duo is going out for lunch. When they are about to exit the studio, someone breaks in.

 

 

“Wendy-unnie ~ I am here to visit you !” 

 

 

Wendy could not say a word because she is being choked by the tall comer’s enthusiastic embrace. All she can see are stars and a big smiling face. 

 

 

 

It is Joy.

 

 

 

Taeyeon raises her left eyebrow when she sees the all-time smiling 18-year-old. 

 

 

“Innocent.” The 25-year-old comments in her smart brain.

 

 

 

“Oh…. H-here you are, Taeyeon-unnie. Hehe. Sorry to bother you by storming into your studio. Do you wanna ….. Would you …… like to join us for lunch ?” Joy invites the older girl with such enthusiasm and puppy eyes that no one could resist. 

 

 

Not to mention her adorable round cute face.

 

 

Taeyeon agrees before Wendy could catch her breathe and speak. 

 

 

“Why not ? Nice to have you here Joy.” 

 

 

“Yes ! Let’s go.” Joy is hyped as she grabs Wendy on her left and Taeyeon on her right, and leaves the studio. 

 

 

 

The three are marching on for lunch.

 

 

“Don’t you touch Joy !” Wendy mouths while Joy’s busy with complaining about her teachers. 

 

 

“But she touched me first.” Tae cheekily replies.

 

 

 

“I don’t mean that way.”

 

 

The older midget just shrugs, “I said I like Seulgi more.”

 

 

The younger doesn’t know if she needs to worry about Joy or Seulgi now. Maybe both.

 

 

 

The three finally settle at a nearby Western diner. Wendy pulls Joy to squeeze in the box seat with her, and pushes Taeyeon to sit across. The eldest shrugs once again and offers to treat the rest. The youngest is just … still smiling. 

 

 

 

While waiting for their meal, Taeyeon excuses herself to the bathroom. 

 

 

Wendy grabs the chance to warn Joy.

 

 

“Taeyeon-unnie is really nice, but .... Her liking is quite unusual.” The Canadian puts “-” into a more tactful way. 

 

 

“Photography is unusual ? What does Tae-unnie like actually ? I wanna know more about her. Sometimes she’s really nice, but sometimes she’s cold.” The innocent Joy seems to idolize Tae. Yet she doesn’t have the courage to approach the photographer.

 

 

 

“No….. I mean her other habits. She likes to watch something special, that normal girls don’t. Even for you and me.”

 

 

“Ah~ Taeyeon-unnie likes watching football ? Yeah, we don’t. I fell asleep when we were watching World Cup earlier.” Joy just couldn’t get the hint.

 

 

 

Wendy face-palms so hard.

 

 

Someone charges in, again. 

 

 

 

Joy lightens up even more when she sees who’s arrived. “Seulgi-unnie ! You’re finally here. We were just talking about Taeyeon’s liking for football.” Joy happily waves at the panting Seulgi. 

 

 

Seulgi is confused by the hyper Joy and face-palming Wendy. She quickly fixes her hair then sits down at the empty seat across them. “So Taeyeon-unnie is here ? I just put on whatever I could find when you called. I should have dressed up better.” 

 

 

 

Wendy eventually realizes the problem when Taeyeon returns and sits next to Seulgi. Since Wendy and Joy have to sit quite close on the other side already. “.” She swears form the bottom of her heart.

 

 

 

“Hi, Seulgi. It’s been a while. Oh, I like how you tied up your hair too.”

 

 

Seulgi is indeed beautiful too. She is more mature compared to Joy. Her mono-lid cat eyes add on to her unique exotic look.  

 

 

“Hi … And thanks Taeyeon-unnie.” Hearing the compliment, Seulgi shyly smiles.

 

 

 

Taeyeon attentively looks at Seulgi as she speaks, with their touching shoulders, causing the latter blushes. Don’t blame Taeyeon. Although Taeyeon doesn’t have the most stunning look, she has her own charisma. Probably from her talents and gentleness. Wendy bites her lips so hard. 

 

 

 

“So, Seulgi, are you interested in working part-time in my studio ?” Taeyeon casually asks while taking a bite of her cheeseburger.

 

 

“No ! ” Wendy shouts. “I mean, Seulgi has a dance competition coming up so….…”

 

 

 

“Taeyeon-unnie, why did’t you ask me too?” Joy pouts even in front of her food.

 

 

“You are too young and you should focus on your study.” Seulgi comforts the giant crybaby. “For me, as Wendy said, I am quite occupied these days……..” 

 

 

 

“Never mind. I am looking for substitutions of Wendy. I mean her old position. She is promoted and I need someone else to do the chores.” 

 

 

“The competition is next week. I can come after that. I’ll be able to hang out Wendy more if I take up this job.” Seulgi continues chuckling. “And be paid too. I heard from Wendy that those chores ain’t too hard. Joy can tag along when she’s free, and if you don’t mind.”

 

 

 

Taeyeon is in a good mood seeing Seulgi laughs. “I can hire both. Our studio has just finished a few orders, so I promise you two will be well-paid too.”

 

 

Although Wendy is not a religious person, she prays hard for the safety of her dearest friends.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

After the lunch, Joy and Seulgi go back to their business and say goodbye to our duo. On their way to the studio, the two midgets walk in silence. 

 

 

 

“I’m not really going after her.” Taeyeon softly says, unlike her usual teasing tone.

 

 

“What ?” Wendy, who is still mad at Taeyeon, was obviously spaceing out.

 

 

 

“I said, I’m not really going after your friend, or, friends.” Taeyeon looks away and continues to walk but the Canadian pauses.

 

 

“It’s all a joke ? You think it’s funny ??” Wendy sometimes just doesn’t understand this unnie.

 

 

 

“Just say I’m not some y old men chasing after teenage girls.” Taeyeon also stops and turns to her junior.

 

 

“But you really like butts. You always touch mine.” 

 

 

 

“I don’t touch every I see. I touch that I like and trust.” She tries to joke around .

 

 

“I honestly think there is a chance for you two to date for real - you and Seulgi, if you guys get to know each other more. I was just afraid of your .”

 

 

 

“Oh really ? Sadly, I won’t take it.” Taeyeon forces a smile.

 

 

“All the sudden, why……..” Wendy freaks out at the sudden upset Taeyeon. 

 

 

 

Sensitive as Wendy, she gradually gets the pieces together and figures something out. 

 

 

“You have someone in your heart, don’t you ?”

 

 

 

Taeyeon smiles even more bitterly.

 

 

"It isn’t me, is it ??” Wendy carefully asks.

 

 

 

“No. You are my best friend, my best employee, my best dongseang.”

 

 

 

Wendy tilts her head on one side, trying to figure out the reason for Taeyeon’s inner sadness.

 

 

Taeyeon sighs. 

 

 

 

“When the time comes, I’ll tell you. Everything.”

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Irene has arrived the bustling studio on time and is having her make-up done. Taeyeon is busy adjusting her camera and sends her precious assistant to check on the soon-to-be star. 

 

 

 

Wendy nervously steps into the room where Irene is getting ready. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find Irene among the sea of people there.

 

 

 

“Hey girl. Mind if you give me a hand here?” The cody spots Wendy, whom is the only one around seems to have nothing to do.

 

 

“Okay.” Wendy obeys as she hopes to squeezes in and continues her search for Irene.

 

 

 

It turns out the cody is struggling between getting Irene into a certain cocktail dress and finding a matching pair of shoes. Wendy is asked to help with the latter task.

 

 

Wendy never disappoints. She soon successfully finds the pair of high-heels the cody wants and is now rushing back in the speed of Usain Bolt. It is because her real boss is also waiting for her on the other hand.

 

 

 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH !” A dolphin scream explodes as the innocent Canadian pushes the door open again.

 

 

 

Wendy is so stunned by both the ultra high-pitched scream and the view she’s seeing.

 

 

Little does she know, most of the crew have retreated back to the shooting area, leaving an almost-empty room for Irene to get changed.

 

 

 

Wendy enters the room in the wrong, or right, timing - exactly when Irene is trying to fit into that low-cut cocktail dress but it freaking slips from her shoulders, because the cody unnie has underestimated the iness of Jessica’s design. Don’t forget the alluring make-up and red lipstick.

 

 

 

What a view.

 

 

 

It’s not the first time for Wendy to witness a nearly body apart from her own. 

 

 

Joy once saw a cockroach and ran out from the bathroom while showering. Seulgi once showered with Wendy because they were about to be late for school. Taeyeon once took a bath in front of Wendy because the latter one was having a diarrhea. 

 

 

But Irene’s something else. Not only she’s a stranger. 

 

 

 

Thanks to Irene, the 20-year-old now discovers her inner ert. The cody remains extremely calm and fixes Irene’s dress.

 

 

“I-I-I’m sorry. H-here are the shoes you asked for.” Wendy flees like she has just seen a ghost.

 

 

Irene is too embarrassed to say anything. On the other hand, she must recompose and prepare herself for the shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

“What took you so long ?” Taeyeon is already holding her camera, standing at the set.

 

 

“Just…… They have some problem with the shoes…… And the first dress. Irene-xi should be ready in a minute.” Wendy’s face is red as a tomato. 

 

 

 

“Okay. And why’s your face so red ? I thought you go running every evening.” 

 

 

“Don’t ask unnie. Focus on your work.” Wendy goes hiding behind the gigantic monitor.

 

 

 

The experienced Taeyeon smells something fishy.

 

 

 

At the same time, Irene appears in the shooting area and seems a bit uncomfortable in her dress.

 

 

 

“Irene-xi. Whenever you’re ready.”

 

 

“Hello Taeyeon-xi. Hmm… I’m ready and please take care of me.” Irene politely bows to the crew and Tae.

 

 

 

With the photographer’s reassurance and professional guidance, Irene soon enter her model state.

 

 

The shooting runs smoothly.

 

 

Whenever Irene goes to get changed, she shoots frightening glares to Wendy. Nothing escapes Taeyeon’s eyes.

 

 

 

It ends shortly. The SM crew is very pleased by the efficiency of the talented duo.

 

 

 

“Taeyeon-xi, thanks a lot. Frankly speaking, you are one of the few photographers who truly look after and respect rookies.” Irene finds Taeyeon back in her working desk after the photo-shoot. 

 

 

And Wendy is still hiding.

 

 

“You deserve my respect. As a rookie, you’ve done a really nice job there. I bet you’ll be big someday.” Taeyeon politely replies.

 

 

Irene looks at the clock on Tae’s desk. “So….. it’s 6pm. Do you mind to eat dinner with me, again ?” 

 

 

“I’d love to, but I can’t.” Taeyeon replies as she starts packing her stuff. “Your senior have made an appointment with me already.”

 

 

 

Irene is seldom rejected. Yet hearing it’s her senior, she instead focuses on the fact that Taeyeon is a friend with a SM artist.

 

 

Coincidently, the artist has arrived at the scene.

 

 

 

“Irennie~ Unnie is here !” This eye-smiling American is supposed to meet Taeyeon at the restaurant, but she decides to come and show her support. 

 

 

“Oh Fany-unnie. So I guess you’re the one who is having dinner with Taeyeon-xi ?” Irene is in awe. Tiffany is the top star in Korea and she’s actually a friend of Taeyeon.

 

 

 

“Yes. I have known her for a while. So did she treat you well ? Did she bully you ?” Tiffany motherly pats Irene’s head.

 

 

Taeyeon doesn’t say anything but gently smiles.

 

 

 

“No, unnie. Taeyeon-xi takes care of me very well.” Irene is also as polite as always.

 

 

“Good to hear that.”

 

 

 

Taeyeon leaves the two artists conversing and goes to Wendy’s hiding spot. “Hey Son Seunghwan. What have you done to Irene ?”

 

 

Wendy peeks from a fake plastic plant and flashes a stiff smile, “Ahem…. Nothing ?”

 

 

 

“You are pretty bad liar, don’t you know that ?” Taeyeon starts off a staring competition with the younger girl. 

 

 

 

 

And she starts counting down to 10. 

 

 

 

Wendy gives up when Taeyeon counts to 5 and tells her the whole story.

 

 

 

“But I didn’t know…. I was just trying to get my job done. It’s not my fault her dress fell down. Gosh, she must hate me to death now.” She adds.

 

 

“Wendy-ah. I wasn’t trying to scold you. I just wanna know what happened in there. I saw Irene a bit bothered.”

 

 

 

“Really ? Should I apologize or something ? Would she kill me if she sees my face again ?” Wendy can’t help shivering thinking of Irene’s glare.

 

 

“You have to apologize. We might work together in the future. But I don’t think she is that mad at you. If she is, I have bought insurance for you. Don’t worry.” 

 

 

 

“Hey, I don’t wanna die so young. I haven’t say my goodbye to Seulgi and Joy.” Wendy slaps Tae’s arm and pleads. 

 

 

“Did I disturb you guys ?? I am ready to go.” Tiffany fakes a cough and greets the duo. 

 

 

“Oh, not at all. Goodbye unnies~ Have fun !” Wendy happily waves.

 

 

 

Which means there are only Irene and Wendy alone in the studio.

 

 

 

 

Wendy is super scared after being shot by the 23-year-old's deadly eyes for countless times. How on earth she dares to face her again. But she is super hungry at the same time.

 

 

She then returns to main area of the studio and sees a slim figure folding her arms, standing by the exit.

 

 

 

The figure sees her as well.

 

 

“Finally, here you are.”

 

 

Cold tone and deadly eyes and poker face.

 

 

 

 

“I'M REALLY SORRY. YOUR CODY ASKED FOR MY HELP AND I WAS JUST GOING TO GET YOU THOSE SHOES. AND I SWEAR I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND I WON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. ONLY TAEYEON-UNNIE KNOWS. SO IF YOU HAVE TO KILL ME, YOU HAVE TO KILL HER TOO.”

 

 

 

 

Wendy stirs up all of her courage and blabbers. She is bowing so hard and she just couldn’t look directly at Irene.

 

 

“What ? You didn’t see anything ? What do you mean by that ? I don’t have anything to be looked at ?” Irene, however, still doesn't sound very amused.

 

 

 

“No ! It was so fast and I immediately closed my eyes when your dress…….. I can swear to whatever god that I’ve told you the truth.” 

 

 

“Then swear.” 

 

 

 

Wendy steals a quick glance at Irene. “I swear to God, to Jesus, to Mary, to Buddha, to Allah, to all holy spirits that, I Wendy Son, only saw Irene-xi’s body for 0.00000001 second, and I have already forgotten how it looks.”

 

 

 

Irene then bursts into laughter. “So your name is Wendy.” 

 

 

 

“Yes. And, you no longer mad at me ?” Wendy blinks her puppy eyes.

 

 

“Sort of. How old are you, Wendy-xi ?”

 

 

 

“Just turned 20 in Feb. What do you mean by “sort of” ? ”

 

 

“So I am the unnie here.” Irene smiles.

 

 

 

“Irene-xi, you haven’t answered my question yet.” 

 

 

“I want compensation.” 

 

 

 

“But I don’t have much money. I am just a collage student and I am here ‘cause I took a break to help Taeyeon-unnie. And I am living with her so my salary is quite low indeed.” Wendy pouts. 

 

 

“You live with Taeyeon-xi ? And you are her assistant ? Wow, you two must be close.”

 

 

 

“Sort of. We met a few years back then.” Wendy smirks, like Tae does all the time.

 

 

Irene is being teased back. “Alright. So….. Can you treat me something, like food ?”

 

 

 

“I can cook for you… You know, restaurants are expensive.” Wendy feels a bit embarrassed.

 

 

“You cook ? Great. It’s been a long time since I have eaten some decent home-made food. Let’s go !” Irene is excited thinking of food.

 

 

 

“But, you have to come to my house. Or you bring me to yours. Oh…. I forgot we’re kinda out of ramen and rice. We can go to supermarket first if you…..” Wendy remembers her miserable days eating ramen with Ginger. 

 

 

“I still have some food in fridge. But I have to warn you first, my dorm is not that tidy. You know, I have been so busy and I couldn’t even sleep more than 5 hours in the past two weeks….” It’s Irene’s turn to worry.

 

 

 

“So your place then.” Wendy flashes a bright smile as things are sorted out. She only hopes Irene won’t be mad at her anymore and let the accident fades away.

 

 

 

The Canadian then awkwardly follows her new Korean friend to her dorm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you're wondering, all of my chapters so far are named after Ed Sheeran's songs. *wink*

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