Irene nervously welcomes her guest to her dorm. She has been living alone in a small flat in Seoul since she has become a trainee under SM. Her family and friends are all in Daegu, so no one really have been invited here.

 

 

It’s small but it has everything she needs - a living room with open kitchen, a decent washroom, and two rooms; one as bedroom and one as dressing room.

 

 

 

In addition, it is indeed not “very tidy” as Irene has confessed, or messy for Wendy and Taeyeon.

 

 

Our duo although live with carefree lifestyle, they are never messy. Taeyeon tends to have her things all well-organized and clean. She has a bit of mysophobia that she can’t stand half a dust on her gears nor clothes. As for Wendy, since she has been close with Tae in her teens, she is pretty influenced by the older girl. 

 

 

That’s why they are always cleaning. Taeyeon has such a low tolerance of dust and dirt that she could not clean all the things on her own. And Wendy is there to help.

 

 

 

At the very first moment when Wendy steps into Irene’s dorm, she immediately decides not just to cook for her, but to do some cleaning too. Luckily, both are her forte. 

 

 

The Korean nervously bites her fingers while the Canadian looks around in her little castle, feared that her image has been ruined completely, adding to the accident earlier.

 

 

 

“Hmm…… Do you want something to drink ?” Irene tries her best to show her hospitality.

 

 

“No thanks. I’d go and start preparing the ingredients as soon as possible. I’m starving.”

 

 

 

“Hehe me too. It’s a long day, isn’t it ? Do you need any help ?”

 

 

“No thanks. I said I’d cook for you as compensation.” Wendy reluctantly refuses again.

 

 

 

“Okay. Just so you know, there’re some fresh vegetable and meat at the bottom of the fridge.” 

 

 

“I see. Thanks.” Wendy replies as she begins her work in the kitchen.

 

 

 

Awkward. 

 

 

 

Irene feels distant to the very polite Wendy. She then returns to her messy living room and tosses herself into the sofa. She’s exhausted by the endless practicing and working. Her petite body is on the edge of breaking apart. 

 

 

And she slowly falls asleep.

 

 

 

The guest, who is deeply immersed into her cooking, doesn’t realize the owner of the house is now dozing off behind. 

 

 

Taeyeon is a good cook. And so does Wendy. Growing up in Canada, she has explored many types of cuisine around the world. At least she knows about typical Western and Korean food. As a outgoing and bright girl, Wendy often cook for the others and no one has ever not liked her cooking. 

 

 

Wendy is eager to see how Irene think of her cooking. If she likes it, her debt would be paid. If not, she could still clean up her house as another compensation. 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Taeyeon feels a little bit uncomfortable and unfitted in this fancy French restaurant. One, she doesn’t like being too luxurious. Two, she is dining with a national star in public. Three, she doesn’t like French cuisine.

 

 

It’s not the first time they dine outside. But Taeyeon simply can’t get used to it. She just orders whatever Tiffany orders. 

 

 

 

“Hey, so Wendy is officially working with you now ?” Tiffany sips on her glass of red wine.

 

 

“Yeah. I guess all she needs is an opportunity. I can’t promise I would make her shine, but I’ll do what I can.” Taeyeon sips her glass of, milk. She has a low tolerance of alcohol too. And she likes it as much as she likes , lego, dukong and Ginger.

 

 

 

“Tae, you are very capable of what you’re doing. You’re just low-profile, or else you’ll be some famous celebrity too.” 

 

 

“Whatever…… Fame is the least wanted thing on my checklist.”

 

 

 

“And that Wendy girl, you haven’t talked much about her. I just know she’s from Canada, an art-major in collage, outgoing ………” Tiffany is curious about Taeyeon’s private life. 

 

 

It’s true that they’ve known each other from work about 2 years ago. Yet Taeyeon hasn’t really shared much about herself. She only talks generic things with Tiff. Tiffany always does most of the talking. 

 

 

 

“What’s up with our dinner this time ?” Taeyeon cuts her off.

 

 

Tiffany senses the photographer’s impatience and flashes her eye-smile, “It’s about Irene.”

 

 

 

“What’s up with Irene ?” Tae crosses her arms.

 

 

“I want you to look after her for me.”

 

 

“I’m no babysitter.” 

 

 

“Tae, I wasn’t finished yet. She is my junior and I want somebody that I trust to look out for her. But at the same time, I heard there’s someone else is watching her back too.”

 

 

 

“What ? You want me to spy on her ? How could you…..” As a person lacking a sense of security, Taeyeon can’t disagree more on the idea of spying. 

 

 

FYI, Taeyeon can be so insecure that this 25-year-old can only sleep while having her dukongs or gingerbread man in her arms.

 

 

 

“It’s not spying. I just want to make sure it’s not someone trying to control or make use of Irene, since that someone is definitely not a part of SM.” Tiffany defends herself. 

 

 

“Why am I doing this for you ?” Tiffany is a friend, but Taeyeon feels like she shouldn’t do this flavor.

 

 

“For Irene ? She is a really good girl and I don’t want anything bad happens to her. I have seen enough corrupt things in this business.” 

 

 

“Aren’t you a little bit overprotective ?” Taeyeon scoffs. “She is 23, not an eight-year-old. And how on earth you know that someone doesn’t have the same thought as you do ?”

 

 

 

Tiffany remains silent.

 

 

 

“Sorry if I’ve offended you.” 

 

 

“It’s alright. Maybe I was wrong.” Tiffany smiles again. “So let’s just eat.”

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

“Tae, can you drive me home ? I feel a bit tipsy.” 

 

 

“Let me call your manager.” 

 

 

 

“No. Why can’t you just give me a ride ? You have a car yourself…….. Oh I see, you hate me, right ????” Tiffany grabs Tae’s arms and complains.

 

 

Taeyeon manages to call Tiff’s manager with one hand, “Hi, Sunny. It’s me, Taeyeon.  Tiffany is drunk. Yes. I’ll send you the address in a second. Thanks.”

 

 

 

She withdraws her arm as she finishes the call. “You’re DRUNK.” 

 

 

“No, I’m not.” Tiffany reaches out for Tae again.

 

 

 

“Behave yourself, Tiff.” Taeyeon moves a few inches away.

 

 

“Why are you always so cold to me ? I’ve tried everything to get closer and …….You always brushes me off. Is it because I’m a celebrity ? Is it a burden for you ? I can change if you want me to……” Tiff feels so frustrated and buries her face in her palms.

 

 

 

“You don’t have to change,” Taeyeon’s gentle voice draws Tiffany to look at her.  “It’s not your problem. It’s mine.” 

 

 

“But I don’t understand……..” 

 

 

“Then don’t.” 

 

 

 

After watching Sunny’s car disappeared on the horizon, Taeyeon hops into her car and drives. 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy wipes the sweat from her forehand and she cracks a satisfied smile at her dishes. When she turns around, she finds a sleeping beauty on the coach.

 

 

The Canadian squats at the same level as Irene and can’t help but admire how beautiful she is.

 

 

 

“Wow, her eyes look pretty even when they’re closed. And her nose bridge is so straight and tall……. What a pair of cute ears ! How could she have such fair skin ?? Her lips, hm, pink as the colored-tips of her hair and soooooo kissable ……….”

 

 

Wendy is so memerized to a point where she starts making mental notes. 

 

 

“What the heck ??? It went so wrong.”

 

 

 

So she moves on to cleaning as she has to clear the weird thoughts out from her head. She wants to let Irene sleep a bit more too. Happily cleaning room to room, she goes on to hum a tune, just like those Disney princesses.

 

 

It’s one of the songs which Taeyeon often sings at home. Taeyeon loves to play guitar and sing, since she prefers this way of expressing her emotions than talking.

 

 

 

“I found your hairband on my bedroom floor,

The only evidence that you've been here before…….”

 

 

 

Wendy sings as she picks up a pink hairband from the floor of Irene’s dressing room. 

 

 

 

“Everybody said we'll be together forever but I know that,
I never wanna settle down, come around, break up the love like lego now,
Never wanna turn into another like you,
Sleep with my thoughts dance with my views……”

 

 

 

She carefully cleans Irene’s nightstand and arranges her bed sheet. 

 

 

 

“So am I close to you anymore, if it's over?

And there's no chance that we'll work it out

that's why you and I ended over U N I

And I said that's fine, but you’re the only one that knows I lied….”

 

 

 

(U.N.I - Ed Sheeran)

 

 

 

Irene wakes up to the smell of delicious food and Wendy’s beautiful singing. She opens her eyes and could barely recognize her house. Never been so neat and organized.

 

 

 

“Nice voice.” She stands by her bedroom door.

 

 

“Oh, Irene-xi ….. Did I wake you up ? Sorry~” Wendy sticks her tongue out.

 

 

 

“Sort of. And I’m hungry. By the way, you sing well. So why don’t you go to auditions and give it a try ?” 

 

 

“I …… I tried and was rejected for I-forget-how-many-times. Thanks by the way.” Wendy recalls her sad past and walks towards the kitchen.

 

 

 

“Don’t thank me again. I should be the one thanking here, for cleaning my dorm…… Why on earth did they reject a good singer like you ?” Irene follows the younger girl. 

 

 

“Let’s say I wasn’t attractive enough. I wasn’t born with a nice figure and a beautiful face like yours.” Wendy re-heats the dishes as she tries to brush Irene off from this topic.

 

 

“I wasn’t born with a nice singing voice like yours neither.” 

 

 

 

Wendy turns and looks into Irene’s eyes. She could see those sorrow and pain hidden behind those pretty eyes. Taeyeon has the same eyes too. Deep with sorrow and melancholy.

 

 

She doesn’t want to see Irene shutting herself from the rest of the world like Taeyeon does. She doesn’t want to see Irene crying in her sleep like Taeyeon does. She doesn’t want to see Irene developing another personality like Taeyeon does. 

 

 

 

“I was chubby before......”  Wendy decides to open up to Irene and spill her deepest secret.

 

 

“I was fat and unconfident that no matter how good I sing, no agency would want me. I left Canada and my family, and came to Seoul alone to pursue my dream. I remember at one time, a judge told me that the show biz is all about visual, no audience would like to watch a fatty performs when there are tons of muscular guys and S-lined girls…….”

 

 

 

Irene is surprised and attentively listens.

 

 

 

“I became so depressed and I thought I was totally useless. Then I met Seulgi, Joy and Taeyeon-unnie. They are the very first real friends I have in Korea. They gave me a reason to live on. Taeyeon-unnie …….. She offered me to live with her, encouraged me to lose weight, always sings with me, taught me how to play guitar and helped me to discover my talent in designing. She said, you should live beautifully and become a better person as a sweet revenge for those who have bashed you. So here I am. And I pretty much owe her my life.”

 

 

Then she finishes with her signature bright smile. 

 

 

 

Wendy's genuine words have touched Irene, that she also smiles sweetly in return. She takes a deep breathe before she opens up as well .

 

 

“People called me a 'empty pretty face' and said that I had no talent. It’s true that I might have nice facial features but my singing and dancing were weak. Yet, I have been dreaming to be an artist since I was small. So I practiced my off in order to become and stay as a trainee of SM.” 

 

 

 

It’s Wendy’s turn to be surprised and listen.

 

 

 

“I guess we’ve both worked hard. I also have an unnie who has helped me go through a lot. Her name is Jessica and she told me not to give up unless you have tried your very best. And ……… I can be your another Korean friend.” 

 

 

Irene’s voice is small, her last sentence just barely travel to Wendy’s ears.

 

 

 

“Friends ?” Wendy gazes at Irene’s smiling face with surprise.

 

 

“Friends.” Irene reaches out and forcefully shakes Wendy’s hand.

 

 

 

All the Canadian knows is how cold, small and soft Irene’s hands are, stimulating an instinct of pulling Irene into a warm embrace and giving her comfort. Wendy shows a silly panicked smile and diverts her attention to her dishes. It’s the second time for her to have weird (ert) ideas towards this 23-year-old.

 

 

Irene turns around and hides her blush. She settles down by the dining table recalling the electric-stinging feeling when their skin touched. And the warmth of Wendy’s hand.

 

 

 

“How’s that ?” Wendy shyly askes when Irene tries her kimchi fried-rice.

 

 

“Not good as my mum’s, but it’s nice too~” Irene sticks her thumbs up.

 

 

 

Wendy is relieved and pushes a bowl of soup to Irene.

 

 

“What is this ??” Irene frowns when she sees the alien-looking brown soup with a slice of bread on the top.

 

 

 

“It’s called French onion soup. A Canadian cuisine. Give it a try.” Wendy explains and chuckles at how Irene refuses the soup like a child.

 

 

“Okay……… Oh, it’s fresh. I’d never try something like that before.” Irene is impressed at Wendy’s cooking skills so far.

 

 

 

They eat and talks in a light-hearted mood. Wendy cooks quite a few more Korean and Canadian dishes which all gain Irene’s heart.

 

 

“We’re having dessert toooo ~” The 20-year-old exclaims as she serves something brown again.

 

 

 

“Really ? You know magic, right ? How could you cook so much foo…….. Chocolate ~ Is it some Canadian dessert ?” Irene is so impressed and so excited.

 

 

“Yup. Chocolate bread pudding ! I’ve been loving it since I was a child.” Wendy smiles brightly. If Irene is happy, Wendy is happy.

 

 

 

The ringtone of Wendy’s phone interrupts their little moment.

 

 

 

“Hello ? Taeyeon-unnie ?  I’m not at home……… ” Wendy replies as she looks at Irene’s cheeky expression across the table.

 

 

“HELLO TAEYEON-UNNIE !” Irene suddenly shouts. 

 

 

 

Taeyeon certainly hears that from the other side. 

 

 

“It’s Irene …… Yeah, I’m at her place right now…… I did. I’ll explain later. Okay. WHAT ? You’re still outside ? Not coming back ’til 2 or 3 ? You’re leaving me alone again ? Ginger doesn’t like me anyway. Alright, bye. Be safe unnie.” 

 

 

Wendy pouts as she hangs up.

 

 

 

“Who is Ginger ?” Irene rests her small face on her small hands.

 

 

“A dog. Taeyeon-unnie’s dog. Black toy poodle.” Wendy feels totally frustrated.

 

 

 

“A dog doesn’t like you ? Haahahaaaa” Irene laughs.

 

 

“It’s not funny.” Wendy pouts harder.

 

 

 

“Then stay for the night.” Irene offers staring at her guest sincerely.

 

 

Wendy doesn’t know how to react. It’s not that she’d never done sleepovers. It's she’d never expect it’ll be with someone like Irene. Actually Irene didn’t expect that too. She seldom does that. And she has broken her rule twice today for Wendy without any reason. 

 

 

 

Wendy is stunned by Irene once again and clumsily nods. Irene can’t help laughing at the younger girl’s cuteness and pats her head gently.

 

 

Another electric touch. Back to awkward state.

 

 

 

“B-but…… I only have one bed. And my sofa is too small to……… ” 

 

 

More awkwardness.

 

 

 

Wendy’s face heats up when she pictures Irene and herself on the same bed. She starts to blame Taeyeon that her yness has passed on to her.

 

 

Irene cannot hide her blush anymore so she runs away to take a bath. Leaving Wendy fanning herself while cleaning the dishes.

 

 

 

Wendy forgets how she gets on Irene’s fluffy pink bed. Now she is laying stiff and daren’t to move. 

 

 

But she can feel that Irene’s extremely close to her, she can smell a pleasant lavender scent.

 

 

 

 

Maybe if she turns her head on her side.

 

 

 

 

So she turns her head.

 

 

 

 

Irene is asleep. Already. She doesn’t know if she should be disappointed or relieved.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Taeyeon doesn’t even know how long she’s been driving. She is having a rough day, for her head.

 

 

Wendy seems to sense what’s wrong with her unnie. Taeyeon feels like it’s about time to tell her the truth as they are developing a strong bonding. Tae hates to lie, but life sometimes doesn’t give you a choice.

 

 

 

And Tiffany has kind of made a statement today. There are enough hints for Taeyeon to realize Tiff’s feelings to her. She likes her. 

 

 

She is a good girl but Taeyeon simply can’t fell in love again. 

 

 

 

After all those years. With another person in her heart. It’ll be unfair for Tiffany.

 

 

Taeyeon’s past is her biggest fear and herself is her biggest enemy.

 

 

 

She stops at a beach and calls Wendy to see if the young Canadian is doing fine.

 

 

It’s already quite dark and no one else would be on a remote beach like this. She walks by the coast and looks up. There’s a star next to the meniscus moon.

 

 

 

It’s hard to see stars in a city like Seoul. Taeyeon chuckles a bit, seeing even the moon has a company while she is all alone.

 

 

 

She then walks to a swing nearby. She knows ‘cause she’s been here before. She hops on and starts playing music in her phone.

 

 

 

“Everybody said we'll be together forever but I know that,
I never wanna settle down, come around, break up the love like lego now,

Never wanna turn into another like you,
Sleep with my thoughts dance with my views……”

 

 

 

Taeyeon is still struck by the lyrics even though it’s her nth time hearing this song. She really thought that love would be her last, would be forever.

 

 

They had been through a lot together and all the others thought they were meant to be. Eventually, they broke up…..  Torn apart like lego pieces.

 

 

 

“So am I close to you anymore, if it's over,
And there's no chance that we'll work it out.

That's why you and I ended over U N I,
And I said that's fine, but you're the only one that knows I lied….”

 

 

 

They got to know each other from university, since they were the only two freshmen who skipped years.

 

 

Taeyeon is a gifted child. She kept jumping years while she was studying. So she couldn’t really have stable classmates. So she had no friends in her childhood. When she finally entered university, she found her soulmate who shared the same experience as her.

 

 

 

They fell in love quickly.

 

 

 

Taeyeon sings along as her eyes water to this miserable love story in her memory.

 

 

 

“Because if I was gonna go somewhere, I'd be there by now,
And maybe I can let myself down……..

 

Because if you want, I'll take you in my arms and keep you sheltered, 

From all that I've done wrong.

And I know you'll say that I'm the only one,
But I know that God made another one of me to love you better than I ever will…..”

 

 

 

Taeyeon abandoned everything in her life when they broke up. Because she hated to see anything that would bring back memories.

 

 

The only thing she couldn’t let go is - she just couldn’t leave this place. The place where there’s someone she loves so deeply.

 

 

 

She is waiting for her lover to return. How silly it sounds.

 

 

4 years have passed by, Taeyeon now only wishes for her lover’s happiness. 

 

 

 

Maybe someone is loving her better than Tae ever will.

 

 

Taeyeon is already tearing up with such thought.

 

 

 

“Sooyeon-ah, I miss you.”     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So things are pretty much clear now, right ?

Stay tuned and I'd love to know how you guys think. 

xo