Chaerin arrived at work early Monday morning only to be met by Bom's inquisitive dark eyes. The blonde rolled her eyes as she turned her head away from her friend and walked into her office. Following in her footsteps was Bom, which didn't surprise the blonde at all. Chaerin walked around her desk as Bom sat down in the chair across from her. "Sure, go ahead. Have a seat."

Bom winked at her friend and propped her feet up on the edge. "Don't mind if I do."

Chaerin gathered a few papers from her desk, placing them in a wire basket before grabbing the company's payroll book. She opened it and pretended to write a check. "How much will it take for you not to ask the question that is just dying to get out?"

"Do you think my dad would approve of you bribing me with the company's money?" Bom's smart aleck grin drew another roll of the eyes from her friend. 

"Uh huh. Since I know for a fact that he would sign the whole company over to you just to keep you from talking." She slammed the book closed.

"Hey! Pop loves me even if I am a little..."

"Mouthy." Chaerin inserted.

"No. That's not the word I was going for." Bom pretended to think of a word more fitting. 

"Chatty?"

The Personnel Director sat straight up. "I take offense to that. I am certainly not chatty. That sounds like chatty patty and I hate chatty patty. Why do you know when I was little...."

Chaerin held up a halting hand. "Go ahead. Ask."

The red haired relaxed back in her chair. "I knew you would see it my way." 

The blonde drummed her fingers on the desk. "I've got work to do, so...."

Bom scratched the side of her temple. "Takes all the fun out of it when you make it this easy."

Chaerin raised both eyebrows impatiently, waiting for the question she knew her friend would ask. 

"Okay, fine." Bom sat up on the edge of her chair and leaned slightly over the desk. "Word around the water cooler is that..."

"You mean around the bar." Chaerin figured Bom had talked with her uncle Jack. Between her best friend and her employer at the bar, they had tried to set her up over the last seven years or so more times than she could count.

"Well, Uncle Jack may have mentioned that you were like all over that cute brunette at the bar."

"I wasn't all over anybody." Chaerin denied even as the memory of her being on top of Dara, tickling her, flashed in her mind. 

"Your eyes were." When she saw the blonde about to protest, Bom quickly added. "Not that I blame you. She's pretty,nice and cute though."

"Are you sure you aren't gay?"

"Nah. I just like to look." Bom wiggled her eyebrows. The red haired figured it wouldn't hurt if she tried to provoke a little jealousy out of her friend to see what Chaerin was really thinking about the brunette.

The stern glare from the blonde's black eyes told Bom everything she wanted to know. "Keep your eyes to yourself. I know where they've been." 

"What the heck does that mean?"

Chaerin moved around the desk and tapped her friend on the head. "You figure it out. You're so smart." The blonde held the door handle. "Now if you'll excuse me."

Bom reluctantly got up and turned toward her friend. As she passed Chaerin, she mumbled. "My father likes that I talk a lot." When the owner of the tool shop's daughter passed her friend, Chaerin snickered. "He does!" Bom kept walking away, down the hall. "And my eyes haven't been anywhere your eyes haven't been. I can tell you that much. And one more thing...." The red haired heard the slam of Chaerin's door, making Bom shake her head; laughingly she referred to her best friend. "...she loves me."

"Who loves you?" The receptionist at the tool company asked. 

Bom folded her arms across her chest. "Diane? Do you think I talk too much?"

"I'm too close to retirement to touch that question." Diane swung around in her swivel chair and starting typing on her computer.

When one of the outgoing lines lit up on Diane's telephone, Bom's eyes widened. "Lunch says she's calling Dara right now."

"Huh?" Diane turned, glancing at the telephone on her desk. "How will we find out?"

Bom started to grab for the phone when Diane smacked her hand away. "Hey." The younger woman cocked her hands on her hips. "You do know I'm the boss's daughter."

"That's his problem." But the disinterested receptionist turned away, back to her work on the computer. 

The red haired sighed as she looked around the place. Realizing she would have to wait to talk with Chaerin, the personnel director briefly thought of calling Dara and setting up an appointment for a massage. "Then I might get the real scoop."

As her best friend plotted, Chaerin heard the telephone ring for the fourth time. 

Just when she was about hang up, a sleepy voice answered. "Hello." 

Chaerin smiled as she was reminded of that same voice, sounding exactly the same way on Saturday when she called. "Hi."

Upon hearing the blonde's brief greeting, Dara smiled and let out a low moan. "Hi yourself."

"Still in bed?" Chaerin sat back in her chair, now much more relaxed after hearing the soothing voice of the brunette.

"Mmmm.... yeah." Dara tried to focus her eyes on the clock next to her bed. "What time is it anyway?"

"Nine o'clock." 

"That early?" The brunette her side and stretched. 

"I've been up for over an hour." Chaerin let out a small laugh.

"Sounds like a personal problem." Dara sleepily teased. 

"Oh, that's funny. Anyway, I called to see how you were this morning?" 

"I'm good." Dara ran her hand over the borrowed jersey with the number twenty-one on the front and back. She smiled when she remembered Chaerin letting her select a change of clothes after the late Sunday morning shower. A small giggle erupted at how the blonde's eyes showed a great deal of concern when Dara chose the prized jersey and a pair of stretch shorts. "Guess what I'm wearing?" Dara knew she was mercilessly teasing her friend with that question.

The first thing that popped in Chaerin's mind was when Dara walked out of the master bedroom with only a large white towel around her, asking if she could borrow some clothes. The blonde was a bit shell-shocked at the sight of Dara's shapely wet body and equally shapely legs. So when Dara selected her prize jersey, the blonde realized she could never deny the brunette anything. "More than a towel?" Chaerin teased right back.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" 

Even though no one was in her office and the door was closed Chaerin turned in her chair as if engaging in a secret conversation. "You really want me to guess?"

Dara laughed, then said seriously. "I don't think you could handle it."

Something in that statement caused a hurtful memory to bubble up from the past. "Yeah. Anyway."
Dara immediately realized she had friend too much. "My first appointment's not until eleven. How about lunch maybe?"

Chaerin felt bad when she had to reject that tempting offer. "I can't. There's too much to do today."

"Oh." Somewhat disappointed, she was hopeful of a positive answer to her next question. "Hyesun's got a game tonight and my brother's got soccer practice. I thought I'd stop by there. Maybe you could too... if you wanted."

"Can't do that either. Sorry." The blonde scrunched her eyebrows together. "We've got inventory and I'll be working late."

"Oh." 

Chaerin heard the disappointment in Dara's voice, so she immediately suggested. "You coming to the game Thursday?"

That question perked the brunette up immediately. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Good." A genuine, happy smile brightened the blonde's face. "And maybe tomorrow or the next day we could get together for lunch or something."

Dara bit her lower lip in thought before answering. "How about Wednesday? Tomorrow I'm full up with appointments."

"Sounds good." Chaerin heard a knock at her door. "Call me and let me know for sure. Okay?"

"I will."

"I've gotta go now." While still on the telephone, Chaerin walked around the desk and opened her door, motioning for the older man to enter.

"Okay, bye."

"Bye. See you soon." After the blonde hung up the telephone, she gave her full attention to the man standing in her office. "What can I do for you, Mr. Parker?"

"'Mr. Parker?'" John Parker scratched his full head of graying hair. 

"Here it is." Chaerin shrugged. She was an absolute professional at work and wanted to show the ultimate respect for her employer. "If it's about Bom..."

John waved a dismissive hand. "She does talk too much." He looked at his daughter's best friend. "But I love her dearly and that's why I'm here. I know you two have a game Thursday, but afterwards we'd like for you to come over for dinner."

Chaerin nodded. "Her birthday. You know she doesn't like surprises."

"Sure she does." John Parked winked. "But only the ones she knows about. So?"

"Yeah, I'll be there." Chaerin assured her boss then a thought popped in her mind. "Would you mind if I brought a friend?"

That question piqued his interest. He had heard from his daughter and brother, Jack, how Chaerin refused to get involved with anyone. "A friend?"

"Uh huh." 

"Sure bring her a long." The tall man was about to leave when Chaerin stopped him.

"I guess Bom already told you about her." Chaerin cocked her hands on her hips.

John Parker smiled and winked at one of his favorite employees. "You know her as well as I do. And by the way, she's been pouting every since you threw her out of your office."

"Got it. Make nice with Bom cause we got lots of work to do today." Chaerin grinned.

"If you do, I'll give you a nice bonus." The boss joked with her.

"Ah, you don't have to do that. Besides, I'm the one that writes the checks for the company." 

The boss of the tool shop thought for a long moment. "Seriously, write yourself a nice bonus check, Chaerin. You deserve it. You practically run the whole operation anyway. And I appreciate it."

Chaerin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Just knowing that you feel that way is enough for me, Mr. Parker."

His raised bushy eyebrow summoned an amended address from the blonde.

"John." Chaerin relented from her professional demeanor for one brief moment.

"Finally." John Parker laughed. "See ya later."

Chaerin closed the door slowly, leaned against it and smiled. She was happy, truly happy and the rest of the week showed great promise.

*************************

After Dara dropped her brother off at home later that night, she drove home in silent thought. Sanghyun reminded her that he was set to stay the whole weekend with her while their parents went to visit a relative. Even though Sanghyun was grown up now, he rarely passed up a chance to hang with his sister. Dara was his hero. The brunette always loved having her brother around and wondered if he would like her new friend. "Of course he would. Wouldn't he?" What Sanghyun thought meant a great deal to her. "There's only one way to find out."

She decided to call Chaerin when she got home. Dara hurriedly let Sky out before replenishing her dog's water bowl. As she sat down next to her telephone, Dara in a calming breath. She punched in the numbers to Chaerin's home phone, hoping she was there. 

Slightly out of breath,  Chaerin answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi,Chae." Dara worried that she interrupted her friend. "I didn't know if you would be home or not."

"Just got in." Chaerin yawned. "Little tired, that's all."

"Oh. I'll let you go."

"No! Dara, I'm fine to talk....really." Chaerin sat on the bottom step of the circular staircase. "How'd the game go?"

"They won." 

"And your brother's practice?" It had been a long day for Chaerin and she was happy to hear her friend's comforting voice on the phone. "By the way, I'm glad you called."

"You are?"

"Yeah." 

When Chaerin didn't say anymore, the brunette answered the previous question. "His practice went well. He is the star, you know?"

That made Chaerin grin. "And, of course, he gets that from you as well?"

"Of course." 

"You really should think about playing for your team again. I think you'd enjoy it. It'd be good for you." The blonde suggested.

"I don't know with my neck and all."

"Well, I should be insulted."

Concerned, Dara asked. "What do you mean?"

"I happen to be considered one of the best massage givers around. However recent but still... quite good if I do say so myself."

"I know I taught you."

"Do you always have to take credit for everything?" Chaerin friend.

"Why not? If it's true."

"Here's the deal. After your games, I'll give you a massage and after mine..." The blonde figured she didn't need to go on.

"I get the picture. You just want free massages." 

"Seriously, I'd help you practice. Get back in shape."

"And what's wrong with my shape?" Dara let out an indignant teasing question. 

Without thinking, Chaerin admitted with a grin. "Not a thing. Not one..." The blonde suddenly stopped talking. 

"I'll think about it." Dara realized that there were times when her friend held back what she was thinking and decided to take things slow. She wasn't exactly sure what caused Chaerin's sudden quiet moments, but Dara was astute enough to recognize it had to do with a lost love.

"Let me know then."

"Listen, I know we haven't talked about it or anything, but my brother's staying the weekend with me and..."

"Oh." It's not that Chaerin had any definite plans with the brunette, but she sorta just naturally figured they would spend some of the weekend together. 

Hearing the disappointment in her friend's voice, Dara casually suggested. "He's fifteen and I was hoping that the three of us could do something."

Chaerin pondered that question for a long moment. "Fifteen, huh? I don't know many fifteen year olds that would want to hang around with his sister and her friend."

"Oh, don't worry about that. He loves hanging out with me. Besides, he's my best bud." The brunette pursed her lips on thinking she might be rejected again. "So what do you think?"

"I'd love to, actually." Chaerin stood up and walked into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator door, looking for some juice. "I'm game if he is."

"He is." Or at least he will be. "Okay then, get some rest and I'll call you about lunch." Dara was excited about the prospect the week would bring her way. 

"I will. Have a nice night." When she heard Dara wish her the same and said goodbye, Chaerin hung up the telephone. She had slept well the night before, but it wasn't the same as when Dara was near her. That thought thrilled and petrified her all at once.

After Chaerin hung up, Dara climbed into her bed and covered up. She laid there for a long moment as her mind raced with a pandemonium of thoughts. Dara knew Chaerin was only seeking a friendship, but she couldn't help but wonder about the possibilities. I never slept that well my whole life and it was because she was near me. The brunette didn't look forward to sleeping alone. When Sky jumped up on her bed, Dara chuckled. "Guess that won't ever happen."

************************

After the first inning was over, Chaerin ran to the dugout then plopped down next to Bom. Her black eyes searched the bleachers and parking lot.

"I don't know why you're torturing yourself." Bom shook her head as she watched Jessica at the plate chase a ball that curved outside. 

The blonde simply shot her friend a cold, hard look. 

"I'm sure there's some reason she's not shown up yet."

Chaerin fully knew that might be the case, but she was worried anyway. When they had talked Monday night, she forgot to ask Dara about going to the dinner at Bom's parent's home after the game. Then she missed Dara when the brunette showed up for lunch on Wednesday. The blonde was generally never out of the office, but an important client was raging about his bill and she had to go over to his place and explain it in detail. She left a message with Bom saying she would be late. But by the time she arrived back at work, Dara was gone. She just knew Bom had grilled Dara about their friendship and that worried Chaerin. The blonde's paranoia kicked in and now she wondered if Dara was mad at her for missing their lunch date especially since the brunette was not at the game.

"Bom?" Seunghyun called. "You're up."

Her best friend placed a comforting hand on Chaerin's leg. "Call her and then you'll know for sure."

As soon as Bom stepped in the batter's box, Chaerin flipped open her cell phone. She walked about twenty feet away from the rest of her team for some privacy. The blonde dialed Dara's home telephone.

"Hello?"

"Hi." Chaerin's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Oh, I'm so glad you called, Chae. You have got to give me your cell phone number." After Chae did, Dara explained. "I'm sorry. Yoo in na showed up crying and I just couldn't leave."

"She okay?"

"Yeah. But the tears haven't stopped. It's the same old stuff." Dara peeked around the corner to make sure her friend wasn't within listening distance. "I'm sorry. I was really looking forward to coming to your game."

"Me, too. I thought you were upset that I missed lunch yesterday." 

"No, not at all. Bom explained everything to me." 

"I bet she did." Chaerin wasn't happy with that news. Yet, the triple she just saw her friend hit did cause a satisfied smile on her face as the crowd cheered. 

"She's funny."Dara smiled as she twisted around and leaned up against the wall. "She wants me to give her a massage because you told her how good I was."

Chaerin cocked an eyebrow in suspicion. "You gotta watch her. And you are."

"Watch what?" The brunette was genuinely curious about that remark.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that she can get information out of a corpse if she has a mind to."

"Oh, so you're worried I'll find out all your secrets." When that statement met silence, Dara backed off from her teasing. "I'll be very professional and don't worry, okay?"

That assurance calmed the blonde. "I'm not. Thanks."

When Dara heard her friend whimper louder, she cringed. "I should get back to Yoo in na."

"I hope things work out."

"Me, too." 

"Dara?" Chaerin wanted to ask why her friend's telephone was busy most of the previous evening when she tried to call, but at the last minute decided against it. "We'll talk soon. Bye."

The brunette sensed there was more Chaerin wanted to say, but decided not to push the blonde. "Bye." Dara turned off the telephone and walked to the kitchen. 

Without missing a beat, Yoo in na plunged back into her story of woe. "She says she has to work late, but I know differently."

"I don't understand. Monday night everything was good between the two of you." Dara touched her friend's forearm. "What happened?"

"Tiffany happened." Tears started flowing again.

"Jessica's girlfriend?" 

Yoo in na covered her crying face with one hand. Nodding, she confirmed. "After work, they all went out to eat together."

"And?"

"And!" Yoo in na was fuming. "She doesn't care to take me out."

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is."  choked back a sobbing heave. "The only time we go out is with friends. Never just the two of us. She knows that just pisses me off."

Dara couldn't dispute that. Hyesun was a people person. She loved to have lots of people around and felt most comfortable in a crowd. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know." Yoo in na rubbed her temple. "I should just leave. But she probably wouldn't miss me." That thought brought even more tears from her crying eyes. "The problem is that she knows I won't leave. She doesn't have to do anything special or pay attention to me. Oh, God, Dara. I'm a mess." The weeping woman's head fell to the table. 

Dara tried to soothe her friend, but was at a loss for words. "I'll be right back." The brunette hurried to her office and retrieved the framed essay entitled 'My Whole Life'. She pondered for a long moment, hoping that just maybe Yoo in na would find some meaning from the words of her essay. When Dara returned to the kitchen, Yoo in na had just finished her conversation on her cell phone. 

"That was Hyesun." Yoo in na tossed the phone on the table "She wanted to know what was wrong? She acted like nothing was wrong! Can you believe that?" 

"Yoo in na, I..."

The older woman jumped up. "I've gotta go." Fearing that Hyesun would go out without her again, the distraught woman grabbed her cell phone and headed for the front door. "I'll talk with you later." 

Dara stood there on the porch feeling helpless as she watched her friend drive away. When Yoo in na's car was out of sight, Dara glanced down at the framed essay in her hand. Her eyes dropped to the second paragraph. 

My whole life, I've lived around love gone wrong. I've been a witness to marriages being destroyed by another person. I've been a witness to people somehow falling out of love, and going their separate ways. I've been a witness to people, who once loved each other, hurt each other just out of spite. I've been a witness to people forgetting how to court their lovers, even when they think everything is good and there's no need to do it anymore. I've been a witness to lovers who got too busy and forgot what was the most important thing in life: their love for each other. If you truly love someone, how can you let that love die without a fight? 

As she read the words, a single tear fell from her eye. Wiping it away, Dara returned to her office and replaced the framed essay on the wall. Her final thought that day was wondering if she would have the courage to fight for love.