Lying in bed, I gazed at the brunette sleeping peacefully across from me.  I silently watched as her body steadily rose up and down with each breath.  For the first time, I realized how calm and assured it made me feel.  Against my better judgment, I leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, which left a lingering taste of strawberries on my own. 

She stirred slightly. 

“Morning,” she smiled without opening her eyes. 

“Hey you,” I said returning a smile.  “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?” I whispered.

“Only like every day,” she replied teasingly as her gaze met mine.

“So in other words, not nearly enough as I should,” I said with a chuckle. 

In one fluid motion, I reached over and pulled her in, quickly closing the space between us.  I slowly ran my hand down her side before settling at the curve of her hips. 

She let out a soft moan in response and I couldn’t help but grin. 

“How about I show you just how much I love you,” I said rather mischievously.

Without a word, Tiffany leapt from my arms, springing to life as she headed toward the bedroom door.  Before leaving, she turned and said in a sultry voice, “Catch me if you can.”

********

Sneaking up from behind, I s my arms around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder. 

“What’s cooking?” I asked, nuzzling my nose against the side of her neck.

“Yuri that tickles!” she said with a giggle as she playfully fended me off.

I quickly grabbed a waffle from the table and began searching for my keys.

Tiffany noticed and frowned.

“Can’t you spare a couple of minutes to sit down and enjoy breakfast with your amazing girlfriend?” she said smiling as she glanced back at me.

“I would if someone kept it in her pants this morning.  Best shower I had in a while,” I said with a grin.

I walked over and deftly reached under her shirt, placing a hand on her toned abs while lightly squeezing Tiffany’s through her lacy pink boy shorts with the other.

I could tell Tiffany’s eyes were closed as she purred slightly, her body seeming to melt into mine.

“You better go,” she said hoarsely. 

I could tell what she was saying was the complete opposite of what her body wanted.

“You’re right, I have an important meeting,” I breathed seductively into her ear. 

She shuddered in response.

“If we keep this up, I won’t be able to get in today…to work, that is,” I said with a smirk.

“You’re such a -“

Before she could finish, I spun her around.  Standing face to face, I had to hold in a laugh as I noticed her cheeks were completely flushed.  I admit, mine were heating up too. 

Staring at me with wide eyes, she waited with bated breath.  I slowly leaned in.  To her disappointment, I placed a chaste kiss on her forehead before releasing my hold.

As I sprinted for the door, I heard her yell after me in frustration.

“YAH!  You’re just going to leave me like this!?”

“I love you!” I shouted back as I left.

********

 “Just made it,” I said to myself as I walked through the double doors of the conference room.

“You’re lucky Mr. Baek isn’t here yet,” a girl remarked as I sat down next to her.

“You better shut it, Soo~,” I sing songed, smiling through gritted teeth.  “I remember you strolling in 30 minutes late just the other day,” I added.

“At least I was smart enough to bring some donuts with me.  Throws the dogs off the scent,” she replied with a laugh.

“Touché.  I must admit, those donuts were pretty darn awesome,” I said as I playfully whacked her on the shoulder.

As we shared a laugh, my phone beeped.  I almost forgot to put it on silent and quickly fished it out of my pocket.

It was a text from Tiffany. 

Opening her message, my jaw dropped. 

It was a close up picture of her with an arm draped across her bare chest.

I immediately replied back.

Me:  I’m so for you right now.  F this meeting, I’m coming home.

As I stood up to leave, my phone vibrated.

Fany:  Only good girls get rewarded.  This is just a teaser of what’s to come tonight.  ;)

Forgetting where I was, I groaned in frustration before I looked around the room and smiled meekly as I sat back down.

Me:  Ugh, fine.  You win.  You know I’m going to be thinking about this picture the entire meeting.

Fany:  That was the plan.  =)

Me:  Remind me again why I couldn’t take the day off with you?

Fany:  Because I needed you out of the house to prepare your special gift.  

Me:  Why would I need a gift when I have you?

Fany:  Flattery will get you nothing.  But I’ll still take it. 

At this point, I couldn’t stop grinning.

“Hey smiley, better put that away.  You-know-who just walked through the door,” Sooyoung reported.

Taking one last look at Fany’s rated pic, I slipped my phone away.

I seriously love this girl.

********

Taking another bite of my sandwich, I stared intently at my computer screen as the heroine of the story was about to reveal she was the long lost granddaughter and heiress to the billion dollar company.  As if timed perfectly, my phone buzzed.

Hitting pause, I opened the message.  It was from Tiffany.

Thinking it was another naughty pic, my face began to heat up.

My hopes were quickly deflated when I saw a picture of various vegetables laid out on our kitchen counter.

Fany:  Look what my friend gave me!  It’s the first crop of her small vegetable garden.  Guess what I’m planning to make for dinner?

I stop to think for a second but nothing came to mind.

Me:  Uhhhh…a lot of vegetables?

Fany:  You’re not even trying!  I’m gonna make my famous Fany Fany Bi Bim Bap!

Me:  Wait.  When did that become famous?

Fany:  Just now so you better eat it and enjoy it.

Me:  Oh don’t worry, I’ll eat it.  I’ll eat it all night long….;)

Fany:  You’re such a byuntae!  Get back to work and I’ll see you at home…you .  =D

Me:  Yes, ma’am! 

The rest of the day was spent counting down the hours until I could see her again.

Lost in thought, I didn’t hear Soo knock and peek her head from behind the door.

“Yuri.”

“…”

“Yuri.”

“…”

YURI!”

“What!  Who?  Oh yes!” I said shuffling papers on my desk.

“What’s got you so spacey today?” she asked as she closed the door behind her.  “Oh wait.  Isn’t today the day you…” she trailed off.

“It sure is,” I said as I removed a velvety blue box from my pocket.

“Congrats, Yul,” she said as she walked around my desk and gave me a hug.

“Thanks, Soo,” I said, smiling widely.

“So if today is the big day, what are you doing here?” she questioned.

“I was going to take the day off, but Tiffany wanted to surprise me with something,” I said with a shrug.  “Actually, I think it worked out for the better; I’m going to surprise her with a surprise of my own,” I beamed.

“I love it,” Sooyoung said as she clapped her hands together.  “I’m so happy for the both of you.  Be sure to thank me at your wedding.  After all, I was the one who introduced the two of you.”

“Of course, how could I forget when you practically remind me every day,” I said with a laugh.

“Text me later, okay?” Sooyoung said as she left.

“Will do!” I shouted.

With a dopey grin plastered on my face, I placed the box back into my pocket.

********

I rushed home, barely able to contain my excitement.  I didn’t receive any texts from Tiffany after that which was probably a good thing since I could barely concentrate all day.

Pulling into the driveway, I noticed the house was dark.

A shiver ran down my back, but I brushed it off.

As I entered, I placed my keys and bag down on the table.  With flowers in hand, I called out to Tiffany.

No answer.                                      

Thinking she may have fallen asleep somewhere, I began to turn on random lights in the house as I continued to call her name.  

I went into the kitchen and found the table set with dinner ready, but no sign of Tiffany.

Tightening my grip on the bouquet, my eyes frantically searched for the one I was so desperate to find.

As if someone heard my thoughts, I saw her.

With trepidation, I slowly made my way closer. 

Silently praying that everything was going to be okay, I tried to repress the negative thoughts that began to flood my mind.

I knelt down and reached for her hand.

It was ice cold.

“Tiffany,” I whispered as I tried to warm it up.

No response.

“Baby, I’m home,” I said softly.

I waited for an answer, hoping that she would suddenly wake up and greet me with a smile, laughing at how silly I looked.

With my heart pounding, I grabbed her shoulders in desperation and began to shake her violently.

“Fany, baby.  Please…please don’t do this!” I pleaded.

“Tell me what’s wrong!  What happened?” I continued, now screaming at her.

“Someone!  Someone please help me!” I cried out loud, my voice echoing through the dimly lit house. 

As if I was hugging her very soul, I held her tightly in my arms as I buried my head in her chest, an endless stream of tears flowing from my eyes.

“I-It’s g-going be o-okay…,” I said quietly in-between sobs.

“I love you so much….”

 ********

Missing Tiffany a little more than usual, I took out my phone and scrolled through some old texts.  A random conversation caught my eye.

Fany: I was thinking of starting a vegetable garden.

Me:  With your black thumb of death, what plant would grow?

Fany:  Excuse me, I don’t have a black thumb.  I just tend to forget to water them.

Me:  That’s not helping your argument.

Fany:  Well whatever color thumb I have, I just thought it would be fun to start one…together.

Me:  Okay, sounds good.

Fany:  Really?  You’re not teasing me, are you?

Me:  I would be crazy to turn down spending time with you.  Plus, it sounds like it would involve getting down and dirty.  ;)

Fany:  I should have known….

A smile had crept onto my face just as my phone brought me out of my reverie.

“Hey Soo, what’s up?” I answered trying to sound upbeat.

“Just wanted to check in on you.  I heard you requested some time off.  I hope everything is okay,” she said sounding a little concerned. 

I could tell she was trying not to show it, but I knew she was worried.

I smiled and tried to reassure her.

“Everything is fine.  I just felt like taking some time off for myself.  Maybe do some traveling.” It pained me that I couldn’t tell Sooyoung the truth.

“Nothing wrong with that.  Everyone needs a break now and again.  Well, now that I’ve checked in on you, I should let you go-“

“Soo?”

“Yeah?”

I paused for a moment as I took a breath.

“Thank you.  For all that you’ve done for me.  You’re a great friend and I just wanted you to know that.”  Suddenly overcome with emotion, I covered my mouth to hold back a sob.

“I know it’s been rough for you.  I’m just glad I could be there for you when you needed it.  I’m glad you forgave her too.  She was just as shocked when it was confirmed the mushrooms were the cause of death.”

Reliving the events like it was yesterday, tears began to flow.

“I k-know.  I know now that no one is to blame.  I just wish I could have said goodbye.”

“I know, Yuri.  I’m sure one day you’ll see her again,” she said reassuringly.

“I hope so,” I said trying to smile.

After a few more exchanges, I hung up the phone. 

Wiping fresh tears on the sleeve of my baby blue button down, I was reminded of the first time Tiffany and I kissed.

“You’re wearing it,” Tiffany said a bit skeptically.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I simply replied.

“I thought it might not be your style.  And I know you don’t wear anything you don’t like,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Well, I’m wearing it aren’t I?” I said with a smile.

Our eyes met.  For a brief moment, I thought I saw a flash in her eyes.  I must have been staring intently as Tiffany quickly turned away, her face flushed.

I was about to break the silence when I noticed something on the side of her face.  It was brownie crumbs from dessert.  I chuckled to myself when I thought about it being there from the time we left the restaurant. 

“It’s getting dark, I should go inside.  Thank you for dinner and taking me home-“

Tiffany stopped when I reached out and softly brushed the crumbs away with my hand. 

Met with an incredulous look, I tried to explain. 

“Oh, uh, you had some brownie crumbs there…”

Thinking I was making up an excuse, she reacted by half cringing, half smiling. 

“Yah, that gave me goosebumps!“ she exclaimed as she began to playfully hit me.

As a natural reaction, I grabbed her wrists. It seemed to have an effect on her as her smile faded.

As if anticipating my next move, she closed her eyes.

Staring at her in silence, I wasn’t sure if I should kiss her.  We had only been dating for a short while and neither of us had made a move to take our relationship to the next level.   

As I struggled internally, I noticed Tiffany’s expression change as she scrunched her face while still keeping her eyes closed.

Not knowing what else to do, I whispered her name.  When that didn’t work, I shouted it.

When her eyes fluttered open, I quickly leaned in and placed my lips on hers. 

Tiffany let out a muffled squeak before I felt her body relax.

I let go of my hold on her and wrapped my arms around her waist.  She responded by placing her arms around my neck as we deepened our kiss.

I couldn’t help but smile.  It was memories I wasn’t able to let go of. 

“I miss you every day, but you probably already know that,” I said quietly. 

I placed two small boxes on the table. 

“I guess neither of us had the chance to say what we wanted to say that day.” 

I felt the all too familiar sting as tears were now streaming down my face. 

“You were taken away from me so suddenly, but I tried my best to go on without you by my side.  Today makes a year.  That’s long enough, right?” I said, my voice cracking.

I tried to steady my shaking hand as I reached for a spoon and took a bite of Tiffany’s Bi Bim Bap made with vegetables from the garden she wanted to start together.  With the exception of one ingredient. 

It was a bittersweet moment. 

After finishing, I headed upstairs.

I placed both rings on the table next to the bed and turned out the light.   

“I can’t wait to see you again.  I love you,” I whispered.

Hoping Tiffany would understand, I closed my eyes and smiled as I took my last breath.