PART 10

“Fany honey?!” My ears perked at the mention of my name. Her voice was loud and well, siren-alike. Like she doesn’t need any additional speakers or microphone to enhance her volume.

“Yes?” I replied with my cheek pressed against the surface of my mattress. I was lazy to crank my voice up but I guess it was the wrong thing to do since she didn’t hear me.

“Baby?!”

“Yes mama!” I screamed and sluggishly dragged my fleshy body off the bed to open the door to my room. I got to admit, I personally also own a very loud voice. My peers use to scold me all the time but I guess it runs in the family. I couldn’t help it. To be frank, maybe my ears were slightly heavy so I needed to speak loud or that’s just naturally me.

“Can you run to the grocery store and fetch some eggs and sugar?” I could hear my mom shout and my shoulders sag.

“Right now? Mom it’s 9 p.m. right now.” I whined and peaked down the stairs trying to catch a glimpse of her. Today was the last day for the semester exams and I had planned the rest of the day to lie on my bed but my mom just had to set fire to my awesome unproductive schedule.

“Honey please I need to bake these before I go to sleep. They’re your favorite!” She persuaded and wiggled her eyebrows. Ok that kind of motivated me a little bit. Not going to brag, but my mom makes the best brownies and muffins in the whole wide world.

“Mmm ok.” I gave in and slid my body back into my room with slothful actions. I eyed the pink book laid open flat on my bed and fold it shut. I was in so much peace looking at Taeyeon’s photos and selcas earlier. Now I have to go through a torturing walk to the mart.

“For the muffins!” I cheered to myself and slipped on a decent outfit.

-

I’m usually a very lazy turtle hence I don’t walk a lot. But now that I’ve reached the mart that was a good 15 minutes’ walk from my neighborhood, I silently thank my mom for choosing tonight to bake.

I was surfing through the isles, one hand with a basket, the other with my phone when I spotted a familiar person. Almost like a reflex, I pulled my hoodie over my head and tried to look as casual as possible.

My eyes would peek very vigorously at her direction and I would swoon. Who would’ve thought I would see her here in my neighborhood? What was she doing here? Well obviously shopping but why here?

I stole another glance at her and inspected her in every way. Her fluffy silky hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and her milky white thighs were really affecting me in the worse cases ever. I mentally laughed at the sight of her flip-flops. Does she always dress like this out of work? That was cute in a way.

With her outfit like this, she resembles even more of a little girl. My eyes followed her every movement and realized how she was struggling to take a certain can placed on the top shelf. She leaned on her toes and failed. My feet were itching to stride to her and lend her a hand but when another person appeared next to her, I remained rooted to the ground.

“Yah! Stop trying to reach for things that exceed your height!” The man said and I could recognize that voice well although I haven’t heard it in quite a while.

“Yah! Stop throwing mean comments at your older sister! I’m almost a decade older than you!” I heard her retort to his comment and I allowed myself to silently laugh. Her way and tone of voice strangely reminds me of an old grandma.

“Oh you’re actually acknowledging your super old age, grandma Tae.”

“Ahh ouch!” I heard Taehyung winced and I peeked to see Taeyeon pinching his cheeks with her fingers. I mentally awed at their adorable interaction. And plus, it only adds to the cuteness when I noticed how the two were wearing identical sleeveless shirts and flip-flops. They would’ve passed as a young couple.

They walked to another isle and I just proceeded to the cashier. It’s been a week since I last saw her and it annoys me to not be able to actually go up and speak to her but she was with Taehyung. Regarding what happened between me and Taehyung, it would be unwise to go up now. And plus, I seriously don’t think she uses Facebook that much. She never replies my messages and last Sunday was the only time she texted me, to wish me for the exams. I never had the time to go to her classes ever since because of well my examinations.

“Tomorrow I will finally get to see her…” I muttered under my breath and took out some cash.

-

I leaned on my car as I sent a text to Jessica. The only place I usually meet Taeyeon was out here in the parking lot when she leaves for home at the same time as me. However, I’ve been waiting for the previous 10 minutes and I never saw her leaving that door.

“That’s odd. What is she doing?” I glanced at her car again to make sure it was really hers. She’s still in that building. I debated what to do.

“Should I go in and find her?” I twirled my tongue inside my mouth as I pondered. My heart wanted me to go since I couldn’t bear any longer not talking to her. I just honestly miss seeing her so much.

“Hi has Taeyeon left the place yet?” I asked a lone staff sitting on the chair and she shook her head.

“I don’t think so.” She answered and stared at me weirdly.

“Ms. Taeyeon has been leaving a lot later than usual these days.” She added and I formed my mouth into an O.

“I see.” My mind was clouded with curiosity by then.

I entered further into the school, passed the empty classrooms and came to a stop at the room located at the end of the corridor.

With a lot of courage and willpower, I managed to lift my fist up to land a soft knock on the thick door.

A thud echoed the silent hallway and it didn’t take long before my stomach was filled with an exotic sensation.

I forced myself to remain calm when the door creaked open and I could see her face through the small crack of the door.

This time, I made myself the first one to greet.

“Hi.” After squeaking out that, my lips tightly shut together. Her eyes were wide and she must’ve been surprised to see me outside the door.

“Tiffany? Uh…come in.” I didn’t know why she was so flustered. I took a step in and goggled at her office room. The floor was covered with a red carpet and it was designed to be an art’s studio. Not like how a normal CEO office room would look like, this was made to be almost homely. A huge canvas was propped in the middle of the room and I figured out she must’ve been painting.

“I just came by to say hello…” I was trying my best to be calm and not to be overexcited. I missed her so much. And damn was I feeling braver than usual.

“I’m sorry I was absent for a few days.” I eyed how her sleeves were rolled up and how her grey blouse was marred with a few drops of paint. I then mustered up the courage to meet her eyes and couldn’t help but notice how her cheeks had colors on it too.

“It’s ok Taehyung told me you guys were having an exam.” She itched her nose and her paint-covered finger left a red rosy stain on her nose. I wanted to laugh and wipe it off for her but I couldn’t make myself move. I turn into a motionless statue when I’m with her.

“I’m sorry was I interrupting you?” I took a second look at the canvas and she shook her head.

“No…not exactly.” She uncertainly answered.

I stood awkwardly near the door and I started to feel extremely uncomfortable. What was I supposed to say? It clearly seems like she didn’t want me there and I hated myself for not being capable of acting like a normal human being and talk.

“I think I should head home now…” I couldn’t stop that from escaping my mouth. I didn’t want to leave just yet. We barely talked for 5 minutes but this was getting very uneasy for me to handle. Why does she keep giving me mixed signals? Was what going on in her head?

My fingers wrapped itself around the golden knob and I stopped when she began to say something.

“Before you leave, I just wanted to say that I’ll be holding a party for the opening of my art gallery this Sunday. As fellows who are interested in art, would you like to join?” She said very fluently and I despised her stable manner and tone. I guess it was me who turn into a jumbling mess.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of her little smile. Did she just invite me to join an opening for her art gallery?

My heart soared and I was drunk with happiness. How could I say no to such an offer?

“Yes. I would love to.”

“Ok I will pick you up at 7 this Sunday.”

Holy she’s picking me up?!

“That’s alright you don’t have to pick me up.” I said.

“No, I want to.”

My breath got caught in my throat at that firm statement. My heart began to pick up speed again. Why was she so skilled with messing with my head?

“Have a very good night.” She flashed me a million dollar smile and shut her door.

-

I put on my best dress that I personally think was the one that portrayed the most mature vibes. A few other dresses lay on my bed untouched and my heart was pounding furiously. My fingers adjusted my earrings and I checked my hair that I had braided earlier. I placed it to the side and my heart leaped to my throat when the doorbell rang through the household.

DING DONG

It was almost like a call for me to enter hell. My heart wouldn’t settle and I wanted to burst out crying in despair as I glanced at my horrible reflection. I wasn’t ready yet. I’ve never used up this much time to prepare for any event.

“Tiffany? Someone’s at the door and she’s asking for you!”

“Holy NO asjsfnpqineunt!” My mouth began rapping out unfathomable words as my arms start to flail around. I couldn’t find my heels! MY HEELS! I ducked under my bed and table and finally found it. Thank god.

“TIFFANY!” Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I hobbled down the stairs, trying to attach my feet to my heels. I was a ing mess and when I glanced at the door, I only turned messier at the sight of a goddess-like woman standing beside my mom.

I couldn’t stop myself from gaping at Taeyeon. A beautiful creamy-colored dress hugged her body perfectly and she just looks magical. Her hair that was now turned into a shiny blonde was up into a stunning bun and I could sense my heart overbeating. I swear it might explode. Like right now.

She was just oozing with beauty and royalty, and her long dress just adds to the whole picture. Now she actually looks her age. Mature and very attractive. An ultimate bombshell.

When she witnessed me tumbling down the stairs, her lips formed into a faint smile and she tilted her head to the side. Her earrings glinted under the light and so were her glassy eyes. I straightened my posture and I inched slowly to her.

“Hello.” I emitted a timid smile and I glanced at my mom who was also mesmerized by Taeyeon’s beauty.

“Hey. You look ravishing.” Blood flowed madly into my face.

“You too.” I wanted to say more. I longed to babble three well-elaborated paragraphs describing how gorgeous she was but my lips were sewn shut entirely by her presence.

“Have fun tonight Fany.” My mother kissed my cheek and Taeyeon bowed before bringing me to her car.

The ride was of course silent. I noticed Taeyeon wasn’t one to talk a lot either. The lord was obviously testing me, to place me in the same car as this masterpiece, sitting in the driver seat. It was very complicated to strain myself from not staring at her the entire ride.

“Relax. You look so uptight.” I glanced at her and saw that she still had her eyes on the road. Had she been inspecting me? Cautiously, I let my shoulders relax a little and focused on my fingers that were intertwined on my lap.

“Are you uncomfortable with me?” She threw another question and I salute her for always coming up with questions that were nearly impossible to answer properly. I thought for a moment.

“No. Not really.” I lied and she remained silent. She turned the radio on to treat the silence and I just sit and try to breathe properly without hyperventilating.

-

The event was luxurious and classy. That was the only thing I could say. A few smartly dressed people were already there, some old and some young. My eyes roamed around the place and I took in the various sizes of paintings put on display along the walls.

“I have got something to do. Can you sit here by yourself?” I whipped my head to Taeyeon and I nodded. I did what I was told and sit like a rock on one of the chairs available. People continued to come in, one by one and I was getting even more uneasy. So many unfamiliar faces and my eyes were only darting from one place to another trying to spot Taeyeon.

“Hey I’m back. Sorry that was quite long.” She apologized.

“It’s ok.” I replied with a smile and that was the first time I felt calm with her. Probably because she was the only person I knew out of the rest here.

“Well do you want to look around before the event officially starts?” I nodded and I followed her around. It was a huge place with a high ceiling and I marveled at the aesthetic artwork.

“You’re so talented…” I said and she laughed.

“No I’m not.” She rejected again, in the humblest way and she greeted a few people. I took the chance to just inspect more and I noticed how many of the guests were giving me brief glances.

“Do I look too underdressed for this type of event?” I asked myself and couldn’t help but ponder. Everyone was so formally clothed so it would’ve made sense if that was the case.

I twirled around to see a few more displays when one made my blood turn into ice. My fingers turned cold and my heart stopped manipulating. I think I know why everybody was staring at me. Hanging on the wall, was a painting of me. Of me.

-

Thank you for reading. I wanted to write more but time isn't on my side today but then I figured hey stopping here isn't that bad at all. HAHA. And I love you guys because you are all very patient readers but just don't pressurize me to update fast or more. :'( x