Baekhyun stirred up from his sleep as he heard a series of barks. He pulled himself up from the bed, scratching his left eye and saw that Ginger was on the side of his bed, waggling its tail and was looking at him. “Hey there buddy.” He greeted, and Ginger barked once more after.

          Glancing on the other side of the bed, he saw Taeyeon who was still deeply sleeping. Afraid that Ginger’s barks might woke her up, he stood up from the bed and carried Ginger out of the room to let Taeyeon rest for a while who he knew was indeed tired from her work yesterday. Taeyeon had been mad busy once again lately, and she had been going home past her usual time of arrival, and had been sleeping later than her bed time. It was because the demands for her designs on the market had been increasing than ever, and she was also doing a new project for her business. Baekhyun was afraid at times that she might had been overworking herself that was why he was always reminding her to eat healthy despite of being restless.

          Once they were downstairs, Baekhyun proceeded to the kitchen to feed Ginger. It was probably why he was barking at him early in the morning. It was usually Taeyeon who would feed him but since she was up late last night, she was still asleep until this time.

          He placed Ginger down and went for the cabinet with Ginger’s plate on his hand. He placed an enough amount of dog food on the plate and gave it to Ginger after. As he watched Ginger devoured on his food, he leaned on the kitchen counter and crossed his arms. It was over a week ago when Taeyeon decided to finally get Ginger on their dorm so they could have someone to play with around the house. Taeyeon’s main purpose of bringing Ginger was to help Baekhyun cope up with what he was going through that he still wasn’t telling her. She thought it might help him as Ginger helped her during the toughest times of her life. Ginger gave her joy and happiness that she couldn’t find within herself, and she hoped it could do the same for Baekhyun.

          And it seemed like Taeyeon’s plan was working, as Baekhyun easily grew fond of the black poodle dog of his wife. The two instantly grew closer the moment they met each other. He continued to watch the black poodle as it finishes its food and waggled his tail while looking up at him after. Baekhyun crept out a smile as he leaned down and patted Ginger’s head. “Good boy,” he grabbed the plate and washed it before placing back on its place beside Ginger’s water.

          As he let Ginger play around the house, he then helped Mrs. Lee in preparing the breakfast in the kitchen. While in the middle of placing the plates on the dining table, a sudden doorbell then came in. He jerked his head up and furrowed his brows. He glanced up on the wall clock provided in the kitchen and saw that it was still around nine in the morning. Who could it be? He finished preparing the plates and walked towards the door. Opening the door wide, his mom together with Taeyeon’s mom appeared in from of him. “Mom?” His eyes widened as he stared at the two figures in front of him.

          “Hey honey, good morning!” His mom greeted. He gave both of their moms a kiss on their cheek and let them in after.

          “Uh, what are you guys doing here?” He asked as he slowly closed the huge door behind him and scratching the nape of his neck after.

          The two mothers were busy scanning the house as it was both their first time visiting the place after it was well furnished. “Nothing, we just thought of paying you guys a visit.” Taeyeon’s mom answered few minutes after, still roaming her eyes around the house.

          He didn’t know if he should be relaxed about it knowing that for the previous times, there was always something up whenever they meet their parents. And much worse that this time, it was their mothers who went to their house than them meeting them for a lunch or even dinner. “Mrs. Lee and I were just preparing breakfast, why don’t you guys join us?” Baekhyun invited and soon, the three of them were already walking towards the dining area. As they did, the two mothers then complimented their house and how it was well designed and furnished.

          “Whoever you got to arrange the house was a brilliant person.” Taeyeon’s mom said as Baekhyun placed two new sets of plates on the table for their visitors.

          “Honey, where is Taeyeon?” His mom asked as she noticed that she was out of the scene since they arrived.

          “She’s still asleep. She was up late last night working.” He answered as he poured a water on each of their glasses. “Do you guys want coffee or tea?” He asked after.

          His mom then stood up. “Baekhyun, stop busying yourself over us. We can move for ourselves okay?”

          “Go take a sit now. We’re going to make our drinks for ourselves.” Taeyeon’s mom said after, following his mom to the kitchen to make their drinks already.

          Instead of doing what he was told so, he joined the two ladies in the kitchen and made a cup of tea for himself as well with them. When they were all done, they headed back on the dining table to finally have their breakfast. “Aren’t we going to wait for Taeyeon?” Her mom asked as she took her seat.

          Baekhyun started placing scrambled eggs and sausages on their plates. “I don’t think she’ll be up anytime soon, though. And she might just get sleepy later today if we’ll wake her up now.” He answered. The two moms then agreed with him, and decided to finally proceed on their breakfast without Taeyeon.

          As they enjoyed their early morning meals, the two mothers checked on Baekhyun and how they were doing for the past weeks of their marriage. Despite of everything that was happening, Baekhyun assured them that they’re fine and was doing good. And they were really indeed doing fine. It actually surprised him how they were both doing fine within the marriage—excluding the other external factors, indeed, the marriage was actually working for the both of them fine. He actually thought it would be impossible to work a marriage between two persons who barely knew each other that well and clearly just met weeks prior to their wedding, but somehow, it was working for them. Or maybe it was just because they were being comfortable and fond around each other already. But whichever way, still, the marriage was doing fine. At least for now.

          Taeyeon woke up with Ginger her face and jumping on her after. “Ginger,” she called out in a hoarse voice but the dog made no attempt to stop and instead, jumped more on the bed and even barked after. She knew right away that there was no way she could go back to sleep already, now that her behave dog had finally woken her up fully.

          She let out a yawn before pulling her heavy body up from the bed. Her head then started to throb as soon as she got up and she placed her right hand on her forehead as she closed her eyes shut, letting the pain pass for a while. She knew it was probably from the lack of sleep and fatigue, especially with how much work she was exerting again lately. As much as she wanted to rest more, she was already up from her sleep and it would be impossible for her to go back anytime soon. So instead, she then decided to finally got up and have her breakfast instead.

          Before she proceeded out of the room, she walked in to the bathroom to grab a medicine for her throbbing head on the medicine kit placed with their necessities. As she walked back, it was just then that she noticed that Baekhyun was already awake. Oh, guess he’s having his breakfast already. She walked out of the room, and dragged her feet downstairs. She was walking so slow as her body seemed so heavy plus the headache that she was having wasn’t really helping in anyway. It was just making her feel more miserable. Oh good Lord.

          Reaching the end of the stairs, she let out a yawn and scratched her eyes as she dragged her feet towards the dining area. And as she was doing so, she immediately halted on her tracks as soon as she saw the two familiar faces who was eating with Baekhyun on the table. She deeply furrowed her brows, and blinked twice to check if she was seeing the right thing. “What are you guys doing here?”

          As soon as the soft hoarse voice rang in the dining area, the three immediately lifted their head to the direction and saw Taeyeon who was hastily scratching the top of her head as she walked towards the table. “Taeyeon! Come join us for breakfast.” Her mom uttered.

          She let out a yawn again as she sat down on the seat beside Baekhyun. “Do you want a coffee?” He asked in a low voice as he looked at her, and she only replied with a firm nod. He then stood up and proceeded to make her coffee. Living with her for weeks, it wasn’t really hard to learn how she wanted her coffee to be. She usually wanted it sweet and creamy, but lately, due to restlessness, she preferred having a stronger mix of coffee than her usual to help her keep awake.

          “You seemed tired, honey. Are you okay?” Baekhyun’s mom asked Taeyeon out of concern as she reached out to touch her cheek.

          Taeyeon nodded against Baekhyun’s mom’s hand and answered. “I’m just tired because of work lately, but I’m okay don’t worry.” She assured them by giving them a smile after.

          Her mother then started placing a scrambled egg on her plate and even sausages and bacon. “Eat up honey, you need energy.” She uttered.

          When Baekhyun arrived back on their table, he had with him her coffee, and a newly toasted breads for her. As he placed down the cup and the plate near her and as she uttered a thank you, he noticed the medicine that was sitting on the space between his plate and hers. “Your head hurts?” He asked as he noticed that it was a medicine for headache.

          Taeyeon looked at him with her brows raised for a while as she comprehended his question, and quickly nodded when she understood. God this headache is not helping. “It was throbbing when I got up earlier.” She answered in a low voice before taking a bit of her toast that Baekhyun gave.

          “You should have slept again then.” He answered as his brows started to crease in concern.

          “Ginger was jumping all over me, you know he won’t stop until I actually get out of the bed.” She answered after swallowing the bite that she took and taking a sip of her newly made coffee after.

          Baekhyun then let out a chuckle. “He woke me up as well earlier.” He uttered.

          Taeyeon joined him and chuckled before looking at him. “What, was he asking for food?”

          “I think so,” Baekhyun answered and they both laughed after.

        As the two talked with each other, the two mothers couldn’t help but to adore their children who seemed so comfortable with each other already. The improvement and development in their relationship was something the two mothers were really looking forward to see and indeed, as they saw this certain improvement, they couldn’t help but to smile happily. Even though they were the ones who actually arranged the two together, they wouldn’t also deny that they think that the two looked good together. More than that, they already grew fond of each other’s child as both were noting but respectful and loving. If there were any other people who actually wished for the two to last forever, it were their mothers who were watching them fondly at the moment.

          “Do you guys have any plans this weekend?” Baekhyun’s mother asked moments after the couple chatted.

          “Well,” Taeyeon started as she set down her cup on the table. “It was just confirmed yesterday, but I’m flying to London for Jessica’s branch opening there.” She answered. Baekhyun on the other hand, wasn’t surprised to hear so as Taeyeon had mentioned this to him already days ago.

          Baekhyun’s mom then looked up to her. “This weekend?” She asked, and Taeyeon nodded. “Then why don’t the two of you come with us? Your dad and I will be flying as well in London this weekend for a business meeting. Spend a week there or so and have a vacation for a while!” His mom exclaimed.

          The two immediately exchanged a look, and was about to protest and Taeyeon’s mom suddenly spoke.

          “And besides, the two of you haven’t got to spend your honeymoon yet. That would be a perfect timing though.” As soon as the word honeymoon came out of , Taeyeon swore she wanted to throw up right away after. Why does she always say weird stuffs? Goodness.

          “Oh yeah, that’s right! That would be a nice idea! I’m arranging your hotel already okay? Leave this trip on me!” His mom stated, officially closing any more arguments about it. Shoot. They both thought.

          Baekhyun honestly wanted to protest about it, knowing that if Taeyeon would be staying longer than three days that she originally intended, her worked would be postponed for a while. Knowing that they couldn’t really argue anymore especially that they were dealing with their parents in here, he then took note to talk this matter with Taeyeon later when their mothers finally left them.

         Taeyeon on the other hand, just let the things be as it was. Though she would be very much concerned for her pending works that would be left, she also thought that maybe she could relax in London. After all the exhausting days and nights from work. Maybe it could be a short escape for her.

          As the breakfast soon finished, the two then toured their mothers around the house. The mothers were greatly satisfied with how the house that they picked turned out after being furnished properly. They also complimented how the furniture around the house looked pleasing and beautiful in the eyes. The mothers also liked how the two came up with the extra rooms upstairs, and even the living room that they turned into a theater place where they could watch movies. Aside from that, they also loved how peaceful the backyard was to stay to. They immediately planned to have some barbeque party over their house with some invited friends which the two were greatly hoping not to happen. But other than that, what the moms liked the most was their bedroom. The two could agree with their mothers that it was indeed cozy and nice as that was their initial reaction as well when they saw it. The mothers liked how there was a walk in closet, a terrace, and how spacious it was for the couple to move around.

          Before noon could even arrive, the two mothers said their goodbyes already and finally left the two. As they were walking up back to their room, Baekhyun then spoke as he trailed behind her. “Are you okay staying in London for more than what you’ve planned though? How about your work?” He asked as he closed the door after they entered.

          Taeyeon sat down on the edge of the bed, facing him. “It’s all good.” She simply answered. “I mean my work could wait. Besides, if ever I really needed to it’s easy to work as long as I have my laptop with me and Luna back in here.” She said and let out a yawn after, even throwing her head back as she did so.

          “Take some rest. You still looked tired.” Baekhyun uttered as he watched Taeyeon.

          Firmly shaking her head, Taeyeon then answered. “I gotta go to work.” She then wiped the tears that formed on her eyes when she yawned minutes ago.

          Baekhyun sighed. “Taeyeon, don’t overwork yourself.” He reminded, like what he has been doing for the past few days. Though Taeyeon kept on assuring him that she’s not, the dark circles under her eyes and the way she was acting were telling him otherwise.

          She chortled. “I’m not, don’t worry.” Just the same old answer.

          “I’m serious,” Baekhyun sternly said, which made Taeyeon froze for a bit on her seat. “Give yourself a break. You seriously looked tired than you’ve ever been.” Taeyeon wouldn’t disagree with what he said as she too was noticing the unpleasant changes on her. But she couldn’t really bring herself to stop working. Especially when she was determined enough to finish her tasks on time. “I’m leaving today, so stay at home if you can and work here instead.” Baekhyun said.

          Taeyeon looked at him and raised her brows. “Where are you going?” She wondered. Since Baekhyun doesn’t have any job at the moment, he rarely went out of the house for the past weeks unless he really had to or his friends invited him out. That’s why she was a little surprised to know that he’ll be heading out in a while today.

          Baekhyun smiled at her and walked towards the bed, sitting on the edge as well beside her. “This no good man is finally going to apply for a job.” He answered, smiling widely after.

          She would have protested when he referred to himself as a “no good man” but she too caught up to hear that he’ll be looking for a job already. “What job are you aiming for?” She asked, shifting herself and lifting her left leg up on the bed so she could face towards him entirely.

          “Well, I’m a journalism graduate so I’m aiming for publishing companies as an editor. Even as an associate or managing editor only. But I don’t know, we’ll see what can I get later.” He answered, his lips curving upwards after as he turned to her.

          “What was your job at your parents’ company before?” Taeyeon curiously asked.

          “I was the company’s communications specialist.” He simply answered.

          Taeyeon creased her brows. “What’s that?” She asked, her nose wrinkled in confusion as she did so.

          A smile then curved on his face after. Cute. “Well I handled the communications output of the company. I also worked with the marketing team at times. We usually planned the company’s promotional materials. Stuffs like that.”

          Taeyeon nodded her head slowly, pouting her lips a little bit as she comprehended what Baekhyun had said, though she wasn’t really sure if she clearly understood it. “Well I don’t know that, but I hope every company that you’d go later will get you.” She shortly giggled after and smiled.

          Baekhyun chuckled at her and nodded. “Let’s see later.”

          “It’s getting late in the morning, aren’t you going to prepare already?” She asked as she glanced on the clock placed on the nightstand on his side of the bed.

          Baekhyun followed her gaze. “I better start moving.” He turned back to her and smiled.

          “Alright then,” she muttered before Baekhyun got up from the bed and proceeded to the bathroom to prepare to leave already later.

          As soon as Baekhyun entered the bathroom, Taeyeon stood up from the bed as well and went to her room to work like the usual.

         It was almost twelve in the noon when Baekhyun finished preparing. He put on his old office attires: a black slacks, paired with a white dress shirt, a black blazer, and a black leather dress shoes. As he stood in front of the mirror to check himself, he suddenly felt weird seeing himself in such outfit. It’s been a long time. But he knew he couldn’t just stay inside the house and do nothing. After all, he himself had been itching to do something for the past months.

          He walked out of the closet after and picked up his bag where his files were placed neatly in the bed and headed out of the room.

          Before he could proceed to the stairs, he went towards Taeyeon’s room and knock softly before slowly opening the door. Taeyeon who was leaning against her desk with her other arm crossed across her chest while the other one was holding a paper that she was reading appeared right to him after. He wasn’t even surprised to caught her at such state. He was actually expecting it already, knowing how much of a hark working person she was. “I’m leaving already.”

          Taeyeon looked up to him with her brows raised. “Oh,” she uttered, placing the paper down on her desk after. “Drive safely, okay?” Was the only thing she managed to say as the sight of Baekhyun in such outfit was too alluring for her. Though this was not her first time seeing him in such dressing, but it was just really too… enticing for her rather.

          “Have some rest, okay? Stay in, at least for today.” Baekhyun reminded, and Taeyeon only nodded as a response, knowing she won’t really obey his orders to her. She was just that hardheaded.

          “Good luck,” Taeyeon simply uttered as she walked towards the door to meet him. She leaned on the other side of the door inside the room and tilted her head on the side as she looked and smiled at him.

          Baekhyun smiled back to her and patted her head. “Thank you,” He muttered. After a few minutes of hesitation—and staring at her, he finally leaned in and planted a soft kiss on the crown of her head. “I’ll go now.” He uttered before tapping her left cheek lightly.

          As Baekhyun slowly walked away from the door, Taeyeon peeked out and shouted at him before he could go down the stairs. “Snatch that job!” Baekhyun chuckled at her and nodded before finally waving a goodbye and leaving.

          When he was nowhere near her sight, she went back inside of her room and closed the door after her. She went back on her desk and continued with her work, unconscious of the smile that was on the corner of her lips.

***

          Of course being the hardheaded that she was, Taeyeon went out of the house an hour after Baekhyun left. Since she was too tired to even drive for herself, she asked Key, who was around the area at the said time to passed by on the house and pick her up.

          As they drove off the road, Taeyeon discussed with him about the magazine’s request—where Key was working for—to have a photoshoot and interview with her regarding her sudden wedding and marriage. Though there were a lot of magazines who instantly lined up and sent a request, Taeyeon without any bias, chose to work with Key considering a lot of reasons. With her cousin, she would be comfortable to do the photoshoot and interview as well especially that he knew the real deal about the marriage. In that way, Taeyeon wouldn’t have to worry about the questions that they would give to her anymore. Also, she could pinch in her requests easily if ever there would be any.

          Though they discussed, Taeyeon didn’t gave him a final word yet as she wanted to consult Baekhyun first. Especially with all the consequences and possibilities of things to happen once she finally stepped out in the scene and talked about their marriage. As much as possible, she still wanted to be careful. With how advanced the technology now, and how smart the people in the media scenes already, it wouldn’t be impossible for them to find out about their background. About their marriage. And revealing that would cause much more chaos to the now burning flame. And she doesn’t want any of that in her life.

          As soon as Key dropped her off, Taeyeon immediately proceeded to work. It was around five in the afternoon, when while Taeyeon was busy answering on the last of her emails, her phone started ringing. Without taking her eyes off from her laptop, she grabbed her phone and answered the call without looking on the screen. “Hello,” she greeted.

          “Hey, what are you doing?” Taeyeon immediately halted on her work and her eyes widened as she heard Baekhyun’s voice on the other line.

          “Oh my god, hey!” She uttered. “Um, nothing. I’m just… just working.” She answered, and hoped that Baekhyun wouldn’t ask next if she was actually at home or not.

          There was a dead silence for about a minute before Baekhyun spoke again. “You’re at work, aren’t you?” He asked as he raised his brows and waited for her reply.

          But instead of answering, Taeyeon just bit her lower lip and let out a short nervous laugh.

          Baekhyun sighed loudly, as he rubbed on his now creased brows. “Did you have your lunch already?” He instead asked, knowing that a scolding from him won’t do anything anymore for she was already at work and it wouldn’t really change anything at the moment.

          Taeyeon bit harder on her lip as she realized that she hasn’t eaten anything for lunch except the few pieced of cookies that Luna offered her earlier and the coffee that she brought. I’m dead. “I had some snacks and a coffee earlier.” She answered in a low voice.

          “So you haven’t eaten your lunch?” He assumed, and heard only a hum from her as an answer. He once again sighed loudly after. “I’m done with my interviews. I’ll pick you up.” And before Taeyeon could even protest, he immediately ended the call already.

          As the line went dead, Taeyeon knew that there wasn’t anything that could stop him already. She would be really grateful from him to pick her up, but she was still somehow concerned about the public, and the medias. Though it has been quiet from the past week since it was revealed in the news, Taeyeon wasn’t putting everything at rest knowing that they would probably just be around the corner lurking around her business. She just hoped that there wouldn’t be anyone outside later when he’d come by to pick her.

          The worrying then took its toll on her as her head started to throb once more. She figured out it that maybe it was because she hasn’t eaten anything yet and also due to the lack of sleep. She hastily finished answering on her mails, and opened her drawer to get a medicine for her headache. She then held tightly on her forehead as she waited for the pain to ease away after she took the medicine. She was never fond of taking medicines whenever she feels something wrong about her body, but the headache was getting too much for her to handle. Maybe I should’ve listened to Baekhyun and stayed instead. It was just then that she realized how much work she was exerting alone to accomplish everything. This won’t work. She knew she would cost her health if she continued this way. Especially that she was way busier now than how she was last year and the past years. It was a lot different now. She wanted to figure it out how should she work on this matter, but the throbbing pain on her head was preventing her from doing so. Instead, she saved the thinking for later and focused on relieving the pain away for the moment.  

          On his way, Baekhyun stopped by the first fast food restaurant that he saw immediately and bought something to eat for Taeyeon. He wondered then if Taeyeon had always been like this, a hardheaded one. He noticed that since the time that they met she had always looked over her own good and wellness just to accomplish the things that she needed to do and get done. She had always been restless ever since. And that did concern him very much.