Taeyeon was forced to get up by the annoying sound her alarm clock was doing. Remembering that she doze off last night without setting the alarm as she slowly pull herself up from the bed, she was reminded that the alarm was set for it to alarm by nine o'clock for some days as she was working—and cramming a lot of designs last week.

          She reached to turn the alarm off, and the clock read 9:30am, and something about that made her feel uneasy all of a sudden. What's with today and nine-thirty though? She confusingly thought as she scratched the back of her head.

          Still exhausted from the work she did last night, she couldn't comprehend her thoughts well at the moment and decided to just go back to sleep so she could also get rid of the headache she was having at the moment. But before she could even set herself on a comfortable sleeping position back on her inviting bed, a sudden shock and horror went through her body like a lightning as she finally remembered.

         "Oh my god!" She screamed on top of her lungs and shifted her eyes back to the clock. "Freaking !" She screamed once again and went straight to the bathroom to wash up. Damn it! She thought. How unfortunate can I get?! Goodness. She couldn't believe she actually forgot about the said brunch that they'll be having today. Of all the things that I could forget! Why the this one?! Ugh! She moved as fast as she could and she couldn't even comprehend how she did everything so fast. All she could think about was how her mom would actually kill her later. What a great life that I have. With the time she was left with, she ditched on the thought of having a good shower to proceed on her day and instead, poured almost all of the contents of her perfume on her body.

          As soon as she was done in which she wasn't sure how it happened, for she did everything so fast than she could ever imagine, she went up to her mirror and checked herself. I look like a human being so I guess this is all good. After so, she quickly ran her way out and picked the stuffs she left on her couch when she arrived last night. She didn't have to check twice for she knew she'll be needing everything anyways. And in a swift minute, she's out on the road, finally on her way to Hotel Gradioso.

***

          Taeyeon was almost an hour late already when she arrived and of course, there's no one to blame for it but herself alone. This was one of those very rare times where she drove so fast in her life and became greedy for the road for she didn't really like being in a hurry for most times and has always preferred driving in an acceptable manner of speed. She also purposely ignored her parents' calls throughout the ride, not really planning on stressing herself more with how stressed she was already with driving as fast as she could. It's early in the morning, I haven't had my coffee and meal, I haven't taken a nice bath that I was actually really looking forward to, I'm sleep deprived and I don't need a nagging from the two of you, especially you mom.

         Even though she was confident enough to actually ignore their calls, she's definitely shaking inside out of nervousness. She wasn't sure how she would face her angry mom later. She was a hundred percent sure that her mom would nag on her on why she's almost an hour late and how embarassing it is that she left a very bad impression to their acquaintances already. Good job, Taeyeon. Good job.

        She mentally thanked the gods that she actually left a pouch on her backseat a long time ago, and it somehow matched her light and pastel outfit. Her mom would be outraged to see her daughter in pastels and with a black bag. She thinks she's the biggest fashionista between us. How ironic, right?

          After fixing her stuffs, she went immediately out of the car. Though she was obviously in a hurry with her situation, she didn't bother herself to run immediately inside. I'm late already anyways, why bother myself to be in a hurry?

         Going through her phone, she saw that her mom left a message in the morning telling her to wear something light colored. She couldn't help but to sigh in relief that she actually picked a perfect outfit for today. At least mom will spare some nagging for my outfit. That's a one point for me.

         As soon as she entered the hotel, she went straight ahead to the café which was quite far from where she parked. She instantly regretted not considering her parking location earlier, but she also couldn't blame herself for it. I mean, I'm in a hurry, I'd probably spend a new hour just to find a parking space near the café. This place is huge after all. She didn't need to ask where her parents—and their guests—would be at the moment for she was sure enough where they were in this place. It's an automatic thing for them. If you speak of Hotel Grandioso and her parents, the first thing that needs to come on your mind is Prestige Café; her parents' second home here.

          After some minutes of walking from the parking to the café, she felt a sudden rush of nervousness in her body just by the glimpse that she had of the café. The headache she was still having since the morning wasn't really helping either and it was just making her all dizzy and uneasy out of the blue. Goodness Taeyeon, you're old enough to face your nagging mom.

          But despite of the uneasiness that she was feeling, she managed to enter the café normally. As soon as she made her entrance, she immediatelt saw the back of her parents facing her as they were seated on their usual place in the middle part of the café; and as if someone gave her mom a sign that she had finally arrive, her mom turned around in a swift second towards her direction and their eyes met immediately.

          As what she had already expected, she was welcomed by her mother's venomous death glare. Oh if looks could kill, I'd be long dead and gone in this world already. She unconsciously gulped the building lump on as soon as their gazes met. She then assumed that her father haven't noticed her arrival as he stood up all of a sudden and went further away from the table with his phone on his ear.

         With all the might that she have in her body, she tried her best to ignore her mother's glare, and went to the chair beside her and sat quietly, trying her best to act like nothing's wrong, and nothing's about to happen. She noticed that the seats in front to them were unoccupied. Are they late as well? Oh please Lord I need a miracle. 

         "Why are you late?" Her mother asked soon as she settled herself in her seat. Voice almost a whisper, but was stern enough to send chills on her spine.

          Though she was already anticipating this scene long ago earlier, Taeyeon was in no mood to actually argue with her mom. Her throbbing head wasn't really helping in any way possible and was just making her feel worse at the moment with all of the uneasiness that she was feeling. "I'm sorry okay? It's not like I intended to be late or something." She answered in a low voice. Taeyeon was praying that her mom would actually let this one slip of her hands as what she said was the entire truth. Taeyeon never missed nor became late to any of the lunches or dinners, or meeting that her parents called for. Despite of her growing, hectic, and jam-packed schedule, she had always managed to squeeze in her parents' demands in any time given. 

          Her mother then let out a sigh, an impatient one. Taeyeon knew that her mother wanted to straddle her so much already at the moment. Oh how much this lady hates tardiness. "Goodness, you're so embarassing! Do you know how much excuses have I made up already just to justify your tardiness?" She half whispered, half screamed at her, her voice still stern.

          Taeyeon couldn't help but to roll her eyes as she her seat to face her outraged mother. "Okay, first of all, I didn't ask you to make up excuses for me." She started and her mom was about to answer back when she immediately cut her out and spoke again. "Second, I'm guilty of my mistake okay? I told you, it's not like I wanted this to happen. I have so much in mind okay? Give me a break mom geez." She managed to say in one go before slumping herself back on the chair after.

         Before her mom could even utter a word to scold her daughter for answering back, her dad suddenly went back on their table, cutting of her mom. "Taeyeon, sweetheart! You're here! Thank God!" He went up to her to kiss her cheek and hug her. Taeyeon gladly gave the hug back and was thankful that her dad was sparing her some scolding. The ironic difference between though. They both pulled away and went back to their respective seats after. Noticing the scowl on his wife's face, he proceeded to ask, "Honey, have you been scolding our daughter again?"

          Her mom rolled her eyes and started talking. "She's late! For about an hour, honey! For someone's sake! What would they say about her? That she's a lazy and irresponsible person? Oh god I'm telling you honey your daughter is digging her own grave." Her exclaimed in an outraged manner before crossing her arms across her chest harshly.

         Taeyeon scoffed as soon as she heard her mom. "It's much easier to dig my own grave than to listen to your naggings." She muttered, but it was loud enough for her mother and father to hear. She was definitely going all out. She've been nothing but respectful to them ever since, even after she left. But this got into her nerves already. Her mother was getting too much and she couldn't handle how petty, selfish and immature her mom could get over such things. Can't she be just thankful? I'm actually doing her a favor after all.

        Her mom was definitely surprised with how her daughter shamelessly answered her back. "Watch your mouth lady—" but before she could even continue her scolding, her father who was having enough of the argument of the two ladies in his life cut her off immediately. 

        "Enough with that! She's here and that's all that matters." It was simple, but was stern enough to quiet her nagging mother in a split second. Taeyeon couldn't help but to flash a tiny small on her face. She wanted to hug her father so bad for saving her from her mother.

       After so, silence enveloped them but the eerie atmosphere around them never left. To draw her attention away from the unpleasant athmosphere, Taeyeon took out her phone and decided to just answer some emails instead. This is much more productive than anything else. If she had a choice, she would honestly ditch this meeting knowing that this has something to do with her marriage. Which she was totally against of. But then again, who was she to even back out when all she ever did through the time was to follow around her parents' demands on her.

         "Fix yourselves, they're heading back." Her dad ordered them minutes after. She jerked her head up after and saw three unfamiliar faces—one female and two males—coming towards their table. It's them... I believe. She thought as she continued to observe the three of them as they walked towards their place.

         He quietly followed his parents as they discussed together how convey to their friends the problem that suddenly occured with their reservation with the restaurant. He didn't bother to join in the conversation knowing he's not much of a help for his parents.

         Turning his head over the table that they sat in earlier, he saw a female seated on the only vacant chair earlier. It must be her. He couldn't have a good look of her face as she was drown in her phone, probably answering some messages as she was typing fast, while her parents were also busy exchanging some words to each other on her right.

          It was only when Mr. Kim saw them approaching and said something to the two ladies beside him that she raised her head with a curious pair of eyes and looked at their direction. He suddenly felt like stopping on his tracks as he shivered a little from the sudden chills that went on his body, probably from the shock after seeing her face. This can't be... He thought. Though he was shocked, he managed to keep up a straight face and walked like nothing happened. But nevertheless, he still couldn't believe that he'll be arranged with this woman. Small world indeed, huh?

         As soon as the three of them reached the table, one of the males, who Taeyeon believed was the father who looked like the same age as hers spoke. "Hey, sorry for the inconvenience but it seemed like there's a problem with our reservation." He uttered, looking a little embarrassed at her parents.

          "Oh, don't worry about it! We can handle this!" Her mother answered. "But first of all, I want you to meet our daughter, Taeyeon." Her mother added, introducing her to the others and she immediately stood up from her seat and offered them her hand which they gladly took. 

        "I'm terribly sorry for my tardiness. I know I don't have the reason to make excuses for myself, but I'm sincerely apologizing." She immediately said after, bowing to them to show her apologies.

         She expected them to be mean towards her, for wasting their time for waiting, knowing that that's how the attitude of everyone in this world, in their world, but instead, they gave her a genuine and warm smiles which she was totally not expecting. "Oh my, you don't have to say sorry! We understand!" The lady said to her as she slightly touched Taeyeon's right arm to stop her from bowing furthermore.

          Taeyeon wasn't sure how should she respond for she was taken off guard by their kindness, so instead, she flashed them a shy and warm smile as well and nodded in return.

         Though still unnoticed, he couldn't help the smile that was forming on his face after seeing her cute action. He found her cute ever since he saw her the first time closely and he thought he didn't go wrong for it. She's really cute after all.

        "Anyway, Taeyeon honey, this is our son, Baekhyun." The lady then spoke after, and Taeyeon turned her gaze over the other male who she almost forgot about for a moment. Her eyes suddenly widened as soon as she noticed him. hung open in shock, as she continued to stare at him. Wait... She wanted to speak, but felt so dry all of a sudden. Baekhyun immediately gave her a short nod and a smile when she didn't utter a word.

         Oblivious of what's happening, their parents, especially the mothers, were in awe to see their kids' reactions after meeting each other, obviously assuming the opposite of what was really going on between the two. "She must've like him, oh my gosh!" Her mother gushed over her husband. Taeyeon clearlt heard her mother but she could really care less about it as she was still confused of what was happening around her, more specifically, what was the man in front of her doing in this place. It was adding up to the throbbing feeling that she was having from her headache and it was making her feel worse than she already was at the moment. This is crazy. 

         "We'll leave the two of you here for awhile, we'll be back in a few and we'll proceed to our brunch shortly!" His mother called out  in a low voice to not startle the two, and Baekhyun immediately nodded towards them in response. Taeyeon would have nodded as well, but she was busy analyzing everything that was going on, so she remained looking at him, baffled. 

          The four parents then left soon after, giggling and gushing over their kids, especially their mothers.

         Why is he here? What is this? Why? Wait, what is happening? Her thoughts continued to linger and she thought that she's probably the most confused human being at the moment in the whole world. Because this is freaking crazy! What is happening? 

         She only realized that she had been staring at him for too long when he suddenly cleared his throat, waking her up from her drowning thoughts. "Mind if we take a seat?" He carefully asked, and with how bewildered she is of the happenings, Taeyeon didn't even bother to answer and sat right away on her seat, earning a chuckle from the man right away, before he too sat on his. And as he took his seat, facing her, he knew he'd be questioned in any minute, and from the moment he saw her face earlier, he prepared everything that he needed to explain.

          "You..." She started, but she couldn't seem to find the right words to convey everything that she wanted to say. "Um," she uttered.

          He smiled at her and nodded, understanding why she was acting that way. "I know," he said.

         She opened but closed it right away when she couldn't put into right way her question that she was itching to ask him since she saw him. "What... I mean, um... I thought... I thought you're getting married?" She stuttered, but managed to ask out after, her brows furrowed down, indicating her confusion.

         Baekhyun shrugged his shoulders in return before giving her a small smile. "I thought so too." He answered. I guess I'm stil getting married... but with you after all.

          Taeyeon's brows just furrowed more with his answer, totally confusing her already. "Then, why?" She asked.

          He once again shrugged his shoulders before letting out a sigh. "I don't know." He simply answered, smiling bitterly after. 

       "But you guys, were... picking a gown yesterday at the boutique. What... what happened?" She carefully asked. She wanted to be cautious knowing that they just formally met at the moment, but the raging curiosity in her wouldn't burn down unless she'd ask him. Though she already have an idea in mind for the answer, she refused to acknowledge it. The thought of ruining someone else's relationship over this... petty arranged marriage was too much for her to handle. That's the last thing she ever wanted to do in her life, to ruin someone else.

       Given the situation, he knew at the moment that she might be thinking that she was the reason of their break up. Well, it was indeed true, partially. But Baekhyun wasn't blaming her for it at all, knowing she was clearly innocent of his situation. She didn't know. And he didn't know either. "I broke up with her yesterday." He said in a low voice, almost a whisper, but loud enough for her to hear. He wasn't intending to sound... pained with his answer, but it nonetheless, came out that way.

         Taeyeon suddenly felt a heavy weight on her chest as soon as she heard him. She felt guilty, knowing that she had something to do with it. It's my fault. She remembered how happy they were yesterday going over her dresses; how happy she was. It's nice to think that it was because of her, more specifically her designs, that they were enjoying their time yesterday and was all happy spending the time together, but who would have thought that, ironically, she was also the one who ruined their happiness. "You were engaged?" It was a question with an obvious answer, but she just needed it out of  chest. I just need to know.

          He nodded at her and replied. "Yeah," he shortly uttered.

        . You're screwed Taeyeon. Really screwed. She tightly shut her eyes closed. Lord, how unfortunate can I get? Tell me. It was definitely sending daggers to her chest knowing how she screwed their relationship. Her conscience just wouldn't let her live. Opening her eyes seconds after, she slightly leaned towards the table, resting both of her elbows on the top of it. "I'm sorry, I know it's my fault. I'm just, really sorry." She uttered in a low voice to him, lowering her head down after.

          Baekhyun felt bad that she was apologizing for something that she clearly didn't mean to happen. That she was apologizing over a matter that was out of her grasps, out of her hands. He then placed a hand on her arm after, concern was slightly painted on his eyes. "Hey, don't apologize. It's not your fault and I'm not blaming you either." He uttered in a calm voice.

        She looked up, staring staright at his eyes. "I know," She started, and Baekhyun was about to sigh in relief, but she spoke once again after. "But... it's my fault." She added, biting on her lower lip as looked at him with wretched eyes. 

        He couldn't help but to chuckle at the absurdity of her statements. Though her eyes were painted with despair and an apologetic look, he couldn't help but to find her adorable in his eyes. "You said you know yet you still blamed youself." He uttered in a low voice between his chuckles.

         Taeyeon heaved a heavy sigh before she spoke. "Because it really is my fault..." She murmured before lowering her head once again. The mere thought them splitting because of this, because of her was indeed too much for her to comprehend.

          Baekhyun in return, heaved a sigh as well, as he didn't really want her to further put the blame on herself. "C'mon let's talk about other stuffs, shall we?" He suggested as he drift themselves away from the previous topic.

          Taeyeon raised her brows at him before she leaned back on her seat. "What stuffs?" She asked. She thought maybe it would be a good thing to try to change the conversation to avert her thoughts as well. 

          He suddenly felt relieved that she immediately jumped in with his suggestion. At least she would stop blaming herself for now. "Anything," he answered. "Anything that you want." 

          She honestly wasn't sure if she really wanted to talk about some other things with him, but she knew that this might be a better idea or else she might explode out of guilt already anytime soon. "Have you seriously thought about this... you know, the marriage?" She wondered—though she couldn't believe that these words are coming out of , she did ask anyway—because she haven't in a single bit. More like she refused to actually even think about it. I mean, it's marriage we're talking about here, marriage. 

          "To be honest, I haven't." Baekhyun answered, leaning back on his seat as well after.

       A sigh suddenly passed through her lips out of relief. "Thank god, 'cause I haven't either." She confessed and the two laughed in unison after. "No but, if you have any offers or what, just tell me, we can talk about it." She suggested after their laughs died down. Though she clearly had no idea how an arranged marriage works, she knew somehow that agreements were sometimes made between the two sides.

         He sighed. Neither he had an idea on how they would end up, or how this would end up. "You now what, why don't we just get married for now, and just go with the flow. I mean, we're both lost in this path anyways, why don't we just help each other for the meantime?" He suggested after minutes of thinking. As far as his self is concerned, he haven't really paid too much attention about this marriage, it was just giving him so much pressure and stress that he purposely ignored it as much as he could. But time ran out and they're here already. As much as he wanted to be formal and serious about this with her, he couldn't really think of a way to deal with this but to just let it happen with how their parents wished to.

          Taeyeon was quick to comprehend what he said after. She would gladly admit that she too doesn't have a single idea on how things would turn out. She was obviously busy with her work at the moment and this marriage could actually be the last thing for her to worry and think about. Agreeing with his suggestion, Taeyeon nodded her head instantly. "You're right, I mean I'm far too busy to care about this to be honest." She uttered.

         The anxiousness on his face as he watched and waited for her anwer was the replaced by a smile of relief. "If that's the case then, that's our agreement." He said, offering his hand out to her.

          She chukled, her chin dimples was showing, and she gladly took his hand and shook it. "Okay then,"