“I’m off in ten mom, don’t worry.” Baekhyun uttered, as he walked in front of the mirror to have a last good look of himself.

          “Alright, I’ll see you later. Take care.” His mom replied and the line went dead soon after.

          Fixing himself for the last time in front of the mirror, he then grabbed his belongings after and hurriedly went out of his apartment and straight onto his car after. It was already ten o'clock in the morning by the time Baekhyun left and started driving. Hope she's awake already. Her apartment was about thirty to forty minutes away from his, and Baekhyun hoped for the roads to be clear from any traffic so he would be able to arrive on time on her place. 

         Despite getting a little sleep from last night, Baekhyun managed to get himself up from his bed early today. His eyes and body felt heavy due to the lack of sleep yet he continued with his day disregarding these unpleasant physical feelings that he was having. If it was any another day, he bet he would still be in bed until early in the afternoon, but there was something to look forward for the day. Well at least for him, he has something to look forward to. 

          “Dammit! Where is it?” Taeyeon grunted as she impatiently searched through the pile of her clothes on her closet. I’ve been looking for it for fifteen minutes already! 

         After a few more minutes of searching, the top that she was impatienly looking for finally appeared itself to her. “There you are! For pete’s sake!” She gladly uttered and even sighed in relief, before she hurriedly get herself dressed. She then proceeded to her bathroom to do her makeup and hair respectively.

        Just as she was about to finish, a sudden doorbell came in, interrupting her from her work. She stopped and froze on her spot, her brows quirked. Wait. She thought as she suddenly remembered. , he’s here? She questioned herself. But instead of looking for a definite answer to her question, she hurriedly finished fixing herself and went out of her bathroom to then fix her things. And just as she was finally gathering her stuffs, another doorbell came in.

          “Wait!” She screamed as loud as she could. “,” she grunted as she hurriedly placed her things inside her bag.

          And another doorbell came in.

        Once again, she screamed. “Wait!” She ran towards her mirror and took a last glance on herself before running out of her room to clumsily wear her black stilettos. Too clumsy that she was almost tripping herself as she did so. "Oh for 's sake." She groaned under her breath.

         And as if the past doorbells wasn't enough to make her panick, another doorbell came in and Taeyeon could only just curse under her breath. “Wait! I’m coming!” She screamed again. Why am I always late? Ugh I hate life.

     Baekhyun on the other hand, could totally hear her from outside. Though he couldn’t see her, he couldn't help the smile that was automatically forming on his lips as he stood behind the door of her apartment. As he waited patiently outside, while leaning on the stair's handle, the door then brust open minutes after, finally revealing Taeyeon who he has been waiting for since he arrived.

          As she opened the door after the stuggle she had wearing her heels, Baekhyun appeared in front of her who was casually leaning on the handle of her stairs, his hands were in the insides of his pockets. Tell me I wasn't the only one who found that good looking. “Oh, hey! Hello! Good morning!” She greeted, plastering an apologetic smile to him as she walked out of her apartment.

         Baekhyun couldn't help but to stare at her in awe. He had always found her beautiful ever since he saw her and he knew almost everyone did with how radiant her beauty is, but he would almost always get startstruck whenever he'd get to see her. It's as if Taeyeon held on a magic for her undying beauty. “Good morning!” He cheerfully greeted back after a moment. 

          “Sorry if I made you wait. It took me so long to look for this top.” She said as she closed and locked the door behind her.

          Baekhyun smiled at her as he straightened himself. “That didn’t take long, so no worries.” He replied, watching her on her back.

         After so, Taeyeon turned to him and gave him a thankful smile before they marched down the stairs and entered his car after. Taeyeon was glad that Baekhyun had only been an understanding and a gentleman to her since they met yesterday. And that was the most craziest part of everything, thet just met, formally yesterday, and yet Taeyeon felt the comfortableness was beginning to envelop them already. Or at least for her. 

         Throughout the ride, the two continued to share and talk about things that they could, but like yesterday, leaving out the personal and sesitive ones for the time being, which they figured out that in that way, both could easily be more comfortable with each other with their given situation and place. After all they both personally hoped for this journey that they're about to walk in to be as comfortable as possible for their own selves. They also found it amusing how they almost never ran out of things to talk about especially with the given amount of time since they just met yesterday. 

         “Have you eaten already?” He suddenly asked, after their conversation about how the winter last year was the worst they both had for it was terribly colder than the past ones. 

          Taeyeon nodded as she slowly brushed her hair with her hands. “I had cereal,” she answered. “How ‘bout you?”

          He nodded as well, his eyes fixated on the road. “I had grilled cheese.”

         Just by the mention of it, Taeyeon suddenly craved for the food which caused a little bit of frustration in her knowing it would be impossible to have a grilled cheese at the moment. “Oh my god! Why didn’t I think of that? Now I want to eat some.” She exclaimed, pouting her lips out after in frustration. I thought about that a few days ago already! Now I’m craving again! She internally cried.

         Baekhyun took a quick glance at her and saw her pouting. As he turned his head back on the road, he let out a chuckle of adoration after seeing her. “Then make one when you get home later.”

          She scoffed. “That’ll still be hours later! Why did you even mention it?” She complained, crossing her arms across her chest after.

          He laughed. “You asked me what I had for breakfast!” He answered back in between his laughs.

         She just rolled her eyes, not really want to be defeated even though it was clearly obvious that she was already. “I hate you, now I won’t be at peace unless I get to eat a grilled cheese.” She said, pouting again.

        Baekhyun chuckled at her adorableness, shaking his head after. I didn’t know she could be this childish as well. Taeyeon is cute and all, but more than that, one would eventually get a sign of a maturity from her just as you laid your eyes on her. No one would think that she had this side of her in her on the first look. But apparently, she does and Baekhyun found it amusing and amazing how she's showing a lot of her within the time that they met each other from yesterday until the at the moment.

          “Will there be grilled cheese at the restaurant we're going to?” She wondered, tilting her head on the side as she looked at him.

         He laughed and took a quick glance at her. “Seriously? That’s a fine dine in restaurant if I’m not mistaken, do you think they’ll be selling some cheap grilled cheese there?” 

         “What cheap? Grilled cheese is not cheap! Just a bite of it will eventually send you to heaven, for your information! And who knows, I mean they could sell right? We don’t know!” She reasoned out, leaning back on her seat after and looking out on the window, her pout was once again visible on her face.

          Baekhyun just laughed at her and shook his head after. Are girls always like this? He questioned, though he wasn't really complaining. In fact, he was enjoying how Taeyeon was complaining and nagging over a grilled cheese. She's cute. 

        After that, it didn't take long until they finally arrived at their destination and Taeyeon quickly glanced on her wristwatch as Baekhyun was parking the car, and saw that it was still less than fifteen minutes before twelve. “Yes! We’re early! Mom would spare me some nagging!” She gladly said, fixing her hair with her hands as they both get ready to leave.

          “Yeah, you were so late yesterday.” Baekhyun suddenly teased for an unknown reason, with a smile visible on his face. 

          Taeyeon rolled her eyes at him. “I woke up late okay?” She answered before Baekhyun stepped out of the car. Following him, she stepped out of the car as well and slammed the door close. “I went home late, that’s why in case you’re wondering.” She added as she walked towards him.

          “You know I was starving already yesterday.” He teased once again, grinning slyly as he did.

       Taeyeon narrowed her eyes at him before rolling it as they started to walk together to the restaurant. “You were fine when we’re talking yesterday, stop fooling me!” She answered back in which Baekhyun only replied with a laugh and finally decided to stop with the teasing. 

          The two then walked inside in a comfortable silence with only the sounds of their footsteps and their surroundings could be heard. Right away, their parents saw them walking in and her mother raised her hands above and waved at them, getting their attention immediately. “Oh god, could she get any more embarrassing?” She whispered to herself, but it was loud enough for him to hear and he could only just smile.

         As they walked towards their table, they were instantly greeted by their parents as soon as they arrived. “Hey!” Her mother greeted and gave each of them a hug, her father followed and then his parents. As they were taking their seats respectivelu, facing each other, her mother spoke. “How was your date yesterday?” She asked.

          Date? They both thought and immediatelt exchanged wary look.

          “It was good.” She answered without any second thoughts. Well it was actually good after all. But it wasn’t a date.

          “Where did you go?” Her mother inquired once more. Oh god what lie should I tell now? She didn’t want to tell her that they just went to her boutique and she left him at her office while she worked the whole damn time. Her mother would be furious and in no doubt will freak out in a snap.

        He noticed that she slightly tensed with the sudden question so he decided to take up the situation like what she did yesterday when he was questioned by Esther. “We’re actually already hungry, maybe we should order now?” He said, calling for the waiter to hand them menus right away. Their parents were left confused with it but nevertheless agreed with him after as they’ve been feeling the same as well as the noon slowly approaches, indicating that it’s time for lunch already.

         Taeyeon turned her head towards him and stared just as he was about to look at her. Thank you. She mouthed as they continued to look at each other and he nodded, tugging a smile as the waiter distributes the menus to each of them.

         Soon after, everyone opened and scanned their way through the menu and the lists to finally start their lunch. Taeyeon, after taking a good look of the menu, leaned in on the table to Baekhyun and whispered. “They don’t have grilled cheese.” She said disappointedly, wearing a sad expression as if she was a little kid.

          Well maybe she’s still a little kid at heart. He laughed at her and patted her head after. “I told you, you can’t find grilled cheese here.” She just narrowed her eyes at him and leaned back on her seat, looking back at the menu and Baekhyun just shook his head and laughed as he glanced back to his menu as well like she did. Cute. 

          Once they were done picking their own choices of meals, they finally and soon after, it was served already to them. The two remained silent as they listened to their parents’ rather uninteresting discussions as they munched on their meals, with the earnest trial of ignoring them.

         While in the middle of their lunch, his mother suddenly spoke up, bringing up the very topic that they should really be discussing. “Let’s talk about the wedding,” she started and Taeyeon swore she could almost threw up the food that she ate right at the moment. She coughed as she was taken by surprise and he immediately handed her a glass of water. She gladly took it from him, letting the liquid flow down on . These people know how to get the out of me every damn time.

          “Are you okay?” He worriedly asked in a low voice and Taeyeon nodded as she continued to gulped down the water to assure him.

         “Oh the wedding! I’m so excited!” Her mother gushed right away after, and Taeyeon wanted to roll her eyes so bad at it. She’s definitely more excited than me, why don’t she get married instead of me then?

          “Sweetie, have you thought about your wedding already?” His mother asked him after. Oh .

         Surprised, he turned to look at his mother and then adjusted on his seat uncomfortably. What would I tell when it haven’t really crossed my mind ever. “I haven’t thought about it, to be honest.” He admitted, not really knowing what he should tell.

          Taeyeon's mom quirked her brows at his answer. “Didn’t you two talk about it yesterday?” She asked.

          The two immediately exchanged a look as they started to become uneasy. Dammit. Taeyeon thought. “Um,” she started, but couldn’t even find the right words to answer. I’m used to answering and lying to this woman, why can’t I do it now?

       “We didn’t talk about it since we figured out it is better if we get to know each other first before, you know, jumping right into it.” He immediately answered his mind was starting to panick with the inquiries they were giving to them. Oh god, thank you for saving us again. Taeyeon thought and her body started to relax a little after.

         She then nodded her head vigorously, agreeing with him. “That’s right.” She said, and then she smiled, trying to make it convincing for their parents.

        Their parents nodded their heads slowly as they comprehended his statement, quite agreeing with him. “If that’s the case, let’s start discussing now, shall we?” Her mother said and the two were left to comply with anything knowing they don't really have anything else to say and do. As if we can do anything.

          “Do you guys want a grand wedding?” His mother asked moments after.

         “Grand wedding is necessary, we should invite a lot of people, your business partners, and ours as well.” Her mother answered, and Taeyeon turned her head on the other side to finally roll her eyes. When did she become us? And really, she should be the one getting married, not me.

         Baekhyun on the other hand, was not really fond of such grand ceremonies and huge parties. And if he would be asked for his own wedding, he would prefer to have a simple one. But what could he do. They have the say for our lives after all.

        “Honey, let them decide. It’s their wedding not ours.” Taeyeon’s father butted in and she couldn’t be more thankful for her father for saying that. At least dad knows his boundaries.

          “I don’t want a big wedding.” She answered right away, not wasting any time as she suddenly felt confident after her father spoke.

          Her mother, ready to protest against her daughter who she never got a long for most part and situations, started to speak. “But honey—“ before she could even finish, Baekhyun felt a surge of confidence as well and suddenly spoke, cutting her off without any hint of disrespect.

         “I would love not to have a grand wedding as well.” He answered and Taeyeon then glanced at him and so did he before they both smiled at each other.

          “We don’t need those people on our wedding anyways. We don’t know them after all.” Taeyeon explained, leaning back on her seat after.

          As males who weren't such big fans of huge events as well, both of their fathers who clearly understood her reason, nodded at her statement in agreement.

        “Well to be honest, we haven’t really talked about the wedding itself, maybe we could talk about the details next time? So the two could discuss it first.” She added, afraid that he might not like what she would suggest for the wedding if ever they started to arrange things right at the moment. After all, she wanted this to be smooth and fine and if possible, it would be in accord to what they both prefer and like.

         “Okay sweetie, if that’s what you guys want then." His mothr answered, smiling to the both of them. "But maybe we should at least pick a date now.” She suggested shortly after.

          “In two weeks! That’s a perfect timing!” Her mother answered in a high pitched voice right away woithout wasting any time.

          And just by the mention of it, Taeyeon got alarmed all of a sudden. Wait. No! “Two weeks?!” She asked, furious and shocked at her mother, starightening herself on her seat as she did so.

          Her mom turned to her and nodded, wearing a smile. Oh how I love to scratch that devilish smile off of your evil face. “Yes!” She cheerfully answered before grinning widely at her.

          “Wait, no! I have a show in two weeks!” Taeyeon potested, looking at her mother with a furious look and furrowed eyes. The other four on the other hand, was watching them with raised brows and widened eyes as they started to get confuse of what was happening.

          Her mom then raised her brows at her. “So?” She asked, rasing an eyebrow after. “Ditch it.” She added, wearing a smug on her face which boiled Taeyeon's blood even more than ever. 

          Taeyeon swore she wanted to slap her mother so hard after hearing it. Ditch it. It continually played on her head that she started to feel more furious than ever. She inhaled deeply and exhaled loudly before looking up at her mother with such flame in her eyes that she hoped it could literally burn her mother physically. “You want me to ditch my own show? Do you know how much I've worked hard for it? And how I'm still working hard for it?” She asked in a cold tone. So cold that Baekhyun felt the chills it send on his spine as he watched the two in front of him. He was as tensed as his parents and her father. So tensed that they were too afraid to even stop the two.

          With brows still raised, her mother answerd back. “So? That’s not my problem anymore Taeyeon. You’re getting married in two weeks.”

         Taeyeon couldn't help but to scoff and laugh as loud as she could. She's impossible. She was so enraged that she could only just laugh it out. She didn't want to snap in front of everyone even if she wanted to scream and do all things that she wanted to at her mother. This was disrespectful enough for her in the beginning, but at the same time, she couldn't just let her mother win at her every time where she was being pushed down on the sides like she wasn't responsible for her own self as well. She's disrespecting me as a person already.

         The rest continued to stare at them with anxious eyes as they held on their breath. No one could ever deny the growing tension between the two. So strong that they worried flinching and making even a single move that would interrupt the two. Yet still, Baekhyun continued to stare at Taeyeon with concerned eyes as he noticed how she was containing in her anger inside of her. He knew how it feels to keep all of you ranging and flaming emotions inside and he was worried of how she was feeling and doing at the moment. 

          “What's so funny Taeyeon?” Her mother asked, clasping her hands together on the top of the table, as she continued to raise her brows.

          “You,” Taeyeon simply answered before letting out a laugh once more. “You're funny.” She muttered, looking furiously at her mother.

          Her mother turned her head towards her. “And why am I funny sweetie?” She asked.

         “Because you're impossible.” She answered in almost a whisper, yet everyone around the table heard it. The silence that followed after as the two stared at each other was too much to bear for everyone. It wasn't awkward, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was scary. “You know I can't have my wedding during the fashion week. Are you out of your mind?” Taeyeon asked, the tiny pieces of smile and wrinkled eyes from her sarcastis laugh was nowhere to be found anymore and instead, was replaced with a cold piercing look and expression. 

          It was then her mother's turn to chuckle at her and Taeyeon felt all of her body hairs stood up with how the laugh sounded. “I’m not out of my mind, honey. That’s final. You’re getting married in two weeks.” She answered, giving Taeyeon her trademark sweet yet evil smile. 

          Taeyeon shivered at the smile and she immediately wanted to get rid from it. “I'm not having my wedding on fashion week.” She answered in a stern voice.

          “Don't try me Kim Taeyeon.” Her mom answered back, before taking a sip of her red wine. 

         Taeyeon scoffed, no longer able to supress the emotions inside of her. “You know what? I've had enough of you.” She said, which made her mother to turn her head towards her. “Do you know how much favor I'm doing you with this marriage? Not just this marriage to be honest, but with everything that you and dad asked me to do throughout the years. I've been nothing but respectful towards you. Even after what I did, I swallowed my pride, came back and complied.” She stopped and looked at her mother's eyes intently, hoping that she could see how hurt she was with her doings. “And all I ever want in return was for you to give me the same amount of respect I was giving you. Not even as your daughter but as a person at least. But to tell me to ditch my show? Mom this is too much.” She took a deep breath and sighed loudly. “It feels like you're degrading me as a person already. Depriving me of my own life.” She took another deep breath. “My show was the only thing that's left in this world that still belongs to me, and I'm not letting you take that away from me.” She added, before grabbing her bag and walking away from their table without glancing back to it, despite of her mother's cries for her to return. 

         As soon as Taeyeon got up from her seat and started walking away from them, Baekhyun immediately felt the need to go after her. And without even noticing, he was already up from his seat. “I got it,” he whispered to his mom before springing away after Taeyeon. With the short amount of time they spent together, Baekhyun saw how hard working and how she had always devoted her time for her work. Heck did she even ask me to come with her to her boutique just so she could work. And he knew that to hear those words espcially from your own mother was very painful to handle. Because he was her he would be damn mad and hurt as well. With how she described her show, he knew her show held a special place in her heart and life. So much that she wouldn't let it go even with all of the circumstances.

         Taeyeon was so furious, that she couldn't even think of a way to let out all of her anger. Never in a million years would Taeyeon understand how her mother could do all of these to her. Does she still sees me as her daughter? Her show was her life. It was the only thing that drives her to continue in everything. It was the only thing that still identifies her as herself alone. A Taeyeon not affiliated with her parents. Her controlling parents. And she couldn't understand how her mother could just disregard her passion and throw everything like a garbage. She kept walking away without any intention of going back.