I looked about as I exited the elevator. I was met with cubicles and people bustling about the room. No one paid me attention which was good. I didn’t want to bother them.

 

I walked, following the directions she gave me, looking left and right searching for her office. I held the two paper bags in my hand tightly, making sure I won’t drop as I dodged people I met.

 

“Soo?” I heard a familiar voice from behind me. “What are you doing here?”

 

Sure enough, Jessica was standing behind me.

 

She looked at me curiously.

 

I smiled at her.

 

“Hey,” I greeted.

 

“Hi,” she greeted back. “Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”

 

This might turn awkward.

 

“Actually-” I got cut off right then when Tiffany suddenly appeared and approached us.

 

“You’re here!” Tiffany exclaimed. “You wanted to talk to me?”

 

Jessica seemed visibly surprised.

 

I looked back and forth between the two, not sure who to address first. I ended up turning my attention to Tiffany first since she was my top priority right now.

 

“Umm I...I wanted to talk about something,” I said. “In private.”

 

“Ooh. Private, is it? Now you’re making me curious,” she said. She grabbed me by my arm and started pulling me away. “My office is this way. Later, Jess.”

 

As I was getting pulled away, I looked behind my shoulder and saw Jessica had already turned her back on us and walked towards what I presumed was her office.

 

Once we stepped into Tiffany’s office, she led me to a couch situated at one corner of her wide office.

 

“Come. Sit,” she said, patting empty space on the couch.

 

I sat myself on the opposite side of the couch.

 

I carefully placed the two paper bags on the floor.

 

“So? What do you want to tell me?” she asked me.

 

Should I just say it?

 

I contemplated.

 

“It’s about Taeyeon.”

 

Her smile dropped a little but only for a split second.

 

“Hmm? What about Taeyeon?” she asked me.

 

The smile on her face was more forced than before.

 

I didn’t really see any point in beating around the bush. But then again...

 

“I know that you two kissed,” I said.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“O-Oh. Ummm,” she mumbled, surprise apparent on her face. “She told you?”

 

“Yeah,” I said. “Well, I saw it too so…”

 

“You saw?!” she exclaimed.

 

She had now stood up from her seat.

 

I held up both of my hands.

 

“I didn’t mean to. I wanted to get some food and I...I saw,” I explained. “Sorry.”

 

Her cheeks were full blown red right now. Her hands were cupping her reddened cheeks. She sat back down.

 

After a while, she faced me again.

 

“Was that what you wanted to tell me?” she asked.

 

“Partly,” I replied. “I’m here to clear up a misunderstanding.”

 

She leaned closer, obviously curious at what I’m about to say.

 

“Taeyeon was the one who left the bouquet of flowers at Jessica’s house on Valentine’s Day,” I said with my most serious tone.

 

The look on her face.

 

I tried hard to keep a straight face.

 

Deep inside, I wanted to laugh so bad.

 

I felt like teasing her a bit before I dropped the bomb on her.

 

“What?!” she exclaimed in English. “B-But...so she really did…”

 

I was about to follow up on what I said earlier when my phone rang. I saw who it was.

 

Sunny?

 

“Umm, do you mind if I answer?” I asked.

 

“Go ahead,” she said.

 

The first thing Sunny said to me when I accepted the call was, “Did you tell her yet?”

 

I rolled my eyes.

 

“I was about to but you suddenly called.”

 

“What? You still haven’t told her?! Yah! How hard can it be to say, ‘Hi, Tiffany. It wasn’t Taeyeon but it was me who’s been sending flowers because I’m in love with your best friend.’?”

 

I groaned in annoyance.

 

“I’m hanging up now,” I said.

 

I didn’t wait for a response and ended the call right away.

 

Well that was a waste of time.

 

I faced Tiffany again.

 

She was looking at me rather impatiently.

 

“As I was saying, Taeyeon was the one that left the bouquet in front of Jessiica’s house,” I reiterated. She seemed visibly upset hearing that. I then quickly added to my previous statement. “But the flowers were from me.”

 

Her expression turned blank.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“Umm. Are you upset? I’d understand if you don’t approve of me. I mean, I’m not exactly like the best suitor out there. You’re her best friend and it’s understandable that you’d want someone better tha-”

 

“Shush.”

 

She held up her hand.

 

“Uh-”

 

“I said, shush.”

 

I obeyed, shutting my mouth immediately.

 

For a while, she just continued to purse her lips, contemplating on what I just said.

 

“So let me get this straight,” she began. “You’re the one who’s been giving Jess flowers? And Taeyeon was...”

 

“Just the messenger,” I finished.

 

“And she couldn’t tell me because…”

 

“Because I asked her to. Well, I mean she volunteered really.”.

 

She stood up once again from her seat and walked over to me. With her hands holding onto both of my arms, she pulled me up from my seat.

 

If I knew what was about to happen next, I would’ve brought a pair of ear plugs.

 

My ears were ringing for a full minute or two after hearing her shrill screaming. She was hugging me and jumping all excitedly.

 

“Oh my god!!! Really?!”

 

I couldn’t join in her excitement as I was still suffering from the effects of her screaming.

 

“Oh my god. This is so exciting!!! Have you told her yet?” she asked.

 

I shifted my gaze and replied, “No.”

 

She frowned.

 

“Why not?”

 

“Well, I...I plan to. It’s just...I’m not sure she feels the same way.”

 

She gave me a look.

 

“Why don’t we ask her now?” she says, tugging my arm.

 

“What?! No! I can’t,” I said, panicking. “I’m not ready!”

 

She stopped pulling me and looked back at me. She must have seen the expression on my face as she suddenly looked guilty.

 

“I’m so sorry. That was inconsiderate of me.”

 

She quickly let go of my arm.

 

I sighed, relieved.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

“I still need to apologize. I’m meddling aren’t I?”

 

“A bit.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

I shrugged.

 

“Anyways, I came here to tell you that,” I said. “I kind of felt guilty letting Taeyeon lie on my behalf. I thought I should be the one to finally clear things up with you since I’m the one responsible for all of this misunderstanding. ”

 

She smiled brightly at me.

 

“I’m glad you told me,” she said.

 

If I knew things would be this way, I would’ve told Tiffany the truth sooner.

 

I guess Sunkyu was right.

 

She’s going to rub it on my face, isn’t she?

 

However, I need to make Tiffany stay quiet about it though.

 

“Tiffany?”

 

“Hmmm?”

 

“I know this might be asking a lot, but could you not tell Sica about,” I paused to cough, “the flowers?” I sort of mumbled the last part.

 

“Now why shouldn’t I tell Sica about it?” she teased.

 

Batting my eyes at her with puppy eyes, I reasoned, “Because we’re friends?”

 

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head at my actions.

 

“You’re right. We are friends.”

 

“So, you won’t tell?” I asked.

 

She made a zipping motion over her lips.

 

“Mum’s the word,” she said in English. “I’m kinda excited how things will develop between you two.”

 

“Thanks, Tiffany. I know she’s your best friend but I want it to come from me.”

 

“I understand.”

 

I was about to leave when I remembered the two paper bags I came with. I handed one over to her.

 

“What’s this?” she asked.

 

“Taeyeon told me to give you this,” I said. “She said she didn’t want you going out of your way to go out and have lunch.”

 

“Oh really?”

 

She seemed touched.

 

Her smile only got wider when she saw the contents of the bag.

 

“Honestly, I think she just wanted to make you lunch,” I said with a wink. “Anyways, I have one more stop so I’m gonna leave and let you enjoy your lunch.”

 

“Thank you. I will.”

 

Before I stepped out of her office, I said, “You should call her.”

 

She looked away from the bag and looked at me.

 

“Should I?”

 

She sounded unsure with the idea.

 

“Yes. Knowing her, she’s probably too scared and waiting for you to initiate. She’s sort of been out of it since you guys...you know.”

 

Getting my message, she nodded.

 

“Okay.”

 

After I left her, I walked towards Jessica’s office. I caught some people shooting me curious stares, probably wondering who I was.

“Excuse me. Are you here for someone?” an employee asked me.

 

“Yeah. I’m here to visit a friend,” I replied.

 

“Oh. Do you want me to help you find them?” he asked.

 

“It’s fine. I know where to find them,” I replied with a smile, thankful for their politeness.

 

As I got closer to Jessica’s office, I suddenly felt someone grab me by my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

 

“Where do you think you’re going?” he said in a relatively harsh tone.

 

It was the same person from before. He had this panicky expression on his face.

 

“There,” I replied, pointing at Sica’s office door.

 

“Are you crazy?! That’s the boss’s office,” he said.

 

He looked so nervous and...scared?

 

I looked at him weirdly.

 

“Umm. Yeah.”

 

I shrugged off his hand and continued to walk towards Sica’s office.

 

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” he called out to me.

 

I scrunched my brows, not really understanding what he meant by that.

 

I knocked on the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

Hearing that, I let myself in.

 

She had her face buried in a stack of papers, not looking up in my direction.

 

“I’m a bit busy so make it quick,” she told me.

 

The way she said it, it reminded me of the first few times I talked to Jessica.

 

No wonder he seemed scared.

 

“Is this how you usually address your employees?” I teased.

 

She snapped her gaze to me, surprised at my presence.

 

“Soo? What are you doing here?” she asked.

 

She sounded annoyed.

 

“I brought lunch,” I said while holding up the paper bag. “You haven’t had lunch yet, right?”

 

She didn’t answer me. Instead, she returned her gaze back to her desk.

 

Did she just ignore me?

 

I approached her cautiously.

 

As I stood in front of her desk, she still kept reading and signing off papers.

 

She’s ignoring me.

 

“Did I do something wrong again?” I asked.

 

She still didn’t answer me.

 

I sighed.

 

Placing the paper bag with food on top of her desk, I leaned over and booped her nose. She reacted by sending a glare my way.

 

“Are you mad at me?” I asked.

 

Instead of answering me, she returned her gaze back on her desk. Again.

 

I frowned.

 

I then started poking her cheeks.

 

“Sica~”

 

“Sica~ don’t ignore me.”

 

“Did I do something wrong?”

 

“Sicaaa~~~”

 

“I’m not going until you talk to me.”

 

“SIIIICAAA~~~”

 

No reaction.

 

As much as I hate it when Sunny does it, I moved on to doing “aegyo”.

 

I grinned when I saw her shocked expression. She reacted by covering her ears and glaring at me.

 

I smirked and just continued to do “aegyo”.

 

“Notice me, unnie~”

 

I could see her getting even more irritated but I didn’t stop. This was too amusing.

 

“Stop!” she shouted.

 

So I did.

 

“Finally. I was almost about to give up,” I said.

 

“What do you want?” she snapped at me.

 

Huh. Still grumpy, aren’t we?

 

“Have lunch with me,” I said.

 

“Eat by yourself. I’m busy,” she answered.

 

“I could but I want to eat with you,” I said. “It’s almost lunch time anyways.”

 

“Like I said, eat by yourself,” she said this while her hand moved in a shooing manner.

 

I clicked my tongue.

 

“Stubborn. It only makes me want to stay even more,” I remarked. “Sica, just eat lunch with me.”

 

“Just eat by your-”

 

We both heard a rumbling sound.

 

I swear, it wasn’t me.

 

I glanced down at Jessica and I could see her blushing.

 

I snorted a laugh.

 

“Stop laughing,” she demanded.

 

Her blush grew a deeper shade of red.

 

“Just accept my offer, Sica,” I said, still laughing slightly. “The food’s going to get cold.”

 

She glared at me for a moment. My grin grew wide when she reluctantly stood up from her chair and walked towards the corner of the room with a coffee table and sofa.

 

I followed and sat beside her.

 

I took out the food from the paper bag and set up the utensils in front of her.

 

I glanced at her.

 

She had her back leaned all the way back with her arms and legs crossed. I’d say she looked really y right now with her pencil skirt and plain white button up top. But she had this subtle pout going on.

 

Aww. How cute.

 

She was still glaring and refused to look my way.

 

Did I seriously do something wrong again?

 

“Let’s eat,” I said.

 

She didn’t move.

 

I sighed.

 

“Stop being stubborn and feed your poor stomach,” I said.

 

She didn’t budge.

 

Thinking to myself, I thought of an idea. I smirked.

 

I picked up a piece of meat with the chopstick and brought it close to .

 

“Aaah~”

 

She only raised an eyebrow at me.

 

Ok. Plan B.

 

With my free hand, I began tickling her sides. As expected, she began to squirm and started laughing not long after. Once I saw open, I took that chance to drop the meat in .

 

She was surprised by this but then glowered at me.

 

“I could have choked,” she told me while chewing on the piece of meat.

 

I rolled my eyes at her.

 

“But you didn’t,” I shot back.

 

I smiled as she continued to chew on the piece of meat and then swallow it.

 

“Are you going to eat now? Or do I have to force feed you?” I challenged.

 

She raised her brow at me.

 

Suddenly, I felt the couch dip as she sidled up right next to me. She had one of her arms rest on the back of the couch and her body facing me at an angle. What shocked me even more was that she began leaning close to me.

 

I gulped.

 

I tried to look composed and unaffected with the sudden action but inside I was being all panicky. Inside, a mini me was running, flailing her arms around and screaming, not knowing what to do in this situation.

 

As she was leaning closer to me, she was staring right into my eyes. When our faces were just mere inches apart, she stopped.

 

Thank god.

 

We stared at each other for a few seconds.

 

“Feed me,” she said.

 

I blinked a few times.

 

What?

 

“I said, feed me,” she said, her tone commanding.

 

Is she serious?

 

She didn’t seem like she was joking.

 

Okay. She is serious.

 

Picking up a spoon and picking up some food in it, I did as I was ordered.

 

After a few mouthfuls, she held up her hand, gesturing for me to stop.

 

“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked me.

 

Now it was my turn to raise the brow.

 

“How could I when I’m busy feeding you?” was my sarcastic reply.

 

She moved, leaning away from me and turning her body towards the table. She picked up the spare utensils and picked up some of the food.

 

Is she going to start feeding herself now?

 

But she didn’t.

 

Instead, she brought the spoon close to my face and urged me to open my mouth.

 

One minute she’s being cold and stubborn and now she’s trying to feed me?

 

I looked at her, confused.

 

She rolled her eyes at me.

 

“Eat,” she said.

 

I really can’t understand her sometimes.

 

I opened my mouth and let her feed me.

 

For the next 15 minutes or so, we were both busy feeding each other. I found it amusing at first. But then I realized…

 

Isn’t this what couples do?

 

With that thought in mind, I began savoring the moment. The way our eyes would meet every time we lean closer to feed each other, I found my heart raising every time. My eyes flicked to her lips a few times but I immediately shifted my eyes to the chopsticks I was feeding her with to cover up the fact that I was staring at her lips.

 

But...

 

I also caught her doing the same thing. Her eyes would glance down to my lips a few times then she’d go back to staring directly at my eyes.

 

I didn’t say anything.

 

I had to remind myself not to overthink it too much. But I couldn’t help that growing feeling inside me.

 

Hope.

 

After finishing our food, we silently sat there, letting the food digest.

 

We changed our sitting positions. Well she did, while I just leaned my back further into the couch.

 

She now had her back on one of the arms of the couch. She chucked off her heels, two thuds could be heard as they fell against the floor. She lifted both her legs and rested her feet on my lap.

 

This was a first.

 

I couldn’t really help but be surprised. Before I could say anything, she spoke up.

 

“What did you talk with Tiffany about that you had to personally come all the way here?”

 

She was looking at me curiously with squinted eyes. There was also something more in her tone of voice.

 

“Yeah. I just wanted to clear up some misunderstanding,” I answered.

 

She hummed.

 

“Something that you couldn’t discuss over the phone?”

 

“Well, I wanted to avoid any further misunderstanding so I saw it best to talk to her in person.”

 

“If I asked what it was about, will you tell me?”

 

Should I? It’s not exactly my place to say. I’m not even sure if she knows about the two.

 

Instead of answering, I asked, “Do you know if Tiffany likes anyone?”

 

She seemed surprised at the question.

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

“Just answer the question.”

 

She hesitated but then answered in the end.

 

“Maybe,” she answered vaguely.

 

“Maybe it’s better if you ask Tiffany instead. I’m not really in the position to be divulging any secrets,” I said. “I hope you understand.”

 

She waved me off.

 

“It’s fine. I was planning to anyways. I just got a bit curious so I thought I should ask you.”

 

We went silent once again.

 

I heard her release a tired sigh. She had her eyes closed, a furrow between her brows.

 

I thought I should ask.

 

“Are you okay?” I asked, getting concerned.

 

Another sigh.

 

 

“Just a bit tired,” she replied.

 

Looking at her feet on my lap, I got an idea. Grabbing one of her feet, I started massaging the soles of her feet.

 

She snapped her eyes wide open and was about to move her feet away but I held them in place.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

I shrugged.

 

“I’m giving you a massage, obviously. It’ll help you relax,” I said with a smile. “Trust me. You’ll feel better.”

 

She looked at me with uncertain eyes. But then I felt her shift her position so that she was almost fully lying down with her head on the arm rest.

 

“Get to it then,” she said.

 

I grinned.

 

“Yes, princess,” I mocked.

 

So I massaged her feet.

 

Yay?

 

You’d think it was easy from there on out?

 

Wrong!

 

Don’t think just focus on massaging her feet. Focus. Focus.

 

“Mmmh~”

 

My hands momentarily stopped.

 

I gulped.

 

Then I continued again.

 

“Uhh...that feels good.”

 

I don’t need a mirror to know that my face was red.

 

She’s been a few times now.

 

Hearing those soft moans, I had to bite down on my lip.

 

You can’t exactly help it when your adult brain’s been programmed to think in that direction. How I miss being innocent.

 

I was so relieved when she told me I could stop.

 

“You're right. I do feel better now,” she said. “Thanks.”

 

“No problem,” I said with a smile.

 

I then heard her yawn. Her eyes became teary and she blinked consecutively.

 

Cute.

 

She looks so relaxed in her current position and seemed like she could drift off to sleep at any moment.

 

“Why don’t you take a nap?” I suggested.

 

She shook her head.

 

“I can’t. I still have some work left.”

 

I chuckled.

 

“I doubt you’ll finish anything when you’re this sleepy,” I said. “Just take a nap. I’ll wake you up in 30 minutes. Just 30 minutes.”

 

She made another yawn.

 

She sighed in defeat.

 

“You promise?”

 

“I promise.”

 

 

A few minutes later, she dozed off.

 

I stayed in the same position with her feet resting on my lap.

 

I watched as she slept (which is creepy I know). I laughed a bit seeing some of her hair covering . I reached over with my hand and moved the strands of hair from covering her face.

 

I was startled by the sound of the door suddenly opening. I turned my attention at whoever just entered.

 

It was Tiffany.

 

I was caught with my hand over Jessica’s face.

 

Well this is awkward.

 

But I didn’t show it.

 

 

I immediately placed my index finger over my lips and made a shushing sound. Nodding, she closed the door quietly and made quiet steps as she approached.

 

“She fell asleep?” she asked.

 

I nodded.

 

“Yeah. She’s a bit stressed from what I gathered,” I explained.

 

I shifted my gaze back to Jessica.

 

I gently brushed my fingers against her cheek, smiling in amusement when she scrunched her nose and let out a small whiny noise.

 

She’s so cute.

 

“Hnngh~ This is so sad to look at,” she said, gesturing to me. “You should just tell her.”

 

I panicked and shushed her.

 

“Quiet. She might wake up.”

 

I heard her sigh in frustration.

 

I could understand what she’s feeling. Even I’m frustrated with myself.

 

But I’m so scared.

 

I’m so scared I might lose her.

 

“Why are you here anyway?” I asked Tiffany.

 

“Oh. Right. I was going to pick up some documents from Jess,” she said. “I’ll try to search her desk quickly so I can leave you two.”

 

She winked at me.

 

Like she said, Tiffany left quickly once she found what she was looking for. She gave us one last look before closing the door.

 

It was just the two of us again.

 

I checked the time and there was about five minutes left. But the five minutes soon passed. I made no move to wake her up.

 

I just continued to watch over her, an adoring smile on my face.

 

Ten more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

 

As I looked longingly at her sleeping figure, I felt my heart ache a bit.