The last time I saw her was that Friday night. The following days, I had to suddenly go on a business trip (courtesy to my best friend who forgot to tell me) for this new project proposal. The company wanted to personally meet with me for this project. They were a relatively big company so I couldn't decline.

 

I just got back last night and was planning to skip work today but...

 

I’m really hoping to see her.

 

Saying that I missed her would be an understatement. She was on my mind the whole time I was away. I find myself smiling from time to time just thinking about her.

 

God. I’m hopeless.

 

I wasn't really expecting to see her having considered our last conversation. She must have gotten her car already but even so, I still hoped I’d see her. Imagine my surprise when I saw her that morning. I couldn’t hide my excitement as I rushed towards her.

 

“Jessica-ssi~”

 

I saw her look up at me in surprise. I expected some sort of warm greeting but she gave me the cold shoulder instead.

 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked.

 

She didn’t respond to any of my attempts at conversation.

 

The whole ride, I kept glancing her way and tried to get her attention but she completely ignored me. It was probably the most torturous train ride I’ve ever had.

 

The train stopped at her station.

 

There’s no way I was just going to let her leave with things like this between us.

 

I followed her out.

 

To get her attention, I called out her name.

 

“Jessica-ssi!”

 

I smiled when I saw her look back at me with a shocked expression. She must have not expected me to follow her. But she quickly turned her back to me and continued to walk away.

 

I groaned and ran to her. I positioned myself in front of her, blocking her way. She tried to make a quick side step but I moved as well, blocking her once again. She looked up at me in annoyance and gave me a fierce glare.

 

It didn’t faze me.

 

“What’s wrong? Please tell me. Did I do something wrong?”

 

At this point I had both my hands holding her shoulders, preventing her from running away. She tried to move away from my grasp but I was a bit stronger than her. Just a bit.

 

“Come on, Jessica-ssi,” I pleaded once more. “I won’t leave you alone without knowing why you’re mad at me.”

 

She bit her bottom lip and looked down. After a few seconds she mumbled something I couldn’t hear so I asked again.

 

“I said why didn’t you call? You just suddenly disappeared without a word,” was her mad reply.

 

After hearing that, I broke out into a grin.

 

She got more annoyed and angrier at seeing my happy expression. I didn’t care. I proceeded to engulf her in a bone-crushing hug as I couldn’t contain my happiness. She gave a small squeak at the sudden action. She tried to get away but I just hugged her even tighter.

 

I didn’t care when some passersby gave us weird looks.

 

I was just too happy.

 

“I missed you too, Jessica-ssi,” I said.

 

I felt her relax against me. For some time, I just continued to hug her in the middle of the station. I only broke the hug when I felt her tug my arms away.

 

I pulled back and saw the blush on her face, looking all embarrassed.

 

“Sorry. I just couldn’t help myself,” I apologized.

 

She sighed.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

We stood in silence until I spoke up.

 

 

"So...are we okay?” I asked.

 

She raised an eyebrow at my question.

 

“No.”

 

“But I’m really sorry,” I apologized again. “I didn’t mean to disappear on you like that.”

 

She folded her arms and glared at me.

 

“And to answer your question earlier, we didn’t exactly exchange numbers so I couldn’t contact you,” I added.

 

I just received a ‘hmph’ sound as a reply.

 

Thinking quickly, I stepped closer and began to search her jean pockets. She must have gotten a shock from that as she moved away from me, blocking my searching hands with her own.

 

“Y-yah! Wh-what are you doing?!” she exclaimed. I ignored her protest and continued to look for her phone. I snatched it away from her pocket and unlocked it.

 

Password. Of course.

 

“What’s your password,” I asked, not paying attention to the blush on her face.

 

“Why? And yah! What are you doing with my phone?”

 

“Nothing yet. What’s your password?” I asked again. She tried to reach for her phone but I was fast enough to hold it up over my head, completely out of her reach.

 

This is one of those times I’m thankful for my height.

 

“Yah! Give it back!” she yelled.

 

She was jumping by this point. I couldn’t help but give her a bit of praise by jumping with those heels on. However, she must have lost her footing when she landed after jumping so high as she suddenly crashed into me and held onto me for support. Good thing my reflexes worked this time. I was able to place one foot a step back in order to not lose my balance at the sudden force from her weight.

 

I noticed we were really close at the moment. She was clutching on to me like her life depended on it. Her front was pressed up to my own front. I could practically feel the way her chest rose up and down when she breathed.

 

She’s bigger than I thou-

 

I quickly shrugged off those soiled thoughts.

 

I looked down at her and I saw her quickly step away from me. I saw how red her cheeks had gotten and I couldn’t help but .

 

“That was dangerous, Jessica-ssi. You should’ve just given me your password.”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“I’m not going to do anything bad. I swear,” I said, putting up the most innocent face I have.

 

She thought it over for a minute before finally relenting. I held the phone, the screen towards her, and let her enter the password. I held the phone tight just in case she was thinking of snatching it away.

 

Once the phone was unlocked, I quickly typed in my phone number. I opened the camera app and posed in front of the camera, giving a flirtatious wink. After setting it as my contact photo, I used her phone to call my phone. I quickly saved her number.

 

“Okay! Your turn!” I said excitedly.

 

“My turn to what?”

 

She had such a cute clueless expression so I decided to capture it right away and made it her caller ID picture.

 

“Hey! That’s unfair!” she said. “I wasn’t ready.”

 

She tried to get my phone but I acted fast. I quickly turned off the screen and placed it in my back pocket.

 

“It’s my phone so I get to decide,” I said cheekily.

 

“Yeah? But when it’s my phone, I don’t?”

 

I shrugged as I gave her phone back.

 

She huffed in frustration.

 

She scrolled through her contacts and found mine. She opened my profile. I thought she was going to delete my existing caller ID picture and force me to take another one. But, she just pursed her lips and placed her phone back in her pocket.

 

She looked back up at me.

 

“Then at least let me see if I’m ugly in my picture?” she requested.

 

“You look fine I swear. Cute even.”

 

Seeing I had no intention of giving in to her request, she groaned and gave a small pout.

 

“Hey. I swear you look fine,” I reassured her. “You always do.”

 

I ignored the way she quirked her eyebrow at me. I proceeded to clear my throat awkwardly and spoke up again.

 

“We better get going or you’ll be late for work,” I said.

 

“We?” she asked, confused.

 

“Yeah. I’ll walk you to work,” I said.

 

“Won’t you be late for work?”

 

“Nope.”

 

I’m the boss so...

 

She gave me a look. “Won’t you get in trouble?”

 

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Besides, I’m still supposed to be off work today actually.”

 

“Then why are you on the way to work then?”

 

I smiled.

 

“I just hoped I’d see you. Fortunately, I did.”

 

She furrowed her eyebrows questioningly. “Why do you sound like you weren’t expecting to see me?”

 

I found myself feeling shy.

 

“Because you said you were finally getting back your car last Friday night.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“So why aren’t you using your car?”

 

“...”

 

“Jessica-ssi?”

 

“I...I just got used to riding the subway every morning.”

 

I nodded along to what she said.

 

A part of me was a bit disappointed though.

 

Were you seriously thinking you would be the reason?

 

Those thoughts aside, we resumed our random conversations as we walked. I was happy we were back to normal. I could feel myself grinning from ear to ear the whole time.

 

---

 

“Okay. So...,” she drawled on. “What’s up?”

 

Ignoring my best friend, I proceeded to walk towards my office.

 

“Yah! Don’t you ignore me,” she protested. She quickly ran and blocked my path to my office.

 

Damn. She sure does run fast in those high heels.

 

“What do you want?” I asked.

 

“Oh you know what, Ms. Jung,” she said, cocking her head to the side.

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I retorted. "So please enlighten me."

 

Crossing her arms, she let out a frustrated huff. “Okay then. Don’t tell me.”

 

She then upped and walked away, leaving me confused and curious.

 

In true Tiffany Hwang -slash- best friend fashion, she had followed me throughout the whole day and annoying the hell out of me. She’s been asking me nonstop to tell her something but I don’t know what she’s on about. I’d tell her if I knew because having a best friend has a certain con. They know exactly which buttons to press. And I had to endure that the whole day.

 

I especially have a high tolerance to her antics since I’ve known her for so long, but I still have my limit.

 

It was nearly the end of office hours and I was in my office finishing off what I can for the day. I tried to focus but a certain someone keeps on pestering me. That’s when I finally reached my limit, I stopped whatever I was doing altogether and turned my attention to her.

 

“Stop and I’ll tell you,” I said finally.

 

“Oh my god. Yes! Finally!” she said excitedly.

 

“But I have no idea what you want me to say?!” I exclaimed.

 

“What?”

 

She looked at me and I stared right back at her with the same confused look.

 

“Oh my god. You’re totally not aware of it,” Tiffany pointed out.

 

“Aware of what?” I shot back.

 

She grinned at me.

 

“Jess, have you noticed anything about yourself lately?”

 

“What are you on about? Just spit out already.”

 

She looked at me with much excitement and glee, giving me her signature eye smile.

 

“You’re a lot happier recently.”

 

“Happier? What do you mean?”

 

“You know...you’ve been smiling a lot more lately.”

 

I still looked at her confused.

 

She continued. “Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m really glad. A month ago, you were busy sulking because of that stupid jerk. Oh the things I’d do if I see him again.”

 

She said the last part with such venom in her voice. I've never seen so much disdain on her face until she met my ex. I’m actually quite terrified thinking of what might happen if she did happent to meet him.

 

“Has it really been a month already?” I asked.

 

I was a bit surprised how much time passed already. She’s known Sooyoung already for that long? She chuckled thinking about how they only just exchanged names last Friday.

 

“Yeah. How’s your car by the way? Heard any news yet?”

 

“Yeah. The auto shop called last Friday actually and told me to pick it up. I went the day after,” I informed. “Thank god I had it insured.”

 

“If you already have your car, why didn’t you drive to work?”

 

“Because...because...” I tried to form a reason.

 

“What?”

 

“I got used to riding the subway...and wanted to save on gas?” was the excuse I came up with, remembering what I told Sooyoung earlier when she asked the same question.

 

“You don’t sound so sure about that.”

 

I did sound unsure. Then I seriously thought to myself.

 

Why do I keep riding the subway? After getting my car, I didn’t bother picking up my keys after and would walk straight to the station on my way to work.

 

Then Sooyoung suddenly came into mind.

 

“You’re smiling,” I heard her say.

 

I broke away from my thoughts and turned my attention back to Tiffany.

 

“What?”

 

“I said you're smiling.”

 

“I was?”

 

“Yep. And not just that. It’s the same smile I’ve seen you wearing these past days,” she pointed out.

 

“I have?”

 

“Yep.” She let the ‘P’ pop off her lips as she said it. “You’ve been smiling. A lot. It’s really freaking out everyone. Notice how I keep saying you’ve been smiling a lot?”

 

“Yes. I get it, Tiff.”

 

“So?”

 

“What?”

 

“You’re seriously not telling me?” she groaned.

 

It was my turn to groan. I was seriously starting to get annoyed with this game she’s playing with me.

 

“For the last time, Tiff. I have no clue what you’re on about. So what if I’ve been ‘smiling’ lately?”

 

She looked at me with squinted eyes, scrutinizing me as she folded her arms and shifted her weight on one side.

 

“So there’s no person of interest that I should know about?”

 

“Person of interest?”

 

Sooyoung.

 

“Hah! There is someone!” she exclaimed, her index finger pointing at me accusingly. “You just thought of someone, didn’t you?”

 

Not that she’s wrong, but...

 

“I guess you could say that,” I replied. “And why do you assume it’s someone?”

 

“I knew it!” She exclaimed. “It’s always ‘a someone’,” she said in a matter-of-fact way.

 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her remark.

 

“But it’s nothing like what you’re implying,” I quickly said. “She’s just a friend I’ve met recently. We ride the subway together.”

 

I saw her deflate for a second but then her excitement came back in a flash.

 

“A friend? Well this is new.” I could hear the teasing voice underlying that statement. “The Jessica Jung is making friends. What’s next? Have you finally overcome your phobia of cucumbers?”

 

“Yah!” I exclaimed in annoyed frustration. But I was only met with a fit of giggles. “What’s wrong with me making friends? And also, never will I like that disgusting green fruit.”

 

“I can’t help it. We’re talking about you here,” she said. “You’re probably one of the most anti-social people I’ve ever met so excuse me for being surprised. 'Making friends' isn't exactly something I'd associate with you.”

 

“Well I befriended you, didn’t I?”

 

She scoffed. “You befriended me? Excuse me but if I remember correctly, I had to literally force you back then to come out from your room and hangout with me. You were always cooped up in your room like a hermit. I’d be glad if you did something other than sleep but you would literally sleep the whole day. God knows I’m to thank for whatever existing social life you have right now.”

 

I hate to admit it but she does have a point. I have always been on the awkward side when it came to meeting new people. People have tended to misunderstand and judge me based on my outward appearance so that really put a damper on my social life. I’ve heard people call me cold, snobby, and rude. I’d try to explain myself but it usually lead to further misunderstandings due to my ‘cold attitude’. And due to my so-called attitude, one particular nickname stuck with me through the years.

 

Ice Princess.

 

Even my employees call me that.

 

I’m flattered at the princess part but that nickname just doesn’t sound like it’s in anyways meant as a compliment. It sounds like an antagonist straight out of a fantasy fiction novel.

 

I get it.

 

I do.

 

I’m hard to approach but I wish they wouldn't treat me like I’m some kind of monster. This isn’t ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ for god’s sake. Do I have to personally come out and say, “I don't bite”?

 

I tried. Really. I tried.

 

I tried to be more ‘friendly’ towards people and by that I meant acting like my best friend. She’s the definition of a social butterfly so why not be like her, right?

 

But, that unexpectedly backfired. People just looked at me as if I’ve grown two heads. They’d suddenly ask if I was okay or that I shouldn’t overwork myself.

 

Is it really that unimaginable for me to be nice?

 

As a sheltered child, I had limited interactions outside of my family. So when I had to, I always found it hard to express myself in front of people, especially strangers. I mean come on, I’m sure everyone is. Tiffany and I only became close after some (okay, a lot of) persuading on her part. And by persuading I meant her following me around and continuously bugging me.

 

Basically, I didn’t have much of a choice in this ‘friendship’.

 

Don’t get me wrong. I love her. Not that I’d ever say that out loud though. She’ll just tease me.

 

“So I at socializing.” I agreed with her which in turn made her give me an expression saying ‘Duh’. “But this time, I think I got lucky.”

 

I found myself thinking of Sooyoung once again.

 

“And there it is, the smile that's baffled the whole building.”

 

I playfully side-eyed her.

 

“So what if I am? Don't put too much meaning in such small things.”

 

Even as I said that, I could feel the smile still pasted on my lips.

 

‘But it’s not a small thing,’ Tiffany thought.

 

“Anyways,” she began as she walked over to the couch and sat. “Come. Sit. And tell me everything about this friend of yours.”

 

Seeing the expectant expression on her face, I released a sigh and walked my way over to her.

 

“Her name is Sooyoung.”

 

---

 

I found myself cornered by my friends. I didn't think much about it when they suddenly called me from my office saying they wanted me to taste a new dish. Figures it would be something like this.

 

What can I say? I’m an idiot.

 

“So what's our Youngie been up to these days?” Sunny not so innocently asked in that unbearable aegyo voice.

 

“Food first,” was my stubborn reply.

 

Sunny waved her hand and just like that, Yuri and Taeyeon came with a big plate of food.

 

Okay. So maybe they weren't lying about a new menu.

 

“Thanks.”

 

As they laid down the food in front of me, I began to dig in.

 

Might as well enjoy the food while they interrogate me.

 

“So?”

 

I looked up from my plate and saw the expectant expression on Sunny’s face. I opened my mouth like I was about to speak but then I held my finger up then looked at Taeyeon.

 

“Can I have some water?”

 

I couldn't help but smirk as the three released a frustrated sigh.

 

After drinking my water, I went back to eating the rest of my food. I released a burp moments after I finished. All the while, the three sat opposite from me, waiting.

 

“Can I have my dessert now?”

 

Standing up from her seat, hands on the table, and leaning down to look me straight in the eye, Sunny said to me, “Not until you tell us first.”

 

I'd stay silent but they'll just keep bugging me. I could run but Yuri could easily catch me.

 

Thinking none of my options will work out well for me, I decided to just give it in.

 

“I met someone.”

 

Next came the shrieking.

 

“Yah! Quiet down! There are customers here!”

 

Clearing their throats, they made deep bows to the curious onlookers staring our way. Resuming after their earlier outburst, the three sat down and faced me. They pulled up such silly grins on their faces I couldn’t help but mirror the action.

 

“You were saying?” urged Yuri.

 

“I met someone,” I repeated.

 

“Yeah we know already. Now get on to the exciting parts,” Sunny cut in. “What’s her name? Is she pretty? When can we meet her? Is she-”

 

Her continuous questioning was stopped by Taeyeon’s hand covering . Thank god.

 

“Thanks, Tae.”

 

“No prob,” she said back.

 

“As I was saying,” I began. “I met someone. Her name’s Jessica.”

 

“Oooh. American girl eh,” Yuri said while moving her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

 

“She’s both an American and Korean citizen. She told me her family used to live in the States and that she was born and raised there.”

 

I continued to tell them how we met, our conversations, and until the latest events that happened just this morning.

 

“Got to hand it to you, Soo. You sure do know how to charm your way to a woman’s heart... or rather into her pants,” Sunny said with a suggestive tone.

 

“Hey. I’m not trying to charm my way into anything,” I denied. “I’m not.”

 

“Oh but you want to,” Yuri remarked.

 

“I-I...It’s never going to happen,” I said.

 

“Why so sure?” Sunny asked.

 

“Aigoo. Don’t be too pessimistic about it,” added Taeyeon. “You never know, Soo.”

 

“Oh I know so. She’s had an ex-boyfriend. Which means she’s straight. Conclusion? Impossible. Never going to happen.”

 

The three looked at me sadly. I could see they wanted to argue more on the matter but decided against it.

 

“Can I have my dessert now?” I suddenly said, hoping to break the gloomy atmosphere.

 

“On it,” Yuri said.

 

I watched as Yuri stumbled out of her seat and proceeded to walk to the kitchen.

 

“So. Can we see a picture?” Taeyeon asked.

 

I turned my attention to Taeyeon. She was giving me puppy eyes so I complied. I browsed through my photos and clicked on the most recent photo.

 

“Wow,” said Taeyeon.

 

“You said she was pretty but I didn’t expect her to be this pretty”. This time it was Sunny. She took my phone from my hand and they both continued to stare at the photo I took of us this morning.

 

At that moment, Yuri finally came with my dessert.

 

“Hey, what’s that?” Yuri asked.

 

“Check it out, Yul. This Jessica’s like on a whole other level,” Taeyeon exclaimed.

 

Yuri shoved the plate on my hand and joined the other two in staring at our photo.

 

“Daebak!” Yuri praised. “She’s a beauty. Nice one.”

 

I blushed at their onslaught of remarks. For some reason, I felt a bit proud. It felt as if I was showing off my

 

...Girlfriend.

 

I was being stupid again. I have to remind myself.

 

It’s never going to happen.

 

“She seems familiar though,” I heard Sunny say.

 

“Hmmm. You’re right. I don’t know from where though,” Taeyeon said too.

 

“I guess she does look familiar,” Yuri agreed.

 

I shot them a confused look.

 

“This is the first time I showed you this. How could you possibly know her?” I told them.

 

“Yeah. You’re right, Soo,” said Sunny. “I guess we’re just thinking too much into this.”

 

After they waved off any notion of knowing Jessica (which is weird), we continued to chat about other things. It felt great having a talk with these guys again. I was away for just a few days but I was used to seeing their faces everyday that I found myself missing them.

 

Of course I wouldn’t admit that out loud. They would have a field day teasing me.

 

I heard my phone ring.

 

It was my sister.

 

“Excuse me for a bit. My sister’s calling.”

 

“Oh! Tell her I said ‘hi’,” said Sunny followed by a “Me too” from Yuri and Taeyeon. I nodded.

 

---

 

“What’s up, sis?”

 

“Youngie!” She shouted through the phone.

 

I immediately pulled the phone away from my ear.

 

“That hurts. What are you yelling for?!” I shouted back. I heard her chuckle.

 

“Just annoying you.”

 

Typical.

 

“Sunny, Yuri, and Taeyeon says hi by the way.”

 

“Oh. Tell them I said hi too.”

 

“Will do. So what do you want?”

 

“Just wanted to ask what my dear sister wants for her birthday.”

 

Oh. Right.

 

I snorted.

 

“Aren’t you supposed to surprise me?”

 

“Yah. It’s better to ask what you want than you not liking my present,” she retorted.

 

“Then I want a castle, a sword, and a horse,” I said with my most serious voice.

 

“What?! Did you suddenly want to become some prince from Europe?” I heard her say. I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Maybe I do.”

 

“Seriously, sis. Don’t you want anything?”

 

What do I want?

 

There is something I’ve wanted for these past years. But it’s impossible.

 

“Impossible,” I murmured.

 

“What was that?” my sister asked.

 

“I said I’ll think about it.”

 

“Okay. But think quickly. Your birthday’s already next week.”

 

“Arasso.”

 

“Okay then. Bye, Youngie~”

 

“Bye, unnie.”