“SHE SLEPT OVER?!” I had to move the phone away from my ear at the sudden outburst.

 

“Ow,” I mumbled.

 

“CHOI SOOYOUNG! WHY AM I ONLY HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW?!”

 

I’m regretting it now.

 

“Would you pipe it down,” I demanded.

 

“Whatever,” she said. “So...did you guys...you know?” I could hear the excitement in her voice.

 

I’m not that dumb to not know to what she was implying.

 

“Yah! Lee Sunkyu, get your erted mind out of the gutter,” I scolded.

 

“Eh~ So that’s a no then." She showed no signs of hiding the disappointment in her voice. “So what’s the point of this phone call?”

 

I clicked my tongue.

 

“Could you at least pretend to care?”

 

I heard a sigh on the other line. “What are you calling me for then?”

 

I talked to her about the events last night. I also told her about what my sister told me and that I decided.

 

“I’m gonna give it a shot.”

 

“...”

 

“You there?”

 

“Yeah. I’m here. I’m just trying to force myself not to go there right now and hit you,” I heard her nonchalantly say. “You certainly took your time. If I knew, I would’ve called Soojin unnie to come earlier.”

 

“What are you-”

 

But she cut me off.

 

“But that’s fine. Everyone has their own pace. You just happen to be slow.”

 

“Are you insulting me right now?” I asked.

 

“Think whatever you want,” she said. “But congratulations!”

 

I heard clapping.

 

“I can say that you’ve fianlly grown some balls by finally deciding to pursue your feelings.”

 

“Okay. Balls? Yuck. Now that’s an insult.”

 

“Bye. See you Monday.”

 

And with that, she hung up on me.

 

Like I told her, I decided to see where this feelings will take me. I had to make plans.

 

---

 

February 14…

 

Why am I doing this again?

 

I glanced over at the flower bouquet I was currently about to deliver.

 

Can’t she do it herself?

 

But then I remember how much she begged me to do it, telling me she’ll owe me a big favor.

 

I really do want that new game.

 

I sighed.

 

After picking up the bouquet from the flower shop, I currently found myself walking my bike. I couldn’t ride it with the bouquet on my basket because it blocked my view to some extent. I didn’t want to risk it. On my way to my destination, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face.

 

She was sitting in a restaurant with a guy.

 

A date maybe? It is Valentine’s Day.

 

But then, I saw him abruptly stand up and then hastily left the table. I made sure to step aside as he exited the establishment to avoid bumping into him.

 

He sure is in a hurry.

 

I looked back inside and she was still there, staring at the empty seat. She seemed quite distraught.

 

Did they…?

 

I bit my bottom lip, looking between her and the bouquet. I contemplated for a while before I deciding to enter the restaurant. I brought the bouquet with me, not wanting to risk anything happening to it if I left it with my bike.

 

I made my way straight to her table, not caring when some of the other customers were looking at me, probably wondering what I was doing there with a bouquet or for whom it was for.

 

I tried to gain her attention by waving my hand in front of her face. She broke from her trance-like state and looked up at me in surprise.

 

“Wait here. I’ll be back quick.”

 

After saying that, I left and rode my bike, forgetting the reason why I didn’t risk riding it in the first place. I reached my destination and quickly delivered the bouquet. I made sure to look about my surroundings, making sure there wasn’t anyone to witness me dropping this off. I made sure to slip in the note as well. I stealthily made my getaway, grateful I wasn’t able to encounter anyone.

 

I pedaled fast and reached the restaurant in no time. A part of me was surprised she was still there and a part of me felt relieved. I parked my bike outside and entered the restaurant once again. I quickly made a beeline for her table.

 

She was currently nursing a glass of wine. When I greeted her, she looked up at me and quickly flashed a smile.

 

“I didn’t really think you’d come back,” she said.

 

“I didn’t really think you’d wait,” I shot back.

 

She chuckled.

 

“Touche,” she replied.

 

“Mind if sit?” I said, gesturing at the seat opposite hers the man occupied earlier.

 

“Suit yourself.”

 

I called over the waiter and requested another glass then I glanced her way.

 

“Did you eat yet?” I asked.

 

She seemed a bit surprised at the question. She shook her head.

 

I asked for their menu and browsed through it. I ordered something simple and yet I thought we’d both like.

 

“I thought he would have at least fed you,” I said, clicking my tongue in distaste.

 

She raised an inquisitive eyebrow and folded her arms.

 

“Were you eavesdropping?” she asked me, her voice inquiring and guarded. “It’s rude to eavesdrop on people, you know?”

 

I held up both hands defensively and denied the accusation.

 

“I was passing by and saw you guys through the window. I just figured things out from how he walked out on you. That’s all,” I clarified.

 

“So is this you pitying me then?”

 

“Pity?” I repeated. “I wouldn’t call it that. I just thought you’d want someone to rant off to, you and keep you company. Be some sort of support.”

 

I saw her furrow her brows at me, confused most probably.

 

“And also because I’m hungry,” I added as the food came. "I had to run an errand for someone."

 

Well that was quick and great timing too. I’m not sure what to say anymore.

 

---

 

I was really upset earlier. But now, I’m just confused at the person sitting opposite from me. Curious little thing.

 

I thought about waiting a bit just to humor her but I wasn’t expecting that she’d really come back. She seemed to have rushed based on how she was out of breathe when she came in. And now, I’m about to have lunch (a late lunch if you consider the time) with her.

 

Once the food she ordered came, we began eating in silence.

 

“Your food will get cold,” I heard her say.

 

Busted.

 

I’ve just been moving the food on my plate this whole time. But I continued to do so.

 

“Oh. ,” she swore. “I should have asked you what you wanted before ordering, huh. I guess you don’t like it. Sorry.”

 

“No. Don’t be. It tastes good to be honest,” I quickly said.

 

I stayed silent once again. Even I knew I was being uncharacteristically quiet right now.

 

“It does. But I bet I can do better,” she mumbled.

 

I lifted up my head to look at her. She had so much food in at the moment that her cheeks were all puffed.

 

Cute.

 

“Really?” I said, my tone came of challengingly.

 

She was still busy chewing but she nodded her head and made a sound that sounded like “Uhuh”. After she gulped the food down, she spoke. “But you have to taste the food first so you can compare it with mine later.”

 

I couldn’t help but smile.

 

Is she trying to cheer me up with food perhaps?

Seeing how much she was trying on my behalf, I felt bad so I took more bites from my plate. Now that I gave more attention to how the food tastes, I couldn’t help but agree that it was good. At least that man picked a place with good food. I continued to take several more bites, becoming more aware of how hungry I really am from missing lunch. After that, I drank some wine to help the food down.

 

When I looked in her direction, she had a dorky grin directed my way.

 

“So?”

 

“It tastes great,” I complimented. “Are you confident you can top this?”

 

I saw her smirk at me.

 

“Challenge accepted,” she said. “Drop by the cafe anytime and I’ll make one for you.”

 

I hummed in response in a way akin to saying ‘Really?’ in a taunting manner.

 

“Deal.”

 

---

 

I was glad she was finally eating. And that she seemed to be smiling genuinely this time. Based from my initial impression of her and the few times we’ve met, I was bothered by how quiet she was earlier. She always looked so full of energy and filled with enthusiasm. At least she’s talking a bit more. And smiling.

 

“Are you really willing to be at the receiving end of my rants?” she suddenly brought up.

 

“I’m all ears,” I replied. “It helps to get things off your chest when you say them outloud.”

 

She directed a small smile my way.

 

For a few moments she busied herself with touching her wine glass and swirling it from time to time. I waited patiently, sipping my own glass of wine.

 

“He broke up with me.”

 

Her eyes turned glassy.

 

I stayed quiet.

 

“He told me that he never really liked me. And that he was only with me because he wanted an arm candy to show off to his friends and family,” she continued. “He complained that I was always busy with work. And since I was busy, he couldn’t do that so he considered being with me was useless.”

 

I could feel my blood boiling.

 

“Is that all I’m worth? Just an arm candy?” she asked with a depreciating smile.

 

My heart broke for this woman.

 

“That jerk,” I blurted out. “I should have tripped him earlier.”

 

She laughed at my statement. But it sounded sad and hollow.

 

“I can’t say I loved him but I still liked him to some extent,” she said. “I tried to be a good girlfriend, always doing what he told me. But it was never enough I guess. God, I worked my off just to free time in my schedul for him.”

I listened as she started cursing him left and right.

I did too. In my head that is.

“Couldn’t he have at least picked a better day to break up with you?” I frowned. “On Valentine’s Day of all times? Is he that inconsiderate?”

 

“I know, right?”

 

From there she started ranting off how she should have seen this coming; how he never really treated her nicely; how stuck up he was; and the list goes on of the bad qualities about her ex-boyfriend.

 

I was happy to be a soundingboard.

 

After some time, she stopped. She looked refreshed after some trash talking. I was kind of surprised at the words that came out of that pretty mouth of hers.

 

“What about you? Don’t you have a date?” she suddenly asked me.

 

“Me? I’m single,” I answered simply.

 

By this time I finished my glass. I could feel myself feeling a bit tipsy already.

 

It’s just my first glass and I’m already like this. I really wonder how Sunny and Yuri do it. Do they sweat it out somehow? Is that why they can drink so well?

I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard her speak again.

 

“Really? I’d think someone as pretty as you would be taken.”

 

I could feel my face heating up.

 

Probably the alcohol.

 

“I’m not. You’re the pretty one,” I countered.

 

“Thanks,” she replied as if complement didn’t affect her that much. “But we’re talking about you right now. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”

 

“Umm. Yes.”

She looked at me and quirked a brow upwards.

“Then your mirror must be broken.”

 

I looked at her confusedly.

 

“I’m not lying. I bet if we ask other people...,” she was saying then stopped abruptly. Suddenly, I saw her eyes lit up. “Yeah. Why don’t we ask other people.”

 

My eyes widened at that. Next thing I knew, she was talking to the ones sitting beside our table.

 

“Hi, sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to ask a quick question,” she said politely. “Do you think my friend here is pretty? Please be honest.”

 

The strangers looked at me. I felt embarrassed from the way they stared at me. I wasn’t expecting that they’d actually answer.

 

“She’s pretty.”

 

“I think she’s cute.”

 

“She’s hot.”

The last person even winked at me. I felt my cheeks burning up.

She grinned and thanked them. She then turned back to me and gave me a smug look. All I could do was roll my eyes.

 

“The jury has spoken,” she said.

 

“That was only three people.”

She smirked.

“Then do you want me to ask everyone here then?”

 

I squinted my eyes at her, as if daring her. Raising a challenging brow, she made a move to stand but I immediately caught her by the arm and gestured her to sit down.

 

“Okay. Okay. You win,” I said.

 

She grinned victoriously. I couldn’t help but chuckle and shake my head disbelievingly at her actions.

 

After that, we talked and got to know more of each other. Before we knew it, it had turned dark out. We decided to have dinner there as well and continued to talk about random things. I enjoyed her company pretty much and I was happy that she seemed livelier than how she was this afternoon.

 

I’m glad she’s smiling again.

 

After dinner, we found ourselves stepping outside and being met with the cool evening air. I wasn't expecting we'd be in each other's company until late. I forgot all about work too.

 

I'll have to think of something to tell them.

 

“I guess this is where we part ways,” she said. “I had a really good time.”

 

“Me too.” I smiled.

 

“Thank you,” she said. “You made this day a lot less depressing for me.”

 

“No problem. I had a good time.”

 

“Well. Good night, Taeyeon.”

 

“Good night, Tiffany.”

 

She gave a soft laugh.

 

I inquired with my gaze.

 

“I kind of find it cute how you pronounce my name,” she said.

 

“Umm...thanks,” I said awkwardly.

 

She walked over to her car while I went to my bike. She was about to get in her when she suddenly called my name.

 

“Taeyeon!”

 

That caused me to whip my head around.

 

“I’ll be looking forward to that dish you promised me.”

 

I grinned and made an ‘OK’ sign with my hand.

 

I watched as she got in her car and drove away. I saddled my bike and went on my way home, oblivious to the number of missed calls and texts I had to read later that night, most of them from Yuri.

 

Yuri: Taengoo, where are you?

 

Yuri: hey

 

Yuri: Reply, would you?

 

Yuri: Why did you leave me all alone here? It’s Valentine’s Day so there’s so many people.

 

Yuri: Okay. I learned from the shikshin where you went off to.

 

Yuri: You’ve been gone for a while.

 

Yuri: Are you coming back?

 

Yuri: Why aren’t you answering?

 

Yuri: Are you okay?

 

Yuri: I’m gonna call the cops.

 

Reading that last one, I immediately called back Yuri to tell her I was okay and that I got sidetracked with something. I saw Sooyoung and Sunny also left similar text messages so I also called them back to tell them I was okay.

 

The following day at work, I found myself cornered by my three friends, asking where I went off to yesterday. It was weird of me for not replying back yesterday. They weren’t convinced with any of my excuses at all.

 

I sighed and gave a defeated smile.

 

“Fine. I’ll tell you.”