I’m finally off the clock.

 

It’s been a tiring day. Following around someone famous isn’t easy. Having to deal with fans and the paparazzi is such a draining task.

 

On my way out, I noticed that all the cubicles were empty and the corridor lights have been turned off. On the far off end, only the light illuminating the elevator doors was on.

 

Through the slightly closed door, I could see light coming out of off Miss Tiffany's office. She’s the head of the agency my employer works under. I thought it was only polite so I decided to drop by quickly and say my goodbyes.

 

As I neared, I was taken by surprise. I didn’t notice her because she was crouched on the ground near the door. She was hidden away in the darkness of the hallway. The light coming off from behind the door helped me see her.

 

I was about to speak to her when I heard two voices inside the office.

 

“Fany, I...this might come as a surprise to you but please hear me out.”

 

I recognized the voice. It was Miss Taeyeon. She’s a professional photographer and a friend of Miss Tiffany’s.

 

“What is it, Tae?”

 

 

Now, it was Miss Tiffany’s voice.

 

It took a while before I heard Miss Taeyeon respond.

 

“I’ve known you for a long time now and...I don’t know how it happened exactly. One moment it was just like normal...and then..and then…”

 

“Okay. Taeyeon, breathe. Take as much time as you need ,” Miss Tiffany said approaching her, as I can't only guess based on the sounds of a chair being moved and footsteps .

 

I could hear Taeyeon exhale loudly.

 

“I like you,” she suddenly blurted out.

 

My eyes widened in shock at what I heard. I couldn’t help but look towards the door.

 

“Tae, wha- I...you like me?” Miss Tiffany stuttered out.

 

“I do. I really like you,” Taeyeon said more confidently. “I don’t know how it happened. It just hit me one day and suddenly I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

 

“I...Tae…”

 

Taeyeon cut her off.

 

“I don’t expect you to like me back the same way. But, I’d still like to be friends.”

 

Her voice sounded so sad.

 

“I don’t want to be friends,” Miss Tiffany declared.

 

“Oh. I...I understand. I’m sorry for asking that from you.”

 

“No. That’s not what I meant!” Miss Tiffany exclaimed.

 

I heard the sound of footsteps.

 

“I like you too, silly,” Miss Tiffany said. “I have for some time now too.”

 

I snuck a glance through the small opening of the door. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two hugging each other.

 

Awwww.

 

I could feel my heart melt.

 

Suddenly, I heard a sob. I turned my attention back to her. She quickly stood up from the ground. My eyes widened at the sight of tears streaming down her face. She raised a hand to wipe the tears away.

 

I quickly pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and offered it to her but she suddenly turned her back away from me. She swiftly walked towards the elevators, reaching it in no time and pressing the down button.

 

I hastily followed after her.

 

 

I made it just in time before the elevator doors completely closed on me. I paused for a moment to catch my breath before turning back my attention to her.

 

I’ve known the girl for some time now. We may have had a rough start but she grew on me over time (and I hope I as well on her).

 

 

Our relationship is purely business and professional.

 

 

But seeing her tear-stricken face broke me.

 

I pulled out my handkerchief and offered it to her again.

 

She ignored me.

 

I approached her and attempted to wipe off her tears myself but she swatted my hand away.

 

“Leave me alone!” she snapped at me.

 

I only raised my eyebrow in response and attempted to wipe her tears again. She moved away from my approaching hand and shot me a glare.

 

“I said, leave me alone!”

 

I sighed.

 

“I’m off the clock so I don’t necessarily have to obey your orders,” I calmly replied.

 

This only seemed to make her angrier.

 

I sighed again.

 

“Let me at least wipe the smeared mascara off your face. You don’t want to risk having the paparazzi take a photo of you looking like that, do you?"

 

I saw her clench her jaw.

 

I smiled victoriously when she approached me and raised her head slightly towards me.

 

“Stop smiling,” she demanded.

 

I’m still smiling.

 

I began wiping off the tears stains and mascara off her face.

 

“You shouldn’t have wiped it off with your hand earlier. You've smeared it all over your face,” I told her.

 

She huffed.

 

“Just wipe it all off.”

 

I finished after a few more seconds. Once I was done, she immediately backed away from me and turned to face the wall.

 

I pressed the button for the upper parking lot just in time before we hit the ground floor. Once the elevator doors opened, I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her with me.

 

“Yah! What are you doing?”

 

“I’m taking you home,” I said.

 

“I already called my manager to come pick me up.”

 

“Tell him you already have a ride home.”

 

“I don’t want you to give me a ride home.”

 

She struggled to pull away from my grasp but I was stronger. I got her to my car and forced her to sit in the passenger seat. I quickly got in the driver’s seat and locked the doors so she couldn’t go out. She tried to unlock the door but I would immediately lock it again.

 

 

Her manager was going to take too long in this after work hour rush. I needed to get home too but I also didn't want to leave her all alone by herself when she was in this state.

 

“This is kidnapping!”

 

I rolled my eyes.

 

“I’m not kidnapping you.”

 

“Yes, you are.”

 

“I just want to take you home.”

 

I ignored her protests and proceeded to drive us out the parking lot and away from the building.

 

I’ve driven her home before so I was familiar with the route.

 

She went silent moments later after not getting a reaction from me. I spared a glance towards her and saw her leaning on her hand propped on the door as she stared out the window.

 

We were halfway there when she told me stop the car. I looked at her incredulously.

 

“I said stop the car or else I’ll jump out myself.”

 

Not wanting to test whether she’s serious or not (because she can be...unpredictable at times), I drove the car to the side. Luckily, I saw a parking area nearby.

 

Once I parked the car, she immediately got out.

 

 

Sighing to myself, I quickly followed her.

 

She continued to walk a few meters away until we found ourselves by the side of the river.

 

I was taken aback when she suddenly let out a ear-piercing scream. There were a few people out there with us who gave her odd looks. It didn't seem like they recognized her. Not yet anyways.

 

 

I quickly apologized on her behalf, bowing my heads towards them and muttering ‘sorrys'.

 

As I reached out to her, I felt my heart break once again.

 

Tears were flowing down her face none stop. She didn’t bother to wipe them away and just continued to cry. She suddenly dropped to her knees.

 

I immediately bent down to catch her.

 

I had one arm around her back to support her as I felt her body shake against me. She was sobbing so hard. I moved her body so that she was facing me and so that her head was leaning against my chest. I rubbed comforting circles around her back.

 

She continued to cry.

 

I didn’t know what to do.

 

Not to brag, but I’m good at what I do. As her bodyguard, I'm always by her side and make sure to protect her. I feel proud that I've been managing to do a good job despite my earlier apprehensions. But in this moment, seeing her break down in my arms, I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.

 

“I know I should feel happy for them,” she said in between sobs. “But I just can’t. I just can't. It hurts so much.”

 

I have an idea on what she was talking about. It probably had to do with what we witnessed earlier.

 

“I never wanted these feelings in the first place,” she said again. “It’s all my fault for having them.”

 

“Don't blame yourself,” I said. “Feelings...can bring both happiness and sadness. And you just happen to have them for someone who don't feel the same way.”

 

 

"..."

 

 

"I'm sorry if I'm speaking out of turn."

 

 

She shook her head.

 

“It is my fault. I shouldn’t have been so blind. If only I saw the signs earlier, I could have stopped my feelings from growing any further.”

 

I continued to rub her back.

 

“We can’t help it when we like someone. We see what we want to see until it’s too late.”

 

She snorted.

 

“I’m stupid. That’s what. I’m sure even you must have seen it.”

 

I couldn’t deny that. Having to work close to them, I couldn't help but pick up on some things. I've had my suspicions on some things but it hadn’t been confirmed until that moment earlier. And also now.

 

“It’ll be okay. Time helps,” I said.

 

Her sobbing had subsided by now.

 

 

I continued to hold her in my arms.

 

“For how long though?” she murmured.

 

The next thing I knew, she fell asleep while clutching on to my chest.

 

I chuckled.

 

I laid her head to lean against my shoulder as I moved to carry her bridal style. She wasn’t as heavy as I thought.

 

She’s so light. Must be crazy for idols to keep maintaining their weight.

 

I had some trouble opening the car door but I managed anyways. I laid her carefully on the passenger seat.

 

As I pulled the seatbelt over her, I had to lean close to buckle her up. I held my breath as my face came inches away from her. When I was done buckling her up, I quickly moved away. Only then was I able to breathe again.

 

I drove as smoothly as I could. I could have driven faster but I didn’t want to risk waking her up. Today must have been so tiring for her.

 

After about 30 minutes I finally arrived at her apartment.

 

It wasn’t one of those luxury apartment complexes as people have speculated over in the internet. I gathered those photos taken were from her leaving Miss Tiffany’s apartment. I’ve learned through my time working with her that they’ve known each other for a long time now and are actually really good friends. She must have slept over when they took those. The agency didn’t confirm nor deny it and hoped the media wouldn’t figure out whose apartment it really was which they haven’t. Not yet anyways.

 

The apartment she lived in was in the suburban part of the city. The apartment building was fairly modest compared to the other towering apartment buildings around the area. It may not compete with other apartments in terms of floors but the place took up a wide area. I figure their apartments must be spacious. There was even space for a garden.

 

The thing I liked about it too was the walls. It gave me relief knowing it served as some sort of protection for her.

 

After getting clearance from the security guard posted at the gate, I nodded approvingly at him for checking me thoroughly. That only made me think highly of my employer’s choice.

 

He opened the gate for me. I drove my car inside and stopped at the front entrance.

 

I looked at my passenger and saw that she still hasn’t woken up.

 

Sighing to myself, I got out the car and ran to the other side to open the door for her. I unbuckled her seatbelt and proceeded to shake her awake.

 

“Boss. Hey, boss,” I said loudly.

 

She began to stir as I continued to shake her awake. She finally opened her eyes after a few seconds. She blinked a few times as she looked at her surroundings.

 

“We’ve arrived,” I informed her.

 

I stepped back so I wasn’t blocking her way. She groggily stepped out of the car and missed a step. I caught her, thankfully.

 

“Thanks,” she mumbled at me.

 

I gave her a small smile.

 

“You're welcome.”

 

I then positioned myself and bent slightly in front of her, my back facing her.

 

“What are you doing?” she asked me.

 

“Hop on,” I said as I craned my neck backwards to look at her. “I’ll carry you.”

 

“I-I can walk just fine,” she replied.

 

“Come on, princess. You look like you're about to pass out at any moment,” I told her.

 

It was true. I was genuinely concerned. She’s had a busy day with her schedule and the added burden of what just happened earlier must have taken quite a toll on her.

 

She frowned at me for a moment before ultimately taking a step to lean down and rest her body on my back.

 

“Fine. But just this once,” she said in that tone I know to well.

 

She has this sort of problem with people helping her. It was the main reason we had problems working together the first few months that I’ve worked under her. I was hired personally by Miss Tiffany but I’m contracted to her by name. I should have known there must be a reason why Miss Tiffany was the one who interviewed me instead of my employer.

 

It was highly amusing to watch how she would refuse my help and do things herself. I’d watch how she would fail sometimes in trying to prove that she didn’t need me, saving her just in time. Of course, even though she tried to push me away, I still followed her around. It’s in my contract after all. I was actually amazed she’s independently managed to keep herself from being bombarded by fans and paparazzi for so long. She's relatively famous after all that even I've heard of her. And that's something considering I don't really care much for celebrities.

 

 

But there are still some things that she couldn’t possibly protect herself from.

 

 

Like stalkers.

 

 

That must have been the last straw so Miss Tiffany took it upon herself to hire her a bodyguard.

 

At some point, we’ve had a silent agreement that I’d only interfere when things get out of hand. The arrangement was something we were both happy with because this meant she could still move freely without feeling resticted from my presence. As for me, it meant I could still do my job and she finally stopped being stubborn and would rely on me on occasion.

 

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” I told her.

 

She did. However…

 

“I didn’t mean strangle me!” I said as I struggled to loosen her arms around my neck.

 

I couldn’t see it but I knew she was laughing. She tried to muffle her laugh using my shoulder but I could vaguely hear the her giggles and feel the way her upper body shake at the action.

 

“I can hear you laughing,” I said. “That was on purpose, wasn’t it?”

 

“Of course not," she replied in her usual sarcastic tone.

 

I was relieved.

 

To some degree, at least, I was relieved.

 

If it means getting her mind off of things even just for now, I don’t mind these moments with her. It was actually our way of bonding of some sort.

 

 

Sarcastic remarks and snide comments, this has been our normal.

 

I felt her arms loosen up which I was thankful for. I then proceeded to move my hands to the back and placed them under her thighs to secure her in place. As I pushed off the ground with my feet, I heard a light squeal coming from her.

 

I then felt her arms wrapping themselves around my neck and collarbone area more securely. She then nuzzled the side of her face at the back of my neck.

 

As I slowly carried her to the lobby, she went quiet and slowly went back to sleep in no time.

 

I could feel my face getting warmer from the feeling of warm breath hitting the back of my neck.

 

This was my first time actually going inside her building. The inside looked way nicer than I thought. As I carried her inside, I was met by a woman who seemed to be around my age. She was almost a head shorter than me. Her hair was cut in a short bob that suited her cute and petite features.

 

She welcomed me with a polite smile. Her face then morphed into a mixture of shock and wonder. It was directed at the woman currently riding on my back.

 

She composed herself quickly and smiled at me once again.

 

“I’ll help you with the elevator,” she said.

 

“Thank you.”

 

As the elevators opened, we stepped inside. I would facepalm if I had a free hand.

 

I forgot to ask which floor and room she lives in.

 

I turned my head to smile sheepishly at the shorter woman.

 

“You don’t happen to know where she lives, do you?”

 

“Oh. Of course. I’ve memorized all my tenants’ rooms.”

 

She then proceeded to push the button for the 9th floor.

 

I looked at her in surprise.

 

“You own this place?”

 

“Yep,” she answered. “I get that a lot. My uncle actually entrusted me with this place since he’s gotten too old to manage himself.”

 

“He just gave it to you?”

 

“Yep. He doesn’t have any kids so why not give it to me, his cute niece.”

 

 

I bit back a comment and instead replied, “I see.”

 

The elevator finally arrived at her floor. I stepped out and turned around to face her.

 

“She lives at the last door at the end of the hall,” she told me. “And here. This is the master key card. I trust you to give it back to me before you leave?”

 

“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “And I will.”

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

As I was to turn back, she spoke up again.

 

“Please take care of Jessica for me.”

 

I smiled at her.

 

“You don’t have to ask. It’s my job after all.”

 

The last thing I saw before the elevators closed was her smiling back at me.

 

I walked to the last door at the end of the hall like she said. I swiped the card through the scanner and watched as the led light shone green.

 

I heard the door unlock.

 

I opened the door and stepped inside. I quickly the lights and looked through the rooms until I found her bedroom. Once I finally laid her in bed, I spared her one last glance before quickly exiting the apartment, not really liking the feeling of being an intruder.

 

---

 

Days since then, people have began noticing her change in mood.

 

It’s not like I couldn’t understand. She was going through heartbreak after all. Worst of all, this is her best friend and the person she likes we’re talking about here. She couldn’t help but witness it with her own eyes in her own workplace.

 

People would shoot her strange looks whenever she would suddenly storm out of the room when the other two were in the same room.

 

I sympathized with her.

 

But I couldn’t help but be annoyed with her too. Somehow seeing her this stuck on someone irked me.

 

She’s currently on set for a photoshoot. It was the worst case scenario for her at the moment. She wasn’t aware that Miss Taeyeon was the photographer and it’s not like she could just cancel the photoshoot.

 

I watched on the sidelines and couldn’t help but watch with pity how she’s currently struggling to keep her composure around the photographer. I almost wanted to run to her when I saw the way she reacted to Miss Taeyeon approaching to personally fix her hair and touch her arms to position them.

 

 

Despite what she was feeling, she still did a great job.

 

They took a break a few minutes later.

 

She sat down and I offered her some water. She took it and thanked me.

 

It was one of the things I found surprising about her. She acted reserved and cold but she never failed to be polite.

 

I saw Miss Tiffany walk into the studio and headed straight to Miss Taeyeon’s side. I immediately glanced back at the woman beside me and watched a sad smile painting her lips.

 

It really annoyed me how she’s silently suffering like this.

 

I walked behind her and covered her eyes with my hands.

 

“Wh-What are you doing?!” she yelled.

 

“My job,” I replied.

 

“How is this doing your job?” she asked me.

 

She grabbed my hands and moved them away. She slightly turned in her seat so she could face me.

 

“My job description states that it is my duty to protect you,” I said. “And I think that includes protecting your heart too.”

 

Her eyes turned glassy as she looked up at me.

 

I bent down, my hands resting on my knees, so that I could be at eye level with her.

 

“How about this? When you’re in the same room and you can’t take it anymore, look at me instead,” I told her. “Just look at me. And if it really gets too much for you, just tell me and I’ll take you away.”

 

I could see tears begin forming in her eyes and I immediately brought up a hand and held her cheek. I brushed my thumb gently across her skin.

 

“Hey. Hey. Don’t cry on me now,” I said. “The stylist unnie won’t be happy if your makeup gets ruined.”

 

She nodded at me. I watched as she tried her best to keep the tears at bay, opening her eyes widely and blinking them away.

 

We heard a shout calling her back. As she stood up from her seat, she glanced back at me.

 

“Fighting,” I said, bringing my hand up into a fist.

 

She smiled slightly at me and nodded.

 

She then turned back and walked back to set.

 

---

 

Like I suggested, she would shift her attention to me whenever it got too hard for her. I always welcomed her with a smile. I tried my best to lift her moods by joking with her or I’d tell her some random stories or things about me. Sometimes, she’d share stories of her own.

 

“Hey, boss. How about I get you lunch?” I offered. “You haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”

 

She looked at me through the mirror lining the walls of the practice room.

 

“In a moment,” she replied as she continued to go over the dance steps.

 

I frowned.

 

 

She’s been at it for hours now.

 

“No. You need to eat now.”

 

She raised a brow at me.

 

“You’re getting quite bold with me lately,” she said.

 

I quirked my lips to the side into a side smile.

 

“I can’t help it when you’re so stubborn, boss.”

 

She rolled her eyes at me. She finally walked to the docking station and stopped the music.

 

 

"Fine. Let's have lunch then,” she said as she faced me.

 

I smiled victoriously but then I saw her fold her arms across her chest and stood in a challenging stance.

 

“On one condition,” she said.

 

“And what would that be?”

 

“Stop calling me ‘boss’.”

 

I couldn’t control the surprised expression on my face. I quickly composed my features as I cleared my throat.

 

“Miss Ju-”

 

“No!” she interjected. “My name. My first name.”

 

I hesitated. She kept looking at me with an expectant look.

 

 

Wasn't this crossing a line of some kind.

 

“J-Jessica-ssi,” I stuttered.

 

A smile appeared on her face.

 

“You can drop the honorifics. We’re around the same age anyways,” she told me.

 

“Jessica,” I tried again.

 

Nodding approvingly, she finally dropped her stance and walked towards the changing room.

 

“I’ll just change and we can go.”

 

She left and I remained where I stood. I repeated saying her name. Again. And again. And again. Trying to get used at how the name slipped through my tongue.

 

Moments later, I heard footsteps closing in which caused me to stop and turned to face her. Once she was close to me, she clung on to my arm much to my added shock for the day.

 

“Let’s go then.”

 

I nodded.

 

I tried my hardest to ignore the resounding fast beats in my chest.

 

---

 

“Sooyoung!”

 

I quickly turned my head back and watched in horror as I saw her getting mobbed by the paparazzi. I quickly ran to her side and blocked them away. I wrapped a protective arm around her back as I hurriedly walked her to the van.

 

We both sighed in relief once we got inside the van safely. I had no choice but to ride with her in the backseat because they were pushing too much to take a photo. Usually, I would be in front driving or in the front passenger seat to let her have all the space at the back just in case she felt like lying down.

 

 

“Thanks.”

 

I slightly turned my head to face her and offered her a "You’re welcome".

 

Her manager came shortly and got in the driver’s seat. He apologized profusely saying he had a hard time walking through the crowd.

 

Jessica told him it was fine and to start the car so that we could get away. He did as she said. I watched out the window as the number of paparazzi following us thinned out.

 

I felt a sudden weight on my shoulder.

 

I looked down and saw that she had leaned against me and laid her head on my shoulder. I sat still as possibly as I could.

 

This was new.

 

I could feel myself panicking inside quite a bit. Pushing her way would be rude and I’d have to make up some sort of excuse as to why.

 

It’s not like I could tell her that it was making me uncomfortable.

 

Recently, I’ve felt a tugging feeling in my chest. I’d feel my heart race even though I haven’t done anything to cause it. I noticed that it always happened whenever I was near her which was most of the time. I thought I might be sick but my recent checkup told me otherwise.

 

I had to slap myself when a thought crossed my mind one night.

 

It couldn’t possibly be that. Right?

 

We arrived at her apartment building. As she got off, she turned back one last time and smiled at me.

 

“Thank you for saving me,” she said.

 

“I was just doing my job.”

 

She frowned at me.

 

“I know that but still,” she argued. “Thank you.”

 

 

She shot me a gentle smile. One that I've seen her directing at me a few times recently.

 

I couldn’t possibly deny what was looking at me right in the eye.

 

I felt that tug in my chest again as I watched her walk into the building.

 

---

 

Realizing what this was, it brought some new things on the table.

 

I sympathized with her whenever she got stuck into a room with Miss Taeyeon or Miss Tiffany. I also felt a distinct annoyed feeling whenever she would smile wistfully at Miss Taeyeon’s direction.

 

 

I later learned that this was what they called jealousy, much to my friend's amusement.

 

And another thing I learned is that I began craving for those smiles, those looks she’d give me, and even the light touches.

 

Just like what I instructed her, she would always turn her attention away from them and look at me.

 

I love that.

 

I love that she was depending on me.

 

 

I love that she was looking at me.

 

---

 

I watched as she made an escape. I quickly ran after her.

 

We found ourselves on the roof.

 

It made me boil inside when she’d become like this. I couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter towards Miss Taeyeon.

 

I also became frustrated because why?

 

Why her?

 

I pulled out my handkerchief and offered it to her. She took it and began wiping her tears. When I heard her start to sob I quickly approached and pulled her into my arms. She sobbed against my chest.

 

 

It reminded me of that night.

 

I don’t know what came over me for what I said next.

 

“Won’t you fall in love with me instead?”

 

She pushed lightly on my chest so that she could make some space between us and looked up at me.

 

“Even as a joke, isn’t that going too far?” she said, sniffling a bit as a smile tugged on her lips at my joke.

 

Tilting my head to the side, I smiled down at her.

 

“I made you smile, didn’t I?”

 

She leaned close to me agains so that her forehead was slightly leaning against my chin. I heard her exhale.

 

“Thank you, Soo,” she said. “You might think I’m such a bother, don’t you?”

 

“No. I don’t mind really,” I replied. “I kinda like how you’ve been depending on me more.”

 

She chuckled.

 

“You looked so frustrated the first few weeks you worked for me.”

 

“I was.”

 

“And now?”

 

“Frustrating still,” I said which earned me a slap on the arm. “But it makes working for you so much more entertaining.”

 

 

"So I entertain you now?"

 

 

Another slap.

 

 

"But isn't that your job? You entertain people."

 

 

She hummed in reply.

 

 

"We...we're friends, right?" she spoke up again.

 

 

That surprised me.

 

 

"We're friends," I mmediately replied.

 

 

There's nothing wrong about being friends with your employer, right?

 

We stayed like that for some time, just her wrapped around my arms and leaning against my chest. I’m not sure if this was still considered professional but I think we’ve crossed that line when she bared her feelings to me that night.

 

“Promise me you’ll always be there for me.”

 

“I promise.”

 

---

 

We’ve grown closer that’s for sure.

 

Miss Tiffany even pointed it out.

 

I noticed Jessica slowly acclimated to the relationship of Miss Tiffany and Miss Taeyeon. She cried less and stopped eventually. She would smile genuinely at them now.

 

I thought things would go downward when I happened to come across Jessica and Miss Tiffany talking in private.

 

“Jess, I know,” Tiffany said. “And I’m so sorry. I...I just realized it not too long ago and I wasn’t sure how to approach the situation. I wasn’t sure what to say.”

 

Jessica sighed.

 

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

 

“But-”

 

“I’m happy for you. For both of you. Really, I am.”

 

I know she sincerely thinks so.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, Tiff. Really. I’m really okay with it now.”

 

“But you weren’t before,” Tiffany said. “. If I...if only I paid more attention to you...I thought your mood swings might have been work-related so I didn’t think much of it.”

 

“Stop. Okay. I’m really over it,” Jessica said. “Time helped. And I honestly feel really happy for you guys.”

 

Miss Tiffany suddenly hugged Jessica.

 

“Thank you and I'm so sorry,” I hear her say. “I love you, you know that?”

 

“I know. Love you too,” Jessica replied.

 

I couldn’t help the wide grin plastered on my face.

 

That certainly makes things less tense and weird around here.

 

I quickly hid in the corner when I heard them say ‘goodbye’ and ‘later then’. I was lucky Miss Tiffany walked straight and didn’t see me. With Jessica, I wasn’t so lucky as she stopped right beside me.

 

“You shouldn’t eavesdrop on people you know?” she told me.

 

“Sorry. I was just on my way to get you,” I said. “Your manager’s looking for you.”

 

She sighed.

 

“Well you found me. Let’s go then,” she said, starting to walk.

 

“Are you really okay now?” I asked suddenly.

 

She stopped in her footsteps and looked back at me.

 

She shot me a smile.

 

“I am. It's mainly becasue of you,” she said. "Thank you, Soo."

 

My heart raced just at the sight of her smiling at me. My body moved on its own, taking the few steps to reach her. I cornered her into the wall, my hands planted on the wall on each side of her head.

 

“If you’re really over her now then,” I paused. “Does that mean there’s a chance you might come to like someone else? I the future maybe?”

 

Someone like me.

 

“Soo, what are you trying to say?”

 

“I like you.”

 

She looked at me with widened eyes.

 

“I might not be anything like Miss Taeyeon but what I lack I’ll compensate with my sincere feelings for you,” I said all too boldly. "If you'll let me pursue you?"

 

There was no turning back now.

 

“Soo, I…”

 

 

She looked troubled.

 

 

I frowned.

 

“Apologies. I'm sorry for throwing this at you all of a sudden, boss.”

 

She suddenly started tearing up. I began to panic so I quickly leaned away from her.

 

“I’m sorry. Was that too much?”

 

She shook her head.

 

“That’s not it,” she said.

 

“But I made you cry.”

 

She shook her head again.

 

“I’m just...I’m just happy.”

 

Happy?

 

“You don’t need to be anything like Taeyeon. I like you just the way you are,” she said.

 

Now I started tearing up.

 

She took a step forward and brought her hand to my cheek and began wiping the tears that had began to fall.

 

“Now look who’s crying?” she teased.

 

I brought my own hand up to my face to cover her hand with mine.

 

“I’m just happy,” I repeated her words.

 

She chuckled at that.

 

I bit my bottom lip, hesitating to speak.

 

“Can I...can I kiss you?”

 

She looked surprised at the request.

 

“Too fast? You just look really beautiful right now,” I added. “Even with tears in your eyes.”

 

She quirked a brow at me.

 

“Only now?”

 

I smirked as I began to lean closer.

 

“Let me correct myself,” I said. My lips were mere inches from her by now. “You’re always beautiful in my eyes. From the first day we met, even with that scrunch between your brows as you glowered at me, l still thought you were pretty.”

 

She looked at me through half lidded eyes. Her gaze darted down to my lips then back to my eyes again.

 

 

"Okay."

 

I didn’t hesitate any further and closed the gap between us.

 

It was a sweet kiss.

 

She pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. I rested my own around her waist. I deepened the kiss by angling my face to the side.

 

As I on her upper lip, she darted her tongue out and swiped my bottom lip. I was only too happy to give her access. I moaned into the kiss as our tongues touched. I savored the feeling and the taste of her lips and mouth.

 

 

The kiss made my heart do backflips.

 

When we pulled away, we were both panting.

 

I rested my forehead on hers as I tried to catch my breath.

 

“Isn’t there a rule forbidding this?” she asked.

 

“The contract doesn’t explicitly say anything about dating my employer," I replied

 

 

She raised a brow at that.

 

 

"I checked. Twice,” I said again.

 

She grinned at me.

 

“Well that’s good news because I really like kissing you.”

 

I mirrored her grin.

 

“I really like kissing you too.”

 

We walked hand in hand as we had to reluctantly get back to our jobs.

 

As she face the cameras once more, I gave her hand a light squeeze before pulling away. Things will be different between us from now on.

 

After getting back into her persona as she gets surrounded by various people, she spared me one final glance and smiled at me.

 

I've made a silent vow right then and there to protect her heart always. If she ever cries on me again, I'll make sure it's because she's happy.