Hi there, my dearest readers! I’m ‘sort-of’ back again after long hibernation? XD

It shocked me to see 6k words haha My updates going longer and longer every chapter lol

Be warned though, I did not proofread :’>

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- 23 -

It was rather those small rare moments that Tzuyu made Mina’s heart feel fluttered.

After their ‘sudden’ date last Friday, Tzuyu became oddly clingier – well, it’s not like Mina’s complaining. The Japanese couldn’t help but to smile reminiscing how the cold, stern-looking Taiwanese girl have relentlessly bugged her of moving in and live with her in Tzuyu's own apartment, even up to the extent of overly decorating her office with flowers, each tagged with a handwritten note convincing her to give in to her demands.

The notes were ranged from iced threatening orders such as ’You have to move, or I’ll else I'll buy the whole building of your apartment’ to somehow sweet desperate pleadings like ‘You’re the first thing I want to see in the morning, so please move in with me? :(”

She finds it cute though, that she almost wanted to surrender and just do what she asks. It was very rare to see the usual high mighty Tzuyu putting such efforts directed at someone else’s aside Sana. And much to her luck, that fortunate someone was her. But there comes her rational nagging side, giving her doubts that cloud her judgement.

Why was she going through such lengths for my attention? It’s not like she’s finally over Sana, right?

Mina knows her limits. She couldn’t voice out her whims for that might be a little too selfish of her. Afterall, this was all nothing but a fake arrangement between them and maybe, if it wasn’t because of that, Tzuyu’s sweetness wouldn’t happen. She knows Tzuyu well and she's sure that the Tzuyu she met remains unchanged, she’s still that same student council president that was hell-bent on performing and perfecting her duties. And now that she's her girlfriend, she's also included into that list of responsibilities.

But, that also, doesn’t mean that Tzuyu’s dutiful honeyed gestures doesn’t make her happy. Though there were obvious reasons for her to not fall harder, it was way way too late for her. She's head over heels for Tzuyu.

“Unnie? Are you sure you’re still listening to me?”

Mina snapped back when she saw a person waving her hand in front of her.

“Uh-Yes! I... I mean, yes of course Chaeng.” What was she saying again?

Taking those few awkward words as an answer sent cue to the little cub to repeat what she was just saying to the seemingly distracted Japanese girl. Chaeyoung sighed.

“As I was saying, Mina-unnie, there would be an exclusive high profile gala this coming Wednesday. I asked you if you wanted to come with me… like… like…” The smaller girl’s voice trailed off before finishing her last sentence. Internally, Chaeyoung was freaking out.

“Like as your date?” Mina raised a brow at her.

“Uhh…yes?” Chaeyoung let out a few nervous laughs as she scratched the back of her nape.

Mina wondered if Tzuyu was invited as well. If the gala’s really an exclusive high profile event, then powerful and influential chaebols must be there too, right? That requirement was enough for the specific Taiwanese girl to pass with flying colors. She literally runs dozens of multi-billionaire companies left and right, both foreign and domestic, just right after her college graduation.

Maybe, she can ask Tzuyu to come too. With her.

“Can I consult this first to Tzuyu?” The little cubs eyes sparked with a degree of amusement and somehow, disappointment.

"Y-yes... Of course, unnie. You can." Chaeyoung forced a little smile.

***

“So… How was our Tzuyu doing these days?”

Jeongyeon’s brows irked up upon the first question thrown at her by the younger woman sitting across her office desk. She stopped tapping her pen against the table, confusion evident in her eyes. It’s been years since they’ve last saw each other, yet the younger seems to not have changed at all. She is still that attached towards her younger, taller sister-in-law, Tzuyu.

“’Our’, you say. I can’t believe that after all these years, you’re still all over her.” Jeongyeon chuckled. “But be warned, she’s very much taken.” Jeongyeon wanted to draw a reaction from the girl infront of her, and from what she saw, it indeed confirmed all her suspicions about the latter.

A smirk was traced on the younger’s lips. Jeongyeon was well aware of what that means. She’s sure that whatever it is, it's a devious plan formulating on the latter’s head. She've seen it way too many times. Ever since they were still kids, challenges excited the younger and Jeongyeon could sense that energy from her.

“We’ll see about that.”

***

Mina satisfyingly look at herself upon the full-body mirror. She just loved how her custom made evening dress was, simple yet very elegant. It well defined her personality as a Myoui, a smart perfectly stunning beauty, powerful but still humbled. Even though she had a very lavish upbringing, she’s not fond of anything that is much sparkly. She doesn’t want too much of an unwanted attention.

However, she felt disappointed too. As much as the efforts she put through for the glamorous event for tonight, the person that she very much wanted to hear a compliment from seems to be nowhere in sight. Tzuyu, unfortunately, rejected her over some stuck-pile of reports of issues that needs to be immediately addressed in the company.

She sighed.

This gala could be one of their perfect date nights, but she understands. The younger still has that will of steel within her – when Tzuyu says no, it definitely means no one way or another.

The sound of the apartment’s doorbell snapped her out of her thoughts. As she gracefully strides to the monitor near the door, she saw her alternative gala partner. The sight that welcomed her somehow made her giggle. As soon as she open the door, it revealed a very fidgety girl dressed up in a suit.

“Hi, Chaeng.” She smiled.

The little cub, on the other hand, had -hang open. She’s stunned on the beauty standing before her eyes. Even the word beautiful would be an understatement.

“You… You look gorgeous tonight, unnie.” The compliment made Mina slightly blush. She couldn’t help but to wonder, what would Tzuyu say if it was rather the tall girl that was accompanying her tonight?

Another sigh. Just how much could she think of Tzuyu every day in her daily life? This deed unhealthily became part of her routine. From the moment she wakes up in the morning until the very moment she closes her eyes at night, that tall figure of the cold yet caring Taiwanese girl she have always loved is very much carefully embedded in her mind. Even in her dreams, it was filled with the fantasies of the future that she hoped to see for the both of them.

“Thanks. You too, Chaeng.” She answered.

“You share apartment with Tzuyu?” Chaeyoung asked. “If I am not mistaken, I’m sure that this is owned by that kid.”

Mina blushed once again. “Uh, yes. She asked me to live with her since last week.” She smiled as she remembered how the younger have bugged her of moving in with her all day. She would’ve said no, if Tzuyu hadn’t planned that surprise dinner and event for her at Namsan tower. She was too fluttered that night that she couldn’t refuse Tzuyu’s effortful pleading. Somehow, it made her want to believe that Tzuyu is slowly opening her heart towards her. Yet, another part of her knows that it is still occupied by that Japanese who have left the other.

But enough of that Tzuyu thoughts just for this night. She is with Chaeng and it is of proper courtesy to not disappoint this little cub who immediately said yes when she asked. She would lie if she didn’t said that she was impressed by Chaeyoung’s patience with her.

What would it be like if I hadn’t fall for Tzuyu back then?

“Unnie? You’re spacing out again.” The younger looked at her with concern. Before Chaeyoung could start questioning her about her thoughts, she spoke to beat her to it.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go?” She signaled the younger to lead their way to the elevator of the apartment. The little cub just nodded in agreement.

***

The ride was somehow fun for Mina. They talked about varied things for both have wanted to catch up for the time that they weren’t on speaking terms.

Through their conversations, the older have found out that Chaeyoung was very much the same as before – throwing her usual no jam jokes but still maintaining her smart aura. It made her happy, knowing that despite of what happened between the two of them, they are still comfortable being with their own selves with each other.

“Are you ready, unnie?” Chaeyoung asked as they approach the media-filled venue.

Mina just nodded in response. She’s used to these kind of big events – not very much surprising if you are an heir of a big multi-billionaire company and separately owns a multi-millionaire fashion line as a hobby. But, she somehow, finds these things as excessively tiring and boring. Her introvert personality prefers being a homebody than being an infamous personality.

Chaeyoung have already opened the car door for her and as soon as she steps out of the vehicle, flashes of different cameras welcomed her. Here goes her unwanted attention.

“Don’t worry. Just smile unnie, you’re beautiful.” Chaeyoung reassuringly smiles as she offer her arm to walk her to the red carpet.

Just as she was about to accept the offer, the media roared in again for another approaching vehicle. It both caught their attention, that they too, became curious of as to who it is. Her heart stopped when the car revealed a tall Taiwanese girl, her very own Tzuyu dressed in a dashing black suit and accompanying another explicit beauty beside her. It was none other than a beautifully yellow dressed well-known world class choreographer and entertainment company owner, Hirai Momo.

It confused her. Wasn’t Momo supposed to be Chaeyoung’s fiancée?

So she then turned to the seemingly not-so surprised Chaeyoung beside her, who was rather composed and smiling.

What is happening?

Before even she could open to ask, the tall girl was already standing next to her and clutching on her arm, making her a little bit closer. “Thanks Chaeng, but I’ll take it from here.”

“Already possessive, I see.” Chaeyoung only chuckled as she moves beside her fiancée. “You've changed, Tzu. But there’s no need to worry though.” She then turned to smile and latch on her own partner. “My heart already belonged to someone.”

Tzuyu only shrugged as she threaded the speechless Mina’s hand with hers. “Hi, unnie.” She warmly smiled, her cute dimples showing. She leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, “You look perfect.”

Mina immediately turned red as she almost choked out of thin air. Her eyes don’t want to believe any of it, Tzuyu was standing right in front of her. Her heart was racing extremely fast that she couldn’t even make sure if this was all but a dream. It made her knees weak and she would’ve fall, if she wasn’t steadied by Tzuyu’s strong supporting arms.

“I’m sorry, Mina-unnie for lying. I just wanted to make it as a surprise.”

“I-uh…” She gulped, mentally cursing herself for stuttering. “It’s okay, Tzuyu. What’s important is that you’re here.” She gave a shy smile, before finding herself lost into that doe-eyes that were once black and icy.

“Oooh! I  can already hear the wedding bells ringing.” Chaeyoung fake coughed, interrupting the two blushing mess in front of them. “You’re aware that we’re still at the red carpet, right? Let’s go, Momo-unnie.” Chaeyoung pulled her partner to move forward to the red carpet. “I can’t take the cringe anymore.”

Momo only laughed at Chaeyoung’s childish behavior. “Oh, I’m sure that you’re more cringe-worthy than that Chaengie. I could make a list of it all night.” Momo teased, and the other couple laughed as well when they hear the professional world-class artist and designer, the infamous Son Chaeyoung, whining like a little kid.

***

“So… this was all planned for? You and Chaeyoung?” Mina raised a brow at Tzuyu, who was just silently sipping on her wine. “I can’t believe you deceived me.”

Tzuyu put down her glass at the table and turn to face her pouting Mina. She extended her arms to cup the older’s puffed cheeks with her palms. “You’re cute when you pout.” Tzuyu chuckled. “But as much as I want to see it, please don’t. We’re at the gala and people are already staring. I beg the honor to be the only one on the receiving end of it.”

Mina stepped back and turn away from Tzuyu. She was fanning herself. Why did the room suddenly became too hot?

Tzuyu chuckled even more. Those couple of heavily packed schedules and overtime at her office was definitely worth the sacrifice. Nothing amuses her more than seeing her usually calm and composed Mina-unnie flustered and panicky. Cute.

She should really thank the little cub later.

“Hi, Tzuyu!”

A loud voice echoed through the crowd as the two stopped from teasing each other. When they turned to see the source of the voice, a girl dressed in sparkly white evening gown was standing beside Jeongyeon, Tzuyu’s step-sister-in-law, flashing an eye-catching beaming smile. The embarrassed blonde, however, gave the baffled couple a forced smile.

“I’m glad to see you again, Tzuyu!” She eagerly waved. “Did you miss me?”

The last sentence made Mina became intrigued. Just, who is this lady with seriously god-tier visuals? If Mina would’ve guessed, she might be a celebrity or a model. She seems to have a close relationship with Tzuyu. She even noticed the slight twitch in Tzuyu’s usual stoic expression when the girl said those words. Mina suddenly felt a slight burn on the pit of her stomach.

“Dr. Park.” Tzuyu gave a small smile, formally greeting the beautiful lady back.

“Oh please, drop the formalities, Tzu. I told you to call me Jihyo or just unnie.”

Mina’s brows twitched as the girl flirtatiously hits Tzuyu on the arm. She felt uncomfortable, so, instinctively, she s her hands towards the taller girl’s available ones. Tzuyu flinched at the sudden contact, so she gave the jealous Japanese girl a confused look in return.

“Are you okay, Unnie?” She noticed the latter’s unease movement when she glances towards the other guests. “Ah, I’m sorry. I must’ve made you uncomfortable. This is Jihyo-unnie. I’ve known her for a while already. She us