The universe does work in the most mysterious ways sometimes. And for me it seems like it loves to work against me, no matter how hard I try. Everything was planned. It all had to have been planned from the start. I realized this after receiving a vanilla bean frappe on my desk on my first day of work. It wasn’t until another two days of this when I learned that he worked under the same company as me.

Three years had passed and I finally got my first job related to my bachelor’s degree in accounting. Daehyun was the one that told me about it. It was an entry level accountant job for some financial company. But little did he tell me that he also worked there in the IT department.

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised.

I had only worked there for a year and I was already thinking about quitting. I wanted to quit before they fired me. It’s not that I was terrible at what I did. It was just that Daehyun was so disruptive that I was concerned that I’d get in trouble too. However, the women in my department didn’t seem to mind.

They giggled and started whispering, announcing his arrival.

I crouched down, trying to hide behind my cubical, in hopes that he wouldn’t see me.

He greeted some of the co-workers that he knew. He was popular everywhere he went…it wasn’t a surprise.

Maybe he’s here to actually work on somebody’s computer.

But to my demise he stopped at my desk. “Great.” I muttered unconsciously. “What? Having trouble with work?” He asked, sliding into the empty seat next to me.

“No. But I do have a lot of work to do. So, unless you’re here to be useful, then please leave me alone.” I said.

He raised an eyebrow, spotting my half empty frappe. “You didn’t finish it?” He asked, ignoring my previous statement. “No. Thanks to you, I’ve grown tired of the taste of vanilla bean.” I told him.

“Hm? Should I get you a different flavor?” He asked.

“No.”

“should I get you my favorite flavor?” he questioned.

I just looked at him. “You don’t even drink coffee.” I said.

He only smiled cheekily at this. “So, you’re not gonna finish it?” He asked. I shook my head, “No.”

With that he reached over and took the plastic cup and sipped on the straw.

I felt my cheeks heat up at this. “Wh-What are you doing? I already drank out of it.” I struggled to keep myself from stuttering.

He shrugged, “I did pay for it. I can’t let it go to waste.” He winked.

I turned back to my work, flustered. “What are you doing here anyway? Don’t you have work to do?”

“I’m on lunch.” He said.

Of course.

“What? Can I not visit my best friend during lunch?”

“Not when he’s working.” I muttered.

“You should go on lunch with me.” He said. “No. I have work to do.” I turned down.

His lips slightly pouted. How old is this guy really? “Youngjae, you need to eat. You can’t skip meals. Lunch is just as important.” He began.

“I already had lunch.” I lied.

“Really?”

“Neh.”

He hummed to himself before speaking again. “Fine. I’ll see you later. Meet me after work ‘kay? I have something to tell you.” He stood up out of the chair and placed it back in its rightful place. “Okay. Bye.” I said, not thinking much about his words. I was just glad that he was finally leaving. “See you later.” He waved.

“is he your brother?” Kim, the girl that was in the cubical next to mine asked me once he was gone. “No. We’re just child hood friends.” I said.

“Ah~,” She nodded, “I could have sworn you guys are brothers. You two seem so close. But childhood friends make sense too.” She said.

My cheeks burned in embarrassment at the fact that we drew any kind of attention at all. She looked around before leaning closer. “Is your friend single?” She whispered.

I was thrown off by the sudden question, not expecting it at all…though I should’ve. “Yeah. He is.” I answered anyway.

A small smile grew on her face. “Do you know if he’s looking for a relationship?” She questioned.

I paused for a bit, thinking about it, when a smile grew on my face. An idea came to mind. “I can ask him for you and let you know.” I offered.

“Really?” She asked hopefully. “Sure.” I said.

“Oh my gosh, thank you.” She thanked sincerely. I nodded as we both turned back to our work. I had an idea of how to get to Daehyun…but I couldn’t help but have a slight sick feeling in my stomach…a lot of people liked him.

Throughout the past three years the two of us went through changes. We both matured in our own way (well, maybe me a little more than him). We’d definitely grew into different people from high school. Even in university there was something different about him.

Things were different between us now too. We were friends again, but it was a different kind of friendship.

“Sorry for making you wait.” I apologized as I ran out the building at the end of the work day. I ended up staying an hour later, trying to catch up and get ahead on work. “You could’ve just went home. I would’ve understood.” I said, feeling bad for making him wait so long.

“It’s no big deal.” He smiled. “Here.” He said, handing me a granola bar. I gave him a confused look, receiving the snack. “I know you were lying.” He said.

I scoffed slightly. “How do you know if I ate or not?”

“You can’t lie to me Jae. I know you.” He cooed.

“Sure, you do.” I playfully rolled my eyes opening the snack. I was starving. I hadn’t stopped for lunch either.

“You can never make straight eye contact when you lie. And your nose always slightly scrunches when you do so.” He said.

I only hummed, biting into the bar. “Thanks.” Was all I could say.

“Are you taking the subway home again?” he asked as we walked down the street. I nodded, “Yep.” “Why don’t you let me take you home? I mean, I have a car.” He said.

“Yah, I know. No need to brag. Rich bastard. I’m still saving for mine.” I muttered the last part.

The elder chuckled at this, “Is that what you think of me?”

“yes. What kind of college student can afford his own apartment and still be able to blow money on food for someone else every day AND on books every month. I thought that way about you since then.” I said.

He continued to laugh, finding it amusing, “I had a car then too.” He added.

“Wow. You’re only proving my point.” I remarked. “Doesn’t that make me more attractive?” He chuckled.

“Wh-What?” I said thrown off by the statement.

“let me take you home, as a free favor.” He said.

“Daehyun, it’s a 45 minute drive back to my parents’ home, and that’s on a good day when there isn’t any traffic. And didn’t you just move out of your parents’ house into an apartment closer to here? It’ll be a burden for you, driving back and forth.” I said, not wanting him to go out his way. He’s already done so much.

“Come on~. It’s not a burden. I want to do it.” He insisted.

I sighed, giving in. “Fine. Gee, were you always this pushy?” I muttered. “Were you always this sassy?” he retorted.

“Touché.” I chuckled slightly.

“Do you want to stop by somewhere to eat?” He asked.

I shook my head, “Fine. As long as It’s take out and I’m paying for my own meal.” I said. “Ayiyi captain.” He grinned, earning another chuckle.

“Oh. That reminds me.” I said as we turned into the parking lot.

“Hm?”

“Are you…erm…” the atmosphere became awkward as I tried to find my words.

It shouldn’t be that hard to ask. It’s not like I’m asking for myself. Plus, he’s my friend…so it should be easy.

“Are you looking for a….a relationship right now?” I finally got out without choking on my words.

The air between us suddenly changed. The light-heartedness disappeared and changed to something a little more uncomfortable. “Daehyun?” I looked up at him, seeing that he wasn’t answering.

His demeaner had changed as well as his expression. Both were unreadable.

Did I say something wrong? I felt myself panic a little. “Who’s asking?” He finally asked.

I blinked a couple of times, “Um…this girl that I work next to. I think she’s interested in you.” I forced a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood again.

He stopped in front of his car and sighed. He let out a thin smile, “That’s nice that she is, but I’m not interested.”

“Oh.” Was all I could say, feeling a bit awkward for asking. So much for my plan. “I’m sorry if I brought up a sensitive topic.” I felt the need to apologize. He never spoke about girls, or relationships, or even crushes, or anything along the lines of that.

He turned to me and his thin smile transformed into a warm one. “Don’t be. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” He said.

“H-huh? O-Oh….yeah. I forgot about that. Yeah? You wanted to tell me something?” I aid, still feeling a bit uneasy. He was up to something.

“Ah~….how do I say this?” He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

I stood there, waiting for him to begin.

“We’ve been friends for a while now. Not including our friendship before college. I feel like our friendship is different now.” He began. I nodded in agreement. “And I think I like this better.” He said, smiling more to himself now. “But…I think I’d like it more if we were more than just friends.”

I was frozen. I didn’t believe my ears. Nor could I even process the words that came from his mouth.

His smile grew shyly. He ran his hand along the hood of the car before looking directly at me. “I guess what I’m trying to ask is, will you go out with me?” he finally spilled.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I was lost for words. I couldn’t even think.

“I don’t know why, but that’s just how I feel. I want to have you by my side. I don’t want you to hurt anymore. I enjoyed making you happy. I enjoy making you happy. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” He confessed.

I tried to speak, but my lips hardly moved and my voice hardly made a sound, if even at all.

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way. I’m okay with that. You don’t have to give me an answer now if you want to think about it. I just wanted to let you know.” His smile was soft and sincere.

My heart pounded in my chest in panic. Just speak Youngjae! Freaking speak! “I don’t want to think.” I finally said.

“I’ve thought so much in my life and it always seemed to dig me in a deeper hole.” I took my turn to confess. “Sometimes it’s just better to do.” I avoided eye contact with him. “But why do I feel like this was planned?”

“Hm?”

“I feel like it was more than just your plan to ‘make it up to me.’ To bring back my passion for art. Why do I feel like you had planned to go further than that?” I questioned.

He let out a slight chuckle, leaning against the hood of the car. “You caught me. My plan was to make it up to you, but if I was given the chance or opportunity to go further, then I was going to. And I took it as an opportunity when you told me to let your number go to waste.” He admitted.

I let out a small smile, shaking my head, “That’s one thing that didn’t change about you. When you get the opportunity to, you do whatever you want. No matter what anybody else said or did.” I laughed lightly at the memory. “I think…that’s why I admired you so much back then.”

It was silent between us for a moment, reminiscing a little. “But…I trust you.” I said quietly.

“Really? Youngjae, you don’t have to-,” “yes you idiot. I said I don’t want to think and that I trust you. I already feel awkward, so just take my answer gee.” I said, already feeling my cheeks burn again.

He grinned widely, excitement overwhelming his facial muscles, like a child on Christmas morning. “Thank you Youngjae!”

“Haha, why are you thanking me?” I laughed uneasily. “I promise you, you won’t regret it. I won’t let you down.” He said with excitement. “there’s just one thing.” I said.

He paused, “Hm? What is it?”

“I hate romantic things. So, I don’t know how this is gonna work.” I warned him.

“It’s okay. It’ll work.” He grinned. Which worried me a little bit. “I’m surprised that Yoseob didn’t tell you that when he was spilling all that information on me.” I remarked.

“Oh. He did.” Daehyun assured, still grinning.

He’s probably going to do whatever he wants anyway. I thought to myself.

“Speaking of Yoseob.” Daehyun pulled out two tickets from his pocket. “He gave me two free movie tickets for us to see a movie tomorrow.”

My smile vanished. “This better be some action or mystery movie.” I said, already not liking the idea, knowing that Yoseob was also behind it too. Daehyun only chuckled, unlocking the car, heading to the driver’s seat. I did the same, taking my spot in the passenger’s seat.

Once we were buckled up, Daehyun backed out of the parking lot and pulled out onto the road, heading towards my parents’ home.

I checked my phone to see that I had a text message from Yoseob. I playfully rolled my eyes and ignored the text. He’s so definitely going to get it next time I see him. I put the cellular device on silent, knowing that he’d call and blow up my phone.

I looked out the window, a warm fuzzy feeling overwhelming my insides. I couldn’t suppress my smile, but I made sure to hide it from Daehyun by facing the window. Honestly, I don’t really know my feelings for Daehyun at the moment, all I knew was that if felt good and I didn’t want to think about it. I couldn’t even tell if I was excited or if Daehyun’s excitement was that contagious.

“You know. I’m surprised that you stuck with accounting.” He said as we drove home. “Well, I couldn’t just change my major like that. I invested too much into it.” I said.

He nodded in understanding. “But it’s not like I hate it. It’s interesting and challenging. Maybe it’ll allow me to become richer than you.” I teased slightly. “But I still draw. I think I’d just rather do art as a past time. When I’m not working, that’s what I’ll do. But if I get any opportunities I guess I’ll take it.” I said, looking back at him.

He smiled at this. “Good.” He said.

“I think I want to try out painting. Drawing is fun, but I wonder what my work would look like on a canvas.” I said, thinking about it a little.

“You can’t go into painting yet.”

“And why not?” I questioned, not expecting the objection. “Because, you haven’t drawn me yet.” He said.

I let out a scoff, “You still seriously want me to draw a picture of you?”

“Of course. But instead of drawing me as a basketball player, draw me as a rich man, since that’s apparently what I’ve become. Make me look tall and cool. Okay?”

All I could do was laugh.

“What? I’m serious. I told you that it’d be an honor. And since you’re my boyfriend you definitely have to do it.” He said.

I blushed at the term, my laughing stopping. He noticed this and smiled widely. “So~, does this mean I get to kiss you?” he questioned.

“No.”

“What?”

“I said, I hate romantic stuff.”

He let out a light pout.

I playfully rolled my eyes. He’s going to do it anyway, so I don’t know why he’s pouting. He does whatever he wants.

“Awe man, I don’t know what I’m going to tell Kim tomorrow.” I groaned, the sudden thought hitting me. I felt terrible now.

Daehyun shrugged, “Just tell her I’m taken.”

“yeah, but I told her that you were single.” I told him.

“Tell her that you made a mistake.”

“How could I make that kind of mistake? I told her that we were childhood friends.”

“Fine. I’ll break it to her then.” He said.

“No, no, no.” I quickly shot down the idea. “I’ll come up with something. Don’t even come to our department tomorrow.” I said.

The elder only chuckled.

“I’m serious Daehyun. I might call in sick if you try anything.” I whined.

“Okay, okay. I won’t.” he laughed.

I hummed in satisfaction, though I didn’t quite believe him.

“Hey Daehyun.” I said, another thought coming to mind.

“Yeah?”

“I noticed, that every time we leave each other, you never say bye. You always say, ‘see you later.’” I said. He raised a slight eyebrow, “You noticed that huh?”

I nodded, “You never did that before when we were younger. But I noticed that’s what you do now. I’m curious…why do you do that?” I questioned.

There was a short pause before he answered.

“I never say bye to you. I only say see you later to you. As a promise to myself that I will see you later. It’s a reminder to me not to make the same mistake that I made last time. Because last time I said bye to you…it almost became permanent. So, I say see you later, because I don’t want that to happen again.” He explained.

I was taken aback by his words. He was serious from the beginning. He was serious from that very first day when we worked on the project. “That’s amazing,” I said quietly.

“But now it means something else.” He said.

I looked at him, “What does it mean?”

“Another three-worded sentence.” He simply said.

I scrunched my brow not understanding, “And that is?”

He looked back at me and smiled. “You’ll see…later.”