“So when are you going to ask her?” Sooyoung plops herself down on Seulgi’s couch while the young designer continues to work on her design without even giving the intruder a second glance. Who else would dare to barge into her office and disrupt her other than the company’s CEO and her best friend?  

 

“Ask who?”

 

“Who else!? Bae Joohyun of course! The person that has been plastering that stupid grin on your face!”

 

The name finally catches Seulgi’s attention and she gives the CEO a quizzical look. “Ask her what?”

 

“To marry you,” Sooyoung says sarcastically. “To be your freaking girlfriend. Duh!” Sooyoung rubs her forehead with an exasperated groan. How can this company’s founder be so dense!? The two has been going on dates (or hang-outs as Joohyun calls them) for months now and yet their relationship is still in the limbo of acquaintance and friendship.

 

“G-g-g-irl-friend!?” the normally calm and collected young designer stutters at the word and accidentally scratches an extra marking on the design for Chef Choi’s new restaurant. “Isn’t it too soon? It’s only been 4 months…” Four months since they met again…

 

“Seul, you’ve loved her for 12 years.” She enunciates each word as if she is marketing her ideas to investors. “You have to let her know how you feel!”

 

“You don’t want her to think of you as just a friend.”  The CEO walks toward the young designer with an unwavering gaze before ending with the statement that resonates within Seulgi’s mind. Just a friend…

 

“But…” Seulgi still questions hesitantly, afraid to ruin what she and Joohyun currently have. However, with Sooyoung’s bold encouragement and constant urging, the young designer finally relent to taking her relationship with Joohyun to the next step.

 

Something she has actually been contemplating for a while now but just needed that little push to do so. And that little push just happened to come in the form of her sassy best friend.

 

And so, instead of attending meetings, making designs, or answering emails like what a CEO and a lead designer should be doing, the two company executives hurdle around and plan out how Seulgi can confess her feeling to the girl.

 

But not even 10 minutes in, Seulgi realizes that Sooyoung’s plans for dates are extreme. Almost borderline crazy! Her suggestion to confess while swimming with the sharks or bungee jumping off the Colorado Bridge was quickly thrown out the door.

 

Along with the girl herself.

 

Before Seulgi can slam the door on the CEO’s face, the girl musters up her last breath to yell accusingly down the hallway, “I’m warning you Seulgi! You better not confess your undying love to Joohyun on one of your ‘boring’ dates!”

 

Next door where the CFO, Kim Yerim, sits, Seulgi can hear light snickers as Sooyoung is being dragged away by the secretary.

 

“Shut up, Yerim!” both girls yell at the same time thinking that the snickers were directed at them. And they are probably correct to assume so. 

--

 

Peace and quiet returns once Sooyoung is completely out of sight.

 

Hah! What is that girl thinking? Swimming with the sharks….Joohyun will never agree to go out with her again if she ever attempts that.

 

Instead, Seulgi turns to the internet for advice. A better source, in her opinion.

 

A quick search soon reveals the top 10 most romantic places in Los Angeles for a perfect date. Griffith Observatory and Getty Villa are among the top spots but Seulgi settles for a night stroll at Santa Monica Pier since she remembers Joohyun mentioning how she misses the cool breeze and soft grainy sands of a beach.

 

Perfect! This ‘boring’ date will be where she finally tells Joohyun how she feels.   

--

It didn’t even come as a surprise anymore when Joohyun receives a text from Seulgi asking if she will be free Friday night. Ever since they saw each other again, the other girl has been pestering her to hang out any chance she gets.

 

Not that she’s complaining. Hanging out with Seulgi has been fun. And through their budding friendship, she finds that they have a lot more in common than she thought!

 

Like, never would she have thought that the charismatic founder and lead designer of Kang Design is also a laundry detergent enthusiast!

 

Imagine Joohyun’s surprise when Seulgi suggested going to the World Detergent Convention. She has been trying to convince Wendy to go to the event for years now but the girl would always sarcastically decline in her most uninterested tone “Oooh yay…pay $40 to do someone else’s laundry and smell detergents that all smell the same to me. No thanks.”

 

“It’s not just laundry and detergents! There’re hand soaps and ironing stations too!! You get to try out all the different irons in the world!” Joohyun’s eyes were shining so excitedly as she spoke that Wendy almost gave in. But she shuddered at the memories and held firm instead. No way in hell is she going to go back to that convention again!  

---

Tide. Downy. Gain. Lavender. Citrus. Pressed irons. Steam irons. Washers. Dryers. There were so many brands and so many booths at this year’s convention that Joohyun’s eyes can’t help but dashed left then right then left again to take in all the booths and demos that were set up.

 

And if she was by herself, she would have run off to the nearest booth already but she was with Seulgi. Therefore, she tried to contain her excitement as she stole self-conscious glances at Seulgi to see if the girl next to her was just as excited.  

Joohyun was more at ease when she saw a giant grin on Seulgi’s face and an excited gaze in her eyes for the convention in front. But what she didn’t know was that that giant grin on Seulgi’s face was actually a triumphant smile for picking an event that Joohyun was so excited about and that that gaze was oozing with affections only when Seulgi was looking at Joohyun and at how adorable and innocent Joohyun was.

 --

What Joohyun also doesn’t know is what Seulgi has plan for the date on Friday. Neither does she know how anxious Seulgi is waiting for her reply on the other side of the line or how nervous Seulgi becomes when Joohyun accepted the invitation.

 

All Joohyun know is that she will be going to the beach Seulgi this Friday. Other than that, she just shrugs off the plan as another hangout. 

--

Friday night cannot come any faster for Seulgi.

 

She shows up at Joohyun’s apartment 10 minutes early as usual but with a bouquet in her hand this time. Something she hasn’t done since the first date.

 

She’s nervous. Extra nervous. More nervous than that first date. Even more nervous than when she gave her first public speech. Way more nervous than when Kang Design was nominated for the Most Innovative company award.  

 

Her heart is racing and her fingers are fidgeting. Even in the absence of Bae Joohyun, the hiccups are threatening to surface.

 

She clutches onto the bouquet tightly and mumbles the script of things she wants to say as she waits for Joohyun to come down.

 

The whole night was kind of a blur for Seulgi.

 

She recalls how perfectly Joohyun had looked approaching her with that white fedora on her perfectly curled light brown hair and that one-piece floral dress that hugs at just the right area.

 

She probably handed the bouquet to her date with a shy compliment and a nervous chuckle.

 

She somehow managed to focus on the road as she drove them to the pier though her mind never stopped reciting the confession over and over again.

 

It didn’t calm her nerves at all when Joohyun clutches onto her stiffened arm as they stroll along the beach with an ice cream in hand and the summer breeze on their face. One of Joohyun’s many ‘harmless’ habits but what the brunette doesn’t know is that every time she clings onto Seulgi’s arm, or rests her head on Seulgi’s shoulder, or grabs Seulgi’s hand, those gestures would send an electric jolt straight to Seulgi’s heart that renders her body motionless.

 

Though Seulgi nods and responds seamlessly to the conversation that Joohyun is dominating, her mind always travels back to the giant Ferris wheel atop the pier that serves as a constant reminder of what tonight’s mission is.  

 

And as if on cue, Joohyun suggests riding the giant wheel all of a sudden. Maybe because she noticed that Seulgi was being too quiet? Or maybe because she noticed that Seulgi kept looking at the ride like she wanted to go on it? Regardless of the reason, Joohyun is already dragging the taller girl toward the giant wheel at the edge of the pier before she can even reply.

--

On this slow moving ride that feels like it is going at 60 miles per hour, Seulgi’s heart is thumping louder like the approaching siren of a firetruck. Her palms are sweating profusely. And her thoughts are racing faster than the cars on their final lap of a NASCAR competition

 

Thump.

 

I can do this!

 

Thump. Thump.

 

Please don’t hiccup!

 

Thump. Thump. Thump. 

 

What if I get rejected?

 

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

 

Here goes nothing.

 

“Bae Joohyun. I love you. I've loved you since high school.” Seulgi spits out the words in one breath. She places her hands on top of Joohyun’s and gazes deeply into her eyes as if she is hoping to convey her emotions thru the windows of her eyes. She pauses for a second to let Joohyun process the confession and is hurt to see that the girl moves away slightly at the shocking news.

 

Not letting that little gesture discourage her, Seulgi takes a deep breath and musters up the courage to continue.

 

“You were the reason that I woke up every morning to attend that suffocating place called high school. You were the reason why I chose to major in design when I had no confidence at all in being creative. You were the reason why I strived to make Kang Design successful. So that I can stand proudly next to you one day. You were the inspiration for my designs, Joohyun. I didn't think I would love you for so long. But I did. And I really don’t want to let you slip away again this time.”

 

Seulgi takes another deep breath before asking the question that has been playing over and over in her mind.  “Will you be my girlfriend?”

 

Seulgi finishes her confession in one swift breath and waits patiently for Joohyun to respond. Her palms are getting sweatier and heart rate is accelerating to the point where she feels like she is having a heart attack. Seconds feel like an eternity. And as much as she wants to look away, her gazes keep doubling back to the girl across from her as if they are metals to a magnet.

 

The movements in Joohyun’s throat bounce up and down like she is going to say something but no words came out. Joohyun doesn't know what to say. She doesn't even know what to think. It’s an understatement to say that she is speechless by Seulgi’s bold confession.

 

Since high school? How? Why? Again. It’s not like they interacted much in high school. She doesn't want to hurt the one friend that has been nothing but genuine toward her. But she doesn't want to lie to her either. So she responds as truthfully as possible.

 

"I’m-I'm sorry, Seulgi-ah. I-I've never thought of you that way before."

 

Ouch. That hurts. More than Seulgi expected. It's not like she wasn't expecting the rejection. But it hurts to hear it out loud. Especially from the mouth of the girl she loves.

 

She can feel the cracks in her heart deepening. Threatening to shatter the organ to pieces. She tries her hardest to hold it together. Hold herself together. Taping the pieces together along with her tear ducts so that the girl that had just rejected her doesn't feel any guiltier than she already does.

 

Seulgi retrieves her hands and scratches the back of her head with a light laugh to ease the tension in the air.

 

"Hah! Then it's about time you think about it. Because I'm officially courting you. Bae Joohyun!" Seulgi declares nonchalantly.

 

Joohyun stares at the smiling girl in front of her. She wants to offer some words of apologies or comforts but held her tongue when she sees Seulgi’s eyes pleading her not to. Another apology and Seulgi just might not be able to hold her emotions back anymore.

 

Once they reach the ground, Joohyun ended the night with an excuse that she's tired. And if Seulgi noticed the awkwardness, she chooses to ignore it and casually drives the girl home as she continues to make light conversations to mend whatever rift that the confession had caused.

 

"Good night, Joohyun." Seulgi waves at the back of the girl as she rushes back to her apartment.

 

When Seulgi got back into her car, instead of driving back home, she goes in the opposite direction toward the one person who can give her some much-needed company.

--

In front of Sooyoung's luxurious house, Seulgi continuously slams on the doorbell to announce her presence.

 

"What do you want?" Sooyoung finally opens the door grumpily in spite of her urge to silent the doorbell and continue her beauty sleep. 

 

"I got rejected," Seulgi replies with a broken smile.

 

Despite the easygoing and nonchalant facade that Seulgi is trying to hold up, Sooyoung can see the pain embedded behind. They have been friends for so long. She knows how much Joohyun means to her best friend.

 

"I told you not to take her on a boring date."

 

Seulgi chuckles tiredly. Leave it to Sooyoung to have to last say in every argument.

 

"Come here, you bear." Sooyoung opens her arms invitingly at the broken-hearted girl.

 

And with that small gesture, Seulgi lunges into Sooyoung's embrace and cries her heart out for the first time since the rejection.

 

It hurts to know that her feeling was not reciprocated. It hurts even more so to know that Joohyun had never thought about her that way.

 

She lets her cries muffle in Sooyoung's chest and her tears stain the girl’s velvety pajama. She lets out all the pain and hurt that she has been holding back for Joohyun’s sake.

 

Under Sooyoung’s comforting pat and warm embrace, Seulgi rips off the tape that she had so carefully placed and let her tears drain till there's none left.

 

Before she drifts off to sleep, she hears the one last comfort that Sooyoung offers her.

 

"At least now she knows how you feel. Whether it'll turn out for the better or not. At least she won't look at you as just a friend anymore."

 

That’s right. This confession was never meant to make Joohyun hers. It was only to let Joohyun know how she feels about her. It was to let her see the possible future that they can have together.  

--

Just as Seulgi instructed, Joohyun did think about Seulgi. A lot.  

 

About how Seulgi always seems to miraculously be there while she works.

About how Seulgi always comes to her defense without questioning who’s at fault.

About how Seulgi always smiles brightly every time she sees her coming down her apartment.

About how Seulgi always making time to take her out every week despite being busy.

 

If she didn’t notice about all those small gestures before, she sure does now. And a part of her is touched by the efforts that Seulgi had put in but another part of her can’t help but questions why. Why would someone like Seulgi like her? The girl is beautiful, funny, talented, and successful and probably has a line of suitors waiting for her so why would she pick someone so poor and so average looking? The insecure part of Joohyun finds that hard to believe.   

 

But the biggest barrier is not her insecurity, it is the locks that she had so firmly bolted onto the door to her heart. One for when her relatives turned their back on her family when her father passed away.  Another for when her so call friends ignored her pleas for help when her father’s company was on the verge of bankruptcy. And a few more for the people that flirted with her, saying nothing but sweet words and grand promises just to flip 180 when they realize that she is not some easy girl that they can just take to bed because of their status and money.

 

It is almost inevitable that she would turn away any intruders who so much as attempt to knock at that door. Why bother when she, herself, had thrown away the key already.

 

It was a miracle enough that she had opened a small window in her heart to welcome Seulgi’s friendship but for love…would she? Can she?  

 

Despite all that thinking, Joohyun just can’t seem to find the answer. And so she chooses to ignore the problem and pours herself into work.

 

Therefore, when the young designer had asked her to be her date for some charity event, she automatically rejected the invite with work as an excuse. The same excuse that she has been giving Seulgi for the past three weeks.

 

But when she turned down the invite, she hadn’t expected to see the same girl at that same said work three days later. Especially not looking so dashingly charming in her light blue Armani suit and matching color bow tie tied snuggly around her neck. And unknowingly, Joohyun’s heart thumps erratically at the sight.

 

Joohyun’s first reaction is to duck behind the table that she is currently stationing even though her eyes continue to trail the girl across the venue as she makes her way toward a group of well-dressed individuals. Why the heck am I hiding? She thought as she finally realizes what she just did.

 

Without coming out from her hiding spot, her eyes continue to stare at the young designer until that stare turns into a glare. Her hand grips the corner of the table tightly when a tall and beautiful young lady in an elegant blue Gucci dress approaches Seulgi and link their arms together like it was the most natural thing to do. The girl smiles radiantly at Seulgi and Seulgi returns the smile with her own 10-million-watt smile that just adds more furies to Joohyun’s already complicated feelings.

 

It irritating but this is exactly the type of girl that Joohyun had imagined that Seulgi would be with. Should be with. 

 

She should be happy for her friend but instead, she feels a surge of anger? irritation? jealousy? at the pit of her stomach.

 

She can’t really pinpoint the feeling but she just knows that she doesn’t like it.

--

The surprising thing is while Joohyun had noticed the taller girl the minute she stepped into the venue, the taller girl has not noticed Joohyun at all. Compared to all the other venues where Seulgi would pick the waitress out like she’s the only person in the room, this venue is much smaller and less crowded.

 

It is a small charity event where paintings and books donated will be auctioned off to raise money for the homeless children and Seulgi was invited as one of the contributors who had donated one of her designs.

 

It is only toward the end when everyone is gathered for the auction that Seulgi finally spotted Joohyun in one of the corners.

 

Unlike Joohyun, Seulgi is very excited to see the waitress again. She knows that Joohyun needed more time and is trying to give her as much space as possible. But at the same time, she misses the girl so much! And it hurts to know that Joohyun has been purposely avoiding her for the past 3 weeks.

 

Despite the obvious wall that Joohyun had put up, Seulgi approaches the waitress with a carefree and friendly demeanor.

 

“Hi, Joohyun! How have you been?”

 

“Fine.” Joohyun answers without even giving the young designer a second glance.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Seulgi’s voice is laced with concerns, worried that the waitress has been overworking herself just to avoid her.

 

Seulgi almost regretted confessing if Joohyun’s next statement hadn’t exposed her current feelings.

 

“I’m fine! Why don’t you go back to your pretty date? You guys make a cute couple!” Joohyun’s compliments are filled with sarcasm with a hint of...

 

“Are you… jealous?” Seulgi grins at the possibility.

 

“N-no! Why would I be?” Joohyun finally turns to face Seulgi to show that she has nothing to hide. Especially not jealousy. Except, she can feel the heat of her cheeks getting warmer and she knows that colors on her cheeks had betrayed her when she sees Seulgi’s grin became even wider.

 

“I’m. Not. Jealous!” Joohyun puts an emphasis in each word hoping to get her message across but that just added more confirmations to Seulgi’s already made up conclusion.

 

“Uh. Huh.” Seulgi raises her hands in fake defeat but her teasing smirk did not go unnoticed by Joohyun who is crossing her arms in defense.

 

“Anyway.” Seulgi tries to change the topic in case Joohyun really gets angry at her constant teasing. “Do you remember Choi Sooyoung? From Chez Choi?”

 

Seulgi continues after Joohyun only nodded in response. “She invited me to her restaurant’s grand opening in Paris. I was wondering…if you would like to be my plus one?” Seulgi’s voice trails off toward the end. Almost like she’s afraid of what the answer will be.

 

“I-“

 

“Flights and accommodations will be covered by her!” Seulgi throws in that little bit of information before Joohyun can fully reject her.

 

Joohyun chuckles at Seulgi’s antics but she can’t help but lifts one eyebrow and questions Seulgi suspiciously.

 

“I drafted a design for her restaurant for free, the least she can do is pay for mine and my guest’s flights and accommodations,” Seulgi explains with a huff. 

 

“Wh-“

 

“Park Sooyoung will also be there! And you can invite Wendy too if you want! It'll just be a trip for friends.” Seulgi cuts Joohyun off again before the girl can say anything. She just wants to lay out all her cards before Joohyun gives her the final verdict.

 

“Whe- “

 

“Seulbear! There you are!” Joohyun is cut off once again just as she was about to say something but by someone else this time. Seulgi’s pretty date arrives only a little after her voice and automatically clings onto to Seulgi's free arm.

 

“Soojung-ah!” Seulgi turns slightly to greet the girl next to her.

 

“I can’t believe you just left me with all those old farts who couldn’t shut up about how big their yard is or how expensive their yatch was. Blah blah blah.” Soojung stifles a yarn and playfully slaps Seulgi’s arm over and over again.

 

Seulgi chuckles at the language that Soojung, the sophisticated model for B&E and the little sister of the company’s CEO, chooses to use. “Sorry.  I saw someone I know.”

 

At that little information, Soojung finally lets her eyes travel away from Seulgi and looks around to find a waitress staring dagger at hers and Seulgi’s linked arms.

 

Seulgi stifles a cough to ease the tension in the air before introducing the two. “Soojung, this is Bae Joohyun.” She motions toward the girl behind the table.  “Joohyun, this is Jung Soojung. A friend of mine from college.”  And when she introduced Soojung, Seulgi might have emphasized the word friend a little.

 

“You’re Bae Joohyun!?” Soojung’s eyes widen at the revelation and nearly jump at the girl. “Oh my god! You’re Joohyun? Are you coming to Paris then? You have to go see Seulbear’s new design! It’s literally for y-”

 

Before Soojung can finish her sentence, Seulgi pulls her back and lets out a loud and rigid laugh in an attempt to suppress the rest of the sentence.

 

Seulgi throws her an incredulous look as if to say shut up!

 

But the innocent Soojung just ignored the message and questions the situation out loud. “You haven’t told her!? Seulbear!” She groans exasperatedly. “How are you supposed to woo her if she doesn’t know the little details? Aren’t you reading that stupid book ‘How to Court A Girl for Dummies’? Doesn’t it teaches you anything?”  

 

Seulgi is sweating bucket now at Soojung’s sudden outburst. She lets out a few more rigid laughs as if that can drive away the embarrassments. She glances over to see what Joohyun’s reaction is but the girl had turned away. But from the corner, she can see that Joohyun is trying hard to suppress her smile.  

 

Before more damage is dealt, Seulgi tries to dismiss Soojung forcefully with light pushes and shooing motions. And when that didn’t work, she is left with her last resort. “Leave now and I’ll buy you that Jimmy Choo shoes that you’ve wanted for your birthday,” Seulgi whispers into Soojung’s ear

 

“Say no more.” The model whispers back and merrily skips away after yelling out her shoe size for the young designer to hear.

 

Seulgi can finally turn her full attention toward the Joohyun who had just been watching the whole scene in amusement.

 

“So…Paris?” Seulgi continues where they left off with a light chuckle like the previous scene has never happened. 

 

And this time, Joohyun can finally put in a full sentence without anyone else interrupting. “Let me bring it up with Wendy and see what she says. I’ll let you know.” Even though she replied calmly, internally, she is quite curious to know what the prior conversation was all about.

--

“You didn’t tell me we would be flying first class!” Wendy whispers loudly to the girl next to her as they settled into their comfy and spacious seat.

 

“I-I didn’t know either.”

 

“And this is all paid for? Cause it’s not too late to downgrade to economy, you know.”

 

Joohyun nods uneasily in response. “Yea. Seulgi said that ‘Sooyoung-unnie got it all covered’ for this trip.” She quotes. Even as she said it, she can’t help but feels uneasy especially when the coverage is this luxurious.

 

She almost regrets letting Wendy convince into agreeing to this trip.

--

When Joohyun brought up Paris to Wendy, her best friend had screamed in excitement. Wendy has been trying to convince her to take a vacation for years now, so of course, when it was her who brought up the topic, Wendy was more than happy to make sure the trip happens. Even if it means nagging over and over again all the reasons to go.

 

“It’s Paris! The city you have always wanted to visit!” “You won’t be able to take time off once you’re back in school.” She even pulled the guilt trip on Joohyun. “Come on Joohyun, we’ve known each other for 13 years but never have been on a trip together!”

 --

While those two best friends continue to admire the spaciousness of the first class cabin, the other two best friends grumpily settle next to each other.

 

“Don’t give me that face. I rather the person sitting next to me is not you too.” Sooyoung slumps into the window seat while Seulgi continues to stare at the girls, well mainly Joohyun, a row in front of them with a pout.

 

Sigh. Why didn’t Sooyoung-unnie assign mine and Joohyun’s seat next to each other?

 

Seulgi almost thought she had asked the question out loud when her best friend said with spite, “I bet it was Taeyeon-unnie’s prank on you! That ahjumma would do something like this!”   

 

But there’s not much they can do when Joohyun and Wendy had already settled comfortably in their seat. Seulgi can only stare as she waves bye to the opportunity of being next to Joohyun during this 11-hour flight and the chance of maybe offering Joohyun her shoulder as a pillow.

--

Paris is everything that Joohyun pictured. The Romanesque churches, the gothic columns that decorate the buildings, the unique bridges that connect the divided land, the various boulangerie displaying mouth-watering bakeries, the culture, the fashion, the language, so much that Joohyun’s senses are more than overwhelmed with all the images that she had mentally captured for the past 2 days.

 

Unfortunately, Seulgi and Sooyoung had to deal with business matters, therefore it was only her and Wendy who toured the city like the tourists they are. Visiting the famous Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and so many museums that house famous paintings and sculptures.

 

It was only on the third day of their stay that they decided to take it easier and spend a day relaxing in the Jardin des Tuileries basking in the sun and sipping on red wine until they have to head back to prepare for the grand opening party.  

--

When Seulgi texted Joohyun to let her know that she and Sooyoung are ready and will be waiting for them in the lobby, she was expecting to wait at least 20 minutes before the girls arrive. But to her surprise, Joohyun had replied right away that they are coming down and more to her surprise, Joohyun had shown up looking dangerously gorgeous in this solid black dress that hugs down on her chest and hips while leaving her bare shoulders exposed to the night breeze.

 

Seulgi’s jaw must have dropped in awe because Sooyoung nudges her lightly while Joohyun turns away shyly at the obvious stare. A shade of pink somehow still visible on her cheeks despite the make-up.   

 

“You look beautiful,” Seulgi mutters out a compliment, her eyes gluing onto Joohyun as she speaks until a light cough draws away her attention. Then she notices Wendy standing next to Joohyun and quickly adds, “Y-you too, Wendy! Pretty.” Seulgi gives her a shy smile at having been caught staring for a tad too long.

 

And Wendy is pretty in her knee-length red sleeveless dress with a thin black belt that draws on her slim waist, but Seulgi’s eyes can’t help but keep doubling back to Joohyun.

 

Her high school crush has always been pretty in her eyes, but today, she is gorgeous. y. Mysterious. Replacing her usual light make-up is a darker, ier concept of cat eyes, smokey shadows, and dark red lipsticks.

 

This is the first time Seulgi is seeing this image of Joohyun and she finds herself being pulled in and not able to look away.

 

“Okay.” Sooyoung finally speaks up after giving her best friend enough time to make a fool out of herself.  “Let’s go before Seulgi’s eyes pop out of her socket!”

 

She walks over to Wendy confidently with her arm out, in an escorting position thinking that the girl will be her date to the party tonight since Joohyun is clearly Seulgi’s. But to her surprise, Wendy just walk past her without a second glance.

 

Oh ho. Fiesty!

--

Unlike chef Choi’s other restaurant in Los Angeles, this is located in Champs-Elysées, the busiest and most obvious neighborhood of fine-dining and premier shops in Paris.

 

Seulgi and Joohyun walk into the restaurant with arms linked with Sooyoung in tow and Wendy keeping some distance away from the girl in front like they are strangers from a different group.

 

When a group of gorgeous women walks in, they can’t help but garner stares and admirations. But most people quickly turn back to their conversation save for the few who recognize Seulgi and walk over to greet the young designer.

 

 “Bonjour mademoiselle Kang. Comment avez-vous? Cela fait longemps!” [Hello Miss Kang. How are you? Long time no see.]

 

“Ah! Monsieur Martin. Je vais bien et vous?” [Ah. Mr. Martin. I’m fine and you?]

 

“Très bien! [Very well!]” Mr. Martin lets out a hearty laugh before motioning toward Joohyun, who is standing right next to Seulgi, and asks “et cette jolie dame est…?” [And this pretty lady is..?]

 

Seulgi hesitates a little at the question. The possessive side of her wants to say girlfriend, especially when there are so many eyes leeching off of Joohyun’s beauty. She just want to let them all know that Joohyun is taken. By her. But technically they’re not together. Yet. But she’ll be saying it in French. And maybe Joohyun won’t catch it?

 

“Mon petite amie. [My girlfriend]” Seulgi loves how the words just roll off her tongue like they’re the truth. She even puffs up her chest in pride until a voice deflated her ego a little.

 

“Oh ho! Our little Seulgi finally got herself a little girlfriend eh?”

 

 She glances pass Mr. Martin to see Taeyeon leading Jessica towards her group with a smirk.

 

Goddammit. Why is her hearing so good for an ahjumma?  Seulgi can’t help but think. She faces anywhere but Taeyeon hoping to find an escape.

 

“You should have told me! I would have asked Soo to book your seats together!” Taeyeon continues to yell across the room as she inches closer to the nervous looking Seulgi.

 

Bull! You knew how I feel about Joohyun. You did it on purpose! She internally pouts.

 

“Stop it Taeng! Our little bear is going to run away if you keep teasing her.” Jessica lets out a melodious chime of laughter before facing Joohyun and introduces herself. “Hi, Joohyun. My name is Jessica Jung.”

 

“H-hi Jessica-shi,” Joohyun replies but is still clearly confused with what just happened.

 

"Please ignore Taeng. She just likes to tease."

 

While Jessica, Seulgi, and Joohyun exchange their greeting, Taeyeon walks over to the young Sooyoung and nudges her for her attention.

 

“What’s going on, little one. Got your eyes on someone already?”

 

“Taeyeon-unnie!” Sooyoung finally notices the short woman’s presence and dive in for a big warm hug. “Yea. See that girl over there?” She motions her head toward Wendy who is surrounded by young bachelors waiting for a chance to chat her up.

 

“Oooh. She’s a pretty one!”

 

“Yea. She’s from our high school and Joohyun’s best friend. Except, she has been giving me the cold shoulder this whole time.”

 

 Taeyeon steps back to take a good look at the girl with an analyzing face. She turns the girl around to get a 360 view. “Hm. I guess…you look pretty decent…Did you say anything to upset her?”     

 

“Decent?” Sooyoung twirls around for Taeyeon to get a better look. “I look amazing, okay!?”

 

Taeyeon lets out a low sounding ahjumma laugh at Sooyoung's remark. “Maybe it’s that cocky attitude that got you on her blacklist. Or…” Taeyeon points at the taller girl with a fake shock expression. “You, Park Sooyoung had lost it!” She lets out another loud ahjumma laugh and walks back to where Jessica is before Sooyoung can make a comeback.

 

Only after Taeyeon had walked away and is out of earshot that Sooyoung finally regains her composure. She scoffs at the last statement. “Hah. I still got game!” But her voice echoes with comfort more than confident.

 

The minute Taeyeon came back, Seulgi immediately makes up an excuse to leave. “I’ll give Joohyun a tour of the restaurant!” She gives Jessica a quick hug before dragging Joohyun away from the incoming danger.

 

They didn’t get far when Taeyeon’s voice pierces through the crowd, yelling “I know where you’re staying Kang Seulgi! Don’t forget it was me who booked your hotel!” Her cackles echo down the hall not long after.

--

Seulgi has taken Joohyun and ran up to the second floor of the restaurant, away from the general crowd. “Sorry about that. They’re kind of a pain.” Even though Seulgi says that her smile shows how much she loves them.

 

“That just means that they love you a lot.” Joohyun laughs softly at the obvious affections they have for the young designer. “So how is it that everyone seems to know who I am before I even introduce myself?” Joohyun asks bluntly. She’s been meaning to ask this question for a while now. First Taeyeon then Sooyoung and Soojung. And now Jessica. They were all either shocked at her introduction or seems to have heard of her already.

 

“Um…because I talked about you a lot?” Because I’m in love with you and have been in love with you for 12 years now? Because I refuse to date anyone else? Because they were worried and anxious? Because I had to tell them about you so they would stop forcing me to go on blind dates? There were so many unspoken explanations but Seulgi chooses to answer lightly not wanting to ruin the atmosphere.

 

“Anyway. Let me really give you a tour.” Seulgi cuts the conversation short by changing the topic.

 

And at the word tour, Joohyun finally lets herself really look around the restaurant. The restaurant that Seulgi designed. The restaurant that Soojung had urged her to look closely at.

 

She has only seen one other design by Seulgi and by comparison, the both are similar yet different somehow. If the one in L.A was like a cozy cabin up in the cold mountain then this one in Paris is more like an inviting home in the suburbs. They both exude comfort and warmth but the one in L.A is still very much a restaurant whereas this one can be mistaken for a home if not for the rows of tables that spell restaurant.

 

The upstairs of the restaurant is decorated with shelves housing toys, albums, pieces of jewelry and simple sketches of drawings lining the wall, almost like the room of a teenage daughter. In the middle of the restaurant is a modest chandelier that hangs from the ceiling of the second floor to the bottom floor that gives the place a grand and elegant look. But the most conspicuous décor is the fireplace surrounded by bookshelves of novels in the corner of the bottom floor. It is almost the exact setting Joohyun has dreamed of for a home where she can return to. She can see herself relaxing in front of the fireplace while reading her favorite novel with the person she loves.  

 

When Seulgi notices the lingering looks Joohyun has for the fireplace, she excitedly blurted out “I even asked Sooyoung-unnie to fill those shelves up with your favorite novels.” In the midst of her excitement, she has accidentally let it slipped that she had designed this place, this home, with Joohyun in mind.

 

Both Seulgi and Joohyun blush at the blunder. They said a picture can speak a thousand words but Seulgi has turned this picture into reality. A reality that has conveyed all her unspoken sentences.  

 

And she usually has no problem talking about her design, explaining her concepts, because they are all surface words spoken to people who only see the layout. But with Joohyun, it’s deeper. She feels like she had opened up her raw emotions and her innermost desires when she revealed that little bit of information.

And Joohyun interprets it as well. A bookshelf filled with her favorite novels. A fireplace where two people can idly spend their time. Walls filled with simple sketches. These are all how Seulgi has envisioned her own future to be. And Joohyun can see herself in every inch of those futures that Seulgi has created.

This design is not just a simple confession. An I love you. It is a commitment. For a future together. Their future together.  Unlike those fickles words and grand promises that she hears so often, this design is Seulgi's purest thoughts. And that purity touches the deepest corner of Joohyun's heart. 

 

“I-” Seulgi wants to explain but Joohyun cuts her off before she can try to lighten up the tension again by downplaying her feelings.

 

“Thank you, Seulgi.” Joohyun stares straight into Seulgi's eyes as she said those words with a thin smile. Not afraid to let the taller girl sees the pool of tears welling under her eyelids as long as the sincerity is conveyed. 

Simple words from Joohyun but the hidden meanings did not go unnoticed by the young designer. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for not giving up on me. Even though I can’t say those three words back yet but you have given me the hope and the courage to open up again. Thank you.

 

---

 

A/N: Thank you for being patient with this story. This has been one of the most difficult chapters for me to complete. I usually know how I want the scenes in my chapters to play out but for this chapter, I had to scrap and rewrite and scrap and rewrite a lot of the scenes. Hopefully it has not disappoint you. Do speak your mind if it has. I would love some feedbacks from you all.     

Also, the original plan was to finish this in 3 chapters but as you can see, this is not the end yet. Maybe next chapter. Unless more scenes pop into my head for the story or I decide to write a chapter after the happily ever after.

Regardless, thank you to the readers who have subscribed, commented, and upvoted. You are huge motivations for me! To know that there are people actually reading this story!  Thank you all.