26.

“That’s okay, I’m taking this into account,” Jongdae tears his gaze away from that piece of paper, gazing at the person who is sitting still across his office desk. Due to his friend’s plead a few days ago, the former decided to put his plan on hold, and the fact that the tuition centre is now in a very busy phase has been added as reasons to not quit the current job for this time being. “Good work, Miss Ga Eul.”

“I’ll get going then.”

She quickly collects her documents on the table, could not care any less to even glance at the former. Seeing the guy’s face would break her even more, Ga Eul is afraid of her own heart that keeps wondering of every possible reasons of why Jongdae is keeping everything as a secret from her. She doesn’t want to keep assuming or having absurd ideas but if she confronts him and ask, Jongdae might find it uncomfortable which would likely results in him growing distant from her. The guy could even run from her if she is being greedy, Ga Eul thought.

That concludes the reason why she is torn between those two choices.

Meanwhile the guy changes his posture into resting both arms on the table, leaning in as he tilts his head above, searching for the other’s face since she is standing up, “Noona.”

“Hm?”

“You look pale, are you okay?”

Her act stops for a second – wavered by the man’s simple question – before pulling out a forced smile. “Of course–” hesitantly, she touches her two sides of cheeks, “–maybe my make-up today…” The lady keeps her gaze glued on the floor, bowing as she takes her leave, “Well then.”

The guy could only watch Ga Eul walking away for the latter obviously displays a virtual ‘do not disturb’ on her face. Jongdae lets out a heavy sigh soon as she disappears behind the closed door – thinking of the approach towards her without being a nuisance. He feels bad for this, because surely he is the one at fault. He knows too well that Ga Eul rarely gets personal at their workplace but the fact that she keeps a stoic expression with a flat tone all the time while discussing earlier, is telling him something.

And the behaviour wasn’t exuded for only today, it has been several days since Ga Eul gives him a tired, unnatural smile.

He chews his lips whilst his fingertips keep drumming on the table’s surface then without waiting any longer, Jongdae steps out from his room. No matter what it is, the man feels that he should go check on Ga Eul first – however a sudden ring from his cell stops his stride right away.

Jongdae grunts, for his plan is interrupted by another issue that needs him in urgency – making him to shift his direction towards his friend’s office, tearing the door open after knocking it twice. “Byun, you need to help me with something.”

“He’s right, after all.” Her hand flies to her cheeks, hurriedly wiping off the trace of tears at the moment the familiar voice comes from behind. Ga Eul turns her head, beams thinly upon meeting the guy’s warm gaze and sweet smile. Baekhyun draws his steps closer towards the lady as she fidgets a bit from the bench, making space for the former to have a sit on. “That punk is reaaally a headache sometimes, isn’t he?”

“Hm?”

“You know we have the same person pops out in our mind as I say ‘that punk’.” Baekhyun chuckles lazily, shaking his head. “He told me you might be here instead of going out for lunch. You really shouldn’t do it this way, you know? If you’re happy, eat. If you’re stressed, eat. If you’re sad, eat. Having meals is really important no matter what the situation is.”

Ga Eul laughs inaudibly, glancing at her boss, “Then, why don’t you have yours now?”

“I’m going to…!” The guy raises one hand that is occupied with a plastic bag up in the air, jiggling it playfully, “That’s why I brought this!”

She blows a raspberry upon the other’s ploy, somehow tickled by it.

A pair of the lady’s eyes then falls to the packet of sausage bun and chocolate milk that are being offered to her. “How did you–”

“Who else?” He raises his brows, at the same time tearing off the straw for his strawberry milk from its wrap. “Those are your comfort food, he said.” Baekhyun steals a glance, puckering his lips towards the foodstuff that he bought earlier at the nearest mart around the place. “I never know you got kid’s taste in you, it’s quite unexpected for someone who drinks too much of black coffee.”

“Then, is it predictable for ones who have strawberry milk all the time?”

“Maybe.” Baekhyun shrugs, taking a deep breath as he looks around the roof garden where they are at right in the moment. There are a few more people hanging around the place, just like what they’re doing – sitting on the bench, talking to each other while enjoying the windy day. Faint laughter echoes every now and then, adding a simply pleasing vibes in the air.

“This is my favourite spot of all time, you see? Other than my mom’s house, of course.” Both of them giggle in between before the guy continues, “And I always thank Jongdae for this. He turned this place into one as my birthday surprise gift, since I spend most of my time being at the academy or home.”

His finger points to the flower shrubs, “That, is my favourite. I don’t know the name but I saw it once near his place and jested on how nice it must have been to have it on my sight anytime I want. So I guess that’s why he put it here.”

“You two sound like a fool for each other.”

“I might be one, but he certainly is, that