The Velvet Publication building

Typical morning at the most popular magazine company, the staffs are busy with their daily task either in studio, office or field work. Currently team leaders of The Velvet fashion department are having their meeting with their Editor in chief, Lee Sunmi. They discuss about the progress of their work for next month issue. As usual, the teams leaders manage to show good result that make their boss satisfied.

“Overall, I satisfied with the progress and keep the good work as usual. You all never disappoint me so congratulations guys” the staff claps their hands. Sunmi tilt her head to the Managing Editor who sit on her right side flashing big smile to their team “Seulgi-ssi, our new members will arrive next week. Do you prepare their role already?”

“Yes Sunmi-ssi, they will join Dahyun team since they need more members and the newcomers are qualified to join them. From what I read in their information, both have pretty good result in that role during their internship”

Sunmi nods her head as she satisfied with the explanation “Dahyun-ssi, don’t forget to add 2 more tables in your row for both of them”

“I told Mark and Jaehyun to get the table for them so I guess they done prepare it”

“Good job. Next week on Monday both of them will come to report their duty so get ready to work together with them”

“Will do ma’am” Dahyun nods her head

“Okay, that’s all for today. Meeting dismiss” Sunmi announce. The staff bows their heads and left the room one by one except Seulgi and Sunmi. Seulgi gathering her documents inside the file and prepare to go out too

“Seul” Sunmi grab Seulgi arm

“Yes unnie”

“Lunch with me today”

“Unnie, I plan to eat at pantry. I not in mood to go out” said Seulgi

“Yahh, this is 4th times you rejecting me this week. What’s wrong with you? Are you angry at me?” Sunmi frown

“No unnie, I just not comfortable. The staffs are thinking that we’re dating now. I guess you heard the rumors too”

“So what’s wrong if the rumors go around like that? Why it’s bothering you?”

“It’s not that, I just…” Seulgi sighs

“I don’t want to hear any excuse. We will go lunch together and dinner too” Sunmi stated

“Unnie!” Seulgi whine

“What?” Sunmi glare at the younger editor

“You said it just lunch”

“You also look forward for dinner and maybe breakfast tomorrow morning too, don’t you?” Sunmi smile seductively while Seulgi just stare at her annoyingly “Aigooo Seulgi-ah, don’t give me that look. You’re so easy to read. You can hide it from other people but not Lee Sunmi”

“I’m sorry” Seulgi slump her shoulder

Sunmi wrapped her arms around Seulgi neck and pull the bear closer “It’s okay, you should make it up to me”

“Don’t ask me to sleep with you. I don’t want”

“Just a cuddle is fine. I miss you, you know” Sunmi pouting

“I swear I will not go out with you anymore if you seduce me like last time”

“It’s not literally my fault. You just fall for me. You seem like enjoy it too” Sunmi cackle

“No such things unnie”

“If you not fall for me, you will not kiss me back, hug me and go out for dates”

“Don’t play victim” Seulgi pinch Sunmi hips

“Yah, give in already!” Sunmi whine

“You’re such a kid”

“I act like that only with you”

“It’s okay as long as you don’t hurt yourself. You know I still don’t open my heart for anyone”

“I know that but good things take time. As long as you don’t found the love of your life, you’re mine whether you like it or not” Sunmi peck Seulgi lips

“Are you my mistress now?”

“Your temporary lover” Sunmi wink

“Eyyy”

“You should thankful that I don’t mind be that kind of lover. No one dare to do it you know. Since we close to each other, it help you to forget your ex. isn’t it good sign?”

“I’m very thankful though” Seulgi smile

“Do you still love her?”

“Deep inside my heart, I still do. I never plan to replace her or forget her” Seulgi said honestly

“I hope you two will reunite one day. I will be happy for you”

“When that comes, are you going to say that words too? Are you sure you will be fine?” Seulgi stare at Sunmi

“I’m sure I will be fine. I love you and you know how much I mean that but if it’s not me in your heart, I can’t force you. We can’t force someone to love us back. We should show that we love them to prove it true. If give your hand to her can make you happy for the rest of your life, I gladly do it. I want to see your smiling face”

“You’re not joking, right?” Seulgi cupped Sunmi face

“I’m serious now, baby”

Seulgi peck Sunmi lips and hugging her “You’re so kind to me. I don’t know why I can’t love you like you deserve. I feel bad”

“It’s okay. Don’t mind me. Just be mine until you get someone you really love. If one day it’s me who’s destiny to be yours then we will dating for real. However if it turns out that is other person, just pray so that I meet someone that can make me happy like you does”

“You deserve someone better than me. I’m not the right one”

“You always are” Sunmi tighten the hug

“Thank you for taking care of me sincerely”

“Not a big deal baby. You’re fragile behind your strong façade so I feel like I must protect you” Sunmi said before break their hug

“We should go out now before things get more suspicious. I feel like a celebrity now after the rumors going around saying that I date you”

Sunmi laugh “I’m a jealous girlfriend, Seulgi. Be careful” she said playfully

“Everyone know that” Seulgi pinch Sunmi cheek “Let’s go”

“Yaa, kiss me first” Sunmi pouting

“Aigooo this elder” Seulgi rolled her eyes

“Okay fine, I will add extra package. You will sleep with me this entire weekend. No excuse”

“Unnie!”

“That’s why don’t talk about age”

Seulgi move closer to the older girl and kiss her lips passionately “I thought you don’t want this” Sunmi whisper

“Shut up Lee Sunmi before I change my mind” Seulgi whisper and capture Sunmi lips again “We better stop now before I can’t control myself. I’m not into in office”

Sunmi giggle “Isn’t it hot?”

“Not for me. I’m going now”

“Bye baby, see you later” Sunmi said

“Okay”

After Seulgi left the meeting room, Sunmi put her document inside her file and head out too

……………………………

“Seulgi unnie!” Kim Yerim wrapped her arm on Seulgi shoulder

“Yes Yerimie”

“We plan to grab drinks tonight since it Friday. Are you in?”

Seulgi lips tugged upward when she hear the offer “Of course, count me in. Is it at usual place?”

“I’m not sure yet, Sooyoung unnie not telling me. I will inform you again later”

“Okay then”

“See you tonight unnie” said Yerim

“Alright” Seulgi bump fist with Yerim then the younger girl skips to her table to continue her work. Without Seulgi knowing, Sunmi overheard their conversation because she just come out from the pantry

Seulgi phone vibrate in her pocket and she take it out. It is text from Sunmi

‘Come to my office now!’ – Sunmi

‘Coming!’ – Seulgi

She open the door after Sunmi give permission to enter. The boss look sulking on her desk and she glare at Seulgi

“Hey, what’s wrong? You look upset” Seulgi sit on the chair across to her temporary lover

“Where are you going tonight?” Sunmi asked coldly

“The plan is going to club with the girls”

“Are you going?”

“Yes, they offer me to go as usual” Seulgi smile happily

“I told you don’t go out and drink. Last time you almost get into fight with drunken people. Don’t you remember that?”

“I promise I will behave this time”

“I don’t trust you”

“Unnie please, you can check on me tomorrow if you doubt on me or you can join us”

Sunmi rolled her eyes “No way I will join you guys”

“Don’t worry, I’m not kid anymore”

Sunmi stare at Seulgi sharply “Okay, get out now”

“Are you upset?”

“No, I’m fine. You can do anything you want. I’m not stopping you but don’t call me tomorrow. I will turn off my phone”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m not joking now Seulgi. Do you see any smile in my face?”

“Nope” Seulgi shake her head

“Now go back to your office. I have lot of work to do and cancel our dinner tonight”

Seulgi sighs “Okay then”

That night, Seulgi and her buddies having so much fun at the club as usual. Luckily they not get into trouble this time but Seulgi and the girls drunk like hell. She manage to arrive at home safely without any accident

…………………………….

A moving truck arrived in front of the empty house bringing the stuff for the new owner of the house. 2 girls come out of the taxi as they are the new owner. Both girls have same height. One has blonde hair while the older one in brown hair. A blonde look really cheerful as she greets the contractor and give the key to them to start their work.

“Finally, the return of Super Wendy” she open her arms and look towards the sky with her eyes close

“Yaa, stop acting like that, let’s go inside” a brown hair girl smack Wendy head to stop her childishness but most of it is don’t want to get embarrass in front of the contractor

“Unnie, it hurt” Wendy rubbing her head while following the brown head walk inside the house compound

“Don’t embarrassing us in front of the contractor”

“Irene unnie is no fun”

“You can have fun later. Now tell them where to put the stuff” said Irene as she watching the workers carrying their stuff from the truck

“Unnie, shall we greet our neighbor later?” Wendy asked excitedly

“We have neighbor?” Irene frown

Wendy rolled her eyes “We’re at neighborhood unnie not deserted island”

Irene cackle “My bad”

“Geez”

“But right side house look like no one around”

“We have left side neighbor. Who know if our neighbor is handsome?” Wendy said dreamily

“Are you planning to flirt?”

“Depends on the situation” Wendy shrugged her shoulder

“Aigooo, let just go to meet our neighbor other day. Today is tiring day”

“Okay unnie”

 …………………………………….

Seulgi wake up from her sleep and found out that she sleep on the couch. Her head throbbing due to wasted last night. She look at the wall clock and the time is 10 in the morning

“Ouch, my head hurt” she massage her head “Sunmi unnie~” she grab her phone and dial Sunmi number. After few beep, Sunmi answer the call

“What do you want?” – Sunmi

“Unnie-ah” – Seulgi

“What?” – Sunmi

“Unnie, my head hurt” – Seulgi

“Why it have something to do with me?” – Sunmi

“I need you unnie” – Seulgi

“You’re not kid anymore. Why do you need me?” – Sunmi

“Unnie, please” – Seulgi

“No” – Sunmi

“You really mean your words?” – Seulgi

“Yes, don’t you see it yesterday?” – Sunmi

“Okay then, I will take care of myself if you don’t want me anymore or I will go find someone who will take care of me” – Seulgi

“Suit yourself” – Sunmi

“Hmm, unnie don’t love me anymore” – Seulgi

“It’s not my fault though” – Sunmi

“Bye”

Seulgi tossed her phone to the coffee table and decide to sleep again to get rid of her throbbing head

…………………

After the phone call, Sunmi change her cloth and grab her car key then heading to Seulgi house. She stop at nearby café to buy foods for drunken girl that surely starving right now. It always happen when Seulgi drunk, she can’t take care of herself well. From what Seulgi told her, before they meet each other Seulgi used to have girlfriend who attend her daily need and she used to it. Years had passed but Seulgi still at doing certain things alone. It’s really hard for Seulgi to cope with her new life. That’s why Sunmi bring herself close to Seulgi and take care of her anytime she needed. Seulgi share a lot about her past relationship and she can’t help but feel sorry at the girl. She try her best to move on and start new life but there is part of her still broken. Either Seulgi choose her or not, she will still care about her. She won’t force Seulgi to love her back either.

Sunmi arrive at Seulgi house and she saw the house that previously empty have owner now. A moving truck parked in front of that house but no one outside at that time. Maybe they are still busy organizing their stuff, she thought.

“Hmm, this brat have new neighbor now” she mutter while looking at the house. Then she proceeds to get the food from her car and go to the house. She have a spare key so she don’t need to knock the door

When she opens the door, Seulgi shoes and jacket scatter at the foyer. She groan at the sight in front of her

“Aishh, this kid” she put the shoes on the rack and grab the jacket

Seulgi is still sleeping when Sunmi come to living room after leave the food on the dining table. Sunmi rubbed her temple and wake the sleeping bear up

“Seulgi” of course there is no response from the bear “Kang Seulgi” still no movement at all “Aishh this girl” Sunmi don’t have choice but using the usual method to open the bear eyes. She lean down and bite Seulgi chin make the bear jolt up

“Yah!” Seulgi push Sunmi hard that make she fall from the couch

“Yah, Kang Seulgi!” Sunmi rubbed her

“Unnie, are you trying to eat my chin?” Seulgi rubbing her chin

“It’s new method to wake you up” Sunmi sit back on the couch

“It’s good that you not bite my lips this time”

“I don’t want to get alcohol taste”

“Thank God”

“You smell bad. Go take bath” Sunmi cover her nose. Seulgi sniff herself then she smirk. She gets up from her place and move to Sunmi “Yah. What are you doing?”

“I want to hug you and kiss you”

“No, don’t come closer. You’re stinky” Sunmi move backward

“I miss you a lot. Hug and kiss first”

“No Seulgi, I say no!”

Seulgi pin the older girl on the couch “I don’t want to hear any excuse” she imitating Sunmi

“Seulgi, I feel like vomit now” Sunmi try to push the bear away but she is too strong

“Are you drunk too?”

“Of course not”

“Come on baby, I want to kiss you” Seulgi purse her lips and lean closer

“No”

Seulgi grab Sunmi hands and lean down while the older girl closing her eyes to avoid the kiss. Instead of touching her lips, Seulgi kiss her neck then she laugh heartily

“Yaa, this is first time you resist my kiss” she stand up and looking at sulking Sunmi

“You’re smelly. Go take your bath now” Sunmi throw the cushion to Seulgi

“No, I don’t want” Seulgi smile goofily

“Are you calling me to come just to make fun of me?”

“No, I’m hungry and my head hurt so much”

“You’re too healthy that you can tease me with your not funny joke”

“I just want to have some fun. I’m sorry”

“You know I always forgive you”

“I know” Seulgi giggle

“Go upstairs and wash up. I bought foods for us earlier”

“Okay unnie”

After Seulgi done shower, they eat together

“Eat slowly” Sunmi said when she noticed that Seulgi eat so fast

“I’m starving” Seulgi talk with food in

“Swallow your food before talk, aigoo”

“Sorry”

“I noticed that you have new neighbor” Sunmi said

“Really?”

“Yup, maybe they just arrive this morning”

“I think so”

“Why don’t we go and greet them?” Sunmi suggest

Seulgi shake her head “Nope”

“At least you know who your neighbor is”

“I don’t care. It’s not like we will meet each other” said Seulgi

“Hmm, typical Kang Seulgi”

………………………………

Wendy and Irene go to their new workplace to report their duty. They got a job as graphic designer at The Velvet fashion magazine. They used to work at magazine company at Canada 2 years after graduate and decide to return to their hometown after Wendy found the job vacancy. Both of them apply for that position and thankfully both are accepted. They excited to start working at their new place and new environment. The staff of The Velvet are mostly capable that they can produce the best contain every months. Lot of people wants to join the team but only the luckiest will accepted.

They arrive at the building few minutes before their appointment and they approach one of the staffs at the lobby

“Excuse me miss” Wendy approach the red head girl

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

“I am Wendy Son and this is my friend, Irene Bae. We come to report our duty at The Velvet fashion department. Which level is the office?”

“Oh, I am Park Sooyoung but you can call me Joy. Coincidentally I am part of the team so you two can follow me. You want to meet Ms. Lee, right?”

“Yes” Wendy and Irene grin happily

“Let’s go” Joy lead them to the elevator “We’re excited to welcome both of you, you know. It’s been a while since we have new colleague”

“Aigooo, it’s our honor” Irene said

“Welcome to the club” Joy giggle “Which team will you join?”

“Graphic design”

“Oh, I’m in that team too!” Joy exclaimed

“That’s good then. You can guide us to do our work”

“Not a big deal unnie” Joy wink and grin cheekily

Joy bring them to Sunmi office and she knock the door

“Come in” Sunmi answer from inside

“Let’s go” Joy said to the newcomer “Good morning Sunmi-ssi, our new staffs are here to see you”

Sunmi smile to them “Good morning, come in. Thanks for bring them here Joy-ssi. You can go back to your place”

“Okay” Joy bowed her head and close the door

“Good morning Ms. Lee” Wendy and Irene bow politely

“Good morning. Ms. Wendy Son and Ms. Irene Bae, right?”

“Yes ma’am”

“Welcome to The Velvet Publication and you’re in fashion department. Our team will focus on fashion all around the world and I hope both of you can put all of your enthusiasm and passion in your work. Me and the team look forward to work with both of you” Sunmi said with friendly manner

“We also look forward to join the team, Ms. Lee. We heard a lot about The Velvet so we’re glad that we chosen to join you guys” Irene said

“Good to hear that. As planned, you two will join graphic designer team and our Managing Editor will introduce you to every team in this department. I will take you two to meet her”

“Okay”

“Let’s go”

They left the office and go to the office next door. Sunmi enter after get permission from Seulgi

“Good morning” Seulgi bow her head to the boss

“Good morning, our new staffs is here so you bring them to meet their team”

“Sure thing”

Sunmi turn to Wendy and Irene “Wendy, Irene, this is Managing Editor, Kang Seulgi. She will give you tour around the office”

“Nice to meet you Ms. Kang” Wendy smile to Seulgi and shake her hand

“Nice to meet you too Wendy-ssi” Seulgi smile back

Irene still stiffened then Wendy nudging her and motioned her to shake hand with Seulgi “Nice to meet you Ms. Kang” she try not to stutter

“Same goes to me Irene-ssi” Seulgi squeeze Irene hand softly

“I go back to my office. You guys continue, okay” Sunmi said

“Okay boss, I will take it from here” Seulgi smile really wide this time

“Good”

Everything goes well for Irene and Wendy until they enter Seulgi office that makes Irene almost stop breathing. She not expecting that she will meet her back and Seulgi is her boss now. However she wonders if Seulgi recognize her because that bear look clueless and act like they are a stranger. She not introduced herself with her Korean name since she decided to use her English name after she move abroad. No one know about her Korean name except her family and Wendy. She thought she moved on from Seulgi but when she saw her again for the first time, her heart skip a beat like it used to do

“Shall we go now?” Seulgi voice bring Irene back from zoning out

“Yes Ms. Kang” Wendy answered

“When our boss is not around, just call me Seulgi. I am 94 liners”

“Me too” Wendy chirped

“I am 91” said Irene

“Okay unnie” Seulgi smile cheekily “Let’s go”

They go to graphic designer team since it’s where Wendy and Irene will located. Dahyun the team leader is busy with her work when Seulgi come to her table

“Dahyunie”

“Oh, Seulgi unnie” Dahyun stand up and showing toothy smile

“Your new team member is here”

“Oh really?” Dahyun look excited

“Here, Wendy and Irene, this is Kim Dahyun. She is your team leader” Seulgi introduced the girls to each other

“Nice to meet you Ms. Kim” the new member said politely

“Nice to meet both of you too, just call me Dahyun. No need to be formal. We prefer casual atmosphere here”

“Okay then”

“We only formal with our boss, Ms. Lee but among all of us, we’re friends” Seulgi added

“Okay”

“Let me introduce you to other member” said Dahyun and they walk around. Seulgi also join along “This is Park Jihyo, my assistant”

“Hi” they shake hand

“This is Kim Doyoung, Jackson Wang, Park Sooyoung and Moon Byulyi, senior editor” said Dahyun “Next is Kim Yerim, Park Chaeyoung and Jung Jaehyun”

“Hello” they bow to each other

“Please take care of your new member. Don’t bully them especially you, Yerimie” Seulgi said

“Yah unnie, I’m not that bad” Yerim retort

“I’m just kidding”

“I know” they giggle

“Both of you may go to your table now. Dahyun will guide you for what you will do next” Seulgi said to Irene and Wendy

“Okay”

“Dahyun, please tell other team leader that we will have dinner with both of them tonight”

“Okay, which restaurant?”

“Sunmi said at J Restaurant”

“Noted, will inform them later”

“Good, continue your work” Seulgi pats Dahyun shoulder

“Alright unnie” Seulgi return to her office while Dahyun give briefing to the new members

……………………………………

That night, they have dinner together with team leaders of fashion department. It is their special event that Sunmi made to get to know each other

“Irene, Wendy, how was your first day?” Sunmi asked

“Everything goes well Sunmi-ssi. We enjoy it so far” Irene said happily

“That’s good then. Are they treating you well?”

“Yes, everyone is so friendly and guide us well”

“Good job”

After dinner, everyone excuse themselves to go home. Seulgi and Sunmi walk out of the restaurant follow by Dahyun, Wendy and Irene

“Seulgi unnie”

They turn around “Yes”

“Can you drive both of them to their house? They are same neighborhood with you”

“Dahyunie, it’s okay. We can ride bus” said Wendy

“Unnie, it’s late already”

“We’re fine, don’t worry”

“I will drive you two back. I insist” Seulgi stated

“It’s not safe to ride public transport at night” Sunmi added

“Okay then” the two give in

Dahyun excuse herself to her car leaving the others at the parking lot

“Seul, I will see you tomorrow. Call me when you arrive” said Sunmi

“I will call you before sleep. My phone battery is low”

“Okay then”

“Got to go now, bye girls” Sunmi wave her hand at Irene and Wendy

“Bye, goodnight”

“Goodnight”

“Drive carefully” Seulgi open the door for Sunmi

“Yes, you too”

“Okay”

“We should leave too” Seulgi said after Sunmi enter her car

“Okay”

“Where is your house?” Seulgi asked after they enter their neighborhood

“4th house at the 3rd lane” Wendy said

“It is my house location too. Could it be you two are my new neighbor?” Seulgi cackle

“I think so. We never meet our neighbor. Left side house is still empty. Maybe you are the owner of right side”

“That’s me, I am your neighbor” they laughed “Aigooo, what a small world. Since you two are my neighbor, we can go to office together. You don’t need to spend money riding public transport”

“It’s okay Seulgi, bus stop is not that far from the house” Irene said

“Unnie, I insist. Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay for anything” Seulgi looking at Irene through rearview mirror

“Just don’t want to burden you”

“No such thing. I feel bad that I can’t introduce myself properly as your neighbor so let me make it up to both of you. I offer ride until you two have your car”

“Hmm, okay then” Irene nods her head

“Thanks in advance” Wendy chirped

“No problem”

Seulgi pull off in front of her house “I will drop you guys here”

“Okay, thanks for tonight” Wendy said

“You’re welcome”

“Goodnight” Irene grab her bag

“Goodnight unnie and you too Wendy”

“Goodnight” said Wendy

Seulgi drive inside her gate and park her car at the porch

………………………………..

Irene and Wendy walk to the pantry to eat lunch together. The other staffs go out to eat and they invite them too but they resist. Wendy opened the door and noticed Sunmi already inside

“Hi girls” Sunmi greet them first

“Hi Sunmi-ssi”

“You two not go out to eat?”

“No, we bring pack lunch. We not really familiar yet with place around here so decide to take time” Irene said while take out their lunch box

“There are lots of good restaurant around here”

“Sunmi-ssi, are you eating alone here?” Wendy asked

“Actually, I’m waiting for Kang Seulgi. I don’t know what she is doing that she take too long”

“Yah, don’t bad mouthing me” they startled when Seulgi voice echo from the doorway

“We’re not bad mouthing you”

“As if I don’t hear”

“Deaf” Sunmi glare at the bear who sit in front of her beside Wendy while Irene and Sunmi sit beside each other

“I’m just kidding” Seulgi chuckle as she apologizes “Unnie, what do you bring today?”

“Salad and fried rice” Sunmi give yellow lunchbox to Seulgi

“Wow, look delicious” Seulgi eyes sparkle after she open the lunch box and see the delicious meal inside. Before eating, she picked the veggies that Sunmi mix in the rice and put it on the container lid

“Yaa!” Wendy and Irene startled hearing Sunmi yelling while Seulgi ignoring her

“What?” Seulgi asked while busy finding hidden veggies in her rice

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