Leaning his back on the backrest of his office chair, Jiyong closes his eyes and draws a sharp intake of breath. He touches the side of his head, feeling it throbbing against the pad of his finger. “Migraine, damn.”

With a sigh, he pushes his chair back and stands on his feet. He walks to the side of the room, and pours himself a half-glass of scotch. What a way to cure migraine. But he certainly needs a drink after all the stress for the past days.

With the glass of alcohol on his hand, he makes his way toward the high ceiling glass window. He sips on his drink before drawing his gaze down to the busy street of the business district where the PMO tower is standing. It has been a week since his last decent meal with Taeyeon, and thinking about it, maybe she was right after all. He needs someone who will look after him.

He was not able to stop the bubbling chuckle at the back of his throat and sipped once again from his glass. Obviously, she did not mean a medical practitioner when she said he needs someone to look after his health. She meant someone who he will spend the rest of his life with just like what she found on his brother; A partner.

Would that be possible? How can he actually look for one if he is not even sure if he had completely let go of his unrequited love toward the girl? She has been the center of his attention since the first time he met her.

Not even the girls he dated can come at par with her. Taeyeon has this personality that is impossible to find to just any other girl.

And for some unknown reason, a familiar face crosses his mind— Park Sandara.

Jiyong’s lips part before the side of his mouth lifts, and he shakes his head after. Why did she suddenly cross his mind out of nowhere? 

Sure, Dara is different from the girls he dated but then again, he is not even dating her. They are just friends who happen to meet at a very, well, not-so-nice circumstance, but dining with her back inside that VIP room gave him the opportunity to know things about her.

Even his last encounter with her on that same day he had lunch with Taeyeon, he was able to find something new about her; She is interested in art, and possibly an artist of her own.

Right. It was probably because of her last message to him on that same day.

With this in mind, he approaches his phone lying on top of his office desk next to a pile of leather folders, and unlocks it to open a particular thread of messages. 

From: Dara
Message: Okay. And since we are friends, if you need someone to talk to, I am here to listen. Do not hesitate to message me Jiyong, okay?

Running his thumb on the words shown over the screen, the corner of his mouth lifts. He wants to. But what is he going to say? ‘What’s up Dara?’, or ‘Sooo. Art…’, or ‘Hey, Dara. I am having girl problems. I mean, having problems with a girl I used to like. I cannot seem to move on from some this silly one-sided love I’ve had for her for quite some time now. Care to give some advice?’

Pathetic. Completely pathetic. He’s going out of his mind. He probably loses some screw inside his head from too much stress.

He sighs and starts typing on his phone.

To: Youngbae
Message: Taeyeon visited me at my office. PMO tower. We had lunch and went to a boutique for her dress fitting.

From: Youngbae
Message: Dress fitting? I thought she had her wedding dress personalized by a famous designer in Paris?

To: Youngbae
Message: Not her wedding dress. Just some set of dresses for formal events and such.

From: Youngbae
Message: And you are telling me this because…?

Jiyong did not answer. Why was he telling his best friend about this again? Oh, right, He was too embarrassed to ask Dara about some ‘unrequited love problems’.

Failing to give a response, his phone rings and Youngbae’s name registers on the screen. After about three rings, he drags the button to answer it.

“Sooo… What exactly are you thinking, Jiyong?” He straightly asked, not even bothering for a simple greeting. He did not answer and instead, drew a sigh. “That one is heavy, bro.”

“I know.”

“What is bothering you?”

“Nothing, really.”

“I doubt. You wouldn’t message me about her if it is just nothing. Where are you?”

“At the office.”

“Is she there?”

“No. She was here, a week ago,” he said and sat back on his seat. “Said she was taking a breather from her wedding preparation. Also, Sangwoo has been really busy. After all, the wedding wouldn’t be any time soon unless this project is completely wrapped.”

“I see. How was it?”

“Well, she said she missed me, saying I’ve been too occupied with work eversince the engagement party, and even calling me workaholic for being a busy-body. She also told me to find someone who will take care of me, and look after my health.”

“Like a woman who you will spend your lifetime with?”

“Sort of.”

“Okay, Mr. Busy-body and workaholic Kwon. Why don’t you?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think it would be anytime soon now considering that the thought of stealing Taeyeon away from my step-brother occasionally crosses my mind. Absurd, right?”

“Completely absurd,” Youngbae agrees and Jiyong is silent on the other line, not knowing what to say. “Does she have any idea about your feelings for her?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t think so.”

“Hmm. How about this? In my opinion, I think she genuinely wants you to be happy just like how she feels being with your step-brother. Why don’t you try? Maybe this time, you will find someone who will make you feel that you are being valued, Jiyong? Someone who is ready to listen to your whims and love you for just being you through thick and thin?”

“Listening to this, it feels like a kick in the gut on how happy you are with your relationship, in comparison to my miserable love story.”

“You will eventually find yours, bro.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I mean it would be really easy if you just open yourself to possibilities, man. Taeyeon just wants you to be happy. And honestly? We want the same thing for you. Think about it, Jiyong. Stop being hard on yourself. You deserve a whole lot better than settle for this.”

Everything Youngbae had said actually made sense. Too great, he seemed so lost on where he should be