Chapter 11
Teased by the Ticking Time

It was 7:00AM in the morning when Yuri arrived at her company, bearing a tired look as ever with a forged smile in her greetings. She closed the office door behind her, pushed all the paperwork aside, and laid her head face down on the table like a half-dead person. 

Jessica had been invading her dreams again. However, this time was a nightmare that knocked fear into Yuri’s heart. 

In her dream, Jessica was crying. As much as Yuri wanted to approach her friend, she was immobilized from her spot. There was nothing she could do but stand and watch as her beloved angel drown into sadness unknown to herself. She knew not of the cause or the answers to the question why or how it happened that way… it was just a dream. Even so, her conscious was telling her it was more than just a mere ‘nightmare’. Waking up from her slumber, she was more than just simply relieved that what she had seen was not reality. 

However, because of what she had dreamt that morning, a paranoid thought struck her mind. She didn’t want to have to think of it as worries would start to storm into her brain and would, once again, occupy her mind. Even so, she couldn’t help but asked herself, ‘Is Jessica really happy right now?’

Yuri wanted to hear the answer directly from the person in question but it seemed that they never cross paths or had the chance to actually sit down and talk ever since that certain incident a year ago. Of course, Yuri believed that they would not meet any time soon anyways, telling herself that they do not share the same ‘fate’ to begin with. Yuri had once tried to call Jessica and attempted to schedule a group meet-up (for she dared not to be alone with Jessica until she could guarantee the balance of their relationship) but she forgot the fact that the number in her possession had been unavailable all of this time. 

Of course, it brought another thought to Yuri’s mind that their friendship should be described as totally unstable at the moment. 

A loud cry from her phone woke the half-asleep black pearl. Yuri reached for it from her bag without opening her eyes and answered the call lifelessly.

“Hello…?”

“KkabYul! Why haven’t you called your mother!?” A voice of an ajummah yelled loudly from the other line. 

Yuri pulled her phone away from her ear in shock and opened one of her eye to check the caller ID on the screen. It was indeed her dear mom. 

“Hello mommy. It’s seven o’clock in the morning and I’m already being lectured? Nice,” Yuri said sarcastically, yet, in a childish voice.

“You haven’t come home either! What? Enjoying too much of your freedom living on your own?” Her mom continued her yelling, although in a less serious tone of voice.

“But it had only been a week,” Yuri whined, “but I’ll come home soon so expect to see your daughter and be sure to greet her with a smile.”

“Good good. But I don’t just want you.” 

Yuri’s head tilted slightly. Who else could her mom wanted to invite over? 

“I want Sooyeon to come over for our family dinner.”

“Wha-! B-”

“And no buts!”

It shocked Yuri to think that her mother was referring to the sole person who Yuri had been trying her best to forget. Yuri knew by far that she could not object to her mother’s request; her stubbornness level exceeded Yuri’s by many heights. 

“I saw Sooyeon at the party. I haven’t seen her in ages ever since we moved to Japan! To be honest, I really miss the child. She used to visit our house and had sleepovers as well. The kid was so cute and now she became such a beautiful lady,” her mother exclaimed, praising her friend as if the girl was her own daughter.

“Yeah…she’s gorgeous,” Yuri muttered under her breath while unconsciously smiling as she listened to her own mother’s comments about Jessica.

Jessica had always managed to pose a good image to Yuri’s family. She never showed signs of the fake ice princess persona she had at school and had always offered to help them whenever they were in need. To Yuri’s family and Yuri herself, Jessica was one of the sweetest girls they knew. 

“Since it would rather be strange for me to invite Sooyeon, I’m going to have you, her beloved best friend, to do the job for me. You won’t way ‘no’, right, my dear KkabYul?”

“But mom, what if she-”

“Oh, of course you won’t say ‘no’ to your mother. My daughter is too good of a daughter to disobey a simple request. Now be a good girl and just nicely invite Sooyeon over for dinner on Sunday would you? I’ll be off now and I better get a response from you soon, KkabYul. I love you!”

A series of beeps followed, indicating the disconnection from the other line.

Yuri sighed as she placed her phone aside and rested her head back down onto the table. There was no other choice. Yuri would just be bother again and again until her mother’s wish would be satisfied. That was just the kind of person that she was and because of that, Yuri was raised to be a quite hard-headed girl herself. 

Nevertheless, she understood why her mother was so persistent on having Sooyeon, or Jessica, over for a reunion. Her father and mother had always treated her friend as if she was a second daughter to the family. It was to the extent that Yuri somewhat felt a sense of jealousy toward both sides.

Yuri began to feel the drowsiness hitting her again as she started to relax her mind and closed her eyes shut.

‘Five minutes won’t hurt…’

Unfortunately, another disturbance then followed.

Yuri grunted at the annoying classic sound of the office phone and reached for the device as if she was hunting down for her alarm clock. Head still faced down on the table, she answered the machine with a muffled voice. 

“Yes…?”

“Miss Kwon, someone is here to see you,” her employee informed.

“Who is it?” 

“Um…she said she is your…wife.”

Yuri opened her eyes, slightly straightened herself from her seat as she brushed away her hair from her face, revealing an uplifted eyebrow at the response.

“…What’s her name?”

“Jung Sooyeon.”

Upon hearing the person’s identity, Yuri’s phone swung back and forth at the edge of the table while her rolling chair clashed against the big glass window behind her. She had slipped off her seat, eyes widened and mouth dropped in bewilderment and shock. Yuri was definitely awake now.

“Hello? Miss Kwon? Are you alright?” The female spoke loudly in concern from the other line.

Yuri shook her head and slapped her face twice before picking up the phone (still on the ground) and gave her permission, “Y-Yeah. I’m okay. L-Let her in.”

Immediately after she had placed the phone back into its spot and pushed her chair back into the empty space beneath her desk, Yuri roamed around her office in panic. 

‘W-Why is she here all of the sudden!?’

Jessica’s unannounced appearance was never something she would have expected. She trampled back and forth in circles, checking her face in her pocket mirror, brushing her hair with her fingers, and patted off the wrinkles of her clothes. Yuri wished that the blush on her face would just go away but she knew that Jessica’s presence would nullify its possibility. Still, she wanted to appear in her best form in front of Jessica regardless of when or where.

A few knocks then sounded from the door.

“Come in,” Yuri allowed her visitor inside, hiding her nervousness.

A blonde hair girl walked in slowly after permission was granted. Her brown high heels clanked against the metal part of the door frame before stepping into the mattress of the office. She was dressed in a casual outfit, wearing a pair of dark navy jeans shorts accompanied by a simple single shoulder strapped white blouse, fitted enough to define her S lines. Her eyes were hidden behind wayfarers used to hide her identity, but Yuri could still tell who it was. After all, Jessica is her angel.

The girl closed the door behind her and took of her shades, revealing sharp eyes that pierce through Yuri’s own. The second she saw Jessica, armies of butterflies had managed to raid her stomach. It was the feeling of their first meeting all over again; it was like the moment when Yuri met Jessica’s eyes at the other side of the garden on that fateful day. She knew for a fact that the girl was beautiful, but she could never imagine how much more beautiful Jessica had become in just one year span.

“Hello, Yuri.”

It was not until Jessica spoke up did Yuri realize that she had been gawking at the girl with opened for quite a while now. She covered her embarrassment up with a shy smile.

“Hello Jessica.”

“Long time no see,” Jessica stated, knocking a bit of confusion into Yuri’s mind.

“It had been a week since I last saw y-”

“It felt like months to me.”

And indeed, it had been so for Yuri as well.

Jessica looked at Yuri with eyes that wanted to know if Yuri had felt the same as they remained motionless at their spots, being approximately three yards apart from each other. 

Sensing the awkwardness, Yuri cleared and broke the prolonged eye contact with Jessica. Eyes tell more tales than one could think, and Yuri did not want Jessica to know of the remaining feelings of love she still had for the girl. 

“Why don’t we sit down?” Yuri offered, leading Jessica to a nice, black set of sofa in the corner of the office. “Would you like anything to drink?”
Jessica tugged lightly on Yuri’s sleeve before the girl could walk away, dragging her back down onto the cushion. “No, it’s alright. Just sit. I want to talk to you.”

Yuri repositioned herself comfortably while giving Jessica enough private space. Apparently, the girl did not wish for that emptiness and ended up scooting in closer to Yuri.

“Are you free this Saturday?”

“That would be tomorrow…” Yuri looked up at the ceiling for a few seconds as her schedule plans processed through her head. She then gave her reply, “Yes, I am.”

Jessica grinned cheerfully, taken Yuri by surprise with a skip of a heartbeat. Jessica reached for her bag beside her and pulled out what seemed to be a ticket. Holding onto the pass, she handed it to Yuri, who examined it carefully.

“Music Bank…? Wait… you’re performing on Music Bank?” Yuri looked at the ticket then up at Jessica then back at the paper in her hand. 

Jessica simply nodded, still smiling. It had always been Jessica’s dream to perform on stage especially on a well known music show. Yuri could tell that Jessica was currently trying to restrain the excitement streak she always went on when something extremely wonderful happens to her.

“Come and watch me.” 

“Was that a demand?”

Jessica glared at Yuri for the teasing question, “You don’t want to?”

“No, I want to. And I will.” 

Yuri smiled brightly, and this time Jessica’s heart could not help but fluttered. 

No, in fact, her heart had been beating twice its normal speed ever since she saw Yuri standing there looking straight at her. She understood clearly that she would not be able to withstand for long the desire to run up to the girl and tell her how much she wanted to be with her. She had been doing that for too long and Jessica knew it was time that she stopped being such a coward and confess, in hopes that Yuri still loved her back.

“Yuri…there’s something else I want to tell you.”

“What is it?” Yuri’s body tensed up a bit for the atmosphere had suddenly turned serious.

Jessica swallowed empty air, gathering up her courage as she stared deeply into Yuri’s eyes. 

“I l-”

Perfect timing as always…at the worse moment possible, Jessica’s phone rang. With frustration, she glared at the screen to see who had disturbed her at such an important time of her life as she cursed at the person under her breath. It was her manager. 

Checking the time, she remembered that she had promised him she would be back in fifteen minutes since he had kindly let her off. But still…why now out of all times?

Sighing, and still bearing a grudge against her manager-oppa, she raised up from her seat. If she was to stay any longer, her workmanship would be degraded by the higher-ups, and since she’s a newbie, Jessica would definitely not want bad reports on her records.

“Sorry, I think I have to go now.”

“Wait, what is it that you wanted to tell me?”

Yuri’s eyes were telling Jessica that she was desperate to know whatever it was, but finding the ‘right moment’ was important to Jessica.

“Maybe another time,” Jessica said sadly as she picked up her bag and let it hang on her shoulder.

Yuri stood up from the sofa as well, holding back Jessica as she remembered what her mother had reminded her earlier. “Hey…um…my mom wants you to come over for dinner this Sunday. She’d been bugging me about it and insisted that I must ask you. Are you okay with it?” 

“Sure. I would love to.”

“Really? That’s great!” Even though Yuri was just asking for her mom, she felt overjoyed for herself. “I’ll meet up with you in front of your company then.”

“Alright then.”

Jessica’s phone then vibrated again, indicating a rush from her manager. Sighing, she greeted her good-bye to Yuri, “I’ll get going now. Bye, Kwon-seobang.”

Yuri was caught by surprise with the use of her nickname. It had been a year since she last heard it from Jessica. 

Grinning like a dork, she replied with her own use of familiarity, “Bye, Sica-baby.”

Jessica turned her back to Yuri and started to walk slow steps toward the front entrance. Yuri did not know what had gone on in Jessica’s mind when the blonde girl suddenly halted and glanced back at Yuri with eyes seeking something she could not comprehend. Was it sadness? 

Then it struck Yuri that the question that had been bothering her still remained somewhere within her mind. She wanted to know if Jessica is really happy with her life. Yuri did not want to regret handing her best friend and her love to Donghae if it really meant Jessica was not content. Yuri never wished to see her nightmare turn to reality.

“Sica…”

Yuri was unexpected cut off again by Jessica’s sudden action that knocked the question totally in the back of her mind. All she cared about was the current warmth she was feeling around her waist and the rising heat of her own body temperature. Jessica had (literally) run toward Yuri and threw her arms around the taller girl, hugging her as if Yuri would never live to see tomorrow. Yuri could hear light muffled sobs and it worried her.

“Yuri…I really miss you. Don’t ever leave like that again, you hear me?”
Yuri Jessica’s hair to comfort the girl, running the smooth strands against her fingers. The strawberry scent was getting to her; she had not been this close to Jessica in a year. 

“I hear you, miss ice princess.”

Uncontrollable thoughts emerged as Yuri decided that a light embrace wouldn’t hurt, pulling Jessica closer toward her by the waist. A tear was already in its midst of falling from her eye. 

“I miss you, too.”

Neither wanted to let go. At moments like this, the silence meant a lot for both of them. More than anything, they desired to understand each other…especially their feelings for one another.

There were something about the emotions in those words that made Jessica thought that maybe, just maybe, Yuri was feeling the same way as Jessica. That she loved her. 

“Yuri, I lo-”

Her attempt failed once again as knocks on the door disturbed their moment together. Yuri wanted to answer the person outside but Jessica refused to let her go. Not that Yuri wanted to either. 

“Who is it?” Yuri called out, still motionless from her location.

“It’s Victoria. Yuri-sshi, your father calls for you.”

Aside from the presented honorific, the use of Yuri’s first name alarmed Jessica as she couldn’t help but twitched slightly. 

“I’ll be out in a minute.”

Hearing those words forced Jessica to release her hold of Yuri. Turning her back to her friend, she quickly wiped away all of her tears before presenting a bright smile to her love.

“I guess I’ll go now,” Jessica said, obviously disappointed. She puts on her wayfarers and waved her greeting, “Bye, Yuri.”

“Bye…” Yuri was hesitant on her words. She knew that they would be meeting again sometime soon but she did not want to part ways. Their talk was only 15 minutes; she never felt it was enough, especially comparing to the hours of discussing topics after topics back in their high school days. 

Jessica opened the door, fighting a war against herself not to turn around for she would once again be lured in by the look in Yuri’s eyes. She walked outside and passed someone, a female, who stood waiting against the wall. The girl politely bowed to Yuri’s guest as Jessica did the same. They had exchanged a short eye contact before Jessica shook it off and headed her way.

Victoria couldn’t put a finger on who it was but she knew that person was awfully familiar. Shrugging off the thought that would just be a waste of time to her, Victoria stepped into the office casually and closed the door behind her.

Inside the room, Yuri still stood at the same spot that Jessica had left her with. She had not calm down nor did the blush on her face disappeared. 

“Shall we head to your father’s office?” Victoria asked, attempting to knock Yuri off her trance.

“Uh, y-yes. O-Of course. Sorry, I was just thinking,” Yuri apologized as she gathered herself together, stumbling over her words. It was only minutes ago that she was held by the one she loves after one year. She could still feel Jessica’s warmth as if it they were still in each other arms. It was an indescribable emotion.

“Thank you for driving me home again last night,” Victoria expressed her gratitude along with a sweet smile.

“No problem. You’re my friend after all,” Yuri replied, stressing their relationship as not just mere colleagues, resulting in a cheerful expression from Victoria.

“Who was that earlier? The girl in your office just now.”

Yuri pondered for a moment, as if looking for an answer other than the word ‘friend’ suitable enough to describe Jessica. Yuri beamed playfully as the perfect description crossed her mind.

“My wife.”

★☆★

“Sunny?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.”

“…I know.”

It was a common conversation between the two friends… or to be specific, girlfriends. However, it was one-sided. 

Sunny could never reply to Hyomin with anything more than an “I know” or a mere acknowledgement of silence. She felt horrible inside whenever Hyomin would tell her those words because she knew it wasn’t just for show. Sunny could tell that Hyomin had meant every word she ever said to her.

☆☆☆

Their relationship started simply by a common mistake. It all happen when Sunny was out drinking one night after a break up and an avoidable job loss. Thinking that her high alcohol tolerance won’t get her anywhere near being drunk, Sunny drank glass after glass. To her dismay, the liquor she had intake was stronger than usual. 
Hyomin, her loyal best friend, was informed and immediately rushed to the bar where Sunny was at. Hyomin had always been there for Sunny regardless of the situation. If she was needed, then her presence shall be presented.

It was a vague memory to Sunny of how they ended up the way they did, but she was still in her conscious mind to realize that she had accidentally kissed the girl; and her kiss was returned.

Sunny always knew of Hyomin’s feelings for her. Sunny knew of the jealousy that Hyomin held as the girl watched her with her boyfriend hand in hand and all cuddly in front of her. Not that Sunny wanted to show Hyomin such scenes, but her boyfriend just wouldn’t understand when to quit being showy in public. All in all, Sunny knew it was not a joke. 

But she still denied them.

The morning after, Sunny woke up on a bed not of her own… with only her undergarments on. And Hyomin? The girl was lying right next to her, sound asleep…only dressed in an oversized, ed shirt and her lingerie hanged loose. The next thing she knew… Sunny realized she had ended up making a huge mistake. Something absolutely unforgivable.

“What did I do last night?” Sunny turned to ask Hyomin, completely shocked and confused.

Her friend was silent, a heavy blush appearing on the younger girl’s cheeks.

“What did I do to you?” Sunny was desperate even though she could have guessed what had happened as she observed the room. It was a mess with their clothes being thrown on the floor as well as her handbag and a couple of other accessories. She still remembered parts of yesterday’s events, although they were not enough to help her recollect what had really happened.

Hyomin did not reply with words and chose that actions would speak louder for her. She placed her hands on Sunny’s shoulders, and in one split second, pushed the girl back down on the soft cushion. Lowering herself, Hyomin kissed Sunny without further ado. 

It was so straightforward of a demonstration that it froze Sunny instantly.

“This. And maybe more.”

Hyomin caressed Sunny’s jaw line with her finger and traced it down to the girl’s neck. Sunny shuddered from the touch and closed her eyes in reflex.

“Hyomin…I’m…” She was speechless, unable to sound her words of apology.

“’Sorry?’ If that’s what you’re going to say then there’s no need.”

“But the things I did to yo-”

Hyomin kissed Sunny again, this time withholding it a bit longer. Sunny did not respond. She didn’t know how.

Hyomin parted her lips from Sunny and lowered her head on the blank space next to where Sunny’s head laid. She hugged Sunny tightly and then whispered softly into her ear, “I love you, Sunny. I really love you. Please stay with me.”

A simple request of complications…and that was how it all started.

★★★

It was all downhill from there for Sunny. She thought that she would be able to love Hyomin in the same way the girl does if she was to spend more time with her, but she soon later realized that her girlfriend’s clinginess was too much for her. Besides, Sunny never did see Hyomin any more than a friend, but of course, she couldn’t say that straightforwardly to her ‘girlfriend’.

“Sunny?”

The call of her name woke her up from her daydream of days past. She turned to catch sight of Hyomin gazing at her worriedly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking,” Sunny replied, laughing nervously. 

“Can you kiss me before I leave?” Hyomin requested cutely as she pouted her lips.

Sunny inwardly sighed, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to reject what Hyomin had requested. Despite the spectators among them, Sunny pulled Hyomin to her by the waist and gave her a short kiss. She was getting way too used to the routine.

Yes, “routine” – not of love or care but habitual.

“Um… Sunny?” Hyomin called out again as she grabbed onto Sunny’s arm nervously.

“What is it? You look afraid,” Sunny asked, truthfully concerned.

“I have a feeling someone is following us.”

Sunny walked slower as she slightly tilted her head to look behind them. There, she spotted an obvious figure dressed in business clothes, wearing giant wayfarers. It was a woman around her early 20s but whose height exceeded an average female’s. Sunny smiled slyly and turned back to Hyomin. She patted the back of the girl’s hand, assuring her that everything was okay.

“Don’t worry. Maybe you’re just thinking too much.”

“I hope so…”

---

“Darn it, I lost them…”

Sooyoung leaned against the wall and occasionally poked her head out to look at the streets suspiciously. She attracted weird attention from the people around her, who were all wondering about the same thing: stalker or celebrity? 

Sooyoung did not give much concern to the looks she was receiving and just minded her business. In reality, she did not even know how she got to the conclusion of following Sunny and her girlfriend.

Trailing her eyes among the crowd, she took off her wayfarers and tried to look for a certain short-head among all the tall-heads. 

“Where is she…?”

“I’m right here.”

A hot air surrounding her ear shocked Sooyoung as she couldn’t help but gave out a loud cry which was soon silenced by her ‘attacker’s’ palm.

“Oh…S-Sunny! H-Hello! What a c-coincidence!” Sooyoung tried to laugh it off but the girl was absolutely horrible at lying.

“Why are you following us?” Sunny asked, crossing her arms as she waited for an answer.

“Who said I was following you two? It’s a mere coincidence,” Sooyoung replied, avoiding eye-contact.

“If you say so,” Sunny shrugged then started to walk away without a word of goodbye.

“Where are you going?” Sooyoung called out, uncertain with why Sunny was acting all cold to her.

“Sorry, I don’t talk to liars.”

Sooyoung immediately understood and held Sunny back. “Sorry. I really had no idea what in my mind that had led me to follow you. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted. As long as you’re honest,” Sunny said, bringing an assuring smile upon Sooyoung’s face.

“Can I ask you something?” 

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you kiss her?”

It was a curious question. And honestly, it was too personal to even be asked.

“’Cause she’s my girlfriend.”

“But you don’t love her.”

“What else do you expect me to do? Just turn my back and walk away? The least I ever want to do is hurt her.”

“But you’re lying to her! Imagine how Hyomin would feel when she finds out how you don’t even love her. You’re just giving her false hopes!” 

She still did not understood why she was so bothered by this whole matter that had nothing to do with her, and truthfully, Sooyoung was confused. What she knew was… those words she had just uttered were not from her mind; they were from her heart. 

Sooyoung’s outburst surprised Sunny, but she understood where her friend was getting at. 

“I know.”

There was an awkward silence between them. Neither was sure of what they wanted to say to each other. 

The quietness only lasted until Sooyoung spoke up.

“I’ll do it…I’ll help you.”

Sunny eyes widened. She couldn’t believe that Sooyoung just agreed doing something so ridiculously for a friend, whom she had just met not long ago.

“You really don’t have t-”

“I’ve thought about it. Maybe this is the only convincing way that would get her to give up on you. But I’ll help you on one small condition.”

“What is it?”

“You will treat me with all the best foods in Seoul.”

‘I think I’ll definitely be broke after this…’ Sunny thought as a grin appeared on her lips. It was a simple request that she had already expected out of Sooyoung.

“Deal.”

☆★☆

It was a beautiful winter Friday when the second hand seemed to decelerate on Tiffany’s watch… or at least, it was within her own hallucination. Time was ticking rather slowly for her today despite the fact she was supposed to be on a ‘highly anticipated and fun’ date. Tiffany would try to persuade her own self that she was just being weary from the procrastination in her college studies, but would eventually relent to her heart and admit the truth. She had banned herself from touching her phone for the day and was starting to miss a certain somebody she really wished to see. And no… it was definitely not her boyfriend, unfortunately for the clueless Jaejoong.

Tiffany had been through her text messaging spree as if the person in front of her, being there or not, no longer matter. However, she had tried to change things. Tiffany felt as though her emotions and mind (as well as her heart) was directly cheating on her boyfriend. After all, they were still a couple in a romantic relationship and cheating in Tiffany’s definition was immoral. If she was really hoping to make their relationship any better by starting anew, the first step was to completely forget about the love she has for Taeyeon.

‘It shouldn’t be so hard, right?’

And the answer, as Tiffany knew it best, was indeed…no.

Tiffany stared lifelessly at her watch again. It had only been nine minutes since Jaejoong had left her to get hot drinks for the both of them at a famous, nearby coffee house. Even so, to Tiffany, it had felt much longer than that to her since she no longer had anything else to keep herself company. 

She lifted her head up and gazed at the clear blue sky, observing the bypassing clouds. Just when Tiffany thought her mind was blank for once, images of Taeyeon played through her head like an automatic system. Of course, it would be as worse if she closed her eyes. Either way, Tiffany could not stop thinking about Taeyeon no matter how hard she tried. It was now tearing her apart and mending her together simultaneously.

“Fany?”

And as if a miracle has occurred, a voice so sweet and gentle called out to her.

Tiffany turned around to origin of the voice, and as an immediate effect, her heart hastened its pace.

“What are you doing here?”

“T-Tae-”

The short girl in wayfarers placed a finger on her own lips, signaling Tiffany of the consequences if her identity was to be revealed in public. She pushed her shades up slightly and smiled genuinely at Tiffany as her eyes never ceased to skip a beat upon Tiffany’s heart. It was indeed the face of the person whom she had been wishing to see. 

‘Maybe it’s fate,’ Tiffany thought to herself, recalling the first moment they had met each other. It was almost too coincidental how their relationship came to be, or how they even became friends in the first place. But of course, it was fate that had led them to love one another, even if it had meant that both of them were clueless to that fact.

“Mind if I sit here for a bit?” Taeyeon asked politely, after feeling awkward from a silent response of nothing but unblinking stares from Tiffany.

“Y-Yes,” Tiffany stumbled, flashing her eye a couple of times as she avoided Taeyeon’s direct eye contact. Her face was already flushed pink like the color of her clothing and accessories.

Taeyeon casually sat herself down on the small empty spot of the bench next to Tiffany. It was somewhat cramp with the occupation of space by Tiffany’s pink handbag (in which she never bothered moving it aside), but neither of them minded the closeness. 

“Have you read my text?” Taeyeon asked, pulling out her phone to confirm whether or not Tiffany had replied without her knowing.

“No, sorry. My phone…ran out of battery,” Tiffany lied. She did not want to tell her friend the truth of how she was trying to avoid any messages or calls from Taeyeon because she was on a date with Jaejoong.

After hearing Tiffany’s answer, Taeyeon reached for her purse and pulled out what appeared to be a show ticket. She handed it to Tiffany before explaining its value, “I want you to have this since you’ve been very helpful to me. It’s a VIP ticket to Music Bank.”

Tiffany took the slip with gaped slightly opened. It was too good of a deal.

“Jessica is going to be singing there as well,” Taeyeon added, creating a sense of curious jealousy for the brunette.

“Since when have you been so close with Jessie?” Tiffany asked a bit jealous of her own best friend ever since the incident of the teasing phone call.

“For quite a while, I guess. I’ve been driving her home because of the wandering paparazzi ever since she spoke about her love life on broadcasted television,” Taeyeon giggled, recalling Jessica’s innocent speeches about her crush along the way to the blonde girl’s house.

Tiffany couldn’t help but pout like a child. She knew her friend’s love for Yuri was too great for anything to suddenly happen between Taeyeon and Jessica. But even so…

‘I want you to drive me home, too…’

Clueless of Tiffany’s reactions, Taeyeon continued, “You can also go backstage with it. I know you’re interested in the Korean Pop industry so I thought you would like to meet some of the other si-”

“Are you going to be there?”

That’s all Tiffany really needed to know. She could concern less about the others (maybe with the exception of her best friend, Jessica).

“Yes, of course.”

“Then I’ll be there. Definitely.”

Tiffany did not notice how much she was hinting through her words, as she was unable to contain her feelings of excitement. She was determined that she would make space in her schedule regardless of any important occasions in the way. It had been her wish to watch Taeyeon sing live on stage and be the special friend who would be supporting her just a few feet away in the audience seats.

Tiffany held the ticket tightly in her hands like it was worth a jackpot lottery. She brought it up to cover the bright smile on her lips, even though her now crescent shaped eyes still revealed about all of her emotions.

“Thank you so much!”

Taeyeon watched soundlessly, pleased with herself that she could create even a slight bit of happiness in Tiffany’s. Witnessing the eye-smile of Hwang Tiffany was like observing an angel descending from the sky. It was just that fascinating to Taeyeon.

“You haven’t answered my question, yet.”

“What question?” Tiffany tilted her head slightly. 

“Why are you out here by yourself?”

With Taeyeon’s presence, Tiffany had completely forgotten why she was sitting on the bench waiting. In other words, she lost track of how long Jaejoong had left…or if he was even with her in the first place.

“Actually, I’m on a date with my-”

“Tiffany!”

A young male voice called out from the distance. Both Taeyeon and Tiffany turned around to see a male figure running toward them with two cups hot coffee wrapped in cardboard sleeves in his hands. 

“Your boyfriend?”

Taeyeon finished Tiffany’s sentence as her smile turned meaningless.

“Yeah…” Tiffany replied reluctantly. 

It was odd how Jaejoong’s interrupting presence had now almost seemed to instantly bleed the liveliness out of the happy-go-lucky Tiffany; it was the opposite effect just a couple of weeks ago.

“Sorry, I’m late. The line was quite long,” Jaejoong apologized, catching his breath from the sprinting. He handed Tiffany her drink in which she thanked him in an inaudible murmur. Jaejoong then looked Tiffany’s side and spotted an unfamiliar yet familiar face. “Is she your friend?”

“You must be Tiffany’s boyfriend,” Taeyeon extended her arm to Jaejoong’s free hand. Despite her uneasiness, it did not hurt to be polite. “I’m Kim Taeyeon, it’s nice to meet you.”

He shook her hand and took a careful examination of the girl’s face. “Are you the Kim Taeyeon, the one who sings on music shows?” He questioned, recalling where he had last seen her while referring the idol to the simplest of descriptions.

“I guess you could say that.”

“Oh, so Tiffany knows you personally. I’ve heard a lot about you from Tiffany. I’m Kim Jaejoong.”

“You talked about me?” Taeyeon turned to Tiffany, meaning it as a joke as if Tiffany had been speaking about her behind her back.

On the other hand, secrets are being spoiled on Tiffany’s side.

“Well I-“

“Yeah, she does. Constantly,” Jaejoong elucidated in his emphasis. Tiffany had no way to cover for herself and just hoped that Taeyeon did not take it any other way but a fan who ‘simply’ admired her favorite artist.

Jaejoong pulled Tiffany closer to him, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder possessively. Tiffany was starting to wonder if Jaejoong could have known something or maybe he was just trying to show the world that Tiffany was ‘his’. Relationship? Yes, since they are still dating. Tiffany’s heart? It was, but definitely no longer.

Tiffany wanted to swipe his hand off her shoulder but as she brought her arm up to do so, she glanced at Taeyeon and realized that she should portray a ‘happy couple’ appearance in front of her friend in order to hide her own emotions. Tiffany then placed her hand on top of Jaejoong’s and looked at her boyfriend with a sweetly forged smile. 

For Tiffany, this was far yet one of the most awkward situations. On her left was her boyfriend, and on the other side was the girl she secretly loves. Tiffany felt as if she was stuck between a fork road, with no such option of choosing to walk between. She wanted a change of direction, but the guilt within her heart was continuously driving her away from choosing Taeyeon. 

Taeyeon swallowed her own spit as she watched the intimacy between the two. It was hard to control her own urges of stealing Tiffany away from Jaejoong there and then.

“I have a schedule to catch, so I’ll be leaving now,” Taeyeon bowed politely, hiding her unpleased expression. She could have stayed longer, but how could she when all Taeyeon would see is the one she loves being drawn away from her.

“Good day to you. I hope you succeed in your career,” Jaejoong encouraged Taeyeon sincerely, while refusing to let his grasp on Tiffany goes loose. 

However, Tiffany managed to escape anyway and deliberately jumped onto Taeyeon. The shorter girl was taken aback by the unexpected embrace, but Tiffany couldn’t help herself anymore. Just a small physical contact would do for her as of now. 

Tiffany had put the matter of Jaejoong watching them in the back of her mind, because to the eyes of others, it was just another intimate action shared between friends. However, moments like this, Tiffany wished Taeyeon could read her mind and just perceived how much she means to Tiffany.

Seductively and impulsively, Tiffany lips moved closer to Taeyeon’s ear and whispered so that only Taeyeon could hear, “Call me when you’re done, okay?”

Taeyeon shuddered from the hot air on her skin among the chilly weather as her arms began to tense up. Feeling Taeyeon’s head nodding as a reply, Tiffany let go of the girl and beamed warmly. Her eyes were crescent shaped as she clasped tightly onto Taeyeon’s hand while her back faced toward Jaejoong. Her true eye-smiles are now Taeyeon’s only.

“Do your best out there, okay?” Tiffany strengthened Taeyeon’s spirit before the shorter girl leave to attend to her busy agenda.

Taeyeon, face still flustered pink, smiled shyly and thanked Tiffany with her eyes on the cement. 

She then tracked her steps backwards until she came to a realization that their hands were still connected. They both let go slowly, sliding their palms against each other, slipping one finger off after another before all that was left connecting them both was their intertwined index fingers. The girls looked at their interlocking hook then up at one another. It meant something; however, before any messages could be sent, a sharp blade of interruption separated them both.

“Tiffany, I think you should let her attend to her own business before she’s late.” 

Jaejoong had reached out for Tiffany and gently jerked his girlfriend back to him, in which the girl stumbled on her feet slightly from the unexpected pull. For a moment, both Taeyeon and Tiffany failed to remember about where they were and who they were with.

---

“So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Jaejoong turned to ask Tiffany who had sat herself back down on the bench, sipping on her steaming caramel coffee in her hand. Her forehead told of two words: clearly annoyed.

The coffee was hot, but Tiffany’s heart was burning.

Tiffany didn’t know whether or not she should mentally thank or slap Jaejoong for cutting them off, because just one more second…one more movement of the secondhand… she would have lost it.

Tiffany would have taken Taeyeon’s hand and run, disregarding anything that would hold her back.

Just one more second was all it would take.

===========================

Don't you all just love interruptions (^__^)?
I apologize again for the late update but I hope you enjoyed it nevertheless. Aside from the fact that it is actually a long post this time (18pg in a while), I really like the way I wrote the TaeNy's part. Lately, TaeNy had shot up to be my number one again even though they had always been my OTP hehe
And to be honest, I support SunByung more than I do with SooSun LOL 
I didn't plan for YulSic to meet but quykiemsau has pleaded (^__^; ) Well it fits with the storyline anyway~ 
All characters are warring against time and interruptions in their own story right now since I am purposely making you all suffer fufufufu~
The next chapter will be concentrating on YoonHyun, since they are the only couple I didn't mention here.
Suspense time! 
Did you all notice the hints of YulSic's next meeting? And TaeNy? 
Anticipate the next chapter!
I hope that I could get all of it done after I finish with my testing period OTL
-June