“Someone doesn’t look happy.”

Tiffany looks up from the stack of papers in front of her. Adjusting her glasses, she gives Bora a sad smile. “I hate working overtime.”

“5:30 is not overtime, Tiff. Since when did you start complaining about work?” Bora suspiciously asks.

“Dad’s coming home in a few days, so I need to start tidying up the house again. I made a few changes on the kitchen that’s going to be done by tomorrow, hopefully.”

“Really? When is he coming?”

“In three days. I don’t know, maybe four? He’s always either late or too early.” Tiffany tells her. She stands up, answering the receiver.

“Yes?” Tiffany asks her secretary on the other line.

“Signora, there’s someone here to see you.”

“Mr. Hwang?” Bora quips in. She was busy browsing on Tiffany’s sketches when she heard the conversation.

“Who is it?”

“I…uh… forgot to ask, Signora.” the person on the other line stutters.

“You forgot?” Tiffany was surprised to hear that. “Bomi, please don’t tell me there’s a stranger walking around our building?”

“Si, Signora. I’m really sorry! We were talking, she’s asking about Milan then asked about your office before going. When she left the counter, that’s when it hit me-”

“That sounds like a whole new level of dumb, don’t you think?” the creative designer slams the fancy fountain pen on her polished wood table.

Tiffany ends the call before Bomi can even protest while Bora chuckles with a magazine in her hand. “Well, it could be your Dad.”

“And if not?” Tiffany raises an eyebrow, ready to walk around the building to handle the situation herself. If it were her Dad, then it’d be a good time. But if it’s a random stranger or client, she’d be sure to ask Bomi for her resignation papers tomorrow.

“Chill out. Somebody’s probably going to notice if it were some sort of creep. Why don’t we head out for a while? Those tax papers can wait for your signature.” Bora suggests.

Tiffany complies with getting her purse. She reaches for the door when it suddenly swings open, revealing a not so stranger black-haired guest in her camel-colored Prada coat. The signature dimpled grin on her face meant she was proud of her little victory of standing face to face with Tiffany.

No wonder Bomi got so distracted earlier. Tiffany silently thought.

“Hi there.”

“Hello to you, too. What are you doing here?” Tiffany asked.

“Do I really need to answer that?” Taeyeon asks back. Her line of sight moves to the person behind Tiffany. “Long time no see, Bora-ssi.”

Bora offers her hand, “Indeed. What are you-, oh my god!” Bora laughs. “Are you the stranger that Tiffany was about to strangle?”

Tiffany slaps Bora’s arm to stop the latter from laughing. She sees Taeyeon lightly chuckle from that, making her stop thinking it was embarrassing.

“You could say that. Where are you guys going? I hope I didn’t come at the wrong time.” Taeyeon asks, checking her watch.

“No such thing as wrong time here at Amare. What brings you here, though?”

This time Taeyeon knew that she couldn’t stop Bora from asking questions. As much as she likes talking to the girl, it would be rude to tell her that she came for Tiffany and wanted to spend some time with her. She tried to come up with a couple of reasons why, but then Tiffany decided to speak for her.

“Hey Bora, why don’t you head out first, and I’ll catch up. There are some contracts that I need to discuss with Miss Kim.”

Great, she’s starting to call me Miss Kim again. Taeyeon sighs.

Bora gasps. “You guys work together?! And here I thought I was the first hot Korean you’ve met here, Taeyeon-ssi.”

Taeyeon nervously laughs, even if Bora seems just to . She had zero ideas if the girl swung her way. After all, she can’t just go around asking about someone’s uality. Attentiveness and awareness are some of the critical factors her parents made her understand.

‘Not in front of my salad, Taeyeon.’

Taeyeon could remember those words from Tiffany years ago. It was something Tiffany said during dinner when Taeyeon brought up a topic about a girl she used to date. On a side note, there were no salads today.

Just killer heels.

“Just something about the new flagship store. She worked with Mr. Lee and came here to discuss. Right, Miss Kim?” Tiffany shoots her a look, wanting her to agree and finish the conversation immediately.

“Uh, yes. Work… stuff.” Taeyeon answers.

“Okay~. I still expect a proper meal with you, Taeyeon-ssi. My workmates..” Bora eyes Tiffany. “Are too busy to hang out with me these days.”

“That means you’re slacking, or I’m a terrible boss.”

Taeyeon watches Tiffany laugh with Bora. She’s seen her with Sooyoung and Sunmi. Along with their other friends back in Seoul. It amazes her that Tiffany’s laugh could still influence any person to smile and laugh with her, even with different people. A different set of friends, another country.

Bora fans herself, “Oh dear, I hope we didn’t leave you out there, Tae. I’ll be going now. I hope Tiffany doesn’t bore you out with all the formalities.”

Nah, she won’t get tired of her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll see you some other time.” Taeyeon waves goodbye.

She let herself in when she noticed Tiffany going back inside. Taeyeon could remember how Tiffany told her this was her mother’s old office by scanning the main office. It had family portraits compared to the other shops.

“I guess you could finally answer my question earlier?” Tiffany asked.

“You are seriously making it hard for me to find you. I must admit, it was quite a challenge.”

“I don’t follow. What do you mean by that?” Tiffany raises an eyebrow. Her hands were busy packing some papers in her workbag.

Taeyeon grins. She knew how the girl was playing with her. Hyuna did tell her she was acting all grumpy after crossing paths last week. She had to woo her way in and turn the building upside down to reach Tiffany. To her, the progress towards Tiffany is too slow.

Taeyeon knew the possibility of rejection. She’s scared, but her hopes are pretty high every time Tiffany talks to her or even focuses on her when she speaks.

“I was wondering if I could take you out? Not for work stuff. You could also decide on where to go.”

Tiffany almost snorts. “What makes you think you could go here and ask me out?”

Taeyeon shrugs. “Last dinner went well. I don’t see why not another dat-” she stops herself from blurting out the word date out loud.

She clears , rephrasing what she was saying, “No particular reason. I just wanna take you out. I think you could use some fresh air.”

Tiffany looks at her for a moment before picking up her bag.

“Fine,” she mutters.

Taeyeon throws a fist on air, not minding if Tiffany saw it. The designer just shakes her head at the silly reaction.

“What?” Taeyeon cheekily asks. “Never seen a hot person do that?”

“Shut up,” Tiffany says while locking the office.

Taeyeon follows closely, “Admit it.”

“Admit what?”

“That I’m a hot person.”

“That’s crazy. No way.” Tiffany starts pressing the elevator buttons.

Taeyeon whistles. “Cold.”

Tiffany steals a glance at Taeyeon, who is leaning against the elevator walls. She was watching the little monitor above the doors switch floor numbers. Biting on her lower lips, Tiffany tries to hold back a smile.

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