“Please? I'm sorry.” she pleaded. She now has this look on her face that makes me think she really wants me to stay so I gave it a second before stepping out of the elevator once more. 

We stood awkwardly in front of each other for a while before she turns around and says, “Let's go back.” The sound of her heels on the floor was heard across the empty hallway as she walk.

It didn't take long before I followed behind and went back to my seat. I wasn't able to speak again at first but knowing she wanted to start over, I knew I had to say something now. 

“I have a lot of questions.” I told her as I play with my fingers. “But I want to start off by asking how you are.“ I finally looked up to her, not wanting to be rude by not maintaining an eye contact. 

“As you can see, I'm doing good.” Jessica nodded her head lightly. “I've been managing this company for almost two years now with the help of many people, specifically my dad and aunt from the U.S.” she looked down for a while before continuing, “Those six years had been rough, I'm not going to lie. There were times when I wanted to give up. You know, just go back to spending time with my family like the old times.” she chuckled softly. “But I've always thought about the things I've already done to get this far and that's what's keeping me going until now. I can't go back.” 

“I'm sure you worked pretty hard for this.” 

“I did.” she said. “This is where I'm meant to be.” Seeing her in the articles, news and even on the internet, I can very well tell she's also meant to be who she is right now. It's crazy how she used to be just a simple girl who loves dragging me to places because she often find me in complicated situations and now she's turned into a kind of woman whom she can be also proud of. 

She's exactly where she's meant to be.

I looked at her proudly but I doubt she would see through it. “I know.” 

Then I've seen her lips form a small smile that made my heart skip a beat. A smile that was given directly towards me. A smile that I've been missing for years. 

It felt as if I was about to zone out when she asked, “How about you? How are you doing these days?”

“Uhm...well, for now...I feel more than fine.” I honestly told her. Seeing her again definitely made me feel alive again if she has any idea. Despite the hardships, what I'm going through right now after what happened to my business, I really needed something to hold onto. 

And she came. 

And it was enough. 

“I had this business that I worked so hard for to establish, it was a restobar.” I started to tell her about it. “Unfortunately, it was gone...in a blink of an eye. It was down two, three weeks ago.”

She then looked down on her desk, “I actually heard what happened. It was on the news as well. I'm sorry for that.“

“Is that how you...” I didn't finish my question but she nodded her head as a response. 

“That's how I found you.”

Silence occurred for a moment. So she actually invited us for the company party on purpose after seeing me on the news, it all makes sense now. 

“And I wanted to help you so I sent Sunny to invite you there.” she said, referring to that company party. “I didn't know how else to do it.”

It warmed my heart knowing she made a way to help me but being a complainer actually made me come up here and see her. I didn't think I'd thank myself for being like that someday. 

“Why do you want to help me?” I shot her a question that even I was taken aback for questioning. What if she has another reason to do so? What if she's also been waiting for me?

“I- uhm...” she couldn't think of something to say. “Well, we were once friends.”

Okay, you Taeyeon for even asking that. Now that is a reminder for you to shut up next time.

I chuckled bitterly at the term used. “Right. Friends.” 

“So, please, accept the checks. It's the least I could do.” 

I adjusted myself on my seat before speaking, “I'm fine without it. Like I said, just pay my friends.” 

She let out a sigh, probably getting tired of pushing me to accept the checks. “Taeyeon, I want to help you.” Oh, how I've missed hearing her call my name. 

“I know but I can't accept that.” I declined for the last time. As much as I think money is everything, this time it doesn't apply to me. “Six years. I've waited for you for six years, Sica. I appreciate what you're trying to do but do you really think that's what I need from you?” 

She averted her gaze from me and was unable to speak for a moment. I guess she was surprised to know that I actually waited for her. “You know, I can't help but think about what I could've done to make it better six years ago. If I only acted right, it wouldn't turn out complicated like it did.” I lowered my head down again. “And you wouldn't have to leave.” 

“Don't blame yourself for what happened.” she told me, making me look back up. “We were young, we were stupid. And if you'd ask me, I don't re