Chapter 23: Dream or a Nightmare   It was yet another lazy afternoon for Tiffany where she had nothing to do. She picked up her coffee and took a sip, enjoying that bitter aftertaste that left in . She placed the cup back down and returned to her book once again. She got so captivated in reading that she didn’t even realise someone was behind her.    Tiffany jumped in surprise when a pair of hands covered her eyes before giggling when she knew who it was. “Hi, Taetae.” The hands slowly uncovered her eyes and said person came to sit beside her.    “How did you know it was me?”   “Cause you’re the only childish person in this house.”   TaeYeon shrugged and leant back against the chair. “I would prefer romantic, thank you very much.”   “You’re hopeless,” Tiffany shook her head before turning to the book.    Taeyeon heard it but she chose to ignore. When she turned and saw what Tiffany was doing, she couldn’t help but to ask, “you’re reading? Again?”   “What’s wrong? I have to finish the book or else what’s the purpose of me reading it.”   “You’ve been spending so much time reading that book here that you even forgot about me.” TaeYeon complained under her breath but it didn’t go unheard by Tiffany as the latter chuckled.    “Are you seriously jealous now?” She tried to hold TaeYeon’s hand but she pulled away before she could even give a slight brush.    “I’m not allowing you to hold my hand unless you throw that thick sheet of papers away and leave this place.” TaeYeon crossed her arms as she eyed Tiffany challengingly. She stood up and started to walk away.    Looking at TaeYeon who was being such a baby now made Tiffany laugh in amusement. She suddenly had the want to girlfriend so she yelled, “fine! Leave then! I’ll prefer to read in peace, anyway.”   Tiffany tried her best to have a poker face on when TaeYeon turned with a mouth slacked. She looked back at her book and continued where she had left off. But even before she could even finish one sentence, she found the book being taken away from her and she watched with huge eyes as the book flew a few feet away from her and onto the ground with a plop. 
She looked up and all she could see was her girlfriend patting both of her hands with a wide smile on. “Now, who wins?”   Her eyes went to the book on the ground before going to TaeYeon and then back to the book and to TaeYeon again. She stood up abruptly and pointed, “how can you throw my book away just like that!”

“Correction, that’s my book you’re talking about so I can throw it whenever I want.”   “But I was reading it!”   “So?”   “That’s rude of you.” Tiffany frowned. 

“It’s taking away all of your attention so I just had to.”   “But–”   TaeYeon placed her hand out and showed her palm to Tiffany, directly showing her that she had no interest to whatever Tiffany was going to say. “Whatever, I’m going to my room.” She walked away and entered the house without turning back.    “You–...” Tiffany stared at the door before turning away. “Urgh! Kim TaeYeon!” She stomped her way to the book and picked it up, totally unaware of the eyes that were staring at her with a playful smile.    ---

Tiffany opened the door slowly and left a gap there big enough for her to look into the room. After making sure that the coast was clear, she then quickly went inside and closed the door. She scanned around the room, trying to find a certain blonde but it seemed like she wasn’t there. 

Where is she? 

As though someone could hear her thoughts, her question was then answered when she heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom. 

Oh...   She felt bored after sitting around, waiting for TaeYeon, so she stood up and walked around the room.    First, she went to the dresser and opened it cautiously. Once she saw the contents inside, she couldn’t help but to gasp at the number of clothing TaeYeon have. 

She has more clothes than Jessica! Tiffany laughed silently in amusement at her thoughts.    She then closed the dresser before walking to the shelf where different books were placed nearly at. After seeing that there wasn’t anything interesting with the books, her eyes then went to the desk where there was a computer, a notepad, a small shelf with music sheets, and a lot more stuff. She was about to walk away again when something caught her attention.    It was a box, with a sunflower in it.    She went closer to have a better look and discovered that there was actually a silver chain inside as well.    Wait. No, it’s a necklace. 

Her hand went in and was going to take that necklace out when she touched something else. She took both the necklace and that thing before realising that it was a piece of paper. The paper had turned yellowish so she suspected that it had been kept for a very long time. 

She looked at the necklace first – it was a locket. She opened it up and inside was a photo, with a child and a woman. 

Could this be... 

She didn’t continue to think anymore as she looked at the other thing on her hand. 

She stared at it for a while, debating if she should open it or not. But again, curiosity got the best of her and her hands acted on their own to open it up.    She read in her mind. 

Dear Taeyeon, you must be wondering why I wrote this letter to you. To tell you the truth, I've already known what would happen to me before I left the house. It was all–

“What are you doing?” The sudden voice made her drop the letter onto the desk. 

.

Tiffany froze on her spot as TaeYeon made her way beside her. She saw the letter and necklace on the table so she picked them up and placed them into the box without a word said.    “T–TaeYeon...”   “Why did you touch them?” Her voice was so cold that even Tiffany felt scared.    “I... I was curious.”   “Do not touch them again. Understand?”   The demanding voice of TaeYeon made Tiffany wince as she nodded her head. 
“TaeYeon,” Tiffany called out and touched her arm. 

“What?”   The cold tone from TaeYeon immediately made Tiffany retreat her hand.    TaeYeon turned to look at Tiffany when there was no reply and she immediately felt guilty when she saw the hurt look on the latter’s face. “S–sorry.”

“N–no. I should be the one apologising.”   Taeyeon shook her head. “I shouldn’t be a jerk to you just because of... this.”   “You’re not, TaeYeon-ah. I’m the one who’s at fault for touching your things without