Tayeon rolled her sleeves up to her elbows and ironed her skirt with her hands, one foot into the heels and the other one after. This had been her routine every morning before heading off to school. She combed her hair thoroughly while thinking of how she should do her hair today. After a few pictures and ideas, she settled on just curling her hair with the curling iron.

As she rolled her hair strands by strands, she couldn’t help but feel the joy inside her chest. The morning was brighter than usual and the sun was warmer—no doubt summer was coming soon. The previous night had been the best night ever since she got back to Seoul. Knowing that everything was alright with Jungsoo brought a beam to her face as she watched herself grin like a goof on the mirror.

Satisfied with her hair, she unplugged the device and stored it back to its place. She took her golden earrings from the box and carefully put them on. Clumsy as always, as she tried to put the last piece of earrings, it slipped from her grip and bounced off the ground. She cursed lightly under her breath, but thankful that it never made it further than a few inches from where she stood.

Taeyeon crouched briefly to pick the jewelry. Soon as she stood straight and look to the mirror again, she jumped to her side at the sight of a man on the mirror facing her just a few inches from her body. “Shisus!” she yelped as she turned to face the older man. “Oppa! Don’t do that! You’re giving me a heart attack!” she hit Leeteuk’s shoulder playfully.

The vampire grinned, “Good morning to you too,” he said as he leaned in and gave a peck to her cheek.

Taeyeon flushed, obviously still wasn’t used to the intimate gesture the older gave. Although, she was sure she would in any time. She turned back to the mirror and continued her delayed activity. Poking the earring through her the hole of her earlobe, she tried to engage a light conversation. “How did you get in? Grandma will kill me if she knew a guy is in my bedroom.”

The blonde guy gave a chuckle as he strolled across the room. “I’m a vampire, Taeng, remember? And more importantly,” he reached the window and pushed it down close, “Never let your window open too widely.” He turned to Taeyeon just in time she finished putting her earring on and turned to look at him.

“Why? The air is nice and the room needs some fresh air,” she retorted with a slight playful pout and hands resting on her hips.

He strolled across the room again approaching Taeyeon. “Because,” he paused and took his time until he was fully in front of her. Once he reached her, he s an arm around her small waist and leaned to her ear, whispering slowly, “A vampire might just barge in through it and attack you.” He kissed her cheek lightly.

“Would you attack me?” Taeyeon mumbled when they were face to face. Somehow, despite being this close countless times in the past and even closer prior night, she still felt her heart beat erratically and it was still hard for her to breathe properly.

Leeteuk shrugged, “I might,” he whispered too close to her lips. Then he pressed his own to hers.

It was a slow and gentle kiss, merely a good morning kiss. But Taeyeon couldn’t restrain herself from touching those soft strands of Leeteuk’s. She devoured the silkiness texture of his hair and sighed in contentment. It was as if the confusion she had when Leeteuk nearly bit her last night was no longer there and she would trust him fully.

And she was right. It was merely a minute or so before Leeteuk deliberately pulled away. He loved the smile that crept up Taeyeon’s face and he definitely loved the giggle that involuntarily escaped from her. Her hand was still playing with his hair, and the other that lingered on his arm slowly moved up to his lips. Just then Leeteuk realized that she was wiping the trace of some gloss that smeared on his lips.

He purposely darted his tongue and his lips, stopping Taeyeon’s fingers from wiping. When a savor registered in, he smiled teasingly. “Orange?” he chanted as he raised his eyebrows in amusement. Another giggle escaped as Taeyeon nodded. “Hmm, how do you know it’s my favorite fruit?”

Taeyeon slapped his shoulder once again lightly. The playful Jungsoo was one she ecountered almost everytime in the past, but cheesy Jungsoo was definitely a side she had never seen before. Before one thing could lead to another, Taeyeon reluctantly freed herself from Leeteuk’s arm and went back to the mirror, having one last inspection at her appearance. She checked her watch, “As much as I love to spend the morning with you, I need to get going.”

“Already?” Leeteuk checked his own watch, not believing Taeyeon’s predication of time. “It’s—still six thirty, SM doesn’t start class until seven thirty right?”

“Yes, but I’d like to have my favorite seat so I need to go now,” Taeyeon said as she her curly hair to mess it up a bit. She could see Leeteuk walking to her through the mirror, a dimpled smile plastered on his face.

He kissed her cheek again for the last time. “Wait here, I’ll be back and make a proper entrance, then I’ll drive you to school.” And with that Leeteuk was gone from the room.

Taeyeon sighed, but definitely couldn’t contain her happiness. She really needed to get used to Leeteuk appearing out of nowhere and disappearing before she could even form a word. This whole vampire thing was meant to be overwhelming for any other mortal, but apparently it wasn’t the case with Taeyeon. Not when Jungsoo was the vampire. She could get used to it. In fact, she started finding it rather amusing.

She ironed her sweater and skirt one last time and sprayed some perfume on her neck and wrists. After collecting the books she brought home for homeworks and her shoulder bag, she dashed out of the room downstairs.

---00---

From the hallway, the smell of her favorite pancake her grandma always made was intense, making her stomach growl involuntarily. Taeyeon cursed under her breath, for she knew she couldn’t resist the pancakes and she knew she would be sleepy during first and second period. Nevertheless, she was still thrilled to taste that delicious dish.

Skipping down happily, Taeyeon heard the front door bell rang and the maid rushed from the kitchen. She continued her journey to the kitchen. Just as she thought, Soojin was flipping pancakes on the pan like an expert, occasionally checking the waffles on the other stove.

“Morning, grandma,” she leaned to Soojin and kissed both her cheeks.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Soojin replied as she went back to the pan.

“You know, you really stop making those, grandma. Otherwise I might get an F for sleeping in class,” Taeyeon whined.

Soojin smiled but didn’t give any respond or retort.

The maid in uniform that had rushed to the front door earlier appeared by the kitchen ingress just when Taeyeon landed her books and bag on the island. “Excuse me, Miss Taeyeon. Your friend is here.” She bowed in respective before leaving her masters.

“Oh?” Taeyeon didn’t remember inviting anyone for breakfast.

“Sunny is here? I’ll set up a plate for her then,” Soojin said as she reached the counter and grabbed another china.

“Sure.”

Taeyeon’s curiosity was soon answered as she reached the front door. A certain short, blonde mop was apparent by the wooden door. Only, it wasn’t Sunny. “Hi, oppa!” she beamed, totally not expecting the presence.

Leeteuk didn’t reply but immediately took her to his embrace and pecked her cheek. When he pulled away, he couldn’t help but notice Taeyeon’s surprised expression. “I thought I told you I'd take you to school?”

“Well… yeah…” Taeyeon stuttered, still beaming but dazed at the same time. “I didn’t expect you to be this soon. You’re driving, right?”

“You’re grandmother’s house is one block away from mine, remember?”

“Ah, of course…” Taeyeon chuckled. Clearly she had forgotten that she was practically neighbors with him. “Well, grandma’s making breakfast, why don’t you join us… wait, you do eat, don’t you?”

Leeteuk laughed but nodded, “Of course I do. That’s one of our ways of being discreet.”

“Well then, come in, please.” Taeyeon made way for him to enter the mansion.

Leeteuk stepped in and immediately took sight of the insides. The foyer was not as large as the one in his house, but it was still as ellegant and well decored as he recalled. He could see the living room from there and saw the sofas were still the black leather couches he remembered. He had only been here two or three times when he was younger but the memory still lingered almost perfectly. “I see nothing much has changed. Everything looks the same except for the paint and the wallpapers.”

“Well,” Taeyeon said as she closed the door. “If you ask me, I tried to remember what this house looked like six years ago but I can’t seem to succeed,” she shook her head.

The blonde guy turned to face Taeyeon, and hand crept up to touch her cheek. “Hey,” he whispered. “I’m sorry that you forgot. I shouldn’t have let them.” The look on Leeteuk’s face was nothing but despair and regret, both in a sincere way.

The change of his face caught Taeyeon off guard. She didn’t mean to aim the topic into that course. Instantly she felt guilty, for she knew how Leeteuk must’ve felt and she didn’t want him to think it was his fault. “No, oppa. I mean… I wasn’t talking about that. Of course it’s never your fault,” she grabbed Leeteuk’s hand that was holding her cheek, bringing it down and gave it an assuring squeeze. “Nothing is your fault. Please stop talking as if it is, because it isn’t.” Taeyeon’s voice was firmer than she expected, but it was no less sufficient.

“But…”

“Please?” Taeyeon cut him. “I hate it whenever you’re looking down on yourself. You surely never changed,” she frowned.

Leeteuk smiled. “And so did you,” he held her jaw and leaned in for a kiss on the lips.

When he pulled out, Taeyeon felt lightly dizzy from the kiss. It was brief but it was still intoxicating. She thought she would get used to it, but apparently she was wrong, because it always got better the next time. She grabbed his hand and began leading him to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Soojin was already placing some pancakes and waffles on the big plate. She had arranged two plates for her granddaughter and her company. One plate was on the tray, complemented with a glass of orange juice and some pills, along with the utensils, ready to be served to her husband. “Taeyeonnie, is it Sunny—“ she hadn’t quite finished her question yet as she lifted her head from the plate and found Leeteuk standing next to her granddaughter.

“Grandma, this is Jungsoo oppa. Do you remember him?” Taeyeon chirped cheerfully. Leeteuk gave a bow and a formal greeting to the older lady.

“Yes, of course I remember,” Soojin said impassively.

The look on her was weird, as if she couldn’t believe that Jungsoo was before her. Taeyeon tried to gauge her reaction but couldn’t quite sure. She motioned Leeteuk to take a seat at the island and began filling his plate with a few pieces of pancakes.

As she poured the syrup on his plate, they had started some small talk in whisper, merely respecting the elder’s presence.

“So, Jungsoo,” Soojin started soon as she finished placing the pancakes on the plate on the tray with some butter and syrup. “How is your father?”

Leeteuk looked up to her and smiled politely. “Umm, he’s fine I guess.”

“Well, clearly he didn’t convey you my last demand did he?”

The vampire looked lost. She glanced at Taeyeon for some clue but the younger seemed clueless as well. “Umm, I’m sorry but I’m not following you.” Leeteuk maintained his smile. But he sensed something was not right. Something was different in the atmosphere. He sensed something was also different with Taeyeon’s grandma.

Leeteuk had only met the lady a couple times when he was younger, he could count it with one hand, thus he didn’t really know much about her. For all he knew, Soojin wasn’t really fond of him even when he was younger, so he wasn’t sure there was any reason for her to grow any likings to him.

The stare Soojin made almost terrified Taeyeon; she had never seen her grandmother so intimidating, so—loathing. But Leeteuk on the other hand seemed unaffected, for nothing could really get into his vampire instincts.

“Sure he didn’t, because you’re here sitting next to my granddaughter.”

“Grandma,” Taeyeon almost shouted but restrained herself, for she did not want to become unmannered. “What are you saying? What’s wrong with Jungsoo oppa sitting here?”

Soojin glanced at her granddaughter. “Taeyeonnie I warned you not to get too cordial with Jungsoo. I see you didn’t listen to me.”

“But Grandma, I...”

“This will be the last time I see you with Taeyeon, Jungsoo. I don’t want my granddaughter anywhere near a vampire. Especially one from your family,” she lifted the tray with her hands. “We will talk about this over dinner, Taeyeon.” Then she vanished from the kitchen and left the tension hanging high in the atmosphere.

Soon as Soojin was out of sight, Taeyeon whipped her head to Leeteuk. She was gradually becoming pale and panic took over all of her composure. However, Leeteuk remained calm and impassive. But his mind was searching.

He knew there was something Soojin was hiding from her granddaughter; Taeyeon was purely unaware of something. One thought came to him, but he honestly refused to believe it, for all he knew it was a ridiculous idea. He looked at Taeyeon and the other was stammering.

“I… I… I didn’t tell her anything…”

“I know you didn’t…” he put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly, giving the assurance the younger needed. “She knows this from someone, obviously. I’ll talk to my father about this. Finish your breakfast then head off to campus.”

Taeyeon sighed and shook her head, face was pale and was still astounded and bemused. “Suddenly eating doesn’t sound very promising right now, oppa. Let’s just go.” She stood from the chair and grabbed her books and bag.

“Are you sure?” Leeteuk asked, concerned that she didn’t even have a chance to take a single bite. “You need breakfast, Taeng.” Taeyeon shook her head again as she gathered her books in her arms. “Let me get that.”

“I don’t usually eat breakfast, oppa, makes me sleepy,” she said as she let Leeteuk took her books.

“You need something to digest, Taeng. How about we stop at my coffee shop and grab some pastry and coffee?”

Taeyeon was about to shake her head again and refused. But as they walked to the foyer, her stomach invouluntarily made an embarrassing noise, making Leeteuk smile knowingly. That was the result of not having a taste of the promised pancakes. “Alright, just coffee.”

“And a piece of bread.”

Taeyeon was about to revolt but her stomach refused to cooperate and grumbled again.

“We have the best croissant and muffins in town,” Leeteuk grinned proudly as they walked down the pathway on the porch to where Leeteuk’s audi was parked.

“Croissant. No muffins.”

This time it was Leeteuk’s turn to shake his head. “Croissant and muffins.”

Taeyeon was about to revolt again but Leeteuk halted and gave her a look. A stern look saying that he wouldn’t take no from her, that no matter what she said he would still buy them and force them to her. Taeyeon groaned in exasperation and claimed her defeat.

a/n:

hi, sorry for the short chapter...

this was originally going to be longer, but i need

to find a perfect part to cut this into two, because

it's longer than i expected. so probably i'll post another

chap tomorrow...

thanks for your comment and for subscribing!