“I hope you’re not spending the office hours napping.”

Hei Ryung immediately woke up with a start as soon as she heard the voice. She immediately stood up from her seat.

“Mr.Kim” she bowed down.

The old man snickered. “No need to be formal honey. We’re not working.” He dismissed her with a hand.

She slumped down her shoulders. “Don’t barge in like that Appa. I’m trying to nap for a minute. My head’s aching.” She’s gone back to sitting, leaning her head on the back rest of the swivel chair with closed eyes.

“You should have a girlfriend it that’s the case.” He’s now sitting on the chair across her table.

She scoffed.

“What? Having someone to take care of you at times like this is the best feeling, my dear. ” He suddenly snapped his fingers, leaned on the table and whispered. “Don’t tell me you’re banging your assistant secretly that you don’t feel the need of having a real girlfriend?”

“Bangin--” Hei Ryung’s eyes flew open. She looked at her father in disbelief. “Yah! She’s my best friend for goodness sake! Eww!”

A shrug. “You’re secretary perhaps?”

“Appa!” She looked at him in disgust.

“What? It’s an innocent question Ryung-ah. They are the only person…wait…omo!” He exclaimed.

“What now?”

“Jessica.” He wriggled his fingers as he straightened up in his seat. “You two are inseparable since we introduced you. You always go to her house whenever her best friends are not around!”

“So? Is that a bad thing? You should be happy that I’m getting along with her.”

“Exactly! What’s with both of you?”

She shook her head. “you’re very weird today appa. Did you happen to eat something?”

“I’m just monitoring your love life honey. You’re turning 27 next year and yet here you are, still stuck in your office with no one but papers!”

She rolled her eyes. “You talk like I don’t have a social life. I party more than you expected.”

“Really?” He grinned and then taps the table. “Tell me. You don’t do one night stand, do you? I don’t want to hear breaking news about you having a daughter or son with some random girl.” He shivered. “Is that even possible?”

“Well, there’s this so called artificial method like injecting…” she cut her own sentence. The topic made her remember that Hwang girl who suddenly barged in her office asking for marriage because she’s pregnant. Her thoughts went back to their last encounter. What was she planning anyway? 

“Injecting what?” Mr.Kim encouraged her to continue.

She snapped her thoughts. “Nevermind.”

Just then, her phone vibrated. She picked it up and checked the incoming message. She tapped the messaging icon and read it. “Oh?” It was a message from Jessica.

“Who’s that?”

“Sica.” She answered without looking at her father. Her fingers are already busy typing for a reply. “She said that Uncle Jung wants us to have dinner with them.”

“Ahh.” He chuckled and leaned on his seat. “I see you’re informed late.”

She looked up from her phone. “You knew this?”

A nod. “That’s why I’m here. To pick you up, that is.”

“You should’ve went ahead you know. It’s not like this is our first time having dinner with them.”

“Can’t I just cling unto you once in a while?” He pouted.

A giggle. “Cut the pout appa. That doesn’t suit you.”

He pouted even more.

“Yah!”

He grinned.

She can only shake her head. She then proceeded to preparing for the said dinner, checked her email for a minute and shut her laptop off after doing so. She shoved her phone in her purse and then put on her jacket. “Let’s go?”

“You’re going to dress up like that?” He stood up.

“Why? I always go there with my office attire…Besides, you’re wearing one as well.”

He closed his eyes and dramatically sighed. “Sometimes I wish I have a daughter.”

“Yah Appa, I am one!”

He chucked his tongue. “You don’t act one…preference aside.” He immediately added the last sentence. He’s maybe acting cool about it but it took him ages and constant explaining from his wife to be able to accept it.

She raised her brows. “And what does it have to do with your ‘want to have a daughter’ drama?” she quoted the sentence with her fingers.

“You know, shopping here and there, take hours looking for an outfit, checks your image every now and then, nagging about wanting to buy this and that stuff…” A shrug. “Those basic things normal girls usually do so.”

She crossed her arms, shifted her weight with her other foot and tilted her head.  “Are you implicitly trying to say that I’m not fashionable appa?”

“No! No! Heck you even wear the soon to released outfits!” He defended. “I just…you know…want to see you do so personally. Not some crazy designer who goes excited whenever you wear something he designed.”

“…” She looked at him impassively.

He perked his lips. “Fine…if you don’t want to, then at least go find a girlfriend that will nag me about that instead.”

“Why are you bringing up my love life again?” this time she pouted. She took a step forward and poked his father’s forehead. “are you planning on meeting me up with someone appa? Or worst…gasp..are you sending me off to marriage?”

“Tss…drama queen.” He poked her back as well. “go change!” he dismissed her with a slight tap on the .

She chortled then playfully saluted. “Yes my Lord.”

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Hei Ryung reached for a shopping bag at the back seat her father had asked her to bring before going out of the car. She shoved her phone in her pocket. She did not mind bringing a purse since she’s wearing jeans.

She made her way inside the house and was greeted by the workers she had befriended with.

Just as she stepped in the house, a loud squeal welcomed her. She braced herself at the expected impact.

“Ommff!”

“Ryungie~~”

She laughed. “If I hadn’t known any better I would think that you miss me. But since we see each other almost every day then I know that that’s not the reason with this hyper version of you. So what’s the chase?” She broke the hug.

Jessica playfully smacked her.

“What?”

“Is it bad to welcome you like that?...tss”

“Yes.” She snickered when she earned another smack on the arm. “You acting like this means hidden plan, and I don’t like it.” She wrinkled her nose.

“Tss…you talk like you don’t do prank.” Jessica mumbled. “Anyway, they’re in the kitchen.” She held her hand and dragged her to the kitchen.

“Good evening Mr.Jung…Dad” She greeted as soon as they entered the said room.

“Oh Hei Ryung, have a seat.” Mr.Jung gestured her to sit beside her father.

She followed suit and eyed the table with only empty saucers. “Are we waiting for someone uncle?”

“Hmm” He nodded. “Jessica’s best friends are coming over. I invited them.” He grinned. “I figured that those two loud girls haven’t met you when in fact you’re always here.”

She nodded in understanding. “They might think I’m strict uncle. Just like others think so.” She grinned then whispered. “I don’t like loud girls”

 “And they don’t like strict looking person like you.” Jessica murmured.

She can only shot her a glare.

The two men laughed.

“And this is a celebration for a friend’s come back as well! Yey!!” Mr.Kim added then clapped his hands. “But he can’t join us tonight since his kind of busy these days.” His shoulder slackened.

Mr.Jung nodded and looked at her. “He’s one heck of a workaholic like you.”

“An old friend?” she looked at them. “Who?”

“Mr. Hwang” Jessica answered.

“Mr. Hwang?” she tilted her head. “The one who designed the product, appa here had been nagging me for ages?”

Mr.Kim nodded and smiled. “I never thought you’d found him. And to think that his very first work after years is our upcoming product. Aigoo…I feel so honored.”

“If not because of Jessica here I wouldn’t know about this.” Mr.Jung pouted.

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Business…”

“How did you know about this?” she asked her.

“Uncle Hwang.”

“Uncle? You met him?”

Jessica rolled her eyes. “I go to their house every time I want to.”

She just looked at them confusedly.

Mr.Jung saw the look. “The three of us are high school buddies. We had this plan that after graduation we will be partners in business. We occasionally meet each other but not as much as we did during high school and college since we have families. Jessica and Tiffany, his daughter, are attending the same school back in the states that’s why they had been best friends. So, to make the story short, we lost contact of him when his wife died. Our only source is Jessica and Sunny, their other best friend, who hangs out at Tiffany’s.”

She bit her lower lip, rubbed her chin with furrowed brows. Thinking. “Are you saying that that Tiffany is Mr. Hwang’s daughter and at the same time, Jessica’s best friend?” She can’t help but ask. The information did not sink inside her head faster since she clearly remembered the said girl asking her marriage out of the blue.

She clenched her jaw when she remembered her last sentence  “I just want to say that I can’t wait to see my future father-in-law.”

Aish… She face-palmed. I hope she won’t bring that stupid proposal up tonight…not with my dad at least. He’ll probably agree in an instant.

Mr.Kim playfully nudged her. “Out of two names mentioned, you only got Tiffany?...eeeiii…” he teased.

The Jung’s laughed.

She shot him a shut-up-appa-look.

The man grinned.

Just as she was about to react, giggling had echoed the house.

“Oh? They’re here!!” Jessica exclaimed excitedly. “Girls! Come here! Faster!”

“Sica” a cute short girl entered the dining room. “Oh. Hi uncle Jung!” she kissed his cheek then bowed at the other two in the room “Hi Mr.Kim!...and you must be Hei Ryung.” She looked at her. “Hi Hei Ryung!” she happily greeted. “I’m sunny!”

“Korean name, Lee Soonkyu” Jessica in.

“Yah!”

She forced herself not to roll her eyes as soon as she heard the greeting and the name used. They really are friends. “Hi Miss Lee.”

“Such a cheerful girl” Mr.Kim giggled.

Sunny showed a peace sign. “Where are the foods?” she sat beside Jessica and looked at Mr.Jung. “I’m hungry. ” she pouted and blinked many times.

“Omona~~ Kyeopta!” Mr. Kim exclaimed.

“Appa.” Hei Ryung warned.

“Come here Sunny, sit beside me.” He ignored his daughter and pushed her instead so she’ll stand up.

“What now?” Hei Ryung stood protested.

“Stand up. I want Sunny. She’s a cute kid.” He then grinned at the person mentioned. “You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?”

“Hmm” Sunny tapped her lips with her pointer finger. As if thinking. “I don’t Uncle Kim~”

Jessica tried her best not to smack the girl beside her. “That’s disturbing Soonkyu.” She murmured.

Sunny stuck her tongue out.

“Waaa! Cute kiddo, come here~”

Hei Ryung can only shake her head. This man I call Appa is so…embarrassing. She grumpily stood up.

Sunny giggled.

The two of them exchanged seat. Sunny is now sitting beside Mr.Kim and Hei Ryung is between Jessica and an empty seat.

“I wish Hei Ryung would act like this even just once.” Mr. Kim told Sunny as if his daughter is not around. “She’s never acted cute or girly whatever.”

Jessica laughed at the sentence and clapped her arms. “I can’t imagine her doing that.” She laughed even more as she glanced at the girl beside her. “That would be totally hilarious.” Another round of laugh echoed, this time with the other three persons excluding Hei Ryung.

The latter can only shake her head.

“Where is Tiffany?” Mr.Jung asked as soon as their laughter died down.

The mentioned name reminded Hei Ryung about the incidents with the girl. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I hope your best friend won’t do stupid things Sica.” She whispered.

Jessica only gave her a mischievous grin. Just then, the said girl entered the room.

“Hi uncle Jung.” Tiffany greeted. She kissed his cheek.

Mr. Jung looked up and held her hand. “How’s your father?”

“We had lunch together with Mr.Kim yesterday uncle. You sound like you haven’t met him.” She pouted. She then looked at Mr.Kim and beamed her eye-smile “Hi Uncle.”

Hei Ryung couldn’t help but stare. This is dangerous.

“Now where’s my kiss?” he grinned and tap his cheeks.

She flinched when Jessica pinched her leg, “Stop staring” she murmured but loud enough for Tiffany who is standing in between Mr.Jung and Jessica to hear.

Hei Ryung swore she saw a split second smirk before she heard her reply her father’s request.

 “Tss…” Tiffany wrinkled her nose then went beside Mr. Kim and kissed his cheek.

“You go sit beside Hei Ryung.” Sunny pointed at the empty seat beside the girl. “Faster Fany. I’m hungry!” she whined.

“Fine! Fine! Bossy.” Tiffany then proceeded to the other side of the table. She sneered when she saw Hei Ryung looking straight ahead, face impassive. She sat beside her and tilted her head to look at her. “Hi Hei Ryung.” She beamed that kind of smile she knows works every time.

Hei Ryung just glanced at her and nodded once.

“Eiii…Our Hei Ryung is suddenly silent?” Mr.Jung teased. Mr.Kim is too occupied with Sunny’s cuteness so he took the liberty to tease in his behalf.

Jessica and Tiffany giggled.

She just shot him a glare.

Mr.Jung cleared his throat. “Shall we eat then?”

The food arrived and was shared as soon as served. They only shared small talks.

“Tiffany” Mr. Jung swallowed and looked at the girl.

“Yes uncle?” Tiffany looked up from her plate.

“You should persuade your father to come hang out with us more often. He must meet Hei Ryung.”

Tiffany glanced at the silently eating girl beside her. “Why?”

“She’s the one who asked him about the project and everything.”

"I thought it's uncle Kim?"

Hei Ryung placed her utensils down. “Actually uncle Jung it’s Yuri.”

“You met my dad?” Tiffany couldn’t help but look at the person beside her.  She asked this person for help because Jessica said that she’s safe with her and that she can spare her father’s emotion if ever the girl will accept her blunt offer. She shot her a did-you-try-telling-him look.

“I met him twice uncle.” Hei Ryung ignored Tiffany. She doesn’t want to deal with her now. “The first time was when I personally thanked him about accepting Yuri’s idea. And the second time was when he sent me his final draft and his ideas about his planned firm.”

They nodded.

Hei Ryung felt a kick below the table. She winced and looked at the culprit. She mouthed ‘what?’

Tiffany smiled.

She frowned. She can never understand her.

Sunny shot Jessica a look and scratched her chin, a gesture indicating that she wants her to open up a topic about Tiffany.

Jessica drank from her juice then wiped her lips clean with the towel. “Tiffany moved out from their home by the way.”

“What? Why?” The men asked simultaneously.

Hei Ryung just listened.

“Daddy’s going to be out of town regarding the business thingy and since I am not feeling well lately, these girls wanted me to just leach off with any of them so that they can monitor me.” She explained.

“I see.” Mr.Jung understood. “You can just stay here Tiffany. This had always been your second home. We can ask our family doctor to come over so she can check you.”

“No!” Hei Ryung suddenly exclaimed. The last suggestion didn’t give her much of an assurance that Tiffany’s situation, borderline pregnancy, can be kept from everyone. She, after all, promised that she will never tell anyone.

The people in the table stopped eating and stared at her. Now she got the attention she doesn’t needed in a split second.

Jessica and Sunny couldn’t help but smirk while Tiffany was grinning widely.

Hei Ryung closed and opened , trying to think of an explanation. She ended up frowning. “I mean…what?! She doesn’t have to leave her home! Her best friends can always visit her. And I think her condition is not that bad, so I guess check-ups isn’t needed for now.” She avoided their eyes.

Sunny nodded. “I agree. It’s just I guess it would be better that one of us should accompany her. She doesn’t have a work now because we insisted in making her quit.”

“Yeah.” Jessica titled her head to the side and wore her most serious face. “Just stay here Tiff. There would be workers who can take good care of you when I’m at work.”

“No Sica. It was my idea so I’ll let Fany stay at my home. I have my sister who can help me.” Sunny silently wiggled her brows.

Hei Ryung couldn’t help but scoff. “You sound like she’s disabled. She just need rest. It wouldn’t help her if she’ll be surrounded with people. That’ll surely stress her out.” She ate a spoonful of rice.

“So what do you suggest?”

“Let her stay at her home.” Hei Ryung replied after swallowing.

Tiffany fidgeted in her seat. “It’s fine but I’m not used to leaving alone.” She bowed down her head. “My father’s just a wall away from me at home so it still feels like I have him. But since he’ll be out of town…” She tried to sound so down.

Mr.Kim leaned on the table. “Why don’t you just stay with Hei Ryung here? She has an apartment not far from the company.”

Hei Ryung’s was about to feed herself but stopped the spoon midway after hearing the suggestion. She placed the spoon down and shakes her head and hand. “N-No. Not me Appa. I don’t have time to--”

“But she only has one bedroom!” Tiffany cut her sentence and wore her most innocent face.

“Omo! How did you know?”

 

 

 

“I slept with her.”

 

 

 

“*cough *cough*” Hei Ryung coughed with her own spit. That doesn’t sound right.

“Omo Ryung-ah~” Tiffany immediately poured the girl’s glass with water and guided it to the coughing girl’s mouth.

Mr.Kim and Mr.Jung shared a look. They wiggled their brows at the sight.

“Are you fine?” Tiffany asked.

She dismissed her with a hand. How many times does she have to surprise me.

“No wonder my Hei Ryung there suddenly muted when you arrived.” Mr.Kim said as soon as his daughter recovered. He grinned widely. He had totally forgotten about food. “Aigooo my Ryungie~ Since when have you been together?”

“We’re never together Appa!”

“Gasp…You do one night stand?”

“Anio!” she protested. “I didn’t even lay a hand on her!”

Mr.Kim raised his hand indicating that he doesn’t need explanation. “Spare us the details my daughter.”

“Details?”

He stood up and went to Tiffany. “Tiffany. Oh our Tiffany…sigh… I’m sorry about my daughter’s behavior. She has never been in a relationship that’s why in an instinct, she denied you.” He dramatically shake his head and covered his forehead with his hand. “I never thought that a pretty girl like you had slept with this cold hearted daughter of mine.”

Sunny, Jessica and Mr.Jung giggled.

“Appa!” She protested.

“You must’ve been drunk at that time.”

Tiffany nodded eagerly. “I was.”

“Gasp…that explains it! Was she good in…you know…” he wiggled his brows. “gentle, hard…whatever~~”

“Appa! We’re in the dining room for goodness sake!”

“hmm…She never protested even though I kicked and screamed at her.” Tiffany this time was absolutely referring to that morning when she rage up and thought that Hei Ryung was a ert.  She then remembered the time when the latter gave her medicine. “But she became gentle all of a sudden.”

Everyone gasped.

“kicking and screaming…” Sunny, Jessica and the two men said in unison. They looked at each other. “Fiesty!”

Hei Ryung can only face palm herself. These green-minded people are killing me.

Tiffany just nodded her head eagerly but is blushing albeit slightly. For her it was the most embarrassing thing she had ever done to a popular young entrepreneur. Do you think you just can just hit and kick a person in that position?

“She’s blushing! I bet Ryungie really did an awesome job!” Jessica laughed and the room was filled with laughter once again. They had totally forgotten about eating.

Green minds think alike. She told herself and just shake her head when she saw Tiffany really unaware of the pun intended by the other people in the room. To think that you probably did it with your boyfriend before he dumped you after knowing that you’re pregnant, you sure look too innocent.

She carefully observed the girl beside her who is wearing a dress. The eye-smile, the pink cheeks, the well-formed nose, the rosy pink lips, she now wondered why her boyfriend dumped her. Her eye unconsciously travelled to down from the exposed neck, to the bare shoulders, to her arms. She frowned.

“Where did you get the bruise?” she asked. Totally forgot that they have companions.

Tiffany looked at the direction Hei Ryung is looking. “A-Ah this?” she stuttered then covered the bruise behind her arms with her hand. “I just…happen to bump into something.”

Hei Ryung scooted her chair closer to take a better look.

Jessica stealthily stood up from her seat and went to the other side of the table where Sunny and Mr.Kim are so that they can watch the free show. Mr.Jung followed suit.

She took Tiffany’s hands off her own arms so that she can check it. Somehow she doesn’t believe the latter’s reason. There are four bruises that formed like a grip of a strong hand. Her eyes widened at that. Was she…

“Do you have other bruises than this?” she muttered. She doesn’t want the other’s to hear them and bombard Tiffany with questions instead.

Tiffany just looked at her. Unsure why she suddenly became so concern and...caring. or so she think. She did not reply, they just continue staring at each other. One is concerned the other is confused.

The clearing of throat cut their gaze. They looked up and saw the other’s grinning from ear to ear. Like as if they just find out that it’s gravity that causes the apple to fall.

Hei Ryung immediately slid her chair far from Tiffany as soon as she realized what she did. She as well cleared . “I…I think…I think it’s late now.” She picked up the long forgotten box she once bought. She handed it to her father.

“You asked me to bring this Appa…For Mr.Jung.” the man just accepted it without a word. Still smiling like an idiot.

“I should…I mean..” she looked at them and felt creeps ran down her body. She never thought that seeing people smiling without reason could be scary. She awkwardly smiled as well and took Tiffany’s hand who as well is surprisingly grinning. “..go home first”

Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. She immediately excused herself.

“Hello? Yes. I’m at Jung’s…No, I’m alone. Why?...” She checked her watch. “I don’t think I can’t make it, let’s talk about this tomorrow. Okay. Bye.” She grinned as she listened at the caller. “Yeah2. Thanks. Take care too. Bye.” She shoved the phone in her pocket and proceeded to go out. She doesn’t feel like going back to the kitchen to ask permission again because that atmosphere is too awkward.

She was about to open the driver’s seat when a hand grabbed hers. “Wha---“ she looked at the culprit  “Miss Hwang? What are you doing here?”

Tiffany did not respond, she ran to the other side instead and went inside the passenger seat. She helped herself comfortable.

Hyei Ryung who is confused as to why the girl followed her, just went inside her car as well.

“What are you doing?” she asked as soon as she closed the door.

“sitting.”

“I know that but ---”

“Who was that?”  she cut her sentence.

“Huh?”

“Who was that in the phone just a while ago.”

Hyei Ryung frowned. “And what does it have to do with you?”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“No!”

“Your fling?”

“What the?”

“Then who is she?!”

She flinched at the loud voice. “Why are you shouting?! And more importantly, why are you nagging?!” she tried to shout as well.

“Are you seriously not telling me who that is?” Tiffany furrowed her brows, her eyes squinted and her lips perked. She glared at her.

“You can’t scare me---“

“Akkk!!”  Tiffany suddenly shouted making the other girl’s sentence cut short once again, her hands on her tummy. She seems to be in great pain.

Hyei Ryung’s eyes widened. She grew panicked. “Omo! Wh-why? What’s wrong?!” She held Tiffany’s shoulder. “What’s happening?!...wait…I should ask your friend Sunny about this.” She was about to go out of the car, rushing,  but  Tiffany stopped her.

Tiffany inhaled and exhaled deeply. Hyei Ryung did the same in sync with hers unconsciously.

She grab a hold at Hyei Ryung’s arm. “Just…tell me who it was. The baby wants to know who.” Her voice weak.

“Eh?”

“Just tell me!” Tiffany is gone back to shouting.

“M-my secretary!” Hyei Ryung winced and panicked even more at the sudden shout so she ended up stuttering. “That was my secretary.”

“Is your secretary married?”

She nodded eagerly. Hoping that the girl is alright.

“Ah okay.” Tiffany leaned back in her seat. Smiling widely. She then wore her seatbelt, ignoring Hyei Ryung’s once again shocked look. “Let’s go home!” she excitedly announced.

“…”

Tiffany sensed her companion’s lack of response. “Yah! Are you driving or not? “

“I-I will.” She started the engine and drove.

“My baby’s tired. I need rest. Wake me up when we got there.” Tiffany said and leaned her head on the seat.

“Ah yes yes.” She absentmindedly answered. Just then she realized something. Why am I following your orders by the way?  She abruptly stopped the car.

She looked at Tiffany who’s eyes are closed and lips smirking. “Ah Miss Hwang.” She tilted her body to the side. “Miss Hwang?” She reached up to gently shake her. “Don’t tell me you’re asleep. You just talked seconds ago.”

Tiffany’s eyes opened and immediately gave the other girl the scariest glare she could ever manage. “Don’t disturb a sleeping pregnant. And remember!” She placed her hand on the latter’s shoulder.

 

 

“I moved out from home.”

 

 

---

 

WAHAHAH. I updated this chapter at 3am. I read through this again just now and realized that...WOAH!...the number of errors are killing me! HAHAHA

 

Anyway, I won't bother correcting it. HAHA. sarry, you're author here is just feeling too lazy.

 

MOHOHO. Thank you and have a good day!!!

 

^^,