a long chapter for everyone... i hope you guys won't get tired reading this one chapter... i contemplated in cutting it in two but it felt of so off so i  just posted it all together...^-^

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Chapter 14

Taeyeon checks herself one more time in her car’s rear view mirror. She nods in satisfaction when she saw that she looks presentable and can now face Tiffany. With trembling fingers she pressed the doorbell on Tiffany’s apartment and seconds later she was greeted with a smiling tall girl.

“Hi!”

“Hello”

“You must be Kim Taeyeon.”

“Uhm yes that I am.”

“I’m Choi Sooyoung, I’m Tiffany and Juhyun’s friend and roommate.”

“Oh! Hello Choi Sooyoung-ssi. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Taeyeon.”

“Relax don’t be too formal with me, I heard you’re older than Tiff meaning you’re also older than me so just call me Sooyoung. Oh Tiff is only a few months older than me.” Taeyeon look at the smiling girl and nervously smile.

‘She’s too nice it look so eerie. And I’m too nervous.’

“O-okay and please just call me Taeyeon.”

“Hehe thanks! Oh I forgot! Please come in! Tiff is about to be ready!”

“O-okay.”

Taeyeon followed suit and let herself to sit in one of the couches when Sooyoung offered her a seat.

“I was wondering if you know that Sunny and Hyoyeon invited us to the party.” Taeyeon look at Sooyoung when the latter spoke again to asked her.

“Yes, I was informed.”

“Is that okay with you? I mean you barely knew me and Jessica. And you haven’t met Jessica yet.”

She gave a small smile. “It’s okay. You seem nice, Tiffany and Juhyun’s friends are also my friends. Well, I hope you also think of me that way.”

“Thanks if you think I look nice but I can’t say the same for Sica just wait till you met her later. Actually I heard so much about you and from what I heard you’re really nice and now I finally get to meet you I think I like you a lot now.” Taeyeon was a bit taken with Sooyoung’s straightforward assessment on her.

“Let us be friends too!” Sooyoung extended her hands in front of Taeyeon for a handshake and the latter just stared at it for a moment before finally realizing what it meant.

“Oh sure. Friends.” Taeyeon took the offered hand and shook it and Sooyoung happily smiled at her.

“Friends!”

It sounded so casual and common but Taeyeon couldn’t help but feel grateful for the other girl for being the first one to offer her friendship to her. Now she had another friend and that is all thanks to Tiffany.

Taeyeon and Sooyoung were talking to each other. Sooyoung keeps on asking Taeyeon about how did they come up with their business and others stuff to talk about when they finally heard someone rushing down the stairs.

“I guess Tiff is done.” Sooyoung stood up and looked at the direction of their stairs as Taeyeon followed her line of sight.

Taeyeon immediately stood up the moment Tiffany safely landed her feet on the floor. She couldn’t help but look how beautiful the girl is right now.

“Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting.” Tiffany threw them a smile.

“Hello! Sooyoung kept me company and we only waited for a short while.” Taeyeon praise herself for being able to answer calmly although deep inside she’s more nervous like never before.

“So come on guys let’s go! It’s okay to keep our friends waiting but it’s never good to keep the food waiting!” Taeyeon and Tiffany followed Sooyoung out of the house they both giggled when they saw how hyper their tall friend is.

“We’re here!” Taeyeon parks her car along with her friends’ car in front of the café. Then she runs as fast her not so long legs could go and successfully opens the car door before Tiffany could open it.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” The two girls exchange sweet smiles to each other completely forgetting the world for a moment.

“I can help myself with the door thank you friends! I can also help myself in I’m really hungry now.” Sooyoung stands in the middle of her two friends who seems to be too lost in each other eyes to even pay attention to her.

“Oh I’m sorry Sooyoung let’s get inside now! Everybody is probably waiting for us.”

“I’m about to believe you two already forgot about me and the party. I’ll go in first take your time.” Sooyoung’s comment made the two girls in front of her blush together and knowing her friend’s hidden shy nature, she just decided to silently walk ahead.

Taeyeon sensed Sooyoung’s effort and so she summons her courage to finally look at Tiffany in the eye again.

“Let’s go Tiffany.” She waited until the girl looks up to meet her eyes and then Taeyeon muster her best smile and offered Tiffany her hand.

Tiffany’s eyes lit up and slowly formed into crescent and with that Taeyeon’s breath faltered. She carefully put her hands on top of Taeyeon’s waiting hands and the moment their palms met she instantly felt at ease like she had finally came home.

‘So this is what it feels like.’ Tiffany felt Taeyeon’s fingers move to lock it into hers. It was not that firm nor loose. Taeyeon’s hold is just enough, enough to make her feel secured.

‘Kim Taeyeon. Tonight you made me feel the two things I’ve always. I hope you felt it too and I hope you could really be the one and that I could also be the one.’ As Tiffany thinks about her slowly growing feeling for Taeyeon she just let herself be pulled away gently by Taeyeon towards the people they both cared for.

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“Tiffany! Taeng! Finally you two are here!” Sunny approached the two and gave them a hug.

“We thought you guys just decided to ditch us and just have a date on your own.” She threw a playful smirk on them which made the two blushes for the nth time that night.

“We’ll never do that Sunny!” Tiffany was the first one to react.

“Hmm I believe you Tiff but Taengoo here.” She pointed at her still blushing friend.

“I can’t trust her enough that she’ll not ditch us.”

“Yah! When did I ever do that to any of you? Don’t make up things Soonkyu, Tiffany might believe you.”

“Well, my friend that too is something I can’t believe that would ever happen because I doubt Tiffany would even hear us if we say so.” The two girls in front of Sunny was quiet again they didn’t even notice that their hands are still tangled with each other.

“Hahaha you two are so cute! The others are waiting inside get in now! But be warned, they’ve all been preparing since earlier.”

“Preparing for what?”

“You’ll see Taengoo!”

“Yah Soonkyu!”

The whole café is lit up and a long table was set up in the middle where all the foods they prepared earlier are nicely set up. Food, wine, Friends and Family are the best combination ever.

“Pani unnie!” a loud scream could be heard inside the café and the owner of the voice came running towards the two new comers.

“Hi!~~~” Tiffany wave at the running kid.

“Hello!” She was caught off guard when the little girl extended both her arms to her asking to be picked up.

“Ji, you’re a bit heavy.” Taeyeon tried to stop her niece from her request but Tiffany already extended her arms to pick the little girl up.

“I miss you Pani unnie!” The little girl smiled sweetly.

“Aw! You’re so sweet!” Tiffany kissed Taeji’s cheeks for she couldn’t help the cuteness of the little girl.

“How’s your front teeth is it already healed?

“Yes! Jiji followed all Pani unnie steps!”

“Wow that’s very good! Because you’ve been a good girl, you’ll get a prize from me!”

“Yay! Prize! Ice cream! Jiji wants ice please! Pweety please!” Taeyeon and Tiffany looked at each other and smiled when they saw the puppy face Taeji made.

“Sure Jiji anything you want!”

“Pani unnie down!” Tiffany put down the little girl in her arms and the moment her feet landed to the ground, Taeji grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the table where Taeyeon’s mother is sitting. And Taeyeon just silently followed the two.

“Umma! Look! Pani unnie is here!”

“Oh Hi Tiffany! I’m glad you could make it!”

“Hi Aunty! Yuri and the girls invited me and my friends.” Tiffany warmly greeted the old lady while Taeji is still holding her hand. Then she noticed a man in his early 50’s standing behind Taeyeon’s mother and was looking at Taeji.

“By the way Tiffany this is my husband! We thought he couldn’t make it here. Yeobo, this Dr. Tiffany Hwang the pretty and nice dentist of your granddaughter.”

“Dr. Hwang, it’s nice to finally meet you! Thank you for your kind help the last time, my whole family appreciate it a lot!” Mr. Kim extended his hand and Tiffany shyly took it.

“It’s my job sir!”

“But still you offered your help! Thank you so much Dr. Hwang!”

“Please just call me Tiffany, sir. We’re not in the clinic and it makes me feel a bit shy.”

“You’re really very kind and very pretty too!” Tiffany now couldn’t help it, the color on her face definitely says it all.

“Okay Tiffany, and please just call me Uncle too since you already calls my wife Aunty. If you want you can even call me Appa! Since I could feel that you’ll be part of our family really soon. So why make it wait? Call me Appa okay?!” Mr. Kim’s smile was so huge, he doesn’t feel like teasing the young girl but seeing her shy face, her polite words and most importantly he could feel the kindness within her it makes him really happy.

Now he knows why this girl is always on every story his wife and granddaughter has been telling him. And the way he sees them entered the café hand in hand with his daughter really give it away plus, it’s been a really long time since he saw that glitter on his daughter eyes. And that makes him really happy, seeing his child happy and his whole family is enough for him.

“Appa! Please stop making Tiffany feel uncomfortable!”

“I’m sorry Tiffany but I’m just really being honest! You see whoever helps my family I start to look at them as my family too! Since you helped our Taeji you practically became my daughter too.” Now he smiled warmly at the still blushing girl who looked up to meet his eyes and then he saw Tiffany’s eyed him with so much gratefulness.

“Can I? Really?” Tiffany asked carefully.

“Of course! Why don’t you give it a try?”

“A-appa.” Mr. Kim’s smile returned to his previous wide grin.

“See, that’s great right? Now give this old man a hug.” Tiffany let herself be embraced by the welcoming arms of Taeyeon’s father and felt really happy.

‘Taeyeon really made me feel like I get to have a home again.’ She briefly look at Taeyeon who is now smiling widely at them.

“Now now this old lady is jealous! Give Umma a hug too!” Then Tiffany shifted to hug Taeyeon’s mother next.

“HUGGING TIME!” Taeji’s energetic shout got everybody’s attention and started to run at them and they all shared a huge group hug.

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The whole family started their dinner happily. Taeyeon and her friends gave their thanks to everybody who never gets tired of supporting them and helping them all the way. As when they’re all having a great time eating and chatting with their friend the front door of the café suddenly opened making all them stop on whatever they’re doing.

“What’s that?” Yuri was the first to ask.

“Hyo, did you invite some of your friends?”

“No, I didn’t. How ‘bout you Yoong?”

“I didn’t Unnie.”

“Now, Who could that be? Let me check.” Taeyeon stands up to see who it is that came in but before going she threw Tiffany a smile which the latter return with her favorite smile too.

But soon Taeyeon’s smile was completely wiped off of her face, the same with the rest. As there stood across their café was that woman who first destroyed her life and didn’t get contented with it and tried to destroy her family next.

Taeyeon saw her mother and father protectively wrapped their arms around Taeji. Her mother’s eyes were full of worry while her father was mad but tried to stay with her mother’s side. And that was one of the things Taeyeon hated the most.

She pushed her chair back forcefully that it fell instantly to the ground. Taeyeon was about to make a dash towards the unwanted visitor she badly wants to hurt. But Tiffany was right on time as she passively hold on to Taeyeon’s hands.

But Yoona was quicker, their maknae was already making her round to the table to get the woman out of the café and out of her whole families sight. Luckily Sooyoung was sitting in the corner so she managed to get a hold of Yoona just in time and then Yuri came to hold her too.

“What are you doing here? You’re not welcome here! No one would even want too!”

“I’m not here for you Yoona!”

“I don’t care to whom who you are here for! Just leave or I’ll kick your ugly face!”

“Now now, is this the kind of people you let my daughter hang out with? This is really not a good environment. Right?” The woman sarcastically sneered at Yoona before looking at everyone in the table.

“Daughter? Who are you calling daughter ? You’re not even good enough to be a mother! You left…”

“Yoona stop!” Taeyeon’s loud voice roared making Yoona stop instantly. Taeyeon tried to push Tiffany’s hand away but the latter won’t let go. In the end Taeyeon just face her greatest enemy while Tiffany’s holding her and somehow it makes her feel relaxed more calm than ever, it makes her mind clear.

“Like what Yoona says earlier, no one invited you here so that means you can now take your leave and besides no one is kind hearted enough to welcome you.” Tiffany heard Taeyeon’s voice and it was cold as ice. Tiffany can even bet it’s colder than Jessica’s whenever they have a fit with each other. Taeyeon’s voice and gesture towards the woman depicts any kind of feeling at all. Whatever this woman did to Taeyeon and her whole family is definitely something so bad because even the gentle Yoona has lost her temper and it’s obvious that Sunny, Hyoyeon and Yuri is just waiting for their chance to offer their help.

‘Who is she claiming her daughter?’

The woman glanced at Taeyeon’s mother and her eyes landed on the little girl who had her eyes shut as her grandmother’s hand was covering her ears. And that finally hit Tiffany.

‘She’s Taeji’s… She can’t be… Taeyeon is…’ Taeyeon’s voice cut off Tiffany’s thought. Now she also felt anxious like the rest. She knows how much Taeyeon and her friends love Taeji. This encounter will never be an easy one since each and every one of them is ready to get into war with the intruder.

“Afraid she might hear the truth?” The woman asked sarcastically again, this time it was directed to Taeyeon’s mother.

“We’re just protecting her from harm.” Taeyeon answered coldly.

“Is this you and your family’s way of protecting her? Keeping the truth away from her?”

“So your way is what? Telling her the truth? Will that make you the better person than us?”

“Yes!” The woman confidently answered.

“That makes you really stupid you know. And that makes me hate you even more.” Taeyeon threw a glare at the woman who seemed to be effected by Taeyeon’s look faltered a step backward.

“She’s only three years old for God’s sake! Do you think she can understand whatever you want to say to her? She won’t! You will just hurt her! You’ll make her feel confused! And she’s too young to even have the need to feel those kinds of things! You are really one selfish person!” Taeyeon walked a step forward and Tiffany followed her.

“But you and your family will just eventually tell her lies when she grows up! You and them, will make me the bad person in her eyes.” The woman pointed at Taeyeon and her parents.

“I will never let that happen! I will take what’s mine!”

“Yours? Nothing was even yours in the place! You left it all behind! Because you said don’t want any of it, remember? And now you’re saying this to us? You selfish…” Taeyeon was beyond mad at this point. The last statement of that woman nailed every last ounce of self control Taeyeon was trying to hold on. So she finally lounges herself and was ready to hurt someone for the first time in her life.

“Taeyeon stop! Please!” Tiffany tried to stop her and managed to catch her from behind.

“Let go of me! Let go! I’ll… I’ll… I’ll kill you! If you try to hurt my daughter I’ll kill you! She’s not a thing that you can just take whenever you please! She’s not yours!” Taeyeon was screaming and thrashing now and it was really hard for Tiffany to hold her anymore.

Taeyeon got herself free from Tiffany’s hold and was about to attack again but like the previous attempt she was stopped again, it takes Yoona, Yuri and Hyoyeon to hold her down. Tiffany runs again towards them and stands in front of Taeyeon, she cupped her face and tried to catch Taeyeon’s eyes to focus on hers.

“Taeyeon look at me! Look at me! Please!”

“Taeng, please calm down!”

“Unnie!”

“Taeng, please!”

“Taeyeon, please Taeji’s getting scared! Your daughter is getting scared please don’t let her feel scared!” Tiffany succeeded, she emphasized the word daughter and that made Taeyeon stopped struggling in their hold and started to breathe regularly again.

Tiffany then turned around to face the woman who caused all the havoc on them tonight, the woman who destroyed their wonderful evening.

“Miss, can I know your name?” She asked out of the blue.

“Why?”

“So I know whom I talking to.”

“Acting polite eh?! Anyway, it’s Im Jinah.”

“Im Jinah-ssi, can you now please leave since you’ve already caused a lot of trouble now. And most importantly, this kind of talks shouldn’t be done in the presence of child. This could leave a strong impression to her that could make her traumatize. I hope you don’t wish for your daughter be traumatized for life, since you said you’re better than everyone else in this room.”

“And who do you think you are?” The woman named Jinah threw Tiffany a scornful look. But she never let herself be affected.

“I’m just a concern friend of the Kim’s. I’m Tiffany Hwang.” She still answered politely.

“Wait I remember you. You’re that girl Taeyeon was having lunch earlier.” Jinah raised her eyebrows on Tiffany not caring to show her dislike for her.

“Yes I am the girl Taeyeon was happily having lunch with but that you also interrupted.” Tiffany did the opposite and just smiled.

“You… !” Jinah loose her temper seeing Tiffany’s confident smile.

Seeing that confident smile on the girl and Taeyeon not minding one bit that the woman interrupted their conversation blew her off. She was ready to hurt the woman and starts to move forward with her hand raised. But she stopped at one step when Taeyeon suddenly spoke again.

“Don’t you dare. I swear my friends won’t be able to stop me if you lay a hand on Tiffany.” Taeyeon’s voice was cold and stern. It sends shiver down Jinah’s spine. Never in the whole time she’s been with Taeyeon she had heard the girl spoke in that kind of tone. And that really makes her fear Taeyeon at that very moment.

‘Was it really a good idea to come back?’ Suddenly Jinah thought. She saw how much Taeyeon is really serious. Not just with the girl that introduces herself as Tiffany Hwang but also with not letting her have the child.

‘If only I didn’t need that child! I wouldn’t even step my feet again in this forsaken country!’

“Fine! I’ll stop. I’ll leave you for tonight! But I’ll be back! I’ll come back to take my daughter! Remember that Kim Taeyeon! I’m still her mother! I’m the one who gave birth to her!” Jinah said more, she can’t leave the place like a scared cat because of what Taeyeon did.

Taeyeon didn’t react much on what Jinah said. She just stares at the woman who starts to walk toward the door and was about to open it before finally speaking for the last time.

“Im Jinah, you might be the one who gave birth to Taeji but I’m the one who gave her all the love she needs, for her to live. I won’t just easily abandon my daughter. Like you did.” Jinah turned around when she heard what Taeyeon said for the last time before she hastily went out of the door.

The three friends loosen their hold on Taeyeon and the latter abruptly walks towards the direction of the scared little girl that is silently sobbing in her grandmother lap.

“Baby it’s okay now!” Taeyeon gently touched the little girl’s back and in a split second Taeji unwrapped herself from her grandmother and turn around to Taeyeon.

“Mama!” The little girl let out the sobs she’s been holding and cried loudly into Taeyeon arms.

“Hush baby. Mama’s here. Don’t cry.” Taeyeon continue to her daughter’s back to calm her down.

“Mama Jiji is scared!”

“Hush… no one’s gonna hurt you baby. No one. As long as Mama is here. I promise.”