---Things Don't Go as Expected
Tiffany looked at her surroundings and ensured that no one she knew would be around. Once she was convinced, she walked closer to Taeyeon’s company building and waited as usual. This time she tried to set herself inside the nearby café to wait until Taeyeon appear. She ordered a light cappuccino with ice and gingerbread. She didn’t wear her face mask today, she felt quite confidence that no one would notice her, but she never knew her prediction would be wrong when she felt a light tap on her shoulder from behind.
“Hi Tiff!” The nickname said it all. The person behind her must have known her that she knew Tiffany’s nickname. Right?
“Hello there! How have you been???” It was Sooyoung, looking nice in simple semiformal attire with dark color. Sooyoung took a vacant seat in front of Tiffany.
“Sooyoung?! Oh God! I am good! How are you? You look good and decent~”
Tiffany complimented once she saw the tall and lean girl in front of her.
“Thank you. You look as beautiful as you used to.. Oh wait,, you are more beautiful now~ I knew I looked shabby before but Sunny changed me and fortunately, it brought a good impact.” Sooyoung raised her hand to call the waiter.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Sooyoung asked.
“Nope. I am all alone. So you are free to sit with me.” Tiffany gave her a sincere smile. Sooyoung nodded and in no time, the waiter came and took Sooyoung’s order which was her favorite croissant with green tea blended ice.
“What are you doing here? It’s a coincidence! To know that.. you know,, the building over there is where Taeyeon works at.” Sooyoung informed Tiffany. She surely didn’t know that Tiffany had visited the same building for the past 3 days, oh 4 including today.
“I just passed this area after meeting with a friend and suddenly I was craving for gingerbread so yeah, I made a stop, asking the waiter and voila~ They have what I wanted for.” Tiffany made a quick lie.
“What about you, Soo?” Tiffany asked back. She had bad feelings that Sooyoung’s appearance meant something bad for her plan to date with Taeyeon.
Tiffany had visited Taeyeon’s company quite often. Since the first date she had with Taeyeon, she couldn’t help but falling deeper for her each day passed. She kept thinking about the date she had with Taeyeon before. She knew her occupation as a hypnotherapist, a professional that was but it seemed that it didn’t prevent her from being hypnotized by Taeyeon’s love. She felt her brain and logic shut down and hypnotized indirectly that she couldn’t really think about anything but Taeyeon; What Taeyeon was doing, what clothes Taeyeon wore, what Taeyeon was eating, where Taeyeon was, etc.
She kept tossing and turning on her bed last night and it made her unable to sleep until few hours later. Her mind was clouded by Taeyeon’s shadow. At first, she wanted to only have one date with Taeyeon to satisfy her curiosity; what would it feel like to have a date with a woman instead of man? And damn! She never thought it could feel that good; so good to be honest.
Tiffany didn’t know whether she had to regret what she had done or not; in one side, her curiosity had led her to know Taeyeon better, that if she put the gender aside, Taeyeon had every trait that a woman could seek for in a lover but in another side, people said that curiosity kills a cat. She’s not a cat but indeed, her own curiosity had killed her. It made her feel addicted to Taeyeon and she didn’t know
what kind of rehabilitation was provided out there to cure her from being so in love with Taeyeon.
“Oh I made a promise to meet Taeyeon to give her details about my engagement with Sunny and to accompany her to the doctor.” Sooyoung told Tiffany.
“So you’re with Sunny? Congratulation, Soo! You were so close with her back then so I guess it’s not a surprise if you tell me that you wanted to get engaged with her.” Tiffany tapped Sooyoung’s shoulder before finally asking for a tight handshake to congratulate her more properly.
“You’re okay with that? I mean, I didn’t mean to offend you but you’re quite known as a person who disliked gay community so much. It’s just surprised me that you didn’t mind and didn’t even say something negative about me being with Sunny.” Sooyoung earnestly stated. Sooyoung checked her phone after saying that to Tiffany and found out a message from Taeyeon.
“It’s Taeyeon. She said she didn’t go to office today. She felt too dizzy to even move from her bed. I guess, I will check up on her later with Sunny.” Sooyoung flipped close her phone and put it down on the table.
“What happened with her?” Tiffany asked worriedly.
“Eh? Hmm.. She caught a fever since last night but she told me she would drink medicine and if she could bear it, she would come to work after lunch. But instead of getting better, she said the fever got worsened.” Sooyoung explained briefly.
“But aside from that, she told us she might get Alzheimer and she was so afraid of that.” Sooyoung added.
“Alzheimer? Why would she think like that? She’s still as young as us.” Tiffany tilted her head and frowned.
“She said she never remembered what she did after work. She would get out from the building and once she regained her memory back, she would be back inside the toilet of the lobby. She couldn’t remember what she did earlier though. It’s strange, don’t you think?” Sooyoung told the story to Tiffany. Without her knowing, the girl in front of her was the exact reason why Taeyeon experienced those kinds of things.
“Yeah.. it is weird indeed.” Tiffany nodded her head silently. She bit her bottom lips and felt guilty all of sudden. It was all because of her selfishness that Taeyeon had to experience this.
“I told her that probably ghost did it to her or some evil spirits that don’t like her being inside the building that did it to her. My other guess is witchcraft. You know, since Taeyeon works as Auditor, it’s normal for some people who do corruption and such to dislike her to the extend want to do something bad to her. What do you think?” Sooyoung asked for Tiffany’s opinion.
“That is possible.” Tiffany shortly replied. She sighed silently and fidgeted with her fingers under the table where Sooyoung couldn’t see it. Fortunately, it was Sooyoung that she met, not Sunny because if it was Sunny, she was definitely sure, she couldn’t run from the investigation and such which would lead her to admit in the end. God undoubtedly still loved her indeed.
“See? I know right! But Sunny said I was being delusional and such.” Sooyoung pouted. Tiffany chuckled seeing Sooyoung’s expression. It’s crazy how they could blend like best friends who just met coincidentally, when in fact, they barely greeted each other when they met in the hallway years ago.
“Hahaha.. Because it is indeed illogical, Soo.” Tiffany continued. She reminded herself to make a note not to ever hypnotize Taeyeon again in the future no matter how much it would make her sad and such.
“And yeah.. Sunny suggested Taeyeon to visit a doctor instead and Taeyeon agreed with her. Maybe I can spend an hour with you while waiting for Sunny to finish her job. Her office building is near from here. Ah! But, do you have another plan this night? I don’t want to be a bother for you.” Sooyoung nodded at the waiter who just delivered her food and drink.
“It’s okay, Soo. I don’t have any plan after this. Besides, we can use this chance to catch up with each other. It’s been years, right? Tell me how you and Sunny can end up together?” Tiffany composed herself to calm her nerves down.
She needed to put a poker face and pretended she didn’t know a thing related to Taeyeon. Surely, Taeyeon had told her how Sooyoung and Sunny could end up together just the day before when they had dinner together. Tiffany too could still picture how she felt so comfortable cuddling with Taeyeon when they watched movie together in a car theater. Taeyeon was a very attentive lover. Sadly, she was never been Taeyeon’s lover and all of things that took place for the past 3 days were never happened inside Taeyeon’s mind. Tiffany sighed unknowingly.
“That’s when Sunny accepted me and- Are you okay, Tiff?” Sooyoung stopped her story and asked her longtime friend.
“Eh? What is it again? I am okay. Sorry for not listening meticulously.” Tiffany faked a smile.
“It’s okay. I have finished the story anyway.” Sooyoung replied the smile Tiffany gave.
“What about Taeyeon? I didn’t hear you mentioned her name inside your story earlier.” Tiffany used this chance to obtain more info about Taeyeon.
“Taeyeon stayed here not long ago. She was in U.S all along. She finished her study there and went back here to stay for good. She is the first one to brave enough to state her preference though. She is gay too and I am sure you already know that her first crush and love was you, Tiffany.” Tiffany’s expression turned bitter when Sooyoung used past tense instead of present tense.
“Tiff? Are you okay?” Sooyoung again asked when she didn’t hear any respond from the latter.
“You seem lost in your own world? Do you have a problem, buddy? Share with me~ Who knows I can help you, right?” Sooyoung genuinely offered and it made Tiffany touched.
“If I have known how good you all were, I would have befriended you back then.”
Tiffany smiled.
“I know about Taeyeon and I feel so sorry for what happened. Jessica has told me and I have faith that you know that I met Taeyeon couple of days ago with Jessica.
I made her go to U.S, right? If I stopped Suho, maybe all of these wouldn’t happen
and-“And she wouldn’t be as great as she is now. Don’t feel sorry, buddy. She should thank you instead, because if you look from different perspective, the positive sides that you have made are so much more. Yes, she was so broken hearted when she left Korea years ago. She experienced a bad thing with her first love that she feels traumatic when it comes to love even until now, but look at the good sides;
she is going to be promoted soon and now has become one of the best auditors in town. She got good salary, good looks, good personality, and good heart. All she needs now is a good lover to complete her life.” Sooyoung sipped her drink once she had finished her explanation.
“Thank you for making me feel better, Soo. How many years have it been? Hasn’t she found the right person until now?” Tiffany pried further.
“I think she still has feelings for you, Tiff. The dinner last time made her feel so devastated and in a rush to find a lover. I-Ooops! Oh God! I shouldn’t have told you this… Please don’t tell anyone, especially Sunny and Taeyeon? They will kill me if they know it.” Sooyoung clasped her face.
“I won’t tell only if you continue your story.” Tiffany smirked.
“Why would you want to know anyway? It’s not like you can reciprocate her feelings anyway. You don’t need to feel bad, Tiff. It’s not your fault. I understand and it’s your right anyway. You are normal, unlike us.” Sooyoung caressed Tiffany’s arm with care.
“I just want to know how far the impact I have caused to Taeyeon’s life, Soo.
Please?” Tiffany tried again.
“Okay.” Sooyoung deflated. It’s safer to choose this anyway, she would be announced dead and appeared in the headline of local newspaper should Taeyeon or even worse, Sunny knew it.
“Taeyeon has been asking for Sunmi’s number, a friend of Sunny right after you guys met. Supposedly, she met her 3 days ago to their first meeting slash date but Taeyeon didn’t appear and even forgot to inform her. Taeyeon asked for apology and made a reason since she couldn’t really remember what happened with her after work hour until late night.” Sooyoung halted.
“They reschedule the date onto two days ago, but again Taeyeon didn’t appear even until yesterday. I feel bad for Taeyeon, though. Sunmi didn’t want to give Taeyeon chance anymore. She said Taeyeon was playing with her and her time.
She hated Taeyeon for that. But Taeyeon didn’t give up and ask for another friend of mine or Sunny that is single and available.” Sooyoung took a quick glance at her wrist watch before continue.
“Taeyeon didn’t want what happened to reoccur so she has to make sure that she wouldn’t be attacked with another short term memory before setting a date with the girl. Ah, her name is Suzy by the way. That’s why Sunny and I wanted to bring her to doctor as soon as possible.” Sooyoung ended the story with a sigh. She quickly ate the remaining bread she had and drank her smoothie.
“I see. Poor Taeyeon.” Tiffany felt slightly bad for what happened.
It’s like she was the main cause that prevented the girl from finding another woman and feel how it would feel to be in love again. But then again, she didn’t want Taeyeon to fall for another, she didn’t even want Taeyeon to have a date with another woman. She was selfish and she knew it. Who ever said that love didn’t need to own? Because Tiffany could swear she loved Taeyeon and she wanted to own Taeyeon; to be able to call Taeyeon hers. But, how could she change Taeyeon’s mind not to find another woman and tried to court Tiffany? That’s the biggest question Tiffany had.
“I know.. I just hope she is okay and the doctor can cure her. Oh! It’s already 6 pm.
I gotta go, Tiff! And here is my engagement invitation. Please do come if you have time. Invite your partner and Jessica too.” Sooyoung rummaged her purse to find her wallet.
“Don’t, Soo.. it’s on me. In return, can we exchange number? We really should arrange time to meet in dinner or lunch with Sunny and Taeyeon. You know, to catch up with what I have passed.” Tiffany gave Sooyoung her mobile phone.
“Sure!” Sooyoung took her own phone and gave it to Tiffany. They exchanged number and hugged before Sooyoung waved and made her way to her car to pick up Sunny.
---“You look horrible.” Sunny stated earnestly once she entered Taeyeon’s bedroom.
“Thank you for the honesty. I really appreciate it.” Taeyeon said sarcastically in return with her cracked voice. She wanted to roll her eyes as an additional but she was too dizzy to do so.
“How are you feeling, Tae?” Sooyoung joined them and walked to where Taeyeon was. She sat on the bed and asked worriedly.
“Worst, Soo.” Taeyeon sighed.
“How many degrees now?” Sunny took the thermometer and saw it for herself.
“39 degrees. You are not getting better, Tae. Maybe we should call the doctor and ask him to come. I don’t think you will have enough strength to go to hospital.”
Sunny informed. She showed the thermometer to Sooyoung and the tall girl shook her head sadly.
“Wait.. By the way, it’s passed 6 pm and you are not in your company building..
Aside from fever, you don’t show any weird symptoms. I think my guess is right;
your company is full of ghosts and some of them dislike you. You seem well by now, but you will be possessed once you finished your job. Creepy, isn’t it?”
Sooyoung made her voice sounded low and deep to scare Taeyeon.
“YAH!!” Sooyoung screamed once her head was hit by Sunny.
“Idiot! We are religious people so stop saying stupid theory. Even if there are ghosts, so what? I don’t think they can do to the extend to possess Taeyeon and made her look like stupid person just to make her come back to office when it’s late already.” Sunny argumented.
“What?! Even Tiffany agrees with my theory!” Sooyoung debated back.
“Tiff-Tiffany?” Taeyeon was the fastest to react. With a weak and sore throat she asked Sooyoung
“Yep! Tiffany as in Tiffany Hwang, your longtime crush slash love. I met her in the café nearby your company building. She said she just passed the road after meeting with a friend. We talked for an hour or so to catch up with things. Hmm…
That’s that I think.” Sooyoung tapped her chin. She was about to get up to visit her favorite place in Taeyeon’s place (kitchen area) when Sunny’s hand stopped her.
“Wait. Tell me more about it.” Sunny commanded and since Sooyoung was a whipped lover, she could only gulp and went back sitting.
“What’s more to tell? Uhm… I shared her story about Taeyeon and my theory. She agreed with me. That’s all, baby.” Sooyoung repeated the story.
“What’s her reaction when you told her about Taeyeon’s abnormal symptoms?”
Sunny pried further. Taeyeon with all her remaining energy tried to focus with Sooyoung’s story. Hey, it’s related with Tiffany, her first love oh wait.. her endless love.
“She hid her hands.. That’s what I noticed. She seemed worried. That’s what I still remembered clearly. It’s weird, right? Knowing how she disliked Taeyeon for being gay over her and she even hated gay community because of that.” Sooyoung reminisced the scenes and retold it.
“I am so sorry, buddy. No offense, okay?” Sooyoung added.
“It’s okay, Soo.” Taeyeon bitterly smiled.
However, she couldn’t deny the fact that she still felt sad whenever she pictured her memory with Tiffany but then again, that memories were stored nicely inside Taeyeon’s mind. She couldn’t erase it no matter how much and how many times she had tried. She even wanted to find a woman opposite from Tiffany if possible so that she wouldn’t be reminded of Tiffany when she had another relationship with another.
“Hm.. It is weird indeed. And it’s kind of suspicious to coincidentally meet her, right? I mean, what is she doing in the café near Taeyeon’ office?” Sunny tapped her chin while thinking hard.
“She felt hungry so that’s why. Hasn’t Soo told you that, Sunny?” Taeyeon answered.
“I know that. Sighed.. I cannot believe what your both life would be without me in
“I know that. Sighed.. I cannot believe what your both life would be without me in