Bipolar -- Chapter 06
Donghae would have never imagined himself befriending a person beyond his social circle. He hated people who wore suits and struggled to keep from gagging whenever one walked past him. He didn't understand how anyone could be willing to settle down in a job with a four by four feet cubicle and not want to enjoy the world first. What was the use of being "stable" when you're not having fun?
So it surprises him when he found himself hauling a grown man (in a suit!) towards a nearby coffee house to get information over an incident that didn't include him at all. It was even more shocking to him when he realized that he was befriending (and as it seems, inviting) a stoic man, his complete opposite, to breakfast. I'm entering The Twilight Zone. Donghae hit himself mentally as he dragged his companion into a seat.
"You're stronger than you look," Siwon said, stating it as if it were impossible to fathom. Donghae rolled his eyes, and motioned for a waitress.
"And you're a lot nicer than I thought." He replied, smirking. They gave the waitress their coffee orders ("I'll have a cream and sugar, a cream cheese bagel too." - "Coffee. Black. A bagel as well, I suppose.") and both leaned back into their chairs in awkward silence.
"So... did something happen between you and Tiffany last night?" Donghae asked, raising an eyebrow at Siwon from across the table. The waitress came back with their orders, and he waited for him to respond.
When he said nothing - even after sipping very slowly from his coffee, he continued asking: "Did you kiss or something?"
That got his attention, Donghae mused, smirking as Siwon choked on his coffee. "So you kissed, eh? Wow... hadn't pegged you as a guy who took things fast in regards to interpersonal relationships."
"We did not kiss." Siwon replied, rubbing his temples with two fingers. There was a throbbing on his temple and it only intensified when Donghae assumed a romantic event to have happened between him and Miss Tiffany Hwang. He groaned, trying to recollect himself and took another sip from his coffee.
"Alright. I'll recount the events of last night but you must stop yourself from interrupting me while I do." He gave Donghae a pointed stare.
"No problem," he replied, putting his hands up in peace. "I'll keep my mouth shut for as long as you need to finish your story."
Siwon nodded, sighing as he slowly slumped into his seat.
"A friend of mine from school forced me to meet his girlfriend's friend. At the time I agreed only because he had been calling for months, asking me to 'hang out' and meet women, and because he was... he is my friend."
He breathed out, organizing the words on his lips before continuing,
"I didn't think it would be her to be honest. Junsu usually set me up with girls from his dance studio or from the soccer league. All of them were usually very sporty and... well, I'm not saying they were ugly but anyway, it was Miss Hwang.
Sorry. I mean... Tiffany."
"... Oh, hello." Her voice squeaked when she came up the steps and found us standing at the top. Junsu gave her a wave and a cheeky hello, while I stared at her looking polished and together and not like the late... I'm sorry for the term, mess she was every morning when I happened to go down the elevator with her to go to work.
She wore this dress with red, pink and yellow flowers all over it and had her hair swept to the side. She looked very... attractive. Not at all like the girls I see everyday in the office; she was a breath of fresh air. And somehow, that was what unnerved me.
"Hello," I greeted, bowing slightly as she came to a stop in front of us. Junsu nudged me with his elbow and introduced us to each other.
"Hey, Tiff. This is Siwon Choi. We were classmates in high school and now he's this hotshot CEO and single. Heh, not that I miss being single - but you get the point." I thought she'd butt in and tell him we already knew each other but she didn't, and so I didn't push it either. Besides, Junsu seemed a little too preoccupied in teasing us as he made those introductions. "And Choi, this is Tiffany Hwang - my Taeyeon's best friend and co-teacher. I told you I'd bring you someone pretty, didn't I? Anyway, now that you've met, I think it's time my servant and I left. Bye!"
Once he left, towing Eunhyuk with him by the neck, Tiffany and I... we stared at each other.
"Are you sure it wasn't you doing the staring? I mean, you're a pretty intense brooder." Donghae quipped. Siwon shot him a look. "Whoops, sorry. Go on."
Fine, I was staring at her. It's not like I could have helped it either... like I said, she was... attractive. Breathtaking, you can say. I'm a man, Donghae, and I have urges too but I haven't felt them in a long time. At least until seeing her last night.
Anyway, we were standing for a minute or two, and I noticed that she had started to fidget on her shoes. She was alternating standing on one foot then with the other while trying to smile meekly beside me. It was already awkward enough to realize that I was staring at her so I spoke, "I'm not sure if you like Italian food but I reserved us a table at Carino's."
Tiffany blinked slowly for a moment, taking in whatever it was I said. A part of me wanted to jump off a cliff during those silent seconds, but thankfully she nodded politely and with a smile replied with "I like Italian food."
"Good." And then I held out my arm.
When she took it, linking her arm with mine... I don't know. Somehow, everything was good in the world.
"I could have killed Junsu if I had the chance last night - but I was too shocked to see Choi Siwon standing next to him to attack."
The eggs and ham on her plate was scattered all over as Tiffany bit into them without a moment's thought. Clearly she's still thinking about whatever it was that happened last night, Yoona thought, biting back a smile when she realized that she found Tiffany's uneasiness and hasty movements endearing. She blew on her cup and took a sip, letting the warm liquid run down her throat as she watched her companion stick her fork furiously onto her breakfast.
"Were you shocked that he was there, or that he had agreed to come on a blind date with you?"
Tiffany shrugged, setting down her fork after a moment's thought. "Both, I guess. It felt surreal to me, I mean I've only known him for a week and he's hardly spoken to me at all since that night the four of us had drinks. I think I've spoken more words to you than I have with him before last night and then..."
Yoona chuckled at her trailing off mid-story and raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
A smile escaped her features and a rose blush covered her cheeks. "After Junsu left us alone, he and I were quiet for a long time. My feet were already hurting from standing at some point, and I guess he noticed my discomfort and finally spoke. There was something about his voice, and the way he held out his arm to me..."
"Should I go out of my way and say that you seem to like Mr. Choi now?" Yoona asked, raising an amused eyebrow. Tiffany laughed nervously, poking her meat absentmindedly. "Do you?"
"I don't know," she said, exhaling loudly. "He's certainly very handsome, smart and accomplished but..."
"Is that a good 'but' or a bad 'but'?" Yoona took another sip from her coffee.
Tiffany shrugged, setting down her fork. "No, it's a good 'but' actually. Maybe it's just me.
The restaurant he took me was gorgeous and the food was great. He was every bit the gentleman."
Words came easily when there was food on the table but the moment it was gone, silence enveloped our table like the plague. Maybe it was because earlier we could talk about how the salad looks or how the meat melted in one's mouth - but what kind of neighbors would we be if we couldn't even start a conversation as normal people?
Although the fact that he looked drop dead gorgeous intimidated me a bit. He had this light peachy colored long sleeved shirt on with the cuffs rolled up until the shirt was just covering half of his arm. I never thought light colors would suit a man well but on him... it was very good. Beautiful, even. Could a guy even look like that? I thought.
"My... ex - I mean, my boss does. My colleagues would comment on how toned he was whenever he passed by with his light blue collared shirt. He's quite the catch apparently." Yoona interjected, wistfully. After a moment, she realized her words and shook her head at Tiffany's curious expression. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"
"The weather's nice tonight."I started to talk about the weather. Gosh, I hate myself.
"Yes, it is." He looked surprised when I suddenly spoke but that quickly faded and he nodded before looking to the window at the right side of the room and squinting. "It doesn't look like it'll rain, unlike what the report said."
I was relieved he played along to it and smiled gratefully at him. "I would have liked a little rain though. I always liked the smell of the rain."
"You do?" Siwon said, "I do too. A colleague of mine said that was strange, but I always found that it helped me relax."
"Wow."
He blinked. "Yes?"
"Sorry, it just that... I didn't think we had anything in common." I said, hoping he wouldn't take it the wrong way and send this date into a downward spiral. "Especially since you are so..."
"Uptight?" He offered. His choice of word surprised me and I burst out laughing. Right in his face.
"No - no, not uptight exactly." I said in between giggles, "Important, that's the word I was going for. You just seem important. Like you wouldn't have time to go on blind dates since you can probably just snap your fingers and out comes a well-dressed woman at your feet."
When my laughter went down, I realized he wasn't laughing and was just looking at me with a serious expression. Okay, no - he was staring at me, like he was thinking really hard or judging me. Maybe both, I don't know. Anyway, I started to feel really awkward.
"I'm sorry. I let my mouth get away with me again. I meant it in the nicest way. You're handsome after all and I-I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way."
"Wow, she called you uptight!" Donghae said, clapping his hands together and laughing. "Man, she took the words right out of my mouth."
"Yes, I know I'm... a bit cross but it comes with the job, I assure you." Siwon argued, rolling his eyes. His companion shrugged, taking a bite out of his third(?) bagel. "In my position, I don't have time or energy to socialize with the people of the opposite sex unless business calls for it."
"So you haven't had a girlfriend in a while." Donghae hummed. "For how long?" When Siwon didn't reply, he decided to remind himself to bring it up next time (preferably when Siwon was drunk and a little unconscious) and let it go for the time being. He took another bite from his bagel. "Never mind. What happened next?"
She looked uncomfortable after she said her piece. I suppose it's inevitable if a person doesn't respond right away, but I was stumped to respond. No one outside of my work and rank has ever spoken so honestly regarding my disposition that... I didn't have the words to defend myself.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way." Tiffany looked so uncomfortable with herself, letting her mouth sail away from her that I had to crack a smile. Which surprised me, because normally I would have left without a word or went on a tirade if it were one of my employees. I realized right then that I didn't have much of a life outside of work.
"I'm not offended. I'm just... surprised." She looked at me critically and I smiled even wider. "You speak honestly and don't beat around the bush."
"Oh? Well, everything I just said is true. You are a bit stiff, even though we've already met. But I'm sure you're not entirely like that... and you are handsome. Very much, in fact." She blushed after saying all of that in one go. "Sorry, my motor mouth went ahead again."
I didn't think it was possible for a smile to get wider but it did. My jaws started to hurt even, but no matter. "You surprise me, Miss Hwang."
She laughed. It was light and airy, like froth on coffee. God, I'm talking in metaphors now. "Don't call me that. It makes me sound like an old maid. Just Tiffany is fine."
"Tiffany..."
Tiffany nodded, tilting her head on one side and smiling. "Yeah. Tiffany. Then can I... I mean..."
Something told me what she wanted to say, and with a smile I saved her from blushing even redder than she already was. "Siwon. Yes, you can call me Siwon."
She grinned even wider. "Okay."
That eye smile can kill you, I swear.
"After that we went out for a walk. He started to become more casual after that. He lost that stiff posture and started to talk to me more naturally. Dropping the 'Miss' and 'Mister' as we went out and just spent the night away." Tiffany sighed wistfully, cupping her chin with a hand. The sunlight highlighted her face attractively, and if you wouldn't have looked closer, not one would have noticed the distressed look on her face.
Yoona hummed softly, tapping her fingers on the table. "It sounds like a wonderful date. At which part did it go south?"
"It was a wonderful date. I would love to go out with him again, it's just that-look, everyone has a past. It's something you can never let go of... even if you run away and... and I - I just can't."
"Your hands are cold." His breath was warm against my cheek when he spoke that I inwardly jumped in surprise. We were sitting at this little bench in the park, I know really TV drama-like, and felt silent for a moment looking up at the sky. The clouds were coming together and it looked like it might rain any moment.
I looked down at my hands and shrugged. "I guess they are." He nodded and didn't say anything but instead, looked up at the clouds again. I did the same, but then after a moment there it was - warmth around my fingers. I checked just to make sure and there was his hand, holding mine. For a whole minute I couldn't breathe.
"I-"
Siwon looked at me surprised, and let go of my hand immediately. "I'm sorry."
"No! I mean, it's okay. I was surprised, that's all."
"I've never held a woman's hand before to be honest." That was strange to know, because he looked like the type of guy who probably did a lot of things to girls. I mean- not that I was thinking of that but you know. He had that look. Anyway, back to the story.
"Really? I've never held a man's hand as warm as yours..." I said softly and slowly, weighing my words on my tongue as they slipped off. He looked at me silently for a while then looked down at our hands, squeezing them one and softly. "I like it."
He nodded, smiling. "I have to admit, I do too."
"I'm glad Junsu had you in mind to set up with me."
"I'm glad he chose a pretty one this time."
I laughed. "I'm glad you came and said I'm pretty."
The way he looked at me right then was just... "I'm glad I agreed to come. And you're beautiful."
And then the rain came. Only droplets at first, and then it started the drops started to get bigger and I yelped in surprise. We were both laughing as we leapt off our seat and headed towards the nearest shade; which was a bus stop, conveniently enough - once again going with the TV drama motif we had going last night.
"Well, that certainly ruined the mood." Siwon remarked, brushing water droplets off his jacket and his hair. His hand was still around mind, and my cheeks warmed even hotter. He looked at me and started to brush off raindrops on me as well. If there was ever a moment for the TV hero to kiss the heroine, it was at that moment but...
"Ah, sorry man."
There was this guy who bumped into us - he was tall, and wearing this tattered hooded jacket but his eyes. I could have never forgotten those eyes. They were ingrained in my memory.
My heart dropped and without saying anything I ran...
And the next thing I knew, it was morning and I was knocking on your door.
Choi Siwon is elsewhere at the moment. Leave your message and contact details after the tone.
Hi, Siwon.
I... I was talking to Yoona about you earlier today. I told her about our date; she didn't laugh so don't worry about me saying anything bad against you. You were... you were perfect last night. I just remembered something that I had to do last night and had to run for it. Yeah. Something.
That doesn't sound convincing doesn't it? Maybe I'll tell you someday... but not now. Maybe never, I don't know. But last night was the best night I've had in a long time. And I want to see you again.
That is, if you'd like to.
Hi, this is Tif~fany Hwang! I'm probably out right now or writing my lesson plan or maybe I'm just ignoring your call but leave a message anyway and I'll be right back.
... Miss Hwang. I mean, Tiffany. I'm sorry, I forgot calling you that made you feel like an old maid. Anyway, that's not the reason why I'm calling.
I'm sorry, about last night. I'm unsure why you left so abruptly but I did enjoy our time together last night. More so than I have in a long time with a member of the opposite sex. Not that I've never been with a woman, that's not what I meant because I have and - I'm going off topic. I'm sorry.
The point is, after talking to Donghae today and recalling everything last night, I realized that I want to see you again too.
If only you would let me.
"So Tiffany pretty much told you what Siwon told me but in her point of view." Donghae stretched in his seat, spreading his legs in front of him. He and Yoona sat on a bench outside their apartment building after a day's worth of listening to their neighbors and friends. "Basically they wanted to kiss each other but never got to because of some mystery dude."
"Seems like it." Yoona replied, tucking her feet under her. Donghae stared after her and she rolled her eyes when it became a bit too much. "Please stop staring at me. We've got to fix their... stalemate or whatever it is."
"Why don't we just lock them in a room together?"
"That's too much, don't you think? Why not let them go on a date again?"
Donghae shrugged. "That'd be good except they can hardly look at each other for more than a minute."
"Then we'll double date." Yoona said, blowing on her fingertips. There was a thud from beside her and she turned her head to see Donghae sprawled off the bench. She rolled her eyes (ignoring the little tug of a smile on her lips as it fought to form on her face at his surprised expression). "By double date I mean, we bring our own dates and then tell them that we have someone in mind for them when in fact we're setting them up. Again."
"Oh. That's a good idea."
"Yes, it is." She said, "So, do you have anyone in mind to ask?"
"Do you?" he cleared his throat. I was hoping I'd ask you. Donghae thought, but blinked away the thought because it's too soon (and he's kind of scared of her to be honest).
Yoona stood up, and shrugged as she started to hail a taxi. "Maybe," she called out as she got into the car and then vanished. Leaving Donghae to wonder 'who'.
Hi, this is Tif~fany Hwang! I’m probably out right now or writing my lesson plan or maybe I’m just ignoring your call but leave a message anyway and I’ll be right back.
Did you really think I would never find you?
So it surprises him when he found himself hauling a grown man (in a suit!) towards a nearby coffee house to get information over an incident that didn't include him at all. It was even more shocking to him when he realized that he was befriending (and as it seems, inviting) a stoic man, his complete opposite, to breakfast. I'm entering The Twilight Zone. Donghae hit himself mentally as he dragged his companion into a seat.
"You're stronger than you look," Siwon said, stating it as if it were impossible to fathom. Donghae rolled his eyes, and motioned for a waitress.
"And you're a lot nicer than I thought." He replied, smirking. They gave the waitress their coffee orders ("I'll have a cream and sugar, a cream cheese bagel too." - "Coffee. Black. A bagel as well, I suppose.") and both leaned back into their chairs in awkward silence.
"So... did something happen between you and Tiffany last night?" Donghae asked, raising an eyebrow at Siwon from across the table. The waitress came back with their orders, and he waited for him to respond.
When he said nothing - even after sipping very slowly from his coffee, he continued asking: "Did you kiss or something?"
That got his attention, Donghae mused, smirking as Siwon choked on his coffee. "So you kissed, eh? Wow... hadn't pegged you as a guy who took things fast in regards to interpersonal relationships."
"We did not kiss." Siwon replied, rubbing his temples with two fingers. There was a throbbing on his temple and it only intensified when Donghae assumed a romantic event to have happened between him and Miss Tiffany Hwang. He groaned, trying to recollect himself and took another sip from his coffee.
"Alright. I'll recount the events of last night but you must stop yourself from interrupting me while I do." He gave Donghae a pointed stare.
"No problem," he replied, putting his hands up in peace. "I'll keep my mouth shut for as long as you need to finish your story."
Siwon nodded, sighing as he slowly slumped into his seat.
"A friend of mine from school forced me to meet his girlfriend's friend. At the time I agreed only because he had been calling for months, asking me to 'hang out' and meet women, and because he was... he is my friend."
He breathed out, organizing the words on his lips before continuing,
"I didn't think it would be her to be honest. Junsu usually set me up with girls from his dance studio or from the soccer league. All of them were usually very sporty and... well, I'm not saying they were ugly but anyway, it was Miss Hwang.
Sorry. I mean... Tiffany."
"... Oh, hello." Her voice squeaked when she came up the steps and found us standing at the top. Junsu gave her a wave and a cheeky hello, while I stared at her looking polished and together and not like the late... I'm sorry for the term, mess she was every morning when I happened to go down the elevator with her to go to work.
She wore this dress with red, pink and yellow flowers all over it and had her hair swept to the side. She looked very... attractive. Not at all like the girls I see everyday in the office; she was a breath of fresh air. And somehow, that was what unnerved me.
"Hello," I greeted, bowing slightly as she came to a stop in front of us. Junsu nudged me with his elbow and introduced us to each other.
"Hey, Tiff. This is Siwon Choi. We were classmates in high school and now he's this hotshot CEO and single. Heh, not that I miss being single - but you get the point." I thought she'd butt in and tell him we already knew each other but she didn't, and so I didn't push it either. Besides, Junsu seemed a little too preoccupied in teasing us as he made those introductions. "And Choi, this is Tiffany Hwang - my Taeyeon's best friend and co-teacher. I told you I'd bring you someone pretty, didn't I? Anyway, now that you've met, I think it's time my servant and I left. Bye!"
Once he left, towing Eunhyuk with him by the neck, Tiffany and I... we stared at each other.
"Are you sure it wasn't you doing the staring? I mean, you're a pretty intense brooder." Donghae quipped. Siwon shot him a look. "Whoops, sorry. Go on."
Fine, I was staring at her. It's not like I could have helped it either... like I said, she was... attractive. Breathtaking, you can say. I'm a man, Donghae, and I have urges too but I haven't felt them in a long time. At least until seeing her last night.
Anyway, we were standing for a minute or two, and I noticed that she had started to fidget on her shoes. She was alternating standing on one foot then with the other while trying to smile meekly beside me. It was already awkward enough to realize that I was staring at her so I spoke, "I'm not sure if you like Italian food but I reserved us a table at Carino's."
Tiffany blinked slowly for a moment, taking in whatever it was I said. A part of me wanted to jump off a cliff during those silent seconds, but thankfully she nodded politely and with a smile replied with "I like Italian food."
"Good." And then I held out my arm.
When she took it, linking her arm with mine... I don't know. Somehow, everything was good in the world.
"I could have killed Junsu if I had the chance last night - but I was too shocked to see Choi Siwon standing next to him to attack."
The eggs and ham on her plate was scattered all over as Tiffany bit into them without a moment's thought. Clearly she's still thinking about whatever it was that happened last night, Yoona thought, biting back a smile when she realized that she found Tiffany's uneasiness and hasty movements endearing. She blew on her cup and took a sip, letting the warm liquid run down her throat as she watched her companion stick her fork furiously onto her breakfast.
"Were you shocked that he was there, or that he had agreed to come on a blind date with you?"
Tiffany shrugged, setting down her fork after a moment's thought. "Both, I guess. It felt surreal to me, I mean I've only known him for a week and he's hardly spoken to me at all since that night the four of us had drinks. I think I've spoken more words to you than I have with him before last night and then..."
Yoona chuckled at her trailing off mid-story and raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
A smile escaped her features and a rose blush covered her cheeks. "After Junsu left us alone, he and I were quiet for a long time. My feet were already hurting from standing at some point, and I guess he noticed my discomfort and finally spoke. There was something about his voice, and the way he held out his arm to me..."
"Should I go out of my way and say that you seem to like Mr. Choi now?" Yoona asked, raising an amused eyebrow. Tiffany laughed nervously, poking her meat absentmindedly. "Do you?"
"I don't know," she said, exhaling loudly. "He's certainly very handsome, smart and accomplished but..."
"Is that a good 'but' or a bad 'but'?" Yoona took another sip from her coffee.
Tiffany shrugged, setting down her fork. "No, it's a good 'but' actually. Maybe it's just me.
The restaurant he took me was gorgeous and the food was great. He was every bit the gentleman."
Words came easily when there was food on the table but the moment it was gone, silence enveloped our table like the plague. Maybe it was because earlier we could talk about how the salad looks or how the meat melted in one's mouth - but what kind of neighbors would we be if we couldn't even start a conversation as normal people?
Although the fact that he looked drop dead gorgeous intimidated me a bit. He had this light peachy colored long sleeved shirt on with the cuffs rolled up until the shirt was just covering half of his arm. I never thought light colors would suit a man well but on him... it was very good. Beautiful, even. Could a guy even look like that? I thought.
"My... ex - I mean, my boss does. My colleagues would comment on how toned he was whenever he passed by with his light blue collared shirt. He's quite the catch apparently." Yoona interjected, wistfully. After a moment, she realized her words and shook her head at Tiffany's curious expression. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"
"The weather's nice tonight."I started to talk about the weather. Gosh, I hate myself.
"Yes, it is." He looked surprised when I suddenly spoke but that quickly faded and he nodded before looking to the window at the right side of the room and squinting. "It doesn't look like it'll rain, unlike what the report said."
I was relieved he played along to it and smiled gratefully at him. "I would have liked a little rain though. I always liked the smell of the rain."
"You do?" Siwon said, "I do too. A colleague of mine said that was strange, but I always found that it helped me relax."
"Wow."
He blinked. "Yes?"
"Sorry, it just that... I didn't think we had anything in common." I said, hoping he wouldn't take it the wrong way and send this date into a downward spiral. "Especially since you are so..."
"Uptight?" He offered. His choice of word surprised me and I burst out laughing. Right in his face.
"No - no, not uptight exactly." I said in between giggles, "Important, that's the word I was going for. You just seem important. Like you wouldn't have time to go on blind dates since you can probably just snap your fingers and out comes a well-dressed woman at your feet."
When my laughter went down, I realized he wasn't laughing and was just looking at me with a serious expression. Okay, no - he was staring at me, like he was thinking really hard or judging me. Maybe both, I don't know. Anyway, I started to feel really awkward.
"I'm sorry. I let my mouth get away with me again. I meant it in the nicest way. You're handsome after all and I-I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way."
"Wow, she called you uptight!" Donghae said, clapping his hands together and laughing. "Man, she took the words right out of my mouth."
"Yes, I know I'm... a bit cross but it comes with the job, I assure you." Siwon argued, rolling his eyes. His companion shrugged, taking a bite out of his third(?) bagel. "In my position, I don't have time or energy to socialize with the people of the opposite sex unless business calls for it."
"So you haven't had a girlfriend in a while." Donghae hummed. "For how long?" When Siwon didn't reply, he decided to remind himself to bring it up next time (preferably when Siwon was drunk and a little unconscious) and let it go for the time being. He took another bite from his bagel. "Never mind. What happened next?"
She looked uncomfortable after she said her piece. I suppose it's inevitable if a person doesn't respond right away, but I was stumped to respond. No one outside of my work and rank has ever spoken so honestly regarding my disposition that... I didn't have the words to defend myself.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way." Tiffany looked so uncomfortable with herself, letting her mouth sail away from her that I had to crack a smile. Which surprised me, because normally I would have left without a word or went on a tirade if it were one of my employees. I realized right then that I didn't have much of a life outside of work.
"I'm not offended. I'm just... surprised." She looked at me critically and I smiled even wider. "You speak honestly and don't beat around the bush."
"Oh? Well, everything I just said is true. You are a bit stiff, even though we've already met. But I'm sure you're not entirely like that... and you are handsome. Very much, in fact." She blushed after saying all of that in one go. "Sorry, my motor mouth went ahead again."
I didn't think it was possible for a smile to get wider but it did. My jaws started to hurt even, but no matter. "You surprise me, Miss Hwang."
She laughed. It was light and airy, like froth on coffee. God, I'm talking in metaphors now. "Don't call me that. It makes me sound like an old maid. Just Tiffany is fine."
"Tiffany..."
Tiffany nodded, tilting her head on one side and smiling. "Yeah. Tiffany. Then can I... I mean..."
Something told me what she wanted to say, and with a smile I saved her from blushing even redder than she already was. "Siwon. Yes, you can call me Siwon."
She grinned even wider. "Okay."
That eye smile can kill you, I swear.
"After that we went out for a walk. He started to become more casual after that. He lost that stiff posture and started to talk to me more naturally. Dropping the 'Miss' and 'Mister' as we went out and just spent the night away." Tiffany sighed wistfully, cupping her chin with a hand. The sunlight highlighted her face attractively, and if you wouldn't have looked closer, not one would have noticed the distressed look on her face.
Yoona hummed softly, tapping her fingers on the table. "It sounds like a wonderful date. At which part did it go south?"
"It was a wonderful date. I would love to go out with him again, it's just that-look, everyone has a past. It's something you can never let go of... even if you run away and... and I - I just can't."
"Your hands are cold." His breath was warm against my cheek when he spoke that I inwardly jumped in surprise. We were sitting at this little bench in the park, I know really TV drama-like, and felt silent for a moment looking up at the sky. The clouds were coming together and it looked like it might rain any moment.
I looked down at my hands and shrugged. "I guess they are." He nodded and didn't say anything but instead, looked up at the clouds again. I did the same, but then after a moment there it was - warmth around my fingers. I checked just to make sure and there was his hand, holding mine. For a whole minute I couldn't breathe.
"I-"
Siwon looked at me surprised, and let go of my hand immediately. "I'm sorry."
"No! I mean, it's okay. I was surprised, that's all."
"I've never held a woman's hand before to be honest." That was strange to know, because he looked like the type of guy who probably did a lot of things to girls. I mean- not that I was thinking of that but you know. He had that look. Anyway, back to the story.
"Really? I've never held a man's hand as warm as yours..." I said softly and slowly, weighing my words on my tongue as they slipped off. He looked at me silently for a while then looked down at our hands, squeezing them one and softly. "I like it."
He nodded, smiling. "I have to admit, I do too."
"I'm glad Junsu had you in mind to set up with me."
"I'm glad he chose a pretty one this time."
I laughed. "I'm glad you came and said I'm pretty."
The way he looked at me right then was just... "I'm glad I agreed to come. And you're beautiful."
And then the rain came. Only droplets at first, and then it started the drops started to get bigger and I yelped in surprise. We were both laughing as we leapt off our seat and headed towards the nearest shade; which was a bus stop, conveniently enough - once again going with the TV drama motif we had going last night.
"Well, that certainly ruined the mood." Siwon remarked, brushing water droplets off his jacket and his hair. His hand was still around mind, and my cheeks warmed even hotter. He looked at me and started to brush off raindrops on me as well. If there was ever a moment for the TV hero to kiss the heroine, it was at that moment but...
"Ah, sorry man."
There was this guy who bumped into us - he was tall, and wearing this tattered hooded jacket but his eyes. I could have never forgotten those eyes. They were ingrained in my memory.
My heart dropped and without saying anything I ran...
And the next thing I knew, it was morning and I was knocking on your door.
Choi Siwon is elsewhere at the moment. Leave your message and contact details after the tone.
Hi, Siwon.
I... I was talking to Yoona about you earlier today. I told her about our date; she didn't laugh so don't worry about me saying anything bad against you. You were... you were perfect last night. I just remembered something that I had to do last night and had to run for it. Yeah. Something.
That doesn't sound convincing doesn't it? Maybe I'll tell you someday... but not now. Maybe never, I don't know. But last night was the best night I've had in a long time. And I want to see you again.
That is, if you'd like to.
Hi, this is Tif~fany Hwang! I'm probably out right now or writing my lesson plan or maybe I'm just ignoring your call but leave a message anyway and I'll be right back.
... Miss Hwang. I mean, Tiffany. I'm sorry, I forgot calling you that made you feel like an old maid. Anyway, that's not the reason why I'm calling.
I'm sorry, about last night. I'm unsure why you left so abruptly but I did enjoy our time together last night. More so than I have in a long time with a member of the opposite sex. Not that I've never been with a woman, that's not what I meant because I have and - I'm going off topic. I'm sorry.
The point is, after talking to Donghae today and recalling everything last night, I realized that I want to see you again too.
If only you would let me.
"So Tiffany pretty much told you what Siwon told me but in her point of view." Donghae stretched in his seat, spreading his legs in front of him. He and Yoona sat on a bench outside their apartment building after a day's worth of listening to their neighbors and friends. "Basically they wanted to kiss each other but never got to because of some mystery dude."
"Seems like it." Yoona replied, tucking her feet under her. Donghae stared after her and she rolled her eyes when it became a bit too much. "Please stop staring at me. We've got to fix their... stalemate or whatever it is."
"Why don't we just lock them in a room together?"
"That's too much, don't you think? Why not let them go on a date again?"
Donghae shrugged. "That'd be good except they can hardly look at each other for more than a minute."
"Then we'll double date." Yoona said, blowing on her fingertips. There was a thud from beside her and she turned her head to see Donghae sprawled off the bench. She rolled her eyes (ignoring the little tug of a smile on her lips as it fought to form on her face at his surprised expression). "By double date I mean, we bring our own dates and then tell them that we have someone in mind for them when in fact we're setting them up. Again."
"Oh. That's a good idea."
"Yes, it is." She said, "So, do you have anyone in mind to ask?"
"Do you?" he cleared his throat. I was hoping I'd ask you. Donghae thought, but blinked away the thought because it's too soon (and he's kind of scared of her to be honest).
Yoona stood up, and shrugged as she started to hail a taxi. "Maybe," she called out as she got into the car and then vanished. Leaving Donghae to wonder 'who'.
Hi, this is Tif~fany Hwang! I’m probably out right now or writing my lesson plan or maybe I’m just ignoring your call but leave a message anyway and I’ll be right back.
Did you really think I would never find you?