A Chance to Life by Meotjin

Prologue

We meet people. Know things about them, befriend them, they become part of our lives. They change us. They steal part of our hearts; they might hold onto that part and stay with us. But sometimes, they just… leave. Once you believed their words, you give away your trust. And in my case, if only I had known better, I should’ve stopped those people to even get close.

“Look,” the person in front of her held her hands. “Please don’t cry. It’s going to be alright. Please. Don’t do this.”

Her eyes and throat hurts from the hours of crying and screaming but her heart’s going through much more indescribable pain in that moment. And now she couldn’t cry more.

“Tiffany? Talk. Please. Come on. I hate seeing you like this. It’s been hours. It’s getting late.” Jessica tugged her friend’s arms. “I’ll take you home, let’s talk about this there. I-I’ll sleep there.” She looked up to stop her tears from falling. Tiffany has been her best friend for years, and seeing her in that state breaks every piece of her heart.

“Jess-” Tiffany’s voice cracked. “Just leave me alone. I need this. I-I-I-” she started sobbing again. “Maybe things will change and everything will be alright. And we’re going to get back together. Right?” she looked at Jessica, who in return just inhaled deeply.

“Tiff, let’s go. Please.”

“I said-” Tiffany let go of Jessica’s grip “No! Leave. Now! I don’t need you so back off.”

Jessica was taken aback by what her best friend told her but didn’t react badly. “Okay I understand. But please call me when you need something? I’ll come running. You know that.” She enveloped Tiffany with her embrace before getting up. They were sitting in one of the benches outside their favourite café for almost five hours. She was dead tired but couldn’t leave Tiffany alone. She thought maybe this time it’s best to let her friend be. “Okay, I’ll go. Please go home?” she convinced Tiffany.

The latter only nodded.

An hour passed and Tiffany was still there, hoping things will change. Yes, things will change.

And another hour passed.

And another.

And another.

...............

“Excuse me?” the waiter patted Tiffany’s shoulders.

She didn’t budge.

“Hey miss. The shop’s closing.”

He was about to carry Tiffany when a man in his corporate attire showed up and stopped him. “She’s my date. I was late so-” he signalled the waiter to leave them alone.

“Okay sir.” The other man mouthed silently.

“Hi.” He gently smiled at the girl with jaw length hair, red nose and puffy eyes.

Chapter I

Forever

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Damn, what’s that? Tiffany pried her eyes open. She was sleeping soundly due to the week’s hectic schedule. She is a fashion designer known all over Asia and America. Her designs are of top calibre. Tiffany is the youngest in the most successful designers in the industry. For the past week, she’s been busy preparing for the next Victoria’s Secret fashion show that’ll be held in Seoul seven days from tonight. She hasn’t even changed clothes. She slept with her silver dress wrapping her perfectly curved body.

“It’s only eleven forty five for crying out loud!” she hissed when she looked around her beautifully interior designed pad to find the digital wall clock. She

sat on the corner of the bed leaning her head on her hands. She stood up gently and looked through the window where the sound came from.

“What the hell is going o-” What the hell is going on? What is this?

“Hi.” He smiled shyly.

“Hi. What are you doing?”

Brian cleared his throat, fixed his tuxedo and kneeled in front of his girlfriend, who’s watching from the window. “I know you’ve been so busy lately. I know this isn’t the right time. But I couldn’t think of a better moment.”

He paused, gazed at his watch. “Seven minutes from now, it’ll be our fourth anniversary together. Remember when we first met? You were crying so hard in front of that café. Tony’s isn’t it?” he chuckled.

She gave him a questioning look. “What are you talking about?”

“Let me finish first. Help me out please.”

“Okay okay. Go on Bry.” She smiled reassuringly.

He felt relieved. “Okay, so yeah. You were there. I don’t know but I found you beautiful with your short hair, stressed out look, puffed eyes and all. I was drawn to you. I think I fell in love with you that day.” They both beamed at the memory. “I followed you around. You even told me I’m a creepy stalker. But I didn’t stop from there. You went to the river, I was there. You went home, I was there. Behind you. From then on, I stood behind you, always. Because I hate to see you crying that hard. I swore to myself never to see you on that devastated state, ever again. When I confessed my feelings for you, I told you I don’t want us to be just another could have been. I want us to be together. I need you to be with me. We are meant to be. And you said yes, you love me too.” He bowed his head, hiding his brimming tears. “From that moment on, I changed my wants. From then on, I wanted us to be together, forever. I am so lucky to have been here with you for…” Brian again, gazed at his watch. “Oh. It’s twelve already. Happy anniversary, baby.”

“Happy…”

He raised his hands gesturing to a halt. “Let me finish first? You’re ruining the moment.”

She laughed and nodded at the seemingly nervous guy.

“I’m gonna stand up now cause my knees are freaking hurting.” He chuckled. “Moving on. Four years. These years have been the best of my life. With you, here with me, breathing the same air, looking at the same sun and moon, walking the same streets, holding the same hands and kissing the same lips. We all did these together. Stephanie Hwang, I wanna do these things with the same woman for the next four years, and for the next and for the next and for the next. I want you to be the first person I see when I wake up, and the last when I fall asleep. I want you to be the person who’ll make me

oatmeal at midnight; I want you to be the person I talk to everyday on the bed, which we will buy together until we doze off. I want you to be my person. And I want me to be your person.”

Tiffany looked at his boyfriend with wide eyes. He knew she has absorbed everything by now. Tiffany is an intelligent lady.

“I know you know what I’m talking about. You know it by now.” He knelt once again, took out a simple yet very elegant diamond ring from his pocket and smiled as wide as her eyes in that moment. “Stephanie, will you marry me? Will you grow old with me?” He closed his eyes, not knowing what to do now, or what to expect. She on the other hand, inhaled deeply and stared at the wonderful man below.

“You have always been my person, Brian. And to tell you, honestly, you never failed at your goal. I never cried that hard again. Thank you for understanding me, thank you for not prying when I can’t answer you why I cried back then. Thank you for keeping this broken girl in your life, and somehow making me whole again. Thank you for loving me.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you wait for me? I’ll be right back.” She ran hastily across the room, went for the door, opened it and hopped to the stairs. Her heart’s beating so fast. She doesn’t know if it’s from the running or from happiness. She stopped before opening the wooden door to catch her breath. She laid her hands on her chest. You can do this. Just say yes to the love of your life.

Tiffany opened the door, walked towards Brian and knelt too. She cupped her boyfriend’s face and she looked him at the eye. “I will make you oatmeal and talk to you all night during the weekends only. Remember, we both have work.” She stretched her left hand in front of him. “What were you asking again?”

He grinned like a fool and stood, took Tiffany’s hands and hugged her. Tightly. “I love you. Marry me?”

“Yes, yes. I will marry you.” She grinned.

She squealed when Brian carried her back to her room. They kissed passionately. She was happy. Both of them were happy. “Future Mrs. Song, three to four months from now, I’ll see you at that altar with your beautiful white dress. Yes?”

“In a hurry, aren’t we?” she playfully asked. “If I can marry you right now, I would baby. But, you have a fashion show to think about. And I have a business meeting tomorrow, so yeah, three or four months. Okay?” He smiled. I just can’t believe you’ll be my wife, Tiffany.

“Okay. Such a control freak.” Tiffany sulked.

He embraced her and landed a kiss on her forehead. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow night. I have to go. Please let me be in your sweet dreams?” She chuckled. “Shoo shoo! Go. Now.”

He beamed once again and started to walk away. She closed the door, and stood just behind. Staring at the ring wrapping her finger, she smiled unknowingly. Finally, I can have someone to keep. Forever.

Tiffany woke up to the sound of her alarm. She rubbed both her eyes before prying them open. She felt an unfamiliar thing around one of her fingers. What's this?

And the memory of last night's proposal came rushing through her mind. She widely smiled while staring at the diamond ring. Her early daydream was interrupted by a phone ring.

"Hello?"

"Good morning beautiful. How's your sleep? I just called to remind you that last night wasn't a dream. You are engaged to me."

"Yes sir." she chuckled. "I miss you."

"I miss you too." he paused. "Oh I’m gonna be late. Have to go babe. I love you."

"Okay. Take care and don't forget to eat. I love you too."

She stood up as soon as the call ended. Tiffany took her towel to the bathroom and bathed herself. After she put her white blouse paired with ragged skinny jeans on, she looked at the reflection of a happy woman in the mirror. Finally, Tiff. You’ve waited for this.

Chapter II

Memories

"A pleasant morning, Miss Hwang. You looked happy today." The woman behind the table smiled.

Tiffany smiled back. "I am happy today, Juhyun. So please don't give me bad news?"

"I'll try ma’am." she chuckled. Juhyun took out a few stacks of paper from the drawer. "But first, you have to check on these." she looked at her boss apologetically.

"You're bad." Tiffany eyed her assistant with piercing look. She took the papers and patted Juhyun's shoulders. "Thank you."

"You are very much welcome."

Tiffany remembered something. "Oh and how's the job I gave you?"

Juhyun stopped typing. "On it, ma’am. Three models negotiated with us but we're still waiting who'll confirm."

"Good job." She flashed a warm smile to her assistant who she considered her friend. Juhyun nodded reassuringly.

Tiffany took her way towards her office. Sitting down on her swivel chair, she took out her phone and dialled her best friend-slash-business partner's number. At the third ring, the other girl answered groggily. “Hey, what's up?"

"Jessiiiii!" Tiffany shrieked at the sound of her friend's voice.

"Aw!" Jessica withdrew her phone away from her ears. "Too loud and too early Tiff. Spare me. You woke me up from my beauty rest." she hissed.

"You just woke up?! It's late! Aren't you coming here today? "

"Ugh. Please stop. So what's the news?" the latter asked rather irritably.

Tiffany put her phone between her ear and her shoulder to scan the papers and photos given to her earlier. "Well, I need to see you before I drop the news. So, lunch at Sbarro? Before we go to the studio."

"Okay. See you." Jessica hung up.

.......

"Jessi, look!" Tiffany flashed her diamond ring as soon as she saw her best friend.

Jessica's jaw dropped at the sight of her friend's finger. "Oh. My. God! Is this for real?" she took Tiffany's hand and eyed the ring.

Tiffany nodded excitedly. She smiled with her eyes shaping crescent. Her bestfriend hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you. Jessica released Tiffany and gestured her to sit. "How? When? Where? Tell me!"

Tiffany laughed at her friend's excitement. "Relax, will you?"

"How can I relax when my bestest best friend is now engaged? When the person I thought would never find love agai---" Jessica stopped.

"It's okay. I'm over that, long time ago."

"Really?"

---

2008

"If I ever ask you to marry me, will you say yes?"

"Ask me first."

"No fair!"

"Yes fair." Tiffany smiled victoriously. "Anyway, do you plan to?"

"If it’s you, I would love to."

"I'll wait for that then."

Both of them grinned.

----

"Hey. Earth to Tiff?" Jessica snapped her fingers in front of Tiffany.

The latter retorted from her daze. She stopped browsing random pictures from her iPad and raised her head to meet her friend's gaze."Yyeah?"

"What can you say?"

"It's all good. I suppose."

Leaning on the wooden chair, Jessica rolled her eyes. "I was asking what we will do with the model that got sprained during the rehearsal yesterday."

"Oh, that. Sorry Jess."

"Are you okay? Like really? You seemed bothered." Jessica asked worriedly.

Tiffany waved her hand. "Yes, I'm fine." She set her gadget aside, reached for her iced tea and drank. "Anyways, about the model, I asked Juhyun to find a replacement. We're still waiting for confirmation."

Her best friend nodded in agreement. Minutes passed and awkward silence enveloped the both of them.

“Let’s go?” Jessica finally broke the silence.

Tiffany nodded. She’s quiet for the past couple of minutes and she knows that her best friend knows what’s going through her mind at that moment. She couldn’t bring herself to full awareness after the memory of the event she’s been suppressing for a long time resurfaced again.

They went their way to the parking lot. Both were quiet, one wasn’t sure what to say and the other wasn’t sure what to feel. “So uh, see you at the studio then? My car is parked this way so-” Jessica looked at the bemused girl walking beside her questioningly.

Tiffany met her eyes as she raised her head. “Jess, I’m okay. I was hurt, yeah. But when one person walked away from my life, another came. He took me in when I was broken. And I am really happy now. But then, when I remember how hurt I was, I-I” she paused, her voice trembling.

“Sssh.” Jessica rubbed Tiffany’s back to console her. “This is a big change in your life. A really big change. A positive one. He’s there. He’ll always be there. Hm?”

The other girl rubbed her nose and dabbed the tears from her eyes. She finally smiled at the thought of Brian, who she’ll marry months from

now. “Yes. Yes, of course. Thanks. You really know what to say don’t you?”

“I know you too much Tiff.” She looked at her watch. “Oops. At this point, we’re gonna be late. Miss Hwang, we have a big client to talk to.” She started walking away.

Tiffany rooted at her spot for a few seconds. She inhaled deeply to soothe her feelings. She rummaged through her bag to get her phone. She dialled her boyfriend’s number as she walks towards her car parked not far from where she stood.

“Babe, what’s up?” he answered immediately. Brian was in his office looking through the reports he’ll present to the meeting.

“Is it bad to ask how’s my future husband doing?” she pressed her electronic key. She opened the car door when the beeping sound subsided.

Brian chuckled. “Of course not, you sensitive one. I’m just rereading our quarterly report for the meeting. I want to avoid bashing later.”

Tiffany smiled, put the phone on speakers and started the engine. “You can do that with no sweat Bry. I’m heading to the studio now. We’ll discuss with the representatives of Victoria’s Secret.” Her boyfriend stopped, put the papers he’s holding on top of the table. “Do you know how proud I am when it comes to you?”

“How?” she asked.

“Very. Tiff, you’re a wonderful woman, outside and especially inside. You’re gorgeous, astounding, intelligent, and talented and you’re a good person. I’m more than happy to be the person who’ll put a warning sign around your finger and tell guys who’ll hit on you to back off.” He laughed at the thought.

---2009

“Wow, this is so pretty. It really fits me! Thank you.” She kissed the person who gave her the ring.

“I. Have. One. Too. ” the other person said in between the kisses.

Tiffany stopped. “Really? Let me take a look?” she grinned.

The person showed another box and put on the ring similar to Tiffany’s. “Ta-da! These will threaten people away. With these rings, no one will ever get close to me and no one will get close to you. I’m all yours and you’re all mine. Understand, Miss Hwang?”

Tiffany smiled while tears started to well in her eyes. “I love you. And yes, I’m all yours.”

“I know. I love you too.”

They laced their fingers together and talked under the moonlight just about anything. Tiffany was happy and she knows that, with the person she is with now, she’ll always stay that way.

---

“Stephanie?” Brian asked. “Hey.”

For the second time that day, she was woken up by people from her travel to memory lane. “Uhm hey, I gotta go. I love you!”

“Sure. Take care. I love you too.” Brian noticed how easily Tiffany got distracted. But he chose to dismiss the thought.

.....

"So, what do you think about the pink wonderland theme?" Tiffany asked the women around her in fluent english. "Once the girl group, Girl's Generation confirmed, they will complement the show."

The group nodded in agreement while scrutinizing the plan that was given to them. "This is a good idea miss Hwang. The whole plan is very promising. I even saw the designs and the actual pieces you and your partner here made. Wonderful." one of the representatives of Victoria's

Secret said while eyeing Tiffany and then Jessica. Both of the girls flushed at the compliment.

"Oh why thank you Miss Browne. It's always been a pleasure to work with you. And now that our designs will be showcased under your name made it more of an honour rather than pleasure." the blonde girl went at Tiffany's side to pat her best friend.

"It's also an honour for us. You know that. Ah, I can't believe it you two are the youngest of your kind. Very talented young lasses." Another woman in corporate dress beamed at the two fashion designers in front of her. "Not to mention you both are beautiful and you can speak English really well."

Tiffany giggled. "Oh stop praising us so much. We're just two people enjoying and loving what we do. Glad to help Miss Meyers."

"Anyway," the youngest representative cut. "When will Soshi confirm? We don't have much time, do we?"

"Soshi?" all of them asked.

"Girl's generation. Short for So Nyu Shi Dae?"

Everyone except the young woman shook their heads. Then they start snickering.

"Okay so yeah I'm a fan. Sure, go on. Laugh."

They all laughed at her. And she just pouted in reply. The talk was interrupted by a phone call.

"Yes, hello?" Tiffany answered. "Yes, yes. Good." she looked at Jessica and to the group with a big grin. "Thank you. Job well done."

"Girl's generation confirmed their schedule even with the short notice we gave them. They will go here for the rehearsal tomorrow." she paused. "When they knew about the model that got injured, they said they are willing to replace her. Nine of them want to."

"That's great! Then all of them will walk on that runway then. This show will be awesome." miss Browne muttered. "So I think everything's settled here. We are now going."

"Sure ma’am." Tiffany motioned for the exit. "This way."

"Another job well done for our partnership." Jessica mumbled through her red head friend's ear. The latter smiled proudly.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world.

"Congratulations." the MC shook hands with the Dr. Jackson Bailey awardee.

"Thank you."

The physician took the award and stood on stage. "Thank you. Thank you."

"Being a good doctor doesn't always mean pure skills and intelligence. Even if you have both if you don't have the heart to stand for your decisions, you don't have the right to treat people. I see dozens of people die every day. It hurts. But as a doctor and as a person, I have to be strong." the awardee paused for a thought. "A family member of the first patient who died in front of me talked to me after her father died. She asked me what I did to kill the patient. And I said, oh no, I didn't do anything."

The audience kept silent while the physician in front shares the story. "And then she told me, that's exactly the point. That I waited too long for my mentor's decision about the case that I forgot I am a doctor too. I didn't have a heart to decide for myself she blatantly said to my face. I was surprised of course. I was surprised that she was right. So for the next patients I handled, I made my own medical judgement." another pause. "I give everything that I know to prevent families to lose their loved ones. I don't stop until we don't have any choices. And I see a lot of people who get to live with that approach. But when it comes to those who don't have a chance, I stop. As a person, stopping is not an option. But for a physician, I have to do what I got to do. Even if it means... letting go." the doctor bowed 90 degrees and went off stage.

Everyone in the hall stood and clapped at the person walking down the stage.

"Bravo!" one shouted.

Chapter III

Excited

The night everyone especially two best friends have been waiting for had come. Fashion designers known over Korea, the rich and famous people were arriving one by one. The lights were blinding, the media was overwhelming and the fans were so many.

Tiffany wore a black and silver knee length dress she co-designed with her best friend complemented with stilletos. She looked very beautiful. She waited for the valet service inside her car. She tapped the steering wheel with her fingers as she watch the busy entrance of the Ritz Carlton hotel.

Ring! Ring!

"Jessi! I'm sorry. Yes. I'm outside waiting for valet. Yes. Just give me a minute." she explained. As soon as she ended the call, it was her turn. She jumped from the driver's seat and hurriedly gave her keys to the man who approached her. She walked on the red carpet. She stopped in the centre to greet the media and the fans, a customary in events. Few

reporters went to her. The red head hissed under her breath. Oh come on. Not now.

"Hi Miss Hwang", one of the reporters smiled. "You looked gorgeous!"

The latter faked a smile. "Thank you!"

"So what inspired you to do this pink theme for the VS show?"

"I loved pink since I was a child. And I swore to myself that I will use pink in my first showcase and in my most important one." she replied keeping her cool.

"Your first fashion show was two years ago. So this is the most important one then?" asked another reporter.

Tiffany nodded. "So when they called me and Jessica Jung, we decided on pink immediately." she added.

A few more questions were asked until Tiffany excused herself. She was half running when she arrived back stage.

The blonde turned her head to See Tiffany. "Jeez, Tiff! Where were you?"

"I'm sorry!" she bowed her head to Jessica and to the models. She went straight to her best friend. "I'm sorry reporters outside literally ambushed me."

"Okay. Just go do your job. Shoo." Jessica smiled. "You look hot, girl!"

The red head laughed. "You too. I'm gonna look for Brian first."

"Listen everyone," she clapped her hands to get attention. Everyone turned to her. "Everyone's out there to see you. So give them one hell of a show!" she shouted as she excused herself.

Tiffany was about to enter the VIP room when someone gripped her hands. "Hey beautiful."

Brian was wearing a pair of silver coat and slacks, matched with a blue necktie and black shoes. "And you are stunning, Mr. Song." Tiffany kissed Brian's cheek.

"Thank you. This is for you." he handed her a bouquet of pink roses. "They are beautiful but sorry, they don't compare to you." he beamed.

"Cheesy." she smelled the roses.

"I know you're busy so I'll head back to my seat now. Good luck. Make me more proud Steph."

Tiffany went inside the room to meet the Girl's Generation members. "You guys ready?" she asked as she shook each member's hands. "Who would've imagined? You guys are goddesses in person."

The girls chuckled. "Yes we are ready."

Tiffany clapped her hands. "Okay then! Let's go and break a leg!"

The show started smoothly. The models looked great with Tiffany and Jessica's designs. The audiences were dazed with the show. Fans were ecstatic when the members of Girl's Generation walked down the ramp while singing their hits like Gee, Tell me your wish and Dancing Queen.

The whole events place was filled with applause and shouts of amusement when Tiffany and Jessica stepped into the stage together with the Victoria's Secret bosses. They bowed and said their thank you’s to everyone. When Tiffany met Brian's eyes, her boyfriend mouthed "Good job" and lift his two thumbs up. The red head smiled at him.

The last of the models waved goodbye at Tiffany, Brian and Jessica. The three muttered their goodbyes as well.

"Hey. I gotta go too." Jessica patted both of her friends’ hands. "And congratulations to you both."

"Thanks Jess." both Tiffany and Brian flushed.

"You are cute!" The blonde chuckled. "See you love birds."

Tiffany looked at the empty stage for a couple of minutes.

"What's wrong? Brian asked.

"I'm just-" she looked at Brian. "Happy. Did you see our designs? They looked, wow."

"Yes babe. You and Jessica are great designers." he kissed his girlfriend's forehead. "So what's next for you?"

"I don't know."

"I have an idea. Why don't you get busy with our wedding? That wouldn't be so bad right?"

Tiffany pinched Brian’s nose. "Clever."

Brian laughed and Tiffany earned another kiss on her forehead. “Let’s go? Do you wanna celebrate with me first?”

“What are we gonna do?”

“Eat!”

“Let’s go then.” She smiled.

......

“This is crap, pure crap Tiffany.” Jessica grumbled. “You look like a four hundred-year-old bride. Look at these ruffles! Oh come on. Even you think this is ugly.”

“Well yeah. Hmm.” Tiffany turned around in front of the mirror to look at her bridal gown. “It does look old.”

“See? Please undress that. Ugh.” She groaned.

“I swore myself not to make my own gown.” The future bride replied.

“What am I doing here? Don’t I look like a designer to you? And I am your best friend for crying out loud!”

“…”

“I can make it for you. Four days Tiff. This freaking gown burns my eyes.”

“You have a project to think about. I don’t want to bother you, Jessi.”

“You’re not. You’re my best friend and I’m willing to postpone anything just for you. Come on.” The other girl exclaimed.

Tiffany exhaled in defeat. “You’re sure?”

“The hell I am! Come on let’s go out before I rip this gown apart.” Jessica threw the white ruffled gown on the couch. They walked past the gown designer at the shop.

“So how’s-” the designer was about to ask.

“No. It’s ugly.” Jessica interjected flatly.

They left the dumbfounded woman in a hurry. Tiffany laughed out loud as they closed the glass door. She gently hit Jessica’s arms. “That’s rude, you know?”

“What? It’s true!” the blonde laughed too. “Come let’s grab coffee.”

......

“So, who’s planning your wedding?” Jessica put her coffee cup on the table.

“Victoria unnie. Our senior at Hongik U.” responded the girl behind the papers she was reading.

“Oh.”

“What, you don’t like her too?”

“Oh no. She’s great. I’ve seen weddings she planned. They were good.” She rubbed her chin. Jessica wanted to ask Tiffany about something she’s been keeping for a long time. But she couldn’t. She’s afraid she might ruin her friend’s awaited moment.

Tiffany stood up to answer her phone. “It’s fine. Jessi didn’t approve. Yeah. She said she’ll make my gown. Okay bye, I love you too.”

“Brian. He asked about the gown. He knew you wouldn’t agree with the idea.” She said as she took her seat.

“Which, you should also assumed.” The other girl squint her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

......

Two months have passed and the preparation for the wedding was going pretty well. Tiffany loved the gown her best friend designed just for her and Brian’s suit matched with hers.

They have disseminated the invitations to their families and friends. Some celebrities, businessmen and women were also invited. The country has been anticipating for the wedding of the year. It was a beach wedding in Jeju. The visitors were asked to wear anything white and pink during the wedding. The colours were the couple’s favourite. Jessica will be the bride’s maid while Andrew, Brian’s best friend will be the best man. Tiffany’s nephew will be the ring bearer and Brian’s nieces are the flower girls.

Parents of both parties together with their relatives are very happy and excited about the marriage.

“Tiffany! You are indeed the most glorious bride to be!” the old woman embraced the shy girl.

“Thank you, umma.” Tiffany embraced back. She looked around the expensive restaurant to look for her groom to be. “Uhh, where is Brian?”

“He called a while ago. He’ll be late. He said we should eat first.”

“Okay umma.” She mumbled. She saw Mr. Song approaching them. “Hello, appa.” She reached the old man for a hug.

Mr. Song hugged her back. “Hello Stephanie. Come join us. Your father is inside.”

The three adults walked their way towards the private room they paid for the day. “Hi Daddy!” Tiffany shouted from the door.

“Hello princess.” Mr. Hwang stood up. He kissed his daughters cheek when Tiffany went close to him. “Let’s eat?”

The red head nodded and all of them took their seats.

---

January 15, 2013

“Top Designer Stephanie Hwang and Business Mogul Brian Song Finally Decided to Tie the Ropes.”

“After four years of steady going relationship, Song and Hwang announced that they’ll be getting married. The date of the big event is on March 6 this year…..”

A deep sigh.

---

The laugh brought by Brian’s cousin subsided when the old Mr. Hwang cleared his throat. Everyone looked to his way. “Two months. And my little princess will be taken away from me.”

“Daddy.” Tiffany tugged his father’s sleeves.

“But I am really happy. Because the person who stole my baby’s heart is certainly a prince. Brian is a good man. I’ve always wanted to have a son, and now God has given me one.”

“We also found a daughter in Tiffany, Robert.” The Song couple replied.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Tiffany got startled when her phone rang. “Yes?”

She stood there at her father’s side shaken. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t feel. Her heart stopped beating and her world stopped turning. The unknown caller must’ve dropped an anchor that crushed her mind and heart. She once again felt a familiar feeling that almost killed her four years ago. And now Tiffany’s once again broken.

Chapter IV

Again

“NOOOOOO!” Tiffany shouted which surprised the guests. She dropped her phone and she cried like a little girl.

“Stephanie, what happened?” Mrs. Song asked worriedly as she went beside Tiffany.

“Umma. Brian, he-” she wept.

......

“Found Mr. Brian Song inside his car unresponsive. His car jolted into another car along the highway. He is tachypneic and breathing has become shallow. Found bruises and lacerations on his face, arms and legs. Cervical collar and oxygen was given. No further interventions were applied.” The paramedic announced while he took Brian inside the emergency room.

“We’ll take him from here.” The doctor took Brian’s assessment data.

Brian was taken inside one of the trauma rooms. He was given first line treatment until he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Just then the Hwangs and the Songs arrived.

“You are the relatives?” asked the nurse.

“Yes, yes. We are.” Tiffany tried catching her breath.

“Follow me then maam, sir.”

“Dr. Im,” the nurse called the woman in scrubs. “These are Mr. Song’s relatives.”

The doctor turned around to meet them. “Thank you.” The nurse bowed and left. “How is he?” Mrs. Song asked, tears brimming from her eyes.

“He is now stable. Vitals are okay. We treated and dressed all his wounds, gave oxygen, fluids to replace the blood loss and meds to reduce inflammation especially in his brain and antibiotics to avoid infection.” She paused, looked through the glass door of the ICU. “But he’s not conscious yet. We still have to wait until then.”

“Oh, thank God. Thank you, doctor.” The old couple said in unison.

“Don’t mention it. Do you have any more questions?”

“I think we’re fine.” Tiffany responded, flatly.

“Okay then. I’ll go ahead and check my other patients. But please if you need anything, call for me. You can ask for me from the nurses.” Dr. Im tried to smile softly.

Mr. Hwang nodded and the doctor took her way out. Tiffany was still shocked from the accident. She went near the glass and peered through to see his boyfriend attached to a beeping machine, to an oxygen supply and a lot of other contraptions. “Baby.” She cried as she leaned her hand on the door.

“Miss? You can use these if you want to go near him.” The nurse offered a hospital gown, a mask and a cap.

Tiffany smiled and took the garments. She slid the glass door and entered the isolated room. He took Brian’s hands and kissed them. “Hi.” She greeted him bitterly. “You only said you’re gonna be late. You never told us th-that you’ll get into trouble. Look at you.” She looked at the sleeping man from head to toe. “You look bad, really bad. Please wake up.”

She started weeping. “The doctor said you’re stable. So wake up. Please?” Tiffany stayed beside her fiancé for the next twenty or thirty minutes. She doesn’t know. She doesn’t care.

“Ma’am? I’m sorry but you have to go. As much as I want to let you stay, the hospital only allows thirty minutes of visit inside the ICU.” The nurse patted Tiffany’s shoulder.

“Oh. Right. Of course. I’ll just-” Tiffany pointed at Brian.

“Oh sure, ma’am.”

“Babe, I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll stay outside though.”

Tiffany went to the ICU every day for three days. She didn’t leave her boyfriend alone. She suspended all her upcoming projects to focus on Brian. If she’s not allowed inside, she’d stay behind the glass door, waiting for him to wake up.

On the fourth day, Tiffany told Brian how their lives changed when he got into the accident. She was into her stories when she heard a knock from the door. “Oops, it’s time. I have to-” The machine started beeping frantically. She doesn’t know what was happening but she’s sure the situation has gone bad. She stayed rooted in her spot with the lights and beeps clouded her mind.

"Code blue! Code blue!" a male nurse called out from behind. Three doctors and three other nurses came rushing in. The female nurse opened the drawers of the small cabinet near the window and took out tubes and ampules of medicines Tiffany couldn't recognize.

She saw them put on gloves. Another nurse opened the wrapping of the tube and gave it to the doctor on the upper part of the bed. He tilted brian's head backwards and inserted the tube. It was traumatizing for her. But she couldn't move her feet.

"In!" the doctor shouted. He connected the tube to a bag, which the nurse pressed. Brian's chest rises with every press and falls upon release. Another doctor listened to his chest and raises his thumb. The nurse continued pressing.

“Push one of epi.” The head doctor ordered. And the nurse gave a liquid medication through Brian’s IV line.

“One epi, given!”

Tiffany felt someone pulled her out of the room. She wanted to stay but she has no strength to fight back. It felt like forever when the nurses pulled the curtains together.

........

"He is now again stable. We don't know what happened. His whole body CT and MRI scans were both clear but every organ in his body started to fail." Dr. Im explained.

"So what are you saying?" Mrs. Song's voice started to rise.

"Ma’am calm down.” Dr. Im shook her head. “We very are sorry. We did our best but we don't know what we are dealing with."

"S-so what a-are you planning to do?" Tiffany's voice shaken.

"I have an idea. But it requires him to be transferred to the US." she looked at the bemused relatives. "I personally know a doctor in California. She’s known over the states and she was trained under the best internal medicine physicians. I think she could help."

"We will see her. We will do whatever is needed." Mr. Song responded instantly.

The doctor nodded. She wrote something on the piece of paper and handed it to them. "This is the hospital in San Francisco. I will endorse everything to them. Just take Brian there."

"Look for Dr. Erica Kim. She's the only Korean senior resident physician there. You'll find her easily."

Chapter V

Whatever it takes

"Everything's okay now ma’am. The patient’s been transferred to our ICU. We'll just wait for your physician, who is?"

"Hm. We are here for Dr. Erika Kim." Tiffany replied.

.......

She sipped her fourth coffee that morning. "The nurse paged me. The patient has arrived and prepped in the ICU."

"Are you sure about this Taeng? It's Tiffany. She might reject your offer." The other doctor asked.

"I'm hopeful."

"You left her, in the middle of the day. At your favourite restaurant." she pointed out each detail. "You basically broke every piece of her heart."

"Yes, and I-" Taeyeon put her coffee aside. She leaned forward. "Look Soonkyu, this is the least I could do. I brought her pain. The guy took that pain away. And now she's in that position again. Can't I at least help?"

"What if he dies? You'll be the one to blame! Her anger will escalate again. And oh, don't call me Soonkyu, not here. Not ever again." Dr. Lee Sunny rolled her eyes while leaning her back against the chair. "You're still in love with her, aren't you?"

Taeyeon drank the last of her coffee and hurried out. "Gotta go. I have a patient to treat. Go back to your hospital."

"Taeyeon! Answer me!" the latter dismissed her and went out the cafe. "Ugh. Frustrating!"

.......

Taeyeon entered the ICU room where Brian was confined. She read the patient's history, assessments, diagnostic and lab procedures, progress notes and doctor's orders. She also assessed the patient herself. She couldn't find any reason why Brian's body's failing. "This is way more complicated than I thought." she sighed. The doctor looked at the patient gently. "You look better than the pictures. You seem like a nice guy. No wonder Tiffany fell for you. What is she like with you? Hm? Is she still sweet and bubbly? Did you change her?"

"You shouldn't do this to her. She's happy with you. You should wake up and get through this. I'll help you. Let's make her happier okay?" she stood up and went to the nurses' station to order a CT and an MRI scan and blood tests. She doesn't want to miss anything.

"The relatives are in your office Dr. Kim." the Korean intern informed her as she read the orders given to them.

"Thank you, Dr. Kwon."

Yuri smiled at her. "No problem doctor."

......

She inhaled deeply before she opened the door. She doesn't know what to say or what to do in front of Tiffany. She last saw the girl four years ago. And the last memory she has with her was the drama they caused at Tony's.

"Good afternoon Mr and Mrs Song." she greeted the couple once she sat on her chair. She has light brown hair at breast’s length. She wore a nice dress covered with her white coat. A name was embroidered on the pocket on her chest: Erica Kim, MD. She holds her own copy of Brian's chart. She hesitated at first but she obliged to look at Tiffany. "And to you, too."

Tiffany didn't reply. She sat there, mouth agape and eyes wide.

Taeyeon cleared her throat. "I am Dr. Erica Kim. But you can call me Taeyeon." she spoke with her native Jeonju accent. She stood up again and bowed to the old couple.

"Please take your seat, Taeyeon. And thank you so much." the older woman interjected.

"Glad to help, Mrs. Song." the doctor smiled. She opened the folder she was holding. She explained what each test mean, the interventions given to Brian and how complicated the case has gotten. "Honestly, I don't know what this is. And I need more time to figure things out. Please bear with me."

"You can get all the time. Just help him." Mr Song begs. "Right, Stephanie?" he gazed at the silent girl.

"Y-yes of course. Please, Tae- Dr. Erica." Tiffany almost choked at the sound of Taeyeon’s name.

The couple stood up and excused themselves. "We have to go first; we will just fix our things. If you have updates, just tell it to our daughter-inlaw, Tiffany. We will return immediately."

"Yes ma'am, sir. Take care."

Mr and Mrs Song left the room. Taeyeon and Tiffany couldn't move or say a word. It was awkward for them both.

Tiffany sniffed and sneezed. She covered her nose and looked for a handkerchief inside her purse. She didn't find any. Taeyeon noticed. She took out a box of tissue and gave it to the other girl. The red head bowed a bit. She took two pieces and patted her nose with them.

"You knew he was my fiancé?" she straightforwardly asked the girl across her.

Taeyeon was shocked by the sudden question. "I didn't, at first. When Yoona asked me to help her with a patient, I immediately said yes." she took a breath. "And then she said it was Brian Song, the businessman. I asked her if he has a wife. She answered he'll get married to you. I wanted to back out. But I couldn't just say no when I already told her yes. And I wanted to help too."

"Ah, okay."

Taeyeon awkwardly fiddled her fingers. "So uh, how are you? With all of these? With me as his primary consultant?"

"Taeyeon, don't. We're not friends. Just do what you have to do. I don't care about whoever treats him, as long as he's fine and as long as he's got to live. And I don't give a damn even if it was you."

The things which came from Tiffany's mouth left Taeyeon with no words to say. She kind of expected to hear harsh words from her ex-girlfriend but surprisingly, to hear it from the Tiffany she used to know was more hurtful.

"And can I ask you a favor?" Tiffany intensely stared at her.

"What is it?" the wide eyed girl replied.

"Could you not fail me this time? I beseech you." Tiffany didn't wait for Taeyeon to answer. She stood up, took her purse and jolted out of the room. Her heart was beating rapidly. She couldn't contain her anger against Taeyeon. Every memory, every bit of the broken feeling came back with just one look at her ex. She started crying as she walked along the hospital's corridor. Tiff, you're not crying over her again. Stop your tears!

On the other hand, Taeyeon swallowed a big lump in her throat. A tear escaped her eye. She wiped it with the back of her hand. She could see the anger in Tiffany's eyes. She couldn't blame her though. What she did to her was unforgivable. It was the worst.

---

Somewhere between June and July of 2009

"Beep! This is Kim Taeyeon. I am busy right now. Please leave your message! I'll call you back. Beep!"

"Taeyeon-ah. What went wrong? Don't you love me anymore? Did I say something that might hurt you? Did I do something bad? Please talk to me." the sobbing girl from the other line appealed.

Taeyeon cried hard while preparing her things. She looked at the plane ticket stuck inside her passport.

Incheon-Los Angeles, July 2, 2009

She sat on the edge of the bed, weeping.

Another few rings came from her phone. The nineteenth call was transferred to another voicemail.

"Please just talk to me. I love you. We're going to get through this, I know. I'll wait. At the same place on the same time, everyday Taetae, every single day. Call me?"

She started crying harder at her love's pleading. It breaks her heart to cause Tiffany so much pain.

......

"Taeyeon-ah, we'll be leaving in a few hours. Wake up now! Prepare yourself. You don't wanna be late." her mother shouted from the first floor of their house. Taeyeon was awake. She was in her room upstairs. The digital clock read 7:16 AM. She stared at the blinking numbers for God knows how long. Black circles surrounded her eyes. She barely slept. She didn't move until it was ten. She took a bath, put on her jeans and shirt and ate one fourth of her meal.

"Umma, I just need to go somewhere. I'll meet you at the airport. I won't be late. I promise." she hastily grabbed a cab outside their gate.

Tiffany was wearing a pink top and ragged pair of jeans. She looked tired and sleepy. With nothing else to do, she just played with the bagel she ordered. She didn't even touch her coffee.

She has never been lifeless before. Taeyeon thought at the sight of her ex from across the street. Stop waiting for me, Fany-ah. It's been days. And once I board the plane, it'll be years.

She watched at the tired looking girl for a few more minutes before she decided to leave. She closed her eyes hoping it'll stop her from crying again.

---

Taeyeon had her nth coffee for the night. Her head’s hurting. She read five books to look for an answer. She couldn’t find a treatment, let alone the reason of Brian’s situation.

“Ugh! Come on. Give me the answer!” her notes flew on the ground when she leaned her upper body on her table. She sneezed.

“Oh shi-” she ran out and looked for Tiffany.

......

Tiffany was sitting next to Brian. She was crying hard. “I saw Taeyeon today. She’ll be your doctor. Was I wrong to walk out on her like that? But I was angry.”

“The day you saw me at Tony’s, I was crying for her. She’s the reason why I was so hurt before. If you’re here, what will you do to her?” she sniffed. “She looks good though. She’s prettier no-.” The hell I was talking about?

“I know you’ll get mad if you knew I did that. I’ll just say sorry. I miss you.”

......

Taeyeon came running towards the door.

“Tiffany!”

“What?”

“I have a question.” She sat facing the girl. “Before he got into the accident, had he had colds?”

Tiffany paused for a thought. “I-I think so? Why?”

“Did he take any medications?”

“He has pills.”

“What pills?”

“Acy-acy-” she shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Acyclovir. That’s it! I think I know what happened.” She took Tiffany’s hands. “Fany-ah, I think I know.”

Tiffany felt familiar warmth with the name she didn’t hear for four years. She conceded at the slight tug from Taeyeon.

......

The Songs together with Tiffany sat around Taeyeon. The doctor cleared her throat. “Brian has a history of colds. Noone knew. He has been taking Acyclovir, an antiviral. It can be toxic to the kidneys-”

“What are you talking about?” Mr Song interrupted.

Taeyeon inhaled deeply. “Due to the accident, his kidneys were injured and on great stress plus the Acyclovir he took and the medications given to him at the hospital. They overworked that’s why they failed. The failure of the kidneys caused the failure of the other organs.”

“Why didn’t they know back in Korea? Why did all of you gave him more medicines when you know his kidneys are stressed?” anger from Mrs. Song escalated.

“He needs the meds, ma’am. And, like I said, no one could expect the reason for this mess.” She looked at the couple with remorse. “I’ll be giving him a medicine that could help. But his antiviral induced kidney failure has been way too long, so I’m not sure if it could help.”

“Okay. Please do.” The old man mouthed while consoling her wife.

---

“Meds were given. We’ll just have to wait. So, coffee?” Taeyeon handed Tiffany a cup of brown coffee. They were sitting on the seats across the ICU rooms.

“Thanks.”

“Two interns gave me coffee. They’re kissing my ass.” She chuckled.

Tiffany smiled a bit. “…”

The other girl awkwardly cleared her throat and sipped from her cup.

“Taeyeon, thank you for taking care of him.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” She raised her brows. “I don’t know if my solution helps.”

“No, it’s fine. You took him in even if it’s complicated. Thank you for that. And I’m sorry for what I did.”

“You have all the right to get mad. I would too. And it was my fault so, yeah, I kinda deserve that.” She smiled bitterly. “I’m sorry Tiffany. I really am.”

“I forgot about that when I met him. Therefore I forgave you Kim Taeyeon.” Tiffany pointed at Taeyeon’s eyes. “You haven’t slept, have you?”

“I don’t want to miss anything.”

“Still the obsessive one, I see.” Tiffany looked at Taeyeon.

“It’s related to you, Tiffany. I can’t miss a thing.”

“I want him to live, Taeyeon-ah.” Tears started to fall from her tired eyes. Tiffany leaned over Taeyeon’s shoulder.

“Ssh. I know. We all want that.” Taeyeon rubbed the red head’s back in circular motion. She felt a pang of jealousy to see how Tiffany cared for Brian. But she dismissed the feeling and just soothed Tiffany. In that moment, all she cared about was Tiffany.

She wanted to let go but she couldn’t. Tiffany missed having the comfort the other girl gives her. Brian, don’t get jealous, alright? We’re just two people who used to know each other.

“Uhm, Dr. Kim?” a tan girl in scrubs called from behind.

The two instantly let go of each other. Tiffany fixed her face and Taeyeon straighten up. “Yes?” she raised her head.

“Can you see a patient in room 501 at west wing?”

Taeyeon stood up. “Tiffany, I have to go. If you need anything, the nurses are right here.”

She took two steps and looked back at the sitting girl. “Are you going to be okay?”

Tiffany smiled. “Go. See the patient. I’m okay.”

The other girl creased her forehead. “Sure? As in really sure? I can stay, you know.”

“Taeyeon.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll go.”

Tiffany couldn’t help but smile as she watched the disappearing girl. She sighed loudly as she realized she lost the battle against herself. She finally admitted she missed the petite girl.

---

Knock. Knock. Knock. No response. With a coffee on her left hand, she gently opened the door with her right. “Taeyeon?”

“The nurse said she’s here.” Tiffany mumbled. She pouted at the coffee she was holding. “Hey coffee, I think you’ll stay here alone.”

She placed the cup on Taeyeon’s table and left. The door from the wash room and opened and Taeyeon came out. She creased her brows on the cup on her table. “Those interns.”

She was about to throw the plastic cup when she saw the small note affixed on it. She unknowingly smiled.

“Sorry. And thank you.

T.”

Chapter VI

To Hesitate

"Vitals are doing well. Blood tests that shot up before are now slowly going down." Taeyeon smiled. "So, you're saying, he's getting better?" Tiffany inquired. "Well, that's the plan." The old couple who haven't smiled for two weeks beamed. "We'll continue the treatment, watch out for his delicate organs and monitor his progress. Every day." The doctor gave a reassuring look to Brian's loved one. The couple hugged Taeyeon. While Tiffany, who's standing behind them,

smiled at Taeyeon, the smile Taeyeon missed the most. She could see the sincerity behind those tired eyes. She smiled back. After the short hug, Mr Song turned to Tiffany. "We will head home first. Stay with him tonight, Stephanie." "Of course, appa."

Tiffany and Taeyeon were left alone in Taeyeon's office. The red head stifled a yawn before standing up. "Where are you going?" Asked the sitting girl. "Out. I'll watch over Bry." Tiffany answered tiredly as she reached for the door knob. Taeyeon hurriedly stood up and blocked the door. "No. You're staying." Their faces were just two inches away. Tiffany could feel the warmth of Taeyeon's breath on her right cheek. Blood came rushing up in her face which made her blush. "Why?" "Because I wanted to." Taeyeon's breathing became ragged when she saw Tiffany blushing. She looked at the other girl's forehead, down her nose, her slightly opened lips and up to her eyes. Tiffany turned around as soon as Taeyeon met her gaze. "Noone's gonna look after my boyfriend." "The nurses are out there, just across Brian's room. I told them to specifically call me when something's up." Taeyeon opened the refrigerator and took out a glass of milk. "Look at you. You've lost weight. You haven't had a nice rest. Here, drink." "Milk?" "Yes. And here, eat this." Taeyeon gave Tiffany a lunchbox with rice and mixed vegetables inside. "You have to eat real food Fany-ah." Tiffany took the box. Deep inside, she's gratified by Taeyeon's care for

her, after all these years they've been apart. "Thanks." "After you eat, sleep here in the couch." Taeyeon said more of an order than an offer. She laid a blanket and a pillow, setting her stuffed pea aside. "I'll just make rounds on my patients. I'll be back and I expect to see you here." Tiffany could only stare at Taeyeon. But her hearts swelling with appreciation. "Eat. Now." The doctor pointed at the lunchbox. She put her coat on and head out.

Tiffany was surprised that she was really hungry. She emptied the glass and the lunchbox. Opening her bag, she took out her toothbrush and went inside Taeyeon's wash room. After cleaning herself up, she snuggled on the couch Taeyeon prepared for her. Fixing her position, she accidentally laid her eyes on the peas with eyes looking back at her. "A respected physician, and this? Seriously?" She unconsciously smiled. A few minutes passed and she dozed off.

--2008

"Yay! We won!" Taeyeon shouted while doing weird dances. For the past two hours, they've been playing games at the amusement park. Tiffany laughed at the shorter girl's dorkiness. "Taetae, people are looking at us." "I want the peas Fany-ah! The peas!" "But I want the pink one." The other girl pouted. “But the peas?”

Tiffany took the stuffed toy and gave it to Taeyeon. “Very mature of you Kim Taeyeon.”

---

“Dr. Kwon, how’s Mrs Robins?”

“She’s been doing well. Her appetite’s increased and she passed a stool five hours ago.” The tan intern answered.

“Good. And how about you?”

“Doctor?”

“You’re not focused. Did something happen?” Taeyeon asked in Korean.

“Just had more coffees than usual, I guess.” Dr. Kwon Yuri shook her head and hands.

“Okay. So that’s the last for tonight.” The shorter doctor smiled. She handed the pile of patient’s charts on Yuri. “Rest.”

“Thank you.”

---

Taeyeon saw no one inside her office when she opened the door. “What should I expect?” she mumbled. Oblivious of the girl sleeping soundly on the couch, she took out her coat and lied on the floor. “Very tiring!”

Tiffany moved a bit and Taeyeon heard it. A wide smile has shown on her face upon seeing the red head sleeping. Taeyeon crawled near the couch. She knelt in front of the sleeping girl’s face. You got prettier. I can say even if you look tired.

She inched her face closer to Tiffany’s. And the latter slowly opened her eyes. Tiffany’s eyes widened when she saw Taeyeon’s face near hers.

The shorter girl scooted instantly and cleared her throat. “I was just- I was just about to wake you up.”

The surprised Tiffany swallowed and decided to stand up. “Anyway, thank you for the food and the couch. I’ll just, uh visit Brian.”

“Sure. Sure. Go on.”

Taeyeon grunted when the door closed. What the hell was that?!

--“Brian Song. It’s been a month! We both know the prognosis weeks ago and you didn’t even tell the family about it? Brian’s not there anymore! You know that!” the older doctor exclaimed.

“But-”

“Once those machines were disconnected from him, he’ll die.”

“I know Dr. Anderson. But we are hopeful.” She explained nervously.

“Do you see this?!” Dr. Anderson threw the electroencephalogram papers on Taeyeon’s face. “Flat! No brain activity for a month! And you’re still hopeful?”

“…”

“Where is the Erica I know? You’re not his friend. You are his doctor for Pete’s sake. Fix this.” The head physician eyed Taeyeon. “Or you are off the case. And frankly you may lose your job.”

“Yes, sir.” She sighed.

---

With no one to talk to, Taeyeon went straight to the cafeteria. She ordered a cup of coffee and a pack of Caesar’s salad. She looked for an empty seat. Never in her life has she fought for a patient. She barely knew the man. But because of Tiffany, she risked her job and her career.

“Hi doctor. Seat taken?” Yuri smiled.

“”No, no. Take a seat.” She gestured at the chair beside her. “I need to tell Brian Song’s family about his prognosis.”

“Not good, eh?”

“No.” she frowned.

“We have to do what we gotta do. That’s what you told us, a thousand times. So, what do you got to do?”

“I don’t know, Yuri.”

“If he’s someone you don’t know, what would you do?”

“Tell them.”

“Exactly.” The intern drank her apple juice.

Taeyeon and Yuri were talking about med school, career and specialization when Taeyeon noticed a red haired girl paying at the cashier. For a month, they’ve become more comfortable with each other. They started talking casually and they started joking around. Tiffany even introduced her to Brian during a visit to the ICU. Taeyeon saw how Tiffany loved the man. It hurt her. But she was fine with that, as long as she has Tiffany again in her life. But how would she ruin a good start with a bad news?

Tiffany looked around for a seat. She caught sight of the short doctor and was about to go to her when she saw Taeyeon talking animatedly with another doctor she was familiar with. She was a bit disappointed but dismissed it. Finding an empty table, she rushed towards it and acted like she didn’t see Taeyeon at all. Upon seating, she couldn’t help but side glance at the two girls. She opened her meal and started chewing. Then she felt a pull on her hair.

“Hey.” The brown haired girl sat next to her. “You didn’t see me?”

“Hi. Huh? Where were you?” Tiffany lied.

Taeyeon chuckled a bit when she recognized Tiffany’s look. She knew then that the other girl was lying. “I was with Yuri.” She pointed at the tan intern. The latter waved her hand to them.

“Why are you here?”

“You’re alone. That’s unhealthy.”

“You’re the boss now?” Tiffany mocked.

Taeyeon laughed. “Okay, okay. Should I leave now?”

“Go on.”

“You’re supposed to say no.” The doctor pouted.

“Act your age.” Tiffany shoved a slice of bread in Taeyeon’s mouth. For the both of them, it felt familiarly comfortable. They started to gain the friendship they lost. But Taeyeon was scared. She might lose Tiffany again.

“You’re gaining weight now. That’s good. And you’re eating more.”

“Well, how couldn’t I eat when a doctor’s always there to bug me?” Tiffany chewed a spoon of rice.

“She cares.” She paused. “All doctors should. Not only for the patient, but for the family as well.”

“Oh, come on. You never talked to the relatives for more than ten minutes.”

“You noticed? Okay, so you’re special.” Taeyeon smiled, which immediately disappeared when Tiffany awkwardly cleared her throat. Taeyeon tried to remember every moment they’re okay. I might miss this. She decided to leave. “I gotta go. More patients and more family members.”

“Sure.”

Tiffany enjoyed Taeyeon’s company. But it was Brian who stops her from enjoying. It felt like cheating, she reasoned. Why does it feel like cheating when we don’t do anything bad? No, the one I love is Brian. This is not cheating.

A phone ring snapped her out of her daze. “Hello, Jessi?”

“Erica Kim.”

“What about her?”

“She is Taeyeon.”

“…”

Jessica gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand. “You little~ why didn’t you tell me?!”

“I was busy and-”

“You kept it from me!” Jessica cried. “So how was it?”

“Brian’s getting better.” Tiffany nonchalantly replied.

“I know that. You email me about him almost every day. What I wanna know is about you and Taeyeon.”

Tiffany sighed. She closed the box of breakfast she was eating and leaned on the chair. While contemplating, she massaged her temple. “Jessi, I was so mad when I saw her. I walked out on her while we were talking. But I felt guilty. I don’t know why. I-I couldn’t seem to stay mad at her.”

“You don’t say-”

“Jessica Jung. Stop. Don’t even get there.” Tiffany interrupted.

“But-”

“I have to go. Talk to you later.” She pressed the cancel button on her phone. No, that can’t be right.

---

Sunny passed an ampule of nalbuphine, an analgesic to the sloped doctor in front of her. “Should I administer this to you?”

The other girl nodded.

“Stop overthinking. Kwon and Anderson are right. You are a doctor. They deserve to know the truth.” Sunny explained. She opened the ampule, aspirated the medicine with a syringe and injected through Taeyeon’s deltoid.

Taeyeon hissed when she felt the injection. “I’m hopeful about this one, Sunny.”

“Because he has a chance or because of Tiffany?” the short haired doctor pulled the syringe. “I know you Taeng.” She added.

“Okay, okay. I can’t hurt her anymore. She’s been through a lot.”

“You can never decide on who’s gonna live and who’s gonna die. You’re no God. We all have limitations. Even you.” “That’s why I told you to back out. You shouldn’t have been on that case.”

A knock on the door interrupted the talk. “Taeyeon?”

“Hi Tiffany!” Sunny stood and side hugged Tiffany. “Remember me?”

“Yes of course. Look at you! The two of you became doctors. I remember when you talk about med school way back in Korea.” Tiffany warmly smiled.

Sunny went to Taeyeon’s side and wrapped her arms over the other girl’s shoulder. “We should go out sometimes, grab a meal or whatever.”

Taeyeon elbowed Sunny.

“What?” the shorter girl asked.

“That’d be great! I’ll bring Jessica when she gets here.”

“Jessica? You’re overly cold and rude friend?” Sunny asked. And she earned another nudge from Taeyeon. “Aw!” Sunny rubbed her belly. “Well, anyway I have to go. See you around Tiffany. It’s really nice to see you again.” She took her hand bag and went out the room.

Taeyeon and Tiffany nodded.

“What were you two talking about?” The read head asked. “When I came in, you suddenly tensed.”

“Oh nothing, just hospital stuff.” Taeyeon answered coolly.

“Okay. You okay? You look in pain.”

“Nah, just a headache. No worries.”

“Did you take a medicine for that?” Tiffany stared at Taeyeon worriedly.

“Yes maam.” She showed Tiffany the shot of nalbuphine she had earlier. “Sunny gave it to me.”

“Good. I don’t want to worry about two people at the same time.”

“So. What brought you here?” Taeyeon discharged what Tiffany said.

The latter was saddened but understood the shorter girl. It’s the headache.

Taeyeon was happy that Tiffany still cared for her. But the thought of telling her about Brian’s condition clouded her mind plus the headache she’s been tolerating. If it’ll hurt me or hurt her, I better start acting professional. I should expect for the worst.

“Nothing, I thought maybe you can join me for dinner before I go home? Appa and umma’s going to look after Brian tonight. I’ll get home later. Have you eaten yet?”

“I couldn’t go with you. I have patients to see.”

“Oh. Okay. I-I think I should go now.”

“See you later Fany.” I would love to Fany-ah. But I couldn’t enjoy these moments with you if I know I’d hurt you again.

Chapter VII

Letting Go

“I’ll tell it to them sir. I called the family members to talk about this.” Taeyeon was in Dr. Anderson’s office again.

“I know you would do the right thing Erica. But that’s not the reason I called you in here.” The older doctor took out a stack of papers from his drawer, which he passed to Taeyeon. “Look into them. Kim, they need organs. And they matched with your patient.”

Taeyeon couldn’t utter a single word with her boss’ idea. She opened the files and scrutinized each case. The patients needed a cornea, a heart, bowel and nerves. “B-but-“

“I can tell them if you can’t. That’s an easy job.” Dr. Anderson threatened.

“I-I’ll do it myself.”

The head dismissed the younger doctor. Taeyeon went out of the room with a heavy heart. Her hopes were crushed. The thought of seeing Tiffany happy again has disappeared. “I thought we could make a new start even as friends, even with Brian around. Why?”

---

For the past months, she’s been under great stress. She has cried a lot. Life has been unfair to her, she always thought. Tiffany sat down on one of the benches outside the hospital. She dangled her feet like a child. She missed the times when she was the happiest. Reminiscing the joyful moments, she thought of Brian’s proposal. She tried to relive every moment when another memory came rushing in. It was the memories she had with Taeyeon.

---

“Fany-ah, saw this one today and I thought of you.” Taeyeon handed her girlfriend a pink unicorn. “So I bought it. I know you’ll love it as much as I love the peas you gave me.”

“How fluffy!” the girl took the stuffed toy excitedly. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you. I love you Fany-ah.”

“I love you too Taetae. I am the happiest!” she hugged Taeyeon tightly. “I will keep this.”

“You should!” Taeyeon pouted. Tiffany kissed her lips.

---

Tiffany opened her eyes and it was dark. She grimaced when she looked around. She remembered she put the light in the kitchen on before lying on her couch. After turning on the lights, she had a glimpse of Taeyeon sitting on a chair with a letter on hand.

“What’s that?” Tiffany asked.

“You know I’m not a good talker. I stutter, I get nervous and I get all blanked out. So I wrote what I wanted to say.” She cleared her throat, straightened herself and stretched the paper in fron of her. “Fany-ah, a few nights before this night, I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking what to give you on our first anniversary. And I thought, I gave you a lot of material things and I’ve surprised you a lot. So, what should I do?”

Tiffany stood there and just looked at Taeyeon questioningly.

“And then, I saw a piece of paper on my desk. I started writing. Here it goes:

Happy first anniversary to the love of my life. I’m sorry I could only offer you words that my heart holds. But they mean like a lot for me. These are the words I couldn’t tell you because you tease me about being so cheesy.

Fany-ah, I may run out of gifts or surprises but this-” she pointed at her chest. “This won’t run out of love for you. Tiffany, I love you. Every waking moment of my life, I love you. And every day, I love you even more ‘because you made every day a Valentine’s day. You never asked me who you are to me. I’ll answer it for you. You are my girlfriend, my best friend, my love, my heart and my everything. And I’m kinda hoping you’ll also be my future.” Taeyeon wiped her tears and chuckled softly. “You never asked what I loved about you. I’ll just tell it to you then. I love it when you tease me. True. I love it when you take care of me, I love your mood swings, I love how you opened yourself to me, I love what you do to me: you make me happy, you make me cry, you make me jealous, you make me mad, you make wanna kiss you all day- and Fany, I love the way you love me. Our relationship is an accident, we never meant to fall in love but hey, we did. And if I die and there’s a part of my life where I can go back, I wanna go back to the part where you are there.” She stood up and cupped Tiffany’s face. “Because that’s where I became so happy. You are my happiness and I thank God every day for giving you to me. How about planning a family of two?” Taeyeon smiled at the girl’s whose tears are steadily flowing.

“Oh, Taetae, what did I do good to deserve you?” Tiffany kissed Taeyeon. “Happy anniversary.”

---

“Tiffany.” Taeyeon sat near the crying girl. “What’s wrong?”

The other girl looked Taeyeon in the eye. “What really went wrong Taetae? Was it me?”

“What are you talking about?” Taeyeon asked. She felt a familiar surge of pain and guilt.

“Was it me? What happened to the family of two we planned?”

“No, no. Please. Hush now.”

“I-I have to go.” Tiffany stood up and disappeared through the crowd.

Fany-ah, what happened? Why the sudden questions?

---

She rushed through the corridors looking for a red head. She looked at the cafeteria, at the ICU, at her office and at the comfort rooms. “Where are you?”

“Dr. Kim!” Yuri called out from the nurses’ station.

“Yes? What is it Kwon?”

“Ms Hwang is in the lobby. Saw her a while ago.”

“Thanks Yuri. I’ll tell Dr. Black to let you assist him in his surgery.”

Yuri punched the air. “Thanks, doctor!”

---

“Tiffany I have something to tell you.” She said while walking towards the girl.

“What is it? If it’s about what I behaved-”

“No. Come.” Taeyeon took the other girl’s hand. Tiffany relented.

They stopped at the glass window of one of the rooms in the medical ward of the hospital. “Adrian Aickman. 26. A husband to a fine young lady and a father to a pair of beautiful twins. His heart’s tremendously failing. He’s on the transplant list for 7 months now and he’s dying. He needs a heart.”

“What’s-“ before she could finish her question, Taeyeon dragged her to the next room.

“Jesse Harris. 17. A painter and a musician. She got into an accident which ruined her right hand, her dominant. Her nerves got burned and now, she can’t move her hand, the one she uses to play and paint.”

“Helen Walker. 49. Has bowel cancer. She’s a mother of three and a grandmom of two. She still works to support her growing family.”

“And finally, Jensen Foster. 12. Blind since he was born. Never saw the beauty of the world.”

Tiffany raised her hands to interrupt Taeyeon. “What’s this?”

“Tiffany, they all matched Brian’s organs.” She exhaled.

“I don’t understand.”

Tiffany got pulled to Brian’s room. Taeyeon closed the curtains and locked the door. “Look at this.” She pointed at the electroencephalogram. “This determines Brian’s brain activity, the major organ of our body. And this flat line showing here means his brain’s not working anymore. It’s been for a month.”

Tiffany took her time to digest what Taeyeon was talking about, still she couldn’t understand. “What are you saying?”

“He’s brain dead. And once these machines were unhooked from him, he’ll stop breathing, and every organ in his body will die. The only things that are keeping him alive are these machines.” She thoroughly explained. I hate to do this Tiffany.

“So you’re saying--”

The doctor nodded.

“No, no! He’s there. I know, Taeyeon-ah.”

“I’m sorry Tiffany.”

“I thought we’re friends! I thought you’re doing your best?! What’s this all of a sudden?” Tiffany argued. Luckily the room was soundproof and no one could hear them.

“It’s been weeks Tiffany. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you because I was hopeful too. But I’m not just a friend, I’m also a doctor. And I should decide. Your time, effort and money have been going to waste. Tiffany, he’s been long gone.”

“Now that’s rude! You don’t know how much he means to me.”

“Tiffany, you have to learn how to let go. He has to go.”

“Oh yes please, tell me about leaving and letting go. You’re an expert on that.” Tiffany hissed. “You left me four years ago and he took me in. He had me at my worst while you, you selfish ******* had me at my very best. You took away everything when you left. I was empty. He filled that emptiness you caused. And now, you’re telling me I have to let him go?” she sobbed. “Who are you anyways? You’re just someone who’s so bent in ruining my life! I wish I never met you. I wish you’re the one who’s lying on that bed. Because you deserve that! He’s a good person and you’re not.”

Taeyeon started crying. “Fany-ah, stop. Please.”

“Stop calling me Fany. You don’t have the right! And no, I won’t stop. I begged you. I waited for you! You never came back and you didn’t even have the decency to at least explain! You are heartless. Just why in the world did I see you again? And why did I let you in after what you did? I hate myself for even thinking we could start again. You always gave me false hope. This is your entire fault. If you never left-- leave. Just freakin’ leave! Now!”

Taeyeon left the room crying. Tiffany’s words stabbed though her fragile heart. She wished she could undo things. She wished she could go back in time and make things right for them. Yet, a wish is just a wish. Everything has gone wrong.

She took out her phone and dialled a number.

“Hello who’s this?” the person on the other line answered.

“This is Taeyeon. I’m sorry to bother you but can you please go here?”

“Kim Taeyeon?”

“Yes.”

Chapter VIII

Denial

“Why?”

“I told Tiffany that Brian has to go.” She sniffed “Help me clear her mind. She’s really mad at me.”

“Okay Taeyeon. I’ll just settle things out here. And I’ll come. Are you crying?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“It’s totally okay. I was planning to go too.”

---

“What?! H-he can’t-”

“Dear, your blood pressure.” Mr Song soothed her wife.

“I’m really sorry maam, sir.” Taeyeon looked at the couple alternately. “It’s been a month and there’s no brain activity that’s seen. I was as hopeful as you are. Other doctors, even the head of our department told me to let this one go. I was hesitant, yes, but they’re all right. Once the machines were unattached from him, he won’t survive even for an hour. I hate to say this but, I think we should let him go.”

“Stephanie, what do you say?”

“…” Tiffany started crying again. Taeyeon could only avoid looking at her. She doesn’t want to see how hurt Tiffany is. “You can have all the time you need. And please can you consider donating his org-”

“No. He’s still there and you’re already killing him!”

“I’m sorry. I’ll just-- go ahead.” Taeyeon bowed and took her way from the grieving loved ones.

---

Kwon Yuri was taking notes from the charts Taeyeon left. She has her coffee with her. She yawned and slightly closed her eyes, hoping for a quick sleep. “Doctor. Are you done with the charts?” a nurse asked.

“No not yet.” She opened her eyes. “Lisa, you ruined my sleep.”

The brunette nurse snickered. Yuri took her cup and sipped. Her world stopped and everything went slow when she saw a glimpse of a blonde girl looking at different direction as if lost.

“Holy crap! My scrubs! Hot. Hot. Hot!” she yelled when she accidentally released the cup of coffee. She took a bunch of tissue from the table and wiped her scrub suit.

“Excuse me? I’m looking for uh, Dr. Erica Kim. Is she here today?” the blonde asked one of the nurses.

Korean? She looks like a doll. And crap, she speaks English well. Why is she looking for Dr. Kim? Yuri swallowed as she smelled the scent of the mysterious girl just beside her. Vanilla, isn’t it?

“Wait for a second maa’am. I’ll call her office to check if she’s there.” The nurse replied. “What’s your name again?”

“Jessica. Jessica Jung.”

The nurse turned around to phone Taeyeon’s office. After a few rings, the nurse looked at Jessica apologetically. “I’m sorry but no one’s answering. But she’s on duty today. Maybe she’s out to see her patients. Would you like to leave a message?”

“Oh no, I’ll look for her myself.” The blonde shook her hands in the air. “Thank you.”

Yuri, on the other hand, used all her confidence and talked to Jessica. Though ashamed with her wet suit, she went close to the other girl. “She’s my boss. I come with her during rounds. So, I know where her patients are.”

“Oh, great! Can you tell me where they are?” Jessica smiled.

Good lord! Her smile- I can’t“I-I can take you there, if you want, that is.” She hopefully offered.

Jessica weighed her option. Less effort and less stress, she thought. “Okay! Let’s go!” she took Yuri by her arm and walked.

“But my scrub suit, I need to change first.”

“Nope. We’re gonna look for your boss now. N. O. W.” the blonde demanded. “Where are we going first?”

The dumbfounded doctor pointed at the elevator. “Third floor.” She answered dejectedly.

“Okay!” Jessica hopped towards the elevator, still dragging Yuri. She press the button number three and waited. She crossed her arms over chest and tapped for foot like a boss.

Yuri couldn’t help but stare at the beauty beside her. She unconsciously smiled to herself.

“Are you staring at me?” Jessica asked sarcastically.

“I- uh no of course not. Uh, the uh-” Yuri stuttered.

The other girl raised her one brow.

“T-there’s bug in your hair and I got distracted. Here let me just get it.” Yuri reached out her hand and picked an imaginary bug. “This one.”

“Huh.” The blonde scoffed.

Due to nervousness, Yuri put both her hands in her pocket.

“Ew. Did you just put the bug in your pocket? That’s. Just. Gross. Doctor” Jessica squinted her eyes to read Yuri’s name tag. “Kwon. Did I say ew already? Because I wanna say it again. Ew.”

“No t-there’s no-”

Ding! The elevator opened and the two immediately went in. Jessica was again tapping her feet. Yuri mentally face palmed. The hell was that?

The elevator door opened at second floor and visitors hurried in. Yuri noticed Jessica winced at the sight of the noisy people. Why is she so grumpy? It’s too early yet.

Yuri stood stiff on the other side of the small space, again looking at Jessica.

“What?” Jessica silently mouthed at her.

“Nothing.” She replied.

---

“Good morning Dr. Kwon. Do you need anything?” a woman in green scrubs greeted. She looked at the soaked tan girl.

“Oh, don’t mind this. The coffee slipped so- yeah. Did Dr. Kim go here for rounds?”

“She was here a little less than ten minutes ago. Do you have scrubs? I can lend you one.” The nurse smiled.

“I’m fine.” Yuri flashed a warm smile back.

“Are you sure because-”

Jessica rolled her eyes. Ugh this is taking us so long. “Uhm, excuse me, but we have to go. Right, Yuri?” she took the tan girl by the hand and smiled sweetly. She turned to the nurse and shot daggers through her look.

The blonde girl draw Yuri away the nurses’ station. “Flirting? Seriously? Go get a room you guys.”

“No we’re not flirt-”

“Yeah, yeah, go on. Lie. You lied about the bug. I’m not as dumb as you think. Dr. Kwon.” She rolled her eyes.

“Hi Dr. Kwon!” another person greeted, this time it’s a female intern.

“Hello.” Yuri awkwardly replied. She earned another mocked chuckle from Jessica. “What now?”

“What are you, like a heartthrob here?”

“No, I’m not.”

“You have quite a number of fans.”

“You think so? Why, do I make your heart throb?” Yuri teased.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. In your dreams.”

---

Yuri and Jessica went to four wards Taeyeon usually do her rounds. But they didn’t see the doctor.

“Okay, so we are left with the last.” Yuri stopped in front of the nurse’s station. “Dr. Kim, have you seen her?” she asked a male nurse.

“Dr. Kwon, I’m sorry but she just left.” The latter answered.

“Did she tell you where she’d go?”

“W-well, she did mention to call her from her office if we need her.” The nurse scratched his head.

“Oh okay, thank you.”

“A-and, Dr. Kwon? You look good today even when you’re soaked.” The shy guy blushed.

Yuri chuckled. “That didn’t sound good, Jason. But thank you.”

Jessica frowned. “Fifth ward and what, ten fans? Psh.” she thought.

“We’re heading out now. Thanks again.” Yuri took the blonde’s arm and led her to Taeyeon’s office.

“So uh, this is her room.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“No. I’ve helped you enough.” Yuri replied coolly. She swiftly looked at the girl she’s been glancing since they met. She couldn’t help herself but admire the blonde.

Jessica didn’t speak until her awaited moment, Yuri looking at her. “Gotcha!”

“H-huh? What?”

“You’re always looking at me.” Jessica crossed her arms and stood a few inches away from Yuri. “And whenever I confront you, you stutter like that. You seem confident with your fans out there.”

“Wow, you analysed me? I’m good Ms. Jung. I wasn’t looking at you. Okay- so I have to go.” She raised the long list of orders she has to do. “A lot of patients, see?”

Jessica turned her back from the leaving tan girl and smiled. Stop your cool, Kwon.

---

A knock and the door slightly opened. Taeyeon raised her head from leaning on her arm.

“Hi.” The blonde waved her hand.

“Sica?” Taeyeon scrutinized every part of Jessica’s face. “Wow. Look at you. You’ve changed a lot. You and Tiffany got even better. ”

“Thank you, Taeyeon. You looked even prettier too. And wow, you’re a doctor now. Can I?” she pointed at the seat in front of Taeyeon’s table.

“Go on, have a seat.”

Jessica noticed how tired and stressed Taeyeon is. Add the sadness in her eyes. “How’s Tiffany?”

“I don’t know. I don’t get any chance to talk to her. She avoids me.” The doctor sighed.

“That bad, huh? That I needed to come here myself.” The blonde played with the figurine of an angel on top of the table. “You know, they’re getting married. She was happy, really happy Taeng- wow that felt so familiarly comfortable calling you on your nickname.”

“Yeah, for me too.” Taeyeon smiled bitterly.

“Anyway, you couldn’t blame her. You know her words can be so nasty when she’s mad.”

“I know. I’m fine. I deserve that. But Brian; he doesn’t deserve to be in this situation. He’s been through a lot. His physical body’s been tortured, literally. I wanted to him to live, that’s why I fought for him. I’m losing my job and my promotion Sica.” Taeyeon’s voice got sadder.

“You what?”

“My boss. He’s the head of the internal medicine. He almost took me out of his case. I tried to postpone everything, because I want him to live. But Sica, I-I couldn’t do it. A-and those patients I talked to you about, they really need those organs. It’s rude to ask this but, they have a chance to a better life.”

The blonde understood the short doctor’s dilemma. She realized Taeyeon wasn’t as bad as she thought she was. “Taeng, I’ll try to talk to her. And thank you for keeping with this mess. I’m sorry I judged you before. You’re still the good old Taeyeon I know, which is good.

“She’s in the ICU, I believe. Thank you Jessica.”

---

“Tiff?”

Tiffany looked up. She hardly recognized the person who called for her because of the tears welling in her eyes. It took her a while to clearly see Jessica. “Jess? Oh my god!” she hugged the girl tightly. “You’re here. You’re here. I thought I’m all alone.”

“Oh Tiffany.” She hugged back “You’re never alone. The Songs are here right? And Taeng-”

Tiffany cut her friend off. “No. She’s not a part of this.”

“Tiff, can’t you see? She’s always been here. She’s the one who asked me to go here. She took care of him. And, and Brian’s been sleeping for more than a month now. Don’t you think we-”

“No, Jessi. Stop! Don’t even go there. He’s there. He listens to me. And you think Taeyeon really cared? She doesn’t Jessi, she doesn’t. Why does it always have to be about her? I’m the one in pain here.” the red head started crying again.

“She’s in misery too. She almost lost her job fighting for Brian, Tiffany. But Brian’s tired and he couldn’t fight more. And she’s right; Brian can help a lot of people if you decide to-”

The red head looked questioningly at her worried friend. “She what?”

“For a whole month, she risked everything just to look after him because she cares for you. I don’t know if its guilt or what, but Tiffany, she cares a lot.”

Tiffany stood up and ran, as fast as she can. She wanted the world to just end at that moment. She despised Taeyeon, with all her heart, she wanted to blame her for everything but she started doubting her anger. She started thinking every good thing Taeyeon did for her and Brian.

---

The blonde girl stood in front of Brian’s glass door. “Brian, is this your plan? Did you know about them? Did you ever think that Tiffany’s still in love with her? I can’t figure things out.”

Jessica went up to Taeyeon’s office and peered through the door. Noone’s there. Where did everyone go?

Chapter IX

Acceptance

Tiffany ran towards the stairs. She sat down one of the steps and whimpered. She didn't expect life would get harder as it is. First she lost Taeyeon and now she's losing Brian too. What have I done to deserve this kind of punishment? While she pities herself, Tiffany heard a sob upstairs. She wiped her eyes, fixed her clothes and stood up. "Hello? Who's there?" Thy cry has become louder by the minute. "Should I come up?" "N-no. Stay there." The female voice said. "Are you alright? What happened?" The other person sniffed and exhaled loudly. "My h-husband. We were up at the transplant list. But I got a call. They said, they've had a batch of people who need hearts and they should be prioritized." Tiffany remembered the patient Taeyeon talked to her about.

Adrian Aickman. 26. A husband to a fine young lady and a father to a pair of beautiful twins. His heart’s tremendously failing. He’s on the transplant list for 7 months now and he’s dying. He needs a heart.

"So what happened to your husband?" "We will wait. Again." Another sob. "My twins, they're still young. We love their father so much. He's a good person. He has plans for us. But, there he is fighting for his life. I don't know what to do. Where can I get the heart? How can I make him live?"

"What did your doctor say?" Tiffany asked. "Dr. Kim said she'll try to put my husband on top. She's been a great help to us." Tiffany sighed at the thought of Taeyeon and why did she coax her and Brian's parents to donate. I was so busy putting all the blame on her when all she did was to make things right for all of us. "Can I come up? I'll walk you to your room." She offered. "Okay."

Tiffany slowly took the steps towards the woman. She looks more tired than Tiffany. The ebony haired woman aged almost ten years more. Her eyes are lifeless, she's skinny and sadness is all over her face. "You look so tired. Are you alone?" "Yes. And, the twins, they go to school. I have to go home before they wake up each morning and help them prepare and check their assignments. Then I have to go back here to take care of my husband. I barely sleep and eat. I'm only 27. Do I look in my 40s?" She chuckled bitterly. "I'm Irene. And you?" "Tiffany." She helped Irene stand up and the latter led the way out. They walked silently as Tiffany side hugged the other girl for support. "Mommy!" Two little girls came running from the patient's room. "Where have you been? We are hungry!" Irene knelt and embraced the two kids. "I'm sorry. Was I too long? How about the biscuits I gave you?" "We ate it all." The short haired girl said. The other one with a longer hair covered the other one's mouth. "You ate it all. You didn't give me any." And she started to cry. "But mommy has no penny in her stash right now. She used them for

daddy's medicines."

Tiffany cleared her throat. "I can take them to the cafeteria. I'll just buy them food." "Oh no, Tiffany it's fine." "Really?" The two excited girls asked Tiffany in unison. Their eyes sparkled. "Candace, Carina!" Their mom scolded as she stood up. "Irene, it's okay. You can come. Let's eat together. Please." Tiffany persuaded. The woman contemplated for a moment and she gave in. "Okay. I'll just pay for our meal when I got money." "Lunch is on me. Please don't pay." Both the children took Tiffany's hands. Tiffany smiled at Irene, the latter nodded and smiled back. "What are your names?" "Carina!" The girl with a shorter hair beamed. "Candace!" The one with a longer hair hopped in place. "How about you?" "I'm Tiffany. Nice to meet you, little ones." "Us too! Wow, you have a nice name and a nice smile too." Candace praised. The read head chuckled. "What do you want for lunch?" --"Okay guys, sit here and mommy and I will buy food. Behave you two." Tiffany assisted the two kids to sit. The chairs are a bit higher for them.

"Yay!" They cried. The two adults went to one of the food carts. Tiffany looked at Irene. "Do you work?" "Yes, I'm a preschool teacher downtown. I took an indefinite leave." The other woman explained. "Are you still paid?" "Luckily, my bosses are good hearted that's why they still pay me. Only half of my salary though. But it's good enough." Tiffany paused. She realized how many people out there have suffered or are suffering worse than her. The woman beside her is just a year older than her but she looks like ten years older than her age. Taeyeonah, why didn't you tell me about their lives earlier? I should've understood. After paying for the meals, they took their seats. Tiffany passed a cup of coffee to Irene and two cups of milk to the two kids. “Here you go kiddos." All of them ate silently. The family enjoyed their meal for they have never got the chance to eat a complete meal since the father was admitted to the hospital. "Tiffany, thank you! This is delicious." Candace smiled. "Let's have this meal again next time." Tiffany smiled back. "Daddy will come with us then, right?" The other girl asked. "We don't know yet, baby." Irene soothed the two girls. "But Dr. Taetae said she'll treat daddy." Tiffany's brows shot up at the familiar nickname. "Taetae?" The woman across her chuckled. "Dr. Kim. When these two kids were younger, they can't pronounce the letter R. They can't say her name

since it has R in it. So Dr. Kim allowed them to call her Taetae. She said it's her Korean name?" Irene sipped from her cup. "I don't know. It's cute though." "Yes, and she told us noone's allowed to call her Taetae other than her mommy and the love of her life." Carina said with mouth full. "We're the only exception." "Chew and swallow first, Carina." Irene ordered. "Then you are very special kids." Tiffany unconsciously smiled. Taeyeon has indeed kept her words when she told Tiffany about noone else calling her Taetae other than the read head and her mom. "Where is the love of her life? Are they together? I'm Dr. Kim's friend. She's treating my boyfriend too, like your daddy." The two kids mumbled to each other. "She seems trustworthy." "But it's Dr. Taetae's secret." "She's a friend." "Okay." The other one sighed in defeat. They both looked at Tiffany. "Promise you're not gonna tell anyone?"

The latter nodded. "They're not together. Dr. Taetae made a big mistake!", said Candace exaggeratedly. "What's that mistake?" "We don't know yet. We have to wait until we get older, she said." Carina crossed her arms. "Until now, she's in love. I hope that person loves her too." "Dr. Kim is a good person-" the older woman butted in. "I don't know what happened or what she did. But I'm sure she is a good person." Tiffany nodded.

--They walked together towards Irene's husband's room. Tiffany left as soon as the family said their thank yous and goodbyes. She went to the other room and overheard another crying woman. "Mom, don't talk like that. Your bowel's gonna be fine. You're not leaving us yet." She left immediately and peaked on the other room. The room Jess and Jensen shared. One was trying to write with his hand, but can't. The other one's reading something on brail. She left with a heavy heart. The faces of the patients and their families were stuck on her mind as she walked through the corridors. Brian, is this what you want? She went out to the restaurant outside the hospital to meet Brian's parents. "Umma." She kissed Mrs. Song's cheeks. "Appa." She patted and rubbed Mr Song's shoulder. "Stephanie." "Umma, appa. About Brian." The adults talked for about an hour. They've decided to let him go. And to allow donation. The couple cried while Tiffany sat there with no tears to cry anymore. Her tear ducts are exhausted as well as her heart and mind.

--The blonde grunted as she took her way around the hospital corridors to look for the cafeteria. She just arrived a few hours ago and she has seen much drama for a day. She bought a sandwich and a coffee. Jessica found a seat in the corner. When she dropped her meal on the table, another tray was put. She looked up to see Dr. Kwon rummaging her

waist bag for something. "Uh, excuse me. This is mine. I got here first." Jessica exclaimed. "W-what? This is mine." Yuri coldly replied. "I said this is mine!" The blonde yelled which gathered attention. "Yah! What's that for?" Yuri hissed in Korean. "To gain attention. Leave. This is mine." Jessica took her seat. Yuri mouthed sorry to everyone and sighed loudly. "You're such a *****." "I know." The blonde raised one of her brow. "Go on now, take your seat." "You little- why make such drama a while ago?" "Because I wanted to. Got a problem with that?" Yuri took her seat and growled. She stuffed her mouth rather irritably. The other girl's enjoying the moment. "Do you know Brian Song and Tiffany Hwang?" "Yeah. Song is Dr. Kim's patient and Ms. Hwang is the fiance? Why?" "They are my friends, and this has gotten worse. I'm stuck in between Tiffany and Taeyeon." Yuri digested Jessica's problem. "My mentor said, you have to do what you gotta do. Follow that, and you'll be fine." Jessica paused. "And who's your mentor?" "Dr. Kim Taeyeon." She smiled. The other girl smiled back. "Hey. Wait. Are you like bipolar or something?" "Why?" "At one moment you're like a villain in soap operas and the next you're

okay. You are indeed bipolar." Yuri tilted her head at one side. It took a while before Jessica got the point. She laughed hard. "You're weird Jung." The doctor shook her head. "You don't like weird?" Yuri chewed a spoon of veggies and thought for a second. "I like weird." Both of them beamed. --They were seating around the doctor. Mr and Mrs Song called for Taeyeon to talk about Brian. "First, we would like to thank you for taking good care of our son." Mr. Song said. "And we were sorry for the times we demanded so much and for the times we blame you." Taeyeon shook her head. "I understand sir." "We wanted to talk about Brian." Mrs. Song sighed. "Maam, about his condition and about the organ donation, we can-" "Take him out of the machines and let those people have a better life. We're saying yes for the donation." Taeyeon was happy for the recipients of the organs but is sadder for the old couple's lost, especially Tiffany's. "You can have your time to be with him sir. And call me if you decided to-" "Yes, yes. Thank you Taeyeon." The couple started sobbing. Taeyeon took out a box of tissue and handed it to them. "It was Tiffany, who talked to us about it. She said if Brian was here, he'll gladly donate what he can donate."

"Your son's a good man, maam, sir."

The couple nodded and prepared themselves to head out. “And Taeyeon?”

The latter raised her brows.

“Don’t blame yourself. You’ve done so much more for him. We are grateful for that.” Mrs Song added.

Chapter X

Fly Away

March 16, 2013 1:15 PM.

The two best friends stood side by side. The sky seemed sympathizing with Tiffany. It rained hard that day. They viewed the raindrops and umbrellas passing by each other. Tiffany wanted to cry but nothing’s coming out from her eyes.

Early that morning, she brought a white flower outside Brian’s room. Her inside gets tighter whenever she remembers that two days from that day, her fiancé; Brian will be taken away from her.

“Are you really taking him?” she asked, looking up.

“Huh?” Jessica looked at Tiffany.

“Did you just lend him to me? I won’t stop believing he’ll open his eyes though. He’s good to me, he loves me. He stood by me all the time. He took care of me. Brian- he’s the reason I wanted to live again. Don’t take him yet? I’m begging you.” Tiffany wiped the tear escaping her eye.

The other girl rubbed Tiffany’s back, her tears started brimming.

“You know what, I have all the right to get mad at You.” She continued, still looking up. “You always take everything away from me. Please spare me this one. We’re getting married. I have to make him oatmeal at night, we’ll talk about our jobs, about the people we know ‘till we sleep, we’ll have kids. We’ll have kids.” She started sobbing.

7:51 PM.

Jessica sat beside the sleeping man. She heaved a sigh. From head to toe, she viewed Brian.

“Hey Bry. In all fairness, you’ve been unfair. She loves you and she’s willing to give you her hand, her forever. I hope you’re happy out there. It’s hard, but we’ll take care of her. We’ll take care of your parents. Thank you for giving four years of love and care to my best friend. Thank you for being a good friend to me too. You still have two days though. Will you wake up? I hope you do.” She stood up, fixed Brian’s blanket and walked out of the tiny hopeless room.

The blonde cried gently at the side of the corridor. She felt the familiar ache seeing her best friend suffer again.

From not so far away, another girl’s sadly looking at her. She went beside Jessica and offered her handkerchief. “I’m sorry, I just heard.”

“It’s okay, Dr. Kwon. You couldn’t do anything to stop their decision, could you?”

The tan intern shook her head.

“Thank you anyways. I don’t have a friend here other than Tiff and Taeng. You’re the closest one.”

“Hey.” Yuri sulked. “So we’re not friends yet?”

The blonde punched Yuri’s arm as she chuckled softly. “Seriously? At this kind of moment?”

“I just wanna see you smile. I know it’s hard for you. But you know, at some point in time, sooner than you could ever think, everyone will move on and everything will be okay.” She paused and held the other girl’s hand. “Everything happens for a reason. And as hard as it seems, you’ll understand the reason in due time. Do you get me?”

“Yeah, I think I do.”

March 17, 2013 11:02AM.

Dr. Kim Taeyeon was avoiding Brian’s room for the past days. She can’t look at him nor go near him because of guilt. People around her told her it’s not her fault. But her mind and heart say otherwise.

“Dr. Kim, isn’t he your friend?” Yuri inquired.

“No. He’s Tiffany’s fiancé, and Tiffany’s my friend so that’s how we’re connected.”

“I don’t know what’s your story but doctor, you’ve been taking all the blame when in fact no one’s blaming you here. He has to go.” The intern tried to enlighten Taeyeon.

Taeyeon shook her head, sipped her coffee and sadly stared at her cup. “I should’ve fought more.”

“But there’s nothing you can do. We all know that. You’ve done more than enough.” Yuri took Taeyeon’s coffee and put it away the doctor. “Go. See him. He might knock some sense into your hard head. And talk to Ms. Hwang.”

Taeyeon glared at Yuri but the latter didn’t flinch. “Go. Now.” Yuri silently mouthed at Taeyeon.

12:44 PM.

Taeyeon stood in front of Brian’s bed. She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t breathe inside the room, her insides clench in pain. The doctor just stared at the sleeping guy’s face for about ten minutes.

“Here I am again. This time it’s not to check on you, but to talk to you.” She paused. “Why? Why did you give up? You’re very lucky you have your loved ones with you. But you chose to leave. I know you’re tired but don’t you think you’re becoming unfair? I want to thank you because of you I saw her again but, but to have you sacrifice yourself? It’s totally not cool.”

Taeyeon’s eyes were blurry because of the tears welling up in her eyes. “You caught her before she totally broke down. And now she’s in the verge of breaking apart again. One day more Brian, you have to wake up. She’s happy with you. I’ll let her go, for sure as long as it’s you. Please. She needs you.”

She wiped her tears as she took her way out. Taeyeon leaned her back at the glass door outside the ICU room.

Taeyeon-ah? What are you doing here? Are you crying? Tiffany thought when she the shorter girl in front of the ICU door.

“Taeyeon?” she called out. “What are you doing here?”

Taeyeon wiped her tears. “Nothing. Rounds.”

“Should we talk?”

“Yeah, I think so.” They went for a short walk at the hospital garden. The atmosphere of sadness enveloped the two.

“You decided to donate, why?” the doctor asked.

“Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with you.” Tiffany’s voice started to rise.

“I know.” Taeyeon replied calmly. She expected this kind of talk with Tiffany. “I was surprised. The people he was able to help, they’re really

happy. I would like to be happy too, for them. But I can’t. Because it was Brian. I’m sorry to have put you in this position. I didn’t have a choice.”

“I know that too. You did what you think is right.” Tiffany said.

“I thought was right. Did you think of it as a right thing too?”

“No.” the red head replied coldly.

“…”

“Okay, look. I am mad, over the top mad. But, in all honesty, you did your best so don’t blame yourself. I’m grateful for that. I just can’t accept things right now. It’s hard.”

Time

Tiffany, Jessica and the Songs were seated at the lobby. They silently prayed and hoped for a sudden change.

“It’s time.” Jessica announced.

They slowly get up and went to the ICU room. When they get there, Taeyeon together with two interns, Yuri included and two more nurses were already gathered around Brian.

Jessica went straight to Yuri’s side and clung to the tan girl’s arm. Her eyes are swelling.

On the other hand, Tiffany wrapped her right arm around Brian’s mother and her left hand held his hand. She gripped harder, hoping to wake Brian up.

“This machine aids in his breathing,” Taeyeon pointed at one machines, and started explaining the others. “This one serves as a replacement for his damaged kidneys. It cleans his blood. These monitors show his brain and heart activities. Dr. Kwon?”

The tan intern looked at Jessica who in turn, let go from her hold. Yuri took a few steps forward. “When we disconnect the contraptions, the zigzag line in the ECG machine, will slowly go straight. And his respiratory and heart rate will go down until they hit zero.”

“Just tell us when you’re ready.” Taeyeon’s voice trembled.

Mrs Song hugged her husband tightly and started weeping. Tiffany let go of her and she dragged her feet near to Brian. “Hi.” She whispered in his ear. “I love you so much. You know that, right? You’re my man, my person. I still hate you for leaving me here alone though. You should’ve stayed or took me with you. You can go now. I don’t want to but you can

go now. Up there, be my angel okay?” her tears won’t stop from falling. She kissed Brian’s forehead and nodded at Taeyeon.

Seeing how Tiffany loved the man broke Taeyeon’s heart twice. But she has to do what she’s got to do at the moment. She, together with her team disconnected the tube from Brian. The machines beeped hysterically. The EEG and ECG flatlined. Heart rate’s decreasing to zero.

Tiffany let go of Brian’s hand and started doing CPR on him. “No, no. You’re not. Come on. Fight!”

Taeyeon rushed towards her and tried pulling her. “Tiffany.”

“No, don’t touch me!” She pushed Taeyeon.

She stopped when the interns and the nurses pulled her away. She sobbed hard at the sight of her fiancé getting away from her. “You promised me, Bry. You love me, you said.”

Korea March 23, 2013

Tiffany’s body was soaked with the rain falling above her. But she didn’t mind. The pain she’s feeling couldn’t compare to any sensation in the world. To lose someone who loves her more than anyone else in the world suffocates her. She wanted to die right there and then.

Brian’s burial took place two hours ago and she refused to leave. Her tears are brimming. Her body’s trembling and her insides got tight as she watched Brian’s grave. “I suppose I’m all alone now. Are you happy? It would be so hard for me but I’ll try to be happy. I’ll try Brian, just give me some time.”

Chapter XI

Life after Everyone Moved On

California

“Good morning, Dr. Kim.” Yuri beamed. “Welcome back.”

“Good morning Yuri.” Taeyeon smiled back. “How are you?”

“I’m good. I’m really excited for my last year. I’ll work here again after all of this. I want to learn from the best.” The tan intern patted the shorter doctor’s back. “And congratulations in your exam. Heard you aced it.” Yuri raised her hand for a hand shake.

The latter’s brows shot up. She looked at Yuri with full of doubts. “I didn’t ace it Kwon. And enough sucking up with me. All of you passed in my evaluation.”

“Doctor, I’m not sucking up. You know, I looked up to you as a doctor and I treat you as a friend.”

“Code blue! Code blue!” a nurse shouted from one of the rooms.

Taeyeon grunted.

“A nice way to welcome you back huh, doctor?” Yuri mischievously snickered. “Let’s save a life?”

“Sure Kwon. Prep yourself. It’s going to be a long day.” Taeyeon took the gloves the nurse offered, put it on and swiftly went to the patient.

---

“Wow, you’re great out there. You really learned. I almost did nothing, Yuri.” Taeyeon proudly said.

“I learned from you.”

“So, how are you and Jessica?”

Yuri spit the water from her mouth. “D-doctor?”

Taeyeon let out her dorky laugh. “Jessica, the blonde?”

The tan intern took out all the patient’s chart and dragged Taeyeon away from the crowd. “Dr. Kim, the voice, keep it down. What are you talking about?”

“Oh come on. I overheard you two talking before they went home.”

---

March 19, 2013

Taeyeon was doing her rounds as usual but her mind and heart are still grieving for Tiffany. After their short talk at the park, she never had the chance to talk to her again. When they bumped into each other, Tiffany wouldn’t talk or she acts like she didn’t know Taeyeon.

She was about to call for an intern who’s around when she saw Yuri talking to a blonde girl. Yuri? Sica?

She sneaked and listened to the two.

“You’re going home?” the tall girl asked.

“Yes, I should. I have work there. And Tiffany, she needs me.” The shorter one replied.

Yuri’s tone got sad. “You take care, okay? Just do what you have to do.”

Jessica took out her phone and gave it to Yuri.

“What’s this?”

“Duh, your phone number? Save it there. You don’t want to miss me, do you?”

Yuri excitedly saved her number and her email address on Jessica’s phone. She returned the phone and smiled seemingly.

“Woah, there. You made sure I’ll contact you huh?”Jessica took the phone and disappeared through the hospital’s hallway.

“Yuri!” Taeyeon yelled and acted cool.

“Y-yes d-doctor?”

“Why are you stuttering?”

“I-uh. How long have you been there?” Yuri nervously asked.

“Just now. I was passing by and- why are you asking?” Taeyeon pulled one of her patient’s chart. Look at a page and wrote something. Yuri on the other hand was dumbfounded.

“Yuri-yah. What now?” Taeyeon asked in Korean.

“Nothing. What can I do for you?”

---

“Oh crap! You didn’t tell me! You heard everything?

“About the number thing? I did.”

Yuri shook her head. “Let’s talk about this somewhere else. Shall we?”

They went straight to the doctor’s lounge. They settled on the sofa bed when they saw no one else in the room.

“Okay, so yeah I gave her my number because she basically asked for it. I also saved my email ad for crying out loud. And I stupidly waited for her call. And she didn’t even message me!” Yuri grumbled. “That little—she played me. I should’ve known.”

Taeyeon snorted. “She didn’t call? Oh my poor Yuri.” And she started laughing again.

“Doctor! Stop it, please?” Yuri covered her face with a chart.

“What? I was just sympathizing with you.”

“I hate her! When I see her, she’s no one. And I mean it.”

“Let’s see.” Taeyeon swiftly took the charts and held a laugh. Both of them went out and walked towards the first ward they’re supposed to do their rounds.

“How about you doctor?” Yuri anxiously asked. “Hm?”

“How are you? After Mr Song’s demise?”

“…”

“You never talked about it. You got cold to patients and their families. You were never like that. Then you just disappeared.” Yuri added.

“That was the first time I felt so guilty letting go of a patient. Considering his fiancé’s my friend and all. I got scared to open up to my patients again. I didn’t know how bad I’ve gotten, So I decided to take a break, review for my qualifying exams.” Taeyeon paused to open the glass door to the patients’ room. She took a chart, read it. “And then I got the time to think things out and here I am, getting back on my feet again, treating patients.”

“Hello there, Ginny. How are you doing? I’m Dr. Erica Kim.” Taeyeon greeted the patient. Yuri stood there and assisted Taeyeon on her assessment.

“Good to know doctor. And off the professional record, I missed you when you’re gone.”

“Me too Yuri-yah.” Taeyeon smiled.

---

Korea

“Hi, you’re going to Brian’s grave?” Jessica asked Tiffany.

“Nope. Work.” Tiffany sat up, took a pile of designs and posted them on the cork board.

“You’re not going there as often as before. You really want to move on, aren’t you?”

Tiffany looked at the blonde and smiled. “It’s been what, six months? I’m moving on. And I know Brian’s going to like it this way. Right?”

“Right. And you look good on your bangs and black hair. Suits you.”

“Thanks.” I still miss you Brian. I still do. “Anyway, I would like to give you this.” Tiffany handed her friend a letter.

“What’s this?” Jessica glanced at her for the nth time that day.

“I would like to request for a leave.” Tiffany looked at Jessica. “You’re always looking at your phone. Waiting for someone?”

“No, it’s nothing. Anyways. You’re a boss too. Why make such a request when you can do it anytime you want.” Jessica asked.

“Like another common employee madam. I just want a break from work. I’ve been killing my time with these designs. Look, I’m getting old.” Tiffany sulked. “That’s why, I’m finishing everything, and I want a nice long vacation.”

“But I also want to give you this.” Jessica also handed Tiffany a piece of paper.

“Wow, you’re taking a leave too?”

“Yeah? Break from work. Vacatioooon!” the blonde squealed.

“Where to?”

“No ideas yet.”

“Okay then! Let’s have a break.”

California One month later

Yuri had her fifth coffee for the shift and her head’s still pounding from pain. She relieved for another intern who got sick. “Ugh. This is a pain in my butt. That intern, I shall get sick too and she’ll relieve for me.”

“Lisa, I’ll just take a rest. If someone looked for me except Dr. Kim, tell them I’m not here.”

She sipped the last of her cup and leaned over her arm to take a power nap. She was dozing off when she heard a familiar voice.

“Is Dr. Yuri Kwon around?” the female voice asked.

“Oh uh, she is not around I think, miss.” The nurse replied.

“Are you sure, because I saw her buying coffee at the vendomachine a while ago and she went here.” Jessica glared at Yuri’s back. “Tell her if she won’t talk to me, she’ll regret it.”

Yuri immediately raised her head which caused her head to bump at the wooden edge of the elevated nurse’s table. “Who-”

“Hi!” the blonde in a blue trench coat excitedly waved her hand.

“I’m sorry but I think you’re looking at the wrong person miss.” Yuri nonchalantly greeted.

“Wow, is that a new way to welcome people? How cold. So not like you Yuri.” Jessica raised a brow.

Yuri scratched her aching head and hurriedly went out.

“What is her problem?” Jessica growled.

“Sica? What are you doing here? And was that Yuri?”

Jessica heard Taeyeon’s voice. She suddenly tensed and did not turn to the doctor talking to her. She ran and disappeared through the hallway.

Taeyeon was surprised. Wasn’t that Yuri and Jessica? Oh, something’s going on here. She snickered. “What happened?” she asked the nurse.

The latter could only shrug.

“Oh, just give me that chart right there.”

---

“Hey Taeng. You look happy.” Sunny noticed.

“Soonkyu, I saw Jessica a while ago. I’m sure of that and Kwon just walked out on her while they’re talking.” Taeyeon laughed. “Just what happened seven months ago?”

Sunny joined Taeyeon’s laugh. “Really? That’s cool. Oh wait, does that mean I’m the only normal person around here? All of you are into girls now.”

Sunny earned a nudge from Taeyeon.

“Is Jessica with Tiffany? What do you think?”

“…” Taeyeon’s mood suddenly changed. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Have you talked to her since?”

Taeyeon shook her head. “Oh, anyway. I almost forgot. How are the patients I endorsed to you when I went for a leave?”

“The transplant patients? They’re doing fine. Adrian and Helen, they’re consciously taking their medicines and they follow all precautions. So far, the organs are hanging in there. Jesse started painting again. Lastly, Jensen’s out there, visiting the whole America. They’re all fine. They are looking for you actually.”

“I’ll try to see them soon.”

“You should.”

They both enjoyed their pancakes and coffees. Taeyeon was gone for about three months. She took a vacation and on her last month, she took her qualifying exam in her sub specialization.

---

Somewhere between the second and third month after Brian died

“But doctor, you told me you know someone who can help my husband. He needs the operation now.” The old lady was whimpering in Taeyeons office.

Taeyeon stared at her coldly. “There’s nothing we could do. He can’t do the operation because it has gotten so complicated. I told you to come to him when it was less severe but you said your husband’s fine. And now, you’re going back here saying he needs the operation? Hell he needs it.”

“Please doctor. You’re his only chance.”

“I’m sorry. You can go now.”

The wife of Taeyeon’s patient took her bag and silently exited the room. Taeyeon grunted. It was the tenth patient she rejected for the day. She was tired. She changed when Tiffany’s fiancé died. The old Taeyeon who gives hope to patients transformed into a cold apathetic doctor.

She massaged her temples as she tried to relax herself. A knock on the door startled her.

“What is it?” Taeyeon grumbled.

“Do you really have to do that? I overheard everything, Taeng.” Dr. Lee came bashing in.

“It’s their fault.”

“Taeyeon, what happened to you? You aren’t like this.” Sunny’s voice softened.

Taeyeon shrugged.

“Taeng, you should take a break. I beg you. All these patients, they’re losing their trust on you. They loved you. And now,” Sunny paused. “Just go, leave for a while. Think about things, get yourself together. I told you, it’s nobody’s fault Brian has died.”

Taeyeon stopped for a moment and thought. “You won’t stop until I agree. So, yeah maybe I need time.”

---

Korea Present time

Tiffany sat down the green grass surrounding his grave. She put the bouquet of different white flowers atop the cemented tombstone. Brian was buried on a hill with a tree above him.

“Hi. Missed me? I haven’t had the chance to visit you because of work. And because I’m trying to move on. I know it’s what you like. I stopped crying at night a month ago. I also stopped preparing a meal for two in the mornings. I miss you. Are you okay there?”

She looked up the sky and sighed. “I took a leave, effective a month ago. But I spent the month waking up, eating, sleeping and waking up again. It was a cycle. I felt so empty. After you died, I never felt the push to live.”

“But this morning when I woke up, I realized, maybe I need to look at the different side. I woke up thinking what’s there for me after this?”

Tiffany gently touched Brian’s tombstone and smiled a bit. “I’m here to ask for your permission. I’ll leave. Just to see the world, see people. Will you allow me to?”

The wind started to feel a bit stronger and a flower from the tree fell on Tiffany’s hands. “I think, that’s the permission I’m asking for.”

The weather was and fine and Tiffany felt lighter that day than the past days. “Thank you.”

Chapter XII

Everyone’s Okay except for Us

“Finally.” Jessica grunted after she used the stairs up to the fourth floor. For the past two days, seems like she’s playing hide and seek with Yuri, who never talked to her. She patted the tan intern’s shoulder. “Are you hiding from me?”

“…”

The blonde heaved a deep sigh. “What? You don’t know me now? Speak! Stop the games Yuri. Come on.”

“You never called nor messaged me.” Yuri replied.

“So that’s what this is about?! And woah there, I did message you. Liar.” Jessica crossed her arms over her chest.

“You didn’t! I waited for you.” Yuri sulked.

Jessica rolled her eyes in defeat.

March 19, 2013 LAX, Los Angeles

Jessica went out from the cab. “Ugh. Should’ve been brought here by my cousin. That little rascal!” she hissed. The taxi driver opened the compartment and took out her luggage.

“How long did you stay here, ma’am?”

“A few days.” Jessica replied coolly.

The driver looked at her with eyes wide. He took out three huge bags and a small box.

“What?” Jessica growled.

“Nothing, ma’am. Take care.”

And the cab sprung away. Jessica delved into her bag to check her phone for any calls or emails. She looked at the side pockets, none. She searched inside, none. She got frustrated and took out everything from her handbag. No phone.

“Oh what the?!” she held her head with her two hands. “Seriously? Now?!”

---

“That happened?” Yuri asked eyes wide.

“Yes. That happened.” Jessica answered, her voice is rising.

“Really? You honestly thought I’m gonna believe that?”

“Oh come on! Look at this, this my new phone. I bought one when I get back to Korea.” She took her phone out and showed it to the other girl. “Luckily I saved your email on my PM list. And look, I emailed you like a lot of times.”

Yuri looked at the screen of the phone. It did show Jessica’s email and sent items. Ten messages were sent six months ago, then another five for the succeeding months. She laughed when she returned the phone.

“What’s so funny?” Jessica hissed.

“[email protected]? Seriously?”

“What? That’s what you saved on my phone. I copied it. Stop laughing! It’s not funny.” Jessica fussed.

Yuri caught her breath before she finally spoke. “It should be yurikwon1989.”

Jessica looked at her sent emails. And she laughed too. “Such a stupid mistake.”

“I know.” Yuri smiled. “Then why did you go here?”

“Just because-” Jessica couldn’t think of any reason.

Yuri raised her brows. “Go on.”

“I just needed a break from work and-”

“Okay, that’s it. I’m sorry I saved the wrong email. I’m sorry I thought you intended to fool me. And yeah, I waited for your call. I was frustrated. I planned to go to Korea once I finish my last year here.”

“Why are you planning to go there?” Jessica gently asked.

“I needed a break too.” The tan girl smiled mischievously.

“Kidding aside, I felt like I left something here.”

“Me too. I felt like I needed to find something in Korea.” Yuri couldn’t fight the butterflies in her belly, having Jessica with her at the moment. “Our start ended soon. So let’s do it again. Hi, I’m Yuri Kwon, a medical intern. And you?”

Jessica scoffed. “Really?”

Yuri raised her hand for a hand shake.

“I’m Jessica Jung. A fashion designer.”

“Wanna grab lunch, Jessica?”

The blonde took Yuri’s hand and they went down at the cafeteria. Both of them were happy. If Jessica didn’t decide to go to California herself, both of them could’ve been believed the wrong idea. Yuri on the other hand, thought Jessica played with her. And that she was a fool to believe they could be close friends.

After they ordered, they sat down, both beaming.

“How was Taeyeon?”Jessica chewed a spoon of veggies.

Yuri thought for a while. “Fine, I guess. She just came back a few days ago.”

The blonde stopped eating. “Came back?”

“Yeah. She took a three-month leave. She also took her qualifying exams on her sub specialty and she aced it, which is really cool.” Yuri pompously spoke of her idol.

“I should congratulate her then.” Jessica smiled. “So she took a break to review?”

“Uh, no. Actually, after Mr Song’s death, she changed. Like a lot. The old Kim Taeyeon just vanished.” The tan intern shook her head at the unsightly memory. “She has become arrogant, distant and cold. She never gave chances to patients anymore like she used to. It’s good she decided to have that leave. I finally enjoy a decent sleep when she got back, I was worried!”

Jessica laughed at how exaggerated Yuri acted. “Don’t over react Yuri. But whatever she did on that vacation, it was good for her.”

“Hm. How about Ms Hwang?” Yuri asked.

“She’s been doing well too. Like me, she took a leave from work, which is also good. For the first two months, oh my God. She’s like a zombie. She’s lifeless. It was like déjà vu. She’s that lifeless when she and Taeyeon broke up.”

The tan girl dropped her spoon together with her jaw. “So you mean, they were together? And then Ms. Tiffany’s fiancé got into an accident and they took him here, to be treated by Dr. Kim? Woah, that’s quite complicated.”

“Yeah.” Jessica reached out for Yuri’s face. She pushed the tan girl’s jaw up. “And stop exaggerating, please.”

“Oh poor Dr. Kim. She tried to treat the fiancé of the love of her life.”

“What? Love of her life?”

“Dr. Kim never had any relationships when she got here. A bunch of guys, and even girls in and outside the hospital asked her out. And she rejected all of them. If there’s a heartthrob here, she’s the one. Not me.”

Jessica got interested in what Yuri just said. “Then what else did she do here? She left Tiffany in Korea. Just, broke up with her and poof! She’s gone.”

“Studied and focused on her career, I guess. She always looked at the same picture every day. I never saw who’s at the photo though. It has a T. at the back. So maybe, it’s T for Tiffany?” Yuri creased her forehead. “All these years. Omo. When she saw Ms Hwang with Mr Song, that must’ve been hurt a lot.”

Jessica on the other hand only nodded.

---

Yuri and Jessica were talking animatedly at the nurse’s station in that fine morning. Jessica bought a cup of coffee and a sandwich for Yuri, which the latter accepted gratefully.

“Thank you.”

“Sure. Eat more.”

“You look cute today. I like your shirt and jeans.”

Jessica blushed.

Taeyeon was passing by again and she saw a glimpse of the tan and the blonde girl.

“You two. Stop. Don’t you dare walk out on me again.” Taeyeon threatened behind Jessica. Yuri’s mouth was agape. “Jung, turn around and face me.”

The latter slowly turned around.

“Stay right there.” Taeyeon walked pass Jessica and whispered at Yuri. “I thought you said you don’t know her. Then why are you flirting inside my hospital?”

“Dr. Kim, it was mistake.” In which she earned a snicker from Taeyeon.

“Hey, what are you two mumbling about?” Jessica asked.

“Nothing. Doctor stuff.” Taeyeon nonchalantly replied. “Dr. Kwon?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“How’s the patient from room 07?”

“07, 07. Wait.” Yuri looked at Jessica who’s also waiting for her. “The uh- she was breathing fine.”

“And?”

“And then she uh- her stool- she then uhm vomit- over her bladder-” she paused. “That didn’t sound right.”

Jessica and Taeyeon laughed. “Try again next time, Yuri.”

“Sica, coffee?” Taeyeon offered.

“Sure.”

“Review you patients, Kwon. And stop flirting!” Taeyeon laughed.

“Bye, see you later.” The blonde smiled at Yuri.

Yuri face palmed as soon as the two left.

---

“Congratulations on your exams. Yuri told me about that.” Jessica took a bite from her croissant. “You call each other on first name basis now?” Taeyeon smiled playfully which progressed to a laugh.

The blonde glared at the doctor.

“Well, thanks.” Taeyeon nonchalantly replied after Jessica shot daggers on her through those scary eyes.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine. Getting back on my feet again.” She sipped her coffee. “And you?”

“Are you not gonna ask about Tiffany?” The latter changed the subject.

Taaeyeon shook her head.

“Why? Don’t you wanna know about her? Or see her?”

“Let’s leave everything from behind. The last time I saw her, everything literally went wrong. Maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore.” Taeyeon sounded like she meant what she said, to convince herself that it was true. But deep in her heart, she yearns to see Tiffany. She looked at her watch. “I have an appointment today. Don’t wanna be late. Thanks for the time. Are you staying here for long? Let’s go out some time.”

“Yes, sure. Take care.”

The other girl took her satchel and put some cash on the table. “On me.”

Jessica watched Taeyeon as went out the cafeteria. She dialled a number on her phone. With a single ring, the person on the other line answered. “Sica?”

“Yah, Yuri. Come down at the cafeteria. Now. No excuses.”

---

“Kids! Careful at going down the stairs. Don’t run!” Candace and Carina’s mother yelled from the kitchen.

“Yes mommy!” the girls slowed down.

“Is she there yet?” Carina asked Candace.

“Nope, her car’s not yet around.”

“Dr. Taetae swore she won’t be late.” Carina sulked.

“She won’t.”

The girls closed their windows and helped their mommy prepare lunch. It was Sunday and they expect to spend the meal with Taeyeon. They never saw the doctor after their father’s surgery. And now the family’s excited to see her.

“Beep! Beep!” a car honked from outside.

“Yay! Dr. Taetae’s here!” the two girls jolted out of the house to welcome Taeyeon.

Their father went for the door to help the girl get out. The two kids stop at the sight of her. Both of them smiled. “Hi!”

“Hello. How are you?”

Chapter XIII

This Time it’s Different

Irene hurriedly put the plates on the dining table. She wants to see the doctor too. She went out the porch to greet Taeyeon.

She smiled widely when she saw the girl. “Good morning. It is a surprise.”

“Good morning Irene.”

“Come in, come in.” Irene guided her inside. “After the surgery, I never saw you and thanked you enough. My husband here’s doing well.”

“Yes, I am. It’s my second chance to life.” Adrian proudly spoke.

“We needed to head back to Korea for Brian’s wake and burial.” Tiffany replied.

“Miss Tiffany, thank you, really. You are our miracle. And our deepest condolences for your lost.” Adrian patted Tiffany’s shoulder.

“It’s fine. If he’s here, he’ll gladly help you out. And I’m really happy his heart went to a good man.” Tiffany warmly smiled at the couple. She looked at the two little girls. “Hey, I brought you chocolates and biscuits.”

The two girls gladly took the food and ran towards their room.

Irene sighed. “Those two girls.” She went near the stairs. “We’re going to have lunch later so don’t eat them all, you’re going to be full. Understand, Candace, Carina?”

“Don’t worry mommy, we’re just hiding them in our stash!” Candace shouted back.

The three adults giggled. “They’ve grown faster than I thought. And they look healthier.” Tiffany noticed. She sat down on one of the chairs.

“After Adrian was discharged, they’ve been eating a lot. Again, thank you Miss Tiffany.” Irene handed Tiffany a glass of juice which the latter drank.

Tiffany shook her hand in the air. “Don’t mention it.”

“I prepared lunch. Eat with us, okay? This is the meal we will share again, remember?”

“Of course.” Tiffany smiled. “I’d love to. The turkey looks delicious, I won’t miss that.”

“We’re not eating yet.” The girls suddenly interrupted. “Until she comes.”

---

“What?” the tan girl grumbled while catching her breath.

“Taeyeon left and I needed company.”

“What?! You told me it’s an emergency!”

“Kidding.” Jessica flashed her sweet smile. “Croissant?”

This little kid, she even smiled like that. “No. thanks.” Yuri leaned on the edge of the table and crossed her arm.

“Why aren’t you sitting?”

“You fooled me. I was with a patient!”

“Then why come here if you were with a patient?” Jessica asked casually. She poked her head at one side.

“Because-“ Yuri paused for a reason. “I thought it was an emergency.”

“That’s it?” the other girl raised her brows.

Yuri heaved a sigh. “Let me have that croissant.” She sat down and took a big bite.

Ugh. Just tell me, now. Yuri.

---

“Oh yes, of course.” Irene said. She took out another plate while Adrian added a chair around the table. “Would you mind if we wait for another visitor?” he added.

“Of course not-”

The front door slightly opened and everyone looked at its direction. The short girl appeared. She was looking down to fix her shoes. “I’m sorry, I was late. I didn’t bring my car and I just took a cab. Do you have a visitor? I saw another car and-” she looked up and instantly met a pair of wide eyes on her. “Oh. You do.”

Still, Tiffany couldn’t utter a word. “Uh- hi?”

“Ti-”

“Dr. Taetae!” the girls ran towards the doctor.

Candace hugged Taeyeon’s thighs. “I thought you’re not coming.”

“We thought you’re breaking your promise.” Carina held the doctor’s hand.

“Of course, I won’t. Here, I even brought you chocolates and biscuits.” She took out a paperbag and handed it to the two girls.

The girls looked at Taeyeon and Tiffany alternately.

“What is it?” Taeyeon asked.

“Tiffany also brought us these.” One of the girls raised the bag. “Now we don’t have to share a single bag. We have each!” They giggled and jolted upstairs.

Taeyeon and Tiffany watched the kids disappear and chuckled. They accidentally met each other’s gaze. Taeyeon stared with no idea what to do. She doesn’t know if she’ll smile at the other girl or not.

But Tiffany already flashed a gentle smile on Taeyeon. The latter smiled back.

Adrian cleared his throat and clasped his hands. “We’re complete. So let’s have lunch then!”

The couple together with Taeyeon and Tiffany prepared for lunch. They called out for the kids afterwards. Adrian, Irene and the kids sat next to each other, which left Taeyeon and Tiffany at the other end of the table. Taeyeon assisted Tiffany before she sat, without saying any word. The lunch went on smoothly. The talked about the kids, their studies, Adrian’s progress and anything they could think of.

“Tiffany, do you know Dr. Taetae’s love?” Carina asked. “Oh no, can you tell me?” The latter asked playfully. And she looked at the dumbfounded girl beside her.

“Carina, I think you have something on your face.” Taeyeon took the little girl by the hand and guided her to the living room. “Don’t talk about that in front of Tiffany.” She whispered.

“But why?”

“Because she’s not supposed to know. Do you want ice cream next time I visit?” Taeyeon bribed Carina.

“Yes, yes!” the girl beamed.

“Okay.” Taeyeon smiled back. “Just be quiet.”

The two returned at the dining room, Taeyeon smiling like she won a bet.

“They told me your love calls you Taetae too.” Tiffany welcomed Taeyeon.

“Oops!” Candace and Carinaran towards the yard.

Taeyeon face palmed and heaved a deep sigh. “Uh, Irene can I have water please?”

Irene gladly went to the kitchen where their refrigerator was placed. She took out a glass and filled it with water. Taeyeon sat down, completely ignoring Tiffany. In a swift, she emptied the glass. “I’ll just go out, play with the kids. Call me out when you need help cleaning these up.”

Tiffany decided to follow Taeyeon outside. “Me too.”

“Sure, we can clean this mess ourselves.” Adrian smiled warmly at the two.

Taeyeon went out with Tiffany awkwardly following her from behind. Then Candace took Tiffany and Taeyeon’s hands and stood in between them.

“We will play a game! We will go in circles with no letting go of our hands!” Candace paused and looked around. “Oops, Carina’s nowhere to be found. I’m gonna look for her.” She weaved Taeyeon and Tiffany’s hands. “Don’t let go!”

Taeyeon could feel the surge of blood up to her face when her hand held Tiffany’s. It felt like it was her first time holding the delicate and soft hands. She wanted to let go right there and then but instead, her grip’s still there.

Tiffany saw Taeyeon blushing. Unconsciously, a warm smile crept on her face. She held the hand tighter and led Taeyeon outside the door. “It felt like the two kids were playing on us because they knew something about us.” She giggled.

Taeyeon chuckled too. “Yeah, I feel you.”

Adrian opened the door from behind to take out the garbage. The comfort of holding each other’s hand disappeared and they both swiftly dismantle their perfectly weaved hands.

They smiled at each other and slowly walked towards the long wooden chair Adrian made for his family before he got sick. Tiffany led the way. As they sat down, cold breeze touched their skin, yet overpowered by the warmth brought by each other. Only the sound of the giggling girls resonated at the peaceful yard. Taeyeon inhaled the air, bringing crisp feeling inside her. She smiled and she side glanced at the other girl. "You dyed your hair black. And the uh, bangs-" she said, her hands doing weird actions in front of her forehead. "They look good on you." "Thank you." Tiffany fixed her hair. "How are you?" Taeyeon bowed her head and started fidgeting. She

doesn't want to start this kind of conversation but at this moment, her mouth spoke first before her mind started to think. When she didn't hear a response, she started apologizing. "I'm sorry I was just-" "No, it's fine. And right now, I'm okay. I think. There are times I still miss him or I feel empty. But before was worse. I wake up crying, I go to his grave every day, I couldn't work just- I was so depressed." Tiffany took in a mouthful of air and started looking at the blue sky above them. "And recently, I woke up thinking, what would be my life after this? What's there for me? So I took a leave, take a break and when I started feeling more okay, I decided to go on a vacation. And suddenly my feet brought me here." "That's good. I'm happy for you." "How about you? How are you?" Tiffany asked back. "Well, I'm okay. I just got back. I also took a three month break." Taeyeon waved a hand to the girls who are playing not far from them. Candace came running towards them. "Do you wanna play with us? You're just talking and it looks boring." The little brown haired girl tugged the adults' hands. Taeyeon shook her head. She gestured the girl to come closer. "Tiffany and I are talking about a really important matter." She winked at the kid. "Okay!" And Candace ran once more to go back at her play ground with her twin. Once the kid was gone, Tiffany saw Taeyeon smiled a bit at the sight of Candace playing with Carina. Do you know that you're a good person Taeyeon? "Three month break? What did you do?" Tiffany asked Taeyeon once more. "Sunny, Yuri and some of my colleauges asked me to. I changed for the worse after Brian's death, they said. I didn't know that I did though. And I also reviewed for my qualifying exams. Luckily I passed, with a high grade." Taeyeon beamed.

"Really? Congratulations Taeyeon." The now ebony head smiled, bringing out her crescent shaped eyes, which is contagious for Taeyeon. The other girl punched the air exaggeratedly. And both of them laughed. A laugh that came from their hearts, a laugh that even both of them knew that they never had for months. A flower of the tree covering them from the violent rays of the sun fell on Tiffany's head. She might have not felt so Taeyeon took the initiative to get the blossom. "Look, it fell on your head." Tiffany took the flower and almost gasped. Brian? What's this? ---

"Sica!" Yuri was catching her breath. She picked up the paper bags of what Jessica bought and ran again. It was early afternoon, luckily for them only a few people were roaming around the mall. "What?! You're too slow." Jessica sulked. "What? You made me leave my post in the hospital and you made me carry these bags. And now you're getting mad at me?" The tan girl argued. Jessica was about to speak when Yuri interrupted her. "You know what, that's it! I'm done. I'm not your personal assistant or something." She dropped the bags and left Jessica in the midst of the spacious place with people watching her. "Yuri!" She shouted.

Yuri didn't turn around. Serves you right. She smirked.

---

The clock read six in the evening. Taeyeon heaved a sigh. She took Carina and Candace by their hands and took them outside. She already said her goodbye to their parents. And now she'll be bidding her goodbyes to the kids. "I'm going now, you two." She said, almost a whisper. She looked at Tiffany who was still animatedly talking to Adrian and Irene. You looked happy, Fany-ah. "Really? It's early yet." One girl cried. Taeyeon couldn't recognize who that was because her mind's been obscured by Tiffany. "I have to go. I'll visit you again. Soon. And I'll bring you food." Taeyeon promised, still her eyes locked at the girl not far from where they were having their small meeting. "Okay." As soon as she got the permission from the girls, she grabbed her bag and opened the front door. She rushed at the side of the road hoping she'll get a cab that easy. She was breathing heavily and her heart's beating fast. She uneasily swung her satchel bag over her shoulder. "You're not gonna say goodbye to me?" A voice startled Taeyeon. She turned around and saw Tiffany, eyes potent with disappointment. "I-I have to go." Tiffany ignored the lame excuse Taeyeon just said. She pulled the strap of Taeyeon's bag. "Come, I'll take you where ever you have to go." "No, I'm fine." The ebony head forcefully yanked the bag and in a swift move, she caught what she intend to get. "I have your bag." And she half ran towards her car.

Taeyeon mentally face palmed. She realized how frail her heart is when it comes to Tiffany. And in all these years, it was still Tiffany. She hesitantly took her steps towards the passenger seat's door. Ever so slightly, she opened it. Upon locking herself in a comfortable position, Taeyeon looked at Tiffany, who's in return looking at her too. "Comfortable?" Tiffany smiled. She started the engine. "Yeah." Taeyeon awkwardly answered. "Where to?" Taeyeon pointed at her bag. "Can I? Take me to 145 Westwood Boulevard." "And that is?" Tiffany looked at Taeyeon questioningly. "My house." The travel to Taeyeon's crib was quiet, in majority. They would talk on a certain topic and then they end with an awkward smile to each other. "We're almost there." Tiffany mumbled. "Hey." Taeyeon turned her head instantly to Tiffany. "Yes?" "I'm sorry." "For what, exactly?" It was sincere though. Taeyeon couldn't think of anything Tiffany should be sorry about. "For blaming you, for asking you to do impossible things. I was wrong. And for the record, I'm really grateful and proud of you." The red light turned to green and Tiffany pressed the pedal. The car roared to the other side of the road. "You're a good doctor, Taeyeon." "No need to be sorry about that. I should be sorry." Taeyeon replied.

"You just did what a loved one would do. I'd do that too, honestly. And thank you for the credits." She smiled. "So uh, can we like start again? This is killing me you know. The two moments of my life where you are there turned out to be bad. I consider meeting you again as my third. Let's be... friends." Tiffany looked at the houses they were passing by. "And please, let's make this time different, shall we?" Taeyeon chuckled as the warmth emanated from Tiffany's word filled her cold stoned heart. "Yes, of course. Let's be friends." Tiffany missed Taeyeon's dorky laugh. She stopped the engine in front of a beautifully crafted bungalow. Taeyeon pointed at the house Tiffany also thought as Taeyeon's. It is very likely of her to have this kind of home, small and just enough for her to move around. Taeyeon never wanted a big house or an extravagant living. "This is it. Thanks for the ride Tiffany." The other girl kind of hesitated to ask Taeyeon something. But, her vocal cords went ahead of her. "Are you on duty tomorrow?" "Yes. Why?" "M-my daddy left a jar of coffee powder at home. It was the best he said. I tasted it this morning, and he's freaking right. And I'm thinking maybe, we can share a drink? I swear, you'll love it." Taeyeon opened the door and leaped outside. She wanted to just say oh yes of course, I'd bring hotcakes and eggs too, because it's your favorite. But she stopped herself. Being friends after all that happened is the closest thing to heaven she can think of. And ruining it is the last thing on her mind. She stooped to look at Tiffany. She smiled immediately after seeing the girl. "Sure. I'll see you."

Chapter XIV

Back to Square One

Dr. Erica Kim entered the large electronic gliding door of the hospital entrance with a smile on her face. Albeit the lack of sleep, she looked like she had a nice rest. The guards, the nurses and other physician greeted her and she greeted back. She even jokingly bowed ninety degrees in front of them. "Good mood?" Dr. Black asked. Taeyeon nodded as she smiled from ear to ear. New batch of interns welcomed her. Usually she'll roll her eyes or hide from everyone's sight when there are new interns in her service. But today, she didn't. Two interns gave her coffee. "Dr. Kim, coffee?" One of them asked. Taeyeon shook her head. She handed the cups back. "You two might need that." The rejected interns went back to their positions and the others laughed at them. "The charts?" The smiling doctor demanded. One intern gave it to her. There were fifteen patients and seven interns. She divided the job equally. “Write your plans and orders in a sheet of paper and give it to me later. I’ll check on them if you guys did a good medical judgement. Go, now.”

The seven aspirants ran to check on the patients.

“That’s new, you rejected the coffee.” Dr. Yuri Kwon tapped her foot behind Taeyeon.

“What?” She turned around to face Yuri.

“It’s coffee. You loved coffee so much you ask every intern to give you one.”

“And you? You look so sulky.”

“That blonde. She’s really- I don’t know.” Yuri scoffed. She shook her head hoping she’ll get rid of that someone who somehow managed to fill her mind.

“Let’s talk about this over a meal, okay? But no coffees.”

Both of them walked towards the cafeteria. They treat each other as friends when Yuri reached her third year as an intern. Taeyeon was harsh and strict when it comes to the job. A lot of interns gave up on her. But Kwon Yuri is the only intern who stayed in her service. That’s when Taeyeon started looking after the tan girl. Aside from being both Korean, she saw a huge potential on Yuri.

On the other hand, Yuri was so scared at Taeyeon when she started. She despised the doctor. She stayed on her service because her mother threatened her to stop the whole internship thing if she can’t handle things with her senior. But when she spent most of her time with Taeyeon, she saw the different side of the doctor, which she really liked.

They sat down as soon as they found a free table. Taeyeon volunteered to buy them food.

“So, what happened?” Taeyeon asked when she put the tray on the table.

“She boss me around, she does what she wants-”

Taeyeon could only smile. “Maybe she likes you.”

“Like? In that way?”

The latter nodded. “Why don’t just ask her?”

“I’m not talking to her.”

“Woah. Really? That bad?” Taeyeon creased her brows. “You see Yuri, Sica has a different way to handle her wants. Do you get me?”

Yuri didn’t understand what Taeyeon was trying to convey. All she can think of is how the blonde treated her for the past days. She was really a bipolar, she thought. But the thought made her smile. She went out with a few people and she never felt as enticed as she is with Jessica. Her daydream was interrupted with a loud ring.

“Hello? Yes? You’re on your way? I’m in the cafeteria.” She paused, listening to the person on the other line.

Yuri looked at Taeyeon suspiciously. “Who’s that?” she mouthed at Taeyeon carefully with no sound.

Taeyeon stuck her tongue at the other girl.

“Actually, seven interns are in my service today. But I left them missions to do. So they’re busy. Yes, the coffee is still on.” Taeyeon smiled. She, on the other hand never felt happier in the past five years of her life. Starting anew with Tiffany is something she has hoped for. But the thing is, she’s stopping herself from hoping too much. It’s not her purpose to replace Brian in Tiffany’s heart.

Last night, Taeyeon couldn’t sleep. She felt like a child who’ll go on a trip. It isn’t a date, Taeyeon-ah remember that. Act professional. She is just your friend.

“Yes. No problem. Leave me a message.” Taeyeon ended the call, still grinning like a fool. “What?” she asked the other girl who’s still looking at her.

“Who’s that?” Yuri asked.

“Tiffany.”

“The Tiffany Hwang?” Yuri gasped. She sipped from her cup. She beamed. “Sica told me you guys used to date.”

The doctor rolled her eyes. “Oh sure she did.”

“So you mean, she’s really here? In L.A? How did you two meet?”

Taeyeon nodded. She went on how they met at the Aickman recidence. “She looks fine. She dyed her hair black.”

“So you’re friends now?”

“Yep. That’s the plan.”

“Good luck with that. With all due respect doctor, I know you still love her. Please, be careful.” Yuri gazed at Taeyeon worriedly.

“I will boss. I’m going up to my office now. ” she patted Yuri’s shoulders. “So we both have our dilemmas now huh?”

---

Jessica left Yuri tons of messages that day. She’s pissed at the girl but more likely pissed because she’s worried about what Yuri’s been

thinking at that moment. She meant no harm, she just like the other girl’s company. It’s with Yuri where she can act freely without hesitations. And the only way she knows to get what she wanted is to be the spoiled brat she used to be.

Her tenth ignored call went to voicemail again. She pressed cancel and she pounced her pillow with all her annoyance.

She slouched on her bed for a few minutes before she decided to grab her tote bag and go out for a drive to the hospital.

Jessica looked around the lobby to look for the tan intern. Might be the nurse’s station again.

She saw a glimpse of Yuri reading an adult magazine while sitting smugly on one of the chairs in the nurses’ station. She scoffed at the sight of the tan girl.

“Yah!” she cried, which startled Yuri. “What are you doing?”

“Uh- reading?” Yuri replied sarcastically.

“I was calling and texting you.”

“You were? My phone’s left in my locker.”

Jessica walked pass the nurses and took Yuri’s hand. She’s now plain angry on Yuri. She led the way towards a random room she saw, which is the doctor’s lounge. She harshly opened the door. Doctors who are inside were surprised.

“Excuse me, but can you guys get out now?” she glared at each person in the room.

Yuri bowed her head to hide her face. This is appalling, ugh. With question marks on their faces everyone left the room for the two people.

“So-” Jessica started. “You plan to ignore me? Like really?”

“You’re bossy, you’re noisy, you like things your way. What do you expect me to do?”

“Then just tell me! Don’t leave me hanging like that. Especially when you left yesterday. It was embarrassing!” she sulked.

“Wasn’t it embarrassing for me too? I’m a doctor for crying out loud! And there you are bossing me around.” Yuri argued.

“You should’ve told me!”

“How would I tell you if all you cared about is what you wanted?” Yuri raised her voice.

Jessica closed her eyes, breathe in and out air. “Are we arguing? Again?”

“But you started it!”

“Okay, let’s stop. I don’t wanna fight with you.” Jessica paused. “Say sorry. Now.”

“What?!” Yuri stomped her feet away from the annoying blonde girl. “You’re impossible!”

---

Tiffany was holding two cups of homemade coffee when she entered the hospital lobby. She went to the center of the spacious ground and spun around to look for the short, light brown haired doctor.

She messaged Taeyeon twenty minutes ago but the latter didn’t message back. Tiffany assumed the girl was sleeping or busy, so she didn’t wait for her reply and just went straight to the hospital.

She walked pass the doctor’s lounge when she heard two people arguing. The voices are familiar, she thought. Slowly, Tiffany grabbed the knob and slightly opened the door. She saw a hint that tells her it was Yuri inside. She was about to pry the door open when someone pulled her from behind.

“I don’t have anything on me! Please don’t kill me?” Tiffany yelped. Her eyes were closed. The culprit is still not speaking. She was dragged and pinned on a wall. “Please, please! What do you want?”

Taeyeon smiled at the sight of Tiffany at the verge of panic. Again, they stood there really close. Taeyeon’s vital signs were off the roof upon catching the scent of Tiffany. She shook her head at the realization that she can’t be thinking like that. She laughed, cupping her mouth with hand.

Tiffany immediately recognized the laugh. She instantly opened her eyes. “You? You scared me Taeyeon-ah.”

“I’m sorry. Someone told me she saw you at the lobby. So I looked for you. Didn’t mean to scare you there.” Taeyeon apologetically grinned.

Tiffany grinned too when she saw Taeyeon’s childlike face. Wow, you didn’t even age a bit. She felt another surge of emotions, this time it’s not anger. It’s something she didn’t know. It’s something that made her heart bounce and her insides lurch. Standing so close to her old love didn’t feel weird for her. She enjoyed the moment. “Was that Yuri there? Is she fighting with someone?”

Taeyeon widely smiled. “Yes. And you’re going to like who she is with.” Taeyeon grabbed Tiffany by her hand. She led the way to her office.

“Woah there-” Tiffany mused. “This office never changed a bit. Taeyeon, this is boring.”

The latter chuckled. “I told you, I just got back. And yeah, I don’t have the time to reorganize things. Being a doctor is lonely.”

“You’re exaggerating again Kim Taeyeon.” Tiffany walked around the room. She stopped in front of the wooden cabinet and wiped the dust with her finger. Creasing her eyebrows, she faced Taeyeon and raised her hand. “Look! It’s dirty even.”

“Tiffany, the coffee. It’s getting cold.” Taeyeon dismissed her.

Tiffany leaped towards Taeyeon’s table. She put the cups atop the table with a smile from ear to ear, again bringing out the eye smile Taeyeon missed.

“Why are you grinning? It’s driving me nuts.” Taeyeon incredulously stared at the girl.

“You see, I know you know that aside from fashion my second love is interior design, right?”

“Oh no, Tiffany, for the love of Christ!” Taeyeon quivered at the thought.

“Why?” Tifany pouted.

“Your coffee is so good, but come on, every place you tried to design, you always include pink! Pink, Tiffany, pink! Don’t you see?”

“I don’t see what’s wrong with pink and I don’t see the reason why you’re acting like that Taeyeon.” Tiffany pointed with potency.

"Do you remember when my cousin allowed you to design HIS room? You did know that he's a he. And you filled his room with pink!" Taeyeon snorted. "He literally cried when he saw his pinkified room. Even I almost gagged when I looked at it." Tiffany also laughed at the memory Taeyeon just said. It was early 2009 and they were still together. Taeyeon introduced her to her family as her best friend. The Kims loved her. She's invited in parties and gatherings. Tiffany knew every person Taeyeon is related to. The familiar feeling of missing the old times came in a bliss for Tiffany. What really happened? She wanted to ask the other girl but she couldn't. It is best to just leave the past behind them and start another beginning with Taeyeon. The laugh they shared ended rather awkwardly. Taeyeon made a mental note not to mention anything from their past again. Like going back to square one, no memories of the past, just making new memories of the present. She cleared her throat. "You can help me re-design this place, but! Do not pinkify me please?" Tiffany pouted again and it made Taeyeon's heart skip double beats. "Okay. But can I just put a tiny bytie of pink in here? Please?" The other girl shook her head in defeat. "Okay. Tiny bytie." Tiffany smiled. "Oh, hey. Yuri?" Taeyeon grinned playfully. "She's arguing, yeah, with your best friend." "Jessi?" Tiffany's eyes shot open wide. That's why the voices are familiar to her. It was a shock to her that the two knew each other. As shocking as it is, she's also pissed that she didn't know anything about them. "Why?"

Taeyeon leaned her back on the chair. She's looking at Tiffany, weighing her options considering that the girl can be too loud and argumentative. But gazing at those eyes made her judgment blurry again. "I don't really know what's happening but they seem to be more than close friends, if you know what I mean." Tiffany nodded with mouth agape. Then Taeyeon told all the things she knew about Yuri and Jessica. By the minute, the distance between her upper and lower jaws is increasing. "Y-You mean, they're a thing?" "That, we don't know yet. Let's just wait and see." "That brat, why didn't she tell me?" The other girl shrugged. "Don't argue with Sica about this. Remember, right now, she's fighting with Yuri. Don't let her handle two people. You're coffee's good. Can I have the jar?" "Yes, ma'am. And no to the jar." Tiffany paused. "Can we go to them though?" --"What now? Yuri, sorry is just a word." Jessica mused. "That's the point! Why can't you tell it to me then?" Yuri who's on the other side of the room argued. She's pacing from right to left alternately in annoyance and frustration. She has never met a person who's so difficult to handle. Without Kwon Yuri's knowing, Jessica Jung's pride is higher than the hospital's roof. Jessica sighed. It is hard for her to say sorry at times of argument. "Okay! Okay! I'm s-" The door jolted open and the two stopped bickering. An ebony head and a brown haired girl came in.

"Tiff?! Taeng?!" Jessica yelped. "What are you guys doing here?" As soon as they closed the door, another one opened it. "Taeng, let's grab lunch-" Dr. Lee Sunny stopped on her tracks when she saw the crowd inside the room. "Tiffany? Jessica? Kwon? And Taeng? What are you guys doing here?"

Chapter XV

Friends, Feelings, Jealousy, Guilt

The day was fine but Jessica and Yuri's mood aren't. Sunny asked all of them to join her for lunch. Question mark's all written on their faces as they went their way to a restaurant across the hospital. Sunny, Taeyeon and Tiffany sat close to each other. Yuri went next to Tiffany but Jessica stayed standing. She just can't go near Yuri, her appetite's going to decline. Sunny heaved a sigh. "Okay," She pointed at Taeyeon and Tiffany. "You ex lovebirds, evaporate. Now." "What? I'm comfortable in my seat." Taeyeon pouted. Well in fact, she's enjoying the proximity she and Tiffany share. She earned a glare from the short haired doctor. "Come on, lazyhead. Move." Tiffany smiled while pulling Taeyeon from her seat. The latter smiled back, again loving the feeling Tiffany's hands give her. "Good." Sunny smirked. She pointed at two seats near her. "Tiffany, Kwon sit here."

The two awkwardly sat together. "I'll sit next to Kwon, while you Taeng will sit next to me and Sica, in between Taeyeon and Tiffany. Are we clear?" Sunny ordered, hiding her snicker when she saw how disappointed Taeyeon, Yuri and Jessica were. "Let's order, shall we?" The meal started and ended with silence. Each person could only glance at their prospect. "Okay! That's it." Dr. Lee Sunny finally broke the stillness. "First, I'll ask you-" she squinted at the black haired girl. "Tiffany. When did you get here?" The wide eyed girl stuttered. "J-just five days ago." "And why?" Sunny continued the interrogation. "What?" "Why did you go here?" She cleared her question. "I uh, took a break from work and I decided to go on vacation. My feet led me at Aickman's home where I met Taeyeon, if you're all interested." Tiffany paused. "Which reminds me, Jessi why are you here?" "I uh- the uh-" Tiffany, Taeyeon and Sunny laughed at the girl. They are not used to Jessica talking like she doesn't know what she's talking about. Jessica is a wise girl. She speaks and acts like one. "Stop laughing." Jessica glared at them. "I needed to clear an issue with Dr. Kwon right here. That's why." "You spent a few thousand bucks to clear your issue?" Taeyeon playfully asked. Tiffany raised a thumb, signalling that Taeyeon did a good job. Yuri sensed the game the others are trying to play. "Dr. Kim, how about you? You were in a good mood this morning. You bowed ninety degrees to all the staff. Some new interns handed you coffee, you rejected them. You also took me out for a meal and told me you're a no-no for coffee

today, which is really new because you love coffee so much." She glanced at the fidgeting doctor. "And you entered the lounge, with a cup, and a coffee in it, which you still carry until now. Who gave you that?" Tiffany unknowingly smiled at Yuri and then at Taeyeon. "I brought the coffee but I didn't know about her story earlier today." "Fany-ah, why?" Taeyeon defeatedly cried out, including Tiffany's nickname to persuade the girl. "Sorry Taetae." She stuck her tongue out at Taeyeon. The latter could only smile lovingly at the girl. While Kwon Yuri won the battle, she and Jessica felt relieved. Jessica grinned at Yuri and muttered a silent "sorry" to her. Yuri's heart got swollen with happiness when Jessica apologized to her. "Oh come on!" Sunny scoffed. Among them, she's the only one who doesn't have a pair in the moment. "Am I the only normal person here? You guys stop looking at each other lovingly. Please! I have to go now. Fix your issues. It's driving me crazy." She stood up, patted Taeyeon and Tiffany's back. "It's nice you started a new." She mumbled. The four were left still in awe of the incidences that happened that day. As soon as Sunny disappeared from their sight, Taeyeon hopped towards the seat next to Tiffany, which is occupied by Yuri. She timidly smiled at the tan girl, indicating she wants to sit with the ebony head.

Yuri stared at Taeyeon like provoking another battle. And the resident doctor threatened the intern with a glare. Yuri immediately stood up and even bowed to Taeyeon.

Jessica saw how the two interacted which made her smile. “Yuri, just sit here next to me.” The latter gladly relented.

When Yuri sat next to Jessica, both of them felt relieved. The tension they had at the doctor’s lounge seemed to dissolve. “We’re okay now?” the tan girl asked.

The latter nodded.

“I’m sorry too. But you-” Yuri stopped midsentence when she felt the other girl’s hand brushed against her.

“We’re okay now.” Jessica reassured. She gazed at two people awkwardly watching her and Yuri and almost instantly laughed at the memory of the chaos they brought just a while ago. “Tiff? You should’ve told me. We could have gone here together, you know.”

Tiffany chuckled. “You didn’t tell me too. And you didn’t tell me about Dr. Kwon here.” She gestured at Yuri with her crescent shaped eyes flashing. Yuri suddenly tensed.

Taeyeon stood which left the three quiet. She realized her circle of friends has gotten bigger. She’s used to having only Sunny and Yuri by her side for the past years. She does have other people around her bit she consider them only as acquaintances and colleagues. It warmed her heart to see four of the most important people of her life knowing and befriending each other. “Why don’t we introduce ourselves to each one, and please clear our issues?”

Tiffany stood up excitedly. “I’m Tiffany, Jessi’s my bestfriend. And Taeyeon is also a good friend of mine. Nice to meet you Yuri.”

“Yes, and of course I’m Taeyeon, an old friend of Jessica and Tiffany. A superior and a friend to Yuri as well.” added Taeyeon. When they were done, both sat down and waited for the other two to speak.

“Jessica here. Best friend of Tiffany, an old friend of Taeyeon and a new friend to Yuri.” She saw Taeyeon and Tiffany snickering. “Yah! Stop laughing. We met when I went here to help Tiffany out seven months ago. That’s it.”

“Yuri. An intern under Dr. Kim’s service, also a new friend to Sica. Nice to meet you Ms. Hwang.”

Tiffany shook her hands. “I feel old with that. Just call me Tiffany, please.”

“Tiffany.” Yuri smiled.

Jessica looked at her watch. “I think I have to go home. I’m going out with my cousins later.”

“I’ll go with you.” Yuri said. “Dr. Kim, can I leave for a while?”

Taeyeon nodded eagerly. “You may go. And Sica?”

“Hm?” the blonde raised her head from rummaging her bag for her car keys.

“Don’t let Yuri take too long. You might do something that-”

“Oh my god, Taeng. I can only think of your perversion.” Jessica rolled her eyes. Tiffany chuckled. “Let’s go Yuri. Why did you stick to this shorty here?”

“Oh, so you’re tall now?” Taeyeon grumbled. “Look who’s talking.”

“Bye!” and Jessica and Yuri walked their way towards the hospital parking lot.

“So, we’re left again. Why do they always leave us alone?” Tiffany dramatically asked.

“Do you have something to do after this?” Taeyeon gently asked, hoping she could spend more time with the other girl.

Tiffany shook her head.

“Do you want to come with me on my patient rounds?” Taeyeon continued.

“Is that even allowed?” the other girl asked back.

“I have extra white coats with no name tags. You, Miss Hwang will be a doctor for today.” The shorter girl answered. “I’m sure you’ll be a good one.”

“Really? I would love to!” Tiffany again, eye smiled which melted Taeyeon’s hoping heart right there and then. Having the ebony head around her like that is heaven for her. She doesn’t mind the possibility of hurting herself on the process. She just wants Tiffany, nothing more nothing less, even if it means beingfriends.

---

Jessica turned off her car’s engine as soon as they reached their destination. Their house is one of the largest houses in the city. Yuri’s jaw dropped at the sight of the mansion-like house.

A man bowed to them and took the keys from Jessica. The car was still rooted in the mansion’s gate, which is still at least a hundred meters away from the house itself. Yuri looked at Jessica curiously.

“Mind to have a walk?” Jessica asked, tranquillity’s written all over her face. It was the first time Yuri saw her angel like face, very far from the spoiled brat she knew. She was left speechless and could only shake her head.

“Let’s go.” They went out the car and started strolling. Green luscious shrubs and colourful flowers surrounded them. Both are walking ever so slowly, enjoying the view and most especially enjoying each other’s

company. “I like it here. Whenever I go home, I choose to walk from the gate up to the house.”

“Beautiful.” Yuri answered.

“I know.” Jessica gazed at Yuri, who is again staring lovingly at her. She smiled.

“Uh- the garden. It’s beautiful.” Yuri nonchalantly said.

“Sorry for my attitude.”

“Well yeah, that’s something I wanted to ask.” The taller one asked.

Hm?" "When you're around your friends, you're not acting the way you're acting around me." The intern said. "You like bossing me around, and your mood Sica, it is driving me nuts." "How would I answer that?" Jessica stopped on her tracks. Thinking of an acceptable answer because even she doesn't know why. "I don't know either. You see, when I want something, I get it with the only way I know, being a spoiled brat." "Want. You mean you want me?" Yuri shyly asked, her heart's beating so fast. Butterflies are scattered in her belly. "I don't know. Really. But I do like having you around that's why I demand time from you. I'm sorry?" Jessica pouted. "You do everything I ask you though. Why?"

"Same as you are. I do not know. Maybe I like having you around too." The tan girl smiled at Jessica. "Okay, let's just see what will happen then." The blonde wrapped her hands around Yuri's arm and led the way towards the mansion. Both of them are beaming. The feelings they have are mutual, they are aware of that. But both are afraid to admit or get loose to the feeling, especially Jessica. She hadn't had any experience in relationship, let alone love. Aside from herself and her family, the only thing she loved is her pet gold fish when she's nine years old. She named it Cassidy. The fish died when her sister's cat ate it. And the only person she thought she loved is her Math professor in high school who turned out to be gay. After those unfortunate events in her life, her heart seemed to close to anyone or to anything. Jessica is a beautiful, talented and intelligent young lass. Every place she go, all of the guys' heads even girls turn towards her. A lot asked her out but most of them are rejected. When she goes out with some, after a date or two, she'll eventually leave them. That's why the thing she shares with Yuri is something new and refreshing to her.

---

"Okay, let me see if it suits you." Taeyeon moved her finger in a circular motion, signalling Tiffany to move around. Tiffany was standing in front of the mirror inside Taeyeon's office. She wore one of the coats the doctor has. She swiftly turned around with a wide smile on her face. "Do I look like a doctor now?" Taeyeon squinted to scrutinize Tiffany. She stood up and grabbed Tiffany's elbows. "You look like more of a doctor than I am." "Oh stop it you!" Tiffany slightly punched Taeyeon's arm. The latter gestured for the door. "Shall we, Dr. Hwang?"

Tiffany excitedly nodded and leaped towards the door. --Taeyeon and Tiffany went inside room 201 at the medical ward, which two patients shared. "Good afternoon, Andy. I'm Dr. Kim and this is Dr. Hwang." The shorter girl greeted the patient. "So, Dr. Hwang this is Andy. 32. Male. He has chronic asthma." "Hi, Andy." The ebony head said. "Hi doctors." Andy smiled. "This is the first time I saw you Dr. Hwang. You are beautiful. Do you have a boyfriend?" The latter shook her head. "When I come out of here, can we go ou-" "Okay!" Dr. Kim interjected. "Dr. Hwang here is going out with someone. She's just shy to tell." "Uh-oh. And who's that?" Andy asked, looking at Tiffany. The girl was so surprised and dumbfounded to even react. She looked at Taeyeon incredulously. "Me." The doctor replied flatly. "So, going back to you, Andy." When they closed the door, Tiffany grabbed Taeyeon's hand. "What was that a while ago?" "He's flirting with you! It's unethical." Taeyeon excused. "But he's cute." "Oh no Stephanie Hwang. He is not cute. If you go out with him, you'll be stressed! You'll carry his medicines, you can't do things that may overexcite him, you can't go out to places that may trigger him. You'll die of stress, Tiffany. I swear with my doctor's license!" Taeyeon

explained rather exaggeratedly. It was jealousy in its own form. Tiffany smiled as she recognized the behaviour Taeyeon was showing. "So whoever I go out with, I need your permission?" She teased. "Yes." Taeyeon replied with potency. If she can't have Tiffany, it's better noone ever will. Yes, she knows loving the girl is wrong considering the things both of them has been through. But as much as she wanted to keep herself from falling deeper to Tiffany, her heart and mind do otherwise. Tiffany is just your friend, come on! She mentally scolded herself. "Okay, next patient is someone Dr. Black endorsed me. He's out for a seminar later so I'm gonna check on her today. Let's go to uh, ICU room number 3-" Taeyeon stopped when she saw Tiffany stayed rooted on her spot. That room was Brian's before. It's where he died. It's where Tiffany's forever was taken away from her. Taeyeon felt the overflow of guilt and remorse. Even she can't move nor go near the room. "W-we can skip t-this room." Tiffany nodded and they turn their feet to escape from the isolated room. "Doctor!" A woman yelled. She was catching her breath from running towards Taeyeon when the doctor turned around. "Yes, ma'am?" Taeyeon asked. "Dr. Black told me to talk to you." "Why? Is something the matter?" Taeyeon raised her brows. "Help my daughter. Sh-she's not getting well. Every doctor we go to tells us they do not know her condition and she's not gonna make it." The helpless looking mother pleaded. “Please, please!” That was one of the rare moments that Taeyeon was left speechless. It was like everything she studied for med school vanished. Another patient is asking for her help. Another person is asking for another chance to life. “Th-then why come to me if all of them told you she’s not going to make it? My answer would be the same.”

Tiffany looked at Taeyeon worriedly. Her behaviour was far from the Taeyeon she knew, from the Taeyeon she met when Brian got into the accident. Did I do this to you, Taeyeon-ah?

“I’m sorry ma’am but we have to go.” Taeyeon walked pass Tiffany. She never turned her head back, like not caring at all. Deep inside her was only fear. All she can see is Brian in that hopeless room, how the machines beeped frantically when they took out his support. No, I can’t do this.

Chapter XVI

Worth a Try

She needed serenity, but every room, every corner of the hospital reminded her how she failed. She was never afraid to face death with her patients. She hates her self for feeling that way, she hates the hospital for not having a good place to hide and she hates the world for bringing a lot of pain to people. She let out a frustrated grunt when she reached the end of the third floor’s hallway.

Taeyeon leaned her back against the cold, pale-painted wall. Staring blankly at the window, she started to cry.

Tiffany looked at the weeping mother in front of her. She sees herself through the woman, crying and begging to keep her loved one alive. And the only hope she sees is Dr. Erica Kim.

“Doctor, she’s just ten years old. She’s a top performer at school, she’s myour one and only child. I- I can’t get pregnant anymore. And-” the mother kept on sobbing. “Please help us.”

The words that came from the woman lingered on her mind. If she was the girl’s daughter, she’ll do anything to help. And the idea of looking for Taeyeon came to her mind.

She started running, from different wards to the lounge until Taeyeon’s office. She saw no short, light brown haired color doctor in white coat. She ran until the ends of all the floors she went into.

Tiffany was about to give up when she saw a glimpse of a woman crying at the end of a floor she doesn’t even recognize. “Taeyeon? Is that you?”

The sobbing continues.

“Why did you run away like that?”

“I-I don’t know. I can’t treat her and I can’t see her mom crying like that.” The doctor replied.

Tiffany sat close to Taeyeon, cupped the other girl’s face with her hands and wiped the trickling tears on her face. “Don’t do this to yourself. Stop taking the blame.”

“I can’t do it, Fany. I can’t. Let’s just accept it.” Taeyeon took Tiffany’s hands away from her face. “Other doctors don’t even know what has gotten into her.”

“But you can, I know.”

“Tiffany, stop.”

“Taeyeon-”

“No! The last patient I tried to help died, Fany. Brian died!” she almost shouted.

“Noone’s blaming you, please forgive yourself. You didn’t do anything to kill him, what you did was to make him alive. And I thank you for that.” Tiffany couldn’t help her self but to give Taeyeon an embrace. “Taeyeon-ah, she’s only ten. Give her a chance; I’ll help, no matter what. I’m sorry. Please, hush now.”

For a couple of minutes, they stayed there at the corner, holding each other. All Taeyeon could hear is herself sobbing. She thought she already moved on, especially now that Tiffany has forgiven her. It was a whirlwind of mixed emotions and thoughts which left herself drained.

Unconsciously, she found the sound she was looking for when she repositioned herself to lean her head on Tiffany's chest. Every beat, every thud of the other girl's heart was a tranquilizer for her bothered mind. She hid and suppressed the pain and guilt she had for Brian's death through all these months, and never actually expressed what she felt. As much shame as she feels breaking down like that in front of the love of her life, she just couldn't help. "F-Fany-ah." Taeyeon sobbed. "I'm sorry." Tiffany tightened her hold of Taeyeon. Seeing the shorter girl on the edge of breaking is one of the scenes she would never want to see. "Ssh. You are a good doctor, I told you that right? They need you, your patients- they need you." "Can we stay like this for a while? It's serene." Taeyeon closed her eyes, still enjoying the calmness of the moment. Tiffany nodded and leaned her cheek over the other girl's head. "I'm here." Few more minutes passed and Taeyeon went back to her consciousness. She stealthily raised her head and slipped off her arms around Tiffany, she had the chance to look at the sleeping girl's face. "I'll try Fany. As long as you’re with me." She gently woke Tiffany up. "Tiffany. Come on, go get some rest. Tomorrow, let's see the patient" The other girl's eye shot open. "Really?" "Yes. You told me you're with me in this case right?" Tiffany rubbed her eyes and nodded. "So stay, yes?" "Yes." Tiffany stood up. She reached for Taeyeon's hands. "Okay, let's give ourselves a good rest before treating the girl." --"Unnie!" Krystal Jung greeted as Jessica and Yuri walked up the stairs.

"Don't call me unnie. What are you doing here?" Jessica asked coldly. "I'm not talking to you, Jess. I'm talking to your friend." Krystal dismissed the blonde. "I believe you're Korean too. Hi, I'm Krystal, this short brat's little sister. And you are?" "Kwon Yuri, an intern at Huntington. Nice to meet you. Just call me Yuri if you're more comfortable. Besides we're in United States." Yuri smiled warmly. "Okay, Yuri." The young Jung smiled back while earning a blazing glare from her sister. She dismissed Jessica, and hopped her way towards one of their family cars. As the young lady disappeared from their sight, Yuri mischeviously snickered. "What?" The blonde irritably questioned. "She can out power you, old Jung." "Shut up." Jessica let her grip go from Yuri's arm. "Would you like to come in first?" Yuri looked at her watch. She wanted to stay and be with the blonde more, but work is calling up on her already. "I'd love to but you know, work." "Oh okay." ---

Tiffany was in her deep thoughts while waiting for her best friend to arrive. She sat near the cafe's window with her coffee and jellies. Randomly, she watched people passing by. She hadn't had a decent sleep, thinking what will happen to her or to Taeyeon. She's supposed to go back to Korea in a few days and she's still stuck in wanting to stay. After seeing Taeyeon so frail and after promising to be with her on the case, Tiffany couldn't think of anything else but to keep her word. And it was something she's so confused about.

"Tiff. You okay?" Jessica's voice snapped Tiffany from her daze. She sat on the chair across the bemused girl. "Y-yeah." Tiffany sipped from her cup. "When will you go back to Korea?" "That, I don't know. Why?" "I have to go back in a few days. But-" Jessica expected this. "You want to stay. Right?" "Yes. There was patient and I swore Taeyeon I'd stay with her on the case." The ebony head creased her brows. "Is it right? Me, staying?" "Was it because of the patient?" The blonde asked casually. Even with all the years Tiffany and Taeyeon were away, even when her best friend was with Brian, Jessica could feel Tiffany's love for the short girl. "What are you talking about?" "It's time we talk about you and Taeyeon, Tiff." "What's there to talk about?" "Do you still love her?" Jessica couldn't help her curiosity anymore. "Tiff, we know each other for fifteen years now. I recognize when you have to poo, I know what your deep sigh means. That's how close we got. And I know when you couldn't forget something and someone." Tiffany was dumbfounded. She genuinely doesn't know. She loves Brian, that's for sure. But the question that's been hanging was does she love him more than Taeyeon? "Jess-" "You know what, the thing you guys have to do right now is to fix the issue you should've settled years ago." The blonde flatly replied. "Talk to her, Tiff." "Should I? We talked about not making things complicated. You know I can't handle another messed up-ness right now." Tiffany paused, contemplating if she'll say the next words. "A-and I don't want to lose another important person in my life."

"But what if you gain?" "I don't like where there is going, Jessi." "Tiffany Hwang, jeez. And here I thought you're smarter than me." Jessica scoffed. "Listen to me, okay?"

“But, if I talk to her, two things might happen right? Either we settle this and we both really move on or we won’t and we’ll separate ways, still hating each other.” Tiffany’s voice got sadder by the moment.

“Either way, you deserve to know the truth and she deserves a chance to explain herself.” The other girl knew she was defeated in the debate. She made a mental note to do what her best friend told her to do. "Okay. I’ll try. But tell me who Kwon Yuri is?" The latter laughed. "Oh, you got an issue right there." "Answer me, Jess." Tiffany glared at Jessica. "Okay! I don't know. What we shared is special but until now, I still don't know." Tiffany looked at her friend with smile that hints sarcasm. "Oh Tiff, don't give me that look. I don't have any experience on this. And she has like an army of admirers. Who knows she flirts with them too?" Jessica let out a sigh. "You are one overthinking girl. The fact that she's keeping up with your attitude is something." Tiffany pointed out. "Just let yourself be loved and be in love." It was one of the best moments they have with each other. They are like sisters from different mothers. They talk about all the things they could think of over meals, coffee and work. And in times that both of them are in trouble,

they were there for each other. "So, when are you coming home?" Tiffany asked Jessica, who is now playing with her leftovers. "Remind me what do we have to do there?" "Work, Jess, work." "Can't the work come for us?" Jessica grinned. "You're really into Yuri, aren't you? But I like that idea." They laughed.

---

Taeyeon was getting worried Tiffany's words aren't real. She was waiting at her office for three hours now and no Tiffany came. She has the girl's phone number. A cycle of type-a-message-delete was all she had done for the past hours. She doesn't want to look like she's too clingy. A few more minutes and Tiffany came rushing through her door. Her heart leaped at the sight of the girl signalling an apology. "You're late." Taeyeon nonchalantly greeted. "Sorry. I had to go somewhere else first. Did you wait?" Yes! I did! For three freaking hours Fany-ah. "Not too long. Just got here too. You ready?" Tiffany sensed the displeasure in Taeyeon's tone, but rather dismissed it. "Yes, what shall we do first?" "Visit her and take a look at her chart." Taeyeon stood up. As much as she wanted to hide her annoyance with all the waiting, she just couldn't. "Hey, I said I'm sorry." Tiffany remained sitting.

The shorter girl turned around to look at the pouting girl, and her heart for the nth time she is with Tiffany melted again. She squatted in front of the girl and took her hands. "Tiffany, come on. I'm not mad. And yes, I waited." Taeyeon chuckled. "Sorry I lied." "I know you too well, Taeyeon." Tiffany smiled. “Sorry?”

“It’s okay.” the latter smiled back.

Chapter XVII

How

"Good afternoon, Margarette. I'm Dr. Erica and this is Tiffany, my uh-" Taeyeon awkwardly glanced at the girl beside her. "Consultant. Yes, consultant." Tiffany got the signal to act as the doctor's consultant, even if she doesn't know what that means. "Good morning." She smiled. The weak looking girl slightly smiled. Tiffany felt a stab on her heart at the sight of the patient. Standing in front of a very sick person is

difficult, let alone treating them. She stood there rooted while Taeyeon assessed Margarette. "Tiffany?" asked Taeyeon, who is stooping to auscultate the child's heartbeat and breathing. "Y-yes?" "You okay?" Taeyeon stood up, went close to Tiffany and held her arms. "You're shaking." "Taeyeon, I-" "It's okay, I feel you." The doctor gently rubbed Tiffany's back. When the latter relaxed, she turned to the patient and her family. "Okay, Margarette, Mr. and Mrs. Harrow, we will go now. We will inform you of any progress. As of now, we will continue with the treatment until we know what we are dealing with." "Thank you, doctors. We couldn't thank you enough." Mr Harrow said with gratitude.

“It’s okay. We will do our best.” Tiffany gently smiled. They went outside the room and stopped at the nurses' station. Taeyeon studied every detail Margarette's chart offered her. "Tiffany, this is really something new. I've never encountered anything like this." "Taeyeon, she looked so frail. How could you be so strong in front of patients like her?" "Doctors have to, Fany. If they're weak, we should be strong for them. I'm sorry you got shocked." Taeyeon stopped flipping through the pages and looked at the other girl worriedly. "It's fine. I should be sorry I acted that way." The ebony head gently rubbed Taeyeon's creased forehead. "Don't worry now." Taeyeon's lips slowly twitched up. "I see sleepless nights ahead Fany-ah. You okay with that?"

"Oh, I am very much trained with that." Tiffany beamed. "Okay, if you say so." ---

Kwon Yuri slouched at the lounge's couch when her shift for the week's over. She looked at her phone disappointedly. She got quite a lot of messages and missed calls from different people but not from the person she expects. The blonde even did not visit her at the hospital. "Jung, what are you up to now? Playing games with me? Game on." She scoffed, still looking at the screen.

She's fighting the urge to give Jessica a message or even look at her phone, but after a few minutes, impatience is getting into her. "Ugh! Are you that busy to even greet me?" Yuri started typing a message on her phone.

Good evening. How are you? Delete. Were you busy today? Delete. Hi. Delete. "Ugh! I hate this!" She sulked. She threw her phone inside her backpack. Yuri had a glimpse of the clock hanging on the wall that read 6:45 PM. "I should go ahead."

---

Taeyeon, Tiffany and Sunny were at Taeyeon's office. Tiffany is making coffee for the two doctors while Sunny and Taeyeon study Margarette's case. "Taeng, I'm not supposed to be here. I have patients at UCLA." Sunny muttered. "Help me out here. This is just something I can't figure out my self." Taeyeon reached out for the coffee Tiffany was giving her. She mouthed a silent "thank you", and the latter smiled. Sunny grinned at the sight of the ex-couple. Their magic, the feeling of warmth they emanate were still there. "You have Tiffany here." "Oh yes, she's a great help." Taeyeon proudly said. Tiffany chuckled. "I'm only good at making coffee." Their conversation was interrupted by a phone ring. It was Tiffany's. She stood up and went outside the room to answer the call. As soon as she closed the door, Sunny went towards the girl across her. "I see you're really getting back to treating hopeless patients." She whispered on Taeyeon's ear. "Tiffany. She-" "Oh, it was Tiffany." Sunny concluded, she is rubbing her chin while pacing behind Taeyeon. "What are you trying to say?" The other doctor looked at Sunny sarcastically. "I know that you know what I'm talking about, girl." Taeyeon laughed. "Don't call me GIRL. It's annoying." She paused for a thought. "I don't want to, at first because I was afraid. I can't let another patient die in my service. But Tiffany, she gave me hope, the hope I needed to say yes on the case." "You're still in love with her, Taeng. Admit it."

"In the first place, did I even deny it?" Sunny stopped pacing. "Oh yes, that's right. Will you give yourselves another chance?" "That's not for me to answer. And, we were long over, Sunny. You know that. Let's just keep it this way." "What if she goes out with someone else? Will it be okay?" "Of course not. It'll freaking break my heart to bits!" Taeyeon let out a defeated sigh.

"Hello, Jess? What's up?" Tiffany closed the doors behind her. "Tiff, I called our office in Korea. I told them you and I will be basing here in LA. Our managers will be sending us the project themes." Jessica smiled on the other line. She never left the Korean office since they started. But this time, she has a reason to stay. "Really? That's good!" Tiffany grinned. She on the other hand, occasionally leave their office back home but never really stayed out long. Like her friend, she also has a reason. "Are you with Taeyeon?" "Yes, why?" "Talked to her yet?" "Nope." She has forgotten about the issue she has to settle with her ex. "We're really into this case. Might as well talk to her after we treat the child." "Okay. Did you see Yuri though?" "No. Why?" "She never called nor messaged me. She's really getting in my nerves now." Jessica grumbled through her gritted teeth.

"Why don't you do it first?" "Uh, excuse me? Why should I?" "You two love playing games, don't you?" She laughed at how immature her friends are. Someone patted her back and she turned her back. It was Sunny. "I'll go ahead." The short girl whispered. Tiffany nodded and went back to her phone call. "Hey Jessi, I have to go. Talk to you later." "Sure, bye!"

---

Tiffany opened the door and she had a view of the overworking doctor. Taeyeon massaged her temples with her right hand while absently playing with her pen with her left. It was one of habits Taeyeon does when she's in stress and when her head aches. "Migraine again?" Tiffany asked as she sat across Taeyeon. "I guess. The cups of coffee and chocolates we had are killing me." Taeyeon grimaced at the pain her head gave her when she moved a bit. The other girl took Taeyeon's hand and started massaging the space between the thumb and pointer finger. "Still works?" "Never had that in years." "Why?" "Noone has touched my hands." Tiffany looked at Taeyeon with much surprise on her face. "That's quite impossible. I bet people line up to go out with you." "Never said yes to any of them though." The doctor smiled bitterly.

Somehow, the words which came from Taeyeon's mouth made Tiffany smile. "Why?" "Never had interest." Taeyeon replied. "How about you? How many relationships did you have before Mr. Song?" The idea of putting Brian in the picture distracted Tiffany. As much as she enjoyed Taeyeon's company, it was again Brian who stops her. Was it guilt? She thought. If it was, but why? "None." She answered flatly. Taeyeon immediately got the signal from the other girl's cold reply. She silenced herself from the questions she already formed on her mind. "Thank you, anyways." "Hm? For what?" "For this." She pointed at the area Tiffany was pressing ever so gently. "And for staying. Shouldn't you be somewhere else? Don't you have work back in Korea? You can always go, you know. I'll handle everything here." The ebony head was disappointed add the drop in her mood earlier when Taeyeon mentioned Brian. She let go of Taeyeon's hand, which surprised the doctor. "You want me to leave? Is it because I can only offer you coffees instead of answers?" Taeyeon sighed. She reached for the other girl's hands and stroked those gently. "You're mood Fany-ah. It's not what I meant. What I'm trying to say is you shouldn't be pressured to stay here because of the drama I caused." "You think it's only about that? I want to stay here Taeyeon-ah. For the patient and for you." Tiffany bowed her head. "I know, I'm sorry." Taeyeon stretched her hand to lift Tiffany's face. "My head's hurting so damn much. Can you massage my hand again? It still works if you're the one doing it." And the latter gladly relented.

---

Jessica Jung spaced out yet again. She was counting the leaves of the tree outside her huge room when Yuri came into her mind. “Playing games, Kwon? Okay. Okay, I’ll give you what you want.”

Chapter XVIII

Impatient

Taeyeon woke up the next morning to a loud thump of a large thing, she’s not sure what it was, but it was huge. She tried to lay the sound off her head and continue with her slumber. She did, fortunately. Yet after ten minutes or so, she woke up again. This time, it’s not because of a bang or a thud, but because of two people arguing.

She creased her brows trying to recognize the voices. Tiffany? Yuri?

“Yuri, what are you doing? I’ve already put that board in front of Taeyeon!” a voice almost shouted, who Taeyeon knew was Tiffany.

“But this is like a conference. Everyone should see the board.” Yuri argued.

“But the angle, it’s not good.”

Taeyeon clasped her ears with both of her hands; still they have no use against the ebony head’s voice. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Yuri and Tiffany standing at both sides of a white board playing a tug of war.

“This should be here!” one disputed.

“Oh no, this should be here.”

The half-asleep girl couldn’t take the noise anymore that she shot her eyes wide open. She raised both her arms in the air. “Woah, woah! What’s happening here? What’s with the board?”

Tiffany cleared her throat. “Since you always flip pages back and forth, why don’t you write your data on the board? Less stress.”

Taeyeon smiled at the other girl’s sweetness towards her. She cut glance at the tan girl. “And?”

“I was just fixing the angle for everyone to see.” Yuri explained.

“But it was better-” Tiffany continued.

“No it was-”

“Hep, hep! Stop it you two. Jeez, it’s so early.” Taeyeon stood up to reposition the white board herself. “This should do.”

“Uh, doctor, it’s not early anymore. It’s already twelve noon.”

“What?! Why didn’t you guys wake me up?” the short doctor jolted to her wash room. A couple of minutes passed and she came out of the small room. “Have you eaten yet?”

“Yes we did, you’re too immersed in your sleep we decided not to wake you up.” Tiffany calmly said. She took out a meal box and opened it in front of Taeyeon. “I brought you lunch.”

The intern took a seat near Tiffany, picked up a piece of meat from the box and jostled the piece in her mouth. “Woah, that’s one hell of a meal there. You can cook Tiffany?”

“That’s not for you! Bring that out!” Tiffany playfully reached for Yuri’s mouth.

The immature game Yuri and Tiffany were playing was interrupted by Taeyeon’s unique laugh. “What are you, kindergarten?”

The other two fixed themselves and beamed at each other.

“And no, Tiffany can’t cook. She can’t even open a can of sardines nicely.” Taeyeon added, which brought laughter to her intern.

“Seriously? You have to tell that?” Tiffany moped.

“Tiffany, you can’t take the credits for someone else’s masterpiece.” Taeyeon said. She nodded in agreement to Yuri that the pork was delicious while chewing.

The wooden door opened and a high pitched wail startled everyone inside the room. “It’s so freaking hot outside, I’m gonna melt!”

Jessica looked inside the room and the three were sharing stories and laughter.

Yuri tensed and just bowed her head. Only one person can do that irritating sound. Jessica only rolled her eyes.

Tiffany and Taeyeon sensed a strain between Yuri and Jessica. “Did they fight?” the short doctor mouthed silently. The latter could only shrug.

“Tiff, why did you call me?” Jessica asked coolly. Tiffany took her outside the room to talk for a while.

“We’re you two fighting?” asked the worried Tiffany.

“No, of course not.”

“Jessica Jung don’t you lie to me! It’s obvious.”

“I swear to my niece’s life! How can we fight if we don’t even talk?” Jessica grumbled.

Tiffany scoffed. Teenagers are even more mature than her friend. “Is this still about her not texting or calling you? I told you, you should’ve done those first!”

“Nope. Not gonna happen.”

“And here I am thinking that you might inspire her to think. A patient’s life is at stake here bratinella, so you guys better fix this.” Tiffany petulantly yanked her best friend’s arm inside the room, while faking a smile to the two dumbfounded doctors.

“Ah, Tiffany? You do know that you didn’t close the door?” Taeyeon gently asked.

“Huh?”

“We heard everything you said. Everything.”

Yuri laughed on the background.

“Oh, I’m sorry I was just worried!” Tiffany explained herself.

Jessica stomped her feet towards the couch. “You are too loud, Tiff.”

“Okay, okay!” Taeyeon clasped her hands. “Sica, have you eaten yet?”

“I have, before coming here.” Jessica said, while tapping randomly on her phone’s screen, just to divert herself from looking at the tan girl.

“Okay. So let’s start reviewing, shall we?”

Tiffany abruptly stood next to the white board she and Yuri prepared a while earlier. “I’ll be you secretary. Tell me anything I need to write.” She took out a couple of board markers.

“You’re really prepared for this, aren’t you?” Taeyeon grinned.

“Okay, Margarette Harrow, 10-” Yuri started their so called case presentation. It was like studying yet again for med school. Tiffany transcribed the words that came from Yuri. “Unknown diagnosis, admitted five days ago. Doctor?” she motioned to Taeyeon, who in return nodded.

Taeyeon cleared her throat. “Blood pressure’s dropping drastically while we talk right now. Temperature’s going up and up. She vomits, she’s bleeding, and her fluids are going down.” She shook her head.

“Anemia?” Yuri guessed.

“Yes, she has anaemia. It is haemolytic though.” Taeyeon added. “Her spleen is over working; add the kidneys and her liver. If we can’t get this puzzle right, her organs will fail and the child will die.”

“What is haemolytic?” Tiffany shyly asked.

“It came from the word haemolysis,” Yuri started explaining. “which means destruction of blood. In her case, her red blood cells are the target.”

“Red blood cells?” continued Tiffany. She scratched her head.

“It’s a component of blood which, yeah, they’re color red. And they are responsible for transferring oxygen and other nutrients our body needs. So-” the intern stood up, took a marker from Tiffany, she drew lines that are interconnected to each other on the board and wrote words that only Taeyeon could understand. “If these blood components are destroyed, what happens to our body organs?”

“They could die, right? Because you said the blood cells bring food and oxygen to them.” Tiffany stated what she comprehended from Yuri’s lecture.

“Excellent, Tiffany.” Yuri smiled. “You’re a good listener, unlike other people out there who do not know the word: listen.”

Jessica, who is slumping on the sofa knew right then than Yuri’s talking about her. But she chose to act cool despite her rising annoyance at the girl.

“Being said that,” Yuri continued. “What we should focus on is this.” She pointed at a large question mark written at the top of her drawings. “The reason why her RBCs or the red blood cells are being destroyed. So we have to fix the unknown issue before everything gets destroyed. Everything.” She purposely increased her volume to get the blonde’s attention. Still, Jessica didn’t budge.

Taeyeon patted Yuri’s shoulder signalling not to do what she was doing to Jessica. The latter heaved a deep sigh and sat down to calm her self.

Jessica was unhappy with what’s happening. All these petty fights with Yuri are taking its toll on her. Yuri’s like a drug to her, a drug that makes her high with freaking happiness and side effects of disappointment and anger will come kicking in after some time. She really, really, really wanted to talk to Yuri and patch things up. But she couldn’t or she doesn’t want to, she’s not clear which it is. You’ve done so much for her. Your pride! Let her do things for you too.

Yuri on the other hand misses Jessica so much. She wants to hold those soft hands, gaze at those cold eyes but melt through hers and smell the scent that entices her in every breath. But it’s not her fault, she excused. But staying in one room, sitting just a few feet away from Jessica makes her insides lurch in anticipation. No, don’t talk to her until she does.

Taeyeon interrupted Yuri and Jessica’s self-musings. “So I think that’s it for today. We will continue the present treatment. I’ll just go check on Margarette.”

“Can I come?” Tiffany asked. The latter nodded and took her hand. “Jess, you coming with us?”

Jessica shook her head and went back to her phone.

“Yuri?”

“No, I’ll be checking on someone else too.” Yuri replied flatly.

Taeyeon and Tiffany took their way towards the ICU. It was a comfortable silence they shared. Taeyeon was still holding Tiffany’s hands. And Tiffany didn’t mind though, she even relished the moment.

“Thank you for that board idea, it helped a lot.” Taeyeon said, smiling from ear to ear.

“No problem. I said I’d help you out right?” Tiffany tightened her grip on Taeyeon, reassuring the shorter girl.

“After this case, can you start renovating my office?”

“I thought you forgot! Of course. Jessica and I decided to base here in our LA office, so yeah I’m gonna stay here for long.”

Taeyeon turned her head with eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” Tiffany smiled and playfully patted the latter’s cheek.

“Do you also think that Kwon and Jung are like high school lovers?”

Tiffany chuckled. “Oh, you don’t say.”

Taeyeon laughed as they entered ICU room. “I got a good feeling about this, about Margarette.” She paused. “Not with Yuri and Jessica.”

The latter hid her snicker upon seeing the family.

Yuri almost fell asleep because of the awkwardness of the room. She slowly repositioned herself to look at what Jessica’s doing with her phone. When she couldn’t find the right angle, she stood up silently and went behind Jessica to take a peek.

Jessica sensed a movement behind her and turned her head. Yuri awkwardly stooped. “My phone, I-I think I dropped it here.” Yuri mumbled while uneasily bending towards the floor. She mentally face palmed.

The latter rolled her eyes while hiding her mischievous grin. Lame as ever.

The tan girl grunted as she stood up. Not being sure of what has gotten into her, she snatched Jessica’s arm and pinned the shorty on the lime-painted wall of Taeyeon’s office. It was not like her to act assertive and all but she just couldn’t refrain herself from doing what she’s about to do.

Jessica was taken aback by Yuri’s behaviour. Her heart started beating so fast, breathing become ragged and her bowels are moving rapidly while Yuri’s eyes are locked on hers. “Wh-what are you doing?” she swallowed a lump of thickened saliva in her throat.

“Keep quiet. They might hear us.” Yuri erotically whispered as she was the closing the gap between her lips and Jessica’s.

The blonde’s mouth went dry. Her pupils are fully dilated, providing her a full view of Yuri’s I-want-sex-right-here-right-now look. “Y-Yuri, I haven’t had-”

“Ssh. I missed your scent. And don’t you know no one has made glaring and eye rolling so damn sexy other than you?” Yuri stroked Jessica’s arm down to her fingers. And then she wrapped her arms around the short girl’s waist trapping the latter within her hold. Yuri playfully sniffed Jessica’s cheek down to her jaw line down to her neck.

Oh my god. It was new to her; she doesn’t have any idea what to do. Unconsciously, Jessica lifted her arms and snaked them around the intern’s neck. She adjusted her neck for Yuri to have a full access on it.

They were now locked within each other’s grip, teasing, making every cell of each body excite.

Yuri smirked under the blonde hair that’s been covering her. She gently planted a soft wet kiss on Jessica’s collar bone. The latter cringed but didn’t let go.

She suddenly let go of her hold and undid Jessica’s wrapped arms around her neck. She looked at the blonde with tease written all over her face. “I have to go. I have patients to see. See you around, Jung.”

Yuri turned her heels and leaped towards the door, leaving the frustrated girl leaning on the wall.

“What the f-” Jessica let out a mouthful of air loaded with anger.

Chapter XIX

Clear as Crystal

Days have passed. Dr. Erica Kim couldn’t give Margarette an answer. Same treatment was given to her and none happened. Her family has stopped hoping, they’ve accepted the fact that no one can help the girl.

“Doctor, let her go home.” Mr. Harrow said. “Let us take care of her in our home.”

Taeyeon and Tiffany held each other’s hands. They wanted to help; they wanted to keep the child to get home safe and healthy. Taeyeon cleared her throat. “Are you sure about this sir?”

“Yes, yes we are. Look at her-” Mrs Harrow gestured towards the thin, emancipated-looking girl, with countless contraptions on her body.

Taeyeon could only nod in agreement. “Then, we will be giving you a paper later. You have to sign on it. It says there you chose to discharge the patient despite of your doctors’ advice not to. Do you understand?”

“Yes, the nurse kind of explained it to me a while ago.”

Tiffany interjected the conversation about Margarette’s condition. “Wait!”

The doctor together with the parents looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“Maam, sir can you give another day to figure things out? Just one day. Please. After twenty four hours and none happened, y-you can sign the paper.” Tiffany nervously asked.

“Fany-ah.” Taeyeon shook her head.

The couple in front of them thought for a while. “Okay. Agreed.”

“Okay.” Taeyeon gently smiled. She pulled Tiffany gently out of the room. “Tiffany, a day’s not gonna change anything.”

“But I know you can do it. Give this day a chance Taeyeon.” Sometimes, Tiffany’s perseverance was too much for Taeyeon. When they were still together, they would get into a fight when Tiffany overly persists on something she doesn’t want to do. But today, just a look on the latter’s eye dissolved the exasperation that’s building inside her. “Okay, but this is the last. Okay?”

“Thank you. I know that look.” Tiffany noticed. “You’re stressed and irritated. Wanna grab some ice cold drinks?”

The shorter girl nodded.

---

Taeyeon and Tiffany bought two cups of tropical fruit shake a stall in the hospital’s cafeteria. The sudden brain freeze helped the doctor’s blurring mind. They were walking towards the hospital park and she stopped to fully feel the comfort of the frozen shake.

“Helped a little?” Tiffany, who’s standing ahead of her asked.

“This is good. Thanks.”

The latter smiled. Tiffany spent most of her time in the hospital, from going with Taeyeon during her rounds up to doing nothing in the doctor’s office. She enjoyed her time though. She got to know patients, their diagnoses and their treatment. And doing nothing while waiting for the doctor is way more okay to her than do nothing at home. The difference between having someone to wait than none is that the latter is lifeless.

“I remember my dad had an explosive diarrhoea when he ate random native food and drinks in Thailand.” Tiffany muttered as she waited for Taeyeon to catch with her pace. “It was the worst.”

Taeyeon took two steps towards the ebony head and abruptly stopped upon hearing Tiffany’s story. “Wait.”

She jolted away from her spot and ran like there’s no tomorrow en route for the hospital’s electronic library. She hastily mounted her identification card on the machine that reads ID barcodes. She entered the room and looked for their computer that provides their database.

She typed something on the keyboard and a lot of pages, cases and patients’ charts loaded almost instantly on the screen. Taeyeon sprinted yet again towards ICU room number three and saw a glimpse of the couple who hopelessly watched their daughter outside the glass door. She took out her phone and dialled the ebony head’s number.

“Hello? Where are yo-”

“Fany-ah, I think I know the answer.”

“Really?” Tiffany squealed with glee.

“I have to ask something on the parents first.” She paused. “Can you look for Yuri and you guys go at my office together?”

“Sure.”

Taeyeon hung up. She patted Mr. Harrow’s back. “Sir?”

“Yes?”

“May I just ask did you happen to go on vacation before she got sick?” the doctor casually asked while silently praying that they did.

“Oh, yes. We went to Philippines for a three-day vacation. Why?”

One more. Help me out Margarette. “And where specifically?”

“It was Palawan.”

Gotcha.

---

Yuri opened the door to Taeyeon’s small office. She hesitated at first because she might see the blonde inside her crime scene. She inhaled deeply and slowly opened the door, wishing she’ll see no one inside.

“Yuri!” a female voice yelped. “Finally.”

“Tiffany? You called me out here?”

“Yes, Taeyeon said so. I believe she knows the answer to the mystery of Margarette’s case!” the shorter girl stated in excitement.

“Really? That’s good!” Yuri faked her enthusiasm. She looked around the room and as much as she wanted to avoid Jessica, she felt a pang of disappointment when the blonde’s not around. They didn’t talk after the

stunt she pulled four days ago. She couldn’t try to communicate with Jessica because she was appalled by what she did, and also the blonde might be so mad at her after that incident.

“You okay, Yuri?”

“Y-yeah. Just tired. I guess.” The tan sat down and fiddled with the edges of the silk cover of the couch.

“Have you seen Jessi around?”

“No.”

Tiffany creased her forehead. “You still don’t talk because both of you are so stubborn to start a conversation?”

“We kinda had a situation after that.”

“And that is?”

Yuri nervously glanced at the curious Tiffany. She sighed and told the story about the whole teasing thing she did.

“YOU DID WHAT?!!” Tiffany yelled in a pitch that can easily break one’s ears.

The other girl flinched. “I’m sorry okay! I was surprised too. I didn’t know what happened but all the teasing, the fights, I just-”

“You are so gonna pay for what you did to my best friend.” The ebony head glared at the nervous intern across her.

“Okay. I know I was wrong. I’m feeling guilty as hell, Fany. I called her, I emailed and texted her too. Her phone’s off and she hasn’t replied to my emails.” Yuri was genuinely sad from Tiffany’s point of view. She rested her head on her hands and wailed like a suspect who got in jail. “I like her, I really do.”

Taeyeon opened her door with so much glee from her discovery. “Everyone, it is Malaria!”

Neither of the two black haired girls reacted. “What happened? Someone died? Without me, the doctor, knowing?” she tried to joke. Still, zero reaction.

Tiffany started telling the story Yuri shared a while ago, with much disappointment in her tone. Yuri on the other hand felt her heart quashed with more guilt.

“SHE DID WHAT?!” Taeyeon’s voice roared from her room out until the hallways of the floor. “Yuri, why!?”

“We had the same reaction.” Tiffany shook her head. She took out a piece of paper and scribbled on it. She handed it to the heartbroken girl.

Yuri’s eyes shot open at the unfamiliar numbers. “It’s Krystal’s. Ask her if she knows Jessica’s whereabouts. That brat might be doing something stupid.”

Taeyeon nodded in agreement. “But first, we should save Margarette’s life.” “Malaria? Did they go somewhere in Asia?” Yuri absentmindedly asked her boss.

“Yep, Philippines. I ordered a malarial blood smear on her and I got the result instantly. She’s positive for Plasmodium falciparum.”

“Plas- what?” Tiffany grimaced at the unrecognized medical words. “You know I somehow hate it when you guys all medical on me.”

Taeyeon chuckled at the cute behaviour. “Plasmodium falciparum. A parasite that kills our RBCs.” She looked at Yuri. “What are we going to do?”

“So we’re going for a primaquine therapy.”

“Good.” She handed Yuri the patient’s chart. “Write your diagnosis and your treatment and sign your name below.”

Yuri’s jaw dropped. She has never written anything on her patient’s chart because Taeyeon was so uptight about interns writing on medical papers.

“Go on. You deserve it.”

The tan intern excitedly took out her pen and wrote everything she has to write on the papers she was holding. She has waited for this moment. Taeyeon smiled at her intern and at Tiffany who’s grinning too.

---

The three gave the dose of primaquine to the patient. Yuri ordered an increase of 3000 ml of fluids on the patient to redeem the liquids Margarette has lost. The nurses were happy that Yuri was finally giving them the orders. They also knew that the tan intern deserves it. A pat on her back snapped her out of her daze. “You were good at this case, Yuri-yah. But when it comes to your personal case with Jung, you totally suck!” Taeyeon whispered in Korean. “Call Krystal. Now.”

Yuri took out her phone and the paper tiffany has given her a while back. She walked away the station while mouthing a silent “thank you” to her resident physician.

“Hello?”

“Krystal, this is Yuri. Jessica’s friend. Are you by chance with her?”

“No. I’m at school. Why?”

“Where is she?” Yuri asked the younger girl rather hurriedly.

“She did mention before I went out this morning that she’ll go to this fancy restaurant at Vermont.” Krystal Jung tried to remember what Jessica told her earlier today. “Just look for her there, I can’t remember what restaurant was that.” “Thanks!” Yuri hung up instantly.

“What was that?”

Chapter XX

Free Fall

Kwon Yuri roared her car's engine en route for her destination. A long list of restaurants at Vermont Avenue came into her mind. She excluded small time restaurants because it's very unlikely for the blonde to go there. As Tuesday rush hour traffic delays her, her mind was filled with unpleasant scenarios of their meeting, knowing that the other girl wouldn't give up a fight. But she didn't care. All she wanted to do is to make up with Jessica. She went out with bunch of guys and even girls before. She's a natural, they'd say. She'd normally feel butterflies on the early days of her

relationships but disappears on the consecutive days. But when it comes to Jessica, it was different. Totally different. Was it because of the teases? The blonde's attitude? The glaring? The eye rolling? Yuri doesn't know. But there's one thing she was sure of, she had it bad. She could see the sign board that says Vermont Avenue a few meters away from her. She was about to step on the gas pedal when the street light went red. "Crap!" She cursed as she slammed her steering wheel. Jessica Jung walked her way to an Italian restaurant. Her car was parked at the end of the street. She'll be on a date with a businessman she met two days ago at the bar. She was never the clubbing type. But for the past days, she'd rather go out and do things she never did than stay at home and drown her mind with the thoughts of the tan girl who left her hanging the last time they met. She grimaced at the memory. Why did I freaking give in! She thought. I hate her. The blonde roamed around the avenue before going to their meeting place. Don’t want to look so eager. After a few paper bags of dresses and signature bags, she entered the first class restaurant. A young looking lad in coat stood not so far away from the door greeted her. "Hi, Ms. Jung." He took the paperbags and led her to their table. "Hi, Alex. And thank you." Jessica warmly smiled. "Wow, you look different from the Alex I met. You look-" she scrutinized the latter's suit. "Very businessman-y." "Well, work is work and socializing is socializing." Alex Degraw flashed his manly, crooked smile. "You look stunning. Shall we order?" Alex is a good looking gentleman. He is one of the most sought after bachelors in town. Every girl will go stupid over him. But in the weirdest way, Jessica Jung was the only one who wasn't interested. He's handsome yes, he's rich, he's everything good in the world but to her, he is nothing special. And even in front of her is a god, her mind's still clouded with the tall, tan intern.

Their talk over their meal was casual. They conversed about anything they could think of. The guy was really enjoying but the girl was bored. She rather bicker with Yuri than fake a laugh every time her date tries to joke. "Wow," Alex paused. "This is refreshing." "Huh?" "It's my first time to meet someone like you. Am I not attractive? Or funny?" Jessica could only stare at the guy in front of her. "You space out, you fake everything. I don't know if you're plain bored or you're preoccupied with someone."

Yuri parked her car on the nearest spot she could see. She jumped out of the driver's seat and roamed around to look for her prospect. Where the hell are you? She looked at every restaurant she walked by. She walked pass Chinese, Spanish, Thai, and English but no Jessica caught her eyes. She was about to give up when she saw a glimpse of a fancy Italian restaurant in the corner. She peeped through the glass barrier and saw a blonde talking animatedly to a handsome guy. She squinted to focus her eyes on the girl. Jessica turned her head to ask a glass of water to the waiter. And Yuri on the other hand, saw the face she's longing to see. A mixture of gladness and jealousy crept through her veins and arteries. Without second thoughts, she rushed towards the girl, not caring who or what she stumble into.

"You know what, you should talk to her." Alex finished his dessert. "I don't think"- before Jessica could finish her sentence, someone pulled her hand. Alex was surprised; he stood up to pull Jessica back. "Wait. That's harassment."

"Back off." Yuri shot knives and axes to Alex with her glare. --"Where'd Yuri go?" Tiffany asked, panting. She was holding a cup of coffee and handed it to Taeyeon. "Looking for happiness." The other girl gladly took the coffee. Acquiring a paper, she fanned the sweating girl. "Oh!" Tiffany squealed in delight. "I think I know." Taeyeon smiled at the happy girl in front of her. The curve on her child like face vanished when the idea of not having Tiffany around popped in to her mind. Tiffany was full aware of the doctor's change in mood. As if having one mind and a heart, she understood what's on Taeyeon's mind. "I'll miss you." She muttered. "I'll miss you too. But, we still have to re-design my office." She smiled. "Of course." Tiffany hooked her arms on Taeyeon's. "Do you think Yuri will find happiness?" "If they'll put their pride aside, both of them will." The shorter girl answered, knowing Tiffany understood what she's talking about. After a long yet comfortable silence, Tiffany tightened her grip around the latter’s pinky finger. "I'm happy." Taeyeon looked at the eyes that are gazing at hers lovingly. "Really?" "Yes." "I'm happier." The doctor beamed.

---

It was early evening. Couples and group of friends go on dates with laughter and smiles on their faces. But among the horde of people on Vermont Avenue, only two were rooted in a dark alley within an unknown corner of the place. Both are glaring at each other with all of their anger and frustration. Seconds, minutes passed and still words that are gathered at the edge of their tongues were left unspoken. "What did you do?! We were having a good meal for heaven's sake!" Jessica broke the silence. "What did YOU do?! Why were you going out with some guy out there?" "The hell you care." The blonde crossed her arms on her chest. “At least he’s gentleman enough not to play with me.” "I messaged you! I called a lot of times. You never gave me the chance to explain or apologize. It was bad, I know. I-I wanted you right there and then. I want all of you. But I got scared." “You left with a teasing face, you idiot!”

“It’s a front! After I closed the door, my mind went blank! I wanna go back but I know you’re mad. So I didn’t. I’m sorry please!” Yuri pleaded.

"Don’t care. It’s nothing.?" The latter sneered with irritation. "So I'm nothing now? We're nothing?" "There's no we nor us! So. Stop. Acting. Like. A. Jealous. And. Pathetic. Girlfriend!" Jessica's voice vibrated through the narrow path, which caused the insects and rodents running everywhere. Yuri gripped the blonde's arm tightly. "You are so frustrating."

“…” "Darn it Jessica! I'm not your girlfriend but freakin' yeah, I'm jealous. I'm so jealous I could kill that guy at that very moment! And I’m pathetic to imagine what we’ve done in Dr. Kim’s office every single minute and what if we really did it and what if you’re mine now." Yuri inhaled a year's amount of air. "Stop the games. I don't know anything about love or anything related to it." Jessica's brows were raised. "What are yo-" The latter lifted her hands in the air. "Wait for me to finish. That's what's wrong with us. No one ever listens to what the other one says." "..." "But if thinking about you brings out all of my serotonin and dopamine inside my brain-" "Is that how you express your feelings? You go all medical?" The blonde ridiculed the seemingly frustrated tan girl. "Shut up! Okay. I'll start over. I think of you 24/7, I miss you even when we're together, I want to hug you, kiss you, I want to hold your hands all freaking time! I get jealous. I-I get so frustrated when I don't see you." Yuri's gaze softened. All her thoughts and feelings went all out right then in front of the person who occupies her mind and heart. "If that's what others go crazy about, if that’s what they call love, then yes Jung Jessica, I'm in love with you." She stroked the shorter girl's cheek. "I love you. All of you."

Chapter XXI

Finally

“I love you.” A pause. “All of you.”

Jessica Jung heard it those words clearly. It was new to her. Guys told her those three words before, but not as sincere and not as heart swelling as how Yuri expressed them. The cocoon of butterflies in her bellies burst open, her vital signs wen high and her mouth just want to say I love you too.

The day before this bitter to sweet encounter with Yuri was the day she also realized that she’s in love with the tan intern. She always wake up thinking about the scene they had in Taeyeon’s office, missing Yuri and thinking about talking to her. But her pride stops her from doing so.

“Sica. What now? No answer?” Yuri waved her hand in front of Jessica’s dumbfounded face.

Instead of replying a sweet I love you too, the blonde got pissed again. “Is that how you ask for an answer? You’re mad? Really, now Yuri? And to think that you confessed in this dangerous alley with your freaking angry tone.”

“I’ve been standing here for minutes! And you’re just there staring at me. I just said those three words I have never said in my whole life and you space out? Help me out please!” She rolled her eyes and rested her hands on her waist with all the frustration in the world. “And you are spacing out-“

Yuri felt the blonde’s wet lips against hers. Her eyes which are shot open at the touch closed when she sensed a slight opening in Jessica’s lips. Love and

longing overtook her. She wrapped her hands around the hips that are against hers tightly. She kissed the blonde like she never did before.

Jessica couldn’t take just looking at those lips. She stepped forward and tiptoed to reach the tall girl’s lips. It was her first kiss; she has no idea on what to do. But as soon as their lips met, it was as if hers has a mind of her own that controlled every smack and caress she gives Yuri. She snaked her arms around the intern’s neck and pulled Yuri closer and closer to her body.

It was addictive, intoxicating that they couldn’t let go of each other. Seconds have long gone turned into minutes but their lips are still locked. In their minds, they could just kiss each other for like forever.

Jessica felt something crept on her back. She dismissed it thinking that it was Yuri’s hands. But it felt different. She slowly withdrew her one hand and touched what’s sneaking from behind.

“AAAHH!” she yelped as the cockroach flew away from her.

“What?” Yuri inquired worriedly.

“A-a roach! It’s your fault! If you just chose a more decent place to confess-”

The tan girl pecked Jessica’s lips and snatched the girl away from the dirty place. They were both smiling when they walked through the crowded avenue. Yuri enveloped the blonde with a side hug. “You never had an answer.”

The latter cupped Yuri’s face. “I love you too.”

"You're mine then?" "Hm." The tan girl looked at Jessica with persuasion in her eyes. "Yes. And you're mine."

----

"You what?!" Tiffany almost yelped. "Tiffany, too much." Taeyeon patted the delighted girl's lap. She is happy to see Yuri and Jessica finally meeting at the center of their feelings. Everyone knew they love each other except for the two of them. "Happy for you Kwon, Sica. Finally. We can have a normal peaceful life in the hospital." She exaggheratedly shook her head. "Taeyeon, too much." The ebony head who was playing with Taeyeon's pinky finger said coolly. "Thanks Taeng. You couldn't imagine the scene. It was the sweetest confession ever in the sweetest place." Jessica sarcastically stated. She earned a slight nudge from the girl who sits beside her. "What?" She mouthed at Yuri. "Why?" The resident doctor looked questioningly at her intern. "Did you like rented a whole fancy restaurant or a pavillion with flowers and balloons in it? Oh, you little-" "You don't say." Jessica laughed.

"She did?" Tiffany asked excitedly. Yuri can't handle her girlfriend's teasing. She interrupted the talk. "No. She was on a date with a rich handsome guy. While I was there panting and catching mouthfuls of air because I was so busy looking for her." "Oooh. Then?" "I yanked her towards the narrow alley with rats and cockroaches." She continued rolling her eyes. "And I was so angry I let all my feelings out." Yuri saw the surprised look on the ex-couples' faces. "Yes, dark, narrow, smelly, dirty alley. Got a problem with that?" "None." Tiffany answered. "But, here we are." Jessica held Yuri's hand. "She got all medical on me. That's how she caught my heart." Tiffany, Taeyeon and even Yuri curled their fingers. "I didn't know you're that cheesy Jess." Jessica glowered at Tiffany. "No one can ever replace Taeng here. Right Tiff?" Taeyeon suddenly tensed and Tiffany awkwardly sipped her drink. They decided to have a nice dinner at a Japanese restaurant three nights after Margarette got discharged. It was the night when everyone in their circle is available. "Congratulations again, Yuri." Taeyeon casually interrupted the awkwardness. "That's because I got over my fear of admitting I love her." The intern stated with a challenging look at her senior. The latter widened her eyes as if threatening Yuri. "It's true. All we have to do is talk. And when I said talk, I mean talk about the unspoken words, not the obvious ones." Kwon Yuri added, still looking alternately at Taeyeon and Tiffany. "Lee Soonkyu! You are late." Taeyeon yelled at the incoming short doctor.

"I'm sorry I was-" Sunny stopped when she saw the new couple. "Oh so you two together now?" "Yeah, in a shocking way we're both not surprised." The other doctor grinned. "Who's still surprised? They're like elementary couples even before." Sunny took her seat next to Jessica and dismantled their intertwined hands. "Don't hold hands, it's annoying." It was a good night for all of them. The talk was fun and casual over a nice meal. They cheered and drank for Taeyeon's discovery of Margarette's case, for Yuri and Jessica's newly found love and for their friendship. "Hey guys, I have to go." Sunny started gathering her things. "Surgery at 9 PM." Four of them waved her goodbye as she stood up. She planted a friendly kiss on the cheek on each one of them except for. Best friend, Taeyeon. "Yah! What's that?" Taeyeon moped in her seat. "Not gonna kiss me too?" Sunny grimaced. "No, Taengoo. It's awkward and weird and yeah, awkward. A pat on the back is more acceptable." Everyone laughed at how the two treat each other. The short haired doctor then took her way out after actually giving Taeyeon a pat on the back. Jessica leaned in and whispered something inaudible on Yuri's ears. Taeyeon and Tiffany were just there, brows raised at the scene. The tan intern's face got serious all of a sudden. She stood up and took her bag and Jessica's. "We need to go too." Jessica coolly said. Yuri nodded in agreement as she handed the blonde her bag. Taeyeon chuckled suspiciously. "Oh I think I know. I understand that you're in your honeymoon stage. Yeah you may leave." Tiffany joined the doctor's laughter.

The blonde raised her hand in front of Taeyeon. "No. You perv. We just have to go somewhere else." She went to Tiffany and again whispered something. Even Tiffany's face got serious. Jessica patted her shoulder and went on to leave. "What was that?" The shorter girl asked. Tiffany in return exhaled. She took out a few bucks and put them atop the well covered table. "Want to take a short walk?" "Why does it feel so weird?" "Yeah. We need to talk." Tiffany stood up.

---

ICU Room number 3 Before Brian died.

“Seems she only has work, Sunny and Kwon here. Aside from her family of course.” Tiffany took the chair intended for visitors next to Brian, who was still lying unconscious. “So, what do you think is her reason for leaving me that way? I mean, there’s nothing so special here.”

She spaced out for a while. Her mind was filled with questions she wanted to ask Taeyeon. “Maybe I could really like you know, move on if we talk. And then I’ll marry with no more baggage on my back. Because frankly, you’re the one who’s carrying it for me. And it’s unfair.”

“But right now, let’s get you fixed first. Okay? I miss you.”

---

Four years ago

“Soonkyu!” Taeyeon leaped towards her bestfriend. “I missed you shorty!”

“Yah. Too loud!” Sunny smiled.

The two best friends met after two years of separation. Sunny went to LA for her med school earlier.

“So how did Tiffany react on you leaving? I bet you had another major fight before she agreed on this.” Sunny helped the other girls pull the bags. She slightly elbowed Taeyeon when she heard no answer from her friend.

“W-we broke up.”

“What?”

Taeyeon started sobbing. She laid everything that happened to Sunny.

“What?! You’re stupid Taeng! Really, really stupid!”

Chapter XXII

Revelations 101

It was Sunday night. The street wasn’t as crowded as the other nights. Few people were going about. Some just ate out; some just wander around with friends, families and loved ones. In general, the night was quiet and peaceful.

As placid as their silent walk may seem, in Tiffany and Taeyeon’s minds are endless questions and thoughts. They went towards a nearby park with only unspoken words in their hearts.

It was the night Tiffany has been anticipating for. But she wasn’t sure if the other girl feels the same or if she could get the peace she wanted to have a long time ago.

A number of people were there. No honking cars, no chasing children and no busy folks can interrupt them. Tiffany stood in front of a bench under a tree they cannot identify due to the dimness of their spot. She chose the place because she doesn’t want see Taeyeon’s face.

“Is it okay here?” Tiffany asked as she sat down.

“Yeah.”

An awkward silence succeeded the short question.

“We need to talk.” The ebony head continued.

Albeit the awareness of the situation, Taeyeon chose to act innocent. “About?”

“Us.” The other girl answered potently.

“Shoot.”

As prepared as she thought she would be, Tiffany couldn’t find the words to start with. It took her days, weeks and even years to wait for this final moment. She wanted to just back out, continue with what they’ve started. But her best friend’s right. She has the right to know the truth and Taeyeon has the right to explain herself. “Did you ever love me? When we were still together?”

“I did. Never felt it?” she asked flatly.

“I did. Or I thought I did.”

Taeyeon slightly sneered. “I loved you. You know that.”

“Then why? I wanted to know Taeyeon-ah.”

“Do you really wanna know?”

In Tiffany’s much surprise, the other girl sounded infuriated. She could only nod, hoping Taeyeon could see her.

“I loved you. With all of me, Fany-ah. B-but-” Taeyeon’s voice started to shudder. “How about you? Did you ever love me?”

“Of course!” the ebony head got defensive. “I was miserable when you left. I was so-”

Taeyeon bitterly chuckled. “So that’s how you loved me, huh?”

“What are you talking about?” the other girl started feeling frustrated; having no idea where Taeyeon’s going with the words she’s saying.

“Tell me, how many times did you lie to me? Your promises, your I-swears, did you mean them?”

“Wh-what?”

Taeyeon could not hold it anymore. “I overheard you and Jessica, a lot of times.”

December 2008

“I got home, early this morning.” Tiffany gulped her almost cold coffee. “My head now freaking hurts!”

“Where did you and Taeyeon go?” Jessica asked.

Every Saturday morning, Taeyeon pays Tiffany a visit in her apartment. Due to busy schedules, they could only meet three to four times a week. So the petite girl never misses a day. Even for a day’s separation, Taeyeon would miss the short haired girl so bad.

The door was open when she arrived. Wanting to surprise her girlfriend, she tiptoed towards the sound she was hearing. She saw Tiffany’s behind. She stopped on her track at the topic the two girls were talking about.

“I wasn’t with Taeyeon.” Tiffany replied rather coldly.

“Oh. Where did you go then?”

The latter crossed her arms and leaned on the backrest of the chair. “At the new bar my friend opened. It was totally cool.”

Jessica’s face got serious. “Did Taeyeon know?”

“No. It’s okay. She doesn’t have to know where I go every time.”

Taeyeon who was silently listening was shocked.

“You’re a badass. So what happened?”

“Oh, and I met this guy. I can’t remember his name though. We shared a couple of drinks. But-” she lifted a finger. “It was just a friendly drink.”

“Uh oh.”

Tiffany chuckled. “And then it was getting late so I said my goodbyes.”

Taeyeon felt a bit relieved. She’s jealous and disappointed but still, her Tiffany proved that she’s faithful.

“He walked me out of the bar. Before I get into the cab, he kissed me.”

The world crumbled beneath Taeyeon. Her heart was crushed and her mind was boggled with dismay, jealousy, anger and disgust.

“I don’t know. It was hot. So I- kissed back.” Tiffany continued.

That was it. Taeyeon could no longer hold her tears back. Once a tear escaped her left eye, more tears started brimming. It hurts. It hurts a lot for Taeyeon. She loves Tiffany so much she couldn’t even look at anybody else, she couldn’t even have a drink of liquor when her girlfriend’s not around, and she couldn’t even think of cheating. She balled her fists; her nails sank into her palms. But the pain doesn’t compare to the pain the love of her life caused her.

“Tiffany, that’s-” Jessica shook her head. “How about Taeyeon?”

“She doesn’t have to know. Besides, we will never meet again. So relax.”

The girl behind the kitchen wall restrained a sob but failed to do so. Her throat’s aching and her chest felt like a thousand tons.

“Did you hear that?” Tiffany asked Jessica. The latter shrugged.

Taeyeon ran as fast as she can. She ran passed the elevator and chose to use the stairs. Her leg muscles and her lungs cried for a rest, but she didn’t stop. She wanted to die just then. She wanted to numb everything in her body.

Hearing Tiffany talk about her with no love or guilt at all is what hurt her the most. No, it was the alcohol. She loves me. I know. I-it was a mistake. Taeyeon tried to reason against her mind.

She ran until her legs gave up. She stumbled and fell on the side street. People saw and tried to help her but she declined. Taeyeon remained seated there for minutes with blocked out mind and rumpled heart.

After regaining her consciousness, she stood up, fixed herself and went to a nearby minimart. She bought a piece of cake and ice cold coffee that she decided to give Tiffany. Her mind’s judgement was defeated by the love she has for the girl.

Taeyeon inhaled deeply and with one last look at the mirror, she opened Tiffany’s door. “Hi Fany-ah. Cake?” she smiled like nothing happened.

---

“Taeyeon-”

“You see, I was that stupid to let that one go." Taeyeon was at the verge of breaking down yet remained her calm. One of the things she hated the most is getting furious at the girl. "I let that one go because I'm so in love with you. I-I forgave you even if you weren't even sorry for what you did." She paused for a sob. "I went through that hell alone. I smile in front of you when

all I wanted to do was cry. No one knew about what you did, I couldn't tell anyone even Sunny because I don't want people to think that my girlfriend is a *****. I loved you so much I even cared about your dignity." Tiffany was too taken aback to even react. Flashback of that damned moment came rushing into her mind. "It was so painful Fany. It really was. And you know what's amazing about you? You act in front of me like nothing's happening behind my back. Didn't you like have a conscience or something?" Taeyeon chuckled insensibly. "Twice? Thrice? Ten times? How often did you go to bars without me knowing? My friends tell me they see you there drinking and dancing with random people and I was just awkwardly standing there telling them you are with me the whole time. Did you know how much that hurts? I took it all in Fany. I willingly hurt myself, which is stupid. Really stupid.” "Did you hear anything from me? No. Because I loved you." Taeyeon's tears are overflowing with anguish. It was her turn to let her feelings go. The agony she hid for a long time came in like an aftermath of a disaster. The painful memory of what Tiffany did stabbed double, triple times at her heart. "Tae-Taeyeon-ah." Tiffany's words couldn't come out. "I was young and I was stupid. But I swear I never-"

"I never thought of doing anything close to what you did to me. If I was so bent in revenge, I should've went to bars too, make out and have sex with random guys. Even thinking about it makes me gag." Taeyeon added. "I'm sorry, I-" "You were only sorry because I knew about it, you were only sorry because I caught you." Taeyeon sobbed, this time it's not anger that's creeping inside her. This time it's loneliness. "I could live with your lies about these things. And I thought that was the only thing you've done." "What?" ---

June 2009

"So, what, you're breaking up with her now?" Jessica asked her best friend with wide eyes. "I don't know. She's just you know, has no direction?" Tiffany mumbled. "We'll be putting up our own fashion design firm and she's still studying for med school with grades that are barely hanging in there." "Tiff, don't you think you're being too much? I'm your best friend but I don't think this is right. I didn't push about your clubbing thing. But this time, I really think you're going beyond acceptable." Jessica creased her brows. She's feeling guilty and sorry towards Taeyeon for the past months. Tiffany has already gone worst. Taeyeon did nothing but love and care for her best friend. And the latter has been totally being unfair. "Don't you love her anymore?" "I do. I really do." Taeyeon was there standing again behind the living room wall. Tiffany's apartment has been Taeyeon's house of horror. She sees and hears things she doesn't want to every time she enters the damned house. Her heart was beaten to death, for the nth time she is with Tiffany. She went out of the apartment calmly. It was like she was already trained to act cool whenever she hears anything bad. Taeyeon blankly walked at the side streets. A tear escaped her eye but no more tears followed. She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. That was it. She's done.

Beep! Fany-ah, I won't be able to see you today. I'm sorry. I miss you and I love you so much. Can we meet tomorrow at Tony’s maybe, twelve? Are you free? ~taetae

Beep!

Really? ): I miss you too. Okay I'll meet you tomorrow. Let's have ice cream! I