**Chaeng still couldn’t believe she’s lying on her bed with Mina. She had never imagined it yet. Well, not yet… even after their dinner the other day. It hadn't crossed her mind yet. If she didn’t find out that Mina went out to visit her fiancé, maybe… just maybe, the thought of sleeping with her might have crossed her mind. But after she locked up herself in her room a couple of hours ago, thinking about any possibility with her already vanished.**
**Well, Mina doesn’t know what to say. It wasn’t something she planned. She didn’t even think this thing will happen sooner. It’s not like her. And she couldn’t understand how on earth she did it to someone she barely knew. Now she’s worried about what Jeong will think about her. Will she think how so easy she is?**
**Chaeng tilted her head towards Mina. Both of them still lying on the bed, under the sheet, and still wearing nothing. She hasn’t recovered her strength yet. So getting up and putting her shirt on is somewhat the last thing she thought of… after what had happened.**
Chaeng: Yeah?
Mina: Hmm… don’t… don’t think I do this with everyone. I mean… it’s not… it’s not me.
**Mina stuttered. As if she’s in an interrogation room and was asked to confess something.**
Chaeng: It never crossed my mind. I mean, that you’re like that. Besides, we… we’re both responsible for it, right?
**Mina’s lips turned into a thin line. Convinced at how Chaeng justified what they did.**
Mina: Right. Anyway…
**Mina tilted her head to her left where Chaeng’s laptop was resting. The screen was still up and the chair was not tucked under the table. That only means she’s sitting there before she knocked on the door and stole her precious time.**
Mina: I’m sorry.
**She then went back at staring at Chaeng.**
Mina: I know you’re busy with work, and the last thing you want someone to do to you is to disturb you, and I’m sorry for that.
**Chaeng twirled to her left so she could lie on her side and level her eyes to Mina. Indeed, she’s busy. But she doesn’t care if she interrupted her doing her stuff. She’d better lie here with her than sit in front of her laptop talking to herself while writing the pictures playing in her head. She’d been writing almost her entire life, and it’s the first time someone held her the way Mina did. So, taking a break for a while won’t hurt the characters in her story.**
Chaeng: It’s fine. I’ve been writing since this morning and I guess I need to take a break. It just so happened that you knock on my door, at least I have a valid excuse to rest for a while.
Mina: Oh… I hope I brought something for you to eat.
Chaeng: Well, you’re here…
**Then she laughed while Mina turned red, which made her laugh even harder.**
Chaeng: I’m sorry… I’m just joking. Anyway, I think you have something to explain to me before… this happened?
**Mina didn’t answer immediately. She still hasn’t recovered yet from Chaeng’s joke. And besides, she needs to recall what they were talking about before they ended up lying in bed.**
Mina: Oh… yeah. Me visiting Jeong. Hmm… I drove early this morning because I asked her if I could now see someone ‘cause just like you, I’m also thinking about the possibility of us. I mean… the word friends seemed to not fit us. It---it’s not like I don’t want to be friends with you, but… you know…
**Chaeng was staring at her, listening to her every word, and not missing even a single one.**
Mina: There’s something in you that made me think that it’s okay to move on, and that’s the reason I went to her and her mom. I don’t want them to feel disrespected. A---at least if someone they knew saw me walking or having dinner with someone, I don’t need to explain anymore, right?
**So, I was wrong all this time? And if she didn’t knock on my door, it’s going to be the end of any possibilities between us because I’m such an immature adult. Why didn’t I think about it that way? Why am I so stupid for ending something that never even started yet? Chaeng nagged herself.**
Chaeng: I’m… I’m sorry for… you know thinking the other way around. But… but what makes you think I’m… I’m upset because of that? I mean, is it that obvious?
***Mina chuckled. Of course, it’s obvious. She wants to say.**
Mina: It’s obvious that you’re upset, and it feels like I did something wrong to you. But I don’t want to assume things, that’s why I visited you here.
**Chaeng whirled to her right to lay her back again. She felt embarrassed for acting up earlier.**
Chaeng: Aaargh!!! I’m so mean…
Mina: I told you, it’s fine. Anyway…
**Mina finally sat up and pulled her shirt at the foot of the bed.**
Mina: I guess I have to go now. Ryujin’s waiting for me, and it’s kind of busy at the café today. Lots of guests checked-in an hour ago.
**Chaeng also pulled herself up and does the same---dress.**
Chaeng: Oh… okay. Okay. So… are we going to have dinner later? At least before you go home?
Mina: Hmm… sure. It’s better than eating alone at home. By the way, how’s your new story? Do you… do you finally get a grip with your writing?
**Chaeng’s now on her feet and zipping her pants, while Mina’s already tying her sneakers, back facing at her.**
Chaeng: I guess so. It’s starting to have figures now. Well, I just finished chapter two, but I’m kind of liking it.
Mina: I’m not gonna ask you about it. I’ll just wait until it’s published. One new reader means sales for it. So, I’ll go with the sales.
**Chaeng walked towards her and grabbed her on her hips, and Mina willingly rest her hands on Chaeng’s collar, circling her right thumb on its contour.**
Chaeng: Such a business woman, eh?
**Mina winked and kissed her.**
Mina: Of course. Well, can I go now? We might end up in bed again if you won’t let me go.
Chaeng: Kinda like the idea, you know. So, maybe not let you go?
**Mina laughed. Though she also likes the idea of spending more time with Chaeng, she remembers that Ryujin’s waiting for her downstairs.**
**She cringed her nose and locked her arms at the back of Chaeng’s neck.**
Mina: I can now picture Ryujin’s face.
**Then she wrinkled her face like she’s imitating Ryujin’s angry and crumpled face, which made Chaeng giggle and nod at her.**
Chaeng: All right! See you later then.
*****
Tzuyu: So… are you going to send me the draft sooner?
**Tzuyu asked after hearing that Chaeng’s having progress with her new story. And she kind of likes the concept of it.**
Chaeng: Maybe when I reached chapter five? I’m not sure yet… but I promise to send you something in a couple of days.
**Chaeng called Tzuyu as soon as she sat on her desk. She remembered that she needs to let her know about the progress of it. Also, maybe to give her a little information about her and Mina.**
Tzuyu: All right. Well, I’m not in a hurry. I want you to take all the time you need. Besides, you said you’re doing good with it, and I believe you.
Chaeng: You know what? You might be annoying most of the time, but I’m still thankful that you’re my boss.
**She chuckled and Tzuyu was surprised to hear her laugh again like that. It’s been a while since she has this bubbly attitude.**
Tzuyu: Oooh! So I’m annoying, huh?
Chaeng: I’m just kidding.
**She’s still laughing and enjoying this little talk with her best friend.**
Tzuyu: I kind of like the effect of this girl you met there with you. What’s her name again?
Chaeng: Mina… I couldn’t remember if I’ve already mentioned it to you, but she owns the entire place. But you’ll see her at the café most of the time, instead in her office ‘cause she likes making coffees and cakes.
Tzuyu: Seriously? That was a frickin’ high-end hotel! Shit! It’s like you win the lottery!
Chaeng: Hey! I don’t think it that way, you know. I actually don’t care if she owns this place or not.
Tzuyu: Come on! I’m not saying you’re digging gold. I’m just saying she’s fucking rich.
**The thing is, Chaeng doesn’t care if Mina’s rich or what. Of course, it might matter sooner when she meets her parents, but as of today, it’s not a big deal. Or is it?**
Chaeng: Hmm… does it matter?
**Her voice became weak. It’s like her energy sunk at the bottom with how Tzuyu sees it. And now she’s filled with worries that maybe… maybe it will matter.**
Tzuyu: It depends on what kind of parents she has. If her parents are like mine, it won’t matter. But if they’re sensitive about the status of a person, then I wish you luck.
**Chaeyoung’s shoulders fall, and even her head fell at the backrest of her seat. She’s right, it will become a fairytale or one of the tragedies written by Shakespeare. Okay, now she’s thinking of having a horse and how to become a knight to fight a frickin’ battalion of warriors just to prove to her parents that she’s not into their gold.**
Chaeng: Now I don’t know if you’re supporting me or you’re Cinderella’s stepmother that keeps on ruining my fantasies.
Tzuyu: Well, I’m always the latter, and you know that.
**Then she laughed. Nothing will make her happy than to ruin her best friend’s fairytale. But in reality, she’s glad about whatever things happening to Chaeng. And she wants to thank this girl who’s making her best friend better. Maybe one of these days, she’ll visit them to meet this girl, Mina. She thought.**
Tzuyu: Anyway, I’m glad that you’re doing well there, and I’m excited to get a grip of your manuscript. But again, no pressure. Okay?
Chaeng: Yeah… sure.
*****
Ryujin: Hey! What took you so long?
**Mina smiled ‘cause she’s right with her guess that Ryujin will have a grumpy face once she goes down.**
Ryujin: And why are you smiling at me? Do you even know how many people I served coffee when you were up in her room? There’s a lot… like a lot.
**Her voice was an octave higher than usual. And Mina still finds it funny that she’s nagging at her. The thing is, it doesn’t matter whatever mood Ryujin has at this moment ‘cause she has enough happy pill in her system to endure all of it.**
Mina: Sorry.
**Then she pulled her apron again at the bottom drawer to help Ryujin slice the cake that she needs to serve to their newly checked-in guests. But before she spread the cake saucers on the table, she stepped at Ryujin’s back first, who already pulled the raspberry cheesecake at the cake display and at the verge of slicing it, to pull her for a hug.**
Mina: Sorry. Please don’t get mad at me. You’re the one who gave me the idea to knock on her door and talk, remember?
**Ryujin melted at how Mina locked her arms on her waist. And the way she whispered behind her just softens her heart even more.**
Mina: Besides, I have good news for you.
**She finally dropped her arms on Ryujin’s side, and then stepped beside her to make her smile visible. She wants her sister to see how happy she is with everything she and Chaeng talked about.**
**Ryujin isn’t that surprised to hear that she has good news for her. But of course, she’s dying to know about it. Did they talk about everything? She wondered even before Mina came back to the café.**
Mina: We’re okay now. I mean, I told her that I came to Jeong and her mom to ask for their approval. And that I’m also thinking about the possibility of us being you know… more than friends. And I finally understood why she walked out earlier.
**Ryujin was listening to her attentively while holding the cake shovel in her right. She doesn’t want to miss a thing. And she likes the author, so she wants both of them to be okay sooner. At least until the author is still their guest.**
Ryujin: And then?
Mina: What do you mean and then?
**Mina’s forehead wrinkled with Ryujin’s question. What else she wants to know? Everything she said pretty much summarizes everything they talked about.**
Ryujin: Is that it? I mean, you were there for almost an hour, and that’s the only update you’re telling me?
**Oh shit! Is that how long I stayed there? An hour? She could now feel her blood escalating from her fingertips up to her cheeks. But before her face turned red, she already reached for the cake saucer to spread it on the table.**
Mina: Hmm… we just talk about other stuff. Like the new story she’s writing now, and then just making sure that she’s no longer upset. Something like that.
**Mina didn’t dare to see her sister’s facial reaction since her face is still in heat and she doesn’t want Ryujin to see it like that.**
Ryujin: Fine! By the way, mom called when you were busy upstairs. She asked me to tell you to drop by at our house later. She wants to see you and she misses you so much. And make sure to bring her a dessert. She kind of put emphasis to it, so don’t you ever forget that, okay?
**Mina remembered that she has dinner again with Chaeyoung. So it means, the cake mom wants after dinner is a bit impossible to do.**
Mina: But… but I have dinner later… with Chaeng. So, I might drive to her house after my dinner with her?
**Ryujin finally busied herself in slicing the cake and didn’t question why the two will have dinner again later.**
Ryujin: Okay… I’ll call mom once I’m done here. I’ll ask her to move her invitation to the weekend so you’ll no longer have excuses.
Mina: Hey! I’m not making excuses. It’s just telling you the truth that Chaeng invited me for dinner later.
Ryujin: Okay… okay. Why don’t you move these three saucers there?
**She stood up straight again and pointed at the tray sitting at the drawer.**
Ryujin: And serve it to that table. I don’t want to walk towards them. They’re so noisy and I could feel my brains’ going to explode if I’ll expose myself again to them.
Mina: And now you want me to do the job? Do you want to see my brains cluttering around that’s why you’re sending me to them?
Ryujin: Exactly! No… just kidding.
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