"What?"
"They need a place to land." The tall woman runs towards the open space right behind the large round pen where several horses are grazing peacefully. Satisfied with what she sees, she makes a call and starts describing the location.
Tiffany watches from a distance, leaning against the fence of the pen, rubbing the horse that comes up to her-her favorite mare that she practically raised since it was born many years ago. "Let's hope this works well," she tells the animal with a sigh.
"They're coming," announces Yuri, shouting on the top of her lungs while pointing at the sky.
A couple of minutes later and Tiffany can hear the sound of a helicopter approaching. She looks up, browsing the sky then realizes how restless the horses are so her attention is divided between watching for the incoming chopper and trying to calm the animal.
A jet black helicopter emerges from behind the mountains, coming towards them in a steady speed.
Yuri waves and hangs on to her cowboy hat while the chopper comes to land a short distance from her. She runs towards it, keeping her head low.
Tiffany keeps patting her horse, rubbing its neck and nose until the noisy rotor stops.
She then lets it go, wipes her hands on her jeans and walks towards the two women who have stepped out of the helicopter, led by Yuri.
One is a tall brunette wearing sunglasses, a crisp white shirt and a pair of skinny jeans that accentuate her long legs. Everything about her screams sophistication and poise despite her simple attire. The other woman, walking slightly behind the taller one, is of much shorter stature. Her hair is short and blond and she's wearing sneakers, a pair of denim shorts and a loose t-shirt. Her appearance is very casual and a stark contrast to her traveling partner, looking like a college student who happened to hitch a ride with a rich and successful business woman. She is quietly observing her surroundings while the tall woman is talking to Yuri as they walk.
Tiffany puts on her best smile and greets the tall brunette. "Miss Kim, I am Tiffany Hwang. Welcome to my ranch. It's so nice to finally meet you." She assumes that this woman is the reclusive and mysterious rich woman that is going to save her from her financial nightmare.
The woman smiles at her and shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you too, Miss Hwang, but I am not Miss Kim. I am her assistant, Seohyun. We talked on the phone." She steps aside and gestures politely towards the short blonde. "This is Miss Kim Taeyeon."
It takes Tiffany a second to get over her shock and she stutters as she extends her hand towards the smiling blonde. "O-oh! Hello, Miss Kim. I'm sorry for not recognizing you."
"That is perfectly fine, Miss Hwang," replies Taeyeon as she shakes Tiffany's hand. "And please just call me Taeyeon."
"Oh s-sure. Welcome, Miss Taeyeon. You can call me Tiffany. You've met my friend and business partner Yuri, I assume," says Tiffany, gesturing towards her amused friend.
Taeyeon nods and her assistant smoothly takes over, going over what they've discussed over the phone with both Tiffany and Yuri while Taeyeon lingers behind them, staying quiet even though she is paying full attention to the ongoing conversation.
As per her request, they go around the ranch to take a look at the animals, the land and everything in that vast area. Then they head back to the house where Tiffany and Yuri serve Taeyeon and Seohyun refreshments while they further discuss the contract.
It doesn't take long for them to reach an agreement and as Tiffany signs her name next to Taeyeon's, she tries hard to keep her face straight despite the turmoil in her heart.
Unknown to her, the quiet blonde has been observing her every word and expression.
Once the business talk is out of the way, Seohyun asks whether she can ride one of the horses and Yuri gladly says yes, leading the group to the stables.
Tiffany decides to sit it out and to her surprise, Taeyeon does the same despite Seohyun's excited claims about Taeyeon being braver than she is. The two of them stand by the fence, watching Yuri teaching Seohyun how to mount a horse.
"Are you sure you want this?" Taeyeon suddenly breaks the silence between her and Tiffany, glancing at the woman who turns her head and raises her eyebrows at her.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't look excited about the contract," states Taeyeon matter-of-factly, turning her head to meet Tiffany's uncertain stare.
"We need your help," replies Tiffany in the same business-like tone. "Your investment will save this ranch."
"And yet I get the impression that you resent me being here, taking over."
"I do not resent you, Miss Taeyeon. Ideally, of course I prefer to do things on my own but it's been tough and I lack the business skills so your help is welcome. I am grateful for it," Tiffany calmly says. "All I am hoping for is that you take matters here seriously. This place means a lot to me."
"If you're implying that this is just some random thing I did because I was bored then you are wrong. Yes, I am looking for something new and challenging but trust me when I say that I'm not going to treat this ranch as if it means nothing to me. I'm sure you've done your research before you agreed to my proposal so you know what kind of businesswoman I am," Taeyeon replies elaborately.
"I apologize if I offended you in any way," Tiffany quickly says to the woman who has now become her boss. "I just wanted to make sure."
"I took no offense and I understand your concern. This place is in good hands. That much I can assure you, Miss Tiffany."
"Please drop the 'miss'. You can just call me Tiffany."
"Only if you do the same to me," says Taeyeon with a small smile. She then looks away, back to observing her assistant who's now riding the horse with Yuri guiding the animal around the pen.
Taeyeon and Seohyun leave less than half an hour later with the assistant promising to contact Yuri to arrange things now that the ownership of the ranch has changed hands to Taeyeon.
As Yuri and Tiffany walk back from the field towards the house, the taller woman places an arm over her solemn friend's shoulders and gives her a warm side hug. "Don't worry, we're in good hands. We still have the ranch."
The brunette exhales. "I hope so. Losing this place is not an option, Yuri-ah."
"I know and we won't lose it. We just need to get it back in shape. Maybe we can even buy it back from her. Someday."
For the first time that day, Tiffany's eyes light up and the smile on her face is 100% sincere as she imagines doing what Yuri just said. "That would be awesome."
Atonement 1
Start from the beginning
