Taeyeon is walking back and forth anxiously. They are currently in her living room. Waiting for Minho's update on his investigation of Tiffany's whereabouts.
"Taeyeon, calm down. Everything's gonna be alright." Yuri said who's sitting on a couch with Jessica beside her.
Jessica had never seen Taeyeon like this. The blonde is well known for being calm in any situations. Heck! They can even bet that she'll stay calm even if death is right in front of her. But to see her anxiously walking back and forth, biting her finger nails and grabbing her hair stressfully is a strange scene they had never seen.
Taeyeon is acting like this because of Tiffany. This only shows how much she had fallen for the brunette. She don't even care about the world anymore. So what if the whole country confirmed that she's indeed the owner of Serenity Mall? So what if the whole country finally saw her again after five years of trying to safely hide it?
The case of Mr. Hwang's death is all over the news. They claimed that Taeyeon is hiding her identity because she had murdered him. They said that the reason of her disappearance is because she was afraid of getting caught. The news of Taeyeon being a murderer is all over the country. But did she give a damn on it? Nope. She doesn't care.
She don't care about the threats, the hate she's receiving from the netizens again. She don't give a damn for the people who's once again are judging her for hiding because she wanted a peaceful life, away from their judgemental eyes.
Tiffany. The only person that she cares about. She's worried of what the brunette will do. Knowing Mr. Jung, Taeyeon is certain that he had brainwashed Tiffany already. The only thing that Taeyeon can do aside from anxiously waiting, is to trust Tiffany that she wouldn't act out of her anger and the overwhelming informations she had just learned.
"So, Mr. Hwang was really murdered?" Yoona ask unconsciously. She can't believe it.
"That's what my father's been telling me back then. But I refuse to believe. And I don't actually give any importance about it. I mean, don't get me wrong. I know he's been friends with my dad. But, I just really don't wanna intrude to someone else's life. So I kept mum about it. Besides, there's no such proof that he is really murdered." Taeyeon explained as she leaned at the wall problematically.
"Then why did you suddenly asked someone to conduct an investigation about it?" Yuri ask in confusion.
"Tiffany." Taeyeon simply replied that is more than enough to explain everything.
"Again, all the love can do." Sooyoung commented.
"Who is the man behind all these, anyways? And why is he doing this?" Jessica ask out of nowhere. Everyone turn their attention to Taeyeon, expecting for an enlightening answer.
"My father, Mr. Hwang and Mr. Jung are close friends of three since college. Although there's a lot of girls that are chasing them, they all fell for this one specific girl, my mother. They court her all at the same time, chanting the words 'may the best man wins'." Taeyeon quoted her fingers in the air as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"So obviously, my father won my mother's heart. They got together. And later on, married each other. Mr. Jung and Mr. Hwang cut ties on him despite the shared businesses they started together. They ignored my father and treated him like a stranger everytime they cross path or even at those times they're sharing the same room to attend a meeting in their office. My father, although he treasure his friends, him wanting a peace of mind took over. He said that it's better to cut your connections to toxic people than force yourself to be with them. So he started to sell his shares and build his own company. Since then, the trio never met each other. Not until my mother gave birth to me." The blonde's tone suddenly saddened by the thought of her struggling mother to give birth to her.
The girls have noticed the sudden change of tone. They all have a bad feeling of what happened on that day. And they all are both glad and sad for the blonde.
"Unfortunately, my mom lost too much of blood when she was giving birth to me. And when I was out of her womb, my father told me that I wasn't breathing at all. The doctors focused and tried to save me, unconsciously forgetting about my struggling mother. The moment I cried alive is the same time as my mother, the brave woman who gave birth to me closed her eyes with a smile on her face. She closed her eyes forever after she heard me cry for the first and last time of her life." Taeyeon smiled bitterly with a lone tear rolling down her face.
Yoona stood up beside her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm sorry, unnie." She whispered.
All of them in that room except for Sooyoung and Jessica knew how it felt like to lost a parent. After all, Yuri, Yoona and Seohyun are left on the same orphanage by their different parents. And all four of them with Minho excaped the scary place roaming the streets for months, dying in hunger. Until they met Taeyeon, the mysterious blonde always buy them foods. Until Taeyeon decided to let them live in her house out of sympathy. From there, the superstar kept them and never even thought of pushing them away despite the struggles she faced.
Instead, Taeyeon used the presence of these young people as an inspiration for her to keep going. She treated them like a family. And they treat her like their home. Nothing compares to the blonde. Having someone who belives in you, supported you, and not even asking for return is a rare gem they found.
"Well, yeah. That's when my father met them again. I remember my dad told me how Mr. Jung tried to kill me, an innocent baby because he said I'm the reason of my mother's death. That's an enough reason for dad to hide me from the world. I kept a low profile. But the urge to sing is stronger. So I joined the Glee Club and sang. My father however, although he's worried, he never stopped me from doing what I love to do. Until I became a singer and was revealed to be his daughter. A month after, my relationship with a girl was revealed by an unknown someone. I lost my career, we lost every properties we have, I lost my father, and now, I'm being accused of killing someone I never even met up close. Worst is, there's a potential of losing the woman I love." Taeyeon bit her lower lip anxiously.
"Tiffany may be mad because of this, but I know her pretty well. Tiffany is an open minded person. She wouldn't act out of her emotions. She'll do what is best to do, what is rightful to do. Just trust her, Taeyeon." Sooyoung stated. She's also surprise for these new informations she just heard. But she believe in Tiffany. She knew she'll act accordingly.
"I do trust her, Syoo. But I can't help but to be worried. Considering the fact that Mr. Jung is just somewhere who wouldn't think twice to use her against me." She replied.
"Unnie, we're here for you. No matter what happen, we will get the rightful justice." The young lawyer assured her unnie. Right at this moment, she had told her trustworthy colleagues about these. She is just waiting for evidences to file a formal case.
"Me and Jessica are here to help too. Just tell us where we can give a hand to help you." Yuri smiled kindly to the blonde who returned the same kind smile.
"Minho?" Seohyun instantly answered the call from the man.
"Seohyunie, Tiffany noona is at her father's grave. Unfortunately, she's spotted with Mr. Jung and Sunmi. I'm on my way with the men now. We'll make sure she's fine. Tell Taeyeon noona to standby. There are a lot of reporters and dangerous people scattered around the city. Her safety is also important." He informed hurriedly before hanging up.
"What did he say?" Taeyeon eagerly asked.
"Tiffany unnie is spotted with Mr. Jung and Sunmi at her father's grave." Seohyun replied.
"Damn it!" The blonde fished out her key and is ready to go out but was stopped by the young lawyer.
"I'm sorry, unnie. But Minho strictly told me to keep you standby. We need to make sure that you're safe too." She said as she held her unnie's arm.
"But what about Tiffany? I can't just stand here. I need to make sure she's safe." The blonde argued.
"Minho is on his way to make sure she's fine. He will be there sooner than you if you will go. Unnie, let's trust him, okay?" She stared at her unnie's eyes.
"Fine." Taeyeon said as she sat on the couch.
"I'm sure he'll update us about anything soon. Don't worry, Taeng. Everything's gonna be alright." Jessica spoke. She can't believe that Taeyeon is suffering this hard until she witness it herself today. The blonde just look at her with a small smile. It's still awkward for them to talk and be together on a very small space. But knowing that they both have moved on and are in love from each different amazing women, they knew it'll be alright soon.
A loud ringing took their attention. Expecting it's Seohyun's phone, they all look at her confusingly because the young lawyer isn't answering it.
"It's mine, unnies." Yoona announced while waving her phone. "It's the hospital. I'll just answer it." She stood up and answered the phone. While walking away from them, there's something that the hospital told her. She froze on her feet. The girls watch her, scared of how her face turn pale.
"What happened?" Taeyeon asked worriedly.
"Yes, doctor. Please do everything you can to save her. I'll be on my way." The young doctor politely told the person on the other line before hanging up her phone.
"Hyoyeon unnie is admitted in the hospital." She said.
"What!?"
"What happened?" Seohyun asked.
"Car accident." Yoona replied sadly.
"Why all of these are happening all at the same time! Why!?" Taeyeon suddenly cried out loud.
"How did the hospital knew the right one to call?" Sooyoung ask hurriedly while everyone is trying to calm the blonde.
"Hyoyeon unnie called out my name before passing out." Yoona simply replied to the question.
"I'm sorry unnie, I need to leave for awhile. The doctors are doing their best to save Hyoyeon unnie. I need to go there. Please stay strong. We're here for you. We will fight all these together." Yoona held Taeyeon's crying face with a broken heart while telling her unnie that they'll do their best to save her cousin.
"I'll go with you." Taeyeon weakly replied.
"No, unnie. We have to make sure you're safe." Yoona opposed.
"But that's my cousin! And I'm sure that the car accident is planned. They tried to kill her because they knew that she is investigating about Mr. Hwang's case. She called me last night. She said she's got it and that she only needs to convince Dr. Park. Please let me see her. I need to make sure she's fine." The blonde insisted. Everyone in that room is watching the same weak, wounded Kim Taeyeon they had witnessed from five years ago.
Yoona and Seohyun turn away. They can't see her like this again. Not again.
"Unnie, listen. I promise, I will make sure that Hyoyeon unnie is safe. Please stay strong. And listen to us. Your safety is important. You have to stay here inside. It's safer than going out. At least here, there are bodyguards around who makes sure of your safety." The young doctor held her face again. On one look, you might think that she's doing that to reassure the blonde. But truthfully, Yoona is holding Taeyeon's face to assure herself that everything's gonna be alright. It's her way of getting the enough energy she needed to fight.
"No. I wanna go with you. You can't just expect me to sit here calmly while you are all in danger to make sure I'm safe! I wouldn't risk your safety for my own!" Taeyeon argued anxiously. She felt that she's putting everyone's life in line just to save her. And she doesn't want that. She don't need that.
"Unnie, listen. You had dedicated your whole life for us. And this is the least we can do to pay for that."
"I don't need you to payback my efforts. I want you all to be safe!" The blonde look at Yoona's eyes, pleading the young doctor to let her visit the hospital together. She even held Yoona's hands that are on her face. Seeing this, Yoona felt her heart broken yet again.
"We will be safe. I promise I'll be safe. Unnie, I need to go. Hyoyeon unnie needs my help. I'm sorry." With that, Yoona released the blonde's face as she removed Taeyeon's hands on hers. She took a last glance on her unnie's eyes before Yoona hurriedly walk out of the blonde's house.
Taeyeon tried to chase her but the girls stopped her from doing so. Seohyun is hugging her tight while Yuri and Jessica stood in front of her to block her way from going out, and Sooyoung immediately locked the door after Yoona successfully got out.
---
Tiffany is walking anxiously to get in her car. She agreed to follow Mr. Jung and Sunmi to his house and talk to his lawyer. He is determined to file a case against Taeyeon and he's using Tiffany to get that. The brunette is fully aware of this. And she felt that she's in danger with him. So she fooled him by agreeing to follow them but the truth is, she had planned in her mind to drive as fast as she can to get away from them.
While walking to the quiet cemetery, she sensed that someone is following her. She heard the almost inaudible footsteps behind her. Tiffany is too afraid to look back so she walk faster.
She hurriedly turned into the quiet alley. That moment, Tiffany had nothing in her mind but Taeyeon. It's unbelievable how much of safety she feels whenever she think of the blonde despite the scary situation she is in.
As time goes by, the footsteps that's following her became louder, a sign that whoever was behind her is near than before. She closed her eyes, ready to face the dangerous fate she put herself into. How much she wish that she didn't act impulse. She regret that she didn't listened to Sooyoung's suggestion of waiting the blonde.
"Walk fast, noona." A familiar voice was heard from behind. Tiffany immediately open her eyes and was about to look back but Minho pushed her lightly and told her to walk faster.
After knowing that he is the one behind her, Tiffany heaved a sigh of relief. She's so sure that Taeyeon sent him here. And she's very thankful for that.
"Give me your keys, noona." He commanded that she just obeyed immediately. She turn to see him wearing a french coat with a cap that almost covered his eyes.
"Before we reach the edge of this alley, we'll turn left to the last corner. Someone will take your car instead. And I need you to walk as fast as you can." He instructed. Tiffany just nod her head and walk faster.
When she was turning left like Minho told her to do, she saw a woman wearing almost the same clothes she is wearing standing at the right corner. She saw Minho tossed the key to her and shared nods to each other. The woman smiled slightly to the brunette before walking normally to Tiffany's car.
On the edge of that corner, Tiffany saw a van. The door quickly opened and she witnessed the masculine men she believed as Taeyeon's bodyguards.
"She's already inside of Ms. Hwang's car. The other van is standby at the main gate of the cemetery. Mr. Jung's car is out there. Seems like waiting for Ms. Hwang to drive away." One of the men immediately infromed Minho.
"Tell the men on the Highway to get ready. We also need to protect the girl." He said, referring to the woman inside of Tiffany's car.
"Copy that, sir." The bodyguard replied after closing the van's door.
They drove off the cemetery using the exit at the back of it. Their van is followed by another van that is waiting on that exit. Although, Tiffany is sure that she's safe, she can't help but to feel worried for the woman who's using her car.
"Don't worry, noona. She's a professional racer. We also have one van on the main gate waiting for her and another van on the highway to guide her. She'll be fine. They will protect her." Minho informed her like as if he knew what she's worried about.
"Thank you, Minho. You don't know how much I was relieved to hear your voice in that alley." Tiffany took a deep breath. Thankful that she's safe and alive.
"No problem, noona. I can't stand to see Taeyeon noona suffering in anxiety again. She's so worried for you. We are all worried for you." He said.
"I'm sorry." Tiffany regretfully respond.
"It's fine. All that matter is you are safe now, noona." He smiled.
"How did you planned such a flawless stunt?" Tiffany asked curiously.
"I've learned a lot from Taeyeon noona. The knowledge I got from her is enough to act accordingly." He said politely.
"And how did the girl match my clothes?"
"It's Seohyunie's idea. I've texted her to inform her that I'm planning to make someone else drive your car. Then she replied suggesting us to make the girl wear the same clothes you're wearing. And thanks to Sooyoung noona for telling us what you are wearing despite the difficulties." He chuckled.
"Difficulties?" Tiffany smiled.
"Yes, noona. She almost forgot what you were wearing. But she said that you always have your thick sunglasses and you prefer wearing black because you think you're a chic." He laughed at the memory. Now that he remember it, he can't help but to find it really funny.
"Yah!" Tiffany protested but laugh with him anyways. Her best friend is really something.
---
The woman in Tiffany's car smirked when she saw Mr. Jung's car on a hidden spot near the main gate. She chuckled to herself. How stupid of him to hide in that spot. He's so naive.
She is driving on a normal speed and saw the car following her, and right behind Mr. Jung's car is a van also following close. She knew it's the men who are doing their job to make sure she's safe. She had refused Minho when he told her about this. Why do they think that she's too weak to handle such a problem? She's too skilled for this. And judging by the way Mr. Jung chose an obvious spot to hide is a proof for her to say that he is too dumb and she's smarter to escape real quick without him knowing.
She reached the highway and noticed the other van Minho told her about. They were riding slowly on the roadside but obviously fasten when they saw Tiffany's car approaching. She knew that the original plan is to drive normally and let the vans guide her but she find it boring. The road is wide and clear, why drive like a snail?
The woman saw the van overtaking her, the original plan is happening now. But she can't help but to feel anxious so she called Minho. And thankfully, the man answered the phone immediately.
"Your men are too slow. I wanna make this car fly." She said.
"No. Follow the original plan." He strictly replied.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Choi. This is too painful for me to watch. Your men are too slow. I want adrenaline!" She said as she stepped on the gas harshly. The van that is almost in front of her stopped to avoid the car.
The woman heard the other men telling Minho that she speed up. And before Minho could scold her, she already hang up the phone and drive even more faster.
"Wooohooo! This is the real driving stupid dumbass!" She shouted inside the car as she enjoyed to speed up. The adrenaline rush that she's been craving for is finally kicking inside of her.
***
Thank you for reading! ❣️🇵🇭