Yeji woke up in high spirits the next day, welcoming the rainy morning cheerfully. After their fun dinner and late conversation last night, she can't help but smile to herself at the idea that she will see Ryujin again soon.
She checked the list of her online friends when she got in the office. She was glad to see Ryujin's already in but has been idle for seven minutes.
She went to the ladies' room first to check herself. She went back to her station and grabbed her tumbler for her morning tea.
As she was nearing the pantry, she heard Ryujin and Lia's laughter coming from the inside. She pushed the door and got a glimpse of the two sitting at the table.
"Good morning, Yeji!" Lia waved.
"Morning." Yeji smiled.
Ryujin turned to look. "Good morning."
"Hi, Ryujin." Yeji smiled but totally avoided meeting Ryujin's eyes. She walked directly to the vending machine and pressed the tea button. "What are you two doing here? And Lia, you're early, huh?"
"Ryujin and I are having breakfast," said Lia. "And as for your next question, well, somebody picked me up and drove me here this morning."
"Somebody?" Yeji raised an eyebrow. She grabbed her tumbler and approached the table. "Is that person the reason for your undeniably cheery aura today?"
Lia giggled.
"Should we call that somebody Yuna?" said Ryujin.
"Eeeee. Ryujin!" Lia hit Ryujin's arm playfully. "Since when you two are on the same team? You two are ganging up on me."
"We are not. " Yeji sat down beside Ryujin. "It's pretty obvious. It's not like I never had an idea about it."
Lia reached for Yeji's hand on the table. "Sorry for not telling you. I was afraid you will disapprove it."
"It's all right, Lia. I'm happy for you," said Yeji. "I think it's time for you to be in a serious relationship now."
"Really?" Lia squeezed Yeji's hand. "Wow. This is amazing. I thought you don't approve such things?"
"As long as she makes you happy, I'm all good with it." Yeji gave the sincerest smile she could before she turning to Ryujin. "What are you eating?"
"Chicken fillet," said Ryujin, pointing at her meal. "I bought it from a newly opened restaurant near my place. Want a bite?"
"I'm glad you're eating some real breakfast today, huh?" Yeji pulled her chair to lean closer. She grabbed Ryujin's fork to plant it into one of the chicken strips.
Ryujin pulled her body away from the table to give room for Yeji. "Yeah, I don't want boss getting mad at me, y'know."
Yeji chuckled as she took a bite of the chicken. "Mmm. This is nice."
"Is that boss your girlfriend, Ryujin?" asked Lia. Yeji choked a bit.
"Ahh. No. She is a good friend of mine."
"She was the one who requested for you to get a haircut, right?"
"Yup, the same person."
Lia folded her arms on the table. "A special friend of yours, perhaps?"
"Yeah, you could say that."
"Is she pretty?"
"Uh... yes..."
Yeji continued munching Ryujin's food. Pretending not to hear whatever the two are talking about.
"Are you sure you're only friends? Why do I have a feeling that you like that friend of yours?" said Lia.
Yeji coughed. Good thing she has a small deal of food in her mouth, otherwise she might have spat those on Lia's face.
"Are you all right?" Ryujin rubbed Yeji's back and pushed the glass of water to her.
"Yeah. I'm Sorry. Something was just stuck in my throat." Yeji downed the glass.
Ryujin went back to Lia after Yeji recovered. "Where were we again?"
"I was saying that I have a feeling that you are crushing on your boss," Lia reiterated.
"W-what makes you think so?"
"Well, look at yourself in the mirror." Lia chuckled. "You're blushing."
Yeji smiled at the sight of embarrassed Ryujin.
But she knows she needs to butt in to rescue.
"Hey, Ryujin, this is delicious." Yeji scooped a spoonful of rice into Ryujin's mouth.
"Not mbad, wayt?" said Ryujin in between bites.
"Yeah. It's nice. We should hang out there with Yuna too. What do you think, Lia?" said Yeji.
Lia had a serious look on her face. "Hmmm... I think..." She brought a hand to her chin and shoot suspicious looks at the two people in front of her. "I think there is something peculiar between you two."
Ryujin and Yeji were frozen.
"Since when did you become THAT close?" asked Lia.
"Close? What do you mean?" asked Yeji.
"You, feeding Ryujin? When did this start happening?"
"Just now," said Yeji, acting cool. "I'm planning to feed you too in a while. Don't worry."
"It's not just that, Yeji. I don't know. There's just something different."
"Like?"
"Like look at how you sit next to each other now, elbows touching and all that sweetness," said Lia. "And you both looked comfortable around each other. Am I missing something here?"
Yeji pulled herself back slowly after realizing how close her body is to Ryujin.
"Well, we're friends. Of course, we're comfortable with each other," she said.
"Yeah. It's just the same thing as how you're comfortable with me," Ryujin agreed.
"Yeah, but... something's just different... Oh, is that a tattoo on your hand, Yeji?" asked Lia.
Yeji was glad it rained that morning and Ryujin was wearing a hoodie jacket with built-in gloves, hiding the henna on her hand.
"Nope, just henna. It'll wear off in a few days," said Yeji.
Lia held Yeji's right hand to observe the design closely. "It looks so cute. I never thought you're the person who wants things like this."
"I was hanging out with some friends yesterday and they all had this. I couldn't say no."
"Really, Yeji, you're hanging out? That's a miracle. You never liked going out that much, right?"
Yeji chuckled. "Yeah."
"I think something's just changed with you, and I don't know what that is," said Lia before she eyed Ryujin. "Whatever that change is, I think it is good. You even approved me and Yuna without cringing."
"Come on, Lia. You know I love you. I'll accept whoever you want as your partner," said Yeji, thankful that the topic shifted.
"Thanks, Yeji. How about you, Ryujin, do you love me too?" asked Lia, acting like a baby.
"You are one of my friends here in the office plus you're my best friend's girlfriend. I don't have any reason not to care for you," said Ryujin.
Lia brought her hands over her heart. "Awe. That's so touchy. Do you love Yeji too?"
"Choi Jisu, stop that." Yeji glared at her friend.
"What? It's just a simple question. What's wrong? I'm not talking about loving romantically," said Lia, obviously enjoying teasing Yeji. "I'm just asking her if she loves you as a friend, why are you reacting like that?"
"Because I've known you for over two years now and I know that you really meant something else, Lia."
"Maybe yes, maybe no..." Lia gave her a smile which made Yeji thinks she's in for a private interrogation later.
"Umm. I think I need to go back to my station now, it's almost eight o'clock," said Ryujin, standing up.
Both women nodded and stood up from their chairs.
---
Lia had been teasing her about Ryujin the entire day, making Yeji think maybe it's best to avoid Ryujin for now until the issue subsides.
She made up excuses during their lunch to avoid going out with Lia alone. Yeji knows Lia is itching to have some girl talk with her. It's too early for interrogation now.
But what if Yuna already told Lia everything? How will she explain the fact that she volunteered to be Ryujin's fake girlfriend?
Office hours are finally over. Yeji was glad she escaped Lia the entire day. After retouching a little in the ladies' room, she grabbed her shoulder bag quickly and readied herself to go home straight.
As she was about to exit the ladies' room she saw Lia coming in.
"Yeji! Are you going home now?"
Yeji faked a smile so it won't be too obvious that she's in a hurry. "Yes, I'm about to." She held her bag and started to walk towards the door, hoping that she could just pass by Lia with no problem.
Lia blocked Yeji's way. "You seem to be in a hurry."
"Yeah. It's raining all day and I want to avoid the rush hour."
"Can't you wait for me for five minutes? Let's go down together."
Yeji knew she can't escape anymore. The most she could hope is for Lia not to ask her questions.
Lia walked in and put down her shoulder bag on the counter. Before looking at herself in the mirror which was her usual habit, she peeked into each cubicle to see if anyone is in there.
"Okay, all clear..." Lia mumbled. "It seems like we're all alone here."
Yeji leaned back on the tiled wall beside the hand dryer.
"So..." Lia opened her bag to get her hairbrush out. "There's something I've been itching to ask you, Yeji..."
Yeji gulped. She can see Lia in the mirror. "What is it?"
"I'm sure you know what it is about." Lia smiled as she combs her hair.
"I don't have any idea."
"Come on. Are you sure you want me to ask you directly?"
Yeji doesn't want to give in. Even though there's only a tiny chance for it, she's hoping it's not about Ryujin. "What is it about?"
Lia just finished putting a clip on her bangs first before turning to Yeji. "Do you like Ryujin?"
Yeji felt her nervousness level rise. She looked around the area first to make sure that nobody is around. She'll be dead if any of the fangirls would hear that conversation.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Where did you get that notion?"
"Would you believe me if I told you that your body language says it all?" said Lia.
"What's different in my body language?"
"It's not just you..." Lia was putting on some pressed powder on her face this time. "Ryujin's body language sends the same vibe. She started acting differently when you came earlier. You know, like a teenager who's conscious after seeing her crush."
Yeji pressed her lips together to hold off her smile at this newfound information.
"It's like you can read each other's minds." Lia glanced at Yeji. "One move and the other moves too. You don't need to tell each other what you would do. Everything is just mutual."
"Like you said, we look comfortable around each other?"
"It's not just about being comfortable, Yeji, but it's... it's sweet. You should have seen how you guys looked earlier; like a real couple."
"But that doesn't mean I like her," said Yeji. "I admit I'm comfortable around her, but I don't like her."
"Oh, sweetie. No woman in this office doesn't like Ryujin."
Yeji sighed. "Look. I admit she's charming. I won't deny that. But I don't like her the way you or the other girls like her."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes."
"Why are you so being hard on yourself, Yeji? I thought you're okay with Yuna and me?" asked Lia.
"What do Yuna and you have to do with me and Ryujin?"
"Well, I just thought you're okay now to be in that kind of relationship."
Yeji stared blankly at the designs on Lia's blouse. She knew herself that the moment she pretended to be Ryujin's girlfriend she already entertained the idea of being in a relationship with a woman.
"Or are you just still afraid of what your mom would say?"
Yeji looked up and met Lia's eyes. She stayed silent.
Lia held both Yeji's hands. "What are you afraid of, people judging you, your mom, or yourself? I'm gonna tell you what you just told me earlier. I think it's time for you to let yourself be in a serious relationship now. Just remember that whoever you choose, I won't judge you."
Yeji couldn't make a word for it, but she's happy and relieved to hear that.
Lia zipped her bag. "Just remember I'm always here in case you've decided that you're ready to talk about it, hmm?"
Yeji felt a tap on her shoulder as Lia walked past her.
"Let's go. Yuna is waiting for me downstairs."
"Oh. Okay." Yeji grabbed her bag and followed Lia out.