Check-in(to) You

Chapter 7

"So, where are they?" Byul asked while the waiter is serving their food.

"Actually, they just messaged me that they cannot come. They said they have prior commitments. I'm sorry, Byul. Please don't get mad." the manager pouted while looking at her plate.

"She looks like Yong. She has a habit of pouting. W-wait, why am I thinking of her again. No, focus Byul." she ducked her head and stared at her food.

"But Yong has chubbier cheeks, makes you wanna poke them. So fluffy. I wonder if that Henry guy is doing that too." The thought made her scrunched her eyebrows.

"Hey, stop thinking about her! You already promised Hyejin that you will get over her." She let out a sigh.

"But all I see is her. I can even see her face while playing this Pokemon game. Why is this so hard." She grip her fork a little tighter.

Her trance was broken when she felt a warm hand over hers.

"Byul? Are you okay? You seemed to be in deep thought. Are you mad?" Kyrstal asked, feeling anxious that the architect will avoid her even before she get her shot.

"It's okay, I'm not mad. This is unplanned anyway so I understand. Cheer up, please?" she smiled. She gently tap her hand which makes the manager blushed.

"Is she blushing? That's...interesting." she thought before they start digging in again.

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The rest of the lunch went well with little banters between the girls. Byul felt comfortable around Krystal except for the occasional touches and glances from the manager which Byul finds a little weird. Before they separated ways, Krystal asked her if she can tour her around the city before she flew back to Korea to which the architect agreed. Byul decided to spend the rest of her day at the public library where she finished most of the pending items that she needs to send to Hyejin.

Krystal happily went back to her office, her dream is finally coming true and she mentally note to thank her colleagues.

She first saw Byul in a bowling tournament during her senior year. It was a championship game between SM-U, from which she graduated,  and RB-U. She cannot deny the fact that her tiny crush eventually grew to something more when the architect became known in her field. She admired how the petite architect managed to built her company from having one or two clients and eventually landing a big one two years ago.

She was fortunately at the party and saw how Byul's face lit up when the project was awarded to her. She promised to herself that when she became the general manager for International Operations of Colors, she will make sure that her colleagues will consider getting her services. She kept on talking about her and showed them her impressive portfolio. Eventually, she confessed to that she has a crush on her but apart from that, she told then that Byul deserves to get project because of her skills to which they all agreed.

As she sat on her chair, she keeps thinking on where she would bring Byul for their "date" next week. Technically it's not date but for her it's her chance to finally win the architect's heart.

"Sooner or later, you will notice me, Byul."

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Byul was sitting on the sofa of their hotel room, thinking if she should ask her friend about the interesting moves of the manager when she heard the door opened, revealing a slightly haggard Yong. She was carrying bags of she don't know what and probably take outs from a restaurant.

"D-do you need help? Are those souvenirs too? It looks a lot."

"Nope. I'm fine. And these are not souvenirs. These are for the documentary I'm working. Excuse me." She went to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Curiosity got the best of her so Byul decided to look inside the bags. There are accessories for cameras, extra microphones and things that she's not familiar with and finally, the take out bag. To her surprise the foods were still intact and the servings were good for two.

When Yong went out of the bathroom she saw a smirking Byul. She immediately saw that she's holding the take outs. "Ah, I bought that for you since you gave me one yesterday. Thanks again."

"I told you it's free but thank you." Byul smiled as she prepared the table.

"Here it is again. It's like I'm gonna throw up." She held her chest and rub it slightly.

"How can you look so good when you were just preparing the table. I can see you did a lot of working out. You're arms are definitely toned. Not to mention those shoulders." She started to fanned her  herself.

"I'm really a pervert person. My goodness. So much for finding what I really need, Whee In. This is hard, shit." she touched her face, she could feel that it's getting hotter.

"Are you okay?" Byul asked when she saw Yong touching her face.

"Yes. I'm totally fine. Maybe the aircon is not working well." She chuckled.

"Huh? Yong, the aircon was at 20 degrees Celsius already and it's starting to rain." She points at the window where droplets of water can be seen.

She went to the reporter and carefully touched her forehead. "You're quite hot. Are you sure you're okay? Do you want to rest already? Did you bring medicines? I can buy some for you now, just in case."

"And still very sweet and caring." she almost touched Byul's face but she held tight on her sweatpants to keep her hand occupied.

"My baby Hamster." Wait! What?! Did I just...." she screamed inside her head.

"Yong? You're spacing out."

"Nope. I'm really fine Byul. Let's just eat."

"Okay, if you say so."

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"Ahhh!! this is the best food that I had today. Thank you, Yong." she said while finishing her last piece of meat.

"Glad you liked it." She chuckled while looking down.

"Lucky me, I decided not to eat outside." She said while beaming.

"Yeah, lucky you." She shortly replied.

"Yong, there's a problem isn't it? Is it because I'm here? Are you still mad at me?"

"Huh? Like you said, it's been two years, Byul and you know I don't hold grudges."

"Good to know that. Ah, Yong...can I just say something? Without you being agitated and all."

"Sure. What is it?"

"I-i...just want to apologize for being an asshole. I know we ended on the wrong foot and I-i...would just like to ask for your forgiveness. I know I said some bad things and I'm no saint either." Byul said while looking straight in Yong's eyes. She bit her lip as tears starts to form on her eyes.

"I'll forgive you, on one condition."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Forgive me too, Byul. I know I had my shortcomings and I've said so many bad things to you too. Even to Hyejin. Between the both us, I'm the one who gave up so easily." Tears started to roll from her eyes.

"I-i'm so-sorry, B-byul." She said between sobs.

Byul stood up and kneel beside Yong Sun, tears also flowing from her eyes. "It's not only you. I also gave up so easily Yong and of course I forgive you. I'll always forgive you, Yong." She held her hand and gently squeezed it.

Yong squeezed her hand back, "C-can we start again? Friends?"

"I'm sure that I'm still attracted to you, Byul. I'm just not sure if this might be an ordinary attraction because nobody can't deny that you're still very charming or because I...I might be still in love with you. Maybe I can from start here. From us being friends again." Yong thought as she smiled at Byul.

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Been a long day. Hope all of you are doing fine. Keep safe. 😊