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"Tiff, are you ready?" Mark asked, knocking on her door.
She opened it and smiled. "Yeah, just a second."
Mark froze.
"...Were you always this pretty?"
She stopped.
"...What?"
"Oh, shit. Did I say that out loud?" he blinked.
"...Yeah." She laughed softly as he immediately hid his face. "But thank you."
He peeked at her again and nodded, embarrassed. She really did look pretty.
"Mark?" She snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"Huh?" He blinked.
"My mom wanted to talk to you," she said. "Call her whenever you're free."
"Oh, yeah, definitely."
"Ready?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Ready," he smiled, instinctively taking her hand.
*
They sat in the car while sunlight poured through the window, painting her face gold. Mark glanced at her now and then, quietly humming Canada by Lauv.
"So...where are we going first?" she asked.
"The company," he smiled. "I want you to meet someone. One of our manager noonas, she lived in Houston too, so when I told her about you, she got really excited."
"That's so sweet," she smiled.
"And then lunch. What do you want to eat?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Whatever you want."
*
Mark didn't let go of her hand as he led her inside.
She bowed to everyone she passed.
"Oh my God," she suddenly gasped, clutching his arm.
"What?" He turned just in time to see her bury her face into his shoulder.
"It's Ningning," she squealed.
He laughed. "You want me to introduce you?"
"No, I'm too shy-"
Too late.
"Ningning!" Mark called.
She turned around.
"Mark sunbaenim, hello," Ningning bowed.
"Oh my God," Tiffany whispered, hiding again.
"This is my friend, Tiffany," Mark said. "She's a huge fan."
Tiffany bowed shyly. "Hello...oh my God."
"Hello," Ningning smiled warmly. "Thank you for supporting us."
Tiffany nodded quickly. "Can I...can I take a picture with you?"
"Of course!" Ningning laughed. "I wouldn't miss a chance to take a photo with a pretty girl like you."
