paste you to the pages of my heart

Chapter Thirteen

"Good morning, Nayeon-unnie."

The bright and chirpy tone that greets Nayeon the moment she steps out of the elevator has her blinking and staring dumbly at the other person in disbelief.

"I got you grapefruitade," Mina continues, unaware—or maybe uncaring—of Nayeon's lack of verbal response as she offers the said drink to Nayeon. "I think you'll need it before we discuss the complaint."

Oh.

Right. Of course.

Of course, Mina greeted her and made sure her mood is good because it'll be immediately ruined by a ridiculous complaint.

Of course.

Why did Nayeon even think that Mina greeted her because she wanted to? Because she knew her 'good morningsʼ always used to make Nayeon cheery and ready to take on the world?

Stupid.

"Oh," Nayeon says, still reeling from Mina's greeting even as she takes the proffered drink, "thank you."

Mina nods in acknowledgment. "I hope you don't mind me being here on your floor first thing in the morning," she says, "but I was hoping to run our response by you before sending it to Park Jinsoul."

As Nayeon and Mina walk side by side to Nayeon's office, Nayeon tries to not pay attention to the way Mina so elegantly carries herself even when she's doing something as simple as walking.

Nayeon knows Mina has always been graceful—she exudes it even during their university days when everyone else was too sleep-deprived to care much about elegance—but right now, it feels as though Nayeon's seeing Mina for the first time all over again.

That—or Nayeon just really has a thing with powerful, sophisticated women. Which Mina obviously is.

God.

"Here's what I have," says Mina once they've reached Nayeon's office and Nayeon has placed her things on her desk.

Nayeon retrieves the iPad from Mina's hands, careful not to brush her fingers against hers, and quickly looks over the draft. "Did you work on this yesterday, too?" Nayeon inquires when she notices a paragraph and some additional reference materials attached to the email.

Mina looks a little guilty when Nayeon finally glances at her and Nayeon resists the urge to tell Mina that she shouldn't overexert herself because of work—a thing she's prone to do back when they were together.

That's not Nayeon's role anymore.

Even if that thought alone stabs at her heart.

"I just added a few more materials to solidify our stance," Mina says in lieu of an answer. "Oh, and don't worry, I already had Joohyun-sunbaenim and Jennie-sajangnim look over that draft, too. I just wanted to know what you think."

The implication that Mina wanted Nayeon's approval, despite obviously not needing it anymore, makes Nayeon's heart swell and ache at the same time.

When will you explain, Mina? So we can just both go back to the way things were?

Nayeon shakes her head at her silly thoughts and focuses on the draft instead. Stupid Nayeon and her wishful thinking.

"I think this is good to go," she finally says after a few more minutes of silence. In all honesty, Nayeon hasn't even read the rest of the draft. Her mind is already too preoccupied with thoughts of Mina and it's only 9:15 on a Monday.

What a way to start the week.

Mina smiles at her as Nayeon returns her iPad. "Great. I'll send this to Park Jinsoul and his attorney, and let you know the next steps."