hearts at odds | baekyeon

16

When the sedan has arrived at the drop-off point of the office building, Baekhyun utters deeply, "I will pick you up at 6pm here."

Taeyeon stares at him, her head floods with confusion. Throughout the car ride, she isn't able to find out why he offered to send and pick her up from work.

"There are cars behind."

"Thank you." She closes the door hurriedly, in case cars start pressing the horn at them or Baekhyun decides it's a good idea to flare up at her workplace where everyone can witness how messed up her marriage is.

Nodding her head slightly to greet the security, she makes her way to the elevator where her colleague calls her.

"Your husband drove you to work today?" The colleague asks playfully. She knows Taeyeon usually drives to work by herself, but today seems like an exception.

"What is the occasion?"

Taeyeon shrugs her shoulder. "He didn't share with me."

Everyone starts working diligently once they are at their desks, clearing meetings and their to-do list for the day. Taeyeon is occupied to the brim, yet the lingering question in her mind stays.

When she steps out of the meeting room, it's lunch time already. It is finally the time where she can continue to source for answers without consideration for work.

She recalls earlier in the morning her colleague mentioned occasion. There must be something happening today, or else Baekhyun wouldn't even offer her a ride out of nowhere after months of going off to work separately.

What is the occasion today?

Occasion. Occasion. Occasion.

A silent gasp leaves her mouth as she experiences her eureka moment. She stops at her track as she checks the date on her phone's lock screen.

6 May.

"Unnie!" Haewon calls Taeyeon when she realises the senior is not walking by her side.

Taeyeon quickens her pace towards the staff. "Haewon-ah, what is the date today."

"6 May. Why?"

It's Baekhyun's birthday today. How did I forgot about it?

Not that celebrating their birthdays is important with their complicated status as husband and wife. But she should at least be courteous and wish him happy birthday.

After all, he did wish her on her birthday. It was a simple one line from him, but that didn't matter.

What came as a surprise to her was he knows her birthday. She however, doesn't recall exchanging birthdays with him.

How did he found out then?

"Taeyeon-ah, let's go for lunch!" Daeun, her colleague, breaks her train of thoughts as she links arm with her.

"Sorry unnie, not today. I have errands to run," Taeyeon utters apologetically.

"Oh well then, remember to take your lunch too!" The mother-like colleague reminds her.

In the confined elevator with many others, Taeyeon's mind buzzes with the memory of the kiss she shared with Baekhyun. The touch of his lips against hers was warm and fleeting, along with the whiff of wine he had consumed.

She can still feel the sensation, the gentle pressure, and the flutter it gave her stomach.

But there is no time to be affected by it. She needs to focus on the task in hand.