Defence

16

"Thanks," Yoona thanked extending a hand out.

He stared at her hand for a long time as if he'd forgotten about the coffee until she gestured her hand toward the drink.

"Oh," he said with a silly smile and finally handed her the warm can. "I kinda warmed it up at the store if you don't mind."

Yoona took the can and held it in her palm enjoying the warmth as she stepped out of the elevator into the hall. "You're working kind of late."

"Uh...well...my shift ended half an hour ago but I didn't know if you were still up there," he told. "Oh yes, by the way my name's Ok Taecyeon."

"Im Yoona." she introduced herself with a soft smile.

He smiled back and walked alongside her. Yoona walked toward the wooden benches built around some tall plants inside the building by the windows and sat down.

"I thought you were leaving," he told still standing.

Yoona smiled a small one and opened the coffee. "I don't really feel like leaving either."

They were silent.

He observed her quietly and noted that she seemed kind of down. He wasn't sure how to describe her sadness. It seemed like she had multiple things going on that disappointed her and hurt her.

"You seem like a nice person." she began. "I think it kind of feels better talking to a stranger who knows nothing about me."

He wasn't sure if she were talking to him or to herself but he stood by attentively. From outside the moon had already switched roles with the sun. Its white beams illuminating the sky with its pure whiteness. However still it seemed Seoul still looked like it did during the daytime. The streets were overrun with cars and people, who roamed the street like there were no difference between light or dark.

"If you don't mind, would you listen to me for a while?" she asked looking up at him.

Taecyeon looked down, "Oh...no. It's ok." He sat down far enough from her to make sure that he didn't make her feel uneasy. "All ears are on you." he smiled foolishly.

"My wedding is supposed to be next week," Yoona started cupping the can of coffee with her hands, "but I cancelled it when I got assigned to a job in Kwangju. It was supposed to last a few weeks as we were supposed to move from city to city so I didn't know when I'd make it back. My fiancé got upset with the news and he was right. The job down in Kwangju was useless. I ruined it and came back early. So now I'm waiting to talk to him but I don't even think he wants to see me."

"Sorry," was all Taecyeon could think of to say. Badmouthing Donghae in front of her looked bad so he couldn't say anything other than "sorry".

"But I understand it's not his fault for being so upset with me. I've stood him up plenty of times." Yoona told and paused for a long time.

Taecyeon had learned throughout his life that listening without interrupting was a more effective way of understanding someone than stopping that person and asking questions or giving comments. He didn't know if Yoona was finished so he remained silent. For that long minute he watched her sip the coffee more than once and then he thought maybe he should have just bought a warm bottle of water for her.

"This is something that very few people know about. Besides my family, her family, and my Chief. You're the only other person who would know about it." Yoona told.

Even Donghae doesn't know? Taecyeon felt surprised but contained his excitement.

"And...you're going to tell me this?" Taecyeon asked slowly.