Several months had passed ever since then. I am no longer named a sasaeng too. Today, I am launching my own fashion brand at Times Square Mall.

Thanks to that incident, the locals are already interested in me. My opening ceremony seems to be a success since many people came, including celebrities!

"Oh my god! Isn't that Song Joong Ki?!", Yerin whisper yelled, her tone sounds like a fangirl. "Oh my god. He looks so surreal!", I gasped softly, a huge smile plastered on my lips.

"Straighten yourself up, bitch. He's approaching us.", Yerin whispered and I nodded, standing straight.

"Good morning.", the handsome man smiled and Yerin and I couldn't help but stare at him in awe with our heart eyes.

"Good morning~"

I greeted, eyes scanning his handsome face.

Don't blame me! He has this effect on people.

"My wife wanted me to get something from your store. She went through your website last night and she was interested in this purse.", he showed me his phone and I checked the screen.

"Oh, that! You are very lucky. There's only one left. Any minute later and it's going to sold out.", I said and the man sighed in relief.

"Good to know.", he chuckled.

"Let me show you the way.", I said, guiding him to where the purse was placed.

I also talked to a few more customers and heard so many congratulations and blessings throughout the day.

I made a lot of profit and I couldn't be any gladder! My efforts were worth it.

It was around 7:30pm and there wasn't much people left at the mall since it close down at 8:00pm.

"Are we calling it a day?", Yerin walked up to me with a smile. "Mhm. I suppose. Thank you for helping out today.", I hugged her, smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh.my.god.", Yerin said.

I pulled away from the hug and noticed her staring something behind me with wide eyes. I turned around to see what was going on.

There, I saw a familiar figure walking towards my direction with a bouquet of lilies in his hands.

Taehyung?

My heart raced at the sight. I bit down my bottom lip to contain my smile.

I hadn't seen him ever since that day at the hospital. I was busy. He was busy. I invited him to come to my opening ceremony but he told me in advance that he might not make it because he had a variety show in the morning.

So, I didn't think he would come but look who's here!

"Hey.", he flashed a smile.

"Hey.", I said, smiling back.

CAN I SCREAM? CAN I JUST SCREAM?!

"Here. Congratulations.", he handed over the bouquet of lilies and I took it cooly, trying my best to hide how happy I was.

I didn't want him to freak out.

"Thank you.", I mumbled.

There was this awkward silence between us until Yerin decided to break it.

"I am going to tell the girls to close down the store.", she smiled sheepishly and left the two of us.

"I thought you wouldn't make it.", I softly said.

"I left right after I finished recording my part. I'm glad I made it.", he chuckled.

"So aren't you going to show your customer around, young miss?", he wiggled his brows, making me laugh.

"You do know it's going to close soon, right?", I teased, causing him to pout.

"But don't I deserve a special treatment from the owner?", he wondered.

"Hmm, what gives you the right to say that?", I hummed in a response.

"We have a special relationship.", he said nonchalantly.

Y'all I literally forgot how to breathe.

As if my breath got stuck in my throat, I coughed tremendously.

"God, you alright?", he asked in concern and I shook my hand in assurance.

"I'm alright.", I replied.

Just like that, I showed him around the store and Taehyung purchased a few items. He bought a scarf, a hat and a belt. I knew he'd pick them. It was his style after all.

After purchasing the items, he walked out of my store's exit so I assumed that he left. He didn't even say goodbye. I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad by that.

Yerin and I successfully closed down the store and we were talking absolute nonsense as we walked to the mall's exit.

"You know? My dog almost ate my eye shadow palette-"

I stopped talking when I saw a familiar figure standing at the mall's exit, using his phone.

My eyes widened and Yerin followed my gaze, then let out a gasp.

"I bet he's gonna take you out for dinner!", she squealed.

I scoffed. "Sis, just because he's standing there, it doesn't mean he'll ask me out for a dinner.", I rolled my eyes.

Despite what I just said, oh how I wished what Yerin's words would come true.

Yerin hummed with a knowing smile. She ran forward to where Taehyung was standing, shouting his name.

"Taehyung~~~~~"

Her loud voice startled the man and he glanced up from his phone.

"Oh. Hey, Yerin.", he said.

"What are you doing here?", she asked and I walked towards her to stand next to her. Taehyung's eyes landed on me.

"Ah. Just wanted to ask Minhee something.", he said, looking a bit nervous. Once, he said that, Yerin turned around to look at me with a see-i-told-you face.

Best friends for 15 years, we have telepathy.

Of course, Taehyung didn't see it and I'm glad he didn't. I cleared my throat.

"So what do you wanna ask?", I questioned.

"Uh...", he trailed off and eyed Yerin.

"Geez. Fine. I will leave you two lovebirds.", she scoffed, walking away.

I gasped dramatically.

"We're not!"

"Sure, sis.", she waved as she continued walking away, her back turned against me.

Again, there was this awkward silence between me and Taehyung.

"So.", he cleared his throat. "Do you like pasta?", he asked.

"I love them?", I smiled, looking up to meet his eyes, which he suddenly looked away.

What?

"Great. Uh... I heard that there's this restaurant nearby, which is quite famous for its delicious pastas. Do you want to eat together?", he asked.

OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD.

HE'S REALLY ASKING ME OUT FOR DINNER.

My heart frantically raced inside my chest.

"It's okay if you don't want to. I was just—"

"I'll eat together with you!", I cut him off.

Geez. Did I sound aggressive?

"Cool. Let's go then.", he showed me his box-shaped smile visible.

Oh shit.

That smile of his never failed to make me go all soft and mushy. It has been nine years and it still has that effect on me.

Oh, so precious.

• • •

[ a/n: oof. sorry for taking so long to update. i was busy and stressed. ik this chapter sucks ): sorry abt that too! ]