The first day after holiday was supposed to be enjoyable.

Even though many people purposefully booked annual leave to extend their holiday a bit longer, resulting in the office only looked half-full when the clock ticked 9 in the morning, I was pretty sure that excitement was in the air.

A variety of sweet treats piling up at company's pantry could be easily spotted as people stopped by and filled it up with more and more specialities from their hometowns.

Groups of colleagues gathered and chatted merrily in almost every corner of the building and the executives team even held trivial games to give away small gifts at their offices while funky music was blasting nonstop on the radio at the café.

It was purely fun.

Speaking of the café at the ground floor of Purple Line building, it had been around for nearly two years, even before Hongsol's arrival as a cashier.

But for her playfulness, bright characteristic and sociability, Hongsol had left in many Purple Line citizens the impression that she was the “mascot” of the place where we were supposed to get relaxed.

Even so, there still came the day she said goodbye to the place she had grown attached to during the last one year to focus on her final thesis.

And coincidentally, that day was also Seulgi's last working day at Purple Line.

The contrasting occasions  happening at the same time gave me mixed feelings.

I could easily pull a smile when greeting any colleagues passing by on my way from the main hall to my station but then, felt heavy-hearted at the sight of Hongsol and Seulgi going around the office for their goodbyes, silently wishing that I wouldn't cry once they reach me to bid farewell despite my determination not to.

It's not that they would never see me again, why being sentimental?

Ironic.

Having gone through all outstanding emails and listed a to-do list with not much work for the rest of the day, I stood up and walked outside to the relax balcony facing a greenery garden a.k.a the most aesthetic corner of the building.

I was taking a few breath to ease the gloominess inside me when someone spoke up next to me.

“Happy new year, Wheein noona.”

A cup of steamy mocha then was presented to my front. I looked left and saw Lee Juyeon beaming at me.

Right then, it dawned on me that the one thing I felt like missing since morning was my daily dose of mocha from the café.

But here it is. Delivered by Juyeon, it was exactly my daily order, not the famous purple sweet potato Fraps Hongsol was treating almost everyone she knew at Purple Line on her last day.

I stretched my lips and tried to raise my cheekbones - that should help to form a so-called smile.

“Thanks.” - I received the paper cup from him and rotated it, looking for Hongsol's doodle but there was nothing. - “Did Hongsol forget to doodle the cup on her last day?”

“Oh my bad.” - Juyeon exclaimed with disappointment - “I didn't remind her.”

“It's fine, though.” - I calmed him down and inserted the straw, taking a sip of hot mocha - “She must be busy saying goodbye now.”

“Second that.” - Juyeon shrugged and narrated - “She literally shoved this into my hand, told me to bring you and disappeared.”

“Well then you did the task excellently.” - I teased him and then followed with a random question. - “By the way, where are you sitting today?”

He answered in a blink.

“The usual one. Please tell me that no one has taken it.”

He was referring to the station in front of me. After dumping us at the grill restaurant on Christmas Eve, he had moved somewhere else during the whole week. I couldn't find him anywhere, as if he purposefully avoided any of us.

Until we met again at Fairytale Night . . .

“Erm” - I craned my neck go take a glance at the station, commenting - “There are not many people today in the office though.”

“Good thing. But I still gotta secure it.”

He snapped and then dashed inside to the station, literally flung his backpack off the shoulders and threw it exactly to the ergonomic chair.

As he ran back outside towards me, I couldn't help cracking a satisfied smile.

Judging from what happened during the holiday and that he came back to his usual station, Juyeon has probably made up his mind.

That he shouldn't avoid us no more.

And that he might want to get even closer with Kwon Hongsol.

“So. . .Any farewell party with your mentor?”

I asked as Juyeon got back to my left.

“Not yet” - He shook his head - “But honestly we don't need it because Seulgi sunbaenim will still be my mentor. She was OK with that.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah, totally cool. Resignation is not necessarily an end to everything, eh?”

Yes. Not necessarily an end. Wise words from Lee Juyeon that I should always bear in mind.

“Then what about Kwon Hongsol? Still keep it going on with her?”

Nice. I laughed to myself, knowing that in appreciation to his wise words, I had intentionally laid out a trap for Juyeon to confess his feelings.

But being mischievous didn't fit me so much that Juyeon immediately frowned, looking alerted.

“What's it you're talking about noona?”

I cleared my throat, eyes rolling to hide the embarrassment of being busted. So Lee Juyeon wasn't that naïve.

“It's just. . . Well, have you ever fancied being her colleague afterwards?”

“I smell something weird, noona.” - Juyeon sniffed. - “You'd better be clear to me.”

“I'd ask you to be clear first. . .”

As my brain was processing the input from Juyeon, I suddenly heard Taehyung spoke up from our back, resulting in both of us jolting the moment we heard his husky voice.

Then out from nowhere, he jumped to Juyeon's left side and swiftly pulled the guy into a playful shoulder hug while Juyeon was clearly grimacing for too much skinship from his close male colleague.

Taehyung went on, mischief laced in his tone.

“Tell me, Lee Juyeon. What did you do in Ilsan on New Year?”

Neither I nor Juyeon knew how much he had listened to our conversation. Perhaps it was enough for him to get on point with the question.

Juyeon, ears gradually turning red, pushed Taehyung away and could only groan with annoyance, “Argh . . . Hyung.” while Taehyung kept on nudging him teasingly and showed no sign that he would stop until Juyeon said what he wanted to hear.

“Calm down Taehyung-ssi” - I told him from Juyeon's right, understanding that it was a matter of time that Lee Juyeon would get even more furious. - “I know we're both excited and curious but let's be gentle asking him.”

Taehyung snorted, as if he almost puked hearing my words. But as he saw me gnashing my teeth and throwing him hostile looks, he cleared his throat and loosened his grip on Juyeon's shoulder.

“Okay, be gentle.” - The corners of his mouth twitched, he must be holding back his laugh quite hard. - “I'm being gentle now so Lee Juyeon, say it.”

“Say what?” - Juyeon's forehead creased, he clearly looked both clueless and annoyed - “You're being weird, hyung!”

“What did you do in Ilsan 2 days ago?”

“Just a trip. So what?”

“Just that? That's all you want to tell us?”

Taehyung asked, sounding demanding. But to my confusion, Juyeon didn't show that he was avoiding or unintentionally didn't get it. He just nodded.

“You seriously don't have anything else to tell us?”

“What are you even expecting?”

“You. . .”

Taehyung was about to fire back but I had already interrupted him.

“That's enough, Taehyung-ssi” - I said, feeling my brows moving subtly and hoped that Taehyung realized the signal. - “When he has something to tell, he will. Right, Juyeon?”

I intentionally ignored a pout from Taehyung and turned to Juyeon looking for confirmation from him and luckily, he satisfied my need with a slight nod. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing that Juyeon didn't spill any news about their progress.

But considering both of them were rather discreet in words and behaviours towards each other within the office environment, it was totally reasonable for him to avoid sharing in public areas.

Plus the possibility that there hadn't been any official confession nor acceptance from both - for if there was, Hongsol would have freaked out days before - it was still too early to announce anything.

So, just like Taehyung told me yesterday,  let's have it hanging so that we can come back to this topic later. Hopefully, “later” would not mean “indefinitely”.

○●○

I had lunch with Seulgi. She had insisted on a farewell lunch with the team before the holiday so that she would spend her last lunch as a Purple Line Citizen with me. How honoured I am!

There was not much on the table, just two lunchboxes she made herself. The food was simple but abundant and tasted nice: steamy rice, well-seasoned rolled eggs, fried chicken nuggets with chilli sause and a few side dishes.

Seulgi woke up at 5.30 to prepare everything, which had become her routine. She once shared with me about adding this activity to her already packed schedule but until then had I finally been convinced that Seulgi took command of it by performing such consistency.

“It was hard at first to get up early” - She admitted as I couldn't help  getting amazed with her preparation - “But it's nice to have quiet time for myself.”

“Sounds great unnie.” - I grinned, taking a bite of an egg roll - “And yeah. . .your cooking does get better.”

“Does it?”

“Yup. I guess visiting Pyeonghwa often did help.”

Seulgi flashed a satisfied smile and I replied her with a grin. Somehow, my shoulders got a bit relaxed at her revelation.

Deciding to leave Purple Line and dedicating a bit time to take care of herself, that was Seulgi's solution to her own issues. It worked somehow, as I had observed her mood getting better and better.

“So. . . Have you got any offer?”

I lowered my voice to ask. Although it was Seulgi's last day, it was not appropriate to openly discuss her next step.

But to my surprise, Seulgi just shook her head.

“Offers. . .yes, in plural. But I declined most of them.”

“Still nothing suits your need?”

“Kind of. I'm still wondering what I should focus on anyway.”

Seulgi basically restated the concern she had so far but this time, I barely spotted worry in her tone. Perhaps she had already got a plan, which she would postpone telling me until it had settled.

Hope so.

“Oh yeah?” - I put the lid to the lunchbox's top and press to close it. - “Hope that I will be invited to your probation party soon.”

“Absolutely.” - Seulgi did the same action as me and she collected my box, put them back into her tote bag before we stood up and left our table, joining the crowd to get downstairs to our stations. Lunch time was over. - “You're always welcomed at the party.”

She then gave me a slight nudge in the arm as we walked side by side down the staircase. I responded her with another nudge, plus a half-baked joke.

“And should I bring Hyojin oppa along? Or he is already part of another special party?”

“You're speaking nonsense, Wheein ah.”

Seulgi sounded annoyed at my sudden dry humour. But I didn't take her alleged annoyance personal. I just went on with my sing-song voice.

“Who knows, eh? Your Xmas date wasn't even overrrr. . . Arghhhh!!!!”

Seulgi slapped my arm really hard but I only had to endure half of her strength as I escaped her reach successfully and quickly dashed to the stairs landing, chuckling while gasping.

Seulgi, wearing a pair of four inch ankle strap sandals, tried her best to walk as fast as possible to catch up with me. But obviously she couldn't. She just walked and yelled  “Ya Jung Wheein. Stop there.” continously.

After today we wouldn't be able to chase around Purple Line office like this, which was truly sad. But if we could be as close as we were right now wherever Seulgi and I would land in the future, it was still more than awesome, I guess.

○●○

8pm.

Seulgi had collected her stuff and left the office two hour hour ago. I did have a quick goodbye to Hongsol as she wrapped up her part time job around an hour later - I recalled seeing Juyeon wandering outside the café at that time, as if he was waiting for her and even the girl put on light make up although it was past working hours.

Conversations and snack occupied most of my time today, to the extent that I decided to stay a bit late to refine the draft script for this week's show. After all, my request to step down from the radio had not been taken into consideration. I would blame it for timing - today was just the first day after New Year though.

Having finished my work, I closed my laptop and stood up for some stretching exercise. Through the small glass window of the broadcasting station, I could see the office was deserted.

Holiday mood was definitely in activation, resulting in people leaving the office earlier than usual. And somehow the Mamamoo girls were still in holiday mood as well, for Byulyi had just texted me to go home early for a drink - I had lost count of how much drink I had for the last few days already!

“Hey, you're being careless again!”

I knew that voice. I knew that way of complaint. It wouldn't be here in the next two weeks but it was right here, right then, right at the sole exit of the room.

And it belonged to no other than Kim Taehyung.

“You surely know how to make an appearance, don't you?”

I threw him a glare and spoke, eyes focusing on my own stuff as I started gathering them.

Taehyung changed his posture and slowly walked towards to stand next to my table.

“Special appearance all the time eh?”

I scoffed. The moment we assumed that things were back to normal, he was also back to his playful self.

“I thought everyone all left?”

Taehyung shrugged in response to my question. And suddenly it dawned on me, why he was still here. And complained me for being careless.

He had promised to escort me to the station whenever I would be late from work. Since then, we had gone together a few times but it was all before Xmas incident. Hence, I didn't expect he would be here at this time.

“The robber” - I said, reminding him that I still remembered the occasion. - “Was arrested right before Xmas.”

“I know. But still, you should be careful.” - He saw me finishing zipping my bag and without my permission, picked my bag up and wear it on his left shoulder. - “Let's go.”

Night had fallen and the coldness filled the whole atmosphere. I put on my wool beanie and fixed the scarf before walking out of the building.

Taehyung followed me, my bag still on his shoulder even though I opposed to.

“Taehyung-ssi, you don't have to wear my bag.”

“It's fine.” - He beamed. - “You should enjoy this privilege because it will be unavailable for 6 months from 2 weeks later.”

I snorted. Right, such overconfidence will be hard to find then.

“Alright.” - I rolled my eyes and switched topic - “Anyway, you said you have something for the script. Want another show before heading to Hongkong?”

As soon as I mentioned script, Taehyung came to a halt. He then opened his bag worn on his left shoulder and began a search, the result of which was a folded piece of A4 paper. He handed it to my front, explained.

“I came across this on a podcast so I just jotted it down here.”

I took the paper from him with doubtful look. It didn't look like he had prepared this in advance, more like a spontaneity. I then thought it out loud.

“I thought you had it typed already?”

“Ah, the gossips. . .I will send you later, but this one. . .”  - He pointed his chin towards the paper on my hand - “is what I want in my last show.”

“I guess this is something wow, eh?”

“Kind of. But hey. . .” - He suddenly stuttered as he held up his hand to stop me when I was about to open the paper and take a brief look of the wow factor he wanted for his last show with me. - “. . .read it later. It's a bit . . . erm. . .academic.”

“What's this?” - I burst out laughing with surprise - “Taehyung-ssi, you're afraid that I would laugh at you for this? Unbelievable!”

“Nah” - Taehyung sniffed, his eyes started rolling and somehow I realized it was the first time he didn't look confident at all. - “My first time ever attempted to write thought-provoking stuff.”

“Okay okay” - I nodded and handed him the paper - “Then could you help me to put this in my bag so I would read it later at home?”

“Absolutely, Wheein-ssi.”

We chatted merrily on the rest of the journey to the station and to Taehyung's destination.

Taehyung urged me to spill whatever I knew about what was going on between Hongsol and Juyeon. But I refused, telling him I would keep this for me so that it would be our first story when he came back from Hongkong.

And just like when we met at Fairytale Night last year - well, technically - I got that feeling again. The relaxed, carefree and comfortable feeling of having genuine fun around Taehyung.

Guess that I am going to miss it a lot when he is in Hongkong.

“Wheein-ssi, ever fancied a trip to Hongkong? 6 months could make me a local tour guide.”

“Let's see. But I guess that would be absolutely a crazy idea!”

I arrived home and got occupied in the chores and night routines for a while. But that “a while” only allowed me to sit down at the dressing table at 11 and it took me 30 minutes more to finally remember the paper Taehyung gave me.

I pulled it out of the bag climbed onto the bed - Hyejin wasn't home, so I had the whole bed for myself - and read the note slowly. Over and over again, as if I need time for the words to sink in.

And finally a smile broke on my face as I finished reading and folded the A4 paper back to its original shape.

“In Irish, when you talk about emotion, you don't say ‘I am sad’. Instead, you say ‘Sadness is on me - Tá brón orm.’

It's amazing, you know, because that's an implication of not identifying yourself with the emotion fully.

I am not sad, it's just that sadness is on me for a while. Something else will be on me another time, and that's a good thing to recognize.

So Wheein-ssi, I know this might be from my side and might sound dellusional, but I think people should not freak out just because they were afraid of bothering others with negative emotions. Those are just temporary.

Instead, just breathe and look outside, there are much more awaiting for them to pick their own sources of positivity, like a friend or just a new habit for themselves.

And then, sadness will change to something else better.”

____________________

So people, it officially ends here, with a 3,2k-word chapter. There are still many things left unsolved but I will leave it all for you to decide how these open doors will lead to :)

Personally, I didn't expect this story took me nearly a year to complete considering that I had the storyline in place. But despite the changes happening to me that affected the storyline, I have enjoyed writing it a lot. And a big part of that joy came from you guys and your support!

I wish you all the best exploring and admiring the works here on Wattpad. Thank you!