It has been few days since Ayden disappear and it makes Wendy worry to dead. She try to call him but he is unreachable. She still thinking either she should ask Eric about him or continue waiting for Ayden to appear again.

Right now, Wendy and her members have breakfast together at their dorm. They busy talking about random stuff while Irene goes to living room to talk with their manager on the phone. Few minutes later, the leader comeback

"Guys, unnie called me just now. She said we will have meeting with Jessica unnie and Eric on 10:15 AM so she want us to get ready before 9:30" Irene sit back on her chair

"Okay unnie"

They continue eating their food since it still early to get ready.

.....................................

In Eric office, they have meeting regarding the project that still ongoing. Everyone pay attention to Jessica explanation and mentally take note

"For now we just give you all briefing about the promotion but we can't start it yet because our boss is not around to sign some document. Once everything is ready, we will start the photoshot and film the promotional video" Eric said after Jessica end her briefing

"Okay"

"That's all for the briefing and I need Ms. Park to go with me for a while. I want to give some document to you and give to Ms. Sunny" said Jessica

"Okay Ms. Jessica" the female manager nods her head

"Can I leave the girls here for a while?" Jessica asking Eric

"Sure no problem, I will take care of them" Eric joking

"Alright" Jessica and Ms. Park leave the office

"So how are you all these days?" Eric initiating their talk

"We're doing fine" Joy answered and Eric nods his head

"Wendy, how are you?"

"I'm good" Wendy answer shortly

"You look restless and anxious today"

"Am I?" Wendy shocked by the random guess from Eric

Eric chuckle "Not to brag but I studied psychology so that's it. I can read you well"

"Daebak" the other girls said in awe

"Eyy, don't say that" Eric turn shy suddenly

"We're just really proud. It's amazing if we can read people mind and I hope I can do too" said Irene

"Well, you can study if you have time"

"I hope I have time to study psychology" Irene sighs

"Unnie, if you have ability to read someone mind, who will you read?" Yeri asked

"Kang Seulgi of course" Irene smirked evilly

"I'm happy that she can't read mind" Seulgi giggle

"Do you plan to cheat?" Irene glare at the bear

"Of course not, I mean if you can read my mind it wouldn't be surprise in case I want to do something for you"

"Okay, I accept the reason"

"I'm glad that she not interested to read mine" said Yeri

"Me too" Joy added

"You guys are funny" Eric laugh lightly

"Sorry for interrupt your talk with Wendy" said Seulgi

"It's fine, we should have casual talk sometimes. I quite stress lately since Ayden leaving. I need to run here and there on his behalf and my own task too"

"Poor thing"

"What to do, right?" everyone look at him with sympathy then Eric turn to Wendy who just silent like she thinking of something "Wen, answer me"

"Lot of things play in my mind lately that's why I'm like this" Wendy decide to open up since her members also there so she don't need to tell them at dorm

"You need someone to talk so if you don't mind, you may open up"

Wendy nods slowly "I decide to do that too since my members also here so it's right time" she take deep breath "It's about me and Ayden"

"Oh, is it because of dating news recently?" Eric curious

"It's not the starting point, it just worsen the mess" everyone shocked

"So you two are in mess even before the news?" Irene confusedly ask

"Yes, thing start on my birthday when we're out to date. He confess to me but I reject him"

"WHAT?" the girls squeal

"What happen after that?" Eric ask calmly. He also motion the girls to calm down

"Everything is still good that time and we still going out as usual. Then during our vacation at Australia, he secretly invited me for dinner date and he confess for second time"

"Oppa is there too?" Seulgi ask shockingly

"Yes, he said he come with Eric and Yoona" Wendy answered

"True, we have meeting at Melbourne that time and he insist to stay at the resort. We know his intention is want to see you so we just obey to him" Eric said

"What happen then?" Joy eagerly asking

"I reject him again" Wendy sigh

"Aigooooo" the girls groan

"That resulting he told us to leave really early on next day. He look so upset that morning but we not dare to ask" Eric said again

"I know he feel dejected. That is not first time but twice rejection from me. From that moment, we rarely meet each other again; just short phone call and text. He is obviously avoiding me. He is distant himself from me. Although we practically part way, he still answering my call and reply my text but it short and cold. The mess was getting bad after the dating news and we lost contact soon after he called me on the incident morning. I can never reach him again and until now. I'm waiting for days but he is still silent. I want to ask you but I don't want to involve you in this"

"Since now I know about it, you don't have choice but drag me to the mess, right?"

"I guess so"

"Since the day he told me about his feeling towards you and about your interest in relationship, I can predict something will go wrong. I advised him to think twice before confess to you but he not listen to me. Now see what happen to both of you. He really, really loves you that he willing to hurt himself even he know the chance for you to accept him is thin. I told him to be careful before fall in love again. I don't want to see the old Ayden and luckily he not doing something stupid like last time he breakup with his girlfriend"

"What happened to him?"

"3 years ago, Ayden is not Ayden that we know. After breakup, he does nothing but spending his night at the bar, smoking and drink alcohol. His parents are really angry but he doesn't care about people around him. He's in depressed state because of that girl. Things twist on the day his mom found him passed out in his room and their doctor said he is having high blood pressure. He admitted for months that result him hate the hospital since then. After he recovered from the illness, his dad put him in important position in their company with hope he don't have time to play around. It still not really working, he still sneaked out of their house and go to club. The worst is he worked himself off until late at night. After his dad caught him, he asked Ayden to take over Platinum Korea because at the same time the boss here retired. I assigned to take care of him that's why I transfer from the HQ and change with COO here. I'm his caretaker for God sake"

Everyone focused on what Eric told them like the story is really interesting "He told me that he doesn't have lot of friend and his circle is small but he is social" Wendy confused

"His circle is small since he's basically not social person and getting small when we come here. Ayden is good boy back then until the painful event in his life. Once we start live here, he not going to club because he has issue to communicate with people here. It makes me relief a bit that I don't need to run to every clubs in town just to search for him. However, Ayden is really smart. He never runs out of alcohol in his apartment. Not until you often stay there. I'm very surprise seeing nothing but food in his fridge since the day you start sleepover at his place. I don't see any beer bottle or cans in the trash bin. Believe it or not, you really give big impact on him that's why I noticed that he seriously want to start relationship with you"

Wendy found herself blushing while her friends teasing her "Yah, don't tease me"

"Okay" the girls cackling

While they joking around, Eric's secretary come to the office with Ipad on her hand then she give it to him

"Mr. Daniel, our boss wanted to have video call with you. He will call back in few minutes"

"Okay" the secretary left after that

"Girls, I hope you all don't mind if I talk to him for a while"

"It's okay, just talk. We will be silent" said Irene

"Alright"

The device vibrate signaling incoming video call and Eric answer it

"Hi dude" Eric smirk

"Hi, good..." Ayden talk lazily from the other side

"Morning, it morning here"

"Yeah, I get confuse suddenly" Ayden giggle

"You're good now, isn't it?"

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine"

"Glad to hear that. I'm very worry"

"You just like my mom" Ayden rolled his eyes "Done with nagging, how was company? Is everything going well? Do I miss something?"

"Company goes well as usual and you don't need to worry. Everything is fine and under control"

"Good job"

"Anything else you want to know?"

"No, that's all"

"Alright, where is Tiffany?"

"She is at her house of course, why would she here at this time?"

"Just ask in case she comes to force you to take your meal" Eric laughed

"That loudspeaker is doing nothing but shout at me all the time. Morning she shouted at me to remind me breakfast then shout again for lunch and night shout for dinner. If she comes here she will nag to stop me going anywhere without purpose and checking the fridge just in case I buy beer. I'm totally grounded here. You must come here quickly to save me" Ayden complain

"Do you think I can save you if I'm there?"

"At least we can listen to the megaphone together"

"I hope you're not sneaked to the bar at night. You love doing that"

"I forgot to tell that Tiffany ban me from the clubs and bar in town. She warned the owner if they ever let me in, she will destroy their business in no time. She is very scary Eric, please"

"I should thank Tiffany for that. She does the right things"

"You and she are same"

"We do that because we love you"

"Thanks for that"

"You should sleep now; dark circles around your eyes are really obvious"

"Yeah, I have trouble sleeping lately"

"Hmm, don't think too much. Let me handle the situation, okay? We will talk when I arrive there"

"Okay, thanks dude" Ayden said softly

"Goodbye for now"

"Goodbye dude"

"Poor Ayden oppa" Yeri giggle after the call end

"Tiffany is very strict this time because if she be easy to him, he will do whatever things he likes"

Joy curiously asked Eric "Oppa, who is Ms. Tiffany actually? They looked so close with each other like more than friend"

Eric adjusted his sit "Like I told you all before, Tiffany is their close friend and they know each other for long time. Tiffany also closed with Ayden family. She is practically their family member"

"Ohhh"

"Since we're talked about Tiffany, I have to say this too exactly to you Wendy" Eric looking at Wendy

"What is it?"

"Tiffany is not just close to Ayden's family but his parent plan to marry them off if Ayden still make a mess like last time" Eric stated

"R-really?" Wendy stutter

"Yes, it was what his parent said to him. You heard it yourself how Tiffany take care of him and he don't have choice but behave. His parent trust that right now Ayden only obey to Tiffany because she is very strict, mean and scary like Ayden said"

"Did he agree to marry her?" Wendy sound sad and Seulgi rubbed her back softly

Eric shakes his head "No, neither of them agree with the decision. Same as you, Tiffany also want to focus on her carrier while Ayden just see her as his sister. It's true that Tiffany is clingy to Ayden like what happened during the dinner but it just friendly gesture. It's mean nothing. Tiffany never stayed at his place when she comes here and he also not stays at her place if Ayden travel to States. Despite her strict, Tiffany treats Ayden like her little brother. She listened to all his complains, giving him advices when he needs it and besides me, Ayden also often share problem with her. She know Ayden not a type who share problem with his family so she willing to listen to him and give moral support. I guess she also know about you and the current situation of both of you"

"I thought they are dating"

"No, don't worry" Eric said "Before the problem getting worse; I hope you can settle it with Ayden. I know part of you want to talk to him, right?"

"True but I can't reach him" Wendy pouted

"He broke his phone on the day he found out about your dating news and not bothered to buy one. He just brought company's Ipad with him. Ayden really mad that time and he is not himself. Tiffany worry seeing him in that state so she decide to bring him along with her to New York on next day since Ayden also suppose to travel there by next week. I don't know if his parent knows what happen to him but if they found out, you will lose Ayden"

"What should I do?" Wendy asked worriedly

Eric stands up and walk to his desk then pick up something like envelope. He sit back on the couch after that "When you go home, think properly and figure out what is your true feeling towards him. Maybe you have the answer in your mind but I don't want you to tell me now. Think again before you make last decision. You have 48 hours to decide your future with Ayden" he put the envelope on the table and push it towards Wendy "Take this with you"

Wendy grab the envelope and check what is inside "Flight ticket?" she frown

"Yes, I will go to New York this Saturday. I give 2 days for you to think and make final decision. If you choose him, we will go there together but if opposite, I will go alone. In case you wondering how I make it so fast, I think both of you should talk after the mess and make everything clear. I plan to go to your dorm tomorrow but you're here now so I will just give it to you. Think carefully and make right decision. I don't want any of you regret it because we will find someone worth after we lost them. Your decision will determine you happiness"

"Thanks for big help from you and your concern. I appreciate it, really. I will use these 48 hours to decide the future of me and Ayden" Wendy said confidently

"That's great. I'm proud that you not run away from the problem and I can see why Ayden really into you. Rather than left things hanging and waiting for him to make a move, you share your problem to us and find a way to reach him. Whatever your decision is, I'm happy for you"

"Thank you very much Eric" Wendy smile to Eric. Right now she feel relieve as the burden that she carry mentally and emotionally was lift up. She wanted to focus of figure out what she really feel towards Ayden. She don't want to make it quick and as Eric said, her decision will determine everything. She have to be careful and don't want to regret in future.

.............................

Wendy sits on the couch at living room. Only she and Irene are at their dorm since the other 3 are out for their schedule. It has been 24 hours since she talked with Eric and she still has 24 more hours to make final decision

"Still confuse?" Irene sit beside Wendy

"Oh unnie"

"Have you thought of what Eric told you?"

"I'm still thinking unnie. I do feel something to him but I not sure if it love or just love as friend"

The leader chuckle "I know how it feels like. I'd been there too"

"Really, unnie?"

"I'm dating Kang Seulgi, remember?" Irene wiggle her eyebrows

"I know but I don't know you go through such things too. I'm there when Seulgi pursue you and I don't see any problem between both of you"

"You're there but not from the start. She almost give up when I don't show any response on her confession but I'm glad that she not doing so. Both of us are in similar situation even the one who chasing you is a man. Ever since I met her, Seulgi showing great interest on me and she treat me like I'm really precious. She's too confident with herself. It's me who're dense to see her effort until she tell me that she like me in romantic way"

"Do you accept her right away?"

Irene shakes her head "I told her that I need to figure out my feeling and she willing to wait. The wait is too long. It's longer than you could imagine. I confuse on my feeling and I'm worry if I can't love her the way she expected. I still treat her like best friend and we still close as usual. You know that I not fond with other trainees except her. She is always there for me in every up and down. We go through lot of things together before you; Sooyoung and Yerim come to the picture. Whenever I'm performed or doing anything, her eyes are flashing nothing but admiration and proud. She cheered me up when I'm sad and she's the happiest if I'm happy. There is turning event which make me really sure of what I feel toward Kang Seulgi. It's when I saw both of you are close to each other. I feel insecure because back then, I only have her for myself then when you guys come, I have to share her. I don't like it whenever you two are together even just playing around"

"So it's me?" Wendy pointed at herself "Do you still jealous of me now?"

"Literally but I not feel jealous anymore. I trust everyone" Irene answered then she continued "I worry if Seulgi abandon me and I lost her affection in fact she never have intention to do so. Seulgi is loyal to death that she would kill herself for me. She confess again after that and convince me that she love me more than anything and promised sweet things to me which she never fail to make it true until now. Do you know how long I make her wait?" Wendy looked at Irene like she listened to her mom telling love story with her dad. She looking at her with admiration

"How long?" Wendy curious

"7 years straight"

"WHAT? That too long" Wendy jaw dropped

"I told you I made her wait longer than anyone could imagine. I accept her after 7 years from her first confession. You come in 6 years later that's why you think that it's look easy for her to get me but actually Seulgi have to climb every mountain and swim every ocean just for this dummy. She almost gives up in 4th years but yeah, we're mean for each other so nothing can spread us. Now I'm very happy with her. I found my missing piece. She is not as sweet as other people but she has her own way to make me fall head over heel. You see yourself how she showered me with love, it's too different but cool. I'm very comfortable and safe whenever I'm with her"

"I can see that too" Wendy admitted