She thought about calling Tiffany when she couldn't seem to find her but right at that moment, the corner of her eye caught sight of a running girl.
Taeyeon turned around to see Jiyoon approaching, still wearing her straw hat and pink sunglasses. Her white flowery summer dress fluttered and flapped, bouncing with every pull of her hand and every lively step she took.
"Yah! You're wearing a dress! Don't run like that!" Taeyeon caught the laughing girl and chuckled when she saw the get up. "What is this? It's not even that sunny today." She took off the girl's sunglasses.
"Umma! Don't!" Jiyoon quickly grabbed her glasses, keeping it on her face. "This is my style!"
Taeyeon laughed out loud. "Your style? Did Fany teach you that?"
"No. Mommy did."
"Huh? Mommy? Who's 'mommy'?" She had never heard the girl call anyone that.
"Find the pink sneakers."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Just find the pink sneakers, Umma. You'll see. Bye!"
Jiyoon grinned mischievously then ran off.
"Y-yah! Where are you going?! Don't run-... Aish!"
She watched the girl disappear behind the trees and quickly followed her.
"Jiyoon-ah!"
Taeyeon called out but the girl was nowhere to be found.
Pink sneakers? What pink sneakers?
"Jiyoon! Fany! Yah! Where are you?"
She slowed down when she saw something pink nearby, lying on the grass.
"Pink sneakers?" Taeyeon mumbled to herself, approaching the object to confirm her suspicion.
It was indeed a pair of pink sneakers and not just any sneakers, they were the pair that she had given Tiffany years ago, not long after they first met.
She bent down and picked the shoes up to see a rolled up piece of paper inside one of them. It was tied with a pink ribbon.
Taeyeon frowned while untying and unrolling the paper.
"Remember these? They're one of my most treasured possessions. You gave them to me when you took me in and took care of me even though I was just an unlucky stranger, a criminal even. I'm forever indebted to you for that. Today I will do what I once said I would. Find the pink ribbon and you'll understand."
Taeyeon read the message one more time and grew even more confused.
What are you doing, Fany?
After putting the paper back inside the shoe, Taeyeon carried the sneakers with one hand and walked on, keeping her eyes open for any signs of a pink ribbon.
She found it soon enough, tied to the arm of the park bench where they had spent a lot of time together – talking or just quietly enjoying the view.
Taeyeon unconsciously smiled when she saw a piece of paper on the bench, held in place by a rock on top.
"I know it took awhile and a lot of effort for us to get to this point but I'm glad we did it. Moreover, I'm glad you decided to let me in and even took me to meet your family last Chuseok. Do you still think it's weird if I pop the question? By the way, that lake reminded me of that pool back in Bali, where you promised me all of your heart. See you there."
Her smile widened when she read that. Now she understood what Tiffany was doing.
Taeyeon hurried towards the lake after stuffing the second note inside the pink shoes. She saw someone standing in the shades near the bridge and quickened her steps.
Chapter 2 - One Step at a Time (Epilogue)
Start from the beginning
