Chapter 64: Come back
Ye-jin was busy day-dreaming about the sudden confusions arising in her heart. She couldn't make out why she felt the way she did. The ambiguous emotions were messing with her thoughts. She would've over analyzed things if not for a fateful phone call from So-ah.
Ye-jin was surprised for a moment. It was almost impossible for her sister to call her on a Monday morning.
The Parks all succeeded in striking a perfect balance both in their professional and personal life. Many had respected and envied them for achieving this tremendous feat. Many had also wondered how they did it. Every time when the question arose the Parks all eluded it and behaved secretive as if it was their family heritage which they couldn't share with others.
But the answer was simple. They gave equal importance to work and rest. They wouldn't overexert themselves if not absolutely necessary and nothing came before family. On weekdays they would immerse in work and on weekends no one but the family could reach them. Ye-jin was the only black sheep who broke this perfect balance. She suffered her sisters' wrath and swore to never repeat the same again.
Hence, when So-ah called her it was apparent that something big had happened. She answered without any pretext going directly to the point.
Ye-jin: what happened big-sis?
She didn't bother with greetings.
So-ah: Dad is hospitalized! Come to XX hospital soon!
Ye-jins' heart hit the rock bottom. She had bid goodbye to her dad just last night and he was perfectly fine. What happened to him in less than twenty hours that he was sent to the hospital?
So-ah didn't elaborate. Ye-jin hung up and without wasting another moment rushed towards the hospital.
Everyone- Parks, Shins, Secretaries- was assembled in the corridor when Ye-jin reached the place. She was out of breath. Looking at everyone her heart sank more. Their faces were all solemn and it gave her chills. She almost lost her footing. Finding her mother in the crowd she hurried over to her.
Ye-jin: (almost shaking) d-dad?
So-jin could detect the fear in her daughters' voice. She could clearly see anxiety in her eyes. There was perspiration on her forehead and her breathing was rapid. She gently held her hands and found them slightly shaking.
So-jin: (patting her head) he's alright baby. Why are you this scared? Did you run here?
Ye-jin: (confused) t-then? big-sis?
Ye-jin was confused now. Her sister sounded weird on the phone call before. Her voice sounded as if she was barely holding her tears in. Although Park So-ah was a lioness in business she was a fragile woman when it came to relationships and family. She easily lost her nerve when it came to the well-being of the people she cared for.
So-jin: (shaking her head) she didn't tell you?
Ye-jin: (calming down) n-no.
So-jin: (sighing) Your father is to blame.
Ye-jin: b-but why? He was fine last night.
So-jin: he almost fainted back at the office due to severe stomachache so he was brought here.
Ye-jin: stomachache?
So-jin: He's old disease acted up.
So that was what happened.
Her father had a weak digestive system and it sometimes led to gastroenteritis. It was usually the result of him not taking care of his diet.
Later she got to know that this time around the situation was a little severe. Her father had neglected his condition and the infection had spread. The team of medical experts all had one opinion: he needed absolute rest and no more stress.
In short, the old guy had to retire and his youthful days were up.
The implication weighed heavy on the family. The business wasn't something which was manageable by just one person.
So-ah was no doubt extremely capable but when it came to the amount of the business handlings they had alone in the hotel chains and resorts was too much. Moreover, there was something the eldest Park sibling was hiding.
After the doctors left the other irrelevant people too bid their goodbyes.
The doctors hadn't allowed anyone to meet father Park as he was currently sleeping. Only the family was allowed to stay. Mother Park went into the room to be with her husband. As the hallway cleared Ye-jin's worried eyes started to look for her sister. She could faintly see a part of her silhouette on the opposite side of the hall.
With nothing else to do she walked towards her sister. Just around the corner, she realised that So-ah wasn't alone but Shin Jay was present with her.
The woman was crying in her man's arms. They weren't loud cries but delicate whimpers and sobs. She had her head buried in his arms and her shoulders were gently shaking. The scene was beautiful and sad at the same time.
Shin Jay: (softly) it's alright now baby. Father is fine. He's in no danger.
So-ah couldn't form any comprehensible words yet so she buried her head deeper in his embrace.
Shin Jay: (feeling hopeless) Baby, it wasn't your fault at all. Stop crying now it isn't good for your health.
Ye-jin felt like an intruder and was about to turn around when the next words of the couple hit her hard.
So-ah: (sniffling) it's partly my fault. I haven't been able to give my best at work lately-
Shin Jay: (wiping her tears) shhh... You are going to be a mother soon. So how is that your fault?
Ye-jin couldn't hear more. She didn't want to hear more. Her sister was pregnant? And no one had told her? What was it with people these days who were hell-bent on giving her harmful surprises?!
Head filled with all kinds of unanswered questions she stormed away.
Shin Jay realised that Ye-jin heard their conversation.
Shin jay: (hesitating) I think you should speak with Ye-jin.
So-ah: (confused) uh?
Shin Jay: I think she heard us.
So-ah was at first shocked but she quickly recovered and left to find her little sister. Soon she found her sitting on a bench in the hospital gardens.
So-ah: (sitting beside her) are you ok?
Ye-jin only hummed in response.
So-ah: you're angry?
Ye-jin: (shaking her head) no, I am confused.
So-ah: about?
Ye-jin: why didn't you say anything?
So-ah: (fidgeting) I never got the chance. Every time I wanted to there was something big happening.
Ye-jin: (frowning) nothing is more important than you!
So-ah: (smiling) I know. The same goes for me too.
Ye-jin couldn't find any retort to that. If So-ah was important to her then it applied the other way too. It was an extremely happy time but they couldn't celebrate yet.
So-ah: (lowering her head sadly) Dad has to retire.
Ye-jin: yes, he'll have to. (Sighing) I guess I have to come back.
So-ah: (placing a hand on her fist) you don't have to force yourself. You are currently happy with what you're doing.
Ye-jin: (shaking her head) What I do right now is just a small part of what I am. I've been meaning to come back too. I was only being lazy.
With Hu-ye retiring and So-ah pregnant their family and company needed a new leader and Ye-jin was the only person who was suitable.
Back when she had chosen to follow her dreams as a career option and not bother with the family business it was her sister who had convinced her to give the business a try too. And she being the pushover she was, had given in. She graduated from business school and also interned in the company before going independent.
It was now high time for her to fulfil her duties and lessen the burdens of the elders of her family.
She wasn't sacrificing anything but was merely taking over what was rightfully hers from the beginning.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 I was stuck with this chapter for a while.
Well, I've got exams and couldn't sleep so I got it done.
Chapter 65: Visitor
Ray drove around the city streets a little listlessly after bidding goodbye to Ye-jin at the school gates. What was supposed to be a reunion lunch between friends had turned into a bitter-sweet affair, all thanks to his curiosity.
He now strongly believed in the saying: 'Curiosity killed the cat.'
If he had just kept his mouth shut and didn't look for any kind of news about a certain someone then both of them wouldn't have a sense of loss all of a sudden. Although Ye-jin tried to conceal it, he could clearly see the struggle in her eyes. He felt guilty about it. She was a great friend for him and he was making her suffer due to some ambiguous feelings he harboured for Aera. He was practically making her choose between them.
(His soul would probably fly away if he knew what exactly Ye-jin was struggling about)
He hated these kinds of days when he was resting and something unsettling happened. He had nothing better to do to immerse himself in and forget the troubles. That was his coping mechanism. Thus, after wandering aimlessly with no clear destination for a while he decided to drive to the little house he had bought a few days ago in the outskirts of the city.
The guys had all been sharing a single dorm since before their debut and it worked in their favour but now things were changing. Kai was going to be married in less than a month. Timo was still waiting for the girl whom he met only once. Vic and Mui were still like little children. He wasn't planning on moving out immediately but he just wanted to be prepared. It was a place for him to have some alone time when he was upset- for the time being.
When he finally arrived at the little house everything was the same as he had left a few days ago. The only difference was that now the front door was wide open.
Ray frowned and got down from his car. The door didn't have signs of breaking in. Rays' frown deepened and he had an inkling about the visitor who had come unannounced. Releasing a long breath he walked into the house to deal with the uninvited guest.
Ray: (loudly) I see you made yourself comfortable in my house.
The visitor who was sleeping on the couch was a little startled at the sudden loud noise but waved it away nonchalantly. Instead, the lump on the couch pulled the blanket tighter around itself and continued to sleep.
Ray didn't like the treatment he was receiving in his own house. It was too gutsy of the person to ignore him and try and continue to sleep. He forcefully pulled off the blanket. The figure on the couch fell down in a heap to the ground and finally looked up at Ray sheepishly.
Ray: What are you doing here Liu Bo?
Bo: (acting cute) I missed brother a lot so came for a visit. Aren't you happy that your sister came to see you?
Ray wasn't affected by the cute act in the slightest. He had seen these tactics a lot in the past to be affected by them anymore. He wasn't moved and what was worse, his frown deepened.
Ray: (warning) Liu Bo-
Bo: (sighing) ok fine. I came because it's time for you to return home.
Ray: (resolutely) I am not coming anywhere.
Liu Bo knew Ray was going to resist but she too didn't have any other choice in this matter. Her big brothers long vacation was coming to an end and there were matters back home that needed his immediate attention.
Bo: (stubborn) ok fine! Then I am also not leaving without you!
Ray: (shrugging) suit yourself.
Throwing that in her face he didn't wait for her reply and marched into the master bedroom.
Bo: (pouting) He is still the same sulky piece of wood which I knew. I thought he would change this annoying habit of his when he made some new friends! Ah! He annoys me!
Ray: (muffled) same here!
Liu Bo could only grind her teeth in anger but truth be told she missed this, she missed her brother and their bickering. She wished that he would agree to come back with her this time.
Ray, on the other hand, was bewildered by suddenly coming face to face with his little sister. He holed up in his room until the sky turned dark, silently looking at the darkening horizon.
He was tormented by the memories he wished he could forget. He wished he could go back to those days when he was an oblivious little boy, who had no care for the world and who had a complete family. He wanted to let go of everything but he couldn't. A tiny part of him was resentful and angry with the people he called 'family'.
He was thankfully brought out from his self-deprecating thoughts by a knock on the door.
He could hear Liu Bo getting impatient by his lack of response. Ray smiled a little. She was a little spit fire and a stubborn little thing. She was his sister. Masking his delight he reverted back to his wooden face before opening the door.
Ray: what is it now?
Bo: (pouting) I am hungry and there's nothing in the kitchen!
Ray: Of course there is nothing. I don't stay here.
Bo: but I am really hungry!
Ray: ok fine! I'll take you out to eat.
Liu Bo was delighted when Ray offered to take her to dinner. It had been almost five long years since she had a meal with him.
The siblings reached the nearby restaurant and placed their orders. While waiting for the food Liu Bo tried to begin a conversation with the piece of wood accompanying her.
Bo: (pitifully) why are you cold to me? You aren't like this with others.
Although Ray could resist her cute charms he wasn't immune to her pitiful acts.
Ray: (dropping his act) I am not cold to you-
Bo: (sniffing) I was so excited to meet you but you had to ignore me! I feel so wronged as your sister!
Ray: (giving in) ok fine! I won't be difficult anymore. I am h-happy that you came to visit.
Bo: (expectant) really?
Ray: (nodding) Yeah.
Bo: (blinking) that's great! I wanted to surprise you but got caught!-
Liu Bo wanted to say more but she closed her mouth when the waiter came back with their food.
Ray: I always knew that you were all keeping an eye on me from the start but didn't interfere and I was fine with it. I didn't think you would make a move so soon.
Bo: you make it sound like we are doing some kind of shady business.
Ray: (chuckling) is that so?
Bo: Yeah. Also, I thought things through. I'll stay here with you until you come back with me.
Ray: Little Bo-
Bo: (resolutely) you don't have to worry about anything brother. I won't force you nor will I disturb your current life. I c-can't go back w-without you!
Ray: (solemnly) why? Why now? After all these years?
Bo: because your family needs you, brother.
Ray didn't speak more. His appetite was ruined. He played half-heartedly with his food and watched Bo finish her portion eagerly. It seemed she was more famished than she had shown.
The duo reached back to the temporary house and this time Liu Bo didn't wait for his permission before crashing in his room. Ray could do nothing but let her have her way. He felt like he owed her.
Feeling a little stifled he could only think of one person to talk with. To share his woes with. He didn't waste his time and quickly dialled Ye-jins' number.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Bo means precious...
Google helped me...
Done with exams so I'll try my best to update regularly...
But what do you think? Is Ray a coward?
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