Chapter 66: Best man
The sisters sent their mother home after much persuasion. No doubt the couple were loving and didn't wish to separate from each other but for children what mattered most was their well-being and health.
Mother Park left the hospital reluctantly after a lot of coaxing from both So-ah and Ye-jin. After their mother left Ye-jin didn't let So-ah linger around either. She was pregnant and the hospital wasn't an ideal place for her. Hence Ye-jin was the only person left to take care of her father.
Ray who was oblivious of the occurrence tried reaching her cell phone. He knew he was being selfish but he couldn't think of anyone better than her to share his troubles with. But no matter how many times he tried he couldn't contact her. After several more tried he gave up and sent her a text just in case.
'Ray: Please call me back.'
On the other hand, Ye-jin who had turned her phone to silent was busy taking care of the procedures in the hospital. Her father wasn't going to wake up until morning and the doctors had assured them that there was no immediate danger to his health. After running around for several hours Ye-jin finally got a little break around midnight. It was then that she checked her phone to see fifteen missed calls and a few text messages. Not only Ray but Aera to had tried to reach her. Ye-jin wanted to immediately call back but the time wasn't early anymore so she chose to text back.
She sent the first text to Aera
'Ye-jin: I'll call you back in the morning. I am little busy.'
She got an immediate reply
'Aera: Sounds serious. Sure, there's no hurry.'
Ye-jin felt grateful for the rare moment of understanding from her friend. In fact, Aera had a lot on her plate too so she didn't behave as spoiled as before. After biding her goodnight, Ye-jin sent a text to Ray.
'Ye-jin: you called so many times? Is it urgent? I am sorry my phone was on silent.'
She didn't get a reply this time. Nor did she wait for one. She had a lot on her mind and starting tomorrow she was returning to being the young miss of the Parks. She had to prepare well so she immersed herself into the files sent to her by their fathers' secretary to grab hold of the general situation in the company. She was amazed by how well her sister had managed the company. There was nothing much for her to do. She felt a little relieved and a lot thankful for her sisters' efforts all these years. She was halfway through the files when her phone lit up with an incoming call. Ye-jin answered with a smile when she saw who the caller was.
Ye-jin: (without any greeting) I didn't think you'd be awake.
Ray: I just heard from Mui. It's all ver the news. How is your father doing?
Ye-jin: oh! He's fine now. He's sleeping and I am staying with him.
Ray: (apologetic) I am sorry. I didn't know your father was unwell. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered you.
Ye-jin: (smiling) apology accepted.
Ray: are you busy?
Ye-jin: (looking down at the papers) n-not really. What did you want to speak about?
Ye-jin felt that Rays' tone was a little expectant thus she couldn't blow him off. But Ray could hear the slight hesitation in her voice. He felt a little sad but he wasn't going to hold her back anymore.
Ray: aren't you tired?
Ye-jin: no it's alright.
Ray: (sternly) idiot. Learn to say 'no' to people. You'll be taken advantage of at this rate.
Ye-jin was taken aback by his sudden wisdom. She couldn't understand where he was coming from. In reality, she was like this only for him.
Ye-jin: w-what?
Ray: what I want to say can wait! You first go and get some sleep! I'll come to visit your father tomorrow.
Ye-jin: (still processing) o-ok then-
Ray: Goodnight.
Ray didn't wait for her reply before hanging up. It was always difficult for some to hold their own grief back when the other person already had a lot to take care of. He belonged to that same category. And so he didn't want to revert to his usual self. Moreover, Ye-jin did sound tired and he couldn't bear to dump his share of misery onto her. He was staring longingly at the screen when it lit up with an incoming text.
'Ye-jin: goodnight, sleep well '
Rays face lit up with a blinding smile after reading the text. It was a subconscious reaction.
Bo: (sleepily) a text from your girlfriend?
Ray: (startled) what are you doing?
Bo: I woke up to use the washroom. Didn't know you could smile so sweetly seeing a text. With me, you're always grumpy!
Ray: (rolling his eyes) that's not my girlfriend. Go take care of your business.
Liu Bo didn't really believe his words. Months of 'investigation' showed that her brother was currently 'close' with a woman. Their behaviour was that of a couple dating. There was no doubt in it. Her gossiping soul was awakened and she looked at her brother with mischief filled eyes who was going back into the guest room.
Bo: (inquisitive) oh, so Park Ye-jin isn't your girlfriend?
Ray halted in his steps. He was a little surprised.
Ray: (scowling) no!
Bo: Oh!
Liu Bo didn't complete her sentence nor did she stay to have a midnight chat with her brother. She took care of her business in the restroom and finally crashed on the couch. She was dead tired on her feet.
Ray, on the other hand, was a little startled. This was the first time someone asked him if he was dating Ye-jin thus he wasn't an expert in dealing with the question like Ye-jin usually did. The question was surprising but he didn't know why felt happy with the picture of him dating Ye-jin.
The following morning when Ray reached the studio he only saw Kai sleeping on the couch.
Ray: (shaking him awake) why are you sleeping here?
Kai: (rubbing his eyes) I couldn't sleep last night. My mom is going crazy over the wedding preparations. So I escaped from home.
Ray: (chuckling) how is Mel?
Kai: (smiling softly) She's doing great.
Ray: that's good to hear. You'll be married in a weeks' time.
Kai: that reminds me. (Patting Ray on the shoulder) Ray my good friend, I know I am asking this at last minute but I forgot if not for Min-Soe-
Ray: (scrunching up his face) are proposing to me or what?
Kai: w-what-
Ray: just come to the point already
Kai: (scowling) you're lucky that you're my friend and Min-Soe likes you. (Huffing) You're going to be my best man.
Ray: (raising an eyebrow) what if I say no?
Kai: I would've asked you nicely but you ruined my mood and I am not asking you anymore. I am telling you. So find a tux and be at the altar on time.
Ray: This is against human rights!
Rays' indignant words would've been effective if he hadn't been smiling from ear to ear. Quitting being a drama queen- cuz that role suited Kai most- he gave a hug to his best friend.
Kai: you seem a little out of it.
Ray: (sighing) Bo came to fine me yesterday.
Kai: Bo? Your sister?
Ray nodded in response. Kai was shocked. He knew Ray's story and it wasn't a good omen that his family was coming for him.
Kai: That's not my main concern though. Bo said something to me last night and I can't stop mulling over it.
Kai couldn't understand how Ray could be so calm in the face of an approaching calamity.
Kai: what did she say?
Ray: she asked me if Ye-jin was my girlfriend.
Kai: (with wide eyes) w-what? She isn't your girlfriend? You guys aren't dating?
The trio: (opening the door) who aren't dating?
Kai: Ray says that he and Ye-jin aren't dating.
The trio: (shocked) What??
Ray: …
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 These leads are so depressing!
Why are they turning out like this?
We'll soon know the MLs history though
Chapter 67: Spring cleaning
The same morning Ye-jin reached the office building which she had frequented often when she was a mere trainee.
Park Hu-ye had woken up and given his blessings to her. He was a little reluctant in the beginning. To retire after a lot of pre-planning leaves people at loss not to mention retiring abruptly. Especially for those who were dedicated and hard workers. He didn't know how he should react to the sudden decision made for him by his family.
He didn't want to yield to them in the least but mother Park had given him the ultimatum: either keeping sticking to the company, spoil his health, get divorced by her and die alone or listen to her, retire from the business, save his health and his family. She refused to let him see suffer due to his stubborn temperament. It was the first time in their long married life that So-jin expressed any kind of displeasure with him and mention 'divorce'. After a little more coercion he finally nodded his assent and surrendered to his wife.
Before leaving he gave Ye-jin hour-long guidance about urgent matters in the company.
So-ah: (laughing) Don't worry dad. She isn't alone. I am with her.
So-jin: (rolling her eyes) your dad is handing over his little baby to you both. It's a huge deal for him.
So-ah: (pouting) and here I thought we were his favourite children.
Hu-ye: (chuckling) I'll be relieved after I see your performance in a month.
Even though Hu-ye had agreed to let Ye-jin take over the company, he wasn't completely sure about the decision either. He knew that his younger daughter had a knack for business but he had never seen her perform well. Her trainee days were good but he was clear on how half-hearted she was back then when it came to matters regarding the company. The only consolation he had was that Ye-jin had So-ah to guide her.
Ye-jin: (nodding) rest assured you don't have to worry about your dear child dad. You focus on recovering and spending some quality with mom.
So-jin: (agreeing) Listen to them, your daughters are more sensible than you.
Hu-ye: (clearing his throat) go now! You're crowding here.
So-ah and Ye-jin were amused looking at their fathers' false indignation. They were clear on how much of their golden youth their parents had squandered in pursuit of their professional goals. Now it was time for them to kick back and relax and savour those lost times in each other's company while they still were capable.
So-ah: (mischievously) come on Jin, let's get going. We shouldn't disturb these love birds.
The sisters escaped from the room in the blink of an eye laughing. They could faintly hear their father's affection filled voice scolding them inside the room. They laughed some more and reached the company in the same bright mood.
Ye-jin spent the day familiarizing herself with the structure and working of the office. She was the president of the company and So-ah was a vice president. In the afternoon some shareholders expressed their dissatisfaction openly about the new chairman. They wished for So-ah to take over that position and they were justified in their claims about Ye-jin being an inexperienced newbie. They didn't trust her. The sisters weren't perturbed by all the negative opinions flooding their way but they calmly let everyone speak their mind.
After the shareholders noticed that the sisters weren't batting an eyelash to their grievances their annoyance grew but with no other choice they quietened down.
Ye-jin: (smiling) I am extremely glad that you've all expressed your concerns so openly. If you see me lacking in any area then I gladly accept your criticism. But today's meeting isn't only to inform you about the change in the leadership-
Many in the room were filled with contempt and distrust but they didn't dare openly show their fangs when So-ah was present in the room keeping an eye on each and every one of them. Just because the lioness hadn't spoken didn't mean she was idle. They knew from experience how deep her mind ran and how capable she was. They held So-ah in high regards but they didn't fear her little sister whom they had never seen nor heard of. What can a little newbie do to them?
Ye-jin: (taking note of their expressions) – today is also to discuss the fate of the poorly performing resorts in the southern hills.
The hearts of a few people present trembled. They weren't just mere shareholders but also in charge of those resorts she was talking about. They had done some shady business in the dark and let the money meant for the functioning of these places to their personal ventures. They were confident that no one would discover them but-
Ye-jin: I propose closing them down until further investigation.
Those who weren't in the know about the situation openly sneered. It was the first day and the new head was already taking such brazen decisions. According to them, all the resorts were equally profitable.
Ye-jin didn't wait for them to start debating over her capabilities again. It was tiring to see them go on and on without any real goal. They weren't here for pointless dispute. Ye-jin let her secretary present the statistics and reports of investigations to all who were present. She watched quietly as their wizened faces turned green, blue and red simultaneously.
Ye-jin: (scoffing) it's time for spring cleaning. The matter has been reported to the police.
So-ah: (smiling) everyone, take your time to go through the files.
Thus, until evening Ye-jin sorted out the termites in their company. So-ah was amazed by how quick her sister was taking action. She was also caught unaware of the problems persisting in the company. It didn't take Ye-jin a night's revision and half a day to clean the garbage. Others slowly understood the gravity of the situation. About five were detained by police under charges of money embezzlement.
Thus the meeting ended in a heavy mood.
So-ah: (proud) you are fast!
Ye-jin: (shaking her head) they were dumb. I was only lucky.
So-ah: huh?
Ye-jin: I knew about the crime they were committing back when I was a trainee. I didn't think they would still be doing it so brazenly.
So-ah: (shocked) so you knew and you didn't tell me? Or dad?
Ye-jin: (shrugging) I thought you knew it.
So-ah: (frowning) I didn't know. Why would I breed a wolf beside me?
Ye-jin: I thought you were feeding the wolf well before slaughtering it. Like a game.
So-ah: …
Wrapping up her first exhilarating day at the company Ye-jin dropped her sister off to her house and went to the hospital. She had received Ray's text a few hours ago.
'Ray: It won't be good to meet your parents unannounced right?'
'Ray: Why don't you act as a catalyst?'
'Ye-jin: Sure. Meet me in front of the hospital at 7:00.'
'Ray: Okay'
And it was 6:45 when Ye-jin parked her car in the hospital's car park.
'Ye-jin: are you on your way?'
'Ray: I am waiting in the car park. I am a little early.'
In no time she spotted Ray sitting in his car not far from her. He was, as usual, wearing a hood, cap, mask and sunglasses- a requirement for the celebrities unless they wish to be ambushed. Within minutes she reached beside his window and tapped on it.
Ray: (startled) uh!
Ye-jin: come on, let's go.
Ray quickly recovered from his momentary shock. He got down from the car and immediately noticed Ye-jin sporting a formal look. It was different from her usual style but it suited her perfectly. Her long hairs were straightened and were held back by a simple barrette. She was wearing a white button-down shirt and black slacks. She was only holding her phone in her hand.
Ray: you look different.
Ye-jin: (chuckling) and here I heard people say men weren't observant.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment