Chapter 69: Realisation
A fortnight later Ye-jin had gained full control over the business. Her father was back home and was recuperating well.
So-ah finally revealed to the whole family that she was expecting and already three months along the way. Thus, the elders made it clear to the would-be-mother that she was to not meddle much in the business or anything stressful. Ye-jin was in complete support of the decision.
Under everyone's strict administration, the elder Park sibling slowly turned to a passive role in the company leaving her little sister in the decisive and topmost position. As a result, Ye-jins' lifestyle took a complete one-eighty degrees turn.
Before she used to have leisure filled laid back life with a few surprises here and there due to her rescue works but now one could find her hidden behind a mountain of files, which needed her immediate approval. Her free time was also cut short to only a few minutes during the working hours. Although the company didn't need her to be present 24/7, she was focusing on international expansion and that led her to have less time for her personal life every day.
Moreover, Ye-jin had moved places from her little haven to her family home. It was for the sake of both professional and personal interests.
And as for Ray, after that night in the car park, they were both embarrassed to face each other. Ye-jin felt mortified at her reaction and messed up emotions. The busy life at work kept her from mulling over the incident.
On the other hand, Ray was stuck with helping his sister settle down in the new city. The stubborn little girl had gone behind his back and snatched a spot among their backup dancers. One could hardly imagine Ray's reaction at Liu Bo's reckless actions. It was apparent that she wanted to keep a close eye on him, lest he escaped again.
It proved to be a headache for him when the little girl refused to stay away from him during her breaks. She was curious about everything. Her energy alone tired out the other members, not to mention Ray who was almost reduced to tears.
Vic, who was the self-proclaimed wise guy of the group decided to save Ray by informing Ye-Jin about his current predicament. He didn't waste time in calling Ye-Jin to execute his plan.
Ye-Jin: hello?
Vic: Hi sis-in-law! It's me, Vic!
Ye-Jin: (surprised) w-what?
Vic: (sheepish) oops! Sorry, my tongue slipped.
Ye-Jin: (waving it off) it's alright. What's the matter?
Vic: It's about Ray. He's in some trouble. There's this girl-
Ye-Jin's heart hit the bottom when she heard 'Ray' and 'girl' in the same sentence. She was all of a sudden jealous of whoever that girl was.
Ye-Jin: (gritting her teeth) what girl?
Vic: (sighing) they never listen to me. Being the youngest, I have to help them solve their problems.
Ye-Jin: (impatient) where is Ray now?
Vic: (dramatic) ah! it's four already. I think he's on his way to pick her up now.
Ye-Jin: (scowling) where are they going?
Vic: the engagement party of our president-
He wanted to chat some more, share some of his grievances but unexpectedly the call ended.
Vic: (pocketing his phone) nevermind, (turning to Mui) you think this will work?
Mui: (grinning) definitely!
Vic: now all we have to do is wait. I just hope that she doesn't find out that we lied to her.
Mui: we didn't lie. We didn't tell her that Liu Bo is Ray's sister. She will understand.
Ye-Jin, who was prepping herself up with Aera for the evening was silently fuming. Her thoughts were all pointed towards cursing the whole male populace.
Aera: (shaking her) hey! Are you ok? Who was it?
Ye-Jin: (taking a deep breath) it was Vic.
Aera: and?
Ye-Jin: He wanted me to save Ray from some girl.
Aera: so?
Ye-Jin: so what? It's none of my business! Just because I didn't speak to him for a few days doesn't mean that I am dead! I am done with him!
Aera: (holding her laughter) why are you pissed off?
Ye-Jin: (defiant) I am not!
Aera: (nodding) Yeah, you're beaming with joy for my engagement party.
Ye-Jin: (defeated) Aera, I am so sorry sweetie. I don't know what's wrong with me either. I promise I won't get distracted anymore.
Aera: (chuckling) you're so cute Jin.
The party unexpectedly proceeded without any hitch.
Ray didn't bring anyone to the party and Ye-jin visibly relaxed at the sight. Furthermore, she took the initiative to end the cold war between them. She approached him with a glass of champagne as a peace offering. Before she could open her mouth, Ray cut her off
Ray: (anxious) Sweetie I am sorry if I hurt you that day. Although I still don't understand what made you angry but I really can't stand this silence between us, please forgive me.
Ye-jin: (stunned) ...
Ray: I know I shouldn't have waited this long to apologise to you but I couldn't reach you no matter how hard I tried! (Softly) I missed you a lot! I-
Ye-jin didn't know how she should react to his sudden apologies. She was prepared to have a huge row with him if possible but the thought of him surrendering never crossed her mind. Now that she paid him attention, his complexion was pale and there were faint dark circles below his eyes. Truth be told, she too missed him.
Ye-jin: (gently) Ray?
Ray; (halting his rant) yes?
Before she could speak they were joined by Aera, the woman of the night.
Aera: am I interrupting something?
Ye-jin: (hesitating) n-not exactly-
Aera: (smiling wide) If you don't mind then I'd like to steal your guy away from you for a while. I've got something to talk with him.
Ye-jin saw the determined look in her friends' eyes and helplessly nodded. Aera happily dragged a confused Ray away. If it was any other day, he would've never been hauled away that easily but the number of sleepless nights and worry had made him a little defenceless.
After the two vanished from her sight, Ye-jin felt lost. She looked around to find people to mingle with when Vic tapped her on the shoulder.
Vic: (curious) Ray says that you guys aren't dating, is it true?
Ye-jin: (sighing) no we aren't.
Vic: (frowning) it didn't look like there was nothing between you guys from my perspective.
Ye-jin: really?
Vic: (nodding) he likes you but doesn't know it yet and you-
Ye-jin: (shocked) I- I-
She didn't wait and turned on her heels and ran away from the place. Vic looked at her escaping figure and chuckled to himself.
Vic: (smirking) looks like she figured it out.
On the other side of the extravagant hall, Aera was beeing glared at by Ray.
Ray: Why did you bring me out here?
Aera: (rolling her eyes) Ray we need to talk. We can't drag Ye-jin down with our issues.
Ray: (softening) I know- I am-
Aera: (cutting him off) I know her. She won't complain, so we have to solve our issues. I know you liked me for a longtime but I didn't feel the same about you. I know, I was too harsh in rejecting you and I am sorry for that. I just want us to have an amicable relationship for the sake of Ye-jin.
Ray: (sighing) I know. I'll try my best not to cause any more troubles for her.
Aera: (smiling) I didn't think you'd join my team this easily.
Ray: (resolute) I'll do anything to make her happy.
Aera: (grinning wider) I was right!
Ray: (confused) huh?
Aera: (shaking her head) nothing. Xin must be looking for me. I'll go now, bye.
Ray didn't feel the same pain he felt days before when Aera or Wang Xin were mentioned. Instead, he felt a little relieved. He felt lighter as if he could finally let go. And he was willing to do it for the sake of his best friend. He didn't wait longer and went in search for Ye-jin- their conversation was cut short before by a meddlesome woman. And the poor him was desperate to get her to forgive him for whatever stupid thing he had done.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 The song I listened to while penning this chapter down was 'Miss Americana and the heartbreak prince'
I wanted to add some drama here but the song was dramatic enough so I let this one go.
Ye-Jin finally realised her feelings! We'll elaborate more in the next chapter but our guy is still dense as fog!
And yes, they'll come together cz of others meddling. They are dense when it comes to feelings.
Chapter 70: Three months
And Ray found her after half an hour of non-stop search. She was sitting on a bench out in the garden.
She was hidden by the shrubs and he would've missed her if he hadn't been paying close attention to the surroundings.
Ye-Jin looked up to see Ray standing in front of her. He was slightly out of breath and his eyes still reflected the anxiety from earlier.
Ray: (relieved) I thought you left.
Ye-Jin didn't speak. He saw her staring at him. Her eyes were clearer than before.
Ray: sweetie? Are you ok?
She still didn't speak instead she moved towards him. She was only three steps away from him when her phone started to ring. Ye-Jin swallowed a few curses that moment. She badly wanted to test the epiphany she had just had but her phone was not taking the hint. It probably was Satan's illegitimate child.
Annoyed she pulled the contraption out of her clutch and glared at it. Seeing it was a call from her secretary she ignored it and put the thing on silent and threw it back in.
Ray who saw her actions was surprised. He clearly knew how rare it was for Ye-Jin to get angry but if what he saw was true then Ye-Jin's expression towards her phone was one of pure resentment.
Ray: sweetie, pick up the call if it's urgent.
Ye-Jin shook her head at him still refusing to use words. In reality, her courage was faltering. She feared that if she opened her mouth, she would chicken out from what she was about to do.
A while ago when she was trying to find an escape, Aera stopped her. Looking at her frantic eyes the woman helped Ye-Jin to calm down.
Aera: (patting her back) what's wrong Jin?
Ye-Jin: (baffled) I like him Aera!
Aera: huh?
Ye-Jin: I like Ray!
Aera: (confused) you've always liked him, you are his fan-
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head wildly) no I actually like him!
Aera: (excited) really? you figured it out?
Ye-Jin: (shocked) you knew?!
Aera: of course! everyone knows! I am so happy for you!!
Ye-Jin: (despairing) what should I do now? I don't know when this happened! I don't know if it's real or just a crush! Aera, what should I do? What if it's real? He only sees me as a friend!
Aera: Jin calm down! It's not end of the world. Everything will be alright-
And thus Aera gave her the suggestion to confirm the credibility of her feelings.
Aera: (wisely) kiss him. You'll know for sure.
Ye-Jin: (horrified) what?!
Aera: drink some wine so you feel buzzed, that way you won't feel scared and it'll be a good ruse to cover up your actions. Make sure you kiss him on the lips!
Ye-Jin: (covering her face) stop it! It's not fair to him!
Aera: (rolling her eyes) he won't mind! Trust me on this one. I would never mislead you!
After a lot of coaxing, a few glasses of wine Ye-Jin was finally ready to execute the plan. Ray who was unaware of the plot was still looking at Ye-Jin with concern filled eyes. His sharp pheonix like eyes were so gentle when looking at her, it was enough to melt her heart.
Ye-Jin gathered her wits and moved closer to him. He was surprised by the proximity but wasn't repelled by it.
Ye-Jin felt mutant flies trying to burst out of her stomach. She put her arms around his neck and moved her face close to his.
Ray felt that something was wrong with this scene.
Why was Ye-Jin suddenly throwing herself at him?
His body turned stiff from both shock and surprise. His heart leapt into his throat. The perverted thoughts he had been having all these days- thanks to the guys constantly pairing him up with her- were starting to surface. His eyes turned darker and his breath turned shallow. His eyes clearly reflected his internal struggle but Ye-Jin didn't notice any of that.
Ye-Jin: (whispering in his ear) Ray, I want to try something.
Her hot breath blew over his ear and he lightly shivered. He also detected the smell of alcohol mixed with her breath. It was clear that she wasn't in her right mind. He wanted to push her away but his hands had grown brains of their own and weren't following his wishes. He was paralyzed on the spot. (a/n: why blame the hands when he wished to be kissed right?)
Ye-Jin moved away from his ear and stared intently at his lips. They were soft, full and juicy to see. She could bet they were delicious.
Before she could go for the kill she made the mistake of looking into his eyes. She saw how gentle they were. How trusting they were towards her. She couldn't do this to him. It wasn't fair to him. She couldn't bring herself to use him for her selfish means. Thus, Ye-Jin lost her courage and she slid down to the ground, dazed and confused. A lone tear slid down her eyes- an evidence of her inner turmoil.
Ray came out of his temporary paralysis when he witnessed Ye-Jin fall to ground. His desires all disappeared. He too squatted down beside her.
Ray: Ye-Jin?
Ye-Jin: (nodding) I am ok. Just give me a minute.
Ray didn't say anything but he picked her up in his arms- bridal style.
Ye-Jin: (surprised) Ray?
Ray: (with a straight face) It's cold. You'll fall sick.
She didn't speak more but nestled herself in his arms. Ray who was still reeling from the tingling sensations from before stiffened once again. He didn't ask her anything else but carried her to his car trying to make sense of his feelings for the woman in his arms.
An hour later, they arrived at her home. Before he could leave, Ye-Jin gave him a piece of news which brought him both joy and sorrow at the same time.
Ye-Jin: I am going to London tomorrow.
Ray: ...
Ye-Jin: I won't be back for three months.
He was happy that it was a good thing. Some distance would be beneficial for him to set his thoughts straight but not seeing her for three months was torture too!
Ray: (clearing his throat) I really don't know what I should say.
Ye-Jin: (sheepish) I am sorry for tonight.
Ray: (nodding) I guess this time apart is good for us?
Ye-Jin: I don't know. Maybe it is.
They didn't say anything else. Ye-Jin didn't get off the car. Ray didn't want her to go either. They sat quietly in the car, each lost in their own thoughts.
The almost kiss, left them both quite baffled. They both were internally wondering if they would ever get the chance to close that little distance between each other.
The only difference, one was exhilarated by the future possibilities cuz of her new found feelings.While the other was guilty of having such demeaning thoughts towards a close friend.
They didn't know how long they sat together in silence. It was Ye-Jin who first broke the silence. Now that she was clear of what she wanted she didn't want to have any regrets but she was cautious enough to not scare the oblivious guy away.
Ye-Jin: (smiling) it's late. Thanks for dropping me off Ray.
Ray: no problem, I'll come see you off tomorrow. Text me the time later.
Ye-Jin: (pecking his cheek) sure, Night.
She didn't wait for his reply but happily skipped out of the car and into the house. Here Ray sat back shocked, holding his cheek, with eyes wide open. But after a few moments of shock he shook his head blaming it on her being drunk. He didn't think much of it and drew away into the night.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Ray was muddle headed this chapter..
And I chose to cut some slack for the poor guy..
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