Chapter 78: Saved
The trio sitting at the table still bickering and several others in the restaurant had heard the sounds of a struggle coming in their direction from the hallway leading to the restrooms. People started wondering and moving towards the commotion. It was human nature to be curious.
Ray: (frowning) did you hear that sound? What are people gathering over there for?
Tara: (nodding) seems like something is happening.
Ray: why isn't Ye-Jin back yet?
That fully got the trio's attention. They too got up and moved along with the general public in the direction from where the sounds were coming.
***
Back in the hallway, Ye-Jin took a moment to gather her thoughts. A person was trying to have his way with her and that was when her defence mechanism kicked in- prodding her to act fast.
She relaxed a little and the attacker took it as a sign of her surrendering. He had absolute confidence in himself when it came to subduing his prey thus, he made the terrible decision of letting go of her hands to explore more of her body.
This was the opportunity Ye-Jin was waiting for. Without wasting time, she punched him with her free hand and pushed him away before kicking him hard in the balls.
By the time she was finished, people had gathered around looking surprised, shocked and some were even enjoying the whole scene whereas some were recording the whole thing.
Luckily enough she was saved from further harassment when her companions had come around alarmed by the ruckus.
Ray took one single look at her appearance and wounded lips before making a bee-line for her. He was met by her halfway almost out of her wits and ideas.
She threw her arms around him and he too returned the gesture before caressing her hairs and whispering encouraging and calming words in her ears.
Ye-Jin's rush of adrenaline rush faded in Ray's arms and the former fear caught up with her. She was after all a human being. Some unexpected situations had the capability of leaving her scared. Also, when the person she loved was standing in front of her, eyes filled with fury and worry at the same time- she allowed herself a small moment of weakness.
Not long before she had felt a little better, Ray pushed her away from himself and handed her to a shocked and angry-faced Tara.
Ye-Jin wanted to cry at the loss of contact but she didn't have time to react as Ray had lunged himself at her molester.
It was given since when had any hot-blooded male stood aside quietly doing nothing when his woman was violated?
Ye-Jin was horrified by the scene would be an understatement. Lucky for them the hotel staff and guards had arrived in time, separating both men from their brawl.
Ray freed himself from the grip of guards separating him from the man. He took few deep breaths and tried to fix his messed up appearance before coming back to his group who were all looking at him with varied expressions of admiration, disbelief and disapproval.
He pulled Ye-Jin back in his embrace before checking her for injuries. His inspection was cut short when Tae-hee placed an arm on his shoulder.
Tae-hee: take her home, Ray. I'll handle it here.
Ray: thank you Tae-hee, Tara I'll drop you back, come on.
Saying nothing more he draped his jacket over Ye-Jin's shoulder and escorted her to his car carefully putting an arm around her shoulders with Tara following them closely behind.
***
What was supposed to be a good evening filled with two people oblivious to each other's feelings trying to make the other person miserable had turned into a hideous accident.
Tara sat in the back seat while Ye-Jin took the shotgun. Ray was busy driving the car. None of them spoke. Each lost in their thoughts. The ladies didn't dare speak as they could clearly see the red flush on the man's cheeks and ears. He was beyond angry and stewing quietly.
Tara was brave enough to voice out her thoughts quietly to the couple sitting in the front.
Tara: (frowning) isn't it weird? The restaurant isn't such a casual place where these kinds of incidents happen-
Her words were cut short when she saw the disapproving look Ray was throwing her way through the middle rearview mirror. He was about to retort something to admonish her but was beaten to it by Ye-Jin.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) yes exactly. I was wondering the same thing.
Tara: (confidently) why would someone want to create a commotion when trying to take advantage of someone? It feels deliberate!
Ray suddenly applied the brakes. The girls were caught unaware and thrown almost to the front.
Listening to the girls speak he was livid. He too understood the logic behind their words. It was clear someone had orchestrated the whole ploy to defame Ye-Jin or worse ruin her.
Ye-Jin: (surprised) Ray! What are you doing?
Ray: I'll beat the shit out of that bastard!
This was an emergency. The ladies quickly tried to think of a way to calm him. They absolutely couldn't allow Ray to resort to violence. Finally, Ye-Jin was the one who came up with a brilliant idea.
Ye-Jin: (almost crying) Ray, I am scared! Please take care of me-
Tara gave silent thumbs up to Ye-Jin in her heart. The guy was over-protective of her. He had mother hen tendencies when it came to his woman.
The man who was about to turn the car around in a fit of anger was suddenly placated. He was reminded that his immediate priority was not beating some scum but making sure Ye-Jin was fine. He didn't speak but reigned in his temper and dropped Tara off before taking Ye-Jin to his home shared with Liu Bo.
Ye-Jin: (curious) where is this?
Ray: (clearing his throat) I bought this place a few months ago.
She didn't speak further and quietly followed him into the house. Ray helped her to take off her shoes and replace them with comfy ones. She was touched would be an understatement. Just months ago she was a random fan and he was an unreachable star. But now their situation was different.
Ye-Jin didn't know what to say. She quietly watched as Ray fussed over her. He left her alone in the living room and disappeared into the kitchen. After some time, he returned with a glass of hot milk.
Ye-Jin: (chuckling) I am not a child Ray.
Ray: (relaxing) drink up.
Ye-Jin didn't reject his kind intentions. She obediently gulped down the warm milk. To her surprise, the warm fluid helped her relax.
Ray: (pleased) how are you feeling?
His question was almost inaudible. He was afraid of hearing something unpleasant and he was afraid of flying off the handle again.
Ye-Jin: (holding his hands) see I am not shivering. I am perfectly fine.
Ray: (frowning) how can you be this calm? What you went through tonight isn't a pleasant experience.
Ye-Jin: (sighing)) indeed it wasn't. I guess I am trying to be calm and not break down.
Ray was overwhelmed with her response. Without any warning, he pulled her into his arms, not willing to let go.
She didn't want to others around her to worry and wanted to deal with this matter alone, she was ready to suffer quietly. Thankfully, the worst was avoided and she had escaped a huge danger.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 No updates for a while as I was busy.
Sorry for the late update though.
I'll try to be more regular from now on (hee hee)
Chapter 79: Feelings
Ray was overwhelmed with her response. Without any warning, he pulled her into his arms, not willing to let go.
She didn't want to others around her to worry and wanted to deal with this matter alone. She was ready to suffer quietly. Thankfully, the worst was avoided and she had escaped a huge danger.
Ye-Jin shushed her excited mind and happily enjoyed the warmth and comfort his arms brought her. She could feel his erratically beating heart. He was scared too. She felt happy to know that he cared for her. This was progress, right?
Ye-Jin reminisced the time she spent with him. From the moment she first saw him as an artist performing on the TV, she became his fan. Later, she was lucky enough to actually meet him. Her inner fangirl almost exploded in happiness back then. He tried getting closer to her when he was interested in her friend. He didn't have any bad intentions.
His only goal was to understand the likes and dislikes of Aera. Unexpectedly, his motives turned into genuine feelings of friendship for her. They shared some great mind-numbing adventures together. They grew to respect each other.
Especially, Ray, he was like that little child who was introduced to the outside world for the very first time. He Loved the adrenaline rush but more than that he loved her company.
They started to spend more time together. For Ye-Jin the pressure was greater than before with her family assuming the ultimate and actively pushing her towards him. She actually never understood their motives behind doing so. The only exception was her father who had a sour face every time Ray came for a visit. He disliked the guy. And she once again was lost about the reason.
She ultimately realised her feelings when Vic pressed her for answers. Luckily, she wasn't dense nor did she shy away from her discovery. With her sister's help, they devised a plan to understand his intentions towards her.
Well, the plan brought them to the present, where they were still lost in each other's arms. Enjoying the warmth the other person had to offer.
They would've continued to hold each other longer if they weren't rudely interrupted by Liu Bo.
Bo: (disgusted) go get a room!
The couple jumped apart startled. The air suddenly turned a little awkward. Liu Bo was glaring at both of them. Ye-Jin felt like a mistress who was caught by the girlfriend. She was mortified would be an understatement. On the other hand, Ray was scowling back at Liu Bo. His sister always had horrible timing.
The sparks were flying between the siblings and Ye-Jin who was unaware of the situation wanted to leave quietly but sadly her wrist was in Ray's grip.
Ray: what are you doing here?
Bo: why can't I be here?
Ray: I clearly remember getting a house for you!
Bo: So?
Ray: (gritting his teeth) Liu Bo!
He didn't want this light bulb to stay here. Yes, he was being selfish but he wasn't ready to spend his life like a monk when he had a woman he was in love with just cuz of his little sister. He didn't wish to die a virgin. But Liu Bo also wasn't someone who would let his brother bully her for some woman.
Bo: Liu Wei Xin! I am your little sister! Why are you bullying me for this woman?
Both Ray and Ye-Jin were startled by the little girl's indignant cry. Ray was shocked because it had been too long since anyone used that name and Ye-Jin was taken aback since she was finally enlightened.
Ray: (glowering) Liu Bo, who is bullying who? What is exactly your problem with Ye-Jin? What has she ever done to you?
Bo: (scoffing) isn't it enough that she is tying you down here when our family needs you the most!
Ray: (warning) Bo, not a word more!
Ye-Jin was now more confused but she chose to stay quiet. She was wise enough to not get in the middle when two people with horrible temper were vying for the ultimate kill. Instead, she shrunk back into the couch hoping to become invisible. This was a terrible night indeed.
Bo: (sneering) fine! I'll leave! Enjoy your time with this woman!
Liu Bo had originally come back as she had been feeling lonely in the new house her brother arranged for her. But she had to see that wicked woman in her brother's arms. She was immediately angered. She spouted all the unpleasant things to him and marched away feeling hurt.
After she left, Ray pinched the space between his brows trying to calm down all the negative emotions. The things he had been running away from were brought to the forefront by Liu Bo's words. He had his eyes closed to suppress the hurricane brewing in his mind.
Ye-Jin looked at Ray and was surprised to find his face twisted in some kind of unspeakable agony. She couldn't see him looking like that. Subconsciously she lifted her hand and lightly caressed his left cheek.
Ray felt a small, warm touch on his cheek. It was comfortable and the frown on his lips involuntarily turned into a small smile. He opened his eyes only to meet with her concern filled gaze. He almost melted into a puddle at her feet- remember almost. It was such a sweet gaze.
Ye-Jin: Ray?
Ray: (inhaling) I am sorry you had to see that.
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) it's all right. That was your sister?
Ray: (nodding) yes. That was my little sister Liu Bo. You guys met once.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) Yes, we did.
Ye-Jin didn't elaborate anything after that. Both of them sunk into silence lost in their own thoughts. Ray was still in turmoil and Ye-Jin was battling her earlier decision.
While they were hugging each other minutes ago, Ye-Jin had made up her mind to confess to Ray. The game they had been playing was useless and all it did was nothing more but adding more distance between them. All that anticipation wasn't good for her. She couldn't afford to lose him for some damn confirmation nor could she wait for him to make the first move. She was done playing. But now the moment was ruined.
Why was their timing so off?
She wanted to find that stupid little girl and give her a good bashing. The dislike between them was mutual.
She now sat wondering when was going to be a good time. Because from what she could gather from the siblings' fight was that Ray had a complicated history. And Liu Bo had successfully reopened his healing wounds.
She sighed loudly at her rotten luck.
Ray: (alert) what is the matter?
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) nothing- I wanted to- leave it. I should probably leave.
It wasn't good for her to stay with him longer. He was in some kind of pain and no matter how deep her feelings were, she was helpless. The longer she stayed with him, her mind would stray and tempt her to behave selfishly.
Ray: (holding her hand) can you stay for a bit? please-
That was it. She put her weapons of reasoning down. She gave up. Her heart wouldn't agree to leave him. She obediently sat down beside him, making no sound. She was afraid, she would break and confess.
To make matters worse for her already weak resolution, Ray laid down in her lap.
Ye-Jin: (taking a deep breath) ...
She was trying hard to not do or say anything stupid. She clenched her fists and bit down on her lips. But her hands had a mind of their own. No matter how hard she tried, her left hand made its way to his soft locks.
Ray sighed contentedly when he felt her fingers lightly brushing his hairs.
Ray: (looking at her) what were you saying before?
Ye-Jin: (pouting) now isn't the right time-
Ray: (rolling his eyes) when will be the right time?
Ye-Jin: (lost) I don't know.
Ray: (smiling) so you can tell me now right?
Ye-Jin: (hesitating) but- you-
Ray: (encouraging) what you say might cheer me up.
That didn't make any sense but she chose to give it a shot. Don't blame her, she was getting tired of bottling things up. That wasn't her style.
Ye-Jin: (taking a deep breath) here goes nothing. (Staring into his eyes) Ray, I like you- no, a-actually, I a-am in love with you.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Well! There we go! Two birds with a single stone (chapter)!
Liu Wei Xin is here with a little baggage from his past.
I was reminiscing Rachel (from 'Friends') when I was writing about Ye-Jin and her dilemma about confessions.
I'm becoming lethargic these days :(
Leave your opinions, dear readers. They motivate me.
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