Chapter 80: Aftermath
Have you ever thought or waited for something eagerly? Have you imagined the whole thing to just burst out in your face? Has the thing you waited eagerly for to come to you in screaming colours?
Has it ever felt like when something happened it would be something different than the usual? Like the whole world would stop to bask in the glow of your fruitful anticipation?
It's human nature to expect something dazzling when we anticipate and wait eagerly for something to take place.
Sometimes we even reach a point, where our imagination is so active that even aliens come down to earth to congratulate us or the earth might open up and swallow us alive.
But whatever be our expectation, no matter how grand or how dreadful it is, the reality always remains the same. All the anticipation sometimes burns down to being normal. Nothing seems different. The aliens won't come nor would the earth open up. The world won't stop spinning nor would the time stop for us.
The same happened to Ye-Jin and Ray. They thought that when one of them confessed the skies would open up and shower them with golden light. The heavens might bless them- or something along the same lines. What they expected was something earth-shattering to happen when the words were said. But apart from their own messed up heartbeats and breathing nothing was different.
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.
She waited for something special to happen while refusing to look away from his shocked face. She could feel her face heat up. But she forced herself to look at him.
She had gathered her courage and finally said the words. She had dreamt about this moment countless times. She had rehearsed her lines much more time than that but what she did, in the end, was completely different.
She thought the affair to be too difficult and suffocating. She had imagined herself to chicken out when the time came.
Unexpectedly, nothing of the sort happened. It wasn't as dazzling as she expected.
The setting wasn't an ideal one with a scenic view behind them. Nor were there tears in their eyes. They were in his home while he was lying down in her lap.
The confession didn't have any long prologue nor was it a huge speech. It was direct and her words flew out naturally. It wasn't in any way difficult. There was no nervousness nor any kind of suffocation. Instead, a calm enveloped her heart. She felt like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
She noticed Ray's calm face turning from blank to shock to ecstasy to conflict and back to ecstasy. She was amazed by his changing expressions. She was eager to cut open his head to look into his brain. In short, she wanted to understand what he was thinking.
Unwillingly his eyes teared up and his throat clogged up. He never thought that her confession- which he was badly waiting for- would leave him feeling weak and emotional.
He turned his head away from her scorching and expectant gaze. In an attempt to reign in his tears, he rapidly blinked his eyes.
Ye-Jin continued to play with his hairs quietly waiting for his response. She was calm and ready to accept whatever he chose to do. She had played her part well.
After what felt like an eternity, Ray let out a dry chuckle. He shook his head and turned to face her with a wide grin plastered on his face. His eyes were still a little wet but shining brightly. He looked beautiful.
Ray: (teasing) you look so calm. Aren't you eager for my response?
Ye-Jin: (shrugging) I came this far, it shows that I am ready for anything.
Ray: (chuckling) what if I only want to stay with you as a friend?
Ye-Jin: (nodding) then I'll walk away. My thoughts aren't innocent enough to stay as your friend.
Ray could only chuckle at her serious reply. He never thought that she could become this blunt when it came to voicing out her thoughts. Maybe her feelings changed her personality around him. Didn't the same thing happen to him too?
Ye-Jin: (expectant) is that it?
Ray still in her lap shook his head and snaked one of his arms around her neck. He gently pulled her face closer to his own. Ye-Jin didn't resist whatever he was trying to do. She was waiting to see what he would further do.
Their faces were so close that their noses were touching. He could feel her breath hitch and so did his. He didn't hesitate and closed the little distance between them by capturing her lips in his own.
Ye-Jin blanked out. She felt a strange tingling sensation shoot up from her toes to the tip of her head.
Ray wasn't any better, he too was lost for a moment after the initial contact. He didn't want to tell but show what he felt for her using meaningful actions. He couldn't think of a better way to do so than kiss her.
But he forgot that it was supposed to be his first kiss too. He was robbed of all other sensations the moment his lips touched hers. Their eyes closed on their own accord and everything gradually faded away. He somehow found his way back and focused on the kiss. He gently started to suck on her lower lip and his tongue lightly grazed it asking for an opening.
Ye-Jin came back to earth and abruptly pulled back. The short lip-lock had slackened his grip on her. Ray was saddened by her sudden rejection. He already started to miss her sweet and soft lips.
Ye-Jin: (blushing) we k-kissed?
Ray nodded at her still pouting.
Ye-Jin: (swatting his shoulder) I almost died!
She pushed him from her lap and angrily stood up. Her legs were still weak from the aftermath of what was supposed to be her first kiss.
She wobbled a little and dropped back to the couch beside him with no strength. Her body was shaking by that little peck but it was enough to mess up her coordination. She was after all a newbie to intimacy.
He chuckled but shut up when he saw her glaring at him.
Ray: (clearing his throat) don't tell me you didn't like it.
Ye-Jin: (blushing harder) shut up!
Ray conveniently shut up. He could tell that she was embarrassed, so was he. But he had a thicker skin compared to her.
Ray: (rubbing his stomach) I am a little hungry. You'll join me for some late-night snack?
It was past midnight and their dinner was also a disaster so the couple spent the few hours fixing a late-night snack to fill their stomachs.
Ye-Jin: (sipping on water) This is nice.
Ray: (cleaning the plates) what?
Ye-Jin: I thought things would be different after our feelings came out in the open but it doesn't feel so. The change in our relationship feels so natural like it was meant to be.
Ray: (smirking) of course because we haven't gone on an official date yet.
Ye-Jin: (happily) are you asking me?
Ray: (grinning) should I? I mean we already confirmed our feelings. Does it require any more foreplay?
Ye-Jin: (huffing) Kai was right. You're too stingy. I as your girlfriend am going to suffer.
Ray: (chuckling) Ye-Jin, my girlfriend. It sounds good, doesn't it?
Ye-Jin: (proud) of course. Cuz it's me.
Ray: what do you think? Should we watch a movie?
Ye-Jin: (looking at the time) it's pretty late. I should probably head back.
Ray: you want to?
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) no don't do that. I have a very important meeting tomorrow.
Ray: (puppy eyes) please! I promise that I'll behave. We'll just watch a movie and then go to sleep. You can take the guest room. I won't bother you. Also, I'll drop you off early in the morning.
Ye-Jin felt that there was something wrong with his words. On careful consideration, she understood that he was implying that nothing intimate would take place between them for the rest of the night.
Unknowingly her face heated up but she nodded her assent to stay the night with him.
Both of them settled on the floor in front of the couch. The movie they selected for the night was a romantic comedy. The genre was just right for their situation.
They spent the night rest of the night commenting on several parts of the movie- including holding hands- and eventually sleeping on the couch in each other's arms.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 They're boring
So am I
Ugh!
Their first kiss and it wasn't long.
Sigh!
Ray: (glowering) you don't say-
Ye-Jin: (flushed) ah! Stop it both of you!
Chapter 81: Secrets
The following morning, as promised, Ray dropped Ye-Jin off to her home. In addition, he asked her out for an official date.
He wanted to give her everything. He wasn't planning to be stingy- like she accused him to be last night.
Before letting her get down from his car he pulled her in for a quick peck on the cheek.
Ye-Jin flushed in pleasure but confidently reciprocated the action. She too kissed him on the cheek before bidding him goodbye.
Ray waited until she was out of sight before driving off to find his good friend with a moronic grin plastered on his face.
The same morning, Kai was sitting in front of the computer in his studio at the Wang entertainment. His eyes were bloodshot and there were deep dark circles under them.
It had been almost a month since he started to pull all-nighters for his upcoming solo album. His skin had become sallow and the guy had lost a lot of weight.
He sighed and pulled a long drag from his lit cigarette.
He wasn't a smoker. It was during times like this when he suffered from a slump in the production did he indulge in the filter tip buddies.
But this time it was different. No matter how hard he tried, the result for the title track of his upcoming album was not up to his usual standard- i.e., 'perfection'.
He pinched the space between his brows to rid himself of the headache which was catching up due to the lack of sleep.
Extinguishing the cigarette on the nearby ashtray he leaned back against his chair exhausted. This was going nowhere. He was slowly falling asleep when there was a knock on the door.
Ray: (grinning widely) are you free?
Ray didn't wait for the invitation to be called in. He knocked once and pushed the door open to see his good friend sit up tiredly.
Ray: (raising a brow) wow, you look terrible...
Kai: (scoffing) still better than you.
Ray: (rolling his eyes) you can never reach my standard. So, you didn't go home last night? How many days has it been this time?
Kai: (leaning back) a month-
Ray: (disapproving) Mel sure has lots of patience. I am amazed she lets you do this.
Kai: (kicking his leg) at least I've got a wife. Better than you, who has no luck in this area.
Ray: (grinning) Well, not anymore.
Kai: (sneering) don't tell me you actually gathered the courage and confessed to Ye-Jin.
Ray: (not meeting his eyes) mhmm.
Kai: (doubtful) no way, you're pretty timid when it comes to relationships. Tell me the truth, did she confess to you?
Ray: (waving his hand) don't mind these little details. Wha's important is that I have a girlfriend now.
Kai: (sorrowful) it's your first-ever relationship and you let the girl propose to you! What am I going to do with you Ray?
Ray: (glaring) I kissed her in response so drop your act!
Kai: (shocked) YOU KISSED HER!? ON THE MOUTH??!
Kai's shout startled Ray. He hadn't expected Kai to lose his cool like that. But he can't be blamed.
In the time he had come to know Ray, he was always the shy type. He wasn't the type of person who would take the initiative. For him to kiss a girl as a response to her confession was definitely a huge thing for Kai. He had been worried for Ray for a long time.
Ray: (sneering) I think the guy in the basement didn't hear you.
Kai: (sheepish) hee hee, don't mind the little details.
Ray: don't throw my words back to me.
Kai: ok ok fine. So how did this happen? Recently, I have no idea what you guys are all up to.
Ray: you'd know if you stop being cooped up in this place.
Kai: (nodding) I know I am the leader but everything should not be about me every time right? Let's get back to you first. You'll get many chances in the future to criticise me.
Ray thus narrated the happenings of the previous night to his friend. He cut out the parts with Liu Bo. If he could then he would erase some parts of his past.
Kai: (impressed) I am proud of you! All the coaching that I gave you is finally fruitful.
Ray: And you tell me that it should not be about you every time.
Kai: (shrugging) what can I say, I am your leader. So when are you going to tell her?
Ray: (confused) tell about?
Kai: About yourself.
Ray's face fell at the mention of his past. He didn't reply but Kai was also not the one to give up.
Kai: do you really think that she's the one for you?
Ray: (resolute) I don't think, I know that she's the one.
Kai: (whistling) you lucky bastard! Not going off the topic, you should tell her before she gets to know from somewhere else. She needs to know what she's getting into Ray.
Ray: (defeated) that part of my life, it'll be better if I can forget it.
Kai: (nodding) I understand but she doesn't deserve to be left in the dark Ray.
Ray: I know. Kai, I might soon go back with Bo.
Kai: (shocked) Ray! Are you being serious now? B-But w-why?
Ray: (sighing) that family needs me.
Kai: H-How l-long?
Ray: (rubbing his face) I don't know, years maybe. (chuckling dryly) I actually didn't want to tell anyone but now things are different. I have to consider a lot.
Kai: (patting his shoulder) everything will be fine. We are all with you.
Ray didn't reply and a heavy silence hung in the room. Kai was usually pretty great with words but now he couldn't even get a sentence out.
He was the only person who knew Ray's secret. And at this moment he could feel the crushing weight of that secret on his shoulders.
Minutes passed before Ray cut through the think sombre mood with his words.
Ray: (smiling) you're right Kai. Ye-Jin should be prepared for what is to come her way. She might hate me and even break up after just a day but I should tell her. After all who would want to be with a guy who is going to desert her soon?
Ray's voice broke near the end. He swallowed hard and hung his head down to hide the tears threatening to spill.
The thought of separation from her was more painful than going back to see his family. He was torn between the two. Maybe she could help him decide.
Kai couldn't do much other than pat his friends back in an attempt to console him.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Ray: you enjoy making me look pitiful.
Me: ah! you have that thing going for you from the start.
Ray: (gritting his teeth) I hate you!
Me: now hush or you'll be tossed away sooner than I planned.
Ray: (bullied) ....
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