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) ....
Chapter 82: Detached
While Ray was having a heart to heart talk with his close friend, Ye-Jin had been busy attending a meeting regarding the progress of their expansion plans. She was pleased to know that everything was in order and proceeding smoothly.
Ye-Jin: (smiling) everything looks fine and on track. But that doesn't give us the reason to relax. The expansion process is completed only halfway. We still need to accomplish a lot.
The directors all present nodded their assent. Everyone liked to gain profits and none of them was a fool to not understand that this expansion was going to bury them under profits.
Although they had doubted Ye-Jin's capabilities, in the beginning, they were forced to change their views when she hit them all like a thunderstorm.
Satisfied with their response Ye-Jin dismissed the meeting and walked out with her secretary Matt. She had hired this new secretary while she was in London on her sister's recommendation. She trusted So-ah's judgement when it came to people.
Ye-Jin: (turning to Matt) What is next on my schedule today?
Matt: (adjusting his spectacles) you have got lunch scheduled with Mr Liu from Shanghai at one in the afternoon president.
Ye-Jin: Mr Liu? Who is that? I don't think I agreed to meet any Mr Liu, Matt-
Matt: um... president, this appointment was confirmed by Mr Park on your behalf.
Ye-Jin: (raising an eyebrow) and when did this happen? Also, why wasn't I informed of this beforehand?
Matt couldn't help but shiver. He knew how particular Ye-Jin was with her schedule. But he too was helpless when it came to facing senior Park. He was the formidable ex-president of this same company and his president's father. He gathered his courage before answering.
Matt: It was last night president. Mr Park personally called me to schedule this appointment. He also instructed me to push back all of your other appointments. He told me that he'd personally inform you.
The moment he finished pleading mercy from his boss her phone rang. He felt relieved when he saw that the caller ID belonged to Park senior.
Ye-Jin signed for Matt to leave before answering the call.
Ye-Jin: (complaining) I didn't think you'd mess with my schedule.
Hu-ye: and I'll make it up to you soon but it's important that you meet with Mr Liu.
Ye-Jin: (confused) but why?
Hu-ye: He's a very important person Ye-Jin and he is interested in investing in our company-
Ye-Jin's frown deepened the more she listened. What kind of nonsense was her father spouting this time? Their company was capable of financing others, when did it require financing? She could tell that her father was giving her the hint that this meeting was important and she should not mess it up. She could tell that her father held this Mr Liu on a high pedestal in his heart. He respected that person. She sighed and gave in to her old man's request.
Ye-Jin: ok I'll meet this person, you can rest your worries and I'll be on my best behaviour.
Hu-ye: (satisfied) I knew I could trust you.
Ye-Jin gave a short laugh. Her father trusted her implicitly when it came to his beloved company but he didn't do the same when it came to this Mr Liu. She grew more intrigued and was looking forward to the lunchtime.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries she ended the call.
***
The noon arrived quickly and soon it was time for lunch. She didn't wish to make the other party wait for her so she made sure that she would reach the venue before them. On the way to the restaurant, she received a text from Ray.
'Ray: Join me for lunch?'
'Ye-Jin: Sorry, I can't. I am meeting someone.'
'Ray: who is this person you're meeting that you ever dare to brush off your handsome boyfriend?'
Ye-Jin smiled widely when she read his text. He was her boyfriend. She couldn't still fathom how natural it felt.
'Ye-Jin: It's Mr Liu from Shanghai.'
Ray didn't reply for a long time. Ye-Jin thought that he was held up by something. She turned her phone to silent and put it back in her pockets. She didn't wish to be disturbed during this lunch arranged by her father.
On reaching the scheduled spot she was surprised to find out that the other party had arrived earlier. She felt that something was weird but she couldn't understand what it was. When she opened the door to the private dining room, she was surprised to see a middle-aged man dressed in a crisp black suit calmly brewing tea.
She had thought that her father had arranged for her to meet some old acquaintance of his. Before she could gather her thoughts the man looked up and smiled at her breaking her thoughts.
Mr Liu: Come take a seat, President Park.
Ye-Jin: (bowing) I am sorry I was late Mr Liu.
Mr Liu: (waving her off) It was I who was early. Also, I hope I didn't cause President Park any trouble with my sudden intrusion.
Ye-Jin shook her head in negative. This man emitted a very strong aura. She had met many formidable men but he was different. His sharp features were a huge contrast to his sweet smile. It didn't quite reach his eyes. Ye-Jin was on full alert around him as if one mistake from her would send her straight to death's door.
Mr Liu: would you like some tea President Park?
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) I am sorry Mr Liu but I don't drink tea.
Mr Liu: (sighing) that's a pity.
Ye-Jin: (politely) Mr Liu, if I may ask why did you insist on meeting me today?
Mr Liu: (smirking) It appears as if President park is not aware of many matters?
Ye-Jin: Which matters is Mr Liu talking about... if I may dare ask-
Mr Liu gave a hearty laugh. He didn't expect the girl to be this clueless as to why he was here. It seemed like his daughter had misjudged the whole situation and panicked in vain. He had to personally fly over to sort things out and bring his son back home. But now it looked as if the things really didn't need any intervention from him. Also, this Park Ye-Jin didn't look like the one to scheme. Although she was a little timid in front him he could tell right away that she was not a timid person in reality. There might be some reason for her to be like this in front of him.
Mr Liu: (happily) why are you this afraid President Park? People say that you're a vicious woman who likes money and treat others like dirt.
Ye-Jin: (frowning) I am not afraid of you Mr Liu. My father respects you, although I don't know why but his wisdom far surpasses mine and it's my duty to be respectful towards my father's guests.
Mr Liu: Oh! So it is like that.
Ye-Jin: (not wasting time) If you don't mind Mr Liu then can I know what was the aim of this meeting?
Mr Liu: I was searching for a bride for my son President Park. I guess I found her in you.
Mr Liu had originally planned to warn this woman to threaten this woman to leave her son but he couldn't quite bring himself to this anymore. She reminded him of his wife back home. He could clearly see what his bratty son liked about her.
Ye-Jin: (smiling) I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr Liu. But my heart already belongs to another, I can't accept this proposal.
Mr Liu: (grinning) Well I prefer to disagree. I can promise that you'll change your mind once you meet my son.
Ye-Jin: (sighing) Mr Liu-
Mr Liu: (holding a hand up to stop her) don't worry President Park, I'll not hold you back from your duties. My son will bee here in a minute. You can tell me about your decision then.
Ye-Jin felt incredulous. How shameless was this person? She could not imagine how shameless his son would be. She already made it clear to him that she wasn't going to marry his brat but he still pushed for her to meet his son. She wanted to glare but she couldn't. She cursed in her mind but kept her expression neutral.
She was mulling in her thoughts when the door to the room was forcefully pushed open. Ye-Jin was surprised to see the person standing breathlessly at the door. She immediately rushed to him face filled with hurry. His face was red and his breathing a little labored.
Ye-Jin: Ray? What happened to you?
Mr Liu was leisurely sipping his tea and didn't bother looking up.
Mr Liu: (nonchalantly) and here comes my son.
Ye-Jin was shocked would be an understatement. She didn't know why Ray had come but she wanted to refute the strange man. She looked towards Ray only to find his face basked in indifference. Her words were stuck in the throat. She was frantically trying to connect the dots.
Mr Liu: (sneering) aren't you going to greet your father... son?
Ray didn't refute his words instead he pushed Ye-Jin behind him protectively. He addressed the old man in a detached tone.
Ray: hello father, I hope you've been well these years
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Next chapter(s): Ray's past.
I didn't think this chapter would turn out to be this long.
Guess I underestimated my power of dragging things :)
Anyways, enjoy reading.
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