Chapter 91: Like poles
Two days passed in a blur.
Ray was all set to leave for his hometown as soon as the clock struck twelve. It was his father's idea to make the couples parting a passionate one. Ray thought it to be a load of crap. According to him, his father had planned this ahead of time.
Just like how Cinderella had to leave the ball- and the prince- before midnight, Ray too had to face the same plight. The old man Liu was being sinister plotting against him in order to exact revenge for all his sufferings these past few years. It was hilarious and irritating at the same time.
When Ye-Jin heard this reasoning she laughed at him and agreed with him. It wasn't too surprising for them. Old man Liu was capable of such childish pranks. Although Ray was free to leave whenever he wished for, he didn't want to keep his father from having fun. He just played along with whatever he asked of him.
Ye-Jin had spent her two days with Ray. Taking care of his necessities and not leaving his side. Ray was happy to have her around him. An idiotic grin had been constantly plastered to his face the whole time. The members had grown nauseous of them and had stayed away.
Two hours before midnight Kai, Timo, Mui and Vic paid a surprise visit to Ray's 'secret' house. It was 'secret' because Ray hadn't told a soul about it. They were pitching ideas to find his whereabouts to send him off and the help came in an unexpected way.
Liu Bo was ecstatic. Her efforts had finally paid off. Her elder brother was coming back home. She wanted to rub this in Ye-Jin's face but had been busy running errands for her father. She didn't know that the old man was intentionally keeping her busy. He knew his daughter the best and she would've straight gone to find trouble with Ye-Jin. And trouble between the sisters-in-law was not a piece of good news for any family.
Liu Bo wasn't stupid. She had an intuition about her father's plans. So when she got to know about the guys planning to find Ray, she lent them a hand.
Liu Bo got along with everyone with the sole exception of Ye-Jin. Thus, the guys were all grateful for her and gladly followed her lead to the 'secret' house.
Ray was stunned to see the guys standing in front of him. He was busy preparing for his departure and had forgotten about them. Seeing him stand in the doorway like a sculpture the guys all frowned displeased. They expected him to at least show a little happiness after seeing them.
Ray: h-how did y-you all find me?
Kai: aren't you happy that we came?
Ray: I...
He wanted to chase them away. How could they be dense and disrupt his last few moments with his girlfriend? His very first woman was waiting for him to finish their dinner.
The majority of the members was a bunch of singles after all. It was no brainer that they didn't understand the intricacies of people in love. It was a real headache and for Kai, at the moment all he could think of was his friend. Ray's chances of return were slim, he wasn't one to be blamed for being insensitive either.
While the guys all stood unmoving and glaring back and forth obviously angered, Liu Bo, who was lingering in the back stepped into the front.
Bo: Why aren't you inviting them in? They're your good friends brother. They want to send you off.
Ray finally figured out the whole thing. His lips turned up in a sinister smile.
Ray: Come on in guys. I am glad you all could visit.
The guys didn't understand Ray's sudden change in demeanour. They brushed it off- calling it 'stress'- and walked in happily. Bo skipped in after them feeling jubilant at her work. Finally, she could rub her victory in Ye-Jin's face.
Ray chuckled darkly and followed them in. His mind was already filled with plans to teach Bo a lesson.
Ye-Jin wasn't surprised when she saw the guys walk in. She had heard 'noises' and had made herself presentable. After all, they had been a little busy when the knock had rudely disturbed their adventures.
Bo: (smiling) you're here Ye-Jin?
Ye-Jin: Where else would I be, Bo? This is after all my boyfriend's house.
Bo stiffened. He anger shot up and she wanted to slap that stupid smirk off Ye-Jin's face.
The guys were oblivious to the sparks flying between the ladies. They casually strode in and sat down around the coffee table.
Kai: long time no see Ye-Jin?
Ye-Jin: (waving at them) Hi guys, how have you all been?
Vic: We are good. Hope we didn't disturb something important?
Vic sounded apologetic looking at the lit candles and untouched food.
Ye-Jin's cheeks flushed a little but she shook her head.
Ray: (meaningfully) that was why I wasn't happy to see you guys.
Mui: Ouch! you are so hateful!
Ray: hmph! I'll see how you will behave in future.
Ray snorted and stood beside Ye-Jin putting an arm casually around her shoulder. If not for these spare-tires they could have been doing some interesting things by now.
Timo: (clueless) the food has turned cold already so you weren't eating it. What were you doing?
Ye-Jin flushed red at the question. She buried her head in Ray's shoulder in embarrassment. Li Bo turned red in fury, she was too close to blow her top. The other guys turned their eyes to the ground mortified. How can Timo ask the obvious? What would a young couple be doing-
Ray: We were arm-wrestling and I was finally going to win!
The words halted everybody's shameless thoughts. Their jaws all dropped to the floor.
Bo: w-what?
They all had the same thought.
Timo: (Amused) So, you were losing to Ye-Jin in arm-wrestling?
Ray: (Sighing) my woman is very strong. She didn't let me win once. Sadly, you ruined my victory!
Ye-Jin: (in a muffled voice) stop it already!
It was embarrassing enough without him needing to elaborate it.
They had been arm-wrestling from past two days and Ray couldn't take it that he lost to his girlfriend. It had hurt his male ego and he wanted to conquer her. He had studied the theory behind arm-wrestling diligently the whole day and had almost won but the knocking had distracted him and sadly he lost- again.
The guys were in disbelief but then they started to laugh. Bo was ready to pull her hairs out- merely out of frustration. Why can't these two behave like normal people and let others live in peace?
***
It was nearing midnight and the members bid a tearful goodbye to Ray before taking their leave.
It was an emotional moment and Ye-Jin was also reduced to tears. She had followed these guys since they debuted and watching them part ways- even for a short while- was akin to going through a heartbreak. As a fan, it was the worst feeling in the world.
The guys all wanted to send him off properly but Ray was supposed to go join his father, alone. They nodded and unwillingly left with defeated shoulders.
Bo was a different scenario. She was brimming with joy.
Bo: I am really happy that you are coming back with us big bro!
If not for Ye-Jin, she would've already broken out into a happy dance.
Ray: (serious) Bo, I need you to do something for me.
Bo: (expectant) yes bro, what is it?
Ray: I want you to stay back and protect your sister-in-law for me? Can you do it?
Ye-Jin: (Shocked) NO!!
It wan not Liu Bo but Ye-Jin who vehemently rejected the idea. Even Bo was surprised by the sudden outburst.
Ray: (cupping Ye-Jin's face) Sweetie I am doing this for your own good!
Ye-Jin: (pleading) Ray you've heard about like poles right?
Ray: (confused) Like poles?
Ye-Jin: (desperate) Like magnets? Like poles always repel each other and we are just like that Ray. Do you want the world to end? Please don't do this!!
Ray: you don't understand love. If I leave you alone without any protection then I'll be too worried to focus on anything.
Bo was irked. How could this woman reject her brother? Was she blind and not trust his wise judgement? She initially wanted to go against him but seeing Ye-Jin acting like an airhead she changed her mind.
Bo: (supportive) Ye-Jin listen to my brother. He's right.
Ye-Jin: (softly) b-but Ray we have so many issues between us-
Bo: (grinding her teeth) I promise that we'll work on them bro. I'll take care of her and be her shadow.
Being immersed in her monologue, Bo missed the conspiratory smile the couple exchanged.
The father and son wanted a reason to let Bo stay back and not involve herself in the family's problems. She was young and had a lot to learn but they knew that her pride would stand in the way. So, they enlisted help from Ye-Jin and she gladly agreed. After all, she could not have unnecessary issues with Bo and this was a great chance to mend their relationship.
With most things settled on his end, Ray set off when the clock struck twelve.
Ye-Jin stood in the doorway for a long time looking at the dark road, her eyes filled with longing.
She was unceremoniously pulled inside the house by Liu Bo- who was ultimately nauseated by the excessive PDA. She now somewhat understood why the guys had stayed away from Kai and Ray before. It was a very painful experience.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 At first, I wanted things to be little steamy this chapter but then changed my mind.
Ray: I literally, absolutely loathe you!!
Me: (blowing a kiss) Yep, I know it darling.
Chapter 92: Pile of crap
The very next day after Ray left, Ye-Jin moved back to her parent's house i.e., the grand and old Park mansion. What came as a surprise to her and the whole Park family was Liu Bo following her to the Park home.
Ye-Jin was confused to see Liu Bo entering the house right after her. She was in the middle of greeting her parents but was rudely interrupted by the youngest Liu sibling barging in like she owned the place. Ye-Jin was surprised would be an understatement.
Bo: I am just doing what my brother asked me to do!
Liu Bo scoffed at Ye-Jin's surprised face and cleared the doubts gathered on the ungrateful woman's face. As she didn't have any qualms with elder Parks, she greeted them politely and asked for their permission to stay with them for the time being.
Park Hu-ye and So-jin were more than happy to have her stay. They were the only two people living in the big house and the addition of another person would make the place lively.
Ye-Jin inwardly sighed and quietly went into her room and shut the door. She was already missing Ray and didn't have time to bother about anything else.
Ye-Jin never expected that she would be this lovesick and unreasonable. It felt as if her PMS had arrived early this time around.
The Park parents looked at the closed door of their daughter's room and exchanged worried glances. They knew what she was going through but they didn't know how they should help her.
Liu Bo felt irked by Ye-Jin's attitude. She was biased against her and Ye-Jin's every action would prick her like a thorn in the eye. She took it upon herself to reassure the worried set of parents.
Bo: (softly) uncle auntie, don't worry. Ye-Jin will be alright. I am here with her. I'll make sure she feels better.
So-Jin smiled gratefully at Liu Bo and invited her to have breakfast with them. Hu-Ye nodded at her in approval and was satisfied by her soft and sweet temperament.
Half-an-hour later Ye-Jin came out of her room, formally dressed and speaking with someone on the phone. She still had that tired lifeless look on her face but she wasn't the type to let it affect her. Filled with a purpose in mind Ye-Jin walked out of the house to her work after reassuring her parents about her well-being. Liu Bo didn't wait around. She followed her like a tail.
***
A week after Ray's departure went in a blur.
Ye-Jin was a little out of sorts for the first three days. She was absent-minded with her work and family. She spoke less, ate less, smiled lesser and everyone around her noticed. Many sympathised with her but some were annoyed with her constant moping. The annoyed people included her best friend Aera and Liu Bo.
Aera was busy preparing for her wedding but she made time in between her busy schedule the second day to accompany Ye-Jin to her favourite places. She hoped to cheer the sulking woman up and get her to smile like before.
But to her great dismay, Ye-Jin spent her day with Aera moping and day-dreaming. She was lost in her own world and failed to match the enthusiasm of her friend. Liu Bo had joined the girls- behaving like a spoon- with the excuse of her brother and was constantly throwing small jabs at Ye-Jin- which she could care less about.
When Ye-Jin sighed for the hundredth time Aera put her hands up in the air, frustrated. She glared viciously at the moping girl.
Aera: That's it! Ye-Jin!
Ye-Jin: hmm?
Aera: Will you quit doing that? It's becoming annoying already!
Ye-Jin: (confused) doing what?
Aera: Moping around like someone ran over and killed your cat! Honestly girl, I really don't understand why you're being like those lovesick fools in the dramas we used to laugh at!
Ye-Jin: (startled) do I really look that miserable?
Aera: (nodding) yes you do. And cheer up babe. It's not like you guys broke up or are on a break. He has gone away for some time and he'll come back sooner or later.
Ye-Jin: (sighing) I am just worried about him Aera. I haven't been in touch with him since he left.
Aera: (surprised) what?! That brat! How irresponsible of him?! I'll straighten him out when he's back!
Ye-Jin: (chuckling) No, he has already warned me about some things before he left. It's just that I can't quit worrying.
Aera: (patting her hairs) ok then I'll not beat him up but when you're like this people will misunderstand. They'll assume the worst. Please cheer up, will you? Imagine how he would feel seeing you look like a zombie day in and day out?
Ye-Jin nodded with a little smile as a promise to Aera and herself. She knew that she was dragging others down with her and it wasn't a good thing.
Fortunately, Liu Bo was inside the changing room trying on a cute shirt she liked and thus, the girls got a few minutes of privacy to themselves. Otherwise, she would've created a storm in the store to avenge the disrespect towards her brother.
***
Thus, starting from the fourth day, Ye-Jin turned over a new leaf.
She came out from her misery-filled phase and faced the days ahead with genuine smiles and enthusiasm.
No matter how much she thought, the end result was the same- she could not continue living like a pile of crap. How was she going to stand on Ray's level if she continued living like mud? He was the young master of Liu family and it would be shameful for her if she continued to wallow in self-pity and sadness. She wasn't that worthless yet.
The Park parents were pleasantly surprised to see the new spark in her eyes. They were glad that Ye-Jin came around and learnt to handle the separation in the relationships.
Liu Bo was surprised to see the ruthless and active side of Ye-Jin.
She had initially thought her to have been relying on her father and elder sister to handle the company. She didn't know of her talents or capabilities.
As time passed by Liu Bo grew to respect Ye-Jin for her dedication and intelligence. She accompanied her every day for work and saw her deal with problems, organize the resources, make profitable decisions, handle the disrespectful people with elegance and take bold steps to expand the family business. She was in awe seeing the efforts Ye-Jin put into her work life and for her family.
But that didn't mean she had started to like her.
It was still a long way to go.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
For those who are confused,
Ray and Ye-Jin have some communication problems.
They can't contact each other.
We'll meet Ray soon.
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