Chapter 93: Thugs
Time passed and Ye-Jin immersed herself into her work. The more she was busy the more she didn't think about Ray and the dangers he was facing.
Ye-Jin and Liu Bo had stayed the same for the most part of it. It could be said that their relationship neither improved nor deteriorated. Both of them shared the same roof but stayed clear of each other- at least Ye-Jin did.
Liu Bo usually spent her time and energy trying to mock Ye-Jin and get a reaction from her to pass the time but the latter didn't give her the attention she was craving for.
Being the head of a huge conglomerate was not an easy task thus, she could rarely spare any effort towards a young girl who was hell-bent on making things difficult for her out of pettiness.
The lack of reaction from Ye-Jin dampened Bo's fighting spirits and her fiery temperament. She was learning how to control her emotions under Ye-Jin's care.
Sometimes, Ye-Jin covertly assigned her tasks to complete so as to help alleviate her boredom. And Matt was stuck in between ladies acting as the mediator. He was getting pretty good at it too. Ye-Jin was satisfied with her secretary and sent him on a vacation for three days as a reward.
It was nearing the end of two months after Ray's departure and Ye-Jin was working late one fine night in the office. Liu Bo returned after taking care of some personal business out in the city.
She inwardly sighed looking at the lone figure of a woman sitting in front of the computer, analysing the data. In the beginning, she felt annoyed but now she could only admire her.
Bo: (taking the initiative) did you eat?
Ye-Jin was mildly surprised when she heard the question. She had assumed that she was alone in the office. She smiled when she saw Liu Bo trying to avoid her face and looking everywhere else.
Ye-Jin: Not yet. You?
Ye-Jin didn't take her eyes from her computer to spare the girl from feeling awkward. But there was an obvious laughter swimming in her eyes.
Bo: Uh... No.
Liu Bo didn't know how she should continue. She didn't even know why she took the initiative to speak with her. It came as a surprise for her too.
Ye-Jin: I'll be done in five minutes. Will you join me for dinner?
Bo: (reluctantly) o...k.
Ye-Jin nodded satisfied with the development. After two months of cold shoulder and ignorance, they were finally progressing. She had observed the subtle changes in Liu Bo towards her. Her dislike had faded long ago and she had been waiting for the proud little girl to make a move first. And the time was finally here.
***
The dinner was a quiet affair. None of them spoke and finished their meal in silence. It didn't feel awkward to Ye-Jin but Liu Bo was the one who was feeling awkward.
She didn't like the feeling but she was trying to come to terms with Ye-Jin in her and her brother's life. She didn't like her but she was accepting the facts. She was no longer the hot-blooded shortie who couldn't stand the sight of the woman in front of her.
When the time came to settle the bill Ye-Jin beat her to it.
Ye-Jin: (smiling) My treat.
Liu Bo wanted to reply sassily but the genuine smile in the former's eyes shut her up. She silently nodded and left with Ye-Jin.
Unfortunately, the girls were stopped by a group of thugs while waiting for the valet to bring the car around.
Ye-Jin was surprised seeing those menacing faces. It was a high-end restaurant and it was not possible for people like them to linger around there. The security and privacy of the place were that good. But given the present situation, it meant only one thing. There was some kind of foul play.
While she was busy analysing the situation, Bo was engaged in a fearless verbal battle with the menacing faces. She was warning them to not try anything funny and leave quietly. Ye-Jin raised an eyebrow looking at the fierce stance of the little woman. She was protectively standing in front of her and it warmed her heart.
No matter what happened, Liu Bo was loyal to her brother and she would protect Ye-Jin at any cost.
Ye-Jin: (placing a hand on Bo's shoulder) Calm down. They won't dare harm us.
Bo: (frowning) huh?
Ye-Jin didn't say anything else but smiled down at her. She didn't have an ounce of worry in her body. Soon a number of cars pulled up and surrounded them. Matt hurriedly got down from a car and so did several burly looking men, all dressed in black and armed.
Matt: (worried) boss! You're alright?
Ye-Jin: We are ok. Deal with them.
Saying so, she left the place with Liu Bo in tow by getting in a nearby car.
Ye-Jin didn't speak as she was the one driving but Bo was bursting with questions.
Bo: (reluctantly) you knew?
Ye-Jin: hmm?
Bo: you knew about the attack?
Ye-Jin: (nodding) yes I knew about it.
Bo: h-how?
She felt ashamed at her carelessness. How was she going to face her brother if she let any harm come to Ye-Jin?
Ye-Jin: (smiling) I have my ways. Don't worry, I'll let you handle them later.
Ye-Jin had been vigilant since the time she was almost molested by a drunk pervert. It had been an act of revenge planned by one of the former directors of the company whom she had gotten rid off. And the recent plan to harm was also done by one such unsatisfied soul. She didn't have time to deal with all of them individually.
Given, Liu Bo's capabilities she was more suited for jobs like this. Ye-Jin was sure that Bo would eliminate the last of the leeches trying to harm her without mercy. After all, she was the daughter of Yi Qing, the woman feared by all.
The adventure of night left Bo filled with admiration for Ye-Jin. She had slowly but surely started to make a place for Ye-Jin in her heart. All the previous negativity was washed off and a new canvas was being painted in more positive and vibrant colours in her mind.
Her impression of the older woman changed drastically and she somewhat came to genuinely care for her- not just because her brother told her to.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 No thoughts to write in the 'thoughts'.
Chapter 94: Hope
Another two months passed just like that and winters arrived. The year was about to end and it was the time of festivities and happiness everywhere.
In this flow of time, Liu Bo had grown closer to Ye-Jin. She learnt a lot of things being under her wing and even accepted her as her future sister-in-law. Ye-Jin was more than happy to have won over the shortie.
The previous bitter memories were all forgotten and Liu Bo became Ye-Jin's shadow over the course of time.
Ray's whereabouts were still unknown to the girls and Ye-Jin was slowly losing her courage and confidence. Liu Bo stayed with her as a source of motivation. She boosted her confidence and gave her constant assurances.
Ye-Jin was grateful for the support Liu Bo provided. It meant a lot to her and it helped her to keep adhering to her beliefs and her convictions about her man. Bo's words helped her to stay strong and keep moving on against the storms.
It was a week before the new years when Kai unexpectedly showed up to meet Ye-Jin at her workplace. The guys all had been in touch with her so it didn't come as a surprise to her.
After exchanging the pleasantries and asking each other's well being they addressed the elephant in the room.
Kai: (hesitant) s-so has he ever contacted you?
Ye-Jin: (poker-faced) No.
Kai: (sighing) I am sorry Ye-Jin. I couldn't help but ask.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) it's ok Kai. I can understand, he's after all, your best friend.
Kai: (running a hand through his hairs) Word from anyone else? What about Bo?
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) Bo is clueless about these matters. She is also on the edge these days.
Kai: Oh... Ye-Jin, we all worry about you. Come and visit us in your free time. It'll calm our worries and will be a change of pace for you too.
Ye-Jin: (grateful) Thank you, Kai. I'll probably act upon that advice. How's the wife?
Kai: (smiling) she's doing great.
Ye-Jin: I am glad to hear that.
Kai: (reluctant) I also came here-
Ye-Jin: what?
Kai: our year-end concert is in a week. Ray- he-
Ye-Jin: (solemn) I remember, he said he would be back by then.
Kai: (expectant) what do you think, will he return?
Ye-Jin: (shrugging) I don't know Kai. I am in the same boat as you.
Kai: I am really sorry Ye-Jin. I think I needed some kind of assurance from someone-
Ye-Jin: (dryly) well, you came to the wrong person then.
Kai: I am sorry. Please forgive me! I was being tactless.
Ye-Jin: It's ok. I am a little stressed out these days. I am sorry for snapping at you.
Kai: it's ok. I deserved it. Mel would have smacked my head for that if she was here.
Ye-Jin: (chuckling) it takes a woman to understand a woman.
Kai: (hopeful) you're coming to our show, right?
Ye-Jin: I'll see-
Kai: No! You missed my wedding, you can't miss our show too. Please? We'd be extra happy if our top fan would honour us by attending the show. It'll mean a lot to us.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) ok fine. I'll come.
Kai didn't linger around after that. He took his leave and left to prepare for the upcoming show.
With a heavy mood, Ye-Jin stopped what she was doing. She couldn't continue after Ray was brought up. Each day was getting harder. Sometimes she wondered if she could just turn back time and return to the place where she was still clueless about love.
Ye-Jin pushed back her schedule and returned home. She locked herself up in her room and curled up on her bed, her heart felt heavy and tired all of a sudden.
She didn't want to but not help herself hope that Ray would come back this week. The possibilities of losing that hope were weighing her spirits down.
It was sad.
***
The following day,
Liu Bo hurried in Ye-Jin's cabin seeming excited about something. She was oozing that 'I am the winner in life' vibe around her. Matt was shocked silly because of her arrival. He excused himself from the room leaving the ladies to their devices.
Ye-Jin: (amused) where were you yesterday? And you seem happy about something!
Bo: (bubbling over with joy) Mom called. She finally told me to return home. It seems like everything has been sorted out.
Ye-Jin stood up from her seat not believing the words she was hearing.
Everything was sorted? That meant Ray would return too her side? Hope bloomed in her heart. She was nervous and happy at the same time.
Ye-Jin: (expectant) d-did she s-say anything else? R-ray? How i-is h-he?
Ye-Jin couldn't help but stutter nervously.
Bo: (shaking her head) She said nothing much. But her voice sounded relaxed as if a war had been won.
Ye-Jin: Oh-
Bo: (patting her shoulder) don't worry! I'll inform you everything the moment I land there!
Ye-Jin: (smiling) when are you leaving?
Bo: tomorrow.
Ye-Jin: Oh...
Ye-Jin happily sent Bo off.
Her face crumbled to frown after Bo was out of sight. Shaking her head, she buried herself under the mountain of work. Just to feel numb and not think of him.
***
Ye-Jin took a short break from her hectic day.
She had been to site inspections the whole day and it was nearing afternoon. On the way back to the office her driver took the shortcut and they passed by her old place. Ye-Jin took in the familiar surroundings and smiled subconsciously. She had spent many years in this neighbourhood.
She told the driver to pull over when they arrived near a park.
She got out of the vehicle and entered the empty park. It was a cold day thus, the place was empty.
Liu Bo had left four days ago and she too like her unreliable older brother had not bothered with contacting her.
Ye-Jin had felt bitter and angry at both of them. How long could a person hold on when left alone? She wasn't like those heroines in the stories who had heaven-defying strength and will-power. She believed herself to be strong but not omnipotent.
Ye-Jin walked around for a while and finally sat on a bench. She was no more feeling angry or miserable in this familiar setting. She was surrounded by the memories of a sweet past and it lit her face up.
This was the place where Ray had told her about how he became a member of '5 Emperors'. How he fell for Aera. This was where he shared a piece of his life with her. And this was also where Ye-Jin had revealed her identity to him. This was maybe the place where she fell for him.
For Ye-Jin, this park had a special place in her heart. She sat at the same place, unaware of the cold for time unknown to her.
Her cheeks turned red from the cold winds and her lips dried up, their skin cracking from the cold weather. She was dressed warmly for the day but due to being in the park for a long time, the cold started to seep into her clothes. (It was December after all)
Ye-Jin jumped when something warm was placed on her shoulders. She looked up only to freeze in shock.
Ray: (frowning) Were you planning to freeze to death?
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Sanchi94
Sanchi94
He's back!!!
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