Chapter 62: Take it slow

While Ray was busy getting to know his soon to be sister-in-law, the same morning, Ye-jin was lazing around at her parents home with Aera.

After the recent fiasco, the girls treated themselves to a mini-vacation in the Park family home.

In this rare moment of leisure, they were enjoying themselves by indulging in unhealthy treats, home beauty treatments- by the skilled maids, talking about this and that, watching trash teen movies- to sum up, they were having the time of their lives after a long time.

But good things never last for long. Aera's phone rang. When she saw who was calling, her face fell and she angrily turned her phone off.

Ye-jin saw everything from beginning to end. She couldn't help but sigh internally.

The marriage was inevitable. From what she had gathered, it was decided long back when the involved people- Aera and president Wang- were still in diapers. It was a little unfortunate and unjust that the parents agreed upon an alliance for their children when they couldn't even say the word 'marriage'. Who could say if this decision was a blessing or a curse?

Probably it was a good thing that the guy was interested in the girl he was engaged with but nobody ever bothered to ask what the girl wanted.

Ye-jin: Wang Xin?

Aera didn't bother to respond to Ye-jin's question. She was sure her expression was enough of an answer.

Ye-jin: (pulling the lazing girl up) want to talk? I'll get us lots of chocolate and ice cream?

Aera's ears perked up at the mention of ice cream. Her mood was sour and something sweet might just do the trick and cheer her up. She eagerly nodded with a pitiful look in her eyes.

Ye-jin: (chuckling) I'll be back right away.

There were servants in the home who could've done Ye-jin's bidding but she knew Aera needed to sort her thoughts before she could talk. So, with ice cream as the excuse she gave Aera the little time to do just that.

It took Ye-jin 15 minutes to come back to the pool where they were lazing around with the promised treats. She saw Aera sitting up with a clear look in her eyes. It was an indication that she had listed out all her grievances. After eating several spoonfuls of the sugary treat, Ye-jin indicated for Aera to start talking.

Aera: (scowling) I am not happy with their decision simply being shoved onto my shoulders. Marriage isn't a small affair! I am furious.

Ye-jin: did you talk to your parents?

Aera: I tried to but their only reasoning is that 'I'll get past this stage'.

Ye-jin: what do you plan to do next? I mean you can't ignore the guy-

Aera: I know. He is a good person. He treats me well but sometimes it gives me creeps when he acts like those overbearing CEOs. I want to take it slow. Everything feels so rushed, it's confusing and scary.

Ye-jin: then why don't you talk to him about your concerns? If he's the good guy that you think he is then he'll definitely listen to you and you guys might work things out.

Aera: (pouting) I would've done it even without your advice. Right now I am angry and throwing a tantrum. I'll do that after calming down.

Ye-jin could only chuckle at her reasoning. Of course, Aera was the spoiled little princess. She just hoped that the other party could put up with her.

Ye-jin: you'll have to grow up soon Aera.

Aera: (offended) hey! I am a grown-up and where does it say that grow-ups don't have a temper?

Ye-jin: (humouring her) yes you're an old grandma.

Aera: (rolling her eyes) you're just jealous that I've already got myself a fiance while you're still single.

Ye-jin: you wish! On a serious note, I am happy for you but looking at your pettiness it's still not the time to celebrate.

Aera: (patting her head) don't worry. I won't be petty for long.

The girls laughed out and spent the day in each other's company without a care for the world. Who knew what the future held? All they could do was enjoy living the moment, pampering themselves to their heart's content. They could care less about the troubles of tomorrow.

After making up with her close friend, Ye-jin was in an excellent mood. Her shoulders felt lighter and she longer had to hide anything from anyone. Everything was out in the open amongst the people she cared truly cared for. All she was missing in that instant was Ray's company. He would usually stop by her house in the evenings with food for both of them. But he was out of the city busy doing what he loved to do the most. After the fiasco, they hadn't talked much with each other more than five texts.

'I am leaving for Shanghai. Take care of yourself and you've got a lot of explaining to do when I return.'

That was the text he sent her before the plane took off.

'Have a safe trip, I'll be waiting.'

Was her short reply. Both of them were oblivious that their texts appeared intimate for a third person.

'SOMETHING BIG HAPPENED! ONE OF US IS ENGAGED!'

The capital letters revealed how excited he was. He had sent that text during noon when Ye-jin was busy with Aera followed by

'CAN YOU GUESS WHO IT IS?'

'IT'S KAI!'

'Wait! You can't tell this to anyone yet! It's a secret!

'You there?'

'Ye-jin?'

And our heroine saw these texts the following night right after she reached her little house after dropping Aera off. She fell down from the couch in shock and hurt her left knee.

Kai was engaged?

It was out of the blue. Slowly her shock turned to nothing cause she assumed that it was one of the jokes played by the guys. She simply brushed off the messages and sent her reply

'hahaha, good joke!'

'You almost had me there!'

'When are you coming back?'

Knowing he was busy and would reply later she turned off her phone and went to sleep rubbing her aching knee. She would definitely settle scores with them for trying to pull this one on her.