บท 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?