บท 26: A favor

Quickly Ye-Jin stepped outside and closed the door behind her back.

Ray: (surprised) is this not the right time?

Ye-Jin: (nodding) to prevent the awkwardness and some heartbreak.

Ray: (confused) I do not understand.

Ye-Jin: (hearing the approaching footsteps) I need a favor.

Ray: what?

Ye-Jin: (panicking) leave now please. I will meet you later.

Ray: (confused again) huh?

Ye-Jin: (dragging him to his car) why don't people ever listen to me?

Ray: (confused at her mumbling) ok fine Ye-Jin but w-where will you meet me?

Ye-Jin: text me after an hour. I will come to wherever you are. Right now please leave.

Ray: (getting into his car a little annoyed) ok fine!

Huffing at her odd behavior he drove away at the exact moment when Ye-Jin's front door opened and Aera walked out looking for her.

Aera: what is taking you so long Ye-Jin?

Ye-Jin: um… I w-was j-just giving s-some d-directions.

Aera: (nodding) ok. Ye-Jin I actually wanted to spend some time with you but I have an appointment soon with my dermatologist.

Ye-Jin: ok then-

Aera: how about we go for a few drinks later? To our usual place.

Ye-Jin: (shrugging) I will have to see Aera. I have work tomorrow.

Aera: never mind. Call me whenever you are free before Wednesday ok?

Ye-Jin: (giving her a two finger salute) yes ma'am. We will have a night out before you fly away for your tour.

As decided beforehand Ray texted Ye-Jin after an hour. She had spent the time getting ready to go out. She smiled unknowingly when she received his text. He had waited for the time being in the park near Ye-Jin's home.

She walked the distance after locking her house behind herself. She saw him sitting on one of the benches and clicking the pictures of the kids who were playing in the sand nearby. She boldly sat beside him which gained his attention successfully.

Ray: what was that just now?

Ye-Jin: (smiling) I panicked.

Ray: because?

Ye-Jin: (evading the question) were you waiting here all this time?

Ray: (smirking) that's not the answer to my question sweetie.

Ye-Jin was a little surprised at the little nickname which Ray used but she chose to ignore it and instead told him the truth.

Ye-Jin: Aera was with me.

Ray: (face losing all expression) oh!

Ye-Jin: are you ok?

Ray: (faking a smile) y-yes.

Ye-Jin: (scoffing) liar.

Ray: (swallowing) so you didn't want her to see me or what?

Ye-Jin: I wanted to keep all the negativity away from my home.

Ray: huh?

Ye-Jin: you would have gotten sad, some more upset when Aera would scoff at you and also she would have probably assumed that you were stalking her. (Alarmed) were you?

Ray: (chuckling) you are cute Ye-Jin. I came to return your jacket.

Ye-Jin: ok then where is it?

Ray: In my car. Ah! It feels good to be here. The neighborhood is so quiet and there is no reason for me to hide. I really like this.

Ye-Jin: (smiling softly) you look really nice today.

Ray: ah! really?! Thank you.

Ye-Jin: (in a serious tone) Ray why did you want to date Aera?

Ray: (surprised) huh?

Ye-Jin: (hiding her red face) no I am just asking, guess I am curious. (meekly) you don't have to answer me.

She was flustered after asking the question. She clearly saw him upset over the rejection yet she went ahead to shoot off her mouth.

Ray in the beginning was a little taken back by her direct approach but he too had been looking for someone to share his story with for sometime now so he welcomed her question and began to tell her about how his feelings for her friend actually developed.

Ray: (hesitantly) well I met her on the first day when I came to this city-