บท 61: Engaged?

The guys all arrived at the concert venue and decided to wait for Kai in the room backstage. It hadn't even been thirty minutes after their arrival when the door of the room clicked open. Kai entered the room with an exceptionally happy face. His grin was stretched wider than his shoulders. That wasn't all but he was followed by a woman.

The members all zeroed in on this one point. Kai had brought a woman with him. That was shocking on its own. Although they knew he was a straight fellow, reading too many articles about how he was homosexual and dating Ray had slightly affected the troublesome trio's thought process.

Moreover, they couldn't get past the fact that the man and woman were holding hands. It was not a simple hold but the intimate ten-finger clasp. An alarm went off in the guys' heads. They could roughly guess what the scenario was and also imagine various ways to pull their leader's leg. Their exciting thoughts were interrupted by Kai's question.

Kai: did you guys wait long?

Mui: (looking at their entwined hands and back up at their faces) No. We came here moments before you did.

Ray: (not beating around the bush) Who is the lady with you Kai?

Kai: ah! (Pulling her to the front) this is Yoo Min-Soe.

Mel: (bowing to them) hello everyone!

Timo: (smirking) so are you two dating?

Kai: (shrugging) in a way, yes we are.

Vic: (loudly as if in shock) Oh no! It can't be!

Ray: (perplexed) what?

Vic: (more loudly) Kai! bro! When did this happen? Why didn't you tell us all?!

Timo: (bewildered) tell us what?

Vic: (exasperated) Can't you see the ring on her finger?

Ray: (wide-eyed) is that?! (Recognizing the ring) You told me you were looking rings for your Mom!

Mui: Awesome! When were you going to tell us?

Kai: (putting his hands up to stop them) will you let me speak? I wanted to surprise you all. Ray, Sorry! I couldn't tell you and spoil the surprise when you came with me while we went looking for the ring. Everyone let me introduce you to my fiancé, Yoo Min-Soe.

Timo: f-fiancé?!

Ray: (choking on his spit) w-what?

Mui: Oh god! Oh no!

Vic: h-how?

Kai didn't answer them but instead, he was rejoicing internally to have caught them all off guard.

Kai: (in Mel's ear) this is better than what I pictured.

Mel: (controlling her breathing at his sudden closeness) mm-hmm.

Kai put his arm around her waist and lightly kissed her ear lobe before pulling away smiling at the small shiver that passed through her body. He could see that her cheeks had heated up and she was overwhelmed by their proximity and she was trying hard to get her mind back to work. He was pleased to know that he had such an effect on her.

The guys all lowered their eyes at the sudden PDA. Also, the lady was their future sis-in-law. It didn't sit well with them to gawk at the couple's affectionate exchanges shamelessly.

They were all single dogs and took pride in the same. Although some of them were in several on and off relationships. How could their little hearts handle it when their trusted leader went ahead and declared that he was already engaged! This was betrayal!

Timo: (sitting heavily back on the couch) wow! I m-mean h-how?

Kai: (sitting opposite to Timo and pulling Mel to sit with him) it all just happened too fast.

Ray didn't believe that Kai was in his right mind ever since he announced this engagement. Then something clicked in his head.

Ray: (glaring) Kai tell us the truth, you got her pregnant didn't you?

Mel's spit went down the wrong tube at Ray's accusation. She started to cough and turned red in embarrassment. Kai was a completely different story, he was glaring at Ray and at the same time rubbing soothing circles on Mel's back.

Kai: (sneering) real mature Ray.

Ray: Huh? what?! You always wanted kids and you come here with the big news. What should we think?

Mui: (defensive) don't pull us in with you! It isn't 'we' but only 'you'.

Ray glared at the guy obviously displeased. Now wasn't the moment for them to be divided!

Mel: (still red in the face) I am not pregnant!

Vic: (handing her a glass of water) Min-Soe, Drink some water.

Mel: (gladly accepting) Thank you, Vic.

Kai: (concerned) you feeling ok?

Mel: (nodding) yes. I was surprised that's all.

Mui: (looking at the couple still in confusion) so how did this happen?

Kai: we met each other about a fortnight ago through our parents and I made it official by proposing to her today.

Mui: arranged marriage?! Whoa! This is unbelievable!!

Timo: (wide-eyed) are you both sure about it?

Kai and Mel both turned to look at each other to the big brother's question. Were they sure? No, they weren't but they were willing to give it their all. They were already aware that they had unmistakable chemistry between them.

The guys could once again only look down in embarrassment at the sudden warmth filled atmosphere. Seriously! What was it with today? Kai was engaged! His gaze was tender and they were all force-fed with loads of PDA!

Kai: (still looking into her eyes) I guess we'll be fine.

There goes that tender voice and gaze again! Ray was trying very hard not to roll his eye. Timo was controlling his urge to not curse loudly. Mui and Vic were almost scarred by their gentle leader.

They could only hope that he would revert back to his old self when he was around them- sans Mel. Kai like this was more scary and unbearable to these saint-like single men.

Ray: (in a serious tone) we can all see that Kai but this is marriage, not some game.

Vic: (being the voice of wisest man) I think we should trust him about this. I mean he has taken quite good decisions every time.

Timo: (shaking his head) don't mention his love life. It's a total mess.

Mui: (chipping in his two cents) I agree with Vic here. I believe in Kai and sister-in-law sure is beautiful.

Mel: thank you, Mui.

After the usual serious talks were out of the way, the guys didn't dwell on them anymore. They knew Kai. He was a good man and he seemed to be happy with Mel so all they could now do was to wish the couple.

Ray: (smiling) well! I am happy for you guys. Welcome to the family Min-Soe. Take good care of our weird brother and we'll be looking forward to getting to know you better.

Mel: (smiling) thank you Ray and I'll make sure to keep him in on his toes always.

Timo: (laughing) sis-in-law sure is witty, you are lucky to have found her Kai.

Kai: Hey! I brought her here so that you could all meet her, not for all of you to team up against me.

Timo: (winking at her) that's given.

Mel giggled at Timo's wink which made Kai burn in a sudden rush of anger.

Kai: Hey bro! Find a woman for yourself and keep your claws off my lady here.

Ray: (rolling his eyes) Min-Soe, come with me, I'll introduce you to everyone around here.

Mel looked at Kai once and seeing him nod in agreement she accepted the hand given by Ray smiling. Both of them left the room leaving behind the eldest and the youngest line to tease the- soon to be- groom.