Feelings

Ray was overwhelmed with her response. Without any warning, he pulled her into his arms, not willing to let go.

She didn't want to others around her to worry and wanted to deal with this matter alone. She was ready to suffer quietly. Thankfully, the worst was avoided and she had escaped a huge danger.

Ye-Jin shushed her excited mind and happily enjoyed the warmth and comfort his arms brought her. She could feel his erratically beating heart. He was scared too. She felt happy to know that he cared for her. This was progress, right?

Ye-Jin reminisced the time she spent with him. From the moment she first saw him as an artist performing on the TV, she became his fan. Later, she was lucky enough to actually meet him. Her inner fangirl almost exploded in happiness back then. He tried getting closer to her when he was interested in her friend. He didn't have any bad intentions.

His only goal was to understand the likes and dislikes of Aera. Unexpectedly, his motives turned into genuine feelings of friendship for her. They shared some great mind-numbing adventures together. They grew to respect each other.

Especially, Ray, he was like that little child who was introduced to the outside world for the very first time. He Loved the adrenaline rush but more than that he loved her company.

They started to spend more time together. For Ye-Jin the pressure was greater than before with her family assuming the ultimate and actively pushing her towards him. She actually never understood their motives behind doing so. The only exception was her father who had a sour face every time Ray came for a visit. He disliked the guy. And she once again was lost about the reason.

She ultimately realised her feelings when Vic pressed her for answers. Luckily, she wasn't dense nor did she shy away from her discovery. With her sister's help, they devised a plan to understand his intentions towards her.

Well, the plan brought them to the present, where they were still lost in each other's arms. Enjoying the warmth the other person had to offer.

They would've continued to hold each other longer if they weren't rudely interrupted by Liu Bo.

Bo: (disgusted) go get a room!

The couple jumped apart startled. The air suddenly turned a little awkward. Liu Bo was glaring at both of them. Ye-Jin felt like a mistress who was caught by the girlfriend. She was mortified would be an understatement. On the other hand, Ray was scowling back at Liu Bo. His sister always had horrible timing.

The sparks were flying between the siblings and Ye-Jin who was unaware of the situation wanted to leave quietly but sadly her wrist was in Ray's grip.

Ray: what are you doing here?

Bo: why can't I be here?

Ray: I clearly remember getting a house for you!

Bo: So?

Ray: (gritting his teeth) Liu Bo!

He didn't want this light bulb to stay here. Yes, he was being selfish but he wasn't ready to spend his life like a monk when he had a woman he was in love with just cuz of his little sister. He didn't wish to die a virgin. But Liu Bo also wasn't someone who would let his brother bully her for some woman.

Bo: Liu Wei Xin! I am your little sister! Why are you bullying me for this woman?

Both Ray and Ye-Jin were startled by the little girl's indignant cry. Ray was shocked because it had been too long since anyone used that name and Ye-Jin was taken aback since she was finally enlightened.

Ray: (glowering) Liu Bo, who is bullying who? What is exactly your problem with Ye-Jin? What has she ever done to you?

Bo: (scoffing) isn't it enough that she is tying you down here when our family needs you the most!

Ray: (warning) Bo, not a word more!

Ye-Jin was now more confused but she chose to stay quiet. She was wise enough to not get in the middle when two people with horrible temper were vying for the ultimate kill. Instead, she shrunk back into the couch hoping to become invisible. This was a terrible night indeed.

Bo: (sneering) fine! I'll leave! Enjoy your time with this woman!

Liu Bo had originally come back as she had been feeling lonely in the new house her brother arranged for her. But she had to see that wicked woman in her brother's arms. She was immediately angered. She spouted all the unpleasant things to him and marched away feeling hurt.

After she left, Ray pinched the space between his brows trying to calm down all the negative emotions. The things he had been running away from were brought to the forefront by Liu Bo's words. He had his eyes closed to suppress the hurricane brewing in his mind.

Ye-Jin looked at Ray and was surprised to find his face twisted in some kind of unspeakable agony. She couldn't see him looking like that. Subconsciously she lifted her hand and lightly caressed his left cheek.

Ray felt a small, warm touch on his cheek. It was comfortable and the frown on his lips involuntarily turned into a small smile. He opened his eyes only to meet with her concern filled gaze. He almost melted into a puddle at her feet- remember almost. It was such a sweet gaze.

Ye-Jin: Ray?

Ray: (inhaling) I am sorry you had to see that.

Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) it's all right. That was your sister?

Ray: (nodding) yes. That was my little sister Liu Bo. You guys met once.

Ye-Jin: (nodding) Yes, we did.

Ye-Jin didn't elaborate anything after that. Both of them sunk into silence lost in their own thoughts. Ray was still in turmoil and Ye-Jin was battling her earlier decision.

While they were hugging each other minutes ago, Ye-Jin had made up her mind to confess to Ray. The game they had been playing was useless and all it did was nothing more but adding more distance between them. All that anticipation wasn't good for her. She couldn't afford to lose him for some damn confirmation nor could she wait for him to make the first move. She was done playing. But now the moment was ruined.

Why was their timing so off?

She wanted to find that stupid little girl and give her a good bashing. The dislike between them was mutual.

She now sat wondering when was going to be a good time. Because from what she could gather from the siblings' fight was that Ray had a complicated history. And Liu Bo had successfully reopened his healing wounds.

She sighed loudly at her rotten luck.

Ray: (alert) what is the matter?

Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) nothing- I wanted to- leave it. I should probably leave.

It wasn't good for her to stay with him longer. He was in some kind of pain and no matter how deep her feelings were, she was helpless. The longer she stayed with him, her mind would stray and tempt her to behave selfishly.

Ray: (holding her hand) can you stay for a bit? please-

That was it. She put her weapons of reasoning down. She gave up. Her heart wouldn't agree to leave him. She obediently sat down beside him, making no sound. She was afraid, she would break and confess.

To make matters worse for her already weak resolution, Ray laid down in her lap.

Ye-Jin: (taking a deep breath) ...

She was trying hard to not do or say anything stupid. She clenched her fists and bit down on her lips. But her hands had a mind of their own. No matter how hard she tried, her left hand made its way to his soft locks.

Ray sighed contentedly when he felt her fingers lightly brushing his hairs.

Ray: (looking at her) what were you saying before?

Ye-Jin: (pouting) now isn't the right time-

Ray: (rolling his eyes) when will be the right time?

Ye-Jin: (lost) I don't know.

Ray: (smiling) so you can tell me now right?

Ye-Jin: (hesitating) but- you-

Ray: (encouraging) what you say might cheer me up.

That didn't make any sense but she chose to give it a shot. Don't blame her, she was getting tired of bottling things up. That wasn't her style.

Ye-Jin: (taking a deep breath) here goes nothing. (Staring into his eyes) Ray, I like you- no, a-actually, I a-am in love with you.