Ch 4

Narrator

Coming out of the shower fully clothed, Jihyun was surprised to see another figure on her bed. “Jiso unnie, what are you doing here and not at home?” she paused as the cogwheels in her mind worked. “Now that I think about it… Jiyu unnie shouldn't be here as well, why are you guys here? Wait, are the kids here as well?”

The thoughts of the earlier dinner that she did not attend went out the window as she talks. But her sister said nothing and gestured her over, so Jihyun did as told. As she sat down next to her middle sister, despite her tired body, some level of excitement bubbled inside.

Thinking about her little angels, the tiring and confusing day didn’t seem so bad. Even though she cannot fulfill the promises she made, to be able to see them tomorrow would still be satisfying for Jihyun’s packed schedule.

“Let’s see, Brian oppa has to attend to a few family matters today, so he’s not here. And I decided to stay the night,” Jiso patted her damp head, looking down at her as if they were still kids. “The kids are in my room, sleeping,” at those words, Jihyun grinned and the urge to see them getting bigger.

As she knew why Jihyun was grinning, the older chuckled and decided to be forward. “Jiyu and I are here because of the dinner mom set up for you,” and she had succeeded in making Jihyun’s smile disappear. “Yongnam is in Singapore for a business trip but she and the little one is here for the night too… so yeah, that’s it I guess…” 

Nodding and digesting all of the words said, Jihyun won’t let the reason for their visit dampen their mood. As Jiso kissed the top of her head and helped her with her damp hair, Jihyun couldn’t help but love the treatment she was getting. Missing her older sisters and their kids was one thing, but to be able to spend some time off with them is another.

Not only is she always busy, but so are they. They have had their hands full with work and their kids, so the time to see them was always cut short. That’s why Jihyun was looking forward to seeing them as she had promised weeks ago. Yet Chris’s sudden idea and proposal earlier that day had dampened her spirit a bit.

They stay in a comfortable silence as the sound of a towel brushing against her head was the only sound that could be heard for a minute.

“What’s this I hear about you’re avoiding Raymond?” Jiso suddenly asks her after she was done drying Jihyun’s hair. “Did Jiyu unnie tell you? Unnie, I’m going to tell you what I told Jiyu unnie, I DON’T LOVE RAYMOND! I HATE HIM!” 

She states firmly, annoyed, and crosses her arms with a pout. Trying not to sound too rude and upset her sister, she sighed deeply, “Just stop, okay? I won’t ever go back to ‘trying’ out another relationship with him. Because I am done and over him! I never liked him and I wish you guys can see that!” she quotes the word and huffed, scowling.

“I know, but at least give him a chance,”

“But he’s-“ Jiso cut her by saying,

“I know he’s a player, but mom and dad like him still. And he told us that he’s willing to change for the better because he’s in love with you,” Jiso held her sister’s shoulder as if to make her see some sense. Jihyun felt a sudden flashback to the earlier scene of Jiyu trying to tell her the same thing.

“No matter what I say, no one is going to listen, are they? Do you care about me?” She unintentionally scoffs at her sister and annoyance could be seen on her tired face. Whatever it was Jihyun thought about, not being rude and all, was no longer on her mind. “Baby, it’s not like that. We do care, that’s why we want to help you find your Mr. Right before it’s too late,” 

Jiso cups her younger sister’s face with care and love that it made the annoying expression subside a bit. “It’s not going to be too late. I promise, just let me find my own Mr. Right… and if you guys do want to help, okay… it can be anyone but Raymond… please,” 

She dragged the please adding a bit of a cute expression to it while holding both of her sister’s hands like she was praying and Jiso laughed at her gesture. They stare at each other for a while, having a mini staring contest, and finally, Jiso sighed.

Jiso felt bad as she thought about what would happen if she were in the younger’s shoes, so helping the rest of the family to see it the way she does, won’t be so bad. “Alright, I’ll try talking to mom and dad for you baby,” agreeing to her request, Jiso feels delighted to see Jihyun’s bright expression. The younger pulls her sister in for a bear hug while muttering, “Thank you,” over and over again. 

Jiso laughed at her and kissed the top of her head tenderly. “Unnie, I’m tired. I’m going to bed now, okay? Plus, I have a meeting tomorrow, so I kinda need the rest right now… I have some work to get done because I’m needed in Japan in the coming days, so…” 

The older one didn’t need to be told twice. Although confused as to why her younger sister was working on her day off tomorrow, she agreed to leave Jihyun alone for the night. “Good night Hyun, we’ll talk more tomorrow,”

***

The next morning, although reluctant about getting ready and going to work, Jihyun got up early and prepared herself as per usual. She contemplated what kind of clothing should she wear, but in the end, she went casual. As much as she had never done so before, she didn’t want to waste another set of her working attire on a non-working day.

“Plus, he did mention I can be casual. So, I’m taking his advice… it’s his fault anyway,” she grumbled wordlessly as she got ready.

Jihyun wore a pair of black shorts with an oversized grey sweater tucked in the front. She paired it with some black leggings and ankle boots, to complete the look. Proud of her attire, she brushed her hair and decided to let her hair down. As a way of boosting her confidence, she winked at her reflection in the mirror and then went downstairs.

“Where are you going?” Jiyu and Jiso couldn’t help but ask simultaneously when Jihyun came down. The two older sisters were seated by the dining table with their kids. Jihyun grinned when she sees the little ones, making her go over each of them and peppered them with kisses.

Jiso’s 3-year-old son was eating his cereals next to his mom while his younger sister, a 2-year-old, is on her mom’s lap eating mango yogurt. Meanwhile, Jiyu’s 1 year old is in the arms of her mom, drinking milk out of her bottle.

“I’m heading to the office for a while, I thought I told you both last night?” informing them in the form of a question, Jihyun sipped the morning milk that had been prepared for her, as always. “But isn’t it your day off this weekend?” Jiso asks, confused although she recalled what she was told last night.

“Yes, it is. But I have to leave for Japan this Monday or probably tomorrow. I have things to prepare. As much as I don’t want to… I have to…” Jihyun pouted as she mumbled the last part. Eating her freshly made pancakes the maids prepared.

The two older women heard her yet they shared a look and nodded with a shrug, not pondering too much into it as they ate in silence. They knew if something was wrong, Jihyun would open up to them regarding it, as she always does.

“By the way, where are mom and dad?” she’s been looking around but found no trace of them. “They’re attending an emergency meeting. I think they left around 8.00 am or something, said it was important that's why it’s so early,” Jiyu informed her as she poured herself some orange juice.

Jihyun looked down at her watch, 9.30 am, it said and she frowned. “Huh… they left about an hour after I woke up…” After finishing her breakfast, Jihyun sighed and decided to get going, “Thanks for the yummy breakfast,” 

Jihyun put her plate in the sink then she gave a quick peck on her older sister’s cheeks, something that she’s been accustomed to since their childhood. Then another round on their kids, which caused giggles to erupt around the table. Grabbing her French coat, she said goodbye one last time before she made her way towards the front door.

“What time are you coming home?” Jiso caught up just as Jihyun opened the front door. Looking at the older, Jihyun frowned and gave it a thought, “Around the afternoon I guess, why?” 

Her answer earned her a nod as Jiso said nothing in particular but told her to drive safely. Jihyun didn’t waste time and got into her black Swift and drove straight to the hotel. 

“Good morning Miss Song, I didn’t know you would come this weekend,” the valet driver, Ricky, greeted her as he takes her keys.

Sighing with a small smile she politely uttered, “I have things I need to settle within this week, I wouldn’t be here unless I have to. Take care of my car for me Ricky," he returned her smile and nodded, entering her car as she makes way inside. 

As Jihyun walked into the building, one hand holding onto a few files while the other holding onto her handbag, the staff all looked almost surprised to see her. Nevertheless, they all showed her the same respect and greeted her although she looked more casual than what they were used to seeing.

She just greeted back with a simple ‘morning’ and bowed with the same respect they showered her before making her way to the elevator. Her smile not flattering as some even held her attention for some quick morning gossip.

Jihyun made sure the file she had in her hands were the right ones as she makes way to the HR office. “He’s not here yet… welp, he was the one who said I should just put this here,” Jihyun shrugged as she stuck on the memo as the older male instructed before she left. 

There weren't many people in the HR office since it was a half-day for office workers and Jihyun wasn’t surprised. She checked in with the few that are present to make sure things are well among them and for them to notify their head of the files she left.

Once settled, she exhaled in frustration and made her way to where Chris’s office lies. ”I wish I can get out of this! God this is a nightmare!” Jihyun held back any form of curses as she pushed open Chris’s door after knocking.

“Oh! You’re here early,” Jihyun commented when she saw Chris already stated in front of his desk, something she didn’t expect. She absentmindedly takes off her coat to put it aside on the settee, no longer looking at her busy boss.

“Yes, well-“ Chris couldn’t finish his sentence as his eyes caught the sight of Jihyun, who was making herself comfortable on his settee. It was his first time to see Jihyun in shorts, or anything short for the record. He had to admit inwardly, she looks quite sexy in them. Something he never expected himself to label her as. “What the heck is wrong with me? Where did these thoughts come from?”

“What, were you saying something?” Jihyun asks when she caught him staring at her. She had to blink because it was the first time to see him looking at her so intently. “Nothing, it was nothing,” he shook his head, cleared his throat, and went towards her.

“So, what is it I have to know and don’t?” Jihyun did not beat around the bush and faced Chris as he occupied the seat in front of her. Her straightforwardness made Chris blink back, not expecting her to be so blunt so early in the morning.

Waving her hand in front of him, Jihyun’s perfect brow arched when Chris looked lost suddenly. “Boss? You okay over there?” snapping out of the sudden surprise, he cleared his throat again and nodded.

“First… I would like you to know about the people I am sure will be attending the wedding,” He pulled out a picture from a file, it shows 6 guys, one of them was Chris himself. 

“Younger Chris,” Jihyun thought as she could see braces, and instead of the dyed dirty blonde hair today, it was a dark brown with a buzz cut. ”Never took him as someone who’d need to wear those and he looks kind of cute with that haircut…” she held back a giggle and took the photo, silently observing it.

“These are my friends,” he pointed the obvious and she nodded absentmindedly, taking in the faces and familiarizing herself with their features. “I didn’t think you’d be the kind of guy who’d have many friends. Honestly, you give out the vibe who’d probably have like a few,” 

Jihyun was slightly dazed by their looks, just like Chris, they looked dashing in their youth. Chris didn’t comment on what she said and observed her expression as she stared at the old picture of him and his close friends. 

Sure enough, he could make out the fact she seems intrigued and interested as he predicted. ”Typical women, you see a good-looking man, or guys and you get excited,” He laughed silently looking at her face, not at all offended.

“Hey, this is Luke, right? The one who was here yesterday?” she pointed to Luke in the picture, who also had a similar buzz cut. Chris recalled them taking the picture after both of them got the said haircut as punishment.

“Yup, Luke’s my best friend and we’ve known each other since middle school,” he replied shortly. The male and he went way back, they did all of the silly and amazing things together. The others were friends they met along the way and stayed in their small group of friends as the years grew.

She nodded and continued to stare at the picture, a curious look now painted on her face and it made Chris himself curious. ”What is she looking at?” Chris craned his neck to see from her point but before he could lean closer, she looked up and her eyes pinned him.

“Are… are you boys wearing school uniforms or suits? I’m kind of confused right now… what are you guys doing?” her doe-like eyes inquired and when her question sunk in, Chris can’t help but snort.

“So that’s what got into her head… for a moment there I thought she was bewitched by one of the boys…” sitting up straight, he grinned playfully and took the picture out of her hands. “What do you think? What does it look like to you?” 

Chris watched as her eyebrows pinched together, trying to figure out the answer. She reached for the photo again and squinted her eyes. “As if doing that you could know what we wore… all of the ladies who saw this would end up guessing wrong… even Aliaa…”

“Suits?” Jihyun made a wild guess but still looked unsure, making Chris’s grin grow. ”I knew it… this never gets old…“

“Nope. Those are our school uniforms. We took that a day before school ended but had someone tailored it beforehand,” he remembered how much he hated wearing that school uniform, but then again it wasn’t so bad.

“Wow, I thought those were suits. The tailor who altered this was good,” she was still staring at the picture despite the compliment and Chris notes how her eyes still displayed curiousness.

“We remade it for fun and it was my idea. I didn’t think the guys would agree with me but they did and hey! Now we have some memory of the happening of that to prove it,” he sneered at the memory of that day. It was fun but they got into an argument and almost did not took the photo.

“That’s nice to hear. I didn’t have that many friends in high school and the ones I do aren’t that close to me anymore… so yeah, I’m kind of jealous to see you have something like this,” she smiled widely and for a moment, Chris didn’t know why but he could not look away.

He had seen the woman tons of times since they got acquainted, he had been a witness to her smiles for three years now, yet why does it always make him feel dazed?

“Chris? Is everything okay?” waving her hands in front of him again, he shook his head and cursed at himself. ”Not now dude… don’t be weird and make it awkward…”

“Yeah, sorry about that… so how about we get some snacks before we continue,”