Chapter 8：I am your friend

Ye-Jin locked her door at exactly 6 that evening. She had received a text from Jay apologizing to her for not making it and texted the address of a locality she was quite familiar with. He had requested her immediate presence there and told her that she would meet their usual informant on reaching the place, who would tell her what she had to know.

She turned around to see a familiar car being parked in front of her porch. She was surprised as to what it was doing there at that moment.

As she had suspected Ray stepped out of the vehicle; looking all kinds of fresh and fine in a white t-shirt, ripped jeans and a cap resting on his head. His eyes were covered with dark sunglasses so it was difficult to tell what his expression was but the firm line of his lips only told that he was determined about something. When he saw her standing on the porch with an eyebrow raised in question he smiled at her.

Ray: did I show up at a wrong time Ye-Jin?

Ye-Jin: (nodding) I was heading out Ray. How come are you here?

Ray: (cheeks flushed) I just w-wanted to apologise to you for last night. I w-was a little d-drunk and I guess I caused you a lot of trouble.

Ye-Jin: it's ok, I am glad I could help.

Ray: still I am sorry.

Ye-Jin: just don't get drunk again like that; the empty roads as such aren't safe during nights.

Ray wanted to say something more but the keys dangling from her fingers caught her eyes and that was enough to change his direction of thoughts.

Ray: (without thinking through) understood. Where were you going by the way? Can I join you? As a friend?

Ray bit his tongue after he realised what he had spoken out loud. He wanted to drown himself in some lake out of embarrassment he was feeling. How could he just blurt those stupid things out when they barely knew each other. It felt as if all he did in front of her was embarrass himself again and again. His self-deprecating thoughts halted when he heard her hesitant reply.

Ye-Jin: (hesitantly) are you sure? I mean the place where I am going is not a nice neighbourhood and you are an idol.

Ray: it's ok I have disguises for such.

Ye-Jin: you still have time to back out Ray.

Ray: Ye-Jin, I am your friend. I'd be happy to accompany you places.

Ye-Jin: (chuckling) sure but let us leave your car here, it's too noticeable. We have your image to care about.

Ray: (confused) what do you mean?

Ye-Jin: you will soon see.

Ye-Jin pulled out her easy to blend with others- common people car out on the road.

Ray made sure to use a good disguise as not to be noticed by others. He now wore a dark hooded jacket and his eyes were still concealed by sunglasses. He looked as if he was a doctor going on a fashion rodeo instead of the operating theatre. Ye-Jin appreciated his outfit and smiled at him.

Ye-Jin: that depends on the tabloids and your personal paparazzi.

Ray: (pretending to be mock hurt) Ah! My image!