Chapter 71：Wedding

The following day Ray dropped Ye-jin off to the airport. The Parks had last night released the news of their youngest daughter taking over the company as the chairman. Ray was informed of the change through Mui. It came as a surprise to all of them. Ray was the most surprised. He had never thought Ye-jin was going to change her careers abruptly. Timo on the other hand, was a little heartbroken about losing a kindred soul.

Kai: (inquisitive) you never knew about this?

Ray: (shaking his head) no I didn't. She never told me.

Timo: (sighing) why would she do this to me? I thought I finally found a person who shared the same interests as me!

Kai: bro you are over reacting. She just changed her careers not her whole personality or interests. Quit being dramatic.

Kai: Ray give me her phone number. I want to invite her to my wedding.

Ray: (shrugging) She won't be able to attend your wedding. Don't bother with it.

Kai: (glowering) man! How stingy can you get? It's just her phone number I am asking for-

Ray: So?

Kai: (huffing) you're hopeless!

The night turned to a new dawn and Kai finally managed to get Ye-jin's phone number through Vic. Without further ado, he called her- hiding from Ray.

Kai: hello? Miss Park?

Ye-jin: (groggy) who's this?

Kai: It's me, Kai.

Ye-jin: oh…?

Kai: (disheartened) aren't you happy that I called?

Ye-jin: (yawning) I am still not completely awake. Give me a moment, please.

Kai: (chuckling) alright. I called to collect your address so that I can send you the invitation to my wedding this weekend.

Ye-jin: (chasing away the sleep) this weekend? So soon?

Kai: uh… yes?

Ye-jin: I am sorry, I was a little surprised. Ray never told me the date and I forgot to ask.

Kai: ah, so that's what happened. Never mind, you should definitely come-

Ye-jin: (apologetic) I am sorry Kai. I would really have loved to attend your wedding but I am flying to London today. I won't be back anytime soon.

Kai: oh! My bad. Actually, Ray did tell me about it but I thought he was bluffing.

Ye-jin: (chuckling) why would he bluff?

Kai: (shrugging) he easily gets jealous when it comes to you- uh forget I said anything like that.

Ye-jin: (smiling softly) ok I will try to forget it.

Kai: Ok then, I'll hang up. Don't forget to send the gifts though.

Ye-jin didn't answer but laughed out at the shamelessness of one of the wealthiest celebrities in the country. He didn't care if she came to attend his wedding ceremony or not but he didn't forget to remind her to send the newlyweds a gift. Shaking her head she got on with her day.

By the time evening arrived, she was all set to set sail for London. Ray came to drop her off on dot. Their ride was quiet as was the wait at the airport. It was a comfortable silence with each of them lost in their own thoughts. When Ye-jin prepared for final goodbyes and was about to go through the gates Ray grabbed her hand.

Ye-jin: Ray?

Ray: (pulling her closer) promise me that you will take good care of yourself.

Ye-jin: (grinning) yes I will. I won't be alone there, I have a whole team with me.

Ray: (shrugging) I know but for my sake-

Ye-jin: Sure thing. You can rest your worries about me. Send me pictures of Kai's wedding though.

Ray: (nodding) I will.

Ye-jin: (raising an eyebrow) anything else?

She pointedly looked at her hand still in his grip. As the time passed his grip on her was tightening and it was starting to hurt.

Ray: (releasing her arm) oh! I am sorry.

He didn't realise when he grabbed hold of her to pull her closer. Now that he did, his ears turned red in embarrassment.

Ye-jin: (kissing his cheek) I'll be back before you know.

Leaving a flabbergasted and thoroughly flushed Ray behind Ye-jin set sail to London.

Fast forward to the wedding day,

Ray stood on the altar as the best man. He had a clear view of Mel walking down the aisle with her father. Her eyes were filled with anticipation, fear and lots of anticipation for the future. Kai stood beside him, a completely different image from what he was in the dressing room few hours ago. His nervous energy was all gone and now he stood as a steady anchor to the ship that Mel was.

The exchange of vows was a bittersweet affair. Many had tears in their eyes. The bride and groom didn't exchange words of love or an eternal happy married life. But their realistic approach to the unknown was refreshing for all the young hearts.

Ray felt a strong pang in his heart. The moment when Kai and Mel exchanged their vows, Ray couldn't help but imagine himself in Kais place. He looked at the aisle to see Ye-jin walking towards him with a beautiful smile adorning her lips. She was wearing a gorgeous white and creamy wedding gown with her hairs let lose. His heart skipped a beat when she was almost in front of him. Her beauty knocked his breath away. He was about to take her hand in his own when his daydream ended.

The hall erupted with loud cheers when the bride and groom kissed. Ray, although ashamed at his own vivid imagination gathered himself enough to clap and cheer for the newlyweds.

The guys had long planned to gift the couple with a small honeymoon package and Ray was elected as their driver. While coming back from the resort with Vic, Ray decided to share his issues with their youngest brother.

Ray: Have you ever thought of getting married?

Vic: I do. I always think of a peaceful life with a wife, two or three kids and few pets.

Ray: you've planned quite a lot.

Vic: (dryly) what's the use of planning ahead? I need a person to share these plans with right?

Ray: (interested) how would you recognise the right person?

Vic: (shrugging) I don't know. Maybe, I'll know when I meet her. It's different for everyone. Look at Kai, he married just like that but they clicked from the start.

Ray: I never understood how Kai knew that Mel was the one for him.

Vic: he knew it was her from a long time. Look at big bro, he's hung over that girl he met once back then.

Ray: (rubbing his face) I still don't get it.

Vic: (chuckling) why are you so concerned about this? I thought you had already found your one.

Ray: (shaking his head) I know it now, Aera was never the one. I was too naïve back then to think that my gratitude towards her was love.

Vic: (nodding) then what do you think about Ye-jin?

Ray: (rolling his eyes) she's a friend Vic. You guys have all filled my head with shit!

Vic: hey! We didn't do anything. You filled your head with shit. We only said that you guys look perfect for each other.

Ray: leave it! I know that I shouldn't have any thoughts towards her when I just got over her friend.

Vic: (confused) who says that? And don't you have thoughts about her now?

Ray refused to speak with Vic. His words didn't give Ray any answers instead they confused him. He only saw Ye-jin as a good friend but why did he imagine her as his bride? Why did his heart miss a beat when he saw her? Why was he seeing her face constantly when he closed his eyes? Wasn't this breaking the whole code of friendship?

Filled with guilt, remorse, confusion and with no clear picture in the mind Ray passed his days of separation from Ye-jin.