Chapter eighteen November 12, 2008

Chapter eighteen

Jae Joong was hidden underneath the dark. Both Yun Ho and Stephanie didn’t see him at all. He thanked the Almighty for that. He seriously didn’t want to know more about the both of them. It seemed to be awkward situation for him to explain why he was here in the first place.

Stephanie had just run away and Yun Ho stood there watching. Now, Jae Joong could continue searching for his mother’s purse.

It was not that he minded.

The next day was a public holiday. It was a busy day for the café every year that day. The manager fully aware of that had asked his three employees to report to work at the opening. He told him that he will pay them extra. Li Yin was not to miss that chance. Stephanie had nothing to do and Jae Joong was bored.

The three of them gathered and started working mechanically.

They worked nonstop until after lunch which was the peak for the café. After lunch, the three of them took a break in the kitchen.

“Li Yin, can you pass me that cup with water? I am dehydrated in here,” Jae Joong complained.

Li Yin passed the water without a complaint. She handed the cup over with a beaming face. She kept on flashing her smile to Jae Joong.

Bewildered, Jae Joong asked,” What is it? Is there anything on my cheek?”

“No, it is just that you seemed extra kind today,” Li Yin replied casually.

“No, there is something. Definitely something. What is it?” Jae Joong got suspicious.

“I need a favour,” Li Yin pleaded.

“I won’t lend you money without IOU,” Jae Joong answered curtly.

“NO. NO. I don’t need your money. I need your body,” Li Yin slipped.

“BODY?” came the automatic reply.

Stephanie looked bewildered too. Apparently, Stephanie had been eavesdropping at their conversation when she was standing there. Both Li in and Jae Joong were too wrapped in their conversation that both of them had forgotten about Stephanie. Heaving a sigh, Li Yin took out a carefully folded paper out of one of the pocket on her apron. She then opened it and placed it properly onto the kitchen table.

The other two edged closer towards the table.

Both of them registered two different conceptions upon reading it. Stephanie saw the cash prize if she were to win the competition. It was might be used to pay her rents. It seemed suddenly the imaginary clouds above the ceiling opened up and a beam of heavenly light shone on the paper.

Stephanie was ready to throw her hands up and rejoice.

Jae Joong on the other hand was wondering what does that had to do with him.

Li Yin was still beaming at Jae Joong.

It was a while until the three of them snapped out of their reverie. Li Yin took the opportunity of confusion to ask Jae Joong a pivotal question.

“Do you want to be my partner in this competition?” Li Yin asked.

“Partner? But we aren’t in that sort of relationship,” Jae Joong desperately said.

“Of course. But you can help me by pretending to be my boyfriend,” Li Yin reasoned out as if it was supposed to be rightful.

“And why is it that Jae Joong had to choose you?” Stephanie suddenly butted in.

“Jae Joong, dear would you ever so kindly to accompany me in this competition? I am sure we will win,” Stephanie offered.

“I brought this up first,” Li Yin exclaimed loudly.

Girls were fighting over him. He had never thought that he would be the object between his friends. He was very sure that his new found friends won’t be like any other girls who killed at one another to have him.

“SO?” both of them demanded to Jae Joong.

Jae Joong felt threatened suddenly. He needed to come up with an idea. FAST. He started thinking and pushed a strand of hair behind. He had a dilemma. He didn’t want to side with anyone at all although he had preferred Stephanie over Li Yin as Stephanie was mysterious to him. On the other hand, Li Yin had brought the topic up and he had never wanted to disappoint Li Yin.

There was only one way to resolve this and he was sure both parties will agree to it.

“Let’s draw lot,” Jae Joong said while walking to the utensils box.

He took out a spoon and fork and showed them these two apparatus of eating.

“Whoever who get the spoon, will be my partner,” he announced as he turned with his back facing them. He hid the utensils with his both hand, covering both the spoon and fork. When he was satisfied, he turned back again to face them and held out two closed knuckle.

“Choose,”

Li Yin can’t believe her tough luck. She had picked fork. She had lost Jae Joong to Stephanie. She worked her anger out on the dishes later on in the evening and every speck of uneaten food was imagined with their image on.

Both the other two knew she was in a bad mood and tactfully avoided her that day.

As she stood there, next to the skin, she wondered whether she can find someone to be her fake boyfriend for that competition.

Jae Joong can’t hide his smile when he saw Li Yin drawing out a fork from his hand.

Sorry, buddy. Cant help you there.

Li Yin must had seen the smile on his face and shot a glare. Jae Joong walked towards Li Yin’s back and messaged her shoulder. Li Yin automatically closed her eyes.

“You can always find someone else,” Jae Joong comforted.

“Yeah. Li Yin, I am sure that there are tonne of guys out there. We will have a fair competition with you,” Stephanie said, all geared up.

Li Yin sighed. Stephanie felt bad for Li Yin and partially glad that she can avoid finding a fake boyfriend when she saw Li Yin sighed.