Chapter 86: Chapter 84 - Dinner Table Conversation

“I am so full I think I might explode”  Beomgyu patted his stomach and burped loudly.

“Ew. Where are your manners?” Saehi made a face at Beomgyu and halted before taking a bite of the pear she was eating as her dessert.

“Who cares about manners when the food is this good?”  Beomgyu argued and Saehi rolled her eyes.

“You're behaving as if you don't come here every summer. Isn't this one of your father's many summer lodges? Please, if someone saw your plate, they would think you have been starving for a week” Saehi retorted.

“It is one of the Choi’s establishments” Beomgyu gave her an icy smile with his eyes narrowed. Clearly, he didn't want to discuss this here, or ever.

“But isn't your father, the CEO of the hotel chains?” Saehi raised an eyebrow in challenge and Beomgyu’s eyes narrowed in warning.

“Can we not discuss this right now? My entire morning was spent discussing business with my father and uncle. I would much rather enjoy the sea and be a student for the next two days” Beomgyu’s voice was light but something in his expression suggested he was exhausted.

I wasn't the only one who picked up on it. even Saehi’s usual snarky attitude towards Beomgyu dimmed slightly as concern etched her features.

“The food was delicious” San commented, changing the topic of discussion, and a hum of agreement filtered through our table.

Bahiyiy picked up the conversation from there, telling San about where the chef was from and how big their team was.

I zoned out of the conversation.

Each table was for ten people. Our table consisted of San, Saehi, me, all five of the Royals, Bahiyiy, and her friend.

It wasn't awkward per se but some people *cough* Taehyun *cough* clearly would have chosen to sit somewhere else, given the chance.

Bahiyiy’s friend looked familiar and at first, I couldn't pinpoint where I had seen her before. She was definitely a student here at Royals High but she looked more familiar than a face I had seen around school.

It wasn't until she grabbed Yeonjun to sit next to her and started acting clingy that I remembered her.

She was the same girl Yeonjun was arguing with the first day I saw him. Back when he had bright pink hair.

To say I was disappointed would be a lie. I was kinda saving a space next to me and hoping that Yeonjun would sit next to me - wishful thinking I know.

But he was a free man and he could sit next to whoever he wanted to. I didn't have a say in that. And I definitely wasn't the person who should be disappointed in the fact that he chose to sit next to someone else.

From what I remember of their conversation, I can say they were in a relationship before. He could have sorted the matter with her and maybe they were together again.

Maybe that is why he decided to go on this trip.

That was more logical than imagining he decided to join this trip because he saw my name on the list.

“I am glad you joined us on the trip. When I didn't see your name in the initial student list, I was disappointed. What made you change your mind?” Soobin asked.

He was sitting to my right.

The space I had hoped Yeonjun would be sitting in.

“Saehi and San conspired behind my back. Since the tickets were non-refundable, I decided to come. I am glad I did though.

From the corner of my vision, I could see Yeonjun. He was sitting diagonally opposite to me, on the other end of the table.

Hearing my voice, Yeonjun shifted in his seat. He was staring at me.

The urge to look at him was strong. It was as if he was sending me telepathic waves from his seat to look at him but I did not want to give him the satisfaction.

He sat next to his girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, or whoever she was and was not even hesitant about it. He could talk to her and spend his time staring at her.

This feeling of jealousy was new and uninvited but it still crept up inside me. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of my attention.

So what I did next was petty but at that time it was the only thing I could do to divert my mind from him.

I focused on Soobin.

“I am glad they did. I am happy you are here. I initially thought of sending a ticket to your home address but after last time I didn't want to cross a line” he sheepishly smiles at me.

“Well, I am glad you didn't. I would not have appreciated the gesture” I state and he looks at me with that politician's smile.

He is smiling but the dimples that make him look adorable are missing and the smile does not reach his eyes.

“Don't you consider me your friend at least? You agreed to San and Saehi. Why would it have been different if I had sent you the ticket?” He cocks his head to the side and assesses me.

I shift in my chair uncomfortably because  I can't tell him the truth. I don't want to tell him the truth.

How can I tell him that he makes me uncomfortable because of all that I've heard from Yeonjun or what I have seen him go through because of Soobin?

How can I tell him that he should be protecting Yeonjun because at the end of the day, he is his brother and not pick a war with him?

How do I tell him that my opinion of him over time has formed because of so many external factors that now even if I want to give him a fair chance to be my friend, I will always reflect on what he's done to Yeonjun?

So instead of facing his question head-on, I deflect.

“I didn't see you during the roll call before the ride. Where were you?” I ask even though I knew he was with Beomgyu.

“I had some business to take care of. Beomgyu and Yeonjun were there as well. We had a meeting with the directors” he said in a low voice that forced me to lean in a little to hear him properly among the hum of conversation littering our table.

“I hope everything went well” I truly mean that.

Yeonjun seemed happy when I last talked to him but both Beomgyu and Soobin looked exhausted. Both of them were a pro at hiding it but after knowing them for so long I could see behind their mask.

“Well, it went better than I expected it to go but it feels like my life is out of my control. Everything is changing so rapidly in front of my eyes and there is nothing I can really do to change anything. All I can do is wait and see which course it takes” he smiles at the end of his sentence but there is sadness clouding his eyes.

His words make me sad. His sentiment is very similar to what Yeonjun was telling me on the hill and yet different.

It makes me draw a parallel between Soobin and Yeonjun.

If both of them knew that they were more similar than not, would it help them bond or hinder their relationship even more?

“I am sure you will think of a way to solve your problem,” I say and he nods thoughtfully.

“I can’t really solve this problem. Not when he’s the one who has the power to take away everything” he looks in Yeonjun’s direction and I follow his gaze.

Yeonjun does nothing to hide his emotions. The rage and disgust is apparent on his face.

And when his gaze travels from Soobin to me, the expression changes to hurt. Before I can say anything, he turns his face away from me.

The prick in my heart intensifies but I brush it aside.

“He is not your competition, you know?” I tell Soobin but chuckles.

“Oh, but he is. He may deny it. He may even mean it even but he is my competition. That’s just how it is” he sighs, the heaviness of his voice settles deep in my stomach and slowly churns.

So much for casual dinner table conversation.

“Does anyone want ice cream? Yuri and I are going to the convenience store next block” Soobin suddenly announces to the table and I am too shocked to answer.

There is a dull roar of everyone saying what they want and Soobin nods, making a note on his phone. After everyone tells us what they want, sans Yeonjun, who is sitting on the corner glaring at Soobin and me, Soobin gets up from his seat and looks expectantly at me.

I just stare at him for a minute but he stands patiently with his hand extended out.

I sneak a glance at Yeonjun and he has his spoon is a death grip and his gaze fixed on Soobin's extended palm.

He was sitting straight, oblivious to the chattering of the girl beside him. His focus was zeroed in on Soobin and I.

I was in a dilemma here.

If I took Soobin's hand, there was a chance that Yeonjun might pop a blood vessel on his forehead.

But if I didn't take Soobin's hand, it would create a scene because everyone from our table was staring at both of us.

It would lead to multiple questions that I either didn't have answers to or just didn't want to answer.

Soobin played dirty.

Finally I got up from my seat and took Soobin's hand.

A/N: Earlyish update. I definitely did not take a long time to update this chapter.

I have so many ideas for the next few chapters but I don't think I can realistically fit them all in a 3 day weekend trip 😂😂😂😂

Anyway tell me what's going on in your lives. Give me some tea. Who knows I might incorporate them in the story later on.

Also, drama recommendation: The Atypical Family. If you have not watched it yet, watch it. This drama is so good and funny in the most organic way.