Strings Attached (Sequel)

Not So Happy

March 14th

Huaze Lei

"Lei, you're stressed. You and Faye should take a trip to get away for the break," Jing was saying to me. Meizuo, Ah Si, and Jing were with me at a cafe. Faye was spending some time with her parents as well as mine.

"I know you're worried about her with Ximen," Meizuo sighed. "They're fighting. There's nothing we can really do about this."

"It shouldn't be this way," I spoke. I combed my hair with my fingers feeling a headache approaching. Since the one text Ximen sent to her, Faye has been feeling down and upset. There wasn't a way to control the situation.

"Ximen upset her this time. This was bound to happen when you agreed to his demands. I knew this would happen. You shouldn't have gone to the extreme."

"You're blaming me right now Meizuo?" I frowned slightly and folded my arms. "I am doing everything I can to make her happy. This is difficult for me and being reminded of my mistakes isn't helping."

"No one is blaming you," Jing spoke softly and shot Meizuo a disapproving look. "This was Ximen's doing. If he had not started with his behavior and bad reaction towards you and Faye, this would have never happened. The best you can do is support Faye during this time and show her you will both be alright."

"I... don't know if she's going to be alright," I said lightly and all three heads looked towards me. "I... she's trying to hide her feelings about this."

"It's because they dated for a short period of time,"Ah Si and we all turned towards him. Being unaware of this, I folded my arms in shock. Is this true?

"Wh-what?" I asked and Jing looked towards me worriedly.

"No way..." Meizuo said with disbelief. "Ximen hasn't been in a serious relationship. There's no wa-"

"Why would I make this up?" Doaming Si said. "I knew those two were dating back in senior high school. Geng and I figured it out, because Ximen would do anything for Faye. I know this isn't what you want to hear about Lei, but Ximen's feelings for her run deep."

"How wouldn't we have noticed?"

"Like Ximen has explained to you before. Faye was kept a secret, because Faye did not want to be known about because of my actions."

"Your actions that I'm not happy about," I frowned slightly.

"Faye is the partial reason why he won't date anyone."

"I doubt it," Meizuo commented. The idea of Faye not mentioning this wasn't sitting well with me. If I asked her now it would only add on to her the mood she was truly feeling.

"Lei," Jing spoke softly and looked towards me concerned. "Please don't overthink this." Meizuo and Ah Si looked towards me. Even though it was long ago, I couldn't help but feel the need that I should have known at least this much before Faye and I started our relationship. Feeling betrayal and frustration to myself I knew I had to get away.

"Lei..." Meizuo sighed. "Don't do what I think you're going to do." They seemed to sense my frustration. I took my keys off the table.

"Lei, she's going to be really upset with you,"Ah Si said.

"She'll be more upset if I lash out at her." I stood now and Jing folds her arms.

"Huaze Lei, if you walk out of here and go off somewhere, I will be very pissed off with you." I ignored Jings comment and began making my way out.

Faye Calinao

There's a knock on the door and I looked towards the door to see Cha peeking his head through. I sat up slightly from my sitting position on the bed and stared blankly at him.

"Can I come in for a moment?" Cha asked and I nodded. I sat on Lei's bed resting for a while while I waited for him to return. I was feeling hopeful as the thoughts of bringing up wedding ideas to him was something that made me happy.

"Thank you for taking my parents to my grandparents," I spoke gently and smiled tiredly at him.

"It wasn't a problem. Your parents seemed really excited to see them again. I'm glad they were able to make it to the baby shower and to spend some time with you."

"Me too. It was nice of Lei to plan for them to be here. I wasn't sure if they would be able to make it and with my siblings in school. Lei really is the best." Cha smiled agreeing and sat on the edge of the bed. "Speaking of Lei," I smiled and reached for my phone to send him a text. "I should ask if he can stop by a market to pick up the chocolates I've been craving.

"You and your chocolates," Cha smiled. "How about we go? I've been meaning to go to the market."

"Sure," I smiled and sat up slightly. "I'll let Lei know we're going out instead." Cha nodded and told me he'd wait for me downstairs. It took a moment for me to find a sweater to put on before grabbing my wallet, keys, and phone.

"Faye," Jing called out and I looked in her direction as I walked into the living room where I saw Gu Weiyi, Senior Yu Yin, Sito Mo, Moonbin, and Cha all in their coats. My eyes widened slightly, feeling surprised to see them all here at this time of night.

"Wh-what are you all doing here?" I spoke quietly. Both my parents and Lei's parents went out for the evening.

"Let's go to Yalong Bay," Sito Mo beamed and I frowned confusedly, not quite understanding what's going on.

"That's... so far. Sanya," Is said lightly, thinking about what happened last time I was there.

"It's alright," Moonbin said and stood. "We decided we wanted to take a trip with you."

"Me?" I wondered about the sudden urge to travel.

"It's our spring break," Senior Yu Yin smiled. "Cha and I thought it would be a great idea. We could all use a little time away."

"That sounds good." I nod like the idea of spending time with friends.

"Good," Cha said, coming up to me and wrapping an arm around me. "We're leaving for the airport."

"Now? I should call Lei."

"You can tell him as you're grabbing your passport."

"I need to pack?" I questioned.

"Senior and I already packed for you," Sito Mo commented. I nodded and pulled my phone out.

"Alright, I'll call him and be back in a moment." Everyone in the room stood as I began walking up the stairs to the room. After clicking on Lei's number, the phone rang a few times before he answered.

"Faye," Lei spoke and I frowned immediately at his tone.

"Hi Lei," I spoke gently and walked into my room to grab my passport. "Is... everything alright?" There's a moment of silence.

"Did you and Ximen ever date?" Lei asked. I stopped rummaging through the safe and froze feeling a bit panicked stricken. This was something I never told anyone.

"Um..."

"Faye," He sighed harshly and I knew at this moment he wasn't happy.

"Y-yes, but where did you hear that from?"

"Does that really matter right now Faye?" He snapped and I pulled the phone away for a moment feeling guilt and discomfort from his sudden outburst. I knew this was something I should have at least told Lei, but Ximen never made it official. The thought of Ximen now brought back sad and painful memories.

"I should have told you..." I said lightly and bit my lip nervously.

"You really should have. Maybe when we decided to have a serious relationship."

"I-I," I felt dumbfounded and unsure what to say. I felt frozen. "S-sorry."

"You and Ximen continue to surprise me. I thought you said you and Ximen were never a thing? Was that just a lie?"

"W-we should talk about this in person. I'll explain."

"I don't want to see you right now." I'm taken back by this and my heart immediately begins aching. I feel like I keep messing up our relationship. I hugged myself with my free arm as I held onto the phone to my ear.

Next update: June 30th, 2022