BEYOND THE LOVE

CHAPTER 45:

As Juan led us to the abandoned road near the seashore, the wind carried a mix of relief and uncertainty. The waves crashing against the shore echoed the tumultuous events that had unfolded. As we got down, the salty sea breeze filled the air, and the sound of the waves provided a momentary escape from the chaos.

Walking along the shore, the tension slowly gave way to a sense of gratitude. I turned to Juan, expressing my concern, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Juan smiled, his usual calm demeanor intact. "I couldn't let anything happen to you guys."

Suha, joining the conversation, added with a smirk, "Looks like our team player Juan is more of a 'lone wolf' than he lets on."

Juan chuckled, "Just keeping an eye on things. Now, let's head."
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As we walked further, we arrived at a wooden house near the shore. The wind howled, and the sound of the waves became a constant backdrop. Juan knocked, the door creaked open, revealing Ivan with a welcoming smile, my shock intensified. Suha and I exchanged glances, uncertainty evident in our eyes. Juan gestured for us to enter, breaking the momentary silence.

We stepped inside the wooden House, Ivan stepped aside, we cautiously entered the room. However, the moment my eyes took in the scene before me, I found myself rooted to the spot. Ji Woon, Kyoto – the familiar faces I hadn't expected to see. Ji Woon noticed me and rushed over, enveloping me in a tight embrace. As he held me, tears welled up in his eyes, and he whispered, "I really missed you, nara." Suha playfully ruffled Ji Woon's hair. Kyoto joined us, and Suha quizzically asked, "So, you didn't go to Japan, huh?" Kyoto chuckled and replied, "No."

Stepping back from Ji Woon, I couldn't help but question, "Then why didn't you guys contact us? We were worried."

The tranquility of the moment was shattered when a sound emerged from the right side of the house. A familiar voice said, "I told not to call you." Turning towards the source, I was surprised to see Ju Yan descending the stairs.

Juan, with a hint of mischief, added, "Not only Ju Yan, look ahead." My gaze shifted, and a wave of confusion washed over me as I saw Rein and two others – Chris and Kiah.

As I stood there, Kyoto broke the momentary silence with concern, "Are you guys okay?" Unable to contain my emotions, I admitted, "I really missed you," pulling Kyoto into a tight hug. The weight of the recent challenges was evident in my words as I continued, "Because of the problems, I thought I wouldn't be able to see you all again."

In the midst of our emotional reunion, Suha and Ji Woon also joined us, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. Kyoto, asked with concern, "Was it that much hard to handle?" I remained silent, the weight of recent challenges still lingering in my thoughts.

Juan, breaking the reflective moment, spoke up, "I was the one who brought you guys here. Now I'm all alone, huh?" His words carried a hint of playfulness, and in response, we extended our hands towards him.

Meanwhile, Ivan, who had been observing us, smiled and gracefully moved towards Rein.I caught a glimpse of the eviscerators, grinning at us. In the midst of this, I overheard Kiah telling Rein, "Your girl is loved by everyone." I pretended not to hear, maintaining my posture. Rein's eyes met mine.

While we were sharing hugs, Ji Woon interrupted and insisted, "Nara, I need to talk to you. Come with me." He held my hands. As Ji Woon led me upstairs, I halted by my brother, questioning Ju Yan, "Why didn't you mention that these three were with you when you visited me?" In unison, Jiwoon, Kyoto, and Juan asked, "What?" Their expressions mirrored Ju Yan's evident trouble.

Looking at Rein, Ju Yan seemed caught, and Juan interjected, "You specifically told us not to contact or see her." Kyoto chimed in, "Yet, you went to see her, didn't you?" Ju Yan attempted to explain, stuttering, "We... we just needed to discuss something important, that's all." Jiwoon inquired, "We... who's the other one?" Kyoto directed the question at Rein, asking, "Is it Rein?" All eyes turned to Rein, and at the moment I observed Ivan chuckling like a child while Rein rolled his eyes at Ju Yan.

The room filled with a mix of laughter and curiosity, Rein found himself at the center of attention, realizing the predicament he was in. Ju Yan, Juan, Kyoto, and Ji Woon stared at him with varying degrees of amusement and suspicion.

Juan, leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow, "Rein, care to explain why you guys was keeping this little secret?"

Rein stammered, attempting to come up with a plausible explanation, "Well, you see, it was a last-minute decision, and we didn't want to bother anyone."

Kyoto, folding his arms, added with a smirk, "Last-minute decisions usually don't involve secret meetings. What were you discussing that required such secrecy?"

Ji Woon, Kyoto, and Juan wore expressions ranging from curiosity to concern, while Rein and Ju Yan seemed caught in a dilemma. I took a deep breath, breaking the momentary silence.

"So, care to explain what's going on here?" I directed my question at Ju Yan, who was trying to find the right words.

Ju yan, with a mischievous glint in his eyes with sigh and , added, "Yeah, Rein, spill the beans. What's the big secret?"

Rein sighed, realizing there was no escaping the situation. "Okay, fine. We were checking on Nara. That's it."

Kyoto raised an eyebrow, "Checking on her?"

Juan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing, "And you guys specifically told us not to contact or see her."

Ivan, with a smirk, chimed in, "Looks like someone's in trouble."

Rein's attempts to justify himself were met with skeptical glances from everyone in the room. Sensing the tension, suha intervened, "Rein, it's fine. Rein just wanted to make sure nara is okay, right?"

Ju yan nodded, his playful demeanor softening. "Yeah, just wanted to check in. No big deal."

Chris turned to Rein, "Is that true?"

Rein shrugged, "Well, yeah. Can't a guy be concerned?"

Kiah, who had been observing the entire exchange, added with a smirk, "At least we now know Rein's heart is in the right place."

Suha, breaking the tension, teased Rein, "Looks like you're not as stoic as you pretend to be."

Rein rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile betrayed his attempt to maintain composure.
As the banter continued, Ji Woon pulled me his  hand gripped mine as we ascended the stairs, and Once we reached a more private space, he began to share details about Ae Cha.

Ji Woon's eyes softened, a warmth spreading across his face as he spoke of Ae Cha. "Nara, I need to tell you about her. Ae Cha is SO special to me."

A mix of emotions swirled within me – surprise, happiness for Ji Woon, and a tinge of sadness, perhaps longing for a connection like theirs. I managed a smile, "Ji Woon, I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy. Tell me more about Ae Cha."
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Our conversation concluded, we descended the stairs, discovering Suha engrossed in a discussion with my brother. Upon noticing our arrival, smiles adorned their faces, and Ju Yan, with a playful twinkle in his eye, directed a question to Ji Woon, "Done with your secrets?" Ji Woon responded with a broad smile, eliciting laughter from Suha.
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