I LOVE YOU MY FRIEND (FAN FICTION) (CHAPTER 20)

 

 

CHAPTER 20

 

 

            "Mother . . . wait," Daichi called out as he tried to stop his mother form pulling Lena out of the studio.

 

            Daichi's mother angrily faced Daichi.

 

            "I knew something was going on. But I never expected this . . . I never imagine that you would allow another man to be around Lena. I am very disappointed, Daichi. Lena is your fiancee. Doesn't that mean anything to you?" the older woman asked as she furiously glared at her son.

 

            "Mother, you've got it all wrong. The man you saw was Jaejoong. He's Lena's bestfriend since childhood. Nothing is going on. Please believe me," Daichi tried to explain to his mother.

 

            "Are you trying to convince me that nothing is going between that guy and Lena?" the old woman asked Daichi as she stared back at Lena who was silently looking at them.

 

            "Yes, mother. Don't be unreasonable. Don't take Lena, please. We still have a photo shoot to take care of," Daichi said again.

 

            The old woman stared at her son for a few minutes as if trying to decide whether to believe him or not. Then she suddenly shook her head.

 

            "Sorry . . . but my intuition tells me that there is certainly a secret that both of you are sharing. Find yourself another photographer. Lena's never going to set foot in this studio again," Daichi's mother answered.

 

            "Mother . . ." Daichi uttered.

 

            "Lena . . . we're going home! And Daichi, when you get home . . . I believe you have a lot of explaining to do. Not only to me but also to your father," the old woman said as a warning.

 

            Lena suddenly felt pity for Daichi. Somehow he was like a small child being scolded by his mother. And she could see the hurt look in his eyes.

 

            Lena suddenly tried to break free from the old woman's hand, and then she went up to Daichi's side.

 

            "Mother, please . . . Daichi didn't do anything wrong. You don't have to be so harsh on him," Lena said firmly she looked at the old woman.

 

            Daichi's mother was shocked with what Lena had said. Then she suddenly smiled.

 

            "Well . . . at least, I can see that Lena cares for you, Daichi. But it still doesn't change anything. We're still going home Lena. And you're no longer working here," the older woman said again.

 

            Lena stared at Daichi, as if asking for help. But they both knew that there was nothing they could do to change the older woman's mind.

 

            "Lena . . . let's go," the older woman said as she gently pulled Lena by the hand again.

 

            "Daichi . . ." Lena uttered. She was scared to be alone with Daichi's mothre. She was afraid of what she was going to say once they were home.

 

            "Just go home with mother, for now. I'll go home immediately as soon as I finish everything here," Daichi said to reassure Lena that she won't be alone for a very long time.

 

            Lena just nodded.

 

            Daichi's mother then left the studio together with Lena.

 

            As soon as Lena and his mother left, Daichi immediately returned to the studio where the DBSK boys were waiting.

 

            "Sorry everybody . . . but let's just pack up for now. We'll continue with the photo shoot tomorrow," Daichi amnounced.

 

            "Where's Lena?" one of the female crew asked.

 

            "She went home with my mother," Daichi replied.

 

            "Sorry if I am going to ask . . . . but why was your mother so angry when she saw Jaejoong holding Lena's hand? Don't tell me that she's thinking . . . something is going on between Lena and Jaejoong," another female crew member asked.

 

            Daichi tried to smile. "I'm sorry about that. But you know my mother is too protective of Lena. She's so determined to have her as a daughter-in-law, that she doesn't even want Lena to work or be around other guys. She's too afraid that Lena might suddenly change her mind, and dump me for another man."

 

            "Lena would never do such a thing. She's too nice," one of the male crew members remarked.

 

            Daichi lightly laughed. "Frankly I believe my mother already loves Lena so much that if she were to choose . . . she would definitely trade me with her."

 

            Some of the other crew members laughed with what Daichi said.

 

            "Lena is quite lucky. Imagine having your mother-in-law love you that much. I wish I wouold find a mother-in-law like that," one of the female crew members said.

 

            Daichi then looked at the DBSK boys. "I'm sorry for the sudden change of plans. I'll have a new photographer by tomorrow. So we can continue with the photo shoot. I hope you guys aren't upset."

 

            "It's okay, we understand. But . . . honestly, I'm a little bit worried about Lena. Is she going to be okay?" Micky asked with concern.

 

            Daichi nodded. " Yes, don't worry. My mother would never hurt her. But I am still trying to finish everything here as fast as I could, so I can immediately follow her home. I've already talked with your manager and I've explained about tha sudden delay in ur work today. And I've also arranged for a driver to take you guys home to your apartment. He's already waiting outside the studio. So . . . let's just see each other again tomorrow okay? I really need to go."

           

            "Okay, see you tomorrow then," U-Know said.

 

            The DBSK boys just watched as Daichi hurriedly left the studio. They all knew that something was definitely wrong, and that he was just lying to cover it up.

 

            As for Jaejoong, he felt very guilty. He knew that what happened was all because of him. He didn't want any truble. He just wanted to finally be true to himself. He suddenly drew in a deep breath. His heart was beating very fast . . . and it was aching.

 

            He finally thought that there was really no way that he and Lena could ever be more than friends. There were so many differences and obstacles in their way. And both of them weren't strong enough to overcome them.

 

            All of the studio personnel had already left, leaving the DBSK boys alone in the studio.

 

            "Hyung, are you all right?" Max asked with concern after noticing that Jaejoong was staring blankly at a wall.

 

            Jaejoong somehow snapped out of what he was thinking. He then stared at Max, and tried to put on a smile.

 

            "Of course, I'm all right. Why shouldn't I be?" he asked.

 

            "I always thought that you were the most honest and most straight-forward person in our group. But now . . . I'm already having second thoughts. I think 'Denial King' would be a perfect title for you," Micky said seriously.

 

            Jaejoong lightly laughed. "Denial king? Me? Why?"

 

            "Because you're always denying everything . . . everything that has something to do with Lena. Maybe it hasn't registered in your mind yet. So let me make it clear to you . . .Lena is already getting engaged on Sunday. Maybe you would like to clear everything up with her before she gets engaged to another man. Frankly, I don't want to see you regretting in the end," Micky answered seriously.

 

            Jaejoong smiled bitterly. "Don't you guys think that it is already too late ? Like what you said she's already getting engaged."

 

            "Engaged is different from being married," Xiah suddenly said.

 

            "He's right, hyung. An engagement is different from marriage. An engagement can still be cancelled," Max commented.

 

            Jaejoong looked at his friends. He could see that all of them were very much concerned with him.

 

            "Thanks, but I think it is better if i just stay away. I don't want to cause any trouble to anyone," Jaejoong said weakly.

 

            "Stay away? Oh! You're really unbelievable. The girl that you like is getting engaged, and you already know that she's not happy. And you're still not going to do anything about it. I'm already telling you . . . You're going to regret it!" Micky said as he shook his head in dismay.

 

            Jaejoong smiled bitterly again. "Honestly, I'm afraid of the consequences that may arise once I tell her my true feelings. And aside from that, I am still a little bit confused myself regarding about what I'm feeling for her. What if . . . I'm just mistaking my feelings as love, and then it suddenly turns out that it's not . . . what then? I think I'll just make Lena more confused and hurt. And I'll be ruining her engagement with Daichi."

 

            "Oh man! Are you even human? I can't believe the things that you are saying! You're starting with the ‘what if’ again? I think I'm starting to have a headache because of you," Micky said as he tapped his forehead as if unable to believe what he was hearing.

 

            "Hyung . . . Sunday is just a few days away. Don't you think it's about time that you finally figure out what your heart really wants. We can all see that Lena and you are both suffering. Can't you find the courage to finally admit the truth? We're all concerned about you. We know you're very much affected with what is happening," Xiah said with concern.

 

            Jaejoong tried to put on a fake smile. "Thank you for being concerned. But frankly I am very much confused. I don't know what I should do."

 

            U-Know gently shook his head, as if in total disbelief. "Jaejoong, we can only advise you what to do. But the final decision is still up to you. I just hope that you know what you are doing. And I do hope that it won't be too late, when the time comes and you finally decide to fight for your love."

 

            Jaejoong stared back at U-Know. He knew what he was trying to say. But he was still very much confused and scared. He was also hoping and praying that he was making the right decision in controlling and denying his emotions.