Chapter Forty One

When Ileana woke up to a singsong tune played courteously by her doorbell, she was ready to cry. She finally had a bed of her own and she hadn’t yet been able to enjoy it to its full extent.

Pouting, she forced her body out of bed and down the hallway to the entrance. She twisted the doorknob and opened the door a bit, only to have it forced completely open by the people outside.  Ileana finally snapped out of her half-awakened state when 12 familiar faces paraded into the apartment.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. “ she mumbled as the others assessed her new living quarters. She directed her sights on Luhan and Lay. “Could you have at least notified me that you were planning the progress report this morning…at my apartment?”

“Technically, it’s Lay’s apartment.” Luhan pointed to Lay, “And we thought you could use a friendly wake up call.”

“Yes, that song using the doorbell was ingenious.” She mumbled darkly.  She walked over to the living room area where everyone else had made themselves already at home.  She pulled the chart she made at the last meeting from under the coffee table and placed it on top. Using a marker, she crossed off Baekhyun’s name from the Arts Ministers' row and Sehun and Luhan’s names from the Energy ministers'.

“From what I got yesterday, we seem to be making great progress. Congrats to Baekhyun, Sehun and Luhan.” She grinned at Baekhyun and Sehun, but glared a little at the smug Luhan. “Does anyone else want to share their progress?”

Everyone looked around at each other but no one seemed to be eager to share their news.  Xiumin finally cleared his throat, “I was planning to try meeting with the Women’s Quarters ministers later today.” Ileana nodded in reply, thankful that someone spoke up.

“I also booked a meeting today with the Finance ministers.” Lay pitched in. Ileana smiled and nodded his way as well.

“Anything else?” Ileana looked around, “I guess they’re still works in progress. It’s all right. It’s not like it's all going to be completely easy. And out of curiousity, Kris, have the Sector M ministers contacted you about our progress?” Ileana looked over to Kris who straightened his posture.

“They have, it’s good that I can tell them about this new development. It’ll make them more at ease to know that there are other ministers on their side as well.” Kris admits, clasping his hands together.  

“That’s true.” Ileana paused in thought when a revelation came to her, “Hey Suho, you should try doing the same. Keeping in contact with Sector K ministers, I mean. That way they know they’re putting their trust in the right hands.”

Suho blinked and looked around at the others before slowly nodding his head, “All right. I’m fine with that as long as the ministers are fine with talking to me.”

“They’ll be fine with it.” D.O cuts in, “The ministers will trust your abilities. This also helps cement both your leadership roles in the future.”

Kris and Suho exchanged looks with each other. Everyone seemed pleased enough with the meeting and Ileana folded the chart up.

“So, I guess Lay will do his usual thing when a new meeting is needed. But so far, everyone, you are doing great. Thanks for all your efforts.” Ileana smiled to everyone and held a fist into the air. Everyone smiled back.

Suddenly a change purse landed on the coffee table next to Ileana’s hand. Ileana looked at curiously before looking up to where it came from.

“An advanced payment.” Lay said, hands in his pockets, “And take the day off. I need my secretaries to look decent when on the job.”

“Hey, that’s true. How long have you been wearing those clothes?” Baekhyun piped up.

Ileana pouted as a result, “It’s not like I have anything else.”

“You could have come by the shop.” Kai insisted, “You could pick up whatever you wanted.”

“And what does Lay mean by secretary?” Sehun cut in, eyeing Ileana and Lay.

Ileana sighed, “I didn’t come by the shop because I haven’t had enough time yet and I’m Lay’s new secretary. I can’t exactly spend all my time cooped up in here or I’ll get cabin fever. Besides, the job still allows me to be accessible to all of you and well, Lay isn’t exactly the most demanding employer.”

Everyone seemed to take her reasoning well enough. And without further words, everyone dismissed themselves from the apartment except for one person.

“What’s up, Chanyeol?” Ileana asked, still holding the door open for him. Chanyeol hesitantly looks into the hallway before meeting her eyes.

“I’m going to try to talk to the Labour and Agriculture Minister for Sector K today. Although he’s a bit difficult but I think I can handle him. I thought since you had the day off, I could take you shopping at the main shopping plaza in Sector K. It's where the minister usually hangs out anyways.”  Chanyeol seemed a little nervous asking her, and kicked some dust on the floor.

Ileana grinned up at Chanyeol, “Sounds perfect to me. How about we grab breakfast somewhere and then head to the plaza?” Chanyeol nodded and agreed to her terms happily.

So, she fixed herself up the best she could before they headed out. They went to a quick breakfast joint that served delicious food. Ileana was really wondering if she was going to taste something she disliked on EXO. When she was paying, she realized that Lay really didn’t hold back on his advanced payment. There was enough money in the change purse for Ileana to pay for years’ worth of meals and clothing.

Chanyeol directed Ileana to the shopping plaza and she tried hard to act normal with the way everyone was dressed. Did she really have to dress that way too?  Chanyeol helped picked out some items of clothing for Ileana that were apparently very popular on EXO. She wasn’t sure if she could take him seriously though. Come on, a tutu was popular?

Before long, Ileana had two bags full of clothing in her hands when Chanyeol spotted the minister.

“There he is, by the fish stand.” Chanyeol pointed in a discreet manner. The minister in question was a tall and plump man and had a thing for analyzing fishes very closely. Chanyeol straightened his back and latched onto Ileana’s hand before dragging her over to the minister.

“Hello Minister Jung.” Chanyeol bowed his head with a small but uneasy smile. The minister turned his gaze from the fish in his hand to Chanyeol. The man put the fish down and nodded to Chanyeol.

“Ah, Mr. Park. How is your grandfather’s bookstore keeping up?”

“Very well sir, thank you for your concern. I was wondering if I could discuss something with you in private.” Chanyeol’s tone was tense and stern, which took Ileana off guard. In her mind, she applauded Chanyeol for his straightforwardness.

The minister raised an eyebrow at Chanyeol, “An unusual request, but I do believe I can do that for an old friend’s grandchild. Follow me.”  The tall man casually walked around the fish stand and further into the fish market. After a minute, the two of them were led to some sort of loud loading area, where worker yelled about and banging of different machineries were heard.

“Not private, but no one can hear us with this racket. So, what can I do for you and your…companion?”

Ileana nodded at the mention but gripped tighter on Chanyeol’s hand. “Not to waste your time any more than I have, how do you feel about the current Senates, Minister Jung?” Chanyeol asked, with a spark in his eyes. Both the minister and Ileana were shocked by Chanyeol’s comment. He really didn’t waste any time.

“…What is this about, Mr. Park?” The minister narrowed his eyes at Chanyeol, “With all the surveillance on you, I thought you would be more cautious about government affairs.”

“A group I’m apart of are planning an uprising and so far we have been progressing greatly. We already have a handful of ministers on our side and their numbers are only increasing, your counterpart in Sector M being one of them.”

“Are you asking me to help you with this so-called uprising?” The minister spluttered in disbelief.

“I’m asking for your support when the time comes. We’re planning to overtake both Sector K and Sector M’s Senates.”

“You must be daft boy, if you think your little group can do that.” The minister narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “I’m not willing to put my position or anyone else’s in danger for your little escapades.”

“It may seem like an escapade, but it’s about the future for me…for us.” Chanyeol pulled Ileana a little more forward, “For me, my wife and our unborn child.”

...say WHAT?

The minister’s eyes locked in on Ileana’s stomach while Ileana’s shocked eyes landed on Chanyeol who was smiling down at her.  “I can’t offer her much, but she loves me all the same. All I want is the best for our child’s future. You have children, don’t you Minister Jung?”

Something in the minister’s glance changed. They softened. “How far along are you?” The minister asked quietly. Ileana immediately set her sights on Chanyeol. How far along do I look?!

“Only two months, everything has been going well though.” Chanyeol reached over and rubbed Ileana’s stomach. She fought her every instinct to kick Chanyeol in the shin.

“Yes, I remember those times. The wife just starts to get irritable around that time. Having trouble yet?” The minister cracked a side smile to Chanyeol.

Chanyeol chuckled, “I’m feeling a little bit of the heat but otherwise she’s been a good sport. So, Minister Jung, what do you say to the proposal?”

 The minister sighed, which rang church bells in Ileana’s head. “You say you have other ministers agreeing to it?”

“Yes, quite a number already. We also have a different correspondents working on convincing the others, some of them you might know of. For example: D.O and Suho from Sector K and Kris and Lay from Sector M.” The minister eyes immediately widened.

“Quite a strong team you’ve joined there.” The minister nodded and admitted, “All right, for the future. I agree to support you. But if it all caves, you, your wife and your child will be the first ones to go.”

“It’s a risk we’re willing to take.”  Chanyeol insisted, “Thank you Minister Jung. It means a lot.”

“It’s all good, it's about time. The Senates don’t pay attention to anything besides what’s beneficial to them. I’m all for change, I just need to know that what I’m supporting isn’t going to get me killed in the end.”

“It won’t. If you have any concerns, you can contact Suho. He’s in-charge of keeping the Sector K ministers informed, I'll be sure he'll call you by the end of the night with his contact information.” Chanyeol reassured the minister, who seemed to taken the information well enough.

“Enough of this business talk. Is the glowing couple out shopping this fine day? I know the best baby shops around so, let me show you around and give the little Park a present.” The minister directed between the two of them with a crooked smile and walked away, motioning them to follow.

With the minister’s back turn, Ileana landed her elbow hard into Chanyeol’s side, “Unborn child.” She hissed lowly through a fake smile. Chanyeol winced and clutched his side.

“Ouch, yeah I know. He’s weak about his children, okay? Just go with it.” Chanyeol rubbed his side pouting a little.

“Like I have a choice.”

“I guess this is what he meant by irritable behavior.” Chanyeol grumbled.

“What was that?” Ileana hissed again.

“Nothing, dear. Oh look, the minister has entered a maternity shop. Better catch up with him.” Chanyeol dragged Ileana along with him before she could spit out a reply.

So, that’s how Ileana got stuck with two more bags full of clothing that did not fit her, along with another bag full of baby toys. The minister definitely had a weak spot for children. And she made sure Chanyeol had a sore spot in his side with every fictional event he created in their so-called blossoming love story. Something along the lines of overprotective parents, her being a forever sobbing love-deprived maiden and Chanyeol being her knight in shining aluminum foil since he’s poor by Sector K’s standards.

“At least the toys are cute.” Chanyeol said as he dropped her off at her apartment door’s entrance.

“Good bye, Chanyeol.” She said blankly and slammed the door in his face. 

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OKay, not long author note. I have somewhere to be. I hoped you liked the update weeeeeeee. 

THANK YOU TO ALL COMMENTERS AND SUBSCRIBERS. I can't believe you're all hanging in there. I realized how long this is (I'm almost at frigging 100,000 words, HOLY SHIZ). 

I will reply to comments when I come back, love to all <3 Oh, and did I say I'm better in the last update? I think I did? Oh well. Hi, better and back with updates. 

However, I have a lot of work coming up this week. So, I'll certainly try to update but a lot of people are sick at work and are on their vacation. Ahaha, they called me in last friday and I was like "Um, I'm sick too, sorry guys". 

KAY love, no gifs or giveaway cause I"M IN A RUSH. 

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE<3 to you. (can you feel it?)