Chapter 23 - Chase's Care
4D: Book of Friendship3rd Person’s POV
[Jeril’s Apartment…October 6, 20XX]
“Before I start telling you, can you promise me that you’ll wait till the end before reacting? Let’s wait until I finished before you let out your anger, deal?” Anika and Erika nod their heads while Lei just chuckled. “Alright, then.”
[Flashback…October 1, 20XX]
Jeril can’t believe that it was already October, yet she and Anika was still not talking to each other. She knows that she have to be mature and talk to Anika sooner. But the thought of her half-brother dating Anika was just…not good with her.
Ivan was her older brother. Her father had managed to get his girlfriend pregnant before he met Jeril’s mom. When they broke up, that’s when he knew about Ivan. Ofcourse, he didn’t traded Jeril and Mrs. Jeon for him but Ivan was considered as his family.
However, Ivan was always hard on Jeril. The two of them doesn’t get along well, not because Ivan wasn’t the legal son but because he would always try to be on top. But no matter what he do, Jeril was still greater than him because she’s a golden child.
Ivan competed with everything against Jeril. That’s why Jeril knew that once Ivan know she and Anika was close, he would use Anika to win against Jeril. He may like Anika, but he sure doesn’t love her…that is something Jeril was sure of because Ivan only thinks of himself.
So, she needs him to stay away from Anika. And there’s only one way to do that…
[October 5, 20XX]
“My dongsaeng, you finally came to visit me. You up for another challenge?”
“I’m here for a deal, oppa.”
“Oh…even better.” Ivan smirked. “What is it, J?”
“I want you to break up with Anika.”
“No.”
“And why not?”
“Because I can see how much you care about her. She could be your weakness.”
“She’s a human, with feelings, and you’re going to hurt her to win against me? You’re evil.”
“Yeah, I got that from our dad.” Ivan chuckled. “But…I’m interested in your deal, so tell me the details and I’ll think about it.”
“I challenge you to a competition. We never get physical but now…I might have to.”
“Oh?”
“Hand-to-hand combat. However suffers the less, wins. Deal?”
Ivan smirked again and nodded. “Sounds fair to me. Alright, baby sis. You’ve got yourself a deal. Let’s meet here again tomorrow. I know you want me to leave her alone sooner.”
“Damn right.”
[October 6, 20XX…2:00PM]
When Jeril arrived, Ivan wasn’t alone. He has his other gangmates with him, holding weapons in their hands. He was smirking at Jeril as he approached her.
“You didn’t lay down the rules that we need to be alone.”
“You jerk!”
“I know. But…we can stop this before someone gets hurt, baby sis. If only you say I’m superior than you, and would let me do what I want with your girl.”
“No, leave Anika alone.”
“Isn’t it funny how you care so much about this girl? Where’s the stone-cold Jeon Jeril Chase that I know? The girl who isn’t afraid of anything, the girl who doesn’t have any weaknesses? Oh, right…Choi Anika Iniel came into her life.”
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter. What’s important right now…is that I have to win.”
Ivan chuckled and snapped his finger. At that, all of his gangmates attacked Jeril.
[End of Flashback]
“That’s one evil brother.”
“I know.” Jeril chuckled. “So, at the end…he won. He didn’t even have a bruise on him.”
“That’s because he cheated. You could have won if it were a fair fight.”
“Fair doesn’t exist in his vocabulary.”
“But being a jerk does.” Anika commented through her gritted teeth. “I swear, I’ll kill him myself. How dare he uses me as a leverage to your silly sibling fight?”
“Sorry.” Jeril chuckled and saw how Anika soften her gaze after that.
“Why did you do that, Chase? You could have been seriously beaten up. Heck, you could even go to hospital--you know what? We’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Great idea. I’ll grab my car.” Erika stood up, but Jeril immediately held unto her.
“I’m fine, no need for hospitals. Besides, I hate it there. White walls, medicine smells plus grumpy nurses? No, thank you. I’m fine, really.”
“But…”
“Lei, I’m fine. Don’t worry, I’ve been hurt a couple of times.” Jeril suddenly turned to face Anika and smiled. “Yet the one thing I couldn’t bear is losing my bestfriend.”
“Oh, shut up.” Anika muttered playfully as she chuckled. “But, really, why did you do that?”
“Do what? Offer myself as punching bag to my idiot brother?”
“You’re an idiot. That’s not what I meant.” Anika took a deep breath as she held Jeril’s hand and played with her fingers. “Why did you go through all of that for me? Don’t you hate me? Or atleast mad for what I accused you before?”
“Oh, that…” Jeril muttered, nodding her head as she chuckled. “Well, I don’t hate you. Never have and never will be. Plus, I couldn’t stay mad at you even if I want to. And the reason that I went through all of that is because…I care about you, Choi Anika Iniel.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I care about you so much, that it sometimes scares me. I’m afraid that you would be my weakness, but I was wrong. You’re not JUST my weakness, you’re also my strength.” Jeril smiled at Anika fondly.
“Thanks, Chase.”
“No problem. Anything for you…” Jeril suddenly paused. “Actually, that’s true. I’d do anything for you, Anika. I’ll always be there for you, just like how you’ve been with me.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” Jeril intertwined their pinky fingers with a chuckle. “Damn. You’re too precious to be in this world. I need to protect you.” she said as she wrapped her arms around Anika.
“Wow...that was a totally touching speech. Good job, unnie.” Lei said, ruining the moment.
“Yeah, Jeril. You may now kiss the bride.” Erika joined in, highfiving with Lei after.
“If only I’m not bruised and wounded, I would kill you two immediately.”
Anika chuckled and shook her head. “It’s fine, Chase. I got you.” she winked at her before standing up and walked towards Erika and Lei with a mischievous smile.
“Run!” Erika shouted before running out of the room with Lei.
“That’s one way to get rid of nuisance.” Jeril muttered as she stood up. “Well, what should we do next? Watch Netflix? Cook dinner? Your choice.”
“How about…” Anika trailed as she turned around to face Jeril “…we go home?”
“That…sounds great. Alright, then. Let’s head back to the dorm, cook dinner and watch Netflix. Sounds like a plan?”
“Yes, sir.” Anika saluted with a smile and everything seems fine. But it’s not, atleast not yet. There’s one thing that’s still needs to be done and Anika will do it tomorrow as soon as possible. “Let’s go.”
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