"That's it, I'm going after him," Kris stood up, slamming his fist on the table. Startled, Jinri whose eyes and cheeks were still wet with tears stared at him wide eyed, horror evident in her eyes, "Nn..no," she choked, another sob came out of her."It says here they're already in Korea for a summit and a conference. This is the perfect oppor.." He stopped in his tracks at the sight of her. Vulnerable and broken. A year she was left to suddenly carry the burden of a rising cafe herself. He's seen the plans, plans she made with him and impossible to make without his help. He couldn't help but feel disgusted at even saying his name.

"He.. he left you ssul. I can't let him be," he took another glimpse at her and finally slumped back in his seat, running a frustrated hand through his hand.

"Seriously that guy, is an idiot," Sehun spoke up from the kitchen, his hands busy while wiping a plate. "His mistaken if he thinks we won't go after him,"

"Come on guys, let's not be too judgemental. He could've been forced into this thing, whatever it is. You guys know that Chan.." Victoria bit back on her tongue, realizing she almost spoke his name and receiving a glare from Kris, "he's not like that," 

"True, he could've been forced or threatened to leave. Remember that scary dude who called himself his father?" Luna suggested as she tried to open another pint of peanut butter ice cream. Suddenly, a loud thud was heard from the kitchen sink, startling them all. "Still, couldn't he even send us a message? An email or text, something would've been better than nothing at all! Same goes to that lying bastard, Byun Baekhyun!" Kyungsoo's voice reverberated throughout the entire kitchen, finally snapping Jinri into sense.

"I'll go after him," her sentence caused everyone to turn. They looked at each other, worry clearly written on their face. She stood up and began to put on her winter coat. "I'll be back," 

"Jinri, are you sure?" Krystal spoke while holding onto Jinri's hands. She paused at the door and breathed in slowly. She turned with a smile. "Positive. Besides, his my responsibility to deal with. You guys just keep the cafe running." and to Krystal she said, "Let's go,"

The winter cold caused shivers to run up her spine and she anxiously stood looking up the building Chanyeol would be at for the conference. She felt Krystal warm hands on her and she turned to see her giving a reassuring smile . She returned the smile and patted herself on the chest. Steadily she ascended the steps towards the building entrance, taking a careful step in. 

A swarm of reporters were already at standby near the elevators. Krystal handed over their fake reporter id's and slung a camera over her neck. They marched up to the reporters, careful in making themselves blend in. Once passed the security check, after receiving a suspicious glare from the body guard, the two sat at themselves near the back row. As soon as all the reporters were seated, they announced the arrival of the guests. 

As Chanyeol stepped up front and took his seat, Jinri felt a swelling pain in her chest at the sight of him. Too long, she had to go on without seeing his face. Despite his sudden disappearance and leave, despite the sudden announcement of his inheritance and the small voice that kept nagging her to hate him, she was practically squiming in his seat from refraining herself to jump on him. Seeing his almost expressionless face and hearing his even more monotonous voice certainly did not help. And so they sat through the interview with Krystal snapping a few pictures and Jinri nervously holding out the recorder at hand. 

During the interview, Krystal who saw Jinri's shivering hands accidentally nudged her a little too strong, causing a yelp from her as she quickly covered . A blush went up her cheeks as a fraction of the reporters turned to see what was causing all the commotion but Krystal waved them off with her glare. Jinri ducked in embarassment only to raise her head again to lock eyes with Chanyeol who sat in his seat, frozen.

"We should've worn sunglasses. He recognized me," Jinri was hyperventilating as she stood outside the conference room door. The conference was over and reporters began to flood the exit as they rushed off to the next interview or to edit their materials. "Sunglasses indoors? Who does that? Like that would've make you any less obvious," She shot a glare at Krystal who in turn raised her hands in surrender. She suddenly realised the room was almost empty except. Her eyes met with his' again who stood near the exit, hands in his pockets, his blank eyes staring back at her. As soon as he realized she was staring at him, his eyes seemed to come alive again and a jolt went up his spine. 

Jinri stood frozen, rooted to where she stood Chanyeol did the same. He knew he'd have to face her once more when he heard of the conference in Korea. He knew she'd eventually find the picture of him on the damned magazine when he smiled for the photoshoot. But he had hoped she'd never notice it. He had hoped when she saw it she would have long forgotten him. Anything as long as he hadn't need to see her like this in front of his eyes, sad, broken and fragile. He ran a hand through his hair and took a step forwards. Before he could even reach her, Jinri grabbed onto Krystal's hands and shot out off the room. 

"Jinri, wait!" She threw a glance backwards to see Chanyeol hot on their trails. She knew she had to stop and listen to whatever he had to say, but she didn't. She was afraid her heart won't be able to take it. "Ssul, stop," she felt a strong tug causing her to fall backwards, bringing Krystal crashing down with her. Chanyeol managed to catch up with them and she ended up staring up into his beautiful eyes. She caught the tired and sad expression in them and quickly averted her gaze. 

"Jinri, we have to talk," 

The cafe they were seated in hadn't much visitors as it was a weekday and way past lunch hour. She nibbled on her bread as Krystal stirred her latte all the while shooting glares at Chanyeol who was sitting across them. He swallowed and cleared his throat before beginning. 

"I'm..sorry," his tone, laced with much sadness caused Jinri to flinch yet she did not dare to look up. "I know you're mad," he noticed Krystal hardening her glare, "okay, really mad. And furious. But I have my reasons," He turned to Jinri once more, hoping for her to look up. 

"We're waiting for your explanation," 

 He heaved a sigh before continuing. "The day, I went out for some milk, a few men started to chase me. I made a mistake and they caught me," He heard Krystal snort "More like they beat you up," A glare was sent to her and her eyebrows shot up in challenge. 

"Okay so they beat me unconcious. By the time I woke up I was in a plane about to land in America. I was sent home to my father to be trained as the heir to his business. I swore, Jinri, I tried to escape and get back here and I almost made it. But he caught me," 

"Or your plan just ," ignoring Krystal's comment he continued

"He threatened me with something , someone I couldn't bare to lose. Jinri," he paused, trying to get her to look up. "he was threatening to end all your dreams , your cafe. Knowing him, he wouldn't stop just seeing your work crumble, he'd make sure you'd never dream again, better yet, he'd never let you live." 

"I.. I couldn't let that happen. He has people here, and even if I managed to escape again, by the time I reach here, it'd be too late to stop him. Didn't you notice that time you seemingly suddenly ran out off customers?" 

"You mean that whole month we had to give out free food everyday just to get people to come?" Krystal answered for him, shocked. 

"Yes. That was his plot. I couldn't let anything happen to you guys. Especially you, Jinri," Her head snapped up, in her eyes anticaption was written all over it. "I love,," the look she was giving him, made him unable to speak his mind. There was just too much hope in her eyes. "love you all and the cafe too much to see it crumble,"

As if a meteor came crashing into the city, all lights went out of her eyes and Chanyeol couldn't help but to feel guilty.

"So you took a whole year leave, went to America and studied to become such rich dudes heir, leaving her here hanging not just onto the cafe but also her love for you and you come back here saying you're sorry and love us in hopes of having us jump into your arms and forgive you just like that? What kind of man are you? no, what kind of person does that? I mean," she was quickly muffled into silence as Jinri's hand went over . She gave her a look and a reassuring smile, mouthing "it's okay" to her before turning back to face him. Her eyes stoned and her lips formed into a straight line. 

"As she was saying, were you hoping us to just forgive you?" she held his eyes and for a moment she noticed the love for him behind them. He looked away quickly. "No," 

"Why didn't you send us a call, a text or an email? any form of communication to inform us of you?" her tone was formal, rigid and he knew she was on her usual business mode. The one she wore to meetings to make her look and sound confident. 

"My calls were recorded, any interactions on SNS were observed and mails sent out were inspected. I was kept confined in my room so that I couldn't come in contact with any other person," He replied in the same formal tone

Silence surrounded them as Jinri pondered on his answer. "If it is not forgiveness you seek, than what is it that you wish to achieve from this discussion?" 

"Hope," this time, it was Chanyeol who held her eyes in capture. "and trust. and perhaps, a little help," Jinri held onto his gaze before breaking contact and turning towards Krystal for the answer. She shrugged in response before a phone's ringtone went off . All eyes wandered to Chanyeol's phone that sat on the table, the caller id blinking several times on the screen. Panic began to rise up in his chest. 

"I haven't much time here in Korea but Baekhyun will be staying here," 

"That scumbag?" Krystal shrieked and Chanyeol turned to give her a small smile. "We've settled through some things. He'll be watching over you and since I've kept onto my promise I've been given a little freedom. I'll try to contact you as soon as possible," Jingling sounds came from the entrance as two men entered the cafe. Chanyeol risked a glance over and quickly pulled all three of them down below the table. 

"Those men are after me and if they see you, it's trouble," he signalled towards the direction of the kitchen "You'll sneak out through the back door. Just wait 10 minutes for me to rid of them," Nudging them a litlle, the two stumbled towards the kitchen and quickly hid beneath the counter. The chef seemed oblivious to them as he continued his cooking. From up front they could hear Chanyeol greeting the men as he stood up from underneath the table. 

"Whaddup bro, watcha doing here? I was just stopping by for some coffee and a snack. You boys want some?" he was grabbed by the shoulder and shoved towards the entrance as one of the men grunted for him to follow them out the door. Jinri took a peak from the counter to see what was happenning just in time for Chanyeol to glance over to her. A small, sad smile appeared on his lips just before the doors shut and the scene of his men driving him away in sleek black cars was played, as if carrying away her hope and reasons to smile.  

______AUTHOTR"S NOTE_______

before that please don't hate me. *receives tomatoes and eggs and other rotten things with a smack to the face*

YES TRUE INDEED!> I have promised an update marathon but since I don't have a laptop and am not much of a person who likes typing on a tab, that plan practically went out the window. Finally I've obtained a laptop and have time. Ignoring the terrible author's block, I tirend to at least update this chapter. Hey, I do get points for trying right? I'm truly sorry for any of those who waited for an update and this one wasn't much either. But i did tru to make it longer than others. 

Tbh, idk when the next update's gonna be since this year i'll be busy for my final year of school! if not during any holidays it might be yes, the end of the year. Hahahah. I'm not going to be stupid and promise things again, so i won't promise anything. 

Again, sorry to all those hopeful readers. Hoepfully this sorta filler chapter entertained you and somehow warmed you heart into forgiving me. Again I blame it on the author's block, terrible ideas, lack of inspiration... * receives more tomatoes to the face* okay it was all my fault. to make you guys happy, here's a sneak peek into my terrible life, i'm going back to school tomorrow.  

I wish you a happy new year and hope this year will be a succesfull one to all. Pray for my upcoming national exams. Here in Malaysia we call it SPM. har har har. It's a killer///"_" // Until next time, enjoy the year! 

xoxo comment, comment, and if you're eentertained upvote and subscribe!