Love Business

"I don't think this is a good idea..." Pan stops as she and Cray enter the restaurant. From afar, she sees a group of students chatting and enjoying their meals together.

"Why? There's nothing to be afraid of. I just want to introduce you to my friends..."

"That's when a good idea turns into a bad one," Pan pulls Cray's hand slightly to make him stop. "Maybe next time?" she asks him, a look of worry on her face.

Cray gently grabs her hand and brushes her cheekbone.

"I know it's sudden, but I want you to blend well with my friends and know who I hang out with. This way, there's no conflict in the future," says Cray. "Besides, you can always know where to find me, just in case you need me," he continues.

"Cray, we're not in a relationship..." Pan sighs. "Not... yet..." She carefully chooses her words, trying to convey their situation without hurting his feelings.

"I know. Early prep doesn't hurt, right?" Cray smiles. Pan is at a loss for words. She glances at his friends, then back at Cray.

Eventually, she nods and lets Cray lead her to the table.

***

"Guys..."

Pan feels her blood drain as six pairs of eyes simultaneously look at her and Cray.

"You're late again!" Ha sneers at Cray. "Yet, it's acceptable. Seems like you brought company. So it's reasonable," he smiles at Pan.

"Hi, I'm Ha. Cray's best friend, and his cousin," he puts up his hand and gives her a tiny wave.

"Pan," she replies shortly. Maybe the anxious feeling hasn't been brushed off yet.

From the corner of Pan's eyes, she can see two girls eyeing her. One looks quite bitter, while the other seems indifferent.

"Oh, this is Dewy, Ha's sister. And that one..."

"I'm Min. Cray's girlfriend."

Pan's eyes glare at him.

"Shut up, Min! You're a girl who happens to be Cray's friend!" Ha mocks Min. The girl flushes while glaring at Ha. He just snickers and laughs.

"I should-" Pan attempts her first escape.

"Where are you going?" Cray grabs Pan's hand tightly.

"Ah... Ah... Ah... You're not going anywhere now that you're here. Come, join us for dinner! We have so much to ask about you," Ha offers Pan a seat next to him.

"Nice try..." Cray snickers. He pulls a chair next to his and lets Pan sit properly between him and an empty space.

"How did you two meet?" asks Ha while passing a plate to Pan. She reluctantly accepts the plate, prompting Cray to step up and grab it on her behalf.

"Campus Day. Our booths were across from each other," Pan replies politely.

"Romantic. Did you two flirt while selling drinks?" Ha smirks, teasingly.

Cray smiles at Pan.

"It's cute, actually. Pan was a mascot, and I gave her a drink," he says.

"You pitied her. Pity," Min subtly interrupts the conversation, glaring at Pan with a sick and annoyed expression.

"Yeah. It was hot, and she needed some sugar to stay energetic," Cray says, handing Pan a plate full of food.

"Maybe she pretended to look weak..."

"Have you ever worn a mascot suit, Miss Min? Do you know how hot it is to get stuck inside the claustrophobic confine space?" asks Ha, with his annoying voice.

"What's the deal anyway? If she couldn't stand the heat, why did she take the job unless she was seeking for attention? There were a lot of hunks at the Econ booth. There's no way she could miss the chance to watch them, right?" Min stands her ground. She bats her eyes, watching Pan as if she's the most disgusting creature in the world.

"Not everyone is an abs lover like you, Min..." Ha's words make Min even madder.

"That's insulting!" she smacks her hand on the table, causing a sharp pang.

"That word isn't insulting enough. I'm being generous because we have a guest tonight. I can use my usual vocabulary if you want to..." Ha glares at Min.

"Enough, both of you! Can't you see we have a guest? Can we at least be a bit civil?" Dew's deep tone makes both of them shut up.

Pan turns her head to Cray. She stares at him, showcasing her uneasiness. But the man seems to remain calm, as if this is normal for him. He doesn't even bother to calm the crowd, or upstands her in that situation.

So, she decides to take the matter off by herself.

"I was there because I had a responsibility for the job. I have no interest in looking for a man," Pan stands up for herself.

"But here you are with Cray!" Min gushes. Pan feels bitter.

"I'm the one who invited her..." Cray casually replies to Min while his eyes sharply pierce on hers

"You never invite anyone for dinner!" Min shrieks.

"That means Pan is special. Don't you get it? Huh?" Ha rolls his eyes. Min looks more annoyed than before.

"I think I should go now..." Pan can't take it anymore. She grabs her bag and leaves her seat, striding towards the main door. Her suddenly leap rings a note to Cray, making him throws the napkin and gush off the dining table.

"We'll discuss about this later!" Cray warns Min before he leaves the group to chase Pan.

"Where are you going? Are you going to leave us?!" Min yells at Cray. He ignores her and quickly chases Pan to the door.

"He should chase her! Why do you care anyway?" Ha smirks.

Min slumps into her seat and pouts. Dew sighs as she leaves her seat and tries to follow Cray.

"You guys are useless!" she gushes before disappearing from the table.

***

"Pan..." Cray grabs her hand to stop her from leaving, but she pulls her hand away and keeps walking. Seeing the possibility of her leaving for good, Cray decides to stand in front of Pan and block her way.

"Listen to me..."

"I told you this was a bad idea, Cray..."

"They love bickering. It's normal..."

"That's normal? I can imagine when they become abnormal," Pan crosses her arms over her chest.

"Pan, Min and I are friends since junior high. As for Ha, and Dew, we're relatives. This is just the way we talk..."

"I don't know if you're stupid or ignorant, but I can see how your girlfriend is not fond of me," Pan calmly says to Cray.

"Min is not my girlfriend. She's a bit clingy, but she's just a friend..."

"Mei is clingy too, but she never announces herself as my girlfriend when you came to visit me before. She's lesbian, by the way," Pan states plainly.

Cray grabs both of Pan's hands and brings them closer to his chest.

"Pan, when I was a guest at your house, everyone stared at me like I was a criminal. But I was fine with it. A bad starting line is normal. They might hate you at first, but they'll love you later," he says. "Don't push me away just because of my friends," Cray tries to coax Pan.

"I never said I'll push you away. But I want you to think about it thoroughly. They are your friends, and their reaction is... this! What about your family? How will they react?" Pan asks, softly pulling her hands from Cray.

"Pan, I've never felt as serious as I do now. I really want you in my life. If it means that I might lose some friends, I don't care much about them," Cray tries his best to convince Pan.

"Cray..."

"As for my family, I know them well enough to know that they will accept my decision no matter what. So don't worry about that, okay?" Cray says.

Pan sighs. She has lost interest in talking and arguing with Cray anymore. Maybe her energy is already depleted after the small argument at the restaurant.

"Just let me think about it. Give me some time, Cray," Pan says, clearly done with the conversation. She leaves Cray standing alone in front of the restaurant. He decides not to pursue her anymore, giving her room to think.

"Why don't you chase her?"

Cray turns around and sees Dew standing behind him, looking at him blandly.

"She needs room to think. It's my fault, to be honest," Cray replies.

"I like her, but I don't like the idea of you having a relationship with her," Dew voices her opinion. "Your parents will give her a hard time," she shakes her head slightly.

Cray's head lowers. Deep inside, he is also afraid of that. His parents. How well can they accept Pan? How well can they accept the fact that he wants to have a relationship with a normal girl instead of the rich girl like Min?

"Come. Let's go inside before Ha and Min burn down the restaurant..."

"I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet..."

"You're talking crap, sir..."

Dew smiles at Cray before leading him back inside the restaurant. She watches him walking with his head hanging down, feeling sympathy for his difficult position.

She silently prays for his happiness.