Arranged by chance and Married by choice - Chapter 17：Seventeen

The live telecast of the show sure had the whole nation under a fit. People were divided after the show. They weren’t sure as to what to believe and what to ignore. As Mel had said on the show, the verdict on the fashion brand was out that evening against Lee In-Soo and her partners. The netizens were having a field day with the events of the day.

The media was crazed about the huge scandal presented by the fiasco during the live show. Everyone was trying hard to get their hands on the world star Kai, as it was rumoured to be centred on him. Many even blamed him for breaking Lee In-Soo’s fragile heart which drove her mad but his fans wouldn’t sit back and let the haters rule. They defended him saying that it was their super model- who had broken his heart in the first place.

Amid the fan wars, another development was the intense media attention on Yoo Min-Soe, the show’s host. People had been referring to her as the most beautiful woman in the country. Her innocent charm had appealed to them in the first place.

That evening Min-Soe was hoarded by reporters who were looking for another scoop when she came out of the police station after the inquiry. They threw all kinds of idiotic questions at her but she chose to keep quiet. The police helped her in evading the horde of the press and to reach her car. She looked sullen and sad in her recent pictures shown in the night’s news.

The quintet was now present in the couple’s haven, waiting for her arrival with bated breath when the reporter on the news started to speak.

Rep: The recent controversy of Lee In-Soo and her attack on the show host during the live telecast has created a new wave throughout the country. Many people are shocked by the truth behind the pretty face while many are just praying for a good recovery of their favourite star. Many stars have posted on their SNS accounts wishing a good recovery for Lee In-Soo and praising the bravery of Yoo Min-Soe for not losing her courage for a single second even after knowing the truth. Our reporter Yang is giving a live feed from the Seoul prosecutor’s office-

Rep1: yes, Yoo Min-Soe just left from the vicinity, she chose not to answer any of our questions but it looked as if she had been shaken from events of the afternoon. The prosecutor’s announced that Min-Soe is not going to press any charges on Lee In-Soo but they are going to investigate the murder attempt on her. That’s all for now.

The guys let out a breath of relief when they heard that Min-Soe was on the way back. They all looked up when a sharp knock sounded on the door.

Kai: (opening the door) Mom?! Papa?!

Sun-hee: (looking freaked out) what is that on the news Kai? Was my daughter really attacked? On a live show?

Kai: (holding her hand) Mom, relax! Come in, please.

Woo-bin: what is happening Kai and what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with her now?

Kai: (sighing in annoyance) she ordered me not to do anything. I am going crazy over here.

Sun-hee: Oh my! What would I tell Cerise when she comes back from Sydney? I promised her that I would take good care of her daughter.

Mel: (softly) Mom? Papa?

Everyone looked around at the door to see Min-Soe, standing their looking exhausted. Sun-hee didn’t waste another moment in marching over to her and pulling her in for a tight hug.

Sun-hee: (sighing in relief) you aren’t hurt right? I was really worried about you Min-Soe-ah.

Mel: (burying her head in her neck) yes, Mom, I am fine.

Kai knew at that moment that Mel was far from being fine. She was trying hard not to cry in front of his parents. He signalled is gang to wait for them in the dining room and turned his attention back on his parents who were now taking turns in checking Mel for any external injuries.

Kai: (grabbing her hand) Mom, Papa, I’ll help Min-Soe to freshen up. Why don’t you guys wait for us in the dining room? Let’s all have dinner together.

Sun-hee: (nodding in agreement) Alright.

Back in their room Kai locked the door and pulled Mel in for a warm hug. He could feel her shivering.

Kai: I was literally going out of my mind baby, not able to be with you, not able to help you in any way is really driving me crazy.

Mel: (pulling him closer) sorry Love, I didn’t think she would attack me like that.

Kai: (wiping a tear from her cheek) it’s alright now, you are with me. You are home with us. She will not harm you.

Mel: (shaking her head) I am just sad, I feel like I was too extreme.

Kai: (patting her hairs) no, you weren’t. You just helped people see what kind of a person she really is. Also not to forget you helped her in a way to get out from her deadly habits and come back as a better person.

Mel: (nodding weakly) I t-think so.

Kai: I must say the president was right about your acting capabilities.

Mel: (feeling embarrassed) I’ll freshen up.

The couple joined the others at the dining table after half an hour. Mel looked refreshed and she was back to smiling.

TOP: you were great today little sis. I wouldn’t have handled the situation with your level of grace and calm ever.

Vic: You were awesome sis-in-law.

Sun-hee: (sternly) no more of that while having food, you can all discuss it later.

The guys all immediately shut their mouths at the matriarch’s orders. Mel thankfully nodded once at her mother-in-law- glad to be rid of the day’s incidents for a short while. That night was spent with admiration for Mel from the guys. She fell asleep on the couch sitting between her in-laws which brought up a round of chuckles from everyone.

It was a fortnight later and media was still going crazy about the big reveal of the country’s top star. They tried hard but couldn’t get hold of the hero of that day who saved their celebrity and gave them news to chew on. Kai was busy in his photo-shoot for one of many endorsements when he was pulled out by his manager looking grim.

Kai: (back in his changing room) what bro? You look worried.

Manager: boss just called Kai; he has arranged a private interview for you, the reporter might be here any minute now. I am not sure what question they’d ask, he only told me to tell you that this interview was necessary to clear your name from the In-Soo scandal.

Kai: (nodding) if the boss says so then it might be a good thing. I’ll get back to the shoot then, tell me when they arrive.

An hour later Kai was introduced to a reporter along with a cameraman from entertainment weekly. He greeted them with a smile and they began with their job.

Mel came home that evening and as usual, settled herself on the couch with a cup of hot beverage breezing through the news channels. She stopped at a particular one in surprise. She didn’t remember Kai having any interview that day. The questions were usual until the reporter brought out an old photo. Mel recognised it the minute her eyes landed on it. She straightened her back in surprise and sat with her face now much more closer to the television.

Rep: Kai, we got this picture today from one of our close sources.

Kai: (looking lost) what picture? (Groaning in embarrassment) ah! Where did you guys find it?

Rep: can you tell our viewers about this?

Kai: (face still red) uh this picture was taken in my middle school, every one it’s me when I was a teenager.

Rep: Kai, this girl with you she looks like she is ready to kill you.

Kai: (nodding and chuckling) ah right! I had been teasing her that day. In fact, I teased her a lot.

Rep: looks like you were good friends with her.

Kai: (nodding proudly) yes.

Rep: I am sure you are familiar with Lee In-Soo’s scandal; you have not spoken anything about it yet. Do you want to pass any message to her?

Kai: I was shocked when I heard about all of it. Even after the break-up, In-Soo and I had maintained a good friendship, I felt really sorry for her. I didn’t know she was hurting or I’d have been there for her and tried to help her as a friend of hers. I just wish her all the best and easy recovery.

Rep: A reporter was caught up in the middle of the scandal as In-Soo misunderstood her to be your girlfriend-

Kai: (clearing his throat) yes, I am aware of that. I felt sorry towards Min-Soe and apologised to her as soon as possible. Sometimes things and situations do get out of our hand and we can’t do anything about it. It’s better to let go of it and move ahead.

Min-Soe laughed hard at his answers. Truth be told he was never sorry for In-Soo, in fact, he had used his influence to make sure that In-Soo suffered proper punishment for trying to harm her. She wouldn’t have known about his schemes if the rest of his group wasn’t on her side and kept her informed.

Kai: (kissing her on the cheek from the back) what is so funny baby?

Mel: (surprised) when did you return Love?

Kai: (shrugging) you were busy admiring me on the TV when I came-

Mel: how was your shoot for ladies brand?

Kai: it was great. I do think some of those bags would suit you.

Mel: (nodding) if you say so. I still don’t understand how you get to model for men’s and women’s brand’s both. You are good at breaking the stereotypes.

Mel: I am sure you would jump at the chance. Now come on Love show me the picture.

Kai: (feigning ignorance) what picture?

Mel: our childhood picture from today’s interview Love. I am sure you have it.

Kai: (pulling out a cover from his pocket) sometimes you scare me by being a know it all.

Mel: (rolling her eyes) look who’s talking, you do the same thing with me.

Kai: touché! I’ll upload that picture and reveal about you.

Mel: (shrugging) ok.