Office Diaries - Chapter 181

“He’s not a closet gay, is he?”

Tohru James was beyond speechless. He told them Yanee’s boyfriend was whipped to ȧssure them that he was a gentle and caring guy who’d always listen to his girl. He didn’t expect it would backfire like a poop bomb on his face.

Gay?

“Mother-in-law, I’m a certified straight stallion— one of the most eligible ones too,” he complained in his mind.

Of course, it’s something he couldn’t just blurt out and tell them without Yanee’s presence. Letting her parents know about their relationship was something Yanee was supposed to do. It was the correct thing. It was why, regardless of how much he’d want to come out and tell them to avoid further misunderstandings, he had to just persevere while he waited for Yanee to finish interviewing Anjee.

He just hoped they wouldn’t take forever. He side-eyed the giggling Chummy to make her stop laughing. He gave her a stare as if to tell her ‘weren’t you supposed to be my sidekick?’

“No, no, no,” Chummy choked as she waved her hand towards the couple. “Auntie, Yanee’s boyfriend is a legit straight guy. He’s just really very gentle and considerate of Yanee. After all, he knows about her past and her trauma so he’s working hard to make her feel at ease.”

Hearing this, Tohru felt hot on his cheek in embarrassment. Having heard this coming from someone else made him feel a bit shy. He didn’t say anything though.

On the other hand, the couple visibly softened. Mrs. Lee clasped her hands together as she leaned against Mr. Lee’s ċhėst. The two elderly looked totally surprised.

“He knows about Nagoya?”

Chummy nodded.

“That’s good then,” the Lee couple murmured in relief.

It was clear that they now understood why the said boyfriend of their daughter was “whipped”. It’s not because he was really subservient but rather he cared for her a lot.

Seeing this, Tohru felt relief.

“Well, we’ll just have to wait to be introduced to the young man then,” Mr. Lee said before shifting the topic much to Tohru’s relief.

Although he knew that it was only natural for them to stop discussing about Yanee’s love life since the two elderly were not aware that he was the boyfriend in question, a part of him felt a bit lonely. He really wanted to confess after all. Still, he knew it was not his place, and he was happy enough to talk about business with his father-in-law.

Minutes passed, then an hour. Tohru couldn’t count how many business topics he and the older man talked about when the door to the study finally opened, and they heard Yanee’s and Anjee’s laughter as they emerged from the room.

Ah, finally…

As if on cue, everyone from the living room turned to the door to watch as the people from within step out.

“You’re finished already?” Chummy asked and the girls nodded as they smiled.

“That was fast,” Mrs. Lee commented and Yanee laughed as they joined them on the sofa.

“My story’s not that long to tell,”Anjee answered with a chuckle. “And it’s not like many people don’t know about it.”

The last part made everyone laugh. After all, most of them, aside from Yanee and Mr. Lee were able to witness Anjee’s live confession on television years ago.

“Ah, I still remember that time. I truly believe it was so good to be young and in love,”Mrs. Lee crooned making Anjee blush.

“Don’t tease her mom,” Yanee told her mother off and everyone just laughed although Mrs. Lee dropped the topic right after.

Afterwards, Chummy offered to serve glasses of drinks once more and some snacks but none of them said yes.

“It’s already seven in the evening. I think it’s better to go out and eat, no?”Mr. Lee suggested as he transferred his gaze from one person to another.

Tohru and Yanee exchanged looks before the former cleared his throat. “Actually, I was thinking the same thing,” he said as he turned to Anjee. “You and Peter are both free tonight, right?” he asked and the singer nodded.

Tohru then turned to his clueless in-laws. “We were actually planning to take everyone out for dinner with us after the interview. Would you like to come with us?”

Mr. and Mrs. Lee exchanged looks. It was obvious that the invitation pleased them, but there was an obvious hesitation mixed on their expression. Tohru wondered what was wrong as he watched the couple exchanged sad smiles before turning back to them.

“We’d love to, but we think it’s better for you young ones to and have fun without us old folks,” Mrs. Lee said after.

Tohru was taken aback as he turned to Yanee as if to ask for her opinion.

“Mom, Dad, you’ve travelled from Nagoya. It’s better to go out and eat with us tonight,” she said.

“But you might still want to discuss more about work. Your mother and I will just bother—”Mr. Lee started but Yanee interrupted him with a shake of her head. “Huh?”

“You won’t be a bother Mr. and Mrs. Lee,”Tohru ȧssured him with a smile. “We’d love to have you with us. Besides, I haven’t had enough hearing about Nagoya. I’ve been living here in Japan for a long time but I haven’t really gotten around much. I mostly stay here in Tokyo.”

“You’re going to visit Nagoya soon. It’s better to just go sightseeing after the expo, no? I will take you around,” Mr. Lee told him and Tohru was at a loss.

He didn’t know how to make the couple agree to go with them.

“Actually uncle, Tohru and Yanee have something important to tell you,” Anjee suddenly interjected teasingly as she casted a knowing smile towards Tohru and Yanee.

“What is it?” the Lee couple asked, obviously puzzled this time as they turned their gazes to the two in question.

This made Tohru let out a nervous cough as he was already feeling shy. He gave his girlfriend a helpless glance. Yanee sighed but smiled right after as she turned to her parents.

“Mom, Dad, actually, I want to introduce my boyfriend to you,” she said before linking her arms with Tohru’s much to the couple’s surprise. “He’s my boyfriend.”