Hello, Mr Li: The Christmas Trip

Joreen went home first. She planned to freshen up and change into something simpler, eat a really nice homemade dish and return to the company to see Hoy since he seemed really busy. 

Her parents were not home when she arrived, much to her disappointment. But thankfully, Reen was at home and she promised to heat up something for her to eat while she freshened up. 

It didn't take long for Joreen to clean every residue of make up out of her face and change into a simple blue gown before she went downstairs where a nice aroma was coming from. 

"Come sit." Reen said, she didn't look too good. 

"Are you sure you really do not have a class today or you skipped classes?" Joreen asked. She didn't sound judgy. Instead, she sounded worried. 

"I don't have any class today. Come eat and tell me what happened there." 

"Wait! What's that mark on your face? Did someone hit you?" Joreen asked with wide eyes. 

Reen groaned. "I really need to cover it up now." 

"What happened?" 

Reen spilled everything out to her including Mr. Ping's involvement.

"Wow! But the blow must have hurt a lot." She grimaced. 

"I'm fine." Reen shrugged. "Didn't hurt much."

"But... is something going on between you two?" 

Reen looked confused. "Me and who?" 

"Mr. Ping." 

"What? No! How can you think that?" She asked, looking horrified. 

Joreen giggled. "You two have this chemistry. So..."

"No. Jeez! He may be really good looking and hot but he isn't my type and I don't like guys who are a lot older than I am. He's like 29 or something." 

"So it's wrong that I like someone older?" Joreen frowned. 

"I didn't say that. Besides, I cannot imagine you with anyone else. Uncle Hoy is perfect for you." 

That made Joreen smile. It was her turn to tell her how her day went. So she spilled everything out to her older sister. 

"Are you for real?" Reen looked angry. "Crazy girls, perverted old man and that bastard Han Yu... why didn't you tell us about it last night?" 

"I didn't want to. I'm fine, aren't I?" 

"But it could have been worse. What if they had done something to you? Or drugged you or do those crazy things pathetic jealous girls do to girls they do not like just to ruin them. Even if you do not want to tell the others, tell me. I can keep it from them but I need to be aware. This is not you bothering me with your life but it's something I should know as your older sister. Understood?" She asked sternly. 

"Hey! Keep it down okay? You don't tell me everything either."

"I tell you everything!"

"No, you don't!"

"What haven't I told you? You are my best friend, I literally tell you everything!" 

Joreen pushed a stubborn lock of her curly hair away from her face and narrowed her eyes to look at her sister. "Things have changed with you Reen. Ever since the trip."

She was quick to respond, "I am fine." 

"You are not. I don't know why you blame yourself but it's not cool." 

"I'm serious. I'm fine. I'll wash them." Reen said as she took Joreen's empty plates with her and began to head towards the kitchen. 

"Then... is it about... Zichu?" Joreen asked, causing her to stop in her track. She stood for only a few seconds before she continued inside the kitchen with Joreen behind her. 

"Did you... like hi–" 

"NO!" She shot her younger sister a sharp glare. 

"Reen... you know you can tell me anything right? I just don't like to see you hurt." 

"Jo, it's fine. Really." She turned to tell her while she continued to wash the dishes. 

"But I know it's not. I have known you for a really long time and I know how unserious you are with boys even Kyle who you supposedly dated. He was the only one who surprisingly got your attention even if it was only a little so maybe you like him a little and it's —"

Reen dumped the plates inside the sink loudly and began to walk out of the kitchen. 

"REEN!" 

"WHAT?" She turned around to bark at Joreen. 

"Why are you being like this? You need to talk about it!" 

"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT?!" She asked harshly before she took a deep breath and began to speak in a more softer tone,

"I don't know okay? I don't know anything. I just... I don't want to think about it." 

"That's even worse. Not thinking about it doesn't mean the problem isn't there. You have to think about it and talk about it and if you don't want to talk to me then you'll have to talk to a professional—"

"Don't do anything silly Jo!" She snapped. "Look... my mind is messed up now and you are not helping." 

"But I want to help." 

"Jo..." She looked above and placed her hand in the back of her neck. Silence filled the air for a full minute before she spoke softly, "Maybe... I liked him a little. I don't know. But he messed up and we are done and we won't see each other again." 

"Can't you... forgive him?" 

She looked at Joreen with disbelief. "His brother did that to you and he knew all about it. Do you know how you looked when that happened? How can you easily forgive him?" 

"You are more important to me than any stupid unforgiveness and thank goodness you know he annoyed me directly so if I can forgive him, you can. I'm sure you know he liked you and he really didn't approach you on purpose." 

There was a moment of silence before Reen sighed deeply and murmured. "It doesn't matter anyway. He is out of town." 

"What? How did you know so?" Joreen asked curiously. 

She looked intently at her sister and noticed how Reen continued to look up while blinking. Reen wanted to march out of there but Joreen held her arm. 

"Let's hang out today. Do any thing and every thing fun." 

"Aren't you supposed to meet Uncle Hoy later?" 

Joreen winced. "Please call him Hoy. You make it sound like I am dating a grandpa. And besides, it's sistos before bros." 

"Sistos?" Reen asked in amusement despite her awful mood. 

"Yes! It has to rhyme somehow. So let's go get ready and leave. We'll have fun without thinking about any guys."

"I'm not sure I want to think about guys for the next 10 years." Reen said to herself.

She was just going to focus on her education, basketball, her life and just maybe... if there was a guy out there for her, she would meet him in the future.