CHAPTER 27...
★★★
Charlotte went back into the house with her luggage.
Mr Bu was standing at athese dressessessessessessesmiring his favorite relaxing chair for the last time before he leaves the house.
Their entire house has been seized by the bank. Each and every property in the house has a bank sticker on it.
Mr Bu took out a loan from the bank cos of his election, thinking he would win back the election and get back his money but it all went berserk.
"Charlotte, what are you doing here? Why haven't you left yet?" Mr Bu asked seriously.
Charlotte left her trunk by the door and walked up to her father.
"Dad, I believe you've got soMabel'sney saved up somewhere. Please can I get just ten percent from it... I don't need much just 20 million won!" She requested.
Mr Bu laughed like he lost his man for a second.
"Have you gone mad or our current situation is messing with your brain... Our house just got seized by the bank and you're asking for 20 million... Where the heck am I supposed tve such money and even though I do... I got you a ticket to leave the country, go stay with your aunt and lie low till I fix this" Mr Bu said angrily.
Charlotte stomped her foot angrily on the floor.
"You think I'm just going to sit back and watch you take cThey of everything on your own... I wasn't asking you to give me the 20 million for my sake, I just want to help out and I can't do any of that without money..." She uttered frustratedly.
Mr Brearviewr for a bit and walked past her.
"Dad!!" Charlotte half yelled.
"overdressedbish and leave for the airport immediately! I forbid you from coming back to this country without my permission except you want to leave the rest of your life in poverty!" He threatened and walked away.
Charlotte clenched both her fists angrily.
"My hands are so tied... I can't do anything without money... Mabel, this fight isn't over yet! I'll be back for you!" She muttered with terror in her eyes.
She walked to her luggage and grabbed the handle angrily then she left for the airport.
~ RAPHAEL'S APARTMENT ~
Raphael ra? to his room and shut the door just so he could have a quiet moment with Mabel.
He sat on his bed, placing a call across to Mabin el. It rang for a few times and she took the call.
"Raph..." She casing-songslowly in a sleepy tone.
Raphael smiled and licked his lower lips.
"You sound sleepy... Let's talk when you've had a good nap!" He anut in considerately.
Mabel chuckled.
"Thanks for being considerate, Mr Raphael but I don't plan on ending the call just yet with my boyfriend... Your parents left already? It sounds a bit tranquil over there.." She pointed out.
"You've got sharp ears... Mum can't do without her farm house and Dad can't miss out on his duty as the village chief!"
Mabel laughed and sat up on the bed.
"Your mum have a farmhouse? That sounds like so much work..."
"Not at all... Evasince she was a kid, she has always loved being around animals. After retiring from the hospital, she said she needed a farmhouse of her own"
"Your mum worked at the hospital?" Mabel asked in surprise.
Raphael smiled. "It's surprising, you didn't notice her at the dining table. She's very cautious about cutleries, if it drops on the floor... You're washing them immediately..."
Mabel laughed at Raphael's words.
"Oh... Is that why the girls were so careful with their spoons dAre youg from their hands?" Mabel laughed even more.
"Exactly... Mum was a gastroenterologist!"
Mabel nodded feeling so impressed.
"Wow... I guess you must've had zero stomach issues while growing up since it's your mum's field..." Mabel teased.
Raphael scoffed. "Let's not even talk about that... I had way more stomach issues than every normal kid out there..."
Mabel laughed hard.
"Oppa... What are your plans for the evening?" Rhea asked excitedly as she opened the door without knocking.
Raphael rolled his eyes ignoring her completely.
"Oppa..." She pouted.
"Oppa, I booked us a table at a restaurant. How about we grab a bite over there for dinner?" Rina asked barging into the room boldly.
Raphael held his head tiredly.
"Can't I have a minute for myself?" He asked frustrabreathlesslylylylylylyust say yes and we'll leave you alone" Rhea uttered.
Raphael took a deep breath and nodded.
"Fine, let's go out for dinner. It's not like neither of you can cook" He muttered and turned back to his phone.
Rachel ran into the room and jumped on the bed pulling Raphael to her phone.
"Oppa, which of this dress do you think I should wear to a party my course mate is hosting?" She asked scrolling through different dresses at the shopping app.
Rhea and Rina joined her on the bed.
"I think this one's okay.."
"This looks better... You don't have to always put on something sexy, showing off your back or thighs" Rina suggested.
Rachel pushed her aside.
"I didn't ask for your opinion.."
Suddenly an argument broke out between them.
Raphael sneaked out of the room.
"Would you join us for dinner?" He asked softly over the phone.
Mabel cheeks flushed with a lingering smile on her lips.
"Is that okay?" She asked cautiously.
"Of course, it's okay! I bet the girls will love it also"
"Em... Alright, I've got a meeting to catch up but I'll try to meet with you guys after I'm done!" Mabel uttered calmly.
Raphael nodded with a warm smile. "I'll be waiting for you, Bels!"
LATER IN THE THE EVENING...
****
The girls were done getting ready, Raphael was waiting in the car cos that was the only way they could hasten up whatever they were doing inside.
The girls rushed down to the parking lot.
"Oppa! We're done!" The uttered in unison.
Raphael shook his head tiredly and started the car engine.
The girls got into the car in a hurry. Rachel adjusted her dress, as she caught Raphael's attention from the rare view mirror.
"Rachel, we're only going out for dinner... Aren't you a bit over dressed for dinner?" He questioned sarcastically.
Rina chuckled putting on her shades.
"She's headed to a party to go meet with her boyfriend..." Rina teased.
Raphael turned around swiftly, glaring at Rachel.
"You want to go see a boy? Rachel, you've got a boyfriend?" He asked seriously with his eyes wide open.
Rachel punched Rina hard on her arm then wore a nervous smile.
"Of course not, oppa... I told you a course mate of mine is hosting a party... Oppa please can you drop me off at the bus stop so I can take my ride from there. I don't want to !" She uttered and looked away immediately to avoid meeting eyes with Raphael's serious eyes.
Raphael scoffed disbelief and turned back facing the road.
"Let's go!" Rhea uttered a sing song.
★★★
~ MABEL'S APARTMENT ~
Mabel was done getting dressed to leave for her meeting with a investor and Mr Lee also.
She grabbed her purse from the bag and left the room. Heading to the sitting room, the doorbell rang.
"I'm not expecting anyone though..." She muttered before getting the door.
She grabbed the doorknob open and her mum pushed her way into the apartment.
"Mabel, you've not been taking my calls... Is this how you plan on doing it? You won't know peace if you keep ignoring me and you know it..." Mrs Park squeaked walking into the apartment like she owns it.
Mabel shut her eyes holding in her frustration. She shut the door and walked to her mother.
"Mum, I really don't have time for this right now. I've got a meeting I need to attend so please can we not do this right now..." She pleaded holding her forehead with one hand and placing her other hand on her waist.
Mrs Park scoffed with trouble written boldly on her voice.
"I really don't care, Mabel. I need a response from you on our conversation in the morning. You're breaking up with him right? You will break up with Raphael right?" She asked seriously.
Mabel massaged in between her brows with her eyes closed.
"Don't give me a silent treatment... Answer my question... Are you breaking up with Raphael?" Mrs Park yelled.
Mabel lost her cool and faced her mother.
"Mum, why do you even care? Before I got into a relationship with him, I don't remember asking for your opinion so why do you think your opinion matters to me now that I'm in a relationship with him?" Mabel fired.
Mrs Park hit Mabel's arm with her handbag.
"I forbid you from pushing through with that relationship... Why would you betray your best friend for a man? There are so many men out there... Why do you choose to do this with your best friend's man?" Mrs Park questioned breathless.
Mabel stayed silent for a minute then she took in a few deep breaths.
"Mum, I don't know what Charlotte told you but you've known me all your life. Do you think I'm capable of betraying my best friend?" She asked calmly.
"You're more than capable... I know how many times yo their facesu've ditched your friends from high school cos of one silly reason or the other. Keep Charlotte aside, Mabel I don't want to see you hanging out with a man who had a hand in the death of his girlfriend... That's not the kind of man, I want for mand y daughterthing so there's nothing you're saying to me that will change my mind..." Mrs Park stated seriously.
Mabel was about to explain everything to her mum when Jenny's call came in through her phone.
Mabel took the call swallowat ing back her words. "I'm heading out already..." She said and hung up the call.
"Mum, let's talk when I'm done with my schedule for the evening... Everything you heard about Raphael is wrong. You've got the wrong impression of him" Mabel uttered calmly as she head to the door.
"Mabel, I don't want to see you in my house if you're not going to tell me about your breakup with him. I don't want you brainwashing me on what I know. You either breakup with him or never step your foot at my home again!" Mrs Park threatened.
Mabel frowned and looked at her mum tiredly.
"I'm done arguing with you, mum... You have the right to believe whatever you wish but I'm not breaking up with Raphael. Mum, you'll regret choosing Charlotte over me... I learnt mine the hard way so will you!" She uttered coldly and left the apartment.
Mrs Park paced around the sitting room, worriedly.
"Kids now never listen to their parents..."
★★★
AN HOUR LATER...
Mabel was done having a brief meeting with one of her investors. They head out of the lounge.
"Go ahead, Mr Lee!" Mabel said to her boss who was half drunk already.
Mabel turned to Jennifer.
"Jenny, please can you drop off Mr Lee... I don't think he should be left by himself in that state..."
"What about you, Mabel?" Jenny asked with so much concern.
Mabel shook her head.
"It's fine... It's a good thing I didn't take any of the drinks offered to me. Mr Lee took it all on my behalf, can you please send him home on my behalf!"
Jennifer nodded and bowed slightly. "Drive safely okay..."
"I will. Just go!" Mabel smiled and left for her car.
Getting to where her car was parked. She heard voices coming from the next car.
Mabel raised her brows in gossip mode. She tried to eavesdrop then she saw a beautiful young lady ran out of the car, a guy followed her, he grabbed her by the wrist trying to pull her back to the car.
"Let go off me, Jamie! You're hurting me!" Rachel cried resisting the pull.
Mabel's brows relaxed in shock at the sight of Rachel.
"I clearly told you never to put on dresses like this but the nerve you've got to wear it to the party... Who are you trying to attract? Are you tired of me already?" Jamie yelled in a thunderous tone.
"Please don't do this, Jamie.. please..." Rachel cried finally giving in to the push.
Jamie raised his hand to hit her but Mabel threw her purse at him angrily.
She walked up to them with a frown.
"Who the hell is that?" Jamie barked letting go of Rachel's hand.
Rachel looked up with fear written all over her face.
"And who the hell do you think you are to speak or even hold her hand like that?" Mabel squeaked about to slap him but Rachel stopped her.
"Unni, he's my boyfriend, Jamie!" Rachel uttered breathless wiping off her tears swiftly.
Mabel scoffed in disbelief.
"He is?" She asked glaring at Jamie as she took off her glasses.
Jamie melted in an instant.
"Mabel..." He called in shock with total admiration in his eyes.
"What are you still doing here? Scram!" Mabel yelled.
Jamie ran off happily.
"Rachel... Do you want to talk about it?" Mabel asked warmly.
Tears roll down Rachel's cheeks and she nodded negatively.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it... Unni, are you joining oppa for dinner? How about we go together?" Rachel asked forcing a smile on.
Her eyes were totally red and puffy from all the crying.
Mabel moved closer to her and wiped off the tears on her cheeks.
"Rachel, I'm here for you if you need someone you want to talk to..." She uttered softly.
Rachel nodded with a smile.
"Let's go!" Mabel added and held her hand gently as they walked to her car.
Rachel's eyes were fixed on how comfortingly Mabel held her hand.
★★★★
~ MUMMY'S CHICKEN RESTAURANT~
Mabel drove down to the restaurant with Rachel.
They both got out of the car with a smile on.
"Unni, please can you not say anything that happened earlier to my brother, I don't want him to worry..." Rachel pleaded.
Mabel patted her hair.
"Not a word..." She uttered calmly and Rachel smiled widely.
They walked into the restaurant, the first Raphael noticed was Rachel's puffy eyes. He has known her all her life, he knew she's been crying.
He stood up from his chair and walked up to them, to lead them to the table.
"You're here!" Raphael smiled and peeked Mabel.
"Yes, I crossed paths with Rachel on the way so we decided to come together..." Mabel uttered.
Raphael glanced at Rachel and she was avoiding eye contact.
"Rachel, is everything okay?" He asked and Rachel looked up at him in panic.
"Of course, I'm fine... Oppa, what kind of question is that..." She tried brushing off with a giggle.
But just then a grim of vision flashed before Raphael's eyes. He just envisioned Rachel taking multiple sleeping pills just to end her life, she cried bitterly while doing so.
Raphael staggered in shock as his heart almost forgot to beat for a second.