Mel: Sapphires?
Mel asked him after they were safely tucked back in the sedan and on their way to the concert venue.
Kai: (tuning red) I remembered back in school you once mentioned that sapphires were beautiful.
Mel: (smiling at him) they actually are. I must say, you do have a great memory.
Kai: (looking at her) yes I do have it haven't I! (Pulling out his phone) Mom asked me for pictures.
He took a number of pictures with her and he also made sure to highlight the ring for the pictures he sent to their parent's.
Kai: there sent! I'll post one on my personal account.
Mel: are you sure?
Kai: (mulling over her question) yes! You are right. If someone leaked the pictures then it would cause an uproar. Besides, I'll wait for a while until I surprise the members.
Mel: you haven't told them about us yet?
Kai: (smirking mischievously) nope.
Mel: then they are in for a huge shock from their leader.
Kai: I do want to surprise them.
Mel: I hope it works in a positive way.
Kai: don't worry baby, they'll absolutely love you.
The vehicle came to a stop as soon as he finished his sentence and they both got down. He made sure to hold her hand from the moment they went into the venue until they reached their waiting rooms backstage. The other members were already present there waiting for their leader's arrival. They looked surprised when they saw him come in holding hands with a girl.
Kai: did you guys wait long?
Mui: (looking at their entwined hands and back up at their faces) no. We came here moments before you.
Ray: who is the lady with you Kai?
Kai: ah! (Pulling her to the front) this is Yoo Min-Soe.
Mel: (waving to them) hello everyone!
Timo: (smirking) so are you two dating?
Kai: (shrugging) in a way, yes we are.
Vic: Oh no! It can't be!
Ray: what?
Vic: Kai! bro! When did this happen? Why didn't you tell us?!
Timo: (confused) tell us what?
Vic: Can't you see the ring on her finger?
Ray: (wide-eyed) is that?! (Recognizing the ring) You told me you were looking rings for your Mom!
Mui: Awesome! When were you going to tell us?
Kai: (putting his hands up to stop them) will you let me speak? I wanted to surprise you all. Ray, Sorry! I couldn't tell you and spoil the surprise when you came with me while we went looking for the ring. Everyone let me introduce you to my fiancé, Yoo Min-Soe.
Timo: f-fiancé?!
Ray: (choking on his spit) w-what?
Mui: Oh god! Oh no!
Vic: h-how?
Kai: (in Mel's ear) this is better than what I pictured.
Mel: (controlling her breathing at his sudden closeness) mm-hmm.
Kai put his arm around her waist and lightly kissed her ear lobe before pulling away smiling at the small shiver that passed through her body. He could see that her cheeks had heated up and she was over-whelmed by their proximity and she was trying hard to get her mind back to work. He was pleased to know that he had such an effect on her.
Timo: (sitting heavily back on the couch) wow! I m-mean h-how?
Kai: (sitting opposite to Timo and pulling Mel to sit with him) it all just happened too fast.
Ray: (glaring) Kai tell us the truth, you got her pregnant didn't you?
Mel's spit went down the wrong tube at Ray's accusation. She started to cough and turned red in embarrassment. Kai was a completely different story, he was glaring at Ray and at the same time rubbing soothing circles on Mel's back.
Kai: real mature Ray.
Ray: what?! You always wanted kids and you come here with the big news. What should we think?
Mel: (still red in the face) I am not pregnant!
Vic: (handing her a glass of water) Min-Soe, Drink some water.
Mel: (gladly accepting) Thank you, Vic.
Kai: you feeling ok?
Mel: (nodding) yes. I was surprised that's all.
Mui: (looking at the couple still in confusion) so how did this happen?
Kai: we met each other about a fortnight ago through our parents and I made it official by proposing to her today.
Mui: arranged marriage?! Whoa! This is unbelievable!!
Timo: (wide-eyed) are you both sure about it?
Kai and Mel both turned to look at each other to the big brother's question. Were they sure? No, they weren't but they were willing to give it their all. They were already aware that they had unmistakable chemistry between them.
Kai: (still looking into her eyes) I guess we'll be fine.
Ray: we can all see that Kai but this is marriage and not some game.
Vic: I think we should trust him about this. I mean he has taken quite good decisions every time.
Timo: (shaking his head) don't mention his love life. It's a total mess.
Mui: I agree with Vic here. I believe in Kai and sister-in-law sure is beautiful.
Mel: thank you, Mui.
Ray: (smiling) well! I am happy for you guys. Welcome to the family Min-Soe. Take good care of our weird brother and we'll be looking forward to getting to know you better.
Mel: (smiling) thank you Ray and I'll make sure to keep him in on his toes always.
Timo: (laughing) sis-in-law sure is witty, you are lucky to have found her Kai.
Kai: Hey! I brought her here so that you could all meet her, not for all of you to team up against me.
Timo: (winking at her) that's given.
Mel giggled at Timo's wink which made Kai burn in a sudden rush of anger.
Kai: Hey bro! Find a woman for yourself and keep your claws off my lady here.
Ray: (rolling his eyes) Min-Soe, come with me, I'll introduce you to everyone around here.
Mel looked at Kai once and seeing him nod in agreement she accepted the hand given by Ray smiling. Both of them left the room leaving behind the eldest and the youngest line to tease the soon to be groom.
Kai: why are you all looking at me like this?
Vic: we want details.
Kai sighed and knew that he couldn't escape their interrogation so he went ahead with giving them what they wanted. After he had finished
Timo: so you know her from middle school? But this is the first time you met her in a decade?
Kai: yes.
Vic: sis-in-law is cute.
Kai: (feeling proud) I know that.
Mui: you like her bro!
Kai: I t-think so-
Timo: maybe you did like her ten years ago and never stopped.
Kai: no big bro that would be stretching it.
Timo: I just told you what I saw. Anyways we are with you.
Kai: Thanks bro.
Vic: where did Ray take sis-in-law to?
Like on cue Ray came in with a laughing Mel behind him.
Mel: Ray that can't be true!
Ray: it did happen.
Kai: what is so funny?
Mel: (smiling sweetly at him) Ray was telling me a story of your adventures together.
Kai: Really?!
Mel: (nodding) he did tell me some very interesting things.
Ray: that's right, come on we have to start rehearsal soon.
Mui: sis-in-law will you be watching it?
Mel: I would've loved to but my team is flying back tonight and I promised that I'll see them off.
Ray: It would've been great if you would stay for our show.
Mel: no I can't Ray! I told you already, I've to be present in the office at the most by tomorrow noon.
Vic: sis-in-law you aren't staying for our show.
Mel: (nodding) yes Vic, maybe next time I'll come to cheer for all of you.
Timo: we'll be looking forward to meeting you again Min-Soe.
Mel: yes big brother.
Timo: (eyeing a red-faced Kai) call me Timo, Min-Soe!
Mel: (nodding) yes Timo. I'll leave now then.
In no time she said that Kai was by her side, an arm firmly placed around her waist.
Kai: you guys go ahead, I'll join you soon.
Vic: sis-in-law visit us again.
Mel: (nodding) yes Vic, it was a pleasure meeting all of you.
Mui: see you soon sis-in-law.
Mel waved bye to Mui and Kai escorted her out of the room. She could tell that something was troubling him. It was written all over his face.
Mel: Kai, are you feeling well?
Kai: (nodding) yes.
Mel: (suddenly halting their progress) I can see that something is bothering you.
Kai took a deep breath and looked around, seeing as the coast was clear he pulled her into one of the empty rooms- which turned out to be a store room.
Mel: (shocked) Kai?!
Kai: (pulling her closer to himself) sometimes your observant nature annoys me too much.
They were so close that, their foreheads were touching each other. Mel was looking owlishly into his eyes and biting her bottom lip. He stared down at her lips and almost lost his shred of control. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried hard to get his breathing back under control. Mel couldn't speak anything, afraid that she would break the moment- heck she had even stopped breathing almost and was in awe of his handsome face. Kai released her and took a step back from her.
Mel: (taking a deep breath) y-you were jealous of me calling them by names?
Kai: (chuckling in disbelief) you are unbelievable.
Mel: (closing her eyes) how are you so beautiful? I envy you.
Kai now sat down on the floor laughing in utter disbelief of her statement. She too joined him not a moment later. After they had regained their composure back-
Kai: (pinching her cheeks) you are too cute.
Mel: ow! Baby! That hurt!
And she broke out again into peals of laughter. He was in shock this time at her statement.
Mel: (kissing him on the cheek) you are cute too but I am not calling you 'baby' again.
He could only nod in agreement because he was busy in making sure if he had dreamed about the whole thing. Currently, his hand was on his cheek and his mind was playing the moment on repeat.
Mel: (standing up and giving him her hand) Kai, we'll both be late if we don't hurry.
He took her hand in a daze and allowed himself to be dragged by her grinning like a madman.
When he came back to the rehearsal still grinning and face red as a tomato the members didn't waste another moment in pulling his leg. On the other hand, the whole crew present there congratulated him on his engagement.
Kai: Ray! Did you introduce Mel to everyone?
Ray: (shrugging) the word sure gets around quick.
Kai: you are dying to tell me something, what is it?
Ray: (grinning) she is a great woman Kai! Don't mess things up like every time.
Kai: I know.