Midnight In Paris || Ryeji (ILD book 2)

25.

Since Ryujin had gone back home, a lot had changed.

Her life had made a turn and now she was working at her family's company, as had been the plan since she was born. It was different but not a bad different. Ryujin liked the responsibility. It made her feel valued and important. Even if her level of responsibility was yet limited.

Her superiors seemed to have nothing but praising words for her and that boosted her confidence. Reassuring her that the choice to work there had been right. Ryujin was smart but brains weren't all that was necessary for the job, that's what she found out. And it seemed she had just what was necessary.

After a couple of months her father had sat with her, drinking his whiskey and smiling proudly at her. Both of them sitting on the last floor of the luxurious building that housed their family's company. Ryujin's gaze focused on the city below them.

And that's when he told her how proud he was of her and the hard work she had been putting towards the company. Announcing that if she kept up that way, she would surely be qualified to run the company ahead of schedule. Ryujin couldn't contain the satisfied smile from showing up. Couldn't contain the happiness she felt in that moment.

That's when he brought up Yeji, the one subject they had long avoided and decided to silently agree not to mention again. But there it was, out in the open.

"How are things with Yeji?" her father questioned as if there was something to mention.

Ryujin sighed, bitting into her lower lip before thinking about her response. "Fine. She has become a good friend of mine."

"And perhaps more?"

"Only in my heart, father." She responded with a deep breath, moving to stand close to the big window. Her eyes watching over the city surrounding them and how tiny it all looked from all the way up there.

"I'd think you'd have made use of the family ring by now." He spoke as casually as he would have were he to point out the sunny weather.

Ryujin shook her head, hands moving to the pockets of her suit as a way to avoid fidgeting. Marriage was still a touchy subject, ever since her engagement with Yeji. "I'm not in a rush to marry. And the woman I love happens to be all the way in Paris so doing so is not within the realm of possibility as of now."

Her father hummed, then moved to sit behind his desk. He looked to be deep in thought although he wasn't saying much.

Ryujin knew how marriage had become a subject they avoided since she had asked him to stop her engagement. The two hadn't discussed her getting married since then. Perhaps because her father had hoped she and Yeji would figure things out. Or maybe that she would find someone else.

Neither of those things had happened.

They had been close.

At least she knew the two had loved each other. Or still did.

Right person wrong time as some would say.

"I'm not going to pressure you but I do hope you find someone to settle down with. I'd like to see you have a family of your own one day."

"I will. And you will see it." Ryujin stated, moving closer to the door now. "It just won't be anytime soon. Besides, I would want to have a relationship with the person before marrying. No offense but jumping into the engagement is not my style."

Her father smiled, then proceeded to tell her to go back to work which she happily did.

Walking through the company building, she couldn't help but to notice the many eyes on her. Some looking her way out of jealousy, others hatred from her family connections and of course there were always the gazes filled with lust. Were she still younger and wilder, Ryujin would have ended up in the houses of many of these woman who looked at her in such way. But things had changed. She had changed.

Truth be told, she did go on a few dates since Paris. Shared a handful of kisses with people she barely knew. But somehow, there was nothing fun about it anymore.

There was nothing thrilling about the lips of others and they definitely didn't made her feel the way Yeji's kisses had. But then, she would have to get used to it she supposed.

Smirking as she noted the women freaking out over sharing an elevator with her, she did find it amusing that people reacted in such way. Yet she did nothing but greet them and bid her goodbyes, politeness all she could offer them.

"Shin, we need you to run an errand." Her boss said immediately upon seeing her and normally doing stuff like that would cause one to feel useless but Ryujin knew it was all part of the job and someone had to do even the smaller things. It only made her appreciate the employees even more, especially the ones most people undervalued. So she gladly took the responsibility and did her part, thinking to herself that would surely only make her grow into the boss she would like to be. One that can give credit and value where it is due.

Honestly, the day was exhausting, and as Ryujin finally sat down on her couch bare feet and with food she picked up on her way home, she exhaled and allowed herself to relax.

Most days were like that lately. Busy with work until the sun was down and then she would repeat it again. Luckily she would have her days off to spend with her family and friends. And occasionally her lunch time, whenever she could and their schedules allowed.

Unlocking her phone, she texted Yeji back who seemed to have just got up for a new day in Paris. Time difference made communication hard but they always made sure to keep in touch. Sure, they didn't speak every day but they never let a week go by without speaking.

Ryujin smiled as Yeji retold her all about her previous day, mentioning how she was finally learning things beyond just art such as how art galleries and studios actually worked. She sounded so excited that Ryujin couldn't help but share the excitement with her.

After a few more hours of chatting with her friends and a shower taken, Ryujin laid in bed. Preparing herself for the next day of work. Luckily the day after that would be her day off and she would finally get to rest some more.