18 Straightening out

He was suspicious of his gang when they were being extra cheerful previous night but he had brushed it off. This morning when he was about to enter the studio he heard the guys discussing

"So what do you think Ray?" Vic asked.

"She is perfect for him." Ray shrugged. There was no denying it.

"Then why is he being stubborn?" Mui wondered loudly.

"He is an idiot. As our big brother, he takes great decisions but when it comes to his own life, he is utterly useless." Kai sneered.

"I agree with you on this Kai. He just cannot see how precious she is." Ray nodded.

"And you can't avoid the fact that she is beautiful and welcoming in a warm sort of way." Mui chimed.

"Ray, you have to convince him, Rumi is an utterly ridiculous pairing for him. If you guys hadn't bet him for it he still would have been a single guy and this would have been easy." Vic voiced his opinion. He sounded a little bitter.

"What are you guys discussing?" Timo walked in scowling.

The rest of the guys closed their mouth shut. They knew that he had heard their conversation so playing it down would be stupidity.

It was Mui who courageously came out and told him the truth.

"YOU GUYS DID WHAT?!!" Timo was shocked. He couldn't believe they would intervene.

"Don't shout so loud big bro! Ow! my poor ears!" Vic rubbed his ears and moved to the farthest corner of the room away from Timo who was now breathing out fire.

"Why did you do it? You very well know it wasn't the right thing to do. There is nothing between both of us and I am already dating Rumi." Timo tried hard to reel in his anger and fear.

"For a bet." Kai retorted. Not afraid of his brother's burning glare.

"No, don't give us that look now. You hate her, you avoid her and use us as an excuse." Vic snapped. He had had enough acing as his personal human shield.

"Well I- I-" Timo was at a loss for words. He never thought they knew.

"Admit it, big bro, you like Shew." Mui tried to reason.

"No, I don't!" Timo denied vehemently.

"Then why the hell were you stalking her?" Ray quipped. He had no other choice left.

"...."

Vic snorted, "You suck at being secretive and with Ray around us there are no secrets."

"You spied on me?" Timo's eyes widened. He pointed a finger at Ray accusing.

"Well you being so considerate for a written response of how our show was, was quite suspicious and when you went yourself to get it got me intrigued." Ray shrugged casually.

"You are-" Timo was once again lost for words.

"Smart, I know that," Ray smirked.

"No nosy," Timo whined.

"Bro why are you being so stubborn about the whole thing?" Mui asked softly.

"Because you guys are making a mountain out of an anthill." Timo tried to play down the situation.

"No, we are not," Kai countered him.

"Yes you are," Timo didn't give in.

Ray huffed annoyed, "No, tell me that I am lying when I say you go to that street every day where you first met her." He let the cat out of the bag. They were going around in circles.

"What? He does that?" Mui couldn't hide the amusement in his voice. This was great blackmail material.

Ray nodded, "Twice every day, just to get a glimpse of her."

"Whoa! Didn't see that one coming." Vic said in disbelief.

"How did you know that?" Timo was shocked to anger for the nth time that day.

"You always say I am easy to read but you are an open book," Ray answered.

"Why are you holding back then?" Kai questioned his brother again.

"B-Because I-" Timo struggled to form a coherent sentence.

"You are afraid big brother?" Vic frowned.

Swallowing loudly Timo nodded.

Ray patted his brother's shoulder, "It happens bro, even I was terrified in the beginning if you remember." A soft smile graced his lips thinking about his girlfriend, "Do follow your heart man. Ninety-five per cent of our songs already are about heartbreak because of your fear."

That earned a small chuckle from all the guys present.

"I am inspired by my breakups." Timo attempted to save a little of his face.

"But you won't be any more." Kai smiled, "She is a keeper I guarantee you that and you will never want to let her go."

"You think so?" Timo asked softly.

Kai nodded encouragingly, "No I know so and if you don't hurry now, two of us gentlemen are in line waiting to capture her heart."

Timo didn't wait for another word and ran from the studio as if devil was chasing him.

"You scared him pretty good," Ray noted appreciatively, "I will inform Shew about his arrival or else he will scare her by being so excited and all."

"Kai, we really did miss a golden opportunity, didn't we?" Vic asked sounding a little solemn.

Mui chuckled and patted their youngest n his head, "No Vic, with Timo not giving up we didn't have a chance."