Chapter 9: Big Sister

 She walked forward and slapped Lizzy on the head.

                “What the hell were you thinking? Not inviting me to your birthday party, you little brat!” she grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her. “After all you have put me through, you FORGOT ME? YOUR OWN SISTER?” Eli looked around awkwardly as everyone just stopped and watched. He and his friends seemed to be the only ones who were uncomfortable in this situation.

                “Look, I’m sorry; I was told you were in America on business! Last time I invited you to something you told me you were too busy!” her sister kept punching her in the head. “Hayley! Knock it off!” she finally stopped and slapped her upside the head again.

                “Dumbass! You know I would have come!” she turned to Eli and scrutinized him. “Who is this?” she said, coming closer. She roughly grabbed his face and turned it side to side. When she let go, his jaw was sore.

                ‘Damn! Her sister has one hell of a grip! No wonder she’s so mean! Her sister is a MONSTER!’ He actually felt sorry for Eli for a moment. Just a little bit though.  She turned to Lizzy.

                “Well, who is he? Your lackey? Slave? Give me an answer Lizzy!” Lizzy shuffled her feet around.

                “He’s my boyfriend.” She confessed. Her sister scoffed.

                “Oh really? Was this of his own accord? I highly doubt anyone at that school would date you willingly.” Lizzy bowed her head in shame. Eli felt sorry for her, even if her sister did hit the mark spot on. Hayley turned to him. “What’s your name, kid?”

                “My name's Eli.” He bowed. He hoped he would not come under fire next. However, Hayley smiled.

                “Well, it’s nice to meet you Eli. I have to say, I haven’t met a boy yet who is brave enough to take on my sister. You’re the first. Congratulations, I suppose.” She patted him on the back. “So, have you told Mom, yet?” she turned to Lizzy, who was now holding her head up. She sighed.

                “Not yet. I wanted to tell her face to face.” Hayley looked back at Eli and grimaced.

                “Where are you from, Eli?”

                “Here in Seoul.”

                “No, I meant what do your parents do, what do you do?”  He looked at his feet. “I want you to be completely honest with me Eli, don’t worry, I am not my mother.” She smiled. For some reason, he felt he could trust her.

                “My parents run a noodle shop, I help out there. My older brother and sister run a café; I help out there sometimes too. I work at a garage with my friends,” he motioned over to his friends, who gave a little wave to her. She smiled.

                “Well, it’s nice to know Lizy has a hard working man like you to depend on, that is, if our mother doesn’t tear you to pieces first.” The room was quiet for a short time. Hayley walked over to Lizzy and put her hand on her shoulders.

                “Are you serious about this, Lizzy? If it’s just a game to you, you need to let him go right now.” Lizzy looked up at her sister. She was solemn, something that she just didn’t see with her sister all that much.

She knew she was taking a risk, but with Becky, and now Hayley confronting her about it, the gravity of the situation was beginning to weigh on her. Did she really like Eli? Or was she still doing this to spite her mother. She looked at her sister, and decided to solidify her decision. She nodded.  

“Well, Becky has already told me some of what’s going on, but I want the whole story. So let’s straighten this out in the study, shall we?” they headed back up the stairs, and headed for the study. Hayley sat behind the desk and clapped her hands.

“Well, start explaining.” For about half an hour Skye, Gina and Lizzy began explaining things, Yasmin piped up every once in a while with a detail or two to add. Eli and his friends just stood back. They didn’t know what to think, they had just been thrown into this. For them, their fate rested in the hands of these women.

                Hayley nodded as they finished. She twiddled with her thumbs for a moment, and then stood up. She turned to Lizzy. She put her hands on her shoulders and leaned in so only she could hear.

                “When you come face to face with Mother, remember to stand your ground, don’t give way at all, do you understand? She will try every tactic in the book, but if you are really serious about him, if you really like him, you will fight for him, fight for yourself. Do you hear me?” she nodded. “Don’t do what I did. Don’t let her take love away from you.” She pulled away from Lizzy and motioned for Eli to follow her. She led him outside the study and closed the door. She took a deep breath.

                “Look, I know dating her wasn’t really your choice. You did this for your friends. Now you’re in deep. I get it, she can be a handful.” She laughed. “Perhaps I should have been a little easier on her when we were kids.” She looked at him and cleared her throat. “My mother is ruthless; she has a very big ego. She is also a very savvy business woman. She knows how to get what she wants. Right now, she is damned and determined to marry Lizzy off to James Wilson, I’m sure your aware of that.” he nodded. She continued. “Once she finds out about you two, she will do everything in her power to separate you. I know you guys have this plan and what not, but I can tell you right now she is no fool. You make one slip up, and you’re done. You need to stand your ground and fight, just like I told Lizzy. I don’t know how the other girls’ families will react to this plan, but trust me; I am behind you two one hundred percent.” She smiled at him. “Besides, Becky said it’s been weeks since Lizzy’s last outburst. I think you have a positive effect on her, whether you know it or not.” She patted him on the shoulder. Well, I’m off, see you later Heejun.” He bowed as she turned to leave.

                “It was nice meeting you, Miss Hayley.” She giggled.

                “Please, you're Lizzy’s boyfriend, call me Hayley.” She turned down the stairs and began to leave. Something stopped her in her tracks. Eli craned his neck as he tried to see what she was looking at. She ran back, grabbed Eli and ran back into the study. Everyone looked at them flabbergasted.

                “Quick! Mom! She’s back!” Lizzy’s heart stopped. The girls looked at each other uncertainly. They didn’t think they would have so little time to plan things out. Becky walked into the room.

                “I assume you know now. Quick, everyone follow me.” She headed towards the bookshelf and pulled a thick red book out halfway. The bookshelf swung open. Eli’s mouth dropped. It was like it dropped out of a mystery movie. A secret passage? Incredible. He shook his head as they followed her down into the passage. She hurried them along when they got to the bottom. There was a kitchen hidden away. When he looked back, he could see that the door blended into the wall, hidden by a shelf.

                “Hurry, you guys, you need to get out!” Hayley pushed him along as they ran through the empty kitchen. She turned to Lizzy. “Go to your room, stay there.” Lizzy ran back upstairs towards her room.

                “This kitchen has been abandoned for almost a year, we haven’t used it since last year’s Christmas banquet, run through here, it will lead you to the garage, Skye, Gina, Yasmin, get them out! I know what I said about standing up to her, but I think you need to finalize everything before you see her. Make sure it’s as fool proof as possible! Quick, get out!” Hayley ran back up the stairs to the study. She planned on being a diversion so that they could escape. Becky closed the door and followed them. They ran down into the garage, Skye, Yasmin and Gina got into their cars, ushering the boys in as fast as they could. Becky stopped them as they started their vehicles.

                “Just calmly leave. If she or any of her bodyguards, let alone her lackey, sees you, she will know something was up. Remember, act normally, go slow, and be careful.” Skye nodded.  

END OF CHAPTER 9