Legal Disclaimer
This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Content Warning: This chapter includes mentions of cultural dynamics and light references to adult intimacy, handled in a non-explicit
way.
Chapter 63— Between Loyalties and Conversations.
63.1 Brother's Loyalty.
Ryu was on the porch of his cabin with his computer, trying to concentrate.
Zayra had gone out to lunch with her friends, but he couldn't clear his head.
The bachelor/bachelorette parties were swirling around him, and the stress wouldn't leave him alone.
Carefully, he slowly rubbed his thumb against his index finger, trying to calm his mind.
"This is getting out of my hands... and I hate it."
Just then, Min-jun, his younger brother, appeared,
with that carefree smile and the typical look of having just come from a party.
He lowered his voice a little, noticing Ryu's seriousness, and added in a softer tone.
"Hyung. Are you okay?"
Ryu barely looked up, pressing the edge of his laptop with his thumb, as if that would help him focus.
He ignored his brother, asking himself.
"Why does something so simple affect me so much?"
Finally, he replied in a firm, yet tired voice.
"I'm working."
Min-jun sat next to him, raising an eyebrow.
"But you look terrible, hyung."
***
Ryu tried not to give explanations, as he didn't want him to realize what was bothering him at that moment.
He loved his brother, but he knew he enjoyed seeing him out of his comfort zone.
However, his attempt was useless; his younger brother noticed his discomfort,
though he ignored the cause.
"Where are you coming from?"
Ryu asked, changing the subject.
"I just came from a Bolivian-style bachelor party."
Min-jun replied as if he had lived an unforgettable experience.
He joked about the "special show" at the bachelor party.
Ryu's pulse quickened.
Unintentionally, he clenched his fists on his legs, trying to keep anything from showing.
He felt like he'd been hit with a bucket of cold water.
"Will Zayra's party be like that?" he thought, frowning.
He remembered the bachelor parties he knew in Korea:
small, discreet gatherings with close friends, without excesses or "special shows."
This cultural contrast worried him even more,
because he knew that in Bolivia, parties could be very different, louder and more public.
His brother caught his expression and gave a playful smile.
"Ah, right, are you going to get a special show too?"
He asked, in a provocative tone.
Ryu blinked, with a barely disguised mix of surprise and displeasure.
"There will be no special show."
He replied, sharply.
"I see... But Zayra's party will have one, right?"
He looked at his brother, trying to decipher his reaction.
Ryu rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, frustrated.
"Zayra said she didn't want one... but her friends..."
He avoided Min-Jun's gaze, pressing his lips together, his face expressionless.
The silence between them became heavy.
Min-Jun frowned slightly,
not finding the right words, so he chose to remain silent.
"I don't know..."
Ryu finally said.
"Maybe her friends will bring someone; even though she told them not to, you never know here."
His laugh was barely a sigh, almost contained, aware of the tension in the air.
"By the way, Seo-Young doesn't know if she'll go,
she finds it a bit different and isn't sure she'll like it."
Ryu looked away, unable to hide his frustration.
The idea pierced his chest like a taut thread that could break at any moment.
His heart accelerated.
"How could he protect her if he couldn't even control what would happen that night?"
Instead of hitting him, Min-Jun gave him a light pat on the shoulder,
as if showing support without interrupting the tension of the moment.
"What if you ask Seo-Young to go?"
That way you can be calm.
Ryu looked at him with some difficulty.
He hesitated for an instant before she appeared, feeling the weight of what he was about to ask.
***
When Seo-Young appeared.
"What are you talking about?"
She asked, looking at her brothers with a calm smile.
Ryu tilted her head slightly as a sign of respect,
trying to control his voice so as not to betray his anxiety.
Min-Jun looked up at his sister, wasted no time, and declared.
"Ryu has something to ask you."
She fixed her gaze on Ryu, who became a little stiff.
"I just want to protect her... why is it so hard to say?"
He thought, a little frustrated.
Finally, he mustered up the courage.
"Seo-Young, could you stay with Zayra at her bachelorette party?"
She nodded, with that quiet confidence that only older siblings have.
"Of course, hyung. Count on me."
The three siblings relaxed.
The conversation continued with laughter and jokes, as the night gently fell over the cabin.
63.2 Among Friends, No Filters.
The table was full of laughter and knowing glances.
Five women were meeting, as they did every week, to share more than just lunch.
They shared trust, stories, and truths that only blossom among friends who have known each other for years.
Rubí smiled mischievously and leaned a little toward Zayra.
"Let's see, Zayra, don't play innocent here...
Has something happened with Ryu yet, or are we still in the mystery?"
Zayra laughed, covering her mouth.
"Oh, Rubí! Don't start..."
She protested playfully.
"Why do you have to start with that? You know I don't talk about those things so easily."
Rubí looked at her with feigned surprise and then insisted.
"But that's what friends are for! We don't hold anything back here."
Alejandra, always the voice of reason, let out a calm smile and placed a hand on her arm.
"Rubí, don't be so harsh. Zayra is the last one to get married; give her time."
The others nodded, knowing Alejandra was right.
Rubí made a gesture of surrender, but with a mischievous smile added.
"Well, did it happen or not?"
Zayra rolled her eyes, amused and slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, please! Why do you ask when you already know the answer."
They all laughed excitedly; their friendship had always been like this.
Rubí, Alejandra, Siria, Yesenia, and she, as good friends, have always told each other everything.
Suddenly Rubí lowered her voice a little and asked. "
And... How was it?"
She said, with a playful twinkle in her eyes,
and even though the others weren't speaking, they couldn't help but be curious.
Zayra looked down at her plate, embarrassed, remembering the good moments she lived with Ryu,
but which she would never dare to tell in detail.
Rubí added in a whisper.
"Don't tell us he didn't make you have a good time. That's unforgivable!"
Zayra laughed, a little shy but amused.
"Oh, Rubí, always the same. I'll just say it was good, enough to feel happy and secure."
Her friends looked at her, expectant for more information.
Zayra cleared her throat and added.
"My grandmother used to say that true treasures,
good care, and good company are enjoyed in silence."
She looked at her friends with a gesture that implied she wouldn't reveal any more information.
They laughed and raised their glasses as a sign of agreement.
"Then. May the good company and good times continue!"
Alejandra toasted.
"That's what really matters."
Yesenia added.
They all nodded, each with a smile that showed experience and understanding.
They had learned over the years that no man is perfect, but that respect and affection are essential.
***
Alejandra, who was always concerned with the practical side,
as a lawyer specializing in international law, changed the subject.
She asked.
"So, do you know where you are going to live?
Are you staying here or going to Korea?"
Zayra thought for a moment and replied.
"For now, we're staying here.
Ryu is in charge of the company linked to my father's mines, so it's better to be close...
Although the future is still uncertain."
Alejandra nodded seriously.
"I'm just saying I've heard from Latina friends who didn't have a good time outside the country.
I'm not saying Ryu is like that, but it never hurts to be alert."
"Ale, you talk as if the same problems didn't exist in our country."
Zayra replied with a smile.
"It's not like you go to another country and everything is perfect."
Alejandra smiled, as she hadn't thought about that comparison.
***
The conversation continued with Siria, who had been listening carefully.
As a family court judge, she commented.
"Zayra, just keep the legal aspects in mind. In many countries, including Korea,
the laws often favor nationals if there are children involved.
It's not personal, just a reality that is good to know."
Zayra nodded calmly.
"Yes, I know, but I prefer not to dwell on that.
You get married to build, not to break.
And if something happens, I know Ryu will be fair."
Yesenia raised her glass.
"We all hope that love and understanding overcome any difficulty."
Rubí smiled and looked at Zayra knowingly.
"And don't forget, your bachelorette party is coming up soon.
Get ready to party!"
Zayra remained silent for a moment, knowing this was a possibility.
"Okay girls, but I don't want any special shows."
The friends laughed mischievously, knowing they would do as they pleased,
as Zayra loved them and always forgave their innocent mischief.
In that instant, she felt the affection and support of those friends who knew her in all her facets, with jokes and advice.
In Bolivia, friendship is a refuge of sincerity and affection, not vulgarity; it is the trust that prepares one for a new stage.
She felt that, despite the fears and differences, she had a refuge where she would always be herself.