Chapter 19: Chapter 19

The scenarios from the last day were just stuck to Donghyuck's mind. There were two specific things that were getting on his nerves and taking his cool.

First, his professor's freaking father had seen him exiting his son's freaking room. Second, even after witnessing such an obvious thing he had the pace to offer an innocent smile and simply saying, “Your mother had called and was asking how are you doing.”

Now, “The fuck Mom got to know that I was at Taeil's home?”

Donghyuck's head was just aching intensely and his stomach was growling as well. So he just shook his head, shaking the stressing thoughts away for that moment as he entered his mother's restaurant. He was supposed to be just hanging and eating around with Renjun and Jaemin but he felt the need to drop the said idea and somehow obeying his mother this time round.

He didn't know as to why, but he felt something difficult was going to be happening and maybe, maybe this could calm the said thing before it could even start?

“Good evening, Sir. It's nice to see you after a while. Pardon my ignorance but… Ma'am didn't say anything regarding your arrival nor any specific dish we were supposed to be cooking for you?”

The staff asked politely yet confusingly as soon as she spotted her boss' son.

“Oh no, no. There's no need to apologize nor to make anything special for me. Just got back here last day and was feeling hungry. Thought it'd be good if I'd just have a healthy meal here as that's what Mom always concerns about. And, since Mom is not here, it's my duty to be even more responsible with my acts.”

“But thanks to the almighty that I'm here and got the opportunity to witness how responsible my son has become.”

Donghyuck felt as if he was still in his nightmare but no. As soon as he looked up at the image of his mother, he realized that nor was it only some image, nor nightmare. It was fucking reality.

“Got the opportunity to witness Mr. Lee Haechan obeying his ignorant mother which I only see in my wildest dreams.” Jieun said as she walked towards her son's direction.

The younger man didn't know to react or what to say. But after trying hard the only sentence he could spill out was, “Mom? You here all so sudden?”

“I would be very glad if you had said that you are happy to see me here but I guess… Life is not fair.”

“N-no Mom. I didn't mean it that way. It just came out itself. I was just-”

“Nervous? Well, that is understandable. I mean, who wouldn't be nervous after…” Jieun stopped and looked at her employee, motioning her to excuse them and start working. The staff bowed and went to the kitchen, giving the family their privacy. Jieun turned her head back to the younger and raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

“Knowing that they fucked up big time and then knowing that their mommy also got to know about their wonderful deeds this time.”

Donghyuck didn't really have any idea about anything around him anymore. All he could feel were the intense goosebumps he was getting.

“Just make anything healthy and no need to rush. We got something important to discuss so it may take us a bit.” Jieun said a little loudly, instructing her staff, her eyes still locked with his son.

“Let's talk in private, sweetie.” She said as she made her way to the VIP area. Donghyuck gulped and followed his mother behind.

______

“So, Mr. Lee Haechan, what's poppin' up lately?” Jieun asked while taking a seat in front of Donghyuck.

“What… Do you think?” Was the reply made by the younger man.

“Well, you fucked someone then things got fucked one by one and now everything is fucked up for everyone.”

“I just didn't fuck Mom-”

“You even put a baby inside someone's womb. You're a father, Haechan. Freaking daddy

Haechannie didn't even bother telling his Mommy.”

Donghyuck shook his head in guilt and embarrassment and said, “I'm not a father. At least… Not anymore, Mom.”

The woman sighed and a sad expression appeared on her face. Although she was extremely mad and her son did the stupidest thing, he was still her son and it must be so difficult for him to go through such a horrible thing. She actually couldn't say if she could understand his pain but just the thought of her losing Donghyuck felt as a nightmare to her and that was just enough to understand that Donghyuck's pain was just way too intense to even measure. Besides, she had also lost her very first grandchild.

“I am not aware of what kind of things you have done that the situations turned out this way but I guess fate has already taught you a lesson so there's no need to have any unnecessary debate.

Though, there's just one think I would want to ask. Do you love him, Haechan?”

The younger chuckled at his mother's question as a little blush rose on his cheeks. “Love is not enough to describe the admiration, attraction and feelings I have for him, Mom. It's beyond reality.”

“Love is beyond reality my little one.”

There was a moment of silence after Jieun's sentence until Donghyuck decided to break it.

“Mom, please… I'm sorry-”

“Don't. If you love him truly and you believe in your love, then you're not supposed to be weak nor vulnerable. Instead, you should be strong, you should be brave. Love is something that makes people a lot stronger, so that they could fight and cross all the barriers in their way. Then do this fight for your love. Express the people the value, the pureness of your love.”

Donghyuck's mouth went agape in surprise, not believing his mother's words. He did believe that she would somehow forgive him but he didn't even dream of such encouragement.

Jieun saw the reaction on her son's face and it reminded her of the time when Donghyuck was around five, used to be unbelievably happy whenever he got permission for anything. Though, he would do anything if he wanted whether his parents would allow or not but still getting allowance from them had always been an achievement for him. Yes, his parents were strict but that was nowhere effective.

The woman chuckled as she decided to break awkward silence. “Falling in love is not wrong. Yes, the way you fell and the way you did it might be wrong, but, it's never too late to make it right. And I believe, it's the time to step on the right track. And you're not alone Haechan. We're always behind you, we always got your back. I always got your back.”

Now the younger man just couldn't hold it anymore and he hugged his mother while some tears started filling his eyes.

“Mom… You're the best. I love you so much!”

“Even more than your professor?” Jieun asked playfully while patting the latter's back.

“Mum…” Donghyuck whined and the woman just giggled at the man's whiny act.

“Okay, okay. Well, I am really curious about this professor of yours who got you head over heels for him. When are you going to bring him as my son in law at home?”

Now it was Donghyuck's turn to giggle. “I'm on my mission, Mom.”

“Just don't fail. I believe in my Haechannie.” The elder said and placed a kiss on Donghyuck's forehead.

Donghyuck believed that he sure wasn't going to fail. Not this time round. This time, it was his time.

______

“Master, you haven't eaten anything since morning. In fact, you haven't been taking your meals properly lately. If your father finds out that you've been skipping meals, he'd be really worried about you and get mad at us. Please let us know if we're missing something or what kind of edibles you desire?”

“I've already told you numerous times that I just don't feel hungry. I'm full and I'm fine. As for

Daddy, don't worry about him. I'll handle him. Just leave me alone.”

“But Master…”

“I said just leave me alone!”

The servant didn't say anything further and just followed what was ordered. Leaving the young man alone, in the silence, in the dark.

Though, the silence didn't last long when the man's phone started ringing. He grabbed his phone from the glass table and sighed when he saw the caller's ID.

“Mark, my boy… Where have you been and how have you been my little prince? Daddy's been worried about you. I tried to contact you before but you know Dad is always on duty. I hope my little boy is not mad at me.”

“Dad…” Mark couldn't complete his sentence as tears started filling his eyes and his breath started hitching a little.

“Awwh dear, is my precious boy crying? What's wrong?”

“Nothing Daddy. It's just… I…” Mark tried keeping the pace but his sniffles just didn't cooporate.

“Care to share with Dad, hun?”

Mark then swiped a few tears and started saying in between the sniffles. “I think I'm falling for someone. But I don't know who.”

“Falling in?” Came the question from the other side.

The young man stayed silent for a moment, thinking if he should state the said thing or not.

After thinking a bit, “Love, they say.” Was the answer he could construct.

“Oh oh… And why is it only 'they' who say that and not you?”

“Because… I don't know what love is.”

A sigh and stressed exhale could be heard on the other line as the latter started speaking, “You don't really need to know it, Mark. You just need to feel it. When you actually care about someone, trust on someone and mostly, when you feel attached to someone in a way you never felt before, or with any other being, that's the feeling of love. Love is something that you do. It just happens, like magic, like a miracle, without even your acknowledgement.”

There was a moment of silence after the latter's explanation until Mark started shedding fresh tears with audible sniffles this time.

“Hey, hey my little lion. See, if you're truly in love with someone then don't keep your feelings in. Go and get your love. I'll accept whoever that person is as long as they're going to shower my boy with the attention and admiration which I couldn't do in my entire life. If the person you're yearning for seems the one, then they're the one.”

Now the younger male couldn't hold anymore as he started sobbing. “I miss you so much Daddy.”

“I know honey. I know. Daddy misses you too. But you know that Dad got a lot of work to do.”

“I know Daddy. I understand.”

“My boy has grown a lot lately huh? I'm proud of you. You know that you can come back and continue your studies here in Canada anytime you want, right? Have I ever turned down anything you wanted?”

Mark giggled as he spoke, “No, Dad.”

“Of course. Anyways, I guess I have to go now honey, duty calls. And, don't forget to take your meals and sleep at time. Bye and Daddy loves you.”

“I love you too.” Mark confessed back but the line was already disconnected. Mark placed his phones back on the table and went back into his reverie.

The reverie that had been taking over him lately. The reverie which was new, was strange and always consisted of a certain someone every single time.

Mark lifted his hand and touched his cheek where he was hit… By Jungwoo.

He tried many times to erase the elder from his memory but it just failed every time. The moments he spent with the latter, or the day Jungwoo had saved him from being raped, or the times when the giant male always cared about his safety, his concerns and mostly, just cared about him, all those scenarios were just repeating in Mark's mind and he didn't even know why. He also didn't know as to why the latter was still saving him till now.

Their work as partners was over and that was it. But, a part of him was still wanting to live its time with the said man. To have that man by his side.

He closed his eyes and started caressing his cheek, feeling the sensation and remembering the moment when the elder had actually hit there. He just realized that it was even the first time their skins had contacted each other. They had never touched each other, not even had shook hands. It was another strange feeling that he felt so close to someone he hadn't even touched. Well, after the slap incident it wasn't valid to say that they hadn't touched each other but…

How would it feel if they would touch each other more, in a more passionate way. How would it feel if those hands caressed his cheeks instead of hitting and those plump lips were on his…

Mark shook his head immediately, shaking all his thoughts away. “No, no.” He couldn't think that way, he just shouldn't think of something like that. He was in love with Donghyuck, right?

Yes. The latter had extremely offended him and he could still feel the way he had humiliated him all this time. He couldn't just let him go that easily. Donghyuck had taken it against him and be it for love or war, he must pay for that.

And for that, “I have a plan.”