Kim Jongin.

The young billionaire who Kyungsoo knows too much about, including – but not limited to – his love for the arts which resulted in him opening galleries in different parts of his home country and the world, investing in entertainment companies in and out of Korea and last but, most probably, not the least, establishing his own film production company.

At the young age of twenty seven he’s built his own empire and made a name for himself. And here’s Kyungsoo gaping at his boss’ existence and the undeniable fact that the man standing in front of him is the perfect human example of the word gorgeous.

“Mr. Kim,” Zitao walks up beside the CEO who’s making his way to the head of the table, “I’d like you to meet our cast and crew led by Director Lu Han and, our very own, scriptwriter Do Kyungsoo.”

“Nice to meet you, gentlemen.” Kyungsoo thanks the fact that he’s near the table because his boss’ sultry voice just makes his knees turn into jelly. He shakes his head because he shouldn’t feel this kind of attraction for his boss and for someone who he’s meeting for the first time.

“You’ve met the author, Zhang Jia Shuai.” Jongin extends his hand to the author who he knows is just hiding under the name Jia Shuai.

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Kim.” Yixing bows then takes the proffered hand.

“Did I not say that you should just call me Jongin?” Yixing’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before they’re turning into crescents again to smile at the CEO. Kyungsoo envies how the author can be so calm in the presence of Kim Jongin.

“Shall we start?” The young CEO asks, seeing that the whole room is filled with people already.

“We’re still missing someone, boss.” Zitao informs him in his accented Korean and then he looks at his watch that reads 9:12 AM. The reading was supposed to start at 9AM and given that he interrupted them it should have pushed their schedule just for fifteen more minutes.

Time is precious, Kyungsoo thinks as he eyes his boss looking at his watch as if staring at it harder will cause the actor to arrive miraculously in front of him. Kyungsoo thinks he’s adorable when he says that it’s okay and maybe the actor got stuck in traffic.

And even before Jongin could open the door to head to his office while waiting, the doors open wide and catch everyone’s attention.

***

Yifan was, to his defense, fashionably late to the first reading; decked in his favorite brands for the first reading, hair styled and face caked with make-up.

“Good morning, Mr. Wu. Glad you could join us for our first reading.” Lu Han was the first person to address him and he can hear the sarcasm oozing in the director’s voice. Everyone’s eyes are on him and he just nods at the director before the man in front of him clears his throat to get his attention.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Wu Yifan. The name’s Kim Jongin.” The CEO introduces himself in the only Chinese phrase he can say perfectly then extends his hand to the actor who takes it with professionalism that, Jongin notes, he didn’t show by arriving early to the reading.

Yifan has only heard of the CEO and Executive Producer of the Korean production company and he must say he looks younger than twenty seven. He hopes that he’s not too uptight and scold Yifan in front of the whole room and with the way Jongin is smiling at him he thinks he’s safe. He is, after all, the one who will carry the whole production.

“Please take your seat Mr. Wu.” Zitao ushers him to his seat and he can hear Minseok greeting and talking to the CEO in their native tongue.

“Alright,” Lu Han starts once Yifan has settled in his seat, “now that we’re complete, let’s start.” Lu Han stands up then, his swivel chair dragging itself back. Yifan notices that, aside from him, everyone in the room are in simple clothes and that he doesn’t know almost everyone in the cast even the other lead looks like a rookie actor.

“I’d like to welcome all of you to the first reading of A Diamond with a Flaw. I am your director Lu Han. And since you will be seeing them often on set, to my left is the author of the book himself, Zhang Jia Shuai.” Yixing stands up and bows and is shocked when the actors started murmuring to each other but they all looked happy to meet the author so he smiled at them before sitting down.

“To my right,” Lu Han continues when the whispers have died down, “is our scriptwriter Do Kyungsoo.” The wide-eyed male stood up and bowed as well, completely conscious that the CEO is still seated at the back of the room overseeing everything.

“Moving on, to play the lead role of the young slave, Zheng Guang Xi, is Wang Yibo.” The boy stands up and bows to everyone, introducing himself as a member of a boy group that Yifan has heard of but never really bothered to listen to.

“And to play the role of the young nobleman, Yu Shi An, is Wu Yifan.” He stands up after removing his sunglasses to address the others. He bows to the other people in the room and before he can sit down he catches a dimpled smile at the corner of his eye.

As the director introduces the rest of the cast and crew, Yifan tries not to look to his right and just flips through the script with a feeling that he’s being watched.

***

When Yifan goes out to get some air during their break, he finds Lu Han coming out of a room and the director immediately stopped to strike up conversation. He’s read from news articles before that Lu Han is the type of director who doesn’t give a damn about the status of the actor he’s working with and if he thinks the actor is not up to par with his expectations he wouldn’t think twice into changing the actor. Now, if Yifan did something that is not to Lu Han’s standards, it would not taint the director’s reputation because he only produces quality films but if Yifan was removed then that would have his critics question his talent. He knows that he should be on his toes around the director so he doesn’t know how to react when he sees Lu Han smiling at him unlike his usual stoic expression.

“Wu,” he’s never been called like that before but he swallows it, “for a minute there, I thought you got cold feet.”

“I was just stuck in traffic that’s all.” He explains the reason for his tardiness which shouldn’t be surprising for Lu Han who battles the same Beijing traffic on a daily.

“Couldn’t have left earlier?” Lu Han raises a brow with it but he waives off his own question afterwards in favor of asking: “Why’d you say yes then?”

“The story is good, that’s why. You better thank the author because he writes a really good story.” Lu Han looks thoughtful for a while before opening the door of the room where he came from and nodding towards the inside.

“You can tell that to him yourself.” Yifan looks inside and sees Yixing reading a book at a corner table. Before the actor can even say anything, Lu Han pushes him inside before closing the door that prompted the author to look up.

“Oh Mister Wu. Would you like some coffee?” And then the damned dimples make their appearance again as Yixing puts his book down to move to the counter where the coffee and other drinks are.

“No, it’s okay. I think I’ve had enough coffee for this morning.”

“Oh, okay.” Yixing looks crestfallen and somehow the actor feels bad for declining his offer but he still continues to go to the counter to retrieve a bottle of juice drink before handing it to Yifan. The actor looks baffled but accepts it then watches the author move back to his seat.

Once seated, Yixing motions for him to take the seat before him then his feet move on their own and soon he’s facing the author with only a coffee table separating them.

The author doesn’t start any conversation though, instead he goes back to his book and Yifan tries his best to look everywhere but at Yixing. Unfortunately, the author looks up right when his eyes land on him.

“Did you have something to say Mister Wu?” Yifan closes his eyes and breathes.

“Would you stop calling me Mister Wu? Just Yifan, please?” Yixing’s eyes widen for a moment, like how he’d usually react when someone sounds mad, before a smile is spreading across his lips.

“Makes you feel old, doesn’t it?” And then Yixing giggles; eyes forming crescents as his dimples dig deep on his right cheek.

The sound fills the room and Yifan’s ears and before he knows it he’s smiling as well; so much for being dubbed a cold actor.

“Whenever someone calls me Mr. Zhang, I tell them I’m not my father.” Somehow the giggles turned into an uncontrollable laugh that made Yixing’s whole body shake. Yifan restrains himself from following suit and instead watches with awe as the author wipes tears from his eyes.

When Yixing’s laugh dies down he turns back to the actor and asks: “What did you want to say though?”

“The book, I finished it.” Yixing hums thoughtfully, letting his fingers tap the book on his hand, then smiles. Yifan senses that the author is not saying anything because he’s aware that there’s more that he has to say.

“I-It’s a really good story.” He mentally cursed because he did not just stutter, he doesn’t stutter. “I mean you write really well.”

“Thank you but I know the story could have been written better.” There was a moment of silence before the author asked: “Was that why you accepted the project?” Yixing tilted his head to the side and Yifan doesn’t know if he’s doing it because he’s aware that it makes him look really adorable.

“Umm, yeah.”

“I’m glad.” Yixing looks like the epitome of happiness with how he ends everything with a smile.

“Besides, you said you don’t have anybody else to play the part.” Yifan wanted Yixing to be grateful to him that he saved the production just by accepting the offer. He wanted to look like a hero in the author’s eyes but he doesn’t know why.

“Oh, I don’t but Lu Han does.” There’s a wicked smile on Yixing’s lips and Yifan finds his lips quirk up as well. He led himself right into Yixing’s palm.

The sly devil disguised himself as an innocent child, he thinks as the author’s smile turns shy again.

Yifan excused himself when his phone rang; not wanting to disturb Yixing’s peaceful reading. The author nodded and told him he’ll see him again inside the conference room for the second part of the reading.

***

Minseok finds himself in the pantry with Yixing who looks like he’s searching for tea based on his mutterings. The manager opens a cupboard and finds it miraculously on the first try. He tapped the author’s shoulder who looks all startled before a small smile appeared on his lips.

“Oh. Thanks!” He quickly said when Minseok handed him the tea bag. They sat in front of the small coffee table and let the time pass quietly but the manager took this opportunity to ask Yixing something that he’s been thinking about. He cleared his throat to get Yixing’s attention, who was lazily flipping through a magazine that unsurprisingly had Yifan’s face on the cover.

“If you don’t mind me asking, Mr. Zhang–” Yixing cuts Minseok off because he doesn’t like being called Mr. Zhang since it makes him feel old.

“Yixing.”

“Yixing,” Minseok corrects with a nervous smile, “why did you choose Lu Han to direct the movie?”

“Well, Lu Han and I have known each other since college. He’s basically my best friend even if he wants to deny it.” Yixing chuckles; imagining how Lu Han’s face would contort if he heard him say that.

“We were roommates. He was a film major while I was a creative writing major. We started working together since then; some of the films he produced in college had stories written by me. Even the ones he directed after graduating, most of them were contents made by me.” Minseok nods in understanding, realizing that the Zhang Jia Shuai he saw at the end credits of Lu Han’s movies is the same person sitting in front of him having tea. Now that he knows the connection between the two, he realizes that obviously the author would call on his best friend to direct the movie version of his book. However, Yixing isn’t done explaining yet.

“You see, I trust only Lu Han. We’ve known each other for a long time and if there’s anyone who will be able to understand my words well it would be him.” And as if he read Minseok’s mind, he adds: “It’s not only because he’s my best friend but because I believe in him as a director. I believe that he can bring my book to life the way I imagine it in my head while I was writing it. He’s a good director and I know his style will perfectly paint the story.”

Minseok nods in understanding and thinks to himself that they make a great tandem. He concludes that, if they wanted to, they can take the movie industry by storm if they continue making films together.

“You seem to be interested a lot in Lu Han.” The comment made him look up to Yixing who was sipping his tea while reading an article in the magazine. He can either deny it and shrug it off as a normal fan showing interest for his favorite director or admit it and get Yixing’s help to befriend the director. But before he can even answer, the author continued with a proof.

“You can’t deny it. From the very first meeting we had, you seem engrossed in anything that Lu Han says.”

“I, umm,” he tries to rack his brain for a retort but he can’t come up with any lame excuse so he succumbs in defeat, “he’s just a very interesting person.”

“Indeed, he is.” Yixing answers with a smile again. If Minseok didn’t have his eyes on Lu Han, he would have fallen for the dimpled author but the director seems to pull him to his direction all the time.

“But with that being said, it’s hard to make him fall; to break his walls.” The words made Minseok blush because he’s never really thought of his admiration for the director to be something of the romantic nature.

“Oh no, Yixing. I just think that he’s a really talented director. That’s all.” The manager quickly extinguishes any fire that the author set aflame in his heart with the idea that he likes Lu Han as something more.

“Sure, don’t we all?” Yixing playfully raises an eyebrow at the manager. “You can deny all you want Minseok but I’d just like to remind you that there’s nothing wrong with liking someone, especially if they give you inspiration.” He ends with a smile again and the manager just nods; not knowing how to reply. Talking to Yixing was surely a bad idea. Now he has all these unwelcome thoughts milling around his mind about Lu Han and all the endless possibilities.

***

It’s already nine thirty in the evening and everyone has already left the place after a successful first day of reading but Kyungsoo stayed behind to help tidy up the room a little bit.

“You don’t have to do that.” He looks up from gathering empty water bottles left behind by the actors when he heard a deep voice coming from the entrance.

“M-mister Kim.” Kyungsoo stands up straight and bows when he realizes who’s watching him.

“Please, just call me Jongin. I’ve heard that our ages are not that far apart so please talk to me comfortably.” The CEO speaks to him in Korean and he’s surprised that he knows how old Kyungsoo is. Although Kyungsoo thinks four years is actually far apart especially if it’s between employer and employee, he knows he has to follow the boss’ instructions no matter how small.

“May I?” Jongin takes the script and waves it lightly and Kyungsoo nods again. What’s going on through the scriptwriter’s mind is that by now, Jongin probably thinks he’s permanently lost his ability to talk because of his drop dead gorgeous self.

“Your words are really something, Kyungsoo. I’m glad you’re working for me.” He gave him a wink which instantly makes the other’s heart pump twice faster. Kyungsoo just nervously smiles and prays to all the gods that Jongin will leave him alone already.

“T-thank you, s-sir.” He stutters out the gratitude after his boss’ compliment.

“Don’t call me sir either.” Jongin rolls his eyes and pouts, actions that Kyungsoo thinks are too adorable for a twenty seven year old CEO who has an empire under his belt.

“S-sorry, s – ” before he can even continue he corrects himself, “Jongin.”

A wide smile graced the young CEO’s lips when he heard Kyungsoo utter his name before he said: “Much better.”

A deadly silence falls upon them as Kyungsoo gathers his things. He can’t keep talking to the CEO because he fears his heart will explode if he keeps doing so.

“Ah, right.” Jongin snaps after remembering something. “I’ll be here for a while and there are a few interviews lined up for me, will you be able to help me and be my translator for those appointments? I can’t really trust Zitao to do well yet.” Kyungsoo gulps when he sees the CEO looking at him expectantly. He can’t really say no to his own boss so he just nods, fearing he might say yes sir.

“Great! I’ll be sure to send you the schedule.” He’s still smiling at Kyungsoo and the scriptwriter gives a hesitant smile back before bowing and taking his leave. He sees Junmyeon a few steps from the conference room and he bows to him as well before rushing to leave.

“What happened to Kyungsoo?” The COO asked immediately in concern for his best scriptwriter; even pointing to the direction that the younger took. Jongin just shrugs with a playful smile on his lips, trying to look totally unaware of the scriptwriter’s reactions to him.

“Anyway,” Junmyeon eyes him warily before changing the topic, “how was the reading?”

“It was good. It went smoothly and the other actors did better than I expected.” Jongin remembers the actors he’s never heard of before and promises to check some of the films that they’ve done once he has some downtime.

He wasn’t going to deny that he was skeptical at first when the author told him that he wanted to be able to choose who will direct it and who will play the characters in his book. Apparently, Jongin wasn’t the first person to court the author for the rights to turn his novel into a movie; fortunately for him all the other production companies didn’t agree with the author’s only condition. It was a huge risk for Jongin and his company but seeing that everyone is doing their part in the project better than he had expected them to, he was glad he took it.

“Joonmyun hyung?” Jongin says with an asking tone as he stood in front of the window, staring at the Beijing night sky that was pretty fogged up. The elder replied with a hum as he takes his time to have a little rest in his seat after walking around the whole day making final preparations for the filming.

“Can you get me Kyungsoo’s number?” At this, Joonmyun’s eyebrows shoot up before his whole body did; immediately sending a questioning look towards his younger cousin who is still technically his boss.

“What are you planning Kim Jongin?” The accusatory tone didn’t sit well with the CEO and he knows there’s root for it but he wants to prove as well that he’s a changed man. If it were years ago, he would have Kyungsoo pinned to the wall already but he can’t do that right away; not on the first meeting, at least.

“Oh come on, I just need him to be my translator and I know he’s way better than you so please?” Joonmyun shakes his head before standing up. It’s not that he takes the insult to heart, he knows his Chinese is far from being passable but he also knows Jongin and his capabilities.

“If there’s any message you need to pass him, I’ll do it.” Jongin clicked his tongue at his cousin’s defiance and wished to use his authority in the company to get what he wants but then again that would make him no different from the Jongin of years ago.

“Fine. If I have to get it myself then I will.” Joonmyun snorts and mutters sure you will but Jongin hears it and can’t wait to prove him wrong. An idea settles in his mind before a smirk is on his lips.

“Do you perhaps like the boy?” The scandalized look on the COO’s face makes Jongin double over as tears rush out of his eyes from watching Joonmyun struggle to compose himself in between huffs and stutters.

“Of course not!” He finally answers with a booming voice but even that couldn’t stop Jongin from laughing. “I just don’t want you to corrupt the boy’s innocence.” And Joonmyun wanted to add, but couldn’t, that he has his eyes on somebody else.

“I just want to make friends.” Jongin pouts and Joonmyun thinks he looks ridiculous. The young CEO didn’t want to show that his cousin is slowly getting on his nerves now. He tried to keep it light with a punch of teasing but his cousin is taking everything too seriously; one more and he’d probably burst.

“You’ve had enough friends.” And that was enough to pull the last string that was keeping Kim Jongin together.

“Why does everyone in this family think that I will play with someone’s heart the moment I approach them?” His fists are balled up on his sides, restraining themselves from punching a hole on the glass in front of him or anything, really.

“I’ve changed already. Can’t people give me a chance to at least prove myself?” He was trembling and the tears didn’t register until he raised his head and the view of the night sky looked watery in his perspective.

Joonmyun looked too stunned to reply from a few meters away. He knows better than anybody else how Jongin gets when his past is brought up. He thought he’d been through it seeing how he’d been able to tease the younger about it a couple of times who just readily accepted them and laughed alongside him. He never knew Jongin still had trouble with it and an apology tries to creep out of his tongue only to be interrupted.

“I’m sorry, I left my badge.” Kyungsoo’s voice fills the room as he walks in with an apologetic expression on his face. He sees Jongin standing in front of the window and his back looks tense, all he wants to do is reach up and massage those tensed muscle but he knows he can’t, they’re not friends or anything, strictly employer and employee.

Joonmyun is sitting back on the chair Zitao was occupying during the reading and he had a serious look on his face but he nodded to acknowledge the younger’s presence. There was a thick veil of silence in the air as the scriptwriter made his way to where he hoped he dropped his badge when he scrambled to leave minutes ago. He bent down and smiled when he saw what he was looking for before grabbing the rectangular plastic item.

“Kyungsoo.” He heard Jongin’s voice call out to him but he doesn’t make a move to come closer instead he croaked out a yes in reply. The CEO reached for his pocket and produced his cellphone before extending his arm to where he hopes Kyungsoo’s direction is. The scriptwriter looks at the device with confusion in his face as Jongin finally follows his reflection on the glass.

Without looking at Kyungsoo, because he knows there are tears still fresh on his cheeks, he started: “Didn’t I say I’ll be needing your help while I’m here?” The scriptwriter made an audible ah upon remembering their earlier conversation.

“Punch in your number then. I’ll confer directly with you regarding those matters.” Kyungsoo looks at the device timidly before Jongin made a move for him to take it. Joonmyun can’t do anything in his seat but watch the scriptwriter key in his digits because if he did, Kyungsoo will think odd of him and their CEO. He can just hope that Jongin has good intentions and will not revert to his old ways.

A/N: Hullo~!!!*^^* So much Kaisoo in this one, yeah? I don't know why but I just go with whatever I feel like writing...every thing's pretty free-flowing whenever I work (so sometimes a lot of things change from my original plot or add up>.<) so there's a lot of Kaisoo here but don't worry I think we'll have a lot of XiuHan and Fanxing next time :) Still writing the next chapter and I'm actually having a hard time developing everything but hopefully it all works out in the end *crosses fingers* >///< Anyway see you guys at the comments section belowwwww~ TTYL xox

PS Did you see Yifan as Yin Chen for L.O.R.D.??? So Elvish I love itttttttt!!!!<33333 And his eyes are blueeeeee *O*