#7:What’s meant to be, will always be?

"Yug, say something." Youngjae nudged, asking their youngest to speak out after hesitating the whole day even though the whole company was talking about their CEO upcoming wedding.

"No, you say something." Yugyeom whispered back, shaking his head at the idea since Mark didn't look like he was in the mood to discuss the topic since morning.

“What? No, you ask.” Youngjae rejected which cause Mark to look up from his documents and eyed his best friends, knowing clearly what they are debating about.

"How long are you guys gonna keep this up?” Mark asked, putting down the papers before looking straight at the two who just turned and smile at him awkwardly.

“Well..” Youngjae started but he paused because he didn’t know how to bring up the topic, the one he saw on the entertainment news last night.

“If it's about Jackson, things just turn out that way. We weren't in a situation to act like nothing happened especially with our families reputation on the line.” Mark explained even without them asking, knowing that they probably curious about the whole wedding news yesterday.

“But..how can you marry him, hyung? He hurt you way too much.” Yugyeom pointed out, feeling bad for his oldest while Youngjae nodded, sharing the same worried look as their youngest.

“I don't know, guys. I might be crazy for even suggesting marriage but it was better than seeing our parents suffered shame because of a childish prank.” Mark sighed, smiling bitterly at the two before focusing back at his documents, he needs to keep his mind away from all the marriage topic.

Yugyeom and Youngjae shared a look, knowing that the older was at his wits end in this situation and it was better for them to just support him in silence rather than questioning him.

As the trio continue their work and discussion in Mark’s office, soon a commotion can be heard outside causing Yugyeom to quickly get up and took a peek from under the blinds.

“He is here.” Yugyeom exclaimed shocked as he turn to look at the others which caused Mark to wonder while Youngjae sighed.

“Who is here?” Youngjae asked and Yugyeom hesitantly look at Mark, wondering if he should say the name but it was too late as there was already a knock on Mark’s door.

“Come in.” Mark called out, clearly curious to see who's the person Yugyeom referring to and to his surprise, it was Jackson that appeared as the door slowly opened.

“Jackson” Mark exclaimed, getting up from his seat before approaching the other, noticing how the other staffs trying to sneak a peek at them from the open door behind the other.

“Hey, are you still busy?” Jackson asked awkwardly after smiling at the duo who were just watching their exchange in silence.

“Not really.” Mark answered since they are nearly done with their discussion, planning to head home soon anyway.

Jackson nodded before turning to look at two, hesitating to ask the next question in front of others which luckily Youngjae caught on as he nudge Yugyeom to quickly pack up their stuffs.

“We will excuse ourselves.” Youngjae said, smiling before he dragged the curious Yugyeom out of their oldest office with him.

“Can I ask you out for dinner?” Jackson asked slowly, unsure of the older’s respond since last night conversation didn’t really end in a good note either.

“Sure.” Mark answered, a bit hesitant at first but what harm would it cause him to just have dinner with Jackson Wang, the guy that he supposedly getting married too.

Jackson smile at the respond before they headed out after Mark finished clearing up his files for a bit and here they are seated face to face at a restaurant, waiting for their ordered dinner.

“Do you have something to talk about?” Mark asked after noticing how the younger seems to be deep in thoughts that they are currently enjoying dinner in such pure silence.

“Actually, I brought you here to propose.” Jackson blurted out in nervousness causing Mark to choke on the meat that he was chewing.

The younger quickly grabbed the glass of cold water nearby and pass it to Mark who quickly took a gulp, finally he could breath properly.

“I’m not hearing wrong, right?” Mark asked, just to make sure he wasn’t crazy nor delusional for hearing that unexpected word from Jackson.

“No, I gave a long thought of what you said last night. It wasn’t healthy for either of us to continue this hurtful relationship and seeing how my parents could let go of the past, I wanted to let go too. If we gonna be married to each other than it’s better if we learn to accept each other. I tell myself if I gonna clear up this mess, I better clear up properly and not hurt anyone in the process.” Jackson explained, letting out his inner thoughts that he had been pondering about last night especially after the talk.

Honestly, Mark couldn’t be any happier upon hearing those words especially knowing that Jackson wanted to let go, let go of the hatred and grudge that he had towards him and his parents.

Jackson smile nervously at Mark’s happy expression before taking out the plain silver band from his jacket pocket and presenting it in front of the unexpecting older who look at him in surprise.

“Will you marry me, Tuan Yi En?” Jackson asked awkwardly which caused Mark to chuckled at the cuteness in front of him who clearly nervous.

With them being the latest hot couple in gossip news, of course the other customers surrounding them didn’t miss out on the chance to snapped pictures of the on-going proposal in front of them.

Mark grinned at the other before nodding, taking the ring from Jackson before slipping it on his ring finger causing Jackson to secretly blushed seeing his ring on the older.

The others clapped and cheered for them causing the couple to shyly bowed at them, saying thank you before they took their seats again.

“Well, that was awkward.” Jackson exclaimed, rubbing his neck in embarrassment before sipping on his drink, trying to calm down his pounding heart.

“It was but thanks, I appreciate it. You didn’t had to do this but you did.” Mark said, touched at the fact that Jackson actually did that to fix things between them, in order for them to let go of the painful past.

“No, don’t say that. I just wanted to start everything at the right note and I don’t expect you to forgive me now because I know it will take time for us to heal. We might not be a couple that’s madly in love like others but at least we still have friendship that will heal us as time past.” Jackson added, smiling sincerely at the older who nodded proudly because he was happy that at least his Ka Yee grown up a bit.

####

“Please help me, I’m dying here.” Jackson grumbled, plopping himself down beside the laughing Mark whose amused at how the younger is suffering because of their mothers.

After Jackson’s proposal, their pictures were all over the news again causing their mothers to cheer before they decided that they should just have the wedding fast, what’s the use delaying such a wonderful event.

Which is why they are currently stuck with the mothers, going around preparing for the wedding that’s gonna happen next week, exactly two weeks after the proposal.

“Ma, let’s just settle on the white ones. We like them, right?” Mark said, looking over at Jackson who immediately nodded like an obedient puppy, ready to run out of the wedding boutique since they had spend more than half a day trying different suits.

“Alright, we will settle that. Why don’t the both of you go ahead with lunch first? We might take a while here.” Mrs Tuan suggested seeing how the couple were exhausted out because of their excited mothers.

Mark nodded, waving bye to the mothers before dragging the half dead Jackson out of the boutique and straight away head for their lunch at a japanese restaurant.

“If you weren’t there, I would had faint.” Jackson exclaimed causing Mark to rolled his eyes at the younger’s dramatic antics.

“It’s not that bad, afterall you enjoyed it anyway.” Mark said, smiling at the memory at how Jackson would walk out of the changing room after each suit like as if he was walking the runway.

“Well, what can I say? I look perfect in suits.” Jackson praised himself causing Mark to shake his head before pinching his arm causing the younger to pout.

“Hey, why did you do that?” Jackson complained, rubbing his poor arm while Mark just laughed before sticking his tongue out.

“Serve you right.” Mark said before purposely walking fast ahead, causing Jackson to chase after him before they break into laughter again.

While the couple were busy laughing, they reached in front of the Jackson’s go to restaurant and unexpectedly bumping into Bambam at the entrance.

“Bambam.” Jackson exclaimed, surprise to see the younger but then again they haven’t been speaking since the Jeju incident so he wouldn’t know if the younger had come here too.

The younger only stared at the couple, giving Mark a small bow before trying to walk away but Jackson stopped his best friend, knowing it’s time to clear up the situation between them.

“Bam, join us for lunch.” Jackson invited, smiling in hope that his best friend who accept but it immediately turn into a frown when the younger shook his head.

“It’s fine.” Bambam rejected politely, still not in the mood to deal with Jackson as he still angry at how his best friend sees him as someone unimportant. 

Jackson sighed at the rejection, Mark who noticed the desperation in Jackson’s eyes decided to step in and help the younger out.

“Join us, Bambam shii. It will be boring just eating with this guy.” Mark said causing Jackson to pout at those words while Bambam, well he can’t really reject when it was the sweet other that is asking.

Hesitantly he nodded causing Jackson to secretly cheer as the trio entered the restaurant and took a seating area near the glass window.

As they eat, Mark couldn’t help but to noticed how quiet it was between the usually squabbling best friends which just confirm his suspicion even more, something happened between them.

“Bambam shii, you are coming to our wedding, right?” Mark asked, breaking the silence for the past fifteen minutes causing the two to look at him.

Bambam look at the pair, he didn’t even receive an invite so how can he even come, he wasn’t that needed in Jackson’s life like Jinyoung is.

“I haven’t invite him yet, we haven’t talk to each other in a while.” Jackson said honestly, looking at Mark with guilt ridden face.

“He is mad at me for being such a stupid that night and I admit, I deserve it for being such a fool. I’m sorry, Bambam. I’m older, I should know better.” Jackson apologized, directing those last few lines to his best friend who were shocked to see this side of him.

For the last few years they had been best friends, Bambam never see this side of the older who actually apologized first, it’s always him apologizing first if they got into an argument.

Bambam sighed before nodding, letting out a smile because he knows he had ignore his best friend for long enough, he missed their squabbling too.

“I’m sorry too if I was being too emotional that day.” Bambam apologized, knowing that he might go overboard this time but Jackson just shook his head, smiling.

“No, I understand. You must feel left out all these while, I will try to share more with you from now on.” Jackson said sincerely, aware that he was somehow unfair to Bambam just because he knows Jinyoung longer, he tend to depend on the other more.

Bambam smiled, nodding while feeling relief that things are finally fixed with Jackson and that they can continue their usual squabbling.

Mark grinned as he watches the exchange between the two slowly go back to normal and it wasn’t long before they started teasing each other even him.

“Yes, where is Jinyoung hyung? I didn’t see him anywhere in the office the last few days.” Bambam asked, remembering about the other who he was obviously worried about since he didn’t see his face for days.

“He called on Monday, informing that he won’t be in this whole week due to a family situation.” Jackson said, passing the same piece of info that he received from his best friend on monday morning.

“Oh, did something happened?” Bambam wondered out since it’s rare for Jinyoung to take leave and be out of the office especially for a week.

“No idea, I was planning to drop by his apartment to check but we had been too caught up by the wedding preparation so I didn’t had a chance yet.” Jackson sighed without realizing the smile on Mark’s face disappeared upon hearing those words.

The older couldn’t help but feel guilty for taking up all of Jackson’s time that he can’t even check on his Jinyoungie.

“No, it’s fine. He will understand, I probably should be the one checking up on him and apologize too.” Bambam exclaimed quickly after seeing the pure guilt on Mark’s face.

“Thanks, Bam, if you drop by then don’t forget to update me.” Jackson thanked, feeling grateful that he had their youngest to relied on at a busy time like this.

Mark just smiled when he caught on the ‘don’t worry’ smile coming from Bambam, he was glad that the other know he didn’t meant to monopolize Jackson’s time to only be with him.

By the time they are done with lunch, Mark drove the best friends back to the office as they had a last minute meeting to attend which Jackson hesitate to attend since they were supposed to check on their catering after this.

“It’s fine, I will ask Mama to pick out a few menus for us first than we will go taste tasting it together.” Mark assured, seeing the clear hesitant in the younger’s eyes since he had already promised that they will go through every single bit of the preparation, together.

Jackson sighed, nodding heavily before staring at Mark again with hesitating eyes that Bambam instantly noticed causing him to excuse himself out of the car first and leaving the couple behind in the front seat since it’s clear Jackson wanted to say something.

“It’s something, wrong?” Mark asked, noticing how the younger wasn’t saying anything but instead just keep quiet and continue staring at him.

“Thank you.” was the only thing Jackson said before pulling him in for a sudden hug which of course surprised Mark who ended up grinning in happiness in the younger’s embrace.

“For what?” Mark whispered when he was let go, smiling at Jackson who return it with a sheepish smile before rubbing his neck in embarrassment.

“Bambam.” Jackson said shyly, pecking the older on his right cheek before quickly exiting the car with thumping heart, dragging the clearly amused Bambam who obviously witness everything from outside away from the company carpark.

Mark laughed at the escaped cutie before touching his burn up cheek while trying to control his own racing heart, it makes him realize once again why he love Jackson Wang to start with because he such a cutiepie during his embarrassed moments.

Grinning to himself like a fool, Mark drove himself home while humming to love songs playing on the radio without realizing that the happiness won’t last long for either of them.

####

“Sir, are you here alone?” A staff asked while Mark hesitated to answer since Jackson was supposed to be here fithteen minutes ago but still no sight of him as he checked his wristwatch one more time.

“No, he is here with me.” A rushed voice was heard before a slightly panting Jackson appeared beside him, smiling at the staff who only nodded before showing the pair to their seat.

“I will be back with your first choice course.” The staff announced before leaving the pair alone which instantly turn awkward for Jackson when he remembered about what happened in the car two days ago. 

“Where you busy the past two days?” Mark asked, trying to avoid getting awkward himself as he looked at the younger who nodded slowly.

“Yes, there were some problems with a project. I’m sorry that we had to delay this until the weekends.” Jackson apologized, knowing that they were supposed to be here for tasting, yesterday.

“It’s fine, we can take our time today anyway.” Mark said, smiling before their course arrive and soon the pair mouth were busy tasting the deliciousness presented to them.

In between bites, Mark would turn and smile secretly at how Jackson took the tasting very seriously like as if he was judging some cooking show which caused him to chuckle at times when there is stains on the other lips.

“What are you laughing at?” Jackson asked, lost after he caught Mark chuckling a few times before he frown as he clearly wasn’t amused at how amused the older is.

“You are messy, silly.” Mark exclaimed upon realizing the pout forming as he grabbed a napkin and wipe the stain off causing Jackson’s heart to thump due to the distance between them whose only inches away while Mark obviously wiping away.

His eyes couldn’t help but to stop and stare at those pink lips that he suddenly found very attractive, even more than his favourite dessert that served in front of him.

“It’s done, do you want to try dessert now?” Mark asked, putting down the napkins without realizing the dazed younger beside him as he put the cup of puddings nearer to them to enjoy.

“Jackson, pudding.” Mark said out, nudging the younger when he didn’t respond causing Jackson to slip out of his dazed state and focus on the pudding in front of him.
 

“Wow, it’s so pink.” Jackson exclaimed blindly which caused Mark to stop and turn, looking at the younger weirdly before checking back on the pudding.

“It’s a chocolate pudding, it’s brown.” Mark stated which caused Jackson to smack himself mentally for being so stupid, thanks to that pinky lips now he is seeing things.

“Right, I meant if it were strawberry, it will taste great too.” Jackson exclaimed, quickly saving himself from stupidity before stuffing his mouth with more pudding or he might just say something stupid again.

Mark nodded before dismissing the younger weirdness, not thinking much about it as they continue on the tasting until they were interrupted by Jackson’s phone, ringing.

The younger quickly excused himself as he picked up the call after seeing Bambam’s number on the screen, wondering what’s with the sudden call when he clearly remember how the younger plan to stay in bed the whole day today.

“Jack.son..hy..ung..” Bambam croaked out, sounded like he just cried which caused Jackson to instantly worried since the younger rarely cries nor the emotional type.

“What’s it, Bam? Something wrong?” Jackson asked, while Mark just watch from his seat at how Jackson relaxed expression turn intense upon answering the call.

“You got to come to Jinyoung hyung apartment now because…” Bambam paused, couldn’t bring himself to say those nasty words.

“What? What happen?” Jackson asked, pressing on the issue because he got a bad feeling about this call just from Bambam’s tone.

“He tried..t..o..kil..led..himself.” Bambam said, shocking Jackson that he could only answered with a short ‘ok’ before hanging up the call.

“Is something wrong?” Mark asked, approaching the pale Jackson who still in shock by the sudden news, he didn’t expect that coming from his own best friend.

“Nothing.” Jackson replied when he gathered himself back again before taking a seat back and continue the tasting while aiming to get it done quick so he can rush to Jinyoung.

Mark who was lost at the sudden change of atmosphere, return back to his seat and continue the tasting too but soon he could hear Jackson choking beside him.

“Slow down, why are you in a hurry?” Mark scolded after he passed the glass over to Jackson who looked away in guilt after he could breath again.

“You need to go, right? Don’t say no because you are clearly rushing for time.” Mark pointed out when he sees Jackson just stay silence.
 
“Go, I will handle the rest here. It’s for work, right?” Mark added, thinking that it might be the problems that Jackson were talking about while Jackson is debating with himself if he should tell the truth but decided there wasn’t a need too.

“But I already promised you, I will just go after this.” Jackson assured, feeling bad to leave the older alone to pick out the menu for their wedding.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t want you stressing out here, go and get it fixed. I will text you once I settle on the menu.” Mark assured causing Jackson to nod, pulling him into a bear hug before whispering, ‘thank you.’

It wasn’t until about twenty minutes later while he is settling the menu, he received a picture of Jackson and Jinyoung hugging in front of an apartment entrance attached with a message from an unknown number.

It isn’t nice to take someone who belongs to another, remember he is not yours to begin with.

A/N: Hello! I'm sorry if I offended any Jinyoung stan because of the last chapter, just to be clear I have nothing against him. Since I clear that up, what are your thoughts on this chapter? Share with me below and sorry for not replying to the last chapter comments, I'm just down with fever and flu so I'm not in the mood to type. 

Thank you to all the subscribers for subscribing once again  >_<

InfinitelyCassie <3