CHAPTER 3

My Cinderella

Baekhyun woke up to the smell of waffle mix and maple syrup. For a moment there he enjoyed the delicious smell while snuggling himself further into the soft pillows and warm blanket. But Baekhyun didn’t had soft mattress back home, nor someone who could cook pancakes in the morning. When he realized that Baekhyun abruptly stood up, shooting a dull pain in his head and a moment of dizziness.

It took him a minute to recall what happened last night. That was right, the fan meeting, Luhan ditching him… and Chanyeol.

“Ugh, god!” he groaned, rubbing his face with his palm. And here he thought it was just an awfully embarrassing dream.

Baekhyun set aside the duvet, getting up from the bed.  There was a pair of white slippers by the bed and he slipped his feet in, before going for the bathroom of the room. Baekhyun washed his face, and washed his mouth, tapping his cheeks lightly to chase the drowsiness off.

Chanyeol was dressed in another dark slacks and stripped navy blue dress shirt, dark hair slicked up and would intimidate anyone in sight if it wasn’t for the fact that he was making god damn waffles right now. Chanyeol felt his presence and took a look at him before returning his attention back to the food.

“Good, you’re awake princess. I’m afraid I have to go to your chamber and carry you out.”

Baekhyun scowled, “Don’t start, giant.”

Chuckling, Chanyeol turned off the electric stove before putting the plate of waffles on the counter, as Baekhyun taking one high stool to sit on.

“Are you feeling better? How’s your ankle?” Chanyeol asked, setting the coffee maker. Baekhyun watched him do all the work, since he didn’t want any accident like last night because even though he didn’t want to admit it, all new technologies in Chanyeol’s pad wasn’t Baekhyun-friendly.

“It doesn’t hurt much but I still can’t walk properly,” he admitted.

“Hm…” Chanyeol handed him a cup of newly brewed coffee once done, and sat on the opposite side of the kitchen island, facing him.

“Eat, and then we’ll wait for your friend…” Chanyeol mumbled before taking a sip from his mug.

“You called Luhan?” Baekhyun’s eyes sparkled immediately, Chanyeol noticed. He fought the urge to roll his eyes, was he really that desperate to come home?

“Yeah,” But he wasn’t the one who picked up though. “He said he’ll come and get you today,” he lied. But it was given that Luhan will, considering he was at fault here.

“Thank goodness!” Baekhyun breathed out, “Now, I am able to breathe again.”

Chanyeol watched him eat, glad that they weren’t in the fighting terms today. To be honest if he could just pull some strings, he’d rather have Baekhyun stay here with him. But obviously, he couldn’t do that without giving off an impression of being a psychopath. This was even his first time being attracted this much to anybody. Yes he had some flings but they weren’t serious, he never even loved them back in high school. But Chanyeol felt something different with Baekhyun, something…unexplainable, something…new.

“It’s past ten,” he started again, Baekhyun looking up at him, “I have to go to work around ten forty-five.”

Baekhyun chewed slowly and put down his fork. “So, you’re leaving me here until Luhan gets back?”

Chanyeol frowned, “No, I’ll just text your friend to come over to the office. He can pick you up there. I can’t leave my guest alone that would be rude.”

“Then…” Baekhyun shrugged. “Where am I supposed to stay?”

“In my office,” Chanyeol didn’t have to say ‘duh,’ it was implied already.

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Baekhyun didn’t expect Chanyeol to work in the same company as Luhan did. He knew the building, mainly because Luhan showed it to him, and even his cubicle through pictures. He remembered the time when he was envying him when that man got hired.

He was wearing the same clothes yesterday, which were surprisingly washed clean and dried, when Chanyeol gave it back.

“Come on let’s go inside.” They left the parking lot with Chanyeol walking ahead, his one step was two of his, blame that on his long legs. The taller man finally noticed Baekhyun was lagging, so he grabbed his wrist and led the way in.

The moment they passed the gigantic glass doors, every person in the lobby had their eyes on them, him, actually. It was either they were wide and swelling out from their sockets or they were in slits, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Baekhyun honestly wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but Chanyeol’s hands slipped from his wrist down to his hand, their finger’s lacing together.

They walked towards the reception with the giant still holding his hand. “Joy, kindly notify me when Mr. Lu Han arrives, and please tell him to go straight to my office okay?”

Joy, the golden reddish haired lady, nodded, still wide eyed but managed to croak a ‘yes sir’. Chanyeol thanked her and dragged him in the elevator, pressing the twentieth floor of the building.

“Why are they looking at us like that?” Baekhyun scowled at the giant through their reflection in the elevator’s door.

Chanyeol feigned innocence and shrugged, “No idea.”

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Chanyeol’s office was nothing different to his house that was in Baekhyun’s opinion. There was a lounge, a few bookshelves and a huge television in front of his table. Apart from those was nothing but glasses. Even the walls to his secretary’s office were made of pristine glass, albeit tinted for his privacy.

“Do you know any other colors other than black, gray or white? Aren’t you so dull?” Baekhyun said the first minute he stepped inside. Chanyeol in return gave a breathy laugh before removing his blazer, throwing it on one of the couches.

“What’s wrong with them? They’re classic.”

“It lacks life,” Baekhyun reasoned as he limped his way to one of the couches, thanks to his ankle. Chanyeol on the other hand leaned his lower body against the edge of his office table. He jutted his lower lip out and lifted his shoulder. “Hmm, maybe you can suggest some life for it?”

Chanyeol didn’t expect him to answer, but Baekhyun took the challenge. “I’d say the touch of navy blue in your office would be good. It fits you.” Baekhyun narrowed his eyes and scanned the place, “It would also be better if you add some paintings, preferably of nature in night for the calm and ease that your mind needs.”

Brow raised, Chanyeol’s eyes met Baekhyun in amusement. Not only did the man sounded professional but it really sounded like he knew what he was saying. But Baekhyun’s attention went back to the ‘classic’ room. He was about to say something, or ask him about his work when the door to his secretary’s office opened.

“Mr. Park, there were some papers you needed to sign.” The blonde woman walked in her beige pencil skirt and fuchsia blouse over with white blazer. She glanced over him, eyes sharp as if she was skinning him alive from head to toe.

For whatever reason, Baekhyun didn’t like how she looked at him. Yes, he was poor, he was jobless and he didn’t really belong to the corporate world like this, but he was an educated person. He was raised to lift his chin up, be proud for who he was but not to stomp on anyone like they’re some kind of trash.

“Is he your client Mr. Park?” she asked in sultry voice, which Chanyeol didn’t notice or he just ignored it.

“No,” Chanyeol said as he signed the said papers. “He’s my friend, and my guest.” Chanyeol gave her the papers and waved. “I’ll see you at the meeting, Seulgi.”

Baekhyun met her sharp eyes once again, and he couldn’t help but be a little and waved a hand on her too, because technically, Chanyeol dismissed her indirectly. That I’ll see you at the meeting was equaled to Get out of my office.

With Seulgi gone, Baekhyun crossed his legs and turned to the man. “She’s hitting on you.”

Chanyeol smirked, “For two years.”

Baekhyun’s jaw dropped on the floor. “Oh my god, that long?”

“That long,” Chanyeol confirmed. “So, Baekhyun, since you probably know more about me than I do about you, why don’t you just say something about yourself? For us to get to know each other.”

Baekhyun hummed for a second. “There’s nothing about me, I’m just a homeless and jobless bum lost in Seoul,” he chuckled.

Chanyeol hummed and tilted his head on the side, “I see that you’re more than just a jobless bum lost in Seoul. But, if you don’t mind me asking, why are you jobless right now?” He watched as Baekhyun shifted uncomfortably in his seat, that was why he promptly took back his question. “You know you can forget the question if you’re not okay with it.”

The latter dismissed his offer with a wave of a hand. “Well, it’s just that… I can’t work well with others,” he admitted.

Chanyeol didn’t have the time to ask more when the phone on his table rang. With his long limb, he reached for it and pressed the loudspeaker button, and Seulgi’s voice followed. “Mr. Park, Mr. Luhan has arrived.”

“Send him in,” Chanyeol commanded and released the button. Baekhyun, excited to see his friend again—albeit for two reasons, one to hug him for he missed that er, and two, to fulfill his threat last night—jumped from his seat and giddily looked at the office’s door.

Luhan was dressed in a simple—but didn’t get fooled, it was expensive—white dress shirt and black slacks, ready for another corporate day, but his face was so funny Baekhyun wanted to crack up that time. He immediately bowed at Chanyeol, sharp 90 degrees thrice. “I-Is there something you need, Mr. Park? I’m so sorry I know I was disrespectful of you last night, I was a bit tipsy and—“

Chanyeol held up a hand and chuckled. “Calm down Luhan-ssi. I didn’t call you for that reason. In fact it was very nice to meet you personally. I called you because someone is looking for you since last night.”

Baekhyun chose that time to stand from his seat with crossed arms over his chest.

Luhan’s expression when he saw him was priceless. His jaw dropped and eyes widened like saucers, cheeks gone red as the realization hit him. “Oh my god, Baekhyun! I am so sorry!” He gasped and strode to his best friend, giving him the biggest hug of apology. “I am so so sorry! I didn’t mean to—“

“It’s okay, you rascal don’t take it to heart.” Baekhyun chuckled and returned the hug. Luhan pulled away and bit his lips in guilt. “Where were you last night then? Did you eat dinner or—“ Another crazy thought made its way in Luhan’s brain and said, “—Did you sleep in the streets?! Did someone hurt you perhaps?”

“Oh my god, Luhan shut up!” Baekhyun laughed, flicking his forehead. Although, he threatened to castrate his friend, Luhan showing his worry like this was enough for him to take it back. “I didn’t sleep in the streets.”

Chanyeol snorted silently on his part, because last night Baekhyun would rather do that than to stay with him. He made his presence known by clearing his throat, and both of them turned to look at him. “Actually, Baekhyun stayed in my place last night so you don’t have to worry, Luhan-ssi, I saved him from the streets.”

Baekhyun scowled at him. “Actually you kidnapped me from the streets.”

Chanyeol’s smile was smug as ever. “It’s not considered kidnapping when the other party willingly comes with me.”

“I did not! You forced me!” Baekhyun argued.

“You wouldn’t get to sleep in a comfy bed if I didn’t,” the CEO shrugged.

Baekhyun’s mouth remained open but nothing came out. Chanyeol laughed at this and turned to Luhan, whose eyes were looking at him and Baekhyun alternately. It was only when Baekhyun asked Luhan to send him home that the latter snapped out of trance.

“Actually,” Luhan cleared his throat. “Can I have a minute with Baekhyun, Mr. Park?”

Chanyeol bobbed his head with a smirk as Luhan dragged Baekhyun outside. When the door slammed shut, Luhan instantly grabbed his friend’s shoulder, manhandling him to face and look at him. “You slept in Mr. Park’s place last night?!”

“Yes? I told him I didn’t want to but he insisted. But we didn’t do anything unholy if that’s what you’re thinking about—“

“But did something else happen?! How did you two know each other anyway? Of all the people,” Luhan huffed in disbelief, but an amused glint flickers in his eyes. “You caught Mr. Park’s eye!”

“Nothing else happened! I thought you know this already! Chanyeol said he called you and you’ll come and get me!”

“Correction, my dear friend.” Luhan crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. “I never got a call. The moment I entered the building, Joy told me to come to the CEO’s office because Mr. Park asked so. I thought I was going to get fired!”

“What? Then you didn’t know that—wait, what?” Baekhyun paused, “CEO?”

Luhan stared at him. “You didn’t know, did you?”

Baekhyun shuddered. “He’s the freaking CEO of this company?!” He cried out.

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Meanwhile, inside the office, Chanyeol was watching the two behind the blinds. He laughed to himself whenever he sees the live morphing of Baekhyun’s face. He went from irritated, impatient, blank, then shock, then mortified. He couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but Luhan pointed at his door, where a golden plate of his name and his position was hung. It must be about his position in the company.

Baekhyun instantly paled, knowing that he just stayed at a known identity’s house. Maybe the reason why his ears turned pink was when he remembered that he showed himself bare last night, offering his body shamelessly. But to Chanyeol, none of it mattered. So what if he was the CEO, what if Baekhyun was just another man who entered his life in a whim? It was Chanyeol’s decision to let them go or not—to consider them special or just another person in his everyday life.

Baekhyun and Luhan went back inside with Baekhyun half hiding behind his friend’s back. This made Chanyeol frown. Does his status really affect people like Baekhyun that much?

“Mr. Park, thank you for your hospitality and generosity, but Baekhyun needs to go back now.”

Baekhyun stammered, “You could have told me who you are,” he hesitantly looked at Chanyeol whose brows were pulled together. “But anyway, thank you for having me.” Baekhyun bowed to show his gratitude. “I will pay for your suit. I will not run away from it, I swear!” Baekhyun said determinedly. But he couldn’t understand the look Chanyeol was giving. He seemed… unhappy. Did he do something wrong?

“I wish you a great day, Mr. Park. T-Thank you. ” Baekhyun switched to a formal tone before he went with Luhan outside the office.

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Baekhyun drowned in self-shame once he was in the elevator. Even his best friend’s presence was unnoticed. He recalled the things that happened overnight. He called Chanyeol, Park Chanyeol, the CEO of this company many names, talked to him disrespectfully and even accused him for something he didn’t do. All Chanyeol wanted was to help, but he was such a sassy brat who ungratefully screamed at the CEO for tending his sprain and even let him cook breakfast after he just crashed in his pad.

A soft groan left his throat when Baekhyun cupped his face. Luhan couldn’t help but snicker beside him. “Why are you red, Baek? What really happened between you and Mr. Park?”

Baekhyun scowled at him through the reflection of the elevator’s door. “You really wanna know?”

“Of course!”

“I met him in the fan meeting. I accidentally poured wine on his white Armani, and threw a hanky on his face because he was a jerk who told me to pay for it with my body. Then when you disappeared like a bubble, he gave me a ride and let me borrow his phone to call you, quote that you didn’t answer any of it. And then, he took me in his freaking place and I fell on my bum, in his bathroom floor because I can’t even turn on his high-tech shower, he carried me and treated my sprain and carried me to his guest room and cooked me waffles for breakfast,” he ranted. “And not once did he tell me that he is a freaking CEO!”

Luhan’s eyes could pop that time. “He saw you ?”

“I mean, I know I kinda envy rich people and hate them at the same time. But I was really a jerk, oh god I don’t think I can even face him again!”

“And he treated your sprain?” the other sighed dreamily.

“So that’s why everyone was looking at us when we came in the company earlier. He was even holding my hand!”

“He even carried you!” Luhan beamed.

“Luhan!”

“What?!”

“Are you even listening?!”

“I am!” Luhan chimed as the elevator opened to the lobby. “And I say maybe Mr. Park has hots for you…” he whispered which made the younger shiver.

“No. Luhan. Stop with your delusions and just send me home okay. You owe me this much from ditching me last night. I just want to escape this bubble of shame as soon as possible.”

Luhan shut his mouth as they went out of the company. They waited for a cab which took quite amount of their time. The elder told him that he was just going to send his things for him. Luhan got a chance to hail a cab, and thankfully, it was empty. Baekhyun was going to go in when Luhan stopped him.

“Baek, I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to ditch you and—“ he didn’t finish his speech because Baekhyun already covered his mouth with three fingers. “I know, and apology accepted. Just give me back my things after office hours. Okay?” he showed a thumbs up and Luhan chuckled, nodding while bumping it with another thumbs up. “Okay.”

Baekhyun was ready to get inside again when something stopped him again. When someone stopped him again with a simple, “Princess!”

Both he and his friend turned around. But in Baekhyun’s perspective, everything was blurry and it was on slow motion, as cliché as it may sound. It was the CEO who was jogging towards him. He threw his blazer around him, covering Baekhyun’s face from the outside world. As fast as it dawned to him, Chanyeol cupped his face with his large yet warm hands and closed the distance between their faces.

It was the only witness, Luhan, who saw how Chanyeol pressed his lips against Baekhyun’s un-expecting one. It wasn’t chase, it wasn’t lewd or anything ual. But Chanyeol’s pair brushed against Baekhyun, before he his upper lips.

There was a zap of electricity that flowed in their veins. Baekhyun in a gasp but couldn’t believe himself when he involuntarily answered the kiss. It made a soft labial sound and he thought it was only a onetime thing—but he was so wrong. Chanyeol repeatedly kissed him, without care in the world, but protectively hid him in his blazer he was pulling to cover Baekhyun’s face from the onlookers.

When they parted, Baekhyun was completely dazed. Chanyeol pecked him one more time.

“If I were to choose I wouldn’t let you go back, princess. But I will certainly look for you my Cinderella. I promise you that.” He pushed him in the taxi gently, not bothering to take his blazer back. He asked the driver to go, and wave at Baekhyun who looked back at him through the glass behind him.

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5.6.16