Just a little warning before I leave you to reading. It's the longest chapter so far, 6800+ words, and it is very emotional. I hope you enjoy it.

Infinite H had been taken to the company headquarters just after their music show. Dongwoo and Hoya asked each other if they had done something reprehensive to be summoned so suddenly. But when their entered the building, cautious and anxious, all the lights lit up and they saw all the staff and trainees gathered to welcome them.

“Congratulations on your tenth win !” the crowd shouted as a bottle of Champagne was opened and a cake was brought with ten candles on it.

Dongwoo and Hoya looked at each other, equally dumfounded but blew the candles together anyway, pleasingly surprised.

“You guys worked very hard.” Their producer congratulated them as he walked toward them, handing them a flute of Champagne.

“Kamsa hamida.” They both bowed ninety degrees before taking their glass with two hands.

“Thank you everyone ! You must have worked hard to organize this. Thank you so much.” Dongwoo said, bowing and Hoya followed suit.

They cut the cake, took pictures with trainees and staff, joked and laughed with Lovelyz members. Someone made the DJ and soon music overflowed they basement. People either danced or stood in little groups, chatting among themselves.

“Dongwoo-yah, the boss wants to speak with you.” Their manager told him, interrupting their conversation with Nell sunbaenim.

“Just me ? What about Hoya ?” he said, immediately looking at his friend.

“It doesn’t concern him.” The manager shook his head. “Come, we shouldn’t make him wait.”

Dongwoo send his friend a pleading look but met the helpless eyes of the latter when he was led upstairs, to the producer’s office.

“Dongwoo-yah, as expected !” the boss greeted him cheerfully, taking place on his armchair. “Please sit.” He gestured to the young man who complied and sat on the sofa.

The manager left them alone, and Dongwoo couldn’t help but gulp. He was ill-at-ease, under the scrutinizing eyes of the boss.

“So,” the man said, pouring himself a bourbon, “do you know why I called you here ?” he asked.

“I’m afraid I don’t.” Dongwoo replied with the upmost politeness.

The boss sighed deeply, taking a sip of his drink before pursing.

“Millennium Hotel Chain CEO Kim Sunggyu-shi… Are you still two still close ?” he asked, in a tone that commanded an answer.

“If you wonder if we still are in a relationship, the answer is yes. I would have told you so if not.” He answered politely. “But I admit don’t understand why Sunggyu-shi is coming into the conversation.”

Dongwoo seemed calm and collected, but ever since the boss mentioned Sunggyu’s name, he was shaking inside. What if someone caught on about them ? Or worse, what if something happened to him ? While those chaotic thoughts ran into his mind, the boss took a newspaper and threw it on the table, in front of Dongwoo.

“Read.” He directed, and Dongwoo picked it up with trembling hands before reading the title in bold characters.

MILLENNIUM CHAIRMAN READY TO INVEST 1 000 000 $ IN KOREA’S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

ENTERTAINEMENT COMPAGNIES ARE LINING UP

“So Dongwoo-yah, tell me… How come Millennium announced they would invest in entertainment without telling us, hum ? Now SM, YG, JYP, hell, every entertainment companies in the country are submitting projects to get the jackpot. Considering your hum, special relationship with Kim Sunggyu-shi, isn’t it logic that this investment should be for us ?” he asked in a honeyed voice, more poisonous than venom.

“I don’t know…” Dongwoo’s voice started to waver. “I wasn’t aware, I swear… He never talks about business with me. We never broached the subject together.”

“Then maybe it’s time you start.” The boss pursued, more ordering than suggesting. “I reckon this company has done a lot for you. We trained you, we made you an idol, we took care of you. I even overlooked a relationship situation that wasn’t convenient for us. I let you date even thought it could cause us damage if you were discovered. I protected you as much as I could. Now, Dongwoo-yah, don’t you think it’s time to repay the company for the care and protection you received ? It’s only fair that we get the investment, right ?”

“Yes sir.” He said, head low as he fully understand the situation.

Blackmail, Dongwoo thought. It was blackmailing. The boss didn’t have to threaten him to make him understand his intentions. Dongwoo could hear the threat behind each of his words. He wanted Dongwoo to use his lover to bring a million dollars to the company. Failing wasn’t an option. A scandal would burst, and with no one to protect him, Dongwoo could kiss goodbye his dreams of being a musician. Dongwoo didn’t care about himself, but knowing that he would also jeopardize the career of his own best friend made it unthinkable. Then again, using his own boyfriend, the person he loved and cherished the most to get money made him feel despicable.

“I understand you will talk to Kim Sunggyu-shi about this matter, right ?” the boss said with his obnoxious honeyed voice.

“If it’s what the company wants me to do, I will.” He agreed, feeling acid reflux burning the back of his throat.

“Perfect !” he boss clapped his hands together once. “I will take measures to make you able to meet tonight so you guys will be able to discuss it. I hope to hear good news by the end of the week Dongwoo-yah.”

Dongwoo nodded, feeling as if the sky fell to rest on his shoulders. He stood up and, after giving the boss a ninety degree bow, he excused himself and left the office. When he closed the door beside him, he was livid and his whole body was shaking.

“Dongwoo hyung !” he heard someone shouting his name, and merely a second later, his best friend was by his side, wrapping an arm around him.

“Howon-ah…” he said with relief as he recognized him.

“Hyung what happened ? You look sick.” The younger asked, worry visible in his eyes.

Nausea immediately resurfacing, he rushed to the nearest bathroom -Howon following on his heels- to vomit the little he was allowed to ingest today while his best friend patted his back comfortingly, whispering soothing words.

Sunggyu was drying his hair with a towel, still wet from the shower. He went to the kitchen, taking a mineral bottle of water and gulping half of it before walking to the living room. He grabbed his phone on the coffee table and noticed new messages. He frowned since it was late, and hoped nothing was wrong with Millennium. Thinking about it, it could be this stupid Woohyun asking to pick him up because he got drunk. He unlocked the screen and his frown was erased by a tender smile as he checked the sender.   

From : Smiling Sunshine (23:42)

I’m coming over tonight

From : Smiling Sunshine (23:44)

If that’s ok for you

Sunggyu frowned while reading. This wasn’t like Dongwoo at all. Where were the emoticons, the “I miss you” and “I love you” ? This sounded too cold and formal and he couldn’t help but be alert. Something was wrong, but he refrained himself for asking now. He would see it for himself when Dongwoo will come, so he typed an answer.

To : Smiling Sunshine

Of course you can come you silly ! Can’t wait to see you. I love you.

He hesitated to send it, but he decided against it. He didn’t wanted to burden the younger man when something was obviously wrong, so he typed again.

To : Smiling Sunshine

You can come of course. Did you have dinner ?

That was awfully formal. He deleted everything. Sunggyu cursed himself, seeing he was not able to send a proper text to his boyfriend.

“Ok, let’s do this.” He encouraged himself before typing again. Something simple, honest, and not too burdensome. He smiled, pleased with himself before pressing the sending button.

To : Smiling Sunshine (00:11)

I’m waiting for you.

Sunggyu was watching some variety show rerun when he heard the front door opening. He immediately turned off the TV and stood up to walk toward the vestibule. He let Dongwoo remove his shoes and coat before cupping his face between his hands. They were inches apart, and yet it felt too far.

“Let me look at you.” He whispered, gently the sides of his face.

It has been more than eight weeks since they last met, and Sunggyu could not help but getting mesmerized each time he looked at him. Sometimes he really couldn’t believe that Dongwoo was his, that he came for him. He was dull and normal when Dongwoo was bright and amazing. That was why he needed to double-check his luck each time they met.

“I missed you.” Sunggyu confessed before he kissed him since he couldn’t refraining himself any longer.

The kiss was soft and tender, conveying feelings they didn’t need to put in words. Dongwoo felt his knees go weak and he clung on Sunggyu’s shoulder while the other man wrapped an arm around his waist to secure him, as if he knew he was about to fall. His other hand went from his cheek to his hair, running through it softly. Sunggyu had a way of kissing him, touching him, act around him that made him feel like he was the most delicate, pure and precious thing to him and this thought filled his eyes with tears. How could he do such a thing, use him for something as low as money, when the older man put him up on a pedestal ?

“Dongwoo what’s wrong ?” Sunggyu broke the kiss and asked softly as he felt his lover tremble in his arms.

The genuine concern in his eyes, the soft tone of his voice, his hand stoking his lower back comfortingly, his kiss, hell, a mix of all the above made Dongwoo burst into tears. Sunggyu was too good to him, always trying to protect him and their relationship while he wasn’t able to face his own boss. He felt despicable. He did not deserved such a kind, devoted person at all.

Sunggyu was a bit taken aback when Dongwoo started to cry, but immediately his protective instincts took over and he embraced him in his arms.

 “Come here.” He whispered, hugging him tightly. “Baby you must tell me what’s wrong. I am getting worried.” He said with a soft tone, not an ounce of reproach in his voice. “You must tell me so I can help you. No matter what it is, I will take care of it. Please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you crying my love. Just tell me what I can do to make you smile again. You know I’ll do anything right ?”

Dongwoo couldn’t help but cry harder at his lover’s soothing words. He knew it all and it made it worse. He knew Sunggyu would do anything for him, and by anything he really meant anything. Once Woohyun had said Dongwoo was the only one Sunggyu put above Millennium, and that meant a lot since Sunggyu was considering Millennium like his flesh and blood.

“I am scared…” Dongwoo sobbed on his shirt. “I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what they’ll do to us if I don’t… I just love you so much and… I don’t want to lose you.” His voice broke as he clung on him as a lifebuoy.

“I love you too, just as much. And you will never lose me, ever.” Sunggyu said, trying hard to remain collected. “Let’s sit down so we can discuss, hum ? I’ll make you some hot chocolate just as you like.” He patted his hair before leading him to the living room and make him sit on the couch. “I’ll be right back.” He said with a smile, his cheek softly before going to the open kitchen, to prepare a hot chocolate for his obviously distressed angel.

“Here.” Sunggyu handed him a mug. “Careful, it’s hot.”

“Thanks.” Dongwoo gave him a small smile.

He drank a sip before putting the mug on the coffee table. He got closer to his lover and pressed himself against his side, wrapping his arm around his chest. Sunggyu frowned but embraced him nonetheless. They cuddled in silence for a while until Dongwoo felt ready to talk.

“The boss summoned me to his office today. He asked me if I knew about Millennium investing in the entertainment industry.”

Sunggyu felt himself tense but said nothing and continued to pat his hair softly. His father had let him know he wanted to create an entertainment branch within Millennium. Since the Korean wave got bigger the past decade, Millennium could make good money out of it.

“He wants the investment.” Dongwoo said. “He said it’s only fair the company gets it since he allowed us to be together. I’m scared of what he’d do to me, to us if I don’t…”

Dongwoo stopped talking when he felt Sunggyu removing himself from their embrace and stand up, pacing for a minute before grabbing the edge of a piece of furniture, gripping it so hard his knuckles went white. Dongwoo got worried at how angry he looked, because he rarely saw Sunggyu that enraged. He stood up and walked to him, rubbing his back in an attempt to calm him down. He was startled when Sunggyu turned to face him, putting both hands on his shoulders and looking into his eyes.

“I grew up in the shark field of business. I can handle attacks on me, on Millennium… But I cannot… I cannot bear when you are targeted in order to get to me.” He said, fuming. “They attacked the one thing I don’t allow to be touched.” He said, cupping his face and stoking his cheekbones with his thumbs, his voice getting softer. “The ones that made you cry, I will crush them, you can be sure of that. Just leave everything to me. You don’t have to worry about a single thing. I’ll protect you. I’ll protect us. You just have to trust me and smile. Keep smiling, because it’s your smile that gives me the strength to face anything and everything.” He concluded with a smile of his own, pinching the tip of his nose.

Dongwoo was half-reassured but smiled anyway. He smiled because even if he was still worried, Sunggyu loved him and will protect him. He didn’t need anything else to feel his heart flutter and a smile flourishing on his face.

“That’s better.” Sunggyu told him, pinching his cheek.

“Let’s go to bed.” Dongwoo said, nuzzling on his shoulder.

“Wow, you’re so bold tonight.” Sunggyu teased and Dongwoo blushed, realising the scope of his words.

“I’m warning you : you won’t get anything tonight. I’m tired and sleep deprived.” Dongwoo stated with a pout, crossing his arms defensively.

“It’s ok baby. Our relationship goes beyond . I don’t need it to feel as one with you.” Sunggyu kept on teasing, enjoying the darkening blush on his lover’s face.

“Yah ! Don’t say such things, it’s embarrassing !” Dongwoo muttered, hiding behind his hands but Sunggyu removed them. “Aish, let me hide… I told you I’m embarrassed !”

“It’s back.” Sunggyu stated, looking genuinely happy.

“What ?” Dongwoo tilted his head to the side, looking like a confused puppy, which was utterly cute.

“Your smile.” Sunggyu said. “It’s back.”

Indeed, Dongwoo felt his lips stretched in a genuine smile and blushed more if possible.

“Aish, go away. You’re being disgustingly cheesy.” He pushed Sunggyu away from him, faking annoyance. “I’m going to take a shower before going to bed and just so you know, I will lock the door so don’t bother trying to get in.” He warned, knowing that Sunggyu always tried to creep in when he was showering, that .

“You’re cute.” The older chuckled, ruffling his hair. “I’l