Chapter 9

Seungcheol felt like he can breathe again. He didn’t know he was holding it in until Jeonghan smiled back at him. The last few weeks have been bliss for him; ever since they reconciled, it seemed like Jeonghan opened up to him even more! They go together from and to school, the café, and anywhere. Of course, sometimes, he had to suffer the company of one Joshua Hong, whom he learned the Korean name as Hong Jisoo, and hung out with him as well. Mingyu and Wonwoo even come with them when they decide to eat out.

He started his day with a smile and went to school. Jeonghan said that he’d go to school early because of a report he had to present so Seungcheol had to go alone. He made his way to his Macroeconomics class with hope to see the longhaired boy sooner rather than later.

He waited for the class to finish already because he has a free hour after before his next class; he knew that Jeonghan is free as well so he looked forward to meeting him. Just before his professor dismissed the class, he made an assignment.

“Class, by the end of this semester, our class will be holding this year’s Economics Ball.” The professor announced, the students gave him an uninterested stare. He cleared his throat before speaking again. “Despite its very unoriginal name,” he snickered, “it is considered as one of the most important events of our department. Unlike previous years, we would extend the event’s invitation to our freshmen students as well. The board has decided that we should exercise reaching out to different fields in the economy. That being said, we would like our students to invite someone who has been successful in making it to the top; people who succeeded in blossoming their respective businesses.” Seungcheol knew this was meant as an invitation to his father judging by the professor’s hopeful glance sent his way.

“It would be my pride and joy if our class can won this year’s #1 Class award.” The professor said with a positive smile. “With the help of everyone, I believe the Macroeconomics class can win this!” He said. Seungcheol didn’t even listen to what was said after that. He knew that it was all empty words; he already knew that he had to bring his father. His father wouldn’t miss this for the world; sizing up other companies while he boasts about his own, it would be a delight to Choi Seongnam.

He slid off by the back door because he knew that the professor would be waiting from him by the front one; he rushed off to Jeonghan and Mingyu’s class to see it being dismissed.

As if on instinct, his eyes went straight to Jeonghan; watching the longhaired boy make his way outside. A tap on his shoulder distracted him from Jeonghan and he looked behind him to see Jung Soojung.

“Oppa!” She said cheerfully. Honestly, after their supposed date, Seungcheol expected the girl to ignore him, but Jung Soojung seemed to be quite the determined person. She still follows him around. “What are you doing here? Waiting for me again?” She asked, not forgetting to make her voice loud enough to catch attention.

“Ani, I’m here for Jeonghan.” He answered looking for the blonde boy. He finally noticed Seungcheol so he walked towards him with Mingyu in tow.

“Has he given you some drug or something? Why do you follow him all of a sudden? You used to hate him.” Soojung commented. Seungcheol didn’t want to be reminded of his previous behavior towards Jeonghan.

“He didn’t need a drug to make me like him, he’s just a nice person; unlike you.” He said, letting himself be a bit harsh. Jeonghan and Mingyu reached him and gave him a nod.

“What are you doing here, Choi Seungjoo?” Jeonghan asked him, playfully calling him by another name.

“What else? We have free period after; I wanted to hang out! Why? Don’t want to?” He asked, knowing full well the Jeonghan wanted to hang out as well. He felt another tap on his shoulder and saw Soojung still there.

“Yah, you were still here?” He asked the girl. Jeonghan and Mingyu couldn’t help but snicker at her expense. Soojung glared at them.

“Piss off blondie.” She snapped. Jeonghan raised a brow at her.

“Please head somewhere your presence is acknowledge as well as needed, student.” He said. Mingyu nudged him.

“Yah, why are you calling her student?” The blue-haired guy asked.

“I forgot her name.” Jeonghan answered shyly, brushing the back of his head. This time, it was Seungcheol and Mingyu who laughed.

“I think you should go, Shijung. Even your classmate doesn’t remember your name!” Seungcheol commented. Soojung seemed very much annoyed as she glared at them all.

“You can hang out all you want, oppa, but you know that I will be your date in your birthday party. See you later, fiancé.” She said, smirking. Jeonghan stared at Seungcheol while Mingyu was reminded of the older’s birthday.

“Hyung! It is your birthday soon! I totally forgot!” He admitted. Seungcheol just shrugged.

“Me too. I didn’t even know it was my birth month!” He commented with a laugh. The two chuckled but stopped when they saw Jeonghan’s face.

“You have a fiancé?” The longhaired asked him. Mingyu seemed to only grasped the girl’s words

“Hyung! You’re engaged?” He asked surprised. Seungcheol only looked at Jeonghan as he answered.

“Yes, we are. I think.” He admitted. It surprised him to see a change on Jeonghan’s face as he answered. “My dad wants to acquire Jung Entertainment; he must’ve thought selling his son seemed to good a price.” He added bitterly, looking away. Jeonghan placed an arm on his shoulder and gave him a sympathetic smile.

“You’ll get out of it, I’m sure.” He said. Seungcheol couldn’t help but believe him like a fool when he knows how persistent his father is. Mingyu wrapped his arms on both hyungs and started to drag them to eat.

“Hyungs, we are forgetting that Cheol hyung is having a birthday party. A party! Lets think about that as we eat, okay?” He said enthusiastically enough to lift the other two’s mood.

**

Wonwoo was only getting out of his political science class when he received texts from Jeonghan, Seungcheol and Mingyu.

From: Jeonghan Hyung

We know you’re free.

From: Seungcheol Hyung

We’re at the restaurant we ate in last time.

From: Kim Mingyu

Come over, Snow White ;)

Wonwoo smiled at his friends’ antics but couldn’t help but blush at Mingyu’s text. He doesn’t know why the guy called him Snow White but it wasn’t the first time he did, so he didn’t question it further. He went to the restaurant and saw the three in their usual spot. He took his place beside Mingyu and opposite to Jeonghan.

“Am I late?” He asked Mingyu.

“Ani, you’re just in time.” The blue-haired guy answered. He looked to the front and saw Jeonghan and Seungcheol still on their own little bubble, arguing.

“Hyung!” He said, knocking down on the table to get the two’s attention. They seemed to notice his presence just now and looked surprised.

“Oh! You’re here already?” Jeonghan asked him with his angelic smile. Wonwoo laughed at his ignorance.

“I’ve been here for a while now, hyung! You two are just so busy with your flirting you didn’t have the time to look here.” He said in a teasing manner. The two looked away from each other, embarrassed.

“What are you talking about? I wasn’t flirting!” the longhaired boy mumbled to himself. Wonwoo decided to let it go so that they can all eat.

They told the waiter their orders and waited for food. It wasn’t until they were eating that Mingyu decided to talk.

“So, what are we gonna do for your birthday, hyung?” He asked Seungcheol. Wonwoo was surprised to hear this.

“You’re gonna have your birthday soon?” He asked the eldest. “When?”

“Two week from now.” He answered Wonwoo. He looked to Mingyu and gave him an answer as well. “Well, I think my dad’s gonna be having a party for me. It’s about time he introduced me formally to the society.” He said in disinterested spirits. Jeonghan and Wonwoo noticed this and couldn’t help but ask.

“Why are you not interested, Cheol?” Jeonghan looked to his side, facing Seungcheol. “Aren’t you happy you’re finally gonna be the official heir of your dad’s company?” He said.

“There’s no one else but me, Han-nie. Official or not, I’m the heir. This party is just my dad’s way of introducing Soojung as my fiancé.” He answered bitterly. “He wanted to extend his company to beat Song Conglomerate. My marriage to that annoying girl is gonna seal his entrance to the entertainment industry.” He explained.

“What’s so special about beating Song Conglomerate?” Jeonghan asked him, but he didn’t look like he was gonna answer soon. It was Mingyu who decided to answer.

“Song Conglomerate is the top company in the country. I’m gonna compare Choi Industries to the dean of the university; following that thinking, Song Conglomerate is the chairperson of the department of education. You can understand what this means, right?” Mingyu answered. Jeonghan was surprised to hear that there is someone in their country richer than Seungcheol’s family.

“How come I don’t see it at any newspapers or TV? And most of you chaebols study in Hangguk University, right? How come there is no one son or daughter of Song Conglomerate?” Wonwoo asked the blue-haired boy.

“Well, according to father, the family died and no one has been taking the chair.” Seungcheol answered, getting the attention of everyone. “My father once tried to infiltrate it, but he said that it’s too hard to do. The board members are too loyal and private to let anyone else in.” He explained. Even Mingyu didn’t know this part so he listened intently as the other two.

“Wow. That’s a great company, then!” Jeonghan said, feeling happy for the company. The three looked at him weirdly. He cleared his throat before explaining. “I mean, it just shows the loyalty and great bond the late chairperson had with the board members to have them be faithful to him, even in death.” He said. Mingyu shook his head in disapproval.

“It’s not a good thing, Hyung. Because Cheol hyung’s father wants to beat Song Conglomerate, he’s gonna marry him off to Jung Soojung.” He said, making Jeonghan taken a back by that piece of vital information.

Wonwoo didn’t miss that fleeting look of sadness in Jeonghan’s face. He