Baekhyun was beyond miserable. He couldn't concentrate or focus on anything. Not even on his work. He hadn't been eating or sleeping well. All he could think about was Chanyeol. It's been almost three weeks already since that incident with Chanyeol and he thought he was over it, but secretly, Baekhyun knew he wasn't. He kept thinking back about the little time they had spent together and how he missed the other. If only he could turn back time to experience the happy moments again. But sadly enough, he couldn't go back in time.

There were times he wondered if the other shared the same feeling as him. Did the other miss him too? Did the other think about him? Did the other miss their time together? Even if they'd known each other for a short time, the other must have at least felt something for Baekhyun, right? But, sadly enough, he knew he was just imagining or fantasizing too much. The other wouldn't feel anything for him. The other wouldn't even care about someone like him. He had after all, made sure that he didn't welcome anyone in his life and no one could his mind. Besides, the other was rich enough to find someone better, if ever the other might change his mind on taking a partner. Baekhyun would never stand a chance. He had nothing to offer the other, only his poor, little and weak heart.

He sighed for the umpteeth time as he stared into space. It was quiet at the restaurant and there wasn't really anything for him to do. And when there was nothing to do, he couldn't help but let his brains wander off to the other. 

"Argh! I'm going crazy here," Baekhyun cried out in frustration, raking a hand through his already tousled hair. 

Huffing in annoyance, he decided to push the thought about the other away and just try to have some work done. Maybe that would help getting his mind off the other. He started from resetting the tables and chairs to decorating the table with cutleries and napkins to sweeping the floor. The whole cleaning only took about an hour or so before Baekhyun was back to square one. 

Baekhyun heaved a sigh as he sank down on the chair behind the counter. Finding nothing he could do, Baekhyun decided to just shut his eyes for a few seconds. Maybe that would help him get his mind off all the thinking. Seconds later, the windchime hanging on the glassed door jingled, signalling customers entering the restaurant. 

Finally he had something to do. Producing a well performed fake smile, Baekhyun got up from his seat to greet the customers, but the smile disappeared as fast as it came and the words got stuck in the back of his throat.

Baekhyun's eyes widened in horror when he saw no one other than Park senior entering the restaurant. What was the other doing here? The man was accompanied by a couple of other friends who almost looked the same age. Cursing under his breath, Baekhyun looked around for someone to save him from the situation, but too bad he was alone in the front at the moment. He had nowhere to go now. The moment his eyes crossed with the eldery, he could feel his body run cold. Stunned by the appearance of the other, Baekhyun visibly gulped and felt the urge to bolt away, but his feet were rooted to the ground. His mind went blank and everything seemed to be strange in his eyes. Only the image of Park senior danced in front of his eyes.

A sudden jab on his back brought him back alive and he forced himself to calm down. His co-worker motioned for him to welcome the guests, so he had no choice but to do as told. He took a deep breath to give his heart some time to settle before he opened his mouth.

"Good evening, sirs... welcome to Restaurant Grandieur," Baekhyun managed to bring out as he bowed respectfully.

"Aah... you're cute," one of the old men chuckled.

Baekhyun felt his cheeks getting all flushed in embarrassment. Did that old man just hit on him in a legal way? What the hell was Park senior planning to do this time? Bring in some old geezers to flirt with him as if he was a cheap thing? This was so wrong! Wrong in all ways Baekhyun could think of.

"Shhh... did you have to say it out that loud?," another one said before turning to look at Baekhyun and said with a friendly smile:"Don't mind him. Let me introduce ourselves, you can call me Mr. Do, this one here is Mr. Kim, that one is Park and the last one is Mr. Wu. I heard from this friend of mine, Mr. Park that this restaurant has good food, so why not try out, right? Can you show us a table for four?,"

"This way sirs," Baekhyun mumbled as he showed the four old men their way to a vacant table in a corner.

"Aaah... good, good. You got taste, young man,"

"I'll be right back with the menus, sir," Baekhyun didn't wait for an answer as he hurried away, leaving the customers alone.

The following two hours were the most excruciating two hours Baekhyun had ever encountered since the day he'd started working at the restaurant. He was close to baring his teeth, but knew he had to behave otherwise he could say good bye to his salary.

"Excuse me, can you come over, please,"

It was the 186th time Baekhyun had heard that request coming from the man sitting on the left of Park senior. That man had called him over for the smallest thing the other could think of and even let him stand there to listen to their conversation about boring business stuff which Baekhyun had absolutely no interest in.

"I have a problem here. You see, my friend here, is going to have a party and I don't know what color to choose for my necktie. Do you think a black one would be better or one with dark blue stripes?,"

Baekhyun literally sweatdropped. What was he going to say to this? He wasn't in any way close to the old man, why would that man ask his opinion on something so simple as choosing a necktie? The old man must be a retard.

"Uhm... sir, I think it'll be better to know what suit you are going to wear first before choosing the necktie," Baekhyun replied.

"Ahahaha, that is true, my boy. I think I'll wear something not too flashy. What do you think of dark blue?,"

"The dark blue suit could go better with a black necktie, I guess," Baekhyun replied.

"Yes, yes... hahaha, you see, Park... this young man has a good taste of fashion," the old man said with a grin to senior Park, earning a snort in response.

"Kim, if you don't shut up I won't hesitate to hit you with my stick," senior Park threatened with a glare.

"Oooh, I am so scared," the other mocked earning a quiet chuckle from the other two friends. 

"Cocky as always, Park. You should teach him a lesson," Mr. Do chuckled.

"Omo! You are supposed to be on my side, not that meanie!," Mr. Kim faked a hurt look.

"You are embarrassing us," Mr. Wu merely said as he watched in amusement.

Baekhyun watched the scene unfold in front of his eyes. These four old men were acting like a bunch of children. 

"If there is nothing anymore, sirs... then I'll be taking my leave," Baekhyun said with a bow.

After another half hour, the four customers finally decided to leave the restaurant.

"Young man, I'd like to thank you for your service tonight. Here's a little something," Mr. Kim, which had been an in Baekhyun's eyes, said with a bright smile.

Baekhyun balled his hands into fists. He was so angry. Never in his whole life was Baekhyun so angry and so humiliated. Who did the other think he was? Chanyeol's grandfather had been bad enough to him and now the old man had brought along his friends to make even more fun of him. He could take the idea of whatever Park senior thought of him, but he couldn't take the idea of someone else from the elite ladder coming down at his work place and make him sweat like a dog to get insulted in front of his face for a little something. He didn't have to rub it in his face that he belonged to the lower classes.

"With no offense, sir... we are not allowed to accept anything from our customers. Rules from the boss," Baekhyun bit out through gritted teeth.

"Oh! That way, it's too bad then,"

"Good evening and have a safe trip back home. Please do come back anytime, sirs,"

"I will definitely!," Mr. Kim said cheerfully.

When he was finally finished with his shift, he left as quickly as he could to go over to Jongdae. He was still pissed over what happened earlier and where was better to go than going to his only friend, Kim Jongdae.

"And that old man was there! Can you believe it? It's bad enough he threatened my life and now he stands there in front of me at my work place. Couldn't he go somewhere else? I mean he is rich enough to go to some high class assed restaurant instead of the poorer ones, right? And he had to rub it in my face that I am from the lower classes," Baekhyun rambled out in anger.

Jongdae listened in patience and let Baekhyun vent his anger. The poor boy had suffered enough already and needed a listening ear which Jongdae was willing to provide the other that.

"Don't worry Baekhyun. He won't be back there anymore now he knows that you work there," Jongdae said.

"I hope so," Baekhyun muttered as he played with the small pillow he'd been mangling while he ranted out his anger.

"Just forget about today and get some rest. You haven't been taking well of yourself," Jongdae said.

Baekhyun fell silent, not wanting to say anything. He knew Jongdae was right, but he wasn't going to admit that. The other wouldn't understand why he felt like that anyway. It was better he kept it for himself, cause he didn't want to bother Jongdae with too much of his worries. The other had his own problems too and he didn't want to be a bother in anyway, even though the other had assured him lots of times that he wasn't. 

"I am just worried about my mother," Baekhyun lied.

"Sure you are. She just recovered from surgery and need all your care. I understand that. But, you, Baekhyun. You have to admit... you are not okay. Look at you... you've lost weight in just what... two... three... weeks?," Jongdae pointed out. "You don't take care of yourself. You take care of others, but forget yourself!,"

"I know, Jongdae... I am just busy. I promise I'll go to sleep early tonight," Baekhyun promised earning a skeptical look from the other.

"And you eat my food," Jongdae said stern.

Baekhyun nodded in response. Jongdae smiled in satisfaction as he ruffled Baekhyun's hair. He got ready to prepare their dinner and as promised, Baekhyun went to bed early or more like passed out of exhaustion, the moment his head touched the pillow.

A few seconds of watching the other's sleeping figure, Jongdae hoped the other would sleep peacefully this time. He made sure the other was tucked in warmly before going into his own room. He picked up his phone to dial a familiar number. He waited and waited. When the call was finally answered, Jongdae couldn't help but voice out his question that had been playing in his head for a while.

"Sir... is there-?," Jongdae's words were cut off before he could even bring them out.

"Don't worry, kid... it's for the better,"

"Better for you, you mean," Jongdae almost snapped, slight annoyance laced in his voice.

"I understand why you are troubled by all this, but I promised you everything will be fine. How are your parents by the way? Haven't heard from them for quite a while," the stranger said.

"They are perfectly fine," Jongdae answered.

"Give them my regards then. I am going to hang up now since I've some work to do,"

Jongdae sighed. Whatever was going to happen next, he didn't know. He just hoped that everything will be okay for everyone. He got up from his bed to go take a shower. A long, hot shower was what he needed to clear off his mind.

Chanyeol had been staring at the white ceiling in his bedroom for quite a while. Thoughts of Baekhyun played in his head as he thought back about the time they had spent together. What went wrong actually? Why did the other suddenly mention a fiance he'd never heard of. Why did the other say those words? It hurt him and he'd never thought someone like Baekhyun could hurt him that bad. In the short time he'd spent with Baekhyun, Chanyeol realized he'd actually enjoyed the other's company, albeit in a somewhat forced situation. He still thought it was the best days of his life.

He thought they could end their so called deal like decent human beings, but he'd never thought they would end up parting ways like this. What did he do wrong? Where did things go wrong? He knew the other needed money and he provided that in exchange for the other faking as his fiance to get his car back. Yes, he missed his car, but now that the other had chosen to leave him hanging there without getting his car back, Chanyeol wondered if he should sue the other for not keeping to their deal.

Chanyeol slapped himself mentally. He was seriously going crazy. The other had clearly stated they should stop the act and Baekhyun had done it willingly. Chanyeol didn't give out any form of protest, so he stood no chance of winning the battle. He sighed for the umpteenth time and ignored the knock on his bedroom door. He didn't feel like eating nor seeing anyone, including his maids.

He replayed Baekhyun's last words in his head like a video and felt something tugging hard in his chest. It was as if the other had managed to take his heart away and break every part of it piece by piece.

"Why Baekhyun? Why did I have to start liking you? Why make me feel like this? Why you of all people?," Chanyeol muttered to himself as he felt fresh tears make its way in his already puffy eyes. He couldn't help it. Everytime he thought of the other, tears just came flowing down his cheeks and he hated himself for being so weak.

Chanyeol didn't know what time he'd finally fallen asleep, but he did and he was sleeping oh so peacefully when he was suddenly jolted awake by his alarm clock going off. Groaning in annoyance, his hand stretched out to find the source of the noise while having his eyes closed. What the ? His head hurt like a and the noise wasn't making it any better. Who the hell put up alarm for him anyway?

When he'd finally managed to find the object of the noise, he turned it off to promptly fall back asleep. It wasn't time for him to wake up yet. Screw work! He could always say he was sick whenever his grandpa would ask him why he was absent.

A good five hours later and Chanyeol felt himself getting back to the world of the living and decided to get up. He needed to pee quickly and was afraid his bladder was going to explode if he'd continue suppressing the urge to go to the restroom. When he was finally finished with his daily routine, he left his room to go to the kitchen. Food was prepared for him instantly and not too long after, he was found munching on his pancakes, lazying in the livingroom.

"Ahem, young master, madam Park is here," his butler announced as Chanyeol was about to take another bit from his pancake.

"Oh, o-,"

Before Chanyeol could say anything, he found himself suddenly looking into angry fiery eyes. He gulped visibly. What the hell? Why was his grandma this furious? He didn't do anything to hurt her, did he?

"Park Chanyeol!," grandma Park shouted.

"Y-yes, grandma?," Chanyeol squeaked out as he dropped his food instantly. He scrambled up to a sitting position as he attempted to greet with a polite bow, but he was just rudely pushed back on the couch. Uh oh. A furious grandma, was a not happy grandma and a not happy grandma meant something had gone wrong and his grandma was not going to let him off the hook for something he'd done or not done. Either way, he was toast.

"What did you and your grandpa do?," grandma Park almost screeched out, ready to hit him if he gave a wrong answer in return.

"Uh... what did we do? We didn't do anything," Chanyeol managed to bring out. He was totally confused now. What was his grandma talking about?

"Do not lie to this old granny of yours. When there is something wrong with someone related by my blood, your grandma knows," grandma Park glared at her grandson, who was still confused as ever.

"I really have no idea what you are talking about, grandma," Chanyeol said, blinking at the old lady.

"Baekhyun... does that ring any bells?," grandma Park finally said.

Oh.

Ooh!

How did his grandma know something happened? He didn't even tell her what was wrong with him. And why did she mention his grandpa? What did his grandpa had to do with him or Baekhyun? A sudden flash of the night of his grandmother's party flashed in front of him. In fact, maybe his grandpa did have something to do with Baekhyun. But what?

"Baekhyun... what's with him? I didn't do anything, I swear," Chanyeol defended himself and visibly cringed at the death glare his grandma was sending him.  If there was anything Chanyeol feared, it was the wrath of his grandma. He shuddered at the horrible thought of whatever his grandma could have in mind to torture him and get whatever she wanted. He swore his grandma had some evil in her when she wanted to. Hopefully he didn't inherit any of that sort.

"Words have reached my ears that you two are bullying my baby," grandma Park said as she continued to glare at Chanyeol.

"I didn't bully him. I'll never hurt him, grandma and what do you mean with your 'baby'. Since when did he become your baby? You only met him once. I thought I was your baby! You can't just replace me with someone else you only met a few hours,"

"Of course I can, if you defy me. I can replace whoever I want,"

"What a grandmother you are," Chanyeol tsked in disbelief.

"Good that you know. Now where is my baby?," grandma Park demanded and looked around as if she would find the shorter lad somewhere in the house or maybe perhaps the other would come out from anywhere the moment his name was mentioned.

Chanyeol heaved a sigh. All sad thoughts washing over him again. "He's not here, grandma," he said quietly.

"Why not?,"

"Why should he be? This isn't his home!,"

Chanyeol was slowly getting agitated. He didn't mean to, but he just didn't feel happy since the day Baekhyun had left him. Everything that has any kind of form related to the short kid annoyed him now. There was nothing that could cheer him up now. Not even his grandma could cheer him up this time.

"Well, you better bring him home or you will end up homeless," 

"What the hell?! - SMACK - ow! Grandma! That hurt!,"

His grandma had just smacked him hard on the head. When did his grandma become so strong he wondered by himself. Chanyeol clutched his abused head, trying to rub the pain away. His grandma didn't even give him a pity glance.

"No foul language allowed, young man," his grandma reprimanded. "Now, you bring me back my baby or else you can kiss this house goodbye!,"

Chanyeol gaped at his grandmother. Did she just threaten him? Oh yes, she did. Chanyeol couldn't believe his ears. Of all things he'd expected from his grandmother, this demand had completely been the least he'd expected. First he got threatened by his grandpa over his car and now he gets threatened by grandma over Baekhyun. What had the world become? Both his grandparents had suddenly turned their backs to him in a not literally way. They should be the ones to support him and help him build his life, not threaten to take things away.

But the thing now was he, even though he wanted to do what his grandmother had just demanded, he simply couldn't find the other and Baekhyun just wouldn't accept his calls. And even though he might find Baekhyun somewhere, that didn't mean he could bring Baekhyun back that easily, because the other had already made it clear that he should stay out of the other's life. And Chanyeol respected the other's decision even though it hurt him deeply. He sighed. What a pity life he had. His life truly dearly!

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A/N:

Aah... finally another update. I think I am coming close to ending the story. Yay! Fighting! Please look forward to the next chapter :)

Thank you for reading and commenting. New subbies are always welcome and please upvote :) Thank you all.