The Twelfth Chapter

Luhan settled himself beside Sehun inside Minseok’s bar. The bar just opened but there were already a few customers inside since it was Friday evening. Sehun took his usual place, still not saying a word right after they left the university. He didn’t like it that Luhan came to see him again but he knew that the guy wouldn’t stop pestering him until he agrees to talk with him.

“Lu-ge!” Minseok exclaimed when he saw who was with Sehun.

“Minseok-ah! It’s been awhile.” Luhan greeted the owner warmly.

Sehun looked at Minseok, and then at Luhan, confused on how these two knew each other.

Luhan noticed Sehun’s confusion so he explained. “Minseok is a college friend. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you that we know each other.”

Minseok chuckled. “Well, this kid doesn’t really talk to me until recently. So, what would you two like to have? It’s in the house.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll pay for my own.” Sehun stated coldly.

“If you say so. The usual, then?”

Sehun nodded once. Luhan sighed on the side. “Just give me anything, Minseok-ah.”

When the bartender was gone, Sehun immediately turned to Luhan. “Start speaking so I can leave.”

“Why are you in such a rush? We just arrived here.” Luhan replied nonchalantly.

Sehun’s expression turned dark. “I have no time for games, Luhan.”

“I’m older than you so call me hyung.” The older one’s voice turned serious. “I’ll go straight to the point then. You need to go back home, Sehun.”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I won’t? I don’t consider that place ‘home’ anymore. You’re just the family lawyer so get off my back.” Sehun snarled.

Luhan’s jaws hardened and met Sehun’s glare. “I promised my father that I won’t let this case lose, Sehun. But more importantly, you’re my friend – no, you’re already a brother to me so I’m going to do everything I can so you can have what’s rightfully yours.”

“I don’t need it.” He muttered bitterly.

“Listen, if you won’t show up on the next trial, you’re uncle’s going to remove you from the family and extract from you everything that you have. Even that apartment you’re living in right now. You can’t let that happen.”

Sehun’s hands balled into fists but he willed himself to keep his calm. “He can do whatever he wants and I won’t care.”

“Sehun, you have to take –“

“He has the right to do that since I’m my mother’s bastard son. I never belonged in that family. You do remember when I spent more than a month at your house and my father never cared.” He chuckled darkly. “He’ll be glad that I’m going to lose everything.”

Luhan lowered his gaze. “I’m sure he loved you, Sehun.”

“That’s bull.”

“Your father won’t leave you everything he had if he didn’t.”

“Quit ting me, Luhan. He didn’t even know he was going to die that day. I just happened to be the son of his cheating wife so I conveniently got everything.”

Luhan didn’t respond right after. He knew that Sehun was still beyond his reach right now. Nothing he would say can change the younger one’s mind. Sehun was still trapped in the misery of what his past brought him. But he’s not giving up just yet because he didn’t want his friend to be left with nothing. He didn’t want to Sehun to suffer more than he already had.

Minseok came back and silently brought them their drinks, sensing the tension between the two. He didn’t want to intervene so he quickly left. Sehun took one of the glasses in his hand and took it in one shot. Too many things happened that day and he just wanted to tune it all out of his head.

Luhan quietly drunk his and Sehun was relieved that he didn’t say anything more. He didn’t want to deal with his family s right now. Not ever. He just couldn’t get why Luhan was hell bent on helping him with this. Sehun was better off without whatever was left of his so-called ‘family’.

“I’m moving in around here.” Luhan spoke after awhile. He guessed that Sehun had too much to deal with that day. He’ll just open it up again some other time. “I’m starting my own law firm here in Seoul.”

“I didn’t ask.”

A small smile crossed Luhan’s face. “I know. I just like to share my plans with you. We used to tell each other everything, anyway.”

“That was a long time ago. Get over it.” Sehun coldly replied.

“I know you’re mad at me for leaving without a word five years ago. I was also dealing with my parents’ divorce so I didn’t hesitate to leave for America to study law. If I had known that.. this would happen to you, I should’ve said something to you first.”

“Again, it was a long time ago already. Nothing you say would change anything, anyway.”

Luhan’s lips spread for a sad smile. “But I still hope we can go back to the way we were. Or maybe you can just let me be a friend to you again. I can barely recognize you now, to be honest.” He let out a sigh. “How are Jongin and Chanyeol, by the way? I saw that you three are still together earlier at the dance recital.”

“We’re just attending the same university.”

“I see.” Luhan took a sip of his alcohol. “What about your girlfriend? I heard that she’s living in with you.”

Sehun’s head snapped at the side to look at Luhan, surprised that the older one knew about it. “How did you..”

“Minseok told me. I’ve been asking him about you, ever since he told me he knew that you were the same Sehun I told him about before. Don’t worry, he doesn’t know much.” He chuckled lightly. “He just said that you’ve been troubled about this girl. What’s her name?”

“I’m not obliged to tell you.” Sehun’s grip on his empty glass tightened. He remembered Daesom not showing up on his dance recital again. She wouldn’t be living with him anymore, anyway. He decided to just let her go back to Kris or her brother or whoever. He already had too much disappointment in his life to last a lifetime.

“I’ll know soon enough.” There was a pause before Luhan said something again. And Sehun wished that he didn’t.

“I met Sae Hee a few days ago.”

Sehun gripped the glass tighter than it already was, his other hand balling into a fist. “Oh yeah?” He whispered in a dangerous tone.

“She asked me about you. About how you’re doing.” Luhan continued, despite sensing Sehun’s hatred for the said girl. “She hopes that she could talk to you again.”

Sehun abruptly stood up with the stool he sat on screeched against the polished floor. His chest was heaving from trying to contain his anger. “Tell her don’t count on it. I’m leaving.” He got his wallet and took out a bill, placing it on the counter before he strode out to leave the place without another word.

Luhan didn’t bother stopping him; he didn’t want to directly meet with Sehun’s wrath. He contented himself with whatever was left of his drink and felt sorry for completely ruining the younger one’s day. He just believed that the way for Sehu