The restaurant, as expected, was fancy. It was a five-star restaurant, and he used to go here with his mom before. As they entered the place, they were welcomed by a man in a formal suit.

“Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?” He nodded. “May I please ask for your name?”

“I’m Jackson Wang”

“Oh, hello, sir. Mr. Wang has been expecting you, right this way.”

He took Mark’s hand and followed the man. His boyfriend’s hand was cold as ice, and even he was getting a bit nervous.

He was sure that his grandfather wouldn’t try anything, not in a place like this. If the man would try anything, the only option he had, at this point, was to just give up and run away with Mark.

Though, he had to give the benefit of the doubt. His grandfather did ask for a truce. Even though he was sceptical, family was family.

“Mark” He called out. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I’ll try my best. This is still your grandfather we’re talking about, Jackson.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here, everything will be fine.”

“I know”

The man them to a secluded area, a place where there were less people. It seemed that his grandfather prepared for this, which made him think that there must be something the man wanted to say. He braced himself for the worst, and he wished that Mark did, too.

They went through a lot, even though their relationship was still in its early stages. They were just two people in love, why was that so hard to ask for?

“Hello, grandfather, mother.”

“Hello, boys” His grandfather welcomed. His mother gave a bright smile and asked them to sit down. “I’m glad you could make it. Hello, Mark.”

“Good evening, sir, Mrs. Wang.”

They sat across the two. His grandfather called for the waiter, and it seemed that the food was already ordered in advance. He glanced at Mark, who still looked uncomfortable. He held on the other’s hand, giving it a light squeeze. It was assurance, that everything was fine.

“Have you packed your things, Jackson?”

“Not fully, grandfather. I don’t need to bring much, I’ll only be gone for two years.”

“About that-“

But, it was put on hold since the food finally arrived. The waiter placed the plates carefully. Soon, the man finished and left.

“Going back” The man sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Jackson, but you have to stay there for five years.”

His eyes widened. Nothing like that was mentioned, because it was agreed that he would only be finishing his studies there, which would only sum up to two years. Was this the plan all along?

“Dad, I thought we agreed that he would be staying there for two years? He doesn’t need to stay there for that long.”

“I know, Sophia.” The man sighed. “But, it wasn’t my decision, it was the board.”

“The board?” She asked. “Why would they ask for five years?”

“They reasoned out that the next head director of the company should be at least experienced. I’ll be retiring soon, and the only heir was Jackson. They insisted that after his studies, he should get experience from our company based in Hongkong.”

Two years was bad enough, but five years? Though, it seemed that his grandfather had nothing to do with this. The board of directors for their company were made up of influential people, so they expected highly of the heir. He glanced at Mark again, and it seemed that his boyfriend was having a hard time processing the information they just learned.

“I’m sorry, Jackson. I tried to talk to them, but they had a valid argument. God knows how hard I tried to talk them out of it. Even if I’m the head, the company is still composed of board members. Don’t think of it as me trying to separate you and Mark.”

He never expected something like this. As hard as he braced himself, this was the worst and the most unexpected thing he would be hearing. Mark hand’s pulled away.

“Please, excuse me.”

Mark said something about using the bathroom. His grandfather looked so disappointed while his mother didn’t say anything. It seemed that there was nothing they could do.

“I only knew of this a while ago, Jackson. I want your happiness, of course, but this decision wasn’t mine to make.” Indeed, there was nothing they could do anymore. “You should go check on Mark.”

He searched for the bathroom, and as he walked, he stumbled on someone. “I’m sorry I wasn’t looking-“

“Jackson?”

“Jaebum?”

“Hey, man, how have you been?” The other said, helping him up. “I guess you’re having dinner with Mark, small world.”

He nodded. “What about you?”

“Oh, I was with Jinyoung and he said he’ll use the bathroom.”

He rushed to the bathroom. The idea of Jinyoung and Mark in one place made him feel very uneasy. He pushed the door open, and there they were, in each other’s arms. He wanted to pull his boyfriend, right there and then, but he had to understand how his lover was feeling right now.

Mark needed comfort, but he wanted to be the one to give that. He was the boyfriend. That was supposed to be him.

“What are you two doing?” It was Jaebum who asked, and he was glad it didn’t come from him. “Why are you two hugging?”

He could see the two pull away from each other. “Mark was crying”

“I think you should let them talk, Jinyoung.” Jaebum suggested. “Let’s give them space.”

He was expecting a protest, but nothing of the sorts happened. Jinyoung quickly agreed