Jongin was busy reading his speech as the new president when his phone went off:

I georineun wanjeon nanriya,

Saramdeul saineun namiya,

Hamkkehaneun mae sungani like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, whaddup~  

He checked out the clock that stood innocently on his table ‘12:00am.. Who’s this?’ He wondered, mumbling a greeting on auto-pilot, but before he could ask who it was, the recipient’s voice rose to reply him, “Yoboseyo..” His heart tripped down four steps before reassuming it’s regular pace. He cleared his throat, “May I know who’s this, please?” Jongin asked, taking a sip of his cold chocolate, and thinking, ‘Why does this voice seem so familiar..’

“Does it matter who I am, that’s not the most imperative priority of ours at the moment, is it?” The voice drawled again in that luscious, languorous manner. Jongin glowered, he wanted to get back to his work, wanted to ignore the phone call, but.. he couldn’t. There was something in that voice, something in the manner in which the person spoke that pulled him in. His eyes flitted towards the paperwork that adorned his table, “Look, I’m really busy, and if this is just some kind of joke, please, spare me. I’ve got some urgent business to take care of here.” Jongin was gentle in his rebuke, he did not understand those people who got pissed for no reason over something as silly a prank call.

A discreet sob had his ears perked, up, did he hear right? The mystery speaker inhaled, unwittingly choking on his breath, confirming his suspicions. Now he was even more intrigued, damn his inquisitiveness! “Hey,” he spoke into the phone, “what’s wrong?”

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Kyungsoo cursed his loose lips, biting his lower lip as he unintentionally snivelled, cringing in total embarrassment while hoping to God the soft-spoken stranger hadn’t heard him. “Hey,” the soft, husky timbre filtered in, “what’s wrong?” The stranger prompted, voice soft and tender. And despite the mortification that burned his face and ears, something in Kyungsoo broke free. All of his emotion, held at bay until now, came gushing out like a river contained by a dam so long, finally on the rampage.”I- I just- He left- I don’t- With broken words and occasional sobs breaking here and there on sensitive parts, Kyungsoo relived his tale of woe to the stranger..

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“And- another sob, this time slower, more subdued, interrupted the mystery voice’s owner before they got to the closure, “he left, just like that.” Jongin glanced at the clock, 1:03am, they’d gone on talking for an hour.

He did not ever remember staying up this late talking on the phone, even with his love interests, he noted amusedly. Though this was decidedly on an entire different league compared to those inconsequential empty talks, because someone actually talked to him. As a person.  Jongin was delighted at the refreshing turn of events; it has been far too long since someone had talked to him properly, without cowering in fear due to his position as the future CEO, or throwing themselves at him when he was in a more laid-back manner, lounging at his clubs for that matter. He’d grown tired of people listening to him all the time, and wanted to listen to someone for a change. Wanted to be the one to state opinions and ideas instead of merely nodding in agreement or murmuring a low ‘No’ when he couldn’t give his consent.

“What should I do? I love him so much..”

“Well, I think you should just ditch him.” Jongin stated coolly, wondering what would this unidentified person think of him. The line went silent for a moment, and then he heard some rustling, like fabrics sliding against each other before it settled and a disconsolate, “It’s not that simple,” came in softly through the speaker of his phone. Jongin raised a single eyebrow, not bothering with the fact that the person was not even in front of him, “It’s not?”

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Kyungsoo took in another laboured breath, “You don’t understand, its– he fished for words, “it’s hard, I’ve never loved anyone like that, so hard and completely. How am I supposed to forget him in a matter of few days? We were together for 5 years for God’s sake!” Kyungsoo was just short of bellowing, before he remembered that he was here, in the middle of the night, conversing with a stranger. Shouldn’t he be more courteous?

 He rubbed in temple, “Sorry,” he apologised. It wasn’t the stranger’s fault for not understanding, they didn’t even know each other, how should he know how Kyungsoo felt? In fact, he shouldn’t even be giving Kyungsoo a single minute of his time, but not only this stranger was considerate enough to listen to his miserable – and pathetic – story, he also put up with unreasonably childish tantrums, he should be grateful!

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“It’s okayh, I understand.” Did he really? He wasn’t sure, all he knew was that he did not want lose this stranger’s conviviality, Jongin realised. For some strange, inexplicable reasons, he – future CEO of EXO Inc. – did not want to be seen in a bad light by this unknown, unfamiliar foreigner. He could be from overseas for all Jongin knew (yes, despite that flawless Korean he spoke, it isn’t that hard of a language to learn!). A slow, contrite laughter came from the other end, “This is so weird, don’t you think? Gods, it’s already over 1am, I didn’t even realise!”

Jongin smiled, a hand moving to cover his mouth as he released the yawn he’d been holding back. “I really – Wow.. Thanks. Like, seriously. I feel so much better now! You’re awesome~” Jongin laughed, “Glad I could help out.” Another smile, he barely realised the constant quirk of his lips. “Well then, I guess, it’s a good night for us. Or should it be a good morning?” Jongin laughed again, though it wasn’t even that funny. But somehow, he felt a pang at their farewell, but all good things had to come to an end, so he wished a sweet “Good night..” and went to bed, deciding that he would bother with his script tomorrow morning. After all, he was the CEO.