Chapter 4

‘BOOOMM’

Jackson jolted awake by the roaring thunder, it was raining cats and dogs outside.

He rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes before turning to check on Mark, just to realize he wasn't there.

Worried, Jackson slipped out of bed and start searching for the older  and to his relief, Mark was found seated at the dining table, busy stirring his hot drink.

“Hey” Jackson greeted softly, slipping in on the empty seat beside the older before resting his head on the table, eyes watching Mark,

“Hey, why are you awake?” Mark questioned, wondering why the younger was up and awake at four in the morning.

“Thunder, you?” Jackson answered, yawning a bit since he still sleepy and the table it’s somehow comfortable in his book.

“My dad called.” Mark said, offering his hot chocolate to the younger who gladly accept it and take a sip. 

“Oh right, it's daytime there.” Jackson exclaimed, remembering how Mark’s family are all at the other side of the world, in LA.

Mark nodded before getting up to make another cup for himself, while Jackson eyed him with a question in mind.

“Did you tell him about us?” Jackson decided to just go for it, he’s really curious about the older family’s reaction to everything.

“I did, I explained everything to him. Don’t worry.” Mark replied, taking a seat back before concentrating on stirring his drink.

“It’s not that, I just didn’t want you to get into trouble because of me.” Jackson shook his head, not wanting Mark to misunderstand his intention, he just didn’t want a friction to appear because of him.

“Don’t worry, Mandu. My dad understands and support my decision, he knows that I’m capable of making the right decision.” Mark assured, knowing clearly that the younger only asked out of curiosity, not anything else.

The younger nodded before he continue sipping on his drink, mind fill up with the older previous words.

“So...you think this marriage was a right decision? You didn’t regret it?” Jackson asked after a silence pause as he look at the older with curious eyes.

“Regret? Am I supposed to regret when I earned such a wonderful set of parent in law and a best friend like husband from this marriage?” Mark answered, smiling softly at Jackson because he meant every word he said, he had rather a relationship like this than being with a cheater who couldn’t accept his every being.

He might sound like a heartless jerk if people hears his thoughts but he didn’t want to linger in the past for too long, it wasn’t good for him nor everybody else.

“Even without love?” Jackson wondered, touched by the older’s words to be honest since he never expected for Mark to feel that way about this marriage, he had expected for the older to be bitter about the whole thing and slowly regretted it.

“Love? I don’t need it if it’s just gonna hurt me everytime.” Mark exclaimed, smiling bitterly at the memories of his heartbreaks, he only dated twice in his life but both times leave him with such big wounds that never really heal, it was just hidden well.

Jackson could only nod, he somehow got a vibe that Mark had a lot of wounds hidden because of love.

“Did you already finish preparing everything for today? Ma already pumped up for it, she is just so excited.” Mark asked, changing the topic to lighten up the atmosphere after seeing how Jackson was lost in his own thoughts after his words.

“It’s done, the guests are coming at around three. I didn’t invite much people though, just my friends and some close acquaintances. How about you?” Jackson answered, remembering how his mother had suggested a housewarming party a few days ago and he had like the idea since he can get to hang out with people dear to him and thanked them especially Jaebum and Youngjae that had made the whole wedding plan with Mark, possible.

“Just one, a close friend of mine from work.” Mark exclaimed, he had decided to invite just his manager since Henry was aware about this whole situation and his identity wouldn’t be at a risk of being reveal.

Jackson nodded, finishing his hot chocolate before bring his and Mark’s empty cup to the sink.

“Let’s get some sleep now, we need to look stunning later for our guests.” Jackson exclaimed dramatically before bursting out into laughter with Mark.

“Let’s go, princess. Time for your beauty sleep.” Jackson teased again after their laughter died down before scoping the complaining older up in bridal style and bring him upstairs.

+++++++++++++

“Can’t you hurry up, you're taking forever to get ready.” Youngjae nagged, shaking his head at his boyfriend whose was still busy styling his hair in front of the mirror.

“I have to look amazing, my dear. Stop hurrying me.” Jaebum hollered from their shared room, humming to the music playing in the background while Youngjae who was waiting on the couch just rolled his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter, there will be no ladies available to swoon over you.” Youngjae commented, knowing how his boyfriend love getting the ladies attention on him, it’s like a hobby of his.

“Aww, are you jealous? All this is only for you.” Jaebum teased, appearing out of the room before glomping his younger boyfriend on the couch.

“I know, now hurry up.” Youngjae replied before nagging again causing Jaebum to chuckle before he run back into the room to finish getting ready.

Youngjae’s phone suddenly rang, Bambam’s number flashing on his screen which caused him to sigh a bit since he wasn’t in the mood to deal with the other but still he pick up anyway since it might be an important call.

“Yes, Bam.” Youngjae answered, wondering what so important that Bambam is calling them on a Saturday.

“Hey, do you guys wanna hang out, maybe a double date? We are bored to death.” Bambam replied, suggesting the plan since he knows the other two as been ignoring them since the wedding incident which is unfair since they are all best friends, all five of them and the pair decided to take side with the pathetic Jackson.

Youngjae rolled his eyes at the offer, knowing clearly that they are trying to patch things up and act like nothing happened or changed between them but sadly it did, they hurt Jackson badly and it was enough to make Youngjae mad at them.

“Who?” Jaebum mouthed, appearing beside the other before Youngjae whispered back.

“Bambam, he is asking us out for a double date.” Youngjae informed, whispering to Jaebum since he didn’t want Bambam who's at the other end to overheard him.

Jaebum hummed in understanding, knowing for sure his boyfriend gonna reject the offer since they are heading to Jackson’s house warming party in a bit but then an idea pops up.

He quickly took over the device from Youngjae before he can reject, smirking at the idea hatching in his brain.

“Hey, Bam.” Jaebum greeted, waiting for the other to returned his greeting.

“Hey JB, did you hear about the offer?” Bambam greeted back, wondering if the couple are into his plan or not because they are definitely taking a while to decide.

“Actually, we are invited to a party today and we are heading out soon but if you guys wanna tag along, we can pick you guys up along the way.” Jaebum offered causing Youngjae’s eyes to widen, staring at his boyfriend in horror because this was definitely not a good idea at all.

“Really? Of course, wouldn’t wanna miss out on the fun. You can pick us up at my apartment.” Bambam exclaimed in excitement, liking this idea way better because who wouldn’t wanna to go and party on a weekend.

“Alright, see you guys in a bit.” Jaebum exclaimed before ending the call, smirking in satisfaction at the fact he managed to bait them into the plan without much effort since he knows how much both individual loves to party.

“Are you serious? It will ruin the party.” Youngjae asked in disbelief, still not over the fact that his boyfriend actually invited that two along.

“Don’t worry. It will be fine.” Jaebum assured before dragging his worried partner to get ready and head out before making their way to Bambam’s apartment.

By the time they reached in front of the apartment building, the annoying pair was already waiting on the sidewalk, busy whispering sweet nothing into each other. 

Youngjae almost puked at the sight causing Jaebum to chuckled before they boarded the backseat of the car, greeting the pair at the front.

After the greeting, it was pretty much silence throughout the whole drive with each pair chatting among themselves.

When they finally reached in front of the villa, all of them couldn’t believe their eyes at how beautiful it is especially Bambam who has been eyeing this villa for the past couple of years, it’s actually his dream house and to see it in person, it was too amazing.

He wondered who was lucky person who had purchased this villa, it was too expensive for even him whose family owns a chain of restaurants back in Thailand to afford it.

“Who’s house is it, JB?” Bambam asked, wondering if Jaebum had any other super rich friends that he wasn’t aware about because the only one that comes from a high class family background in their circle is him and Jinyoung.

Jinyoung’s family owned a lot of resorts and spas in Korea and Japan.

“You will see.” Jaebum replied before the four alight the vehicle and headed for the door, Youngjae ringing the doorbell for them.

Inside the villa, Jackson and Mr Wang was busy chatting with Henry while Mark was helping Mrs Wang with the finishing touches at their buffet area.

Upon hearing the doorbell rings, Jackson smiles in excitement since he was waiting for Jaebum and Youngjae and it seems that they are already here.

He quickly excused himself from the other two before heading for the door, ready to welcome the pair but instead was shocked when he saw the two individual behind them, staring back at him with same shocked look.

“Jacks, it’s a beautiful place you got here. Congrats.” Jaebum exclaimed, trying to break the awkwardness appearing, giving Jackson a brotherly hug.

“I’m jealous.” Youngjae added, smiling at Jackson before giving him a hug too.

“Thanks guys, come in.” Jackson answered, focusing back on the front pair before he invited them in.

“I bring these guys along too since they are bored to death, hope you don’t mind.” Jaebum informed, pointing at the silence two behind him before walking in with Youngjae.

Jackson could only nod, speechless as he signalled the two to come in too out of courtesy.

“JB, Youngjae.” Mrs Wang exclaimed in delight, happy to see the sweet boys again as the pair greeted her with a hug each, chatting a bit before her eyes set on the akward two beside her son.

“Who is this two, Gaga?” Mrs Wang questioned since it’s two new faces to her, if she remembered correctly they wasn’t presence at the wedding.

“My friends, Jinyoung and Bambam, Ma.” Jackson introduced awkwardly since he wasn’t sure if they are even friends anymore but for his Ma’s sake, he just keep it ‘simple’.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jackson’s mother.” Mrs Wang introduced, smiling kindly at the two who seem a bit taken aback but bowed out of respect.

“Come, let’s chat more in the living room.” Mrs Wang suggested before heading towards the living room where her husband was having fun chatting with the funny Henry.

“Dear, the boys are here.” Mrs Wang called out to her husband before they greeted the older Wang with Jackson introducing the two again, causing Mr Wang to identify the person that had ditched his son.

Upon everyone settling down, Mrs Wang noticed that her beloved Yi En wasn’t there and as she was about to asked Jackson to look for the older when Mark appeared from the kitchen area.

“Yi En, come and join us.” Mrs Wang called out causing all eyes to be on Mark, especially a pair that wasn’t expecting to see his ex here out of all places.

Mark who was too overwhelmed by the eyes watching him, quickly made his way to seat in between Jackson and his mother in law, without realizing Jinyoung was staring at him.

“Mark hyung, it’s nice to see you again.” Jaebum purposely greeted, causing Mark to smile towards his and Youngjae’s direction before greeting them, it was then he realized who was seating beside Youngjae.

“This is Jinyoung and Bambam, they were the ones that couldn’t make it to the wedding.” Jaebum introduced while Mark just nodded before turning to look at Jackson with questioning eyes.

Jackson who was also lost at the situation could only entwined his fingers with Mark’s, making sure they both could make it through facing their ex.

“Wedding?” Bambam muttered out lost since he was for sure didn’t expect a wedding to happened because he wasn’t there.

Meanwhile Jinyoung wasn’t really liking what he's seeing, those soft hands only belongs to him and Jackson had no right to touch them.

“Silly, Bam. Did you forget that they both got married, see those rings?” Jaebum purposely exclaimed causing both sets of eyes to look towards Mark and Jackson and for sure, they both had wedding rings on.

The cheater pair looked at each other, both too shocked to even said anything since they were expecting their ex to be a mess who can’t live with them not happily married to each other while living in a freaking huge villa.

Jackson could sense things are slowly heading towards awkwardness again so he quickly announced at how everyone can start enjoying the foods and drinks prepared.

Jackson make sure to stay by Mark’s side, silently supporting each other and luckily his Ma was there to chat with the older, it keeps Mark’s mind off Jinyoung.

In the other end of the room, the pair was busy eyeing their ex in envy while still trying to figure out how in the world that these two ended up, married.

The whole event just passed by with around twenty guests attending throughout the event, Jaebum had decided to stay back a bit to help with cleaning together with Youngjae and therefore the jealous two had to stay back and continue watching Jackson’s skinship towards Mark in annoyance.

“My sweetheart, you must be tired.” Mrs Wang exclaimed in mandarin, babying Mark while they were all seated, taking a rest from after clearing up while Mr Wang and Jaebum had went out to throw the garbage while the others watches the mother and son pair including Jackson who was pouting.

“Ma, how can you do this?” Jackson complained in the same language, glaring at Mark who chuckled before pinching Jackson’s nose, the younger was just too cute.

“Gaga, stop bullying my baby.” Mrs Wang teased in english this time round, it was common for them to switched back and forth in between those languages in these house at least.

“But I’m your baby..” Jackson complained, glaring again at Mark which earned him a smack from his Pa this time round who apparently had returned with Jaebum who was totally amused by that scene.

“How can you be Ma’s baby now? You are Yi En’s baby now.” Mr Wang teased his son causing Jackson to blushed while Mark just chuckled at his red cheeks.

“Aww, come here my Mandu.” Mark continued the teasing before approaching the younger with a big hug and kissy sounds, it was one of those rare time when his playful side kicks in something Jinyoung, himself never sees before.

Jinyoung couldn’t help but to wondered why he never gets to see that side of the older before while Bambam was super annoyed by the fact that Jackson’s attention was on that Mark the whole time, not even sparing him a glance.

“We should probably get going, thank you for having us here.” Jaebum exclaimed, seeing how the two idiot already burning in jealousy and he had enough fun for the day.

Jackson quickly jolted up, running away from kissy Mark to bid his friends goodbye while Mark run after him and the Wang pair chuckled at their sons cuteness.

“Thank you, guys.” Jackson thanked, giving Jaebum and Youngjae a tighter hug this time round to express his gratefulness while Mark smiled, watching that beautiful friendship they shared.

“Mark hyung, I had fun hanging out today. Let’s meet up often.” Youngjae exclaimed excitedly, he couldn’t help but to fall for the older’s charms, Mark instantly becomes his favourite hyung from today onwards.

“Sure, let’s exchange numbers before you go.” Mark smiled, quickly exchanging number with the younger who can’t hold back his excitement.

“Hey, you got JB! How dare you ask for my Mandu’s number?” Jackson complained, instantly back hugging Mark who just chuckled while he glared at the poor Youngjae.

“Bummie.” Youngjae pouted, hiding behind the amused Jaebum before he smacked Jackson’s back to revenge his poor boyfriend.

“How dare you? My Jaejae only loves me.” Jaebum hissed jokingly, glaring back at Jackson while wrapping his hand around the grinning Youngjae’s waist.

“Dimsum…” Jackson whined this time round, rubbing the sore spot causing Mark to cooed at his poor Mandu, his cheeks to cheer him up.

“Too cute!” Youngjae squealed like a fanboy, this two skinship was too much for him while Jaebum just smirked at seeing how his two ignored friends watching the newlyweds with mouth wide open, a scene that they definitely didn’t expect to witness.

“Come guys, let’s go. We don’t want to disturb this lovebirds any longer.” Jaebum exclaimed before climbing into his car with Youngjae in tow while the other two still seems in a shock.

“Thanks for coming, Bambam shii, Jinyoung shii.” Jackson thanked formally, still not letting go of Mark from that position as he rested his chin on the older shoulder.

“Yes, we appreciated it. It was nice meeting you two for the first time.” Mark added, a bit of sarcasticness making it through when he said ‘first time’, faking a smile at the two which obviously ticked off Jinyoung, his cold and sarcastic side was one of the thing that Jinyoung hated most.

“Jacky..” Bambam called out, trying to get a private moment with Jackson because he can’t stand the fact that he didn’t even get a single attention from his ex throughout the whole event until now.

It was all about that Mark who's in his embrace right now.

“Let’s go, Babe. It’s late.” Jinyoung dragged Bambam away before Jackson could answer, knowing that the other is starting to waver after seeing his ex with someone else which happens to be his Markie.

“Are you alright?” Mark whispered, worrying about the younger as they watch Jaebum’s car drives away in the bright moonlight.

“I’m fine, still hanging in there.” Jackson replied, surprised that he managed to handle the throbbing pain well today despite facing Bambam for almost half a day.

“Good job!” Mark praised, turning to look at Jackson before ruffling his hair with a sweet smile on his face.

Unconsciously, Jackson couldn’t help it but to pulled the older into a tight hug before whispering ‘you too’ into his ear, causing Mark to smile brighter as he rested his head on Jackson’s shoulder.

+++++++++++++

“Yi En, come and give me another hug.” Mrs Wang exclaimed, hugging her son in law for the tenth time today, she just can’t seems to let go of her ‘sweetheart’ that was how the jealous Jackson puts it.

Jackson rolled his eyes, watching his mother reminding and fussing over Mark while ignoring the poor him, Mr Wang could only laugh at his poor son.

“Ma, it’s not like you are not gonna see him again. Can you please hug your poor son instead?” Jackson complained causing both, Mrs Wang and Mark to laugh at him before she signaled the complaining baby for a big hug.

“I will miss you, Gaga.” Mrs Wang whispered, her son’s cheeks before turning to look at Mark, pulling him in for a group hug.

“I will miss you, both. Take good care of each other.” Mrs Wang exclaimed before giving them both a kiss on a cheek each which cause Mark to miss his own mother so much right now, he’s thankful that he has another mother figure in his life now.

The pair then moved on to bid Mr Wang goodbye with another group hug before the older pair proceed to check in for their flight back to Hong Kong.

“Remember to call once you reached back home.” Jackson hollered out as they waved goodbye to the pair who seems upset to be separating from the newlyweds especially Mrs Wang.

Once they are sure that Jackson’s parents had safely checked in, they decided to head for dinner outside before heading back home.

Jackson had brought Mark to one of his favourite place for noodles since he was craving for it and immediately Mark fall in love with it just from the first spoonful.

“Told you, this is heaven.” Jackson exclaimed, glad that Mark was enjoying it as much as he did.

Mark nodded as he continue sipping the soup, he can’t denied how delicious this is but there is something that is bugging him.

“Jackson, I think I will just return back to my apartment later so you can rest well and have your personal space tonight.” Mark muttered out, knowing clearly that he was no longer needed to be by the younger’s side since his mother wasn’t here anymore to put up the act for.

Jackson immediately stop eating upon hearing those word, staring at Mark who was looking at him with a small smile.

He knows it’s weird to feel this way since they just know each other for two weeks but he didn’t like the idea of Mark moving out, he wants the older by his side.

“Mark, can you stay for me? I don’t want to be left alone.” Jackson pouted, pleading with his eyes because right now, he needed support the most and Mark never failed to make him feel needed and loved even if just as a friend.

Mark wanted to reject but he couldn’t especially seeing how Jackson looked so lost and scared, he just can’t leave the younger alone just like that.

“Fine, only because you are too cute for your own good.” Mark agrees causing Jackson to cheered before he glomped the older from the back in the middle of the restaurant which earned weird looks from others but Jackson didn’t care, he was too happy to care.

Without the pair realizing, there is a pair  of eyes watching them at the entrance and he was definitely wasn’t happy at the sight he just witnessed.

“Jackson doesn’t belong to you, he belongs to me.” Bambam hissed under his breath, glaring at Mark before walking away, forgetting his every intention to get his dinner there.

A/N: Hi sweeties, I'm back feeling so much better therefore I got this chapter done for this week update thanks to all of you guys awesome support. Hopefully you guys like the housewarming party part and per usual, share with me your thoughts :)
 
BIG THANKS TO markintuan, elenita, Kitty FartingBubbles, woolipop, angahchan, 101349, lionroars, Shebum, blxxdinfections, Reikma, gellafish, WindGuardian, mcamp78, purple_pearl, Tiffany122, ChocoPancake and Powchie FOR SUBSCRIBING! 
 
<3 InfinitelyCassie