Chapter III
MillenniumI was so saddened by the lack of reaction from the second chapter that I almost didn't update today. I know I shouldn't, but love writing so much I am affected by how my stories are received, and the lack of feedback was a blow. I was thinking for a long time if I continue this or not... So I would like to thank Silentsparkle, who encouraged me and convinced me to not give up. Thanks a lot !
Woohyun had just finished his shift and he truly needed a drink so he went to the bar. He was sipping slowly on his mojito when his phone buzzed in his jacket. He looked at the screen and cursed, rolling his eyes.
“Aish, just leave me alone.” He muttered before refusing the call.
“Something’s wrong ?” Sungyeol asked from behind the bar.
“Just my ex harassing me to go back together.” Woohyun mumbled. “He’s been like this since I came back to Korea and he’s not taking no for an answer.”
“Wasn’t that two years ago ?” Sungyeol said.
“Just as I said, the guy is stubborn.” Woohyun said. “If only I could ask for a restraining order…” he sighed.
“Why don’t you ? I mean, if that guy is harassing you it must be quite scary…” Sungyeol mumbled.
“He can’t because he’s a celebrity. And you’re exaggerating hyung, he is not that bad. Despite pinning hard for you, he is totally armless.” Sungjong said, coming over the bar to give back empty glasses and hand to Sungyeol another command. “I need two cosmos and one daiquiri please.”
“Woohyun hyung, you dated a celebrity ?” Sungyeol asked with wide eyes while preparing Sungjong’s drinks.
“He wasn’t one when I met him.” Woohyun defended himself.
“That’s why you broke up with him. Because he became an idol.” Sungjong said, nudging him.
“Yah, take your plate and go to work.” Woohyun told him.
Sungjong gave him an unimpressed look before taking leaving to serve his customers in the restaurant.
“Seriously hyung, who is it ?” Sungyeol asked out of curiosity.
“Why do you care ?”
“Well, I never saw you dating anyone before. I wonder what kind of men you go for.” Sungyeol said in a sassy manner, resting in chin on his hand.
“Well, surely not your type.” Woohyun retorted to make him shut up.
But everything seemed to be against him as the giant screen displaying music videos showed the newest MV of INFINITE H.
“ that , I’m off.” Woohyun let a wad of cash on the counter before leaving. Sungyeol looked at Woohyun’s back, then the screen where Hoya was singing.
“Don’t tell me…” he said, mouth agape by shock. “Sungjong-ah !” he intercepted the young waiter as the came for a drink refill. “Woohyun dated Hoya from INIFINITE H ?” he asked.
“I’m surprised he told you.” Sungjong said. “He doesn’t like speaking about him.”
“He didn’t tell me. I just deducted.” Sungyeol said. “I could have bet that dude was straight.” He said as he looked at the giant screen, still not over the news.
“Well that’s sad. I would have bet and made a whole bunch of money out of you if I had known.” Sungjong smirked before leaving.
“So, you guys worked hard.” Their producer told them as the duet had been summoned to his office for a talk in the morning before their schedule. “You did well on variety and music shows, you won a few prizes. To reward you, I will give you one free day. You will be led to a hotel tonight and you would be able to rest all day tomorrow. You will have access to all the facilities of the hotel so enjoy it well and relax.”
The two men looked happy but Dongwoo couldn’t help but ask the question that was burning his tongue.
“Which hotel ?”
“Sungyeol-ah, be nice and give me something strong please.” Sunggyu asked.
The barman looked at his boss, surprised. It was unusual for the man to ask for a strong drink during the day, and it was barely one in the afternoon. He complied anyway, doing a cocktail made of vodka before placing it on the counter.
“Going somewhere ?” Sungyeol couldn’t help but ask when he saw Sunggyu with a rolling suitcase.
“I'll fly to New York at four.” Sunggyu answered. “You know Millennium is planning to extend its hotel chain out of Asia right ? I found a potential business partner for a spot in Manhattan so I plan on meeting him and check on some things.” He said, gulping his vodka in one go, making a gesture of the hand to ask for another.
“Yes, I heard about it.” Sungyeol said, doing him the same drink. “You must be happy, your work is paying off.”
“I am, but I always need a few drinks before going on a long plane journey to be able to sleep. I can’t sleep in a plane being completely sober.”
“Well, you could have asked for those expensive bottles of wine they have in business class.” The bartender chuckled.
“I rather drink your cocktails. They taste better.” His boss said casually, but Sungyeol blushed at the compliment.
“It’s good to know you appreciate my work.” He said.
“Please, do you seriously think you’ll be at this bar if I didn’t ? I only hire the bests of the bests for Millennium.”
“I’ll take this as a compliment.” Sungyeol giggled. “When do you have to leave ?”
Sunggyu checked his watch before answering.
“I have to be at the airport around two in the afternoon, so I’m going to leave now in case there is traffic.”
“Ok. When will you be back ?”
“I don’t know yet. A week at most.” The young CEO told him. “Soojung is in charge during my leave, so refer to her as you would to me.”
“Alright then. Goodbye hyung.” Sungyeol said, squeezing in shoulder in a friendly manner.
Sunggyu cracked a smile at his dongsaeng gesture and did the same before biding him goodbye.
“Woohyun hyung, you should leave early tonight.” Sungjong told the Chef when they were taking their break after the lunch rush.
“Why ?” the man asked.
“Howon hyung texted me to say their company offered INFINITE H a stay at Millennium to relax, tonight and tomorrow. He asked at what time you got off from work. I love you both, but I don’t want you to be put in an awkward situation. This is your workplace after all.” Sungjong said, looking a bit torn.
Woohyun extended his hand to ruffle his hair.
“Thanks kiddo.” He whispered. “I will be careful.”
Woohyun took time from his break to go talk to Sunggyu. He had to have his day-off tomorrow. He wouldn’t face Howon, he would not.
“Woohyun-ah, are you going upstairs ?” Sungyeol asked as he saw the chef leave the restaurant.
“Yeah.” The man answered. “I have something to ask Sunggyu.”
“You missed him. He left not so long ago.” Sungyeol said.
“When he said he’s going to be back ?” Woohyun asked.
“You don’t know ?” Sungyeol asked. “He’s catching a plane to New York. He has some business there. He told me he left Soojung-shi in charge. ”
“ !” Woohyun cursed. “She won’t give me my day-off.”
“What’s the matter ?” Sungyeol inquired, seeing that his friend was upset.
“INFINITE H is coming to Millennium tonight for a short stay and it is categorically out of the question for me to be less than 5 kilometres radius away from him.”
“You mean Hoya-shi ?” Sungyeol smirked.
“Just shut up.” Woohyun scoffed. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll say I’m sick and go home early and I get a doctor giving me a sick leave.”
“So much for being away…” Sungyeol rolled his eyes. “It’s a pity for Sunggyu hyung though. He could have seen Dongwoo hyung tonight if he had not left for business. Now that I think about it, they didn’t met in a while… It must be hard for them.”
“I really admire Sunggyu hyung to be able to put up with secrecy, distance and not seeing the one you love. I cannot. I am not the kind of man who can be satisfied with this kind of relationship. When I’m in love, I want to call what’s mine mine and take the world as witness of my happiness.”
“Is that the reason why you broke up with Hoya-shi when he became an idol ?” Sungyeol smirked.
“That, among other things.” Woohyun said morosely, not wishing to extend the subject. “I leave you here Sungyeol-ah. Work well.”
Dongwoo was a jumpy person on a daily basis, but that was extreme, even for him. They were in their changing room to get ready for their Show Champion performance, and the oldest couldn’t stop moving, jumping, stretching, dancing, all the ing way around.
“Yah, did someone gave Dongwoo caffeine ?” Hoya called out as he noticed his best friend was unable to stop moving around. “You all know he’s not allowed to take that kind of stuff !”
“Howonie, I didn’t drank coffee.” Dongwoo said, encircling his neck from behind.
Hoya, who was sitting on a chair, turned his head toward him to be greeted by Dongwoo’s gummy smile.
“Keep your energy for our performance then.” He said, chasing the elder’s arms around his neck. “And for ’s sake, just call him already.” He rolled his eyes, not bearing the sight of an enamoured Dongwoo.
“Nooooo.” Dongwoo said childishly, drawling on the last syllable. “I want to surprise him.”
“I already told Sungjongie. He might have told him already.”
“I don’t think so.” Dongwoo said with a pensive frown. “Jongie would have asked if I wanted him to tell Sunggyu. I might as well ask him if I can sneak in by the staff entrance… I wonder how to go to his office from there…”
“Hang on. I don’t want to hear about… Scratch that. Just shut up already.” Hoya told him, nudging playfully.
“You should try to get in. The staff entrance gives direct access to the kitchen.” Dongwoo said with a smirk, knowing the effect that piece of info will have on his best friend.
“Oh, now you’re interesting.” Hoya leaned forward, making Dongwoo laugh.
After his chauffeur drove him to Incheon International Airport, Sunggyu walked to the boarding access, passport and boarding ticket in hand. He passed the security and customs without trouble and went to the room reserved to the business class to wait for the boarding call. He was about to shut off his phone when he thought of calling Dongwoo. The time difference between New York and Seoul was so huge he doubt he’ll be able to do so once there, busy as he would be with work and meetings. He thought about it, caressing the photo of his lover in his contact list before trying. He was directed to the voicemail automatically.
The passengers of the flight KA
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