Chapter 17
His Brother“I brought some stuff for you,” Kangta yelled from the foyer. A huge smile was on his face as he rustled the bag to inform Junjin about the goods. “I bought all the things you like and—” Kangta’s eyes met Andy’s, as the young man sat in the living room. “What are you doing in here?” the man questioned.
“Junjin invited me,” Andy replied, smiling. “He is in the shower. Let me take those.” he grabbed the bags from the older man and took them to the kitchen. Kangta smiled back. “Do you have any news?” Andy wished to hear from Eric, as he felt very guilty.
“Nothing,” Kangta said. “You are safe and sound here. No one knows you’ve disappeared.”
Andy nodded and then looked at the older man again. “Thanks for doing this. You’re a genuinely nice person.” he thanked Kangta.
The tall man chuckled and then looked over his shoulder when Junjin exited the shower. “Hyung, what are you doing in here?” Junjin interrogated happily. “What are those?” he noticed the bag of goods on the counter.
“I brought you some of your favourite foods,” Kangta responded.
“Oh, wow,” Junjin grabbed the bag from Andy’s hands and emptied the rest to the counter. “How did you know I like this?” he chose a candy bar. “Not even Minwoo hyung knows that I love this.” he laughed.
Kangta grinned. “Well, when we first met, you were eating one of those. I assumed you liked them.” he explained.
“Oh, wow, great memory.” Junjin tapped the shoulder and then looked at Andy. “Your turn to shower, babe.”
Andy nodded and smiled, bowing to Kangta, as he then walked off to the bathroom. “Any news?” Junjin asked too, oblivious that Andy had already asked the same question.
“None,” Kangta answered. “No one knows you’re missing. They assumed you’re reflecting in your apartment.”
“Have they found out who was filming me?” Junjin questioned scared. “They won’t find me here, right?”
“Don’t worry.” Kangta spoke. “You’ll be safe here. I promise.” he assured.
Junjin sighed relieved and then looked at the different snacks on the counter. “Thanks for bringing me these.” he said. “You’re a good friend, Chilhyun hyung.”
Kangta nodded and then glanced at his watch. “I gotta go.” he looked shocked. “I’ll come back another time.”
Junjin had not seen other people since Andy had come to him. Kangta had taken few weeks to visit him again, but he understood that his safety was the number one priority to the older man. If Kangta had kept coming over, hardcore fans – and the creep – would have figure out where Junjin was. Besides, living with Andy had been amazing and Junjin finally understood how much he loved him.
“See you later!” Kangta yelled from the door and then disappeared.
Everything was chaos. Nobody could find Junjin anywhere. He had abandoned his apartment, which had not seemed such a bad idea considering someone had actually broken into it. Minwoo had not been able to contact the man, and Junjin had not answered any of his texts. He was worried. “What if Junjin did something stupid…?” he spoke out loud.
“He wouldn’t,” Dongwan heard it.
“But…” Minwoo bit the bottom of his lip.
“I’m sure he is fine.” the younger man grabbed the hands. “He is just hiding somewhere, and I think that is a very good idea.”
Minwoo sighed. He had always cared about Junjin. Yeah, he had once been in love with him, but maybe he had mistaken his brotherly feelings for love. His heart was thudding loudly. He couldn’t imagine what Junjin was going through. Minwoo had the right to blame Junjin for the mess he caused, but he couldn’t. Junjin had not been able to control who he falls in love with. The man had never met the right one. And when he did, it was unfortunately forbidden.
“What is it?” Dongwan interrogated.
“I’m just…” Minwoo looked down. The younger man’s fingers were his. “I understand Junjin.” Minwoo explained. “I understand how he must feel. I understand why he is hiding. He fell in love with someone he shouldn’t have fallen in love with and now he is hurting. And I know he is reflecting and, I’m sure, he feels bad.”
Dongwan nodded. “Junjin loves Andy. But he also loves Eric. He feels awful that he fell in love with his brother’s boyfriend. That’s why he is hiding.” he told. “But I also understand Eric. He must be raging.”
“I wouldn’t want to be near him right now.” Minwoo shuddered.
The door opened to the apartment where Junjin used to live. The short men shifted their heads at the man who entered. “Any news?” Hyesung asked, worry plastering upon his face.
“None,” Minwoo shook his head. “But we are hoping to hear from him soon.”
Hyesung sighed.
“How’s Eric?” Dongwan interrogated.
“I haven’t seen him.” Hyesung rubbed his hands. “He will kill me if he hears that I knew.”
Minwoo let go off Dongwan’s hands and advanced the tall man. “He needs to know what’s going on. No one has seen him or Junjin. And…we need to check that…Andy…you know?” he spoke.
“Eric wouldn’t do that,” Hyesung gasped. “Fine. I’ll go and check up on him.”
Minwoo smiled reassuringly and tapped the shoulder of the tall man. It was as if the two short men were sending him to battlefield. Hyesung left as fast as he had come. Minwoo bowed his head back down and then exhaled. “How did we get here…?” he mumbled. “I’ve failed.”
Dongwan raised the head by the chin and stared deeply into the small brown eyes. “You did all you could. We all did.” Minwoo felt warmth on his cheeks. “We just couldn’t come between true love.” Dongwan cupped the face and then leaned in.
Minwoo blinked his eyes fast before he closed his eyes and stepped closer. It was a warm kiss – a nice kiss. Dongwan took the lead and deepened the kiss. Minwoo parted his lips and tilted his head to the side, feeling a soft tongue entering his cavern. He sighed, and felt how the hands on his cheeks lowered. The other hand s behind his head and pushed, as the kiss deepened even more. Dongwan’s other hand ran through the back and landed to the lower part.
Minwoo’s hands were on the chest, gripping Dongwan’s shirt tightly.
They pulled off each other when they needed to get some air. Minwoo’s cheeks were red when his eyes met the younger man’s. “I…I have to go and check on something…” the manager murmured and walked off.
Dongwan stayed still, face full of surprise, until he smiled and followed.
A timid knock on the door didn’t gain much attention. Maybe Eric hadn’t heard it. Hyesung knocked again, a little louder, and then waited. His fingers hovered on the number pad. Eric knew he was behind the door if he was home. Hyesung started dialling the door code. Eric had not changed it. It indicated that Hyesung was welcome.
The door opened.
“Eric?” Hyesung said softly.
There was no foul smell in the air – so Andy wasn’t dead. Not that Hyesung had seriously thought that Eric would ever be able to kill his fiancé, but he just checked. “Eric?” he called for the man again. He approached the living room and almost screamed when he saw the man sitting on the armchair in the darkness.
“Are you okay…?” Hyesung questioned timidly. “Eric?” he placed his hand onto the knee.
Eric startled.
He had been asleep.
Cans of beer and bottles of soju were by his feet and Hyesung noticed them only when Eric moved his legs. He was a mess. His hair had not been combed for days and his clothes were dirty and stained and smelly from the alcohol. Not to mention, Eric had obviously not showered since the news broke out.
He had been hugging a photo of Andy, but it had fallen to the floor a long time ago. The glass was shattered. Hyesung put the lig
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