Chapter Two

Living Together

 

 

Okay. So, have you guys ever thought of how to accurately define ‘awkwardness’? Now here’s a situation where we could precisely describing the term. Do you know the feelings when you’re stuck with a goddamn gorgeous guy, who is in fact the blind date that your parents set up with, and you have zero knowledge on who the said person is? And it didn’t help when the said person has no intention on initiating a conversation, let alone trying to be friendly with his first-time-meeting company. Yup, that’s what we called as ‘awkward’, and not forgetting to mention, rude as hell. That was what Himchan thought.

 

So this was what happened earlier. Mr. and Mrs. Kim brought Himchan out of his comfort zone, in which in his case referred specifically to his dim-litted room, to have dinner with their so-called friends from China. So Himchan being an obedient son he is, put on some decent attire for the dinner and followed his parents to the promised location, which turned out to be in some gigantic five star hotel in the middle of Seoul.

 

Just how the heck his parents could afford eating in that pocket-holing place?!

 

And so the three went into the dining hall and a waiter there ushered them to where the waiting family are. Once they’ve reached the said table, a dramatic reunion unfolds in front of Himchan, in which his mother squealed... yes believe him, that old hag actually squealed and gave a bear hug to another woman around her age. The woman returned the gesture with the same amount of enthusiasm. No wonder old women typically ended up with osteoporosis.

 

His father on the other hand, being all calm and collected while greeting another man while exchanging 'How's life?' with one another. But there's another figure it seems. A lean, black-haired guy, a few centimeter taller than Himchan is, could be seen smiling politely and greeted Mr. Kim. The guy then turned to Himchan and offered his hand for greetings. Himchan returned the gesture, giving a sweet smile to the other. However Himchan’s smile faltered when the grip in his hand tightened. Himchan gulped in his nervousness when he saw the man’s expression turned darker but still it was masked with a small insincere smile. Himchan could sense that whatever going to happen next, it's not gonna be good.

 

It turns out that the so-called friends from from China are Himchan's future in laws, thus automatically makes the scary guy his fiance. Himchan felt restless as he could feel a pair of eyes boring through his soul, scrutinizing his every movements. It didn't help when their parents decided to leave the youngsters, in which Himchan quote-unquote ‘to-know-each-other-better’. Those immature geezers.

 

And that was how Himchan getting himself stuck with this arrogant brat in front of him. The brat was fiddling with his phone, ignoring the presence of another human being in front of him.

 

"Umm, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I'm Himchan and you are?" Himchan started the conversation.

 

"Yongguk." The rude guy answered curtly without looking up from his phone. The response was cold and kinda rude but Himchan thought it was the best for him to swallow that. He kept smiling, trying his best to liven up the conversation.

 

"Oh, I heard that you're holding a quite important position in the company. I guess you're a really capable man. It must be tough huh?" Himchan continued the conversation but he was baffled when he heard a rather harsh sigh came from Yongguk. The latter looked up from his phone and his eyes pierced through Himchan's, startling the poor guy.

 

"Look, I know our parents arranged this for us but it's not like I'm agreeing to this. You don't have to be all goody goody and prod into my life like you’ve known me for years. Just stay out of it. I'm doing this for my parents’ sake, for the company's sake. If I didn't agree to this, then the company wouldn't be mine, and all my hard works all these years would be totally in vain. So, let's just hold onto this marriage for a year or less then we'll go on our ways. You'll do your things and I'll do mine. Did I get myself clear?"

 

Himchan was beyond dumbfounded. He knew that his fiancé was an , even when he got to know the latter only for the past few hours, but he didn't expect that the guy is on another level of . That jerkass butthole. But the sharp gaze from Yongguk caused Himchan to gulp his saliva and nodded his head automatically. Yongguk’s deep voice didn't help the situation, as it gives this sorta authoritive tone and one will eventually follow his every command.

 

Let's just say that the night didn't end well. Himchan took a cab home and he kept grumbling on how Yongguk being a jerk for not offering a ride for his fiance. That rude jackass. He couldn't believe he would be stuck with that tiger. For a year for God's sake! One goddamn year!

 

Himchan didn't even felt like he's married, not when he and his so-called husband was not in speaking term with each other. Yeah, they've gotten married a few weeks ago. Just a simple party where they invited some close relatives and friends. Not much. Somehow Himchan felt horrible for putting up a facade in front of his parents and also in laws just to show that both of them are okay, in which the bitter truth is, they're utterly not.

 

Their first day living together was a . Yongguk would totally ignore the younger, as if the younger didn't even exist. And their days went along that way, ignoring each others’ existence. Don't even mention honeymoon. Yongguk didn't even take a leave from his work to go for one. Himchan, even when knowing that his husband wouldn't even glance his way, trying his best to be a good wifey, I mean, hubby. Every morning he would wake up early to prepare breakfast for Yongguk, even when the latter didn't bother to have a bite. He would even drive to Yonguk’s company to send lunchbox to his husband; though he would only pass it through the receptionist. Heck, he even prepared dinner for his husband, even when he had a complete knowledge that his husband would come home really late, and the latter has already ate.

 

 

Yongguk was beyond disbelief. He already tried his hardest to ignore his newly wedded husband but it seems that his efforts were gradually drained into vain. The younger was just too good to be true. Almost too angelic. His husband would always cook for him, and even sent him lunch almost every day, even when Yongguk was being a wipe to his so-called husband. Like right now, a lunch box was sitting there on his mahogany table in his office. Yongguk opened the lunchbox, and was greeted with a hearty homemade meal. He could feel himself salivating, only to be disturbed by an idiot by the name Jung Daehyun.

 

"Dude! That looks absolutely gorgeous! Gosh! I'm drooling what the heck? Aren't you gonna eat that?"

 

"Nah, you eat it. I'm full." Yongguk pushed the lunchbox towards the younger, in which the latter happily reaped from the table.

 

"You're sooo gonna regret this. Omaigad! This food is totally worthy." Daehyun moaned at the savoury taste of the food. He kept shoving food inside his mouth, earning a disgusted look from the older.

 

‘What a disgusting ape.’

 

 

Yongguk came home late that night, as per usual. It was 1.00 a.m. and he was greeted with darkness. No sounds could be heard inside the house. He went to the kitchen to find something to drink and as per usual, plates of foods could be seen on the dining table, wrapped with transparent food wrappers. Yongguk ignored the guilty feelings inside of him for not appreciating the younger’s hard work. But he just couldn’t let his wall crumble for that boy.

 

No, no way. His ego was bigger than that.

 

Yongguk padded towards his room but he unconsciously halted in front of the younger’s room beside his own. Yup, they have separate room and that really come in handy. Yongguk turned the knob of the younger’s door. It was unlocked. The door made a creaky sound. Yongguk discreetly tried to open the door, afraid to wake up the younger from his slumber. However he was bewildered when he found that the room was empty. The bed was as if it was it has never been touch. Yongguk panicked. Where the hell had that boy gone to?

 

Yongguk pulled out his phone only to curse at his own stupidity for not having his husband’s number. It’s his freaking own husband for God’s sake!

 

Yongguk started feeling restless. He paced around the house to find any possible clue on where his husband had gone to, but to no avail.

 

‘Kim Himchan, just where the heck are you?’

 

 

Himchan got out of the car and waved a goodbye to Jongup. He watched the younger drove away until the younger’s car disappeared from his view. Last night, Jongup went to get Himchan at the latter’s house. They’re having their sleepover routine once a month, usually at Jongup’s, with Youngjae joining along. Himchan didn’t realized that he hasn’t told Yongguk about the sleepover at Jongup’s until they’ve reached the younger’s house. And he forgot to ask for the older’s number. Brilliant!

 

It would be weird if he asked for Yongguk’s number from their parents. Who the hell didn’t have their own spouse’s number after getting married to each other for almost a month?

 

‘Ah, forget about it. He wouldn’t care anyway.’

 

Boy did Himchan thought it wrong. It turns out that once he stepped his foot into the house, his husband was waiting for him just a few feet from the front door, with his arms crossed on his hard chest and a hard glare was thrown directly to the younger.

 

“Where have you been?” Yongguk’s voice was hard and firm. His eyes were still digging holes on the poor man’s soul.

 

“I-I went to Jongup’s yesterday. We’re h-having a sleepover.” Himchan stuttered. His hands started to become clammy.

 

“And you didn’t even bother to inform me on your whereabouts?”

 

‘Will you even care?’

 

Himchan pursed his lips. He didn’t even bother to make a comeback. His eyes were casted down, letting himself being scrutinized under the judging gaze of his husband. He flinched when Yongguk let out a deep, heavy sigh.

 

“You’re married to me and living in my house, so I expect you to follow my rules. Now the first rule, inform me wherever you’re going and whomever you’re going to meet. If our parents asked about your whereabouts at least I’ve got something to say to them. It would be weird if I, as your husband, not knowing where you’ve gone too and who are you meeting. Second, my words are law and you’re abode to it. Third, don’t even question on whatever business I’m doing. In other words, mind your own business. Did I make myself clear?”

 

Yongguk arched his eyebrows, as if challenging the younger to dare disobey his words. Himchan could only mutter out a soft ‘Yes sir’, voice chocking a bit as he tried to hold his tears threatening to fall.

 

“Very well then.” Yongguk ended his one-sided conversation and left the younger in his spot. The younger still had his face casted down. Yongguk wasn’t that oblivious. He could sense that the younger was trying so hard to hold himself from crying. He felt like someone just punched him straight on the face; seeing the younger’s vulnerable state really made him feel these weird feelings. He couldn’t even decipher what it is. He couldn’t let himself waver. He’s ing straight for God’s sake! He loves the V and s. Not ding dongs.

 

Himchan moved from his spot and went to his room. He closed the door and leaned his back on it. Tears started to flow down his cheeks. He got no more strength and slide down, hugging his knees and buried his face. He silently sobbed in his room. This is not what he asked for when he agreed to this marriage. He didn’t know if he could stand it for a year.

 

It was painful to be ignored.

 

 

Himchan was doing his grocery shopping when he stumbled upon a familiar face. It was one of Yongguk’s friend, and from what he remembered the guy is also Yongguk’s secretary.

 

“Oh, hi! Nice seeing you here. Himchan right?” The younger guy gave Himchan a sweet smile. Himchan couldn’t help but to smile back. The man’s smile was contagious.

 

“Yes, I am. I’m sorry, I could recognize your face but I just couldn’t dig in my peanut-sized brain on your name. Mind to tell me?” The younger chuckled.

 

“I’m Daehyun. Yongguk’s secretary. Groceries?” Daehyun referred to the half-full cart that Himchan pushed.

 

“Yeah, I’ll go for groceries every week. Well, it wasn’t that my cooking was all that great...” Himchan trailed off. His cheeks were dusted pink as he felt lacking in his cooking abilities.

 

“Are you serious?! Your cooking is the best that I’ve tasted! Gosh! I could eat your cooking all day without getting tired of it!” Daehyun countered enthusiastically. Himchan couldn’t help but to feel bashful.

 

“H-how did you know if my foods are that good?” Really tho, how?

 

“Oh, Yongguk shared some of his lunch with me and good God; it was really good that I might faint on the spot.” Daehyun gushed, feeling excited from the mere mention of food. Himchan giggled.

 

“You’re flattering me too much.”

 

“No I’m not! You’re like...a God of Cooking sent from above to make delicious food for my empty stomach!” Daehyun continued his rambling. Their conversations were going smooth as it was filled with Daehyun being his cute derp self and Himchan giggled at everything came from the younger’s mouth. They’re quick to click. It seems that Himchan found himself a new friend.

 

It was an odd for Himchan to see Yongguk watching the news in the leisure room in his workday as he came back from his grocery shopping. Usually the older would come home at midnight, or even morning. Himchan glanced at the clock. 6.00 p.m. Okay, that’s the earliest record. Yongguk turned his gaze from the news and faced Himchan; his face was void of any emotions. Himchan gave the older a small smile just to be ignored by his husband as the latter turned back to watch the news.

 

Himchan could feel his heart cracking. But then he decided to ignore his broken heart and proceeded to cook dinner. He wouldn’t want to spoil his fun moments earlier with Daehyun just because that pricks of his husband.

 

‘Why can’t I have a husband as sweet and funny as Daehyun?’

 

Himchan shook his head, chuckled at his own silly thought. He wore his apron and started to cook.

 

 

Yongguk heard someone humming from the kitchen. He slowly padded to the kitchen, afraid to be caught if he make any noises. He took a peek inside the kitchen. He saw Himchan was humming out a happy tune, occasionally giggling while texting someone.

 

‘That’s odd. Who’s he texting with?’

 

As if his inner voice was heard, Yongguk saw Himchan lowered the heat on stove and went somewhere, to the toilet perhaps. Himchan’s phone was left unattended on the kitchen cabinet. Once Himchan was out of sight, Yongguk quickly made his way to the phone. He took the device and unlocked it. No password. Yes!

 

Once the device was unlocked, there was a chat window popped out on the screen. And there he saw a very familiar name on it.

 

‘Daehyun.’

 

He scrolled through the message. God, he didn’t like the odd feeling settled in his gut.

 

 

Daehyun (^3^)

Hey! Thanks for today. It was nice talking to u!

 

Hime

Don’t mention it. You’ve been a good company too :)

 

Daehyun (^3^)

Let’s hang out together some other time!

 

Hime

Kay. That’s cool. Let me know whenever u free.

 

Daehyun (^3^)

Orite babe ;D

 

 

‘Babe. That freaking traitor called my husband a freaking ‘babe’! And what’s with the ‘Hime’ thing?! Now they even have pet names for each other?! The hell?! Just how the heck did they knew each other?!’ Yongguk mentally screeched.

 

“Um, are you hungry? Just wait for a sec. I’ll set up the table.” Himchan’s soft voice could be heard from behind. Yongguk turned around to face the younger with the phone still in his hand. His face was hard.

 

“How did you know Daehyun?”

 

Himchan gasped as he saw his phone in the older’s hand. Okay, that really crossed the line. Who the hell gave that jerk permission to prod into his private life?!

 

“What’re you doing with MY phone?” Himchan hissed. Yongguk didn’t budge. Instead he asked the same question.

 

“I asked you, how the hell did you know Daehyun?”

 

“Why do you need to know?” Himchan retorted.

 

“Just answer the damn question dammit!” Yongguk snapped, which left Himchan startle. Himchan took a long breath.

 

“Look, I thought that we agreed that both of us,” Himchan pointed to himself and to Yongguk, “wouldn’t interfere with each other’s life. So where did this came from? You said that yourself and I’m expecting that it will goes the same to me. You didn’t need to bother yourself to know what I’m doing, with whom I’m meeting and so on. That’s my business and you just mind yours.”

 

Himchan said calmly in which in return, left Yongguk perplexed. The older’s face was red with anger.

 

“Fine. It’s not like a give ing damn about it.” Yongguk stomped out of the kitchen. He grabbed the car keys and stormed out of the house, slamming the front door as he went outside and ignited the car. He rushed his car out to God knows where.

 

 

It was 3 a.m. and Himchan was still on the couch in the living room, waiting for his husband. After their fight earlier, he got restless. He couldn’t put a finger on what but one thing for sure, it ain’t good.

 

Suddenly he heard the front door clicked open. He rushed to the door only to have his heart cracked even more; the wound inside got deeper. He saw Yongguk stumbled into the house with a tightly dressed woman, who was stench with cheap perfume and alcohol. Yongguk started rambling s and kissed the woman in front of Himchan. Himchan was rendered speechless. Yongguk didn’t even spare a glance towards the younger and led the giggling woman towards his room. The door to Yongguk’s room was slammed shut, with faint giggles could be heard from the room.

 

Himchan walked towards his own room and shut the door. His face was void of any expression. But he knew his heart was slowly breaking into pieces. Again, he started to sob silently into the night.

 

Yongguk attitude was getting worst day by day. Every day he would bring different woman into his room, and for each day Himchan would cried himself to sleep. His heart couldn’t take it anymore.

 

---

 

Yongguk woke up with the worst hangover ever. There was a nearly half girl sleeping soundly beside him. He woke up the girl, in a not so gentle way I’d say.

 

“Get up.”

 

The girl woke up and gave Yongguk a seductive smile.

 

“Hey there y.”

 

“Just get your fat up and get loss.”

 

The girl frowned but still got up.

 

“But baby, we didn’t get to do anything yesterday.” The girl traced her fingers on Yongguk’s chest, in which the latter slapped it away harshly.

 

“Just off while I’m being nice. Or else you’ll find yourself out of this house with a single arm. And i really mean it.” Yongguk snarled.

 

The girl scrambled from the bed and picked up her things before dashed out of the house. Yongguk washed his face and went to the kitchen. On the dining table, he could see some breakfast and hangover soup prepared for him, as usual. Even when knowing the blonde bringing different girls everyday back home in a worst drunken state ever, Himchan never failed to do his job as a husband. Yongguk could feel the guilt inside him eating him up, but he just shrugged it off.

 

That’s odd.

 

He couldn’t feel the presence of the younger inside the house.

 

Usually when he woke up, he could see the younger making breakfast and would have this crestfallen look whenever he saw any of the girl that Yongguk brought home. But today, there wasn’t even a trace of the younger.

 

It was nighttimes and Himchan still hasn’t gotten back home. Yongguk started feeling restless. He tried to call the younger for the zillionth times but the call just went through the voicemail. He waited until midnight, without knowing, he fell asleep on the couch.

 

Himchan didn’t come back the next day and so the other following days. Yongguk was getting insane. Even his works in the office got abandoned. He was looking haggard and unkempt. The absence of the younger was really taking a toll on him. He really missed the younger. He missed the younger’s cooking and concern the latter was giving him before. He was too stupid for not appreciating the latter’s effort. He knew his feelings for the younger. All these while he was too busy wrapping himself in denial. He really does regret it. A lot.

 

‘Please come back home. I beg you. Just please let me make it right. Please...’

 

 

 

 

a/n: Enjoy! Don't forget to comment :D