Dear readers, I'm so sorry for the uber late update!!!! Been really busy!!!! My exams are just round the corner so I'm here to do a quick update and this is for those wanting some Hyukjae-Haemin action!!! ^^ I'll update once my exams are over!!!! AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS STORY! THIS HUGE TURN OUT IS MORE THAN WHAT I HAD HOPED FOR. THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE WHO IS READING THIS ^^ 

Night fell and I stepped into the warm noodle house looking around for a familiar sight. Seeing me, Hyukjae oppa raised his hand with a gummy smile. Relieved at seeing him, I rushed over and slid into the seat opposite him.

“How’s Soobin doing?”he reached out to hold my hands, warming them.

“I tried to cheer her up with retail therapy. But the whole time we were shopping, I was the one deciding what she should buy and everything. She wasn’t interested at all. So, I brought her to a spa and got her do a massage to relax. She seemed to feel better after that but she told me to run along cause she wanted to be alone. I told Taeri and Hyuna what happened and to get them to keep an eye on her,”I sighed.

“Don’t worry too much for now, baby. Get something in your stomach first and we’ll visit her first thing in the morning, okay?”he used his thumb to the back of my hand.

I nodded my head with a relieved smile. Now that I’m worried over my best friend, I was glad that there was him that I could lean on for support. Hyukjae oppa looked up at the waiter and gave him a firm nod with a smile. As if understanding his signal, the waiter went off to the kitchen.

“You ordered for us?”I asked, surprised.

“Yeah, I figured you’ll be a little hungry when you get here,”he grinned.

“Thanks, Hyukjae oppa. You really are the best,”I grinned back.

“You don’t have to remind me,”he let out a smirk which caused me to laugh.

The waiter came to our table with two bowls of noodles. Hyukjae oppa and I began digging in.

“By the way, why did you reject my job offer?”he spoke up.

“What do you mean why? You’re offering such a ridiculously high pay and I can’t possibly accept it. Besides, you already have a secretary so why would you need me?”I asked.

“I don’t exactly need you to be in the office to do those secretarial stuff,”he admitted.

“Then why do you even want to hire me?! What can I contribute to your company that I deserve such a high pay?”I asked.

“Well, you see your work would be a bit more difficult as compared to my managers. And I think you’re the only one capable of doing it,”Hyukjae oppa seemed deep in thought.

“What can I do that the others can’t?”I raised an eyebrow.

“You see, in this whole wide world, you have this special talent in keeping the CEO happy. This job cannot be done by anyone else. So, it kinda explains the pay,”he replied cheekily.

“OH YOU! So what is my job scope?”I asked, going along with the joke.

“You just have to sit there and do whatever you want. Then, let me take a glance at you when I’m feeling stressed up with work,”he said seriously.

“What do you take me for, huh?”I laughed.

“Hey, I’m being very serious here. Just so you know, when I look at you, I can’t think of anything else except you,”he reached out to hold my hand again.

“Thank you for flattering me, Lee Hyukjae. But I won’t be taking up the offer,”I giggled.

“No, Haemin! Think it through!”he seemed so insistent that I couldn’t help but laugh even louder.

“No! Are you crazy?! I would rather you pay me to sit at one of your stores then sit in your office!”I joked.

“You would?”Hyukjae oppa asked.

“I mean, why not? At least I’m doing something productive like say, overseeing your employees?”I blabbered.

“Hmmm, Haemin, what do you think of having a store of your own? Like having your own café or something? Have you ever thought of wanting to set up your own business?”he asked seriously.

“What are you thinking of?”I asked since he was being all weird.

“Just answer me,”he brushed my question away.

“Well, who wouldn’t? I wouldn’t have to face the music from any bosses,”I nodded my head.

“Okay then, Haemin. It’s a deal!”he clapped his hands together.

“What deal?”I laughed at his dorky side.

“You’re to brainstorm for a nice concept for any kind of store you like. Jewelry, apparel, café, whatever you prefer. Do up a nice report and come to me. If I feel that your concept is feasible, I’ll take up the challenge and invest in it. How’s that?”he asked.

“What?”I exclaimed.

“It’s a win-win situation for us. You would have a job and I get to see you in my office. Is it a deal?”he stretched his hand out.

I thought for awhile, considering his offer.

“And you get to decide the interior design, oversee the renovation works and be your own boss,”he gave me a small smile.

“Deal,”I reached out to shake his hand.

“But remember, if it’s not feasible, I wouldn’t invest in it. This is my own savings we’re talking about here and we need it for our children’s education,”he winked.

I couldn’t help but laugh again.

“Thanks, Hyukjae oppa! For believing in me so much,”I smiled.

“You start work tomorrow! I’ll get my secretary to arrange for a table to be placed in my office,”he reached out to ruffle my hair.

“Wait, weren’t we supposed to be visit Soobin tomorrow morning?”I asked.

“Then, we’ll just clock in late tomorrow. See, this is one of the perks of working directly under me. Your working hours are flexible!”Hyukjae oppa was being all enthusiastic about it.

“So, does your secretary get to clock in late too?”I asked, laughing.

“Definitely not. She isn’t as special as you!”he scrunched his face up.

“Seriously, Hyukjae oppa!”I laughed even harder.

That caused him to laugh as well. After calming myself down, I cleared my throat, holding in my laughter as I watched Hyukjae oppa choking up with tears from his laughter.

“Anyway, you don’t have to pay me. I’m just happy enough that I have something to do,”I smiled.

“No way…,”but I cut him off.

“Come on, do we really have to do this paying thing? It’s not like this is a formal contract or anything. You’ll be tied down enough with the renovation works later. Besides, what difference would it make if you paid Mrs Lee Hyukjae-to-be a salary, huh?”I teased.

“Oh, so you’re using the marriage card on me now?”he laughed.

He nodded his head a few times.

“Fair enough, Mrs Lee Hyukjae-to-be! But all the profits from your shop go to our wedding fund, alright!”he said firmly.

I nodded my head to agree with him. With that, he paid for the bill and we went around walking before heading back home.

“Shall we visit your parents tomorrow after work? You haven’t got to see them for some time,”he spoke up.

“Alright. I haven’t spoken to them since the day…,”I trailed off.

Thinking of the day that I had been at the apartment, listening to Hyukjae oppa spinning a story about how I would be going out of town and everything. How when he passed the phone to me, I had to reassure them that we didn’t break up and that I was fine. I gulped, feeling guilty about lying to them.

“Sorry, Haemin…I shouldn’t have gotten you to lie to them…,”Hyukjae oppa’s voice broke my train of thoughts.

“As I’ve said, it’s all in the past. So let’s not think about it anymore, alright?”I leaned my head on his arm to reassure him that I’ve forgiven him for his mistakes. This is what love is about, isn’t it?

Getting into his car, we headed home and I had gone off to shower first before I let him have his turn. I don’t know if it was a habit but instead of watching televisions in the room, I had come out to the living room to watch. Deep in my heart, I was probably afraid that things were going to be the same as before. But that thought was erased when I felt Hyukjae oppa’s arm around my neck from behind the sofa.

“Why are you watching television programmes here, baby girl? Watch with me in the room,”he suggested as he gave me a peck on my cheek.

I turned to look at him with a smile, glad that everything had changed. Glad that I finally had the old Hyukjae oppa back. The old Hyukjae oppa that I had met when I was 14.

“Come sit here,”I patted the seat next to me.

He gave me a smile before letting go of me and walking round the sofa before sitting next to me. I let out a shriek just like how I did this morning as he lifted me. He settled me down on his lap and pulled me close to him. I couldn’t control my laughter as I let my head rest on his chest.

“What was I thinking of when I sent you to Donghae? How did I even manage to do that? I can’t even live a minute without having skinship with you as of now,”he hugged me closer.

“Good that you realize that you can’t live without me. I was miserable without you,”I crossed my arms together.

“Aigoo, our princess has finally spoken. I’m so sorry but I’ll make it up to you. PROMISE!”Hyukjae oppa stretched his pinky out for me to hook.

Hooking my pinky with his, I rested my back against his chest again as I played with his fingers just like old times. Slipping his fingers in between the gaps of mine, he held onto my hand tightly.

“Are you tired? You’ve worked hard today,”he asked in a soothing voice.

“A little,”I admitted.

“Don’t overwork, alright. Rest at home if you want,”he let go of my hand to brush my fringe away.

“No, I’m excited about my new project. Besides, I want to see you,”I shook my head.

“Silly girl, we don’t have to be stuck in the office, you know. With the managing director around, I’m actually free to bring you out on dates if you want a break from work,”Hyukjae oppa let out a low chuckle.

“But I don’t want to disrupt your work. Dates are reserved for weekends,”I said firmly.

“Anything you say, my princess,”he grinned.

He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

“I love you,”he said as he pulled away with his lips inches away from me.

End of Chapter

DarkAngel