Seungcheol woke up to an empty bed beside him again. Luda was an early riser and always woke before the alarm. She stayed over again and as he sat up and rubbed his eyes he wondered if he should just ask her to move in. It seemed like the next logical step now that he had a good steady job and it would be better if he was going to be so busy. It would make things a lot easier.

“Good morning…” he said as he wandered out into the kitchen, expecting a hot coffee, but all he got was a look of thunder on Luda’s pretty face as she ignored him. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he began to make his own coffee. “Seungcheol are you cheating on me?”

He almost dropped the coffee cup.

“What would make you think that?” He was truly stunned. “I’m always with you, here or working, I don’t even go out with the guys.” She scowled at him as he resumed making his coffee. “That’s the thing…” she handed him her phone. The Star Dispatch website was open to the celebrity gossip page where a there was a beautiful clear photo of him and Jeonghan holding hands and laughing.

The photo, Seungcheol knew, was completely out of context. Some fansite had obviously taken it the day before when they were making their escape from the café but it looked like they were two men taking a brisk walk hand in hand with their faces filled with exhilaration. The headline was as bold as it was ridiculous.

“Yoon Jeonghan spotted on a date with mystery man.”

Seungcheol rolled his eyes. “Really Luda? You know he’s my boss. We were running yesterday, I was holding his hand to keep him safe, I do it all the time. It doesn’t mean anything.” He sighed with exasperation as he handed the phone back and sank onto the couch. “You’re wound up over this picture of me with my boss? You really think I’d cross that line.”

She frowned as she sat next to him. “I just don’t know anymore Seungcheol. You come home smelling different, you’re wearing weird underwear I know you didn’t buy because it’s expensive, you letting him cling on to you all the time….” Her eyes wouldn’t meet his as her voice wavered. “You were talking about him in your sleep last night. And something about ginseng? And peach?”

“Luda…” he said as he put his arm around her. “You’re being silly. He’s my boss. Plus he’s a man.” He rolled his eyes to make his point on how crazy the idea was. “I’m just doing my job, okay?” He smiled at her and rubbed her back and she smiled too. 

Seungcheol cleared his throat awkwardly as he moved in front of her. “I, ah, was actually thinking it might be easier for us if you moved in here soon. You know, with me being so busy all the time, and it would make it easier for us to spend time together. Plus you’re here a lot anyway….. so it would be more convenient.”

He waited for her to smile with happiness but instead he got a look of confusion. “You want us to move in together for the convenience?” Seungcheol cringed as he thought about what he just said. He had intended to make her feel happier but it wasn’t very romantic. “I’ll think about it.” She said curtly as she stood up and made her way back into the kitchen to wash her breakfast dishes.

This morning was not turning out how he expected.

He arrived at Jeonghan’s apartment t