“Kibum, you know I’m only looking out for you– finding you a life partner is not something I’m thinking of only keeping the business in mind, but it’s for you as well. You work too much– it might look nice, but take it from someone who has the experience, it isn’t healthy.”

 

 

—Proposal for Helium Enterprises Autumn Winter (AW) Collection 2023:

By Market Research Team One (Lee Taemin, Kim Jongin, Lee Minhyuk , Chittaphon Leechaiyakul)

Subject: Luxury fashion for all.

Aim: Studying sales prospect of new product line through concept and demand analysis.

Brief: Working with acclaimed fashion designers on a collaborative project to produce affordable clothing for the masses.

Market Survey (collected through online forms, interviews and observation) shows that 70% of shoppers aged 20-40 are aware of luxury brands and want to dress in such, but cannot afford the same. In the following report we will break down the statistic in detail and propose a solution that would benefit—

 

 

“Kim Kibum, are you even listening to me?”

“I’m sorry,” Kibum quickly closed the file, “Were you saying something?”

His grandfather sighed, shooting him an exasperated look. He was usually the composed, confident leader of Face Group, but walking into Kibum’s office always made him lose his cool– Kibum could be quite the annoying grandson when he wanted to be.

Kibum smiled sweetly, “Halabeoji I am following what you told me–”

“—Then why did I learn from Minho that you cancelled all of your blind dates.”

“Oh?” Kibum pretended to be surprised, “Didn’t he also tell you that I have decided to pursue Kim Jonghyun?”

“He did,” he narrowed his eyes, “Which is what is suspicious.”

“What can I say,” Kibum said breezily, standing up from his chair, “Beginner’s luck.”

“If I find out this is all a ploy–”

“It isn’t,” he quipped quickly, walking past him, “I have an appointment now, I’ll see you soon!”

“Kibum–”

Kibum shut the door behind him, glaring at Minho waiting outside with a patient smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was coming to meet me?”

“It’s not like I knew either,” Minho handed him his agenda, “Besides, you needed to talk to him sooner or later.”

“I would have preferred later,” Kibum sighed, flipping through the week's schedule as they walked towards the car, “We can fit in a date with Jonghyun on Friday evening– I'll ask him if he's free.”

Minho rolled his eyes, “We? Kibum– you know I love you, you know I do–”

“You do?” Kibum teased, annoying Minho in the process.

“Think about what you're doing okay? I know it all sounds good on paper. Kim Jonghyun, sole heir of the chairman of Shine Entertainment, personally the head–”

“–Of the A&R Department with a special penchant for finding and encouraging young musicians. Yes I know. You gave me the low down before I went on the date.”

“My point is,” Minho opened the car door for him, “You have been narrating the date to me– and all I can think is why? Why would you continue to see him?”

“Oh Minho, my sweet summer child, you're such a romantic–”

“—I was born in December.”

“Whatever. The thing is neither of us have feelings for each other, which would work out well for the both of us if we want to live our independent lives. Plus I like the fact that he is upfront about being promiscuous. Not many people can do that.”

“You will never listen to me will you?”

“No,” Kibum grinned, “But unfortunately you're paid to listen to me.”

“Yes boss.”

“Yah,” Kibum laughed, slapping Minho's arm as he took his place in the driver's seat, “I should be the only one allowed to be sarcastic.”

Minho huffed, not attempting to dignify Kibum with an answer. Which was not new– they always bickered, ever since they started living together as children when Kibum's grandfather had taken Minho in, thinking a boy his age would help ease the loneliness of an absent family. Both of them were orphans, with the difference being that Kibum actually had memories of his parents before their fatal car accident, and Minho simply had never known his'.

They had formed a strange friendship over the years, even with an obvious power difference which Kibum did try to eliminate in their personal lives, despite however they acted in their professional ones. Minho was basically a part of the family, and a good one at that– especially when there were such few of them around.

“Lost in thought again?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Kibum blinked, shaking off his daze, “Oh, and before I forget, can you arrange a meeting tomorrow with Marketing Research Team One? I want to hear from them before picking the proposal.”

 

 

 

⁂

 

 

 

“Why did you call me here if you're not even going to talk to me,” Jonghyun huffed, hugging Taemin's baby chick plushie close to his chest.

“Jonghyun, you do understand the seriousness of the situation— he is my employer and you're telling me I have to go on a date again?”

“Stop pacing around and sit down. You're making me dizzy.”

Taemin rolled his eyes, but did as told, and paused to sit cross legged in front of Jonghyun on the bed.

“Look, he's the CEO, and as much as I hate to say it, he is not someone you're going to meet every day– if you even meet him that is.”

“I was so scared today that I even took a leave,” Taemin pouted, “Why don't you just go up to him and explain everything?”

“What if he feels betrayed and creates a huge mess? Isn't it much simpler to go on the date one last time and refuse him firmly?”

“I guess you do have a point–”

“–But what did you even do to make him ask you out again?”

“That's the thing,” Taemin groaned, hiding his face in a pillow, “I was the complete opposite of charming. He can't be that desperate right? He's rich, he's good looking—”

“Good looking you say?”

Taemin slapped Jonghyun's arm as he erupted in giggles.

“Stop teasing me! I'm in this mess because of you!”

“Sorry, sorry,” Jonghyun apologised, not looking sorry at all, “Maybe he just liked you.”

“I told you to stop teasing me.”

“I'm not teasing you,” Jonghyun said earnestly, “You always sell yourself so short– you're pretty, you're nice, and most importantly, you're a good person, which always shines through, no matter how dorky or weird you are being.”

Taemin looked down to his hands resting on his lap, Jonghyun's words leaving him shy.

“Jinki doesn't think so.”

Jonghyun snorted, “Jinki definitely thinks so– he's just too obtuse to know when someone has a crush on him.”

Taemin sighed. It was an old conversational topic between them. If someone made a compilation of top ten Jonghyun and Taemin conversations, he just knew Taemin's hopeless crush on Jinki and Jonghyun's absurdly high standards for romance would end up being in the top two.

“Speak of the devil,” Jonghyun muttered, looking at his phone– which reminded Taemin he was yet to look at the unread messages on his'.

Two messages from his bank reminding him of his student loan instalment this month– Taemin scowled and scrolled on. One from his mother asking him to visit her this weekend, and one from Minhyuk—

“Um Jonghyun–”

“–Kim Kibum's asking if you are free on Friday evening.”

“Jonghyun,” Taemin repeated gravely, “I just got a text from work. We have to give a presentation tomorrow to the CEO.”

“Well, .”

 

 

 

Taemin’s old thick glasses. Check. Face mask. Check. Bangs swept over his face to the point everything felt blurry. Check.

“I'm so nervous,” Jongin murmured, fingers combing through the handout they had prepared.

“I’m not,” Ten quipped, “This whole proposal is Taemin’s idea– and he turns into such a beast when it comes to presenting something he is passionate about.”

“He becomes so intimidating,” Minhyuk agreed, “Everything is going to be fine. We worked hard on this.”

Taemin chuckled nervously, “Aah, I don’t know about that. I’m still a bit sick from yesterday– you guys will have to carry this one.”

Jongin patted his back, “It’ll be fine. You should start off the presentation. Don’t let us steal your thunder.”

No. No. Please steal my thunder.

Taemin just smiled weakly.

The door to the boardroom opened, a good looking man stepping out of it. If Taemin had not seen Kibum before, he could have almost believed this man to be the CEO.

“Hello,” The man smiled warmly, “I’m Choi Minho, secretary to CEO Kim Kibum. I apologise for the wait, but he will be done with the meeting in five minutes– you can enter and start setting up your presentation after that.”

“Wow, he’s handsome,” Ten commented when he left.

Minhyuk sighed, “Focus Ten. Focus.”

“Yeah, yeah I’m focusing!”

Ten did not in fact focus. Taemin could almost feel him swooning when they finally laid eyes on Kim Kibum. Not that Taemin could blame him for that– Kibum looked particularly attractive reading through the handout, dressed in a plain, work appropriate white shirt, and carrying a certain professionalism in his body language that Taemin had not witnessed on their date.

 

. Taemin has been on a date with this man.

 

Kibum raised his eyes to their group. Taemin prayed to God in heaven that he couldn’t recognise him, hoping God listened to Taemin just this once even if the last time he went to church was four years ago before he moved out on his own.

“You can begin,” Kibum smiled cordially.

“Right, uh–” Taemin started, receiving a little push from Jongin to go more towards the centre of the room.

 

“Wait.”

 

Taemin's heart stopped.

 

“Before all of you speak your parts, I'd like it if you can introduce yourselves, that way all of you won't just be faceless employees to me.”

He breathed a sigh of relief.

It was considerate. Extremely so, considering the research teams hardly ever got to talk to anybody higher up than the head of marketing– and Kibum was even asking for their names.

“Good morning Sir, I'm Lee Taemin.”

“Good morning Taemin-ssi. Can you speak without your mask? It's hard to hear you.”

“I'm sorry,” Taemin bowed his head, his heart beating so fast it was making him dizzy, “I have a cold.”

“Alright,” Taemin cringed at the hint of disappointment in Kibum's voice. He was supposed to be a model employee for god's sake, “You can start.”

“Our proposal is primarily based on the survey we started last year regarding what consumers are looking for, and why sales of departmental stores are dropping, and soon we realised that it was because people preferred to buy cheap knockoff versions of luxury brands online, and unfortunately, it was not simply because of the branding, but also because they have better designs–”

Jongin hummed appreciatively behind him, boosting Taemin’s confidence in his presentation, and also in the fact that Kibum wasn’t able to recognise him– the boardroom too big and Taemin looking too misshapen for Kibum to correlate two completely different events in his life.

Minhyuk took the mantle right after him, and Taemin tried to observe Kibum's reaction to their presentation, but wasn't able to deduce anything since he wore a neutral expression as always. In fact, it wasn't until they finished that Kibum's face finally shifted– a hum of appreciation escaping him that made their team's shoulders sag in relief.

“I can tell that a lot of thought and work went behind this. But I do have a few questions.”

Taemin nodded. He had expected this– a presentation was only good when it left the audience interested enough to learn more.

“So I do like your proposal. I too believe in the confidence of a good outfit–”

That Taemin could definitely tell.

“—And that it should be something accessible to all. But regarding the collaborating with designers part– there’s a reason why they are famous. They have their own labels. Let’s just say we can ask someone to do it with the temptation of publicity to the masses, we would still have to give them a cut of the sales, and it would be a significant amount of it– making our own profit negligible.”

This too, Taemin had expected.

He cleared his throat, “We thought of that too Sir. Our second option is to collaborate with an artist instead of a designer. Artists have their own merchandise too, but limited production capabilities. It would be easier to convince an artist to be on board.”

Kibum hummed in thought, swivelling on his chair a little and giving them a first class view of his beautiful jawline.

 

Focus Taemin.

 

“Right, that sounds good. Could you make another proposal in two weeks with the same content, but with artists instead of designers? Also add in potential artists for the collaboration and their general commission rates. I don’t want to shelve the designer idea just yet– I do have a few contacts, but I’d rather have a backup.”

That was a way more optimistic outcome than they could have hoped for.

But in two weeks again? So much for Jonghyun’s you-wouldn’t-even-meet-the-CEO shtick.

They nodded and shuffled out of the boardroom quietly since the CEO's next appointment seemed to be here already. Taemin couldn't even allow himself to feel relieved– not with two more future meetings with Kibum on the horizon, and one of them wasn’t even about work.

“I think that went surprisingly well all things considered,” Jongin congratulated cheerily, meeting the sullen faces of the rest of the three.

“More work,” Minhyuk groaned.

“In two weeks,” Ten sighed.

Taemin just grunted in agreement— words not enough to explain what he was going through.

“C'mon,” Jongin beamed, undeterred, “Dinner's on me. Yours truly might have finally snagged a boyfriend.”

Gasps all around. Taemin grinned and patted Jongin’s arm in happiness, secretly hoping someday it could be him and Jinki too. But alas, Jinki was too dense, and Taemin too cowardly to run the risk of ruining their seven year old friendship for the sake of his feelings.

But he smiled and ate dinner as usual, dropping by Jinki’s restaurant after it too, as usual. Maybe his heart panged a little more that night at seeing his bright smile, but no one had to know about that.

 

 

 

“You know Hannah Montana?”

“What?” Taemin mumbled, styling his wig to perfection in the mirror. He did look surprisingly good in an obnoxious pompadour.

“You do know Miley Cyrus. I know you hardly listen to Korean music even when I recommend you stuff that I personally was a part of,” Jonghyun said crossly.

Taemin groaned, defeated, “Fine yes I do know Hannah Montana. And I know what you are going to say next too.”

“I can’t help it. With this blonde wig and changing clothes business,” Jonghyun giggled, running away when Taemin chased him with his hair dryer.

“You’re insufferable,” Taemin stated, shrugging on a velvet jacket over his mesh shirt. He had even worn a choker this time, just to keep up with the image he was presenting, “Now are you driving me to the place or not?”

“Yes Sir,” Jonghyun mock saluted, “Let’s get you on your second and hopefully final date, and then we can go clubbing to celebrate.”

Taemin just nodded in agreement. If he thought he was nervous the last time, it was nothing compared to what he felt now. He now knew his date, the situation he was in, and what he had to do— which was far different than what he had agreed to initially.

 

The hotel this time was expensive too, a different one, but a nice one nevertheless. Surprisingly, it was Kibum who was waiting for him when he reached there, casually dressed in a violet silk shirt and fitted tailored pants.

He hadn’t spotted Taemin at the entrance yet, lips in a pouty moue as he tapped away on his phone. Taemin took those few minutes to admire Kim Kibum’s profile. He had proved to be a kind man at work, although a bit pushy, and a clever one on dates. Taemin still didn’t understand what could motivate him to ask him out on a second date, but he hoped to find that out this evening.

 

“Hello,” Taemin greeted, more timidly than he should have. It was a peculiar feeling talking to him, now that he had actually witnessed Kibum as his boss.

“Oh,” Kibum startled, putting away his phone and standing up, “You’re here.”

Well, that was certainly an opening for Taemin to get his role back on track.

Taemin laughed, taking a seat even before being asked to, “You seem surprised. Why? Were you expecting someone different?”

“No,” Kibum smiled smoothly, taking his seat as well, “Nothing like that. Just lost track of time between emails.”

Taemin hummed, resting his face on his hands and tilting his head, “Makes one wonder why you would even bother asking me out a second time. You can’t be that desperate right?”

Kibum scoffed, his impersonal facade breaking completely this time. It filled Taemin with an unexplainable glee.

“Listen. The only reason why I asked you out a second time is because I have a proposition for you.”

Taemin huffed, “What kind of proposition would you even have?”

“Marriage.”

 

Taemin froze.

 

“What?”

“Jonghyun, do you want to marry me?”

 

How had Taemin's life come to this?

No, he knew exactly how it had happened. Actually— who made it happen.

Taemin gulped, preparing himself to speak without quivering.

 

“About that–”

“Look, I know it sounds crazy. But think about it, neither of us want to do this dating thing, and we are only here to please our families–”

It was finally dawning on Taemin why he was on this date. He had played his role too well– so well that it would benefit Kim Kibum to have a husband who would not be committed to him, or interfere with his work.

“No.”

Kibum stopped in his explanation in surprise, “No?”

“Yah, you’re absolutely insane,” Taemin stood up in disbelief, wondering if he was still acting as fake Jonghyun, or if it was just plain old real him in shock, “Why would I marry you? I don't even know you?”

Taemin could not keep the edge of panic out of his voice— this was in no means going the way he wanted it to go. The plan had been simple— meet Kibum. Refuse him. Go back home. Jonghyun had even joked he'd keep the engine running.

But now he was here fending off a marriage proposal?

He had to escape this. Literally escape. He looked around the room frantically– finding the closest exit to him to be the door to the stairs on his left.

“Let me explain–”

Taemin quickly bowed his head, “I've heard enough. It was nice meeting you Kibum-ssi, I hope to never meet you again.”

 

He stalked off towards the stairs, not caring if Kibum was saying anything or following him. If Taemin walked fast enough he could probably flee into the safety of Jonghyun’s car and—

 

Taemin’s feet skid on the first step.

 

.

 

He closed his eyes in fear. Was this really how he had to die? In a wig and a see through shirt?

 

“Careful.”

 

Taemin opened his eyes in surprise.

 

Kim Kibum had clutched his arm right in time to save him.

 

Taemin gasped as Kibum pulled him from the edge of the stair, tugging him closer and inadvertently making him crash on to him. For a few agonising seconds their lips almost touched— and Taemin cursed the fact that they had similar height and builds, a thing that made it so easy for Taemin’s shocked eyes to meet Kibum’s pretty, stunned ones.

Taemin scrambled to step back as Kibum awkwardly cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to run like that.”

“It’s fine,” Taemin replied honestly, still winded from his near misstep, “It’s not your fault that I am clumsy.”

Kibum offered a small smile at that, flashing him with a bit of sincerity that Taemin had only witnessed before on their last date when he had defended Taemin from that awful man.

“So about earlier—”

“How do you even have the gall to offer something like that?”

Kibum tilted his head, a playful smirk taking over his face, “You’re awfully scandalised over this for someone who doesn’t like commitment. I just want to save our time. You don’t think I’m actually going to marry you right?”

Taemin blushed, despite himself, “Irrespective, why would I want to marry you?”

“Why?” Kibum asked nonchalantly, “What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re—” Taemin sputtered, “You’re so uptight. Clearly a workaholic. I can’t even tell if you have a personality.”

Taemin cringed at his own words— even though exaggerated for effect, there was some truth in them.

Kibum, instead of looking infuriated as Taemin had hoped, just raised an eyebrow, walking towards him. Taemin stepped back, flustered when his back hit the wall.

“Jonghyun-ssi, you will find that—” Kibum’s voice was a sultry whisper, “I do in fact have a personality. One that is good at many things.”

The innuendo had not gone unnoticed by Taemin. Nor had the teasing.

“What do you even mean?” Taemin scoffed, knowing his face looked bright red at this point, “You’re being a ert.”

“A ert?” Kibum blinked innocently, “I can do many things. I know how to cook well, actually I even enjoy it, I know how to take care of pets— I have two of my own, I also—”

“—Kim Kibum,” Taemin groaned, dropping all formalities at this point.

Kibum chuckled, retreating backwards and putting some space in between them. Taemin finally felt like he could breathe a bit easier.

“Nice choker by the way. I always did like leather on men.”

Taemin rolled his eyes, attempting to hide the snicker that threatened to come forth. He enjoyed brazen flirting, especially when it came from people as good looking as Kibum. The part about liking men who knew what they wanted had not exactly been a complete lie— even if it was obvious that this was just banter.

 

But this was also Kim Kibum. His boss.

 

Why was Taemin even still standing here?

 

“Anyway, I refuse,” Taemin said bluntly, “You can do what you want with that information. Have a goodnight, I’ll take your leave.”

 

Taemin was sure the polite thing would have been to wait for Kibum to answer, but the situation went on being more absurd the more he stayed, and he could only sigh in relief when he hurried down the last step and found that Kibum had not in fact followed him. He was a gentleman, Taemin reminded himself, he should not be doing that after being refused. Yet, Taemin wished their interaction could have lasted longer– Kibum was a nice person, especially for someone of his stature, and if their lives had not been as extremely different as they were, he could even see them being friends. But Kibum was a chaebol, and Taemin was just his employee, one that who was technically also deceiving him.

 

 

Jonghyun was singing along to the radio in the car when Taemin finally slid in the passenger seat, feeling more sullen than he thought he would be.

“Oh my god Taemin you're back. I was waiting for you for so long but there was this handsome man in the parking lot waiting too. Maybe for his boss? Who knows. But – he was so gorgeous, so tall, and these big deer eyes, we even chatted a bit because we both went to the vending machine to get a drink–” Jonghyun faltered abruptly, seeing the expression on Taemin's face, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Taemin forced himself to smile, “Why would I not be?”

Jonghyun frowned. He had been friends with Taemin long enough to know when he wasn’t feeling good, but he also knew better than to push him when he wasn’t ready to talk. Nothing could put Taemin back into his shell faster than people being insistent.

“Do you still want to go clubbing?”

“No,” Taemin shook his head, “Let’s just head back home to drink and order chicken. I never even get to taste the food on any of these dates.”

Jonghyun laughed, patting his thigh reassuringly before starting the car, “Whatever you say boss. Speaking of bosses, this dating business is done right?”

“Yeah, all done.”

 

He would go back to being regular office worker Taemin again, one who worked hard and had an unrequited crush on one of his closest friends. Back to being a person who gave up on his dreams of being a dancer for his financially underprivileged family who had paid so much for his schooling that he could not deny them the opportunity to have something back from a son who had a stable, well paying job. Even if more than half of the so-called good salary went in paying off the student loans he had taken to study in a good business school.

But he was not one to self pity, and he didn’t intend to start now.

 

“Why don’t you tell me more about this doe eyed man you met?” He asked instead, smiling softly at the way Jonghyun beamed. Jonghyun always had a thing for meet-cutes, ones that rarely evolved into anything more, because usually his dates either got intimidated by him, or Jonghyun would leave them– more often than not because the person could not meet his absurdly high standards. But Taemin never faulted him for that. Jonghyun deserved someone who met all those standards and more.

“Oh Taemin, he was so polite– like I went to get some coffee and he was standing there for a can of iced tea, frowning and mumbling about the vending machine not having unsweetened versions, which got me talking about unhealthy drinks, and gosh, he was so built himself but he complimented my muscles, can you believe? We ended up exchanging gym tips–”

“And not numbers?”

Jonghyun scoffed, “Numbers? I didn’t even get to exchange names. But all in good time.”

 

Taemin chuckled, both knowing that Jonghyun would probably never meet the stranger again. Some encounters were best left as it were. Like Taemin and Kibum. At least the fear of getting caught as Kim Jonghyun was gone now, even though the fear for Lee Taemin the employee remained.

He sighed, looking out of the window at the passing lights as Jonghyun resumed singing with the radio– his melodic voice lifting Taemin’s mood.

Taemin only wished he and his best friend could find happiness. Whichever form it would come in.

 

 

⁂

 

 

It was hard watching Kibum sometimes. Especially when Minho knew him inside and out, and knew his exact thoughts just by the expression he had on his face. He knew Kibum was struggling with all the work he had taken on himself– restructuring the organisation’s supply network for his first job as CEO was extreme, even by his standards. Minho also knew that the date had not gone well the second he saw Kibum exit the restaurant, but instead of the disgruntled expression that Minho was expecting, especially when a deal business went sour, he was met with an almost forlorn looking Kibum.

It perplexed Minho.

 

“I take it that Jonghyun-ssi didn’t agree?”

Kibum shrugged wordlessly, hands reaching for his phone already. Work. Minho frowned.

“How about we go out to drink then? I spotted a good barbeque place on our way over here.”

“No,” Kibum sighed, “We have a meeting with the board tomorrow.”

“Which doesn’t start before twelve in the afternoon,” Minho retorted, “Besides, I got hungry waiting for you and now I have to wait to eat all the way till I drop you home!”

Playing the guilt trip card wasn’t ideal, but it almost always worked– and Kibum didn’t have to know about the tea and snacks Minho had consumed from the parking lot vending machine.

“I told you to go home! I could always take a cab,” Kibum exclaimed, “But fine, whatever. Let’s go eat. You’re impossible, Choi Minho.”

Minho grinned triumphantly.

 

 

 

“Minho, you know I have always loved you like my own grandson.”

“Yes Halabeoji,” Minho bowed his head obediently as the Chairman smiled, “But I know you are reminding me of that for a reason.”

He guffawed, “Glad to know living with Kibum in the States hasn’t made you lose your cheek. Now before Kibum comes back from the meeting, tell me how he is. I have been keeping a track of his schedule and he seems to be at the office all the time. He surely can’t be actually seeing someone like this.”

Minho nervously scratched the back of his neck. He didn’t want to lie to their grandfather, but telling him about how Kibum had fallen out with Jonghyun would mean that Kibum would be stuck in the very same cycle of blind dates he had been trying to escape in the first place.

“Minho, I expect you to be honest with me at least,” he cajoled.

Minho sighed, defeated, “I think they had a falling out.”

“So he isn’t seeing anyone anymore?”

“Not that I know of, no.”

“Ha! I had a feeling. In that case I’ve made a list of blind dates again, I expect you to add them to his schedule.”

 

“—Halabeoji, you do know that he works for me and not for you?” Kibum interrupted them, looking annoyed after coming out of yet another fabric supplier meeting.

 

“It’s the same thing,” Their grandfather grinned, “When I can’t rely on one of my grandsons, I must rely on the other. But anyway, since you wasted my time like this, I would like to inform you that I have set up consecutive dates over the next few days so as to not waste your precious time.”

Kibum gasped, “Since when did you start using sarcasm like this?”

“Ever since my grandson started lying to me. Anyway Minho, I’ll email you the details right away.”

He waved farewell happily, walking away with his phone in his hands. He had never retired from running the conglomerate, but had at least managed to strike a balance between work and life at his old age. Minho could only wish that Kibum would at least follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

“How bad is it?” Kibum sighed when Minho took out his phone to check the mail notification.

Minho was speechless for a few seconds.

“Pretty bad.”

 

 

 

“Fifteen dates in a day is excessive. Like really excessive.”

Minho winced in sympathy as he stood there in the hotel lobby fixing Kibum’s tie, which had been loosened in frustration after the fifth date.

“You have ten more tomorrow,” he informed him, the replying glare from Kibum being so strong that Minho was lucky he had not been turned to stone yet.

“Whatever is going to happen to all those meetings that had to be rescheduled because of this?” Kibum started pacing around immediately as Minho released his neck, “And how the hell are there are so many rich gay bachelors in South Korea anyway? Last I checked I was being ridiculed in an elite boy’s school for being too girly.”

Minho winced again.

“Grandfather was extremely thorough with the picking apparently.”

“They’re all opportunists. The whole bunch of them. Half of them have so much internalised homophobia that they can’t even pretend to want to be here. At least—” Kibum abruptly stopped.

“At least?” Minho prodded.

Kibum took a deep breath, “At least Jonghyun was flamboyant about himself. He was proud of how he dressed and presented. He didn’t bore me to death either.”

Minho grimaced. Jonghyun had certainly made a strong impression on Kibum.

“Well let’s hope we can find someone partly bearable for you to at least talk with.”

Kibum shook his head, “That’s not happening. Do one thing for me though– schedule all my dates tomorrow to be taken to my office.”

“What–”

“This whole charade is being done for business purposes right? I’ll show them how business is done.”

Minho sighed, already mentally preparing himself for what he’d have to face tomorrow.

 

 

 

But what he faced was quite unexpected.

He blinked twice in disbelief as he bit into his sandwich. Minho had escaped from the office to the park nearby under the guise of an early lunch– ferrying Kibum’s dates in and out had been mentally tolling on him, and he had no idea how Kibum did it. At least Minho was glad he wasn’t treated like a real grandson when it came to company matters– Minho was panual and would probably have to face double the amount of dates than Kibum was already. Which sounded like a nightmare in itself.

But the reason he was surprised was not because of any of that. It was because the man he had met at the parking lot on Kibum’s last date with Jonghyun was sitting on a bench right in front of him, a coffee balanced precariously in one hand and phone in another– chattering away with whoever was on the other end. He had been very cute the other day– all big puppy eyes and enthusiastic voice, and the fact that he was tiny had been honestly endearing to Minho too. He had regretted not asking for a name and number, but it looked like a God up there was looking out for him after all.

 

The least he could do was say hi. Maybe he even worked nearby if he was in the vicinity in the middle of a work day.

 

“Hello,” Minho greeted warmly.

 

The man’s head snapped up in surprise, eyes blowing wide in recognition– before dropping his coffee on Minho’s pants.

 

“,  I’m so sorry,” he apologised while Minho chuckled at the ridiculousness of the situation. It was a good thing he worked at an apparel company at least– he had a change of clothes in his office.

“It’s fine,” Minho reassured, “I shouldn’t have sneaked up on you like that.”

The man huffed, but couldn’t keep the smile out of his face either, “Still. Fancy meeting you here though. Coincidence huh?”

“I work around here,” Minho answered simply, smiling still, “Do you too?”

“Nope. I was just waiting here to go out for lunch with a friend,” if eyes could twinkle, Minho definitely thought his’ did, “Anyway, please allow me to pay for the dry cleaning for this though. It was terribly clumsy of me.”

Minho waved it off but the man rummaged through his bag, procuring a business card and pressing it in his hand.

“I insist.”

If this was an elaborate ruse on giving Minho his number then he had to say it was working well so far. He looked at the business card, just to humour him.

 

Kim Jonghyun.

Shine Entertainment.

A&R Head.

 

Minho’s throat dried. Kim Jonghyun. He read it again. Shine Entertainment. A&R Head.

 

If this was the person Kibum went on a blind date with, then there was no way he was both inside the hotel with him, and outside at the parking lot with Minho. Unless—

 

“Is this your card?”

“Why?” He laughed, “Why would I give someone else’s contact information?”

Minho looked up slowly, his lips forming a thin line.

“In that case Kim Jonghyun–ssi, it seems we have a lot of talking to do.”