‘Hae?’

‘Y-Y-yes?’ I looked up and saw Siwon looking at me with a worried expression.

‘You haven’t been paying attention all day Hae. What’s wrong?’ He was approaching to my side.

We were just done with our weekly sale meeting and I didn’t realize I was still lost in my thoughts until Siwon called out to me.

I looked around and saw that it was just the two of us left in the conference room.

He rest his hand on my shoulder and squeeze it gently, ‘Are you not feeling well?’

I shook my head. My earlier conversation with Sungmin started to have its toll on me as it daunted on me just how deep Hyukjae had gotten into my heart.

‘I am fine Siwon. Just tired.’ I got up from my seat, ‘I should be getting back-‘

‘Hae.’ He started holding onto my arm.

‘Yes Siwon?’

‘Will you have dinner with me tonight?’

I sighed audibly, he still didn’t get it.

‘Siwon… Let’s just keep our relationship to a professional one shall me.’ I tried.

‘I am, Hae. I’m just asking for a dinner to know my people better. I had lunch with Tiffany too.’ He smiled. ‘Unless you are thinking of something else?’

‘N-n-no. All right then.’ I stammered. Did I really think too much?

‘See you tonight, Hae.’

‘Where are you going tonight?’ Someone said from the doorway.

Both Siwon and I looked over and saw Kyuhyun standing there with a raised eyebrow.

‘Kyuhyun? Why are you here?’ I flicked a glance behind him, expecting to see Hyukjae around. They were always together after all.

Kyuhyun smirked and walked into the conference room, his attention on Siwon as he extended a hand towards him.

‘I will be joining your department from today. Instructions from the CEO.’

‘What?’ I widened my eyes and looked questioningly at Kyuhyun. Hyukjae sent him here?

Siwon shook his hands as he grinned, ‘Well then what can I say. Welcome to the department.’

They shared a look for a brief moment, as if accessing each other before they let of go of the handshake.

‘Donghae will brief me then. We shall leave now Mr Choi.’ Kyuhyun took my wrist and pulled me out of the room.

‘What is going on? Why are you suddenly joining us?’ I asked as soon as we entered my office.

He took a seat, picked up some papers on my desk and started flipping through them.

‘Teuk is back. So I’m kind of redundant now. You will have to take care of me from now on Hae.’ He said.

I blinked. Not sure if i heard him right. Take care of him? Is this the Cho Kyuhyun I know?

I shook my head and shove that thought away, ‘You are saying Teuk would be Hyukjae’s personal assistant now?’

‘Just as before. Don’t forget, he is Eunhyuk to everyone else. And rightfully I shouldn’t even be in the picture.’

I sighed as I sank in my chair.

‘This is awkward.’ I gaped as I realized that I had voiced my thought out loud.

Kyuhyun chuckled, ‘I know it is for you. But I actually do like you. Don’t think too much about this and just let things happen naturally. I know you can do it. Just believe in us. Believe in Hyukjae.’

---

Hyukjae’s POV

A knock sounded and Donghae’s head peered in hesitantly.

Teuk got up from opposite me and moved forward to open the door wide for Donghae who walked into my office with eyes looking everywhere but me.

I frowned at that. Suddenly concerned over his odd behavior.

‘I heard Teuk is replacing Kyuhyun?’ He spoke softly.

‘Actually Kyu was the replacement, Hae.’ Teuk laughed.

‘Teuk, leave us.’ I ordered. I wanted to know why Donghae is here since he seldom came over to look for me and that made me slightly worried what could be the matter.

Hae furrowed his brows when he saw Teuk bowed slightly to me before leaving my office.

I knew he found that action weird but he didn’t comment on it. I got up from my seat and moved towards him.

Once I neared him I pulled him closed and had my arms around his neck, my eyes looking into his averted nervous gaze.

‘What’s the matter Hae?’ I prompted softly.

‘You won’t be happy about it.’

‘What is it?’’

‘Siwon asked me out for dinner.’ He looked into my eyes then, ‘And I agreed.’

I felt my heart being stabbed by his words.

‘Are you actually giving him a chance Donghae.’ I removed my hold on him and took one step back.

My mood suddenly soured by his admission. Why the hell would he agree in going out with that guy?

‘Of course not Hyukkie! It’s strictly just platonic. Just two colleagues out for dinner, two old friends hanging out. I can have friends too can’t I?’ He tried reaching out to me.

‘Do I need to remind you, he’s also your damn ing ex lover?’ I couldn’t stop my voice from raising, suddenly agitated by what I heard.

I interjected quickly when I saw his mouth open, ‘That guy doesn’t have innocent intentions towards you at all got it? He wants you. Everyone can see it why can’t you. Unless…’

‘What Hyukkie? Unless what?’

‘Unless you are doing it on purpose.’ I said quietly. I had no idea what had gotten into me. But once those words are out I knew I had probably been too harsh.

‘Is that what you think of me? Is that it?’ He spat angrily as his hands immediately dropped to his sides.

I swallowed dryly. Unable to retort as I suddenly felt guilty for throwing such words at him.

‘ you Lee Hyukjae! Yes. Yes I am doing it on purpose. Because my aim in life is to let every single person to want me all right. Are you happy now?’

‘Hae..’ I said but he had already quickly stormed out and slammed the door shut.

Smooth Hyukjae. Damn smooth. All the more you are encouraging him to run to that horse face.

I took out my phone and speed dial Kyu.

‘Yes?’

‘Keep an eye on Donghae. Watch and protect him closely from now on… And I need to talk to Kangin soon. Get him to come to Seoul.’

---