A/N: Wait! 2nd update of the day, make sure you've read the chapter before first!

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“I’ve never seen anyone look at a cupcake so sadly.” Jonghyun joked feebly, the attempt falling flat.

“Taemin and I were going to eat these as a celebration after the concert.” Onew mumbled, feeling numb.

Eight days. Taemin had been missing for eight days. For eight days, he had been somewhere, possibly in danger, away from everyone. Away from Onew. The worst part was, Onew couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t search for him- he had no idea who his parents were, where they lived or worked. He couldn’t even call the police; Taemin was a runaway, to most of the world, he had already been missing since he was 14. If anything, he was back where he was supposed to be.

Onew groaned, feeling the sudden urge to punch something. It just wasn’t fair! What had Taemin done so wrong? he had only wanted to follow his dream, to do what he loved. What was so bad about that? Why couldn’t he be allowed to live freely? Why were his parents so determined to ruin his life? How could parents do that to their kid?

Sure, Onew and his parents didn’t talk either, but at least they didn’t chase after him and do whatever they could to make his life hell. Honestly, Onew had no idea how his parents felt about him, but even so he was sure they would never wish such harm upon him.

It just. Wasn’t. Fair.

Jonghyun frowned at the elder, hating the pitiful look on his face. An idea that had been pushing at his mind for the past few days made its way to the front of his thoughts. It was likely to be shot down by the elder, but he could always try, couldn’t he?

“You know, you could always-”

“No.” Onew didn’t need Jonghyun to finish to know his answer.

“Hyung! It’s our best bet at finding Taemin. Can’t you-”

“Jonghyun.” Onew said, a sense of finality in his voice. “Even if I did, there’s no saying it would work. If they would even help.”

Jonghyun slouched in his seat. “I guess you’re right.” The singer turned away from Onew and began flicking through channels, ending up on the news. On the screen, a woman way too chipper stared at the camera, discussing about some company. Onew couldn't find it in himself to pay attention, instead opting to stare miserably at the cupcake once more.

What could he do? They'd tried searching, but obviously they couldn't do anything large scale. He found himself angry at Taemin, cursing him for not telling him more about his parents. For all Onew knew, Taemin was all the way in Busan! How was he ever going to find one person on a country of millions?

"-Lee Dong Wook and Chairwoman Lee Ji Sook." Onew shot his head up. Jonghyun gave him a confused glance, unsure of what caused the sudden reaction.

“Jonghyun.” Onew said, sounding more alive than he had in week.

“What?”

“Those names. I know those names.”

Jonghyun rolled his eyes. “Of course you do. He’s only the husband of the chair woman of SM corporations.”

“No, I mean I know them. That’s Taemin’s parents!”

“What? But... I thought their son was in America?”

“Taemin... Taemin...” Onew groaned, before brightening again. “Jonghyun? You know what this means?”

“That you’re dating the son of the 2nd largest company in all of South Korea?”

“No. It means, I know how to find him. We can find him Jonghyun! I can save him!”

Onew jumped off the couch and ran towards the door, already pulling on his shoes by the time Jonghyun caught on to what he was doing.

“What do you plan on doing? What, are you going to walk into headquarters and demand they return you their son?”

“That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”

As far as plans go, this was definitely not one of Onew’s best plans. Hell, it may have been his worst plan ever. He realized that fact as he stood in the chairman’s- in this case woman’s- office, being stared down by both Taemin’s mother and father.

He’d already spent the last 20 minutes fighting for Taemin, to no avail. He’d tried pleading, guilting, begging, bargaining. It had all been absolutely useless. No matter what he said, she always had the same answer.

“Taemin is my son. He belongs here. There’s no reason he should go back.”

Onew knew Taemin’s mother was stubborn, but he hadn’t expected her to be so ridiculously impossible. He had no choice. Time to bring out the big guns. It was his only chance, Taemin's only chance.

"Do you have any idea who my parents are? My father is the head police officer in Seoul. If you lay one finger on Taemin's head, if I even suspect you are trying to get near him, I'll call." Onew smoothly omitted the fact that he hadn't talked to his father in years. He cheered in his head when he noticed the fear in Mr. Lee’s eyes. Taemin’s mother however, simply sneered at the barista.

“Do you really think we would fall for that? How pathetic. You’ll have to try harder than that before I even think of letting my son go.”  Onew glared at the woman, hating her more with each passing second.

“I’m not lying Mrs. Lee. Would you like me to give him a call?”

“Go ahead. Even if what you say is true, your father can do nothing. Taemin is my son, if anything, he belongs with me. You can’t take him.”

Onew knew that as well, but he had been hoping Chairwoman Lee didn’t. Unfortunately, he wasn’t just dealing with someone wicked, he was dealing with an evil mastermind. He was starting to feel as if he had no chance.

“Please, let Taemin go. Can’t you understand, he will never be happy working here. He will never be happy living a life of a lie, and if you try to marry him off to a girl, you will only be making them both miserable. Taemin is a smart, wonderful person, but his place is not here.”

He knew it was impossible to guilt that heartless woman, so he directed every word towards Taemin’s father, hoping against hope the man would stand up to his wife. His hopes were crushed, however, when Mr. Lee simply turned his head away to hide his guilt ridden expression.

“You never give up, do you? Well, guess what you disgusting brat, it’s the end. Taemin is my son, and he is going to stay here. If he doesn’t love it now, he will learn to love it, or he can live perfectly miserably. I don’t care. Now, get him out of my sight.” The last sentence was for the guards, who immediately took a hold of Onew’s arms.

“I can walk myself.” Onew spat, ripping his arms out of their grip and storming out of the room. Onew stomped down the hall, fists clenched tightly as he struggled to contain his anger. How dare she. How dare she. How could a mother say such hateful things towards her son. How dare she not care about his happiness and well being. It didn’t seem right, Onew couldn’t believe someone could behave so harshly towards their own child.

He was halfway across the main floor, exit in view, when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. Onew spun around, prepared to punch someone in the face, when he realized who it was.

“What’s going on?” Onew asked, eyebrows pulled together in confusion. Taemin’s father stood before him, body stiff but eyes full of emotion. “Don’t tell me-did Chairwoman Lee change her mind?” Mr. Lee shook his head.

“No, and she won’t. But...you’re right. I never agreed with my wife’s handling of our sons’ lives, but she is the chairwoman, and I can’t do anything.”

“So? Why are you telling me this? To make me completely give up on ever seeing Taemin again?” Onew could barely keep the venom out of his voice.

“That’s not it at all. Listen, My wife already destroyed one of my sons, I can’t let her ruin Taemin as well.”

“Then... do you accept him?” Onew asked hopefully.

Mr. Lee shook his head. “I’m... I’m sorry. I love him, but I can’t accept him. The most you can ask of me is to just pretend I never found him.”

Onew was torn between anger and pity. He knew it must be difficult for the man to understand, but couldn’t he just accept his son? What was so hard about loving someone no matter what their tastes?

“If that’s all-” Onew turned to leave.

“Wait! Onew, please. I can’t save him, but you can. And..if it must involve the police, please, keep it quiet. This company is all I have. Please, don’t ruin the company in order to save Taemin. I’m giving you a chance, don’t screw it up.” With that, Mr. Lee calmed his features and walked off, leaving Onew dumbfounded.

For the first time, he felt true hope, but also a great fear. He knew what he had to do to save Taemin. He knew what he needed to do,  but the idea sounded more terrifying than jumping off SM’s roof.

For Taemin. Onew thought, hitting dial and raising the phone to his ear.

Onew clenched the phone tightly in his hands, fearing if he didn't he would accidently drop it. The phone rang loudly in his ear, each new ring causing him to be more and more nervous. He could feel it closing up his throat, he couldn't do this, he had to hang up now-

"Yeoboseyo?" A low, familiar voice answered. Onew froze,fighting the urge to throw his phone and run away.

"It's...it's me." Onew stuttered.

Onew heard a gasp, and then came a suddenly anxious reply. "Jinki? Jinki, is that you?"

"N-neh." Onew swallowed. "I know you probably don't want to hear from me, but please. I need your help, appa."

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Whaat? Two updates in a day? Yes, it really did happen. To make up for the 2min last chapter, I thought I'd give you a little something extra. ^-^