Chapter 9

Jackson closes his mouth, trying to hide the yawn away from public eyes since they are in a high end place, it might seems impolite to the others.

"Hyung, are you ok? You look so sleepy." Youngjae questioned, losing count at how much the older beside him as been yawning since morning.

"I'm fine, just lack of sleep." Jackson replied, slapping his own cheeks a few times to focus on waiting for their lunch to arrive.

"Did you sleep late last night?" Youngjae question once again, amazed at the fact that the usually very focus and hyper Jackson, seems so out of it today.

"I did, we played all night yesterday." Jackson replied, talking about him gaming with Mark the whole night until they both collapsed on the floor of their entertainment room.

After coming back from accompanying their father to his check up yesterday, Ma decided to give them a treat by having a BBQ out in the garden behind their mansion for dinner.

They spend the whole night chatting and eating delicious food that Mark and him took turned grilling until their parents settle in for the night then they brings the snacks up stairs and gamed all night in the entertainment room.

In short, last night was the best.

Meanwhile the younger out of the two started blushing, thinking that he might have probe in too much.

Jackson who noticed the pink shades on Youngjae's cheeks suddenly realized how weird his words sounded.

"I meant, we gamed all night yesterday." The older quickly rephrased his words, flustered while Youngjae just laugh at the cute red face older.

"Why are you all red?" Mark's voice was heard, pulling the duo's attention towards him who just settle down opposite of Jackson.

"Nothing." Jackson replied, gulping down the glass of cold water that was prepared for them causing Youngjae to just chuckled at his quick reply while Mark just eyed the younger weirdly.

"Where did you go anyway?" Jackson questioned, trying to change the topic before he gets any redder that this.

"Restroom." Mark replied, smiling sheepishly before playing with the menu pamphlet that were put in the middle of the table with the cutleries and sauces.

It didn't take long before their seafood platter and other sides that they ordered arrived, the three of them dig in and enjoyed the food even Youngjae.

"Dimsum, do you know Youngjae is our high school junior?" Jackson exclaimed, trying to bring up a conversation since it seems like things are still awkward between his two best friends.

"Really? What year?" Mark questioned, surprised to the fact that a junior of theirs are currently working in his company.

"I was a freshman during Jackson hyung's graduation year." Youngjae replied, smiling at the now lesser scary older especially after seeing how cute Mark is when he is concentrating on eating.

"Ah..that's cool how you guys end up working in the same company." Mark commented, returning the smile back to the younger who seems to be more comfortable with him now.

"Right? I didn't even know he's a junior until he approached me first during his first day at the company." Jackson commented excitedly causing Mark to rolled his eyes at the younger.

"Of course, you must be so busy, you didn't even recognize your own junior." Mark joked, sticking his tongue out at the pouting Jackson.

"Evil!" Jackson exclaimed before stealing the older favourite mocktail that he haven't even had a sip yet, sipping away while smirking at Mark's shocked look.

"I hate you." Mark pouted, glaring at the younger before calling out for a waiter to order another brand new mocktail for himself.

Once he ordered, Mark just ignored the younger and focus on the lost Youngjae instead.

"So Youngjae, how did you know about this idiot if he doesn't even know you?" Mark questioned, ignoring the protesting Jackson who didn't like being called a 'idiot'.

"Ah..I saw hyung's pictures and achievements for the sport team in our school wall of honor." Youngjae replied after chuckling at the poor Jackson who's trying to be included in the conversation.

"See, that's how popular I was back in my glorious days in school."Jackson commented, earning a nod from his desk neighbour while Mark just ignored his words.

"Did you have any subject you particularly good at? I'm quite good in Mathematic."Mark asked which got Youngjae into thinking mode while Jackson just stare at Mark's face.

"I'm just average in most subject but I do enjoy art and music classes the most." Youngjae replied, smiling at the fond memories of how he usually spend time in the art room, painting while listening to music.

"That's cool." Mark replied, ignoring the puppy eyes Jackson is shooting at him at this point.

"Hey, aren't you going to ask me?" Jackson whined, don't like the idea of the older ignoring him.

"Whatever."Mark murmured, starting to weaver after seeing those pair of sad eyes looking at him.

"Fine, I'm sorry. I shouldn't do that." Jackson apologized in defeat, knowing that he shouldn't mess with his favourite food or drink in this case when it comes to Mark Tuan.

"I hate you." Mark exclaimed but smiling this time before reaching out to pinch Jackson's cheeks who beamed in return, happy to have Mark's attention back.

Youngjae couldn't help but to smile at how cute they both are, they match each other perfectly even though their personality are pretty much opposite of each other.

Their lunch continues on smoothly with chatting in between as Mark and Youngjae learned more about each other, they realized that the three of them pretty much clicked well together.

After their lunch, Mark drove the desk neighbours back to the company before driving off to meet Kevin for his own appointment with the older.

As the best friends entered the office, they proceed back to their individual desk and start working per usual.

About an hour later, Jinyoung stepped into the office, returning from meeting the vice president with a grin on his face and a folder in his hold.

“Attention, everyone!” Jinyoung called out which earned everyone attention, looking at him with full of curiosity including Jackson.

“We got a new project on hand, please gather at the meeting room in five. Thank you.” Jinyoung announced, earning groans from the three ladies and Bambam while the desk neighbours are excited over the news.

In less than ten minutes, all the design department staffs are already seated, waiting for their chief to brief them on the new project.

“This time round, we will be working on a perfume ad. The president of Pure Kiss, Kevin Woo is releasing a new line of perfumes in three weeks and he wants us to come out with something unique and fresh.” Jinyoung started, causing the ladies in the team to start talking among their self since the brand Pure Kiss are super popular among the female population.

“Requirements or theme?” Youngjae questioned, already excited to draft out his proposal.

“No requirements but he wants a love themed ad since the new line coming out is named, Kiss Me. Therefore, please keep that theme in mind while working on your proposal.” Jinyoung replied as Bambam starts giving out the perfume catalogue to everyone.

“You guys can used the catalogue as a referral, have a clearer idea at what we are selling this time round. You are given only up until Friday to work on a proposal each so make sure to passed your proposal to me by lunch on that day itself.” Jinyoung adds, earning nods from his staffs whose busy scanning through the catalogue.

“Alright, dismissed. If anybody have any question, please refer back to me.” Jinyoung announced, reminding his staffs before walking out of the meeting room.

*************************************

“What are you doing?” Mark questioned after seeing how the younger was furiously messing up his hair, frustrated about something that he’s working on the coffee table.

Jackson sighed at the question, getting up from the floor before joining Mark whose just chilling with his IPad on the couch, resting his head on the older’s lap.

“Dimsum, how would you describe love?” Jackson questioned, finding the theme a bit hard for him since after the break up, love isn’t really something that he can express well.

The word itself brings back more bad emotions rather than good ones.

Mark raised his brows, wondering what’s with the weird question but still give it a thought nonetheless.

“Love is bittersweet, just like dark chocolate. You either like it or hates it.” Mark replied after giving it some thoughts, looking at Jackson who hum at his respond, eyes staring at him.

Unknowingly, Jackson’s eyes was actually glued to Mark’s attractive pinkish lips that was pouting while he was thinking hard earlier, the kiss they shared replayed in his mind.

“Ka Yee..” Mark called out, poking the other cheeks after realizing the younger had zone out on his lap, feeling Jackson’s eyes on his face.

“Yes.” Jackson replied, jolting up into a sitting position after he realized that he had been starting at Mark’s lips for way too long which currently messing up his brain.

“Are you alright? Did you heard my response earlier?” The older questioned, just to make sure Jackson is actually fine.

“I did, thanks. Dark chocolate, it might work as a concept.” Jackson replied, grinning at the older when an idea pops up in his mind.

“Are you working on a proposal?” Mark asked once he saw Jackson quickly returned back to his seating position on the floor and start drawing on the papers.

“We got a new project today, a perfume ad.” Jackson replied while still concentrating on his drafting, oblivious to the clear smirk on Mark’s face.

The meeting he had with Kevin earlier today replayed in his mind as he watches the working younger back view.

“How did the meeting go, hyung?” Mark questioned after they ordered their drinks, smiling at the older who seems pleased.

“It went well, he seems confident that you entrust everything to him when I asked about you earlier. Seems like he underestimating you.” Kevin replied, remembering at how confident Jaebum was facing him, talking about how he’s representing Mark because the new president aren’t familiar yet with meeting like this with a rather cocky tone.

“Good, let him busk in happiness for now. It won’t last long, anyway.” Mark exclaimed, sipping on his newly arrived iced green tea while Kevin nodded in agreement.

“Like what they alway said, the quiet ones are always the dangerous ones.” Kevin exclaimed, referring to the junior seated opposite of him.

“It just most people didn’t realize that.” Mark remarked before sharing a knowing smirk with each other.

“What are both of you smirking about?” A familiar voice was heard before he plopped himself down beside Kevin, feeling the chill from the smirks.

“Why are you late, Mr Eric Nam?” Kevin questioned in english, rolling his eyes at his best friend who's busy sipping on his iced coffee.

“Hey, I’m busy. Not like the both of you.” Eric replied smugly which cause Mark to chuckled while Kevin just gave up in talking, calling out to the waiter to order a new cup of iced coffee.

“So, did everything went well on your side?” Eric questioned, seriousness back in his tone as he look at Kevin for a response.

“It did, we will just need you to start moving in a day or two at least.” Kevin replied, while Mark nodded, going through the plan in his mind once more.

“Sure but my company is fairly new, you think he would trust me that easily?” Eric questioned, wondering if the younger president did a right choice at picking him to help out with the plan.

“Based on what I found out, he had once deal with a two year old company so I don’t think your company would be a problem, hyung. All you need to do is offer him the biggest amount. If you don’t have enough, just give me a call.” Mark replied, reassuring the older that everything will work just fine.

“Alright, just leave it to me than.” Eric exclaimed, giving Mark a cheesy wink that earned him a smack on his back from the disgusted Kevin while Mark could only laugh at his seniors antics.

Mark was brought out from his thoughts when he felt vibration from his beeping phone beside him, alerting at text from his giant baby back in L.A.

From: Giant Baby

Hyung, good news. This week is my last week at the dance academy, I will be arriving in a week or two. Hopefully you don’t miss me too much, take care and see you soon.

Mark instantly smiles at reading the good news, he can’t wait to see his giant baby again.

To: Giant Baby

I’m already missing you T_T See you soon, take care too and don’t skip your meals too often. It ain't good for you. Love you <3

He placed his phone on the table after replying the text before returning back to surfing the net on his IPad after resting his body on the couch, glancing over every now and then to Jackson whose absorbed in working on his draft.

Around two hours passed by before Jackson was finally aware of his surrounding again, he turned just to be greeted with the sight of Mark, fast asleep.

He smiles at the older cute sleeping face, unknowingly leaning in to peck Mark on the cheeks before a beeping interrupt the moment which cause him to just realize what he just did.

With a red face, Jackson quickly tries to find the beeping source which was Mark’s phone placed not too far from him, he quickly retrieve the device and open the newly arrived text.

From: Giant Baby

Love you too, Marky <3

Jackson quickly closes the text, placing the phone back on the original spot while trying to figure out why he suddenly felt annoyed after reading the text.

“Marky? Who called him that?” Jackson questioned in his mind, curious to who is the text sender.

*************************************

“Hyung, how did it went?” Youngjae questioned once he saw Jackson reappearing from their chief's desk direction.

“Awkward!” Jackson replied before returning back to his desk, hoping that his proposal will be chosen since he really work hard on it the last few days.

“I’m going.” Youngjae whispered over, passing by his desk before heading straight to Jinyoung’s desk, to hand in his own proposal.

Jackson decides to get back at working on the files that he received this morning from Bambam, more typing heading his way.

Meanwhile on the thirteenth floor, Mark was heading out to meet up with Eric over at the older’s company.

“Jia, I’m heading out. I might not be back for the rest of day so if anything, please text me to update.” Mark informed, earning a short ‘yes’ from the smiling secretary.

Returning the smile, Mark continue his track towards the lift but only to bump into someone whose was eyeing him suspiciously.

He remembers the younger, he is the office boy that Jackson was talking about.

The one that just recently joined the company about three months ago.

Mark wasn’t sure what’s with the look the other was giving him so he just walked passed him and ignored those eyes staring at him.

Once Mark disappears into the lift, Bambam fasten his steps and approach the secretly annoyed Jia, rolling her eyes at the predicted questions heading her way.

“Noona, who is he?” Bambam questioned, wondering what Jackson’s new boyfriend was doing on this floor, even talking to Jia.

“Mark. Why?” Jia replied, after debating to just said the president’s name for now, nothing else.

“What department is he in?” Bambam questioned again which makes Jia wonder why the other suddenly got so much interest on the young Tuan, something seems off.

“Bam, are you here to interview me or passed those documents?” Jia questioned back, eyes on the files in the younger’s hold, waiting to be sign by the vice president.

Bambam rolled his eyes at the secretary's words, passing the files over before walking away, feeling annoyed by Jia not needed attitude.

“Fine, if she aint telling me, I will just figure it out myself.” Bambam exclaimed in his mind, smiling at the fact that he finally knows what the name of Jackson’s annoyingly attractive boyfriend is.

*************************************

The best friends decides to hang out at a cafe nearby their company after work, just to release all the stress they accumulated the past few days from working on the proposal.

“Let’s order first, Mark will join us later.” Jackson informed, earning a nod from Youngjae before they went ahead and ordered a drink and desserts respectively.

“Your proposal was unique, hyung. How can you think of putting chocolate in a perfume ad?” Youngjae exclaimed, still amazed by Jackson’s creativity every single time.

“Thanks to Mark though, he was the one that brings up the chocolate bit.” Jackson said, feeling proud that he could incorporate the older words into his work. 

Youngjae smiles, seeing how Jackson’s eyes seems to sparkled every single time he talked about Mark to him.

“You seems really happy, hyung.” Youngjae blurted out which cause the other to look at him, lost at what he meant.

“I mean, it seems that he really makes you happy even happier than when  you were with Jinyoung.” Youngjae rephrased his words making Jackson feel weird, wondering if he really seems to be happier than before.

“It can’t be. We aren’t even a pair, how can the happiness be more real than when I’m with Jinyoung.” Jackson questioned in his head, debating with himself on whether to tell Youngjae the truth about him and Mark, that they are just best friends like them.

“Hyung, I think I left my apartment key back in the office.” Youngjae exclaimed, panicking over the fact that his set of keys wasn’t any where to be found in his bag.

“Let’s go and get them.” Jackson exclaimed, already gathering his stuffs but was stopped by the younger.

“It’s ok, I can go alone. You just wait for Mark here, I will be quick.” Youngjae said before gathering his stuffs and exiting the cafe after receiving a nod from the complaining Jackson.

It didn’t take much walk to reached back to the building, while heading for the seventh floor Youngjae couldn’t help but to think about how quiet it will be since everybody already left at this timing.

Therefore it surprise him when he saw light dimly around their chief desk area, Jinyoung seems to be busy snapping pictures of something.

Youngjae tip toed closer, hiding himself behind a pillar after getting a better view at what was laid out on the desk.

“Isn’t that all of our proposals?” Youngjae questioned in his head, wondering why their chief are snapping pictures of each and every piece of their work.

Jinyoung was soon interrupted by his phone ringing, answering the call with an annoyed look.

“Can’t you wait? I’m working on it. Give me more time.” Jinyoung hissed at the caller, scaring Youngjae in the process since he never witness this side of Mr Perfect before.

The chief slammed the device on the desk soon after, ruffling his hair in frustration before gathering his stuffs including the camera and the proposals before rushing out of the office, looking super irritated by everything.

“Whatever it’s going on, it can’t be good.” Youngjae exclaimed under his breath as he watches his chief disappeared into the lift, looking like a total mess.

Back at the cafe, Jackson starting to worry when Youngjae still hasn’t return back after twenty minutes passed by.

Mark who had arrived a while back noticed how restless the younger is, making him worried too.

“Mandu, don’t worry too much. Give him a call.” Mark suggested, which cause Jackson to smack himself on the forehead for failing to think about calling Youngjae from just now.

Before Jackson could call, he received a text from Youngjae that makes him sigh in relief.

From: Youngjae

Hyung, I’m heading back first, not feeling too good. T_T Sorry. 
Enjoy your date with Mark though ;)

“Is it Youngjae?” Mark questioned after seeing the relief clear on the other face while reading the newly arrived text.

“He is not well so he is heading home first. He told me to enjoy our date though.” Jackson replied, chuckling at the date bit while Mark just smiles, amazed at how Youngjae totally convinced they are a pair in love.

To: Youngjae

Rest well and take care, see you on Monday. >_< Ps: Don’t worry, I’m enjoying ;p

“You know, I do feel bad though especially to Jae, he really thinks we are a happy pair.” Jackson shared his feeling about this whole boyfriend thing after replying to his desk neighbour.

“Aren’t we? Who said we aren’t happy, who said we aren’t a pair? A pair of best friends.” Mark exclaimed causing Jackson to think about the older wise words.

“But that isn’t…” Jackson muttered, end up cutting himself when he can’t find the correct words to express his thoughts.

“Mandu, we can’t control of what people think of us. Even if we explained ourselves, it’s useless because humans prefer to accept their own perspective on things rather than the truth given to them.” Mark said, patting Jackson’s head to comfort the somewhat guilty stricken puppy.

“You are right, Dimsum. This whole boyfriend thing started from the rumors going around, it wasn’t us who lied to everyone about it.” Jackson agreed, feeling a little bit better after talking about it with the older.

“Exactly. But if you still uncomfortable about not telling Youngjae about us than go ahead. I’m sure he will understand, after all he knows what you faced everyday at the office.” Mark encouraged which earned him a grin from the younger beside him before Jackson glomped him unexpectedly.

“Thank you, Dimsum. You are the best.” Jackson exclaimed, squeezing the older ever tighter while Mark trying to hide his blushing cheeks from all the pairs of eyes currently staring at them in either awed or disgust.

 A/N: Hello! It seems like Mark's special someone, made a text appearence in this chapter. Can you guys guess who it is? The nickname pretty much give it away though..lol.
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