Electro sound was been played loudly in Jade Club and people were moving their bodies to the sound. Some people were just sitting or standing at the corner, chatting and flirting with other people. It's not unusual that the club was full Friday night since the club was one of the top clubs in Seoul.

At the bar, there was a guy who was sitting alone driving vodka. He wore a black shirt with blazer and jeans. He ignored all the girls who were trying to grab his attention.

'Hey there' a girl who was wearing a mini dress said with a seducing voice.

Eric just looked at her and continued drinking his drink.

'What's your name?' she tried again.

Without sparing a glance, he replied, 'Eric'

'My name is Tasha btw' she introduced herself. 

She tried to shook hands with Eric but the older guy just stared at her hand for a long time before finally shook it.

'Do you come here a lot?'

This girl is so annoying!

'Yes'

'Really? I never seen you around'

'Good then' Eric said coldly. 

He really didn't have the mood to talk to her.

'Excuse me' Eric said and went to sit other place, leaving the girl all flustered and embarrassed.

As soon as he sat down, he heard a familiar voice.

'You need to try to be more gently, Eric'

When he looked at the figure, Eric just shrugged his shoulder.

'I don't care'

The figure chuckled and sat next to him, 'Sigh, typical Eric Mun. Always doesn't care about everything except for work' 

'I haven't seen you in days. And now, you suddenly popped up' the figure said with amusement.

'I thought I want to give you a surprise'

'Tsk, yeah right. So, what has been happening?' 

'Nothing much. You, Minwoo?' 

'Business is getting better, life is fun. Yup, that's pretty much it' Minwoo shrugged his shoulder.

'That's good. Unlike my life' Eric sighed.

'Yeah, I heard about your parents are planning to get you marry to a girl'

'Ugh, don't even say about it! It annoys me fcking much' Eric groaned in annoyance. 

Minwoo is his childhood friend and he was sure that Minwoo heard about it from his sister.

'Your sister said that you leave work early these past few days. That's unusual for Eric Mun'

I knew it.

'I don't know. One needs a change right' Eric tried to change the subject.

'Come on! I know something is happening. You better tell to this best friend of yours' Minwoo just didn't want to give up.

Eric sighed. He took a deep breath and told Minwoo about Hyesung. Minwoo seemed to be more interested about Eric's story and his sudden change of behaviour.

'What makes you wanted to be friends with him?' Minwoo couldn't help but to ask. 

He knew that Eric is the type of person who won't do the first move, let alone making new friends.

'Because he has autism?' Eric said shortly.

Minwoo was taken aback with Eric's answer and asked again.

'Excuse me?'

'He has autism. You know what that means right?' 

Minwoo nodded.

'But that's not the main reason. I don't even know why I wanted to be his friends. All I know is that I want to know about him, inside and outside. I just feel the need to protect and be there for him' Eric explained.

Minwoo was in shock for awhile because this is one of the rare moments where Eric poured out his inner thoughts and feelings. If he could record the moment, he would. 

'That's nice of you. My friend has finally becoming a nice person' Minwoo teased.

'Yah, I am a nice person!' 

'Not to all people' 

Eric could just pouted.

(Next day)

'Is there any meetings left?' Eric asked as he started to pack his things.

'Only one. In about 30 minutes time' Lara said.

Eric groaned in annoyance. It was already 5pm and he wanted to see Hyesung as he hadn't seen the younger guy for a few days now due to his busy work. He finished his meeting really quickly as he could (7:00 pm) and drove off to Hyesung's house. He just found out that his house was behind his mother's restaurant.

'Welcome' Mrs Shin greeted in her usual friendly tone.

'Hello, aunty. Long time no see' Eric greeted back.

'How have you been, Eric?' 

'Been busy' he commented shortly. Mrs Shin nodded with understanding.

'Hyesung-ah, look who's here' she called out Hyesung which Eric assumed he was in his 'playroom'. Due to Hyesung autism, his mother had made a small room for him to play and not to get bored. 

And it worked fortunately!

Hyesung slowly came out from his room and when he looked at Eric, he pouted and went back inside. Eric couldn't help but to feel shocked of what happened.

'What's wrong with him?' Eric asked Mrs Shin.

She just shrugged her shoulder and smirked, 'I don't know. You tell me'

'Aww, aunty. Just tell me please. Does he hate me?' Eric pleaded. 

To be honest, this is a new side of Eric. Soft and spoil like a kitten.

'More to sulking, I would say. But that, you have to figure it out' Mrs Shin smirked again and went to take orders from new customers.

Eric sat and thought hard about what could he done to Hyesung. But he failed and it was making him anxious.

Fck this!

Eric slowly made his way to Hyesung's 'playroom' and knocked softly. No response. Eric took that as 'You can come in'. When he opened the door, he could see Hyesung who was mumbling to himself at the corner of the room.

'Hyesungie' Eric called softly. 

Yes, ever since he met Hyesung, he gave the younger guy a new nickname and much to his luck, Hyesung likes it.

'Go away' he said, still not facing Eric.

'Hey, buddy. Please tell me. I don't know anything' Eric persuaded.

'No...'

'Pretty please with a cherry on top' Eric shook his hands.

'You don't like me...' Hyesung said with a shaking voice.

Eric's eyes widen.

'What? No, I don't hate you. Who told you that?' Eric said in disbelief.

'You don't want to see me anymore' 

With that, Eric knew what was happening. He smiled and turned Hyesung around. He cupped Hyesung's cubby cheeks and looked at him directly into the eyes.

'Don't you dare think that I hate you because I would never' Eric said seriously.

When he saw Hyesung was paying him full attention, he continued, 'I'm busy with work and you know how I can't neglect my work. You understand right? Plus, I went straight here after I finished my work'. Eric kept on saying the word 'work' to make Hyesung understood.

As a response, Hyesung nodded his head slowly.

'As an apology, let's go eat ice cream' Eric persuaded.

Hyesung glared at him, 'I am not a kid. I am an adult, Eric ' he said childishly.

Eric chuckled silently in his heart because Hyesung was so cute especially when he puffed his cheeks right now. 

He smirked and asked, 'What if I want to bring you to Gangnam?'

Hyesung's face lit up immediately and Eric knew he just caught the bait.

Who's a kid now huh?

'I want! I want!' Hyesung started jumping up and down, totally forgot about his sulking.

'Let's ask your mum first' Eric gestured and searched for Mrs Shin.

'Mum! Mum! Can I follow Eric to Gangnam?' Hyesung cheekily asked.

Mrs Shin kept quiet for awhile and later gave a smile, 'What's the magic word?' she asked.

'Pleaseeeee' Hyesung confidently said.

'Alright then. I expect Hyesung to come home before 10' Mrs Shin said to Eric.

'Yes, madam. Thank you' Eric bowed politely.

At Gangnam, they strolled on the streets, buying Hyesung his strawberry ice cream. As they were walking, Hyesung halted his steps. At first, Eric didn't know why but when he looked the shop beside Hyesung, everything made sense.

'Do you want to go inside?' Eric asked. Hyesung shyly nodded.

Hyesung's eyes widen when he saw a lot of stuff toys and other toys in the shop. It was like a paradise to the younger guy and Eric was glad that he could see his expression. Hyesung excitedly roamed around the store not before Eric held his wrist.

'Hyesungie, please don't run. We can stay here all day long okay. So, don't run' Eric said.

Hyesung nodded again.

They went to every section of the shop and when Hyesung was about to grab a cute stuff teddy bear, some other kids took it and went off with her mum. Hyesung was stunned by it and froze at his spot. 

If she wasn't a kid, I would've steal it for Hyesung.

'Hyesung?' Eric called softly.

Hyesung didn't response, instead he started walking out from the store. What made Eric surprised and freaked out was when he heard soft cries from Hyesung's mouth. Honestly, Eric didn't know what to do!

Oh ! What am I going to do now?

'Hyesung, please don't cry' Eric tried to persuade but that made Hyesung cried a bit louder and people started to stare at them.

Wrong move, Eric!

He looked around for things that could made Hyesung stopped crying. And that was when he saw a stuff puppy toy. He grabbed it and waved gently in front of Hyesung so that it caught his attention. 

And it did.

'I know that you want a dog but your mum doesn't let you have it because of your allergy. So, let's buy this toy as a substitute alright' Eric was hoping that it can calm Hyesung down. 

Fortunately, it did again.

Eric grinned widely and made his way to  the counter with Hyesung. 

'How much would this be?' Eric asked.

'20000 won'

Eric handed her a note of money. When he saw the salesgirl trying to put the toy inside a paper bag, he stopped her.

'It's okay. I don't need it' Eric said. The girl just nodded.

When Eric took the toy, he gave it to Hyesung and the younger guy held the toy tightly. 

'Promise me you won't cry anymore' 

'Pinky promise!' Hyesung grinned widely.

It was nearly 10 pm and Eric needed to send Hyesung home because his mother slaughtered him. As they were walking to the parking lot, Eric could feel Hyesung holding his shirt from the back. When he looked behind, he saw Hyesung walking with his head low.

'What's wrong Hyesung? Is anything okay?'

'Many... People... Don't like it' Hyesung mumbled. 

Eric gave a faint smile, 'Why didn't you say so?' 

He then held hands with Hyesung to assure him that it would be fine. Hyesung calmed down a bit by squeezing Eric's hand gently. Eric noticed that people kept staring at them because they were holding hands and Hyesung who was holding his toy like a kid. But for all they know, Eric didn't give a damn even for slightest bit.

Eric sent Hyesung to his doorstep and bid goodbye.

'Good night, Hyesung. Sleep well' Eric said while ruffling his soft hair.

Hyesung didn't say anything, instead he gave Eric a tight bear hug.

'Thank you for today and toy' Hyesung mumbled but Eric still could heard him.

Eric's eyes widen and his heart was beating rapidly as Hyesung suddenly hugged him. He was hoping hard that Hyesung wouldn't heard his heartbeat because that would be embarrassing.

Eric patted his back and muttered a 'Welcome'

On the way home, Eric kept thinking about the previous incident and how the heart beat fast. It never happened to him before. Even when he was with his ex-girlfriend. 

It can't be...

Eric shook his head vigorously.

He is just a friend and he's like a brother to me that I want to protect. Nothing more.