Entanglements
Chapter 1: The announcement in the papers
"An engagement is announced between Lee Donghae and Cho Kyuhyun. Mr. Lee is a dancer while Mr. Cho is a lawyer and heir to his father’s tutorial academy. An autumn wedding is planned."
"Ah, so you've seen it."
Siwon looked up from the newspaper he was reading. Heechul smiled blandly from the doorway. "Your butler let me in," he said as way of explanation for his presence in Siwon's dining room.
"Take a seat." Siwon indicated a chair opposite him, "Would you like some coffee? Toast?"
Heechul shook his head as he sat down, "I don't eat breakfast."
Siwon lifted an impressive eyebrow, "Actually, I'm surprised that you're up at…" he looked at his wristwatch, "…at half past ten o' clock."
Heechul combed a hand through his hair. "You're right. But my sister woke me up. She got it into her head that I would surely love to see that announcement," he nodded to the newspaper that Siwon was now carefully folding away.
"Really? How odd," Siwon's voice was neutral. Very neutral that Heechul fixed him with a penetrating stare. "Well, I suppose he is your cousin after all."
Heechul continued to look at him thoughtfully, "You're taking this quite calmly." He raised a hand to stop Siwon who was about to reply before adding, "I know you can be quite suave about things if you want to but this…this disinterest is actually quite…suspicious." He hid a smile as Siwon now fixed an innocent look at him.
He and Siwon had become good friends since Siwon moved to SM Town. He was the son of a very wealthy businessman and he was tasked to manage the local chain of department stores their family established in the town. Heechul’s grandmother and sister were regular customers at the posh boutique in that store as well as most of the wealthy women in town. Heechul knew he could tease Siwon but also knew that there was literally hell to pay since Siwon was such a devout Christian and believed in praying for divine retribution if he went overboard.
"Why suspicious?" Siwon asked composedly as he sipped his caffe Americano. "It's not that I'm not interested, it's just that I'm indifferent." He casually shrugged and continued buttering a piece of toast. "That's two different things and besides, it's not at all surprising for Kyuhyun to get married. Sooner or later, he was going to get caught anyway, I mean he’s Kyuhyun," he took a big bite from the bread.
Heechul now looked amused. "Yes, it isn't surprising considering that you were both engaged once…" he paused expecting Siwon to elaborate at his and Kyuhyun's aborted engagement. However, he was disappointed when Siwon didn't reply. "Oh well, looks like it's you and I who are now engaged."
"Yes, especially if the town gossip is to be believed," Siwon added easily. That was the problem with living in a close-knit town like SM. Gossip was the official occupation of the townspeople. And it didn't help matters that Siwon was a handsome, wealthy and single male newly moved to town while Heechul, the handsome, eldest son of the well-known Kim family, has been the most eligible bachelor within a radius of fifty miles around ever since he hit puberty. Siwon had been sought after by the town’s females and males alike in the first few months when he moved there but no one was surprised or indeed, bothered pursuing him anymore when it became obvious that he and Heechul were now close. Siwon wouldn't be surprised if he saw an announcement of his and Heechul's engagement in the papers sent by the well-meaning people of the town.
He wasn't bothered being paired up with Heechul since it existed only in the imaginations of the townspeople. They were friends even if Heechul was actually a relative of his ex-fiance. Actually, many had predicted that that engagement was a mistake from the beginning, Kyuhyun being what he was. They had parted in what could be considered amiable terms and he knew that only Kyuhyun's pride got hurt in their parting. Unconsciously, his eyes traveled to the folded newspaper at the table.
"Do you know him?"
"Donghae?" Siwon didn't bother pretending he didn't know what Heechul was asking. "I've met him once in Taiwan," he explained referring to that time he was abroad for a long-stay working vacation.
"Ah, yes. That's also where Kyuhyun met him."
"Actually, I believe it was your brother Kibum who introduced them to each other."
"Do I hear accusation in your voice?" Heechul asked mockingly still trying to bait Siwon. There was still no reaction and he was quite surprised, this was Siwon after all. He shrugged, "No, it was actually his friend Henry who introduced them. They got quite close during their time there."
Siwon nodded, still eating his toast although he was starting to get confused. He knew that that was the only time Kyuhyun and Donghae spent the most time together. He didn't also hear any news that they were dating after coming back to Korea so why this engagement? A case of love at first sight? Siwon felt an inexplicable emotion in the pit of his stomach. Hmmm…he must be drinking too much coffee lately.
"Anyway, there's something else I need to tell you," Heechul shifted comfortably in his chair. "Kibum was also another reason why I woke up early. He got a call from Henry. It seems that Henry is taking him up on his offer to come over for a visit." He paused and looked squarely at Siwon as he said, "Henry is friends with Donghae so he is coming with him."
Siwon's hand froze for a second as he reached for his cup but he recovered quickly and managed to ask casually, "Oh? Why's that?"
"It seems that Donghae wants to learn more about his would-be-groom or bride or however they arranged it between them," Heechul explained matter-of-factly as he started to get up from his seat.
"Yes," Siwon nodded understandingly, "So he's staying at your house to get to know his cousins. I suppose that's only logical. But wouldn't he be in your way? You do have business to take care of."
Heechul was now smiling openly, "Yes and no. Yes, he'll be staying with us and no he won't be in my way. Because you see, he's actually coming to see you my dear boy."
"Me?"
"Why yes," Heechul was casually inspecting his fingernails but Siwon could see that he was thoroughly enjoying the situation. "Donghae is having what you call 'cold feet' and Kyuhyun, being the nice person he is…" Siwon frowned at his coffee cup, "… has suitably advised him to come and talk to you."
Siwon's mouth almost dropped open in surprise. Heechul leaned forward and told him in a suspiciously grave manner, "It seems that you're the only one who can help my cousin seize his happiness."
Siwon didn't like the sound of that and distrusted Heechul's seriousness. He asked a little suspiciously, "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Heechul straightened up and smiled again, "Why, it's simple really. You have to convince Donghae that Kyuhyun would make a great husband and he's the luckiest man in the world to be marrying him."
The cup in Siwon's hand dropped to the saucer with a clatter.
Heechul grinned and quirked an eyebrow at him, "That shouldn't be a problem, should it?"