No Matter What (Chapter Five)
TITLE: No Matter What
SUMMARY: What if you've found the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? And then your love, your soul mate suddenly turns tail and runs?
After the businessman smiled warmly at Hyukjae, he looked past him and noticed for the first time a person he hadn't expected to see: Cho Kyuhyun. More specifically, he saw a shocked Cho Kyuhyun with an arm around a certain Lee Sungmin's waist, looking just as shocked as he was.
As a barrage of questions filled his brain, one thought floated high above the others.
He was sure they were going to have a very interesting night.
---
Donghae bowed low. "Good evening."
It seemed that the shock was finally wearing off from Sungmin because he shook off Kyuhyun's arm around his waist and smiled warmly. "Donghae-ssi! So...it was you my brother invited. How very...interesting."
The older man smiled back, glancing quickly at Hyukjae. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not." Sungmin then pointed to Kyuhyun, who was still staring at Donghae like he had two heads, and said cheerfully. "That's Kyuhyun by the way."
Donghae bit back the smile threatening to break out. "Good to see you, Kyuhyun."
"Wasn't expecting you here, Hae."
Sungmin raised an eyebrow. "You know each other?"
Kyuhyun sighed. "Yes, Min. We're friends."
It was Hyukjae's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You're friends?" He glanced disbelievingly at Kyuhyun. "I thought the only people you had as friends were your gaming buddies!"
Then he turned to Donghae and noticed his amused smile. "Oh. Donghae is one of your gaming buddies."
Kyuhyun sighed again. "Yes. Don't start Hyukjae."
Hyukjae was about to open his mouth but stopped when he saw Sungmin's stern look. So he took Donghae's hand and led him to the sofa. "The food's going to be ready soon. Why don't you sit down?"
Donghae smiled and nodded.
"Kyu, keep Donghae company. We'll just finish up in the kitchen." Sungmin took his brother's hand and led him to the kitchen.
Kyuhyun sat down beside his friend and stared at him. "Well? Aren't you going to start asking questions?"
Donghae grinned but shook his head. "I've seen enough to know what's going on and I can't really scold you for not telling me so..."
"Fine." Kyuhyun crossed his arms. "Then I'll ask the questions."
The other shrugged and Kyuhyun took it as a sign to continue. "How in the world did you manage to get Hyukjae go out with you?"
Donghae smiled, smug to the extreme. "No one says no to this kind of face."
Kyuhyun stared at him incredulously and Donghae burst out laughing. "What Kyuhyun?"
The young man shook his head. "You're getting influenced too much by Heechul-hyung." After a beat, he continued, "Are you serious about him, Hae?"
Donghae stopped laughing. "We've only been out on one date, Kyu."
"Are you serious about Hyukjae?"
They spent a few seconds just staring at each other before Donghae nodded. "I think so. I mean...this is the first time I've felt this way, Kyu."
The other, obviously satisfied with his answer, nodded.
---
"So, you invited Lee Donghae."
"Yes, hyung."
Sungmin pursed his lips. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you would have teased me until I got crazy! Don't even bother to deny it because I know you would have!" Hyukjae pointed an accusing finger at his brother. "And it's so unfair too! I've never even teased you when you told me that you and Kyuhyun-hyung were finally together! I just congratulated you and left it at that!"
Sungmin laughed. "Yes, but then every time you see Kyuhyun you tell him to get away from me and annoy him constantly. But, you're right, I do tease you a lot, don't I? It's just that you're so fun to tease, Hyuk."
"Why? Why am I so fun to tease?" Hyukjae demanded.
"Because you're so adorable and you react to everything!"
Hyukjae rolled his eyes and continued to set the table.
"So...you really do like him, don't you?"
"I don't know. I-I guess so, hyung."
Sungmin came and patted him on the head, much like he had done when the they were kids. "I'm glad, Hyuk."
Then he went to the living room to call Kyuhyun and Donghae to dinner.
---
It had taken three more dates thank-you-meals and twenty more phone calls after Sungmin's birthday party before Donghae finally had the courage to kiss Hyukjae goodbye.
They had just finished dinner and as per usual, Donghae had insisted on taking Hyukjae home. Just as the younger man was about to open his apartment's door, Donghae had pulled on his arm, turned him around, and placed his lips on Hyukjae's.
The kiss was a mere touching of the lips but it was filled with sincere feelings and was perfect for a first kiss.
Donghae grinned as he pulled back and Hyukjae breathed in deeply. "This means we're official, right?
Hyukjae nodded, the kiss still running re-runs in his mind. He glanced at Donghae and smiled and that was all it took for Donghae to pull him close and kiss him once again.
When they finally came up for air, Hyukjae was blushing and Donghae was still grinning. The older man pulled Hyukjae to him and kissed his cheek. "I think I love you, Hyukjae."
Hyukjae's arms came around his waist and he whispered back, "I think I'm falling for you, too."
Donghae let out a relieved sigh. "That's good. I was nervous you were going to tell me that you just liked me as a friend or something."
"I just let you kiss me and you think I'd only like you as a friend?"
Donghae laughed. "It's just...I'm really, really happy, Hyukjae."
Hyukjae smiled as he tightened his hold on Donghae's waist. "Me too."
---
Sungmin literally squealed once Hyukjae broke the news that he and Donghae were officially together.
"Yes! Finally!" Then he turned to his boyfriend and extended a hand with his palm up. "You owe me 50, 000 won, Kyu!"
Kyuhyun shook his head but took out his wallet, nonetheless.
Hyukjae glanced at the scene with a confused expression before it melted into disbelief. "You were betting on me?! Sungmin-hyung, how could you?!"
Sungmin took the orange and yellow colored bank note that Kyuhyun handed out and smiled innocently at his brother. "It's nothing big, Hyukkie."
"Hyung...!" Hyukjae whined before he turned to Kyuhyun. "I'm willing to bet my life that this was your idea!"
Kyuhyun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, so?"
"I knew it! I knew this was your fault!"
The older man merely rolled his eyes. "It may be my idea but Sungmin did agree to it. Why don't you blame him?"
Hyukjae pursed his lips. "The two of you are too much."
"You know you love us anyway." Sungmin hugged his brother and spoke so that Kyuhyun couldn't hear, "Congratulations, Hyuk."
"Thanks, hyung."
---
The next few months passed like a blur both Hyukjae and Donghae. Because Heechul was not yet back from China, Donghae was all the more busier but still managed to spend some time with Hyukjae, occasionally skipping meetings just to do so.
Three months after they had gotten together, Donghae called to cancel lunch for the first time. "I'm sorry, Hyuk. A really valuable client came...and I can't get away."
"That's okay, Hae. You know I understand."
"Thanks, Hyukkie. But dinner's still on, alright?"
"Yes. I'll see you tonight."
---
Hyukjae glanced at his phone. He wasn't mad at Donghae for canceling their lunch date, because he really did understand. It was just that he was worried that Donghae would once again forget to eat lunch.
He sighed and wondered about what he would do to pass time before dinner came. He was just about to turn on the radio when he heard the front door opening.
"Sungmin-hyung?"
His brother looked up. "Hyukjae? Aren't you supposed to be out with Donghae today?"
"He canceled. Something to do about work. But we're having dinner tonight."
"Oh, I see."
"What are you doing here, hyung?" Hyukjae went to take Sungmin's bags. "Got bored in your boyfirend's mansion?"
Sungmin glared. "Of course not. I just needed to borrow your dark room."
Hyukjae raised an eyebrow. "I thought Kyuhyun-hyung had a dark room installed in the mansion just for you?"
The older man looked away. "His parents are coming later this afternoon."
Hyukjae nodded in understanding, silently cursing Kyuhyun's parents in his head. "Oh. Then, my dark room is yours."
"Thanks, Hyuk. You don't mind me staying here for a while right?"
"Of course not, hyung." Then he bit his lower lip, worry present in his features. "Will you be alright tonight? I can ask Donghae to re-schedule if you want me to accompany you."
Sungmin shook his head as he patted his brother's cheek. "I'll be fine, Hyukkie. Go on your date. Besides, Kyu promised he'd call."
"If you're sure, hyung."
"Of course I am." Sungmin smiled and headed straight for the dark room.
---
Sungmin was on the phone with Kyuhyun when he heard the door open. He glanced at the wall clock. It had barely been two hours since Hyukjae had stepped out of the house for his date with Donghae.
"Kyu, something's up. I'll call you later alright?"
After he had disconnected the call, he went to the living room where Hyukjae was sitting, holding a red rose.
"Hyukjae? What happened? It's too early for you to be home."
Hyukjae looked up and smiled. "Yeah. Um, he canceled."
Sungmin sat beside him and took the rose. "He gave you the rose and told you that he couldn't make it to dinner?"
"No." Hyukjae stared at the flower. "A waiter came...He gave me this rose and told me that Donghae can't make it in time for dinner..."
"Oh, Hyukjae..."
Then the younger man shook his head, took the rose from Sungmin and smiled. "It's fine, hyung. He's really busy, after all."
Sungmin frowned but allowed Hyukjae to escape to his room.
Inside the said room, Hyukjae looked at the flower for a long moment before putting in a box and sliding that box under his bed.
---
The next morning, Sungmin was awakened by the insistent ringing of the doorbell. He was about to get out of bed when he heard Hyukjae going down the stairs to open the door.
He faintly heard a surprised, "Donghae!" coming from his brother's mouth.
Curiosity once again taking the better of him, he crept out of his room and walked down the stairs. As soon as he caught sight of the door, he smiled.
Because there, standing with a dozen purple Hyacinths and looking very guilty, was Donghae.
---
A/N: So yeah, I was gone for a long time. I'm sorry. Blame my exams.
But I'm back. Yay. Hope you like this.
Purple Hyacinths mean "I'm sorry, please forgive me."
The rest of the story: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
SUMMARY: What if you've found the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? And then your love, your soul mate suddenly turns tail and runs?
After the businessman smiled warmly at Hyukjae, he looked past him and noticed for the first time a person he hadn't expected to see: Cho Kyuhyun. More specifically, he saw a shocked Cho Kyuhyun with an arm around a certain Lee Sungmin's waist, looking just as shocked as he was.
As a barrage of questions filled his brain, one thought floated high above the others.
He was sure they were going to have a very interesting night.
---
Donghae bowed low. "Good evening."
It seemed that the shock was finally wearing off from Sungmin because he shook off Kyuhyun's arm around his waist and smiled warmly. "Donghae-ssi! So...it was you my brother invited. How very...interesting."
The older man smiled back, glancing quickly at Hyukjae. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not." Sungmin then pointed to Kyuhyun, who was still staring at Donghae like he had two heads, and said cheerfully. "That's Kyuhyun by the way."
Donghae bit back the smile threatening to break out. "Good to see you, Kyuhyun."
"Wasn't expecting you here, Hae."
Sungmin raised an eyebrow. "You know each other?"
Kyuhyun sighed. "Yes, Min. We're friends."
It was Hyukjae's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You're friends?" He glanced disbelievingly at Kyuhyun. "I thought the only people you had as friends were your gaming buddies!"
Then he turned to Donghae and noticed his amused smile. "Oh. Donghae is one of your gaming buddies."
Kyuhyun sighed again. "Yes. Don't start Hyukjae."
Hyukjae was about to open his mouth but stopped when he saw Sungmin's stern look. So he took Donghae's hand and led him to the sofa. "The food's going to be ready soon. Why don't you sit down?"
Donghae smiled and nodded.
"Kyu, keep Donghae company. We'll just finish up in the kitchen." Sungmin took his brother's hand and led him to the kitchen.
Kyuhyun sat down beside his friend and stared at him. "Well? Aren't you going to start asking questions?"
Donghae grinned but shook his head. "I've seen enough to know what's going on and I can't really scold you for not telling me so..."
"Fine." Kyuhyun crossed his arms. "Then I'll ask the questions."
The other shrugged and Kyuhyun took it as a sign to continue. "How in the world did you manage to get Hyukjae go out with you?"
Donghae smiled, smug to the extreme. "No one says no to this kind of face."
Kyuhyun stared at him incredulously and Donghae burst out laughing. "What Kyuhyun?"
The young man shook his head. "You're getting influenced too much by Heechul-hyung." After a beat, he continued, "Are you serious about him, Hae?"
Donghae stopped laughing. "We've only been out on one date, Kyu."
"Are you serious about Hyukjae?"
They spent a few seconds just staring at each other before Donghae nodded. "I think so. I mean...this is the first time I've felt this way, Kyu."
The other, obviously satisfied with his answer, nodded.
---
"So, you invited Lee Donghae."
"Yes, hyung."
Sungmin pursed his lips. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you would have teased me until I got crazy! Don't even bother to deny it because I know you would have!" Hyukjae pointed an accusing finger at his brother. "And it's so unfair too! I've never even teased you when you told me that you and Kyuhyun-hyung were finally together! I just congratulated you and left it at that!"
Sungmin laughed. "Yes, but then every time you see Kyuhyun you tell him to get away from me and annoy him constantly. But, you're right, I do tease you a lot, don't I? It's just that you're so fun to tease, Hyuk."
"Why? Why am I so fun to tease?" Hyukjae demanded.
"Because you're so adorable and you react to everything!"
Hyukjae rolled his eyes and continued to set the table.
"So...you really do like him, don't you?"
"I don't know. I-I guess so, hyung."
Sungmin came and patted him on the head, much like he had done when the they were kids. "I'm glad, Hyuk."
Then he went to the living room to call Kyuhyun and Donghae to dinner.
---
It had taken three more dates thank-you-meals and twenty more phone calls after Sungmin's birthday party before Donghae finally had the courage to kiss Hyukjae goodbye.
They had just finished dinner and as per usual, Donghae had insisted on taking Hyukjae home. Just as the younger man was about to open his apartment's door, Donghae had pulled on his arm, turned him around, and placed his lips on Hyukjae's.
The kiss was a mere touching of the lips but it was filled with sincere feelings and was perfect for a first kiss.
Donghae grinned as he pulled back and Hyukjae breathed in deeply. "This means we're official, right?
Hyukjae nodded, the kiss still running re-runs in his mind. He glanced at Donghae and smiled and that was all it took for Donghae to pull him close and kiss him once again.
When they finally came up for air, Hyukjae was blushing and Donghae was still grinning. The older man pulled Hyukjae to him and kissed his cheek. "I think I love you, Hyukjae."
Hyukjae's arms came around his waist and he whispered back, "I think I'm falling for you, too."
Donghae let out a relieved sigh. "That's good. I was nervous you were going to tell me that you just liked me as a friend or something."
"I just let you kiss me and you think I'd only like you as a friend?"
Donghae laughed. "It's just...I'm really, really happy, Hyukjae."
Hyukjae smiled as he tightened his hold on Donghae's waist. "Me too."
---
Sungmin literally squealed once Hyukjae broke the news that he and Donghae were officially together.
"Yes! Finally!" Then he turned to his boyfriend and extended a hand with his palm up. "You owe me 50, 000 won, Kyu!"
Kyuhyun shook his head but took out his wallet, nonetheless.
Hyukjae glanced at the scene with a confused expression before it melted into disbelief. "You were betting on me?! Sungmin-hyung, how could you?!"
Sungmin took the orange and yellow colored bank note that Kyuhyun handed out and smiled innocently at his brother. "It's nothing big, Hyukkie."
"Hyung...!" Hyukjae whined before he turned to Kyuhyun. "I'm willing to bet my life that this was your idea!"
Kyuhyun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, so?"
"I knew it! I knew this was your fault!"
The older man merely rolled his eyes. "It may be my idea but Sungmin did agree to it. Why don't you blame him?"
Hyukjae pursed his lips. "The two of you are too much."
"You know you love us anyway." Sungmin hugged his brother and spoke so that Kyuhyun couldn't hear, "Congratulations, Hyuk."
"Thanks, hyung."
---
The next few months passed like a blur both Hyukjae and Donghae. Because Heechul was not yet back from China, Donghae was all the more busier but still managed to spend some time with Hyukjae, occasionally skipping meetings just to do so.
Three months after they had gotten together, Donghae called to cancel lunch for the first time. "I'm sorry, Hyuk. A really valuable client came...and I can't get away."
"That's okay, Hae. You know I understand."
"Thanks, Hyukkie. But dinner's still on, alright?"
"Yes. I'll see you tonight."
---
Hyukjae glanced at his phone. He wasn't mad at Donghae for canceling their lunch date, because he really did understand. It was just that he was worried that Donghae would once again forget to eat lunch.
He sighed and wondered about what he would do to pass time before dinner came. He was just about to turn on the radio when he heard the front door opening.
"Sungmin-hyung?"
His brother looked up. "Hyukjae? Aren't you supposed to be out with Donghae today?"
"He canceled. Something to do about work. But we're having dinner tonight."
"Oh, I see."
"What are you doing here, hyung?" Hyukjae went to take Sungmin's bags. "Got bored in your boyfirend's mansion?"
Sungmin glared. "Of course not. I just needed to borrow your dark room."
Hyukjae raised an eyebrow. "I thought Kyuhyun-hyung had a dark room installed in the mansion just for you?"
The older man looked away. "His parents are coming later this afternoon."
Hyukjae nodded in understanding, silently cursing Kyuhyun's parents in his head. "Oh. Then, my dark room is yours."
"Thanks, Hyuk. You don't mind me staying here for a while right?"
"Of course not, hyung." Then he bit his lower lip, worry present in his features. "Will you be alright tonight? I can ask Donghae to re-schedule if you want me to accompany you."
Sungmin shook his head as he patted his brother's cheek. "I'll be fine, Hyukkie. Go on your date. Besides, Kyu promised he'd call."
"If you're sure, hyung."
"Of course I am." Sungmin smiled and headed straight for the dark room.
---
Sungmin was on the phone with Kyuhyun when he heard the door open. He glanced at the wall clock. It had barely been two hours since Hyukjae had stepped out of the house for his date with Donghae.
"Kyu, something's up. I'll call you later alright?"
After he had disconnected the call, he went to the living room where Hyukjae was sitting, holding a red rose.
"Hyukjae? What happened? It's too early for you to be home."
Hyukjae looked up and smiled. "Yeah. Um, he canceled."
Sungmin sat beside him and took the rose. "He gave you the rose and told you that he couldn't make it to dinner?"
"No." Hyukjae stared at the flower. "A waiter came...He gave me this rose and told me that Donghae can't make it in time for dinner..."
"Oh, Hyukjae..."
Then the younger man shook his head, took the rose from Sungmin and smiled. "It's fine, hyung. He's really busy, after all."
Sungmin frowned but allowed Hyukjae to escape to his room.
Inside the said room, Hyukjae looked at the flower for a long moment before putting in a box and sliding that box under his bed.
---
The next morning, Sungmin was awakened by the insistent ringing of the doorbell. He was about to get out of bed when he heard Hyukjae going down the stairs to open the door.
He faintly heard a surprised, "Donghae!" coming from his brother's mouth.
Curiosity once again taking the better of him, he crept out of his room and walked down the stairs. As soon as he caught sight of the door, he smiled.
Because there, standing with a dozen purple Hyacinths and looking very guilty, was Donghae.
---
A/N: So yeah, I was gone for a long time. I'm sorry. Blame my exams.
But I'm back. Yay. Hope you like this.
Purple Hyacinths mean "I'm sorry, please forgive me."
The rest of the story: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07