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"Bin i'll get going now..." Chan said as he finishes fixing his things. Bin on the other hand couldn't look at him. He was looking at the rug as if something's interesting about it. The only thing he did was hum and nothing more.
Chan sighs then stands up from where he was sitting on the floor. "I know that you can't do anything about it anymore, Bin. You can't refuse your dad because if you do, he'll take everything away from you. We lived with each other for 5 months. We loved each other for 12 years, Bin. It's enough. Maybe it's just right for us to part ways."
Bin bites his lower lip as he looks at Chan for the first time that night. His eyes were brimming in tears as he looks at the love of his life which startled Chan because Bin wasn't the one who he always see crying. He was the crybaby, not Bin. He was the one who cries about the littlest things, not Bin. So it was just as heartbreaking as what Bin was feeling. Chan walks to the lad and hugs him tight.
"I love you, Chan" He says as he hugs the latter back. "If only we could run away. If only they won't find us" He whispers as he closes his eyes. Tears were falling at the dead hour of that night.
"Tomorrow will be your flight, Bin. Tomorrow will be mine too. Of all the countries we went before, this time, we're parting ways and flying to countries we haven't been to before. To start living without each other." Chan says as he pulls away. "I love you, Bin." He says before completely walking away from Bin. He collects his things before heading out the room without looking back to the love of his life who was broken too.
After 5 years...
"Mr. Seo, we need you to sign here before your meeting at 12pm sharp." Seungmin says as he passes the paper to Bin who was sitting on his swivel chair. "Before you ask, the meeting is about Mr. Hwang's gallery and your investment in it. He and his husband have been talking about expanding and he told me that you were interested in investing again? Another gallery owner would join you though." He says then looks at Bin.
"Thank you for that detailed schedule update, Seungmin. Who is this gallery owner we're talking about?" He frowns as he stands up to get his coat.
"I actually have no Idea" Seungmin says as he rechecks the email from his Ipad. Bin just takes the folder then walks to where the meeting will happen. He saw his friends sitting on the chairs provided and nodded at them.
"I still don't get how you, a person who holds a Modelling Company, invests in an art gallery like ours." Hyunjin fixes his clothes then drinks some water.
Changbin just chuckles and shakes his head no. Felix then agrees with his husband. "Well hyung, my love here has a point. Why are you investing in companies like ours when you can invest in companies which are connected with your Corporation. Like fashion companies." He stated,
"Basic. Because I'm into art. You both should know that by now." Bin says then loosens his tie a bit. "That or you're still not over him? Hyung, he has a boyfriend now." Felix says then looks at Bin seriously.
"Enough of me" Bin coughs a bit then sits properly. "Who would we be meeting today?" He asks while filling his glass with wine.
"Uhm, Seungmin didn't tell you?" Hyunjin then looks at him as if he's concerned about what will happen. "The reason why we have two more chairs is that we'll meet with Chan hyung and his Boyfriend. They wanted to open a museum and we wanted to expand so we thought that we should collaborate with each other for a new start for us and a great advertisement for their Museum to open soon. And you're here because you wanted to invest so.."
"What the fuck. Does he know he's meeting me?" Bin asks and then stands up to prepare himself for leaving.
"I think so.. But you're needed here, hyung. You can't go." Hyunjin stands up as well and then holds on to Bin's arm. "Let go, Hyun."
"Hyung this has been long planned. You can't back out now." Hyunjin insisted. He was right. Bin thinks. This was long planned. And this was business. Bin then sighs as he fixes his tie and sits back down. The pair who was with him sits down as well and looks at each other before settling down.
And as if on cue, the doors to the VIP room they booked opened and reveals two men, both wearing neat suit and ties, almost as similar as the men inside was wearing. Bin puts on his poker face as he was about to see his first love for the first time in 5 years. He drinks some water before standing up to greet whoever was making their entrance. However, Hyunjin and Felix already stood up to greet Chan and Minho who was walking towards them.
"Bang Channie Hyung" Felix beams as he greets the other. Chan then hugs the lad tight as he misses him so much. Hyunjin nods at Minho as Hyunjin smiles at the latter, hugging Chris after with a smile as well.
"How have you been? It's been so long" Chris smiles as he gets back to where his boyfriend is, and puts a hand on his waist.
"I'm still bitter that you didn't come to my wedding, hyung" Felix playfully pouts and leans to his husband's chest. Hyunjin smiles at his husband's antics and backhugs the latter. It was when Changbin stood up, when the others remembered one more presence in the room. "I don't have all night." He authoritatively says. "May we proceed with our agenda for now?" The lad asks with pure professionalism.
Hyunjin then gently taps Felix' side which makes the latter stand up straight. "This way, Mr. Bang, Mr. Lee.” Hyunjin smiles as he leads the boyfriends to the table they were supposed to be at. He pulls a chair for his husband, before sitting down himself. The other two then sit down on the chair provided for them, Minho, being the one beside Changbin, and Chris beside him.
Minho held Chan's hand, and his heart almost shattered to pieces when he felt it cold. He composes himself and squeezes Chris' hands lightly as if to calm him down.
"Okay so our meeting today is about the Investment Mr. Seo will be signing with Mr. Bang and our gallery to be established by next month. It was also stated that we all have to be actively participating on this project for it to be how we want it to be" Hyunjin says as he gives out some folders for them to read.
"So we already have a place for this? Where will the museum be located?" Bin asks as he reads the proposal.
Chris not-so-subtly looks at the younger for a second before checking on the folder himself.
"Actually, me and hyunnie decided for it to be in France." Felix quickly says before drinking his wine.
Both Bin and Chris looked at the lad, who looked away as he knew what was gonna come to him.
France was the first country they both went together. It was after an event that Bin had with his family. It didn't turn out great, hence Chris joked that what if they ran away to France, which the latter obviously took it seriously and the next thing they know, they're having a picnic in front of the eiffel tower and having a museum date at the Louver museum.
"That's fine with me. When are we flying?" Bin asks as he puts down the folder and takes his glass of wine before downing it. "And when will the preparations start?"
"The flight will be next week, and the preparations will start immediately. I already booked the suites that we will occupy and the plane tickets. We just need to be there." Hyunjin says and holds his husband's hand under the table, feeling the rising tension in the room.
Minho bites his lower lip before coughing a bit to get their attention. He faces his lover and says "I can't be with you there next week love, I have meetings to attend to."
Felix's first instinct was to squeeze Hyunjin's hand and look at Chris' side.
"In that case then I wouldn't go." He says and smiles at Minho.
"B-but hyung" The youngest in the room pouts. "This was long planned, and I kinda wanted you to handle it with us since you will be part owner of the museum", He continues.
"Love, you can go. You're needed there." Minho says and gently judges the lad. Chris sighs, opening his mouth to decline but then Minho beats him to it. "Christopher."
"Okay okay fine I'll go" Chris says, earning a smile from the younger couple.
"If that's the case then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you for coming with us. You can order anything and it'll be on us, our treat" Hyunjin says and gets a hold of the menu. The others did it as well but then Bin clearly has other plans.
"I'll get going first, I still have a little more work to finish in the office." The lad says and stands up. He takes his coat and walks to the door.
"It was nice to see you, after 5 years, Chan." Bin says without looking back. He didn't wait for a reaction but went on his way.
Back inside, there was a literal awkward silence. Hyunjin clears his throat before talking. "Uhm, it's okay if- you know, you guys wanna head out first.. if- yeah just-" He couldn't find the correct words to say so Felix had to butt in.
"What Hyunjin is trying to say is, if the both of you want some alone time, we can give it to you, and push through this dinner some other time." He smiles at the two, who nod.
"Oh- right, yeah I do think we need to go now. We'll surely think about what you guys said earlier. I haven't said yes yet, but rest assured that If I consider, I'll let you guys know." Chris says and stands up before holding Minho's hand and walks outside with him.
"What would I do without you?" Hyunjin asks as soon as Chris and Minho are outside. He holds Lix's hand before kissing the back of it. "I love you so much."
"I love you so much more." The younger smiles. "Now let's order, I'm kinda hungry" He says and hails a waiter to order.
Outside.
"I won't go." Chris sternly said as he opened the door for Minho. The latter didn't do anything to hop in, but then just stood there.
"You will." He softly says and faces Chris. "You need to"
"But I don't wanna go. I'll just tell them that I have some errands to finish. I don't wanna go without you." The lad says and looks down.
"Why would you need me there, Chris? So someone can ground you?" He asks and sighs. "So you can move your attention to me so feelings that are buried can't be brought back to life anymore?"
"What do you mean?" Chris asks back. "What feelings- Min, It's been five years."
Minho chuckles and looks at Chris as if asking him if he was serious.
"Yeah, five years without you fucking seeing him." Minho spat. "Without you, having to look at him, and feel his fucking presence." He sternly says. "Chris, you need to wake up. I knew how you looked at him before we happened. I was there! And the way you look at him is way different than when you look at me in the past years."
"Of course I would look at you differently because you're both different people! Where the hell are you coming from with this, Min?" Chris loses his composure as he starts to shout back to the latter.
"No. You look at us differently because the look you give him is of love. And you're not inlove with me. You're just inlove with the thought of love, and you see it in me. But you don't feel it." Minho started crying. He bites his lower lip and turns away from Chris. He composed himself before looking back to the latter. "You look at him the same as you looked at him the first time you realized that you fell for him."
And that's when it hits Chris.
He couldn't move, nor talk as he looked at Minho. He was crying because of him, he hurt him.
"I'm sorry." Chris whispers. "I'm so so sorry, Min. You don't deserve this" He feels defeated. Chris didn't know what to do as of the moment. So he just gently nudges the other to go inside the car. Minho does so, and closes the door on him. Chris heaves a deep breath and hops inside the car before driving back to their penthouse. The silence was broken when Minho talked.
"Take me to Jisung's. I can't live with you for the meantime until you realize your feelings. I already fell for you, Chris. I don't wanna fall in deeper." He says while looking outside, indicating that he doesn't really wanna talk right now. So Chris nods before driving in a U-Turn, on the way to Jisung's apartment.
As they arrive, Minho hops off and looks back at Chris. "It's your eyes. Your eyes never lie, Chris." He then closes the door, leaving the latter dumbfounded by what he says.
Without anything else, he sends Hyunjin a text saying that he'll come with them to France. He sighs for the Nth time and drives back to his penthouse.
Memories of the past five years came flooding in his mind as soon as he walks inside the penthouse. Did he love Minho?
He lays down to bed and lets his mind wander away. Soon enough, he fell asleep.
As if time was taking him as a joke, it was already the morning to the day they would fly to France. Chris groggily stands up and gets ready for the day. He was unamused with how the time flies so fast, he and Minho are talking more comfortably now rather than the last night they did.
They decided to end it. Minho wants Chris to realize his feelings, and at the same time, he wants to be just a friend to Chris as he thinks it was better that way. As if on cue, Chris received a call from the latter. He answers it as he finishes showering.
"What's up?" Chris asks as he washes his hair. "I just got out of the shower so my phone is on the sink. Why'd you call?"
"Bitch you're seeing him again later, what's your plan?" Minho excitedly asks.
"Ass, why did you call me just to ask that?" Chris chuckles as he gets his phone before getting his clothes and wearing them.
"If you're gonna be a tomato later and not talk later I swear, I'll make Hyunjin punch you" Minho says in a serious tone.
"What do you want me to do? Go up to him and kiss him and say that I still love him?" Chris sarcastically says as he finishes getting ready. He gets his things and walks outside to get to his car and drives to the airport.
As soon as he arrived, Felix was there to walk up to him and smile. "Good morning hyungie!" he bursts, ever the sunshine he is.
"Hmm, good morning lixie. Where are the other two?" He asks as he beams a smile to the younger.
"Oh they just-"
"Coffee anyone?" Hyunjin says before giving Felix his coffee. The younger kisses his cheek before taking the cup. He then gives Chris a venti cup of his usual hazelnut iced coffee.
His usual before he and Bin broke up.
Speaking of the lad, he looks around to find him, then was startled as when he looks upfront Bin was standing there while sipping on his own drink. "Looking for something?" He asks.
Chris shakes his head no then just drinks his coffee while screaming at Minho in messages, which the latter just laughed at him for.
"-an? Bang Chan" Bin calls him which almost made him startled. "I said we're about to board the plane, are you listening?" He asks and looks at him with a bit of... worry?
"Ahh, yes l-let's go" He smiles and stands up before holding on to his bag and rushing towards where Hyunjin and Felix are. However, Bin just chuckles and follows the latter with a smirk on his face.
The ride to France was smooth, and nothing serious happened because they all just slept on the way.
“No, I already paid for the suite, what do you mean only two suites had been reserved?” Hyunjin said in front of the reception, while the receptionist kept on apologizing. Felix kept on rubbing his husband’s arm, while the other two were just on the side. It was when Bin got tired of it and walked beside Hyunjin. “Me and Chris will take the other suite, just please fucking end this comotion now, Hwang.” He intimidatingly says which got everyone quiet.
Meanwhile Chris couldn’t process what he was hearing. “W-what?” He asks but then the next thing he knows is he was already being pulled towards the said suite. “Bin, wait what the hell was that?” He pulls his hand back and takes a halt.
“What do you mean?” The lad asks as he turns around to look at Chris with an annoyed expression. “If it was because of the suite, I did that just because it was already going on for way too long. You of all people should know that I’m impatient as fuck.” He stated. “I’m tired and I wanna fucking lay down can we discuss this in the morning?”
When Chris didn’t answer, Bin proceeds on walking towards their room. Chris just quietly follows and walks inside as Bin opens the door. The lad checks the rooms and sighs as he sees that there was only one room and a bed. He looks at the sofa and groans at it’s form. “I’m surely not getting some good sleep anytime now.” Bin whispers to himself then faces Chris.
“Yah, get inside the bedroom, it’s yours.” He deadpans then walks to the living room of the suite. Bin puts his bag on the floor and lays on the sofa. Chris walks to the bedroom and puts his bag on the bed. He walks to the door and looks at the lad who was on the sofa. He sighs before contemplating whether or not to let the man sleep beside him on the bed. In the end, he pushes the thought away and goes to ready his things.
The first few days of the field work was fine, they didn't get to talk because their time was always clashing. But it was when one day, Bin, Chris, Hyunjin and Lix went out to buy themselves some drinks. It was two carts? No- 3? Three carts of alcohol which made Felix frown at his husband. “That’s too much, Hyunjin.” He frowns, unamused at the amount of liquor they bought. But the said husband just shrugged and bought the said carts of liquor.
Which leads them to where they are now. They sat around the living room floor, drinking all kinds of whiskey, scotch, vodka and beer cans. “So what we’re just gonna drink here? That was your plan?” Felix says as he takes another shot of vodka and scrunches his nose at the taste.
“Let’s play?” Hyunjin says as he sits up properly.
“No, actually. Let’s talk.” Felix smiles and takes the glass of whiskey. Hyunjin sighs at Lix’s antics and puts his shotglass in the middle as if he already knows what will happen. He looks at the other two who absentmindedly puts their glasses in the middle. Felix pours some liquor on the glasses. "When you don't want to answer a question, you drink the shot." He evilly smiles. "And if you don't wanna drink, you do a dare."
"Okay then. If that's all then I'm game." He says then gets ready for the first question. "Who was your first love?"
Bin almost had the urge to take the shot, but he was no coward, so he deadass looked at Chris. "Christopher Bang." He deadpans and looks at Felix and Hyunjin.
Chris then gulps before biting his lower lip. "C-changbin" He says then looks at the carpet.
"Mine's Hyunjin" Felix glees and Hyunjin hugs him.
"And you are mine, baby” He chuckles as he pecks the younger’s lips.
“Yep, that’s it. I’m out” Bin chuckles and takes one bottle of Jack Daniel’s before heading to the balcony and Chris silently follows him. As soon as Bin feels the familiar presence from behind him, he looks back and leans at the railings. “Want some?” He asks. Chris nods then walks closer to Bin. The latter then pours liquor in his glass before putting it on the table. He looks at the buildings around their hotel and sighs as he drinks it.
“So?” Chris asks as he sits back to the chair that was on the balcony. Changbin drinks from his glass then sits down beside him. The lad chuckles. “First love” He says before playing with the lid of his glass.
“Yeah. First love.” Chris says and looks at his glass. He contemplates before looking at Bin. “You know what? Minho made me realize something.” Bin feels the gaze of the lad beside him so he looks back. He raises his brow as if to tell Chris that he was listening. “I realized that I never stopped loving you. That I was focused on who was with me rather than what I really feel. And I still feel fucking bad, you know? Because for five years, Minho was the one with me, but then again, I see you after five years and realize it’s still you.” Chris says.
And as If the world was listening, Bin received a message from Minho Lee.
“Don’t make me waste letting go of my person, I swear.” It reads.
Bin sighs and faces Chris.
“I love you. I never stopped loving you. It’s still you.” Bin says, eyes brimmed with tears once more. Chris’ eyes were the same. “It has always been you. I’ll always choose to love you.” The lad said. The other then hugs him close. They basked under the moonlight, hugging each other close as if they were the only people relevant in the world.