•Hotel Orchid Bloom•

"Speak? Will you?" Yeosang slapped and punched the man in front of him as he started to cough harshly and dropped to the ground.

Jeonghan rolled his eyes as he held up the man's chin with his foot, "You very well know you don't have any other choice."

"I'm literally so ashamed that you're my cousin." Yeosang scoffed, "Now speak something you fucker."

Jeonghan and Yeosang were dealing with a man named Kang Chaemin who was Yeosang's cousin.

Jeonghan was suspicious about the accident that had occurred to Seungcheol's staff so he got the CCTV records of the incident. And to his eyes, it looked like a pre-planned accident so he asked Yeosang for help to find out about the driver of the culprit vehicle.

And coincidently, he came out to be Yeosang's long lost cousin who was currently a criminal involved in robberies.

"Cousin who? Did you even know that I was alive before this?" Chaemin blurted out.

"That doesn't matter, does it?" Yeosang grabbed his hair to make him stand, "Now tell us, why did you do it?"

"Because someone asked me to." Chaemin stated.

"Who?" Jeonghan raised a brow.

"My childhood friend, Kim Hana." Chaemin informed, "She asked me to make sure that those two ladies suffer in the hospital beds."

"Hana?" Jeonghan scrunched his brows.

"You know her?" Yeosang turned towards him.

"She's Seungcheol's new manager." Jeonghan retorted.

"What?" Yeosang was bewildered, "Then why did she plan this? Chaemin, don't you dare lie."

"I'm not lying." Chaemin protested, "She was jealous that she couldn't go with Mr. Choi for the photoshoot because of those two women. That's why she wanted to take her revenge on them. Now leave me, the fuck?"

Jeonghan massaged his temples, "I knew it. I knew she was a bitch. As soon as I go back to Korea, I'll find out everything about her."

"What's happening Jeonghan?" Yeosang asked.

"Nothing." Jeonghan nodded, "Forget it, don't tell this to anyone."

"And you." Jeonghan turned to Chaemin as he pulled out a good amount of currency and threw it across his face, "Keep your mouth sealed because you don't want me to do it for you, right?"

"Yes sir." Chaemin was dragged away by Yeosang's guards.

"What is all this Jeonghan?" Yeosang calmly questioned, "Are you stressed over something? Tell me?"

"I was already doubtful over Hana that's why I had hired someone to follow her." Jeonghan stated, "He has collected almost every inch of information about her. Now, only one thing is left."

"What?"

"Wait." Jeonghan muttered as he made a phone call, "Where are you? It's time for a big step. Get into her apartment and collect every piece of information you can. And yeah, don't leave any clue or get caught."

He hung up the call, "Now her game is over." Jeonghan clenched his jaw, "I'll use her to trap two more fishes and then all three of them will be thrown into hell."

"Two more?"

"Yeah." Jeonghan held Yeosang's shoulders, "Thank you for helping me today. And please, don't let anyone know about this okay?"

"Of course." Yeosang chuckled, "Now let's go. They must be waiting for us."

The two males fixed their attire and reached the main hall where Seungcheol and Seonghwa were waiting for them.

"Where were you?" Seungcheol asked worriedly.

"Actually a staff member twisted her ankle while working so we got busy helping her." Jeonghan lied, "Sorry."

"It's fine." Seungcheol nodded as both the males took their seats.

"I got to know a lot about Seungcheol hyung in the meantime though." Seonghwa proudly stated.

"Isn't it Mr. Choi for you?" Yeosang looked at him.

"Not anymore." Seonghwa grinned.

"We dropped the formalities Mr. Kang." Seungcheol remarked, "You can drop them too."

"Then I'll call you hyung too." Yeosang chuckled.

"But I'm the same age as Jeonghan, why are you both calling me hyung?" Seungcheol asked.

"I'm older than them." Jeonghan laughed.

"Yeah but we have been together for so long that it doesn't matter anymore." Yeosang added.

After that, the dinner went smoothly. Jeonghan and Yeosang were great at pretending that they haven't just brutally beaten up a man to make him solve a huge mystery.

Jeonghan and Seungcheol happily left the place after appreciating the hospitality offered by Seonghwa and Yeosang.

"I'll drive." Jeonghan stated as he got into the driver's seat and Seungcheol followed his demand as he grabbed the passenger seat.

"This is the wrong way Jeonghan." Seungcheol looked at the road as 15 minutes had passed after the drive had started.

"You don't teach me about the directions in Japan. This is the right way because we aren't going to the hotel." Jeonghan replied.

"What?"

"Yeah now shut up." Jeonghan chuckled.

"Are you going to push me off a cliff or something?" Seungcheol stared at the younger's calm face, "What did I even do?"

"Okay calm down Mr. Choi." Jeonghan laughed, "I know you're joking but don't give me ideas."

"Ideas, wow." Seungcheol rolled his eyes.

In a while they reached another immense building which looked like a hotel.

"Is it your hotel?" Seungcheol asked as he saw the huge trademark of Rose Quartz.

"Yeah." Jeonghan nodded, "I didn't show you earlier because you can already see how far it is from your company's stay."

"Makes sense." Seungcheol remarked as both of them walked in as the staff greeted them. They were the bosses after all.

Both of them got into the lift and Jeonghan pressed the button to reach the rooftop.

"Rooftop?" Seungcheol asked.

"Tone down your curiosity and trust the process, Seungcheol." Jeonghan assured.

"Woah what is this?!" Seungcheol exclaimed as he stared at the view in front of him.

"Did you like it?" Jeonghan looked at the older.

"I loved it!" Seungcheol grinned, "This is so beautiful."

"I know." Jeonghan nodded, "This is a tourist attraction. You can watch this here peacefully but there's a place where several tents are organised and people book them for their little parties while looking at the view. The glamorous stars collide beautifully with the artificial tower lights."

"Is it changing colours?" Seungcheol squinted his brows.

"Yeah, as I told you this is a tourist attraction." Jeonghan explained, "You won't pay to see a blue tower for the whole night, will you? So it displays several pictures like an animation, people just indulge in their parties or night outs with this stunning view."

"Why do I not know about this?" Seungcheol wondered, "I've been to Japan so many times."

"Bet I know Japan better than you." Jeonghan proudly grinned, "I've been here for business, a lot. But when we were settling up an HQ here, Joshua and I stayed here for about 6 months while Jun and Minghao used to fly back and forth."

"Makes sense." Seungcheol nodded, "I've never visited Japan apart from my schedule so whenever we used to come here, we either stayed at the hotel or strolled around nearby places during day-offs."

It was when Jeonghan turned on some peaceful music. He walked towards the older and offered him his hand, "Let's dance."

Seungcheol laughed a bit after which he gently held Jeonghan's hand, "Sure."

Seungcheol snaked his arm around Jeonghan's waist and pulled him closer as he rested his hand on the older's shoulder. They intertwined their spare hands and began to move delicately.

I found a love, for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

"You look happy today." Seungcheol whispered.

"Because I am." Jeonghan smiled lightly, "I've achieved something I've always craved for."

"Tell me too?"

"Of course." Jeonghan nodded, "But you'll have to wait for a while."

"As you say." Seungcheol nodded.

"Look, it has completely changed now." Jeonghan pointed at the tower as they parted away.

"It's gre-" Seungcheol turned around as he couldn't find Jeonghan beside him. But his amusement doubled when he witnessed Jeonghan fixing the small tent-like thing.

"Is this also for us?"

"Of course!" Jeonghan chuckled, "Come, join me!"

"But won't we miss the view if we sit inside it?" Seungcheol asked.

"We won't miss it even if we lie down here." Jeonghan assured, "It's the perfect spot."

Seungcheol smiled as he walked into the tent and sat beside the younger, "Everything is so beautiful. When did you plan all this?"

"That doesn't matter." Jeonghan slowly held the older's hand, "I wanted to tell you something."

"What?"

"Before that, I also want to ask you a question." Jeonghan cleared his throat, "What happened to you when I- uh- when I wronged you? I only know what I saw from my own eyes but I also know that there was a lot more going on which I don't know about."

"Why are you bringing it up all of a sudden?" Seungcheol retracted his hand gently, "I already asked you to forget it. You need not to know about it Jeonghan."

"But I genuinely want to." Jeonghan retorted, "Please?"

"You-" Seungcheol gave up, "What's there to know? I was heart-broken, dejected and disappointed, all at the same time. I never knew you would betray me like that, it was unexpected. I thought you truly loved me. Everything was shattered down, I had friends to console me but the person I needed the most wasn't there."

Seungcheol chuckled dryly, "Those memories are still fresh in my mind. Everything happens for a reason but the point was that I never found the reason for anything that happened. You tried to apologise multiple times but I was way too broken to accept it or trust you again. It was like an insecurity that was eating me from the inside.

But life just went on and I started to pretend that I was fine. I began to lie to everyone and in turn myself too. As I said, I never hated you. I treasured all the memories we made when we were together but-"

Jeonghan patted his back when he saw the older visibly choking on his words, "But I couldn't help it. Even I had no idea over how hurt I was. Please don't start apologising again because I've genuinely forgiven you for everything. I don't know why you wanted to know this all of a sudden but whatever."

Jeonghan turned towards the elder as he wiped his tears. He held his hands and gathered some courage to speak his mind, "Choi Seungcheol, I love you."

I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine

Seungcheol stared at the younger in disbelief as a hesitant smile crept up on his lips, "Don't joke about this Jeonghan."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Jeonghan stared at him intently.

"You didn't look like you were joking that time either." Seungcheol recalled, "I couldn't figure out that time as well."

"I know." Jeonghan mumbled as he looked down, "But I swear I'm really serious this time. Seungcheol listen- I know you still love me."

"So you're feeling pity on me?"

"Noo!" Jeonghan clarified, "I don't know for how long I've been in love with you but I confidently realised it yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Yeah." Jeonghan inhaled a deep breath, "When the thought of you getting hurt almost made my heart pop out of my chest. I realised how much you mean to me. I realised I want you in my life much more than just a friend."

"Good for you." Seungcheol felt his heart getting heavier, "It's true that I still love you. But trusting you with my feelings is a different thing Jeonghan. I'm still not ready for this."

Jeonghan's hand unconsciously parted from the older as he didn't know how to react.

"I know it might hurt but trust me I don't want to keep you in the dark." Seungcheol explained, "I don't want to pretend to be all fine in front of you then worry about my fears without you knowing. It would be straight up betrayal and I don't think it would work like that."

Jeonghan just nodded without looking at the older. He breathed twice after which he gained a small smile, "Let's go back, shall we?"

"Jeonghan please don't act like this." Seungcheol held his arm and pulled him closer, "Look, I'm really sorry. And my love for you isn't fake either but it's not easy for me. Please try to understand."

"I know Seungcheol." Jeonghan nodded, "I very well understand that I'm just repenting for what I've done years ago. You were right. I didn't quite understand your feelings back then but today I do.

Today is the day I realised that, it definitely hurts."

"But don't worry." He continued, "I'll not run away this time. I'll prove myself Seungcheol. I won't say things like I don't deserve you and back away. I'll never let my past affect my present or future, I promise."

We're still kids but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
I see my future in your eyes

Seungcheol embraced Jeonghan tightly, "Jeonghan don't get me wrong. I'm not declining you, it's a yes, definitely a yes. I've always wanted this to happen. But just give me some time to consolidate everything and calm myself. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. "

"Don't be." Jeonghan patted his back, "I understand your pain Seungcheol and I assure you that I'll be the one who will heal it all. I- I really love you."

Seungcheol relied on the younger as he continued, "Just stay by my side in the meantime okay? I'll make it work, no matter what."

"You can't do it alone." Seungcheol mumbled, "Don't stress over it Jeonghan, my denial is not your fault. It's my very own weak heart but I'll try my best, I swear."

"You don't have a weak heart." Jeonghan retorted, "Loving someone for years without expecting anything in return isn't easy. I respect you."

Seungcheol broke the hug as he gathered himself, "It's crazy. I wanted this to happen for a long time but when it's finally happening, I don't know what's stopping me."

"Don't feel bad." Jeonghan placed his hand on his cheeks, "Take as much time as you need, I promise I'll always stay by your side. I promise I won't leave you again."

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song

He sat comfortably in the tent and looked at the older, "Come here."

Seungcheol chuckled as he laid down while resting his head on the younger's lap and closed his eyes.

"Earlier I didn't quite understand my feelings for you but do you know what's the scenario now?" Jeonghan smiled.

"What?"

"Now this is the situation, if you ask me for my life, I will gladly give it to you as a gift." Jeonghan stared at the older.

"And you can take mine in return." Seungcheol closed his eyes with content.

They intertwined their hand while Jeonghan caressed Seungcheol's locks with his spare hand.

After a while, when Seungcheol finally drifted to sleep, Jeonghan started to feel bitter. He leaned down to kiss the older's forehead, "I know you love me. I know you'll never leave me, I trust you Seungcheol. You trust me too but you just need some time. I'll wait for you, patiently. It's my turn to stand at the giving end.

I'm sure we'll be together very soon, this separation and pain is just temporary. I'll show you how much I love you. And apart from that, some people are going to learn their lesson for trying to harm you. I'll make sure that even their menacing shadows won't fall over you. I promise.

You don't need to worry about anything anymore. I'll deal with all the darkness and light up your world. I love you."

When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight...

A/n : *Evil laughter of author echoes. Y'all the upcoming chapters gotta light a flame, if you know, you know.

Okay guys, I need usernames again! So whoever is okay with me using their usernames in this book, drop it here!
(Open till March 22, 2024)

Anyways, take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo