hendery nodded his head. ❝yes, i would like to excuse liu yangyang from his classes today. he's, unfortunately, not feeling well.❞

really? the last time he remembered, which was just this morning when he was woken up by his alarm, the student complained about how his back is hurting and how overly stretched he was down there. both the ceo and the secretary stared at each other with guilty eyes as they heard that from him, silently apologizing for what they have overdone last night. speaking about xiaojun, it made hendery wonder at how he looked totally fine and is not even limping as he prepared himself for work. he didn't want to think deeply at it, maybe painkillers really are a handful.

having the phone pressed on his ear with his shoulder supporting it, his hands worked on with chopping the vegetables and doing the honors in cooking breakfast for the family since he was the first one to finish his morning routine first. then, a voice of a woman from the other line spoke. "yangyang is never the type to skip classes even if he is sick, is it severe?"

that's what the ceo would like to ask himself. the student just handled one last night— well, obviously, he would't know how much it'll hurt. ❝he's just bedridden for the day.❞

a sigh was heard from the other line. "well, i hope he gets better soon and can catch up quickly. may i ask who this is?"

his daddy— clicking his tongue, the man carefully placed the knife down the counter top and went to the fridge to get the glass pitcher that's filled with water. what happened last night, stays during that night. he then placed it down the table where an upset boy is sitting at with his arms folded across his chest. hendery gave him a small smile while ruffling his hair and earning a scowl from the grumpy boy before answering the question. ❝his guardian, this is his boyfriend.❞

"ah," a sound of realization along with a loud squeal was heard from the other line, making the ceo pull the phone away from his ear. he then waited for the high pitched scream to die down until he could hear the teacher from his boyfriend's advisory clearing her throat. "i see, yangyang mentions you a lot.  i'll make sure to assign huang renjun to help him catch up once he'll be back. may he get better soon!"

a smile made its way to his face at the information he got on the younger talking about him in his university. it's either he is flaunting that he has the most wonderful boyfriend in the world or he's out there telling to everyone how stupid his boyfriend is. sighing, he shook his head at the different thoughts he had. ❝thank you for understanding.❞

"no problem, yangyang's sweet—" the voice suddenly got deeper for the first few seconds and it changed back to a female's the next moment. "mister wong."

with brows furrowed, it took hendery a while to fully get who the person was, and it made him scoff. ❝hey, na jaemin.❞

shuffling noises were heard from the other line which blew up the cover more. "damn it!"

heaving out a sigh, hendery pinched the bridge of his nose as he couldn't believe that he fell for the male's game on the first half. ❝what are you doing with the advisory's phone?❞

"i was assigned to watch over the office but don't you worry! i will surely tell her about my dear friend not being able to attend classes for today." he sounded like he won't go back with his words and jaemin doesn't seem like the kind of person to leave his friend just like that. he's just really annoying, that's it. "anyways, why can't he come? i heard from yangyang that his sweet father number two finally moved in."

the ceo's eyes went over to the boy that still stayed sulking on his seat and when he locked gazes with him, he had a brow raised while the kid looked away with a huff of frustration. a minute went on and his boyfriend's bestfriend still continued to blurt out things. he didn't have the whole day to listen to him, he still has an upset boy to take care of.

with a loud gasp, jaemin dramatically asked. "did you three do it?"

taking the pancakes he left from the counter top and putting it down the table, hendery put up the most sweetest smile he can make even when he's aware that the other can't see him. ❝it was nice talking to you, jaemin!❞

"wait, i'm not yet done! did yangyang take in the both of you—"

❝bye!❞ not letting him say another word, he ended the call with a sigh and placed it down the table harshly so he could get the kid's attention. tilting his head to the side and having a stern look at him, he was unaware that he was scaring the kid who tried to look like he was fearless. ❝and what's wrong with you?❞

refusing to look at him, eleven had his lips puckered. ❝i'm mad.❞

❝sure, you are.❞ remembering how the boy mentioned about liking peanuts, hendery rushed to a cupboard and opened it. he then took out the peanut butter spread and also grabbed a spoon before putting it right in front of him. ❝still angry?❞

he could see how the boy's eyes sparkled when he saw the spread but immediately looked away once more as he was reminded of his purpose. ❝yes.❞

❝is this because i woke you up this early?❞ groaning, hendery got himself seated and had his eyes squinted at the kid. he wondered how both yangynag and xiaojun deals with him easily, it even looks like they are his favorites. the reason why he was so excited to wake up in the morning is also to at least bond with the boy even for a short while before he leaves for work. ❝shi yi.❞

the boy hated how he would easily get frightened whenever the man calls him that when it's just basically just a translation of his name. ❝you d-didn't let me join last night!❞

with eyes widened, hendery almost choked from his saliva. what did he mean by that? ❝why would you want to join?❞

❝because dada told me that you were singing!❞ he then explained further with a pout on his face that made the man coo from his place. ❝and that he was also trying to reach the notes that's why i heard screams.❞

sometimes, hendery just missed this kind of innocence.

❝a-and when i saw papa on the bed,❞ seems like he wasn't done there. ❝dada said that he was just tired from fishing.❞

hey, he was also upset last night at how the boy interrupted his time with his secretary but you don't hear him complain, now, do you? the male even hurried to put on his clothes and hendery had to wait for how many minutes for him to be away. well, he mentally complained about it but after the kid was put back to sleep, he got his own time with xiaojun inside the bathroom.

❝i wanted to join but dada told me that you will get mad if i do!❞

the man's smile then twitched at the sudden revelation of his secretary putting all the blame to him— as if he didn't moan out his name countless of times inside the bathroom that it almost woke the student up. ❝at least you enjoyed watching cat videos last night, and also dog clips.❞

eleven started shaking his head. ❝those weren't videos inside my room.❞

❝what?❞

clasping his hands, it even looked like he proud to say this. ❝i carried both bella and louis because they were also waiting outside your room! they slept right beside me.❞

and just when they were being mentioned, the two pets came inside the kitchen, hendery was about to get one of them, probably bella since louis hates him, but the two quickly went to the boy. eleven let out a chuckle as he got down from his chair and went to play with the beagle dog and the siamese cat. the man was judging them real hard as they were supposed to love him more since they lived longer with him. especially the cat, he couldn't believe that louis would finally favor on someone as he always looks like he was done with life of he simply just hates the people he is with.

nonetheless, the sight of the boy laughing with both the cat and the dog playing with him was quite heartwarming. it put a genuine smile on his face. however, it warm feeling he had and the smile that formed on his face didn't last long because of what the boy had blurted out.

❝next time, i want to go fishing and singing with dad, papa, and dada!❞

and that successfully caused for hendery to choke, but he managed to redeem himself with a chuckle as he started walking around the table and took bella in his arms. ❝that won't happen, but keep dreaming.❞

❝b-but why?❞ eleven questioned with sadness laced in his tone and lips quivering at how he was forcing himself to cry in hopes that the man would let him join in their activity. ❝it sounds fun!❞

❝just because.❞ sure, hendery did have fun but he doesn't know with the two as they looked so worn out last night. and even xiaojun was able to get up this morning, he was trying to hide the pain he had gotten last night. he was even seen limping towards the bathroom to do hi morning routine. ❝anyways, i'll go get your dada and we'll eat breakfast together.❞

hugging the siamese real tight who was getting fond of being in his arms, the boy stared up at the man while looking clueless. ❝what about papa?❞

how is he going to find an excuse that the student was still feeling numbed from overstimulation last night? ❝papa is not feeling well. that is why, when i will leave for work, i want you take good care of him together with da—❞

he didn't get to finish his sentence when a voice of the woman was heard coming from the living room. ❝why, what happened to yangyang?❞

huffing as he carried the cat, eleven stiffened from his place the moment he stood beside the man and saw her back again. he did try to adjust the first time they met but that doesn't mean he was comfortable around her already. but like what his papa said, he should try. ❝good morning, grandmama!❞

her lips was curved to a small smile at the warm greeting, crouching down and stretching her arms to the side to initiate a hug. the boy first made confirmation from his father and when he got a nod from him, eleven gently placed the siamese cat down and ran towards her. ❝now, what happened to your papa, hm?❞

pulling away, he was slowly trying to get a hang of this. she also doesn't look like she would do any harm. ❝dad told me that he is not feeling well.❞

being genuinely worried, the woman lifted her eyes up at her own son before looking back down at the boy who's fumbling with his fingers. ❝why?❞

humming, eleven had his lips puckering. he also doesn't know what the main reason is but he tried to recall everything what the ceo had said a while ago when they were inside the kitchen. upon finally having a good guess, he made an adorable sound that made both his grandmama and hendery chuckle. ❝because he was tired from fishing!❞

one day, hendery is really going to die from choking. this boy just never fails to surprise him.

the woman let out a good laugh as she understood it in a way that adults would, ruffling the boy's hair and making him go back to playing with the pets as the man also put the beagle dog down. watching the kid play at the living room, his mother came walking to him and stood there also adoring the boy whose laugh echoed around the place. she could see how this house became livelier than the last time she came to pay a visit and check up on her son. she could have brought her husband with her but he had some work to do at the company back in their hometown. it kind of reminds her of how busy her son is in managing the branch of the company around here.

❝you don't really looked stressed like your dad.❞ she commented in the midst of them enjoying the sight of the kid playing. ❝and you're handling the business well.❞

there's only one key to being happy in working aside from having goals to real. it made hendery smile. ❝i have my happy pills with me.❞

by happy pills, she understood it being as eleven and yangyang. ever since the student was being introduced to the family, everyone has grown a liking to him. he is such a wonderful and lovable guy that even hendery would agree greatly to that. well, duh, that's why he asked him to be his boyfriend in the first place. ❝seeing that you already have a kid with him,❞

hendery raised a brow as he darted his attention to his mother. ❝hm?❞

❝don't you think it's finally time to step up your relationship with him and,❞ she paused for a second just to face him, letting him see that smile of hers. ❝get married?❞

with the ceo standing there, speechless at the question being thrown at him, neither of the three from downstairs noticed a figure hiding by the stairs and hearing their conversation. the person had a stifled laugh when he heard how the boy used innocent terms in telling yangyang's condition but was soon feeling his chest clench at the mention of marriage— and how he is not part of it.

🦋

❝okay, lucas, i have a great plan!❞ hendery startled the head of finance by barging inside his office without even knocking. ❝i am going to get married.❞

the said man then lifted his head up from checking the papers on his desk, took his spectacles of and placed it down there, before entertaining his friend that's looking crazy with that one victorious smile and a villainous laugh. it honestly scared him for a slight bit as he could remember seeing his boss looking like he wasn't in the mood for the whole morning and here he comes right, inviting himself inside his office, and announcing to him that he's going to get married all of a sudden.

how is lucas going to react to that? ❝no, you are going to go back to your office and do the task that your father left you with.❞

scoffing at how hardworking the head of finance has become, hendery took a seat down right across his desk an slammed both his hands down on it. ❝didn't you hear what i just said?❞

❝hendery, your father went here yesterday to check on the branch that he expanded in this country and left it in your own hands.❞ this might be strange for lucas to say, especially when he's looking stern right now, but in all seriousness, he really is dedicated with his work. ❝stop slacking off just because you're his son.❞

just when he needed his playful friend at this moment, he had to go back to being hardworking just because the head of all boss came here. hendery was already aware of his parents visiting the country, he had a long talk with her this morning before inviting her for breakfast but she humbly refused the offer as she preferred to eat at a restaurant outside. but that's not the point, the point is— ❝i'm going to marry dejun.❞

that idea alone was enough to take lucas' attention and have his eyes glued at the ceo in hopes to find any hint of him joking around. ❝you are, what?❞

❝my mom had already discussed to me about marrying yangyang,❞ which he honestly had do problems in doing so. ❝but since neither of my parents know about my relationship with my secretary, i want to surprise them with it.❞

❝by marrying him first?❞ in his mind right now, he was finding his boss crazy. he must have hit his head or something.

❝yes, that's it.❞ hendery folded his arms and nodded his head at how the head of finance quickly caught up with him. ❝once i'll be legally tied with dejun, they can't do anything to break us apart. that's when my next plan with come through, and that is marrying yangyang.❞

❝is a three-way marriage even a thing here?❞ with brows knitted as he was in his another episode of being confused with his boss' idea, lucas asked in the most nicest way.

❝of course it is,❞ the ceo motioned his hands to the side as if he was introducing a legend. ❝welcome to the universe we live in!❞

he had a point, which made the head of finance nod his head in approval. but then, a small part of him was thinking that the superior must be joking right now. that's the most idiotic plan he had ever heard and it can only add more problems to come. ❝or, you can just confront your parents, introduce your sugar baby, and let them have your marriage with two people.❞

❝we aren't sure if they'll accept that kind of relationship, i don't want to risk myself and yangyang being separated with dejun.❞ he then told him. ❝and plus, dejun and i aren't official yet.❞

lucas' jaw then dropped, mentally face palming at what he had said. ❝you aren't boyfriends yet, and you are here right now, talking about marriage?❞

❝please, i know dejun won't mind once he gets to know my plan.❞ hendery couldn't help but pout at how his only friend inside the company was sounding like he was against this.

❝i'm not so sure, i feel like that's going to fail badly.❞ and it might hurt the student's feelings if he sees that the ceo is marrying his secretary first than him. he might misunderstand and think that their years of relationship was all for nothing and that he prioritize the other more. ❝when are you going to propose anyways?❞

❝i'll be doing it in public so it'll reach to my dad faster with the help of social media.❞ he then said, ❝the zhong's are going to hold their yearly grand event where they gather up the successful people they know and we are actually invited to go.❞

a groan was heard from the man as he knew he'd be dragged along with this just like the other events that the ceo is always forced to attend. ❝you know jungwoo doesn't like me going to those.❞

❝yeah, but i'll try to force him to let you go because you'll be my wingman.❞ he said, making an attempt to wink at the head of finance but only earned a look of disgust coming from him. ❝i'll also be dragging dejun along because he's my secretary, and he's going to be my star for the night.❞

if he wasn't just his friend then he wouldn't even bother helping him. lucas just then kept on listening to him as he said on the plan, almost dozing off in the middle of it, and he even silently cheered when the ceo's phone started ringing. he held back the urge to smile but motioned his hand to let him take the call while he just waits there on his seat.

❝hey, eleven, what's wrong?❞ he then said after walking away from the desk and answering the call whose number is from a phone that he gave to the boy for emergency purposes.

"i gave papa the medicines you told me to give him!"

with a wide smile, hendery was proud to see how the kid was slowly learning how to be responsible at such a young age. ❝that's great! how is he?❞ 

"papa keeps on complaining about how his back was hurting." the boy simply said, answering his question.

❝it's okay, he'll be fine soon, hopefully.❞ a nervous chuckle was heard from him as he didn't expect for the activity to drain the student out this bad. ❝how about you?❞ 

crunching sound echoed at the other line, indicating that the boy must be eating some chips. "i am watching lion king!"

hendery could then imagine him looking so excited. the kid has actually bothering him to watch that movie ever since but he was too lazy or too busy to find the file for that movie. maybe xiaojun had done it for him and made the boy watch. ❝glad to know that you're okay there. why did you call?❞

"because i'm worried," the boy stayed silent for a while before speaking. "you told me that dada will just be out for a while."

even if his secretary insisted to go with him and report to work, hendery insisted him not to and to just stay at home to look out for both yangyang and eleven. xiaojun didn't look like he was mad or irritated by it so the man didn't put too much thought into it. not until he had arrived in his office and received a message from his secretary that he is going out for just minutes. that was just an hour after he left the house. it's already nearing nighttime and hearing the boy say that was somehow also making him worried.

"but why isn't dada home yet?"

⚊ t b c ⚊