Chanyeol noticed the increasing pressure in his lungs as he held his breath. Trying not to move wasn't easy when he could feel Baekhyun's lips on his own. He knew it was Baekhyun's farewell... their last kiss.

"Goodbye, Chanyeol," whispered Baekhyun.

As the door slammed behind Baekhyun, Chanyeol gasped for air like a drowned man whose head was just above the water. Every muscle in his body signaled him to catch up with Baekhyun and hold on to the younger with all his might. Yet he had never been that type of man who listened to his heart. It has always been his rationality that ruled over him. He had promised not to hinder Baekhyun from leaving if it was Baekhyun's wish. He had to keep his word.

For fear of one single move might lead him to run after Baekhyun, Chanyeol froze. Just then he literally jumped up as someone rang the bell. The more motionless his body was before, the faster he sprinted to the front door now, hoping for the person on the other side to be Baekhyun who had returned.

Doubtlessly Chanyeol's disappointment was huge when he found his father behind the door.

"I have to discuss something with you before going to the office."

"Good morning to you too, father." Chanyeol greeted and stepped aside.

Mr. Park looked around as he entered the living room.

"Is Kyungsoo still sleeping?"

"He is ... going out," replied Chanyeol.

"It is convenient. I have a confidential job for you."

Mr. Park handed his son a sealed packet and continued.

"Please test these two DNA samples for relationship."

"What is it for? You have your own staff for such investigations."

"It's a delicate issue. It's about the Black Lotus. I just need someone I can trust unquestionably." Chanyeol understood the situation. When it comes to the three criminal organizations of the underworld, his father can behave very paranoidly.

"Black Lotus? Since when do you get involved in an investigation of the South? "

"The bastards do not just operate only in the South anymore. They have a deal with the White Snake. Apparently, these bastards work together."

"And whose DNAs are this? How did you get them? "

"Just examine them as soon as possible, please. You are the only one I can assign to this task. And act discreetly."

This answer did not satisfy Chanyeol, but he knew his father very well. Each tries to elicit something from him would be in vain.

"Fine, but it might take a while if no one should get wind of it."

"Do whatever is necessary and call me as soon as you get the result."

"Ok, I'll go to the lab right away." Chanyeol was happy about the extra task. Work is exactly what he needed now to take his mind off Baekhyun.

"Say hello to Kyungsoo for me. What's he doing outside so early? " Mr. Park stood up, ready to leave.

For a moment, Chanyeol hesitated. Just then he realized that a lie has no legs.

"He's gone," admitted Chanyeol.

"Where did he go?"

"He left ..." Before Chanyeol could finish his sentence, the doorbell rang once again in this hectic morning.

Chanyeol opened the front door and couldn't believe his eyes. There Baekhyun stood, within one's reach.

"Ah, sorry. I wanted to go for a walk and forgot my keys." Baekhyun explained with a shy smile. Confused but overjoyed, Chanyeol pulled Baekhyun in his arms. Only when he felt Baekhyun's warmth, he knew it wasn't a dream.

"Chanyeol, your dad is here," Baekhyun refer to Mr. Park.

"Nice to see you, Kyungsoo. You started your day very early." Mr. Park greeted.

"Good morning, Mr. Park. I couldn't sleep anymore. It must be jet lag. I wanted to go for a walk." Baekhyun replied.

"I see. Please let yourself be accompanied by bodyguards next time. It's dangerous for people in our positions to go out alone. I could not forgive myself if anything happened to you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I'll pay attention next time." To be honest, Baekhyun felt uncomfortable. The minister's words were friendly and caring. But his voice and the way he talked let his words sounded like a military command instead of a plea. His appearance on his own compressed the air in the room, giving Baekhyun that tense feeling as if he had broken something. Baekhyun's instincts warned him about saying something impetuous. Therefore, he was greatly relieved when Mr. Park finally left for work.

As soon as his "father-in-law" was gone, Baekhyun dropped his body onto the sofa and closed his eyes. Until now he was unaware about his sitting position during the whole conversation with Mr. Park. His back was straightened. His legs formed a perfect square angle. He sat like a grade schooler on his first day.

"Ah, not sure why but somehow your dad is exhausting, don't you think?"

The absence of Chanyeol's reply caused Baekhyun to open his eyes, just to find the older right in front of him. Chanyeol leaned forward and placed a kiss on Baekhyun's lips. A kiss that could perfectly define the word "passion". Chanyeol knew he hadn't misinterpreted the situation as Baekhyun left. But he decided not to talk about it. To him, the only thing that mattered was the fact that Baekhyun changed his mind and came back to him. He couldn't explain how Baekhyun managed to make him fall in such a short time. But he understood that the warm feeling he felt in Baekhyun's presence is love.

It didn't require Baekhyun efforts to notice Chanyeol's atypical behavior. Did Chanyeol find out the true reason for his disappearance? In retrospect, it might have been reckless to make the decision to stay in such a hurry.

It all started when Baekhyun noticed he forgot his bracelet in the bathroom. It was just an old wristband that wasn't expensive at all. It was simply a handmade trinket that a little boy created for his beloved mother. Since his mom went missing, Baekhyun had never stopped believing that one day he'd see her again. Baekhyun hadn't said it out loud but deep inside this bracelet symbolized his hope. Therefore, it wasn't an option to leave behind the last gift he made for his mother. And therefore, he returned.

As Baekhyun saw a car in front of the house, he took the back door. The plan was to take advantage of Chanyeol being distracted by his father and to use the balcony of the bedroom to get into the bathroom. However, Baekhyun couldn't overhear the conversation between the others. Knowing Chanyeol's father investigated his father, Baekhyun had to make a decision. To run away and somehow explain the situation to his father? Or to stay here and protect his father's business, his only inheritance, and thus to prove his quality as a leader? The decision had to be made in seconds. And it had to be made regardless of his feelings. But Baekhyun knew immediately she would be lying, saying that Chanyeol hadn't influenced his decision in any way.

In the meantime, Mr. Park arrived at his office.

"Are you really sure to have Chanyeol examine the samples? One of them, after all, is from his husband?" His secretary asked.

"Chanyeol has always been a stubborn child. He and his scientist being wouldn't believe anything they didn't see by their own eyes." Mr. Park explained.

"But what will you do if the test is negative?"

This question had been causing Mr. Park headaches for days. The second DNA sample belonged to the wife of his best friend, the billionaire Do Kunhee.

What would he do if the DNAs proved that the man who had been married to his son for several weeks was not Mrs. Do's child? Ever since his first meeting with Baekhyun, Mr. Park has suspected that Baekhyun wasn't the real Do Kyungsoo. Even though Mr. Park hoped his paranoia was playing on him, he has always been the type of person who listened to his instincts. And they were shouting that something was off about the alleged Do Kyungsoo.

What would he do?

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[A/N] LOL guys, so this week some of my students found I listen to Kpop. (I wasn't keeping it a secret. tbh). All the girls at my school are so crazy about BTS and EXO, so they were sooooo surprised that a teacher knew who those dorks are.

OMG inside I laughed so hard I might have died hahaha. If only they knew about my fangirling level LOL.

Oh since this chapter is boring af, I'll update the next one soon.