"Yibo, all I'm saying is that we need to see how we can keep it a secret amongst your fans that you work here. Because honestly, I don't feel like dealing with hundreds of your fans here every day. And it would be harmful to the gallery."

"I know. But trying to keep me locked up in the office, that's just unacceptable."

"I didn't say I wanted to lock you in the office here. I'm just saying we should be careful that none of your fans see you here and it spreads around."

"Well, unfortunately our gallery has huge windows that everyone can see in. So that just leaves the office."

"No. You could also be in the lounge and work there unseen. At least for now, until we find a solution how to use you differently without your fans seeing you. We should also discuss when you will work here. It would be good if we could coordinate on that."

"Well, as for the working hours, I would have to talk to my brother first. We'll have to coordinate schedules together while I still have commitments, like the last concerts, filming for the series, or modeling appointments."

"And when do you think you can talk to your brother? Because then we could make a roster."

"I'll call him this evening."

"Good, next item. So you want to sing at the opening ceremonies."

"Yes, with you."

"Don't you have to discuss that with your brother first, too?"

"I just have to let him know. That night, and I already know this, I'm off duty. Because I was planning on coming to the grand opening celebration anyway."

"Okay, then please let me know afterwards what you discussed."

"That means I can come to your apartment?"

"I guess you'll have to if you're out of town for the next two weeks for filming."

"Fine, I'll come to your place tonight. At least then I can see you before I have to leave."

"Oh here we go again." Sighed Zhan. He had just barely managed to push away thoughts of the last kiss. Where he suddenly found pleasure in kissing with Yibo, of all people. And now he had to think about it again and wondered if it was really such a good idea when Yibo came to his apartment.

"So Zhan, have you still not realized the seriousness of the situation? I've already explained it to you in detail. You can't get rid of me anymore. And even if you're not my boyfriend, not yet, I'm still going to treat you as if you are. And then I'm sure as soon as you feel my charm, you'll fall for me."

"Um, yeah. Could we move on then?"

"No, not yet."

"What else?" Zhan wanted to know. Yibo, who was already standing right next to Zhan anyway, took Zhan's hand, pulled him to him, put his free hand to Zhan's cheek and kissed him.

And because this time no Gene came in and interfered, no elevator doors opened and closed again, and Zhan wasn't standing in an idol's locker room completely overwhelmed and shocked, there was nothing to stop Yibo from kissing Zhan long and deeply. And only after a few minutes did he release his lips from Zhan's, squeeze him in his arms and whisper, "Even if you won't or can't admit it yet, you've already fallen for me. But I'll wait until you're ready to admit it."

Zhan could no longer tell himself that he didn't like it when Yibo kissed him. But, of course, he didn't want to admit it either. Therefore, he decided to pretend that nothing happened and that he didn't hear anything. However, from the outside, he might be able to fool others except, Wang Yibo. His inner self, however, was in total turmoil.

His heart was beating so violently that he could see the beating of his heart even on his shirt. Very easily, he could see his heart beating in his chest and hoped that only he could see it. He even closed his cardigan to hide it.

But hiding his strong heartbeat could not stop the tingling in his stomach. He couldn't even look at Wang Yibo without it immediately starting to tingle even more. Again and again he told himself in his mind, don't fall in love with Wang Yibo, he is not the one. He can't be the one. He is six years younger and an idol. You would never have him to yourself. You could never be free together. Just don't fall in love with Wang Yibo.

Luckily, Gene knocked on the door and brought them lunch, which they ordered from a restaurant and had just been delivered. "We'll all eat together in the lounge" said Zhan when Gene wanted to leave the food in the office.

Together Zhan and Yibo went into the lounge and Yibo grabbed Zhan's hand, held him back briefly and whispered, "I know you can feel that your feelings for me are awakening. But go ahead and pretend for a while longer. I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes." Then Yibo grinned and pulled Zhan with him into the lounge.

"Hey boss, how far are you with your new painting anyway?" Gene asked as they all sat at the table.

"Mhhh, it's taking longer than I thought. Deadlines keep coming up and so I just don't get around to finishing it. But this weekend I hope to get a good bit further." Explained Zhan.

"Are you going to sell it like the others?" Asked Gene.

"No not that. It's going in the gallery as a decoration."

"Boss, you do know that the customers will want it so badly, right? They'll keep asking for it and suggesting higher and higher prices, just like at an auction."

"Then they'll have a reason to keep coming back. But no, the painting won't sell. I've already picked out some great paintings from the other artists. Believe me, they're really really good and I'm sure they'll sell quickly. We will present them at the opening ceremony. And with luck, they'll all sell the same night."

"Do we even have any artwork left to sell then, if you're going to sell it all in one night?"

"Gene, I didn't say I wanted to sell everything. And yes, we still have plenty of artwork. Not just paintings, as you yourself know. Oh, that reminds me. Why don't you give Yibo a catalog of our artwork later? Then he'll know about it, too."

"Mhm, I'll do that."

"Um, Yibo, the catalog lists all the art objects we have. And with that, there's also an approximate price we want to get with it." Explained Zhan.

"Okay. So can I sell too?" Asked Yibo.

"Yes. You can talk to customers here in the lounge and sell here too. The payment goes through Gene anyway. Once the customers decide to buy a piece of art, you call Gene over and she does the rest."

"Okay, that sounds good."

They went over a few more details for the opening night, going through which VIP guests had agreed to attend, everyone who had been invited, and then discussing the details of how the evening would go. And likewise, not revealing who the musician is to keep fans of Yibo from blowing up the gallery opening night.

Around 2 pm, Zhan and Yibo then headed back home. Since there was nothing else to do at the gallery for the day, Zhan wanted to use the time to continue working on his new painting. 

Then in the elevator, they were almost to the top, Yibo asked, "Can I watch you paint?"

"Um, no. I don't like it." Replied Zhan. That wasn't entirely true, he was just afraid that he wouldn't be able to concentrate if Yibo was with him and he would have to keep thinking about the kiss they had the last time. The kiss that for a moment had made him feel like he could fly.

"Oh come on Zhan. I know you've let others watch too. Why not me then? I also promise you that I won't bother you. Or kiss you without asking."

"Mhhh, if you promise never to kiss me unasked again, I might give in."

"Zhan, I can't promise anything like that. Because honestly, once you and I are in a relationship, wouldn't it be silly if I always had to ask you for a kiss?"

"You seem pretty sure we're going to end up as a couple."

"Sure I'm sure. Your heart was beating so hard the last time I kissed you, I could even feel it against my chest."

"You probably felt your own heartbeat more like it."

"No way Zhan. Our hearts almost jumped out of both of our chests. Like they were trying to unite." The two were so busy talking about their hearts that Zhan didn't even notice how Yibo just kept following him and eventually they were both together in Zhan's apartment.

Yibo grinned and tapped Zhan. "Hey ZhanZhan, your apartment decor is great."

Only then did Zhan realize that he naturally took Yibo into his apartment with him and didn't even mind that the young idol was now with him, looking around his apartment as if he were in a wonderland with lots to discover.

Zhan even willingly showed him his apartment. Every room except his bedroom. As they both stood in Zhan's studio, Yibo looked at several paintings that Zhan painted and hung on the walls. "Wow, these look so great. They would look good in the gallery too. But even better in my apartment haha."

"No, no they stay here Yibo. But if you want, you're welcome to pick a painting." Zhan pointed to several paintings leaning against the wall. Yibo immediately ran to them and looked at them admiringly.

"That makes my fan heart laugh when I see all these paintings. And I really can pick one?"

"Mhm, you are allowed to."

"Then I'll take that one. The trees on it look like they've grown together to form a heart."

"As a matter of fact, they are. I can show you the original picture of that, what I did."

"Oh yes with pleasure. And can you show me more pictures? I know you also do photo spreads and they've been exhibited several times, but I've never been able to see any myself except in the newspaper."

"In my little office here at home, I have four photo spreads. I'll show you." Zhan suddenly felt really proud when he could show Yibo everything. Zhan allowed very few people to ever come into his apartment. And even fewer were ever allowed to see his studio, or even his small office.

But as much as Yibo was happy to see everything, he couldn't help but proudly present it to him. And so time passed for the two without them really noticing. They were in Zhan's office where Yibo was admiring the photo spreads and they were talking about art and suddenly Zhan's fear and shyness was gone.

For the first time, he no longer saw Yibo as an idol who dared to steal his first kiss. But someone who showed honest interest in him and his art. Who, with every picture Zhan painted or photographed, got beaming eyes and was just thrilled. Well, maybe Yibo is not like the other idols. Maybe I should give him a chance to get to know him. Thought Zhan, as he sat on his desk and watched Yibo chatting happily about his opinion of the pictures.