Park Chanyeol
- blue_eyed_diamond -

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Chanyeol wakes up at 5:00 AM, groggy and barely able to open his eyes. The plan to go to Busan with Baekhyun for a few days is what drags him out of bed. His hair is a mess, and he's still half-asleep as he grabs an extra top, shorts, flip-flops, and some boxers. He quickly tosses his deodorants, perfume, toothpaste, toothbrush, and shampoo into his backpack. After dressing, he checks the time. He and Baekhyun agreed to meet at his café by 6:30 AM, so they could leave for the four- to five-hour drive to Busan in good time.

He stands before the mirror, giving himself a final once-over. A small smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as he admires the way his outfit comes together. Even in his tired state, he can appreciate how good he looks. After smoothing down his hair, he grabs his backpack and heads out.

Chanyeol makes his way toward Sehun's room, knocking gently to avoid disturbing whatever might be happening between Sehun and Junmyeon—whether that's a movie, deep sleep, or something more intimate.

"Yeol? Is that you?" Sehun's groggy voice filters through the door. Chanyeol can picture it now—Sehun carefully detaching himself from Junmyeon, yawning and stretching, his messy hair all over the place. He imagines Sehun dragging his feet across the floor, probably still half-asleep, reluctant to get out of bed after staying up late with his boyfriend.

The door unlocks with a soft click, and Chanyeol is greeted by the exact sight he imagined: Sehun, shirtless, with huge bags under his eyes, hair sticking out in every direction. Peeking over Sehun's shoulder, he can see Junmyeon still bundled up in blankets, fast asleep and looking, to Chanyeol's amusement, quite cute. Sehun's face scrunches up in confusion as he glances at the clock and then back at Chanyeol.

"Morning, Yeol. It's just 6:15. Why are you up so early and already dressed?"

"Morning, Sehun," Chanyeol greets, holding back a chuckle at Sehun's babyish, sleepy face. "Sorry for waking you up. I'm heading out of town for a few days."

Sehun frowns, his lips pursing into a pout. "Leaving town? Is everything okay? Is it about your sister?"

"No, no, it's nothing like that. Everything's fine," Chanyeol assures him, smiling gently. Sehun visibly relaxes at that. "I just have a couple of things to take care of. I'll be back by Sunday evening."

Sehun's sleepy eyes don't leave Chanyeol's. He knows Chanyeol too well, and it always leaves Chanyeol feeling slightly exposed. There's an unspoken understanding that Chanyeol isn't done talking, and Sehun's expectant gaze confirms it.

"...Okay?" Sehun says, his voice now more alert.

Chanyeol shifts uncomfortably. He suddenly feels nervous, pressing his lips together as he tries to find the right words. "I don't know what your plans are today, but I was hoping to ask you for a favor... if you don't mind?"

Sensing the seriousness, Sehun steps out of the room fully and shuts the door softly, clearly not wanting to wake Junmyeon. Chanyeol smiles at the thoughtfulness. Sehun and Junmyeon are too cute. "What is it, Yeol? Just tell me."

"I need you to help me keep an eye on the café for the two days I'll be away," Chanyeol says, his voice nearly pleading. He knows it's a big ask.

Sehun raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting something bigger. "That's it?"

Chanyeol nods quickly, feeling relieved that it's not a burden to his younger roommate. But then a mischievous grin spreads across Sehun's face, and Chanyeol's heart sinks. He knows what's coming.

"On one condition," Sehun says, his smirk widening.

Chanyeol sighs in defeat. *Of course,* he thinks, *Sehun would never do something without asking for something in return.* "What do you want?"

Sehun leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Your car for the two days. I'll be the new boss, after all, and I'll need executive transportation, don't you think?"

Chanyeol groans, rubbing his face in frustration. "I knew it! I knew you were going to ask for my car," he mutters under his breath, already regretting his life choices.

"What was that? Didn't quite catch that, Yeol." Sehun's voice is annoyingly chipper for someone who was barely awake moments ago.

"It's nothing," Chanyeol grumbles. "Fine, take the car."

Sehun's grin only grows wider as he stretches out his hand. "Your keys, then?"

Chanyeol reluctantly fishes out his car keys but pauses. "Wait, how am I going to get to the café? I need to meet someone there."

Sehun shrugs nonchalantly. "I'll drop you off. Then I'll come back for a shower. No big deal."

With a defeated sigh, Chanyeol hands over the keys. "You're the worst," he grumbles, but Sehun just laughs, clearly pleased with his victory.

At least Chanyeol doesn't have to walk to the café. But even that small win doesn't quite lift his spirits as Sehun walks back inside, jingling the car keys teasingly.
....

Sehun heads back into his room for a quick change while Chanyeol waits in the hallway, tapping his foot impatiently and glancing at the time. A few minutes later, they head to the café. Traffic isn't bad this early, which helps them arrive quickly. To Chanyeol's surprise, Baekhyun's Audi is already parked in his usual spot, just like last time. He stops in front of the car, sighing softly. Moments like this make him question why he's even doing all this. It's cold, it's early, and the trip is long. But deep down, Chanyeol knows he's just as drawn to the mystery surrounding Baekhyun and the man who looks just like him. Despite his best efforts, he can't shake it from his mind. What's more, Baekhyun has turned out to be a genuinely nice guy—so different from Chanyeol's first impression.

Ready to get going, Chanyeol reaches into the back seat to grab his bag and starts to unlock his door when Sehun suddenly grabs his arm, startling him.

"Yeol, wait. Isn't that the guy from the cinema the other day?" Sehun's eyes are fixed on a figure leaning against the Audi. Chanyeol follows his gaze, recognizing Baekhyun despite the early hour and dim light. He's mildly surprised that Sehun, who only saw Baekhyun once, remembers him.

"So?" Chanyeol responds nonchalantly, unsure what Sehun is getting at.

Sehun gives him a look like he's missing something obvious. "You two dating or what?"

"Dating?" Chanyeol almost chokes on his spit, caught completely off guard. He hadn't even entertained the thought of dating lately, let alone dating someone like Baekhyun—a man who might still see him as his deceased husband. How absurd is that? "Oh, please, Sehun, no way." He laughs it off, more to shake off the shock than because he finds it funny. The idea of him and Baekhyun together? Ridiculous. Sure, Baekhyun is objectively attractive, but still—Chanyeol can't even wrap his head around the idea.

Sehun, however, doesn't seem too pleased with the way Chanyeol laughs at him, groaning with a pout, "Hyung!"

Chanyeol laughs harder. "Oh, now I'm 'hyung,' huh? How convenient, just because of Baekhyun? You're too nosy, Sehun."

Sehun's pout quickly transforms into a mischievous grin, and Chanyeol feels a sudden unease. He can tell he's walked right into one of Sehun's traps. "So his name is Baekhyun, huh?"

Crap.

Chanyeol fights the urge to facepalm. Sehun's too sharp for his own good. Sure, he might be between jobs right now, but his ability to read between the lines is unmatched. "Whatever, Sehun. Just don't forget to look after my café while I'm gone." Without waiting for a reply, Chanyeol quickly hops out of the car, slams the door, and heads toward Baekhyun.

"Have a safe trip, Yeol! And have *lots* of fun!" Sehun calls out teasingly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Chanyeol doesn't even bother looking back; he knows Sehun too well—he'll be clinging to this for days.

As soon as he waves Sehun off, Chanyeol approaches Baekhyun's car.

"Hi," Baekhyun greets him with a bright smile, one that instantly makes Chanyeol's cheeks warm up. It's a good thing he's wearing a turtleneck—he can already feel the flush creeping up his neck. Just as he's about to respond, Baekhyun tosses him the car keys, which he catches on reflex.

"You're driving," Baekhyun says simply.

"Why should I drive?" Chanyeol asks, bewildered, but Baekhyun just shrugs and climbs into the passenger seat, leaving him with no choice.

Sighing, Chanyeol opens the driver's door and gets in, resigned to being the one behind the wheel for their journey to Busan.

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Their journey to Busan turns out to be a comfortable one, filled with conversation. Baekhyun talks animatedly about how he met Changnam back in university—who asked who out first, what their first date was like, and even how Changnam's parents reacted when he was introduced as their future son-in-law. Chanyeol listens intently, though part of him wishes the conversation could focus more on Baekhyun himself rather than his late husband.

When they arrive in Busan, Baekhyun asks Chanyeol to stop by the high school Changnam had attended. Chanyeol doesn't question it, even though he's curious about the reason behind the stop. As soon as they pull up to the school, Baekhyun hops out of the car and walks briskly through the gate. Chanyeol stays behind, waiting. In less than 20 minutes, Baekhyun returns with a paper in hand, climbing back into the car.

"All set?" Chanyeol asks, glancing at him.

Baekhyun nods, buckling his seatbelt. "Yeah, we're good to go."

As they continue their drive, the conversation shifts back to Baekhyun's university days, his love for dogs, and his passion for video games. Chanyeol finds himself increasingly amazed by Baekhyun's personality—so lively and engaging. However, he soon notices that Baekhyun keeps slipping Changnam's name into the conversation, and after a while, the constant mentions start to wear on him. It's not that he's jealous, but Chanyeol wishes they could talk more about Baekhyun and less about the man who looks just like him. It's unsettling.

"How did you get the address for his parents again?" Chanyeol asks, steering the conversation away from Changnam.

"Oh, that?" Baekhyun exhales. "I called the school yesterday and requested the address of a former student."

Chanyeol gives him a curious look. "Just like that?"

Baekhyun laughs softly. "No, not exactly. I explained that Changnam was my husband, and I needed to find his hometown. I had to provide some documentation to prove I was related to him."

Chanyeol raises an impressed eyebrow. "Smart."

"Piece of cake, right?" Baekhyun grins, and Chanyeol can't help but admire how resourceful he is. Nodding, he turns his attention back to the road. At least now they won't have to worry about finding Changnam's parents.

After a moment of silence, Chanyeol decides to break it. "So, what's your favorite food? What do you like or hate?"

Baekhyun lights up, eager to answer. "I love pizza. Seriously, it's my go-to. Aside from that, I enjoy good food in general, but pizza? It saves me from the stress of cooking." He pouts playfully, and Chanyeol finds himself smiling—this is the side of Baekhyun he enjoys hearing about.

"And?" Chanyeol prompts, amused.

"And I absolutely hate cucumber." Baekhyun scrunches his nose in disgust, which makes Chanyeol burst out laughing.

"No way, you're kidding!" Chanyeol chuckles, and Baekhyun laughs with him.

"I'm serious! Anything with cucumber is a hard no for me," Baekhyun insists, dramatically spitting out imaginary saliva through the window, which sends Chanyeol into another fit of laughter.

Eventually, Baekhyun turns the question back on him. "What about you? What do you like or hate?"

Chanyeol glances at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything, Chanyeol," Baekhyun says, his eyes full of interest.

Chanyeol laughs softly. "Alright, if you insist. I hate loud noises—especially when they catch me off guard. Makes me think something's exploding. And I'm not a fan of spicy food. But I love working out, cooking—hence the café—and good food. Without cucumbers, of course."

Baekhyun raises a brow, clearly amused. "Without cucumbers, huh?"

"Yeah," Chanyeol lies, not wanting to trigger another imaginary cucumber spit session.

Baekhyun's laughter fades into a soft, admiring smile as he watches Chanyeol talk. There's something about the way he looks at him that makes Chanyeol feel oddly self-conscious. His ears heat up slightly, turning a faint pink under Baekhyun's gaze. Those soft brown eyes seem to be studying him, and for a moment, Chanyeol feels like he's melting under the attention.
....

They chat and joke comfortably as they near the street where the house is located. Chanyeol lets out a sigh of relief when they finally reach the right address. Just as they're about to step out of the car, he catches sight of a man in his sixties emerging from the backyard of a large, four-bedroom house. But as soon as the man notices them, he bolts back inside.

Chanyeol frowns, puzzled by the old man's strange reaction. "Baekhyun, did you see that?" he calls sharply. Baekhyun's brow furrows in response, mirroring Chanyeol's confusion.

They both make their way to the portico of the house, but to their surprise, the atmosphere is eerily silent—too quiet, as if someone hadn't just dashed inside. "Are you sure about what you saw, Chanyeol?" Baekhyun asks, his tone skeptical.

Chanyeol can't help but roll his eyes in exasperation. What does Baekhyun take him for, a blind mouse? "I know what I saw, Baekhyun. He probably thinks I'm a ghost," he replies, peering through the windows for any sign of movement.

As he scans the darkened interior, his heart races. What could have spooked the man so badly? He glances at Baekhyun, who looks equally uncertain. "Maybe we should knock?" Chanyeol suggests, a sense of anticipation building in his chest.

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Still getting no response from the owners of the house after several attempts to knock, Chanyeol runs a frustrated hand through his soft locks, glancing at Baekhyun, who wears a confused expression. It seems he thinks Chanyeol is joking. Biting his lip, Chanyeol ponders their next move, and just as they do, the door creaks open, revealing an old woman peeking out.

She recognizes Baekhyun—and strangely enough, Chanyeol as well, though he can't quite understand why. A flicker of suspicion crosses his mind. If their son is dead and they know it, shouldn't she be shocked to see his doppelganger? Shouldn't she react like Baekhyun did the first time they met?

After a brief greeting, the elderly woman and her husband finally let them in after a moment of contemplation. They settle in the living room, a glass of water in front of them, untouched. Chanyeol can't help but notice how uneasy the couple looks, as if their unexpected visit is deeply unsettling. A wave of discomfort washes over him.

It's only when Baekhyun apologizes for not visiting since their son's passing that the atmosphere begins to shift. The couple exchanges glances, bewilderment evident in their expressions.

"My son, you said your husband is late? Isn't he the same husband sitting here with you?" the old man asks, his confusion palpable. Chanyeol and Baekhyun stare at each other, perplexed. Baekhyun lets out an awkward laugh. "No, he's not your son. He's someone who looks like him. Wait, you both know he died a few years ago in an auto crash, right?"

Now that's the question Chanyeol has been waiting for Baekhyun to ask. The couple's silence speaks volumes as they exchange glances. "No, we did not hear," the old woman finally replies.

"You've got to be kidding me." Chanyeol's disbelief rises. "How do you mean you didn't hear that your son died?" Now his suspicions intensify as the old man stares at his wife, seeking her approval before speaking. The unease in the room becomes unbearable. "The truth is... we never heard from Changnam again after he introduced you to us at a restaurant."

"Wait, what? That was like four years ago!" Baekhyun's eyes widen, as if they might pop from their sockets. Chanyeol can see how speechless he is, but they need to get to the heart of the matter. "He told me he broke contact with you, but I thought he at least told you about our marriage."

"My son, forgive me for what I am about to say." The old woman's voice trembles with regret, her expression filled with sorrow. "The truth is, we barely know Changnam." Chanyeol looks at Baekhyun, who wears an unreadable expression. Shock? Regret? He isn't sure how to feel either. All he knows is a simmering anger begins to boil within him. What the hell does it mean that they don't know their son?!

"It—It's not true," Baekhyun mumbles, his gaze unfocused, as if he's lost in a distant memory. "H—he said you were his parents. He introduced me to you both—"

"Yes, he did, but..."

"But what?" Chanyeol interjects on Baekhyun's behalf, feeling the tension rise. The old man's eyes brim with regret. "But we were paid to pose as his real parents. We were never related to Changnam in any way. Please, we only accepted the offer from the company because we were facing financial difficulties while trying to treat our only son, who was diagnosed with cancer."

What company? What kind of madness is this? Chanyeol's control begins to slip as frustration and disbelief surge within him. "Are you saying you've never met that young man before?" he asks coldly, striving to maintain his composure. This situation is spiraling out of control, and he's furious—at Baekhyun for being caught in this mess, at Changnam for whatever secrets he's hiding, and at the old couple for exploiting their grief for money.

"No, my son. We don't know who he is or where he came from," the elderly man admits, bowing his head in shame and regret, embarrassment flooding the room.
....

Having heard this, Chanyeol facepalms, reeling from shock, confusion, and a deep-seated anger. What the hell did he just hear? Is this some kind of sick joke? How can this be real? He mentally curses at the absurdity of the situation, wrestling to keep his emotions in check. Looking over at Baekhyun, he finds him eerily quiet, absorbing the news in stunned silence. A wave of concern washes over Chanyeol as he wonders what thoughts race through Baekhyun's mind. It frustrates him to think that Baekhyun entered this situation so blindly—how could he not know his husband better than this?

"Please, my son. We are not proud of what we did. We never expected to see you again. Please find a place in your heart to forgive us," the old man pleads, his eyes wide and sorrowful. Baekhyun remains in shock, his silence amplifying the tension in the room, and Chanyeol can't shake the anger simmering inside him.

"Please," the old man continues, bowing his head in desperation. "Don't press charges against us. We beg you. If you want, we can provide a photocopy of the account details that paid us from the company."

At this, Chanyeol's ears perk up, and the bitterness churning within him takes a different turn. This could be a lead. A glimmer of hope flickers in the chaos, and the prospect of having a clue gives him a sliver of focus amid the turmoil of emotions.

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They leave the fake parents' home and head to the hotel that Baekhyun has already booked for them. Chanyeol's frustration churns in his gut; if it weren't for the hour, he would have turned around and driven back to Seoul. But nightfall makes the long drive unappealing, so he reluctantly guides Baekhyun toward the hotel.

The silence in the car is palpable, heavy with the weight of the lies about Baekhyun's late husband. Chanyeol's anger simmers just beneath the surface, boiling over at the thought that Changnam would do something so cruel to Baekhyun. He can't shake the feeling of betrayal, and the more he thinks about it, the more it infuriates him that Baekhyun seems to be taking it all in stride, not bothering to explain any of it. It makes Chanyeol's blood boil.

When they arrive at the hotel and check into their shared room with two separate beds, the silence stretches on. They settle into the room, and Chanyeol steals glances at Baekhyun, hoping to catch a glimpse of a spark of conversation. But no words escape Baekhyun's lips, and Chanyeol reaches his breaking point. The anger within him swells to an unbearable level, and he can no longer remain silent. "So what's the next revelation, huh?" he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm, devoid of humor. "Was his name even Changnam? Do you expect me to believe you didn't know any of this? Tell me, Baekhyun, is it entertaining to make me look like a fool? Are you enjoying this? Why are you toying with me?"

His voice, while calm, is laced with venom, and he watches as Baekhyun's expression shifts to one of horror, confusion clouding his eyes. Baekhyun looks utterly lost, mouth slightly agape as he searches for words, grappling with the reality of the confrontation unfolding before him.

"What? Cat got your tongue now, Baekhyun?" Chanyeol presses, frustration boiling over. "What more lies do I need to hear?" He is tired—tired of this twisted game, of running from one riddle to a bigger one, feeling increasingly lost in the chaos. Ever since they left the fake in-laws' house, he has expected Baekhyun to say something, anything. But the silence persists, gnawing at him.

"Why?" The question hangs in the air, heavy and charged. Chanyeol feels betrayed, and the trust he once had in Baekhyun feels shattered. How can he believe anything Baekhyun says now, especially after realizing that the man's entire narrative about his late husband has been built on lies?

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Author's note 📝

Hi, lovelies, 🤗❤️💕

blue_eyed_diamond aka chanbaeksbae Happy to see you guys again. And happy Valentine to you😘🤗💕💐💐

Em... this is getting intense right?👀 a little unraveling has been done, and more is yet to come. But...would you have reacted the same way if you were Chanyeol? I don't know what you think, but let me know in the comment section alright lovelies 🤗

In all, I do hope you enjoy reading this chapter though. I also want to thank you for your kind support for everything. All you have shown us is love and more and more love, and for this we are grateful.🤭💕🙏😊❤️

I know you can't wait to see what my dearest friend Nyxessa has in stock for you in the next chapter. 😊👍she has a lot of 🔥 soup to dish out trust me 🤸‍♀️🤗😘

Once again, thank you so much for your kind support and love towards this story, for upvoting this story, for reading, for commenting, and everything. We appreciate you. Stay healthy and stay safe❤️

Love you🧡😘❤️

Author-nim blue_eyed_diamond 💫💛