Park Chanyeol
blue_eyed_diamond

(thank you so much for 10k reads🙏🥺❤️, we didn't see this coming. We are so grateful for your kind support. Thank you 🙏🥰❤️)

As early as 6:00 AM the next morning, Chanyeol and Baekhyun begin preparing to head back to Seoul. They take turns in the shower, with Chanyeol letting Baekhyun go first. He knows that giving Baekhyun the whole room allows him to get dressed without feeling awkward about sharing the space.

When Chanyeol finally steps out of the bathroom, he finds Baekhyun already dressed and ready to head down to the hotel reception. Chanyeol thinks it's unnecessary for him to step outside just to give him privacy; he's already wearing his boxer shorts under his clothes. After applying deodorant and lotion, he quickly gets dressed, while Baekhyun keeps himself occupied on his phone, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

Following their heated argument from the night before, Chanyeol resolves not to fight with Baekhyun any longer. He realizes that all the troubles Baekhyun has faced are in no way his fault. However, the uncanny resemblance between Baekhyun's late husband and himself continues to gnaw at him. Chanyeol feels an urgent need to uncover the truth behind this mystery: Why does Changnam look like him? Are they long-lost twins? What secrets lie beneath the surface?

As he fastens the last button of his shirt, a heavy sigh escapes his lips at the thought of all the lies surrounding Changnam. Each new piece of information seems to shatter their previous understanding, and Chanyeol dreads the possibilities that lie ahead.

After checking out of the hotel, they hit the road back to Seoul. Chanyeol is behind the wheel again, with Baekhyun expressing his enjoyment of Chanyeol's driving. The awkwardness that once hung between them dissipates. Chanyeol makes an effort to steer their conversation away from Changnam, and Baekhyun seems grateful for the distraction. He doesn't want to hear that name right now; it only brings bitterness and dark memories. Instead, they chat about everything and anything, filling the car with light, warm conversation. Chanyeol savors this newfound atmosphere, wishing to hold onto it forever.

"Baekhyun looks genuinely happy," Chanyeol thinks, stealing glances at the man beside him. Baekhyun smiles at every little joke, laughing wholeheartedly even at Chanyeol's most ridiculous ones. The moment they stop to grab takeout, Chanyeol watches in delight as Baekhyun practically bounces with excitement at the food. It hits Chanyeol that Baekhyun is a sweet guy, just unfortunate in the hands of his late husband, and this bitterness has overshadowed his true nature.

Their drive back to Seoul feels much shorter than their journey to Busan, where uncertainty loomed large. Now, armed with information, they zip through the familiar roads, each turn bringing them closer to home.

"So, are we going straight to your friend?" Baekhyun asks, glancing over with curious eyes. Chanyeol pauses, pondering for a moment. His friend Yixing is likely still at work, and he's unsure if it's the right time for a visit.

"I think we should wait until later this evening," Chanyeol decides, tossing a few potato chips into his mouth. "By then, he should be done with work, and we'll have had some rest too."

Baekhyun nods, sipping on his banana shake. Chanyeol can't help but chuckle as he spots a milk stain on Baekhyun's upper lip, drawing attention to it before returning his focus to the road.

Once they reach Seoul, Chanyeol drives directly to his café. He plans to pick up his car from Sehun and drive them both home later—or maybe just call a cab for Sehun so he can leave early. They have a meeting with Yixing later, and Chanyeol's not too worried about his schedule. He has already texted Yixing to confirm their visit, and his friend has agreed to meet them.

Pulling into his café's parking lot, Chanyeol spots his car in its designated spot and sighs in relief. Sehun has kept his promise to look after it, and gratitude swells in Chanyeol's chest for having such a reliable friend.

As he prepares to step out of the car, Chanyeol notices Baekhyun hesitating, as if he dreads the journey ending. Acting on instinct, Chanyeol speaks up before he can overthink it. "Do you want to come in for a while?"

"Actually, yes," Baekhyun replies, visibly relieved as he hops out of the car. "I'd rather stay here for a bit than go home and be left alone with my thoughts."

Chanyeol completely understands.

Walking toward the café with Baekhyun trailing behind, Chanyeol catches Kangju's surprised expression at seeing his boss again after a day away. Kangju quickly opens the door and bows in greeting, his face lighting up with a smile. Chanyeol taps Kangju on the shoulder, returning the gesture with a cheerful, "Good day! How are you?"

Chanyeol barely hears Kangju's reply as he strides past him, spotting Jongin busy taking orders and Sehun chatting with a few customers. He decides not to interrupt, heading straight to the serving counter where Kyungsoo is bustling about. Kyungsoo's eyes widen with delight upon seeing him.

They exchange bows, and Chanyeol takes a moment to appreciate the lively atmosphere. The café is buzzing with customers, and it warms his heart to see so many people enjoying the space he's created. There are only a few seats left, and Chanyeol's mind starts racing with ideas for expansion.

As soon as Kyungsoo finishes serving a customer, he glances from Baekhyun to Chanyeol, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Chanyeol knows that look all too well but dismisses it; now isn't the time for that. He continues on to his office, leaving Kyungsoo to ponder whatever thoughts are racing through his mind.

When he steps into his office, he finds Baekhyun standing there, a dreary expression shadowing his face. The weight of the world seems to rest on his shoulders, and Chanyeol can't help but feel a surge of empathy. He knows that this is only the beginning of their journey together.
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"Do you think he likes me?" Baekhyun asks, pulling out a chair and settling into it. Chanyeol doesn't need to guess who Baekhyun is talking about; it's Kyungsoo. But he plays coy, feigning ignorance. "Sorry, who?"

Baekhyun gnaws on his bottom lip, a small frown creasing his brow. "Your chef. He... he just doesn't look at me nicely whenever I come in. It's like he's ready to rip my head off."

Chanyeol bursts into laughter, unable to hold it back. He knows Kyungsoo well—if a stranger meets him for the first time, they might mistake him for unfriendly. Yet beneath that tough exterior lies one of the sweetest people Chanyeol knows.

"Oh, you mean Kyungsoo?" he teases, watching as Baekhyun rolls his eyes at the sarcasm. Chanyeol can't help but laugh harder, especially at the adorable pout forming on Baekhyun's lips.

"It's not funny," Baekhyun grumbles, his expression earnest. Chanyeol meets his gaze, still chuckling.

"Sorry! I just can't help it with that look on your face, Baekhyun." He wipes away tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes. "Kyungsoo is a really nice friend of mine. He's probably just a little annoyed about the stunt you pulled when you first came in and called me a ghost, remember?"

At this, Baekhyun goes stiff, his eyes widening in realization, a guilty look washing over his features. "Oh, that? I'm sorry."

Chanyeol watches as Baekhyun bows his head, shame etching his face. He understands why Kyungsoo is acting the way he is. It's unnecessary for Baekhyun to feel bad; Chanyeol knows Kyungsoo holds no grudges. Still, it might be wise for Baekhyun to clear the air with the others. After all, if they'll be spending more time together while they unravel this mystery, it would help if they see him as he truly is, not the man who startled them on that fateful day.

"I believe Kyungsoo and the others will come to like you," Chanyeol assures him, leaning forward earnestly. "They're just skeptical of your presence. If you make an effort to get to know them and show you mean no harm, they'll see the real you."

A long sigh escapes Baekhyun, and he looks lost for words, but Chanyeol understands the weight of his feelings.

Before the silence stretches too long, Sehun strolls into the office, breaking the tension. He halts mid-sentence, eyes widening as he takes in Chanyeol's presence.

"Yeol? You're back so fas—oh? Hey!" His gaze shifts to Baekhyun, and for a moment, the air thickens with unspoken questions. Sehun and Baekhyun lock eyes, and Chanyeol can't help but watch with amusement.

"Hello," Sehun finally greets Baekhyun, a teasing grin spreading across his face before he turns back to Chanyeol, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Hello," Baekhyun replies, smiling back, but Chanyeol can see the confusion flicker across his features as Sehun studies him, curiosity brimming.

Chanyeol seizes the moment to introduce them, knowing Sehun's mind is racing with questions. "Baekhyun, meet Sehun, my best friend and roommate. Sehun, this is Baekhyun."

Sehun's expression shifts to one of mock disbelief as he sends a pointed glare in Chanyeol's direction. He knows that look all too well—'Just Baekhyun? Nothing else? Huh?'

Rolling his eyes, Chanyeol meets the challenge with a silent 'yes!' He doesn't need to elaborate; Baekhyun is enough.

Sehun snaps out of his reverie, letting out a light, awkward laugh. "Wow, finally I get to meet the beautiful Baekhyun, huh? I've heard a lot about you." A sly smirk forms on his lips, and Chanyeol's frown deepens as he watches Baekhyun look back and forth between them, confusion etched on his face.
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Right now, Chanyeol fights the sudden urge to facepalm in embarrassment. When did he ever discuss Baekhyun with Sehun? He knows this teasing stems from Sehun dropping him off yesterday, and the relentless teasing isn't letting up. Baekhyun looks between him and Sehun, confusion and curiosity written all over his face, and Chanyeol feels a surge of frustration aimed at his best friend.

To ease the awkward tension, Chanyeol awkwardly laughs, shushing Sehun out of the office again. He leaves Baekhyun inside for a few moments, hoping to regain composure before returning alone.

"What was that about?" Baekhyun asks, one eyebrow raised, a blend of confusion and amusement in his expression. Chanyeol coughs, trying to steady his nerves.

"Nothing! Sehun just likes to mess with me. Ignore him," he mumbles, a crooked smile barely suppressing his embarrassment. Baekhyun studies him, skepticism still lingering in his eyes, but thankfully he lets it slip, much to Chanyeol's relief.

Once the topic is successfully dodged, the two of them chat about lighter subjects while they wait for time to pass. As the clock strikes 4:00 PM, Chanyeol walks Baekhyun to his car outside the café.

"If you want, I can swing by your apartment to pick you up at six, so you don't have to drive," Chanyeol offers, flashing a soft smile. To his delight, Baekhyun beams back.

"Sounds good," he replies, opening the car door. "I'll send you the address when I'm home." He slips inside, and Chanyeol watches as Baekhyun waves goodbye before speeding off into the bustling streets of Seoul. With a light heart, Chanyeol heads back to the café, but instead of heading to the counter, he makes a beeline for his office, eager to avoid his friends and their probing questions. Unfortunately, fate has other plans.

"You didn't tell me you were a ghost, Yeol," Sehun announces the moment he steps into the office. Chanyeol wishes he could just vanish, but that's not an option now. Sehun sprawls comfortably on Chanyeol's desk, munching on some leftover nuts from the saucer Baekhyun didn't finish. He lounges with his legs up, a sarcastic chuckle escaping him as he continues tossing the nuts into his mouth, much to Chanyeol's annoyance. There's no way he's escaping this interrogation; not after Sehun has seen him with Baekhyun and heard the ghost story from the staff.

"I assume they filled you in," Chanyeol says, not bothering to meet Sehun's mocking gaze. He grabs a bottle of water from his mini-fridge before finally facing Sehun, who's now lounging with his arms crossed, ears perked up in anticipation.

"Well, yes, they did," Sehun smirks. "So now you tell me more. What have I been missing? Did you guys have sex during your getaway?"

Chanyeol nearly chokes on his water, coughing as he shakes his head furiously. Sehun can be a handful sometimes, and Chanyeol wonders how Junmyeon, his boyfriend, copes with his antics.

"The hell, what the fuck, no!" he retorts, shooting Sehun a fierce glare.
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"What is it then? I'm all ears, Yeol! Don't keep me waiting," Sehun announces, grinning at him cheekily.

"For the record, Baekhyun and I are not a thing if that's what you're thinking," Chanyeol clarifies, pulling out the empty chair across from him and plopping down. "We were just researching something in Busan."

Chanyeol can tell from Sehun's skeptical expression that his friend is far from satisfied with that answer.

"Are you for real, Chanyeol? You leave here with that cute guy and spend a whole day and night together, and you expect me to believe it's just a research trip? Nothing happened?" Sehun's eyes widen, clearly intrigued.

"You heard me—nothing happened, Sehun," Chanyeol grumbles, taking a long sip from his water bottle to buy himself some time.

"I don't believe you. Why were you blushing when you walked in?" Sehun presses, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"I wasn't!" Chanyeol groans, exasperation creeping into his voice. He's had enough of Sehun's relentless interrogation, which seems to lead nowhere. In a moment of frustration, he grabs his backpack, slings on his hoodie, and snatches up his car keys. With a quick dash for the door, he doesn't spare a glance back at Sehun, eager to escape before his friend can launch another question. He's tempted to spill the details of his meeting with Yixing later, but for now, he needs to be sure it's the right moment to share.

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At six o'clock on the dot, Chanyeol pulls up in front of Baekhyun's house, ready to pick him up as planned. Fortunately, Baekhyun is already outside, waiting by the portico, looking as charming as ever. The moment he spots Chanyeol, he hurries over, hopping into the passenger seat. They exchange brief greetings before Chanyeol shifts into gear and drives off toward Yixing's place.

Yixing is a striking Chinese guy with black hair and cute dimples, living in Yeongdeungpo, an administrative district in the southwest of Seoul. He's one of Chanyeol's friends from university, and after graduation, he has taken his career to new heights as an IT specialist, moonlighting as a hacker. Yixing specializes in infiltrating companies and uncovering the secrets those institutions desperately want to hide, which is why Chanyeol thinks of asking him for help with Baekhyun's predicament.

When they arrive at Yixing's apartment, Chanyeol spots his friend on the balcony. Yixing waves energetically, a warm smile on his face. After Chanyeol and Baekhyun exit the car, they make their way toward the front door of the building. Inside, they find Yixing balancing his laundry while his two playful cats, Lulu and Luobo, cause a delightful ruckus nearby.

Once they're all upstairs and settled inside, the atmosphere is friendly. They exchange pleasantries and handshakes, with Chanyeol introducing Baekhyun as the person they've been discussing over text.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Baekhyun!" Yixing exclaims, his smile genuine. Baekhyun responds with a shy, "Same here."

After the initial niceties, Chanyeol follows Yixing deeper into the apartment, gently tugging Baekhyun along. They get comfortable in the living room while Yixing finishes up his laundry. Chanyeol notices Baekhyun's eyes sparkling with curiosity as he admires the stylish decor, a soft smile gracing his lips.

A minute later, Yixing joins them, offering drinks before diving into the matter at hand.

"So, Baekhyun," Yixing begins, his tone encouraging. "Chanyeol mentioned you have a serious issue and a mystery to unravel. Please, share your story. Let me know how I can help."

Chanyeol exchanges a glance with Baekhyun, who looks back at him, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. With a gentle nod, Chanyeol urges him to open up about his late husband's deceptions. If he didn't trust Yixing implicitly, he wouldn't have brought Baekhyun here.

Baekhyun takes a moment to gather his thoughts. Chanyeol watches the emotions dance across his face, feeling a mix of concern and empathy. Finally, Baekhyun finds his voice, though it trembles slightly as he recounts his story. He shares how he met Changnam in university, how he fell head over heels in love, and how he bravely introduced Baekhyun to his parents—who were less than supportive of their union. He speaks of their secret marriage, the tragic accident that took Changnam's life, and the months he spent in a coma. Finally, he reveals the shocking moment two years later when he encounters Chanyeol, a doppelganger of his late husband.

Chanyeol can hardly process the weight of it all.

"Do you have a picture of this man?" Yixing asks gently. Baekhyun quickly digs into his jacket pocket, pulling out several photos of him and Changnam at different occasions. He hands them to Chanyeol, who passes them to Yixing, who begins to scrutinize them intently.

"HOLY SHIT," Yixing gasps, his mouth falling open in disbelief. The shock on his face is priceless, and Chanyeol can't help but feel a surge of amusement watching his friend dart his gaze between him and the pictures.

"You know, if I didn't know you so well, Chanyeol, I'd think you were the guy in these pictures," Yixing says, and laughter bubbles up in the room, easing the tension that had lingered after Baekhyun's heavy revelations.

"I thought the same thing the first time I walked into Chanyeol's café," Baekhyun chimes in, his voice low but playful, a hint of guilt in his grin. "We had a huge fight where I accused him of being an imposter and a ghost. It was terrible; I still feel bad about it."

Yixing bursts into laughter, and soon the others join him, the infectious joy breaking through the heaviness of the earlier conversation.

"But I still don't get it," Yixing says once he regains his composure, wiping a stray tear from laughter. "What do you guys need my help with?"

At that, Baekhyun's expression shifts, growing serious. "Chanyeol and I went to Busan this weekend to look for Changnam's parents, hoping to uncover more information or any background that could connect the dots. But we discovered they're not his real parents—they're imposters, paid to act as his family. It's all a lie."

"I see," Yixing replies thoughtfully, tapping his lips as he studies Baekhyun intently. "What clues do you have?"

Chanyeol quickly reaches into his pocket, pulling out a sheet of bank details that Changnam's imposter father handed to them during their visit to Busan. He hands it to Yixing, who inspects it carefully.

"A letterbox company, huh?" Yixing murmurs, quickly checking the company name on his laptop. "Interesting..."

After a few moments, Yixing motions for Chanyeol and Baekhyun to come closer, gesturing at the screen. "Do you see this?" he asks, circling a number. Baekhyun nods, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"What is it?" Chanyeol asks, his curiosity piqued.

"This, my dear Yeol, is an IP address," Yixing explains. Chanyeol feels a mix of confusion and intrigue—he can tell Yixing senses it too.

"As you might have guessed, the company that hired the imposter parents is a letterbox company. It took some digging, but I found the IP address linked to the owner of that company. An IP address is basically an address for a device; every device connected to the internet has one, and this one appears to belong to..." Yixing pauses, frowning at his screen. "Well, that's strange."

"What?" Baekhyun leans in, practically on his toes, and Chanyeol can't help but share his excitement.

"I thought I'd find a single personal device, but this appears to belong to a whole network of devices that are all connected. It looks like it belongs to a company," Yixing continues, typing furiously. "The device managing the letterbox company has access to information located at... Eve Pharmaceuticals. Holy shit, you guys, what have you gotten yourselves into?"

Baekhyun's eyes widen at the mention of the prominent pharmaceutical company, and Chanyeol feels a chill race down his spine. This revelation certainly comes out of left field.

"What... what the hell? Why would a pharmaceutical company be involved with a letterbox company that paid an old couple to pretend to be Baekhyun's husband's parents?" Chanyeol stammers, bewildered, while Baekhyun remains silent, processing the shocking information.

"I don't know," Yixing admits, biting his lip as he continues typing. "It seems we won't get access to that information easily. The server network protecting the data is encrypted too well. I can't just hack in."

"Encryption? What do you mean?" Baekhyun asks, confused. Chanyeol is grateful he isn't the only one lost in this technical jargon.

"Well, encryption is like a lock on a server or system that safeguards its data from external attacks. Given the size of this company and the strength of its defense system, I'd need extensive preparation, and it would still be quite risky," Yixing explains, chewing at his lip. "Our best shot at getting in would be through a keylogger or some way to obtain a root or admin password."

"Can you stop speaking Spanish and just tell us what we need to do?" Chanyeol interjects, half-annoyed as all the technical terms spin around in his head. Yixing, still nibbling at his lip, frowns in concentration, arms crossed.

"I think," he starts, "our best chance is to gain admin rights to the database, meaning we'd need to manually intrude from inside the server system. But for that, we need someone on the inside of the company."

Chanyeol sighs, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Another obstacle stands in their way. He glances at Baekhyun, who bites his lip in concentration, and he can't shake the feeling that they've hit yet another dead end.

How are they supposed to infiltrate this damn company? Chanyeol worries about the implications of his appearance. He looks just like Changnam, and that resemblance could expose them. What if someone recognizes him? They can't simply hire a stranger for this job; they need someone they can trust completely—someone who can navigate the complexities of a pharmaceutical company without raising suspicion.

Groaning softly, Chanyeol shifts his weight from one foot to the other, mentally sifting through a list of people he might trust with such sensitive information. The silence hangs heavily around them, nearly driving him mad. Just as frustration threatens to take hold, a face suddenly flashes in his mind, and he feels as if he's been struck by lightning. He leaps to his feet, startling both Yixing and Baekhyun, who turn to him in surprise.

"I think..." he begins, his voice laced with excitement that rises like a tide daring to sweep him away. He watches as Yixing and Baekhyun lean in, their expressions shifting to one of curiosity and anticipation. "I think I have the perfect person for this job."

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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...Who do you think Chanyeol would use for the job? 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 💫💛