BYUN BAEK HYUN

Is it just me or are office magazines really boring?

I flipped another page of this architecture magazine to a really long feature about a very famous architect who tried designing houses using Minecraft. Ugh. Boring. A gigantic clock hangs on a wall across from me, telling me there's still fifteen minutes left until lunch break. I let out a sigh and tried reading the feature, but I haven't even reached halfway when I decided to just close the magazine and sulk.

"God, do I hate waiting," I muttered to myself as I settled deeper onto the couch and crossed my arms over my chest. Maybe I'll just count the seconds with the clock. It might like some company.

Mondays aren't always good. But today, I was given the chance to spend some more time with my fiancé. I don't have morning classes today, so I decided to drop by Park Chanyeol's main office building and just have lunch with him at their cafeteria. Kyungsoo said they serve good food.

I'm currently sitting on one of the couches in the lounge area together with some employees. I'm in my usual sweatshirt, capri shorts, and sneakers, which totally screams nobody in this sea of coats and skirts, so I got to be alone and unnoticed in a corner.

After counting to a full minute, I heard my phone ping and I fished it out of my pocket to check the message. It's from Chanyeol.

'The meeting is still ongoing. Sorry, hon. I'll find you as soon as I can. I love you.'

I smiled a little then sent a quick reply. 'No problem, love.' Okay. Maybe I am impatient. But come on. No one's going to be pissed with that message. Ugh. If only Chanyeol is less sweet, I think I can be pissed at him more easily.

Just as I slipped my phone back into the pocket of my shorts, I looked up to watch a bunch of people enter the lounge area. They are all wearing formal office clothes and with IDs hanging around their necks. They look young, around my age, and judging by the way they cling unto each other and the way they look around the place, they are probably interns who got to lunch break a little earlier.

The lounge area is quite wide and is an immediate extension of the hallways but I guess the space isn't enough if everyone on this floor gets on a break at once. Two female interns went to sit beside me on the couch after realizing it's the safest spot to spill some beans. They are both clutching Starbucks cups as they giggled and gossip.

"Of course, they're dating!" the one with blonde highlights gushed. "I saw them holding hands at the parking lot once... And kissing!"

The other one with bangs rolled her eyes as she sipped her coffee. "Yeah, right," she mutters, disgusted. "But did you see the way she looks at our manager? Those flirty eyes don't scream faithful, girl."

"Yeah," the blonde laughs loudly. "You're probably right."

I shifted in my seat and the movement made them look at me, finally realizing they are not alone. Our gazes met for a split second before I turned away and stared back at the wall clock. Damn. Time moves too slowly. Although I try hard to concentrate on the ticking hand, I could still feel the two women's eyes boring to my sides. They are probably studying me.

And of course, two nosy girls won't miss the chance to chit chat with an obviously out-of-place character. They must have noticed my clothes.

"You an intern?" one of them asked and I swear I just heard them mutter I'm cute before moving closer to me on the couch. The blonde fixed her hair before giving me a shy wave.

I turned to give them a polite smile. "No," I muttered. "Just... Waiting for someone."

"Your girlfriend?" the girl with bangs asked, raising a brow.

I didn't know how to get rid of them, so I just said, "Um. My fiancé."

Their eyes widened a little with my answer and they shared a look. I don't know if I just contributed to their growing list of gossip or they realized I am not up for flirting. Then the blonde tapped her friend on the shoulder enthusiastically as she remembered another juicy story. "Hey, Soonyi," she started with a large grin. "Speaking of fiancé, did you know that President Park is engaged, too?"

"Really?" the girl with bangs, Soonyi, gasped. "I didn't know that!"

"You didn't know?" the blonde rolled her eyes like not knowing Chanyeol's private life is an impossibility. "But really, everyone in the company knows that."

Soonyi looks excited to know more. "Oh my god, Aeyoung," she gushed. "I saw President Park once, just after a meeting, and I swear to god he's one of the hottest males I have ever seen. Do you know what his fiancé looks like?"

"Nah," the other girl, Aeyoung, pouts. Then she leaned closer to her friend as if she's about to drop some huge news. Meh. I could still hear them, though. "I heard the president is seriously possessive when it comes to his fiancé. You ask one question about their relationship and he gives you the sharpest glare," then she added with a giggle. "He still looks hot, though."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed another magazine from the rack beside me. I'm starting to wonder when will fantasizing committed men start to become illegal. It has to be now.

"Hey, cutie," one of them suddenly called and I looked up to meet their expectant gazes. "Under what department is your fiancé? Maybe we know her."

"Or him," Soonyi added. Nice call.

But their question made me frown, thinking. Hmmm. Park Chanyeol is the president, right? So I don't know if that makes him under all departments or over them. I bit my lip, still thinking, before muttering, "I'm not really sure..." I answered. "I guess he handles a lot of departments."

The pronoun I used made Soonyi and Aeyoung share a look. Then, Aeyoung's shoulders dropped, like she's finally giving up on making a move on me. I know she's throwing me cute glances ever since a while ago. I just decided not to acknowledge them. "Department with an 's', huh?" Soonyi mutters. "Maybe he's the general manager."

"I think the GM is a girl, Soon," the other groaned.

I sighed. "Actually, he's—"

Then Aeyoung raised a hand to my face. "NO! Don't tell us," she huffs, face determined. "We like playing this game of who's-the-unknown."

"There's no such game," I deadpanned.

Then Soonyi's eyes widened then threw me a cheesy look. "Maybe if you tell us their annual income or profit, we can tell what position they occupy," she wiggled her eyebrows. "We'll start from that."

I gave the wallclock another glance. It's five minutes past twelve noon. Where the hell is he?

"I don't know..." I muttered, not really paying attention. I'm already looking around the lounge area, anxious to leave. My tummy is starting to protest because I only had toast for breakfast. "I'm not sure..." I said when they're still waiting for any goddamn answer. "Um. A billion?"

"A WHAT?" Soonyi almost spilled her coffee. "The— The only person in the office who will have that much money is—" Then she stopped, lips gaping open.

Even Aeyoung's eyes widened in realization. She stared at my face for a full moment, I almost felt like she's rummaging through the various stories she might have stored in her brain right now. "Oh no," she breathed, her eyes traveling all over me all of a sudden. "Wait— Are—" she swallowed loudly, her face turning red. "A-Are you... Byun Baekhyun?"

Before I could answer, everyone in the lounge area suddenly stood up and the three of us looked around, curious. What's going on?

With a gasp, Soonyi suddenly grabbed her friend and they both went on their feet in clear panic. "I can't believe he's here," she said under her breath.

"What—" I started to ask but then I already saw what made the whole floor startled. Park Chanyeol entered the room wearing a dashing black suit and with his neatly styled jet-black hair. Everyone within sight bowed to him as a greeting. But he's not even smiling a bit as he nods to acknowledge people, so now I don't wonder why everyone I know in this office is scared of him.

All eyes followed my fiancé as he stopped in the middle of the room, seemingly glaring as he scanned the area with a sharp gaze. Chanyeol almost never leave his office, so I honestly understand if people are shocked to see him at the common area. Within a second of Chanyeol's presence, almost everyone is already murmuring to each other predictions as to why he's here. I slipped the magazine I am holding back into the rack just before Soonyi spoke again.

"We're not in trouble... Are we?" she whispered to my direction.

I looked at her, confused, as I stood up. "Why would you be?"

Park Chanyeol met my gaze just when I returned my attention to him. He smiled wide as he started to walk towards my direction, and I guess that's the first one today. When he reached me, he immediately wrapped one arm around my waist so he could pull me close and plant one gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Hey," he whispered as he looked down with his handsome face and gorgeous voice. "I'm sorry I made you wait, honey."

"It's fine," I beamed up at him. "I'm not that hungry anyway."

Chanyeol chuckles. "Why do I feel like you're lying?"

"Yeah, you're right," I pout and dramatically clasped my tummy. "I'm starving."

He kissed me on the cheek before pulling me towards the hallways and away from all the other people at the lounge. "Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

"I heard your office cafeteria serves great food," I raised a brow, looking expectant and excited.

We stopped in front of the elevators and stepped into an empty cabin. "The cafeteria?" Chanyeol looks confused but still pressed on the '2' button. "Why the sudden interest in our office food?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Just curious. Why? You haven't eaten there before?"

Chanyeol frowns, thinking. "I'm not sure," he mutters. "My secretary buys my lunch for me. And sometimes you bring me some. So... I don't know."

I gave out a dramatic sighed and moved to face my fiancé. He really is handsome, huh? I reached up and pressed my palms on the lapels of his suit. "You really need to go out of that office from time to time, love," I teased. "People might start to think you're a modern-day caveman."

Chanyeol looks at me funny. "You must start coming here more often, then, baby. You know only you could pull me out of that cave you're calling," he smirked, and I have to roll my eyes. Ha. Ha.

The elevator doors opened and my fiancé held my hand before we both stepped onto the second floor of the building. Everyone keeps greeting Chanyeol here and there, and I can't help but try to keep my head low all the time. I don't really like it when people recognize me during events. Especially when I'm surrounded by other businessmen. They're all snakes to me.

Well, going back, I now know why Kyungsoo likes the cafeteria here at Chanyeol's office more than any other fastfood. The area is gigantic but really neat and cozy. And it's not really a cafeteria per se. It's more like a huge coffee shop that serves lunch— and dinner, too, if you like.

"Woah," I gushed as I looked around. The place is not really packed with employees and only a few seats are taken, which is quite weird because it's technically lunch break. "Why are there so few people?" I asked Chanyeol as we headed towards the food serving counter. And Kyungsoo's right. The food definitely looks appetizing.

"Oh, this is only one of the five cafeterias the office has," my fiancé explains as he takes a food tray.

I stared at him and laughed a little. "You look weird holding a food tray while wearing that suit," I giggled.

Park Chanyeol narrowed his eyes. "In a good way or in a bad way?"

I just shrugged. "Whatever works for you." But of course, I mean it in a good way. I mean, when does Chanyeol ever looked bad? He could be covered in mud and grease right now and he's still handsome. Ugh. So unfair. I took my own food tray rather thoughtlessly before waiting in line for the food. Everyone is throwing us curious glances and I can't help but become more uncomfortable each passing second. Chanyeol should really go out more. So Eun, my fiancé's secretary, is really great but I kind of feel bad for her if she spends every fcking day buying her boss some food.

The cafeteria chef, after seeing Park Chanyeol along the line for food immediately offered him a completely different lunch menu. My fiancé threw me a look and he raised a brow in question. But after he saw the dread on my face, Chanyeol turned him down and we resumed with the line, waiting for our chance to be served. The lunch is simple though, just some java rice, jajangmyeon, gimbap, kimchi, and tteok-bokki, but man do they taste divine. We settled around a small table for two at the far corner of the cafeteria and I silently prayed to have our lunch in peace.

"Oh, before I forget," Chanyeol started as we started eating. "Last week, I happened to see Dr. Kwon at the supermarket."

I gave him a look. "You're doing groceries now?" I giggled.

"No," Chanyeol rolled his eyes. "I was with Mom."

Dr. Kwon is my therapist and we talk about my panic attacks, which started quite more than ten years ago. Chanyeol and I don't really talk about it because the doctor says recalling what happened might become a trigger if I'm not careful. "So..." I cocked my head to one side. "What did you guys talk about?"

"Just..." Chanyeol played with the gimbap with his chopsticks, suddenly looking a little guilty. "I... I-I asked her how you're doing. Especially after, you know, what happened in my sister's office." When my fiancé met my eyes again, they are kind of sad. "But of course, Dr. Kwon didn't tell me anything. She just said I shouldn't worry myself too much."

I reached out for his free hand that's resting on the table and intertwined our fingers. "She's right," I smiled as brightly as I can. "You shouldn't worry, babe."

Park Chanyeol looked into my eyes as if he's trying to find out if I'm lying or not; If I'm in pain or not. I drown in his gazes every time and I wonder if he ever feels the same. Slowly, he pulled my hand to his lips. "I just love you, Byun Baekhyun," he murmurs against the back of my palm. "I wish I could know more about that day."

I brushed his cheek with my thumb affectionately. "It wasn't all bad," I laughed quietly but I didn't just say that to make him feel better. "In fact, it was a beautiful winter." 

Ten years and four months ago...

Byun Baekhyun hates the crowd. He didn't grow up surrounded by a lot of people, and being the youngest child, his parents were quite protective of him. So when he was suddenly casted as the male lead role in this little Romeo and Juliet play at their high school, every disastrous thought has already crossed his mind and they aren't helping ease the panic. Being Romeo means he has to be this manly, brave, and quite stupid character, and Baekhyun surely has a problem living up to that. He is timid, shy, unsociable, and quite brilliant. Luckily, his leading lady, Kim Taeyeon, is seriously kind and quite helpful.

It's the final rehearsal in one of the auditoriums at the Seoul Arts Center and the two main characters are currently throwing lines on stage when a huge ball of Styrofoam hit Baekhyun on the head. The props men, their other classmates, still hate the idea of Baekhyun being the male lead. Taeyeon and Baek both turned to look at the spot where the ball came from. A group of boys stand there, snickering.

"What the hell is your problem?" Taeyeon called angrily.

But the boys ignored her and continued laughing at Baek who's still a little surprised from getting so much hate. "Why?" one of them mocked him. "Gonna cry, you little fag?" Then they all laughed, giving each other high fives. Well Baekhyun admits he's not as tall as them or as broad-shouldered as Romeo should be. But he is smart and talented, and he thinks that's the main reason why he is Romeo in the first place.

Taeyeon bent to pick up the Styro ball and threw it back to the bullies rather forcefully. "Well, Baekhyun's only thirteen but at least he already knows what he is and what he wants, jerks!" she shouts at them. "You're just jealous because you can't even memorize a single line from this play even with all your brains combined!"

Yep. Taeyeon's probably right. But Baekhyun didn't second the motion. It would just make the situation way worse than it already is. One of the bullies started to angrily walk towards Taeyeon but she was saved by a bunch of teachers from their high school entering the auditorium. "We're not done here," the bully huffs before walking away. He gave Baekhyun a dirty look as he leaves, but Baek just blinked and decided to shrug it off.

Byun Baekhyun came out of the closet just last month and the very first person he opened to at school was Kim Taeyeon, his friend. But rumors about his sexuality circulated even before that and the confirmation only made the bullies and attackers more aggressive. Unfortunately. Baekhyun has good friends and a very supportive family. But sometimes, those wonderful things aren't enough to drive some of the sadness and fear away.

"Don't mind them," Taeyeon gave Baekhyun's shoulder a gentle shove.

"I don't," he murmurs. "They're just talk, anyway."

His friend smiled in agreement. "Come on," she tugged Baekhyun's arm. "Let's get into those costumes."

"They're itchy," Baekhyun chuckles as they made their way backstage and Taeyeon can't help but agree wholeheartedly. The Romeo and Juliet play would be tomorrow night and today's the final dress rehearsal. Almost all the administrative officers from their school will be watching the practice so everyone's on edge, especially their theater arts teacher. It may not be the day but having high ranking people's eyes on them is seriously not to be taken lightly.

Baekhyun's hands are trembling as he took his costume from a rack. His lines seem to be tangled in his brain and he can't make them out even as he squeezed his eyes shut and breathe deeply. It's only the rehearsal and he's already feeling like this. What more tomorrow? What if he messes things up so badly, he could barely recover?

"Come on!" their teacher shouts from somewhere backstage. "On to Act One, Scene One!"

Quickly, Baekhyun put on his costume and ran pass his classmates and to the side of the stage. The lights in the auditorium are already dimmed, with a spotlight illuminating the stage the only source of any brightness. When Baekhyun's scene came, the part where Romeo approaches his cousin sadly, he walks to the stage, shoulders hunched, and face crumpled into sadness. But then there was a series of laughter from where he came from and he paused, confused. He looks at his classmate who is playing the role of Benvolio and even him looks a little intrigued as to what is supposed to be funny.

Then the laughter grew louder and louder. Baekhyun started to feel the warming of his face and the thumping of his heart against his ribcage. When he turned his back to the audience, looking for the source of the mocking laughs, that's when the laughter turned to mischievous guffaws.

"Your back," Benvolio shouts and he immediately reached for Baekhyun, turning him around as if the action could still save him from the humiliation. "There's something... written..."

Baekhyun doesn't even have to look to know what's written on his back. And he doesn't care. Because no matter what's plastered on his back, he's pretty sure they all mean the same things anyway: Faggot. Disgusting. Shameless. Gross. Tears well in his eyes almost immediately and he started to tremble so bad he could feel every inch of his body shudder. His vision started to blur, and it suddenly feels like some invisible boulder is weighing down on his chest. He could hardly breathe. He could hardly get a grip of his mind.

What's happening to me?

The last thing Baekhyun remembers before running out of the auditorium is the horror painted on the faces of the school administrators watching them and the mockery his classmates continued to shout at him as he left. He could still hear Taeyeon calling out his name, but he didn't look back. All he knows is that he is in deep pain and he needs to get away from there at once.

He doesn't know how he ended up in a cubicle in one of the farthest comfort rooms there is at the Arts Center. Byun Baekhyun cried as he slumped on the cubicle floor, hugging his knees against his chest. He didn't know such small space could bring him comfort all of a sudden. He started to breathe normally if only he tried hard.

Before what happened, Baek honestly thought he's not doing anything wrong. He's just doing what he loves to do and being who he thinks he is. But why do people continue hating on him? Why are they trying to push him down? Did he hurt anybody by following his heart?

Park Chanyeol looks up from weeping as he heard someone enter the cubicle next to him, also crying. He's currently sitting on the cubicle floor and Chanyeol has to peek under the thin wooden wall separating the cubicles to see that a boy is also sitting on the floor. He can't see his face, but he didn't try to. He's too sad to care. He just accidentally heard his parents planning to get divorce just before they enter an auditorium to watch Les Misérables. The memory made a sob escape his lips and he started crying again but the sound made the boy from the next cubicle stop.

Suddenly, there was this silence. The only sound filling the room was their quiet breathing and tiny sniffles. Baekhyun looked around the cubicle and realized that the tissue holder is empty. He let out a sigh and just wiped his face with the sleeve of his costume. A costume now officially ruined.

"Rough day?" Chanyeol muttered, breaking the quietness which is starting to get suffocating.

Baekhyun paused and debated whether to speak or not. But then this other boy feels as lonely as he is so maybe a little company won't hurt. "Uh-huh. Rough day," he agreed quietly in a small voice. Then he sniffs again. "Hey..." he whispered. "You got some tissues there?"

There was a series of movements then a hand cautiously appeared under the thin cubicle wall. "Here," Chanyeol says. "Um... Don't cry now, stranger."

"Says the one who is crying louder than I am," Baekhyun laughs lightly as he took the tissue. "Thanks."

"Yeah," Chanyeol feels himself blushing. "Sorry 'bout that."

Then the silence is back as the two drowned in their own pit of emotions. Park Chanyeol doesn't really know what to do next or what to say next the moment he sees his parents again. What if he breaks down crying all of a sudden? He had always been a tough guy. But seeing his family breaking up is something his young heart couldn't handle. If only he knows then that that divorce won't push through, and his parents would be able to make their marriage work again.

Chanyeol sighed as he ruffled his hair and is about to feel another breakdown erupting when the stranger spoke again. "Don't you think it's cruel?" Baekhyun murmurs quietly. "The more you become honest, the more people tend to hate you. It almost feels like... Being true to yourself is something you should be punished for."

"That sounds awful," Chanyeol says. The sadness seeping out from the other side is almost palpable.

"I'm not a bad person," Baekhyun sobbed as he pressed his face on his knees. "At least, that's what I think."

"I don't think you're a bad person," the other replied.

Baekhyun looks up and stared at the wall between him and the boy. "What made you think that?"

"Because you try your best to be you," Chanyeol muttered as he rested his head on the wall behind him. "I don't think bad people are that honest or that brave."

They both went quiet after that. Then Baekhyun sniffed and smiled a little. "Thanks," he murmurs as he shifts on his spot and tries to dry his face with the tissue he's been clasping. "Hey..." he called out to the stranger once more. "I sincerely hope that whatever's making you cry right now, it'll be over soon."

The remark made Park Chanyeol smile despite himself. "You, too." And for some reason, the heaviness on his chest started to fade. He squeezed his eyes shut and listened to the quiet breathing of the boy from the next cubicle. He thought he wanted to deal with the sadness on his own. But right now, as he and some unknown person sit in comfortable silence, Chanyeol realized he's thankful he's not all alone.

Soon, Chanyeol already heard his phone ringing inside his pocket, and it took him a few moments to gather enough courage to check the messages and missed calls. He let out a groan.

"They're probably looking for you now," Baekhyun mused from the other side and Chanyeol noted the lightness in his voice. He must be a singer, he thought.

Chanyeol gave out a long, deep sigh. "Sound like it," he says. "I have to go."

"Sure," Baekhyun nods and he hugged his knees tighter. "Don't cry now, stranger," he mimicked in a whisper as Chanyeol stood up and opened the cubicle door.

The taller smiled a little then nods, throwing the cubicle next to him one final look. "Yeah," he whispers. "Let's not cry now."

Baekhyun nods and Chanyeol walked away. Both are thankful for the stranger that had been with them during one of the most difficult times in their lives. As promised, they cried no more tears for that day.

Byun Baekhyun transferred to another high school after that and met the stranger again in an auditorium where he auditioned for a club. Park Chanyeol fell in love with the boy he handed tissues to one year ago.

It's just that, none of them ever knew.