It's obvious how Jaemin glances at his watch more than usual, especially while in a meeting no matter how bored he is or simply wanting to end this sooner.

Once they bid goodbyes as another employee, NingNing, escorts the clients out of the building. Lia lifts a brow at her boss.

"Something up?"

She gets a frustrated sigh, "Jeno isn't here yet." Jaemin answers her, visibly worried about where Jeno is at the moment.

This morning, Jeno told him he didn't need to pick him up and apologized for the inconveniences. Promising he will be there at work regardless.

Like an understanding type of person he is, Jaemin nodded along with Jeno's words, although he was reluctant to let it go.

Well, at least Jeno didn't have to be in the meeting since Lia was there. I guess that's just a lucky thing to happen.

"I mean yeah... He could be taking a cab," Lia guesses trying to not sound as worried as Jaemin is.

He gnaws on his lower lip and checks his cellphone, "you should call him." He hears Lia say, both of them clearly wanting to know Jeno's whereabouts.

Just as he was about to press his finger on the call button, the door opens ajar and a certain brunet man enters, panting slightly.

"We were just about to call you." Lia walks up to him and scrunches her nose at the crinkled shirt. "Christ." Muttering under her breath as she kindly takes his bag.

A look of relief paints Jaemin's face, meeting his beloved halfway by the long table before engulfing him in a hug. "I told you I could have picked you up."

Jeno sighs at the scolding, silently agreeing to Jaemin's words while regaining his proper breathing. "I'm sorry, love, but it was just... Not the time."

Then Jaemin gets it, Lia still doesn't know Jeno's real situation. She has no clue despite being friends with him since the day he got here.

And that makes Jeno feel bad, glancing at her way with a sad look that made her understandably confused in response.

Smiling faintly, Jaemin decides to save his own questions for Jeno to answer later in private, and gives the brunet boy this time to explain to his friend instead.

"I will give you two some time, not that much since there's still work to do." He softly spoke.

Lia, for the first time in ages, is quiet despite how confused she is. The tension in the slightly messy meeting room gave her a hint that this wasn't something to really tease Jeno about.

Jaemin shares a quick kiss on the lips with Jeno before walking out of the room, entertaining another employee rushing up to him in need of help.

𖢻

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, Lia. I feel really bad– like actually, I understand if you feel offended or upset because it seemed like I don't trust you and all– I do, it's just... Complicated."

Lia couldn't help but smiles softly listening to Jeno's rambling in distress, lips pouting while at it as a habit that makes it even more amusing to witness although it shouldn't be when he's clearly emotional.

His rambling halts when Lia rests her hands on his tensed shoulders. "Stop stressing, you didn't do anything wrong– you not telling me because you were scared is understandable enough for me."

"You're not mad?"

"Jen, babe, we've been friends since your interview. I know what kind of person you are, and I don't blame you for being scared when there's a ton of judgmental people around."

Rubbing his shoulders to ease him up, Lia smiles wider. "I'm very proud of you, and I'm happy Mr. Na is there in your life now."

Slowly smiling back, Jeno pulls her in to a hug and giggles. "Me too, gosh... Me too, Lia." Stress leaving his body as the ravenette lady rubs his back.

𖢻

"Sorry I was late this morning." Jaemin shakes his head at him, "I know we've talked about my time management issues, and I just feel guilty for doing the same mistake again."

"You don't have to beat yourself up because of this, and besides, now it's all clear and makes it easier for me to understand your reasons." Jaemin replies.

Jeno sighs and picks at his food, "Johnny came by this morning to pick up the kids... That's why I didn't want you to come over..." He admits.

Hearing his quiet tone and the way he's trying to avoid meeting Jaemin's eyes, the blue haired man frowns.

"Why?" He asks a beat later, testing the waters.

Tilting his head up, Jaemin hopes he would meet his eyes this time, but unfortunately he doesn't. Looking over his shoulder instead.

"I don't want you to feel like I'm ashamed of you or anything, I'm not, I promise." He begins to say, almost rambling again until Jaemin reaches for his free hand.

Squeezing it, the gentle action makes Jeno finally meet his eyes and purses his lips nervously. Jaemin tries his best to comfort him as much as he can with the table blocking their way.

"It's just– I have a gut feeling Johnny won't take this news very well..." He glances at their interlocked hands, gesturing it discreetly from others.

Jaemin follows his gaze and listens carefully, "I don't think he will be supportive of our relationship, no matter how nice we both can be to him or how you will be respectful towards him."

"Does he still love you?" Jaemin asks, blurting out his words; a quite rare moment for him.

Jeno smiles bitterly, "honestly, I don't even know anymore. Sometimes he says he does, then changes his words."

"Regardless, all I know is I have moved on and am happy with whom I am with right now." He spoke out courageously.

Tightening his grip on Jaemin's hand, the latter grins happily, pink blush blooming on his cheeks as he lifts their interlocked hands to his lips.

"I'm happy too, honey. Might be too early to say, but really I can't hide my true feelings for you." Kissing Jeno's knuckles.

The brunet man scoffs sarcastically, trying to hide his shyness creeping up to him in an instant just by Jaemin's genuine sweet words.

"Cheesy." Jaemin laughs wholeheartedly in reply, keeping their hands interlocked as they ate in peace.

𖢻

Thoughts??

Are y'all ready for it? >:)

How's your day been?

Mine was surely sad. Unfortunately my mom's dog passed away this morning.

We genuinely thought she was asleep, but then her eyes were open. However we then thought she was doing her thing again where she doesn't respond to us until we come closer or touch her.

But then while I was eating breakfast, my sister called her name twice in panic when she noticed the dog wasn't blinking.

We gathered around and I must say, I've only heard my mom cry like that when my grandpa passed away.

Clearly she loved the dog a lot (long story short she didn't want the dog at first bc of her experienced heartbreak with the first one.)

Anyways, that was a very bad morning to start with, we buried the dog near our gate with the others.

The dog was already sick, has been since around February. She was getting better but then this week she got weak again.

We couldn't take her back to the vet and admit her there because it was already expensive after two days (we paid 5k).

And we were going to get her a blood test but my dad is usually stubborn, so he said no because apparently he thought the dog was already in good condition and we can just treat her on our own.

Anyways, that was depressing– sorry :(

Should've said this in "My Thoughts" book 💀

December 8, 2017 - April 30, 2022. R.I.P