The car ride was silent and awkward, the atmosphere inside the vehicle was intense even though the air conditioning was on. The two boys even felt like they were sweating.

There was not even music playing by either the radio or one of the boys' cellphone. It was just the sound of the engine and horns honking from different directions.

Jeno was keeping himself busy on the scenery they passed by, he's bad at communications even though he's a kindergarten teacher. But that's besides the point, he's with his "ex" right now.

Meanwhile, Jaemin was busy on the road as he thought of the words and possible topics they could talk about later on when they arrive.

No one uttered a word the whole ride, not even Jeno who was still curious about where they're going to. Not even Jaemin who wanted to compliment the younger.

Though, the red haired did not miss the way the blond was glancing at him from time to time, pursing his lips together with a tint of pink on his cheeks.

The action made him feel shy and the familiar feeling of butterflies in his tummy, just like years ago. Thus, he looked away and turned his head to the window ignoring the possibility of getting a stiff neck from it.

Once they arrived, Jaemin wore his face mask and cap as he waited for the younger who was getting out of the car.

They head inside as the blond scans the area and saw his manager and two security guards in one of the tables in the cafe, not too far and not too close to their reserved one also.

"You already reserved a table for us?" Jeno can't help but chuckle when he noticed the three men too, he obviously recognizes them since they're Donghyuck's staff as well.

Jaemin nodded at him, "I like that spot, and it's usually secluded from the noise," he shrugged as they came in front of the counter and said their orders after scanning the menu for a few minutes.

The two then heads to the table sitting down on the chairs across from each other as the awkwardness immediately came back afterwards.

"So–" Jaemin drawls and pursed his lips, "it's been awhile," he said earning a brow raised from Jeno. "Since we like– had a decent conversation and like– hangout I mean," he rephrased.

The younger chuckled from that, "I guess it has been quite a long while," he said playing with the ring on his finger. "How have you been?" He asked deciding to be the bigger person for this situation.

The blond blinks and snaps out of his stupor from staring at the jewelry around Jeno's ring finger as the boy had his soft hands placed on the table.

"Uhm, so-so. Jieun sometimes stresses me out a bit but that's part of parenting right?" He chuckled to lighten up the mood.

Jeno snickers at that and hums, "of course, children are playful and needy. They just need some attention and love," he said smiling a bit.

Jaemin hums in agreement before coughing awkwardly in to his fist, "so uh– are you married?" He blurts out and immediately wanted to just cancel this meeting instead feeling like he just ruined it.

The red haired pushed his tongue against his upper teeth as he stares at the ring on his finger as if it was his first time seeing it. "Was supposed to," he mumbled.

"Oh," the blond whispered before clearing his throat. "Sorry– er, I made this awkward," he said scratching his nape and was going to speak again until Jeno interrupts him.

"I was supposed to be married with my stepmother's colleague's son for business purposes, that is until she got sent to jail after Donghyuck filed some reports about her and also for some illegal actions with money," he murmured.

The elder widened his eyes at the information, so much has happened and there was so many news in one paragraph from Jeno. He feels like there's more the boy is about to share randomly, yet he'll listen.

And he was right, because the red haired continued to speak up.

"My dad and Donghyuck's mom were supposed to be divorced, but she didn't sign it and instead called her lawyers. She somehow won and kept living with us while dad didn't want to leave, until–" he paused.

"Until he passed away from a bad accident with the cruise ship a few months after he left for work again, the storm was really bad and not everyone had made it," he sighs.

"I'm sorry," Jaemin whispered itching to grab Jeno's hand in his, having the urge to just hug the younger in his arms tightly.

The red haired shook his head with a bitter smile, "it's okay, it's not your fault," he said looking down on his ring again.

"What about your supposed husband? What was he like?" The blond asked after a moment of silence with Jeno just staring at his ring.

The younger shrugged, "we didn't have a connection, he didn't even acknowledge me much. He just– went out a lot to find someone else he'd probably be interested to," he said.

He then chuckled randomly and looks up to meet Jaemin's confused face, "do you wanna know his name?" He asked seeing how the elder was just staring at him as if he's waiting for more information.

The blond nodded his head hastily, "Yang Jeongin," Jeno answered making the elder gasp and his jaw drop.

"Him?" Jaemin emphasized clearly appalled at the news. Jeno was supposed to be married to that guy?! Well it's a relief they cancelled it.

The red haired chuckled and nodded, "yeah," he shrugged nonchalantly before snickering at Jaemin's shellshocked face. "Oh don't be dramatic, we never really got to know each other anyway." He said.

The elder swallowed and blinks furiously, "wow," he breathes out making the younger giggle silently. A smile urging to show itself at the sight.

There was a pause again as Jeno continued to share his stories on what has happened for the past few years, "anyways, yeah. That happened and well– I guess I'm single as I'll ever be," he pouts sadly.

Jaemin furrowed his eyebrows at his words, "what do you mean you're single?" He asked dumbfounded on what the red haired just said. Is he tired? Did he suddenly lost his memory?

"I'm single, as in I don't have a boyfriend that loves me and shit like that," Jeno said giggling a bit finding the elder's question silly.

The blond tilts his head, "you're single?" He asked again earning a groan from the younger. He doesn't know why he's asking this and why he's suddenly perking up on it.

"Jaemin, I just said I am. Do you want me to bluff and say I'm not then?" The red haired tsked rolling his eyes in annoyance. He can deal with kids, but somehow Na Jaemin's acts can bother him in an instant.

"No! I–err mean, no don't lie but like– I'm just confused. That's all," the elder said still processing on the topic. "Aren't you dating Xiaojun?"

Jeno bursted into giggles at his question, Jaemin really is funny now. He might be a fucking clown.

"Xiaojun? Really?" He snorts before calming down to explain as he noticed how genuinely confused Jaemin is. "He's my best friend!" He exclaimed laughing.

"But– you guys– you guys kissed," the elder mumbled recalling the events earlier in the company building. Is he hallucinating?

"Jaemin, we're best friends with benefits. Xiaojun's in an open relationship with Yangyang, my other friend. We do shit like that because I'm single and shit, but we don't like each other like that," Jeno stated still giggling.

The blond drawls an "oh" now understanding the situation. Holy shit he just embarrassed himself. But again, holy shit Jeno's single, does he finally have a chance?

Though, he still can't believe what has happened in Lee Jeno's life since he left him years ago;

The boy was stuck with his abusive stepmother again.

She somehow won when they went to court after his dad had finally got enough.

His dad had passed away after going back to work from a big storm in the sea along with other people in the cruise ship.

He was going through an arranged marriage with Jeongin. Who barely acknowledged him too.

His stepmother has been doing some illegal actions with money.

Donghyuck being his brother, saved them both by reporting more files against their own mother.

Jeno's been through a lot, yet he's still here walking around like an angel. That's what worries Jaemin even more, what if someone hurts the angel again?

The red hums as their orders arrived and they proceeded to eat their lunch sinc they're both starving. Jaemin not eating a full breakfast meal since he woke up late while Jeno was– well Jeno, he loves food alright?

ஜ

Jaemin's story and explanation will be revealed next chapter :3