B Y U N   B A E K H Y U N 

"H-hey," was all I managed to mutter. 

Oh Sehun leaned on the counter, his head resting on his right hand. He's still smirking as he looked up at me, eyes sharp. "You're working here?" he asked though I have the feeling he knows the answer and more than just that. A muscle twitched on his cheek and his playful gaze somehow turned into a glare. 

And then I realize, he's not staring at me anymore. 

I slowly turned at the man beside me. He's looking back at Sehun with a confused frown, his lips fixed into a thin line. I know Chanyeol enough to say that he's not annoyed, he's merely confused as to what this tall guy has to do with me. 

Sehun's smile returned as he pulled back. "Won't you introduce me to your co-worker, Baekhyun?" 

I opened my mouth to speak but Chanyeol beat me to it, offering a hand. "Park Chanyeol," he said between pursed lips. His hand is firm, hanging in the air as Sehun slowly took it. 

"Oh Sehun." He shook Chanyeol's hand once before they let go, still staring at each other, both with unreadable expressions plastered on their faces. Chanyeol is still frowning and Sehun has that irritating amused face. I suddenly found myself in a very awkward place and when I cleared my throat to relieve the silence, the two looked down at me in unison. 

I glanced at Sehun. "I think I ought to get your order." I raised a brow just to look stern but Sehun just grinned, still amused. He glanced back at his shoulder and shrugged. 

"I don't think I'm keeping a line," Sehun said. "Are you so excited to get rid of me?" 

I bit the inside of my cheek. "This is a cafe and I'm taking your order," I muttered. Chanyeol is still not leaving my side and I don't want him to. He's giving me a certain comfort and the words Sehun told me the very fist day we met again makes me uncomfortable towards him. He sounded so cruel and his return only means one thing: he's coming to get his claws around my neck.

Sehun tsked and his eyes fell on my hand holding the edge of the monitor. A slight frown appeared on his forehead. "You're getting married or what?" he asked and the politeness he's been putting up suddenly started to melt away. His eyes flickered to mine and it's almost irritated, angry even. 

My fingers clenched. "I am." I answered in a hoarse voice. Damn. Where are the customers when you want them? 

"With whom?" Sehun asked and I could almost hear him grit his teeth together. "Baekhyun---"

"He's engaged with me." Chanyeol said and I felt his hand rest around my waist. "Got a problem with that?" I can't even bear to look at him because I know he finally understood who this guy is and what he is in my damned life. My hand flew to Chanyeol's, squeezing it. 

Sehun tried to smile and turned out bitter. "Your parents know?" he raised a brow at me. 

"Soon." I muttered, feeling my heart hammer against my chest. I must admit I'm not ready to face the consequences of our relationship, especially when it comes to my family. Chanyeol's stepmother has been so nice to me, with all the smiles and kind words. But I think my parents would be a different kind of story. 

The fear must have been evident on my face because Sehun's smirk is suddenly back. "Soon, eh?" he teased and Chanyeol's hand tightened around mine. Please, not a fight. Anything but a fight. 

Finally, Sehun turned his glare at Chanyeol. "Park, you say?" he hissed, leaning so he could look at Chanyeol straight in the eyes. "Do you even know where you're dragging Baekhyun in to?"

"You don't tell me what to do." Chanyeol answered in a firm, controlled voice. 

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Please," I hissed. "You're in a public cafe. Mind getting your wits together?" then I looked up at Chanyeol and I met his eyes. I even gave his hand another gentle squeeze. "Please." I whispered so only him could hear. 

Chanyeol nodded, his eyes traveling to the monitor in front of us. Sehun, on the other hand, is not as obedient and kind. His fingers tapped impatiently on the counter and I watched them with sick annoyance. The air is getting filled with a certain heaviness and no matter how breaths I let out, it just won't get easier to breathe. When I looked up at Sehun, I found him still watching me. 

"Excuse me?" a cheerful yet annoyed voice called just behind Sehun. "Are you guys going to stare at each other for forever or what? I'm starving, btches." 

Sehun unconsciously stepped aside, letting a petite and pretty lady step closer to the counter. She brushed her hair back behind her shoulder impatiently though her eyes remained kind. We didn't even notice her coming up. But instead of urging me to talk and get her order, Chanyeol just sighed as he rolled his eyes. 

"Chanyeol, I'll honestly tell Dad you're not doing a good job here." the woman hissed. "You can't even keep a creep off your guy." and then she threw Sehun a long, cold glare that even made him wince. 

"Noona," Chanyeol said between gritted teeth and I gasped, my eyes turning wide as I stare at the woman in front of me. She finally averted her angry eyes from Sehun to Chanyeol, raising her brow in expectation. She's really pretty even with her thin layer of make up and too pink lipstick. Her simple get up makes her look more like Chanyeol's friend than his... sister.

"So..." she started, waving her long black curl back. "Aren't you going to introduce me to him?" she cocked her head towards my direction, making me flinch in nervousness. What would she tell me? Will she give me the same glare she directed at Sehun a while ago? 

Chanyeol sighed. "Noona, I don't think this is the right place for such introductions." he answered, sounding more like the older brother. "You and Oh Sehun are practically making the cashier a chitchat spot when it's not." His voice is obviously controlled and pissed but I have to agree with him. 

Chanyeol's sister rolled her eyes, flipping a strand of hair that fell from her shoulder. She has a problem with her hair not being tied into a bun, I suppose. "Fine." she finally said and when she gazed at my face, I almost yelped. Her eyes are sharp and she's studying me so curiously. I looked back at her, still with my eyes wide in surprise. I don't know what to make of her yet. She must be Chanyeol's sister but that doesn't mean they're the same. She could hate me now and I wouldn't know.

"Pretty," she muttered and finally, she smiled. "I would want a slice of blueberry cheesecake and a cup of your signature hot chocolate." 

With trembling hands, I started tapping on the monitor in vain attempt to pull my eyes away from her. At least, I won't have to meet her watchful gaze any longer. 

"Your order would be served later, madam." Chanyeol said, pulling himself back to business. 

His sister grins, nodding. "Thanks." she said before turning away and walking towards an empty couch. I watched her back, her wavy black hair swaying gently just a few inches from her waist. She looks nothing like Chanyeol or the twins so I bet she looks like their late mother. I guess the four of them shared nothing but the color of their hairs. 

I turned to Sehun but before either of us could utter a word, Kim Jongdae is suddenly beside me, stretching his arms and neck. "Need some help?" he asked and he's directing the question to me. I took the opportunity fast and sure. 

"Yes," I breathed retreating from the cashier. "Please do get his order. I think I'm having a headache." I murmured and I walked fast out of the spot and back towards the door that leads to the lockers. I could hear familiar footsteps behind me and I didn't even bother to look to know who it is. 

Oh Sehun is back and I don't know what he's planning to do. He's been kind enough not to anger Chanyeol and cause a commotion here but I know he wants more than that. He wanted me and the spark in his eyes whenever I meet them doesn't make me think he wants otherwise. Would he do something to destroy me and Chanyeol? Would he make lies? Would he talk to Dad? 

"Baek..." Chanyeol's voice is gentle and it made me stop on my tracks. 

I slowly turned to look at him. "He's back," I murmured and I dared not to meet his eyes lest they're angry and judging. "I didn't know he'll be here." 

His hand touched my arm, caressing it. "I don't want you explaining. I need none of it." Chanyeol murmured and his hand dropped to mine until he's gently holding on to my fingers, waiting for me to reach for him. And I did. I wrapped my fingers around his and I could almost hear him breathe a relief. 

"I don't know what to think, Chanyeol." I whispered. "I don't even want to think anymore. He could do something... and I... I don't want to lose you." 

Chanyeol's other hand went to my face, tipping my chin up so I could meet his gaze. His brown orbs are watching me with so much softness and love I could feel my heart skip a beat. "Then don't think." he whispered back. "I'm here and I don't have any plans about leaving you." 

I felt my lips curl into a sad smile. "I know you wouldn't," I murmured. "It's them. It's my family... and yours." 

Chanyeol's hand dropped to the small of my back and he stepped closer so he could pull me into an embrace. I held unto his shirt, burying my face on the middle of his broad chest where I rightfully belong. He suddenly smells of coffee and new clothes, foreign and totally not him, but whenever I close my eyes and feel his arms around me and his lips against my hair, I would know. I would know him anywhere, anytime and I wouldn't have any doubts. 

"Can you hear that?" Chanyeol suddenly asked, his lips moving against my hair. 

 I frowned and tried to focus on anything around us. I could hear people chatting and the muffled sound of blenders. "Hear what?" I murmured. 

"My heart," Chanyeol whispered. "It's beating for you." He let out a low chuckle, knowing he just gave another one of his cheesy lines but sincerity rings in them and he doesn't have to remind me how true his words are. 

I giggled and gave his back a pinch, making him yelp. But when I looked up to meet his face with my faked glare, it's his lips that found mine. 

When we stepped back into the cafe proper, Oh Sehun is nowhere to be seen and Chanyeol's sister is reading a magazine with her coffee half full and her cheesecake untouched. There's even a pile of worn out folders in front of her which doesn't compliment the other things she carries: expensive bags and clothes.

"Noona," Chanyeol called as we approached her. She looked up from her readings, beaming with unshed joy and excitement. 

Chanyeol's sister went to her feet, her boots knocking on the tiled floor. "Finally!" she exclaimed, arms outstretched. "I'm Park Sandara, Chanyeol's sister." she introduced herself, lending out a slender hand for me. 

I slowly took it, feeling her soft fingers wrap around mine. "Baekhyun," I muttered. "Byun Baekhyun." I tried to smile but I know it came out awkward and nervous. I could feel it. 

Park Sandara might have felt my unease because she pulled back her hand gently. Waving me off, she giggled. "Call me Noona or Dara. I wouldn't care." she said, still smiling. "I heard so many things about you from my brother and yet," she sighed dramatically. "I wasn't expecting someone this pretty." 

Then I remembered the word she uttered at the cashier a while ago. Somehow, the compliment made me blush and Dara giggled one more time. "And cute too, huh?" she grinned and I laughed with her. 

"Noona," Chanyeol butted in and when I turned to him, his eyes are fixated on the folders on the table. "Where did you get those?" 

Dara cleared her throat and her once playful face turned to something hard and firm. "I found them... in your car." The night when Chanyeol and Jungkook got beaten up by Yifan and his guards flowed back to my mind and I tried to hide a shudder. "Chanyeol... why didn't you tell me you found them?" 

Now I'm lost. I suddenly felt a certain nudge on my chest, telling me I'm stepping over a line. Chanyeol and Dara are siblings and I am sure they have topics I am not welcome to know anything about. Just when I'm about to excuse myself, Dara's eyes dropped to mine. 

"Do you know anything about those?" she asked, frowning. 

Chanyeol put a protective arm around my shoulders. "Baekhyun has nothing to do with them." he hissed and his voice is obviously controlled.

"But his father, Chanyeol. He's in them." Dara hissed back and the mention of my father made my ears perk up in expectation. What does Dad has to do with those old folders? 

I turned to Chanyeol, waiting for him to explain what's going on. But he's glaring down at his sister with an expression of irritation and hesitance. What is he keeping from me now? When did he start keeping secrets from me? 

"Noona..." Chanyeol trailed off, unable to know what to say. 

Dara clucked her tongue in distaste. "Know what?" she started, closing in to her brother. "I've read them since yesterday and I've been researching until tonight. I have a theory and your fiance deserves to know everything about them." 

Chanyeol ran a hand through his hair. "I told you, Baekhyun has nothing---"

"I have a plan." Dara hissed, stopping me and Chanyeol from saying anything. "Are you two helping or what?" 

Chanyeol and I shared confused glances. Where are we jumping in to? Is this a trap? Something bound to keep me from Chanyeol? But Sandara is Chanyeol's sister and so far, she's been nice to me and she even called me Chanyeol's fiance. Most probably, she knows and accepts everything between us. 

And there's something in those folders... about my father. What is it about Dad that they know? 

I swallowed the heavy lump on my throat and I turned to Dara. "Tell me about it." I said with much conviction as I can and I don't have to look at Chanyeol to know he thinks the same. 

* * * * * 

I know there are grammatical errors and the likes. I'm too tired and lazy to check. My apologies. But... Thank you for reading! 

Big Bad Wolf's update tomorrow! :* xoxo