Within These Shadows || Park Chanyeol/Do Kyungsoo || Book 1

41

The elevator bell went off again and the doors opened. But the two were too lost to notice that a startled Lim Ju Hwan was standing right outside. He knew Jay and Kyungsoo were friends, but didn't know they were such close friends; or if they even had anything for each other. He had thought Jay was still single and wasn't particularly attracted to anyone. But now, he was starting to think otherwise.

Ju Hwan cleared his throat, causing both the youngsters to turn their heads and look at him. Jay's eyes went wide at the sight of Aiden and she quickly freed her hands from Kyungsoo's and moved back, clearing her throat from embarrassment. She crouched down to pick up her fallen documents, avoiding her best from looking at either of the men.

"Maya, I was coming down to look for you," Ju Hwan cleared his throat. "You're late."

Jay picked up all her files and stood up. She kept her head low, avoiding eye contact with Ju Hwan. "I'm sorry Professor. I didn't notice the time." She bowed her head lightly.

"You being late is something new, but it's okay." Ju Hwan chuckled. "Since you're here already, let's head to my office, shall we?"

"Yes, Professor." Jay walked out of the elevator, leaving a standing and disappointed Kyungsoo rooted at his spot.

"Do-haksaeng, are you going to drop at the ninth floor?" Ju Hwan asked Kyungsoo, holding the elevator doors open for him.

Kyungsoo finally turned from his spot, trying to contain his disappointment within himself. "No, Professor." He replied, after a while and crouched down to pick up his fallen documents.

"Okay, see you later then." Ju Hwan smiled.

The elevator doors almost closed but Kyungsoo stopped them, getting out to stop Ju Hwan and Jay from walking back to his office.

"Actually, Professor, I had a question to ask."

Ju Hwan turned to face Kyungsoo, "Yes?"

"No bad intention, but, you asking Jay to meet you constantly is preventing us from hanging out. I mean, we made plans a couple of time, cancelled them a couple of times too. So, it's inconvenient."

Ju Hwan chuckled. "I understand. But it's only for this week though. Once Maya has a clear idea of how to proceed with her thesis research and paper, she won't have to visit my office so frequently."

"Thesis paper?" Kyungsoo was confused; he still had no idea that Ju Hwan was actually Jay's thesis advisor.

"Didn't you know? I'm Maya's thesis advisor." Ju Hwan smiled.

"Oh," Kyungsoo felt dumb, and even more disappointed.

"Now if you don't have anything else to say, Do-haksaeng, we'll take our leave. Maya? Let's go?"

"Yes Professor." Jay replied.

This was not what Kyungsoo had expected. He felt dumb to think that Jay would ditch him for simply hanging out with Ju Hwan, when in reality, she was only heading off for study purpose. He felt like he needed to apologise to Jay about it. He would, after she was free.

*

"Do-haksaeng is quite an interesting fellow." Ju Hwan chuckled. He was seated behing his table, while Jay sat opposite to him. She didn't say anything to his comment. "I can see why you're friends with him. He is a bright one."

"I'm not friends with him 'cause he's bright, Professor."

"No, no, I didn't mean that. He is different, that I can tell. Makes you want to get to know him. And different things have always intrigued your curiosity, Maya."