Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XXIII

Nine

Joong who sat besides me was a little quiet today. We were going early for makeup and fitting, for Joong would be on a runway show, presenting for a famous fashion brand.

"Are you alright? You are a bit quiet today? Don't be nervous. I know this is your first time working the runway for huge name, but as long as you keep doing as good as the other shows, then you don't have to worry", I said to cheer him up.

"How long have you two been together?", he asked without preamble.

"Excuse me?", since I was driving, though I was a bit shocked, I maintained focus or else we'd be in trouble.

"We are together most of the time. Besides me, you have three more artists to care for. Your work finished at night, or you'd be out of the town half of the months. How would you find time in between all that to keep being together?"

"I don't think I need to disclose to you of my personal life. Just so you know, we're doing good".

"What's about him that pull you in? Looks? Height? Personality? Did he take care of you just as you care for him?"

I sighed, and decided that I must be direct and put a stop before this goes on to become a huge fight, "Joong, if we're to keep working together, it would help if you could stop from being too invasive. Don't severe what we have as of now".

"What we have right now is too rigid, you put your armour up, just to me, and that's what'd triggered my curiosity a lot, Nine. Is it because we work together? But you're comfortable around the others. You don't like my attitude? Then, don't keep it to yourself, I'm open to any criticism. But, after I met you with someone else, I thought back about all the time we spent together, and realised, you're a sensitive and sharp person. So, I concluded, that you knew exactly how I feel about you, all this while. To be honest, I was a little hurt that you chose to avoid it, rather than telling me directly that you're not interested. But, it also gave me a clue, that maybe, your relationship is either new, or fragile".

I was astounded of how much Joong and Chen could read between the lines. They're scarily, too perceptive and logical.

"And stop lying, you're bad at it, honestly...", he added before I could say something made up again. I gritted my teeth; annoyed that he was right again, and thus, silence was eating the mood for the whole journey. When we arrived at the venue, before we moved out from the car, I started again.

"This might be said too much between us, but, really Joong, you have the option to ask for another manager".

"Out of the question. To change a manager just because you're in love, no!".

"Then, stop. Stop having feeling on me. If you misunderstood my care as something else, then I'm sorry, and will make it clear everytime after this. It's an uncomfortable situation, yet the reason really is not you. But, I have no way to tell you about it either. Please don't overthink...all I ask of you, is just that".

I could see Joong was taking deep breath to control his temper. He took his bag from the back seat and said, "You could leave...I'll go back on my own".

"Joong...".

"No. Don't say anything else. I pretend that I didn't hear what you asked of me just now".

"We can't..."

"Not now, Nine. This is not the right time to fight or I'll be distracted. But, just as you said I have no right to your personal life, then it is the same then, you have no right to decide how I should feel about you, too".

Joong

"Nine! Why are you here? Don't you have work, with Joong, right now?", the lost of light in his eyes was a little disturbing. I was surprised when the doorbell rang and to see him outside.