𝘔𝘢𝘥 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 [𝘔𝘈𝘙𝘒𝘏𝘠𝘜𝘊𝘒]

⤿ 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 ⤾

Sometimes hard decisions are what make Donghyuck change the most. He smiles occasionally at his protector, but always receives a cold eye.

"Take a break when you need it, but never promise yourself to someone for a job you can't finish," he says sternly, his voice resonating in Donghyuck's ears painfully sharp.

"I'm sorry, I told you it could risk our business," Donghyuck tries to reason, but he knows they won't listen. Not his boss, not his protector.

"I've heard your reputation hasn't changed a bit. We're glad your skills are showing even in your school," the man grins at him, his hands gripping the steering-wheel as if trying to focus on the road, even though the car is still.

Donghyuck says nothing to that. Partly because the man's words are true, and partly because in his deepest self, hidden from all the eyes in the world, he's slightly hurt. Not because the man states the obvious, but because he wants to believe others don't think of him that way.

"I can't take jobs from that area anymore. M-my classmate has his own business in this field and he would recognise me. That's why I couldn't do the job. Because he knows, but can't find an evidence yet," Donghyuck explains the hidden truth he tried to cover in front of his boss' eyes, but somehow feels more pressured after doing so.

The man looks him in the eye, his orbs are quivering and all he sees is the exhaustion and fear, and no, the man can't lash out at him. Not when he has known the boy his whole life. Not when he secretly knows the boy more than the said boy thinks he does.

"Does he know about you? Does he have something dirty on you? Should we trace him down?" the older asks without any sign of concern.

The response comes after a few minutes. "No, it would do no good. He is smart. His family is of a high rank. H-he is influential."

That shocks the older. He gasps after hearing the words coming out of the beautiful boy's mouth.

"What's his name at least? So we could prepare ourselves in possible consequences," sighs the man, the facade of not being worried fully gone.

Donghyuck wonders what makes the man so cautious. He thinks of how the man acts always so stone cold, his emotions being displayed not once, not even through his own eyes, which hold the emptiness of his own soul.

"I don't want to reveal his name yet," Donghyuck whispers, his voice vulnerable. "That's why I haven't told Boss, yet."

The man stays still, the pure shock running in his veins feels even more suffocating now. He knows Donghyuck put him in danger. He knows Donghyuck is aware of that, too. They both know what that means. Hiding something from their boss means one of them is going to suffer and in the end both of them will get punished. While they both know what risk is being put into their situation, both of them know they'll take it anyway.