ARRANGED DEAL ; [윤정한 x 최승철]

Chapter 5

"Can you take me home?" Seungcheol pleaded with his eyes. Jeonghan's eyes widened. He doesn't even know where the hell Seungcheol lives!

"What?! Are you serious?!" Jeonghan shrieked.

"You want ME..." Jeonghan stops as he points to himself, "To take YOU..." he stops once again and points at Seungcheol "...home?" Jeonghan finished his question with a confused look.

"Yes! I don't have my driver. And I don't know how to get home in this kind of state." Seungcheol explained. Jeonghan just sighed in defeat. He can't just leave this guy all alone here not knowing what to do.

"Okay, I'm gonna take you home. Just tell me your address, we're gonna take the bus." Jeonghan said and was about to walk to the bus stop when Seungcheol stopped him.

"No. We're gonna take the taxi." Seungcheol said. Jeonghan was about to protest when Seungcheol cut him off saying, "I'll pay for the fare," and Jeonghan immediately agreed.

-

Seungcheol and Jeonghan found a taxi to ride on. Seungcheol told the driver the address of the subdivision and the driver immediately started the engine and drove them all the way there.

After a few minutes, they finally reached the subdivision. "Here," Seungcheol said as he handed 20$ to the driver, "Wait, your change sir," The driver was about to hand him the change but then Seungcheol said, "Keep the change."

It was supposed to be 3.45$ only plus double it because he is with Jeonghan, "B-But sir..." The driver was hesitant to keep the change, but Seungcheol insisted. The driver drove away, feeling thankful, and left Jeonghan and Seungcheol there.

"I'm gonna go," Jeonghan bid a goodbye, but Seungcheol stopped him by pulling him by his wrist. "I told you to take me home," Seungcheol said.

"Yes, and we're now right here outside of your exclusive subdivision." Jeonghan protested as he does not want to spend, not even a second more, with Seungcheol.

"But! This isn't still my home. You're gonna walk me inside."

Jeonghan just heaved a sigh and walked with Seungcheol. It's late now, almost 7pm. They're walking down the quiet road with too many big mansions on every side. There are also big trees and plants on every side as well which make the breeze fresh.

He keeps on looking at each house they'll pass by and he didn't even notice that Seungcheol had already stopped from walking which resulted in Jeonghan bumping into Seungcheol's back.

"Here we are," Seungcheol said, and Jeonghan lifted up his head. To his surprise, the house was so big. It's bigger than any other houses or mansions, he saw while they were walking earlier.

"This mansion is so huge." Jeonghan said in amusement. "Just wait til you see our house in Daegu." Seungcheol said, but Jeonghan ignored it. This house is just way ten or maybe twenty times bigger than his apartment.

"Geez, it's getting late! I should get going," Jeonghan said, and right after he said that, an unexpected rain started to pour.

"Come inside first," Seungcheol said, and wrapped his arms around Jeonghan as they both went inside this big mansion.

-

"Give him some spare clothes," Seungcheol ordered to his butler. The butler named Mr Eun immediately followed his young master's orders.

"Follow me," the butler politely said to Jeonghan, and Jeonghan politely followed him too.

"Young master, are you hungry? Do you want anything? So I can tell our head chef to cook for you," the Head of the Maids named Mrs Eun approached Seungcheol.

"A hot soup will do. A friend of mine needs it," Seungcheol commanded, and Mrs Eun bowed 90° before leaving.

Seungcheol sat on the couch. He didn't even wonder where his Dad was, because he knew, he's not home. He's always busy. Earlier was the first time he saw his Dad, again after two years being in the States.

Jeonghan's footsteps made a noise, which caught Seungcheol's attention. Jeonghan's wearing a plain white tshirt and a black loose pants.

Seungcheol stared at him for a quite long time. He looks even more angelic with that outfit. Simple yet still looks amazing on him.

"Stop staring. You're creeping me out. It's as if you're gonna eat me alive." Jeonghan said and sat on the couch in front of Seungcheol.

"You can leave once the rain stops. I also told my maids to prepare a hot soup for you. It will be served in a couple of minutes." Seungcheol said, and placed both his arms on his two legs he spread out.

In a few minutes, the soup was served. Jeonghan lifted the spoon up to taste the soup. "Is it delicious?" Seungcheol asked and Jeonghan nodded as he took another sip from the spoon. "I haven't tried this soup before." Jeonghan said and took another sip of the soup.

"It's cooked by a famous chef who happened to be our head chef. That soup you're eating is one of the most expensive soups that can be ordered in some restaurants in the world." Seungcheol said Jeonghan almost choked with the soup. The maids immediately handed him a glass of water.

"Surprised that much?" Seungcheol asked as a confusion hit his face. "Are you gonna let me eat this for FREE?!" Jeonghan asked as his eyes widened.

"Sure, why not? I owe you for taking me home," Seungcheol said innocently. Jeonghan looked at him in disbelief. Is he really gonna pay him for what he did with an expensive soup?

Suddenly, a loud voice of a girl could be heard, "Seungcheol where the hell are you?! Seungcheol!" but Jeonghan didn't mind, the girl is calling for Seungcheol.

The girl finally laid her feet at the living room, where Seungcheol and Jeonghan are. "Who let you in?" Seungcheol asked. Madness in his voice can be sensed by Jeonghan so he took a sip of his soup quietly.

"Young master, I'm so sorry! I tried to stop her but she won't be stopped." The maid apologized several times but Seungcheol ignored her and signaled her to move aside. The girl went up straight to Seungcheol and noticed a boy sitting at the couch, but she didn't pay attention to him, which happens to be Jeonghan.

"Areum, what are you doing here?" Seungcheol asked as he stood up. Jeonghan remained quiet and ate his soup. It was too delicious and it was his moment to try this soup for the first time to be ruined by these two bickering right now.

"You're not answering my calls! And now? You're back here in Korea without me knowing?!" The girl who happened to be named as Areum shouted.

"We're done, Areum. We're done! Ever since you left me for that 'richer' guy you have, we're totally done! And now you're asking me why am I not answering your calls?!" Seungcheol shouted, eyes wide open, expressing his anger.

"What?! You've misunderstood me, Seungcheol! I-" Areum couldn't continue when Seungcheol cut her off, "Enough with your lies, Areum! I don't want to hear any words from you anymore!" Seungcheol shouted. Areum couldn't contain her tears and it started to rush down to her cheeks.

"Please, Seungcheol. Hear my side please! Don't you love me anymore?" Areum tried to calm down, and so did Seungcheol. He sighed heavily before speaking, "I don't love you anymore. I have a new one in my life now," Seungcheol said, leaving Areum confused.

Jeonghan stood up to put the bowl he used to the kitchen, when Seungcheol suddenly pulled him to his side, which caused Jeonghan to drop the bowl and it fell on the floor that created a sound. The bowl broke, obviously. Jeonghan thought as he looked at the bowl, which looked pretty expensive. He also thought that Seungcheol is crazy.

Seungcheol pulled Jeonghan closer to him and intertwined his hands with him. Why is he including Jeonghan in his own trouble? He's such a troublemaker! Jeonghan thought as he looked at their hands, locking every fingers and he glanced on Areum's shocked face.

"Him. He's my boyfriend. Meet Jeonghan, the Student Council President of Pledis University."

***

(12.26.23)