Encore

24. Difference

Mark burst into the room, carrying Jackson like a sack of rice.

"We have a problem."

"And it's another Tuesday, what's your point?" BamBam replied lazily. Lying on the couch, he continued to scroll through his feed.

"Jaebeom confessed to Jackson. But Jackson is dumb and doesn't fully understand his feelings for Jaebeom. He asked Jaebeom to wait for him."

BamBam was so shocked that he dropped his phone on his face.

"WHAT!"

Mark placed Jackson on the couch. Jackson squirmed, wanting to speak. But the ties around his mouth and hands prevent him from doing so.

Why does Mark have so many ties in the first place?! He hardly dresses in formal attire!

Mark started explaining to BamBam again, slowly. "You see, Jaebeom confessed to Jackson. But Jackson is-"

"I got you the first time already. But when? How? Why? Like 'why' did you ask him to wait? Not 'why' Jaebeom confess to him. Though I am wondering what Jaebeom sees in you. I mean, you are like a hyperactive kid."

Mark freed Jackson from the ties to allow Jackson to explain himself.

However, Mark immediately regretted.

"I am not a hyperactive kid!" Jackson replied indignantly.

"Yeah? Says the kid who gets a sugar rush from eating a whole death cake the last time we were in US." BamBam stuck out his tongue.

"Who is the kid now?"

"Okay stop!" Jackson and BamBam quietened down. Sensing the impending doom that awaits them, they unconsciously sat closer to each other.

Mark presses his forehead. He points at BamBam. "You, keep quiet." He later points at Jackson. "You, talk."

Jackson proceeds to tell them what happened. After he finished, he realised something.

Taking out the keychain, he examined it and found the mark he made on it.
"Wait a minute. Isn't this the keychain I lost in my university days? How does he have it?"

"Well..."

BamBam proceeded to explain to Jackson.

"You guys knew since the photoshoot?" (Ref Chapter 15)

"Kind of." Mark sheepishly smiled.

"Let's see what is in the thumb drive." BamBam jumped up excitedly. Grabbing his MacBook, the three huddled around the laptop.

There was only a single audio file labelled "Breathe".

"OMG DO YOU THINK IT IS HIS NEW SONG?!" BamBam exclaimed.

His reaction isn't surprising. After all, Jaebeom is regarded as a God in the music world. If he plans to release a comeback song or album, it is huge news.

Jackson clicked on the audio file tentatively.

Jaebeom's soothing voice came through the speaker, filling the room.

Even after the song ended, there was a moment of silence.

"Heyy...Don't cry."

Jackson didn't realise that he teared a little.

He couldn't imagine the pain that Jaebeom went through. As well as the impact he had on Jaebeom's life.

Leaning back on the couch, Jackson looked up at the ceiling.