ⓖⓘⓕⓣ || ChanBaek ⏸️

Part 11

It took him a while until he finally drained all his tears. Now, Baekhyun is silently staring at the closed casket, with Chanyeol still caressing his back. He stared at the old photo of his parents and his heart clenched, realizing the amount of time that he wasted loathing them.

It must've been his mother's request to be buried along with his dad. They probably didn't want to bother both Baekhyun and his sister in paying for their columbarium and its maintenance.

His eyes are tired and puffy and his body badly needs some rest after his break down earlier, but the hold in his arm and back—the gentle caress Chanyeol gives him, along with the soft whispers of words of assurance and comfort—gives him just enough strength to remain standing.

"You didn't even got the chance to meet them.." Baekhyun broke the silence. Chanyeol sighed softly.

"I didn't, but I'm sure they're good people. They raised you as you are and I'm so thankful for them." He said, hand travelling into the smaller's shoulder, pulling him closer to his tall frame.

He allowed himself to break down again.. To entirely pour out everything that moment, because after this, he needs to be strong again for Hannah. He needs to gather the strength that's just enough for him to explain everything to his daughter.. Starting from her Dada, up to her late grandparents—Hannah needs to know and understand it all.

Chanyeol stayed silent as he protected Baekhyun in his most vulnerable state. He allowed the smaller to hide inside his embrace as he pour out his emotions and regrets, with the hope that he'll completely let it all go. He'd been lonely all these years and Baekhyun needs to know that he'll never be lonely again. Chanyeol will always be there for him from this day on.

"Chanyeol, calm down.. Take a breath, bro." Jongin said as he locked the two of them inside a small meeting room. The taller male had his fist closed tightly, ears turning red in anger.

"Everything is fvcked up but you need to calm down--"

"HOW CAN I CALM DOWN!?" Chanyeol shouted, pulling his hair in frustration.

"If only.. If only I listened to him--"

"-We can still find him, okay? Just-- please calm down. You don't want to make a scene in the office--"

"-The fvck should I care!? Those ruthless bastards ruined everything! Those-- assholes. I'm gonna kill them-"

"Stop- Hyung!" Jongin blocked the door to prevent his friend from going out. He's afraid that Chanyeol's rage would result to more damage than it was intended.

Yes, he admits how much their co-workers disgust him to the core as well, but at least one of them should remain calm, and Jongin knows it'll be hard for Chanyeol to be the calm one this time.

They just found out about what actually happened at the bar three nights ago but it's already too late for Chanyeol. The damage has been done and Baekhyun already left.

"How dumb can I be? W-Why-- Why didn't I listen to him?"

Everything makes sense now.

He now understands why Baekhyun obeyed Mr. Ong like a puppy. He now knows why he had to hack his work laptop and steal his codes.

The build that Chanyeol spent nights to finish only to discard it himself only because he's not confident enough to present it.

Baekhyun had been there since the beginning. He's always been beside him, supporting and cheering for him to complete the automation and Chanyeol completely misunderstood Baekhyun's actions.