golden boy

chapter 4

friday came and minho was feeling nervous the whole day until it was time to take the stranger home. he felt on edge because he finally needed to spend a couple of hours with him, alone, and try to get on his good side, if the guy even had one.

when he went out into the terrace, han was already there, sitting on the windowsill of a sealed room. that wing was no longer in use. he lifted his eyes briskly when minho approached and immediately put out his cigarette, "late. 4:32."

"sorry, i got detained."

"don't be sorry, just don't make me wait ever again," jisung stood up and picked his bag, "i have very little tolerance for spoiled rich kids, no matter how large their limousine is."

minho nodded. it wasn't an actual limo, just an old silver audi that his father didn't want to drive anymore. but he sensed that the distinction didn't interest the other so he led the way in silence.

the two were pretty much the last people to leave the school, intentionally, because minho, who had only ever invited like two people home, was letting some random classmate into his house for the dumbest reason: a project. when they got to the car minho took the front seat and left the other to sit in the back.

"hello mr song, please drive us home," he requested and saw the other young boy snicker in the seat behind the driver.

"hello mr lee, i hope you had a good day," the man returned and the whole conversation, that minho was finding completely normal, seemed so forced to the other that he couldn't help but cover his mouth with a hand.

"yes, mr song, thank you," said the rich boy and finished the conversation.

jisung couldn't know if this was the usual exchange for them or if they would normally say something else, but he still thought it was ridiculous. he stood in the car with his foot bouncing to a rhythm that was in his head, busying himself.

finally, the ride was over and the two boys exited the car and went over to the 3-floor house that had an alley with small pebbles that led to the beautiful custom woodcraft door. jisung was looking left and right at the shaped bushes and colourful flowers in the garden, visibly overwhelmed.

minho let him in, then closed the door and walked to a large wooden staircase covered with a purple carpet. jisung followed mechanically, taking in the grandeur but not saying anything. he didn't even get the chance to find out what was on the first floor but they were already reaching the second one.

"you can leave your stuff here. we'll work in the living room," the host instructed and led him through a large double door into a huge sitting room in white and purple and pointed to a couch, "and tell me what you want to drink."

"no, just sit down and let's get to work," jisung replied with a stern voice, "we need to at least have an outline before i can chug that priceless wine over there," he pointed to the cabinet that had a very expensive-looking alcohol collection inside.

"o-oh," minho let out with concern, "i meant like juice, smoothie, coffee.."

"ugh, where's your sense of humour gone, golden boy? i'd rather drink water from a puddle than have one of your preppy cocktails or whatever flavoured water you like to drink," the shorter interrupted scornfully and put his bag down on the floor. he still hadn't sat down though, he was waiting for minho.

the host nodded comprehensively and mumbled an 'okay then' to himself and sat on the couch.

"do we need some paper? should i bring my laptop?"

"no, pretty boy. your head will do," jisung instructed and squatted down to take a notebook out of his bag. he sought for the one from class and then pulled out an old shabby navy blue notebook and sat down, loosening up his uniform tie.

the two started looking through the project guidelines, trying to match them to the idea that they had, and, although it took a while, finally managed to outline the presentation they needed to make and got to take a short recreational break.

"okay, now you can go get yourself something to drink. but don't leave me here alone because i don't want to meet your parents or siblings," jisung declared when they had planned the project out.

"i'm an only child," minho returned and stood up to go to the kitchen, "my parents are out too. but you can come with me."

the shorter stood up silently and walked after the host, in his shoes, something very atypical for his own household. it was a long walk, maybe about 10 metres, until they reached another double door that led into a corridor-like room, at the end of which was the door to the kitchen.

all of the doors were wooden and wherever there was a rug it was purple. jisung looked around curiously, not showing disgust but not being impressed either. minho wondered what his opinion on this was but didn't want to risk asking.

"do you want something?," the taller opened the door to the fridge where various types of drinks were sitting in cans, small or bigger bottles and there were just a couple of other things: a milk carton and some batter in a mould, "oh, seyoung is here already," minho exclaimed when he saw the last thing.

"no, i..," jisung started but stopped when he heard the door open and was met with an older slim and smiley woman who was wearing a red apron. she startled him and he jumped, which made minho laugh.

"oh, hello, mr minho, i didn't expect to see you here," she greeted apologetically.

"ah, don't mind us, seyoung, we're just getting something to drink, we won't be long," he explained with a polite smile. jisung was wondering what the hell was going on, "get whatever you like," he instructed his guest who shook his head no.

minho then nodded to seyoung, and signalled for the shorter to exit. he giggled and explained, once they were out and jisung still looked confused, "this is seyoung. she cooks for us. she doesn't live here though, just comes for dinner."

jisung couldn't hold back his laughter after that, "really? you have a maid like the showy and pompous toffs in the movies?"

"um, she isn't a maid. she just cooks because my parents work for 15 hours a day."

"ah, so your mother never cooks?"

"i haven't seen her in any case," minho shrugged, "but my mother is good at what she does. and so is seyoung. so they're suitable for the positions they are taking."

"ha, and don't you think seyoung might not want to serve other people? would you like to go cook other people's meals?"

minho didn't know how to answer that. he didn't think seyoung might not be happy but in a way he couldn't identify anyone who was truly so.

and would he like to cook for someone else's kid that stays home alone every day? probably. if seyoung was there to cook for him at night he would be even happier, he wouldn't need to eat instant ramen when he stayed up late.

"how many servants do you have?," jisung asked again when he didn't receive an answer to the previous question.

"well, we hire people from time to time for many things..," minho started and received a chuckle that was a little offensive, "but constantly there's the gardener, the driver, seyoung, philip who does grocery shopping for us.. and the boy who cleans.. i think," he pensively scratched his chin.

"unbelievable," the shorter rolled his eyes, finally reaching the couch and he sat on it, "you don't even know how to iron your own shirt, do you?," he mocked and leaned back with the obnoxious ridiculing smirk.