Masquerade | Johnyong

★ Eighteen

Chapter 18: Troubled

Taeyong was frozen in place as he stares at Jaehyun as tears start to pick up. This was reality and not a dream this time. This was something he couldn't escape.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you scared?" Jaehyun asks with fake concern. He comes closer as Taeyong still doesn't move from his place.

Jaehyun puts his hand on Taeyong's shoulder, "We have a lot to talk about." He says.

Haechan finishes up with his order. He gaps when he sees Taeyong  with Jaehyun. He rushes and pushes Jaehyun away from him.

"What are you doing here?" Haechan asks.

"Oh. . . You're here too? Haechan. . ." Jaehyun sighs. He puts his hands behind his back. "It's only a matter of time before I kill you."

Jaehyun looks at Taeyong, "Well. . . How's everything going so far?" He questions but Taeyong doesn't respond. A tear rolls down his cheek. Haechan lightly tugs on Taeyong's sleeve.

Jaehyun laughs, "Getting closer to John? I've been told you have. You must have found out some interesting secrets, right?"

Haechan takes Taeyong's hand and rushes out of the café. "Hyung, are you alright?" He asks.

Taeyong wipes his tears away, ". . . I'm fine." He mutters before walking out on Haechan. He heads towards the doors to leave the mall.

Haechan hurries to catch up with him.

🕊

12:40PM
Taeyong and Haechan arrive back at the mansion. Taeyong goes into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

"Calm down, it's not that serious." He tells himself as he turns on the tap. He splashes water on his face as he forces himself to forget the memory that was meant to be kept locked away.

Taeyong takes a deep breath. He looks in the mirror and smiles before leaving the bathroom.

He goes up to the third floor and into Johnny's room.

There, Johnny is on the phone with someone. He's obviously pissed at something with the way he had his hand on his hips while pacing around with furrowed eyebrows. "No- wait- but father, you're not letting me speak."

Taeyong sneaks up on him. He wraps his arms around his waist, resting your head on his back. Johnny smiles at the younger. "Alright, it's fine. I'll see you then." He hangs up before turning around and kisses Taeyong's forehead.

"I didn't see you this morning. I was worried."  Johnny says.

"I went shopping with Haechan. There's a lot of stuff in the car. . ." Taeyong tells him. "You went on a shopping spree so early in the morning?" Johnny questions to which Taeyong nods.

Johnny takes his pendant from under Taeyong's shirt. "You know you look beautiful with it on? Why are you hiding it?" He questions. He brushes Taeyong's hair back before his hand moves to his arms. 

Taeyong holds the pendant. "I don't want anything happening to it." He says. Johnny is about to say something but Taeyong beats him to that. "It's precious. . . Like you to me."

Johnny's hold on Taeyong lightens. His smile slowly drops, causing the loving gaze of Taeyong to turn into uncertainty and panic. Johnny softly chuckles to reassure Taeyong, "I have to go out to see my father. I'll be back soon, ok?" He says before leaving the room and a confused Taeyong.