Love, Not War (Book 2)

Chapter 6

Huening Kai above

"TaeTae, turn this way. Don't look at him" Huening Kai said, pushing Taehyun's cheek with his pointer, so that Taehyun would look at his food. "He'll just ruin your mood okay. Think happy thoughts. Think about Chris"

Huening Kai is a curly brown haired cutie. With light brown eyes and thin pink lips. He also had good smooth pale skin which made him look innocent and well-behaved. He is Taehyun's best friend and they've known each other since elementary school.

Taehyun gazed at Huening Kai's smiling but nervous expression, feeling a bit complicated. He knew that his friend's intentions were good and sincere but he couldn't help feeling worried and... jealous.

He knew that the relationship between Chan and that guy was over. They broke up over a year ago but looking at that face, Taehyun couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of jealousy in his heart. That person was just too perfect. Too beautiful. He couldn't even compare.

Maybe that's why Chan was still cold to him. Taehyun had woken up alone. The side where Chan slept was already cold and Chan left no messages. Not even a note. He called Chan but Mingi was the one who answered and told him that Chan was in a meeting. His mood was already bad from the beginning. Seeing Beomgyu just made it worse.

Huening Kai noticed that Taehyun wasn't happy so he inwardly cursed himself. He knew that Beomgyu frequented the restaurant but that was usually in the evenings. He never thought Beomgyu would suddenly appear in the morning and then sit directly in Taehyun's line of sight. He felt really bad. He hadn't seen Taehyun since the winter holidays started and he wanted to catch up so he invited him for breakfast. He never expected things to become so sour.

Taehyun noticed the sad look on his best friend's face then smiled, deciding to cheer up. After all, he is Chan's boyfriend now. Not Beomgyu. It didn't matter what their past relationship was. What mattered was the present and the present was Taehyun.

"It's okay" Taehyun said, taking a sip of his tea. "It's not like you can predict his whereabouts or control his movements. Besides, this is a restaurant. Anyone can come here. I don't blame you"

Hearing that, Huening Kai let out a relieved sigh. "You've grown much more mature since you and Chris got together. I'm so happy. The former you would have stormed out of this place the moment you sighted him"

Taehyun chuckled. It was true. The former him used to blow up at every little thing. Being with Chan has taught him patience. "That's true. I'm very happy with Chris"

"I can see that. You're really glowing" Huening Kai said. "I take it you two resolved the cemetery issue right? Did he tell you who he went to see?"

Taehyun shook his head. "Nope. I didn't ask either. He seemed so sad and I didn't want to pry" He leaned back in his seat, looking thoughtful. "Still, I can't help but be curious. I heard that he goes there once every year. On the same date and he spends hours inside"

Huening Kai rubbed his chin, thinking. "Could it be an ex that passed away?"

Stuffing a slice of egg in his mouth, Taehyun answered, "I don't think so. Chris has only had three relationships in the past. I don't know the name of the first guy. You already know the second" His eyes fleetingly gazed at Beomgyu who was elegantly having coffee. "I'm the third. And Mingi told me Chris has never had any relationships in high school and college so it's not an ex"

Huening Kai nodded. "I heard his parents died when he was a kid. Do you think it's them?"

"Since it was mentioned in the group chat yesterday, I checked online. His parents died in Australia and they were buried there" he replied. "Can you remember that incident 5 years ago? The one with the Lees? Chris had exposed Mr Lee for murdering his parents. Evidence was presented in court"

"Ah I remember!" Huening Kai exclaimed. "That news shook the entire world. Nobody thought Mr Lee was such a person. I heard his son died of drug overdose and his wife moved abroad permanently and continued handling their business. But since it's not his parents, I think you should just ask Chris yourself. That will be better"

Taehyun sighed but nodded. That was the only solution anyway. "Enough about me. What about you and Soobin? Why didn't he come with you? And where's Yeonjun? They can chat with me but won't come to see me"

Huening Kai blushed at the mention of his boyfriend, Choi Soobin. They had only recently started dating but his feelings for Soobin ran deep. Ever since they were in junior high. Taehyun used to tell Huening Kai to confess everyday but the boy was just too shy. Who knew that Soobin actually returned his feelings! He gathered all his courage and confessed to Huening Kai on his birthday and the two got together.

"They're both fine. I actually didn't invite them because I wanted us to spend time together alone. Soobin and I are fine too" Huening Kai said, blushing deeply and Soobin's handsome face came to mind. "He's very nice and sweet to me. I love him even more now"

Love...

Taehyun's eyes dimmed a bit. Chan and him had never exchanged any words of love before. Not even once. Every time he looked at Chan, the words would be on the tip of his tongue, ready to burst out but he never had courage to let them spill. He wished he could pour his heart out to Chan easily. Maybe Chan wouldn't be so cold anymore.

Huening Kai was chattering away about his life with Soobin while Taehyun was giving half-hearted replies, nodding absentmindedly. Huening Kai quickly noticed. He wasn't Taehyun's best friend for nothing. He stopped and reached out to touch Taehyun's hand, startling him out of his daze. "Tae, what's wrong? You don't look happy"

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