Love, Not War (Book 2)

Chapter 8

Hyunjin above

"Chris! Over here!" Hyunjin beamed as Chan, Mingi and a young guy approached their table. "I'm so happy. We haven't eaten together in years. This is so cool!"

Hyunjin looked really great. His blonde hair was now chin length, and silky smooth. It was parted in the middle. Half was let loose, framing his face and the other half was plaited, giving him a dainty look. He was dressed casually but fashionably. As usual, he had multiple shiny rings on his fingers but there was one gold ring which stood out the most.

Chan had been staring at it most of the time during the meeting they had in the morning. He had been staring at it because Changbin had the exact same one on the same finger. The main purpose of tonight's meal was obvious. 

As for Changbin, the guy grew even more manly and handsome. He had more arm muscles which his black shirt did nothing to cover. His brown hair was short and pushed back. He had this scholarly but cool look that made people take him seriously. After all, he is a successful neurologist.

"We saw each other this morning" Chan said curtly, pulling the chair in front of him. "We also had breakfast together. Why are you so excited?"

Changbin, who was sitting quietly, immediately frowned. He pushed up his glasses and glared at Chan. "Is it a crime for him to be happy to see you? Be a little more considerate will you"

Chan scoffed but didn't retort. He took a seat then gestured for Taehyun to take one too. Mingi preferred to eat alone so he booked a different table. He didn't really like Changbin and Hyunjin anyway.

Chan's attitude didn't dampen Hyunjin's spirits at all. In fact, he seemed even more excited. He turned to Taehyun, ready to strike a conversation with him when he suddenly froze. Changbin noticed and followed Hyunjin's gaze. He also stiffened.

They both had the same thoughts.

Felix?!!!

They shared a look then turned to Taehyun again who was now feeling awkward at being stared at. Chan noticed but did nothing to ease the situation. After all, if he didn't intend to let them know, he wouldn't have brought Taehyun along. Then again, he knew his mood was unstable and any wrong word from Hyunjin or Changbin could tick him off so Taehyun was kind of an extinguisher. To douse any negative feelings and make the dinner a success.

The couple noticed that the hair was the same. The style of clothes were the same but the face was entirely different. Their palpitating hearts calmed and they sat back quietly. For a moment, they were scared to death. Still, just to be safe, Changbin quickly sent a text to Park Jimin. He got an instant positive reply. Only then did they relax completely.

Chan was quite confused. To him, the similarities between Felix and Taehyun were very little. He could tell them apart with a single glance. He wondered why the couple were so shaken. It almost seemed suspicious but before he could think deeper,

Hyunjin cleared his throat. "Uh, Chris, t-this is..."

Chan opened his mouth to introduce Taehyun but he found that he couldn't remember Taehyun's surname. He paled slightly. In fact, he was sure he wouldn't remember the name if Mingi wasn't always mentioning it. Anyway, it didn't matter. Taehyun wasn't the one in his heart.

Taehyun looked at Chan expectantly and Chan, to save himself from embarrassment, quickly picked up the glass of water before him and drank in small sips.

The couple who already knew Chan's behaviour were not surprised but Taehyun, Taehyun was genuinely hurt. Still, he forced a smile. "My name is Kang Taehyun. I'm Chan's boyfriend"

Changbin and Hyunjin were stunned. Since when did Chan start dating?

Hyunjin recovered first. "Oh wow. Chris never told us you two were together. Congratulations!"

Seeing as Chan did not refute, the anger and disappointment in Taehyun's heart eased. He had thought that Chan would deny it. He smiled even wider. "Thank you. I'm sorry he didn't tell you. Privacy is just very important to Chris"

Lies! When Changbin and Hyunjin were involved, privacy was shit. Chan deliberately hid it from them. But then, ever since that night, their interactions with Chan were so-so. Just brief calls over the years. They never really gave him much time. Their time was completely on each other and someone else...

Taehyun was polite so Changbin liked him already. Just that he couldn't help but feel pity for him. They, who knew about Chan's past could tell Chan's plans with Taehyun at a glance and obviously, it wasn't fair to the boy.

They knew Chan was affected by Felix's death. Just that, they never knew it was this bad. To even make someone look like Felix... Chan definitely needed to see a doctor.

Changbin felt it was good they were staying in Tokyo till the project was complete. They would help Chan heal. Only Chan knew what he has been through in five years.

"Ah no it's okay" Hyunjin said with a wave of his hand. "No need to apologise on this blockhead's behalf. Besides, we have been away for a long time. It's natural that we wouldn't know"

Chan didn't bother with their polite talks. He flagged a waiter and ordered dishes for both him and Taehyun. They were all dishes Felix liked. Most were spicy.

Taehyun didn't like spicy dishes. He had mentioned so to Chan many times but Chan never listens. Always ordering spicy dishes. Taehyun wouldn't be able to eat much and Mingi would have to order another set of non-spicy dishes for him in secret. Chan himself didn't like spicy foods. He would always drink more than five glasses of water and his eyes would always be filled with tears but not once had he ever changed the orders.

Taehyun wondered why Chan would punish himself like this.

Hyunjin started chatting with Taehyun about his studies while Changbin ordered their food.

While Taehyun and Hyunjin were talking, Chan was busy sipping water. He also had his gaze on the side of Taehyun's face but his eyes had a faraway look, as if it wasn't Taehyun that was there.

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