smoke and mirrors

1

"365, not 356," Johnny clumps his way into the firm. Freshly off from his job, Johnny still wore that classic suit, black and white.

He trods into the main room then down the hallway to a special room. The room was where divorce lawyers reside for the work day.

He knocked a few times on the door, after hearing a cheerful come in He slowly walked in.

It creeps him out how those guys seem to smile more and more. He was going through a divorce after all. But they seem to like that he was filling their pockets.

"Well, how can we help you?" the taller man asked.

Johnny takes a deep breath, "For 365 days, my husband has been gone. I have tried to contact him. But he never answered me. I have no way of knowing where he is or what he does. So I want a divorce." Although a mouthful Johnny articulates every word.

"So you said that there isn't any contact? Do you have any of his social media?" The shorter male asked.

Johnny shakes his head no. "I haven't seen him, heard from him, I don't know if he is even alive."

"How did this happen?" The taller one asked him. He seems to jot every word down.

"He left me this letter." Johnny hands the man the now crinkled and ripped paper. "I didn't know that he was going to leave at all. So I was baffled and obviously shocked at his sudden departure."

"Was there any infidelity in your relationship?"

"Yes."

Bing Bing Bing

Johnny phone sounds. He quickly looked at the notification. "Oh...wow." With a smile on his face, he starts texting the person back.

The shorter male clears his throat. "Are you seeing someone else?"

"Yes, I am. That's why I need to push for this divorce to be finalized." Johnny places his phone back in his pocket. "I really need this...."

"Why?" The taller male asked.

"Because I'm engaged. Our party is this Saturday. I'm hoping to be remarried by the end of this month."

The lawyers looked at each other. Not having anymore to say to the odd case, they nod their head.

The shorter one smiles and shakes Johnny's hand, "we will help you."

Johnny takes both of their hands and firmly shakes them, sealing their deal he says, "Thank you guys a lot." The American gives the men a wild smile. After bowing, he slowly walks away.

Back in his house, the house that he used to believe was too big for him. The house where he spent two months alone, the house where he couldn't walk past certain areas or he would just break down, now he sat on the couch staring at his engagement ring. He isn't sure of what's to come next, but he knows where to start.

Every ounce of Jaehyun was wiped away within the first six months after his disappearance. It did take several days to even pick up the portrait of him and Jaehyun kissing.

Johnny folds his legs, one over the other. He then neatly folded his hand over his knees. Glaring at nothing special, just an empty space where his wedding picture used to be.

You would think he would be over the way jaehyun left by now. What a shock to know that he is still incredibly salty.

The American vaguely remembers all of the conversations that were had right in the same spot his butt is at. The living room was the streets of Paris on date nights. But now everything has changed.

Johnny picks up the remote and turns on the TV. Just his luck, Jaehyun's favorite TV show pops on. He looks through the TV guide for something else to watch, but nothing nearly as interesting as euphoria was on.

Johnny cussed under his breath. He didn't want to think about it, but jaehyun has found a way mentally and emotionally to keep himself relevant.

He finds it very hilarious that jaehyun shows up in many different ways within his house
Crazy right? From the kitchen he plans on redesigning to the bedroom, which they both had a plan in building. From the red wine stain on the carpet to the pool room. He didn't mark anything with his presence, but with the memories.

Does he miss Jaehyun, maybe maybe not? He will never know until he sees the other's face again. But what he does know is that he is engaged. Soon, he will marry Joey and make her officially a suh.

~~~~~~~

"Ten, you're so handsome."

Ten smiles like a little kid at the compliment from the little children he was babysitting. Taerin and hira both came over, more like forced to come over, by taeyong and yuta. Baejin was also here, but he went straight up the stairs to the room that ten basically gave to him.

Ten continues his smiling because these kids are so darn cute.

"Really, you are very amazing and the way you dance. It just lights up the stage."

Ten raises his eyebrows. These compliments are flattering way too much. He knows that they want something. "What do you guys want?"

As if it wasn't their original plan, both kids pretend that they don't know what ten is talking about.

Hira, who had his hand covering up his mouth, pretending to be shocked, "wh... I really want ice cream." The little boy smiles and continues to beg with his eyes.

Ten had no choice but to give in. He went to his freezer and grabbed two fruit pops. He then gave it to the kids. "Go enjoy yourselves, remember whatever you mess up.."

"Clean up." Taerin finishes.

Ten booped both of their noses, "You are correct. Now run along."

Just as the kids were going out into the enclosed play area, a call popped up on his phone.

Ten perks up and picks up the phone, he was surprised to hear a cheerful voice, stupid he didn't read the caller ID.

"Ten hi!"

"Jaehyun?" Ten almost dropped his phone.

It's been a year since the Jaehyun explosion and disappearance. All communications were tarnished. His whole existence was like it never existed. Let's call it the smoke and mirrors act.

Somewhere on the sunny shore, on the beaches of florida. He laid on his back as his skin started to get a nice tan. He smiles at the cheery voice of ten.

"Long time no speak."

Ten rolled his eyes, "More like a long time no see."

Jaehyun cackles a little too hard. "Listen, Ten, there's no need to be bitter."

"I am because you won't come back."

Jaehyun huffs out. "I have no reason to come back yet. I need to focus on myself. I was foolish to think that I could live with someone without knowing myself."

Ten couldn't believe what he was hearing. However, it shouldn't surprise him because jaehyun was always talking about changing to find happiness. However, nothing has ever been the same since Jaehyun, like a magician, made himself disappear.

"How long will that take?"

Jaehyun stopped to think, his sun kissed skin glistened as he was deep in thought. When will it be time?

Jaehyun listens to ten blabs on and on about how everyone misses him. Hey, the way he looks, who wouldn't miss him?

This is the difference between himself a year ago and today. A year ago, he would have thought that anyone could replace him. Now, he feels irreplaceable.

Jaehyun honestly didn't feel like going back to his old life just yet. There was no rush anyway.

However, when he opened up Instagram, every million reasons for him to stay left his mind, and now one reason for him to go back ruled everything.

"Johnny, how dare you?"