ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 85

5 YEARS AGO

~ Outside Dean's Office, Hanguk University, Daehak-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Minho fumbled for his phone, fetching it from his pocket and scrolling down his call list. He heard the ring go as his ears buzzed until Minhyuk picked up. "Hyung! I'm a bit-" "I got the job!!" Minho announced and Minhyuk froze on the other end too "Oh my God... Hyung... THAT'S AMAZING NEWS!! WAIT I'LL TELL EVERYBODY!!" Minho smiled as he heard the commotion in the back, the excited voices of his siblings as they shared the announcement. After some moments of standard yelling and jumping about, Minho cleared his throat "Minhyuk... can I talk to mother..." he asked gingerly.

"Hyung..." he trailed off and felt a silence enveloping the call on his side. "I just want to tell her the news myself," Minho said and Minhyuk hesitated "I know! But it's just... I don't think you should... it will spoil your mood..." he explained and Minho frowned "Are you telling me what to do?? Mother was the one who kept harping about how I have to get a job and help out at home... wouldn't she be happy to hear that I got it?" he asked. Minhyuk made some disconcerted noises "You know how she is..." he trailed "Just... don't get upset if you don't hear what you want to hear..."

Minho mulled the thought over as the phone was finally passed to Misun and he heard nothing. "Mother... I'm... going to teach... at Hanguk University. I got the offer letter..." he uttered and heard a small sigh on the other end "Are you a child...?" Misun asked and Minho fell silent "What do you-" "Are you a child?" she repeated and Minho gulped "No" "Then don't act like it... do you know what all I have done to make sure you stayed in school and college, you think just getting an offer letter even comes close to returning the favour?" she hissed and he heard the phone being snatched.

"Hyung... don't listen to her. Here-" Minhyuk asserted. He could still hear his mother curse in the back, he couldn't cry, couldn't feel angry. He didn't understand what made him hopeful all of a sudden. "Hyung are you okay? We'll have a small party... just the kids, okay". "No..." Minho cleared his throat before it caught up with his heartbreak "She's right... this is nothing to be excited over". "But it is..." Minhyuk replied and Minho clenched his jaw "This is the real world, Minhyuk. It's always give or take. She raised me so now, I have to pay her back and I can't expect her to be excited over any less from me"

"That's not how it works" his brother tried to argue but Minho shut him down "I'm glad it doesn't for you..."

"Wish I could say the same for myself"

****

PRESENT DAY

~ Garden, National Museum of Korea, 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Minho had finally managed to compose his breath. Soothed by the feeling of Wookyung's chest, his hands stroking his back as he cradled him in his lap. "I don't dislike what you did... I don't" Wookyung whispered "I love your body... I want it... I want your desire and... passion but... it just feels to me like you're rushing... that you're pushing yourself to make something happen that you're not ready for. And you become so insistent... even when I tried to stop you, it felt like you just wanted to accomplish something... like a task... a favour to me which... it's not" he kissed Minho's cold fingertips.

"I'm sorry," Minho said again and Wookyung sighed "Don't apologise... talk to me..." he begged and Minho gulped, closing his eyes for a few moments and then opening them "I just... keep feeling guilty... for all the love you give me" he answered and Wookyung nodded "Okay... what do I do exactly that makes you guilty?" he probed. "Just that... I count the things you do for me... not to be petty or anything but... I'm really grateful to have you in my life, I really am and I am thankful for every single thing... like... how you pick my plate up after dinner along with yours..." he mumbled.