Intricate: Our Bittersweet Love | MARKNOMINHYUCK(bxbxbxb)

Chapter 14

C H A P T E R 14 : Truth is

———Jaemin———

It didn't feel like we had just spent the last 48 hours together by the time we had to wave goodbye to Mark-Hyung as he boarded the train. It didn't feel like we had laughed and talked and laid in bed and enjoyed each other's presence enough. As I watched him board the train, I couldn't help but feel millions of regrets even if I knew that we would be seeing each other in five days.

I sigh, turning at last to walk towards the exit of the station and to the car, right behind Donghyuck and Jeno.

"I should probably go home," I tell them sullenly, slouching in the back seat.

Donghyuck glances at me. "I'll stay with you. Jeno should probably spend some time alone with Taeyong-Hyung before the chaos." I laugh bitterly in response, knowing that none of us found that exactly amusing.

"So you'll drive, Donghyuck?" Jeno questions with a smirk, moving his eyes from the road to the said boy and then back at the road.

Donghyuck groans, making Jeno and I laugh. "Hell no. Take us there and you can take the car." He shrugs carelessly and I see Jeno roll his eyes through the rear mirror.

I had never taken into account our financial statuses but this is a big difference between us, I realize. Donghyuck gets to be careless enough to not care where he car is, for example. If that were me, never in my wildest dreams would I be able to do that. Both boys have big mansions as a home while I have what you would label as a small house even if it's two stories. Mark-Hyung's family is also pretty wealthy, owning a restaurant and all. I had never cared enough to think of these details but something snapped these last two days, brought me out of a trance. In the back of my mind, there was now a voice that whispered, 'you don't live in their world. You're different, not worthy.' There was this pang in my stomach that has been aching since Jeno's parents were brought into conversation, it had me wondering if money would be one of the problems with them not accepting us.

"Nana, we're here."

I open my eyes and see Donghyuck's smile, his head slightly tilted to the side cutely. I grin slightly, nodding curtly.

I lean to the front, pressing my lips to Jeno's cheek. "See you tomorrow," I mumble, giving him a smile which he returns along with a nod.

I open the car door and step out at the same time as Donghyuck who was also saying his goodbyes. He jogs to my side and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close, making me feel comforted. The only thing that comforted me these days, that somehow made me believe things would be okay. I shouldn't rely this much on these boys, I know. But I can't help it. Not when they make me feel so safe, so at home, so... like we belong.

"Well, welcome home. Hey Donghyuck," Jaehyun-Hyung says as we step into the kitchen were he was working. Papers were scattered on the table, he had his glasses on, his hair messy, and he was wearing black sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. He looked tired but regardless, smiled at me. "How was your weekend? How's Mark?" He went back to looking at his papers but I didn't mind.

"Our weekend was great and Mark-Hyung is doing fine, enjoying university," I respond.

"I still don't get how he says he enjoys lectures," Donghyuck rolls his eyes and the both of us laugh.

My brother looks backs up, this time looking directly at the other with a smile. "When it's something that you really like, then you'll enjoy it. If you feel it's burdensome, not enjoyable, then that's a path that you shouldn't take, it isn't worth your time."

We both took his words seriously, nodding in agreement. The older went back to his work, a smile on his face.

"How about you, Hyung? How was your weekend?" I ask.

"Work. Lots of work." He lets out a small, dry chuckle. "There's a launch for a new collection soon so the office is busy." He yawns.

"You almost done?"

"Actually, delightfully enough, yes," he answers happily.

"Then we'll let you be. Go rest after that and we'll make dinner. Mom will be back at 10?"

"That's when her shift ends, yes. Will Donghyuck stay over?"

We both turn to look at him. Donghyuck smiles and nods. "If it won't inconvenience you."

Jaehyun-Huung looks up to rolls his eyes. "As if it's not a normal occurrence. The only strange thing here is that Jeno is not here."

We both shrugs and say see you later before walking up the stairs and straight to my room.

"I'll go to the restroom and be right back." He pecks my lips, smirks at me with a glint of mischief in his eyes, and walks to the bathroom.

I step into the room and throw myself on the bed, hugging my pillow tight and close my eyes, feeling tired. I wanted to sleep, badly, but my brain didn't allow it. Thoughts began to roam through my head, in circles, all of them coming in at least three times by the time I heard the door open and close, footsteps coming closer before I felt the bed dip and an arm wrap around my waist. Number one thing that went through my head was meeting Jeno's parents. Number two, some of the outcomes that could happen. Number three, what Mark-Hyung is currently doing. Number four, how Jeno is feeling. Number five, what is Donghyuck thinking.

"Donghyuck," I call out in a soft voice, my eyes still shut closed. He hums. "What are you thinking?"

He shifts a little on the bed and I turn to look at him and open my eyes. "What do you mean?" He asks, genuinely perplexed.

"About everything. Jeno telling his parents, for starters. It's roaming my head. A lot." I look down nervously at the simple thought. "Do you... do you really think it's possible for his parents to kick him out? Disown him?"

"Nana, you're thinking of the worst case possible scenario. We have to keep positive. All will be fine." He grins at me, trying to convince me and reassure me.

"We both know that it won't though," I tell him, state it.

We stay quiet for some seconds.

"I'm sorry I can't reassure you from the opposite."

I didn't blame him for it, of course I didn't. It's not his fault, it's none of our faults but the type of parents that Jeno's parents are. How could they be so... so unreliable to their sons? How could they be the type of person people are scared to be honest to?

I couldn't help but be genuinely mad at them, even before properly meeting them. They've been the worst to Jeno and that was enough.

A/N: Hellooo!! I apologize for not updating for a long while but between breaking my computer and having a really busy month, I haven't been able to be around much so please forgive me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are having/had a beautiful day!!