Love Contract | haobin

Five

~Next Day~

Hanbin's tired eyes could probably be seen from far away. He wasn't able to sleep last night since he kept thinking of what to do to get the money he needs. He could try returning his mother's laptop, but she hasn't let go of it ever since she got it. She just takes it with her everywhere, not letting anyone touch it.

As he's distractedly walking towards college, he's stopped by someone he really didn't feel like seeing today.

"Hanbin... hey." His ex-boyfriend, Matthew, says nervously.

"What do you want?" Hanbin asks him, looking away from him.

"Are you okay? You seem tired these days." He says worriedly.

"That's really none of your business." Hanbin tells him. "Whether I'm tired or not, why should you care?"

"Because I-" Matthew starts. "I clearly still love you, Hanbin. I never meant to hurt you, I swear."

"Sure..." Hanbin nods. "I have to go." He tries walking past Matthew, but he takes his arm.

"Hanbin, it's been over a year... please let me explain."

"You already explained." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Your explanation meant nothing. You could've just been honest with me instead of making me feel like a second option to you."

"I-I was scared. I'm sorry."

"I have to go." Hanbin ignores him, walking past him.

"I heard you're going through financial problems." Matthew blurts out, which makes Hanbin stop and turn around.

"How did you know that?"

"Gyuvin... But don't get mad at him. It just slipped out since he's so worried about you."

"Why would he-"

"Hanbin, you know I can help you. If you need money, I can-"

"I don't need your money." Hanbin immediately shakes his head. "I don't want anything to have to do with you anymore... so leave me alone." He walks past Matthew before walking into the college. Matthew feels tears rolling down his cheeks as he watches Hanbin walk away.

"Matthew! What are you doing here?" He hears Gyuvin behind him. Matthew quickly wipes his tears away before turning around to him.

"Oh... I was just- I was about to walk in." His voice cracks.

"You talked to Hanbin, didn't you?" Gyuvin asks him, realizing Matthew was just crying.

"Y-yeah... he really hates me."

"Oh, come here." Gyuvin pulls him in for a hug and pulls him aside since people are watching. "Don't worry, Matt. He doesn't hate you... he's just hurt right now."

Hanbin, Matthew, and Gyuvin used to be a friend group, but ever since their break up, Hanbin and Matthew stopped being friends, leaving Gyuvin confused on what to do. He ended up staying friends with both of them, although he's always been a little closer to Hanbin.

-

As Hanbin's in class, he can't focus at all. He keeps thinking about how he's going to get the money he needs, the marriage, and Matthew...

Hanbin would be lying if he said he didn't feel anything for him anymore. He'd also be lying if he said Matthew wasn't the first person that crossed his mind when it was said he needed to marry someone to claim the will. But he hurt him... and Hanbin's not going to go back to him... ever.

Matthew was in a toxic relationship with some guy for a while, but then made it seem like they had broken up just so he could be with Hanbin. He was too scared of breaking up with his toxic boyfriend, so he continued the relationship while starting an official relationship with Hanbin.

Hanbin doesn't understand why he couldn't have just been honest with him instead of hurting him like that. He would've understood. He knew just how scared Matthew was of his ex-boyfriend. He was so controlling and even started hitting him at some point. Hanbin would always get into fights with him to defend Matthew.

'What am I going to do?' Hanbin thinks to himself.

There really isn't any other way out. The only way out is to get married and claim the will. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want that person to be Matthew. He really is the person he saw a future with and he's the person Hanbin has loved the most.

Hanbin's only 21, but still... he feels like he'll never be able to love anyone else as much as he loved and still loves Matthew.