One More Time

Chapter 9: I'll Promise To Build A New World For Us Two

"Listen before you get angry," Wonwoo began to explain as he showed the stunned man the papers. Because Mingyu's bruising face was starting to creep him out. He tried to smile as he held the page with the picture of a young girl in front of his face. "I learned from Jihoon. Look, I'm just trying to do something good-"

" Put it down." Mingyu said sharply, not even making eye contact with him.

"Mingyu," he insisted in a weak voice as he swallowed hard. "It's not a really bad n-"

"Let go," Mingyu repeated, pressing the words one by one as he grabbed his wrist in mid-air. "Put it down," he repeated. He twisted the boy's hand backward, causing him to drop the paper.

Wonwoo groaned, struggling to free his wrist. "Please..."

Mingyu pulled him to himself with such force that the boy lost his balance and stumbled forward. Wonwoo's face buried in his chest.

What? Were they hugging?

Wonwoo remained where he was, dumbfounded. He could feel strong hands running along his back, fingers pressing against his shirt. He could hear Mingyu's heart beating wildly under his ear. Every stroke was felt on his cheek. Of course he wasn't going to complain about the closeness, but what had he done to be rewarded in this way? One minute he'd thought Mingyu was going to tear him apart and now he was hugging him. Well, Wonwoo had no choice but to wrap his arms around him.

After five minutes of intertwining in silence, Mingyu finally showed signs of life and sighed deeply. The arms holding his body tightened as Wonwoo prepared to pull back, thinking that they were about to separate. Okay... This was starting to get a little awkward.

"Mingyu?"

"Hm?"

"Don't you think this is getting a little long?"

When he didn't answer, Wonwoo slipped out of his arms, staggered backwards and straightened his shirt. "Jesus Christ... For a second there I thought you were going to tear me apart- What? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there still a chance you're going to tear me apart?"

Mingyu's green eyes narrowed. "Thank you," he said, offering a smile that showed white teeth with wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. That was all it was. Two words and then he pulled Wonwoo back into his arms with that huge smile that made his eyes disappear.

He wasn't about to refuse such a warm hug, but Wonwoo's mind was blown. God knows he'd never seen such a bright smile on Mingyu's face - let alone a smile. And now he was grinning thirty-two teeth. Wow, he couldn't help thinking. This smile was Wonwoo's creation!

He was ecstatic. That's why he kept hugging Mingyu without saying a word, even though his ribs were starting to hurt. Eventually they tumbled into bed together, over all those important documents, and Mingyu wasted no time in planting kisses on his face and neck. Wonwoo still couldn't believe how much love he was being showered with. When Mingyu rubbed his nose against his and whispered, "Thank you," one more time, Wonwoo lost all control and grabbed him by the cheeks and pulled him to himself. He pressed his lips to the Mingyu's and stole a big kiss, not caring if he bled from Mingyu's fangs.

Pulling back, Mingyu shrugged. He looked stunned. " Oh...wow."

The man who was the sole breadwinner of PASSIONBAR had apparently forgotten that he was also a gigolo. Wonwoo reveled in the fact that he could take his mind with a kiss.

"Look, that was really great. I mean, the whole display of affection and the kisses. But now we have something important. When we finish this, maybe we can take it to the next level."

Mingyu frowned as he looked at him.

Wonwoo rolled his eyes. "I'll explain that later. Anyway. Now come look at these documents." He picked up one of the papers that had been rolled and crushed under his butt and grimaced. "Ow. Man..."

Sighing, he started to tell Mingyu about all the crumpled papers one by one.

***

"JIHOON!"

Wonwoo jumped angrily to his feet as he smashed a glass of some unidentifiable liquor on the table. "Calm down, Wonwoo," Jihoon snapped as he glanced nervously toward the door.

The boy's eyes widened. "Are you mocking me? Last week you were talking completely differently!"

"Last week!" Jihoon practically hissed through his teeth as he angrily stood up and pointed his finger at the door. "I didn't know Yujin had promised him to someone else! They already had all the papers in order, what could I say?"

"She can't give him to Leesu," Wonwoo protested, his voice cracking with anger mixed with desperation. He couldn't believe this was happening. He rubbed his hands over his face. " He's suffered enough."

Jihoon's lips curled down as if he was going to cry as he came and sat next to him and patted his back. "It's my fault, Wonwoo. I made you both suffer thinking you could save him."

Wonwoo couldn't answer that. He was too busy thinking about how to tell Mingyu.

 How could he stand in front of him and say goodbye, knowing what was coming? What big words he'd said just last week! We'll get a place together, Mingyu. Minseo will live with us, Mingyu. You'll never have to put up with Yujin or any other psychopaths again, Mingyu.

He promised him roses.

"Shit!" he shouted, bringing his fists to his knees. The noise in the bar drowned out his voice. "I can't do this, Jihoon. This is... It's not fair!"

Jihoon looked at him like he knew. Then one of the security guards arrived, and left Wonwoo alone to eject a customer who had passed out at the bar counter. Jihoon left him there to wrestle with his thoughts in one of the all-red VIP rooms at the back of the bar.

A lot of thoughts were running through Wonwoo's mind, but they all led to the same conclusion: He had to leave Mingyu to his fate. "I can't do this," he stormed into the empty room. He stood up and began pacing, his feet pounding the floor. "It's-" He stopped and turned to the other side, ruffling his hair. " NO!" He leaned forward where he was and shouted. The walls seemed to be closing in on him. He decided to grab his jacket and go outside. Maybe he could have dinner with his father. He could convince him to help Mingyu.

"Oops!"

As soon as he was out the door, he bounced backwards, bumping into a large body. He blinked and tried to comprehend who was in front of him. "Mingyu?"

"I was right," he said, grinning broadly. "It was your voice."

Fuck.

Did they have to run into each other right now?

"Hey," he said, not knowing what to say. Mingyu's green eyes searched his face, searching for an answer. If Wonwoo didn't find a way out soon, the truth would be written all over his face. "I was just leaving-"

But Mingyu interrupted him excitedly before he could finish his sentence. "When can I see Minseo?"

Wonwoo could have thrown up in there. Right then. Right where he was. "Minseo... Uh... Yeah... I mean... I..."

After letting him babble on for a minute, Mingyu finally dropped his shoulders and patted Wonwoo on the shoulder. "It's okay, Wonwoo."

Oh! But it wasn't okay! It was a big problem, and Wonwoo could feel the rebellious seeds rushing through his veins at that moment. He looked at the disappointment in Mingyu's green eyes. The man he'd dreamed of being with when he'd told him he'd found Minseo looked so alive. Wonwoo took his hands off his shoulders and squeezed them in his palms. "You'll see her," he assured Mingyu in a confident voice with a frown. "As soon as possible. In our new home." He reached up and gave him a quick kiss.

"Where are you going?" Mingyu asked in surprise as he turned to leave.

"To get you out of here," Wonwoo grinned before turning down the hallway. "When I get back, it'll be the last time you see this place."

And with that, Wonwoo turned down the hallway and ran for the exit, leaving no time for an answer. He would create a new world if he had to. A world where he could keep Mingyu away from all the pain.