You Smell Like Hope

24. Chasing cars

If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's burstin' into life

A green leaf.

Minho's pov.

"Billy, can you call Hyunjin to my office?" I said through the secretary phone.

Jisung had called me earlier asking if he can stay home today and will make up the work later. I, of course, agreed.

I can tell already that what I suspected is true by the way he acted yesterday, but asking for a day off definitely proved it more.

I can't help but feel proud however. That he finally took another step closer to look after himself and know what he needs and act upon that. That's also why I will wait for him to talk to me about it first and won't approach the subject before he does.

For now though, I am going to take the chance to set things right in the company. Starting with Hyunjin.

"Hyung, you called for me?" He walked in without knocking.

"Yes come sit. We have a lot to discuss." I mentioned to the chair in front of my desk.

"Is this about the next event? Cause I have so many ideas I need to suggest." He spoke with a bright smile.

"We can talk about that later hyun. I want to talk about Jisung." His smile dropped once I said his name. "Hyunjin I know you are a good person. If I wasn't sure of that you would have been fired long ago. So tell me why do you do this. Why do you feel this way?"

Just as I finished my sentence his eyes started tearing up. "I am sorry Hyung, and I am sorry for him too. I never meant to be like this. It's just-" his sentence had been cut off by his sob. I got up and routed the desk to be closer to him.

My arms wrapped around him in an awkward position and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "What happened Hyunjin. You can talk to me."

"My excuse is not enough. My reason is not valid for what I did and I tried. I really did. I tried not think about it when I look at Jisung but I failed over and over again. Every time I look at him I'm reminded of the pictures." He took a deep breath and I gave him a confused look.

"Over a year ago, I was dating someone whome I loved dearly. I realise now that he was not good for me but back then I was blinded. I loved him so much to see the red flags and then one day I got a message from an unknown number. It was a picture of him in a strip club. He was cheating on me. He had a girl on his lap and a guy who's face was not visible kissing him. Just thinking about the picture makes me want to throw up hyung. It flashed in my head every second of my day for months. What hurt me more is that I still loved him."

It shocked me to hear this. I have known Hyunjin for about three years now and I wasn't even aware he is in a relationship during any time of it. Did the guy make him keep it a secret?

"It took me so long to finally bring myself to socialise again. It was hard being broken in silence since no one knew about the relationship to begin with. I turned down Felix when he asked me out just a week after that happened. It hurts to break his pure heart, but I knew I was not ready and won't be good for him. I am kind of glad he found someone else now. Back to Jisung though."