Not Too Late || Jeongcheol

Ch.1 : Meet Again

(This is the last chapter from the first book)

(Italicized text in quotations are call conversations.)

20 years. Seventeen lasted 20 years, from their debut to their disbanding. It was a fulfilling career. Each member had started a new life once their careers as idols were over. Joshua and Seokmin got married a year before they disbanded and they started a new life together and moved to the countryside of South Korea. Vernon and Seungkwan recently got together and owned their own small business. Jun went back to China and Minghao went to live with Mingyu in a wealthy neighborhood in Itaewon. Wonwoo later went into a relationship with a barista whom the members say is perfect for him. Jihoon became a producer for JYP. Soonyoung---is a choreographer and recently got engaged with Jihoon. And Chan settled down with a lovely girl.

The members all kept in touch with each other of course. They often called and texted and even met up. Their friendship was unlike any other. All except Seungcheol and Jeonghan. The two hadn't seen each other since they had disbanded. Jeonghan went abroad to model for a bit. He never came back to Korea until recently.

"Gosh, I still can't believe your back." Joshua exclaimed over the phone and Jeonghan smiled.

"It's great to be back. I missed Korea."

Jeonghan looked around as he quietly sat down in a bench. He was at a park at the moment. He had recently started taking morning walks. They were his holy grail.

"Have you spoken to Seungcheol?"

The silence was heavy.

"No not yet---I figure I should. I just---"

"Jeonghan?" A deep voice sounded behind him and Jeonghan almost dropped his phone. He knew that voice---very well.

He cut the call as quickly as he had called and swiftly turned to find Seungcheol standing there. Jeonghan could feel his heart beating wildly against his rib cage. His time in America just showed him how much he loved Seungcheol. The older played a huge part in his life and shifting from that was a big change.

"Seungcheol...you---you look different." Jeonghan looked at the man in front of him. Seungcheol had changed. His stubble was visible, I guess since they weren't idols anymore no need to shave. He definitely looked stronger, muscular. His hair was like how it was back when they released Left and Right and he looked utterly gorgeous. To be fair Jeonghan hadn't seen Seungcheol in--at least 5 years.

"I could say the same. You look gorgeous." The older muttered under his breath, taking in the new Yoon Jeonghan. "I saw your magazine. Modeling suits you well." Seungcheol praised making Jeonghan blush. The words seem to ignite something in him.

"Thank you. I was wonderin---"

"Appa!~" A tiny voice yelled out from the distance. A little girl in a light pink dress ran towards Seungcheol her arms up, want to be lifted.

Appa?!

Seungcheol smiled before swishing the child off of the ground and taking her into his arms before pressing a kiss to her temple.

"His sweetness. I'm sorry I left you with Auntie Yoona."

The little girl giggled and shook her head. "Auntie Yoona is nice."

Seungcheol grinned and ruffled his daughters hair. He turned to Jeonghan.

"Jeonghan, this is Yuri---my daughter. Yuri, this is---Appa's old friend Uncle Jeonghan."

Little Yuri smiled and waved frantically at Jeonghan before looking back at her father. "Appa, can we go home. I'm tired."

"Of course, sweetness."

Seungcheol smiled apologetically at Jeonghan. "I'm sorry I can't stay longer."

Jeonghan shook his head. "No, no it's fine. You have more important things to attend to I see. He cheekily said as he smiled at Yuri making her giggle."

"I really am--"

"Go. I'll be fine. To make up, you can treat me to dinner sometime."

Seungcheol smiled. "Fine. Bye, Hannie." With that he whisked off with Yuri at his hand.

"Bye...Cheollie."

Jeonghan whipped out his phone and dialed Joshua. The moment the latter picked up his ear was busted.

"Seungcheol changed so much!!"

"Oh no---he just turned into a billionaire and has a daughter now that's all---of course he fucking changed dumbass. It's been a long time." Joshua snapped at his bestfriend who sighed.

"He has a daughter...is he married?" He asked quietly. Seungcheol really did move on then.

He could hear his best friend sigh at the other end of the call. "No, he never got married, nor did he ever date. Yuri is his adopted daughter."

"Oh."

"Did you meet him?"

"Yeah. I did."

_ _ _

"Appa, did you ever love somebody?" Yuri asked as she toyed with her father's lapels.

Seungcheol frowned but picked up his daughter and she settled on his thigh.

"why do you ask sweetness?"

"Well--a boy in school said he loved me."

Seungcheol quirked his eyebrows up. "Did he now."

Yuri nodded. "But that doesn't matter. Did you love anyone?"

Seungcheol averted his gaze. "I did. I once fell in love with someone---someone whom I will love forever."

Yuri nodded intently. "But why isn't appa with them then?"

Seungcheol gave Yuri a little pat on the head. "Some things aren't meant to be, Yuri-ah."

"But if Appa loves them, then shouldn't you be with them though. Auntie Yoona says that true love with always find it's way back."

"Auntie Yoona is filling you with nonsense." Seungcheol scolded and beckoned his giggling daughter to go back to playing. Yuri happily hopped of his lap but stopped.

"Appa..." She called.

"Yes, sweetness?"

"Is the someone, Mr. Jeonghan."

The little girl watched as her father stopped, froze, and then smiled.

"Yes. Yes he is."