He Is My Sin - Hyunho

03. Blonde Ambition

"So, Hyunjin..."  As the senior partner, Minho started talking. "Why do you want to work with us?" Let's cut to the chase, he thought. No time or mood for chit-chat. Seungmin raised his eyebrows. Hyunjin turned to Minho and smiled politely. "I've been following your firm's work for a while now. I was very impressed with the latest apartment complex." He spoke in a pleasant light tone, that showed genuine interest. "Ah, the one we had all these negative reviews from the consultant." Jeongin reminisced annoyed. "Helpful reviews, I would like to believe." The blond stated calmly. Minho and Jeongin looked at him in bewilderment. "I was working with the consultant, at the time. I reviewed the project plans." Hyunjin smiled innocently. "You little bitch!" Jeongin muttered under his breath. Those 'revisions' had cost them many all-nighters. "Jeongin!" Seungmin whisper-yelled kicking him under the table. But Hyunjin smiled seemingly unbothered. It wasn't the first time he confronted displeased project-architects. "You were right though, a fair part of your remarks made the design better." Minho said generously. "Thank you. That was my intention." He looked at Minho with the same calm and polite smile. "And why did you leave such an easy and well paying job, may I ask? Judging other people's hard work..." Jeongin inquired, still unforgiving. "I want to be part of the creative process and the new housing project you want to design, intrigues me." He smiled again.

Awfully sure of himself, Minho thought.

They talked some more about a variety of work related topics before Minho decided that it was enough. "Well, we will consider your ..." "What is there to consider?" Seungmin cut Minho off, rather rudely. "Seung..." Minho said quietly. "It's okay Seung." The blond interjected in a soothing voice. Jeongin glanced at him sideways hearing the nickname. "I am sure you have others to interview as well." Hyunjin smiled politely. He stood up, still smilling at Minho and Jeongin. "It was a pleasure, meeting you both. I hope we can work together in the future." He bowed his head slightly and left the room with Seungmin running after him. The latter returned after a few minutes looking at Minho in disappointment. "What is there to think about, Min? Look at his CV, he has worked on many big projects and has the experience we need. We'll only benefit from his addition to our team..." "You just want him because he is your friend." Jeongin interjected. "You shut up!" Seungmin snapped at him. "Stop this bickering, enough! Both of you!" They both looked at Minho, startled. He never raised his voice. "I have to give this some more thought, Seung." he added more quietly, already regretting his outburst.

He went to his office, leaving the other two to their bickering. "Is that why you haven't mentioned him before?" Jeongin asked barely controlling his voice. "What on earth do you mean?" "He is very good looking. Did you have an affair with him?" Seungmin rolled his eyes. "Maybe you want to have another go at him." Jealousy was getting the better of the younger man. "You are being ridiculous." Seungmin mutter quielty. Jeongin scoffed. "Innie, in all of our years together, have I ever looked at another man?" He asked calmly. There was no point in antagonizing the baby in front of him. Jeongin huffed. "No..." "Then why are you behaving like this?" "I'm sorry..." "You're such a baby." "Your baby..." "My baby." Seungmin agreed sighing heavily. He gave his partner a quick hug. He wasn't a big fan of showing affection in public but he felt like the circumstances warranted an exception. "I'm sorry." Jeongin mumbled again feeling embarrassed. Seungmin sighed again. Lately, he felt trapped between an emotional baby and an apathetic adolescent.

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Minho perused Hyunjin's CV one more time. It was impressive. What Seungmin said was true: He had been involved in many big projects, mainly as a consultant and had a variety of interests, one of which was painting. And photography was a shared passion for them, it seemed. Going through his background, Minho discovered that Hyunjin was indeed an athlete: he played football and was a member of the swimming team during college. He had also won a few medals in collegiate competitions. He seemed perfect. Minho wasn't sure what made him skeptical of the man. He was very confident but not in an arrogant way. He just knew his worth and what he was capable of.

Which was a plus, right? He sighed, leaning back in his desk chair.

"May I come in?" Minho lifted his gaze to the door. His black-haired friend and colleague stood there looking at him. "Seung... Yes, come in." He noticed that Seungmin was frowning which always made him look like a disgruntled puppy. "What's on your mind, Seung?" "That's what I want to know, Min. What are you thinking?" "About your friend?" "In general. You seem distracted lately." He pointed out quietly. "And yes, about Hyunjin as well." Minho looked at him thoughtfully. He didn't confide in people, never really opened up to anyone but Yeji. She was his best friend, his lover, his everything... but that's gone now and maybe that's the problem. He has no one to pour his heart out to. "Just a bit tired, I guess." He dodges the subject as always. Seungmin hums. "Ok..." Silence falls between them as Seungmin waits for him to continue. "Your friend has a very impressive CV." Minho finally starts talking again. "Yes, he does." "What does Jeongin think about him?" "Ah!" Seungmin rolls his eyes. "Jeongin thinks that any male who breathes within a meter of me is trying to steal me away from him." Minho laughs. "I mean, I am flattered but..." "He is young and he is insecure, you should show him some love." Minho can't wipe the smirk off his face and Seungmin looks offended. "Show love?" He makes a gagging noise. "I am married to him, what else does he want?" "Marriages can go awry, you know." Suddenly the mirth evaporates. Minho regrets yet again his bitter remark. "I'm sorry. Just because mine went downhill..." "Don't apologize, Min. I know you're going through some serious stuff." They fall silent again. 

"So, what about Hyunjin?" Minho lets out a heavy sigh."Let me sleep on it, ok?" Seungmin nods, a little disappointed but he knows he can't push Minho any further.