My Client's Former Best Friend | MEANIE/MINWON

Chapter Twelve

Wonwoo smirked as the plane began its descent. The trip was already turning out better than he'd expected. Mingyu barely made it to his seat before the pilot announced they were landing. Mingyu was turning out better than he'd expected, too. There wasn't any whining with Mingyu; no protestations of endless love or the need to know what Wonwoo was thinking. He'd asked about Wonwoo's business and clients but hadn't pushed Wonwoo about his family. Plus, he kissed like there was nothing else in the entire world he'd rather be doing.

Junhui woke up as they roared to a stop. It was a stumbling group who exited the plane, crippled by sleep deprivation, injuries, and intoxication. A ragtag team the likes of which Disney wouldn't know what to do with.

When they set foot on the ground and there were no campgrounds, pack mules, or outhouses in sight, Wonwoo exhaled. In fact, for a "primitive" island there was a hell of a lot of civilization.

"Jun, I thought you said Mino Island was rural."

Junhui looked at Wonwoo, his sleep-tousled hair shimmering sexily in the mid-morning light. "It is. There isn't a cultural scene at all, and the only theater company on the entire island has been doing variations on Hamlet for the past decade."

"I thought you meant we'd have to travel on horseback or be camping in the wilderness and cooking our own food." For all of his relief, Wonwoo felt strangely disappointed. But he hated camping and cooking, and the last time he'd ridden a horse had been when he was twelve, and he'd hated that too. Perhaps it was just indigestion.

Junhui gave him a look. "If that were the case, I wouldn't expect any of us, least of all myself, to be here."

Wonwoo turned to glance at Mingyu, who'd been standing behind them. He shrugged. "I guess true love has its limits." He said it quietly so Junhui didn't hear him.

Wonwoo watched as the pilot unloaded Junhui's enormous suitcase. "If you didn't pack for camping, what's in that bag?"

"Clothes."

"Just how long do you think we'll be here?"

Junhui shrugged. "I intend to wait as long as it takes for Minghao to come back to me. But that does not mean I have to wear the same outfit while doing it."

"Yeah, it takes a lot of hard work to look that devastated," Mingyu added.

Wonwoo bit his lip so he didn't scream. He wanted to remind them that Rowoon and the police department were hot on their trail, not to mention that, unlike the unemployed celebrities, he had a job to get back to. Just as he was gearing up for a long speech about responsibilities and meetings, Mingyu whispered in his ear, "Look on the bright side. With Jun occupied with his appearance, we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."

When Wonwoo turned to glare at him he gave Wonwoo a wicked grin.

***

The island was gorgeous. A small piece of land off the coast of New Zealand, only ten miles in diameter. What served as an airport was a paved strip of ground, home to only one small two-seater and now Junhui's private jet. The bulk of the island, the part that wasn't white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, housed the Xu Resort, a huge luxury hotel so exclusive Wonwoo had never known it existed. It was modeled after a Greek island, with white stone walls, cobbled paths, and wrought-iron railings. The atmosphere was one of exaggerated calm and obscene wealth. The perfumed air spoke of lavish floral arrangements and aromatherapy spa packages. The few guests around in the late morning were dressed in white, flowing clothing over tiny fabric-swatch swimwear. It took Wonwoo about ten seconds to decide he loathed the place.

It was the kind of place his clients went to when they wanted to hide, to leave their troubles for him to clean up. The type of place where no one ever got billed because they would never notice the money leaving their bank account. It was the type of place she used to dream of going to, of belonging to. Anyone could belong here, if they paid the right price.