𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾

Chapter 12: fate 🏳️

Joshua's breath caught in his throat. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The bustling sounds of the city faded into the background as his eyes locked with Jeonghan's.

Jeonghan's eyes widened in surprise, then softened. He hadn't expected to see Joshua here, of all places. He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to breathe. He wanted to say something, anything, but words failed him.

Joshua's heart pounded in his chest. Begrudgingly he looked away from him facing the front. The sight of Jeonghan stirred up emotions he had tried so hard to bury.

Jeonghan on the other hand seemed like he wanted to get off from the car and get in the bus, just so he could talk to Joshua. However the traffic light turned green and the car behind his honked making him reluctantly turn his gaze back to the road and drove off, leaving Joshua to grapple with the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

As Joshua's car started moving, he couldn't help but glance out again, watching Jeonghan's car disappear into the distance. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of unresolved feelings pressing down on him.

He leaned back on his seat and heaved a sigh.

Joshua stared blankly out the bus window, the city's neon lights blurring past him. His thoughts were consumed by the unexpected encounter with Jeonghan. He knew going home now would only leave him drowning in memories and regrets. He got off on the nearest stop. With a heavy sigh, he pulled out his phone and dialed his friend Jiwon.

"Hey... you have a night shift right?" Joshua asked as soon as the line connected.

"Don't talk about it... I had plans with my girlfriend," Jiwon replied sighing from the other line.

"I will takeover your shift... you can go, I am coming to the hospital right now," Joshua said.

"Really? Why?" Jiwon said shocked but with a glint of happiness.

"No reason... just let me take it," Joshua said.

"Well of course if you insist... I will treat you to meal someday Shua," he said. Joshua got into a taxi and drove to the hospital.

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"Jeonghan!!" Suengcheol called for the man as soon as he saw him entering the bar.

"Hi," Jeonghan said in a deflated tone.

"Surprised you actually agreed to come with us today," Jihoon said.

Jeonghan chuckled dryly but didn't say anything and proceeded ordering his drink. He could hear his two best friends having conversations related to their work but he couldn't focus on that, all he could think was how Joshua has became more ethereal, and he didn't miss the hurt in his beautiful eyes which once held warmness before, when he looked away from him. Joshua was all he had in his mind and all he could do was drink and reminisce their past memories.

Suengcheol stopped Jeonghan on his 5th glass, "What's wrong Jeonghan?" Suengcheol asked.

"Nothing's wrong," Jeonghan said and shrugged Cheol's hand. He can't go on like this... he mistakenly go and find Shua. He drank the 5th glass and stood up, he was little tipsy but not that drunk.

"Wait! Where are you going?" It was Jihoon who asked it.

"Home... you two can stay here longer," Jeonghan said and left without waiting for their response.

Jeonghan stumbled out of the bar, the night air hitting him like a wave, slightly sobering him up but not enough to clear the haze in his mind. His thoughts were still a mess, he fumbled with his car keys, finally managing to unlock the door and slid into the driver's seat. He turned on the light, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the steering wheel.