Come back to me [SOPE]

Chapter 13

Jhope was busy reading a new article on his tablet about recent national revisions to corporate laws. Seated calmly in a café near his office, he sipped his extra-sweet mocha latte. His eyes tried their best to focus on the article and absorb the information, but his mind seemed determined to wander elsewhere. On the outside, he appeared composed, but inside, a storm was brewing.

Jhope couldn't help but feel anxious about dating his ex-husband again. It wasn't easy, not after such a painful breakup. He was doing everything he could to make things right, but he still felt an emptiness he couldn't explain. Why won't he fully accept me? I know he loves me—his eyes light up, and there's that hint of red on his cheeks whenever he sees me. But Jhope couldn't ignore the nagging thought: Why does he keep hiding himself from me? What am I doing wrong? Ah, hyung...

After being postponed three times, they were finally meeting again for coffee. Jhope was eager to see Suga after five long days. He tried to keep busy on his tablet, scrolling through news feeds as he waited. After twenty minutes, Suga arrived, dressed sharply in beige trousers and a maroon shirt that accentuated his fair complexion. Jhope casually took in his own honey-toned skin, which he'd always feel little inferior about. His craze for Suga's Milky white skin would never go awway. After all it is his canvas to paint, which he never misses. Noticing Jhope, Suga nodded and headed over to the table. Every time Jhope saw Suga, he felt a mix of excitement and confusion; it was strange, dating his ex-husband as though he were a new boyfriend, but it was something he had once longed for.

"Sorry, Hoba, got stuck in traffic," Suga said, offering an apologetic smile.

"Coming from the guy with the fancy car," Jhope teased, pouting playfully. "I took a cab and still made it on time!"

Suga rolled his eyes, amused. "I had to drive six kilometers while you could've just walked here in ten minutes. Not exactly fair."

"Well, then, why don't we ever meet near your office, hyung? It'd be easier for you, and I have a flexible schedule as an attorney."

Suga's smile faded slightly. "We've discussed this before, Hoba. It's not... encouraged in my industry. Prosecutor loves Attorney. Little rivalry shit"

"..."

"Hoba?"

"..."

"Hoba, look at me."

Jhope glanced at him, and after a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Hyung... be honest. Are you embarrassed to be dating someone like me?"

"What?" Suga's eyes widened in surprise. "No, Hoba, not at all! Why would you think that?"

Jhope shrugged, feeling vulnerable. "I don't know... sometimes I just feel like I'm not as smart as you. Like you're worried about what your colleagues would think if they knew about us."

Suga gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "That's not true at all. You passed the bar; you're an attorney. There's nothing 'dumb' about that. I couldn't be prouder of you."

Jhope managed a small smile, feeling a bit more at ease. They ordered some pastries and continued their conversation, catching up on work and recent news. Then Jhope brought up a recent headline.

"Hyung, did you see the news about the Gangnam gambling scandal? 'Mr. Park' apparently got scammed by one of his friends."

"'Mr. Park'?" Suga raised an eyebrow, trying to place the name.

Jhope nodded. "It's the alias they're using to keep him anonymous. But I heard from an insider that it's someone we went to college with—remember that guy with the big back tattoo?"