our little secret [gemfot]

10

Fourth glanced again at the woman sitting in the passenger seat and then at the driver. Just moments ago, when he had been on the verge of getting into his car and heading home, this woman had approached him. She had introduced herself as Gemini's secretary and claimed that Gemini had sent her to fetch him.

At first, Fourth had been suspicious, but now, as he sat in the car with no visible harm done, he felt an odd mixture of frustration and reluctant gratitude. Did he even want to see Gemini right now? He wasn't sure.

After hearing his parents' story last night, his feelings had become tangled. It wasn't Gemini's fault—he knew that—but something about facing him felt too heavy, too raw. The connection between their families and the painful history made him want to run, to escape.

Janhae's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. "We've arrived," she announced, her tone neutral but professional. Fourth blinked and looked out the window. A luxurious hotel loomed in front of them, its tall glass facade shimmering under the streetlights.

A hotel? Seriously? Fourth's brow furrowed as he stepped out of the car. Did Gemini really think he needed to go to such lengths just to see him? Couldn't he just wait until the rumors went down—or not at all? Fourth clenched his jaw, a small surge of irritation bubbling up. If Gemini had wanted to meet him, he could've just called again instead of orchestrating this elaborate arrangement.

Janhae handed him an access card, her hand steady and expression unreadable. "Room 913, on the ninth floor," she said.

Fourth took the card hesitantly, watching as the car pulled away without another word. For a fleeting moment, the thought of running crossed his mind. Janhae had left him alone—no bodyguards, no prying eyes. He could easily turn around and leave. It wasn't like Gemini could drag him back, right?

But just as he entertained the idea, his phone buzzed with a notification.

"You arrived, right? I'm waiting!!"

Gemini's name flashed on the screen. Fourth sighed heavily, staring at the message for a moment. Did he really have a choice? He stuffed the phone back into his pocket, gripping the access card tightly in his hand.

Dragging his feet, he made his way into the hotel lobby. His reflection in the gleaming marble floors looked as uncertain as he felt. Can I really face him? he wondered. Of course I can. Gemini had nothing to do with what happened to my parents. He repeated the thought like a mantra, trying to steady his nerves.

By the time he reached the elevator, his heart was pounding. Each floor that passed as the elevator ascended seemed to add to the weight in his chest. When it finally dinged to a stop on the ninth floor, Fourth stepped out, his legs feeling heavier with each step toward room 913.

He stood outside the door, staring at the bold numbers on the plaque for what felt like an eternity. The keycard trembled slightly in his hand as he tried to gather his thoughts. He could do this. Gemini had nothing to do with his parents' past.

Taking a deep breath, Fourth slid the card through the lock and pushed the door open. The soft click of the door was followed by a rush of air, and there he was—Gemini, standing by the closet, his face lighting up the moment he saw him.

Without a second's hesitation, Gemini crossed the room and pulled Fourth into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around him like a vice. "I missss youuu," Gemini said, dragging out the words in his usual playful tone. "How long has it been? I could die if we didn't meet for a week!" He tightened the hug, burying his face against Fourth's shoulder, his voice muffled but brimming with affection.

Normally, Fourth would have returned the hug without hesitation. He liked being in Gemini's arms—it was a comforting place, a space where he'd always felt safe. But tonight, something was different. He stood there, stiff and unmoving, his arms hanging limply by his sides. He didn't hug him back. He didn't even lean into the embrace. Instead, he was frozen, trapped in a whirlwind of emotions he couldn't yet name.