Pieces | Heejake | Enhypen

chapter thirty four

The next day, Jake woke up with a puffed-up face and swollen eyes. He groaned as he stirred in bed. Clinking sounds echoed from somewhere, urging him to wake up.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to push away the remnants of sleep. His head felt heavy and still ached from all the crying he did last night.

Soon after, he got up, clumsily making his way toward the kitchen downstairs. As he approached the room, the smell of freshly cooked pancakes travelled up to him, making his stomach growl. Only then did he realize he hadn't eaten anything last night.

"Up already?" Heeseung's voice reached Jake's ears, pulling him out of his trance. Heeseung's sweet voice was calming, soothing, and it caused something warm to bloom in Jake's chest.

Heeseung, who was standing by the stove, turned to look at Jake with a comforting smile. He set the spatula down and waited for Jake to come closer. The younger man moved automatically, his feet taking him to Heeseung out of habit.

"Good morning, babe," Heeseung greeted tenderly, his voice hushed, almost like a whisper. Jake's heart swelled with warmth.

"You were all curled up last night when I got back. Did you have trouble sleeping alone? And...what happened to your face?" Heeseung asked, concern filling his eyes as he cupped Jake's face with both hands, tilting it left and right to examine it carefully.

His large, warm hands pressed against Jake's face, making the younger man's nonexistent cheeks puff out while his lips squeezed together in a pout.

Jake's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't the first time Heeseung held him like this, but it also wasn't the first time his heart reacted this way because of Heeseung's actions.

"I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about," Jake mumbled, his voice muffled by the pressure on his cheeks. He tried to keep up a bored demeanor, most definitely hiding his flustered soul.

"Pftt... hahaha!"

Heeseung burst out laughing. He didn't mean to offend, but Jake had looked too cute just now.

His laughter brought a frown to Jake's face, which Heeseung quickly noticed. He pursed his lips to stop himself from laughing again. "You're adorable," he said lovingly.

And just like that, he comforted Jake's entire soul.

Jake didn't know how Heeseung managed to do this every time-every time Jake faced hardships or felt exhausted, Heeseung would appear out of nowhere and comfort him, knowingly or not.

"Whatever," Jake rolled his eyes, freeing himself from Heeseung's grasp. "I'm hungry," he said, heading to grab a seat. Meanwhile, Heeseung kept smiling to himself like an idiot. Jake's annoyance was the most enjoyable thing for him, especially because it gave him an excuse to act all cheesy to cheer Jake up.

Jake, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile. A blush crept up his cheeks as he remembered how his boyfriend had just called him cute. Honestly, he secretly enjoyed all the teasing-it made him happy to see Heeseung laugh.

"Here," Heeseung placed Jake's plate in front of him and took a seat beside him with his own plate of pancakes.

They shared a small smile of acknowledgment before Jake dug in. He cut large chunks of pancake, continuously stuffing his mouth before even finishing the previous bite.

"Slow down," Heeseung said, chuckling as he watched Jake devour his breakfast.

Jake paused, his eyes meeting Heeseung's. His chewing slowed as he took in the older man's beautiful smile. But this time, instead of feeling delighted, his chest tightened with an ache.

Then watch your back-and Heeseung's too.

You'll see how nice I actually was to you.

No, he couldn't bear to lose that smile. He wouldn't allow it.

---

At the office, they dived into their respective work. Jake started by reviewing reports before sending them to Heeseung's office, while Heeseung busied himself with a phone call, surrounded by documents of unknown business.

Time passed quickly, thanks to the overflowing work, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.

Jake was taking a break, chatting with his coworkers. Their conversation was full of gossip as his friends updated him on all the office drama. Suddenly, the unexpected appearance of a certain someone interrupted their chatter.

Jake watched in confusion as his friends frantically bowed deeply. Turning around, he saw Heeseung standing behind him, his expression serious.

Though bewildered, Jake bowed slightly to show respect to his boss.

The cafeteria was plunged into a tense silence-recently, sightings of their CEO had become rare, making his sudden presence even more startling.

"Where's your phone?" Heeseung asked in a grave tone.

Jake looked around, confused as to why Heeseung was asking such a thing here. "I-I think I left it on my desk," he replied uncertainly.

"I need to see you in the office. Now." Heeseung ordered monotonously before turning and walking away. Jake, sensing the urgency in Heeseung's tone, quickly followed.

Once inside Heeseung's office, the air grew heavier. Tension radiated from Heeseung, who stood two meters away, one hand on his waist while the other massaged his temples. Everything about him screamed stress.

"Is everything okay?" Jake asked, concerned.

"Did you bail Sunghoon out?"

Jake's heart dropped into his stomach at the question. 'It's already begun,' he thought.

Frowning, he felt both dejected and offended. For Heeseung to ask such a question meant he believed it was possible.

"What do you think?" Jake shot back, irritation evident in his tone.

"Yes or no, Jake?" Heeseung was in no mood for games.

"No," Jake declared firmly. "Do you believe me?" he asked seriously, doubting the accuracy of whatever story Heeseung had heard.

"I will, if you tell me why you went there without informing me."

Though slightly offended by the interrogation, Jake explained everything-from the unexpected call to the argument that followed.

"How long did you talk to him?" Heeseung asked, leaning against the table, his hips pressing into the edge for support.

"For about two hours."

Heeseung grimaced, realization dawning on him. "He was playing with us. No inmate is allowed to have a conversation that long. He must've found a way out already."

---

26 Oct

Jake stood on the porch, staring at the residence that held mostly bitter memories for him.

When the door opened, a waft of musty, old, woody air hit his nose. The atmosphere felt strange, as expected from an abandoned place.

"Welcome home, Jaeyun."