The Contract (complete)

Baekhyun: Chapter 16

“Well, we’re dating, right? I honestly don’t know. But the fact that he chose me besides another says something, don't you think?" You answer. She watches you, her eyes going from your face to the bag in your hand, before she takes a step back.

"Listen," she starts, "You - "

"And why do I always bump into you, anyway?" You ask her. "Are you stalking me?"

"What?" She stutters, flabbergasted.

You grin. "That was a joke."

She just gapes at you as if she can't comprehend what had just happened before she crosses her arms. "Ask him."

"Excuse me?"

"Ask him if he likes you," she challenges.

You scoff. "I don't need to do that. Look, if you want to know him so much, ask him yourself if he likes me."

She honestly considers your proposition, because a knowing look passes her eyes. You open your mouth to take back what you've said, but she doesn't affirm your suspicions. "Do what you want. I'm going." Before you can say anything else, she's turned around and left, leaving your unexpected resolve to deflate. You seethe as you watch her exit before you walk the opposite way and head out of the mall.

She's overly curious about Baekhyn's feelings for you, although you can't blame her. You're curious, as well. And it's not just about the Contract anymore. It's about your heart. You want to know if he sincerely likes you, and if he's willing to date you outside of the Contract.

Things are going well, aren't they? That contract was created for personal benefits. You were saved from being the outcast, and even though you don't entirely appreciate your new label, it's somewhat better than being uninteresting. As for Baekhyun, he hasn't been getting all those confessions, although Min's been a constant pain in his ... well. Rear end. Actually, that's a lie. Min is not doing anything to Baekhyun. Min is pestering you more than she is bothering Baekhyun. So really, in the end, the only thing that's changed for him is that he hasn't gotten as many confessions as before. If anything, you're the one who has experienced more change, and not just in social status, either. The Contract had ignited your feelings for Baekhyun, feelings you hadn't even been aware of, feelings you were afraid to acknowledge. And now that your position in his life has been compromised, you're afraid. Being friends with the opposite sex is a weak place in life. One can go from friends to something more in so quick a moment. Yours just took a lot longer than most people, but you should have seen it coming. You've known him for years. You should have expected that, eventually, you'd form feelings for him.

The question is whether he has the same feelings for you.

You decide to call Baekhyun and ask him what he's up to. He answers you on the third ring, and with bated breath, you greet, "Baek!"

"You sound lively," he comments, and you ignore his flat tone easily.

"Can I see you?"

"Eh?"

"Uh, can we meet somewhere?" You rephrase the question. "Are you near the mall?"

"Maybe," he answers airily. "Why?"

"Because I'm near the mall, and I have something to give you."

Silence. "Is it food?"

You stick your tongue out at nobody in particular and reply, "Sorry. I figured I'd save you the calories."

"Hey, that's my line!" He laughs. "Alright, I'll come real quick. I was just out walking, and I'm nearby. You okay with the coffee shop near the corner?"

"The one across from the jewelry store? Sure," you agree. "See ya."

"Yep. Bye," he replies and hangs up. You tuck your phone into your bag and head over to the coffee shop. The plastic bag containing Baekhuyn's gift thumps against your thigh, and you lift your arm higher so that it refrains from annoyingly hitting you. You reach the shop and promptly get something to eat, since as soon as your eyes had rested on the delicious food, your stomach grumbled. You buy yourself a warm drink and curl your fingers around the handle before you head over to a table nearby the door and wait for Baekhyun.

Just as he had assured you, he arrives not one minute after you've sat down. His hair is a mess, and you can tell that he's been running, since sweat dots his brow. He's wearing loose pants and a loose shirt, and although he doesn't look completely made-up and classic, he still looks attractive, a feat you vow to achieve some day. He gives you a wave, his two middle fingers moving simultaneously, before he pulls out the chair in front of you.

"What's up?" he greets and clasps his hands together on the table. "You're eating."

"Drinking."

"So you brought me food?"

"No. I'm - "

"Saving the calories? Okay, no," he says, reaching his hand out to you. "Can I have a sip? Please? I'm really thirsty. I was out on a jog. And I'm thirsty."

"It's a hot drink," you warn, but he takes the cup from you anyways and jugs the liquid down. You watch as he briefly shuts his eyes in a dramatic gesture and sighs in satisfaction. After wiping his lips on the back of his hand, he sets the cup on the table and pushes it back to you. You stare into the mug and notice that he's consumed about half of the drink. "Well."

"Well what?" He asks, but then he notices the plastic bag on the floor. "What's that?"

"Your gift," you answer. He bends down to open it, but you instinctively kick him in the shin. You miss, though, and he just grins at you knowingly.

"That's funny," he says, wagging a finger at you. "I've learned to dodge that by now. Can I look at it?"

"I mean, I guess ... "

"Thanks," he smiles and pulls the bag toward him. He opens it and stares at what is inside before he takes out the wallet. "Woah," he says, turning it in his hands and inspecting it in admiration. "This is really nice. You bought this for me?"

"No, I bought it for your dog."

He looks up at you. "I don't have a dog."

"Kinda my point."

"Well, thanks," he says, taking out his old wallet and beginning to empty out the contents. He starts transferring the items from the old wallet to the new one, making sure to place everything in meticulous order. You let him take his time organizing his new accessory before he inserts the new wallet into his back pocket and leaves the old one on the table. Now that a span of silence has occurred, you decide to take this opportunity to test your courage.

"Guess who I saw today?"

"Who?" he asks as he leans back in his chair and takes deep breaths of air.

"Min," you say and observe his reaction. He doesn't seem to take any specific interest in the word, and this pleases you. "Saw her right after I got out of the store. After I bought that."

"How was she?" Baekhyun asks sweetly. He really wants to know, a fact that catches you off guard. 

"She's okay. Actually. Um. I think she knows about the Contract." Baekhyun's eyes widen, and he stares at you as you continue nervously, "We were talking, and she just assumed, and I don't know, I blurted out some stuff, and ... "

"And what?" he leans forward. "What did you tell her?"

You gulp. "I ... Baekhyun, I ... " Min's words flash in your brain before you burst out in a panic, "I like you."

A terrible lack of sound follows as you clench your fists. Baekhyun stares at you until you raise your head, and the look in his eyes is so incredibly expressionless that a new, colder fear grasps your heart.

"Well ... " he replies casually, "I like you, too."

"No, not that way," you frustratedly add. "Baekhyun, I - "

"You know what?" He replies. 

"Huh?" You answer in sudden tiredness.

He clears his throat. "I think we should break the Contract."