Hunt

4.3

Mark stood outside a coffee shop. It was already 10 minutes passed the time that the man had told him for them to meet. He was contemplating whether if he should go inside and meet the man he chatted earlier or if he should just go home. After all, meeting strangers is hard for him. 

He was staring at the lean man sitting on one of the tables. It was him. After another minute of thinking, Mark had decided to go inside and meet Jackson.

"Hey! Mark!" The lean man waved to Mark.

"Hey," Mark sat across the man.

"It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Jackson," Jackson offered his hand for a handshake, to which Mark hesitantly took.

"I know. It's on your profile. I'm Mark... As you probably already know," Mark smiled.

"OMG you knew!" Jackson squealed like a teenage girl and flailed his arms which earned a laugh from Mark. It was just seconds and both of them are already laughing.

Mark was thankful to Jackson. Despite only meeting for the first time, Jackson had already dismissed the awkward atmosphere between the two of them. They had exchanged stories about themselves and Mark had learnt more about the reason why he had agreed to meet a stranger: Jinyoung.

Mark had learnt that Jinyoung is still a student. He's pursuing a course related to performing arts, that Jackson had refused to specifically state, saying that he's already risking his life by just meeting Mark. But Mark is guessing that it's Theatre and Arts since he had mentioned that he's busy with script writing and rehearsals. 

"How did you two meet?" Mark had asked in the middle of their conversation.

"Same as how you met him. He saw me somewhere, took a picture and posted it on his account. Then we chatted and eventually met up," Jackson simply answered. "You see, Jinyoung is a hoe. He goes around making men and women fall for him,"

Hurt was evident from Mark's face. Hearing those words stung his heart. And Jackson noticed this.

"Hey, I was just kidding. Jinyoung's nice. It's true though that a lot of men and women fall for him,"

That didn't change Mark's expression though. Jackson bit his lip when Mark didn't answer him.

"Okay okay. I'll compensate you," Mark looked at Jackson who started typing on his phone.

Jackson put his phone on his ear. He was calling someone.

"Hey, are you busy?" Jackson pulled his phone from his ear and frowned.

"Don't scream at me. You'll regret it. I have someone here who would like to meet you." 

Jackson completely pulled the phone from his ear and put the call on speaker before handing the phone to Mark.

Mark stared at the screen. His eyes widened when he saw the caller ID read Park Gae. It was Jinyoung.

"What the hell, Jackson. I'm busy!" Mark heard Jinyoung's voice for the first time and it sounded too beautiful to him. He's too distracted; he didn't know what to say.

He tried calling Jackson for help with his eyes.

"Just say anthing," Jackson whispered to him.

"If you're not gonna say anything, I'm hanging up-,"

"J-Jinyoung," Mark mentally cursed himself for stuttering. He can feel heat rising to his cheeks.

The line went silent for a few seconds. Mark could only feel his heart beat getting more faster. His heart almost jumped out of his chest when he heard an answer from the other line.

"Who's this?" Mark noted how manly the voice sounded. And it may or may not caused butterflies pooling in his stomach.

Mark gathered all his strength and breathed deeply before answering.

"It's Mark,"

And the next thing they heard is the line getting cut. Jinyoung had hanged up on him. Mark's head fell on table as he handed Jackson's phone back. Mark looked at the other when he heard him laughing hysterically.

Jackson then showed his phone to him. Jinyoung had sent a message to Jackson.

Well, if you're planning to distract me, then congratulations. You had succeeded. If that wasn't really Mark, then I'd beat you to bits. But if that was really him, I'd still beat you 'cause I thought I have made myself clear that I won't share what's mine.

Mark blushed upon reading the message making Jackson laugh more. Mark hid his face on his arms only to look back at the other man.

"I know exactly another thing that would piss Jinyoung,"