pulchritude

part three

Joshua was almost glowing in happiness, sitting opposite him while devouring mouthfuls of barbecued meat. It has been a whole week since he has managed to eat a proper meal. He just couldn't handle anything in his gut without throwing up, but the universe was being kind today. He felt light and contented, and he was going to eat a whole damn lot.

Seungcheol watched him nurse another slice of meat, with a strange feeling of joy in his chest. It was nice. Just them, over shots of soju and meat. It has been a long time since he had looked at anyone and thought, whoa. Because affection has always been a distraction all these years. He was a chief executive, mind you. He ain't got time for that.

"I must apologise for wasting your time today sir," Joshua mumbled through a wrap, "I know you have better things to do."

And there it was, the slightest smile on Seungcheol's face that he had never seen before. It was charming.

"You know, I almost married my soulmate awhile ago."

Joshua perked up to engage in the story.

"We loved each other for nine years," Seungcheol set his chopsticks down to reach for the soju bottle, "Didn't work out. We fell apart after that, so we stopped seeing each other. That was, until he contacted me about the S project last month."

"He works under Stella?"

Seungcheol shook his head. "No, he is Stella."

A famous modelling agency which has produced countless of famous faces all around the country, working hand in hand with some popular fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle, owned by the one and only.

"Oh God, you're kidding," Joshua regarded him in amazement, "Yoon Jeonghan? He's the most beautiful face in Seoul, everyone knows him."

"Beautiful face, yeah," he sighed, "Beautiful personality? Not so much."

There was a pause.

"I caught him cheating, right under my nose, after we were engaged for three years. It wasn't the first time. So I left."

Joshua could feel his heart sinking, and his appetite instantly went away. Seungcheol knew exactly what it felt like. Maybe that's why he wanted to help Joshua get through this. He's been in this dark place before. Joshua had already tried to take his own life once. He won't let it happen the second time.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's fine really, that was ages ago," he tipped the bottle to pour out another glass for himself, "Although to be fair, he was quite a big part of my life so it was hard on me at first. I spent two years getting over him. We grew up together, watched each other all our lives. I thought we'd be together forever."

"Does that mean you'll be mine forever?"

"But people change. For the better or for the worse, maybe we can't see it right now. But one day, you'll realise that it's all a part of a bigger plan."

Seungcheol studied him with a hint of fondness. The plan for me to meet you. Joshua could suddenly feel the warmth spreading across his cheeks and he buried himself deeper into his seat, feeling a tad bit bashful. It was a peaceful night.

The night breeze was soothing, bringing him solace and taking his troubles away with the wind. They walked side by side silently with soft peals of laughter, and Seungcheol could feel his breath escaping from his chest in admiration when he took a glimpse at the other. A sheen of moonlight veiled Joshua's stunning features.