In Time (In Places Book 2)

#9.5 - Apologies and Parties

BYUN BAEK HYUN

"Jung Daehyun?"

The designer stands by the door, looking uncomfortable but still obviously makes an effort to put up a small smile. He nods at Chanyeol and looks at me. "Hey," he called, voice surprisingly soft. "Byun Baekhyun." I tried to smile back. But I do not know what is going on so I guess the smile came out awkward. The last time I saw him, my fiancé knocked him out cold after Chanyeol knew he kissed me. So what is he doing here? Is he looking for war or something?

Slowly, Park Chanyeol stands from his seat beside me, his hands clenched at his sides. But of course, we're in a public place and it's our own café for crying out loud, so Chanyeol wouldn't dare make a scene. I still watched him though, definitely more worried than ever. But he kept his lips shut though his jaw tensed as he gave Daehyun a slight nod. Do Kyungsoo motioned for Daehyun to join us and he did, his eyes fixated on me until he sat across from us on the table. Chanyeol watches him the whole time like a hawk. God. His mood was just so fine a while ago.

"Can I get you anything, sir?" Kyungsoo asked the new comer.

Daehyun paused, thinking, though his gaze never left my face. But I cannot meet his eyes so I continued watching Chanyeol as he sat back beside me, his aura worse than a few seconds ago. A little bit nervous myself, I took his hand and rested it on my lap, unclenching his fingers one by one until he let out a sigh. I know how mad Park Chanyeol can be. When we were younger, Yoora-noona told me about Chanyeol having difficulty handling his anger, and it was a serious mental case. My fiancé refused to see a professional every time his family begged him to. But then we met. And that changed everything.

Daehyun finally averted his eyes to the barista. "One espresso, please," he smiled. "Thanks."

"Sure, sir," Kyungsoo nods. "It'll be here in a minute."

The very second Kyungsoo disappeared behind the counter, Park Chanyeol suddenly spoke, almost making me jump. "I would have asked you to leave already after all those stares you gave Baekhyun. But I'm having the feeling that you're here for a good reason," he narrowed his eyes though his voice remained calm. "So what is it? You want your job back?"

Daehyun smiled, appreciative. "You always do surprise me, Park," he said. "And you're right. I'm here for a reason but that's not about my job." Then he suddenly looked at me again, eyes meeting mine. A chill literally went down my spine. Hell. This guy messed me up somehow, huh? I tried to fight any emotion that might show on my face. "I'm flying to China next week for a five-month job," Daehyun continued. "But before that, I want to apologize for what I have done that night, Byun Baekhyun. You... You didn't deserve any of that." It's clear he's talking to me. But it's even clearer that he's only directing the apology to my direction.