[Jeongcheol] donut shop

donut shop chapter 40

Jeonghan's POV

     We decided to close the donut shop a little early today, "thanks again MingFairy", I said to the latter playing with little Chan who settled in Jun's arms. "No problem hyung, after all I practically see him every day, so it's nothing new", Minghao replied, not even bothered by the nickname anymore, I smiled at the couple who agreed to take my little boy out today. I didn't want the little guy to be bummed out, I don't even know how Seungcheol and I got lucky but Dino hasn't even asked about Cherri yet. It was probably because he was so occupied with his hyungs and his new toys, and I really would like to keep it that way. The three exited out after I kissed the younger's forehead along with Seungcheol who came out of the kitchen in a hurry so he wouldn't miss the good-bye kiss. I giggled as he panted out slightly after they left, "what's so funny?", Cheol asked, knowing what was coming next, I scurried off to the counter to serve the incoming customers.

"Yah! You won't get away that easy", Seungcheol warned, making me laugh, customers lined up out of nowhere so I busied myself, taking their order, typing in some numbers- you know the drill. After the customers died out to a minimum, Seungcheol came out from the kitchen to stand right next to me. "Hey", he started, I looked at him weirdly but went along with it, "hi?", we looked at each other and both ended up laughing. He was just too sweet, I knew what he was doing, he was trying to keep my mind from circulating any bad thoughts, I couldn't appreciate this man more. Cheol and I died down as a customer decided to order after that Seungcheol spoke out again, "About Cherri", I looked at him as he continued, "I don't want to think that, but it's been lingering my mind". I turned my whole body to face him, "what?", he sighed, "remember she told you about the money she finally got for that stupid contract with the bastard... I have a feeling she went to him, Jeonghan", my eyes widened a little, my heads been clouded so much I didn't even realize the other possibilities, maybe I just didn't want to even consider that part at all.

I sighed, panic written all over my face, but I tried calming myself down, "I really hope not... we can't just assume anything yet, let's just wait for the cops to get here", I knew Joo Min was crazy, it was just the thought that I didn't want to get through my head. "Fine, but I'm reporting him as a suspect", I looked at him again, "how about Chan? The shop?... what happens if- ", Cheol stopped me. His warm brown eyes mellowed me down, as my body found a serene place again, "I'm here now, I promise you that I won't let anything happen to Chan, to the shop, to you, okay?", I nodded reassuringly before he placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. I couldn't help but still feel stunned by this whole thing, I swear if Joo Min did do something to my mother, he's going to pay for it.

Once Mingyu, Taeyong, and Seungcheol helped rally all the left-over customers out the shop, we waited for the police to come our way. "Hey, Jeonghan hyung, I'll be right back. I just need to call Wonwoo hyung", Mingyu informed me as I nodded, I left the counter and sat on one of the seats. I just wanted them to get here already, Cherri's not appearing anywhere anytime soon and it was just bugging me like crazy, "Jeonghan, Johnny and Yuta called back and reported no sign of Cherri", Taeyong stood next to my seat as he told me the god-awful news. He saw the wavering hope in my eyes, giving me a pat on the back, I smiled at him nonetheless, "thanks Taeyong-ah", he nodded. Ten came out the kitchen with his phone in-hand, "Jihoon-ah called, they're on their way", Taeyong approached Ten as Seungcheol walked towards the doors. "Yeah, I can see them", Cheol stated, catching my attention. I got up from my seat and walked to Seungcheol, there was no doubt anyone could miss Woozi's bright colored pink hair. We welcomed the police officers that came, Woozi, and Hoshi who also tagged along. Woozi approached as he bombarded me with questions, "what happened? Are you sure Cherri's missing? How about you? Are you okay? - ", Woozi's uncle- Song Ki, placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Relax, that's what we're here for", Song Ki advised as the other officers chuckled. "Fine, fine", Woozi pouted as Hoshi pulled him away, "thanks for coming", I said as Song Ki gave me a small hug. The officers didn't bother sitting down, "do we have to sign anything now?", Seungcheol asked, "no need, actually", Song Ki replied, a hint of sorrow in his voice, now that worried me, Seungcheol noticed and held my hand. Another officer spoke out, "we found your mother in Jeju, um, were you aware that she was sick?", the officer questioned carefully.

I- no... no no... my eyes watered not able to answer his question, so Seungcheol answered for me, "yes we're aware... that she has lung cancer", Seungcheol's wavering voice made the tears fall out, "a bystander on Jeju found her passed out, when we found the hospital they took her in, they said she was dead two hours prior". I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, my heart dropped to my feet, I could feel Seungcheol's arms around me as I broke down crying, "I'm sorry, Jeonghan...", Song Ki sympathetically let out as he continued.

"One thing that we didn't quite understand was what she was doing in Jeju, we'll figure it out Jeonghan, I promise you."