aurora: in full bloom | hongjoong - ateez [hiatus]

⇢ ch. 8

When you arrive at work with your belongings, you find Seonghwa standing outside the door of your office.

"Good morning," he greets you with his angelic smile.

You still don't get how you ended up with such a beautiful human being, inside and out. You don't understand how you, a regular person, ended up living the life you currently are living.

He takes your face between his hands, leans down, and kisses you gently on your lips.

"I'll miss you," he whispers.

"I'll miss you too," you reply.

But for some reason, you don't believe a word you say. The words taste foreign in your mouth. You feel obligated to say those words because you're dating him.

Maybe being away will help your relationship with Seonghwa.

"I should find Hongjoong."

"I'll see you soon," Seonghwa gives you one last peck and smile before heading off.

You knock on the door of his office. A few seconds pass before the door opens up.

"Thank you for coming in such a short notice. It means a lot. Our flight is in two hours, so let's get going."

One of his assistants drives you two to the airport.

The air is unnerving, as you don't know what to say and Hongjoong is both nervous and stressed. He's stressed about work, but nervous to be around you.

He bites his lip and looks out the window the whole time. He wants to grab your hand to comfort him.

You stare out the window as well, watching the city go by.

↞—↠

After all of the important meetings that went on over the course of 5 days, you and Hongjoong were spent.

Both of you were exhausted from the long days.

"Tomorrow, [Y/N]...do you want to go explore LA?" Hongjoong hesitantly asks you.

You look at him, nodding. You're surprised he seemed hesitant in the first place.

He's unsure if you're dating Seonghwa, so he doesn't want to appear like he's asking you on a date.

All you have are each other anyway, so he doesn't want to spend the next day alone in a foreign place. He assumes you don't want to either, and he is correct.

"Okay, well see you tomorrow morning in the lobby at ten?" He asks.

"Yeah, sure," you give Hongjoong a small smile.

He walks you to your room, which is right next to his. He does this as a polite gesture, as he doesn't want to leave you by yourself.

You wave and smile at him before entering your room.

↞—↠

The next morning, you dress in an outfit that is not something you would typically wear to work.

You're happy that you decided to pack some clothes that weren't work related.

You spot Hongjoong in a blue button down and white jeans. A way more casual look to him than you're used to, but you find his look to be attractive.

It hasn't helped that you've spent the last week with him. You couldn't help but glance at him from time to time, where you would bite your lip so you wouldn't smile.

You also find it to be interesting that you're falling for your boss. You honestly can't help it.

But it makes you feel guilty. You think about Seonghwa. You haven't spoken to him much, partly due to time zone differences.