Accidental Rental

6th Meeting

Minhyun's phone made a noise indicating a request that had just popped in. The tall male picked up his phone, gazing at the details. He noticed the name and wondered if Naeun had once again ignored Baekho's words. Still, he couldn't just cancel the request because of that. This was his job. He just didn't like to see Baekho being upset over his money because he understood how it was like to not have money. He started driving again, having parked at the road side after getting a drink. He was a little confused since the address wasn't really a proper location. It was more of a random spot in the middle of pretty much nowhere. He was a little concerned that Naeun had snuck out and he hoped Baekho won't skin him alive for that. He gave himself a scenario in which if it does happen to be Naeun and not someone else who went by the name of Kang Dongho, he would talk her out of requesting for him anymore and send her home. Hopefully. 

That was why when he got down the car to look for Naeun, he wasn't expecting to stop at the bench where her brother was sitting on instead with his eyes closed and his breathing low. Phone on his lap with the screen still in the application. Minhyun hesitated and looked around, wondering if this was some kind of elaborate plan cooked up by someone for something to happen but he stood there awkwardly for a solid minute before he decided that there was no way he came to the wrong place or was looking at the wrong man. This was Kang Dongho alright. But... what?

Unable to think of a proper reasoning behind the current situation, he decided to walk up to the man instead. His cheeks were flushed which let Minhyun know that the other must either be drunk or he just got slapped, hopefully it was neither because they were both a hassle to deal with.

"Dongho?" Minhyun said at first but the other didn't respond. Okay, or maybe he's dead. Don't be stupid, Minhyun, he's still breathing. Minhyun gave him a shake and the other seemed to give a violent trash before he froze and looked up at Minhyun.

"You're here...," Baekho said softly and Minhyun nodded.

"You... called?"

"You're really here. You're here!" Baekho started sobbing instead and pulled Minhyun into an awkward hug since the tall male had to bend forward for the sitting male to put his arms around. Minhyun cleared his throat and patted Baekho's back.

"I'm here... I'm here, alright. Don't cry," Minhyun said, wondering why his presence had brought about such a reaction.

"I'm so lost," Baekho cried and held on tight. Minhyun squatted down instead so Baekho could actually hug him properly and so that his back wouldn't hurt if the other chose not to let go. He could smell the alcohol off the other and knew he was definitely drunk.

"I could bring you home," Minhyun offered although he knew that they were barely just another 10 minutes walk away from Baekho's apartment building.

"Stupid! I can go home by myself."

"Um..." Minhyun was speechless for once. He just continued patting Baekho on the back until he calmed down. He knew he shouldn't ask for details since it would be breaching private matters unless Baekho chose to tell him by himself but hearing and seeing Baekho cry like this made it difficult for him not to ask anything. "Is this... about Naeun?"

"It's not just her! It's everything.  Money, my parents, my job, you and her." Minhyun had not expected himself to be in the list at all. What did he do?

"Okay... so tell me about... me."

"You... You're so stupidly tall, freakishly handsome and... and blindingly annoying," Baekho mumbled. Minhyun wasn't sure if he was being insulted or complimented. "But... but you're not that bad of a guy... and I wish... I wish we could have been friends."

"We could be friends. This makes it our 6th time meeting now. Just 4 more times, right?"

"Stupid... we can't be friends. I don't have... the money to keep this up," Baekho said in barely a whisper. Minhyun had to strain his ears to actually catch the words that slipped out of his mouth. The shorter male was already falling asleep, his hold on Minhyun loosened up.

"Dongho?"

"Mm... call me Baekho."

"Baekho. I'll get you home. You're really drunk," Minhyun said while helping Baekho up to his feet. Baekho was slumping against him and barely using any energy to help get himself into the car but Minhyun managed to slide the shorter male into the car. He shut the door once he made sure Baekho's legs were inside properly and sighed. He got into the driver's seat and helped Baekho put on his seatbelt but before he could sit properly, the semi passed out man grabbed his sleeve. Just then, Minhyun couldn't help but notice the pink pouty lips that were really close to his.

"I don't want to go home," he whined. Minhyun snapped out from his thoughts, taking a deep breath and slid Baekho's hand away from his sleeve so he could move back into his seat.

"Where would you like to go then?" Minhyun asked.

"Anywhere... else... but home. Naeun doesn't want to talk to me... or see me at all."

Minhyun felt that if he hadn't known Naeun was his sister, maybe he would have felt jealous about the fact that he was talking about a girl that way. "I'll take you to the nearest hotel then."

Baekho fell silent and Minhyun turned to look at the other who seemed peacefully asleep. He started his car and drove around, trying to find a hotel at this time of the night. Just as one caught his attention, Baekho opened his eyes slightly.

"We can't be friends," he mumbled.

"What was that?" Minhyun asked, having not catch what he said in time.

"We can't.... be friends. Your job... It makes you lie. I don't know the real you. We can't be friends like that."