At the Crossroads

Chapter 14

Jinyoung moved sneakily around the room of Kim Shiwoo, while pricking up his ears for any footsteps in the hallway. He had seen Kim Shiwoo in the restaurant downstairs for breakfast and that meant he did not have much time before Kim Shiwoo was back here.

His heart was beating as he placed the old voice recorder in the previous groove above the window. For a moment, he imagined what would have happened if he had been caught red-handed. Surely, he would have had to come up with excuses whether they made sense or not.

Once done, he moved the chair back to the table and immediately, got down to cleaning the room. He had no idea of what Kim Shiwoo was doing downstairs. Or maybe, he was still having his breakfast. But even after Jinyoung had finished his task and left the room, Kim Shiwoo was not back yet.

Jinyoung had to spend the rest of the morning in the other assigned rooms. He was back downstairs just before the lunch break. He was starving when he met Youngjae and BamBam in the staff room for lunch.

Youngjae and BamBam did not bring up the topic of the murder and seemingly, it had already got out of their heads. They were more interested in their daily problems. And of course, in what they called Jinyoung's romance with Mr. Tuan.

"So Jinyoung hyung hasn't met him today," BamBam said, "He would come search for hyung here or find ways to meet hyung. Wanna bet?"

"I'll lose. I expect the room service phone to ring at any moment and it would be Mr. Tuan. Or he would be at the counter at any moment."

"Can't you have any conversation without mentioning him for once? Do you think I like hearing that?" Jinyoung said sharply, which did not seem to have much effect on Youngjae and BamBam. They continued talking as if Jinyoung had not been there with them.

"Jinyoung, one latte and dessert to 9/11." That was what they heard once they were out of the room. Jinyoung ignored the teasing whispers from the other two and tried to put on an indifferent face.

"What dessert?"

"He didn't say what exactly," Jimin said. "Maybe, some cakes and cookies would do."

"He won't mind whatever you bring to him, hyung," BamBam said and had a mischievous smile on his face when Jinyoung sent a warning glare his way.

"These kids!"

Jinyoung made his way to the cafe and got a number of cream cakes and mini apple pies for dessert and the coffee. Afterwards, he was on his way to Mark's room. His steps became notably slow once the room came into view.

He gave a light knock and opened the door, not waiting for any response. The TV was on and Mark was on the couch opposite it, watching what seemed to be a game show, with almost no sound.

Jinyoung approached, keeping himself alert, and put everything on the tray, on the table. He kept his composure even though he knew Mark's eyes were on him and following his every move.

"Two days." With those words, Mark's hand was also around Jinyoung's waist and pulled him down onto the couch.

"Didn't you miss me?" Mark trapped Jinyoung between the arm of the couch and his body, while his hand around Jinyoung's waist made sure Jinyoung could not get up. The tip of his nose was nuzzling against Jinyoung's cheek.

"Not at all." Jinyoung did not struggle much, knowing very well that his attempt to escape would be just in vain. Yet his hand on Mark's chest was trying to create some space between their faces.

"How do I know if you're lying or not?" Mark's hand sneaked under Jinyoung's shirt but was removed right away. "You can't even look at my eyes while saying that."

Jinyoung drew a deep breath and turned to look at Mark. But just as he opened his mouth, Mark used that chance to force a kiss on him.

"I didn't miss you!" Jinyoung practically jumped off the couch but Mark pulled him back down. "Why do you keep harassing me?"

"Because it's fun," Mark said, his hand creeping up Jinyoung's stomach under the shirt again. Jinyoung pulled it away.

"You resisting me like this just provokes me more." Mark reached for an apple pie and brought it to Jinyoung's mouth. "Eat."

Jinyoung was about to refuse but Mark forced the pie between the parted lips. He grimaced at the uninvited solid piece of sweetness. Mark did not let him finish the whole pie and put what was left into his own mouth.

"That's what happens when you don't let me kiss you," Mark said, with a sly glint evident in his eyes. "Was it good? I mean the pie."

"Terrible." Jinyoung had almost choked. He wiped off the powder on his lips when he saw Mark's eyes landing on them.

Mark finally turned to the ignored TV while his hand was tightening around Jinyoung. "Stay still."

Jinyoung would have obeyed if not for Mark's hand edging under his shirt again. For the third time, he took that hand out.

Before Mark could say anything, to Jinyoung's relief the door opened and in the doorway stood Kim Shiwoo.

"Oh, I thought you were alone. Having fun, huh? Should I come back later?"

Jinyoung hated to see Kim Shiwoo's eyes which regarded him as Mark's plaything.

"Come in, hyung. We don't mind."

"I do mind," Jinyoung gritted his teeth and got up. Mark laughed but did not stop him. Jinyoung left the room at once.