{김홍중}
"I'm tired of giving people what they want and doing things that please them. Why aren't I allowed to do what I want?"
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ATEEZ SERIES: PART 1
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c h a p t e r f o u r t e e n : s p e a k i n g u p
Walking into work the next day was the more nerve-racking than you opening your college acceptances. You felt a pit in your stomach the further you walked into the building. Upon stepping on the elevator up to your studio, you couldn't help but worry about if you were going to bump into Hongjoong at all. Especially after what had happened the previous day.
•••
Your eyes widened as you began to process what Seonghwa had just said. He saw you. He saw everything. Letting out a heavy cough, trying to swallow the remaining cake in your mouth, you slowly put your fork down, avoiding any eye contact with the man.
Seonghwa seemed to noticed as he a small chuckle, a charming smile painting its way onto his lips. "I can see that it has affected you a lot, but I'm just as surprised as you are." Crossing his long, slender legs over, he turned back to face you "Hongjoong isn't the type to do those kind of things, even when he's drunk"
Unsure of what to do, you simply drank your drink in silence. trying your best to avoid the conversation. Sadly, after many failed attempts, Seonghwa had you cornered. Letting out a deep sigh, you finally gathered the courage to speak.
"Listen, I am really sorry about what happened last night. I didn't even know he lived with another person. He just had a few extra drinks and starting spewing nonsense."
Intrigued by your statement, Seonghwa leaned in closer with a more serious look on his face. "Jina, I know we just met, but do you remember anything Joong said to you last night?" Knitting your eyebrows in confusion, you looked down at your fingers, forcing yourself to recall every single moment of your conversation with Hongjoong.
"He asked me not to break his heart. How he can't handle another heartbreak." Looking back at Seonghwa, you ask "What did he mean by that?" After hearing that, Seonghwa let out a shaky sigh before looking back at you. "Look, it isn't my place to tell his story, but long story short, Hongjoong was in a very long-term relationship that ended very badly. He wasn't the same. He was broken."
You could hear the pain in Seonghwa's voice as he began remember the details of what happened to his best friend. Seeing the agony in his eyes made your heart ache for not only him, but Hongjoong. You couldn't even begin to imagine what Hongjoong might had been through during that time. Thinking about it made you wish that you were there for him during that time to comfort him. To be his home.
Seonghwa glanced back at you and slowly began to collect himself. Clearing his throat, he said "Jina, I can tell that Hongjoong cares about you, even if he won't admit it. But I need you to promise me something."
Nodding almost immediately, Seonghwa continued. "I need you to promise me that you will never hurt Hongjoong. I know you're a nice girl, but Joong is like a brother to me. If you break him, I will never forgive you."
The last part was said in a riled whisper, but you understood quickly how much trust Seonghwa was putting into you. And that just made you all the more scared.
•••
The elevator stopped at the floor of your studio as you exited it. Unlocking the door, you placed your bag on the small leather couch near your desk as you sat down, preparing to write some new songs. Putting on your large, sound-cancelling headphones, you threw yourself into your work.
You didn't know how many hours had passed as you were glued to your chair the entire time, until you noticed a notification pop up on the corner of your computer screen. Clicking it open, you scanned through the message sent to you by Minsung notifying you of a last-minute meeting with Siwon. With Hongjoong.
Your eyes seemed to only be stuck to his name. It took a while but you eventually pulled yourself away from your desk. After quickly freshening up, you headed out of your studio and took the first elevator to Siwon's office.
After exiting onto the top floor, you walked down the long corridor and through the glass doors of his office, you could see Siwon sitting behind his desk with Minsung by his side and right in front of them with his silver hair in a disheveled state was Kim Hongjoong. You let out a small breath to calm your nerves as you entered the office.
Siwon noticed your presence first, applauding in a dramatic way for your arrival. "There she is! The second half of our best selling song! I should have never doubted the two of you." Thanking Siwon with a soft smile, you noticed Hongjoong glancing at you from your peripheral vision. Taking a quick glance at him, you noticed how unfazed he was by your appearance.
'Does he not remember a thing from last night?'
You were quickly interrupted from your thoughts to Siwon showing the two of you a poster advertising a party. "Due to Aurora's immense success in the last two months, we will be hosting a party this tomorrow night so the press can meet the creators of the top charting song in South Korea! So?"
Looking at the poster properly, you glanced up to see Minsung giving you an encouraging look. With a bright smile, you nodded and Siwon's eyes lit up. All heads turned towards the only remaining person. Hongjoong looked at the poster before lifting up his head to see your face. Locking eye for only mere seconds, Hongjoong turned back and nodded his head, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. "As long as I don't get drunk. I am not repeating yesterday's mistake."
Upon hearing that, you felt a pang to your chest. You were confused as to which part of the night was a mistake; him getting black out drunk or him kissing you.
After filling you in on the details, Siwon let the two of you go as you and Hongjoong walked towards the elevators, an awkward silence filling the air. Pressing the button, you waited patiently for the next elevator to come as Hongjoong decided to break the silence.
"Thank you for taking me home last night." Taking in a deep breath, he turned to face you. "I also want to apologize for my behaviour. I know I was supposed to be more professional and I wasn't." You softly smiled as you glanced at him. "It's fine. It happens to all of us."
Hongjoong returned the smile as the elevator doors opened. The two of you pressed your respective floors and waited for the doors to closed until foot lodged its way in between. You looked up to see Minsung, a bright smile on his face as he entered the elevator.
Standing on your side, with Hongjoong on your opposite, Minsung looked towards you. "I'm looking forward to the party tomorrow. We haven't had one in over a year."
Letting out a small laugh, you playfully nudged the taller male. "I didn't peg you to be a party boy Minsung." Laughing along, Minsung shook his head as he flicked his wrist up to check the time on his watch. "Hey, it's time to clock off. You want to go grab dinner?"
Before you could say anything. Hongjoong's voice erupted though the metal box. "Sorry, she's has plans with me tonight." A soft smile painted it's way onto Hongjoong's lips that made your heart flutter.
