𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐍

𝐕

jaemin hadn't seen renjun that whole week after monday morning, when he brought the male to work. it was almost like cinderella except he hadn't left anything behind. jaemin found himself snooping around the floors more often now that renjun wasn't anywhere to be seen.

he stopped after he figured it was probably best this way. he was his editor after all. besides, he would end up seeing the other male in a few weeks since he worked on their floor next friday. him and his partner, mark. jaemin would just have to wait for friday.

while renjun worked on the fourth floor, jaemin worked on the eighth. him and the all the other manuscript editors. they were currently having a meeting about what they've read from some of the upcoming authors.

"jaemin, i heard you've been working with renjun?" lucas asked.

"yes, i have. i met with him last friday and he came to me with a half written story." jaemin said. of course only half of that was true.

"and how was it?"

"it was amazing. like i told you earlier he is really talented. i want to help him publish his story. last time i checked, he's been working on it for weeks now." everyone looked at each other, nodding.

"when he finishes the story and you edit it, that's going to be a while until he comes to you with the final copy," lucas said, "but when he does, i would be happy to help him publish it." jaemin smiled widely at that.

"it's settled then. now who will be going to the fourth floor to read their drafts tomorrow?" mark asked.

johnny, who led all the meetings, looked around the small group until his eyes landed on another one of their publishers. sicheng.

"sicheng? do you want to go to the fourth floor tomorrow?" johnny asked.

"sure..i don't mind." he said softly. everyone's gaze softened as they looked at sicheng with admiration.

"okay, so jaemin and sicheng are working tomorrow. mark and lucas, you two are off. you can all go home." johnny dismissed. the four boys stood, bowing and bidding their goodbyes before leaving.

—

friday came fast for renjun. not that he was complaining. the week went by well despite starting off on the wrong foot on monday. he was getting through each of the chapters of his story so smoothly, he couldn't help but he proud of himself. he could use a break after working so hard. he even stayed up at night to finish writing because he was so eager.

renjun walked in to his usual office. he was early again so he didn't expect jeno to be there. "good morning, renjun." jeno smiled, his eyes disappearing.

"good morning! you're here early." renjun sat down.

"yeah, i figured i needed that extra push so i can get some work done. all i have is time." jeno said and renjun agreed. the two began typing and writing away quietly as time slowly passed. suddenly the door was slammed open, startling both of them,

"shit, i'm sorry guys," haechan said running in, "damn i'm so late!" he groaned. his light brown hair was sticking out in all different directions and his buttons weren't all closed.

before any of them could reply to the younger, johnny walked in. his face full of concern, "what the hell happened in here?"

haechan bowed quickly as he buttoned up his shirt, "good morning, sir. i'm sorry i'm late. and for making all that noise." he said.

johnny stared at the tanned boy before he sighed, "renjun, jeno, you two have meetings with the editors," the two boy and stood, "jeno, you'll go to mr. dong's office and you'll go to mr.na's office. eighth floor." johnny explained before leaving.

jeno and renjun made their way to the eighth floor and went to their assigned places. renjun knocked, taking a deep breath before the door opened revealing jaemin who looked more serious than he remembered.

"good morning, mr.na." renjun bowed. jaemin raised his eyebrow in confusion. before he let the older inside his office, he looked around to see if he was acting strange because someone was near. but there was no one else there.

renjun sat down across from jaemin and handed him his story, "i've gotten a lot done, sir. i should be wrapping it up pretty soon." he said.

jaemin slowly took the papers out of his hands before skimming through the stack. "what's bothering you, handsome?" jaemin asked, his eyes not leaving the papers in his hands. renjun bit his lip nervously, his face turning beet red.

"nothing...nothing's bothering me, sir. i'm perfectly fine. now about my work," renjun gulped, "what do you think?"

jaemin placed the papers down. he wanted to continue to question renjun since he made it clear that something happened, but he knew how much this meant to him. that was what was important right now. besides, he wasn't his therapist.

"it's getting even better than before," jaemin smiled to ease the tension, "it'll surely hook your readers into the plot. and toy with their emotions a little too."

"thank you, sir." renjun bit back his smile.

"i talked to my colleagues earlier. about you and your story," renjun's eyes widened, "our publisher is willing to work with you as well, so that you can really show the world your talent."

"did you really?" renjun's eyes lit up like a child on christmas. jaemin nodded, his smile not leaving his face as he scanned the other.

"thank you so much! i— i don't know what to say...i'll work harder, sir. i promise." renjun blabbered.

"excellent. now answer me this," jaemin started, "what happened?"

renjun couldn't help but wonder how jaemin knew something was wrong. was it because he avoided him? or was he just reading him like an open book? whatever the reason was, renjun didn't care. he just couldn't tell jaemin what happened. it was too embarrassing.

"like i said before, sir, nothing—"

"renjun, i am your manager now. i told you before to drop the honorifics, i don't care what anyone else says. now answer my question." jaemin interrupted, his voice was deep, stern, and...sexy—

renjun squeezed his eyes shut, slapping his cheek slightly as he tried to shake of the thought about his manager's voice.

"right, um...my colleagues heard about the event in sunday and one of them started some dumb rumor," renjun looked up at the younger only to find him staring right back at him. renjun quickly averted his gaze, "uh..mr.seo heard and assured me that everything was fine but..." his voice trailed.

"what did he say to you?"

"he told me to stay away from you. for the sake of our company. our image."