𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐍

𝐗𝐈

jaemin's nerves finally ceased thanks to lucas. he had told the younger that renjun's book was ready to fully be released out into the world. he was completely ecstatic and excited to tell renjun when suddenly he heard a few familiar voices. what caught his attention was the mention of renjun's name.

"i'm listening," johnny said, folding his arms.

"renjun slept with mr. na the other day and now suddenly he's getting his book released? we've been here longer than him and we actually work hard to be here." doyoung ranted. jaemin inhaled sharply, trying to calm himself down before he went over there and did something he would regret. though that didn't mean he wasn't going to go over there at all.

"oh really? don't worry, you know that's completely against our policies here." johnny replied firmly. both yuta and doyoung nodding in agreement. anything to get renjun's book taken away.

"i don't think you know everything, mr. kim" jaemin strides into the room, his hands in his pockets as he glared at the two men before him.

"it's too late. your little secret is out." doyoung said trying to get to jaemin's head, but the younger just kept an annoyed, almost bored, expression on his face.

"it's no secret, mr. kim. most people here already know i take renjun home when we both work late shifts. now before you start spreading false rumors like an immature high schooler, make sure your information is correct," doyoung's mouth opened to reply but jaemin wasn't done, "you aren't as innocent as you make yourself out to be. bribing our publishers to get not one, but three of your books published in a day."

jaemin smirked as he watched how doyoung panicked, glancing over at johnny who was just processing all the newly heard information. yuta stepped back away from doyoung, not wanting to be part of the drama that he started any longer.

"mr. na," doyoung cleared his throat awkwardly, "i don't know what you're talking about. let's just put all this behind us, yeah?" he begged, putting on a smile to mask his growing anxiety.

"oh of course, mr. kim. we'll put this behind us right after we clear everything up to our boss here. mr. seo deserves an explanation, don't you think?" jaemin cocked his head to the side in a playful manner. he was enjoying this way too much.

stepping closer to the older male, jaemin leaned towards doyoung's ear as he whispered, "don't try to lie anymore, mr. kim. sicheng told me all about your attempt." and with that, jaemin bowed giving johnny a smile before leaving. yuta quickly followed, running back to his office.

—

today was the day renjun was going to release his book and expecting to feel completely excited, renjun felt like he had been hit by a car. it felt like a dream. his emotions were everywhere, overwhelming and consuming him all at once. it was making him feel sick and dizzy. it took him a while to even get out of bed.

as soon as he planted his feet on the cold tile, he ran to the bathroom. when renjun got there, he fell in front of the toilet spilling all of his anxiety. he sat there for a while, cold sweat on his forehead as he tried to steady breathing. he knew he was late but he didn't care.

finally getting back up, renjun brushed his teeth before getting back into bed. whether johnny liked it or not, renjun just couldn't go to work like this. not with these nerves and definitely not with his sickness. when he reached over to his telephone on the table beside him, it already had rung.

"hello?" renjun answered,

"renjun! are you alright? where are you? are you coming in?" haechan would never hesitate to tease renjun, but when he was worried about the older, he went all out.

"yes, haechanie. i'm alright. i'm staying home today since i'm not feeling well." renjun heard haechan hum.

"okay, please don't do anything stupid." haechan said before hanging up. renjun smiled as he put the phone back onto the hook.

—

"i'm sorry for causing you and renjun so much trouble. of course i expected some people here to be jealous and try to ruin his opportunity, but it was hard not to believe doyoung when i see some suspicious things myself." jaemin nodded slowly as he watched johnny try to get his thoughts together.

"i trust you, jaemin. both of you. i know you wouldn't just give something to renjun just because of you're friendship. but i also trust that you would tell me the truth if something did happen." johnny raised his eyebrow. jaemin just shook his head and johnny sighed in return.

"well, i wanted to surprise renjun. not only with his book release, but i wanted to throw a party here at the office. it's such a big deal to release a book, plus renjun deserves it after the pressure i've been putting on his back. considering him not coming in today, we only have today to prepare."

jaemin smiled widely at the idea, "i'll get started immediately, sir. but why isn't he coming in today?" he asked. johnny gave him yet another one of his suspicious glares before answering.

"donghyuck told me he was sick," jaemin tilted his head, "haechan." johnny clarified.

"now help me start planning." jaemin and johnny finally agreed on something as they left his office together.