STUDY BUDDIES. | hajeongwoo

29.

what was jeongwoo supposed to expect? that this reserved male right here, who's supposed to be someone he shouldn't hang out with due to the huge gap of their status, is already inviting him inside his apartment?

jeongwoo almost choked from his saliva after hearing the statement, but the fact that he was invited, either for the sole purpose of studying or not, he's still one step closer to knowing him even more better. and he couldn't even manage to stifle a smile due to that one fact.

without saying anything but only a nod as an response, jeongwoo agreed to his offer with a fast heartbeat.

it wouldn't calm down as it seems, his beating escalating the moment his gaze landed down towards the male.

"where's your car?" jeongwoo questioned, more to break the silence, as he looked around to look for it.

"oh, it's in that restaurant over there. let's buy food first," haruto offered once again, now taking a step forward to stroll towards the street with jeongwoo following behind.

he knew he's going to eat those expensive and lavish dishes in that certain restaurant he mentioned, figuring that he should probably treat him with the same amount of price for some time.

as they continued walking, jeongwoo was halted when haruto stopped at his tracks.

he seems to be talking to someone, seeing how his phone was right on his ear like being on a call. jeongwoo waited patiently of course, having no right to interrupt whatever business haruto has.

"what are you saying? there's no way i'd go there right now," haruto hissed, making jeongwoo look up at him in confusion.

it was the same feeling he felt when haruto called him yesterday, but this time, more personal as he was able to take a glimpse of his visible agitation face to face.

"and why the hell would i come when you won't even tell me? look—"

haruto paused to heave a heavy sigh, his other hand clenching into a fist as he closed his eyes to calm himself.

and the only thing jeongwoo could do was to look, and that was frustrating. seeing how the male was obviously agitated and uncomfortable made him have the urge to at least say something to calm him down.

but knowing that he probably had no right to meddle with anything regarding his business made hin hesitant to do so.

are we even friends in the first place?

haruto opened his eyes, sighing for the second time, but in visible defeat.

"fine, i'll go," he mumbled, reluctant to even say it in the first place before immediately ending the call.

looking at him afterwards, jeongwoo was quite taken aback when the same agitation and resentment that were overflowing on his whole appearance diminished.

"a-are you okay?" jeongwoo asked, making his voice as soft and soothing as he could knowing that maybe haruto needed someone to calm him down amidst of his mini-breakdown.

he never knew anything about his personal life unlike him whom he had an idea to. but never did he mention his family whenever they sre in a session, or when they would hang out as friends.

haruto knew something about him but he doesn't.

but when jeongwoo throwed a typical question to check out on him, he swore he saw how his typical cold gaze melted and became a softer one when it landed on him.

and oh, no one could ever able to picture the happiness he felt when it was followed by a small smile to assure that he was alright.

and he was able to melt his cold demeanor, little by little.

"i'm sorry, something came up. can you come with me to the company for a while? i have to drop by there," haruto asked, shyly as he scratched his nape.

thinking that he is probably bothering him way too much to even bring him to the company. that is a bad idea, but leaving him behind due to his own reasons would probably make him feel rueful.

but jeongwoo never mind. although anxious to take a step inside his family's company, or will probably become his in the future, it still won't be bad to take a look inside and see how haruto could manage.

even if this was the only way to know him better, it's not bad rather than him being this discreet from him at all.

"sure, it's alright," jeongwoo flashed him a smile.

and so going to the restaurant to buy a few foods they could consume later on, they went on inside the car and made their way towards the company.

stopping the engine, jeongwoo took a peek on the window to see what's going on outside only to see a tall, grandiose-looking building looming right in front of him.

unfastening both of their seatbelts, the brown-haired male immediately pushed the door open and take a step outside to take a better look of the said company.

"what..." jeongwoo's jaw dropped as he look a much more decent peek at the outside of the company.

it was quite tall unlike the other buildings that surrounded the area, the sun's light glistened as it's reflection were visible from the transparent glasses of the building.

and the more he stood in front, it becomes more taller like an illusion, the majestic building looming in front of him for a longer period of time.

and this intimidated him, so much that he almost wanted to tell haruto that he would rather stay outside instead of entering a pool of noble-like people, even the employers, seemingly finding out that a person like him shouldn't come inside that kind of place in the first place.

"i-i'll stay here, haruto. i'll wait here," jeongwoo chuckled awkwardly, easing the nervousness and uneasiness he's been feeling ever since he stood right in front of the intimidating building.

it hurted his pride for a little, knowing that a commoner like him is no match to a person who's high enough to make everything turn into their favor.

haruto looked at him in confusion, wondering why the male was suddenly acting awkward before realizing the reason afterwards.

jeongwoo looked up after feeling a certain warmth wrapped on his left hand, before seeing that haruto was already entertwining his hand with his.

"don't be scared, i'm here. it's just for a moment," the male assured, his voice appearing more of a soft whisper that continued to play with his ears, flashing an assuring smile to tell him that everything would be fine.

and suddenly, all the fears and anxious thoughts that jeongwoo once had was replaced with security, protection, and guidance from the male who's holding his hand right now.

haruto was the one who initiated to hold his hand, ever so tightly, as if he never really wanted to let go.

"let's go, jeongwoo."