𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐍

𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈

jungwoo didn't have to think about anything except for his sweet revenge. he and ten had never really been on good terms since he first joined the company. the younger had been interested in johnny too, which didn't go too well, but once lucas caught his eye he was all in.

"come in," a voice said after jungwoo knocked on the door, "mr. kim? how can i help you?" their boss asked, pushing his specs farther up his nose bridge. and of course, jungwoo was happy to tell mr. qian all that he had seen. his angered expression excited him.

-present day-

"so what happened?" ten sighed loudly, running his fingers through his hair.

"stop interrupting and maybe you'll find out." ten replied before continuing, "johnny was being promoted to replace mr. qian as the boss of this department while he would be working at another, for this same company. mr. qian couldn't stop what was already decided so he told johnny that if they're anymore problems here because of relationships, we're forced to shut down."

renjun's eyes were wide and full of wonder. hearing ten's story, he realized it was pretty similar to his own. "so that's why johnny was so against my relationship?" ten nodded slowly, "why did jungwoo quit? and how come you still got to be with johnny?"

"like i said we can't have a bunch of relationships here, so jungwoo quit so he could be with his boyfriend who still works here. we begged the company to let johnny and i stay together and johnny promised he wouldn't give me any special treatment or let love get in the way of our careers." it all made sense now. renjun was finally able to understand why johnny was getting so worked up over his relationship with jaemin.

"thank you for trusting me enough to share this with me, ten." ten smiled saying it was no problem, but renjun still had more questions being the curious cat he was, "what made you wanna tell me?"

"because i trust you for one, but i also want to tell you that their is still hope between you and jaemin. it took years before johnny was able to be promoted since the company knew he was going to be in a relationship me. so in due time, things will hopefully work out."

renjun appreciated the hope and advice but he highly doubted that would happen. he didn't even like hearing the younger's name let alone getting back to their relationship? renjun just couldn't bring himself to do that. not when he knows jaemin's lips had been kissed by someone who had hurt him the most.

"of course that's up to you. communication is key, though," ten stood and went for the door, "so if you really love him, don't shut him out completely. just listen." and with that, ten left to go on his break.

the younger didn't know what to make of the situation but he did know his story couldn't be as perfect as ten's. i mean, jungwoo lost his job! ten and johnny nearly lost theirs but they were lucky johnny was already being promoted. it was all because of their positions.

renjun definitely didn't want to be with jaemin at all after everything, so he definitely wouldn't want to sacrifice his job for the younger. not when he felt as if he couldn't trust him.

—

jaemin sat in the meeting room lost in thought, johnny's voice being muffled out. last time he checked, they were discussing renjun's interview that was postponed. that's when jaemin got into his head. he couldn't help but feel responsible for renjun postponing his interview.

"jaemin, please focus." johnny buried his hands in his hair in frustration, "this is the third time today."

"fourth...but who's counting?" mark added awkwardly, not helping the situation at all. jaemin apologized frantically but johnny just knew it was going to happen again.

"we'll finish this conversation another time. you guys can leave but i wanna talk to you." johnny dismissed the rest while jaemin stayed. he had no idea what he wanted to talk to him about, but he wasn't worried about it one bit.

"what happened?" johnny sighed, taking a seat next to the younger. he looked as if he was a therapist ready to hear every concern that jaemin had. and he was.

"haven't you heard already?"

"of course i did. but i don't think you've gotten a chance to tell your side of the story, have you?" jaemin shook his head. maybe that's why he was so stressed. johnny waved his hand towards the older, signaling for him to start venting. he just knew this was gonna be a long ride.

"don't worry it's not much," jaemin assured after studying the older male's face, "as you know, jeno had scheduled a meeting with me earlier that week. after editing his drafts, i offered him some books that help with writers block when he suddenly kissed me."

"just like that?"

"just like that." the younger recalled the events of that dreadful day. it seemed that jeno had this planned all a long. he probably knew renjun was just on his way up to catch the scene.

"did he say anything before that seemed suspicious?" johnny leaned forward, reminding jaemin of a detective as he did so.

"well i asked for renjun and he said he would be there any minute. before i could say anything else he kissed me! it was clearly planned by jeno but renjun doesn't want to see me because of it." jaemin threw his arms in the air in defeat. how could he clear things up with the older if he couldn't even want to see him in the first place?

johnny just sighed as he messaged his temples. he had looked as stressed out as both renjun and jaemin combined. "i guess you just need to continue to let him be. let him come to you first and then you can pour your hearts out or whatever." jaemin chuckled, he just knew that wouldn't happen, but johnny's attempt at giving love advice was amusing.

"thank you, mr. seo. i know you didn't really want us to date in the first place, but thank you for the support. why were you so deeply against it anyways?"

"that hasn't changed, jaemin. but i can't stop you two from loving each other. it's not right, and it's just a terrible thing to experience." johnny said as he led the younger out, "i already tried to forbid it in the beginning...i'm definitely in trouble." he mumbled.