What if...? || Markhyuck

-46-

[january 2021]

[minhyung]

The daughters of the influential mafias are really picky and indecisive women. Claudia Esposito has been choosing nail polish for so long that in that time I would have been able to produce my own shade and enter the market with new eyeshadow palette. I felt that the very fact that we shared space together for such a long time seemed to slowly become suspicious. So I tactically pulled out phone to make the call.

"Snow lover speaking. How can I help you?" I heard Hyuck's joyful voice and smiled. Ted was right about one thing. Donghyuck really was the sun.

"Would you like to spend lazy afternoon in my company, snow lover?" I asked, trying to be spontaneous when looking across perfumes. But my heart was fluttering nervously and it wasn't because of Claudia.

"Mr. Lee, is this a date?" he asked in amazement and I began to think hard about it.

"Dating can be done at home?" I was surprised, not knowing if he was teasing me right now or if he was serious. "It counts, right?" made sure when boy started laughing, muttering that he has such cute boyfriend. I rolled eyes.

"Of course it can," Hyuck assured patiently and calmly, as if talking to a tiny child. "A date is when you call it a date and you'll provide the right atmosphere," he explained and I nodded in response as a sign that I understood, though the boy couldn't see it. However, I took all his advice very seriously. He had more experience in this field. After all, Donghyuck was a master of flirting and romanticism.

"Well then a date," I confirmed with relief that I finally managed to initiate something myself. Almost. The last time we went on a date was at the cinema. Then I completely freaked out and made a decision that I won't suggest Hyuck to do something together if that would make him laugh at me.

"Great, I'll come over," brunet said cheerfully. "But Hyungie?" muttered seductively into the phone. Little devil. Before my eyes I saw his provocative expression.

"What is it, snow maiden?" sighed heavily as I left the store. Claudia finally chose the polish and went to the checkout. According to the informant, her next step should be a parking lot and that's where I decided to wait for her.

"Are you aware that on dates lazy afternoon also extends to a romantic evening and a dirty night?" he asked flirtatiously, with mild amusement. He teased me as usual.

"What about a sweet morning?" I asked in a similar tone but guess it didn't work out because Hyuck burst out laughing.

"Sweet one is you," boy sighed heavily, probably shaking head regretfully. He always did that when I was trying to act tough with affairs of the heart that I still didn't know much about. "But I'm ordering a sweet morning in a romantic set..." lowered voice to a whisper unexpectedly but Steven's talking in the distance immediately explained why he did it.

"Lee, if you want to provide sex over the phone while you work, I want Marco's permission in writing from you to do so."

"Oh fuck you, asshole" Donghyuck replied suddenly with a laugh. "Gotta go, Hyungie. See you on a lazy afternoon,"  said goodbye quickly and hung up right away without even waiting for my reply.

I sighed heavily as pulled the hood of sweatshirt over head. I put on a black mask and gloves. Dating boyfriend was a fun activity. But around the corner was the sad reality that was the mafia and its dirty little things.

Claudia Esposito was just such a thing.

The dualism of our reality frightened me at times and made me question human nature. How plastic was it?