Work Text:
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"Fucking Lee Fucking Haechan and his stupid fucking smile. I will rip it off his stupid face." Jaemin grumbles under his breath, typing away on his keyboard harshly.
"Anyone who hears you would think you're in love with him or something."
"Shut up, Yangyang. Never in a million years would I ever like him. And to lo–" Jaemin makes a gagging sound, unable to even stand the thought.
"What did he do now?" Yangyang asks, leaning in from his own cubicle. "Besides pissing you off this early on a fine Friday morning."
Jaemin huffs as he recounts his short conversation with Haechan a few minutes ago. "You know how he's been prancing around the office after closing off that huge deal with Rosendairy Corp the other day?"
"Yeah, you called him a snake in a sly fox pretending to be a helpless little sheep while stringing every predator he could get his hands on. Though, I have to say, his presentation was top notch, perfect, flawless." Yangyang replies, honest to his bones and Jaemin seethes in anger even with the cute clueless grin Yangyang gives him.
"So, you're siding with the little bitch now?" Jaemin's right eye twitches, and that is never a good thing. "And why do you even remember exactly what I called him?"
"It's hard not to when those are the only words you say over and over again while drunk. I'm starting to think you got rejected. Is that why there's this–" Yangyang makes imaginary quotation marks, "–invisible attraction between the two of you?"
"The only attraction between us is my fist to his face. Now, shut up. What kind of friend are you to be siding with my enemy?"
"Technically, we're cubicle mates–" Yangyang watches in disinterest as Jaemin clutches his chest à la dramatic. "And Hyuckie is a good friend."
"In what way?" Jaemin demands. "Am I not a good friend? What does he have over me?"
"He buys me coffee–"
"I do too!"
"Well, he gives me snacks sometimes–"
"You can have my whole snack basket here!" Jaemin points to his precious stack of snacks he keeps in his drawer.
"He also gives me gifts–"
"And I don't?!"
Yangyang throws Jaemin a dirty look for cutting him off for the third time and Jaemin seems to get it, shrinking in his seat with a sulky pout.
Oh not that face again.
"You can leave me since you have a new best friend now. Go, leave me alone so I can wallow in sadness by myself."
"You're so dramatic. I'd believe it if you were the one who took theatre in college."
Jaemin is about to retort back with a sassy comeback when he catches a whiff of the familiar scent he absolutely loathes (only because of the owner himself). Haechan arrives with a graceful smile and completely disregards Jaemin's existence.
"Oh, who do we have here? If it isn't Liu Yangyang, my good friend who is looking rather dashing today. You look all dressed up. Is there something special for today? Perhaps, you have a date after work?"
What the fuck is this idiot on about? Yangyang hates dating–
"I'm surprised you could tell." Yangyang gives him a sheepish smile. "As a matter of fact, I do."
No one notices the sharp sound of Jaemin snapping his head towards Yangyang, a look of insane betrayal evident across his face. He mouths a silent traitor to Yangyang, who of course pays no attention as his sight is locked on Haechan, who weirdly has been staring for more than necessary.
Hm.
Is it just me or is something very off right now?
Feeling petty, Jaemin fakes a cough to break the two up and Yangyang returns to his seat where Jaemin can no longer see him. Lucky for Yangyang because he can't really hide the red on his cheeks and ears.
Finally, Haechan turns to Jaemin with an imaginary hair flip that makes Jaemin want to throw the monitor screen to his face.
"Oh, I didn't see you there, Jaemin. Must be the sad presence you have around you." You have to give it to Haechan to make Jaemin angry over a few words. Even the way his name is uttered makes goosebumps rise onto Jaemin's skin.
"Can't say the same for you when your cologne can be smelled a kilometre away with how much you sprayed on yourself. Your natural smell must be horrendous." Jaemin says with the sweetest looking smile he can muster.
Haechan only chuckles back, eyes smiling along. "Poor Jaeminnie. You must be very worried, aren't you? It's okay, you know?"
Mastering the poker face is a piece of cake for Jaemin, so he steps up his game with a smug smirk that he knows always does the trick in ticking Haechan off. Haechan doesn't let anything show to his face though, still keeping his business smile.
"Did you have a dead rat for breakfast? You seem to be worried for the wrong person here."
Out of nowhere, Haechan bursts into laughter as he holds onto the partition of Jaemin's cubicle, trying his best not to drop dead. Jaemin contemplates on hitting Haechan's fingers with his super thick file just to get them off of his space. Now, Jaemin needs to sanitise his whole area because of this one conversation.
"I feel sorry for you. It's true that not everyone can get a really nice date, not when one is so adamant in working his way up in life and getting older 'til the point his nonexistent charms also cease to exist." Haechan bites back his laughter and shakes his head in faux sympathy.
"Oh, I'm sorry I don't go around wagging my tail at anyone who wants to snatch me off my feet. Can't say the same for you, huh?"
Jaemin thinks he's got the upperhand when Haechan freezes for a second and Jaemin smiles inside. A win for me. But he celebrates it too fast because Haechan's reply next is something he never would have expected.
"Well, at least my tail caught a good catch and he's a pretty nice date. I don't know about you though. Can we expect you not to come alone for today's Valentine's day party?"
Ah, shit. It's my loss.
The dumbfounded expression on Jaemin's face lasts for a few seconds but Haechan is fast enough and he gives his best apologetic look. "Oh no, you don't have a date for tonight, do you?"
Fucking hell. How did I forget about this? The stupid Rosendairy Corp deal took too much of my attention.
"...Of course, I do."
Surprise dawns over both Haechan and Yangyang, who leans over Jaemin's cubicle in an instant with disbelief in his eyes.
"What? Do you think you're the only one with a nice date? We don't even know who that is. My date is going to leave you speechless." It takes years of shameless confidence to say that out loud but Haechan is as worse as Jaemin is, so there's no need to feel embarrassed. It isn't the time to.
Yangyang averts his eyes elsewhere while Haechan looks pleasantly delighted by Jaemin's positive response.
"Well, I'll look forward to your amazing date then."
With that, Haechan excuses himself to prepare the report on his Rosendairy deal which now leaves Jaemin in a daze, agonising over the repercussions of his own doing while Yangyang is squirming uncomfortably in his seat.
When the coast is clear (of Haechan), Yangyang smacks Jaemin in the arm. "What the fuck were you thinking? You can't have a date that is leaving anyone speechless when you don't even have one in the first place!"
"I'll… figure it out."
"Haechan is going to find out. You're the best liar but so is he and he can see through your lies."
Jaemin clears his throat. The conversation truly exhausted him and made him lose ten years of his lifespan. "Shut up, you traitor. You didn't even tell me you had a date! And I'm still mad over you being friendly with that snake. But since you're buddy buddy with him, try to find out who his date is."
"Jaemin, no." Yangyang frowns.
"Jaemin, why not?" Jaemin smiles.
"You know, 'why not' is the worst answer to anything, seriously."
↭
To succeed in his plan in outdoing Haechan, Jaemin decides to dine out for lunch and ditching Yangyang, his designated lunch friend, so he can figure out how to magically have someone that is not only just a date but the perfect date ever. He knows Yangyang will not disappoint him in trying to find out who Haechan's date is. So, all Jaemin needs to do is find his own.
The cafe restaurant across from their office is where Jaemin spends his break time. He's been here a few times before, with Yangyang mostly and never by himself. The place has a calming ambience to it even with the chattering of customers and whirring sounds of the coffee machine. However, the distracting decorations around the cafe itself are slightly pressuring Jaemin–it's pink and red and hearts everywhere! What's worse is, not only is he the only office worker there, he is also the only one sitting alone while the cafe is filled with lovers and couples.
It's hard not to feel left out even with his hard steel wall of confidence, so he aimlessly walks over to the counter with no purpose whatsoever. Anything to get him away from disgustingly-in-love people. The lines of sweet desserts look much more intriguing.
"What can I help you with, sir?"
"A date would be nice right now."
The reply leaves his lips before Jaemin could even think and he slaps a hand over his mouth in shame. He lifts his head from the delicacies to be fed with a whole snack in human form instead. All his decent brain cells also collectively decide to malfunction at the same moment.
Oh, but it gets worse.
The handsome employee who looks like he was sculpted after a Greek God, laughs. Actually, it was just a chuckle but Jaemin's mind is currently not working in its optimum state.
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't provide dating services here. Shall I offer you a date dessert or a drink instead?"
Oh, he also knows how to joke.
As if the employee's smile hadn't fluttered Jaemin's poor weak heart, then the amused eyes looking straight at Jaemin surely has.
It's unfair to put the whole blame on Jaemin when he is weak to pretty smiles and pretty eyes and pretty laughter and pretty hands. And this particular employee coincidentally has all of them in one. So, it is entirely inevitable that Jaemin blurts out the question without second thought.
"Are you single?"
The employee bites back a smile as he wipes his hands on his apron before resting his arms on the counter, leaning forward. Jaemin only notices now he has no name tag on his uniform. The employee then asks another question with a tone that Jaemin can only describe as flirtatious.
"Are you asking me out on a date, sir?"
Lord, save me. I don't think I can handle talking to such a beautiful specimen.
Jaemin's brain short circuits and he replies with the stupidest response he could ever come up with.
"I'll pay you!" Jaemin blurts, earning a flabbergasted look from the employee. "Like, um, I'll pay you handsomely if you help me by being my date for tonight."
Oh now you done did it, Na Jaemin. How stupid can you be?
Contrary to what Jaemin expected him to react–disgusted, weirded out or terribly angry, the employee breaks into a small smile, leaning forward even more.
"And why should I, Mr-pretty-who-is-desperate-for-a-date?"
Jaemin embarrassingly flushes red at the nickname as he isn't used to being called any sweet names, at least not in the past two years of being single. Honestly, he can be called 'trash' by this stranger and Jaemin would still blush as red, or worse. He doesn't want to address his hidden desire to be degraded at the moment.
"Because… you look like a struggling student who is in need of money…?"
Someone should smack Jaemin in the head with a rock and leave him to bleed to death because if he gets rejected right here right then, he doesn't think he can recover, ever.
Fortunately, the employee doesn't appear the least offended as his smile widens and his eyes crinkle into the prettiest smile Jaemin has ever seen. "Excuse me, kind sir, do you even know my name?"
Jaemin blushes even redder and his neck turns warm from feeling embarrassed. He squeaks out a reply through gritted teeth, "Is it Mr-handsome-who-agrees-to-be-my-date?"
A short pause follows. Jaemin shows off his pearly white teeth, wishing the ground to swallow him up.
"You're cute, you know that?" Jeno says in defeat.
"I've been told." Jaemin shrugs sheepishly.
The employee proceeds to take off his apron and put it aside. He turns to the woman at the cashier who Jaemin can only assume to be his superior, and gives her a gesture towards Jaemin to which Jaemin tenses up. She sends him a warm small smile and Jaemin smiles back then slowly averts his eyes to avoid making it more awkward.
"Well, Mr-pretty-who-asks-random-strangers
-to-fake-date-him, my name is Lee Jeno." Jeno suddenly grabs a plate and takes a slice of tiramisu. "And this is on the house."
"...Are you even allowed to do that? Won't it get cut off from your pay?" Jaemin asks, glancing worriedly at the cashier lady. She is busy tending to another customer as Jaemin tries his best to hide the plate of tiramisu from her sight with his body.
"It's alright," Jeno's smile is reassuring and Jaemin accepts the plate hesitantly. "I'll just starve for the night then." Jeno winks. Jaemin doesn't seem to get the joke judging from his dumbfoundedly guilty expression. "Wait, I was just kidding. That was a joke. I do have enough money to eat tonight."
Jaemin's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion while Jeno ushers him back to his seat earlier. "I thought you accepted my ridiculous request for fun but now, I'm starting to think you accepted because you really are broke."
The way Jeno only smiles back quietly has Jaemin biting his tongue, making him wonder if he offended the latter by bluntly calling him poor to his face.
"Anyway, you shouldn't be too trusting towards a stranger! How can you just say yes when someone comes up to you with a sketchy offer? Don't you know how dangerous it is nowadays?"
"You made the sketchy offer here, sir." Jeno points out. "I'm just accepting the kind sir's offer so that he doesn't go begging to another poor person."
Jaemin doesn't have anything to say to that because it is entirely true. He was, indeed, going to ask someone else if he did get rejected by Jeno and just go through the embarrassment for now because he was not going to admit that he lost to Haechan, out of all people.
"Please, take a seat. There is a lot to discuss and my break ends soon."
↭
"Jeno, please don't tell me you were bullying that poor child."
The lady at the cashier shakes her head at Jeno as he returns from the little meeting between him and Jaemin, who left minutes ago to rush back to his office. Jeno looks back with a terribly offended look.
"Noona! What do you think of me?" Jeno whines and carelessly wipes the counter. "You should know your lovely brother is the sweetest and nicest person you've ever met. Any other sane person would have scammed that man earlier."
"Any good person won't call themselves good, you know that." She rolls her eyes at Jeno but proceeds to approach him, grabbing onto his arm. "So, what did he want? Is he a friend from work? Or more than a friend?"
Jeno wiggles out of his sister's vice-like grip. How come a pregnant woman is that strong, Jeno wonders all the time. "He's a date, my dear sister. So, since there's that, you and Mom should lay off my back, isn't that right?"
"The f–" She halts, remembering her unborn child in her stomach. "Flowers. Are you sure you didn't blackmail him into dating you instead?"
Jeno gives his sister a stink eye. "Noona, if there was anyone blackmailing anyone, it would be him. But don't worry. I think he's a good man though. Plus, he doesn't seem to recognise me."
"He doesn't?" She gasps, eyes wide in surprise. "He doesn't know you? At all?"
To that, Jeno only chuckles. "He actually thinks I'm a student."
"Well, with how homeless you look when you don't clean up, I suppose I can see why." She says, squeezing Jeno's shoulder in an effort to comfort him from her mean words.
"Noona, I really hope my nephew has his father's personality. I wonder how hyung even deals with you when you're–Oww!?" Jeno earns himself a smack on the back while his sister playfully sticks out her tongue at him. "Meanie, much?"
"But seriously, I pity that poor date of yours for having to go out with you."
"I'm the best catch he can get. It's not my fault he doesn't know Lee Jeno."
"Ah, yes. Lee Jeno, a young CEO and the most sought out bachelor gracing the covers of business magazines, yeah, yeah, whatever. Who even reads that stuff?" She makes a face to which Jeno shrugs it off.
"Doesn't matter. What matters is that I've got a date tonight. Maybe I should doll myself up. Gotta look my best when I walk in there, don't I?"
"You better. No one wants to see their boss looking like a broke student."
↭
To: jeno cafe date
Hello, this is Jaemin. I would like to inform you of some important details you should remember if we were to run into any sudden questions. Please look at the attached.
x Jaemin's details.pdf
To: Mr Pretty
Well received, Jaemin.
though i'd like it if you dropped the honorifics
we're close in age, you know?
also that is one extensive list
To: jeno cafe date
this is business, mr lee jeno!!
and how close are we in age…? i assume you're in your early 20s
plus we should always be more than prepared for the unexpected
To: Mr Pretty
i'm older than you actually
and yes ofc you're right
let me send you my list then
x For Jaemin.pdf
To: jeno cafe date
Why would you name the document as that 🥲
and you're only four months older, that doesn't count
wait you have 3 cats?? that's SO CUTE
can i see them?? 🥺
To: Mr Pretty
x pic1.jpg
x pic2.jpg
they're indeed the cutest
you kind of remind me of them
To: jeno cafe date
that's cute
"Wow, I really lucked out on this one. How did I snatch such a great date? Ten years experience in business and corporations. Knows horseback riding, archery, golf, shooting, billiards. Masters chess. Majors in Economics and minors in Business Management. There's no end to this list. He's way out of my league."
Jaemin reads the list a few more times to ensure he got all the details right. "He has such a unique and pretty name though. Lee Jeno, Lee Jeno. Jeno."
"Who's that?" Donghyuck's sudden interruption catches Jaemin by surprise and he quickly closes the window on his desktop.
"No one!" Jaemin exclaims, folding his arms in pure confidence.
"Doesn't sound like no one. What was it? Juho? Jiho? Jigo?" Donghyuck guesses.
Sighing dramatically, Jaemin supposes it would be a bit more fun to leak some spoilers before the party later. "It's Jeno, and he's my date for tonight."
Donghyuck snorts and has that oh-so-smug condescending smirk on his face which Jaemin wants to punch off his face. "You mean that amazing date of yours, huh? Sure. I look forward to seeing this Jeno date of yours."
"Worry about yourself, won't you?"
"But you know, the name Jeno kind of rings a bell." Donghyuck trails off, tapping his chin in deep thought.
No way is his name common. Donghyuck could not possibly know him.
"Oh really?" Jaemin shrugs, feigning innocence.
"Yeah, I think our CEO is called Jeno too."
Yeah, right.
"Jeno is a common name, I guess. Don't be jealous of me though. My date got the better catch because he has me. I don't know about your date." Jaemin sneers with a fake smile.
Out of nowhere, Donghyuck is uncharacteristically shy as he glances the other way, specifically at Yangyang's empty cubicle. "I'd say that I am the lucky one when my date finally asked me out."
Jaemin narrows his eyes at Donghyuck suspiciously. "We'll see about that later."
↭
Jaemin promises Jeno to meet at the back entrance of the company building. Yangyang was of no help to him earlier and Jaemin still doesn't know who Donghyuck's date is. He supposes it wouldn't be much of a problem because unlike Donghyuck's unknown date, Jaemin has a hot one.
Not a minute later, a black sleek fancy car stops right in front of Jaemin. He stands there awkwardly when the car doesn't show any signs of moving. Why is there even someone driving an awfully nice car to the back of their company building? He doesn't even see anyone else around.
With slow steps, Jaemin knocks on the tinted window glass carefully. The window is lowered down and the person behind the wheel knocks the air out of Jaemin's lungs.
"J-Jeno?" Jaemin calls out hesitantly.
"Yes, my dear date."
"Did you steal this car?" is the first thing on the top of Jaemin's mind and he lets his intrusive thoughts win over his rational ones.
In response, Jeno makes the most attractive snort sound Jaemin has ever seen and heard. He steps out of the car and Jaemin can finally see his full outfit–handsomely clad in a suave navy blue tuxedo and hair neatly slicked back. Jaemin feels just the slightest embarrassed and underdressed because compared to Jeno going all out, Jaemin only changed into his go-to wedding attire–a white suit over a burgundy satin shirt and messed up hair due to the wind.
If Jaemin found broke student Jeno cute, the businessman look Jeno is sporting currently is gorgeous. If he had to be more honest, this look is giving his twisted mind an inappropriate type of feeling he shouldn't be feeling for someone who was sincerely helping him out.
"You look amazing." Jaemin says, still in awe as he takes in the sight for the tenth time in the last thirty seconds.
"Why, thank you. You look rather dashing yourself. Beautiful even," Jeno replies in a heartbeat, extending a hand towards Jaemin who accepts wearily–his eyes never leaving Jeno's alluring gaze.
Is it the suit? Yes, most probably it is.
Is it the hair? Yes, definitely.
Is it the car? Maybe, fancy cars have always been a guilty pleasure of his.
Even the way Jeno is treating him is making the little butterflies in Jaemin's stomach flutter about and he thought those were dead a long time ago. Jeno opens the passenger door for him, shielding Jaemin's head as he enters the car. This puny thoughtlessly thoughtful action has Jaemin's heart acting up, racing erratically in his chest. Next thing he knows Jeno is in his space.
"Your seatbelt," Jeno smiles, pulling on the seatbelt for Jaemin. Before Jaemin could defend his sanity and pride to put on his own seatbelt, his voice is caught in his throat when Jeno leans down. The heavenly cologne Jeno has on infiltrates Jaemin's sense of smell.
"You didn't have to–um, with the car and all. Just coming and looking like this would suffice. How much did you rent the car? I'll pay you back later, okay? Make sure to text me the information." Jaemin blabbers.
"Relax, Jaemin. It's nothing much." Jeno gives him a comforting smile. "We haven't even made our entrance yet."
"I know. I'm suddenly nervous." Jaemin leans back into his seat despite his whole body looking tense. Jeno starts to drive, heading towards the entrance of the company.
"Why?"
"I just found out you share the same name with my CEO. It's not something to worry about but it's a weird coincidence, don't you think so? It'd be pretty funny if people think I have the actual CEO as my date." Jaemin explains as he tilts his head towards Jeno, who has an unreadable look on his face.
"Definitely, huh?" Jeno replies shortly and whispers something under his breath Jaemin couldn't catch.
"Oh, right! Watch out for my coworker named Donghyuck. He's a menace. He's the most annoying person in the office and is always trying to show off to my face. It's like he has no life."
"It appears to me that you seem to like this Donghyuck though?"
Jaemin is so taken aback he chokes on a gasp. "That is not true. Nuh-uh."
"Is he the reason you wanted me to be your date tonight?"
Jaemin pauses for a few seconds. "Yes, but that is only because he would never leave me alone and will shove it in my face that I'm a lonely workaholic with no social life."
"I see. He's the type of person that motivates your competitiveness, am I right?"
Jeno's question has Jaemin questioning himself for a split second, and maybe Jeno is right in a way. An unhealthy type of competitive and definitely an unhealthy motivation but it is what it is, Jaemin supposes.
As Jaemin is about to divert the topic, Jeno's phone rings. "I'll get it for you," Jaemin reaches out for the phone in the middle but is left confused because there is no caller yet he can still hear the ringing.
"Sorry, wait, it's not that one. That's my business phone. It's my personal one that's ringing." Jeno says, his left hand reaching into his pocket. Yet, his phone somehow slips off his hand and falls onto the floor of the car. "Ah, shoot!"
"I'll get it for you! Just focus on the road." Jaemin utters, taking off his seatbelt and bending over Jeno's lap to reach for his phone. He wiggles his fingers around and just when he has a hold on the phone, Jeno hits a sudden bump. It makes Jaemin drop the phone but the biggest shock is the way Jeno has his hand on Jaemin's head, which is currently hovering over Jeno's lap.
It is pure coincidence and maybe slight curiosity that takes over Jaemin's conscience as his eyes glance over to the side, landing right on Jeno's crotch. In Jaemin's defence, it is right there. With pure adrenaline pumping in his veins, Jaemin attempts a quick stretch and successfully seizes Jeno's phone. He gets back into his seat with his whole face ablaze red down his neck, disappearing into his low shirt.
An awkward silence envelopes them even with the deafening sound of ringing from Jeno's phone. Damn you, whoever's calling.
"Uh…" Jeno clears his throat, stealing glances Jaemin's way. "Can you call back for me?"
"Oh, sure. Wait, what's your–"
"000423."
Well, okay. He trusts a half stranger like me with his password. That's crazy.
Jaemin keys in the password and calls back the recent number. He isn't sure what to do now that Jeno is still driving, so he hesitantly puts the phone to Jeno's ear and holds it there for him. Jeno mouths him a thank you.
"Hey, yeah? Why'd you call me, noona?"
Jaemin can hear faint screaming in the background and he sees Jeno's face scrunch in worry.
"What? Are you okay? Where are you now? Is hyung there already?" Jeno takes an emergency stop by the side of the road, gently taking his phone from Jaemin. "Which hospital are you in?" After getting the answer, Jeno hangs up the phone.
"Is everything okay?" is the only question Jaemin can come up with despite listening in to the worrying call.
"Um, yeah, no, not really. My sister's in labour right now and her husband is on his plane back, so she's kind of alone in the hospital. My mother could be there if their relationship isn't… complicated as it is now but um, I think I have to go and fetch her and see my sister."
Well, what did Jaemin really expect? That the world is pouring all the luck on him with the most perfect date?
"You should." Jaemin assures. "It's just a stupid Valentine's day party. Your sister and future nephew or niece is waiting for you. I'll get off here." He quickly gets out of the car.
Jeno bites down on his lower lip in guilt, knuckles turning white from the harsh grip on the steering wheel. He looks out the window at Jaemin with an apologetic look. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Hey, it's okay! Family is more important. So, go off before the baby is born." Jaemin pats Jeno on the shoulder lightly.
With a silent huff, Jeno doesn't look back once more and drives off to his sister's hospital, leaving Jaemin feeling a whirl of emotions. How did everything happen so fast?
This is my karma for talking big to Donghyuck.
↭
It has been two hours since Jaemin arrived at the party and two hours actively avoiding Donghyuck's eagle-like eye. His outfit may be eye-catching but he has Donghyuck's date to thank, whoever that is, for keeping him busy and occupied.
He hasn't heard from Jeno yet. It's not his place but it felt like they were hitting it off earlier. Call Jaemin dramatic but he felt the instant chemistry between them, besides the awkward mishap in the car. He can't help but feel antsy–if anything bad had happened to Jeno's sister or the baby, or worse, to Jeno when he rushed off.
Jaemin takes out his phone, pondering if he should text a simple Is everything okay? just to ease his own worry. He keeps on typing, deleting, and typing. What if he comes off as overboard, or as a nosey person?
Just as Jaemin gives up and shoves his phone back inside his suit, someone taps him on the shoulder. Jaemin turns around carelessly and accidentally knocks off a glass of red wine. The liquid sadly spills onto his white jacket.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you like this."
Turns out it is none other than Donghyuck, the bane of Jaemin's existence. He looks extremely sorry and that soothes Jaemin's anger. He doesn't even feel like berating or putting out an insult at the moment. Donghyuck passes him napkins to wipe the wine off but it just makes it worse.
"It's okay," Jaemin takes off his jacket and folds it over his arm. "It's just wine."
"Have you been here the whole time? No wonder I didn't see you."
"Yeah, kind of."
Sensing the weird atmosphere surrounding Jaemin, Donghyuck exclaims out loud. "Right! I haven't introduced my date for tonight. He's just right there." Donghyuck waves his arm around, calling for whoever his date is and Jaemin can barely care if the latter only wants to brag to him. "Jaemin, meet my date."
Jaemin plasters his customer service smile before facing Donghyuck's date, wanting to at least appear proper. The smile fades into a horrified frown as he registers the person in front of him.
"Hi, Jaemin."
"You–" Jaemin catches himself raising his voice, so he hisses in a whisper. "You fucking traitor!"
"Don't blame my Yangyang. He tried his best to hide from you, isn't that right, darling?" Donghyuck links arms with Yangyang and the sight looks even more surreal than Jaemin ever imagined.
"Betrayal at its finest, I see." Jaemin seethes. "From the both of you."
"Please just get over this fast. We really genuinely like each other, okay? It's not a silly crush or revenge thing on you." Donghyuck explains, leaning his head on Yangyang's shoulder despite them being similar height. They look cute together, but Jaemin still has his death glare on. The feeling of betrayal is bitter on his tongue.
"I didn't want to spring it onto you before when we were getting to know each other because you seem to hate Donghyuck a whole lot, so I hope us actually dating now will lessen your anger. I mean, you're one of my closest friends. So, I really want my two favourite people to get along." Yangyang says with a sheepish smile.
If Jaemin was bubbling with anger, now he's left with a touched look. He pushes Donghyuck aside and pulls Yangyang into a hug. "You think of me as your friend now?"
"Always had, silly." Yangyang chuckles, patting Jaemin's back lightly.
Jaemin pulls apart and stares Donghyuck down. "You better treat him well, you hear me?"
"You don't need to tell me that." Donghyuck crosses his arms, looking unimpressed. "So, where is your amazing date?"
Of fucking course Lee Donghyuck has to do this still.
"Guys, please–" Yangyang tries to get in between but Jaeemin cuts him off.
"Just so you know, we were on the way here when his sister went into labour. And as a responsible brother, he went to the hospital to support his sister." Jaemin sends a thousand telepathic apologies to Jeno in his mind for using his story but the more realistic it sounds, the better it is and the likelihood of Donghyuck believing it is higher.
Donghyuck's grin falters into a confused look. "Your date named Jeno… had to go to the hospital because his sister… is in labour."
Even Yangyang is taking a double take on Jaemin, trying to see if he's telling the truth.
"Why are you repeating what I just said?" Jaemin frowns with an annoyed roll of an eye. "Whatever, I don't care if you don't believe me."
Truthfully, Jaemin does. If he doesn't, he wouldn't have been sweating profusely under the blasting air conditioner.
"You know, that's funny because you see, our CEO isn't here yet because he has to stay with his sister in the hospital today." Donghyuck draws out slowly, as if wanting Jaemin to understand each and every single word.
"And…?" Jaemin looks back in pure confusion. "What does the CEO have anything to do with my date?" He sees Yangyang facepalming and that only fuels more of his confusion. "What?"
"Jaemin, if you're using the CEO as an imaginary date, I swear I won't be making fun of you. Because you actually need help," Donghyuck reaches out to hold Jaemin's hand to show comfort but Jaemin swats him away in distaste.
"I'm not and my story is true!" Jaemin scowls at the two new lovebirds and storms off.
Maybe Jaemin should just go home at this rate. He would probably get teased the whole night by Donghyuck, and now with Yangyang in the picture, double the tease. There's a low chance Jeno would come and he isn't in the mood to mope in public. Plus, he has a red wine stain on a white jacket which he should wash out soon.
Just as Jaemin is about to step out the door, someone rushes in and almost bumps straight into his face. I have no luck today, huh?
"Jaemin!"
And as simple as that, Jaemin's world brightens and all the heavy worry in his heart disappears into thin air. "You're here! Wait, oh my, what happened to your sister? Is she okay? Are you sure you're supposed to be here? Wait, how did you get in without an employee card?"
Jeno lets out the most refreshing sound of the night–a light chuckle that leaves Jaemin breathless by how beautiful he is. His eyes crinkle happily as he pulls Jaemin into a surprise hug.
"She's fine. Her husband is with her now and she even forced me to leave. And well, I have my ways sneaking into here." Jeno explains, pulling away to send him a playful wink. "And it's a baby boy, by the way. The cutest one."
"That's great! All of it is. I'm so happy you could make it. I was literally about to leave."
"Why? You're not enjoying the party?"
"No, that's not it. I just–"
Jeno seems to be distracted by whatever is behind him and Jaemin turns just the slightest to spot Donghyuck with his eagle eyes staring daggers at them. Oh, now that they are caught by the devil, Jaemin can only think of absurd ways to convince Donghyuck that his date is real and that it is this fine specimen of a man in front of him.
"Kiss me. Kiss me now," Jaemin demands, voice as unwavering as his firm gaze and in a split second, Jeno finds himself pulled against Jaemin, chest to chest and eye to eye.
"But that's not in the contract–" Jeno says, rather lamely despite his hands contradicting himself by placing themselves steadily around Jaemin's waist, a single thought passes through his mind filled with a different need to touch Jaemin without the layers of clothes between them, and the urge to do something more.
"Rule number five; 'A little skinship is allowed with consent from both parties'. Well, this is it. Please, please, please kiss me." Jaemin steals a quick glance behind him then swiftly cradles Jeno's face in his hands. "Kiss me, now!"
No matter how many times Jeno ponders over it, there is really no con to kissing Jaemin, so why not?
Their lips meet in the middle, brushing against each other softly. The tingling feeling leaves a lingering touch on Jaemin's lips–one he never used to have with any of his past lovers and this kiss is barely a peck. As Jeno is about to part away from the kiss, Jaemin pulls him in once more and smashes their lips together in a deeper kiss. With a little tilt of his head, everything about the kiss is perfect.
Jaemin feels a light squeeze to his waist and he shivers in Jeno's arms. It's not like him to be so sensitive over a simple touch, and the fact that Jeno is feeling similarly to him comforts Jaemin. The kiss ends too soon than what Jaemin wants when they realise the hushed whispers getting louder, realising that a lot of other people's attention is on them two.
That, Jaemin didn't plan.
"I've wanted to do that this whole day." Jeno exhales quietly, brushing the pad of his thumb on Jaemin's glistening wet lips. His own cheeks dusted a light scarlet. "But do please excuse me for a few minutes, Jaemin. I have something I have to settle first."
Okay, that's weird.
What is weirder is seeing Jeno being greeted by the line of executive directors and all of Jaemin's superiors, and then escorted onto the stage. Jaemin could only watch from where he's standing, horrified over the fact that he is only realising now.
"Hello, I am Lee Jeno."
Jeno is not a common name indeed.
"Welcome to our party tonight and I hope all of you have been enjoying the night."
That explains his ten years experience in Business.
"I apologise for being late as I had personal problems to attend to."
His sister in the hospital. His pregnant sister in labour.
"Please continue your wonderful night with your lovely dates and Happy Valentine's day, everyone."
How fucked up did I fuck up?
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"I thought you left,"
Jaemin flinches out of surprise and looks up to see Jeno giving him a small pout. He stammers for a reply, racking his brain for a decent way to respond to his date—or now that he knows, his boss and quite literally the boss.
"I apologise if it was too much of a shock for you." Jeno says apologetically, taking a seat beside Jaemin on the cold pavement.
"It's…" Jaemin bites on the insides of his cheek as he stares at the little patterns on the tar ground. "Did you know from the start?"
"Not exactly. I was pretty surprised when you sent me your company's address."
A pregnant silence falls upon them and Jaemin isn't sure how he should break the ice while Jeno is quietly staring at Jaemin's side profile instead.
"I'm sorry," is the first thing Jaemin blurts out after a few minutes. "I must have embarrassed you to all of your employees and all of my coworkers. God. How stupid could I have been to kiss you in front of everyone like that? What if someone recorded us? Wait—Before you start to sue me, I'll try and find all of the videos and delete them all first. And then–um, then I'll resign from your company. Sure, I could never find a better position and good pay like I do here but I understand it would be uncomfortable for you. But maybe you can give me some time to—"
Jaemin's rambling is cut off by Jeno pressing his lips into his, alternatively shutting him up with a kiss and Jaemin's brain spirals. His mind switches off for a second to make sense of the situation but the way Jeno is licking into his mouth throws out all rational thoughts and the only thing in his mind is how soft Jeno's lips are.
"You overthink a lot, don't you?" Jeno says the moment their lips part.
"I–That's not true! I just think a lot and that leads to me being overwhelmed most of the time. Okay, maybe I do overthink sometimes but it's hard not to when something so crazy happens to me. Imagine asking my own boss to be my valentine's date with a whole contract thing going on too. Just how odd are my chances? And here I thought, you were secretly a drug dealer disguising himself as a broken student working at a cafe for side money. I feel so stup—"
Jeno kisses him once more. Their lips slot together perfectly, as if they are made for each other and Jeno hums appreciatively when Jaemin tries to keep up by enthusiastically kissing him back. Jeno takes Jaemin's hand and places it behind his own neck. This instantly makes Jaemin tug onto the ends of Jeno's hair, desperately pulling him closer for a deeper kiss.
Sliding an arm around Jaemin's waist, Jeno tilts his head sideways and prods his tongue on the seam of Jaemin's lips. Their breathing gets heavier with each second and Jeno swallows every little sigh and hum leaving Jaemin's throat. It's warm and cool, soft and hard, and dizzying as Jeno pulls away for a split second to breathe.
Jaemin is the one who leans in next, kissing Jeno so sweetly and fervently it has him feeling lightheaded himself he could pass out any time now. Jeno's lips are alluring, inviting Jaemin to fall deeper into him. The big hands squeezing his waist ever so slightly makes him feel frenetic—so wanted and desired. Blood rushes onto Jaemin's rosy cheeks as he could feel the deep groans begging to escape out of Jeno's mouth. It's hot and warm all over and Jaemin never wants to let go.
It's Jeno who pulls away this time as he whispers for Jaemin to breathe. It is only then that Jaemin notices that he has run out of air in his lungs and he takes a deep inhale. Jeno lets out a light chuckle as he drags his wet lips along Jaemin's jaw. He places a thumb on Jaemin's jugular, drinking in his wrecked state.
"That's—" comes out incredibly hoarse and Jaemin clears his throat, blinking several times for the hazy waves of the heated kiss to wear off.
Jeno licks his lips, smacking them right after. His gaze lingers on Jaemin's swollen lips before shifting upwards. "You taste like sugar."
"I ate a whole tray of macarons."
Jeno blinks. "That's cute, although a bit concerning."
Another silence dawns on them, this time of tranquillity as the both of them bask in each other's presence, seemingly stunned by the other. It's the cosy kind of quiet. The only sounds accompanying them is the distant music from the party and the rumbling of night traffic.
Jeno presses his thumb square on Jaemin's mouth and the latter relaxes his jaw, leaving his mouth ajar just the slightest. His gaze zeroes in Jaemin's pretty parted lips, softly slipping in his finger. To his astonishment, Jaemin pokes his tongue out, licking a stripe of Jeno's finger before lightly nibbling on it. Jaemin does all this while locking eyes with Jeno's dark orbs—he mentally rejoices when he can see them visibly darken out of desire.
"Hey, Jaemin."
"Yes?"
"Would you do me the honours of being my valentine's date for tonight?"
"I would love to." A bashful smile makes its way to Jaemin's face as he nods. "Though this contradicts rule number five, don't you think?"
"Rules be damned. What we will do later is going to be much more than a little skinship."
The two burst into a hearty laugh as they subconsciously lean into each other's space and press their foreheads together. It's Jeno who rids of their small distance, his teeth tugging onto Jaemin's bottom lip to which Jaemin chases after his lips with his eyes slipped shut. Jaemin flutters his eyes open momentarily to address a minor issue he only just recalled.
"Is it a good thing I still haven't paid you?"
"Yes, fantastic even."
"And why is that?"
"Well, I don't do refunds."
When Jaemin leaves the party hand in hand with Jeno and a promise of a long romantic night, he makes sure to send a triumphant grin Donghyuck's way before he leaves. Donghyuck has a bewildered smirk plastered on his face and Yangyang is nothing but supportive for him as he gives Jaemin two big thumbs up.
"You know, your relationship with Jaemin is weird." Yangyang tells Donghyuck once they see Jaemin leave in Jeno's car. "Sometimes it feels like you two would rip each other's head off. At other times, you seem so proud of him."
"It is weird indeed. Maybe it's because we used to date. We just have a lot of competitive tension left after the break up. I'm glad he found someone better than me, though personally no one is better than me. I'm literally the Lee Donghyuck."
"Excuse me, but what?"
"What?"
"You two dated?"
"Oh yeah, it was only for three weeks when we first became interns together. Don't tell Jaemin I told you though. I don't want him to have leverage over me now that both of us are in a happy relationship." Donghyuck says and pecks a kiss to Yangyang's cheek sweetly.
"Yep, you two definitely have a weird relationship."
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