Chapter Text
“TAKE care of yourself.”
Those were the last words Wonwoo heard as the door of their condominium unit close. He didn’t look back, instead, his eyes mindlessly stared at the bright city lights below him. For a good hour or so, he just sat there, unable to fathom what just happened. He pulled his legs up and locked them in an embrace. Soon enough, the tears slowly fell from his eyes. He could only think of one thing—he’s gone.
Mingyu, the love of his life, is gone.
Five years. Five years of his life he dedicated to no one but Mingyu. His world revolved around him and no one else. Every decision he had to make, he’d always consider Mingyu. He took care of him, loved him the best way he knew how, and endured every obstacle that came along their relationship. That’s how much he loved him.
But now, as he wiped the tears that just won’t stop from falling from his eyes, Wonwoo didn’t know what to do. Mingyu just left him there, not knowing how on earth he should process this situation. How does one deal with this? How can someone just throw away everything and hurt someone in the process? He wouldn’t know.
If there was one thing that’s constant in his life, it was Mingyu. He was his bestfriend, partner, lover… Mingyu was his first love.
Wonwoo should have seen this coming. There had been signs but he just shrugged the feeling off. He trusted Mingyu’s love for him. That whatever happens, he would stick by him. That’s what Mingyu promised him, through the tough times and the good, he’ll stay by his side.
Boy was he so wrong, because Mingyu just left him, and there was nothing he could do about it. Wonwoo begged and begged, he tried to talk him out of it, but Mingyu looked so sure of his decision. The lack of emotion in Mingyu’s face tell him so.
Wonwoo turned around and looked at the empty space in front of him. This was the place that used to give him warmth. It was his safe space. Whenever he’s had a bad day at work, he knew everything will be okay as soon as he comes home to Mingyu’s smile, embrace, and delicious home-cooked meals.
He placed his right hand on his chest. It felt as if it was going to explode any minute. He took a deep breath and walked towards what used to be their bedroom. The cabinet that was still half open made him see the empty part of it. The right side was where Mingyu’s stuff used to be. He went to the bathroom and saw only one toothbrush, his toothbrush. He looked up at the mirror, his face void of any emotion. He didn’t know what to feel.
How did all this come to an end?
Wonwoo went out of the bathroom and went back to the bedroom. The bed was still made. Mingyu always made sure their place is neat as hell. He mindlessly went to the bed and lay his back on it. His tears fell once more when he smelled Mingyu’s scent on the pillow. He took the pillow and embraced it as he cried himself to sleep.
What did I do wrong, Gyu? What happened?
DAY 1.
A glimpse of light was the first thing Wonwoo saw upon opening his eyes. His gaze went straight to the empty space beside his bed. He really is gone. His chest started to hurt a little bit yet again.
Wonwoo slowly sat up and placed his hands on his face. Images of what happened last night flashed vividly on his mind. He wanted to cry but the tears just won’t come. Has he felt numb already? He didn’t know.
He picked up his phone. 7:52 AM. He looked at his notifications and didn’t see any texts from Mingyu. God knows how much he wanted to call him right now, but he’d bet his most expensive suit that Mingyu won’t answer.
What could he be doing at this time? Wonwoo wondered. Ah, we would usually be getting ready for work at this time, he thought.
Right, he forgot about work. How could he go to work now? He and Mingyu work at the same company. They may be in different groups but they are both stationed at the same floor, just a couple of offices away from each other. Will he see him there? Will Mingyu talk to him?
Wonwoo knew that if he goes to work now, he’d be nothing but a pathetic excuse for a human being. He’s not in the right mindset to work today, not in a few days, at least. He didn’t need to look in a mirror to know that he looked like a wreck, eyes swollen and all.
He unlocked his phone and sends a text.
Cheol, I’m sorry but I need to take some time off. I hope you understand.
A couple of minutes have passed and the person he texted is giving him a call. “Cheol…”
“Is everything okay, Won?” His boss and a long-time friend asked. There was a tone of worry in his voice.
Wonwoo sat there, unable to say anything…
“Won?” Cheol breaks the silence.
“We broke up.” Wonwoo said, his voice close to sobbing.
He heard Seungcheol sigh. “I’m sorry to hear that, Won. I’m not going to ask what happened now, okay? How much time do you need?”
“I know this is too much to ask, but can you give me at least a week to sort this shit out? I just need to be alone.”
As soon as their conversation ended, Wonwoo laid his back on the bed once again. As he stared in to the ceiling, questions kept on going through his already confused mind. He sure had a lot of things to say to Mingyu last night but Mingyu’s words made him stop in his tracks.
“Just let me go, Won. We need this.”
And so he did. As soon as he nodded, Mingyu walked past him and started packing his stuff. Wonwoo’s knees suddenly felt weak that he decided to sit down and look at the view outside their unit. His mind was just as jammed as the traffic he’s seeing on the main road. He has so many questions he wanted to ask Mingyu but he knew deep inside that he wasn’t ready to hear everything just yet. When Mingyu asked him to just let him go, who was he to say no? Wonwoo just wants Mingyu to be happy. Even if what the younger wants is to walk out of his life for good.
Wonwoo closed his eyes and tried not to think about Mingyu. He just sighed when he knew it wasn’t going to work. All he can do at this time is to try to understand what Mingyu wanted, even if it kills him inside.
His eyes wandered at the picture frame on his bedside drawer. It was a picture of him and Mingyu together back when they were still in college. It was taken on the day Mingyu asked him to be his boyfriend. Mingyu looked so happy as he clung to him…
EIGHT years ago…
Wonwoo had just finished eating lunch when a text came through. He saw the text came from an unknown number.
Hey, Wonwoo. This is Mingyu. Professor Wang asked me to contact you about the department activity two weeks from now. I was wondering if you’d be available to meet today? Let me know, thanks!
Wonwoo had just finished sipping on his soda and is trying to recall just who on earth Mingyu is when Jeonghan, one of his best friends, sat beside him.
“Hola, how are you in such deep thought at this ungodly hour?”
Wonwoo put down his phone and leaned on the chair. “A certain Mingyu texted me about the department activity in two weeks. I just can’t remember if I know or have seen him before.”
Jeonghan’s eyes rolled. “How can you not know Kim Mingyu, Won? He’s like one of the popular dudes on campus.”
“And I’m supposed to know who’s famous or not?” He retorted.
“Well,” Jeonghan took his phone out and opened his SNS account. He then showed him a picture. “This. This is Mingyu, darling. Hot, isn’t he?”
Wonwoo tried to act casually as he looked at the picture Jeonghan showed him. That dude is one good-looking fella. “Yeah, I don’t know him.” He said as he slowly pushed the phone back to Jeonghan.
“Try attending one of those sports activities and you’ll see him. You’re always hanging out at the library that’s why you don’t see him. You’ve never been classmates with him before? I heard he’s irreg, though I’m not sure.” Jeonghan asked with a curious look on his face.
Wonwoo nodded. He can very well remember who he was classmates with. If he had been classmates with Mingyu, he would definitely have remembered him.
“I see,” Jeonghan replied. “Well, I was classmates with him, two semesters ago, I think? He was nice and friendly and he sure is a looker. All the girls at class kept ogling at him. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? But yeah, definitely not my type.”
Wonwoo didn’t answer Jeonghan. Instead, he picked up his phone and began drafting his reply to Mingyu.
Hi, Mingyu. Sure. My classes finish at 3PM today. Lmk if that works.
A few minutes and he saw Mingyu replied. Same. Meet me in the caf?
Okay, sure. He replied.
Cool, see you! Mingyu responded. Wonwoo put his phone down and looked at Jeonghan who’s almost done munching on his sandwich. “Are you done texting that hot dude?” He teased.
“Shut up, Han. Come on, we should be going if we don’t want to miss our next class.”
Jeonghan gave him a teasing look. “Denial, I see. Okay, if you say so.” He replied as he stood up.
Wonwoo looked away as Jeonghan gave him that look. He didn’t want to be thinking about meeting Mingyu later. It’s not that big of a deal. It shouldn’t be.
Few hours have passed and it’s already end of class. Wonwoo bade Jeonghan goodbye as he stood up from his seat. “You’re so excited about this meeting, Won. Stop denying it.” Jeonghan said as he placed his laptop inside his bag.
Wonwoo smirked. “No I am not! See you tomorrow!” He retorted as he walked away.
As Wonwoo made his way to the jam-packed cafeteria, he fixed his round eyeglasses, trying to see if Mingyu’s already there. He’s not even sure if Mingyu knew what he looks like so he didn’t think the guy would approach him.
He picked up his phone from his pocket and texted him. I’m here.
Luckily for Wonwoo, there was an empty table near the far right corner of the cafeteria. He placed his bag on the table and opened his laptop while waiting for Mingyu. He also texted him where he’s seated so Mingyu can find him easily.
Wonwoo got so engrossed with the paper he’s working on that he had completely forgotten about the time. It’s been thirty past three, and still no signs of Mingyu. He checked his phone to see if the guy had any courtesy of texting him, zilch. Wonwoo sighed as he texted him again. I’ll be waiting for another 15 minutes, if you’re not here by then, I’m leaving. At least let me know if you’re still coming.
He focused on his laptop once again, slightly feeling annoyed. How does one have the audacity to ask someone for help and then not show up? He shook his head and tried to shift his focus back to his paper.
His gaze turned on his phone when it rang. It was Jeonghan. “What?” Wonwoo asked.
“Did you guys meet?”
Wonwoo rolled his eyes in frustration. “No, I’ve been waiting here for almost an hour, good thing I’m working on my paper so…”
Wonwoo heard his friend let out an expletive. “That stupid fuck. I’m with Jun and we’re here at Friday’s and I think he’s here too. I think he’s on a date with some chick.”
“Are you kidding me? This is stupid.” He said as he decided to put his things back in his bag. “Friday’s, you say?”
“Yeah, why? Don’t tell me you’re going here?”
“Yeah, why not? I’ll give that kid a piece of my mind.”
As Wonwoo drove his way to Friday’s, he couldn’t help but be pissed at how unprofessional this Kim Mingyu is. The guy did not even have the decency to at least him know he won’t make it. Wonwoo didn’t really care if he was on a date or not, it’s simply because he made him wait for nothing.
When he arrived at the restobar, Jeonghan was already waiting for him outside. He saw Jun through the glass window, talking to a bunch of guys he didn’t even know. “Why are you outside?” He asked Jeonghan.
“I just went out for a smoke. Plus, I’m getting bummed seeing Jun flirt with these college dorks. I mean these guys are a bunch of dicks. He’s not going to get anything good from them.” Jeonghan replied as he pushed the wooden door open.
Once they got inside, his eyes searched for the reason why he drove to this place. Jeonghan pointed his fingers on the leftmost corner of the bar.
And there was Kim Mingyu, his face inching closer to a girl whose breasts are about to pop out anytime soon. There was a slight trace of arrogance with his smile. It was as if he was confident, or maybe feeling just high and mighty. As much as Wonwoo hated Mingyu’s guts, he walked towards the table, the couple not realizing he’s about to approach them.
Wonwoo cleared his throat. “Excuse me? You’re Kim Mingyu, right?”
Mingyu slowly turned his attention to Wonwoo. For some reason, his chest started pounding really fast. The guy’s face became a little smug, even looked a tad disappointed with his interruption. He tried to shrug it off. “And you are?”
Wonwoo smirked. “I’m Jeon Wonwoo. You texted me this afternoon about the department activity. I waited for you and you didn’t show up.”
Mingyu pointed his finger on his chest as he looked intently at Wonwoo. “I did?”
Wonwoo rolled his eyes in frustration. Is this guy drunk already? He pulled up his phone and shoved it closer to Mingyu, showing him their conversation. Mingyu narrowed his eyes as he read through the texts “Ahhh.” He looked as if he just realized something and leaned on the chair. “Look, I don’t know anything about this. I’m telling you, that’s not me.” Mingyu said.
Okay now Wonwoo’s confused. “You’re not the one who texted me?”
Mingyu’s left arm snaked around his date’s shoulders. The girl on the other hand just smiled at him. “Try to call the number that texted you. My phone’s just right here on the table. It should ring if it was really me.”
And so Wonwoo did. He heard the other line rang, but not the phone on the table didn’t. “See? I told you, it wasn’t me.”
Wonwoo tried to collect his thoughts, he was flabbergasted, to say the least. He didn’t really think about being the subject of a stupid prank. He thought he was someone invisible on campus. Yes, he’s one of the officers in their department, but he didn’t interact with a lot of people since his position didn’t require him to do so. Who in their right mind would do something like this? And most of all, why him? He was at a loss for words. He looked down and fiddled with his hands because of the embarrassment.
“Okay, I’m sorry for the mix-up. Excuse me.” That was all he said before he left the couple.
Wonwoo walked straight out of Friday’s and saw Jeonghan and Jun outside, smoking yet again. “That thing’s going to kill you.”
Jun just shrugged as he puffed his cigarette. “Might as well, this world is a cruel place to live in.”
Jeonghan looked at Jun with disgust. “Some deep shit you’re saying, Jun. You drunk already?” When Jun didn’t say anything, his attention turned to Wonwoo. “So, how did it go?”
Wonwoo started walking back to his car, the two got rid of their cigarettes and followed him. “Turns out, someone pulled a prank on me.”
“Nani? What the fuck?” Jeonghan exclaimed.
“It was someone from Mingyu’s friends.” Jun said in disgust.
Their attention turned to Jun. “How on earth did you know?”
“You know the guys who came up to me a while ago? Some of those dicks are Mingyu’s teammates at whatever sport he’s playing in. They kind of laughed when you came in. I mean they were all looking at you. And here I thought I was hot enough for them.”
Jeonghan rolled his eyes in sarcasm. “A flirt through and through, Jun! What happened next?”
Jun shrugged. “Well, I pretty much heard one of them said Wonwoo waited for almost an hour and some of them were like bummed out and handed out 20’s to the others. I began to put the pieces together and they didn’t deny it when I confronted them about it, and they looked really proud of it. Those dicks, I swear to God I hope those laxatives I placed on their drinks bust their asses real good. Fuck them!”
Wonwoo’s eyes widened at Jun’s revelation. “You did what?!”
“Oh yeah, I bring laxatives with me, like all the time.” Jun said casually. “While they were watching a game on TV, I placed all the laxatives I have on their drinks. Serves them right. No one messes with my Wonwoo, bitch!” Jun looked all riled up as they entered Wonwoo’s car.
Jeonghan can’t help but laugh at how passionate Jun looked right now. “I can’t believe you did that but yeah, they deserve it. Hope they don’t make it out of Friday’s clean.”
Jun may have done something bad to avenge his broken ego, but Wonwoo smiled at the realization that his friends would do anything just to protect him. Had it been the other way around, he would’ve done something about it too, but not the kind of revenge Jun pulled. He looked at the rearview mirror at saw Jun focused on his phone. “Thank you, Junnie. You know I love you, right?”
Jun looked at him and went closer, hugging him from the back seat. “You know I’d do anything for for you, Wonie. You and Jeonghan are my best bitches ever.”
Wonwoo may have embarrassed himself in front of Mingyu but knowing he has friends he can count on is the highlight of his day.