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Manager Jang entered the rather colder than usual waiting room in hushed footsteps, carrying bags of takeout from the local Chinese fast food place for their lunch.
"Ah, manager Jang, should I wake him up now?" The stylist whispered.
The manager nodded, placing the heaps of takeout to the table.
The artist finally wakes up, yawning and lazily peeking over their lunch.
"Good morning, Joshua." His manager greeted, tapping his shoulders to snap his consciousness back before he falls asleep standing again.
"It's not really the morning..." Joshua mumbled.
"I know, did you sleep well?" Manager Jang handed him food, as well as to the other staff beside him.
"Yeah, I feel like I recovered, I'm good." That was a white lie, he did have a good sleep, but it wasn't enough. He pouted as he started munching on his fried noodles.
"Your schedule is packed again today. We're working really hard these days, eh?" The manager chugged his energy drink, offering Joshua some halfway through the bottle but the latter refused.
"Yeah, I guess this is what it takes to be famous…" Joshua muttered quietly, he didn't want to sound ungrateful to be famous, but he sure didn't expect a life like this nor he was prepared.
"You worked hard for this, Joshua. You deserve it."
"We worked hard, hyung. And we deserve this." Joshua showed his sweet smile to his hyung, his crescent eyes appearing with admiration and gratitude.
"Alright then. Let's go over your schedule again, after lunch you have two hours to prepare for a magazine photoshoot and an interview with them. After that—"
Manager Jang's voice gradually faded away from Joshua's ears. He could see his manager's mouth moving from his peripheral vision, but his ears refused to listen.
It must be from fatigue. He winced at the feeling of the back of his head hurting. That's why he's finding it hard to focus. The four hour sleep from breakfast till lunch was the most decent sleep he had from the past three weeks, all he had was short naps from time to time to go by his very, very busy schedule.
Everything after lunch went by a blur in Joshua's mind. He only got snapped back into reality when the make-up stylist accidentally touched the corner of his eye with the eyeliner pencil.
He blinked. "Ah.I needed that…"
"What's that?"
"Oh, nothing. Please continue." He gestured for her to continue as he reached for the cue sheets and script for his upcoming interview.
He reviewed the paper, there weren't a lot of questions, but it looks like it requires lengthy and elaborate answers, but nevertheless it wasn't anything new.
There was a note below the paper that caught his eyes,
*Surprise questions from fans: 5*
Oh well, that's something new. Joshua's brows widen with amazement.
Joshua has always been thankful for his fans, he's not here without them. Everything he does he dedicates to them. So a few surprise questions from his fans didn't bother him as much.
Except it actually bothered him. A lot.
He's an introvert and has a slight social anxiety. He even stutters in front of the camera when he's taken aback. He'd rather overthink and be over prepared about everything than be surprised with a mere five questions.
He violently shook his hand to release some of his nervousness. But he actually had drunk 5 shots of espresso prior to this schedule which explains— his shaking hands— and probably his heart beating so fast as well.
Joshua finally stepped out of his waiting room, randomly tugging down his cuffs and touching the buttons of his outfit for the shoot.
"Good afternoon." He greeted the staff, bowing at every person he walked past.
His eyes went to the photographer standing before the set, motioning him to go to the front so they could start.
He noticed a fumbling hand on the cameras and papers behind the photographer.
Must be his assistant. He shrugged it off.
"Alright Mr. Joshua, pose however you want. The highlight here is your face. Move around, do anything but don't cover your face." The photographer held the camera to his eyes.
His many photoshoot gigs before this was more than enough experience for Joshua to ace today's shoot.
The remaining thing that worried him was the interview. He wishes it would be just simple questions, even though he didn't want to think negatively, he couldn't help it.
He was given a 10 minute break before the interview started. He wasn't a fan of sweets but the chocolate bar his manager handed him did a great job on recharging his energy.
"You may sit here, Mr. Hong." An assistant guided him to the wide veranda of the venue.
It was quite a humid afternoon, but the lighting looks perfect for a natural interview. The weather wasn’t perfect but he was feeling good.
Joshua didn’t feel good.
He made sure he didn't eat olives before his schedules, and his digestive system wasn't too bad either.
He always made sure to take his anxiety medication and coffee, but his stomach was queasy. He felt like he could puke anytime.
A fine man, with luscious red hair sat in front of him.
The man's eyes were down on the paper, but Joshua knew who those eyes belonged to. He knew even the top of the man's head, he knew every corner of this man's body. He knew him.
"Shua~" Joshua almost tripped when a strong hug came from his behind.
"Jeonghan-ie?" He held Jeonghan's arms and faced him. "Good morning, angel."
Joshua went closer to the latters face, enclosing their proximity at a dangerous pace, nose to nose, whispering. "What do you want for breakfast, hun?"
Jeonghan collided his lips with Joshua's, sloppy morning kisses was his way of greeting his adorable boyfriend on a good morning. Sometimes Jeonghan wonders how he got himself such a fine man.
"You, of course." Jeonghan giggled, his fingers playing the rim of Joshua's tee.
"Wrong. It's nuggets and bacon." Joshua stepped back and prepared their food, leaving a sulking Jeonghan.
"That's so American of you." Jeonghan sat on the stool behind Joshua.
He heard Joshua chuckle, "Nuggets and bacon, with rice, hun."
"Oh, yes. Much better."
"I'll be late again tonight." Joshua kissed the older man's forehead, and his eyes travelled to the latter's moistening eyes.
Jeonghan snuggled his face on Joshua's buff chest, or as he liked to call it, Joobies.
"Love you." He heard him say. "Don't forget me even when you see more handsome men," he sniffs.
"I don't believe there's a more handsome man than you, Jeonghan." Joshua smiled and pecked his lips. "I'll call you."
"Second camera— yes, that's great!" Their director shouted. "Pull up the backdrop, it's distracting!"
Joshua continued posing. That's his job after all. Despite the rude attitude of this photographer-slash-director, he's fine as long as he gets paid.
You see, this gig was big, big time. For a small freelance model like him to be picked by a world renowned star photograper is a big step for his growing career.
"Ai'te, pack it up. Next sesh at room 2, 30 minute break." The photographer put down his camera and chugged a cup of seething coffee, which shook Joshua a little bit.
"Good job today, Sir Joshua." An assistant came up to him, handing him a bottle of water.
Mingyu. The man's name tag said.
"Thank you, Mingyu."
A handful of stylists, hair and makeup, pulled him back to the dressing room.
"See you later, Mingyu." He waved.
cw// implied sex
Joshua's 'see you later' was definitely not an invitation for sex.
But why is his back arched and his bare ass exposed to Mingyu's (naked) tanned and chiseled body?
"Fuck."/p> He heard loud cheers and laughing from the photographer, "Congratulations for a very successful shoot, eh?" Joshua was about to puke, one more shot and he's meeting the Creator. If he knew that this famous photographer, (or as he was told to call him, Seungcheol.) was a wild party-goer and a mad drunkard, he wouldn't have gone to this after party. "Come on, Shua!" He called his nickname and motioned him to drink more. "Eyy~ We had a great shoot today, every shot was an A-cut, I've already set another shoot for you with someone from the states! I can tell you're gonna be famous, boy!" He laughed. "Come here!" Joshua could not disagree with that. He basically was told, Hey! Come have a drink with me! I just made you achieve your dreams! Come here or I'll strangle you.
He took a shot, and another, which is followed by another. Until he was forced to run to the men's room.
He was throwing up his guts when he heard a man's voice behind him.
"Hey, it's me, Mingyu."
It must be the alcohol. It should be. He whispered to himself.
Because when he felt Mingyu's hand caressing his back, a surge of heat washed across his body, making him breathless.
What the fuck? Was something in my drink? I know I’m not this light drinker.
"Mingyu…" His breath shook, his hand reached for Mingyu's broad shoulders and met his eyes.
Mingyu, as sinful as he is, locked his lips with the older man.
They reached a rented private room with their lips still interlocked.
Mingyu's hand travelled behind Joshua and squeezed his behind, making the latter groan.
He plopped Joshua on the bed on his knees and removed his pants.
"Do you— Are you in a relationship?" Mingyu whispered from behind, nibbling his ears.
"N—" Joshua squealed when Mingyu gave him a hickey as he pinched his nipples and his other hand squeezed his length.
"I'll fuck you good then."
Weak and in pain, Joshua slowly walked towards their apartment.
He abruptly stopped before the door, staring at the keypad for a few minutes before the door opened itself.
Jeonghan appeared in his silk pajamas and hugged Joshua. "It's 4AM…" he sniffed.
"and you smell like sex and alcohol."
A loud slap was heard across their peaceful apartment.
"Joshua Hong…" Jeonghan muttered, his breath shaking from all the emotions he's feeling right now.
He ran his hand through his hair, "I can't make myself believe what I'm hearing right now, and— and— I'm, I'm so overwhelmed!" He threw his hands into the air.
"I never knew— I never thought! Not once it had crossed my mind you would do this, Hong Jisoo." His finger pointed at the silent man in front of him.
"We were drunk."
"Fuck you and your dick that you can't keep in your pants!"
Jeonghan stormed out of their apartment and stormed out of Joshua's life.
Joshua could've tried to save their relationship, he could've ran to Jeonghan.
But he didn't. He just stared at the empty space of their once love-filled room and sighed.
The next few days we're so hectic and crazy that Joshua forgot about Jeonghan. And after what happened, he stopped talking to Mingyu.
Many months have passed and he's become a hot, trendy model, an award-winning actor, a sought-after bachelor. Joshua was basically having the time of his life.
"Mr. Hong…? Mr. Hong?
" The main writer snapped her fingers.
"Huh," Joshua blinked. "oh, yes, sorry. I must've been too tired." He thought his heart stopped.
"That's fine, Mr. Hong. We'll take a quick break." She looked back. "Jeonghan-ah, hand Mr. Hong some water."
Jeonghan. The voice in Joshua's mind repeated.
He saw the man walk towards him and handed him a bottle of water. Joshua restrained himself to look up or he might meet his eyes. "Thanks."
He gulped that water in a shot that he choked and made a mess.
A hand caressed his back, then again, a surge of heat spread across his body. But this time he felt the warmth of melancholy. Sadness and regret. The brief moment that hand touched his back almost burned through him.
"I'm going back to my dressing room for a bit." And he ran. His clothes, wet. His heart, aching.
Joshua fixed his shades for the nth time, anxious because people might recognize him.
He glanced at the screaming kids on a mini Viking's ride, either clutching at their friend’s or their hands covering their faces.
The idea of being a famous celebrity (which is true, but he's too shy to admit that he is.) going and hanging around a crowded amusement park is a bad idea, especially during the season of love.
But he was bored. And what more fun way to ease your boredom than surround yourself with lovey-dovey people and happy families while you're currently salty about life.
The guy he fucked last night, Wen Junhui was it? Chinese, cute and adventurous as fuck.
But he found out he's already married to a man named Minghao, (don't ask why he knows, he moaned his name while they fucked, which is totally annoying.) he left the man on the bed still naked right after he came.
It was a big turn off for him. A hypocrite, you can call him, but he's trying.
"Oh, tteokbokki!" He heard a familiar voice behind that made him hide from his seat.
He pulled the cap closer to his face and peeked behind him,
Fuck, it's Jeonghan.
That moment he became a cussing machine. If someone would look at him right now, he'd look like a crazy cussing man who's almost folded in half in his seat.
Well, at least he's a pretty cussing man.
"Here, Seokmin!" He heard Jeonghan's voice.
A man, someone who looks like a walking ball of energy and sunshine, jogged towards Jeonghan holding a stick of bear-shaped cotton candy and a drink.
I think I gotta scram.
“Oi.”
Fuck.
He cursed in his head. He knows this voice. And he just realized he actually knows the man Jeonghan’s with.
He cleared his throat and stood up, acting cool, he greeted the man. “Hey, Wonwoo.” He slapped the guy’s shoulders.
“We’re really not that close,” He stared at him. “But okay. What are you doing here?”
“Aw, come on. Celebrities are also allowed to go out!”
“Okay, you do you. I’m going.” Wonwoo started walking forward.
“Wait- wait, hold on a sec.” Joshua pulled Wonwoo back to him. “Can you please, please not tell your brother that you saw me?” He pleaded.
“Seok?”
“Uhuh, and uh… Jeonghan too, of course.”
Wonwoo hummed. “Fine. What’s in it for me?”
“Free VIP movie tickets to my movies?”
“Call, but you don’t do a lot of movies these days…” He faced him.
Joshua groaned. “Just hit me up. I’ll treat you anytime.” He gave Wonwoo a thumbs up.
“Deal.”
“Who would’ve thought Wonwoo’s going to be our cupid?”
“Cupid’s the god of love, it would be inappropriate to call this a… destined meeting of love.” Jeonghan smiled. “Don’t you think so?”
Gee. “Right.”
Remind me not to talk to Seokmin’s brother again. Joshua scrunched his nose. That asshole.
Jeonghan on the other hand, didn’t know how to feel- didn’t know what to think with this man in front of him. He’s happy and doing fine by himself right now, he believes he’s happy. And he doesn't want anything to disrupt his peaceful days.
Jeonghan didn’t want to bathe in awkward silence with the man in front of him. “So, how’s your celebrity life?”
“Still as hectic, thanks for asking. But um, I’m making more free time for myself these days.”
Jeonghan hummed.
Joshua shuffled in his seat, putting his legs together and facing Jeonghan. “So I believe,” he cracked his knuckles. “Wonwoo brought us here to talk, right?”
“There’s honestly not much to talk about.”
“There is something.”
“And what’s that?”
“I,” Joshua lowered his eyes. “I couldn’t apologize properly.”
“What happened that night was all my fault. I admit that. And I,”
He paused, his eyes moved to Jeonghan’s pale face. His face that lacked emotions, his face that was full of hatred to him. The face that could never forgive Joshua.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s hard to forgive me, I won't ask for it. I just threw our 15 years of friendship and relationship under the bus in a span of one night, I-”
He heard Jeonghan sniffed. His hands covered his mouth. “You’re such a bad guy.” Jeonghan’s heart ached, Joshua wasn’t just his ex-boyfriend. He was his best friend for 15 years. He can’t ignore that fact, because before they were dating, they were good friends. Soulmates.
“Soulmates are always supposed to be together, right?” Those were Joshua’s words when he asked Jeonghan out years ago.
“I hate you. I hate you a lot.”
“I understand. I’m sorry, Jeonghan. Hannie.” Joshua reached for his hands.
“I’m so sorry, Angel.
”
“I won’t ask for much, I just hope we can still be friends.” Joshua blurted out after a while. “I’ve hurt you and I know how hard it is for you and me both. And the things I destroyed between the both of us, I regret all of it.”
“Shua, I want us to be friends again too. This isn’t just a closure for what happened in the past,” Jeonghan offered his hand to his friend. “This is also the start of our new beginnings.”
Joshua then reached for his hands. “To new beginnings.”