Chapter Text
A soft thud. It's just a very faint sound from the door but Lee Seokmin woke up. He knew the door was just closed and he knew the person who closed it.
He groaned.
He looked at the clock on his bedside table and saw it was already 8 in the morning. His eyebrows collided.
'Ngayon pa lang sya aalis? Isn't this a bit too late?' Seokmin thought pero isinawalang bahala na lang ito. Wala naman kasi syang masyadong paki.
Seokmin rustled through his bed and sat up. He stretched his body before climbing down and while still scratching his head, he made his way out of his room.
Seokmin walked to the kitchen and grabbed some water out of the fridge. His eyes instantly fell on the dining table where his breakfast sits neatly, covered with a net-like big bowl to keep the flies away from the food. He checked the food and saw a perfectly fried egg, bacon, and a bowl of new steamed rice. He put back the cover and looked up to drink the water but he saw the huge portrait of his wedding.
Like always, Lee Seokmin rolled his eyes and drank the water.
Currently, Lee Seokmin is married to none other than his long-time enemy, Hong Jisoo. He had no other choice. It was the dying wish of their grandparents.
Seokmin made his way to the living room and sat on the sofa. Again, as if he's not yet used to it, he rolled his eyes as he saw the wedding portrait.
Hong Jisoo has always been his enemy, ever since they were kids. He hated his guts. For Seokmin, Jisoo is one arrogant, rude, selfish, one of a heck bastard. He never, not even once, liked any part of that man...well, maybe except for his...his thing?
"Arggh!" Seokmin exclaimed as he slightly blushed by the thought.
He sighed.
Honestly, Seokmin expected that his married life would be a living hell. He thought that the marriage with Jisoo would become his worst nightmare, but it's not. Actually, these have been the best moments of his life so far.
Jisoo never disrespected him. He always respected his boundaries. Whenever he wakes up, there's food waiting for him, like now. Whenever he comes home, dinner is already prepared on the table. They've been married for more than a year; their second anniversary is coming up, but their relationship hasn't been any better. They are still enemies, but civil.
Looking back, since they married each other, Seokmin cannot think of anything that has ever been a disadvantage for him. Jisoo has been caring and thoughtful. Like a normal husband would.
While thinking of Jisoo, Seokmin remembered that the latter had just left for work. It's already past 8 am and he wondered again. Usually, Jisoo leaves home before 7 AM. In fact, he always leaves at 6:30 AM and he knew that time was already late for Jisoo. And now, he even left at a later time.
He wonders if something happened or if there's something wrong. However, again, he brushed off the thought. They've been married for more than a year but their relationship is not one to ask of the other's business. It has always been like that. That's how they've lived together peacefully until this moment.
Suddenly, Seokmin's phone vibrated and he fished it out of his pocket. He saw Seungkwan, his friend from work, sent him a message asking him to accompany him to his photoshoot today.
Lee Seokmin is a professional Theater Actor, mostly musical, and Seungkwan is a professional model who does musical theater acting as a sideline job. They both have the same brain cells so they instantly clicked.
The time of the photoshoot is after lunch so Seokmin has more than enough time to laze around and prepare. It's his day off today since they had just finished their last act yesterday. This is also the reason why he went home late last night and the reason why he feels so tired today.
He agreed to be with Seungkwan, he also planned to stop by the mall to restock their food at home.
'I have four days of rest before our next rehearsal, so might as well do some things around here.' Seokmin thought again.
He got up, went to the kitchen, and ate the breakfast prepared for him.
Time flew fast and it was almost lunchtime. Seokmin has already bathed and is now preparing to go out and eat lunch with Seungkwan. On his way out, the door suddenly opened revealing his own mom holding what looked like lunch boxes covered in silk cloths.
"Oh? Ma, what are you doing here?" Seokmin asked and walked toward his mom. He volunteered to carry the lunch boxes and placed them on the countertop kitchen.
"Are you going out?" Looking at Seokmin all dolled up, his mom asked.
"Mm, I'll accompany Seungkwan in his shoot today," Seokmin replied.
His mom, who's currently untying the silk cloth revealing the lunch boxes, stopped and looked at Seokmin with disappointment in her eyes.
Seokmin, who saw the disappointment, suddenly flinched and became nervous.
"Ma, what's with the look? Why are you looking at me like that?" Seokmin asked and his mom sighed which made Seokmin all confused.
"Oh? Why are you sighing like that? Ma, you know Seungkwan right? You already met him lots of times. You even said you like him," Seokmin said again.
His mom, without uttering a word, removed a thermos tumbler and gave it to Seokmin.
"Did you know your husband is currently feeling sick but he's still working his ass off right now?" Seokmin's mom asked him and he almost flinched when he heard the word husband. But his eyebrows collided upon hearing his mom.
"He's sick?" He asked, confirming.
'Is that the reason why he left home late today?' Seokmin thought, not knowing the little worry building up inside him.
"You're not even aware of the health status of your husband?" Seokmin's mom asked again, the disappointment is getting bigger. Again, the word husband is giving him unexplainable emotions.
It's Seokmin's turn to sigh. He then placed the thermos tumbler back on the countertop.
"Ma, you know we're not a normal married couple. We're together just because our grandparents want us to. It's already a miracle we're not killing each other," Seokmin replied and helped his mom take out the side dishes she's brought.
"You guys have been married for almost two years. How come there isn't any progress in your relationship?" Her mom asked. Seokmin closed the door of the fridge and turned to his mom.
"Ma, we already talked about this," feeling tired, Seokmin replied.
"Have you two even already made love?" Her mom asked again and Seokmin immediately blushed.
"Ma!" He exclaimed. "You're already asking too much! That's already between the two of us!" Seokmin replied, his voice raised a little and his whole face is now red, redder than a red apple.
As Seokmin heard the question, his mind wandered back to their first night as a married couple. They did it. They did it out of responsibility but they admit they liked it. However, that was the first and last time. After that, they did not do it again.
"Fine, whatever you say. But be a man and take care of Joshua, even just a little," His mom said, sighing at the pause. His mom then gave the thermos tumbler to Seokmin again.
"This has porridge in it. Take this to Joshua, buy some cold medicines on the way, and nurse him even just a little, will you?" His mom nagged and gathered the silk cloths and threw them in her bag.
"I'll go ahead, I have somewhere else I need to be. Always take care, love you, 'nak." Seokmin's mom said then tapped his face very gently, after, she eyed him the porridge and Seokmin just nodded.
When Seokmin's mom left, he sighed as he stared at the thermos tumbler. He just shooked his head and made his way to the living room to grab his small bag. He saw the wedding portrait again and stared at Jisoo's face.
"You workaholic bastard. You should've just stayed home if you're feeling sick. Why do you have to go to work and make everyone worry?" Seokmin said to Joshua's portrait, not aware that he's rubbing the wedding ring on his finger he never once removed. He needs to say this right now as he wouldn't be able to curse right in Jisoo's face in person. The angelic face of Joshua always gets him. Even before when they aren't married yet, during the times when he feels nothing but hatred towards the man, he couldn't curse at him.
Seokmin put on his shoes and clutched the thermos tumbler in his arms. After, he made his way out and drove to Joshua's company. He knew Joshua is a CEO of a huge company, but he never once visited him in his office so he wouldn't know where to go when he already gets into the building. He'll just ask around.
While driving, Seokmin called Seungkwan to cancel his appointment with him. The latter understood and even joked that he's finally becoming a good spouse. He just brushed off the joke and ended the call. He then tried to call Joshua's phone but he's not answering. He tried for the second, third, and fourth time but he never answered.
"Is he at a meeting?" Seokmin asked himself. This is the first time Joshua hasn't answered his call. When they got married, even if Joshua's in a meeting, he would answer his call. Now Seokmin's wondering if something happened.
"Ah really. This is worrisome," Seokmin ranted.
Even while worrying, Seokmin made sure to stop by a pharmacy to buy cold meds. He bought different kinds. He even bought different supplements for Joshua.
When he gets into the building of Joshua's company, Seokmin's still trying to call Joshua but the latter's still not answering. He just went to the information desk and tried to ask where to go to meet Joshua. Not many people knew they are married. Seokmin's not even sure if the employees here knew their boss is already married, and that his spouse is right here. Seokmin also does not know if he would introduce himself as Joshua's husband.
"Excuse me," Seokmin said when he reached the information desk. The man and the woman who's at the desk turned to him.
"Yes, Hi!" The man employee said, standing up so they could look at eye level. "How may I help you?" The man said, smiling at him and Seokmin instantly knew this man's smile hides something.
"Ah, I need to meet with Mr. Josh--"
"This must be the reason why the sun isn't showing up today," Seokmin's words were cut off by the employee. He was supposed to ask where to go to meet Joshua, he knew the people at the company knew him as Joshua and not as Jisoo. But this man, as if not hearing any words he said, cut him off with words he doesn't even understand.
"Sorry?" Seokmin asked.
The employee circled his way out of the information desk and stood right in front of him. Seokmin's eyebrows collided.
'What on Earth is this man doing?' Seokmin thought, even though he already has an idea.
"I know. The sun must feel embarrassed cause you're the sunshine," the man said, all the ways trying to flirt with him is now laid out open.
Seokmin smiled awkwardly.
"I appreciate the thought but," Seokmin paused and held out his hand to show his wedding ring. "I'm already married," Seokmin said, almost in greeted teeth as he really doesn't want to admit. However, being married with Jisoo really comes in handy during times like these.
"Eyy, I already know this." The man said, acting sheepishly. He even motioned his hand as if slapping the air gently to dismiss Seokmin's idea.
"I know you're just pretending to be married and that the wedding ring is fake," the man said again and Seokmin was bewildered with what he'd heard.
He instantly looked around.
"If he heard what you said, he'd definitely be offended," Seokmin said, imagining Joshua's face.
Joshua's the one who were in charge of the rings when they got married. Seokmin knew the ring in his finger is made of high quality gold.
"Okay, look. I just need to go to Mr. Joshua Hong's office. So will you please tell me where I need to go?" Seokmin asked, already feeling tired of the guy in front of him.
"Oh sweetheart," the man said and Seokmin felt goosebumps with what he'd heard. He instantly felt disgusted.
"No one is allowed to just meet with the CEO. You're not really here for that, are you?" The employee said again, smiling all villainy and maniacally.
Seokmin is slowly losing his temper. He is not here to play games with this employee.
'Ugh! This bastard Joshua Hong! If he'd just answered my call, this wouldn't have happened!' Seokmin thought again.
"Okay fine," the man in front of Seokmin said again which made Seokmin come to his senses.
"I'll let you have a meeting with the CEO, I'll use my connections so the secretary could squeeze you in his schedule today. But..." The man said and stepped forward, closing the distance between them but Seokmin took a step back.
"Say yes to a dinner with me. Tonight," The man said with a smile Seokmin now find creepy.
Seokmin's now a bit infuriated and was about say something when he felt a hand circled around his waist, and pulled him away from the man. He looked at the owner of the hand in his waist and saw Joshua looking at the employee very coldly.
"May I ask what you need from my husband?" Joshua asked and Seokmin felt as if his whole body tingled with the word husband.
To be continued...