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“You know, I don’t think I should be here,” Jeonghan says, as they sit in the back seats of Seungcheol’s car. Their driver had parked them at the front of the entrance of the hotel that Jeonghan’s 10-year high school reunion was being held at.
Seungcheol looked at Jeonghan and he could see the tension and stress in his shoulder, he frowned. “I know you didn’t have the best high school experience,” Jeonghan scoffed. “But those guys have probably grown up now and would love the opportunity to be able to apologise for the way they treated you back then.” Seungcheol carried on like Jeonghan hadn’t interrupted.
Jeonghan rolled his eyes. “These guys couldn’t change if their lives depended on it.” He replies, childishly. Seungcheol smiled affectionately and shook his head.
“We’re going and that’s final.” He said, and knocked on the door, signalling for the driver to open the door. Once the door was open Seungcheol pulled Jeonghan out of the car despite his grumbling. They were slightly late to the event as it took Seungcheol 2 hours to persuade Jeonghan to even try to get ready for the event. That meant there was barely anyone outside, only stragglers who were rushing to get into the event themselves.
Jeonghan let Seungcheol pull him into the lobby of the hotel and towards the function room. Seungcheol knew this hotel like the back of his hand considering he owned the franchise.
That was another reason Jeonghan didn’t want to go. Seungcheol was popular in his high school. Despite only meeting each other in university, Jeonghan could immediately recognise the popularity Seungcheol held. He had a large group of friends and was almost never alone. He had girls buying him food and gifts every day. He had money, clearly, from the cars he drove to the school in. He was everything Jeonghan wasn’t. Jeonghan who had to work after school to help his parents out in their restaurant as they couldn’t afford to hire any employees. He didn’t have any expensive clothes, or cars. But he worked hard and studied harder and luckily was able to grab a scholarship for his chosen university.
He had originally hated Seungcheol with a passion. He was everything Jeonghan was not. He had everything Jeonghan wishes he had. He thought Seungcheol was just like the rest of them. Bullied him because he was poor. Bullied him because he was a loner. Bullied him because he was gay. But Seungcheol seemed to make it his life’s goal to get Jeonghan to notice him.
He would always smile at him whenever he saw him. Would want to partner in classes they had the same. Would try to have his breaks with Jeonghan when they both didn’t have classes. This only annoyed Jeonghan further as it brought him unnecessary attention. It wasn’t long until he had taunts thrown at him here as well. So, he tried his best to avoid Seungcheol at all costs. At some point he stopped going to classes hoping it would deter him enough. But when he went back to lessons after he couldn’t afford to miss anymore of his classes due to the risk of losing his scholarship, Seungcheol’s attention couldn’t have been more obvious. He now wanted to spend every moment with Jeonghan. It was exhausting.
This only lasted a few more weeks before Jeonghan couldn’t take it anymore. At break when he found himself alone with Seungcheol, he straight up asked him, “What are you trying to get out of this? Money? Is it a bet? Make the gay kid get a crush and break his heart? What do you want from me? How can I get you to leave me alone?”
Seungcheol looked shocked at the outrage in Jeonghan’s voice. Jeonghan’s face flushed red in frustration and chest heaving.
“I’m not playing a prank on you?” Seungcheol timidly replied, taking a step closer to him. “This entire time I have just wanted to get to know you.”
Jeonghan was sceptical still and took a step back, only to hit the wall behind him, and gulped. Seungcheol noticed and took a step back again to make sure Jeonghan knew he wasn’t trying to trap him in. “I’m serious. From the moment I first saw you I couldn’t get you out of my head.”
Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, “Forgive me if I don’t believe a popular guy like you would take any interest in a loner like me.”
“What’s so hard to believe? You are attractive and I wanted to get to know you better.” Replied Seungcheol, looking a little shy for the first time since Jeonghan has met him.
“What did you just call me?” Jeonghan said in disbelief.
“I said, I find you attractive, and I would love to get to know you better.” Seungcheol smiled that charming smile that got everyone to like him. Despite everything it also worked on Jeonghan.
“But you’re not gay. As far as I’m aware you have had multiple girlfriends in the past. Not to mention all the girls who flock to you every day, giving you everything to try and get your attention on them.” Jeonghan said with narrowed eyes.
“You do know bisexuality exists, right?” Seungcheol asked with a raised eyebrow. Jeonghan flushed. “And yes I have had multiple girlfriends in the past. I just haven’t found the right guy to bother and try a relationship with. Until now.”
Jeonghan didn’t know what to say for the longest time, so he just said, “That is the cheesiest thing I think I’ve ever heard.” Whilst hiding a smile.
Seungcheol smiled back and stepped closer to Jeonghan, sensing the ease in tension. He looked down at Jeonghan and swept a loose stand of hair behind his ear. Loving the red that graced his ears as he did. “Give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking. If you say no I completely understand, but I think we could have something, you know.”
Jeonghan was honestly at a loss for words. He had never kissed anyone before, never mind been in an actual relationship with someone. But for once, he just wanted something that was just his. He wanted to be selfish and take something that everyone wanted for himself.
“I’ve never had a relationship before…” Jeonghan said shyly, looking at the ground.
Seungcheol lifted his head with his hand to his chin and made Jeonghan look into his eyes. “Then I would happily be your first.”
Jeonghan had to bite his lip to stop himself from grinning. He nodded.
That’s how it started. They exchanged numbers and started talking more outside of university. Over winter break they saw each other almost every day. They hung out more without Seungcheol’ friends tagging along and Jeonghan loved it.
He had almost forgotten how forgettable he was as Seungcheol made him feel so important and like he was worthy of affection. Until they went back to school.
Seungcheol picked Jeonghan up on their first day back and drove them to school, which Jeonghan was nervous about anyway. As soon as they exited the car they were swarmed with Seungcheol’s friends. They didn’t notice Jeonghan, and he got knocked to the ground in their excitement to see their friend. But Seungcheol noticed and pushed everyone away to pick him up off the ground.
“Watch it, guys. You knocked Jeonghan over.” Seungcheol said, looking him over for any damage.
“Who? Oh, him. I’m sure he’s fine, Seungcheol. I didn’t see you at all this break. I message you to see if you wanted to come to my parents’ villa on Jeju, but you didn’t reply.” One of Seungcheol’s girl friends said and pouted, grabbing on to his arm.
He shook her off and glared, walking away from her, and pulling Jeonghan behind him. “Jeonghan is my boyfriend. You’ll do well to remember that.”
He walked away from the wide-eyed group and wrapped an arm around Jeonghan’s waist. “Ignore them.” He said and kissed Jeonghan’s cheek when they were out of site, as Seungcheol knew he wasn’t a fan of PDA.
“Seungcheol, I knew this is what it was going to be like. Trying to go out with you.” He smiled sadly. “People love you and want to be around you. A lot want to be with you.”
“I don’t care who think that they love me. I only care how you feel about me.” Seungcheol said, swiping his thumb across Jeonghan’s cheek in affection. “And I hope that you only care about how I feel about you.”
“And how is it that you feel about me, Choi Seungcheol?” Jeonghan teased. Seungcheol’s face softened and leaned in to give a gentle kiss to Jeonghan’s lips.
“I think I’m in love with you, Yoon Jeonghan.”
Jeonghan stood gaping like a fish for too long as Seungcheol laughed and pulled him in for a hug, wrapping his arms around him. “I’m not expecting you to say it back, you dolt. I just needed to tell you how I feel about you.”
“I’m not saying that I don’t love you back, I have never had these feelings for anyone before and I don’t know how to work through them.”
“You take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” Seungcheol said, kindly, giving his forehead a kiss. “Now, let me walk you to class.”
That’s just how people eventually knew them to be. Jeonghan never really got bullied anymore and the girls after Seungcheol’s attention eventually fizzled away when they realised Jeonghan had his full attention no matter what. There was one-time Seungcheol found Jeonghan being corned by two of Seungcheol’s ex-friends who left when they found out about his boyfriend.
Seungcheol put an end to that almost as soon as it started. No one dared to cross Seungcheol with bad intentions towards Jeonghan again. No one ever said it was Seungcheol who had those two change universities, but it was just something everyone knew. They knew how powerful Seungcheol’s family was and didn’t want to get on their bad side.
Eventually, Jeonghan and Seungcheol became old news. Everyone knew about them and that Seungcheol wasn’t interested. After they finished University, four years they had to get through, they moved into an apartment together. Jeonghan had graduated with a job lined up straight after that paid very well. Even after giving a portion to his parents so they wouldn’t struggle as much, he was still left with a comfortable amount of money.
Seungcheol also went straight into work, making his mark on the hotel industry with his modern and classy buildings. They were an immediate success, making Seungcheol start thinking of expanding not even a year after the initial open.
Jeonghan was so proud of his boyfriend who worked hard for his dream. He became such a well-known entrepreneur and was labelled as one of the top ‘hot under 30’. Jeonghan struggled in the limelight, but luckily it wasn’t often they had to have events to go to together. Seungcheol knew how Jeonghan felt, so if there was a public event he went alone. Jeonghan wasn’t well known as Seungcheol’s partner, and it was even less known that Seungcheol was dating, and he respected Jeonghan’s privacy. In any interviews, Seungcheol was well versed in redirecting the question.
After four years of dating, Seungcheol took them onto a private date on the roof of one of his most high-end hotels. It was beautiful, full of fairy lights and beautiful plants. The stars were twinkling brightly in the sky. It was a day Jeonghan would never forget. The way the stars looked, the way the moon shone. But most importantly, the way Seungcheol looked down on one knee, presenting a ring to Jeonghan and asking him to be his husband.
It took too long for Jeonghan to stop crying after, of course, he said yes. But his fiancé was there to comfort him. For the rest of the night Seungcheol couldn’t keep his hands off him. Not when he eventually stopped crying, nor when he took him to bed. Jeonghan had never felt so much love before.
They were busy for months after the initial proposal. Jeonghan had been promoted, and Seungcheol launching more hotels into Japan. Whilst he was away, Jeonghan had gotten an invitation for a 10-year high school reunion. He laughed when he saw it and didn’t intend on going at all and threw it away almost immediately. Shaking his head, thinking to himself that he couldn’t believe that they remembered he existed.
After Seungcheol got back from Tokyo he found the invitation as Jeonghan had missed when throwing it away and it landed behind the bin instead of in it. Seungcheol inquired about it with Jeonghan. He had replied saying how he didn’t want to see anyone from his high school again. It was the worst years of his life and didn’t want to relive it.
Seungcheol bargained with him how it might be a good idea to go just to see how his old bullies were doing in life. He tried not to brag, but he pulled Jeonghan close and whispered, “Don’t you want to show them how successful you become? How attractive you are, and not to mention how attractive your fiancé is, hmm?”
That’s how Jeonghan found himself trying to find his name on one of the name badges on the table outside of the event hall. He never could deny anything that Seungcheol wanted. He wasn’t too sure if his eyes were even focussing on any of the names on the badges anymore. He didn’t want to be here. He heard a click of a tongue next to him, as Seungcheol reached for a badge and pinned it to his suit jacket.
Jeonghan smiled at him in thanks and picked up a badge that said ‘visitor’ and pinned it to Seungcheol’s jacket himself.
“You go straight in.” Seungcheol said, head nodding towards the event. “I need to quickly pop and see the manager. I’ve seen some things in the foyer that I’m not too pleased with. I won’t be long, I promise.”
Jeonghan frowned but nodded. “Promise?” He held out his pinkie finger, the finger that had his engagement ring on. Seungcheol smiled and wrapped his own pinkie around his.
“Promise.”
They separated and Jeonghan immediately felt dread. He sucked it up and walked into the event with a brave face.
He walked around the event for a moment before finding the bar and ordering a glass of champagne for himself and one for Seungcheol. He looked around as he sat at the bar and realised barely recognised anyone here. It wasn’t that they were strangers, just that Jeonghan never bothered to look at the faces of his bullies.
He wasn’t too sure how long he sat for, but he was now on his second drink of the night before someone came and stood next to his chair.
“Jeonghan? Yoon Jeonghan? I’m surprised you turned up.” The person said after ordering their own drink.
“Hmm, so am I.” he replied, taking a sip, wishing to be anywhere else.
“I’m not surprised you turned up alone though,” the person said, with an upturned smirk.
“Excuse me?” Jeonghan said, not recognising this person at all.
“Come on, its not as if you attracted anyone back then or probably since. No one wants to go out with someone once they’re known as the gay boy.” The guy shrugged, taking a drink of his beer.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not alone, I am here with my fiancé. He had to step out for a moment, but he won’t be long.” Jeonghan glared.
“Dude, you really don’t want to be making things up right now, it’s more pathetic than you turning up alone.” The guy replied with a raised eyebrow. He left after that and walked back to the group he was with. It was obvious he was talking about him after that as he and the group kept looking back at him and laughing. Jeonghan tried his best to ignore then, but it brought him right back to how he felt in high school. How alone and small he felt.
He was debating whether or not he should just leave and message Seungcheol that he was going home when he heard a commotion at the entrance to the hall. He watched as almost half the attendees basically ran and formed a circle around a person as they entered. Jeonghan rolled his eyes. It was probably one of the extremely popular people and everyone was reverting to their childlike tendencies of needing to please them.
He turned around in his chair and finished the last of his drink before starting to drink the drink he had bought for Seungcheol half an hour ago. He should be back soon, Jeonghan thought. He’d never break a promise to me.
The commotion got loud as it got closer to the centre of the room and Jeonghan could hear what it was all about.
“Wow, you’re so attractive, I’m sure you never went to our high school, as I’m sure I would remember you.” He heard a girl giggle, he rolled his eyes.
“You idiot,” He heard another voice speak up. “He owns this hotel, and it’s franchise.”
As Jeonghan heard gasps and praises, he dropped his head to lean onto the bar. He didn’t want to deal with this now. He should’ve been firmer when talking to Seungcheol about this.
“While I do own this hotel, I am here as a guest. My fiancé is here for their reunion. I don’t want to interrupt; I just want to enjoy my night with them.” He heard Seungcheol say not unkindly. He could tell he was using his professional voice when replying to these people which made him smile.
“Oh! I didn’t know you were engaged! You never mentioned in any of your interviews. Ah, what a lucky girl.” Someone said, wistfully.
“My fiancé is quite private so I think this may be the first time we are actually out in public together purposefully.” Seungcheol replied.
“Who is she then? I can’t see anyone who didn’t come without someone.” A voice questioned.
“Well, I was trying to find them before I got ambushed,” Seungcheol joked, but Jeonghan could hear the unpleasantness behind it. “If you’ll all excuse me, thank you.”
Seungcheol stepped away from the crowd and looked around, finding a familiar back of the head sitting at the bar and smiled. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him as he walked towards Jeonghan. Although he didn’t want him to deal with the attention, he needed Jeonghan to know he was here for him.
As he approached Jeonghan he cleared his throat and sat next to him. “Could I have a glass of champagne, please.” He said to the bartender.
“I did order you one, but I got so stressed I’m drinking it.” Jeonghan said, glancing up at Seungcheol with a small smile.
“No issue. Not as if you need to pay for it anyway.” Seungcheol replied, accepting the glass off the bartender. He turned around to face the room and realised everyone was still looking at him. Most faces confused. He was hearing whispers as well but couldn’t make them out.
As he took a sip of his drink, he heard someone approach him and ask, “So where is your fiancé? You don’t have to sit there instead of finding her. Jeonghan came alone anyway, he’s used to it. No need to try and make friends with him.”
Seungcheol frown and saw out of the corner of his eye Jeonghan’s shoulders slump even more. He turned to the voice and glared. “My fiancé is not a woman. My fiancé is this brilliant man right here.”
Seungcheol stood up and pulled Jeonghan out of his chair who was looked wide eyed at Seungcheol, and then frightened at the looks he was being given by his old classmates. He turned towards Seungcheol and whispered, “I can’t do this. I need to leave.”
But as he pulled away Seungcheol’s arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him back towards him causing his face to heat up in embarrassment. “Seungcheol please,”
“Is this some sort of joke? Jeonghan is a loner, he doesn’t have any friends never mind a fiancé. Hey, Jeonghan, how much did you have to pay for someone like Seungcheol to pretend to be your fiancé?” Some said causing most of the group in front of them to laugh.
Jeonghan felt like crying and tried to pull away from Seungcheol once again, but Seungcheol just held on tighter.
“Oi. I don’t know what happened in high school for you all to be so hostile towards him, but Jeonghan is the most caring and thoughtful person I know. He is beautiful and loving and I couldn’t have asked for a better fiancé. When he said yes to being my husband, it was the happiest day of my life. I persuaded him to come tonight to show him how people change. How people aren’t bullies or children anymore once they leave high school. But clearly I was wrong.” Seungcheol monologued.
The faces of the people were a mixture or awe and confusion. Seungcheol frowned. This isn’t what he wanted for Jeonghan. He wanted to show a good side of people, but he felt unaccomplished in his mission. He pulled Jeonghan with him though the crowd before he felt Jeonghan tug on his hand to stop him. He saw a look of determination on his face that he’s never seen before.
Jeonghan took a deep breath before saying, “You know, I just wanted to have friends in high school. I just didn’t want to be alone. I don’t know how people found out I was gay but what I don’t understand is why I got bullied for it. It was the 2010’s, for goodness sake! I came tonight hoping that at least some of you changed. That some of you might’ve accepted me for who I am. What a joke.”
Jeonghan finished with a shake of his head and started walking again, this time pulling Seungcheol behind him. Leaving the crowd in silence they exited the hall and made their way to Seungcheol suite.
Once in the safety of their room Jeonghan wrapped himself tightly around Seungcheol and let himself cry. Seungcheol held Jeonghan for however long he needed. His hands petted Jeonghan’s hair as he held him close.
“I’m sorry I made you do this tonight. I should’ve been more open minded to the fact that people could be so closed minded, even after all these years.” Seungcheol whispered, comfortingly.
Jeonghan let out a little wet laugh and pulled himself off of Seungcheol and took a deep breath. He smiled at him and tried wiping his tears off Seungcheol’s expensive suit jacket.
“I just knew what they would be like. Those sort of people won’t change.” Jeonghan said. “It’s behind me now. I’ll never have to see them again anyway. And I guess it was a nice way to announce our relationship publicly my fiancé.”
Seungcheol smiled and leaned down to give Jeonghan a kiss. Jeonghan deepened it, surprising Seungcheol and causing him to gasp and lose balance. Jeonghan took advantage of this and pushed him onto the bed and straddled him.
“Do you like that? Me calling you my fiancé?”
“Mmm, absolutely. But one thing I’ll love even more is when I get to call you my husband.”
“God, you’re cheesy.” Jeonghan smiled.
“Well, I seem to remember that working pretty well in the beginning. So, what are you going to do about it, husband?” Seungcheol whispered the last word into Jeonghan’s ear.
Jeonghan let out a small laugh in the form of an exhale and smiled, leaning his hands on Seungcheol’s chest.
“I love you so much, Choi Seungcheol.”
“And I love you my future husband, Yoon Jeonghan.”