Chapter Text
“Life is beautiful filled with beautiful things and people.”
Chen loves his life. He is always happy and free spirited. He lives for the moment. Mrs. Kim, his mother is a renowned cardio surgeon and keeps traveling the world either performing surgeries or teaching her best practices. Chen got to travel with her since he was 10. His father passed away due to a car accident when he was 8. Mrs. Kim never remarried. Although his mother had been busy throughout, Chen turned out quiet independent and stable. When he turns 20, they finally settle in London. He becomes an architect and starts his own firm. Chen believes that one day, he will meet his partner and instantly fall in love. Although he goes on many dates he never found the one.
One day, Mrs.Kim gets a call from her brother back in Seoul inviting her to attend his daughter’s wedding. Since she has back to back surgery for that entire week, she asks Chen to go instead.
“Mom, please. Uncle Kim will line up people and force me on blind dates.” whines Chen.
“You have to get married some day. You are already 32. If my brother finds someone nice, what’s the harm in meeting the person?”
“Mom you know I am against arranged marriages.”
“Yes but sometimes love happens even when it is arranged.”
After couple of days, Chen finally books a flight to Seoul.
When he arrives a little late at the airport, he finds that his seat has been assigned to someone else.
“Please can you help me. It’s a long flight and I need the window seat so that I don’t get disturbed.” Chen asks at the ticket counter.
“Sir, we the business class is already running full. If you prefer a seat then you can fly the next available flight.” Replies the agent.
“Okay when is it?”
“This evening.”
“Oh no. I will be late for the engagement. Do you have any another option?”
“Maybe you can ask that gentleman to exchange seats with you.” The agent points out to guy who is talking on his phone.
Chen rushes to him. He waits patiently for him to finish his phone call.
“Hi I need a favor.” He then builds up a story of having a 3 year old son, who is a heart patient and is waiting for his treatment. So he needs to fly out to Seoul immediately.
“Oh when is the next flight available then?” asks the man.
“This evening.”
He thinks for few minutes and then smiles. “Okay you can have my seat. It leaves in 3 hours.”
Chen is blinded by his smile. He thanks him profusely. “By the way, I am Kim Jongdae. I preferred to be called Chen. I need to know your name so that I can tell my son how an angel helped me to reach him fast.” He winks. The man laughs.
“I am Byun Baekhyun. Call me Baekhyun. I am no angel.”
They get the flights swapped and Chen thanks Baekhyun once again. While walking away, he turns around to see Baekhyun still smiling at him. Chen feels guilty for lying to him. He waves at him and Baekhyun waves back. Throughout the flight, Chen cannot stop thinking about him. After reaching Seoul, he gets busy with his cousins that he forgets the incident. The next day, Uncle Kim seems upset as his secretary has not yet returned from his business trip. He was supposed to bring paperwork of an important deal without which the partnership deal with groom’s father will not materialize. As the evening approaches, Uncle Kim gets anxious. Chen tries to calm him. Finally around 7 in the evening, the man arrives.
Chen opens the door in his uncle’s study and freezes. The man inside was none other than Byun Baekhyun. He was trying explain what had happened when Uncle Kim stops him after he sees Chen.
“Come on in Chen. This is my secretary Baekhyun.” Chen has no other option but to go inside. Baekhyun is shocked to see him but he composes himself.
Uncle Kim introduces them. He then excuses himself to make a phone call. As soon as he leaves the study, Chen immediately apologizes. Baekhyun has no other choice but to accept as he works for Chen’s uncle. There is an awkward silence between them. Then Uncle Kim returns and asks Baekhyun to set up few potential dates for Chen.
When they hear Uncle Kim’s request, both simultaneously talk aloud.
“What? No. Absolutely not.” Chen yells.
“Sir no. I can’t do that.” Baekhyun says. He feels uncomfortable being dragged into Chen’s personal life.
“Well you both don’t have a say into this. Chen is 32. His mother and I want him to get married and settle down. My sister is busy so she has asked me to find him a partner. I would love to but right now I am busy with the merger and Irene’s wedding. So Baekhyun will line up the dates and you will meet them. You have two weeks Chen. Before Irene’s wedding I want you to fix a date for your engagement at the least. No ifs and buts. Now out both of you.”
Baekhyun is angry. He is angry because he has no choice in this matter. He needs this job badly as his livelihood depends on it. He is angry because he has to match make for this lying, spoilt rich brat Chen. Come on he is 32. Can’t he find his own partner? Thinks Baekhyun. He still can’t believe how blatantly he had lied just to get an airline ticket. Baekhyun tries to breathe out and mentally relax. He then walks fast without even stopping to see whether Chen follows him or not. He quickly gets into his car and drives away. Chen is left behind staring at his car.
Well what more can he expect the man to do? Uncle Kim shouldn’t have forced Baekhyun to be the matchmaker. Poor man.