Work Text:
Nam Yejun.
The next for the throne, an upcoming heir to his family who owned one of the biggest companies in the country. He managed two out of three main sectors for the well-known brands of Noir Company, yet he remained low-key because he always wanted to practice a normal life as an heir. He is also proven to be a great leader and has received a lot of awards for the achievements done for the company. His dad, Chairman Nam, is really proud and grateful to have a perfect heir, the next in line like him.
The daily things done by Yejun always keep him busy with work. He attended countless events to expand his connections, expose himself to the business world, and gain more knowledge.
His schedule for the day was another opportunity for him to expand the business. Yejun made his way to the hotel, where his appointment with one of the investors would take place at the restaurant there. It was just another usual day for him— meeting new people and making deals for the sake of the company.
He walked to the elevator and pressed the ‘up’ button. As he watched the floor numbers decrease, a man approached and stood next to him, waiting as well.
A sweet fragrance mixed into the air the moment the man arrived. It’s probably his perfume, Yejun thought. He took a glance at the man from the corner of his eye while maintaining a straight face. The man had blond hair and wore a perfectly neat white suit over a black turtleneck. He had tiny silver earrings and even a chain necklace. Despite wearing those kind of accessories not every man could pull off, they didn’t look odd on him at all. In fact, it was as if they were made for him.
The elevator finally arrived, and as soon as the doors opened, the man suddenly spoke to Yejun. “ After you. ” the blond said, giving Yejun a cue to enter first. He even offered him a smile.
What was that for?
Yejun slightly bowed his head, acknowledging the gesture, and immediately stepped into the elevator. He pressed the button for the floor where his meeting was scheduled. As he looked up, he saw the man stepping inside after him, walking gracefully toward him. Not going to lie— Yejun’s heart somehow skipped a beat.
No, this is not the time to get mesmerized by someone’s charm, Nam Yejun. He mentally scolded himself. You have important things to do. Secretary Na is already waiting for you.
The blond glanced at the elevator buttons, then looked straight ahead without making a sound. Yejun felt a bit confused— why didn’t the man say anything after getting on? Well.. usually, people who get into an elevator choose a floor to stop at, but this guy hasn’t pressed anything..?
“ Uhm.. which floor? ” Yejun finally broke the silence, his curiosity getting the best of him as the elevator continued moving upward. He even lifted his forefinger, ready to press the button for the blond.
“ We are going to the same one. Thank you for asking, you are so kind. ” the man replied, looking at Yejun with a smile. Yejun who hearing the response, turned his head to look at him. The blond's cheeks lifted, and his eyes curved into a crescent shape, complementing the bright smile on his face.
Oh wow.. His smile.
Yejun blinked after seeing that damn smile, then slightly bowed his head again to show his understanding. He loosened the necktie around his neck and shifted his gaze elsewhere. For some reason, the small space suddenly felt a bit too warm— especially with this pretty stranger standing so close to him.
The elevator trip to the certain floor felt so long for Yejun at that moment. His mind flooded with thoughts..
When is this elevator going to stop?
Why if I am stuck with this pretty blond?
What is going to happen if this elevator malfunctioning?
A sudden ringtone broke the silence. It was the blond’s phone and he immediately answered the call, even though the caller ID was clearly marked as “Private Number”.
“ He will arrived early. Leave immediately. ”
“ Aw, such a waste. He is good looking. ”
“ Leave. ”
The call ended right away after just one word was spoken— it almost sounded like a command. At the same time, the elevator chimed, signaling that they had reached the floor where the restaurant was located.
Yejun, who had remained silent the whole time, quickly stepped out, rushing ahead. But he suddenly stopped when he noticed the blond hadn’t followed him.
“ Not getting off? ” Yejun asked, a confused expression on his face as he pointed at the floor. He quickly glanced at the floor number displayed next to the elevator, double-checking if they had indeed arrived at the right floor.
Yeah, it is the right one.
The blond got startled because he didn’t expect Yejun to remember that he wanted to get off on the same floor. He then grinned at the blue-haired guy before pushing the close button in the elevator.
“ Next time, handsome. ”
Yejun widened his eyes after hearing that from the blond. His gaze went wild, looking at nowhere in particular as he quickly made his way to the promised venue, his heart racing.
What kind of feeling is that?
The documents and workloads that he needed to check and give approvals for seemed to be taking over all the space on his desk already. Yejun felt like he had to call it a day and go home by rewarding himself with something nice. After a long day at work, Yejun decided to go to his favorite cafe to buy something cold to freshen himself up.
Yejun stopped by at the side of the road as he parked his car there to grab a quick drink at the usual cafe he went to. He rushed inside, ordered a drink right away, and waited for it to be done. While he was waiting for his drink, suddenly, there was a person tapping on his shoulder from behind.
“ Hey, we meet again. ” Yejun got startled upon hearing that voice. It sounded quite familiar to Yejun, but where had he heard it before?
He turned around and found himself facing the same person he had met earlier in the hotel's elevator. His heart skipped a beat— again.
It was the blond.
“ Since we have already met twice now, why don't we exchange names? ” the blond said, showing interest in Yejun even though they had just met today— well, twice. He looked at Yejun, full of anticipation, patiently waiting for an answer.
“ Yejun. Nam Yejun. ” Yejun answered, looking at the blond’s face— more like studying it this time. He had such pretty eyes, their color uniquely complementing his appearance. They were blue, like the deep ocean, and looked mesmerizing to him. He also had a tiny mole under his left eye, which probably made him even more attractive. Not to mention his golden hair, it was so beautiful, like a real gold crown on him.
The blond then offered his hand for a handshake with Yejun, introducing his name afterward. “ Noah is the name. ” he replied, giving Yejun the same damn smile again, just like in the elevator earlier. It made Yejun’s heartbeat go crazy one more time.
Yejun looked at Noah's hand, reached for it, and went in for the handshake.
“ It's nice meeting you, Noah. ”
After the meetings at the hotel and cafe, Yejun and Noah ended up exchanging numbers too. Though it all started in the early autumn, Yejun could feel the taste of happiness and love as if he were still in the spring season— the season of love. It all started with simple meetings to see each other over a span of a few months, and they had already gotten closer faster than they had expected. Even they, themselves didn’t realize how much their bond had grown.
From meetings, it eventually turned into dates. They clicked and matched each other’s energy, finally becoming a couple. Yes, Yejun got into a relationship with the pretty stranger he had met a few months ago. He believed he was destined to meet Noah in the first place— destined to have someone like him in his life.
Since then, every single day felt brand new for Yejun because he always looked forward to meeting Noah after finishing work. As for Noah, he always tried his best to be there for Yejun, knowing his boyfriend's packed schedule. He felt the need to make time for him.
It was a normal day for Yejun at work. He kept himself busy reading documents that required his approval for projects and proposals. Then, he heard a notification sound from his phone— it was a message from Noah.
“ Let's eat together, Jun-ah. Let's go for a drive thru, I want some fast foooood. Fetch me at the usual place when it's your lunch time! I love you! ”
Yejun chuckled while reading the message, then immediately piled up the files on his desk, classifying the documents so he wouldn’t mix them up when he came back later. The clock already showed that lunchtime was approaching soon.
Perfect.
Yejun got up from his seat, grabbed his suit jacket, put it on, and instantly headed out. He felt excited over the short message from Noah because he was about to have another date with his lover. He walked at a fast pace, not even noticing the employees who greeted him on his way to the entrance. His only thought was that Noah was waiting for him, and he needed to be quick to get there. He went to his car, left the parking lot, and drove to the place mentioned in the message.
Yejun recognized a familiar figure as he neared the place. He saw the blond standing on the sidewalk, staring up at the endless gray sky. Noah wore a beige long coat with a brown scarf wrapped around his neck— they matched perfectly on him.
The weather was cloudy, and the cold truly set in that day. The view looked gloomy, as the overcast sky made it seem almost like nighttime but seeing Noah with his own eyes warmed his heart instantly, lifting his mood right away.
Noah noticed a car slowing down as it approached the side of the road. Seeing Yejun, the one driving toward him already made his heart feel content. He lightly swayed his head from side to side, his excitement obvious on his face as he grinned like a little child.
The car finally stopped, and Noah instantly got inside, pressing a soft smooch on Yejun’s cheek right away. “ It’s my hello! I didn’t expect you to come over this quick. Thank you for not making me wait too long— it’s so cold out there! ” he giggled, looking at Yejun with eager eyes. He was in a good mood indeed, excited to finally have at least a quick meal with his busy boyfriend.
Yejun chuckled when listening to Noah talking. Since he couldn't help himself upon seeing the cuteness shown by Noah, he then quickly cupped his cheeks and gave a kiss to him. He tilted his head as he deepened the kiss between them, gently pushing Noah towards him, placing his hand on his nape while Noah placed his hand on his shoulder, grasping onto his suit. Soft groans escaped while they were kissing, and it was such a sweet and affectionate one, filled with their love for each other and thoughts of them being together.
As soon as they broke the kiss, Noah stayed silent for a moment, his cheeks flushed with a rosy blush. He then stared at Yejun, squinting his eyes. “ D-Dont tell me that kiss was supposed to be my lunch? Jun-ah, I’m hungry now! Quick, quick, drive! ” he whined, pouting his lips in a playful tantrum while lightly slapping Yejun’s thigh.
“ Alright, alright. Let's go get some foods for this whiny little kid. ”
They reached the drive-thru of the fast food restaurant that Noah wished to eat at. Yejun then pressed the button to lower the car's windows, greeted whoever was in charge, and looked at the menu.
While Noah was also busy picking food from the menu, he suddenly got distracted as he heard some chatter through the intercom at the order section. He could even hear the workers talking, though it sounded a bit distorted.
“ Woah, the driver is so handsome. His voice sound crazy too. ”
“ Ah, just look at his face card. He would be a perfect boyfriend. ”
Noah raised his eyebrows in disbelief, his jealousy greeting him as he clenched his fist. He then asked Yejun to immediately place their orders and move to the next section right away. Deep down, he felt more impatient to see who the people behind the intercom were than to get his food. Those words were like gasoline that lit the fire in him.
How dare!
Yejun noticed that something was wrong with his boyfriend as he didn’t look quite happy, despite just ordering his favorite set. He stopped at the next section, getting ready to collect the food from the employee.
As the car stopped, Noah quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and moved from his seat, making his way to the car's window on the driver's side. He stuck his upper body out from the window, staring at the workers.
Yejun was so confused by Noah's behavior but didn’t dare to say anything. Instead, he gripped Noah tightly to make sure he didn’t fall out of the car. Safety first.. yeah.
“ Where are those girls who were staring and talking about the driver earlier? ” he asked the cashier, his eyes scanning inside the restaurant for other workers. After a moment, two girls came out with the food that had been ordered.
“ Here is your order. ” one of the workers said, handing it over to Noah. She also seemed to take a glance at Yejun, who was still confused, and Noah immediately noticed that.
“ He is handsome, yes. I know he is, but he's not perfect to be your boyfriend because he's already mine. Keep dreaming, sweetie. ” Yejun was shocked when he heard those words come out of Noah’s mouth, chuckling afterward as he realized that was the real reason his boyfriend’s face had been so intense earlier.
Yejun gave a tiny squish on Noah's butt as a cue for him to get inside quickly, feeling embarrassed somehow. Noah let out an ack, sticking his tongue out with a blep expression to the workers before carefully moving inside. Not going to lie, he felt very satisfied with his own actions.
Yejun immediately closed the window and drove away, feeling the heat rush to his face. He blushed after Noah's little act earlier, not expecting him to go that far over such a small thing.
“ I said what I said~ Uhm, yum! ” Noah sat comfortably in his seat, placing the food on his lap, starting to eat the French fries while humming happily. Yejun just grinned, feeling a sense of joy as he realized how Noah's silly behavior made him feel special— having someone be jealous and protective over him.
As long as he is happy enough, then I am too.
It was a calm morning, with rays of light sneaking into the room through the curtains. The room felt much brighter as the sun greeted the peaceful morning.
Yejun moved his body, turning around and letting out a soft groan. He felt very sleepy but reminded himself that he needed to get up since he had to go to work. He then checked the alarm clock on the desk next to the bed.
Ugh, still early. I will get up in five minutes more.
Yejun rubbed his eyes and snuggled close to the person next to him. “ Good morning. ” he softly mumbled, then wrapped his arm around whoever was sleeping next to him, giving gentle rubs using his thumb and some soft pats as if he were sending a little baby to dreamland.
“ Noah-yaaang~ ”
Yejun mumbled more, then pressed his cheek against Noah's and pulled up the blanket, tightening his arm around Noah's waist as he snuggled closer to the blond. The clinginess in him really showed at its finest.
While Yejun did this and that, Noah remained in his deep sleep, not moving an inch. But it didn't matter to Yejun, as long as he was able to stay close to him.
After a moment, there was finally some movement from Noah. He slowly turned his body, facing Yejun, who was still lying next to him, already dozing off. His plan to get up in five minutes vanished into the air.
Noah then slowly opened his eyes to find the blue-haired guy lying very close to him. Too close. He looked at Yejun's face, studying them.
Handsome, handsome.
Noah touched every feature on Yejun's face, his finger moving carefully here and there, learning them to the fullest since he wanted to remember them well. He huddled closer to Yejun, delicately grabbing his chin and slightly tilting his head. His heart raced, but he decided to continue anyway. Who else would he do this with if not Yejun, right?
He partially closed his eyes as he planted a light smooch on Yejun's lips. “ Morning kith for the handsome. ” Noah mumbled, his hand slowly stroking Yejun's head. Yejun really looked like a small child, sleeping soundly next to him. Noah smiled as he realized that his partner actually looked so cute at that moment.
Who would have guessed that this intimidating and awkward guy with a straight face on their first meeting would turn out to be his boyfriend?
A vibration sound came through. Noah slightly moved, getting off the bed as soon as he reached for his phone, remembering that he had put it on silent yesterday. He quickly grabbed whatever was on the floor to wear, since he had such a wild night with Yejun last night. He took a few steps away from the bed to check his phone.
It was a message received.
“ Message :
Get into the database of the company. Gather the confidential information on the entries made specifically for the financial. Use the access that he has either in his office (his own company's computer) or in his house (his own PC) to avoid any suspicious login attempts.
TASK DELIVERED
SELF-DELETED MESSAGE IN 30 SECONDS AFTER READ ”
Not even a few minutes after he was done reading the message, it was automatically deleted after he opened it. Noah immediately looked at Yejun, still sleeping, then left the room silently to carry out whatever he was asked to do.
He roamed around, looking for the study room. As soon as he found it, he completed his task swiftly. He went through the access mentioned in the message along with the details provided and carried out the task smoothly, like he always did. A smirk of satisfaction spread across his face as he clicked here and there, locking his eyes on the screen.
Task accomplished.
Noah sent out the data he had in his hands to the person who hired him. It was just another simple task for him to get done. Not even a single nerve was triggered when he completed the mission, since he had the skills he had been practicing for years.
He then headed out of the room, walking to the kitchen, feeling the need to freshen up. It was the first time he had visited Yejun's house after knowing him for quite a while.
Noah held a glass of water in his hand as he walked around Yejun's house. He looked at the family portrait on the wall, taking a closer look while sipping the water. It was Yejun's family photo.
The father and Yejun?
There were only two of them. He finally learned that Nam's family consisted of just two members— his dad and himself.
Interesting, Noah thought.
The next few days were quite gloomy for Yejun. He got up from the bed and rubbed his eyes. He felt a bit empty, not having Noah around for almost a week now. He hadn’t spent the night with Noah these past few days, as Noah said he had important things to settle.
It had been a while since the last time he saw Noah too. Both of them had just gotten busy all of a sudden, so they hadn’t been able to catch up with each other. The only thing they did was exchange some dry texts.
Yejun walked to the living room and reached out for the remote control to get himself updated with the morning news. He then walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water to quench his thirst. While listening, a news break aired on the TV, leaving Yejun in awe.
He put his glass down after taking a gulp and headed toward the living room as soon as he heard the news. He stood in front of the TV, watching the aired report. The headline read that his company had been involved in illegal embezzlement, and it was under his name.
A news break.
One of the most successful companies in the country, N Company, has had one of its highest authorities revealed to be embezzling a large sum of money from the company for personal use.
From the source sent by the anonymous whistleblower, who addressed themselves as N, the documents showed that the figures written on the financial statements submitted for the half-year end did not tally with the actual figures. There were also documents indicating that the company had not fulfilled its taxation for the previous year. The tax and audit authorities will immediately take action to investigate the current situation at the company.
Next news...
He flopped down onto the couch after the news ended, his legs feeling weak. The bullshit he had just heard left him speechless. His heart was beating like crazy, as if he had palpitations from drinking strong caffeine.
What did he even do?
Did he make mistakes when approving the agreements done with investors?
As far as he remembered, he had already made sure not to spend any of the company's money for personal use, but where was this coming from?
What is this heavy feeling that flooded his heart?
What would his dad react if he knows the news?
How is he going to handle this?
People always said to keep your head up whenever you are facing difficulties, to fight back for your own rights, but it seemed like Yejun wasn't able to do such things. He felt weak, as if his soul was being sucked out of his body. He couldn't think of anything at the moment; he was so out of his mind.
Yejun then mindlessly made his way to his room, looking for his phone. He could only think of one person at the moment.
Noah.
He quickly pressed on the speed dial, calling Noah as he felt the need to have him there in that moment. At least to hear his voice over the call— that was all he wanted.
No answers from him.
Damn it, where the fuck are you when I needed you?
Yejun went to the back entrance of the company. He noticed there were quite a few reporters in front of the building when he reached the area, so the back entrance was his only choice. He parked his car and headed straight to his office. The dizziness kicked in his head as he thought about the mess, unsure of where it even came from.
A knock was heard from the outside, and a person entered right away after a few knocks. It was his secretary, Secretary Na, the one he trusted the most and always worked with. He was someone reliable and trustworthy to Yejun, so Yejun sometimes let him handle a few important schedules on his behalf, only when his own schedule was too packed. He also treated him like his own brother.
Secretary Na stepped in and made his way inside, likely wanting to discuss the shocking news revealed earlier, as it was related to the company.
“ CEO Nam, I heard about the sudden news. The human resources management informed me about the huge amount of articles that have been released relating to it. I personally think this matter is really getting out of our hands. ” he said, following Yejun, who couldn't stay still, feeling restless in his own office.
Yejun put on a serious face, unbothered by the questions asked by his secretary. His mind was already a mess, and now this guy came in to make it messier by informing him of this?
“ Give me some time to think, God damn it. I need to find a way to solve this somehow. You, make sure the news doesn't reach Chairman Nam. ” Yejun pointed his finger at his secretary, giving a little warning in an intimidating tone as a reminder. He just wanted to make sure everything would be fine.
“ I don't want to disturb him or let him down. I want to prove to him that I can manage this well. The dismissal of the board and the new selection of board members is near now. I cannot afford to make any mistakes. ” Yejun added, walking toward his desk as he checked the papers and documents on it.
“ Right, I hope you're able to come up with something to solve this. Please do let me know if you need anything too. I will discuss this matter with the related management to find solutions as well. ” Secretary Na said, trying to reassure Yejun that he would be there if he needed any help.
“ CEO Nam, do recall anything that makes sense, about anything related to this. A tiny thing that you have missed could be a huge mistake, and you might realize it after connecting the dots. I am leaving now. Do reach me out through the line if there's anything you need. ” the man excused himself, giving a little bow and left Yejun's office right away.
Yejun took a glance at the man, letting out a soft sigh after hearing the words from him. Probably, he shouldn't have treated his secretary like that— it was kind of harsh, but whatever. His mind was a mess. He had no time to take care of anyone's feelings right now, there was a huge matter he needed to settle.
Yejun then accessed his computer, logging into the database using his user ID. His hand clicked here and there quickly to check the documents stored there, especially the financial-related ones. His mind suddenly shifted to checking the recent logins.
Recent Logins.
User : 남예준 (Nam Yejun)
User ID : 0109120312
Login details.
- 20xx , December 18th — 15:15
- 20xx , December 15th — 09:10
- 20xx , December 13th — 10:45
- 20xx , December 12th — 06:23
- 20xx , December 10th — 09:01
Notification(s):
- 20xx , December 12th — 06:23 (logged in by registered external device, PC)
I made a login at home? And the timestamp too.. it was early in the morning. When did I even log into the database that early, before working hours?
His pupils started shaking, his body frozen as he tried hard to recall the memories of the past few days. He didn’t remember logging into the database or bringing any work home from the office. He also didn’t bring anyone new to his house or invite any of his officemates. It was only Noah— the only one who had recently come by.
He reached for his phone, dialing Noah's number again. His feelings were now mixed after recalling the morning news earlier.
No way. I couldn't reach him at all.
His anxiousness kicked in, and a ton of questions and possibilities flooded his mind. They lingered, and his current feelings were like being pulled down to the bottom of the sea, unable to save himself from drowning.
He kept dialing Noah's number, but still, there was no answer. As his fingers kept busy typing a message after receiving no response, his computer suddenly shut down and restarted by itself.
What is happening here now?
The screen went pitch black, and after a few minutes, huge words appeared in red color on it.
“ 죽어, 남예준 (Die, Nam Yejun) ”
Yejun was shocked seeing the message, quickly getting off his seat and looking around his surroundings. He immediately felt like someone was watching him from afar. His breathing became erratic, and his feet kept pacing back and forth as he felt restless.
He sat down on the couch in his office, staring up at the ceiling with the death threats still displayed on his screen, despite his attempts to close it earlier. He didn’t know what to do anymore with these unexpected situations, he was clearly not prepared for it at all.
He felt like his brain was about to explode with the overflowing negative thoughts. It seemed like the person who did this to him really had him cornered, holding tight to his weaknesses and using them to the fullest to pull him down.
He closed his eyes, dozing off as he felt tired from dealing with his own thoughts, and just like that, Yejun drifted into a deep sleep. He had a very.. long sleep.
Yejun woke up the next day, finding himself in his own bed. He quickly got up from the bed, sitting on it while scanning the room. He rubbed his eyes to make sure where he was actually at.
What the hell? How did I end up in my own room?
He immediately looked at his body, fully clothed in a shirt and pajama pants, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He also didn’t feel anything peculiar about his body, but how did that happen?
He moved off his bed, getting up and taking light steps as he headed out of his room. He popped his head out as soon as he opened the door.
Nothing, no one's there.
He walked out, checking his own house. He expected some intruders, but what kind of intruder would bring him home, know the passcode to his house, and even change his clothes to something more comfortable?
Yejun headed back into his room, looking for his phone. He knew he shouldn't be checking it after everything that had happened, but he still proceeded to check it, tapping on the work-related group chats. He also read the reminders posted by his employees on the main feed.
W-what? It looked like usual conversation and posts..?
He quickly opened the search site, typing in any keywords related to yesterday's news or articles. Surprisingly, he didn't find anything like that lying around. Not even a single article was there.
What happened?
Yejun then called his secretary. He was still thinking about the threats he saw yesterday that appeared on his computer. It triggered him in some ways, but he still wanted to make sure.
“ Ah, yes, Secretary Na. I’m sorry for informing you so late, but I’m taking a leave today. Please change my schedule for today and push it to any available dates. Also, can you... please check my computer, in my office? Now? Like, right now. ” The anxious feelings flooded inside him again. He waited for Secretary Na to respond, wanting to know whether the threat was still there or not.
“ I have turned on the computer. It is working just fine, CEO Nam. Should I turn it off or leave it like that here? ”
Working fine? He turned on the computer? As Yejun remembered, he had left it just like that yesterday before dozing off.
What in the world just happened?
A brand new day finally came. Yejun put on his best suit for the big day. He got himself ready earlier than usual and even went for a different hairstyle, slicking his hair back to show off his bare forehead. He wanted to look his best and neat, aiming to give a great impression to everyone.
His dad had already informed him about his arrival for the conference, and everything had gone perfectly so far. A thought of someone came into his mind, but he quickly brushed it off, not wanting to let it ruin his mood.
He then stopped by his favorite cafe to grab a morning coffee. There was a few hours' gap until the main event started. He walked towards the cafe, taking in his surroundings as he inhaled the fresh morning breeze and air.
There was a familiar figure walking across the street, looking mysterious in all black, from head to toe, with a cap and face mask. His heart started to beat faster as he thought he recognized the person. He stood still for a moment, then quickly took a step forward, chasing after them. Surprisingly, the person started running away from him. Why was that?
The chase ended with both of them in an abandoned basement. “ Enough with the running. Tell me, who the fuck sent you? Are you the one who sent the death threat to me before? ” Yejun pinned the man to the ground, his knee pressing into his back as he tightly secured both of the man’s hands with one of his own. Noticing a gun in the man’s back pocket, Yejun quickly grabbed it and pointed it at him.
His stern voice echoed through the empty basement, bouncing off the cold walls. After a long and exhausting chase, Yejun finally had the man pinned down, but strangely, he didn't feel the satisfaction he expected. His heart pounded in his chest as he quickly ripped off the cap and face mask from the man's head, his eyes widening in disbelief. The face staring back at him was all too familiar.
No, it is the face that he knows, he is someone that he actually knew.
“ Wow, language? You sound funny. Why are you so curious about who sent me? But no, handsome. I got no answers for that. I was told not to tell a soul. ” the man replied with a chuckle, mocking Yejun right to his face. It was clear to Yejun that the man knew he had already screwed up the moment he got caught.
As for the man, it was his very first time getting caught like that, because he was usually able to vanish smoothly from anyone who chased him. Perhaps he had given in when he recognized the person pursuing him, realizing that the chase wouldn't lead him anywhere. In a way, he had accepted that it was the end for him.
“ Stop with the puzzles, Noah. You came to me and now you’re confusing me like hell. Your disappearance makes much more sense now. Even though you’re at the lower hand now, you still want to play guessing games with me? After all this time.. do your feelings towards me, even real? ”
Yes, it was Noah who got caught by Yejun. His own lover. Noah actually didn't resist, despite Yejun's grip on his hands hurting him. He didn’t even bother to struggle to set himself free. Yejun's eyes went shaky as he kept staring at Noah. He felt so betrayed at that moment, knowing the fact that all the things happening around him suddenly made sense with Noah's disappearance. Like, what the hell? How did he even miss it?
“ Since you already have the gun now, today might be my last day, right? Let me just die in your hands instead of others. Ain't it better, Jun-ah? ” Noah glared at Yejun, giving him a grin with an expression that only God knew how annoying it looked to Yejun at the moment.
“ You didn't answer my question. ” Yejun replied, aiming the gun right at Noah’s temple. His grip was a bit shaky, and his breathing became more unstable, as his mixed feelings seemed to take over him. He only had one thought at that moment.
Am I really going to kill him?
“ I don't need to answer that, Jun-ah. You know my feelings, we already did a lot of things together. We went for dates, we slept together, and even fucked, remember? Why are you even doubting me? ”
“ Aha, is it because the hate already took over you after knowing things happened around? That was quick. I wonder who actually put the spell on you. I didn't expect you to accuse me like this though. ” Noah answered with a playful tone, he almost looked like a person who doesn't care even if he dies there as long as he still kept his mouth running during his final moment.
Noah knew that someone had already messed with Yejun's mind. It seemed like the person had successfully gotten into his head after all the warnings Noah had given.
“ Don't you see Secretary Na earlier? He followed our chase. Since when did he get interested in us, Jun-ah? I thought he was merely your secretary, capable only of doing some office work. It seems like he's more than that.”
Flashback (a few days ago)
“ I know what you did and stay out of my business. Don't get your hopes high for wanting to protect what you wanted to. ” Noah said, his gaze sharpening at the person standing in front of him. He slid his hands into his pockets, waiting for a response, but there was only silence.
“ Don't you agree so.. Secretary Na? I will get my work done without anyone interrupting. The press conference and the meetings for the dismissal of the board are approaching in a few days too. Isn't it about time you stay still and behave? You've annoyed me so much. ” he added while staring at Secretary Na, saying all those things with a threatening tone. He wanted to intimidate Secretary Na so badly, even glaring at him with his coldest expression.
Secretary Na went speechless and felt too stunned to speak. He clenched his fist, trying to figure out what to reply to this damn annoying blond. He felt like Noah's words were stabbing his mind, leaving him unable to counterattack, not a single word coming out of his mouth.
“ Can't even speak? Alright, just remember what I said, Secretary Na. Get out of my way.” Noah left after seeing the guy seemed to have lost the battle. He walked away feeling proud, thinking about the words he threw at him and somehow hoped the guy won't try to be annoying by crossing the lines.
“ Don't listen to him, CEO Nam. He is messing with your mind. Let's get you to the press conference now. It's about time already. ” Secretary Na appeared in the basement, coming out of nowhere and intervening in the conversation between the two.
Yejun looked at his secretary, standing still at a distance, holding a gun aimed at Noah, who was still lying on the ground.
What is happening here?
Why is he even here now.. with a gun too?
“ Haha, here he comes! The one who didn't want to back out. I should have spit on you. You really got some nerves inside you, don't you? ” Noah replied, noticing the sight of the guy he had threatened a few days ago. It seemed like he wasn't shaken by the warnings.
“ CEO Nam, just leave this to me and you shall come with— ” right before Secretary Na could finish his sentence, Noah instantly moved his body with all his strength as he noticed how distracted Yejun had become, trying to adapt to the whole situation. With his rapid movements, he snatched the gun from Yejun's hand and put him in a chokehold with his arm.
“ Back off. He’s definitely coming with me now— I’m not letting him go with you. ” Noah aimed the gun at Secretary Na, his expression hardening as he shifted into serious mode. He cautiously stepped back, fully aware of how much more dangerous the situation had become with that damn secretary present.
Keeping his eyes locked on the man, Noah moved backward before quickly turning to scan the basement for another exit, but in doing so, he unknowingly dropped his guard, giving the armed man the perfect opportunity to strike.
Without any sound or warning, Secretary Na seized the opportunity and fired his gun immediately, shooting Noah with a single bullet.
Pang!
Noah instantly dropped to his knees, panting heavily and letting out loud groans as pain surged through him. His grip around Yejun loosened automatically, resulting to release him. Dizziness kicked in, and his breathing quickly became irregular.
Noah finally collapsed to the ground as his body weakening, sensing the defeat washed over him. He could feel the sudden warmth of his own blood gushing from the wound, pooling beneath him. Tears escaped his eyes as an unbearable wave of pain consumed him.
His body trembled violently as he grunted, desperately gasping for air, struggling to regulate his breathing. His eyelids fluttered as he fought to stay conscious— he couldn't pass out yet, not before making sure Yejun was really leaving. Summoning the last of his strength, he reached out and gripped Yejun’s ankle tightly. Even speaking had become the hardest struggles for him now.
“ Jun-ah, please leave now. Leave by yourself. ”
Yejun took a step back from Noah, his mind clouded with confusion as he watched him struggle, bleeding out from the gunshot. He wasn’t in the right state of mind— too much had happened too fast, leaving him in shock. He stared at Noah blankly, devoid of any emotion, offering neither a touch nor a helping hand. Without a word, Yejun turned and left, escaping the basement— leaving Noah behind, just like that.
“ Congratulations on becoming the chairman, Nam Yejun. The new board of directors now has a lot of potential people, thanks to you for always handling things right. I felt at ease too, being able to make it on time during the dismissal. ” Yejun's dad said while patting his shoulder. He looked at his only son, who was sitting next to him, his expression somehow unhappy despite being appointed as the new chairman after everything that had happened.
Yejun remained silent after hearing those words. It had been a week since the new board of directors was formed, and his secretary was nowhere to be found. As far as he knew, his dad had only told him that his secretary had been arrested and that he would be getting a new one now that he had become chairman. And Noah.. he had no idea what had happened to him after the incident. He had left his lover behind just like that, only realizing the weight of everything after it was too late.
His dad got up from his seat and walked to the nearest desk, retrieving a document from the drawer before handing it to Yejun.
“ Agent Han really did a great job, even till the end. ”
Yejun’s mind went blank, confusion washing over him once again as he heard those words. He hesitantly reached for the papers, his thoughts racing.
What? Agent Han?
CONFIDENTIAL
NAME : 한노아 (NOAH HAN)
DOB : 20XX . 02 . 10
CODE NAME : N
RANK : S
TEAM : A (LEADER)
MAIN ROLE : RISK TAKER (HIGH)
STATUS : IN ACTION
SUBJECT : NAM YEJUN (CURRENT)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
⌕ : Agreement date.
- 20xx.08.25.
⌕ : Effective date for the mission.
- 20xx.09.01
⌕ : Mutual agreements done with : -
- Chairman Nam of Noir Company
⌕ : Assigned team for any backup situations.
- Selected team : A (Consisting of 6 S-ranked members.)
⌕ : Further explanation and details on mission : -
⛓ Main objective : Protect the subject, Nam Yejun, from the effective date until the arrival of Chairman Nam on the day of the dismissal of the board of directors of Noir Company.
⛓ Appearance : Navy blue hair.
: Blue gray eyes.
⛓ Other objective : Eliminate the infiltrators, find the moles in the company, solve any threats and public or external issues arise relating to the subject.
⌕ : Conditions stated for agreement as per requested.
- The agent MUST NOT reveal their true identity or disclose any information about the authorities to the subject until the main objective is confirmed to be achieved.
- The agent is OBLIGATED TO obey all instructions given by the high authority (starting from the effective date), whether they are ethical or unethical.
- The agent SHALL RECEIVE the death penalty if they fail to fulfill their duty or achieve the main objective.
CONFIDENTIAL
Yejun's eyes widened as he carefully read through the profile. His mouth parted slightly, and his grip on the paper tightened as his hands began to tremble. His mind raced, questioning what kind of nonsense was unfolding before him.
“ What’s the meaning of this? Noah, Han Noah.. is someone you sent to me? Someone you sent to protect me? ” He lifted his head, staring at his father, who had suddenly brought up his missing boyfriend.
“ Yes, I sent him to protect you while I was away, Jun-ah. He has been relaying messages and keeping me updated on everything that happened here. It turns out Secretary Na was indeed the mole in the company— he desired to take over your position. ” his dad added, walking back to the couch and taking a seat in front of Yejun.
“ Agent Han has been working under me perfectly. I also foresaw the embezzlement case and instructed him to access the database long before the news broke, ensuring your name was cleared instantly. He handled it well, with help from his headquarters, too. ”
What? No wonder there were no issues raised on the day of the new board formation.
As far as Yejun knew, the human resources manager had only informed him that the case was dropped— nothing more.
“ Even the death threats you received before were handled by him. I’m truly amazed by his skills. He took care of everything in a flash. ” his dad added, watching Yejun, who still looked unsettled.
“ Even the death threats? He handled all of those too..? ” Yejun questioned, his confusion deepening. He couldn’t believe that all this time, Noah had been protecting and looking out for him while he had constantly doubted him.
“ Yes, Yejun-ah, I couldn’t access the database because the system blocked any external connections, so I asked Noah for help in retrieving the financial records to clear your name. As for the death threats, he personally went to your office to track the IP address of the sender. He said it was the only way. I put all my trust in him to handle it smoothly— I even gave him your home passcode. ”
Yejun was left speechless after hearing those words from his dad. His heart suddenly ached unbearably as he thought about how he had treated Noah— accusing him of dirty deeds without knowing the truth. He then looked at Noah's photo in the profile, regret weighing heavily on him as he recalled the mistakes he made during their last meeting.
So it was him who brought me home safely.
Yejun took a stroll by himself, walking along the seaside as the cool wind brushed against his skin. Even the breeze from the sea seemed to welcome him. His dad had urged him to take a short break now that the hectic week had passed, insisting that he looked like he needed a vacation after exhausting himself handling company matters.
Though Yejun had officially taken over his father’s position, with the entire board of directors now forming his permanent team, an emptiness lingered within him. He had secured his place at the top, achieving one of his dreams— but at what cost?
He had lost the love of his life. He had wronged him, accusing him of things he never did. He had spoken to him harshly, treated him unfairly, and in the end, abandoned him to save himself. Was he really saving himself that day.. or had he actually lost himself?
Yejun's gaze was lost in the vast blue sea, his mind drowning in thoughts of the lover he missed so deeply. He walked along the shore at a slow pace, his feet sinking into the sand with each step, his eyes fixed on the endless horizon.
It had been a month since he last saw Noah. Today was February 10th— his birthday. He was supposed to be celebrating it with his boyfriend, yet he had no idea where Noah was or what had happened to him. The thought of him lingered in Yejun’s mind, an ache that wouldn’t fade. He missed the blond so much, even though they hadn’t parted on good terms.
He wondered just how much Noah had been hurt the day he chose to escape alone. He wondered.. did Noah even survive?
Is he even alive?
The pool of tears in his eyes finally broke, streaming down his cheeks. The regret within him felt as huge as the sea before him, threatening to swallow him whole. His steps came to a halt as he broke down, his legs weakening until he kneeled on the pale sand.
The deep ache of missing someone tore him apart as memories of Noah flooded his mind— the good days they spent together, the warmth they shared. He missed that pretty face, the smile, the whining, the laughter, and every kiss and touch. He lowered his head, staring blankly while more tears kept flowing.
“ Hi, handsome. ”
A voice echoed in his ears, a voice he knew all too well. Was it just his imagination? Had he missed someone so much that he was now hearing things?
“ Nam Yejun. ”
The person called his name. Yejun slowly lifted his head, turning to the side, and there he was— Noah, standing at a distance, watching him.
Yejun quickly stood up, hastily wiping his tears as his breathing grew unsteady. His heartbeat pounded wildly as his eyes stayed fixed on Noah, who remained standing there, smiling. That same damn smile, that prettiest smile.
His gaze traveled from head to toe, taking in Noah’s appearance. A long white coat, a black turtleneck, just like the first time they met. His steps were hesitant at first, unsure if his eyes were deceiving him.
Is this a dream?
But as he moved closer, the reality of it settled in. His pace quickened, his heart racing even faster. It was really Noah. His boyfriend. The one he had been longing for all this time.
“ Han Noah! ”
Yejun instantly pulled Noah into a tight hug, clinging to him as if he would disappear again. Tears streamed down his face— this time, he wasn’t just crying, he was bawling.
Noah let out a small chuckle at the sight of Yejun breaking down in his arms. He had missed his boyfriend too, more than words could express. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and only recently had he gotten back on his feet after being discharged from the hospital due to his injury.
Just like Yejun, the overwhelming feeling of missing someone had eaten him away. Noah had been so worried, knowing that all the chaos had unfolded right before such a huge event. His mind had constantly drifted to Yejun, wondering if he had someone by his side, fearing that he might have struggled alone. He couldn’t help but think about how anxious Yejun must have been, trying to process everything that had happened.
Noah then recalled his faint memories of the day of Yejun’s big event. After Yejun fled, he had seen Secretary Na getting arrested by his teammates. He felt grateful that everything had gone smoothly, with his other teammates successfully escorting Yejun to the venue in silence.
Noah had made the right choice that day by instructing his team to stay prepared for any commands, knowing how crucial the mission was. He had also been informed beforehand by Chairman Nam that he had safely landed in the country to attend the conference.
Noah remembered waking up in the hospital a week later— not at how his teammates had feared he would fall into a coma or never wake up, given that he had shown no signs of consciousness the entire week, but he had survived the gunshot and more than that, he had survived without failing his mission.
The first thing he did upon waking was check the news about Yejun being appointed as the new chairman. The feeling of joy instantly filled his heart. He knew how much Yejun had wanted to achieve this, recalling the countless times he had asked him about his dreams and future plans and now, Yejun had finally made it. Noah felt nothing but pride for him.
Still, Noah had decided not to contact Yejun right away. He figured Yejun would be busy adjusting to his new role, and he also wanted to focus on his own recovery, to heal properly so that when they met again, he would be in perfect condition. As much as he missed him, more than words could express, he didn’t want Yejun to see him weak.
“ I have missed you, Jun-ah. ” Noah whispered to Yejun who still bawling. He ran his hands along his back, giving soft pats and back rubs. “ I missed you so much. ”
“ I missed you too, Noah. I got so worried about you after knowing the truth. I can't even sleep well thinking about what happened to you. I felt so horrible for acting that way towards you on that day. I am so sorry for leaving you, I got so shoc— ”
“ No, don’t be sorry about that. I really wanted you to leave at that time so that your shitty secretary wouldn’t follow you or try to kidnap you. Ah, how dare he showed an interest in my handsome boyfriend and keep clinging to you? Hmph! ” Noah pouted, crossing his arms and pretending to sulk in front of Yejun.
Yejun snickered at Noah’s words. He then wiped away his lingering tears, looking at his boyfriend and let out a small chuckle, a smile forming on his lips afterwards. He couldn’t believe that after everything they had been through, Noah still had the energy to joke around like this. Maybe this was exactly why they were meant to meet, so he could have someone who could pull him out of his sadness, even when he was drowning in it.
“ Right? How dare he. I only belong to you! ” Yejun whined, pulling Noah into his embrace once again. He felt Noah chuckle as the blond wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.
“ Yes, you are mine, and you always will be. ” Noah replied, his voice soft yet firm. This time, it was Noah who shed tears. He had never believed in the word forever. To him, everything that existed, every person, every moment would eventually fade away. He had learned that the hard way and had stopped putting hope in something so uncertain, but then he met Yejun. Yejun made him want to believe in forever again. To stay. To always be there. To never let go.
“ I love you, Nam Yejun. ” he whispered, releasing his arms from around Yejun and planting a kiss on his lips while softly cupping his cheeks. His warm palm held tightly onto Yejun’s jawline, and his little thumb gently caressed Yejun's cold cheeks. He kissed Yejun passionately, pouring his heart and feelings into it.
Yejun then wrapped his arms around Noah's waist, pulling the blond closer, he had missed everything about him. He closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness of Noah’s lips, letting out small hums. The touches he longed for, the sweet lips he had always showered with kisses and craved, the perfect tiny waist that fit so perfectly in his arms, it was all finally in his grasp again.
“ I love you so much, Noah. ” Yejun mumbled in between kisses, opening his eyes as they slowly broke the kisses. They giggled after their long kiss, perhaps they had truly missed it. They leaned their foreheads together and gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, exchanging soft pecks on the lips. It was a beautiful memory, one they would cherish forever. Even the sound of the waves and the sea seemed to bear witness to their reunion.
“ Let's go home and celebrate your day now, Noah. ” Yejun said, reaching for his hand. He intertwined their fingers, holding on tightly.
“ Ah, right.. but carry me! I'm too tired to walk now. ” Noah whined, immediately spreading his arms and making a grabbing gesture toward Yejun. “ Quick, quick! A piggyback, please~ It’s my birthday, after all. I deserve to be treated like a princess, right? ”
Yejun grinned, playing along with Noah’s antics. “ Are you really an agent, asking me to do this? I thought you were the highest-ranked one? ” he teased. He knew Noah was probably still feeling weak from his recovery, but he couldn’t resist having a little fun with him.
“ What now. Are you serious? Someone like me can feel tired too! Do you even know how hard I tried to protect you?! I almost died! Fine, urgh. I’ll walk by myself! Hmph! ” Noah pouted and turned away, waddling like a sulky toddler.
“ Nyenyenye! Just admit that you actually don’t want to give me a piggyback! ” he whined to himself, stomping lightly. But before he could complain any further, he saw Yejun instantly kneeling down in front of him, his back facing him, ready to carry him.
“ Hop on, pretty princess. ”
Noah formed a smile on his face and slowly climbed onto Yejun’s back, wrapping his arms around his neck and holding on tightly to his boyfriend. It seemed like he had successfully convinced Yejun to fulfill his request, and he felt completely satisfied with it.
“ Let me protect and take care of you this time. I can't lose you again. Even if you get sulky like this or mad at me, you still have no choice but to be stuck with me for a very long time because I promise you, I won’t leave you anymore. ”
Yejun spoke his mind as he carefully stood up, holding Noah tightly while strolling back. He could feel Noah’s body and head leaning against him, his back soaking in the warmth of his lover clinging close. At that moment, he realized just how lucky he was to have someone to share that warmth with.
Noah grinned to himself after hearing Yejun’s words. Deep down, he always knew that his boyfriend felt the same way about him. As much as he wanted to protect Yejun, he understood now, Yejun wanted to do the same for him.
He then playfully pinched Yejun’s cheeks, remembering how Yejun had teased him earlier. Not stopping there, he continued to babble, making sure to get his revenge.
“ What what— why are you coming back, carrying me and talking cheesy like that. Hmph, hmph?! ”
“ A-ack! I came to get you of course! You need a prince to piggyback you though, right, princess? ”
“ Prince? Are you my prince now? Hehet, I love you, handsome. ”
” I love you too, so much. ”
+ epilogue.
It was another bright day as Yejun headed to work, following his usual routine. He made his way to the hall, where he had requested a meeting with the board. The shareholders, investors, and directors were already seated, waiting for their chairman to take the podium.
With a confident stride, Yejun walked in, stepping onto the stage with a bright smile on his face. Once again, he presented himself at his best— his hair neatly slicked back, dressed sharply in a navy blue suit. As he reached the podium, he leaned slightly toward the microphone and began his speech.
“ Greetings, everyone. I, Nam Yejun, the chairman of Noir Company, have called this meeting to announce some very important news to the board. Before proceeding to the main subject, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for taking the time to attend. Now, I am honored to introduce the newly appointed vice chairman of Noir Company. ”
At Yejun’s cue, a man walked in, making his way toward the stage. He climbed the stairs with steady steps, approaching the podium with quiet confidence. Yejun looked at him with a proud smile, unable to hide the sense of admiration he felt.
The man was dressed in a sleek black suit, mirroring Yejun’s style with his neatly slicked-back hair. His strikingly handsome face seemed to brighten the entire hall, leaving a strong impression on everyone present.
“ Greetings, everyone. I am Han Noah, the newly appointed vice chairman, the one who will be working under our Chairman, Nam Yejun. I will be assisting him in every possible way and, essentially, serving as his partner in all matters. I was entrusted with this role by our former chairman, who assigned me to stay close to our current chairman. So, I hope you will acknowledge my presence and efforts. I look forward to working with all of you. Thank you. ” with that, Noah moved to the side and gave a slight bow, concluding his speech.
The room filled with applause afterwards, a warm reception from the board members. Their enthusiastic response signified that he was not only welcomed but also well-accepted within the company.
“ I also wanted to take this opportunity to announce another news to everyone. ” Yejun said, stepping closer to the microphone. He then gently took Noah’s hand and lifted it, revealing their matching silver couple rings right on the spot.
“ Vice Chairman Han and I got engaged last month. We are in a serious relationship and will soon be announcing our marriage. ” he added, his gaze shifting to Noah. Noah, who had been standing confidently just moments ago, now wore a completely shocked expression. He hadn’t expected this at all, he thought today’s meeting was only about his appointment as vice chairman. But instead, Yejun had just dropped another bombshell, making the announcement even more surprising.
“ W-what— ”
“ I hope all of you will bless our relationship. ” As soon as Yejun finished his sentence, another round of applause filled the hall. Noah glanced around, noticing the warm smiles on the faces of the board members. It seemed that the news was well-received, and their relationship was being welcomed with genuine support.
It is a good thing, right?
Noah looked at Yejun, his gaze softening as he realized how bold his fiance was to announce such a thing at a formal event. He held tightly onto Yejun's hand as they bowed their heads together.
Both of them wrapped up the meeting lightheartedly. They continued their days together, staying side by side with a promise of never letting go of each other again.
Noah, who once doubted the word forever, was finally learning its true meaning with Yejun always by his side. Meanwhile, Yejun was living his life to the fullest, knowing that he had finally found his other half— Han Noah, his destiny.