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“We want to have peonies for the ceremony in Korea and roses for the wedding in China,” said Jiahao, while returning the portfolio to Mr. Kim, or Geonwoo, as he had been instructed to call him months earlier ago.
Geonwoo had become great friends with Jiahao over the past eleven months he’s spent planning the older man’s wedding with Junseo. He’d only met Jiahao’s fiancée twice over the entire period, at their first meeting, and about three months ago, when Junseo arrived at the end of the tour he had given Jiahao of a potential wedding venue.
From what he understood, it was an arranged marriage, and Junseo, as a quantitative trader, was a very busy man. While Hao had a career of his own as a sculptor and art dealer, he definitely seemed like the sort of person who always made time for what he believed was important. He somehow always managed to look on the brighter side of things as well.
Jiahao had explained that even if he didn’t have a choice in who he would marry, he at least wanted it to be the wedding of his dreams. Geonwoo nodded and smiled as he made a note to put in an order at their branch store in Shenzen for 3,000 roses for the wedding there, and 3,000 peonies at the Seoul location. It isn’t your place to give any advice, Geonwoo, he thought to himself.
He’d ignored that advice once before, early in his career, and ended up fumbling a five-million-dollar wedding after telling the bride to run if it was clear she didn’t love her fiancé. His boss would’ve fired him if the bride hadn’t made an Instagram post two days later, coming out as a lesbian, and explaining she’d refused to live a life of regret. The bride-to-be had already resettled in Australia in an effort to start a new chapter.
So, even without Geonwoo’s encouragement, it seemed as though she had been planning to leave the groom for a while, or at least sometime just before the wedding. Geonwoo had just given her the last push she needed to execute her plan. From now on, he told himself, he had no right to intervene in people’s private affairs; he’d never know the dynamics of their personal relationships.
Besides, Jiahao always seemed exceptionally happy and excited to talk about the wedding, and despite not knowing much about his groom, he worked hard to incorporate his tastes into the ceremonies.
“What about center piece decorations for the receptions, Hao? Could I suggest using the same flowers, but opting for a spring palette? Bolder colors seem to be trending, but if we utilized pastels, it would still have that timeless aesthetic you love, while remaining lively”, explained Geonwoo.
Jiahao thought for a minute before a smile stretched across his face. “Junseo loves pastels, so that would be perfect,” he replied softly.
“Okay, I’ll return to my office and send over a few color schemes you can look at, and you can get back to me whenever you can, okay?” Geonwoo said, pushing the glasses up over his nose and standing up from the couch. Jiahao followed suit by standing up and escorting him to the front door. “Thank you so much for stopping by, Geonwoo! You’ve been an angel in this process, I’m so glad it’s you who’s planning our wedding, Jiahao stated happily.
“Hey, I’m just here to see what I can do to make your vision come true,” Geonwoo responded while placing his hand on the knob and opening the door. “That really means a lot. Just know you’re always welcome here, Geonwoo. Say hi to Xinlong for me, okay? I haven’t seen him at the pilates studio at all this past week,” the older man said warmly.
“Who is always welcome here?” Jiahao heard a voice question accompanied by footsteps down the hallway.
“Junseo hyung! You’re back early!” Jiahao exclaimed. Geonwoo smiled. Maybe I was overreacting, he thought. “Who is this?” Junseo asked as he removed his shoes and placed them on the rack beside the door. “This is our wedding planner, Geonwoo. You remember, meeting him from before?”, Jiahao asked hopefully. Junseo hummed under his breath, nodding at the man as he shrugged his suit jacket off.
“Well, I'd better get these selections back to the office before it starts to rain,” said Geonwoo, attempting to be rid of the awkward silence. “Thank you for coming over again,” Jiahao said while walking to close the door behind the man. As soon as the door shut, he was met with Junseo, who now stood with his suit jacket draped over one shoulder, his tie slightly loosened.
Jiahao tried not to let his eyes linger too long on how good Junseo looked after work; instead, he happily beamed. “How was work today, hyung? I’m sorry dinner isn’t ready yet. I honestly didn’t think you would be here so early, but since you are, why don’t we order takeout and watch a movie?” Jiahao offered.
Junseo ignored his proposal. “Why was that man in our home? No one else is here with you. What if he tried something?” the older man questioned.
“Hyung, he’s literally our wedding planner, and now my friend. I invited him here so he could get a change of scenery and be comfortable. The living room has really nice natural lighting, and we can adjust the temperature to any setting, since his workplace is really cold,” Jiahao defended.
“Hao, why do you care so much about how a wedding planner feels?” Junseo asked, beginning to walk further into the penthouse and up the stairs.
“He’s my friend. You care about your friends, don’t you?” Jiahao mumbled. Junseo turned back at the sound of the younger man’s voice growing smaller.
“Of course I do, but he’s a wedding planner. Not your friend. You don’t pay your friends $200 for every hour they spend with you, do you?” inquired Junseo.
“No, but you know it's only been a year since I moved here from Shenzen. I try to make friends where I can. I want it to feel like home here, too,” said Jiahao.
Junseo seemed to be thinking about what Jiahao said before taking a deep breath, entering his own bedroom, and closing the door. Jiahao stood outside debating whether to knock until he heard the water of his fiancée's shower turn on. The younger man visibly deflated and decided to return to his own room to shower the stress of the day away.
It had been almost a year since he’d moved into Junseo’s place. Their parents suggested it would help them grow closer and maybe they’d have time to fall in love or at least grow an affection for each other before the wedding. Although it seemed as though Junseo had no intention of letting either of those happen.
When he first arrived, Jiahao was told that they wouldn’t be sharing a bedroom. Junseo had claimed that it was because he was sensitive to smells, and he knew from the profile he was given by his parents that Jiahao kept an extensive perfume collection. Although surprised, the younger man understood that maybe it was better that they had separate sleeping quarters while they were still getting to know each other.
The first time Jiahao suggested that they go out on a date, it was a month after he moved in, and Junseo had looked at him like he was crazy. The older man scrambled to come up with some excuse about it being too soon, and how he only went on dates with people he was sure he liked.
Jiahao had become accustomed to hiding his disappointment fairly well, responding to the effect of how he understood. When the younger man opted for starting slow and suggested that they spend more time together, Junseo must’ve thought he asked on opposite day, because after that, he began leaving home early and coming back late.
Jiahao wasn’t sure what he’d done to upset the man, but he was determined to be on at least civil terms with him. He even paused accepting commissions for a full month just to spend his days with Junseo’s parents without the older man knowing. Jiahao was determined to learn everything he could about him, things that didn’t come in the profile, or discovered via watching his behavioral patterns.
It was evident to anyone around them that Jiahao had developed a crush on Junseo. Unfortunately for Jiahao, he was sure Junseo either couldn't tell or didn’t reciprocate his feelings. This didn’t discourage him, though; he understood that the situation that they were in was unconventional. The pair was set to marry to ensure Junseo’s father’s company was able to successfully enter the Chinese market, thanks to the Zhang family’s political ties and influence in the venture capital space. Their marriage would ensure a stable business deal for the Kim family, while the Zhangs looked to expand in South Korea.
When Jiahao stepped out of the shower, he dressed in light blue cotton shorts, a light blue cropped shirt to match, along with a pair of white socks, leaving his strawberry-blonde hair unstyled. When he returned downstairs, he found Junseo lounging against the couch with his eyes glued to the TV.
“You look really comfortable, hyung,” Jiahao commented, catching the older man’s attention. Junseo’s eyes shifted away from the screen and onto the clothes on Jiahao’s frame…or specifically the lack thereof.
“What are you wearing?” Junseo grunted before seemingly returning his gaze to the tv. “It’s a lounge set, hyung. I usually wear these. You’re just never here to see them,” Jiahao replied while going over to sit next to him.
Jiahao ignored the sigh Junseo let out when he attempted to scoot closer to the man. Should I order takeout? I know a really good place,” Jiahao suggested, taking out his phone and beginning to scroll through delivery options.
“Sure, whatever you want,” Junseo shrugged. Jiahao tried not to seem too bothered by the man’s lack of interest. At least he hadn’t stood up to leave the room yet, he thought. Jiahao ordered their food before settling back into the couch.
Thirty minutes had passed when their food arrived. The blonde went about arranging their food and drinks on the coffee table and handed Junseo a box of fried rice from the Chinese restaurant down the street. After fifteen minutes into their meal, Jiahao broke the silence that would otherwise have been disturbed by the sounds of their utensils and drinks.
“You know we’re getting married in eight months, hyung,” Jiahao said slowly. Junseo immediately began choking on the food he was swallowing. “There’s still a lot I don’t know about you, and I’m not going to force it out of you, but I was thinking we could start small,” said Jiahao. “What did you have in mind?” Junseo replied while looking straight ahead.
Jiahao's eyes widened in surprise; he wasn’t expecting the man to entertain his potential request. He calmed down, attempting to hide his excitement. “Well, you know I’ve been working with Geonwoo on the wedding planning, next week we’re doing cake tasting, and I know we aren’t a real couple, but that’s a fond memory a lot of married couples look back on,” Jiahao explained.
When Jiahao realized Junseo wasn’t going to interject, he continued. “Could you come with me next Wednesday, hyung? I know it’s silly, and you’re really busy, but this would mean a lot to me, please,” Jiahao practically pleaded. “Okay, I’ll be there,” replied. “Really? It’s at 1:00 pm, which is mid-day, so I understand if it’s a hassle,” Jiahao said more to himself than the other man.
“I’ll have my meetings rearranged and leave early,” responded Junseo. Jiahao smiled brightly at the man, now unable to contain his excitement. “Are you done with this? Junseo said, standing up from the couch and picking up his empty box along with Hao’s. “Yeah, I’m done, hyung,” Jiahao answered.
That was one of the longest conversations the two had shared to date. Maybe this meant they were making progress. Jiahao would have to write about this in his journal later. A few hours later, Jiahao was shaken awake from the couch. Junseo had instructed him to go upstairs to go to bed. The younger man, already too comfortable in his space on the couch, rolled back over.
His defiance lasted until he felt strong arms move under the curvature of his legs and supporting his back, lifting him up, and carrying him out of the room and up the stairs. Jiahao would’ve thought that he had dreamt up the entire occurrence if he hadn’t woken up the next morning in his bedroom with his phone being charged on his bedside table.
Over the next few days, Junseo still seemed to work long hours every other day; he had been given a new project, but he never failed to reassure Jiahao, who waited for him to return every night, that he would indeed be at the bakery on Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, Jiahao woke up ecstatic. It wasn’t as though cake tasting was anything extraordinary, but it was important to him, and Junseo was willing to do it with him, even if it meant rearranging his schedule, which was already a step in the right direction for their relationship. Jiahao even styled his hair and did his makeup, most notably adding a light layer of blush and cherry-tinted lip gloss, just in case he was brave enough to ask Junseo if it would be all right if they took pictures.
At 12:20 pm, Jiahao was being picked up by Geonwoo. “Wow, you look amazing today,” he complimented as Jiahao slid into the front seat of the car. “Thanks, Geonwoo-ah, I wanted to try something different today,” said Jiahao. “Is it because you’re fiance is joining us today? You’ve been mentioning it all week,” Geonwoo teased.
Jiahao’s blush deepened under the makeup he had on. “Maybe”, the blonde mumbled. “Hey, I’m just messing with you. I’m sure he’ll love it,” Geonwoo said while pulling out of the driveway.
The pair arrived at the small, exclusive bakery with five minutes to spare. Geonwoo unbuckled his seatbelt as they arrived, while Jiahao sent Junseo a quick text message.
Jiahao: Hey hyung, we arrived ;) Come and find us inside !!
Jiahao locked his phone before unbuckling his own seat belt, meeting Geonwoo outside the car, and following him inside. The bakery was exceptionally clean, complemented by the various smells of pastries that traveled through the air. Perhaps he and Junseo could pick some out before leaving, Jiahao wondered.
Geonwoo approached the counter while Jiahao inspected the art installations in the cafe, until the primary baker motioned for the pair to follow her upstairs, where she had already closed off the area and set up a variety of cake samples for them to test out. Jiahao looked down at the time again; it was 1:10.
Geonwoo glanced at him, watching the time. “Are you sure something hasn’t come up?” Geonwoo asked helpfully. “No, he said he’d be here, maybe the traffic is just bad. It’s lunch time, and it was picking up when we were on the way here, right, hyung?” Jiahao asked while looking down at his phone.
Geonwoo, not wanting to speak too soon, because the traffic had been sparse heading to the bakery, simply provided a “Right Hao.”
The two of them sat there waiting until 1:45 pm, when the head baker returned, surprised that the cakes had gone untouched. “Is there a problem?” she asked, concerned. “No, there’s no problem, we’re just waiting for his fiancée to arrive,” Geonwoo replied, sharing a look with her.
Reading the desperation in Geonwoo’s eyes to not push the topic any further, she nodded and retreated back downstairs. “Are you sure you don’t just want to try some now and pick which flavor you like? I can get her to box the rest of them up, and you can still take them home and have him try them,” suggested Geonwoo.
“ I don't want to. I’m not getting married, Geonwoo,” Jiahao said while staring at the untouched cakes.
“What? You don’t mean that, Hao, I know that you’re upset right now–”, Geonwoo started.
“No…I-I know you see it too, Geonwoo. You’re just too kind to say anything. I don’t want to be in a relationship for the rest of my life if it basically means that I’m going to be in it alone,” Jiahao huffed.
I just wanted to have this one memory with him, but even that was too much for him, I guess,” continued Jiahao.
“You can have these boxed up, Geonwoo. It’ll be a nice parting gift,” Jiahao said finally.
Geonwoo nodded, understanding that given the state that Jiahao was in, he wouldn’t be able to change his mind anytime soon. At least this time the canceled wedding isn’t my fault, he thought as he headed downstairs to retrieve the baker.
After placing the box of cake samples in the backseat of his car, he escorted Jiahao, who still sported a dazed expression, back to the vehicle. When he arrived at the older man's residence, Geonwoo hesitantly inquired if he would be okay.
“I’ll be okay, Geonwoo...Actually, can you do me a favor and wait out here for me?” Jiahao asked hopefully. Geonwoo wanted to say that he’d probably be fired for whatever involvement he’d have in Jiahao, calling the wedding off.
The extent of his job was dropping the man back off, which, to his merit, he had successfully done, but seeing the dejected expression on Jiahao’s face, he didn’t have the heart to tell him no. “Okay, I’ll wait out here,” Geonwoo nodded.
Jiahao climbed out of the car and opened the rear door to retrieve the box of cake samples. After shuffling around with his keys and the box, he entered the building, wasting no time to find the elevators. Jiahao entered the apartment, finding it just as he had left it earlier, cold and empty. He set the box of cakes on the kitchen counter and headed upstairs.
Jiahao pulled a small suitcase out from the back of his closet and began packing his necessities. He prioritized clothes, makeup, and any important documents he’d brought for the wedding. Twenty-five minutes had passed when he was finished, and standing in the kitchen staring at the box of cakes again with his suitcase next to his side. He considered writing Junseo a letter, but it’s not like the older man would care anyway. He slipped the ring off his finger and placed it on top of the box, and turned to grab the handle of his suitcase.
Just as he began wheeling it towards the front door, it burst open with Junseo looking wild and out of breath. “Hao, you have no idea…”, he started before his eyes drifted down to Jiahao’s suitcase, and his bare fingers latched onto the handle. “What’s going on?” he asked in between breaths. Jiahao decided that since he’d already been caught, there was no point in lying.
“I’m leaving Junseo,” Jiahao said firmly. “What?” Junseo choked out. “I’m going back home to Shenzen. I’m not marrying you. I need space. And I’d prefer to put as much distance between you and me as possible right now,” Jiahao said while taking his suitcase and brushing past him into the hallway.
Junseo stood dumbfounded, believing he was experiencing an illusion until he walked over to the box in the kitchen and saw the engagement ring he had given Jiahao last year placed on top of it.
Junseo didn’t waste anytime dashing out of the unit and down the hall. Jiahao, noticing that he had followed, quickly attempted to close the elevator doors by pressing the button repeatedly. However, Junseo’s weight training regimen came in handy because he was able to successfully shove his foot inside the elevator to prevent the doors from shutting completely.
Jiahao rolled his eyes and pressed the button for the first floor. Junseo pressed the button to stop the elevator. “We need to talk, Jiahao, you just can’t leave like this. I won’t let you leave me like this,” the older man pressed.
“Talking to you is all I’ve been trying to do with you for the past year, and now you want to talk?” Jiahao shot back before pressing the 'floor 1' button again.
“Is this really about missing the cake tasting? I know I promised you I’d be there, but a very important client came in today, and they only wanted me to work on the deal. I wanted to say no–”, said Junseo.
“So why didn’t you?” Jiahao asked, cutting him off. “Is it because I’m easy to cancel on? I get it, I know you don’t want to marry me, but you don’t have to give me the run around, Junseo,” Jiahao said while turning to look away from him.
Junseo leaned over to stop the elevator again. “You don’t know anything,” the older man replied. The elevator suddenly began shaking before it stilled in place.
“What just happened? Are we trapped?” Jiahao asked, starting to panic. “We’re not trapped; the elevator must’ve malfunctioned. We’ve pressed the buttons in such a short time span,” said Junseo. The older man leaned down and pressed a call button.
“Hello? Is anyone there? We seem to be stuck,” said Junseo. “Hello, sir, please don’t worry, we’ve notified a technician, he’ll be here within two hours,” replied a man with a gruff voice.
“Are you kidding me? Two hours? Geonwoo will probably have left by then,” groaned Jiahao.
“Good. He can mind his own business then”, Junseo shot back.
“What’s your issue with him? I spend nearly every day with him, and he’s always so kind, even when you miss our appointments, he’s there to fill in the gap,” Jiahao said, growing frustrated.
“Have you ever considered he’s a part of the problem?” Junseo asked honestly. “ Maybe I don't want him to be spending every day with you, and filling in the gap for me. Even from the first appointment, I’ve seen the way he looks at you,” said Junseo.
“And just how does he look at me? Like he's doing his job?” Jiahao replied sarcastically.
“The same way that I do…like he wants you,” Junseo said finally.
Silence stretched between them for a moment until Jiahao spoke up again.
“You’re funny, you don’t even look at me, you know?” said the blonde. “But I do”, Junseo said, approaching the smaller man.
“So much so that I’ve had to train myself not to look at you. Jiahao, you’re the prettiest person I’ve ever been with. If I’m being 100% honest, you’re the first person I’ve ever dated, so I’m not really good at this kind of stuff. It’s honestly kind of embarrassing to admit that I don’t know a lot about how relationships are supposed to work, but here I am engaged. And you’re just so sweet, Jiahao. It started with me just wanting you not to feel uncomfortable, but it grew into limiting our interactions completely. I guess I thought if I kept you at a distance, then you wouldn’t ever have a reason to be dissatisfied with me,” Junseo said finally.
“So this entire time…you weren’t avoiding me? Weren’t trying to be mean? You were just scared?” Jiahao asked, now feeling like he’d missed so many signs.
“It’s not something I’ve ever wanted to tell you, but when I saw you leaving, I thought that everything I had been doing previously obviously wasn’t working,” sighed Junseo.
“For a guy who’s so good with numbers, you’re not good at reading relationships at all, Junseo,” Jiahao breathed.
“I know. I just...please give me another chance. Please don’t walk away from me. I really do like you,” Junseo said quietly. Jiahao held his gaze.
“You’ve already hurt me, Hyung. Being inexperienced doesn’t excuse that,” replied Jiahao. “I know, but just…do you think that you could forgive me just this once. Do you think you could ever…”, Junseo trailed off. “Could what?” Jiahao tried.
“Do you think maybe not now, but sometime in the future, you could ever end up loving me, by your own will? One of the things that bothered me about Geonwoo was seeing how carefree you are with him. It makes me think that maybe I’m in your way of finding true love, or that this could just be a marriage bound by paper while we explore other people. I-I don’t want that,” Junseo sputtered out.
Jiahao pushed himself from the wall of the elevator and closed the space between him and the older man. He reached up to grab Junseo’s chin and tilted his face down towards him. “That’s not the kind of relationship I want to have with you either, but we can’t expect to make progress if we aren’t honest with each other, can we?” asked Jiahao.
Junseo shook his head, agreeing with the blonde as though he were a puppy being scolded. “I won’t leave you, Hyung, not unless you promise to make a real effort at giving us a fair shot?” Jiahao reasoned. “You didn’t even have to ask, I’ll do anything to keep you,” Junseo immediately replied.
“Good,” said Jiahao, smiling.
Since we’re going to be in here for a while, is there anything you want to learn about me? I know there’s a lot I want to know about you," Junseo asked, moving to sit on the floor of the elevator, with Jiahao following suit.
“I may know a bit more about you than you think,” Jiahao laughed shyly. “A few months after I first came here, I took a month off work and visited your family home every day. You weren’t speaking to me, so I figured that was the only way I was going to be able to get information about you and be able to include your tastes in the wedding,” continued Jiahao.
Junseo’s face heated up at the younger man’s confession. “An entire month? No one has ever gone out of their way to that extent to learn more about me before,” Junseo replied, feeling embarrassed.
“From now on, if you want to know something, you can come to me, okay?” Junseo proposed. “Okay, I will,” Jiahao agreed with a smile.
“I already know the basic things, favorite colors, hobbies, occupation, and such about you, Hao. I’m curious to know if you’ve had any relationship experience at all?”, Junseo asked nervously.
“I do. I had a few short-term relationships in high school and only two boyfriends in college. We actually ended things a month before I was told that I was supposed to be engaged to you,” Jiahao replied honestly.
“Were you ever in love with him, or I guess them?” Junseo questioned curiously. “I think at the time I thought I could have been, but now I think maybe it was just infatuation influenced by proximity bias?” answered Jiahao.
“What do you think it would take for you to fall in love?” asked Junseo. “It’s not exactly about one specific thing happening, but I think I’ll know when I feel it. Being unable to picture life without that person, being able to leave everything behind for them, the highest form of love is letting them go be happy even if it isn’t with you,” Jiahao stated thoughtfully.
“May the third version never find me,” Junseo joked, which prompted the younger man to laugh.
“What about you, Junseo hyung? You said you’ve never been in a relationship, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t had experiences?” Jiahao asked. Junseo stared blankly at him.
“Wait, really? Have you ever kissed anyone?” Jiahao tried again. Junseo shook his head. “But you’re hot?” Jiahao said in surprise. Junseo blushed. “I didn’t mean–well, I did, but…” Jiahao said, stepping away from him, flustered.
“You don’t have to explain yourself, Jiahao,” Junseo said lowly. The younger man felt somersaults in his stomach upon hearing the older man use his full name for the first time. “You would kiss me then, Jiahao?” Junseo asked, grabbing the younger man’s wrist and turning him around to make eye contact with him.
“We’re being honest to make progress, right?, Junseo continued. Jiahao’s breath hitched at the sudden boldness. “I-I would”, he stuttered.
“I don’t think we need space. I think that’s the last thing we need. Maybe we need to be closer?”, continued Junseo.
“Maybe we do,” Jiahao confirmed while lifting his eyes to make eye contact with the older man again. “Kiss me?” dared Junseo. Jiahao wasted no time in granting his request.
Their first kiss was experimental. Junseo had always wondered what his first kiss would be like. When would it happen? Who would it be with? Now he had all of the answers. The kiss was soft, Jiahao’s lips tasted faintly of sweet cherries, and it was happening in the jammed elevator of his apartment.
When the two of them broke apart from the kiss, Jiahao’s breath had quickened, with Junseo immediately pressing his fingers to his lips, almost in disbelief.
“Could we do it again, Hyung?” Jiahao asked shyly. Junseo leaned in this time, holding Jiahao’s face in his hands as he kissed him. What began as shy curiosity quickly transformed into passion.
Just as Jiahao had his arms wrapped around Junseo’s neck, the elevator doors were opening. To the surprise of everyone who stood in the opening, the pair didn’t stop.
“I guess I don’t need to wait any longer, huh?” Geonwoo interrupted, causing the two to jump apart from each other.
“Oh my god? How long have you been standing there?” Jiahao asked in shock. “The elevator door has been open for the past three minutes. I’m surprised you two didn’t feel the elevator moving?”, he smirked.
“Well, my work here is done,” the maintenance technician said while standing up to grab his toolbox.
“Geonwoo,” Jiahao said while beginning to walk towards him. Junseo latched onto his free hand, stopping him. Jiahao looked down at their joined hands before looking back up at the older man and turning to face Geonwoo.
He had a decision to make.
“I’ll call you in the morning, okay? About rescheduling another cake testing date?” Jiahao said hopefully.
“Sounds good to me, Hao. I’ll look forward to it,” replied Geonwoo while walking, waving as he walked away. The elevator doors closed a few seconds later.
“You’re staying?” Junseo asked, hiding his smile while pressing the elevator button to the floor of their penthouse.
“I’m staying,” Jiahao confirmed, squeezing his hand.