Chapter Text
Jinyoung's mind was buzzing with alcohol flowing in his veins, when the handsome red haired man pinned him up to the cold wall of the men's bathroom kissing him hungrily, while his hands roamed around Jinyoung's torso impatiently as if trying to find a a gap in his shirt through which his long fingers could manage to get past to touch his warm body. Jinyoung's stomach filled with a warm feeling of arousal and it was already too late for him to try to back off; he didn't have anything against the stranger's body pressed against him, as he let himself be engrossed in his touches, responding to his wet kisses as vigorously. The alcohol mixed with his blood and the stranger's attractive appearance made it easier to deaden a guilty conscience and the bothering memories of everything that happened a few days ago. He had never been a person who hunts for one night stands in the nightclubs (it wasn't even a gay bar!), especially when he was recognizable to the public because of his father's business, but the anger he felt, the anger that accumulated in his guts over the past few days made him lose his mind along with common sense. He wanted to forget about his ex-boyfriend, a jerk who abused his trust so badly, that Jinyoung felt the urge to hit something, someone; instead he put all his energy into the kiss, making his teeth hit the stranger's in a clumsy kiss, as a wet sounds of their locked mouths seemed to deafen the music coming from behind the door of the club. Jinyoung felt weaker with every passing second feeling as the arousal in his lower region was taking control over him, when the handsome stranger's cold hands hiked his shirt up, sliding them under it and stroking Jinyoung's warm skin, making his breath jump at the sensation. When he felt the stranger's lower body grinding against his hips, Jinyoung's body was burning, his heart was thumping against his chest and all he wanted was to release the tension collecting in his every nerve. But suddenly, his vision clouded and a wave of nausea engulfed him making his legs weak, before he slumped to the floor next to the sink in the men's bathroom.
"How are you feeling, Jinyoungie?" Jaebum's teasing voice resounded when Jinyoung picked up his phone early in the morning; the loud ringtone woke him up from the sweet dreamland violently, startling him. His headache was terrible, the amount of alcohol intake from last night exceeded the limit of alcohol he would drink for the whole month ten folds. His eyes fluttered close and he touched his temple with a hiss, when he attempted to get up from his bed, but resigned after a second, laying his head back gently on the fluffy pillow.
"Not so loud for God's sakes…" He grumbled in a quiet and hoarse voice, which was apparently very funny to his best friend, as he laughed loudly into his phone, making Jinyoung pull the device away from his ear as far as he could.
"I've never seen you so drunk before, man!" Jaebum's laugh died down, "I hope it helped you to finally comprehend what a dick Hanbin was." He added, this time with cold tone and Jinyoung sighed in reply, feeling a twinge of pain piercing through his heart, remembering why he got drunk in the first place.
His (now ex-) boyfriend Kim Hanbin worked at Jinyoung father's company JR Group inc., being one of the most trusted employees - he was practically Jinyoung father's right hand when it comes to contracts and projects, seeking customers and business partners. The company was very influential and powerful, having a range of experience dedicated to energy, retail and construction. However, for some time, the things started to smell fishy: the partners began to abandon their services, the company's revenue began to fall dramatically and to make matters worse, the money began to disappear. As it turned out only a few days ago, it was his doing, along with several other employees of his father's company. Hanbin had access to almost all of the darkest corners of the company and because of Jinyoung's naivety, he had access to Jinyoung's shares in the business, too. Although everything came to light before the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, they managed to save a large part of the assets, but the losses the company suffered will renew themselves only after many years.
Jinyoung couldn't believe in what happened; he was devastated and disappointed in the man he loved so much and in his own gullibility, why didn't he noticed any weird signs earlier? He decided to get wasted, but it didn't help too much, he still felt terrible. Even though he was betrayed by the love of his life, the guilt he felt was much more painful. His father worked hard to found the company, which grew in strength gradually, reaching the heights of conglomerations arousing the respect of all other companies, being in the top 5 of the largest and most profitable companies in Korea. Jinyoung's stomach twisted with guilt at the thought of how blinded by supposed love he was, almost destroying everything what his father build for the entire life, because of his stupid feelings, which, in the end, weren't even reciprocated. He didn't know what he would have to do to pay his father back.
"You should come to the office, you know, your father wants to talk with you." Jaebum said, breaking the silence, snapping Jinyoung from the train of his thoughts. Besides being Jinyoung's one and only best friend out there, he was also Jinyoung father's loyal secretary and a son of his long time friend. It's clear that Jaebum got this job because of connections, but at least he was great at what he was doing. Jinyoung sighed again.
"I know... I'll be there as fast as I can."
"Okay, I'll tell your father, then." Jaebum nodded, before changing the topic diametrically, taking Jinyoung by surprise, "Did you get this guy's number yesterday? You two seemed to enjoy yourselves," He heard Jaebum's giggle, as Jinyoung groaned in reply, pulling the blanket all over his face. The scraps of memories of yesterday's evening flooded his mind; the mop of dishevelled red hair of the stranger, the feeling of his restless lips on his own, the burning sensations his fingers left on his skin, and then - nothing. He had no idea how he got home after passing out. Jaebum laughed again hearing no response from his best friend. "You're lucky the toilet wasn't working there and no one else saw you with him... Do you even remember anything?"
"Not much, to be honest… It was a bad idea to get drunk and jump on any stranger..." Especially when it didn't help him at all in his current emotional situation.
"Well, at least he was handsome," Jaebum laughed and Jinyoung touched the bridge of his nose, trying to remember more from yesterday, but his headache was getting even more unbearable when he did so. He couldn't remember the handsome stranger's face anymore, besides a few details, anyway. He was glad he didn't sleep with him in the end... Wait, he didn't, right?
"I don't remember how he looked like… I hope I didn't do anything I could regret. I don't remember how I got home, too..." He mumbled to the device,
"Wow, Park Jinyoung! I didn't know you're such a party monster!"
"Yah, you're not funny at all..."
"I'm having fun making fun of you, though," Jinyoung shook his head at his best friend's behavior, when he heard the new voices in the background, calling Jaebum, "Okay, I have to go to a meeting now. I put the glass of water and aspirin beside your bed if you haven't noticed yet. Get up and come here quickly," Jaebum announced, dispelling all doubts of how Jinyoung came home yesterday. Jaebum was a really great friend.
Jinyoung stepped into the large building of his father's company, wearing a forced smile on his face as the workers and people passing him were bowing to him politely. He knew now that he can't trust anyone; the people who want to destroy this company are still lurking in the crowd. Since he was the son of the chairman of the JR Group, he should know from the beginning what people are capable of doing to gain power, but he still managed to fall into the trap of Hanbin's sweet words and caring touches, who took advantage of his vulnerability knowing he was gay. After all what happened, it was the critical moment where Jinyoung realized, that Hanbin probably wasn't gay himself; he had never wanted to go out with him to public places, Jinyoung had never met Hanbin's parents in their 3 years of relationship and most importantly - their very rare intimate encounters were always rushed and it was always Jinyoung who suggested it. Maybe that's why he was so eager to surrender to the handsome stranger yesterday? Because he was deprived of the warmth of the other person, even if it would be just a one night stand. Why didn't he realize it far sooner?
When he was on his way to meet his father, selecting the number of the floor, he looked at his reflection in the mirrored walls of the elevator. Even if he was wearing an expensive suit and his hair was neatly combed, the dark circles around his tired eyes announced the world that the always elegant and almost noble Park Jinyoung is now undergoing a difficult time. His shoulders slumped, when the elevator moved, making him swallow, as he felt the vomit rising in his throat.
It was hard to approach the conference room without feeling the unpleasant sensation of his guts twisting with nerves. Every step towards was making him even more sick, sick of the last night's out and sick of the guilt he felt towards his father. He was wondering if he hates him now; on the contrary to the circulating opinion of Jinyoung, being a thoughtful and polite son everyone would want to have, he managed to disappoint his father a few times in his 25 years of life. Especially when he told him he's gay. Although he accepted him, Jinyoung knew it was all because of him the company is facing difficulties now and his father is aware of that.
In times like this Jinyoung misses his mother, who had always made his pain go away and soothe his soul with kind words, as her hand brushed his hair, while he was sleeping in her warm embrace. It's been years since she passed away, but he still misses her so much.
Jinyoung's hands were sweating, when he was walking across the hallway approaching the conference room where his father and the directors and chiefs had an urgent meeting concerning the future of the JR Group.
When the doors opened and the board members began to leave the place, Jinyoung bowed to every one of them, trying to hide the nervousness he felt in his stomach behind a polite smile. Raising his head up, he noticed Jaebum gathering the documents and collecting them in a leather briefcase, before his gaze met Jinyoung's and a reassured smile plastered on his face.
"Come in, Jinyoung. Take a seat." The deep voice of his father resounded in the now deserted conference room and Jinyoung swallowed the lump formed in his throat, as the symptoms of the hangover were overwhelmed by the anxiety of the upcoming conversation with his father.
Jinyoung's hands fell on his laps, as he fidgeted with the expensive watch on his wrist nervously after he sat on the chair in front of his father. Jaebum was looking at him with a worried gaze, standing beside his boss, waiting for further commands. Before Jinyoung could swallow the nerves down one more time, his father spoke finally, making him jump a bit in his seat.
"Son. I won't say anything about Hanbin anymore, since we talked about it already; he's the one responsible for all of this mess along with a few others traitors and I found the best lawyers to prove it and lock him in a cell for many long years. I can't blame you for his actions, you're hurt as well in the whole situation, anyway." He began and his face expression softened slightly, as his eyes met with Jinyoung's. His father knew he was going out with Hanbin and he accepted him. The worst thing for Jinyoung was, that at some point his father started to treat him as his own son. "I came to the conclusion that in order to save the company from the bankruptcy, I have to take some serious steps. But, the thing is, I need you to take part in this, too." His father said and Jinyoung straightened himself in his seat. The mysterious tone of his father's voice was frightening, Jinyoung knew it wasn't a good sign, especially when his eyes darted to Jaebum's face, which was now downcast. Oh no, this is bad. "As you know, Songdo inc. is our business rival, but the chairman is a good friend of mine. They want to help us, Jinyoung, and I'm thinking of accepting their offer. They want to merge with our group, but there's one condition from their side."
"C-condition? What's the condition?" Jinyoung asked quietly, as his mouth set in a hard line. Even though he had no idea what the condition was, he felt nauseous, his heart was beating so fast he almost couldn't breathe. His hands squeezed into fists, when his father sighed, before answering.
"You have to marry the daughter of the chairman Tuan, Lisa. That's the condition." Jinyoung's body froze as he stared at his father with wide eyes and furrowed eyebrows. This is ridiculous. He looked at Jaebum desperately, seeking some help, maybe it was a joke? Or maybe he didn't hear it correctly? His breaths quickened, as his father's gaze was piercing through him, along with Jaebum's worried one, waiting for his response.
"But, father, you know I'm gay-"
"I know, Jinyoung, I know. That's why I'm asking for your help. I'm not telling you to marry her, but… Maybe you'll like her? Think about your own future. If you'll agree your future will be stable, you won't have to worry about money, about your position... Think about our family. How we worked hard to be where we are now, to give you everything you always wanted. Jinyoung, think about your mother." His father knew how to convince him; bringing up his late mother every time the time was tough, Jinyoung's heart always softened at the memory of her. He's right, Jinyoung thought, as he tried to calm his restless heartbeat, looking at his palms. It was his fault the company is in trouble - if not for him, if he wouldn't fall in love with Hanbin and let himself be manipulated by him nothing would happen. He should fix what he broke, right?
"Father, but…" Jinyoung spoke again, as a wave of suspiciousness washed over him. Something about it was weird. "Why they want me to marry her? Our company is not doing well now and they still they want us in their family?"
"It's not about doing well or not. It's about a power. Songdo is more powerful than we are, but our company's status is still high, even though we're facing some misfortunes now. When we merge, our power will double. That what it's all about, son. I heard their daughter seems to have a crush on you and she personally asked her father to arrange it. We should be thankful to her, honestly." Jinyoung knew he should help, he was obliged to help, but knowing it's all because of some girl which had a whim to marry him, was making his blood boil in his veins. It can't be the only way to save the company!
"Is this the only way out of this situation? Father, maybe we should look for some other solution-"
"Jinyoung. I tried everything, no one wants to help us, since we have a bad reputation now. We can't stand up by ourselves." Hearing his father's resigned tone of voice Jinyoung's common sense came back, hitting with redoubled strength in his conscience, the bitterness of guilt he felt spilled over his entire body. It was his fault. He should be thankful for the good luck what happened to him - JR Group will be absorbed by its rival, but at least their future will be peaceful. His personal feelings and preferences were meaningless; Jinyoung was gay, but he won't be in any relationship with a man anymore. He won't experience the real love, but what is love, really? He wasn't sure if he could trust anyone without worrying that he will be used, like Hanbin used him before. Maybe it's for the better?
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
"No, it's not, Jinyoung. Just... think it over and give me an answer in a few days."
"Father, I'm sorry... I... I'll do it. I'll marry her."
"Really?" Jaebum asked with disbelief, breaking his silence for the first time. Jinyoung saw the shocked expression on his face; his best friend knew it was something unexpected for him to say, for agreeing to the proposition, but he shouldn't cause even more problems to his father. He wasn't a child anymore and this is the real life, which he couldn't escape from.
"I feel responsible for the company, so it's no other way out." Jinyoung said quietly, lacking confidence, but his father was looking at him with a pleased smile plastered on his face, before he reached his hand to pat his son's shoulder.
"I'm glad you understand the situation, son. Your mother would be proud of you." Would she, really?
A few days later, Jinyoung was sitting in the back seat of his father's luxurious car heading to the exclusive traditional restaurant to meet the savior of JR Group - his future wife and her parents. Jinyoung's father, who was sitting beside him on the leather seat was smiling at him proudly whenever Jinyoung looked in his direction, making him even more miserable on the inside. Jinyoung hated the situation he found himself in, but truthfully, he couldn't do anything about it, he couldn't even decline the offer, because the relations between the two companies would worsen because of his refusal. The resentful businessman is a dangerous, especially when Songdo is the one and only company who reached out to them in their worst period. Even though Jinyoung hated Hanbin with all of his might, he was glad that he declined when Jinyoung asked him to make their relationship known to the public. If everyone knew now that he's gay, Lisa wouldn't want to marry him in the first place and their company would be over, dying a slow and painful death.
Jinyoung looked through the shaded window of the car, watching the urban landscapes, when they were closer to the restaurant where his future was waiting for him with every passing moment. By entering the restaurant everything will be different. The introverted and naive Jinyoung, who still has a bleeding wound in the heart inflicted by his former boyfriend will be gone. He will be replaced by totally different Jinyoung, a straight one, whose funny and confident personality will make everyone swoon. That's the plan.
But his supposed confidence dropped drastically when he met his future father-in-law, whose haughty and serious aura made Jinyoung swallow just before he bowed to him as low as he could when he met him, entering the rented area in the restaurant along with his father and Jaebum. He would do anything he asked, Jinyoung wouldn't have the guts to oppose to him in any way. The wife of Mr. Tuan was his utter opposite. She was an elegant lady, her petite frame and sincere smile on her face made Jinyoung's nervousness slightly evaporate from his system, feeling a motherly vibe radiating from her, but being under the strict gaze of her husband, Jinyoung could only lower his gaze on the floor, as his body tensed up.
When he was introduced to their daughter, Lisa, it was clear, that she has a crush on him. The porcelain skin on her face flushed when their gazes met, tucking a lock of her bleached long blond hair behind her ear flirtatiously. She was really pretty in Jinyoung's opinion, she really was, everyone could see that, but he couldn't say anything more about her - Jinyoung wasn't attracted to girls, even if he would like to be, which in this case it would be very helpful.
When the chairmans along with their personal assistants were sitting in front of each other, talking about business and merge of their companies, Jinyoung caught Jaebum's eyes looking at him from the corner of the table, pretending to listen to the discussion, but instead he was in the middle of comforting his friend with facial expressions and reassuring smiles. Jinyoung mirrored the smile, but he felt defeated.
Lisa seemed to like him, because whenever he turned his head in her direction, her eyes were already glued to him for a second, before she lowered his gaze on the floor with flushed cheeks. She was adorable, Jinyoung had to admit, but he was still unhappy with the turn of events. He was eating a sumptuous dinner, occasionally talking to his futute mother-in-law about trivial and normal things (surprisingly), when a firm knocking on the door was heard, following by the the door opening, making their heads turn to the direction of the entrance.
"You're late again!" The loud voice of Mr. Tuan resounded in the place, when the blonde young man walked into the scene. He bowed respectfully and when he straightened himself in front of his parents and their guests, the man smirked nonchalantly.
"I apologize for my late arrive. I had a very-" He paused when he looked at Jinyoung, his brown eyes widened and his nicely sharpened jaw went slightly slack, making Jinyoung flustered, as his heart skipped a beat abruptly. Their eyes were locked for a good few seconds, but for Jinyoung it seemed like hours, he felt the blush creeping on his cheeks being under his soft and intimidating gaze, he had a feeling that he knows him from somewhere; these bright eyes, the straight nose and the thin lips seemed so familiar... When the blond haired man cleared his throat and wanted to continue his sentence, Mr. Tuan spoke impatiently.
"Stop making excuses. Come here." The man did what he was told obediently, but his eyes were fixed on Jinyoung when he was walking to Mr. Tuan's side. "Let me introduce my oldest son, Mark." The young man bowed to them and Jinyoung lowered his gaze on his laps, this is not good, his brother-in-law shouldn't be so handsome. "This is Mr. Park Changmin, the chairman of JR Group and his son - Park Jinyoung, who's going to marry your sister." Mr. Tuan announced, but Mark seemed to be surprised at the news, as he looked at his father with raised eyebrows, but nodded anyway.
"Nice to meet you." Mark said with deep voice, as he took a seat beside his younger sister, right in front of Jinyoung, smiling at him for the whole dinner. Jinyoung couldn't raise his eyes in his direction, that's why he engaged himself in a nice chat with his mother. Jinyoung pretended that he was interested when she was telling him funny stories from Lisa's childhood, to which the girl responded with whining and pouting, as his older brother teased her, laughing heartily at her embarrassment. Jinyoung tried to calm down the butterflies which were flying around in his stomach at the sound of it, Mark's voice differed so much from his normal voice - each one of the sounds made Jinyoung's stomach feel weird. He tried to swallow a piece of bread nervously, maybe he was just hungry that's why he feels like this? But, unfortunately, his heart was beating so fast already, making his breathing shallow, he couldn't catch a proper breath and when he started to choke on a piece of clumsily swallowed bread, Mark reacted immediately, handing him a glass of water, while Mrs Tuan patted his back slightly with a worried face expression.
Jinyoung wanted to bury himself alive in this moment. What an embarrassment.
Everything would be okay - Jinyoung would think that the dinner with Tuan family wasn't so bad, if not for their eldest son, Mark. Even though Jinyoung would have sworn he knows him from somewhere, he still didn't know from where and seeing Mark's behavior, he acted as if he had the same thoughts. His eyes didn't leave Jinyoung's face even for a moment, making Jinyoung's insides twist nervously. Jinyoung wouldn't dare to look at him or speak to him either, he felt too intimidated under his curious gaze, besides, he wouldn't want to embarrass himself by stuttering in attempt to say anything or any other way possible. Jinyoung only hoped he wouldn't have to meet him too often from now on.
After the dinner, the families discussed the latest issues related to the company, before saying their goodbyes in the corridor of the luxurious restaurant, when Jaebum grabbed Jinyoung's sleeve and pulled him slightly to the side, away from the people.
"Jinyoung," He whispered through his gritted teeth, so no one could hear him, "It was him, who-"
"The world is so small, isn't? We're meeting again," Jinyoung turned his head to see Mark standing behind them, flashing him a bright smile. His heart skipped a beat and he tilted his head after a second, as the confusion washed over him.
"I'm sorry, but you must have mistaken me with someone," Jinyoung said politely, as the strangely familiar scent of Mark's cologne dashed into his nostrils, as he tried to hold the urge to dip his nose in the crook of the elder's neck. Why is he standing so close to him, anyway? He took a step back from him, just in case his senses will go crazy by their close proximity.
"I don't think so." Mark said, "It's fortunate that Mr. Im was there with you, because I wouldn't know what to do when you fainted back then." He continued, still maintaining eye contact with Jinyoung, whose brows were knitted together.
"Actually, we have to go-" Jaebum grabbed Jinyoung's sleeve in an attempt to walk away from Mark, but Jinyoung wriggled out of his grip.
"Wait, Jaebum, what is going on?" Jinyoung asked, looking at his best friend's troubled expression, but before he could answer, Mark chuckled.
"You don't remember? Should we finish what we've started, to make your memory back?" He said, as a teasing smirk appeared on his face, and Jinyoung froze, while the color drained out of his face in a blink of an eye. No, please, don't tell me, it's...
"Good night, Mr. Tuan," Jaebum bowed hurriedly to him, before he dragged Jinyoung out of the restaurant in a speed of light, pushing him into the back seat of the car, when Jinyoung's father was still talking with Chairman Tuan.
"Jinyoung, you were making out with Mark Tuan, you almost-"
"I wasn't him! The guy had red hair!" Jinyoung interjected, suddenly remembering the night from a few days ago. It made sense to him now, Mark's facial features were familiar, even the fragrance of his cologne was the same!
"It's not a problem to dye hair, Jinyoung! I saw him that night, he personally told me to bring you home when you collapsed! He knew I came with you!" Jaebum explained, touching the bridge of his nose, trying to calm down. "Man, you're in trouble." He summed up, but Jinyoung felt overwhelmed with emotions, as the realization dawned on his features,
"And I'm going to marry his sister…" He murmured absent-mindedly, feeling how his soul was leaving his body, making his limbs weak. He's in trouble.He will destroy his father's company even when he vowed to save it by marrying a girl and now... "He shouldn't know I'm gay, Jaebum!" Jinyoung suddenly gasped, as his guts were knotting and unknotting with anxiety, when he felt Jaebum's hand on his shoulder.
"I know. We can say, that you were so drunk that you had no idea what were you doing, or something?" His best friend rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner, but Jinyoung was highly unconvinced.
"Do you think it's a good idea?"
"Is there any different way out of this?" Jaebum challenged, but Jinyoung only sighed, as he raked his fingers through his black hair.
"I guess not..." Jinyoung mumbled, before he leaned on the leather seat, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, but all he could see was an image of his future brother-in-law's face behind his closed eyelids.