Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

SLAP!

A resounding slap echoed through the room.

The red-haired Cale Henituse stood chest-heaving, looking furious.

"How dare you!" he spat. "You are my best friend! I trusted you! Yet you had an affair with my husband behind my back!"

Kim Rok Soo, a man of beauty with fair skin and black hair, held his now-reddened cheek. He looked back at the red-haired figure who had just struck him, with a nonchalant expression.

"I told you I wanted to transfer to the North Branch, but you would not listen," Kim Rok Soo said.

Cale Henituse looked even angrier, as though having just heard the most ridiculous excuse in the world. "Just because I did not agree to your transfer, you went and had an affair with my husband behind my back?!"

Kim Rok Soo merely stared back at the fuming red-head. In his gaze, it was as if this whole affair were no big deal, and Cale was exaggerating.

Looking at those eyes that implied he did not think he was doing anything wrong, Cale Henituse became even more incensed.

"Fine! Fine!!" he snapped, his voice trembling with fury. "If you want to transfer so much, I will grant it to you! Starting next week, you will be transferring to our company's North Branch." He placed heavy emphasis on his next word. "Indefinitely."

"Cale—" Albert Crossman began.

"Don't defend your scandal, Albert!" Cale Henituse turned to look at his husband with anger. "You are to blame for this as well! How dare you have an affair behind my back! And with my best friend!"

"Calm down, Cale." Another black-haired man, Choi Han, came forward to soothe the situation. "Don't let your emotions rule you when you are angry. We can sit down and discuss this properly."

"Right," another red-haired woman, Rosalyn, stepped forward to agree. "You can't just make a decision like this, Cale. Rok Soo is one of the shareholders and the head of his department. You can't simply transfer him just like that."

Looking at them all in disbelief, Cale Henituse barked, "What should I do then?!"

He pointed accusingly at Kim Rok Soo. "He has been pestering me to transfer to the North! At first, I thought he was not serious and was merely joking. I rejected his request every time, thinking he is my best friend. Even if he was serious, there was no way I would allow my best friend, who built this company together with me, to transfer to the North."

Cale's voice cracked with betrayal. "But what did I get in return?! He had an affair with my husband behind my back! My own best friend... with my own husband!"

"There is no need for any transfer anymore," Kim Rok Soo interjected in a flat voice, standing calmly at the centre of the entire affair. "Effective immediately, I am submitting my 24-hour resignation. The formal resignation letter will be sent later today."

Everyone present was stunned upon hearing Kim Rok Soo announce his immediate resignation from the company. Including Cale Henituse.

"...Rok Soo...?"

Choi Han was the most surprised among everyone in the room. He looked as though he had turned into a statue of stone the moment he heard those words. After he regained his composure, he quickly walked to Kim Rok Soo and held his sleeve.

"You can't—" Choi Han stammered. "You can't resign... Please, no..."

Choi Han was pleading. His hands trembled as he continued to beg Kim Rok Soo.

Kim Rok Soo did not make any effort to soothe him. He merely brushed off the hands holding his sleeve.

He then turned to address everyone in the room.

"You can discuss among yourselves what to do with my vacant position," Kim Rok Soo said. "I will pack my things and vacate my office by today, so the new replacement can take over tomorrow."

He paused slightly before adding, "As for my shares in the company, my lawyer will handle them."

With that, Kim Rok Soo turned towards the door and exited the meeting room, leaving the people inside still stunned by the sudden turn of events.

–

Once Kim Rok Soo returned to his office, the first thing he did was write his resignation letter. It did not take him more than five minutes to finish. He had been keeping a draft for a while now anyway, so he only needed to make a few minor adjustments. Kim Rok Soo sent the email to all relevant parties, CCing everyone to ensure no one was left unaware of his departure.

After clicking send, he began packing his remaining belongings.

There was not much left in the office. Kim Rok Soo had secretly started clearing out his things several months ago, leaving behind only the necessities. Although he had worked here for ten years, what remained could easily fit into a single box that he could carry out in one trip later this evening.

Outside his office, Kim Rok Soo began to hear a faint commotion. The noise gradually grew louder as time ticked by, likely as more and more employees discovered the news and began gossiping about his sudden resignation.

Paying no attention to the stir outside, Kim Rok Soo simply continued packing.

As he was putting his things into the box, the door to his office was pushed open.

The person who entered was Rosalyn, the Head of Finance. She was one of his close friends from university and one of the founders who had built this company alongside him and Cale Henituse.

The red-haired woman was wearing elegant, high-end attire in the latest fashion. Her expensive perfume filled the room as she walked in, the heels of her shoes clicking against the floor before she plopped down onto one of the chairs facing his desk.

"Rok Soo, you are making a very unwise decision here," Rosalyn said, crossing her arms. "Leaving just like that."

Kim Rok Soo ignored her and continued packing.

Rosalyn watched him silently for a moment. Then, she opened her mouth to speak again.

"Was it worth it?" she asked. "To lose a friendship and let go of your career. Just for a man?"

Kim Rok Soo's hand, which was putting a photo frame into the box, stopped. He glanced up to look at the woman sitting opposite him.

"Do you really want to pick a fight with me?"

Rosalyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Don't think I don't know what you have been doing with the company accounts all this time."

At that, Rosalyn's pupils dilated. Her gracefully folded hands trembled slightly.

Kim Rok Soo continued placing the last of his things into the box. For a moment, the atmosphere between the two of them became tense.

"Five million is not a small sum," he said as he finished packing and closed the flaps of the box. "You should start thinking about how to explain it when Cale and the rest catch on."

Kim Rok Soo lifted the box and carried it with him, passing the still-seated Rosalyn. He walked out of the room that had been his personal office for so long, without a single backward glance.

Rosalyn remained motionless, even after Kim Rok Soo had left the room. If anything, her face was paler now, slicked with cold sweat, than when she had first entered the room moments ago.

–

As Kim Rok Soo walked down the corridor, he saw numerous staff members discreetly, though failing at it, whispering amongst themselves while stealing glances at him. Some wore expressions of shock, others looked on with pity, while some held expressions he did not care to decipher.

Seeing the crowd, he decided not to wait for the lift, which would surely take time to reach his floor, and took the stairs instead. It was only a descent, and since it would be his final time doing so here, he did not mind the effort in the slightest.

Yet halfway down the staircase, he stumbled upon the one person he had no desire to see right now.

Albert Crossman.

The man at the centre of this entire scandal.

Kim Rok Soo ignored the blond, blue-eyed man who stood near the closed door connecting to the staircase. But as he attempted to walk past, Albert reached out and grabbed his hand, halting his path.

"Rok Soo... Please..." Albert pleaded.

Kim Rok Soo looked at him with disgust and yanked his hand back out of the man's grip.

"Shouldn't you be consoling your fuming spouse right now?" Kim Rok Soo asked with an ice-cold tone. "Why are you here, chasing after your side chick?"

"Rok Soo..." Albert began, his voice breaking. "I am very, very sorry... I know I have wronged you. We—"

Kim Rok Soo ignored him and attempted to walk past him once more, only for Albert to grab his hand again, more desperately this time.

"Don't touch me," Kim Rok Soo said sharply, his voice dripping with undisguised disgust. He aggressively slapped Albert's hand away.

"I already hate you, Albert," he continued with a cold gaze. "Don't make me destroy you."

Albert's eyes shook.

"No... No... Rok Soo..." Albert stammered, shaking his head frantically. "I have greatly wronged you. Please... Please give me a chance to make it up to you. Please... Rok Soo... I will do anything... Just please forgive me—"

Kim Rok Soo stood by the door marked with the EXIT sign.

"You are the most despicable man I have ever met, Albert Crossman," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "From now on, I do not know any Albert Crossman. Just treat me as dead. I will do the same for you."

With that, Kim Rok Soo pushed open the door leading outside and stepped out of the staircase, leaving a stunned Albert Crossman behind him.

–

Outside the company, Kim Rok Soo took one deep breath as he looked one last time at the building.

It was the company he and the other four had built together from scratch, starting back in their university days. A company built on blood, sweat, and tears. It was full of their shared memories, some sweet, others bittersweet.

In the past, there had been times when they quarrelled over decisions and disagreements. Yet no matter how bitterly they fought, they would always make peace with one another again.

But not this time.

Kim Rok Soo was leaving this company for good. He would not return here again. Ever.

A car pulled over in front of him.

Kim Rok Soo opened the rear door and loaded the box he was holding onto the back seat. Closing it, he stepped forward to open the front passenger door, but before his hand could touch the handle, the door was opened for him from the inside.

Kim Rok Soo got into the car and pulled the door shut.

"Is everything settled?" the driver asked quietly, careful not to upset Kim Rok Soo.

"Yeah," Kim Rok Soo replied.

"Then, let's go to the airport," the driver said, his voice remaining cautious, as if afraid to aggravate Kim Rok Soo any further.

Kim Rok Soo gave a quiet nod.

The car glided away from the curb, heading towards their next destination.

"Mr. Cale, the package you ordered has arrived," Cale's personal secretary said, entering his office while carrying a box.

Cale Henituse beamed, looking at the box with excitement. "Oh, is it?"

"Yes," the secretary replied, offering a warm smile to her boss. "I have just checked it as well, and it was delivered in good condition. Mr. Choi will certainly like this gift."

"Yes," Cale said, the smile still bright on his face. "I hope so."

"Do you want me to go with you to Mr. Choi's house to set up this surprise?" the secretary offered.

"No need," Cale answered lightly. "I can handle this much."

The secretary nodded respectfully and excused herself from the office.

Cale Henituse held the box in his hands. This was a surprise gift he had carefully chosen for Choi Han's birthday. A Galaxy Projector.

After Kim Rok Soo left a few months ago, Choi Han had become Cale's new confidant. The other man had consoled and healed his broken heart over the betrayal of his husband with his former best friend, as well as that former best friend's sudden departure. Choi Han had been constantly by his side during those difficult months. Without him even realising it, the two of them had become a new pair of best friends.

So, for Choi Han's birthday this year, Cale wanted to give him a special surprise gift. It was his way of thanking him for his kindness, and for every good thing Choi Han had done for him.

Cale had planned to secretly sneak into Choi Han's house to set up the Galaxy Projector inside his bedroom. That way, the moment Choi Han returned home and entered his room, he would be greeted by the beautiful, glowing projection of galaxies.

That was the plan.

For that very plan, Cale had sneakily "borrowed" Choi Han's house key from his bag when he was not looking, making a duplicate so he could enter the house later today to set up the surprise. Of course, Choi Han was unaware of this, and Cale had no intention of letting him know either.

With everything ready, Cale left the office early today to go set up the surprise gift at Choi Han's house.

Cale Henituse arrived at Choi Han's house. With the duplicated keys in hand, he easily opened the gate and the front door, letting himself in as if he owned the place.

Cale looked around the living room. The last time he had been here was a long time ago, back when Choi Han had just bought the house and the four of them had insisted on throwing a small housewarming party. The house had been quite bare then, with very little furniture.

It was different now.

The house somehow looked as though it carried the subtle touch of a couple.

Holding the box containing the projector in his arms, Cale climbed the stairs, heading towards the master bedroom. The room he knew belonged to Choi Han.

–

Cale Henituse soon arrived in front of the master bedroom.

His hand reached for the door handle and gave it a turn. Finding it unlocked, he pushed the door open.

Stepping inside, the first things to catch his eye were the dresser and the wardrobe. And the outline of a bedframe in the far corner, a spot concealed from the doorway unless one actually entered to look.

This place definitely looked as though it belonged to more than just a single person.

Did Choi Han have a partner?

Cale had never heard of Choi Han having a partner before. Not even a boyfriend. Choi Han had never mentioned anything of the sort during the past few months as they grew close, either. In fact, among their group of five, now four, Choi Han was the one who was always teased for having zero romantic experience.

Oh well, it was none of his business.

Or perhaps, he could tease him about it later.

With that thought in mind, Cale walked further into the room to set up the projector.

But the moment he turned towards the bed and saw what was there...

The box slipped from his hands, hitting the floor with a thud.

Cale Henituse froze dead in his tracks.
His eyes shook as he stared at the sight directly in his line of view.

There, hanging above the headboard of the king-sized bed, was a large portrait of Choi Han. Held in the embrace of Cale's own husband, Albert Crossman.

'...What...?'

Cale felt numb as he stared at the portrait hanging above the headboard.

He was so struck by shock that he did not hear the two sets of voices approaching the bedroom from the hallway.

"Honey, I am sure I locked the gate differently this morning," one voice said. "But when we entered just now, the lock was turned. It is as if someone has been here."

The second voice chuckled lightly. "That is just your imagination, baby. If someone had broken in, we would have found our living room ransacked. But it stayed intact, right? Nobody has been here."

But the moment the bedroom door was pushed open, the two men froze, horrified to discover that someone was indeed inside their home.

The shock doubled the moment they saw exactly who the "intruder" was.

"...C– Cale?" Albert stammered, his voice barely a breath.

Choi Han was too stunned to move or speak a word. He looked as though he had forgotten how to breathe entirely.

Only god knew how many seconds or minutes had passed while the three of them remained locked in silence.

The red-haired man standing in the middle of the room slowly turned towards the two after a long moment.

"...How long?" Cale Henituse asked.

Silence descended again.
The air in the room grew unbearably tense.

"How long have you two been carrying on behind my back?" Cale asked again.

Silence.
Still, neither of them offered an answer.

"I asked, HOW LONG?!" Cale yelled this time, his voice echoing off the walls.

The two remained rooted to the spot, their faces deathly pale and slicked with cold sweat. Neither dared to say a word. But from their expressions alone, anyone, even a blind man, could tell that these were the faces of people caught red-handed.

Cale did not even need them to confirm whether they were in an affair. Their guilty expressions told him everything.

All Cale needed to know was how long they had been betraying him. How long they had been carrying on right under his nose, secretly pretending, making a complete fool out of him.

Though from the looks of it, this was not something that had started a mere three months ago. It must have been going on for at least six months. A year, even. Or perhaps... for years.

Then, Cale's mind snapped.

If those two had been in a relationship for that long—

Then what about Kim Rok Soo?

A sudden realisation dawned on Cale. A terrifying, sickening thought that he desperately wished was not true. Yet, he forced himself to face the disgusting couple in front of him, needing to hear it confirmed.

"...What about Rok Soo?"

Both men shuddered as soon as that name, a name that had not been spoken in months, rolled off his tongue.

That single reaction was enough to tell Cale everything he needed to know. It confirmed the horrible thought, the truth he had desperately wished was false.

"...Did you two make Rok Soo a scapegoat just to hide your own disgusting affair?" Cale demanded.

Silence.

If anything, the look of guilt on their faces grew even more pronounced.

Cale Henituse did not stay a second longer.

He strode past the couple and exited the room, leaving the two of them standing there in ruin.

As Cale went down the stairs, his shaky hands fumbled to take out his phone. He barely managed to hold onto the device without dropping it. In a rush of desperation, he dialled a string of digits, a number he had deleted a few months ago, but still remembered by heart after years of friendship.

Kim Rok Soo's phone number.

He called once, twice, holding the phone to his ear as he crossed the living room, exited the front door, passed through the gate, and climbed into his car.

Yet no matter how many times Cale called, his efforts were met only by the automated operator voice.

"The number you have dialled is no longer in service, and no further information is available. Please check the number and try again."

"Rok Soo... Please answer..." Cale choked out, his voice trembling as he repeated the words like a plea. "Please..."

His body shook uncontrollably. Unbeknownst to him, tears had already begun rolling down his face, blurring his vision as the line went dead once more.

After Kim Rok Soo tendered his 24-hour resignation letter and left the building that day, he never returned to the company.

He moved out of his home, sold the property he once claimed would be his first and likely last house.

Nobody knew where he went after that, nor which company he joined next. The only point of contact remaining was through his lawyer, who handled the division and sale of his company shares. Kim Rok Soo had sold every last one of them.

Choi Han had tried asking the lawyer about Kim Rok Soo's whereabouts during one of their meetings, but the man simply offered a polite, professional smile and apologised, stating he was not at liberty to disclose his client's personal details.

Nobody knew where Kim Rok Soo had gone.

It was as if he had deliberately erased himself from their radar.

No.

It was as if he had disappeared from the world entirely.

And Cale...
Cale had never bothered to look for his former best friend. He had not even cared to listen to a whisper of gossip. He had refused to seek out any news or trace of Kim Rok Soo whatsoever.

In his heart, back then, he had still been consumed by resentment over the supposed betrayal, fuming at the thought of his best friend having an affair with his husband. He had wanted nothing more than to sever every single tie they had ever shared.

But the homewrecker he had despised all this time was innocent, framed and scapegoated by the two people he had trusted the most.

The friend he had slapped in the meeting room that day, branding him a traitor and a homewrecker. The friend who had never retaliated, choosing instead to quietly leave the company while enduring every cruel accusation and slander thrown his way.

Cale had been so quick to judge him. So quick to sever him from his life.

After so many years of friendship, Cale had still failed to distinguish who had remained loyal to him and who had stabbed him in the back. That would forever remain his greatest flaw. A fatal weakness he was now going to regret for the rest of his life.

"Rok Soo... Please..." Cale's voice broke over the name of the friend he had ruined.

How could he have done this?

How could he have treated his best friend so abominably?

Memories from the past began to surface.

Kim Rok Soo was actually his first friend in university. The very first person he had befriended long before the other three had ever entered the picture. They had met on their first day on campus. Even though their personalities were different, they had clicked, forming a bond that quickly made them inseparable.

Kim Rok Soo used to be the most important person in Cale's heart, long before Albert Crossman ever claimed that place. Albert had only come later. And even then, Albert had proven himself to be unfaithful, lacking the loyalty that Kim Rok Soo had given him.

Albert was not, and never would be, as good a man as Kim Rok Soo.

Nobody could ever be Kim Rok Soo.

Cale, of all people, should have known that better than anyone else.

Yet what had he done?

He had doubted him.
He had slandered him.
He had driven his truest friend away with his own hands.

"Rok Soo... Please forgive me..." Cale wept, burying his face in his hands as he slumped over the steering wheel.

"Please..." he choked out, his chest heaving with desperate sobs. "Please... Come back to me... Rok Soo..."