Chapter Nine

                Hankyung looked at his folder, before pressing the fifth floor. There he met Eunhyuk, “Hankyung there you are. Come, you’re here in place of Siwon for the meeting.”

                “What?” Hankyung exclaimed. “But I have no idea what’s going on.”

                “Doesn’t matter, I have your entire folder and the details for what’s going to over in the meeting. It’s nothing big unless someone makes it a big deal,” Eunhyuk smiled. “But don’t worry about it, okay?”

                Hankyung nodded and let Eunhyuk drag him to one of the many conference rooms. Hankyung sighed and mentally cursed Siwon, for making him do this.

                “Okay, we can start now,” Eunhyuk gently pushed Hankyung into the head chair and placed a file in front of him.

                Hankyung looked at Eunhyuk confused and Eunhyuk smiled before heading to his seat. Hankyung looked at everyone before looking at the folder and opening it. When he did this, everyone followed his action. He looked up before looking back down at the file. He mental cursed Siwon, again, before looking up again. “We should discuss the sales for the last couple months.”

                Someone stood up and walked over to a projector, turning it on and it flashed onto a screen before Eunhyuk, “Our sales are going quite well, in the last three months our sales have gone up, overall, business is good.” Hankyung nodded and looked at the next thing on the list.

                “How are our shareholders?”

                “Most of them are happy, although they would like them to be a little higher, overall our stocks and stockholders are going up and happy,” another man stood and showed Hankyung a chart. Hankyung nodded and put the file aside.

                “Eunhyuk, has the new sample project,” Hankyung gave Eunhyuk the floor and he went on explaining the new product. When Eunhyuk finished, Hankyung thanked everyone and dismissed the meeting. Hankyung then crossed off the meeting, which happened to be the third thing. Hankyung sighed and went to elevator, only to be stopped by someone.

                “Hankyung, wait, can you take this to Yesung? He’s was supposed to get this for the showing,” the man handed Hankyung a file and a desk before running back to his office. Hankyung looked at his list and noticed it was number two; smiling knowing that he was back on track again. He walked towards the elevator, going to the twentieth floor. He frowned and went to Yesung’s office, noticing a note was on his door, saying he was attending to other matters and the file and dish should fit underneath his door.

                The rest of the day for Hankyung was running around and he smiled when he crossed off last thing on the fourth page. He had finished most the tomorrow’s work. He sighed, and yet he was smiling at the same time; today was an okay day, if not tiring from running around, doing errands for everyone. He stepped on to the elevator for one of the last times of the day. He smiled and nodded at the people who came on and off the elevator. Soon he had reached the thirty-first floor, where Donghae was packing his things up.

                “Hankyung, Siwon went to go eat dinner with Yunho and JaeJoong, so he wanted me to tell you that he wants his things packed and ready by the time he gets home. Here’s the list of what he needs and where most of his things are. He isn’t leaving until the day after tomorrow, but he wants everything done tonight,” Donghae handed Hankyung a small piece of paper, but had many things listed.

                “It’s like he’s going away for a month,” Hankyung read over the list and looked at Donghae over the edge of the paper.

                “I know, he goes overboard, but it’s better to be safe then sorry. Now about tomorrow, Euiyun will meet you here, and there will be a short meeting with you and the other board members,” Donghae smiled and patted his back. “I’ll be at the house around seven, the meeting starts at eight.”

                Hankyung made a face and Donghae laughed, “I better leave then.” Hankyung smiled and grabbed his things before heading to the elevator with Donghae. Entering the elevator, Hankyung spoke again, “You know, I’ve noticed that you can get calls in this elevator.”

                Donghae laughed, “I was pretty shocked but it turns out Siwon purchased some kind of metal just so he can reach people in case they elevator. It’ comes in handy sometimes, I think Kyuhyun and ZhouMi have it as well, along with Changmin and Sungmin, but I think Eeteuk and KangIn are looking into it.”

                Hankyung shook his head as they both stepped off the elevator and headed to their separate cars. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, Donghae.”

                “Of course you will, and if you don’t wake up, I’ll call Eeteuk Umma,” Donghae smirked as he saw Hankyung’s shocked expression. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Donghae slipped into his car before Hankyung could say anything. Hankyung stood there gapping as Donghae drove off laughing.

                “Yah~ get back here,” Hankyung shouted after Donghae left. Frowning he stepped into the car, the driver the same as the first. “You know, I never got your name,” Hankyung noted as the driver came to close the door.

                He smiled, “My name isn’t important, but if you must know its Hozaki.”

                “And your brother’s?”

                Hozaki looked at Hankyung in shocked, “How did you know it was my brother?”

                “He drives differently from you,” Hankyung shrugged and smiled.

                “Not even Siwon-shii can tell the difference between us. His name is Hazaki, we’re the Kakushima  brothers.” Hozaki smiled.

                Hankyung nodded, “Thank you, could you stop at the market on the way back? I need to buy some groceries.” Hankyung rubbed the back of his head as he tried to remember his list.

                Hozaki nodded and closed the door behind him, cursing knowing that he had given out too much information. He slipped into the driver’s seat and drove out towards the busy streets of Seoul. It was a ten minute drive before they reached a fairly high class market. Hozaki parked the car and went to go wake up Hankyung in the back seat. He smiled as he exited the car, “Hankyung-shii, we’re here.” Hankyung woke up and pulled out a list. “I’ll be—“

                “Could you help me? I’m not very good at really Korean, just yet,” Hankyung sheepishly smiled as Hozaki nodded and went to go turn off the engine. As quickly as he left, Hozaki returned to his side. Walking towards the market Hankyung spoke again, “You’re not Korean, Japanese right?”

                “Yes, my brother and I along with my older sister and mother moved to Seoul for a better living, alone with that my sister had gotten a scholarship with the biggest art school in Seoul. I learned to drive from a taxi driver, along with my brother. Siwon had found about us when he took the taxi I was driving,” Hozaki looked at Hankyung, as he pulled out a cart.

                “Sounds nice,” Hankyung smiled as he pulled out the list he had pocketed earlier. They entered the market together and Hankyung looked at his list, “Milk, dog food, some vegetables, and some other things.” Hankyung looked at Hozaki. “Let’s get to it then.” Hozaki simply laughed and followed Hankyung towards the produce section.

                “What are you making for dinner?” Hozaki asked curiously.

                “I have no idea, actually,” Hankyung smiled and grabbed some parsley. “Is there something you would like to eat?”

                “Something spicy,” Hozaki laughed as Hankyung shook his head.

                “Maybe some chicken? Or beef?” Hankyung looked at the different red onions, before picking a fairly large one.

                “Chicken,” Hozaki smiled at Hankyung as he placed the onion into the basket. Hankyung nodded before walking towards the other sections. They talked and when Hankyung was done, Hozaki drove them home.

                “After dinner, would you like to come in and take some home?” Hankyung asked as he grabbed the groceries and his bag. Hozaki laughed and took some bags from Hankyung and grabbing the rest, before agreeing to Hankyung’s suggestion. Hankyung smiled and thanked Hozaki before disappearing into the estate. Hankyung walked into the kitchen before placing the groceries into their designated spots before disappearing upstairs to change and start packing Siwon’s things. Entering his room, Hankyung sighed, “I should call home soon.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair before heading to his closest and pulling out some comfortable clothes.

                He stretched before deciding that he should get all of Siwon’s things ready. He frowned and realized he had no idea where anything was. He looked over at the phone and decided to call Donghae. Putting the phone on speaker, Hankyung waited for Donghae to answer.

                “Hello? Hello, anyone there?” Donghae’s voice filled the room.

                “Donghae—“

                “Ah, Hankyung,” Donghae’s voice turned to a cheerful voice.

                “Donghae, where is his suitcase?”

                “Ah, I do believe— yah, Kibum stop that! Sorry, I think it’s in the back of his closest, don’t be afraid to look in,” Hankyung could hear him smirking on the other end.

                “And his laptop?”

                “Which one did he put on there?”

                “A mac?”

                “The new one, fancy bastard, that’s in his office, it should be the room nice to yours, if not, two doors down from his room.” Hankyung heard some banging in the background and Donghae shouting to Kibum to put down the pan, because he was cooking tonight.

                “That’s all I needed to know, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Hankyung went to go turn off the phone.

                “Don’t forget to make me lunch~” Donghae sang into the phone before Hankyung hung up. Hankyung sighed and pulled out the list, Siwon needed three different suits and some sleepwear, along with boxers and other clothing. Hankyung mentally prepared himself as he adventured into Siwon’s closest. Hankyung picked three of the nicest suits that Siwon had and placed them on the bed. Next he got evening wear, about five to six. He started to wonder how he was going to fit everything into the one luggage bag he had seen. He frowned and curiously unzipped the bag; he laughed realizing there were two bags. He shook his head and pulled the smaller one out of the bag and noticed the bigger one was able to find the suits in perfectly. He looks at the list again and noticed there was two lists. He rolled his eyes and got to work again.

                Two hours later, Hankyung found himself placing dinner on the table and as he did the door opened, revealing a tired looking Siwon.

                “I made—“

                “I ate already, you packed most of my things?”

                “Yes, it’s all placed near the window.”

                “Good, eat, I won’t be joining you,” With that said, Siwon walked up the stairs and disappeared into his room.

                Hankyung rolled his eyes and realized he didn’t have Hozaki’s number. He frowned and decided to give it to Hozaki or his brother, whoever came to pick him up. He silently ate dinner as he looked over some files. He shook his head and placed the food into it’s proper place. After washing his dishes, Hankyung headed upstairs. Only to be stopped by Siwon, “Hankyung, I want you to look over your schedule tomorrow, JaeJoong-shii will be going with you shopping with Euiyun; he wants to talk to you about something. Don’t make my company a laughing stock.”

                “Yes, Choi-shii,” Hankyung nodded before waiting for Siwon to turn back into his room, which he did seconds after Hankyung had nodded his head. Hankyung rolled his eyes at Siwon’s back before retreating to his own room.

                The nights were cooler, and he liked to sleep with the window open. Hankyung smiled and thought of him as he laid in his bed. His eyes getting heavier and heavier, and soon he found himself dreaming of his mother cooking and smiling at him; his father nodding his head in approval but reminding him not to work so hard.

                What seemed like a few minutes, soon Hankyung felt weight on the right side of his bed. He ignored it, however the weight decided to sit on him, causing him to wake up and be face-to-face with Donghae. He frowned and shook his head.

                “Good morning,” Donghae smiled, looking down at Hankyung. “Siwon said it would be better if you were sometime casual, yet office suitable.” Donghae explained as he got up off of Hankyung

                “Pick something out for me?” Hankyung got up after Donghae, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, then getting out of bed and disappearing into the bathroom. Donghae laughed and headed to Hankyung’s closest. he looked for a few moments before picking a nice polo shirt and slacks. He picked up his watch and glasses, walking towards the bathroom door, knocking he stepped in just to see Hankyung wrap the towel around his waist.

                “Here you go,” he placed Hankyung’s things onto the sink countertop. “I’ll be waiting downstairs for some delicious breakfast.” Hankyung threw a towel at him and Donghae left the bathroom laughing. Hankyung frowned and looked in the mirror. he was getting circles under eyes and today wasn’t going to help anything. He sighed and shook his head to clear out all negative thoughts and put on his clothes. Quickly he grabbed his bags and the files that he had placed near his bedside and ran down the stairs. He smiled and waved at Kibum, before disappearing into the kitchen. Minutes later Donghae was pushed out of the kitchen and Hankyung shot a look at Kibum, telling him to not let Donghae into the kitchen until he was done. Kibum laughed before nodding and went to go entertain Donghae.

                “Done!”

                “Finally, do you know how hungry I am?”

                “Please, you ate before we left the house.”

                “But that was like forty minutes ago, and it was toast.”

                “Yes, yes, I understand, but please eat, I’m sure Hozaki is here already.” Hankyung set plates at the table before going to find something Siwon won’t miss.  He looked up, “ANDY!”

                Andy came trotting in, giving Hankyung a heated look before walking over to Donghae. “Hello, there pretty.” Donghae smiled and patted her head.

                “Her food,” Hankyung handed Donghae the food that he had bought at the store. “Tried feeding her last night, that wasn’t a smart idea,” Hankyung remembered. He had called Andy for dinner, and when he tried to get her to eat. Nothing worked until Siwon had came in and smiled, before feeding Andy and talking to her. Hankyung shook his head and smiled.

                “You should feed her again, shows you’re persistent,” Donghae waved Hankyung off before digging into the food. “While you’re running around, I’ll be taking care of Andy.” Donghae looked up from his food as he informed Hankyung. Hankyung nodded as he placed the food in Andy’s food bowl and then went back to his breakfast. Hankyung turned to the clock and paled.

                “I need to go,” Hankyung grabbed his jacket, bag, and house keys. “Take care Donghae, I’ll see you at work.” Hankyung smiled and grabbed Hozaki’s share before exiting the house.

                “Hankyung, rushing?” Hozaki smiled as he held the door open for Hankyung.

                “Yes, your share,” Hankyung handed Hozaki’s share before slipping into the car. Hozaki simply laughed and closed the door. Before slipping into the driver’s seat and driving into the streets. Hankyung and Hozaki were silent during the ride, both enjoying the quietness. Reaching the company, Hankyung was greeted by JaeJoong.

                “Kim-shii,” Hozaki greeted before opening the door for Hankyung, who noticed JaeJoong only after he had stepped out of the car with his things.

                “Kim JaeJoong-shii,” Hankyung greeted, bowing, only to look up when he heard JaeJoong laugh.

                “Come, its JaeJoong,” JaeJoong smiled. “If you don’t need waiting a little while, we’ll be leaving soon. After a short meeting,” JaeJoong informed Hozaki. Hozaki nodded and went to go park the car. “Come, we need to go the meeting and the shopping starts.”

                Hankyung nodded, “What is the meeting over?”

                “This and that,” JaeJoong smiled. “I also heard from Eeteuk that you picked Yoobin, are you sure about that?”

                “Yes, she seems nice, why?”

                “Just asking,” JaeJoong gave Hankyung a worried look before covering it with a smile. “Some meeting, with—what is the term, “penguins”?”

                Hankyung laughed and nodded, “They are though.” JaeJoong simply laughed and shook his head, leading Hankyung into the meeting room. The meeting was short like JaeJoong had said, and soon they met with Euiyun, who was glaring at Hankyung.

                “Let’s go,” JaeJoong led Hankyung in front of Euiyun. “She doesn’t dare to walk in front of me; after all I have much more power than she does. Seeing how she skips a lot of photo shoots to see Siwon.”

                Hankyung smiled and waved at Hozaki, who was sitting at one of the many chairs in the lobby. JaeJoong looked at Hozaki then back to Hankyung. He raised a questioned eyebrow before giving a knowing smile. Hankyung talked before nodding, Hozaki laughed and bowed at JaeJoong, before he even noticed Euiyun.

                “Can we go now, I have a lot of this to buy,” Euiyun hissed at Hozaki.

                “Yes, ma’am,” Hozaki stood up and went to go the car. The silence came back, when Hozaki left. Hankyung dared not to speak, and JaeJoong watched Euiyun. Hozaki came back and opened the door for them.

                “You,” she pointed at Hankyung, “can seat in the front.” She smirked as he disappeared into the car.

                JaeJoong shook his head, “you’ll have to do as she says.” He glared looking at Euiyun as he spoke. Hankyung laughed nervously and nodded. Hozaki closed the door before opening the passenger door for Hankyung.

                “Some company,” Hozaki smiled and gently pushed Hankyung into the seat. From the back seat JaeJoong watched Hankyung converse with Hozaki. He nodded, Hozaki was a nice guy, maybe he should come with them on their little shopping trip. It was a nice, conversable ride to the Galleria Department™⁽¹⁾_, which wasn’t very far.

                “Hozaki,” JaeJoong’s voice called out from the back seat.

                “Yes, JaeJoong-shii?”

                “Accompany us, while we shop?” JaeJoong asked, smiling a bit when he saw the horror laced on Euiyun’s face.

                “Oh, I couldn’t,” Hozaki tried to hide his smile, when he saw Euiyun’s face sigh with relief. “But because you asked, JaeJoong-shii, I’ll have to accept.” He nodded at JaeJoong, as he turned into the parking lot. He was lucky enough to find a close spot. He parked the car and went to go open the door for Euiyun and JaeJoong. By the time he had gotten to the passenger side, Hankyung was already out of the car, with his bag and putting some unread files into it. Hozaki shook his head and put his hand on Hankyung’s shoulder, “Come on, no files.”

                “I need to read them before Siwon leaves tomorrow,” Hankyung smiled at Hozaki as he put his glasses on and zipped up his bag. Hozaki looked over at JaeJoong, who was frowning but didn’t say anything.

                “Would you hurry up,” Euiyun hissed at Hankyung. Hankyung straighten his bag and nodded. She huffed and walked towards the first store she saw. Hozaki placed his hand on Hankyung’s hip, as he talked with JaeJoong.

                “So, Hankyung, do you know what you’re going to wear to my engagement party?” JaeJoong asked, as he eyes Hozaki’s hand.

                Hankyung didn’t notice the hand, so he didn’t say anything about it. He thought for a few minutes, “No, I don’t know what I’m going to wear. Is there something I should wear?”

                JaeJoong smiled, “It’s formal, but casual.”

                “Formal, yet casual,” Hankyung thought for a few minutes, “I don’t think I have anything nice enough to be formal and casual.”

                “That’s fine, we can get you something today,” JaeJoong nodded as they followed Euiyun into the first store.

                “Miss. Lee, welcome back, what will be you—“

            “Jae, it’s been too long, since your last visit,” a tall male came and greeted JaeJoong with a hug.

                JaeJoong couldn’t help but to laugh, “Heechul.”

                “You!” Hankyung pointed at Heechul, with a shocked look on his face.

                “It’s not very nice to point, you know. And you never called me,” Heechul pouted.

                “You know Heechul?”

                “I saw him at Changmin-shii’s company,” Hankyung answered.

                “That’s right, he works for Changmin part time, makes him feel better about himself,” JaeJoong rolled his eyes.

                “And who is this?” Heechul eyed Hozaki’s hand, which was still on Hankyung’s shoulder.

                “Kakushima Hozaki,” Hozaki smiled and bowed, not letting go for Hankyung’s shoulder.

                “Yes, I see,” Heechul eyed him before turning to JaeJoong, who was watching Euiyun.

                “Heechul, find something nice to Hankyung, would you?” JaeJoong whispered.

                “Of course,” Heechul’s smirked turning to the stylists there and talking to them.

                After what seemed to be two hours, Euiyun finished. Hankyung had finished looking over the files, which he thought would take him a while. Minutes after Hankyung had finished, he had fallen asleep on Hozaki’s shoulder, much to JaeJoong’s and Heechul’s annoyance. However either had the strength to wake him, knowing Siwon was a tough worker. When Hankyung’s cell phone rang, Euiyun glared and while JaeJoong and Heechul smiled, knowing he would have to pick his head off Hozaki’s shoulder.

                “Hello? Siwon-shii, yes JaeJoong is here, just a moment,” Hankyung covered the mouth piece. “Siwon would like to you if you had your phone, Yunho-shii can’t reach you.”

                JaeJoong laughed, “I left it at home.”

                “Siwon-shii? Yes, he said he left it at home, I understand, have a—“ Siwon hung up on Hankyung before he could finish. Hankyung sighed before handing his phone to JaeJoong, before resting his head on Hozaki’s shoulder again.

                At the counter, Euiyun fumed, “how dare he, Siwon is mine.” She paid for her things, and walked back to the group, where JaeJoong was talking with Heechul about the party. “Let’s go, JaeJoong-shii,” she placed her bags in front of Hankyung and smirked, “you can hold my bags.”

                “I can do it,” Hozaki went to grab the bags, Euiyun, however, stopped.

                “You’ll keep your hands off the bags, if you value you’re job,” she smirked, and turned to leave for the next store.

                Hankyung let out a small smile, “its okay.” He followed JaeJoong as he left. Hozaki shook his head and quickly went after Hankyung. Heechul watched the group leave.

                “There’s something off about him,” Heechul watched Hozaki and Hankyung, before shaking his head. “Siwon looks before with him.”

⁽¹⁾ is a department mall, is one of the bigger malls in Apgujung