No Matter What(Chapter Seven)
TITLE: No Matter What
SUMMARY: What if you've found the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? And then, your love, your soul mate, suddenly turns tail and runs?
---
Lee Donghae stiffened as soon as he heard the door opening. He did not turn to look at who the intruder was, instead he continued to gaze into the distance. "I said no disturbances for the whole day."
"Well, hello to you, too, Donghae-yah."
Donghae whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice. Standing in front of him, looking as radiant and as arrogant as ever, was Kim Heechul.
"Hyung!" The younger man rushed forward and embraced the slightly taller man close. "When did you come back? Why didn't you tell me? What happened? What took you so long? Why didn't you even call me?! Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly stopped contacting me?! I mean---"
Donghae's rambling was cut off as a hand covered his mouth.
"You," Heechul drawled, "Are as noisy as ever."
Donghae mumbled an incomprehensible reply and Heechul laughed as he removed his hand from his dongsaeng's mouth.
"No more questions, Hae." Heechul smirked. "Besides, you know me. I won't answer them anyway."
Heechul watched as the younger man's face displayed a barrage of emotions before the handsome face broke into a smile. "Fine, but you still owe me an explanation, hyung. For now, would you like coffee?"
---
"So," Donghae looked at Heechul over the rim of his mug. "When did you come back, hyung? And why only now?"
Heechul smiled. "I just came back today, Hae. As for the reason, well, I couldn't just leave you like that now, can I?"
The younger man frowned. Heechul was not giving him the answers he wanted, so he tried a different approach.
"You told me you met someone."
"Yes, so I did." A bright smile was painted on the older man's face. "What about it?"
Exasperated, Donghae placed his mug down and glared at his hyung. "Hyung, you met someone and decided to abandon me for how many odd months and now you're suddenly back! Something must have happened!" The younger man paused and his tone softened. "Did it not work out?"
"Oh, Donghae-yah, it did work out. In fact, it worked out splendidly."
"So, why are you back?"
Heechul rolled his eyes. "I told you, oh dongsaeng of mine, that I couldn't just leave you like that. I know you could handle the company by yourself but I'm not that cold-hearted as to leave you all the work and responsibility."
He picked up his mug and took a sip before turning his attention to the young man in front of him. It was time to address one of reasons of his coming back. "Besides, Hae, a little birdie told me something was up with you."
Heechul could see that Donghae was shaken and he knew he had hit a nerve.
"W-What do you mean, hyung?" Donghae cleared his throat, trying to show that he was not affected in anyway, and smiled. "Aside from being swamped with work, nothing much has been happening."
Yeah right. Heechul smiled back. "I see. Of course, Hae."
Despite his suspicions that Heechul knew more than he was letting-on, Donghae let the matter slide.
He just wanted to forget.
Even if only for a while.
---
Lee Sungmin gazed critically at the person sitting across from him. With pale, flawless skin and pretty-boy good looks, Sungmin wouldn't have been surprised if the person said he was working as a model.
Instead, the beautiful man in front of him was none other than Kim Heechul, one of the most successful businessmen in Asia and partner of Lee Donghae.
"I'm guessing you already know why I've called you here today, Sungmin-ssi."
Sungmin nodded. "It's about our brothers."
It wasn't any secret that Heechul and Donghae considered themselves siblings by all things except blood.
"That's right." Heechul paused and took a sip from his drink. "I've been hearing bits and pieces of the story but I want to clear things up. Why exactly did Hyukjae-ssi leave?"
"Because Donghae stood him up."
Heechul raised an eyebrow. "That's all? That doesn't seem so mature---"
"Donghae stood him up ten times."
The older man paused again and frowned. "But still---"
"Donghae stood him up on his birthday."
Heechul's eyes widened, not wanting to believe that Donghae would do something like that, but the urge to protect his dongsaeng was too strong. "Even so, if Hyukjae-ssi couldn't even understand Hae's reasons, which I'm sure were justifiable, then he must not have loved Donghae that deeply."
Anger flashed in Sungmin's eyes. "You don't know my brother like I do. I've never seen him fall the way he did with Donghae so I would appreciate if you didn't make conclusions based on the little information you have on him. Besides, how could you say that Donghae even loved Hyukjae based on his actions?"
"You're right, I don't know your brother." Heechul sighed. "But for your information, Donghae is normally a very cheerful person no matter what the circumstances are. These days, he's been carrying around such a depressing aura to the point that even I want to avoid him. If these are any indications, then I'm positive that he loves Hyukjae-ssi as much as you say your brother loves him."
Sungmin leaned back. "So how do you explain his actions? Leaving the person you love hanging isn't really a good sign of undying love, you know."
The older man smiled pensively. "Although Donghae has his reasons, I'm going to give you my own interpretation of his actions." Heechul glanced at Sungmin and as soon as the younger man nodded, he continued. "You probably know all these from interviews and stuff but the company means a lot to Donghae."
Heechul smiled as he remembered the young boy he had taken under his wing. "Having grown up without anyone must have affected him in ways we can never understand. The company was his first real success, the first thing which proved that he was not an idiot, as his bullies in the orphanage had so often beaten into him, and that he was good, intelligent, and resourceful enough to make it in this world. Do you understand so far?"
"I'm getting there. Keep going, Heechul-ssi."
"When your brother came, I believe Donghae was torn between these two loves of his." Heechul gazed straight into the eyes of the man in front of him. "I'm sure he felt guilty, remorseful even, every time he had to leave Hyukjae-ssi for business but, I think, it was because Donghae is much too responsible for his own good."
At Sungmin's puzzled expression, Heechul continued. "You see, we had this deal, back when the company was only just starting, that we'd be the ones responsible for the paperwork and that we'd personally handle clients who were of value. It ensured that we could keep all things into account and that we'd never lose a client."
Sungmin nodded understandingly. "And when you were on leave, it fell on his shoulders to keep that deal."
"Yes. I guess I had something to do with it, too." Heechul grinned. "But you see, my point is that Donghae doesn't quite understand the fact that we're as stable as can be right now and that even if he slacked off, it would have no lasting effect on the company. Do you get my point here, Sungmin-ssi?"
They kept quiet for a long time, before finally, Sungmin spoke. "I'm not giving you Hyukjae's address. I want Donghae to look for him personally. I think Donghae owes him that much."
Heechul grinned. "Don't worry, I'm not asking for his address. But you are aware that Donghae could just hire a private detective and find him just as easily right?"
"Yes." Sungmin frowned. "I had been thinking about that too."
"Well, think about it no more, Sungmin-ssi. I have the perfect plan." Sungmin could see something akin to evil in the older man's smile. "Leave it to me."
"But don't you want Donghae to find Hyuk?"
Heechul grinned. "I think now's the time that Donghae starts to chase for his happiness on his own."
---
Donghae groaned as someone persistently shook him. "Go away!"
"Lee Donghae! It's two in the afternoon! Get your lazy butt out of bed before I do it for you!"
Donghae pulled the covers tighter around himself and muttered, "Heechul-hyung, stop it! I want to sleep! Go away!”
The next thing he knew, he was on the floor. Muttering curses under his breath, he stood up angrily and faced his smirking hyung. “What are you doing here, hyung?”
"Giving you a wake up call, of course."
Donghae glared. "I don't need a wake-up call!" He turned, picked up his blankets and threw them on top of his bed. "Besides, it's Sunday, hyung! Sunday! I deserve to sleep in!"
Heechul merely laughed. "I woke you up since I wanted to introduce someone to you."
"Who?"
"Put on some decent clothes and come downstairs." Heechul went out the door, calling out as he did so. "He's waiting."
Donghae rolled his eyes at his hyung's attitude but did as he was asked. Besides, he was curious as to who their guest was.
When he got to the living room, he's eyes widened at the sight of the familiar face smiling back at him.
----------
A/N: An update! Please don't hate me for just posting it now. I thought this would be the last chapter but...yeah, so many things needed to be explained...anyway, Heenim's back! XD
And this is for Noe (nuee ), because she's sweet and I promised I'd post something up soon. Here you go,bb. =D
Sorry for any typos, I'll come and edit this later. Tell me what you think. ^^
SUMMARY: What if you've found the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? And then, your love, your soul mate, suddenly turns tail and runs?
---
Lee Donghae stiffened as soon as he heard the door opening. He did not turn to look at who the intruder was, instead he continued to gaze into the distance. "I said no disturbances for the whole day."
"Well, hello to you, too, Donghae-yah."
Donghae whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice. Standing in front of him, looking as radiant and as arrogant as ever, was Kim Heechul.
"Hyung!" The younger man rushed forward and embraced the slightly taller man close. "When did you come back? Why didn't you tell me? What happened? What took you so long? Why didn't you even call me?! Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly stopped contacting me?! I mean---"
Donghae's rambling was cut off as a hand covered his mouth.
"You," Heechul drawled, "Are as noisy as ever."
Donghae mumbled an incomprehensible reply and Heechul laughed as he removed his hand from his dongsaeng's mouth.
"No more questions, Hae." Heechul smirked. "Besides, you know me. I won't answer them anyway."
Heechul watched as the younger man's face displayed a barrage of emotions before the handsome face broke into a smile. "Fine, but you still owe me an explanation, hyung. For now, would you like coffee?"
---
"So," Donghae looked at Heechul over the rim of his mug. "When did you come back, hyung? And why only now?"
Heechul smiled. "I just came back today, Hae. As for the reason, well, I couldn't just leave you like that now, can I?"
The younger man frowned. Heechul was not giving him the answers he wanted, so he tried a different approach.
"You told me you met someone."
"Yes, so I did." A bright smile was painted on the older man's face. "What about it?"
Exasperated, Donghae placed his mug down and glared at his hyung. "Hyung, you met someone and decided to abandon me for how many odd months and now you're suddenly back! Something must have happened!" The younger man paused and his tone softened. "Did it not work out?"
"Oh, Donghae-yah, it did work out. In fact, it worked out splendidly."
"So, why are you back?"
Heechul rolled his eyes. "I told you, oh dongsaeng of mine, that I couldn't just leave you like that. I know you could handle the company by yourself but I'm not that cold-hearted as to leave you all the work and responsibility."
He picked up his mug and took a sip before turning his attention to the young man in front of him. It was time to address one of reasons of his coming back. "Besides, Hae, a little birdie told me something was up with you."
Heechul could see that Donghae was shaken and he knew he had hit a nerve.
"W-What do you mean, hyung?" Donghae cleared his throat, trying to show that he was not affected in anyway, and smiled. "Aside from being swamped with work, nothing much has been happening."
Yeah right. Heechul smiled back. "I see. Of course, Hae."
Despite his suspicions that Heechul knew more than he was letting-on, Donghae let the matter slide.
He just wanted to forget.
Even if only for a while.
---
Lee Sungmin gazed critically at the person sitting across from him. With pale, flawless skin and pretty-boy good looks, Sungmin wouldn't have been surprised if the person said he was working as a model.
Instead, the beautiful man in front of him was none other than Kim Heechul, one of the most successful businessmen in Asia and partner of Lee Donghae.
"I'm guessing you already know why I've called you here today, Sungmin-ssi."
Sungmin nodded. "It's about our brothers."
It wasn't any secret that Heechul and Donghae considered themselves siblings by all things except blood.
"That's right." Heechul paused and took a sip from his drink. "I've been hearing bits and pieces of the story but I want to clear things up. Why exactly did Hyukjae-ssi leave?"
"Because Donghae stood him up."
Heechul raised an eyebrow. "That's all? That doesn't seem so mature---"
"Donghae stood him up ten times."
The older man paused again and frowned. "But still---"
"Donghae stood him up on his birthday."
Heechul's eyes widened, not wanting to believe that Donghae would do something like that, but the urge to protect his dongsaeng was too strong. "Even so, if Hyukjae-ssi couldn't even understand Hae's reasons, which I'm sure were justifiable, then he must not have loved Donghae that deeply."
Anger flashed in Sungmin's eyes. "You don't know my brother like I do. I've never seen him fall the way he did with Donghae so I would appreciate if you didn't make conclusions based on the little information you have on him. Besides, how could you say that Donghae even loved Hyukjae based on his actions?"
"You're right, I don't know your brother." Heechul sighed. "But for your information, Donghae is normally a very cheerful person no matter what the circumstances are. These days, he's been carrying around such a depressing aura to the point that even I want to avoid him. If these are any indications, then I'm positive that he loves Hyukjae-ssi as much as you say your brother loves him."
Sungmin leaned back. "So how do you explain his actions? Leaving the person you love hanging isn't really a good sign of undying love, you know."
The older man smiled pensively. "Although Donghae has his reasons, I'm going to give you my own interpretation of his actions." Heechul glanced at Sungmin and as soon as the younger man nodded, he continued. "You probably know all these from interviews and stuff but the company means a lot to Donghae."
Heechul smiled as he remembered the young boy he had taken under his wing. "Having grown up without anyone must have affected him in ways we can never understand. The company was his first real success, the first thing which proved that he was not an idiot, as his bullies in the orphanage had so often beaten into him, and that he was good, intelligent, and resourceful enough to make it in this world. Do you understand so far?"
"I'm getting there. Keep going, Heechul-ssi."
"When your brother came, I believe Donghae was torn between these two loves of his." Heechul gazed straight into the eyes of the man in front of him. "I'm sure he felt guilty, remorseful even, every time he had to leave Hyukjae-ssi for business but, I think, it was because Donghae is much too responsible for his own good."
At Sungmin's puzzled expression, Heechul continued. "You see, we had this deal, back when the company was only just starting, that we'd be the ones responsible for the paperwork and that we'd personally handle clients who were of value. It ensured that we could keep all things into account and that we'd never lose a client."
Sungmin nodded understandingly. "And when you were on leave, it fell on his shoulders to keep that deal."
"Yes. I guess I had something to do with it, too." Heechul grinned. "But you see, my point is that Donghae doesn't quite understand the fact that we're as stable as can be right now and that even if he slacked off, it would have no lasting effect on the company. Do you get my point here, Sungmin-ssi?"
They kept quiet for a long time, before finally, Sungmin spoke. "I'm not giving you Hyukjae's address. I want Donghae to look for him personally. I think Donghae owes him that much."
Heechul grinned. "Don't worry, I'm not asking for his address. But you are aware that Donghae could just hire a private detective and find him just as easily right?"
"Yes." Sungmin frowned. "I had been thinking about that too."
"Well, think about it no more, Sungmin-ssi. I have the perfect plan." Sungmin could see something akin to evil in the older man's smile. "Leave it to me."
"But don't you want Donghae to find Hyuk?"
Heechul grinned. "I think now's the time that Donghae starts to chase for his happiness on his own."
---
Donghae groaned as someone persistently shook him. "Go away!"
"Lee Donghae! It's two in the afternoon! Get your lazy butt out of bed before I do it for you!"
Donghae pulled the covers tighter around himself and muttered, "Heechul-hyung, stop it! I want to sleep! Go away!”
The next thing he knew, he was on the floor. Muttering curses under his breath, he stood up angrily and faced his smirking hyung. “What are you doing here, hyung?”
"Giving you a wake up call, of course."
Donghae glared. "I don't need a wake-up call!" He turned, picked up his blankets and threw them on top of his bed. "Besides, it's Sunday, hyung! Sunday! I deserve to sleep in!"
Heechul merely laughed. "I woke you up since I wanted to introduce someone to you."
"Who?"
"Put on some decent clothes and come downstairs." Heechul went out the door, calling out as he did so. "He's waiting."
Donghae rolled his eyes at his hyung's attitude but did as he was asked. Besides, he was curious as to who their guest was.
When he got to the living room, he's eyes widened at the sight of the familiar face smiling back at him.
----------
A/N: An update! Please don't hate me for just posting it now. I thought this would be the last chapter but...yeah, so many things needed to be explained...anyway, Heenim's back! XD
And this is for Noe (nuee ), because she's sweet and I promised I'd post something up soon. Here you go,bb. =D
Sorry for any typos, I'll come and edit this later. Tell me what you think. ^^