You're My Partner (Chapter 2)
Title: You're My Partner (Chapter 2)
Author(s): Shinyaimpl13 and Jvklover
Rating: PG-13+
Pairing: Haehyuk
Summary: Hyukjae works for a major firm in Seoul. What happens when he makes partner and is transfered to another firm to help production in Mokpo? It just so happens his new boss-Donghae-is a little less than fond of him.
He stretched his arms out, hearing them pop at the joints.
Today has been so tiring, and it isn't even over yet. All he wants is to go home and rest, but right now he's stuck at his new office, listening to his new colleague ramble on about the other workers, how they act, how he'll be treated by everyone else, what's to be expected, when they get days off, when they usually take breaks, what he needs to know, what he doesn't, and other essentials. Truthfully, Hyukjae zoned out a while ago, but he kept nodding his head and making little comments here and there so the other would think he's listening.
"Oh, yeah, and Donghae hyung... he may be a little mean to you."
Hyukjae's head snapped up at this. Donghae... that's his new boss, right? "W-what?" His new colleague smiled shyly. "Have you met him yet?" Hyukjae nodded, recalling earlier when he met the man, and the older scoffing at him. "Well,... was he mean to you?" Being asked this question, he felt a little embarrassed because, yes, indeed, the other was a tad bit mean to him and he wasn't quite sure as to why. He doesn't know the guy at all, so he couldn't have offended him. He frowns a little. "I'm taking that as a yes?"
"What? O-oh... yeah. He was... I guess."
The other man smiles slightly. "Don't worry. It isn't that he doesn't like you... he just has a problem with new people. Just don't question him or get in his way and he should warm right up to you. I mean, I guess I'm a little lucky that I'm close to him. I get to call him hyung. Unlike what he likes everyone else to call him. The only people who get to call him that is Siwon and me, in this firm." Hyukjae nods a little. "What's your relationship to him? I mean, how close are you two?" The other smiles slightly. "He and I go way back. I'm kind of upset I have to work under him. It's always a little embarrassing taking orders from a friend." The man chuckles and Hyukjae follows suit, letting out a little giggle.
"I'm surprised though."
He looks at the other with a little bit of question. "I mean... I just assumed he would warm up a little quicker to someone so... cute? Hmmm, yeah. That's the right words." Hyukjae blushed slightly. "Thank you." "No problem. Anyway, you look tired, and I've troubled you by keeping you here longer than you needed... so why don't you go home?" His eyes widened and he shook his head. "It wasn't any trouble at all. In fact, I really appreciate it." He smiled, cautioning himself of not showing his gums. The other man smiled. "You're too nice. I know I talk to much, trust me. Sometimes I annoy myself." He smiled brightly, and Hyukjae couldn't help but notice how adorable the other was.
"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
He nodded and smiled one last time as he stood from his seat at the other man's desk, eyeing the paper work for a small moment, and then bidding him goodbye.
~~
"Then I met this really nice guy!"
"You did, did you?" "Yeah, he was sweet. But all he did was talk and talk and talk, but he knows that he talks a lot. I think he may be a little insecure about that. It doesn't matter though, because as far as I can see, that's the only flaw he has, and his face pretty much makes up for that." He hears a chuckle from the other end, and he smiles. He loves talking to this man. "Oh? What is this fabulous guy's name?" "Hyung, I know where you're going with this, and no, I don't think I will ever like him like that, but if you must know, his name is Lee Sungmin."
"Ah, cute name."
"Yah! You can't think someone's name is cute." "Yes, you can!" "No, you can't... you can call a personality cute, or a face cute. You can't think a name is cute though." "What ever, let's not argue over this. Tell me more about your day!" "Right! Well, anyway, that guy I was telling you about-not Sungmin, the other one, Siwon, right?" "Yeah?" "Well, he seemed to be kind of... well, I guess maybe he doesn't like me, he kind of gave me this look. That doesn't matter though, because I think we should get Zhou Mi to come out here and meet him. They'd be absolutely perfect together! He's all sophisticated and silent and you could totally tell that he'd be the type to protect his boyfriend."
"Hyukkie?"
"Yeah?" "Remember what happened to Zhou Mi? I don't think he's all that ready to date right-!" "I know, I know! I'm just saying! This guy isn't really my type, but he seems like Zhou Mi's type." "Are you sure about that? Do you really know Zhou Mi's type? Because, no offense, you and him aren't really close. Don't get me wrong, I'm not close to him either... just, I don't know. Maybe we should wait a while before we try to set him up with anyone." "I guess he has been through a lot. I don't know. I'll get to know this guy better, okay? If I still think he's Zhou Mi's type after I get know him though, I'm doing some meddling no matter what you say." "I believe you will." "I will." Hyukjae chuckled lightly and so did the man on the other line. "Okay then, enough of talking about that. How was your trip today?"
"Well, it was long and a bit uncomfortable."
"Why was it uncomfortable?" "Well, considering I was all alone with no one to talk to..." "Sorry Hyung, I wish I could've been with you." "Yeah, well you couldn't have because you've left me all alone here in Seoul! What should I to do without my Hyukkie always barging into my apartment and bugging me at all times of the day and night?" "Aren't you exaggerating a bit?" "No! What should I to do without you coming to my house after midnight because you're feeling lonely," the man whined. "Jungsu!" "Yah! Call me by hyung, you disrespectful dongsaeng." Hyukjae could basically hear the pout and he couldn't help but smile as he pictured his hyung with that cute dimple of his.
"You know what?"
"Hmm?" "When I think about what you were saying earlier... about that Siwon guy. Do you even know if he's into men?" "Hey! We're talking about me and you're thinking about Zhou Mi?!" "Don't try to divert the subject! Do you know it or not?" "I don't. But, he was looking at my new boss with this weird look, kind of like he wanted to the eat him up. Either that or smother him." Hyukjae laughed a bit. "Well, that isn't good. How can you try and set up your heartbroken friend with someone you're not even sure is-well, you know? I mean, why would you want him to fall in love with someone who he may have absolutely no chance with?" "Hey! I told you the guy looked at my male boss a little weird!" "Great, okay, so lets say he was. That means you're trying to set your heartbroken friend up with someone who already is interested in someone else, because everyone knows that's exactly what he needs."
"Gawd, will you just stop it?"
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't get irritated with me." "Ahh, you really get under my skin sometimes hyung." "Aww, yay, you called me hyung! I knew you respected me!" "Hey! Jungsu! Be quiet!" "This conversation is pointless and it's going no where." "True, true. I think I need to go to sleep, I have to go to the office tomorrow. I think you need to go to bed soon too, you have classes to teach tomorrow! It's Monday!" "Aish, you're right. I have to teach those little... beautiful children!" Hyukjae smirked and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that sounds so natural. Be careful, if you're too nice to them, rumors are going to spread about you." "People nowadays over exaggerate."
"True."
Jungsu stayed silent, not knowing what to add on. "Well, hyung, watch it, you're already twenty-nine, you don't need anything to be spread about you. Plus, you're not that bad looking. Some female students could go a little crazy over you and try to get you in tricky situations." "Hey! You act like it is going to be my first day on the job. If you're confused, I've done this before." "Well, you act like this is my first day doing my job. I've done this before. It's just a new company, that's all. Nothing else to anticipate much." "I suppose."
"Well, hyung, I'm going to let you go."
"Ah, okay, good luck at the new firm, and if you get frightened or lonely, even if it's after midnight, feel free to call me. I'll have my phone right next to me and on the loudest volume." "Thanks hyung, but that will not be necessary." "That's what you think, but it can get lonely in a new apartment, all alone! I would've stayed the night if I didn't have to get back for work." "I think I have enough of you here with me, hyung," Hyukjae looked around the apartment at all the white things he had that he had picked out whilst shopping with the older man.
"If my little Hyukkie gets scared, you'll call me, right?"
"Yes, I'll call you!" "You'll sleep with the plush hyung bought you, right?" "Definitely not." "Liar! I've seen you sleep with it before!" "Have not!" "Have so!" "You're so childish!" "So are you, not admitting to the simplest of things even though you know it would make your hyung happy!" "Ugh, fine. I have slept with it before, and if I get scared, the first thing I will do is go to the box it is in and get it and sleep with it." He could practically see the grin on the other man's face. "Good night Jungsu, love you." "Goodnight, love you too, Hyukkie."
Hyukjae smiled to himself as he hung up the phone.
He put the cell phone down on the blanket he was sitting on. "That man talks too much, it takes forever to get him off of the phone." He sighs to himself and takes one last look around the empty apartment before he stands and turns off the lights above him. He lies down, but as soon as he does, he gets right back up and turns on the light again. "Where's that box?"
~~
"Hi you!"
Hyukjae bit his lips nervously and smiled at the other. "Hi." "Today we have a lot of work to do! But don't worry, I'll help you out if you need it." Hyukjae smiled a little. "Thank you," he said as he bowed slightly and set his eyes on his own cubicle. "I'm going to get to work, okay?" Sungmin nodded. "Okay, see you later Hyuk!" He faltered in his step and stiffened when he heard the nickname, but he figured he might as well not question it because he needs a friend. He started to walk forward again to his desk, and he smiled slightly. That Sungmin guy is so cute.
Jungsu would be so proud of him.
Speaking of which, he wonders if the other is doing okay in class right now. What is he thinking? The other has always done good when teaching, he should have no problem all of a sudden. He sighs to himself as he sits down at his desk. There is already files on his desk and he presses his lips together as he looks at them. He hopes he does well at this job. He really needs the money if he wants to ever go to Japan. Of course he could have already saved the money, but if he did he wouldn't be able to afford his bills, even at his old apartment. Even the most drab apartments in Seoul were expensive. The apartment he has now is a little bit more pricey than the one he had in Seoul, and it most certainly is a lot more of eye candy than the other one. Now all he needs to do is get enough money to pay the rent in advance so he could go on a trip, get enough money for the trip itself and then get in good enough at this job to get quality vacation time.
The head of his other company surely liked him.
In fact, he remembers the other pressing a little too much to talk to him, and to see him. He remembers this offer was open, and the owner didn't want him to leave, but he had used the little bit of charm he has to sway the other into letting him come here. She was a silly woman. But he had always wished that the head of his company was a man, not that he has some huge thing against women. He just connects more with men. Admittedly, maybe that's because he tends to fancy men in a more than friendly way, but he isn't sure that's the reason.
He looks back to his desk at the folders and sighs yet again.
He already knows what he's supposed to do. He looks at the one stacked on the top and inhales deeply as he opens it. He looks at the words and numbers and he prepares himself for a long day seeing how many other files are stacked underneath of it. Counting, they're eight underneath. So he just has to go through nine total. Not that bad... even though they're all pretty thick. He shakes his head slightly. He got this job for his qualifications, not just his charm. He's Lee Hyukjae, one of the top in the company he was previously in. He can do this.
~~
"Hyuk?"
He looks up at the other male and smiles slightly. "Yeah?" "Don't you want to go on break? You've been at that for hours. I'm going out to a restaurant... and I don't have anyone coming with me. Do you want to come with?" He nods slightly before looking down at what he has left. He's only gone through three within seven hours. If he left for lunch now, he wouldn't be done by tomorrow. Earlier Sungmin had come up to him and told him he didn't have to finish it all today, but he decided he wanted to finish it all by tonight, that way he could start something new tomorrow.
Even at his old firm he never took long on his work.
Usually when he had work, he finished it that day, even if he had to do overtime. This won't be an exception. "No thanks, I appreciate the offer though. Maybe another time?" The other man pouts, making Hyukjae want to accept, but he has his mind set on finishing so that's what he'll do, even if it means skipping lunch and working a little over time. He bows in his seat to Sungmin as an apology and he watches as the other pouts again then sigh and finally bid him a farewell as he starts his break. He looks back at the files with determination.
~~
It is dark outside.
Looking out the window, he could see that the stars show a little more brightly in Mokpo than they do it Seoul. He's a little surprised no here has really had a huge accent, but he supposes that's because, since they're a huge firm and they make a lot of trades and deals with other companies, they want to make a good impression on them so they hid their Mokpo accents behind a nice city, Seoul accent. Sungmin has a really soft voice, a kind of... cutesy voice. Siwon has this accent that gives off a princely feel. Some of the other workers have these nice, boring, bland accents. The boss... he has... a sort of... spacey like voice? Kind of like a hyper kid.
Hyukjae smiles slightly.
Wait. What is he doing? Why is he thinking of voices when he should be working?! He looks down back to his work to continue and is surprised to see he only has two more lines to finish up before he's done. He sighs in relief and gets back to work, reading the lines and making there isn't any loopholes or hidden meanings. He smiles in content as he realizes there's nothing, and he's done. He remembers Sungmin telling him that when he's done, what he needs to do is put it on Siwon's desk. Should he not do that, considering the other one left hours ago?
In fact, who is here?
Hyukjae turned in his seat and gulped when he noticed no one was there. What time is it anyway? He looks at his desk and stares at it blankly, wondering what he should do with the files. He hears footsteps and his heart jolts a little. He turns around yet again and squints in the dark of the room. Why do they all have their own separate lamps anyway? The building has lights in it, but when everyone started to leave, they turned off the main lights, and the few people who was staying with him turned on lamps at their desks, so they could see, so he followed suit.
The room has a few lights on.
They're lights that turn on automatically in the dark that are placed conveniently in case of a black out or something so it would be easy to find your way. His eyes makes out a figure that halts in their steps. "Yah, who're you?" Hyukjae recognizes that voice. It's his boss. He feels a little sad the man doesn't remember him, but then again, he only saw the other once, and the man didn't seem to really like him then, so he guesses the other really wouldn't remember him. "I-I'm Hyukjae, the new worker?" He hears footsteps again and he can make out the figure heading in his direction, past countless cubicles, and he smiles shyly as his new boss finally stands in front of him.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Well,... I had these files, and Sungmin hyung told me I could finish them up tomorrow, but I really wanted to finish them today... so I stayed over time. Is that okay?" He sees Donghae's face contort into shock. "N-no... its fine." Hyukjae nodded slowly and looked down to his feet. Should he stand? "Don't expect to get paid for it, though." Hyukjae gasped lightly and looked up at the other. "No, I wouldn't even think of it. I didn't stay for that. Honestly, I didn't really notice how late it was." Donghae nodded and looked over at the younger man's desk.
"How many files are there?"
"What? O-oh! Nine files?" Donghae frowns and nods. "Why were you given so many...? I'm going to have to have a talk with Siwon about this." Hyukjae's eyes widened and he shook his head fiercely. "No," Donghae asked with an edge in his tone. "I-I mean... it isn't a problem. I like working." The older eyed Hyukjae. "I like your hair color." The younger man's eyes widened again. "What?" Donghae looked him up and down. "It looks nice," he said as he gestured to Hyukjae's hair. The blonde man stared at his new boss confused until it registered in his mind. Then he broke out into a broad grin, unconsciously showing his gums. "Thank you, my Jung-ah! I mean, my hyung did it for me."
Donghae narrowed his eyes.
"Your boyfriend?" Hyukjae's eyes widened. Jungsu... his boyfriend? "W-what? No! Definitely not!" Donghae looked Hyukjae up and down again, making the younger male feel self-conscience. "It isn't a problem... I mean, I have friends that are gay. Sungmin's gay." His eyes widened at the sudden news, and he shuddered as the other's eyes raked over his body again. "So... if you don't have a boyfriend... I'm pretty sure Sungmin wouldn't mind getting with you. Well, I mean, if you don't mind the fact he has a boyfriend." Hyukjae's mouth opened slightly in disbelief. What was wrong with his new boss, and what's with this bitchy gossipy attitude of his?
"I think I'd pass."
Donghae shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever. I'm going to go now. I have better things to do than to talk to you." Hyukjae titled his head to the side in confusion, more lost in his thoughts than thinking about how he actually appeared in front of his boss. What is up with this guy? Is he bipolar? "If this is your way of trying to be cute, then stop it, because I'm not buying what you're selling. I'm not interested in guys." Hyukjae blushed and looked down at his shoes. He hadn't even thought of the man like that. "I wasn't aware of my actions."
Donghae scoffed.
He put one hand in his pocket and turned the opposite way. "Like I'd believe that." He started walking away, leaving a slightly taken aback Hyukjae standing alone. Hyukjae may be a little naïve, but he could tell when someone didn't like him. Honestly though, he doesn't understand what he did wrong. He sighs in a bit of annoyance and bit of relief as he looks back to his files. Fuck it. He'll just leave them there and then turn them in tomorrow. He's too tired to rack his mind trying to figure out what to do with them right now.
~~ Thank you all for reading!
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