The Empty Canvas

Five: Encounter

"Sehun, wait," Baekhyun called. Sehun stopped from walking. He looked up, trying to stop himself from crying and averted his eyes towards Baek with a small smile tinted with pain and sadness. He loves Baek but Baekhyun couldn't equate the love he was giving. It was clear now.

"I- What you have--"

"There's nothing to explain, Baek," Sehun forced a smile. "Kyungsoo told you were still in the library so I thought I could accompany you home," Sehun's voice started to crack and he bowed to restrain Baek from seeing his miserable look.

"I'm sorry," Baekhyun muttered with a low voice. Sehun was hurt even more. Hearing Baekhyun apologize made it even clear to him that he had no chance for his love.

"You don't have to apologize... I'm going, Baek," Sehun told and left.

Baekhyun was left under the dim light from the nearest building. He was standing for how long now, crying and sad for hurting Sehun.

••••

Skylines decorated the sky, making it smaller in sight. White, fluffy clouds were drawn in the vacant spaces of sky and covers the city from extreme sunlight. The weather was fine but Baekhyun couldn't appreciate it. He was busy stabbing his strawberry cake with his fork while drifting somewhere far from where he actually was.

Since the day Sehun was hurt, Baekhyun didn't stay on the library late and avoid looking at the painting. It's been days since he last saw Sehun and it hurts that Sehun was avoiding him. He didn't even answer Baekhyun's calls.

Guilt consumes Baekhyun up. He couldn't be happy with Chanyeol while Sehun's miserable. Chanyeol, however, misses Baekhyun that he kept on waiting every night, hoping that Baekhyun will come see him.

"What happened?" Kyungsoo asked his bestfriend when he arrived at the café. Baekhyun was in daze that he didn't notice Kyungsoo who was trying to stole his attention. "Hey!" Kyungsoo flickered his fingers in front of Baekhyun and finally got the latter's care.

Baekhyun looked at Kyungsoo with least interest. "How long have you been there?" he asked, averting his eyes to the poor strawberry cake which was filled with fork stabs. It was murdered.

"About five minutes. Why are you so lame? Are you sick?" Kyung uttered, concerned. He rest the back of his palm on Baekhyun's forehead to check his temperature.

Baekhyun forced a smile. "I'm okay, Soo. Just a little tired," he lied but Kyungsoo knows if he's lying or not. However, Kyungsoo just nod. He know that Baekhyun will eventually open up once he's ready. However, he heard the story from Sehun but he wouldn't judge Baekhyun with anything as Sehun did.

"Wanna go somewhere to relax?" Kyungsoo asked as he was trying to encourage Baekhyun to divert his mind to other things. He doesn't want to see Baekhyun punishing himself and spending his nights coldly.

Baekhyun shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I just want to think," he said, avoiding Kyungsoo's questioning look.

When Baekhyun raised his head, he saw someone familiar, walking out of the café while holding a cup of coffee. He looked freaking handsome in a  black tuxedo and tie but Baekhyun couldn't be mistaken. It was Chanyeol. He may changed his hairdo but he was still wearing the silver hair that suits him perfectly.

"Chanyeol?" Baekhyun asked himself while eyeing Chanyeol who was walking out of the cafe to his office, which was not too distant.

Kyungsoo followed Baekhyun's gaze but found no one. "Chanyeol? Jong In's brother? How do you know him?" Kyungsoo asked but Baekhyun was out of focus as expected.

Baekhyun stood from his seat. "I'll just confirm something, Soo. I'll be fast," Baekhyun muttered before rushing out of the café to see where Chanyeol went. To his dismay, he found no Chanyeol around. "I may be hallucinating... How can he even wander around in wide daylight when he's trapped in the painting?" he asked himself then went back to Kyungsoo.

••••

Chanyeol, however, was in the lobby of his building and talking to one of his employees when he spotted the brunette. His gaze was fixed as his emotion drowns him with familiar feeling he felt, similar with the guy in his dreams. Chanyeol admitted that the guy he saw was indeed beautiful for a male.

"Mr. Park?" his employee called when he was far from listening. Chanyeol was interrupted, his eyes dilated as he realized he lost track of the conversation. Despite his position in the company, Chanyeol never forget to respect his employees as they respect him. He said that they are family and they are working together for each other's benefits. He was such a kind yet strict boss, the very reason why the company was able to provide a healthy environment for its workers.

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. Come again?" Chanyeol asked. He shifted his sight to check if Baekhyun was still there but there was only a sidewalk with people with formal and casual attires who come and go.

He found his love interest but it seemed like he'll be in a continuous search. That wouldn't be hard anyway, since Chanyeol was so sure that the guy is dwelling in Seoul.