Kang Taehyun stared at his phone in complete horror. For one thing, he had been extremely surprised to receive a message from an unknown number, but he was shocked again after seeing the photo. He turned the display away from his eyes as if he'd etched his eyes away at the sight.
How the hell did that idiot get his number?
Had Choi Yeonjun become a stalker?
From player to sick psychopath after all?
Immediately he got up from the couch and went to the window, peeked from behind the curtain, and scanned the street from top to bottom. If he saw a pink hair among the passers-by, he would probably have to leave the country. And the kang checked the people walking by twice, as well as every corner of the street where one might hide. But that wasn't the case, so he drew the dark curtain and took another look at the picture.
The word 'damn' was the correct phrase floating on his tongue. Not only because the guy really didn't give up - which really annoyed Taehyun - but because he had to agree with Beomgyu.
Yeonjun looked good. Damn good.
And apart from his character, he would have been his type. Unfortunately he was just an asshole. One of the kind that the blonde was all too easily provoked by and he could tell that only from the fact that he had stared at the picture for far too long after stepping back from the window. Finally he snorted and clicked back on the chat. He shouldn't give the pink-haired man this satisfaction, but he just couldn't stop himself and wrote back: »Nice door.« - and blocked him.
Actually, after all these teachings to Beomgyu, the 23-year-old should have known better.
And nevertheless ...
Lost in thought, he marched to the front door of his apartment, nervously knocking the back of his smartphone against his palm, and after he had reached the door, locked again for security reasons. Now he was getting really paranoid, but it was bad enough to know that Yeonjun was interested in him. But if he was really as sick in the head as suspected, then he had huge problems. Maybe he should call his best friend and warn him.
Okay, now calm down, the student swore to himself to get rid of this paranoia, picked up the cell phone again and unlocked it. Taehyun just had to know where this guy got his number from and why he couldn't just let go.
He even had an answer, if not a very witty one:
»Thanks, wanna come through the door?«
Still, it was ridiculously funny, which is why the blonde couldn't help but grin, but immediately after catching himself doing it, he pressed his fist to his forehead and patted it lightly.
What had gotten into him that he found such nonsense amusing?
The vibration of his smartphone brought him back to reality and was tormented with another photo of Yeonjun.
Same outfit, same location, minimal provocation.
This boy had a confidence that allowed him to skate on his own slime trail. It was amazing. And he cursed himself for secretly showing appreciation for this outfit, laden with intense guilt towards Beomgyu.
This time, however, Taehyun ignored the photo and got straight to the point:
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Where did you get my number?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
A little bird twittered it to me
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Beomgyu certainly didn't give
you my number voluntarily,
what did you promise him?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I didn't promise him anything.
And he didn't give it to
me voluntarily either.
Admittedly, he didn't give
it to me at all ;)
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Then where did you get it from?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I was self employed.
Copy. Paste. Send.
Taehyun let out a sigh. It was good to know that he wasn't dealing with a sick psychopath. Whereby the definition had a very narrow line. But that the pink-haired man was just an idiot who had no respect for the privacy of others.
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Delete it and don't
text me anymore!
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
i'm sorry i can't.
The blonde stared at the message, which made him feel strange. He didn't even notice that during these words, which he read over and over again, he had started to pace up and down the room and nervously chewed on his thumbnail.
It took a while for the Kang to pull himself up to text back to the pink-haired man. But when he did, his question was:
»Why not?«
Briefly he lowered the smartphone and looked randomly at a point in his living room. Maybe he should just wipe it clean, hoping that there was more than cotton candy under the pink head of hair. He had to make it clear to the Choi that he was not interested in him. Not as long as he had this lifestyle and Taehyun doubted the boy would change at some point.
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
you should stop wasting
your time.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
You think this is a waste of
time? Do you know how
long it takes to care for
an orange tulip?
The blonde frowned in confusion. In all honesty, he didn't understand the point behind this question, and it was difficult for the student to assume that the elder was comparing him to a flower. Even harder to believe that the daredevil had a clue about flowers at all.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
3 times a day water,
good soil, fresh air and
a lot of patience and
affection. Otherwise it
will wither.
With a smile, Taehyun sat back on the couch, pulled his legs up and put his hands in his lap, before typing Yeonjun an answer:
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
So... patience and affection
aren't your strengths?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I am working on it.
You can only get better, right?
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Well, you really can't
get any worse ... And
you really should be
taught some manners,
but I would encourage
you to improve your attitude.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
there's still enough
room for improvement,
isn't it? ;)
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
At least you don't seem
to have all the hot air
in your head. And I know
someone who would really
appreciate it if you were
a little kinder.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
why are you talking
about yourself in
the third person?
A loud "Ha!" Escaped the blonde student, as if he wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry or scoff at it. This conversation was so strange and he didn't know why he was sticking to it at all. But definitely not for the reasons Yeonjun seemed to assume, he shook his head exaggeratedly and was really glad that he wasn't facing the pink-haired man.
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
you think i'm
talking about me?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
don't you? I didn't
ask for anyone else
Taehyun pressed his lips together. He's never had to hand out baskets as often in his life as this guy did. He waited, not really sure how to react, instead he let his gaze wander around the room.
Finally, he chose the truth:
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Get it out of your head.
There are plenty of
reasons why I won't end
up with you because
in case you forgot,
you had sex with
my best friend.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
do you only ever see
the negative in life?
Are you a pessimist?
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
On the contrary, I see
a lot of good in many
people, only you are
somehow the exception
to them. Although I'm
admittedly surprised that
you're a flower connoisseur,
so maybe there is hope.
Still, Beomgyu likes you
and even if I were interested
in you I wouldn't get in
my friend's way.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
Nobody stands in
anyone's way here.
After all, I have
different views than
your friend. And yes,
I work in a flower shop
so I need to know
my way around.
He pressed his lips together inadvertently, because it had long been clear to him that he wasn't as interested as Beomgyu. At the same time, this knowledge surprised the kang. Possibly putting him in the porn star or stripper category was an exaggeration, but as a florist he would not have rated the young man at all. Especially since you really had to have a knack for flowers and the blonde knew that only too well. Surely he still had a few potted plants somewhere in his apartment that looked like they had been on vacation in the Sahara for ten weeks.
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
okay wow. i am honestly
impressed. - Yes, you can
pocket the compliment
or hang it up in your room
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I'm just full of surprises.
And thank you, already
hung up. Looks great
with the frame.
Taehyun smiled. Somehow the blonde felt overwhelmed by the whole situation, because he hadn't expected that it would be easier to talk to Choi Yeonjun if he wasn't standing in front of you.
After a few seconds he added:
»Idiot. Maybe you should save your surprises for someone else.«
Someone like Beomgyu.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I don't know if the
others are worth
seeing my surprises.
What if they don't
appreciate it?
Again, and far too often in the last few minutes, the blonde student turned the display away from him and wiped his face. He just felt uncomfortable in his skin and rubbed his chest with the palm of his hand.
Didn't this guy have to pick flowers or something?
Why did he even have time to text him?
Taehyun took a deep breath, even when he felt his throat constricting:
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
Everyone would appreciate
it if you open up. Maybe
you should try someone
close to you?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
that doesn't exist for me
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
What no friends?
Family? What about
the boy from the day
before yesterday?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
I prefer not to spend
more than 4 hours
with other people ...
actively
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
So I just have to
text you for
four hours and
that's it, okay?
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
Maybe I'll make
an exception ;)
𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍
I'm sorry, but maybe
I can't count on one.
I'm not the on-off type.
And as much as I
appreciate your attempt,
we should end this conversation.
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
wait!
𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍
If you ever need
care tips for plants:
Huening Flowers
The blond sighed, thinking about his plants probably couldn't hurt, but he had to nip even that spark of temptation in the bud.
Even if his words were friendlier than intended:
»Thanks, I'll think about it.«
A confident smile lay on Yeonjun's full lips and when he put his cell phone aside, he sighed comfortably. It was a real triumph and he would have just loved to pat himself on the shoulder. With his feet on the coffee table, he sank back into the cushion of the sofa, hoping Taehyun would come to see him this week. He was surprised at how easy it was to convince the grouchy blond, but perhaps it had only been so easy when writing.
Or had he saved the wrong number?
For a moment he opened his eyes and sat bolt upright on the sofa. He felt for his smartphone, and when he saw the small round tile next to Taehyun's name and this was definitely his face, he pouted thoughtfully. He couldn't believe it. But before he could worry any longer, the front door was unlocked. The rustling of the car keys indicated again that it was his brother and the thought of this afternoon arose again.
Now that he was in such a good mood.
"How long have you been hanging out in the living room?" Was his brother's first question after he appeared in the room, whereupon the person addressed only shrugged his shoulders.
"Because you don't occupy it," he countered, earning a light pat on the back of the head for it.
This then let himself fall next to him on the couch. It had been a long time since the two of them had normal and ordinary conversation among brothers. Really talked. So In something tried small talk. So he asked: "And did you do something productive today?", And when the pink-haired man put on a broad grin, the older brother with the hair of the same color rolled his eyes. "Again? Wasn't it the day before yesterday?"
Yeonjun immediately shook his head: "Not what you think!" Really not quite different. He was happy about a simple chat conversation, which was really unfamiliar to him.
"What then?" In wanted to know, but his brother put his arm on the armrest and pushed himself back into the upholstery.
"A man is silent and enjoys."
The older Choi grunted slightly offended: "Funny", because he really would have liked to hear the story. Unless it was about sex, then he didn't want to know. He looked forward to the black screen of the TV and felt his little brother's gaze him.
"How was it with Dad?" Was the reluctant question of the pink-haired man and then looked at his feet, which he had put back on the table. Actually, he didn't like this topic, precisely because it was about his parents. Even if they were really different Yeonjun hadn't seen them in a long time.
"It was good," In replied curtly.
That was usually the only question the 26-year-old asked before going to his room. But this time he stayed because he still had something on his mind. And this something weighed tons. "Jisoo was here today," he began, trying to get it over with, because he couldn't let it sit on him that she had just been in her apartment to make out with another man. That she had actually dared to show up here with someone else, even though the second Choi had also been in the apartment, pretending it was her own apartment and the cheating that she had been doing for a long time wasn't too bad.
"Oh, yes?" In was surprised. "Yes, well, she also has keys."
"What?", Yeonjun suddenly asked, frightened, and pulled his feet to him. "She has a key for our apartment?" He didn't like that at all. He didn't want her here when he was in the apartment himself, but even less did he want her here when he wasn't here. It was horror that this 'woman' actually thought she could do what she wanted. As if she could trample the 28-year-old's heart on it.
"Yes, why else should she have been here?"
The innocent questions the older one asked made Yeonjun's heart simmer. He hated it like the plague and he had to tell him.
But In already knew, how was he going to get him to break up?
Finally, the pink-haired man decided on the ruthless truth: "You have to break up with her, In."
The older brother, whose head of hair was a similar color to the player, only a little paler, looked at the player in confusion and then asked a disappointed question: "Why do you say that?" He turned his head away, stunned, looking through it Living room wandered as he added, "She's my girlfriend, she means a lot to me."
"But you mean nothing to her," Yeonjun replied harshly. "She was here earlier and wanted to jump on another guy, you call that love?"
The expression on In the face went pale, his eyes almost glazed over, as if his mind had a complete time out. The words that came out of him afterwards also seemed rehearsed and without much feeling in them: "You are wrong. It's normal for people to cheat and that has nothing to do with love."
"Damn, In!" Cursing, the taller stood up from his seat. This statement made Yeonjun incredibly angry. He would have loved to grab his brother by the collar and shake him, beat him a little bit of his mind. Because even someone like him knew that this had absolutely nothing to do with feelings. "Even I know this is not love!"
"Then move out, if you don't like it!", The older one replied energetically and stood up to be at eye level with his brother. Which just didn't quite fit because In was a lot smaller than Yeonjun. "Just ask father, if he'll buy you an apartment after all the shit you did - or you didn't do. Or maybe you ask mom? She will surely want to help you! " The Choi had become so furious that he didn't even notice how hurtful his words were.
"Fuck off!" Hissed Yeonjun and pushed past his brother, pushed him back on the couch with his elbow and disappeared into his room with a loud bang.