~~~
"You need to break up with him."
Dan's eyes widened in surprise, his mind struggling to process the unexpected statement. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy, and a mix of confusion and concern washed over him.
Dan's heart skipped a beat, a sense of dread washing over him. He had only recently entered into a relationship with Jaekyung, and the thought of anything threatening their newfound happiness sent a chill down his spine. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding.
"Wh..what do you mean?" Dan asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why would someone ask us to break up? We just started dating."
"Break up with Jaekyung?" Dan repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "I... I don't understand. Why would you say that?"
Dan couldn't digest what was happening. He was really confused, Dan's mind raced, his thoughts a jumble of questions and doubts.
"And..and who are you?"
The man sighed, his gaze filled with empathy. "I am closely related to Jaekyung. I understand this is difficult to hear, but I have information that suggests it would be in your best interest to end your relationship with Jaekyung. Some certain circumstances and factors make it necessary."
Dan's mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions crashing against his thoughts. He couldn't fathom the idea of losing Jaekyung so soon after finding love and happiness together. His heart shattered into pieces, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Why?" Dan choked out, his voice trembling. "Can't you give me a reason? I need to understand why this is happening."
The man's expression softened, a mix of sympathy and regret evident in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Dan, but I can't disclose all the details. Trust me when I say that it's for your safety and well-being. Sometimes, we must make difficult choices to protect ourselves and the ones we care about."
"But all I can say right now is, he is going to be married soon." The man continued.
"What?"
Dan felt a wave of emotions crash over him—confusion, anger, and profound sadness. He couldn't comprehend why someone would request such a drastic action, especially without providing a clear explanation. The weight of the situation bore down on him, threatening to suffocate his hopes and dreams.
"How can I believe you?"
The man reached into his briefcase and retrieved a folder containing documents and photographs. He handed them to Dan, who began to examine the contents with a mix of trepidation and hope.
"This is the woman and she is going to be the wife of Jaekyung."
Dan looked closely at the photos. The woman and Jaekyung were sitting face to face-in a restaurant. He looked at the documents stating Jaekyung was in a marriage contract with the girl. As Dan delved into the materials, his emotions fluctuated. Doubt and confusion battled against the memories of the love and connection he shared with Jaekyung. He scrutinized the evidence carefully, looking for any signs that would either confirm or dispel his fears.
He had always trusted Jaekyung and believed in their love. The suddenness of this revelation left him torn between scepticism and inner turmoil.
Jooha, sensing the distress in his friend, entered the living room after showering and noticed the tense atmosphere. His eyes darted between Dan and the mysterious man, concern etched on his face.
"What's going on?" Jooha asked, his voice laced with worry.
Dan, struggling to find his voice, looked at Jooha, tears streaming down his face. "He's telling me... he's telling us to break up, Jooha. I don't understand why or how this could be happening."
Jooha's eyes widened in disbelief, mirroring Dan's pain. He rushed to Dan's side, offering a comforting embrace.
Jooha's heart sank as he absorbed Dan's words, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The room fell into an oppressive silence, broken only by the sound of Dan's quiet sobs.
"I'm here for you, Dan," Jooha whispered, his voice filled with unwavering support. "We'll figure this out together. Whatever it takes, we'll face it as a team."
As Dan clung to Jooha, he found solace in the strength of their friendship. In that moment of despair, he knew he had someone by his side who would comfort him and stand by him through the storm ahead.
"Excuse me? Who are you?"
The mysterious man rose from his seat and quietly left the room, leaving Dan and Jooha to navigate the overwhelming emotions and uncertainty that enveloped them.
"Hey!"
Jooha tried to stop the man but he left without saying a word.
As Dan continued to sob, his heartache intensified, intertwining with a sense of betrayal and self-doubt. Clinging tightly to Jooha, he struggled to make sense of the situation. Doubts and self-blame crept into his mind, amplifying his pain.
"Dan, I'm here for you. We'll get through this together. Please, tell me everything."
Taking a shuddering breath, Dan wiped away his tears and recounted the encounter with the mysterious man, sharing the information and evidence presented to him. Jooha listened intently, his concern deepening with each passing moment.
"I can't believe this, Jooha," Dan choked out between sobs. "Was Jaekyung just playing with my heart all along? How could I have been so blind? I should have known."
Jooha held Dan even tighter, his voice filled with compassion. "Dan, this isn't your fault. You trusted Jaekyung, and sometimes people can deceive us. It's not a reflection of your worth or your ability to judge others. You deserve love, honesty, and respect."
Dan's tears continued to flow, his mind grappling with the shattered pieces of his heart. He replayed moments with Jaekyung, searching for signs that he might have missed, questioning his own judgment.
"I can't believe I didn't see it," Dan whispered through his tears. "I thought we had something special. I never thought I'd need someone else to tell me that it wasn't real."
Jooha, still holding onto Dan, felt a lingering sense of unease. Despite their determination to move forward, a nagging feeling told him that seeking additional support would be beneficial. Knowing he could rely on his boyfriend Dooshik, Jooha mustered the strength to reach out for help.
With a deep breath, Jooha pulled out his phone and dialled Dooshik's number. After a few rings, Dooshik's voice came through the receiver, filled with concern.
"Hey, Jooha, is everything okay?" Dooshik asked, sensing the urgency in Jooha's voice.
Jooha's voice trembled slightly as he responded, "No babe, something's not right. Dan and I received some distressing news, and we need your help. Can you come over?"
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Dooshik assured Jooha that he would be there as soon as possible. They agreed to meet at Jooha and Dan's home, where they could discuss the situation and decide on the best course of action.
As Jooha was comforting Dan, Jooha's gaze fixated on the photos in the folder, his mind raced to make sense of the familiar face staring back at him. The girl in the photographs bore a striking resemblance to someone he knew. His brows furrowed in deep concentration as he tried to recall where he had seen her before.
Then, it hit him like a wave crashing onto the shore. Memories flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. The girl in the photos was none other than Ella, their classmate who had confessed her feelings to Heesung on Valentine's Day. The connection seemed too uncanny to be a mere coincidence.
Turning to Dan, his voice laced with urgency, Jooha exclaimed, "Dan, wait! Look at this! The girl in these photos, it's Ella! Our classmate who confessed to Heesung on Valentine's Day. Something feels incredibly fishy about all of this."
Dan's eyes widened as he absorbed Jooha's revelation, a mix of surprise and bewilderment crossing his face.
"Jooha what do you mean?"
"Dan, you can't just trust a random stranger's words."
Thirty minutes later, Dooshik arrived, his worried expression evident on his face. As he entered the living room, he immediately noticed the heaviness in the air.
"What's going on, Jooha?" Dooshik asked, his voice filled with concern as he approached the two friends.
Jooha took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "We had a visit from someone who told Dan that he needs to break up with Jaekyung. It's been devastating for both of us, and we're trying to make sense of it all."
Dooshik's brows furrowed in confusion, but he remained composed. "Who was this person, and why would they tell Dan to end his relationship?"
Jooha shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. "We don't have all the answers yet. The person who came didn't provide specific details, claiming it was for our safety. But it feels wrong, Dooshik. It feels like something's wrong. The girl in this photo is Ella, our former high school classmate."
"I will try to research about this. Jooha, babe. I will take this folder away to check."
"Okay."
Dooshik's gaze shifted from Jooha to Dan, his expression a mix of empathy and determination. "We'll figure this out together. Hyung! We won't let anyone manipulate your happiness without a valid reason. We'll gather more information and seek the truth."
Dan, still emotionally fragile, looked up at Dooshik with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.
Dooshik's gaze shifted from Jooha to Dan, his expression filled with determination and reassurance. He understood the weight of doubt and confusion that plagued Dan's heart.
"Dan hyung, don't doubt Jaekyung's feelings for you," Dooshik said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "Both I and Seungho hyung know how deeply Jaekyung cares for you. I promise you, I'll handle this discreetly and find a resolution. And babe, please take care of Dan while I'm gone."
Jooha nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude and trust. He reached out and held Dooshik's hand, their connection a source of strength and comfort.
"I trust you, Dooshik," Jooha said, his voice filled with unwavering support. "Thank you for stepping in and helping us through this. We'll be here."
Dooshik leaned in and planted a quick, affectionate kiss on Jooha's lips, a silent affirmation of their love and commitment.
"Love you, baby."
Jooha's heart swelled with warmth, feeling the reassurance and love in Dooshik's gesture. He returned the kiss with equal tenderness, their bond serving as a constant reminder of the unwavering support they had for each other.
"I love you too, Dooshik," Jooha whispered, their foreheads resting gently against each other. "We'll be here for Dan, and we'll trust in your ability to handle this discreetly and find the resolution we need."
With a final squeeze of their intertwined hands, Dooshik pulled away, his gaze shifting towards Dan, who had been silently observing their exchange.
"Dan hyung, take care of yourself," Dooshik said, his voice filled with compassion. "I'll do everything I can to find the truth and bring clarity to this situation. Remember, we're here for you, no matter what."
With a determined nod, he turned to leave, his mind focused on resolving the matter at hand.
Jooha gently held Dan's hands, his voice filled with concern and care. He could see the toll that the situation had taken on Dan, both emotionally and physically.
"Dan, I understand how overwhelming this is for you. Why don't you take a shower and try to get some rest?" Jooha suggested, his tone soothing. "Clear your mind and give yourself a break from these thoughts. You have college tomorrow, and taking care of yourself is essential."
Dan looked into Jooha's eyes, appreciating his support and guidance. He nodded, realizing the importance of self-care amidst the chaos.
"You're right, Jooha," Dan replied, his voice laced with exhaustion. "I'll try to let go of these thoughts for now and take care of myself. Thank you for being here for me."
Jooha smiled warmly, offering a reassuring squeeze of Dan's hands. "You don't have to thank me, Dan. I'll be here when you wake up, and we can face it together."
Dan managed a small smile, grateful for Jooha's presence in his life. He mustered the strength to stand up, ready to follow Jooha's advice.
"Okay, I'll take a shower and get some rest," Dan said, determination lacing his words.
As Dan headed towards the bathroom, Jooha watched him with a mix of concern and hope. He knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he believed in Dan's resilience.
With a deep breath, Jooha reminded himself to be there for Dan, to support him during this challenging time. As Dan took his shower and sought solace in sleep, Jooha held onto the belief that the situation would get better, he had seen the love and admiration for Dan in Jaekyung's eyes.
He wasn't sure why Ella would do this again. She has taken away Heesung from Dan in the past, and now again the situation is happening with Jaekyung and Dan.
Jooha's mind raced with questions, struggling to make sense of the recurring pattern. He couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards Ella, the person responsible for causing turmoil in Dan's relationships. It was clear that she harboured some deep-seated resentment or ulterior motives, but Jooha was determined to uncover the truth and protect Dan from further heartache.
"Something is definitely wrong with this Ella," Jooha whispered to himself. He looked at Dan who was sleeping beside him. Dan's eyes were swelled up after crying. Jooha's heart ached as he observed the pain etched on Dan's face, even in his sleep.
In the quiet of the night, Jooha remained by Dan's side.
~~~~~
Thank you for reading! As I have announced before, I will be taking a break for a while since I will be having my finals for college. As you all know, I am a college student, and some of the information in this fanfic is a little bit similar to who I am, I am also an engineering student. (A little TMI, hihi!) I will come back in 3 weeks as I promised. I love you all, and I do read your comments. I encourage you all to read responsibly as this is an 18+ novel written by an adult. Thank you once again!!!