VIII

A week passed by since Jun started sharing the apartment with Hwa and Yeon. All of the three got mingled easily. Jun was a bit hesitant but Hwa was the one to break the ice between them.

Yeon resumed his work life and Jun stayed at home with Isuel. Hwa had her boutique salon. Jun felt a bit guilty for freeloading on Yeon. He tried to find some jobs nearby but because of him being an undergraduate no one would offer him. Jun sighed and went to mop up the floor.

Yeon greeted his coworkers and settled down on his desk. He took a long leave to visit his parents so, a pile of files were dropped in front of him.

"oh well.. let's work hard Yeon"

he mumbled to himself and started his work. It was around lunchtime when he remembered Jun,

"did he eat anything?"

Yeon thought and took out his phone. after scrolling through his contact list he realised that Jun's number wasn't saved. He thought to call on his landline, knowing the said boy will be at home playing with iseul.

"hello?"

came a reply,

"Hello Jun, this is Yeon"

Yeon replied with a smile which he didn't even realise was formed on his face.

" Yes Yeon-shi, I know your voice"

Jun replies with a chuckle.

"So what are you doing?"

asked Yeon while playing with his pen.

"oh I was just cleaning a bit, there's nothing else I can do"

Jun replied and shrugged as if Yeon could see him.

"what about lunch? did you have any?"

Yeon asked coming to the reason for calling Jun.

"yes, I'll just make some. What did you have for lunch?"

replied Jun not wanting to end the conversation for some reason he wasn't aware of.

"I haven't eaten anything yet, the lunch break would start in a bit"

Yeon replied with a smile.

"oh ok, go have your lunch. want me to make something for you for dinner?"

asked Jun while picking up Isuel who was trying to climb on his legs.

"Nothing special Jun, anything is ok till it's eatable"

Yeon replied making Jun chuckle. Yeon felt proud for being the reason for that small laugh. They eventually ended the call and resumed their works. The only difference now was that they both had a smile on. 

After eating his lunch, a small bowl of soup and some egg rolls. Jun sat on the sofa with Isuel on his lap, when his phone ranged displaying his grandma's name. Jun felt a bit of fear, thinking that his mother might have reached his grandmother thinking Jun was there. As soon as Jun answered the call he heard a sigh of relief coming from the other side.

"Where are you baby, Your mother came here with some of her man's. Did something happen?"

His grandma said with concern. Jun smiled at the concern and said he was fine where he was. He talked with his grandmother for a while, lying to her about living in Seoul with a friend. He couldn't risk letting her know that he is in Busan knowing pretty well what his mother could do to get his information. After all, He knew he was her slave.

Honestly, even if they did find Jun, he didn't care at all cause he has been in that hell for his entire life. The only thought he had, was to not let any harm reach Yeon and Hwa. They helped him when no one would, he couldn't bear to see them suffering because of him. 

"I need to move out of here as soon as possible, so no one can harm Yeon. But that won't be possible till I can afford a place to stay"

Thought Jun getting a bit scared knowing his mother was on move. he reached out to the newspaper laying down on the coffee table, thinking he could find some job there. Jun was going through the newspaper when the doorbell rang. Keeping the newspaper in its place Jun went to answer the door. Hwa stood there with a smile, Jun smiled back and welcomed Hwa in. 

Hwa returns home before Yeon, Perks of being a boss. When Hwa sat on the sofa, Jun gave her a glass of water.

"thank you Jun, but you don't have to do all this"

Hwa said accepting the water.

"No it's ok, It's not an issue,"

Jun said while settling beside Hwa.

"hey Hwa, can I ask you something?"

Jun said when Hwa was done with her drink. Hwa turned towards Jun to give her full attention to what Jun was going to say.

"Yup... Shoot Junnie"

Jun chuckled at the nickname, it was new for him.

" I wanted to ask if you know any place open to hiring? I'm sorry if I'm asking for too much but I need a job"

Jun said with nervousness dripping down in his voice. Hwa looked at Jun for a second and just smiled, and then suddenly started laughing.

"Omg Jun...chill hahaha. Damn this was the thing you wanted to ask and you were getting nervous gosh... You are so cute"

Jun got shy at those words. Hwa laughed again looking at Jun blushing.

"oh and about the job, actually a friend of mine is looking out for a person to work in her cafe. I was going to ask you about the same. what a timing yeah"

Hwa chuckled again. Jun who was getting tired of searching for a job here and there jumped on the news of having a chance.

"oh really, that's great. Hwa if you don't mind can you please talk to your friend about me. that would be so helpful"

Jun said with excitement. Hwa smiled and gave a piece of paper to Jun,

"actually I already talked to her today, so if you would be interested here is the address. Visit her cafe tomorrow."

Jun was so happy he couldn't explain.

" Today's dinner will be from me. I'll cook something really delicious for you"

Jun said thanking Hwa for the chance.

It's was past dinner time but, Yeon was still engrossed in his files which he couldn't finish today. And there at home Jun and Hwa were waiting for him with dinner placed on the table. Iseul whined out loud cause he was hungry too and Jun decided to feed him first and the puppy jumped on. As he walked back to the couch Jun found Hwa sleepy and leaning her head on the dining table.

"Hwa, go and eat then go to sleep. Don't worry I'll wait for Yeon. You must be tired, go in and rest"

Hwa nodded and after a meal, she went to her room to sleep after giving Jun a big smile which was returned by the brunette too. After a while of waiting Jun slowly stretched out on the couch with sleepy eyes. Without him knowing he was fast asleep on the couch in an uncomfortable position.

It was around 11 pm when Yeon reached back home and pressed the doorbell. Jun stirred in his sleep when he heard the doorbell. He hurriedly went to open it only to find an exhausted Yeon standing with his shoulders hanged low. Jun moved a bit to let the gaint get in the house and closed the door behind. As Yeon was walking towards his room Jun just stretched out his hand in front of the gaint making him confused.

" Give me your coat and bag I'll keep it,"

Jun said as he saw the giant's confused face. Not in a mood to protest Yeon gave his coat and bag to Jun and started to walk again. As Jun was going to place the bag and coat, Yeon suddenly turned towards him, 

"I'm hungry..."

with a pout. Jun felt giddy looking at Yeon acting like a baby.

"Yeah go freshen up, I'll just heat the food,"

Jun mumbled feeling shy suddenly, and Yeon nodded. 

"where is Hwa?"

Yeon asked as he sat on his seat ready to eat. 

" I told her to go and sleep. She waited for you but it was getting late"

Jun said as he served the chicken soup with egg rolls and stir-fried pork on Yeon's plate. Yeon looked up at Jun watching him serve and then going back in the kitchen to get some water and the gaint smiled after a tiring day.

"so.. you waited for me too?  Did you had dinner yet?"

Yeon asked as he took a spoonful of rice and was about to eat...

"Not yet. I'll eat later you eat"

Jun replied as he sat in front of Yeon ignoring the first question. Yeon halted from eating and stood up leaving Jun confused. Yeon got back with a plate and served Jun the dinner, 

" Now... Come on eat with me"

Yeon said as he returned to his seat and waited for Jun to start while raising a brow. Jun sighed in a process of hiding his smile and took a spoonful of rice and soup to start eating. This was the first time someone insisted on eating with him, moreover serving for him. Tears made way in his eyes but Jun kept his head down so Yeon won't notice.Yeon smiled not aware of the the others state and started eating too only to be amused by the taste.

"damn... I didn't know Hwa can cook too?"

Yeon said amused and looked at Jun with a big smile which made the latter's heart feel weird. Jun smiled shyly as he looked at Yeon,

"is it that good?"

Yeon stopped eating as he looked at Jun in confusion...

" don't tell me, you made this?"

Yeon almost gasped.

"why, can't I?"

Jun sassed, and Yeon just laughed for the second time in such a tiring day cause of Jun.

"it's amazing Jun, thank you so much for this amazing dinner"

Yeon praised as he looked at Jun directly in his eyes making the latter smile a big one and hid his blushing face. Jun was praised for his cooking for the first time, too many first time's for one night. Jun couldn't help but feel happy after a long time. The dinner went on for long as the two kept on talking and laughing here and there. 

It was the start of a new friendship.

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