26 - Traitor

Kyeom pov.

I admit to being in the dark place in the past few days. But since Hoshi was with me the whole time, it was a little bearable. To be honest I was a little guilty because he had no time to be with others but he insisted that it was nothing. I have been weak and refused to admit it. I even convinced myself that if I keep myself busy it would not make me feel empty. But it has always been empty... since he left.

I keep thinking of how I could even get a hold of him. To even ask if he was okey. I even dreamt of seeing him talking to Hoshi one time but Hoshi didn't tell me anything and I know he would if it did happen so I don't think that was true. I often have bad dreams and feel like I was suffocating. I feel like our break up really did me a number. I was seriously on the edge all the time and sometimes just giving up easily.

"Hey... you're spacing out again. Do you need to go home?" Hoshi suddenly said brought me back to reality.

"Oh? Me.. sorry I was just thinking about something..." i said and he looked at me worried.

"You know I could cancel if you want right?" He said as he fixed his shirt.

"Are you kidding me?!? You prepared a lot for this... I wanna see you dance anyway. Plus it's been a while since I saw you do something you're really good at." I said to him and he smiled.

"Come on dude. don't go emotional on me now." He joked and before I could say anything Wonu sat beside me.

"So? What's up." He asked and I just smiled.

"Doing great. Hoshi's just about to go on stage. You guys are surprisingly early." I said to both of them. Gyu was with him as always. Now that I think about it those guys are already a package deal since we returned from italy... italy.. what a sad memory now...

"Dude I gotta go! Wish me luck." He said and I slapped his butt for goodluck. It's a tradition, gotta keep it alive. He always does that when I sing on stage.

"Pervert." He said a little too loud which made even Woozi laugh a little.

"He's so embarrassing." Woozi commented.

"Well you like him now anyway." I said to him and he smiled.

"Maybe" he said and we all looked at him shocked.

"Ohhhhhhhh now that is something." Gyu said as he looked at Wonu trying to get the same thing as Hoshi.

"Yeah right. You need more than that puppy eyes to convince me to like you." Wonu said and I just smiled. Seriously Wonu's just enjoying the chase this time. I know he already liked him back way way back. He's just enjoying this and torturing Gyu.

"Shhhhh it's starting." I said to both of them as I took out my phone and started recording.

*Tiger- Hoshi started to play.

"What's the title of the song?" I asked Woozi beside me.

"You'll never guess." Woozi laughed and then he started dancing and all.

"Whoooooooo let's get it!!!!" Wonu said with the most monotone tune ever. At least he tries to be supportive.

"The title's TIGER??? When is he gonna stop with this obsession." Cheol said from the back. Yup they are here too with Vernon and Seunkwan at the back of our seats. Lately I have noticed them hanging out with me too. I felt like I was never alone.

"It's alright he's passionate." Woozi supported him and I chuckled.

"You helped him produce this song?" Cheol asked one more time.

"Yes.. and?" Woozi asked.

"Well... who would have guessed? You are the one down bad." I said and he looked at me as if we all didn't know it already.

"You should just marry him at this point." Vernon commented at the back and we all laughed. Woozi was embarrassed and he looked redder than usual. Well I guess I was right he really likes Hoshi now. So proud of my dedicated bestie.

"His efforts have finally paid off" I said while pretending to wipe fake tears and he just pushed me to stop me from saying more things embarrassing to him.

After the performance we all run back to him at the back stage to support him but not before pushing Woozi into Hoshi and unfortunately all of us were thinking of the same thing which made Woozi literally fall towards Hoshi as we all pushed him.

"Seriously guys you should slow down." Hoshi said as he caught Woozi just in time. He's so slowwww we were trying to help you out dude.

"He's the clumsy one." I said and Hoshi literally pinched my lips either way his hands.

"Shhhhhh don't say that about my only producer, the only one that's allowed to make me music." He said and I could literally hear everyone's eyes rolling. As everyone was talking ang congratulating Hoshi my eyes went to the back exit. Then I saw a silhouette of someone familiar.

"Josh?" I whispered to myself as I found myself walking towards the exit. They were all distracted by Hoshi's performance so I slowly made my way to the exit without them noticing. The shadow then turned and ran?! What the hell!?! I ran towards it trying to catch up but the gap was too big.

"Josh!" I shouted as I was I was already at the exit. Tears started to pool in my eyes. I don't know why he would run. I was sure it was him. I wanted to see him!

"Hey. Hey. Hey.. what happened?" Seungkwan suddenly said as he saw me on the ground. I didn't even realize it.

"He ran away from me..." was all I said.

"Who did?" He asked with concern in his eyes.

"Joshi." I said.

"Oh I'm so sorry Kyeom. Here let me help you up." He said as I slowly stood up and wiped my tears. I can't seem to stop.

"Are you sure it was him?" He asked slowly.

"I am. I did saw him.. maybe he wanted to see me? Because I badly wanted to see him." I said honestly.

"Kyeom i don't wanna be rude but it must be an imagination? I was here the whole time waiting for the chicken and cake we ordered and I saw no one.." he said sadly.

"No I saw him!" I said to him between sobs.

"Kyeom look at me... you haven't had a good night sleep since we went back from the trip. Look at your face. You're getting skinnier than usual. Are you even eating properly?" He asked me.

"I ate." I said and he looked like I was crazy.

"When?" He asked while crossing his arms.

"When Hoshi went to my house I did." I said honestly.

"Kyeom. That was 2 days ago. Did you seriously not eat today?!??" He said as he placed his hands on my cheeks.

"I.. well Hoshi was gonna do the show... I had a lot of things on my hands and I feel fine... and I don't wanna bother Hoshi." I said honestly.

"If you don't wanna bother other people I'm right here. Don't just let yourself go again. Everyone is here for you, just call us. Call Cheol he has a lot of free time just updating his nonexistent boyfriend now.. don't tell him I said that." He said and I chuckled a little at his comment.

"But Kyeom.. Hoshi warned us all this would happen again and he was right." He said and I realized how Hoshi cared for me that he had to warn everyone about me... I feel like a big burden.

"What's with that face. Don't make that face. Don't overthink and just try to survive today. We can talk as much as you like later.. I'll make time for you." He said as he hugged me and i hugged him back.

"Ew you're so emotional." I commented and he scoffed.

"Yeah right coming from you." He commented and I laughed. I felt so much better just knowing I have my friends with me.. but I can't help thinking of Joshi... i haven't heard from him since...

"Alright hold the cake and I'll bring the chicken. Hoshi's gonna love this." He said and I nodded. We went back to the group and Hoshi immediately went beside me.

Everyone greeted Seunkwan like he was a mother hen coming back with food as they helped him with the food. I mean the food was for all of us. It was a lot.

"Where have you been. Why did you cry?!?" He said as he noticed my face.

"What? Cry?" I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Tell me right now if you don't wanna get slapped again." He threatened.

"Alright alright, i don't wanna take your thunder away from you but I thought I saw Joshi." I said honestly.

"Did you really?" He asked.

"No.. Kwan said I was Hallucinating... he's probably right." I said sadly and Hoshi hugged me right away.

"I'm so sorry... we can go home if you like." He said and I shook my head.

"It's fine. I'm fine seriously... I guess I just had a backslide but I'm fine. Let's go celebrate your song." I said and he half smiled.

"Sorry for being too busy for you." He suddenly said.

"Hoshi stop that! You are the best friend I could ever ask. Plus Kwan just told me that I should bother Cheol more because he has a lot of free time." I joked and he laughed.

"He really does. Didn't you see the shopping spree he did yesterday? All jeonghan's. He's getting crazier by the day..." hoshi said and I laughed.

"I did." I said.

"Come on! Let's go back to your house and celebrate." I said to him and he nodded.

"Stop hogging Hoshi and let's go!" Woozi said to me and he received a lot of teasing instead and I just laughed at went with the group.

As we were sitting on the car. Kwan sat beside me with a box in his lap. He opened it and it was the chicken he ordered.

"Here." He said as he shoved a whole chicken in my mouth.

I almost choked and coughed. I ate the chicken and he slapped my back to help me out.

"Dude.. warn me before you do that." I said.

"Shut up and eat". He said.

"Feed me too?" I suddenly heard Vernon and I laughed at his face. He looked like a wet puppy.

The Kwan just kissed him on the lips.

"Eat later with the guys." He said as he winked at Vernon. Vernon smiled like an idiot that got what he wanted. They are so whipped for each other.

"You guys are cringe." I commented.

"Didn't I just told you to eat?!" He said to me and I did. He's so scary when he's serious.

We went back to Hoshi's place and everyone was so happy. We ate and talk about how hard Hoshi has worked for this performance. He even bragged about the fact that he got to work with Woozi in his studio.From time to time, Hoshi would go check on me by just looking at me and I just smiled. He was so sweet. Kwan would occasionally shove food in my mouth even if I told him I was full already.

My friends are the very best thing that happened in my life right now. Then all of a sudden Hoshi stood up from his chair.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I would have not have a successful performance, if not for my very very close friend Woozi!" He said and we all clapped.

"Friend? Seems informal." Cheol asked.

"Oh he's a friend alright... you don't kiss friends." Vernon said and we all laughed like crazy as we teased them both.

"Hey I kiss you!" I said to Vernon trying to get a laugh which I did.

"He does. He does. He kisses me too" Kwan said laughing at me.

"He doesn't kiss me though." Gyu complained.

"You're too aggressive. Of course he's not gonna kiss you." Wonu said to Gyu and we all laughed. It's true though. Gyu's a different breed.

"Guys. Woozi is getting uncomfortable with all the teasing please stop it." Hoshi said as he chuckled with us.

Everyone was laughing and teasing Woozi and then he slapped the table and we all looked at him.

"You know what?!? I'm just gonna say it. Hoshi I liked you too! I accept your invitation to date!." Woozi suddenly stood up and kissed Hoshi in front of all of us. Everyone shouted and I did too. Hoshi has been waiting for this since he started courting Woozi.

"He's so formal even as he accepted Hoshi's dating invitation." I said and laughed. Hoshi just stood there and looked shocked as we are all are but he's frozen on the spot.

"Am I dreaming?" He asked.

I then stood up and took the opportunity to slap him. Oh right I need my payback. Everyone was laughing as I slapped him.

"I'm not dreaming!" He shouted and hugged Woozi. Woozi laughed at him as he hugged him back

"Are you sure?!?? 100%?!?" Hoshi asked.

"Yes stop being weird about it." Woozi said as he laughed at his now boyfriend.

"Oh come on!" Gyu suddenly said and we all looked at him. Then he took out his wallet and gave a 50 to Cheol.

"See? I told you.. you were never gonna win." Cheol Said as he took his wallet out and placed the 50 on it and took out a 10 and gave it to Wonu.

"What the hell?" Gyu exclaimed.

"What? I joined your bet. I heard you guys talking last time and I told Cheol I could make him win for 10" Wonu said as he laughed at Gyu.

"That's not fair. I bet Cheol that I was gonna get a yes before Hoshi. That's just plain rude." Gyu said sulking.

"Yup you had no chance from the start." Cheol said and we all laughed at him. He then kept sulking the entire time.

Wonu just kept on feeding him to stop him from rambling about his defeat. It was a pretty crazy night to be honest.. with them, I was alright.

"I'm gonna be alright. I have them." I said to myself.

Then all of a sudden Cheol's we heard Cheol's ringtone. We all knew it was Jeonghan because Cheol would explain to us that he had a separate song for his boyfriend when he calls.

"He's calling. Jeonghan's calling!" Cheol suddenly stood up and grabbed the lampshade beside him and gave it to Hoshi in a panic.

"Why did he give me this?" Hoshi asked and I just laughed at him.

"He's excited. Cut him some slack." I said.

"Hannie. I missed you so much!" Cheol said and we all placed ourselves just enough so Hannie could see us in the call and we all waved at him.

"Hi guys! Cheol I missed you too but can I talk to Hoshi?" He said and Cheol immediately sulked and gave his phone to Hoshi. Kwan and I were laughing at him.

"He was waiting for this the whole time but Hoshi got to talk to Hannie first." Kwan commented and we both laughed at him.

"Hoshi!! I'm so proud of you! I saw your performance!" He said and Hoshi smiled like an idiot.

"Thank you Hannie! I wish you could see it live but I guess I could dance again when you get back." He said and Hannie laughed.

"Yeah! I'll look forward to that. I have just a little time to call but I wanted to congratulate you." He said and Hoshi smiled even more.

"Thank you!!! And for the record I think that performance made Woozi my boyfriend!" He said proudly and Woozi smiled at Hannie in the face time.

"Congratulations you guys!!!" Hannie said.

"I think I need to give you back to your boyfriend. He's about to cry already." Hoshi joked and gave it back to Cheol. Cheol then immediately went and grab the phone back and smiled. He ran away from us who knows what he was gonna do or say.

"I guess he's good now." Vernon said.

"Let him be.. he's got a pretty tough time without Jeonghan." I said.

"He did.." we all agreed.

"Why don't we all clean up." Woozi suggested and we all did.

——————————————///————————Kwan's pov.

"Bye guys! I have to go first because I have an interview in the morning. Take care of everything for me." I said to all of them. They were gonna stay the night. They said their goodbyes and Vernon walked me out the house.

"Are you sure that I don't need to take you home?" Vernon asked for the 100th time as he wrapped around his hands on my waist.

"Bonon stop being clingy. I already told you to stay with Kyeom he needs a friend all the time. And remember what I told you." I said.

"Yes. feed him every 30 minutes." He said like a very good robot child.

"Good. Now give me a kiss before you go back and do what you are told." I said and he smiled and leaned in to give me a kiss. I kissed him back and went on my way when I saw him enter the house.

Then I walked to Vernon's car and was about to open it when I saw someone I didn't expect to see.

"Joshua?! WHERE THE HELL HAVE—-" I said and then he ran and closed my mouth.

"Please don't shout. I'm not supposed to be here." He said in a very serious tone.

"What??! You show up here just like that and expect me not to react?!??" I whispered but shouted at the same time.

"I know. I know I'm sorry. But I need help." He said and I looked at him. He's the reason why Kyeom is a mess I should just roundhouse kick him but he looked worse than Kyeom right now.

"Let's talk in the car." I said and he went inside. We have never been just the two of us. It's a little awkward.

"Now explain." I said. Then he proceeded to explain everything. He told me the scam he pulled in all of us. He's a fucking twin. Joshi left Kyeom to protect him. And the real Joshi is critical right now. This is a fucking load of truck to be placed to me right now.

"You're the first one to know about all this and I you have to understand this is my last hope. But I know that you have connections with the mafia. Your father was a leader in the past right?" He asked and I was shocked. How the hell does he know this? Even Vernon doesn't know this.

"How did you know that?" I said to him seriously.

"It's not important how I know. I just need help. I can't bring Kyeom into this and you're the only person I can think of." He said to me and I looked at him.

"He left him to protect him. But I'm still stuck to the twin part. How the hell did we not see this?!? You were totally opposite." I said trying to piece all the information I'm getting right now.

"I know. I don't think I could do this alone. He left to Kyeom to protect me but they got to him before he could warn me." He said sadly.

"Where is Joshi right now?" I asked.

"In Germin Hospital. He's badly hurt and I have no idea what to do. I can't go to the hospital because they are gonna kill him if I do." He said as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Wait. Why are they gonna kill him? And who the hell are they?!?" I asked.

"They wanted payback. I burned down their house and put my step mom into a coma." I said to him and his jaw dropped.

"What the fuck dude!" I shouted and he looked at me.

"I know! I did some fucked up thing and Joshi is paying for it. My brother didn't do anything wrong. He was just caught in the middle of all this." He said sadly.

"Kyeom is gonna be devastated." I said.

"That's why he doesn't need to know." He said.

"Alright. I'll call my dad. We will do everything to get Joshi back but after all of this is over, I want you to explain to everyone what happened but leave me out of it." He said.

"What?" I asked.

"Vernon can't know about this." I said.

"Understood." He said and I called my dad. I explained to him the situation as Joshua sat beside me quietly. Turns out the person behind all this was a very notorious person and even my retired father knows him.

"My dad said to meet him at home." I said as instructed by my father.

"Thank you Kwan. I owe you a lot." Joshua said.

"Don't thank me yet. My father was not happy." I said honestly. I gave him our address and he left right away. I didn't know what to do afterwards. I was stuck there in the car still stunned by everything I just heard.

This is not gonna be easy.

——————————-//—————————Kyeom pov.

We stayed the night at Hoshi's place and every one was satisfied with everything. We played some games and even tried to prank call Mr. Hao and Sir Jun like crazy teenagers.

"Maybe we should all sleep. We had a long day and I can't move anymore." Cheol said.

"Dude your age is showing." Gyu commented and we laughed.

"I'm tired too." Wonu added.

"Yeah maybe let's all clock in." Gyu said in response. We all laughed at his sudden change, seriously down for Wonu.

"You just care about Wonu." Cheol said and we laughed at him sulking.

"Alright alright let's all sleep on the guest rooms." Vernon suggested and we all did.

"I'm gonna go wash up." I said and Vernon nodded. He asked to go sleep with me in the same room weird, not really he was just probably forced by Kwan. I know he likes to sleep alone yet he's willing to go with me. Such a sweet heart.

"I'll go set up the bed." He said and I went to the bathroom. As I was going into the bathroom, I heard something behind me. I held on to the doorknob and looked back.

As I looked back I saw a black figure in the window. I got scared and immediately ran back to the room. As I did, I bumped into Hoshi who was about to go wash up too.

"Woah woah.. what are you doing?" He asked.

"Dude someone is at the window!" I said.

"Who?" He asked.

"I don't know but I feel weird." I said honestly.

"Stay back I'll check it out." He said but I followed behind him. We walked towards the kitchen slowly and Hoshi grabbed his baseball bat as he slowly walked with me.

"Should we just call the police?" I whispered.

"What if it was just someone passing by?" He asked and then all of a sudden a glass break. It was totally a gun sound. Someone took a shot at the both of us and we both ducked to the ground.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" we shouted.

Everyone from each room went out and saw us both.

"Everyone get down!!!" I whispered and shout at the same time! Then they did. Everything was silent after the gunshot.

"What happened?" Woozi asked.

"What was that sound?" Asked Vernon.

"Gun shot definitely" Woozi said seriously.

"It came from the window near the bathroom." I said and everyone went behind Gyu. Then Cheol went forward to see what was happening.

"What are you guys doing? Why are you all behind me?" Gyu asked in annoyance.

"You're literally the biggest here. Go and check it out." Wonu said. He was scared too.

"I don't wanna get shot at." Gyu complained.

"Guys be serious." Cheol said as he went first instead.

"Everyone don't move" He said as we approached the broken window. He checked the window if there was anyone and then slowly moved forward.

"There is a letter." He said as he picked up the roll of paper in the floor.

"Dude be careful of the glass. And stay away from the window" Gyu said.

"What does it say?" Vernon asked and I stood there in shock because it looked really the same as the letters Joshi received when he told me he was being threatened. I immediately grabbed the letter from Cheol's hands. Everyone looked at me and I opened it right away.

The letter was wrapped weirdly and then as I opened it pictures fell on the floor.

Gasp all over the room was heard as everyone saw the pictures. It was very blurry and really gory but even in a second you can see that it was indeed fact Joshua. He looked like he was beaten up and blood was even on the picture. Fresh freaking blood!

"O my god" Hoshi exclaimed.

"What the hell is that?" Vernon asked in a very shocked face. I grabbed the pictures from the floor and it was all it took to make my heart beat triple in pace. I looked at my hand and the pictures are still wet of blood. I was already shaking.

"Please tell me this isn't Joshi." I said softly and Gyu took the pictures away from me.

"What the—-?!? What's inside the letter?" Wonu asked.

Cheol slowly opened the letter and everyone looked at me concerned and confused about everything that's happening.

"DARE TO FOOL US? GIVE US THE REAL ONE AND YOUR BOYFRIEND LIVES. GIVE US HIS TWIN OR EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE WILL BE TORTURED WITH YOU." That was all it said and I knew they were talking about the real Joshua. But I was the only one that can understand.

"What? What is this?" Hoshi asked and I just stood there. I don't even know where Joshua is?! I haven't seen him or heard of him!

"Is he talking about all of us here?!?" Wonu asked in confusion.

"What twin?! What is he talking about???" Gyu asked in shock.

"Kyeom what is all this about?" Cheol asked in a very serious tone.

"I can explain. But please keep an open mind." I said but I was already shaking. I guess the jig is up. I need to explain to them everything. Every single thing. And I'm going to tell them that the whole time I was deceiving them. Fuck!

"Kyeom.. please tell us" Asked Hoshi and I was even more guilty because he was my bestfriend and I lied to him for months!

"I'm so sorry that you have to find out this way..." I said trying to prepare myself. They are gonna hate me.

I can't believe he threatened every one of my friends. I don't know what to do. This is making everything more complicated and confusing too.

——————————-/:/——————————

Author's pov.

Alright we are getting to the dangerous part even I am scared of all this? Maybe I'm the crazy one.

See you next chapter... 🙃🙃🙃