Chapter 1 (The Hurtful Promise)

'I do'

The moment Junkyu heard those words from the man with whom he exchanged rings a while ago, he let a shy smile out. Being an introvert and extremely bad at approaching people romantically, Junkyu fantasized his wedding a lot. Even though he was marrying just at the age 22, he was excited and wanted to do all sorts of romance with the man in front of him.

With his husband Park Jihoon.

'You may kiss the groom now.'

This would be Junkyu's first kiss. Surprisingly, being 22, Junkyu never kissed anyone on the lips before. He was feeling extremely nervous while the man before him approached him for a kiss.

His heart beat loudly. His cheeks became rosy. From the corner of his eyes, he saw his friends, the J squad.

Mashiho was cheering him non stop, Yoshi was clapping hard. Asahi was showing his pretty smile and Haruto was a bit jumpy with joy. Seeing their friends, Junkyu gained a bit courage to look at his groom.

'Jihoon is indeed handsome.' Junky thought as he could see Jihoon's face from up close.

Within seconds, he met his lips with Jihoon's ones. They had slight make up on, so, Junkyu actually tasted make up. Still, his heart beat uncontrollably and his mind raced.

'So this is how it feels to kiss someone! No wonder everyone likes to kiss their partners!'

As they pulled away, Junkyu once again looked down in embarrassment. His stomach was feeling weird.

Jihoon gave him a smile before standing apart from him once again.

But he did those just to stop creating a scene in the wedding venue.

Flashback:

"Are you crazy? I have so many things to do!" Jihoon desperately said to his parents.

"Look," his father sternly said, "you know how terrible our condition in the international market is! Do you want us to go bankrupt?"

"Obviously not! I'm trying to help-"

"We have no other way to save our company other than this! If you think we can wait for you to take over the company, then you're wrong. We are gonna have to be homeless if we wait till then!" Jihoon's father shouted. Jihoon gritted his teeth in anger.

"But this is my life! You can't do this to me!" Jihoon shouted back.

"Jihoon ah!" Jihoon's mother said, "We would have understood if you had someone in your life. But since you don't, we want you to marry the daughter of our partner. Jennie's pretty and well educated. I'm sure you'll like her." His mom assured him.

"But mom-"

"Besides, anything you want to do, you can do them even after marriage, no?" She continued.

"Like finding my own love?" Jihoon sarcastically said.

"We are gonna hold the ceremony in a week. We can't wait any longer. Be prepared till then." Jihoon's father left the room. Jihoon looked at his mother in disbelief.

"Please, son, do it for your family, for me?"

Jihoon closed his eyes. He had to say what he had to, "But mom! I-" he took a deep breath, "I like men."

Jihoon's mother gasped. She sat frozen for a while. Jihoon decided not to talk anymore. So, he simply stood up and went to his own room. However, he was called downstairs pretty soon.

"I heard that you don't like women?" Jihoon's father said, sternly. Jihoon realized that his mother already told his father about the newly found information.

"Yes. So I can't marry their daughter." Jihoon spoke.

"I can't even believe how you turned out to be such a disgrace for our family!" his father spoke. Jihoon clenched his jaw to supress his anger.

"But luckily, we can still marry you off to my partner's family!" His father spoke again. Jihoon's eyes widened at that.

"Jennie's younger brother is also the same as you. We talked to Mr. Kim and he agreed to let you two marry."

Jihoon couldn't believe what his parents were doing. They were just using him as a tool to ensure their successful business partnership without considering his feelings.

"I can't marry a random guy, dad, I have-"

"You should feel lucky that I'm letting you marry a guy!" His father almost exploded. "I don't want to hear what you have to say. Can't you see? If you don't marry in the Kim family, they won't support us! What do you think your brother, your parents would do?" Jihoon's father reasoned. Jihoon could tell his father was trying to hide his tears, even though his tone was loud.

"We didn't want this to happen either, Jihoonie" his mother cried, "but if someone can save us, it's you. Can you not repay us for what we have done for you?" his mother pleaded.

Jihoon felt terrible, but he had to listen to them. Because he was born in such a family that only cares about money and status. So, in a week he would have to marry Kim Junkyu, whom he never saw before.

End of flashback.

"I'm so nervous, I don't know how I should act around him!" Junkyu said to his friends after the ceremony was done and everybody was about to leave.

"Just be yourself, trust me! You're such a kind and adorable soul! He will like you no matter what!" Mashiho ensured. Junkyu hugged Mashiho. Starting a new life at such a young age made him so nervous but at the same time, so excited as well!

"And if you have any query, just call me!" Haruto winked. Junkyu slapped him as he wasn't being quite innocent.

"Yah, you spoiled kid!" Junkyu joked. Everyone smiled at that. However, they all wished him luck before leaving.

Junkyu walked towards Jihoon, who was talking to some other people who were about to leave. Junkyu quietly stood beside him. After Jihoon was done, he smiled at Junkyu.

"Oh, you're here! I think we should get going." Junkyu nodded. This would be his first time riding a car home with his legal husband. He was euphoric.

They got in the car and sat side by side. Jihoon was looking out of the window. Junkyu took a look at him.

'He has such a sharp jawline!' Junkyu thought. He admired Jihoon's profile a bit before quickly looking away in fear of being caught by Jihoon. Junkyu himself looked out if the window after that, anticipating his married life a lot.

Since they didn't have their own place yet, they decided to stay in both Park and Kim household in turns. But firstly, they went for the Park household. Jihoon showed Junkyu to his room before going to talk to his parents a bit. Junkyu nodded and looked around the room once Jihoon's gone.

Someone decorated the room with lights and rose petals. Aromatic flowers were placed in a beautifully carved vase on a table. The balcony had no railing on and cool wind was blowing outside. Even though Junkyu was tired from the day's hectic activities, the air in Jihoon's room felt refreshing which made him energised. Jihoon's PC table was surrounded by small green plants. Junkyu smiled at the floral stickers on the keyboard.

'He must like flowers a lot!'

Junkyu brought out his luggage and picked a silk night dress. He was wondering whether he should take off the makeup or not because he wanted to appear pretty in front of Jihoon.

'But I can't always put on makeup! So, I guess I should take it off.' Junkyu thought.

So, he went to the washroom and freshened up. His skin was smooth and his bangs were a bit wet. But he was still satisfied by his look.

Junkyu came out of the washroom and sat on the bed. He was waiting for Jihoon while worrying about how he should present himself so that Jihoon would like him more.

A sudden creak in the door made Junkyu aware. He looked at the door and saw Jihoon in his tuxedo.

"H-hi", Junkyu stuttered and internally smacked himself.

"You're all freshened up, I see." Jihoon said. He observed Junkyu who was fidgeting with his fingers, his head hung low and a shy smile on his lips. Junkyu's cheeks were rosy, probably shy about his first night as a married guy. Jihoon sighed as he came near the bed.

"Junkyu, look at me." Jihoon said. Junkyu slowly lifted his head. Jihoon's heart ached seeing his shy smile.

"Are you nervous?" Jihoon asked. Junkyu shook his head a no.

Jihoon took a deep breath. He had to come clear to Junkyu because he didn't want to hurt the boy anymore.

"I need to talk to you about something." Jihoon's tone was serious. Junkyu gulped.

"This marriage," Jihoon started, "you know it's just business, right?" he asked.

Junkyu's smile dropped a bit. But he still anticipated.

'Maybe Jihoon would say, even though it's like that, since we're married, let's make it work- or something like this.' Junkyu thought.

"I don't want to hurt you, Junkyu, but let's just pretend that we're friends or roommates or something, okay?" Jihoon looked straight in Junkyu's eyes.

Junkyu's world crashed down in front of his eyes. His smile lost its brightness, rather it was replaced with a fearful awkward curving of lips.

"Why?" he timidly asked, his voice trembling.

"My parents forced me to marry you. I have never seen you, nor do I know you well. Besides, you're not even my type. I know this marriage won't even last, so let's respect each other's privacy and live our separate lives side by side, okay?" Jihoon told Junkyu, holding his shoulder with one hand.

"Who's your type then?" Junkyu again asked in a small voice.

"You know, someone small and cute; kind of like your friend, Mashiho- I mean, you're okay and all, but I prefer people who suit my type. So, no hard feelings, okay?" Jihoon said again, trying to make his point clear. Junkyu's eyes sparkled with a hint of tear, but he pressed his lips in a thin line.

"But everyone knows that we're husbands now-"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, really!" Jihoon stopped Junkyu midway, "no one actually cares about our lives. You don't have to mind me or this marriage. You're free to choose your own lover as well!" Jihoon flashed Junkyu a smile.

Then Jihoon stood up and went to change into his night dress. Junkyu processed everything inside.

'So, I'm not his type after all...'

Junkyu remembered Jihoon's features and how he liked every single one of them, how he wanted to be liked by Jihoon or how he dreamed about a happy married life.

To hide the tears that accumulated in his lids, he laid down facing the other side of the washroom, so that Jihoon can't see him cry.

As for Jihoon, he came out of the washroom and found Junkyu lying down facing the other side. He assumed that Junkyu had fallen asleep, so, he finished his routine and laid down facing his back towards Junkyu.

*****

I'm hurt ㅠㅠ