Day 8. 17

It was Thursday night and all of the trainees were in the dorm chilling. They had the next three days off and they wanted to enjoy them. Bambam and Yugyeom had left to spend their weekend at Busan. Yugyeom wanted to show Bambam something and the other couldn't say no. JB was currently watching a drama with YoungJae in the living room and Jackson was in his room listening to music while reading a book.

While reading he remembered he had promised to go to an orphanage and help with the kids for the day. He felt excited at the thought of being around the kids and Mark came to mind. He reached for his phone and called the other.

"Heyyyyyy."

"Hi baby. How are you?"

"I'm good and you?"

"I'm good. Hey are you busy tomorrow?"

"I have work that's it. Why?"

"Oh. I wanted to go somewhere, but you should go to work."

"Wait I can  just not go and clear my schedule tomorrow you know. It's not like my boss can fire me."

"But I thought you were the boss."

"Exactly."

"Okay. Well I'm going to go help out at an orphanage tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes! Oh my gosh can we take them things?"

"Yes. Do you want to get something."

"Yeah you'll see tomorrow."

"Okay.."

Jackson and Mark spoke for a while longer and after a bit of talking they hung up and decided to get to bed.

Mark sent a message to Lion quickly saying to cancel everything for tomorrow and that he had the day off as well. He also told him to make an order of 200 mixed toys for boy and girls and to have them sent to the orphanage by 14 pm. (2 pm) He headed to bed and was excited for the next day.

Mark waited for Jackson to come in his car he was waiting outside of the hotel for the other, but he was starting to regret his decision. After a bit more waiting Jackson finally arrived and Mark quickly got inside. He was shivering and put his hands in front of where the hot air was coming out of.

"What took you so long to get here? You said "I'll be there in 10 minutes", it's been 20!"

"I'm sorry, I was getting something for the kids."

"What did you get them?"

"Snacks. Some chips and candy."

"Oh okay. I forgive you then."

Jackson laughed and started driving towards the orphanage. He parked his car and immediately smiled. Mark helped Jackson take the snacks inside. The children ran up to Jackson when they saw him. They all tackled him down on the floor and started hugging him and giving him kisses. Jackson started laughing and the kids were as well. Mark smiled at the scene and he caught the kids attention. They all looked at him and then at Jackson.

"Oppa, Is this your boyfriend?"

"Mary don't ask silly questions."

Mark looked up and a young woman probably in her twenties came up to them. She helped get all of the kids off of Jackson and helped the other get up. she gave him a hug and the other returned it.

Mark looked at the scene in front of him and bit down on his bottom lip. A habit he had when he was jealous.

"Hello Oppa. It's so nice to see after a long time. How are you."

"Hi Jojo, I've been good. Just work and stuff. How about you?"

"I've been good too. I have school and then I come and help out at the orphanage when I can."

"That's good."

Mark coughed clearing his throat. He got Jackson's attention.

"Oh Jojo, this is Mark my best friend."

Jojo looked at Mark and smiled bowing her head. Mark bowed his head as well greeting her.

"Hello my name is Park Jojo. I'm 22 years olds. Nice to meet you."

"Hello Jojo, my name is Mark Tuan. I'm 26 years old and I'm from L.A. Nice to meet you too."

"Wait Mark Tuan like the successor of Tuan Inc.?"

"Yep that's me."

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry for my informality."

Mark smiled at her.

"Don't worry it's okay."

All the kids were looking at them waiting for the adults to finish talking. Mark looked at all of them and smiled.

"Do you guys want to play some games?"

"Yes!!"

They all said in unison.

"Okay. How about we have different games to play? Whoever wants to play tag follow me outside. Jackson will be hide and seek and Jojo will be arts and crafts yeah?"

"Okay!"

Mark started walking outside and soon enough all of the kids went with a different person. He went outside and counted all of the kids with him. There were 20 in total.

"Okay. Who wants to be it?"

All of the kids raised their hands and he giggled.

"Okay I'll be it and then whoever I tag is it next okay? Okay I'll give you a 10 second head start and you guys run."

Mark started counting and all the kids went in different directions.

"10!"

Mark looked around and started running towards the kids chasing them.

After playing tag for about an hour. They were all out of air. They headed inside. They made a line and mark gave them water. He helped them wash their faces and hands as they were all sweaty.

It was the kids lunch time and they sat down while Mark, Jackson, and Jojo gave them their food. The kids ate their food and then had a snack from the ones Jackson had bought. The kids helped clean up. While cleaning Mark's phone started ringing and he looked down and it was Lion calling him.

"Hello Lion?"

"Hello Mr.Tuan, I'm outside with the toys you asked for. Would you like for me to take them in?"

"No wait for me out there."

"Of course sir."

Mark grabbed Jackson by his wrist and led the other outside.

"Where are we going?"

"I bought some toys for the kids to have. Help me bring the boxes inside."

"You bought them toys?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

Jackson rolled his eyes and kept quiet. He saw a guy standing outside of the orphanage with 10 boxes around him.

"Hi Lion. Thank you so much for bringing them here. You're a sweetheart."

"No problem sir. You know I'll do anything for you."

"Oh shush. Now come on let's take these boxes inside. I'm sure the kids will be more than happy."

Jackson saw how Lion looked at Mark and he didn't like it. He shrug his jealousy off and grabbed five boxes taking them inside. Mark looked at Jackson shocked. He grabbed two boxes and Lion grabbed the remaining three boxes and followed inside.

They walked inside with the boxes of toys and set them on the floor. Jojo looked with wide eyes to the boxes and walked over.

"Jackson what's all this?"

"They're toys for the kids." Mark answered

"Oh my thank you so much Oppa." Jojo said while reaching to hug Jackson before she could though he spoke up.

"Actually Jojo. Mark hyung bought these not me."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. I was actually thinking I could fund the orphanage I noticed there are some things that could use some renovations. Like the kids rooms and the kitchen."

"Oh my that's amazing. I'm sure the head master would be more than happy."

"I'm glad to hear. Now let's give the kids their toys they seem very excited about it."

Mark said while pointing at the kids who were staring around them waiting patiently. They all laughed and started handing the kids the toys they wanted. After playing with the kids a bit more Mark, Jackson, and Lion made their way home. They said bye to the kids and promised to come back when they could.

Jackson stayed a bit longer saying he had to talk with Jojo about something. Mark said okay and started waking with Lion. They both made it to the parking lot Mark walked Lion to his car.

"Lion again thanks for coming out today on your day off to drop the toys. You even stayed and played with the kids."

"I already told you sir, I would do anything for you."

"Don't call me sir, you're older than me. Just call me Mark when we're out of work."

"Okay Mark."

Lion smiled at Mark who returned the smile as well.

"Mark, I actually wanted to tell you something. I might loose my job because of it, but I still want to tell you."

Mark looked at Lion confused at the other.

"What is it?"

"I- I like you. I've actually liked you for a while, but I didn't say anything because I was scared of loosing my job. I wanted to tell you because I don't want to feel like a coward anymore."

Mark was surprised to say the least, but wasn't mad. He softly laughed and looked at Lion; who looked shocked at him.

"Lion, I'm not going to fire you because you like me. I can't control how you feel. Or who you like. I've actually kind of knew you liked me for a while as well I just didn't want to make it awkward between us in case I was wrong. I'm honored you like me..."

"But?"

"But I like someone else. I hope we can stay as friends. If you don't want to work for me anymore, I understand just know I'm always here for you."

"Well, I'm glad I'm not loosing my job, but I still would've wished you liked me back. I'm not going to quit, but can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is it Jackson?"

"Yeah. He's actually my Ex. It's a long story, but we like each other and we're talking right now."

"Well I wish you two the best. Hopefully you can move back to the US and get married over there."

"Yeah me too, but I don't know. He's a trainee right now and marriage is not on my plate right now. Beside were in South Korea being Gay is not "normal"."

"I can definitely agree with that."

"Well I'll see you on Monday. Bye Lion."

"Bye Mark."

Mark made his way towards Jackson's car and waited for the other to come. He got inpatient and went inside after waiting for Jackson to come for about 10 minutes in the car. He went inside and looked for the other, but couldn't find him. He looked through the different rooms. He looked until he got to the office and saw Jojo and Jackson Kissing.

Mark felt his body freeze. He wanted to walk away, but couldn't. He felt the tears the filled his eyes and how fast his heart started beating. The tears that were in his eyes got out and he harshly wiped them away. He backed away and ran towards the parking lot. He heard Jackson calling his name, but only ran faster.

He got to the parking lot with a tear stained face. He bend down catching his breath. He looked up and saw Lion's car pulling out of his parking space. He ran towards the car and hit the window. The other immediately stopped his car and let the other in. Mark kept on crying while the other asked what was wrong.

"Just take me to the hotel please."

Lion didn't ask any questions and started driving. Jackson stopped at the parking lot and saw Mark get into Lion's car. He felt his blood boil and bent down and started crying.

Mark got out of Lion's car. He said thank you and quickly walked to his room. He got on his bed and felt his face and how wet it was. He stared at the window and saw the rain that started pouring. He bitterly smiled as he loved rainy days.

Don't hate me. It will get better.

ALSO THANK YOU SO KUCH FOR 1k read y'all are wild. Thanks for reading my book. I'll try even harder now. Love you lovelies.