Now, Yeosang does know how to take care of himself, he's not royalty,with servants doing very single thing for him but that doesn't mean he still didn't have assistants doing the hard things for him, like cooking... or cleaning.

Every morning he'd go it the table and there was always his breakfast ready for him, especially his coffee.

Yeosang pokes his coffee maker, not knowing what to do. He figured out where to put his mug, but nothing happened, even after pressing every button.

He sighs, not knowing what to do, he really needs his coffee.

He remembers Hongjoong telling him yesterday to call him if he ever needs anything, maybe he knows how to make coffee?

So Yeosang finds himself in front of Hongjoong's door, a bit hesitant to knock. To be honest he's a little embarrassed, it's probably so simple Hongjoong will think he can't do anything.

He swallows his shame and knocks on the door because he really needs some coffee and thankfully Hongjoong answers.

"Oh? Hi Yeosang, what brings you here?"

Yeosang fiddles with his sleeves "um you see, I'm" he scratches the back of his head "I don't know how to work a coffee machine and I really need some"

Thankfully, Hongjoong smiles instead of looking at him weirdly "I can help you! Come, I'll teach you"

Yeosang leads him to his coffee machine and Hongjoong nods "ah. You just need to fill container with water then press this to heat it"

Yeosang is surprised with how simple it is, he thanks him for his time sheepishly "no no it's no problem, everyone has a first time using something, no need to be embarrassed. I know I'm just your neighbour and with just met yesterday but you can ask for anything, ok?"

"Thank you Hongjoong... uh can I call you hyung?" Yeosang wonders if he'd overstepped some boundaries, they'd just met and he already wants to drop honorifics?

"Of course you can, also, may I ask how you make your coffee if you don't use the machine? Do you use a press or-"

"I... had someone make it for me" Yeosang didn't know why he was hesitant in telling Hongjoong this, maybe because he thinks he'll treat him differently if he knew his background.

"L- like a maid?" Hongjoong looks shocked when Yeosang nods, great. Now his chances of being treated ordinarily is down the drain.

"Look, hyung my parents run the Kang modelling agency, so yes, I'm rich, I have no experience in normal life, I've had maids do basic things for me, but I moved here to learn these things and get away for a while, please don't treat me differently and be patient with me" he begs that Hongjoong understands because he'll really be sad if he turns out to be a gold digger or something.

But he feels reassured when the older gets rid of his shocked expression into a comforting one "I won't treat you any differently Yeosang, your background doesn't mean anything to me so don't worry and live comfortably here ok? I'm here for you, don't be shy to ask me for anything"

He sighs in relief, so far so good, Hongjoong doesn't seem like a gold digger. He makes coffee for the both of them and they sit on the floor (he still hadn't bought any furniture), it's only been a day so he gives himself a break.

"So..." Hongjoong trails off, seeming to debate wether to say something or not, "your friend, he's not here?"

Yeosang eyes Hongjoong "No, he left yesterday..."

"Ah..." Hongjoong doesn't know why he's being like this, he's not one to lust at first sight. He shakes his head, he can't be like this. He has no time for these kind of feelings anyway, he needs to work on his goal and get his dream job he thinks. Anyway, if he's Yeosang's friend, he's probably rich too, and therefore way out of his league.

~

It's been a week and Yeosang has called Hongjoong over a total of three times, all lasting five minutes or less. He feels bad for dragging the older just for him to turn a knob or something but Hongjoong never accepts his apologies anyway, saying to use him whenever he needed.

Seonghwa had visited every day too, for the whole day, just to accompany him. "Don't you have meetings to go to? Training to do?" Seonghwa is the youngest of his family like Yeosang, not the next CEO. However unlike Yeosang he has an active role in his family's company, which meant he is always going to meetings, working etc.

"I do actually have a briefing in an hour but I don't want to break my streak of coming here every day" Yeosang rolls his eyes.

"It's been a week, you don't have to babysit me anymore hyung"

"You say that but you have no furniture yet and have coffee everyday because you're too scared to use the stove" Yeosang's butt does hurt from sitting on the floor, but it's nothing he can't handle.

"So what? You're going to move in with me? This is a one bedroom apartment"

"No, I just want you to live comfortably, stop being lazy and buy some sofas and a chef to cook you food or something, I come here everyday to check if you're not dead or anything"

Yeosang groans at him "you're being an annoying parent again"

"And you're being an annoying child"

"Ok ok, I'll sort myself out, just go, your meeting starts soon" he pushes a reluctant Seonghwa out the door and sighs, looking at the empty house.

His fridge is empty, his bedroom is empty except for his bed and a luggage where he keeps his clothes, his living room has no seats. He gets out his phone to look for some furniture when he sees that his mother had texted him.

Mother
In two days, Mrs. Kim and I have set up the date for you and Juwon, 1pm sharp. Do not be late. Two days.

Yeosang stares at the text, squeezing his eyes shut. He had left to escape his mother's incessant dating talk but it followed him here, He decides to ignore it and just look at sofas, occupying his mind with different thoughts like what colour theme should he have? Should he get wallpaper? Should he actually hire an interior designer?

An hour later of searching and potential things in his basket, another text pops up at the top of his screen.

Mother
Yeosang I can see that you've read my message. Why aren't you responding!

He stares at the message, just wanting to shop in peace. He clicks on the chat and thinks of what to respond, he'll do anything not to go on that date.

Fortunately he is temporarily saved from responding when someone knocks on his door, quite frantically that is.

It seems urgent so he quickly heads to the from door, did Seonghwa leave something behind?

"Hyung, why-" Yeosang looks at the stranger who had practically been drumming on his door.

He looks quite flustered and out of breath "who-"

Yeosang can't even finish his sentence before the rude stranger barges in his house. Yeosang panics, is he a robber? Is he going to kill me?

He frantically grabs the man's arm "what are you doing!"

The man seems to be out of his senses, trying to get Yeosang's grip off his arm. "This isn't your house, it's mine!"

Yeosang blinks in confusion "what are you talking about? I live here"

The other scoffs, "how long have you been living here?"

"A week?" Why does this stranger need to know this, who is he?

"I've lived here for two years!" He shouts. Yeosang hums in understanding, this person must have been the previous resident. But... why is he here?

"I've lived here longer so this is my place"

Yeosang scoffs this time, who does this idiot think he is?

"Look, it doesn't work like that, you moved out, I moved in. This is my place now." Not to be childish, but Yeosang takes extra care to rub it in.

The man blinks. "You can move somewhere else, let me live here."

Yeosang looks at him incredulously, "and why would I do that? I bought this place"

His eyes widen "YOU WHAT?!?!"

"Yeah. This place is mine, now leave before I call the police." Yeosang tries to scare him away but he stays incessant.

"You don't get it, I have no where else to go, this is the only place I can move to"

"And why is that?"

He groans. "Because! This is the perfect place! It's so cheap and it's next to the station and I've made so many memories here!"

Yeosang doesn't know what this guy wants but he's not buying it. "Then you shouldn't have moved then" he starts to push the guy out the door but he resists.

"No! Wait, I really don't have anywhere to go, I'm unemployed and I can't afford any other place but this, I've already signed papers to move out of my other place."

Yeosang tries his best to be assertive. Playing the pity card always worked on him, and the other gives him really genuine puppy eyes, his hesitation gives him the opportunity to talk more.

"Please! Let me live here for a bit until I find a place to live, I'm unemployed" this man really has no shame Yeosang thinks.

"Don't you have friends, why don't you stay at theirs?"

"Yeah but I can't bother them like this"

Yeosang scoffs "and you bother a stranger?" He can't believe the nerve of this guy.

How can anyone barge into someone else's home and try and take them out, he's not a coloniser for fucks sake.

Yeosang honestly doesn't know how to get him out, he has no intention of letting some stranger stay, he could have been lying and is actually a serial killer. But this guy is acting so stubborn and shameless. He looks down at his phone in his hand when it buzzes.

Mother
I can see that you've read this message too. Kang Yeosang, you wouldn't dare to ignore your mother. You have a date in TWO DAYS.
I'm going to call you. Right. Now.

Now Yeosang panics for real, he absolutely cannot go on a date, he quickly texts his mother a 'wait!' before she can call him, so he has a little time to think of what to do.

He frantically looks around, thinking of what to do, when his eyes land on the man in front of him. He looks around his age, average looking, and Yeosang gets the worst idea he's ever had.

No, that's not an option are you crazy?! His mind tells him.

But his mother is already texting him, impatient for an answer.

And in the spur of the moment, he takes the decision that seems to be the quickest solution, so he takes a deep breath and holds eye contact with the man in front of him.

"Do you like men?"

The other furrows his eyebrows "why? Are you scared to live with me if I like men?"

Yeosang doesn't have time for this "just answer me."

He must have looked intimidating because the man suddenly looks down, fiddling with his jacket sleeve. "Yeah. I do"

Yeosang sighs in relief, one step done. Now it's his turn to be shameless, because his mother is currently threatening to call him.

"Ok, I'll let you live her-" the other starts celebrating, blurting out thank yous but Yeosang stops him immediately.

"On one condition."

The man seems to sense Yeosang's nervousness, which proves to be contagious as he looks at him skeptically "ok... what's this condition?"

"You have to pretend to be dating me"

He frowns, mind and body frozen, not expecting that, "um, why?"

"It's complicated but my mother is going to essentially pull me into a forced marriage, and I need to prove to her that I have a boyfriend so she doesn't."

The other seems to ponder the situation for a while and Yeosang taps his foot impatiently. Well, neither of them have nothing to lose.

"Ok, I agree as long as I get to live here until I find a new place".

Yeosang releases a loud sigh of release "thank you." This temporary solved a big problem, to which he doesn't even care about the consequences right now, he just texts his mother.

Yeosang
Mother. I told you, I have a boyfriend. I can't go on that date.

Yeosang can now say this confidently (even though it still isn't true) but he's happy for now.

Mother
Yeosang I'm not in the mood for your lies. I will not believe you have a boyfriend until you give me proof.

Proof, Yeosang looks up from his phone to see the other looking at him curiously. He pulls him by the arm and shoves the phone in his face. "My mother wants proof of us, let's take a selfie".

The other nods, seeming indifferent about this whole situation, Yeosang is a bit skeptical but it's better than him being completely against it.

He lifts the phone to show both their faces. "Smile then" the other tells Yeosang. He honestly doesn't know how to smile anymore, this is too stressful.

But, after managing a strained smile, Yeosang manages to take a picture of the two of them and send it to his mother.

Yeosang
Now do you believe me? I managed to convince him to take a picture with me because you kept pushing for it, I told you he's not comfortable yet but I had to do this for you.

Yeosang really decides to milk it and make it seem like this is a big deal and it's all her fault. But he almost smacks himself when he forgets the most important thing and looks up to the other. "What's your name?"

"Jung Wooyoung" he says quietly, Yeosang's state seems to be too intimidating right now, mostly because he's determined to convince his mother and not go on that date.

Yeosang
Meet my boyfriend, Jung Wooyoung.

Texting those words hit Yeosang like a truck. What did he just do. He stares at Wooyoung like he's an alien as it hits him that he now has a roommate who is apparently his boyfriend too.

His mother texts back which cheerful words, 'oh well done, I was hoping you were telling the truth, I'm proud of you!' But her words don't comfort him, it seems like she only cares about him when he's with someone else, just his own self isn't enough for his mothers love.

He sighs deeply, at least she's off his back for now. However, with one problem taken care of, Yeosang seems to have a new one.

Wooyoung shuffles his feet nervously, "um, I still don't know your name". Since he has not pretend to be this person's boyfriend, does actually need to know his name.

"Kang Yeosang, sorry about all that, I told my mother your name and she's seen your face which means she'll most likely do a background check on you." He says as an attempt to show him whats he's gotten into but Wooyoung just shrugs.

"Eh she wont find anything interesting, I'm not a criminal or anything."

Yeosang nods slowly, not knowing what to do now. He's at his new home with a new roommate... in his one bedroom apartment. "Since this is my apartment now... which means the bedroom is mine... you can sleep in the living room"

Wooyoung grimaces at him "Am I supposed to sleep on the floor or something? There's nothing in here" He says, gesturing to the living room as if Yeosang doesn't know this already.

"Well, your fault for begging me to let you stay here"

"Well you begged me to be your boyfriend, you don't look like the type to jump on someone like that." Wooyoung says but flinches when Yeosang shoots him a glare in response. "Oh yeah? Well don't judge a book by its cover. Anyway, I already explained to you why I need you to act as my boyfriend, and I repay you by letting you live here. Win win"

He quickly walks away, not wanting to talk anymore but Wooyoung follows him annoyingly like a roach. "Why haven't you furnished this place yet? Why didn't you just bring your old furniture here when you moved if you didn't want to buy new ones? Did you not have sofas in your old house?"

Wooyoung doesn't seem to be getting the hint when Yeosang actively tries getting away from him, or maybe he notices and just ignores it. "You've been here for a week, are you planning to leave soon, its that why? Wait no... that makes no sense since you bought this place" Wooyoung just mumbles to himself when it hits him. "You bought this place! Why??"

Yeosang doesn't appreciate the yelling as he tries to fold his laundry, Hongjoong had taught him how to use the washing machine earlier this week. "I just felt like it" Wooyoung widens his eyes, "YOU f- you FELT like it?!? Are you filthy rich or something"

Wooyoung tries imaging in how it would feel I like buying an apartment because he felt like it. He cant. "What are you? Why are you living here if you're so rich... you said your mother was going to force you to date someone! Are you a prince? Is the date for politics?"

Yeosang wants to smack himself for agreeing to let this annoying person live with him for the time being, he's not used to someone as chatty as this, Seonghwa is definitely different to Wooyoung. "If I buy you a sofa to sleep on, will you please go away? This is my room, why did you follow me in here"

Wooyoung frowns, halting his list of questions. "Ok! I'll leave... someone's moody"

Yeosang also doesn't appreciate Wooyoung's muttering but he's not going to comment on it, he's too tired to be more moody.

When his doorbell suddenly rings and Wooyoung shouts that he'll get it, Yeosang panics and goes after him, how can Wooyoung open the door when Yeosang lives here? What it if it's Seonghwa?

But the other doesn't seem to care as Yeosang is a second too late to stop him and the door is swung open.

~This is supposed to be a strangers to lovers but woosang are emitting raging enemies to lovers vibes asdfjk;l I'll try to tone it down a little. Even though I love me some enemies to lovers, that's not the atmosphere for this fic lol.