Hakyeon could not sleep knowing his boss was close to him. Indeed, after taking the time to calm Leo, he had left him asleep on the sofa in his living room. Since then, Hakyeon was full of things in his head. He had just lived an emotional evening. His boss, who was in fact his former love, had come to ask him to help him after having treated him with indifference since his arrival in the company. Leo's mother also came to visit him and offered him money to quit his job. What was really going on? Why was Leo looking tired and sad? Leo's mother had told him that her son had promised not to be in contact with him. Was that why Leo had abandoned him ten years earlier? He still remembered very well that cold and sad day when his lover had turned his back on him. He had yelled and cried but Leo had never come back to him. Hakyeon had flooded his voice mail with messages and calls, but he had received no reply. Then he learned that Leo and his family had gone to live abroad. He would not see him again for the rest of his life. At first, Hakyeon wanted to flee this reality, and then he thought he could join Leo if he got good grades in his studies. He could thus obtain a scholarship and continue his studies abroad. But it did not work. With time, Hakyeon had healed his wounds and had a good memory of Leo. He did not, therefore, expect to discover it before him ten years later, and especially he did not expect to have him as his boss. This new Leo frightened him. It was as if he had no more heart, as if he were no longer able to love or feel compassion for others. Was he also injured as a result of their breakdown? Hakyeon had never thought of this hypothesis, he just hated the new Leo, but tonight it was different. Leo was different. It was the same as ten years before. He was able to smile, and Hakyeon could see his fragility. Leo had chosen to leave him, but had he had a choice? Had not his parents forced him to leave? If the answer was YES, then Hakyeon could understand why Leo had become a cold and uncompassionate man. He had to suffer just as Hakyeon had suffered from their separation.

Hakyeon came out of his room. He really could not sleep. He saw Leo lying on the sofa. His blanket had fallen to the ground, so Hakyeon approached him and handed him his blanket. Leo stirred in his sleep and Hakyeon heard him whisper: "please do not hurt Hakyeon." He seemed to be in a dream. Leo's face was tense and he clenched his fists. Then Hakyeon sat down beside him and stroked his hair. The contact of the hand of Hakyeon on his hair, made Leo calm down. He was more relaxed and continued to sleep peacefully. But this was not the case for Hakyeon. On the contrary, he felt more and more uncomfortable. What threat  was weighing on Leo or on him? Why did Leo keep telling him he was going to protect him? And especially against whom or what Leo wanted to protect him? Hakyeon was now sure of one thing. Leo's parents had forced him to break up with him. And now that they had found each other, they were still trying to separate them by offering him money. No, he was definitely not going to take those five million. He had loved Leo with all his heart and he felt that he would still be able to continue loving him if Leo still wanted him. For the time being, he had to stay by his side and protect him too. Leo must have really suffered alone during these ten years. Hakyeon got up and went back to his room. He had made a decision. He would support Leo no matter what choice he was going to make. He wanted to know the truth. He wanted to know if Leo still loved him.

Hakyeon got up tired in the morning. He had not yet slept. He quickly ran into the living room to see Leo, but the apartment was empty. Leo was gone. He had left a message on the table: "Thank you for the night. Leo ". Nothing more. No kisses, no emotions, nothing. Just a cold thank you on a white sheet. Hakyeon felt disappointed. He thought he had found his old friend, but Leo seemed to have become the cold, distant man again. The rest of the day agreed with Hakyeon. Upon his arrival at the office, Leo had once again become the boss all employees hated. As usual, he had convened a meeting, criticized the employees' work, and then returned to his office to settle business. He had treated Hakyeon as if he were a stranger, as if they had not slept under the same roof last night. Hakyeon felt lost. This man completely routed him. Then he remembered his determination last night. He had promised to support Leo whatever his choice, so if Leo saw only one employee through him, then Hakyeon would only be an employee until Leo opens his heart to him one day. With his determination, Hakyeon worked the rest of the day without complaining. At the end of the day, there was still one thing left for him to do. He got up from his chair and knocked at the door of his boss. "Come in," said Leo's voice. Hakyeon took his courage in both hands and opened the door.

" What is it ? » Leo asked coldly. Hakyeon had reflected all day on explaining the situation, but truth remained the truth. "Your mother gave it to me yesterday, I was going to give it back to her but I did not have time. So I thought you could give it back to her, "Hakyeon said calmly. He saw Leo open the envelope and contemplate the money. "Why did she give you all that money?" Leo asked. "That I may leave this place," replied Hakyeon. Hakyeon regretted his words as soon as he saw Leo's devastated face. He no longer had his boss before him, but the wounded man he had become. Hakyeon felt sad for him. "You want to make me believe that she came to your house yesterday and asked you to leave your job in exchange for all this money?» Leo asked. Hakyeon nodded. He felt bad for Leo. "How much did she offer you?" Leo said. "Five million," replied Hakyeon. Leo had more and more difficulty calming down. He stood up from his chair and turned his back on Hakyeon. The latter felt him sad and lonely, so he approached him and tried to hold his arm, but Leo backed away. "All right, I'll give her back the money," Leo said as he walked around Hakyeon. He took his jacket and bag, then walked to the door. But before he opened it, he stopped. It seemed to Hakyeon that time was suspended in the air, and that he could only feel the tension between them. "I know I do not have the right to ask you this, but can I still come to you tonight?" Leo finally asked. "You will always be welcome at my place," replied Hakyeon. Leo nodded and opened the door. He was gone and Hakyeon felt sad for him. Leo was still going to fight a battle. He could not be by his side in this battle, but he will be there for him when he needs a friend, a helper.

A few hours later, Leo felt exhausted. He had a big migraine and a big fatigue. Following Hakyeon's words, he confronted his mother and discovered the truth. It was his mother who had informed his father about the situation. It was because of her that Leo had been threatened by his father. He now had to publish the announcement of his marriage before the end of this week, otherwise his father would harm Hakyeon's family. What should he do? He had tried to reason with his mother, but nothing. She did not want to know. As soon as Leo had seen his father arrive, he had fled the house. He did not want to relive the same thing as the night before. He was fed up. He only wanted to be happy, but his parents did not support him. Leo stopped in front of the Hakyeon building. Hakyeon, his friend? his lover ? Or his employee? He did not know how to define their relationship. When he woke up in the morning, he was afraid. Afraid of falling under the charm of this man. Then he had fled. Last night, Hakyeon had greeted him without asking for explanations and he had comforted him. Leo had been left alone since the day he had asked him to break their relationship. From that moment nothing in life mattered to him. He just wanted to be rich and strong. Sufficiently rich to force his father to sell him his property. So he could protect Hakyeon. He did not think of reviving his pain a second time, but he was wrong. He climbed the stairs and rang the bell at the door of Hakyeon's apartment. His heart beat fast in his chest. What was he going to tell him? He feared their confrontation alone in an apartment, but to his surprise, Hakyeon opened the door with a big smile. "Quickly, I have to go back quickly to the kitchen if not the meal will burn," Hakyeon said as he opened the door. Leo saw him running back to the kitchen, so he looked around.

Hakyeon had made arrangements. Leo could see it. The sofa had been moved to give Leo more room. He had taken out clean blankets and pajamas. The dining table was prepared for two people and some foods such as salad and wine were already on the table. Leo could see Hakyeon cook meat in a pan. "Sit down, I'll finish in a minute. You can also serve yourself a glass of wine, "said Hakyeon. Leo nodded but remained standing. He had a lot of emotions inside him. After almost crying on seeing the behavior of his parents, Hakyeon's kindness made his heart melt. Why should a man who ought to hate him, care for him so well, and make him happy? He wondered. He saw Hakyeon lay two plates on the table and smile at him, so Leo realized that he had lost the battle. He walked straight to Hakyeon and took him in his arms. "Leo?" Hakyeon said surprised, but Leo did not answer. He squeezed him tightly in his arms and buried his face in his neck. It had lasted ten years. Ten years of suffering, prayer and suffering again. His only consolation was to think that Hakyeon should be happy with another person. He wanted to make him happy. But when he saw him, Leo finally understood that he could never be happy without Hakyeon. He did not want to give him to anyone else. He wanted him for himself, and he alone. Then he pressed him as hard as he could in his arms. He pressed him to hurt him. "Leo, gently, you hurt me," Hakyeon whispered. Then Leo pulled away from him, but he wanted to stay there with him. Then he understood why he had fought hard during all those years. It was not money, not the power that would make him strong, no, it was love. The love he had for Hakyeon. He took his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. "I know I have no right to ask you that. I also know that I've done you a lot of harm. But despite all this, I ask you, I beg you Hakyeon to marry me. I want you by my side. It will not be easy because many difficulties await us, but I would protect you Hakyeon, so please marry me.» Leo pleaded. He knew that if Hakyeon said YES, he would have to face his own family, but if Hakyeon said NO, then he would be destroyed because his  existence would not matter anymore.

Hello my fireflies. How are you ? Summer comes in small steps, so enjoy it. Are you excited by the return of  VIXX for this month of May? I do. As usual, I await your comments and votes for this chapter. Leo and Hakyeon are beginning to discover and understand each other. And we have a request of MARRIAGE !!!!!!!!!!! : D «33