Wooyoung rode the bus into the city the next day in high spirits. There was something about the day that just felt right.

The sun was bright, the sky a beautiful shade of baby blue, and even though the call from Luke was still floating around in the back of his mind, Wooyoung felt happy.

When he made it to work, Marcus was busy on the phone, talking with someone in hushed tones. Not wanting to disturb him, Wooyoung ducked into the back room where he had set himself up a little desk to work at whenever his boss was in office.

There was a stack of papers waiting for him that he started going through.

Marcus had solved his last case, finding the woman's daughter hiding out at a motel a few cities away, so now he was in a down period. He spent his time working on advertising, as well as researching anything new that might pop up in the city so that way he could find his way around easily.

Wooyoung had taken the time to create a new filing cabinet dedicated just for the city, too, to help him stay organized.

He hummed happily to himself as he read through them, making sure everything was in order so he could file them away.

It was nice because it was something he could take his time with too. Part of him still feared that Marcus would let him go when things slowed down, but so far his boss didn't show any sign of wanting to do that.

Almost an hour later, Marcus finally stepped into the back room. "Sorry about that, one of my contacts down south needed some information." He said, watching Wooyoung closely.

"That's ok! I've just been going through things back here." Wooyoung turned and smiled at him.

"Sit down, let's talk." The older motioned to a chair and pulled his desk chair in. When both were seated, he leaned forward and moved his chair closer. "I've been thinking... I want you to start here full time."

Wooyoung sat up straighter. "Really? I know we had talked about it, but I was worried it wouldn't happen with how slow things can be here."

"That's not for you to worry about.You're a good assistant, and I'd be a fool to let you go." Marcus' mouth curled in a grin while his eyes narrowed. "It would come with other... Responsibilities though. But I would officially get you on payroll and even give you a raise."

This sounded too good to be true. Marcus was already paying him a lot, so if he started full time then quitting his job at the library wouldn't be an issue.

"What would you need me to do?" He asked, getting more and more excited.

"Well, I may have you run recon, or go check out a new place in town to get information from me. I also just want to enjoy your company more." Marcus' voice got a little deeper and he placed a hand on Wooyoung's knee.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly and Wooyoung pushed his hand away. "I'm honored, Marcus... But I'm not interested in that."

"I don't think you understand me. I'm giving you a pay raise. I don't think I'm asking for much in return." Marcus tried to touch Wooyoung again, but the younger stood up and backed away.

"Please don't. I'm really happy to work for you, but if this is what you want then I'm going to have decline and quit." Wooyoung tried to keep his voice from shaking.

He flinched when Marcus stood up quickly, shoving his chair back so it blocked the door. Then he advanced on Wooyoung and pinned him against the wall. "Let me rephrase this. I've wanted you since you first walked through my door. I find you... Irresistible. And I have ways of making you stay besides the pay. I know things." He smirked. It was a look saying he already knew he would win this.

"P-Please..." Wooyoung swallowed and closed his eyes. He didn't like what Marcus was implying.

"Stay here." His boss ordered before shoving off the wall.

Wooyoung felt himself start to tremble as he watched Marcus disappear around the corner. Why did things like this always happen to him? He had been feeling so good about things...

The older returned a moment later and handed Wooyoung a file, which he took hesitantly.

It was labeled with his name...

He opened it and felt the blood drain from his face. The first thing was an article from his old town reporting him as a runaway, and if anyone knew anything to contact his parents.

"I received an interesting call earlier today from a man who wanted to hire my services. He had heart that I was a decent private investigator and asked what my range was travel wise. I told him I was pretty open, it just depended on the job." Marcus crossed his arms and curled his upper lip in a sneer. "So he told me he was looking for his missing son. Imagine my surprise when he told me it was you. I had to take a moment to collect myself, because I could have told him right there that I already knew where you were. But then I thought... Why not use this to my advantage." He chuckled and licked his lips.

"You're insane! Blackmail is illegal. I could go to the police right now if I wanted to." Wooyoung said, starting to panic.

"But you won't." Marcus stepped forward so he was pressing Wooyoung to the wall again. "And I'll tell you why. One, because once you see how much I'm willing to pay you, you won't be able to turn it down. I know how desperate you are for money right now, don't think I've noticed how often you repeat outfits." He reached up and ran a finger over Wooyoung's jaw and neck. "Plus, the second you go to the police is the exact moment I contact your parents. Or, I could contact your ex boyfriend too."

Wooyoung felt like he had to be dreaming. There's no way any of this was happening. And yet, he knew it was. For this to be happening the day after Luke had contacted him... That meant Marcus had already been in contact with him.

"D-Did you give him my number?" Wooyoung asked, feeling genuinely scared.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss my private conversations with you." Marcus put a little more pressure on Wooyoung's jaw. "Although I will say he's an idiot for letting you go." He added softly.

Wooyoung turned his head away and swallowed. He knew he was officially trapped now because the last thing he wanted was to be back with his parents... Especially his father. He shuddered at what that man would do to him if he was forced to go back home.

Marcus continued to caress his jaw and neck, never taking his eyes off the younger. "Don't worry, work will come first because you really are a good assistant and have helped me so much since you've been here. But there are times I may need more." He stepped back and cupped Wooyoung's chin. "And you're going to be my good boy, right?"

Nodding slowly, Wooyoung knew better than to risk upsetting the man. So he would obey for now.

"I expect you to put in your notice at the library the next time you work. If they want you to work the full two weeks that will be fine." Marcus said, easily slipping back into the man that Wooyoung had known. "I'll start coming up with a list of places that I want you to visit and what I want you to look for when you go there."

"Yes, Sir." Wooyoung said, swallowing hard again. He felt like he was going to pass out. The room was spinning and he was blinking very slowly.

"Now get back to work." Marcus' tone was still gentle, but there was no questioning the order as he returned to the front of the store.

Wooyoung took another moment to steady himself before sorting through the pile of papers again. He tried to tell himself that everything would be ok, that Marcus wasn't serious. There was no way he could actually want that, right? This had to be some kind of a joke.

With that thought repeating in his head, Wooyoung worked diligently until the end of his shift.

But when it came time for him to take the bus home, Wooyoung ended up walking right by it. His mind was everywhere and he couldn't really focus on anything.

Just when he thought he could get away from his past, now his family was trying to find him. Why did they want him to come home so bad? They hated him, and they made that very clear, especially his father.

Knowing them they probably hired some witch doctor to try and 'make him normal'.

Nothing made sense.

Wooyoung wandered for probably another hour before he finally realized that he had no way to get home. Cursing at himself, he moved to stand against the wall of a closed coffee shop and let his head fall against it.

He knew he had one option, and it made his chest tighten a little. While he wanted to see Jongho again, the thought of making him drive out here once again.

But he didn't have money to just stay down here either, or hire a cab...

Which once again reminded Wooyoung of the threat from Marcus.

The man had been right. Wooyoung needed the money. At least until he was stable enough to live on his own without eating ramen for the majority of his meals... Or even until he could at least buy a car.

He was stuck.

Wooyoung stood there for another moment and was finally resigned to calling Jongho when his phone started to ring.

He was too tired to look at who was calling so he just pressed answer and held it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Don't sound so excited." The teasing voice said on the other line.

Wooyoung felt a blush instantly cross his face. It was San.

"What's the matter baby?" San's voice instantly turned to one of concern.

"N-Nothing, I'm just stressed. It's fine." Wooyoung forced out, running a hand through his hair.

"Well what are you up to? Maybe I can help?"

"I was actually about to call a friend to see if I could get a ride home." The younger chewed on his lip while rubbing his good against the ground.

"So you're still in the city?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you? I'll come get you!" San sounded like he was trying not to cheer. "Pierre! Get the car!" He shouted.

"No, San, you don't ha-"

"Shush! No arguing. Where are you? Don't make me search the entire city for you. Although I know you've got to be close by your work so I have a place to start."

Wooyoung couldn't help but smile at how forward the other was. He just shook his head and sighed. "I'm in front of some coffee shop called 'Cracked Cup'."

"Perfect, we will be there soon Gorgeous. Hang tight until then." San hung up the phone, leaving Wooyoung to deal with the butterflies that started to assault his stomach.

He only waited for about fifteen minutes for the familiar limo to pull up. The door opened right away and Wooyoung felt like he was being welcomed home when he saw San sitting there with open arms. It made him hurry forward and slide into the seat next to him.

San enveloped him and pressed several kisses to his forehead while reaching over to close the door. "What's the matter baby?" He whispered as the car started to move.

Wooyoung didn't even know what to say. Deep down he knew that if what Marcus had said today was real, then if he told anyone he would be in trouble.

So he just shook his head and let out a little hum while pressing his nose into the crook of San's neck.

"It's ok, I've got you. We're going back to my place where we can just settle in and do whatever you want, ok?"

While Wooyoung himself didn't answer, his stomach did with a loud gurgle. He let out a little whine and started to move away, but San just pulled him closer with chuckle.

"Don't worry. We will get some food in you too. Pierre?"

"I'll make the call, Sir." The driver answered, picking up a phone that was built into the car and talking in hushed tones with someone on the other side.

During the drive, San didn't say anything, but he started to rub Wooyoung's head. It was soothing, and he started to feel relaxed after a short period of time.

They stopped in front of the hotel San lived at and they took the elevator up to his penthouse.

The older kept a hand on Wooyoung's lower back the entire time.

Whatever call Pierre had made had already taken care of things, because there was a table in the corner filled with every kind of finger food imaginable. It all still looked very high end, layer out on several sets of china, but Wooyoung was happy to see there were also bowls of chips, chicken wings, and candy.

He glanced at San, who just winked at him before pulling him to the table. "Help yourself. I'm going to go see what movies I have available and then we will get situated."

"Thank you." Wooyoung glanced at him, locking eyes.

San lifted a hand and brushed some hair away from his forehead. "It's not a problem. Anything for you, love."

Wooyoung felt his heart pounding in his chest and felt the corner of his mouth raise in a smile while he watched San walk away.

He appreciated that the older didn't push him into talking. All he did was accept that Wooyoung was upset and now wanted to do everything that he could to cheer him up.

When San returned, he had a pair of silk pajamas for Wooyoung to change into. Then they both filled up plates of food and made their way to an oversized recliner that allowed both of them to sit in it comfortably.

Some random movie played in the background, but after awhile, Wooyoung stopped paying attention to it.

San had started rubbing his head again. The younger turned so he could nestle into San's side. San turned to hold him tight and wrapped one leg around both of Wooyoung's, pulling him into an embrace that made him feel safe.

And he would take this feeling. He liked feeling safe in San's arms. And he wanted it to last for as long as possible.