Chapter 131 (1/2)

Monday morning, Jaemin stays in the Choi-Yoon residence.  He doesn't have any classes today, just a paper to write.  Which means, he can play with the children.  That being said, he has Hyunjae in his arms as the parents are getting ready for work at the moment. Joshua took out his new eyeliner and put a little on.  Seeing the adult playing with the baby in the mirror, Joshua smiles a little.  Jaemin didn't mind the little slaps the child would give him, or the little grumbles he made.  Of course it looked like Jaemin was in his own world, and his smile only got brighter when the child started laughing a little. "I have to say,"  Joshua took him out of that world, "you look really attractive while playing with the kids.."  He commented. Jaemin smiled up at him.  "They're so precious,"  He said, "any age, they're fun to take care of.  And I love seeing them smile."  He said, letting the baby play with his clothes. Joshua smiled a little.  "Oh really.."  He muttered. "I used to have a part-time job in middle school."  Jaemin started.  "I would help out with the kids across the way in the kindergarten building.  It was so fun."  His smile was all over his face. Joshua sat down next to the other.  "What all did you do?  Just play with them and teach them how to blend colors like I did?"  He asked. "It was a little more than that," Jaemin said, "I changed their diapers and fed them.  Yes, there were still some kids that had diapers on."  He chuckled. Joshua had an amused smile.  "I'll say it once more, I like the father side of Jae.."  He put a hand on Jaemin's thigh. Jaemin's smile faded a little as he looked into Joshua's eyes.  "But.. you don't.."  He muttered. "We'll see.."  Joshua leaned closer to put their lips together softly, and a little sensually in Jaemin's opinion.  "Try me tonight, okay?  It's kinda making me jealous that it's not our child you're playing with."  He stood up. Jaemin widened his eyes as he watched Joshua walk to the door.  Joshua waved before exiting, leaving the male holding the baby speechless.

*** Dino tapped on the countertop.  He still hasn't gotten a message from Renjun.  He still hasn't seen the boy's cheery smile or heard his upset tone.  Dino's smile was nowhere to be seen now.  Fear came in that Renjun actually did run away and won't ever come back to him.  Fear made him think of all the bad things that could happen to the boy wall being out on his own. Guilt came to Dino as he realized it was all his fault.  If he didn't speak out, if he'd just listened to Renjun, the boy might not be missing.  The boy might be by his side, having that cute smile while licking the extra frosting from the spoon.  "Hey,"  Meiqi walked up to him, "I think your assistant is here."  She pointed to the door. Dino looked at the door automatically.  Renjun was showing his sheet to the teacher and the teacher approved.  Renjun bowed and his eyes trailed to Dino.  He silently walked up to the older and bowed.  "Hi.."  He said. "You worried me,"  Dino said sadly, "I'm glad you're alright."  He said, putting his arms around the boy. Renjun didn't return the hug.  Instead, he slightly pulls himself out of the hug.  "My mom said that today will be my last day helping you."  He said.  "Alright, we'll make something tasty."  Dino put on a smile for him.  "Does my marshmallow want to choose what we make?"  He asked. Renjun looked to the side.  "I also think it would be best if we keep this professional."  He said.  "And I think we shouldn't date anymore."  He said a little quieter.

Dino lifted his eyebrows.  "What.. why?"  He asked.

"I shouldn't be dating an adult, or dating for that matter."  Renjun said, taking the book from the counter, thumbing through it.  "I should be focusing on school and work, not love interests."  He continued, selecting a genoise cake.

Dino pursed his lips as he watched Renjun take a few bowls from the cabinet. "Where is this coming from?"  He asked, shocked and concerned at the same time.

"I'm just not interested in that dating stuff anymore,"  He said, "it wasn't even serious, there was barely any romance so I'm sorry for wasting your time."  Renjun bowed a little as he took the whisk out from the drawer before looking at the utensils list again.

Dino lightly clenched his fists.  "Not serious?  You were possessive over me and we spent afternoons having fun.  I call that romance."  He said in disbelief.

Renjun looked at him seriously.  "I don't know what love is, Dino."  He said very blankly.  "I'm just a kid that needs to focus on things important to my maturity.  Romance is just something that will break my heart and leave me in pieces."  He said almost as if he memorized his speech word for word.

Dino was speechless with his mouth hanging slightly open.  He didn't know what to say or do.  "I think it's best that after this, we never see each other again."  Renjun said, preheating the oven.

"Never?"  Dino asked.

"Never."  Renjun confirmed. "Everything is out and ready for you to start."  He informed.

Dino looked down at the instructions.  A tear forms in the corner of his eye as he reads the first line.  "You're telling me to bake when you just broke up with me..?"  He asked, letting a tear drop onto the page.  "You ignore my texts and don't tell me what happened to you over the weekend, and then you just break my heart like this?"  He asked, looking up from the book.

Renjun looked the other way for a moment. "I'm sure you don't need an assistant, I'll see myself out."  He said, taking the pink apron off.

"What did she say to you to make you like this, Renjun?"  Dino asked, letting his hands fall to his side.

"She talked sense into me."  Renjun said without emotion.  "I'll get rid of my demerits by myself."  He turned around.

Dino held the Chinese boy's hand.  "Please don't leave.."  He slightly begged as the tears were coming on their own accord.

Renjun took his hand back.  "I have to go now,"  He said, "be a good boy, Dino.  No one likes a child that is disobedient.  That's what my mother said."  Renjun walked away from the older.

Dino looked around his area.  He turned off the oven.  "I'm sorry, teacher Park.  I have to step out."  Dino bowed, trying to cover his face as he walked out of the kitchen. He walked into the bathroom and let the tears come out audibly.  He held his heart as he breathed heavily.  He sat against the wall with his knees to his chest, not caring about the germs on the floor at this point.  His brown hair became messy and his face became red and swollen.

Hearing the bathroom door open didn't stop him from crying.  He let it all out, everything that he's been bottling up.  His tears from the weekend that Renjun was quiet came out. The tears from their moment Friday came out.  His tears from Shownu hurting Renjun came out.

His tears from being kidnapped came out.  He heard a knock on the stall door.  "Dino, is that you?"  He heard Yeosang's voice.

Dino swallowed audibly. "Y-yes."  He was unable to lie or ignore the male.

"Can I come in?"  Yeosang asked in concern.Dino stood up and unlocked the door.  "What are you doing here..?"  Dino asked with surprised eyes.