Chapter 4: The Deal (1/2)

<tt>Chapter 4: The Deal</tt>   <tt>Sungmin paid the cab driver and pulled his pink overcoat closer to himself. He clenched his fists wondering about his meeting with Cho Kyuhyun.

He had been extremely skeptical about his decision to meet up with the man the previous night and had almost wished he hadnt agreed. But if the brat decided to pull something like that again. </tt>   <tt>Oh boy~ He wouldnt go easy on Kyuhyun. </tt> <tt>Not even a single bit.</tt>

<tt>He shuddered lightly as he swung open the door of the quaint looking cafe expecting to see no traces of Cho Kyuhyun.

Sungmin's eyes widened in pleasant surprise as his eyes rested upon Kyuhyun's form on a table near the window. Kyuhyun had his eyes trained outside and was resting on the table with his cheeks cradled into his arms.

He sighed slightly and walked towards the table slowly, his feet shuffling against the wooden floor. Sensing a presence Kyuhyun glanced up and locked eyes with Sungmin.

He gulped seeing the childlike innocence in Sungmin's eyes. How could he not have seen that before?

He stood up hastily and nodded slightly and started,"Sungmin-shi.."</tt>

<tt>Sungmin stiffened before taking seat at the chair opposite to Kyuhyun.

Kyuhyun's eyes widened as Sungmin scrunched his nose adorably taking a deep whiff and then smiled serenely. He sniffed the air curiously and then coughed awkwardly as Sungmin shot him a bewildered look.

Kyuhyun twiddled his thumbs embarrasedly and started," You..."

"You..."

Sungmin raised his eyebrows and mumbled," You can go ahead first, Kyuhyun-shi."

Kyuhyun exhaled before speaking," I want to apologize for yesterday, Sungmin-shi."

"I'm really sorry for being an ass."

Sungmin simply chewed on his bottom lip skeptically before nodding his head.

His face coloured slightly as he looked up and noticed that Kyuhyun had his eyes transfixed on him.

Sungmin stood up abruptly and resting his palms over the table he exclaimed," I''ll just g-get a cup of coffee.."</tt>

<tt>With that he scrambled to the counter and asked for two cups of steaming black coffee. He stood there awkwardly, feeling a hot gaze directed to the back of his neck.

Why is this getting so damn awkward? He clenched his palms tightly and then brushed hair away from his eyes as he waited for the server to brew the coffee.

Clutching the two styrofoam cups, he walked to the table within a few quick steps and sank into the seat opposite of Kyuhyun.

Pushing the styrofoam cup with steaming coffee towards Kyuhyun, Sungmin spoke slowly,"I wasnt really sure about what coffee you'd prefer. I could get it exchanged if you lik.."

"Nonsense. I m-mean.. I dont mind it.." Kyuhyun answered holding the cup in his palm clumsily.</tt>

<tt>Sungmin pursed his bow shaped lips and took a small sip of the searing beverage and sighed," Kyuhyun-shi.. We need to talk."

Kyuhyun bit back a groan as the coffee scalded his tongue.</tt>

<tt>"You're obviously against this betrothal as much as I am." Kyuhyun remarked slowly.

Sungmin replied lightly,"It's not that I have anyone, but the idea seems.."

"Preposterous?" Kyuhyun finished.

Nodding his head in agreement, Sungmin remarked," Did you happen to have a look at the signed paper?"

Kyuhyun scratched his head awkwardly, and asked," What paper are you talking about?"

"The document with Umma and Mrs.Cho's signatures and approval to the betrothal." Sungmin answered patiently.

Kyuhyun mumbled embarrasedly,"Umma thought I could tear it up, so she refused.."

Biting back a small smile that threatened to creep up his lips, Sungmin continued amusedly," You really are...something."

"Well, what did it say?" Kyuhyun asked hastily while swallowing some more coffee.

Sungmin mumbled a soft hang-on-for-a-second and shuffled into his jeans pocket. He dug out a sheet of paper and spread it across the table neatly.

He tapped the photocopy of the agreement with his fingers before sliding it towards Kyuhyun.

Sungmin remarked proficiently," It says in case of unseen disagreement the children must try to get along for three months at a minimum until further amendments."

"So Kyuhyun-shi. I have something to propose."

"According to the betrothal agreement. We need to get along for three months and then we can convince our parents to break the engagement off."

Kyuhyun drummed his fingers against the table surface and tilted his head thoughtfully,"So you mean to say we just have to try to get along for three months.."

"Yes. That's right." Sungmin answered immediately.

Kyuhyun spoke slowly,"We have to try to get along.."

Sungmin smirked,"It seems you're getting the hang of my idea,Kyuhyun-shi."

"We pretend to get along with each other..." Kyuhyun continued slowly.

"And then when the three months are up, we site irreparable differences and break off the engagement." Sungmin finished Kyuhyun's words and settled back to his chair.

Kyuhyun pursed his lips thoughtfully and muttered," That is..really smart."

"I agree..."

Sungmin spoke hastily,"But we have to set up some ground rules first Kyuhyun-shi."

Kyuhyun nodded his head in agreement,"Alright.. For starters, the formal honorifics should go...Sungmin?"

Sungmin hesitated before answering,"Okay...Kyuhyun?"

Kyuhyun beckoned for the server in charge and asked for two sheets of paper and a pen to jot down their agreement.

Sungmin snatched the pen from Kyuhyun and slide the sheet of paper towards himself. Seeing Kyuhyun giving him a bewildered look he protested,"What? Feel like writing.Is that a crime?"

Kyuhyun looked away in embarrasement and coughed awkwardly,"No it isnt. Let's get to the ground rules, Sungmin."

It felt very weird to hear Kyuhyun saying his name like that. It rolled off his tongue so comfortably.

Shaking his head to clear his head, Sungmin cleared his throat and remarked," We have to pretend to date for the next three months."

"During that time no one of us is allowed to be with anybody else. Sexual or platonic. Not allowed. Is that clear?" Sungmin asked while jotting down the condition neatly in his cursive handwriting.</tt>

<tt>Kyuhyun spluttered out his coffee hearing Sungmin's words. </tt> <tt>He gulped slightly before remarking smoothly,"Obviously."</tt>