Chapter Twelve

"The fuck you staring at kid?" Nine scowled.

Gosh he's worse than his twin but cuter. Joong thought.

"Are you mute now after going insane?" Nine mocked.

"Uh...I am sorry I know you're mad that I punched your brother." Joong said.

"We'll be grateful that he didn't do anything or else you'd be walking back with a loose jaw. Oh and one more thing, apologize to him and not me that's what you should be doing." Nine said.

"Umm..yeah. I will when I see him next time." Joong said while Nine just stared blankly at him.

"Well good then, I am off. Bye." Nine said walking to the door.

"Umm...Nine, can I come with you? Please?" Joong said cutely.

Nine stopped on his tracks and turned to face Joong. "Am I your driver? NO! I am not taking a troublesome kid with me." Nine retorted.

"Please~ I didn't bring my car and my brothers left too. Please~" Joong said showing his puppy face.

"Do that and I am going to throw you out of the balcony this instant. That shit doesn't work on me." Nine said with a disgusted face.

"Oh. It works everytime with other people." Joong said.

"Well I am not one of those stupid people." Nine said cockyly.

"And that's why I like you." Joong said winking only to receive a deathly glare from Nine.

"Take your ass down within five minutes or else I am going to leave you right here." Nine stated firmly and left the room.

"Stupid troublesome kid! Why do I feel like he's going to stick to me like a leech. Oh god my life!" Nine mumbled to himself and walked to the parking lot.

3 minutes later, Nine saw Joong rushing towards the parking lot and looking confused as to where Nine was.

"Did he really leave? I am damn sure though that I came earlier." Joong said with a sad face.

"So damn troublesome." Nine sighed looking at Joong's sad face.

He started the car and drove towards Joong. "I was going to leave if you were two more minutes late." Nine said lowering the window.

Joong took a minute to appreciate the beauty infront of him. Well both Nine and Lily.

"Stop appreciating her and get your ass in or I am leaving." Nine stated.

Joong snapped out of it then and got in the car smiling at Nine.

"Thank you P'Nine for being considerate towards this troublesome kid." Joong said softly while Nine looked at him with a straight face.

"Whoa! This is a master piece. It already looks so damn hot from outside and the inside is even hotter." Joong exclaimed as he looked at the interior and fixed his seatbelt.

"Yeah Gulf loves this car like anything. More or less it's like his baby." Nine replied while driving off.

"Though I hate him, I'd must say that his taste in cars is awesome." Joong replied.

"Yeah it is. He chose most of the cars for our brothers. They ask him since he knows a lot about cars. " Nine said while Joong just nodded at the information.

"Oh and before I forget, why the fuck do you even hate my brother?" Nine asked turning to Joong.

"HEY! Look in front. I don't want to die early. I know I have a handsome face but it doesn't mean you'll risk your life as well as mine for it." Joong replied smirking.

Nine just rolled his eyes and flipped his finger to Joong while looking straight ahead. "Bloody narcissist," Nine said.

"I hate him because he is annoying and rude." Joong said with a huff.

Nine on the other hand couldn't stop laughing at what he just heard. "You think he's rude?" He continued laughing while Joong nodded in response.

"Have you looked at yourself? If he is rude, you are 3 times more rude." Nine added chortling.

"I know I am rude but nobody has ever talked to me the way your twin does." Joong said.

"Hey kid. Just because nobody has ever talked that way towards you doesn't mean they are rude." Nine said.

"I now understand why Gulf let you punch him when normally if anyone else did he'd beat them to a pulp." Nine added.

"Why?" Joong asked turning towards Nine.

"Because he knows you are an arrogant and rude kid. He knows how to handle you and wants to show you that you aren't the great one always. Wow that Dumbo can act sensible afterall." Nine said.

"I know I am not great and I understand that but that doesn't explain how he treats me." Joong retorted.

"And neither does it explain your behaviour towards him. He never went physical with you but you did and that's a negative point of yours." Nine replied disappointment visible in his tone.

Joong sat for a moment understanding what Nine was telling him and he understood that yeah he indeed was wrong. I'm a brat and I know it.

"I'm sorry. I will try to be better." Joong said smiling.

"Good for you kid. I am taking you to my house since Off will be there as well. You can go with him." Nine replied.

Joong nodded smiling at Nine. "Nine, don't hate me yet because I will do my best to prove you that I really like you and that I am capable of changing myself for the better." Joong said all determined.

"Let's leave the future for later." Nine replied but deep down he couldn't help smiling at what he had heard.

What the hell? Why do I feel happy at what this kid said. Nine snap out of it!

After a while they reached Nine's home and got down. "Follow me." Nine said coldly.

Joong followed Nine and went inside to be greeted by a lady in her mid 40s or early 50s. "Evening Mum." Nine greeted her with a hug.

"Evening baby boy." Sarah replied ruffling Nine's hair.

"Well, Mum, this is Joong and Joong this is Sarah, the main maid of the house and me and Gulf we call her Mom since she's like one to us." Nine said beaming.

"Nine to meet you ma'am." Joong said bowing down.

"Oh drop the formalities. Call me Sarah." She said smiling. "Come in Tae and Tha are waiting for you." She added and led them to the dining hall.

"Hey! You're back? Oh! Joong you're here as well?" Tae said.

"Yeah. Where is Off?" Nine asked taking a bite from Thanit's plate.

"You! Annoying kid! Put my fried chicken down!" Thanit whined when Nine picked up his food and looked at Tae for help.

"Nine, put my love's food down before I serve you as dinner." Tae said sternly and Nine gave up stealing food from Thanit's plate.

"Gosh Tha! You always cheat by bringing Tae in. It isn't fair." Nine said crossing his arms and pouting.

Thanit just stuck his tongue out towards Nine and smiled to Tae.

"I'd do anything to see that beautiful smile on my beloved husband's face." Tae said smiling lovingly at Thanit. "Got a problem?" Tae added looking at Nine.

"Gosh! People in love surely do stink." Nine said scrunching his nose and fake gagging.

"Wait until your time comes little devil." Tae said with a smirk.

"Oh hell no! Not gonna happen." Nine replied.

"Joong?" Thanit called to Joong who had been witnessing all the interactions with a smile on his face.

"Yes." Joong responded politely.

"I am rooting for you. Please make him fall in love with you so I can find something to tease him with." Thanit added chortling followed by Tae.

"Not you now Tae." Nine complained.

"It. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen." Nine added sternly, putting weightage on each word.

"Well, let's leave the future for later because you don't know what is going to happen." Joong replied smirking.

Tae and Thanit cooed at the response. "I already like your attitude young man." Tae said smiling.

"Gosh! All of you are the same!" Nine said huffing.

"Well, where is Off?" Nine asked.

"He went somewhere." Thanit replied devouring his fried chicken.

"Wow! Now don't tell me I have to tolerate this kid." Nine said rolling his eyes.

Tae and Thanit just glared at Nine and that was enough to shut him up.

"Did he tell you where?" Joong asked.

"He said it was his 4th year anniversary and he wanted to surprise his girlfriend so he went." Tae replied wiping the crumbles off Thanit's lips.

Joong nodded at the information. "So, I'll be going now then since he isn't here." Joong replied and Nine sighed in relief.

"You can actually wait. Gulf said he'll be bringing Mew here, so you would be able to go back with him." Thanit replied.

"Yes, and we insist you do so since we were initially thinking of celebrating Gulf's win and since you're here we can celebrate yours too it will be fun. I invited Off too since it would be fun and we like his company as well." Tae added.

"Umm..I don't think Nainai will like that." Joong added.

"Aww, Nainai. Such a cute name you have there for this devil." Thanit cooed at the nickname.

"The audacity you have to give me a nickname! You are so dead Mister." Nine said coldly.

"Ignore him Joong. You are staying whether Nine likes it or no and that's it." Tae stated firmly.

"But Tae....." Nine whined.

Gosh! How cute can he be? He's cute when he whines and hot when he's mad. Gosh I like him so much. Joong mentally drooled over Nine.

.

.

.

"Tay, is the bouquet ready?" Off asked as soon as he reached his best friend's apartment.

"Yes, sir!" Tay said.

"Where is it Tawan?" Off asked impatiently.

"Calm down tiger. Here you go." Tay said as he handed Off what he had asked for. A bouquet of 100 red roses along with a gold pendant from Cartier.

"Where is the one that's most needed Tawan?" Off asked his best friend.

"Oh shit! I almost forgot wait a minute." Tay said and rushed off to his bedroom to get it.

A moment later he came with a box in his hand and gave it to Off. He took it in his hand and smiled after opening it, revealing a big and beautiful diamond ring  from Tiffany & Co. Just how lucky the girl he loved was.

"You're going all the way huh?" Tay asked teasing Off.

"Of course buddy. It's been 4 years and I love her. I guessed that it's time." Off said smiling at his best friend and looking down at the ring.

"Good luck buddy. Now get your ass off my apartment." Tay said pushing Off out.

"THANKS FOR ARRANGING THEM TAWAN." Off yelled while running towards the elevator.

"I hope you stay happy with her and she doesn't hurt you buddy." Tay mumbled to himself and smiled seeing his best friend happy.

After a 10 minute drive, Off finally reached the building and took a deep breath.

It was a big day in his life and a big step that he wanted to take just to settle down with the love of his life and start a family with her. He was the happiest he could ever be though a bit nervous as to whether she would accept it or no.

He didn't text her that he'd be coming since he wanted to surprise her.

He parked his car in the parking lot and got out of it to grab his stuff. He thought that he saw someone familiar for a moment at the parking area but decided not to give it a thought.

Grabbing the gifts, he headed towards the elevator and pressed the button to the 19th floor where her penthouse was.

The building had only 2 floors dedicated to penthouses and her's was on the 19th floor.

She wanted the topmost floor but it had been occupied beforehand, so she took the one below it and it had been to her liking. The penthouse was Off's though and he had gifted it to her as an anniversary gift. He didn't mind spoiling her since he loved her a lot and money wasn't a problem since he had his own multi billionaire cloting line with branches both domestically and internationally.

The elevator dinged and led him to the desired floor. He nervously got out of the elevator and stood infront of the door.

He took a deep breath and scanned his fingerprint and unlocked the door quietly.

He took of his shoes and looking around, finding a pair of shoes that didn't belong to him. He felt afraid and many thoughts crossed his mind, but he decided to trust the one he loved.

He advanced towards the living room and it felt as though his world came crashing down.

He saw trails of clothes leading towards the bedroom and he couldn't find himself moving at all. He just couldn't. It was too much for him to take in.

Tears started streaming down his cheeks and with every step forward he could feel a stabbing pain in his chest. He couldn't breathe.

That's not how he wanted this day to be. He didn't want to come home on his anniversary to experience the love of his life or he thought so to be cheating on him with God knows who.

He mustered up all the courage that he had and decided to confront her and not run away like a coward though it hurts like hell.

He settled down the gifts that he brought on the coffee table in living room. The gifts that once mattered the most, was nothing to him anymore and all happened in a matter of minutes.

He tiptoed towards the bedroom door because he didn't want to give them time to cover their tracks. Not like they have anything left to cover anyway. Except themselves. He just wanted to catch his girlfriend cheating on him red handed. He could hear sounds resonating inside the room and could feel himself loosing his calm. It hurt him like hell to know that the person he loved with everything he had, destroyed him really bad.

He flung open the door and froze in his tracks. He didn't expect to see his so called girlfriend to be spreading her legs for his, close friend cum secretary.

"Ploy, Bank." Off managed to utter their names after snapping out.

"Off!" Both called out in unison. Utterly shocked at his appearance.

"What are you doing here Off?" Ploy replied sounding a bit irritated.

"Hah! Nice one. Why do I need to tell you when I come to my own house." Off scoffed.

"Get dressed and come out. I'll be in the living room waiting. You both can continue after I go back." He added flatly, his face devoid of any emotion.

He closed the door behind him and sat on the couch in the living room, trying to gather all ounces of courage he had in him and compose himself. He didn't want to appear weak and vulnerable infront of them. Not anymore.

A few moments later, the two came out and stood before him. Off turned his head up when he heard a soft gasp.

"Off..th...this..." Ploy uttered gesturing towards the stuff laid down on the coffee table.

"Yeah. They were for you unfortunately." Off stated mockingly.

"Since it was supposed to be out 4th year anniversary, I thought I'd finally propose to you, but I guess you had different thoughts." He added smiling faintly.

Ploy had her eyes widened at that. Seemed like she didn't even know that it was supposed to be their anniversary today.

"I'm sorry Off, I didn't know it was our an-"

She was cut off when Off interrupted her. "Yeah I know you didn't know that it was our anniversary. You never did. It was me always. Forget it and thanks for giving me such a great anniversary gift that I will probably never forget." Off said staring at her blankly.

"Off, I can explain you know, please listen." Ploy pleaded.

"I don't want to hear anything more. I have seen everything with my own eyes and none of your excuses can rectify them, though I am somewhat shocked that you still have excuses left." Off said scoffing.

"Off, please don't do this. Please. You know I have nowhere to go. Please Off." Ploy said crying her heart out, scared of being kicked out with nothing in her hand and nowhere to go.

"Ploy, keep these gifts since I don't want to keep them a minute longer. I even hate looking at them." Off added looking at Ploy with a disgusted face.

"And regarding you nowhere to go, keep this penthouse. Take it as a goodbye gift from my side. Moreover I won't want to keep it after experiencing something I didn't want to."

"Before I forget, Bank, you'll receive full payment for your services rendered and I hope to not see you in my office ever again." Off said looking at Bank with an emotionless face.

"Ploy, thank you for all these years. It was good being with you. I won't ask why you did all these and neither will I blame myself, since I have given my all and I don't regret anything. I just feel hurt though." He said they last bit with a sad chuckle.

"Have a great life and I hope to never see you in my life ever again. Goodbye." Off said as he walked out of the penthouse.

He walked towards the elevator with trembling legs and thoughts of betrayal replaying on his mind. He just couldn't take it and waiting for the elevator seemed to take forever, so he dashed towards the staircase and instead of going down, he subconsciously went up.

Just when he thought he couldn't walk anymore, he plopped on the staircase and started crying his heart out hugging his knees tight.

The pain was too much to bear. Witnessing the love of your life cheating behind your back on your anniversary was too much to bear.

He felt like a fool to have been happy and even go as far as proposing to her only to find out that he'd been played. He was hurting so much as he loved her much more than one could imagine.

He clenched his chest and cried like there was no tomorrow. He had been on it for quite sometime but was startled when he heard someone talk to him.

"How long are you going to cry over something that doesn't even matter anymore?" The voice said.

He looked up and was shocked to see the person.

"What are you doing here? Why are you coming out from my penthouse?" Off asked stupefied.