Secrets

He deserved the truth

Hongjoong held his head in his hands, trying to focus on the computer screen in front of him. It was pointless. He didn't have anything to add to it.

His mind was still thinking about Seonghwa.

What would have happened if he'd let things continue?

Somehow Seonghwa didn't seem to resist.

Was he just confused? Or did he feel something too?

He took a sip of coffee as he tried to process everything. Nothing made sense.

It was all too confusing. He knew they should just talk but he couldn't stand the idea of Seonghwa trying to reject him sweetly. The pity in his eyes.

He knew it was wishful thinking to believe Seonghwa liked him back.

"Mind if I join you?"

Hongjoong looked up to see none other than Kang Yeosang joining him at the table.

"Yeah, sure. Sorry, I'm just—lost in thought."

"I bet. You've certainly got a lot to think about."

Hongjoong was a little confused at the statement but brushed it off.

"What brings you down here in the middle of the night?" he asked.

"Actually—I was looking for you."

Hongjoong was starting to feel a bit nervous. Yeosang seemed to be hinting at something. Clearly he knew something more than he was letting on.

"Well, you found me!" Hongjoong smiled and Yeosang laughed.

"I did."

Hongjoong took a nervous sip of his coffee.

"There's something I haven't told you."

Hongjoong felt his hands starting to shake.

"Well, go on."

"You and I are more similar than you think."

Hongjoong's knee was bouncing.

"How so?"

"We both work for JYP."

Hongjoong froze.

"Startled? I'm sure you are. But you couldn't possibly think you were the only spy they sent."

"But—but you've established connections! You had to have been there for at least—"

"Six years? Exactly. Didn't you ever wonder who was clearing your name behind the scenes? Who was giving you new intel?"

Hongjoong couldn't process it. Yeosang was the mole. The one who'd gotten him in in the first place. Who'd found out about the CEO being stationed there. Who'd found out the name.

With a start, Hongjoong realized what this meant. Yeosang knew. He knew that Hongjoong knew Seonghwa's real name. Hongjoong wasn't fooling anyone.

It was all a test.

They knew it was Seonghwa. They were clearly smart enough to reverse the letters. They were testing his loyalty. And he'd failed.

"I see we're reaching an understanding of my significance. You understand that we'll have to terminate our contract with you."

"Please...I'm sorry...I just needed to make sure—"

"Don't come crying to me. I did my job, you didn't."

"Wait—please! She deserves justice! I fucked up but I'll fix it!"

"Too late."

"You have to give me a chance—"

"You're all out of chances. This was your last."

With that, Yeosang stood and left Hongjoong to cry on his own.

What had he done?? He'd ruined everything. Now they would never fight her case. He could never get his revenge.

It was all his fault.

He tried to wipe away some of his tears but it was useless.

Until he had a realization.

If JYP had actually cared about his mother, they would have just taken the suit. He was doing their dirty work and yet they dropped him over one error. Threw her case down the drain.

They didn't ever care about him or his mother.

They never had. This wasn't about them.

This was about their own greedy need for revenge. They were just using him.

He'd been a pawn.

And it had hurt a lot of people. Someone really special to him.

Someone he was going to have to tell.

Or maybe, not.

He could work against JYP. He could mess them up so they wouldn't be able to take Seonghwa down. He could protect him.

He slammed his fists into his forehead.

What was he thinking?? If he didn't tell Seonghwa, not only would he be lying to him but he would also be putting him in more danger. He deserved to know his identity was known. He needed to know what they were plotting.

He deserved the truth.

But if Hongjoong told him...

He might lose him for good.

And Seonghwa was all he had left.

He didn't know what to do, so he closed up his computer and decided to try to catch some sleep. It was nearly dawn already so he entered as quietly as possible and slid under the covers. After a few quiet sobs, he tired himself out and fell asleep.