"Jiwoo, I'm literally losing it." Jaehyun groaned, burying his face in his hands.

"Oh no- why?" His coworker frowned.

"I got someone to be my plus one- but I don't want him to do it. He's annoying and I'm sure he won't take it seriously." He pouted, looking at her.

"Hey, you never know. People can surprise you sometimes. Give him a chance at least! Maybe you can finally have one of those love stories you're always crying over." Jiwoo smiled, patting his head before taking the next order.

"I'm always crying over them because they're unrealistic, Jiwoo. I'll never have the man of my dreams, much less through this-"

The bells hung on the cafe's door rung as someone else walked in. Ready to take their order, Jaehyun looked up, only to gasp.

"Missed me?"

"Lee Juyeon! Why are you here?" The older yelled in a hushed voice.

"Well... I wanted coffee, and where else to get it but my boyfriend's cafe." Juyeon smirked.

"You're insufferable." Jaehyun rolled his eyes. "I'll get you your coffee." He turned around to start the machine.

While the coffee was pouring, he heard a squeal.

"Oh my god, I saw you guys from over there- you must be Jaehyunnie's date to the gala!"

Jiwoo- that adorable but evil girl...

"Not my date. Just a pretend date." The eldest corrected, bringing the younger boy his coffee by the counter.

"Sure~" Jiwoo wiggled her eyebrows, before taking another order.

"My shift ends in an hour." Jaehyun told the other male, not looking up at him as he paid.

"I'm not here to talk about that stuff. I just want to know what our color scheme for the gala will be? We need to match, of course." Juyeon smiled, leaning on the counter.

Right... he hadn't even thought about that.

"Oh- well, we could actually wear suits that I designed- here." He pulled out his phone, showing the other a picture of two suits, both with gold embellishments but one black and the other white. "I think it would fit us well. We can take your measurements today after this if you're free." 

Juyeon simply nodded, before taking his coffee. "Wake me up when your shift is over." 

The older watched as he sat down on a chair, sipping his coffee while making himself comfortable enough to take a nap.

"That guy, I swear-" Jaehyun scoffed, but calmed down to take another order.

-

"Why are you even doing this? Is it just because you're bored?" 

Hyunjae was currently taking Juyeon's measurements to send them to his employees. He crouched down to measure the length of the boy's leg.

"I don't know. You needed help, so I'm here." Juyeon shrugged, holding his arms out so Jaehyun could see the width.

Sure. He's just doing this for fun.

He's a mafia member who only cares about adrenaline. 

He isn't serious, mature, or genuine.

Remember that, Jaehyun.

"As if." The older stood up, putting away the tape measure. "Come back here the day before the show. Your outfit will be ready."

Juyeon nodded, putting his jacket back on. "Sounds good. I'll be the best fake boyfriend you'll ever have." He did finger guns at Jaehyun, who rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure you're aware that you were the last person I considered for this, right? I even begged Jiwoo when it's obvious I'm not into women." 

With a sigh that disguised his grin for only a moment, Juyeon whispered into the blonde's ear.

"I'll make it worth your while and prove you wrong."

And with that, he walked out of the room, turning back to wave.

"See you soon, Hyung!"

- 

"Are we ready?"

"Yes we are, <>."

"Good. We're right on track."

"Why are you getting involved with something like this, <>?"

"I want to slowly creep in and ruin things one by one."

"They'll notice it like a wrong thread sown into an already printed carpet."

"Unbearable to see, but unable to remove."

"And then it will hit them at once that there are multiple carpets."

"That everywhere they look, there will be a wrong thread."

"And they'll lose their mind."

"That's the real torture."

- - - 

a shorter chapter, but that's only because I want the fashion show and gala to be in a separate one~

thank you for reading!