Chapter 144 - Epilogue: Starting Over 2

It can't be…

The movement at the upper right corner of his screen catches his attention - Chansol gets up while covering his mouth as he speaks on the phone, making his way into his room and closes it. He swears he sees Seungyun's slightly guilt-ridden face which he is quick to cover. He pretends he didn't hear it so things won't get awkward but he cannot help but be a little affected by it.

He knows there are a lot of ways Wonho can call Chansol but there is only one reason why Seungyun would react like that. 

His ex-mate is in Korea.

#####

Wonho throws his suitcase on the bed and loosen his tie as he jumps on the bed to roll around. Again, he sighs at the sight of the apartment. The fully furnished studio was pretty when he first came here, but now it is just filled with crumpled papers and books lying around. This is going to be his home for at least another two years, and it is already not looking good.

Though he is over the moon the first time he got the project to design an office complex in Seoul, it soon turned out to be one of the worse projects for him, yet. In addition to him having to work alone without his colleague's immediate support, Korean customers are really hard to deal with. He needs a lot of time to adapt with the unfamiliar business etiquette, which is a bit troublesome compared to back in France with all the bows and seniority systems. He is still learning the corporate culture. That alone is exhausting. 

He knows he should be thankful because the company specifically asked for him, since for an architect still in his 20s, to handle his own project is almost impossible. At the same time, he also knows this is one of the promotional tactics the company wants to use for their new building - 'Designed by a young Korean omega architect' will make a very attractive tag-line. Which is why he had mixed feeling on accepting the job. If not for Pisano encouraging him to take the leap, he wouldn't even want to leave the comfort of being around his colleagues who are now like his own family.

Well, at least now he is closer to his real family. And old friends.

Looking at his phone, Wonho searches around his contact list for someone to invite out for a quick drink. Junjie is out of the country for a job. Mengyao, now a model, just got back from his hectic schedule so Wonho doesn't want to bother him, seeing how the man didn't get to sleep last night. Jinyoung… is probably at home. But the omega just had a baby so there is no way he will leave his son, especially for a drink. Should he just go to Haneul's? The man works at home writing his books so he is his best choice.

…

He forgot the man has his book signing event in Busan. Shit. 

That leaves Chansol who has two kids at home, the most unlikely choice. But then again, Seungyun is home too so maybe he can borrow his junior for a few hours. 

Happy with his decision, he looks at his wristwatch and after confirming that it isn't too late, calls the half-Korean man. To his delight, Chansol doesn't reject him, but asks him to wait as he asks his mate to excuse himself first. They probably have some guests over. Smiling to himself, he frowns a bit as another buzzing is felt on his cheeks. Looking at the screen, his heart falls.

It is his office in France.

Damnit. He forgot that today is their monthly meeting. He wants to ignore it but since his colleagues moved the meeting from evening to early in the morning just so Wonho can still join due to the time difference, it will be too rude to do so. Moreover, considering how he himself hates having meetings first thing in the morning, as much as he wants to skip it for a good drink and chat-up sessions with his Korean friends, he can't. 

Accepting his fate, Wonho reluctantly apologizes to his junior for the sudden change of situation. With a promise of an official visit to the young family's house later, Wonho hangs up and accepts the second call from the company, setting his computer up to take notes.

This is going to be a long, tiring night.

#####

'Wono! Look!' The little girl runs towards him with her doll, trying to steal his attention from her parents. Seungyun glares at her, strictly teaching her to call him 'uncle' but is completely ignored, frustrating him further. Wonho can only laugh as Chansol calms his whiny mate. It is obvious the other omega is being extra sensitive because he needs rest, but he refuses to do so as it has been a long while since he last saw Wonho - five years, almost six. 

'Nono! Uhk!' He sees another chubby baby, running towards him in his tiny shirt and diapers, bringing his toy truck as he makes his way behind his sister hastily. He heard Seungyun whines again at Chansol, about how SooA is teaching SeungGi stuffs but both of them are babies, it shouldn't matter yet. Assuring Seungyun to let it go, Wonho decides to give the two kids his full attention. Every time SooA tells him about her unique-looking white plushie, the small alpha behind her will try to imitate her enthusiasm and brings up his own truck, which is amusing. 

In the corner of his eyes, he can see Seungyun smiling at his children's antics while resting his chin on his hands, and next to him, Chansol adoring his mate. Seeing the two males who are younger than him already having this beautiful family makes him feel weird inside. There is a sense of admiration but mixed with jealousy? Or maybe he just feels a bit overwhelmed.

Everyone changed so much since he left. They all went their separate ways, lived their own different lives, and the fact that he wasn't there with them to see that change makes it harder to swallow. He feels as if it is too sudden. As if he just time-slipped into the future where everything feels out-of place, and yet, very familiar. He still needs some time to readjust with his new life in Korea. 

But all things said, he is thankful that one thing remains the same. 

The bonds he developed with them from college never changed.

The babbling in front of him breaks his trail of thoughts. Wonho chuckles softly as he realizes how similar SooA is with Seungyun. She is already a very confident talker despite her limited vocabulary. And SeungGi, the boy is really trying his best behind his sister. Adorably, with her taller built, only his truck can be seen. Finding himself no longer able to resist that chubby alpha, Wonho carries SeungGi on his lap, so he can see both of the children, not forgetting to finally squeeze those cheeks. However, very quickly, Chansol grabs SooA and sat the girl on his own lap, facing her towards Wonho, 'They get jealous with each other.'