"Jonghyun," Kibum gathered all his courage, "I am... I am not the person you think I am."

Jonghyun narrowed his eyes without saying a word, as if he'd notice how hard it was for Kibum to continue. Instead he gently held Kibum's hand, making sure the younger knew he was there. He wasn't running away.

"My real name... it's not Lee Taemin," Kibum confessed.

„I'm confused," admitted Jonghyun.

"The person you're supposed to marry, I'm not him. I'm not Lee Taemin," Kibum told his husband.

"Is this some kind of bad joke, Taemin?" Jonghyun emphasized the name he thought belonged to the person in front of him, "because it's not funny."

The way Jonghyun's eyes keep focused on him increased Kibum's guilt with every second. His body moved on its own as he lowered his head, looking down to escape Jonghyun's eyes.

"It's a long story," he began to explain. Once he started, his mind stopped recording anything happening around him.

"That's impossible. Father's colleagues picked you up from the airport and escorted you directly to the wedding." Jonghyun refused to believe.

"I'm sorry, Taemin didn't want to appear at the wedding, so he gave me his cap. I didn't know it was his symbol of recognition. The police thought I was him," Kibum explained, still not being able to look at Jonghyun.

"But why would you pretend to be someone you're not. You could just tell us from the beginning."

"I was...," Kibum stuttered, realizing how dumb and unreal his story sounded, "also runny away from someone and I need a ride. I didn't know they were cops until it was too late." Kibum had played this moment for hundred times in his head. He'd thought he'd be anxious, yet he was rather at ease. At this moment he realised what a huge the burden this secret was. While telling Jonghyun the truth, Kibum hadn't noticed the older letting go of his hand.

"Whom were you runny away from?" Jonghyun questioned.

"I," Kibum looked up, as if he owned Jonghyun to look at his "husband" in the eyes when he told him the truth, "I was running away from my own wedding."

"You were engaged?" Jonghyun shouted. "No, you are engaged?"

"I... I don't know how to tell you this."

The older didn't say a word, still Kibum understood Jonghyun demanded explanation. And Jonghyun deserved the truth.

"I too have a father who doesn't accept a 'No'. I had no other choice. I knew if I was going against his will, I'd need to hide very well."

"Who are you?" Kibum couldn't help but noticed the change in Jonghyun's voice.

"My name is Kim Kibum," he told Jonghyun. Introducing his true self to Jonghyun felt so surreal.

"Kim Kibum?" Jonghyun repeated, "the son of Kim Taeksoo?"

Kibum kept silence which they both knew was a confirmation. By that Jonghyun's body moved on its own as he backed away, growing the gap between Kibum and him.

Jonghyun was only two steps away, but Kibum wanted to chase after the older. He wanted to embrace Jonghyun, just to make sure Jonghyun wouldn't leave. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to say so many things, but he understood Jonghyun needed time right now. Watching Jonghyun walking in circle and placing his hand on his forehead, Kibum patiently waited until Jonghyun finally spoke.

"Where is Taemin? What have you done to him?" If words could hurt, Kibum believed he'd feel every single word Jonghyun just said cutting his skin.

"Nothing," Kibum struggled to answer. "Do you really think I would harm him?"

Please deny it, Kibum begged inside.

"Do you expect me to believe the heir of the Black Lotus coincidently met a billionaire's son and unintentionally took his place to live with a minister's son who is leading an investigation against his own father?" Now that Jonghyun spoke it out loud, Kibum admitted it sounded like the plot of a ridiculous amateur movie. Just then he realised how little his chance was, his hope Jonghyun would forgive him

"But I'm not lying," Kibum fought the tears that were threatening to fall.

"How am I supposed to believe you again?" Jonghyun shook his head.

"So, now what?" Kibum questioned, fearing the answer he was asking for.

"Tell them everything you know. Tell them the truth." Jonghyun's advice brought a cold wave that hit Kibum hard. Every single inch of his body screamed "Run", but he knew it was too late. He knew his instinct was relatable again because just seconds later the door flung open and three cops rushed in the house. As fast as they came, faster was the way they dragged Kibum with them.

"When did you...? Jonghyun?" Kibum couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't know how. How could Jonghyun do this to him?

"Jonghyun," he shouted after that one person whom he thought he could trust while two men pushed him in a car. Yet, Jonghyun didn't move. That was the moment he gave up. He gave up on holding those tears. He gave up on fighting those cops. He gave up on Kim Jonghyun.

"So, you didn't tell him?" Goeun asked and Kibum could hear disappointment in her tone. After all troubles he was going through, his best friend could have been more sensitive. But Goeun wasn't the sensitive type.

"How can I tell him after that nightmare?" Kibum replied, leaning against the cold window in his bedroom.

"It was just a dream. Stop be a coward."

"You don't understand. I can't tell him. Everything will be over once he knows it."

"And? How long are you gonna lie? Forever?" Goeun pointed out the fact Kibum was trying to ignore.

"If you're scared, then be prepared before telling him. Have an exit strategy."

"You don't get it. That's not what I'm afraid of." Kibum raised his voice.

"Then what's the problem?" Goeun asked. After a few second of silence, she realised.

"Oh... you meant it. You're have feelings for him." She stated.

"I think...I," Kibum added, "love him."

"Kibum, this isn't a Disney film. You're not Cinderella. There won't be a happy end. I know it's hard but get out before you're hurt." Goeun yelled on the phone.

"I'm hanging up," Kibum replied. The anger that was growing in him, he knew it wasn't a response to her advice for he knew she was right. No, the anger he was feeling was caused by the lack of comprehension for his situation or his feelings. However, who was to blame? Who could understand what he was feeling? Who could know what he was going through? Thus, he called the only person who could understand his dilemma. Taemin.

"Hyung," greeted the younger with joy. Three day after they saved Taemin, Onew arranged a meeting for Taemin and Kibum, since Taemin wouldn't stop asking to meet his life saver. First, Kibum didn't want to meet Taemin. He didn't want to tell mom's golden boy they were half siblings either for he thought it'd be easier to hate that person. But he was wrong. It was impossible to hate Taemin. The way Lee Taemin was – humble and warm-hearted – changed his mind. Thus, he befriended the fact that he had a brother. And he enjoyed being a big brother. The moment he told Taemin they were related, he believed he saw the younger's eyes shined. "He looks like a puppy," Kibum thought. Since that day, Taemin was the only person who knew everything. After laughing at their own stupid mistakes, the two realised they needed each other. Kibum told Taemin everything the younger needed to know about the Black Lotus, while Taemin told Kibum all about being a billionaire's son.

"Hey, Taemin, how is it to be protected by the inner circle?" Kibum asked.

It's been a while since Woobin kidnapped the younger. A lot had happened since then. Onew had gained Minho's trust by getting back the contract the boss singed from Woobin. Of course, the older hid the fact that he arrested Woobin. Thus, Minho still believed his half-brother escaped. Since then Onew was Minho's most trusted one, the boss' right hand. 'Baby-sitting' Taemin wasn't his mission anymore. Minho kept his words when he said he'd protect Taemin for Onew was replaced by 'the inner circle'. As Onew explained to the younger, he himself hadn't believe the rumours about 'the inner circle' as well. He was also surprised finding out that it really existed. It was said that the Choi family had their own bodyguards who had been trained since birth only to protect no one other than the Choi family members. Those elite soldiers – as Onew called them, but Taemin was aware they were killers - were supposed to be orphans, living for one mission: giving their lives for the Choi. They knew nothing but loyalty to the Choi. Though they only protected blood related family members.

Taemin was the first exception.

"It's creepy. I don't see them, but I can feel their dark aura." Taemin joked and for a long time, Kibum truthy laughed again.

"I have something to disc-" Kibum hung up immediately as someone slammed the door open. The noise caused him to back down, for a split second the scene of that nightmare flashed back in his mind. As Jonghyun rushed through the door, Kibum should be breathing out, but he wasn't. Something about Jonghyun was off. The tension in his expression couldn't be missed.

"We gotta to go," grabbing Kibum's wrist, Jonghyun said.

"Where?" Kibum asked, allowing Jonghyun to pull him outside.

"To the hospital," Jonghyun answered briefly.

"The hospital?" Kibum stopped, "Are you hurt? Are you ok?"

"It's not me," Jonghyun said, "it's ... a family member."

"You're father?" Jonghyun shook his head.

"You're sister? Isn't she in South Africa?" Again, the older denied.

"It's your father. He is stabbed." Jonghyun told the younger.

"Taemin's father?" Kibum thought? "He is in Korea? I need to call Taemin."

"My dad is in New York. Mom is with him."

"I'm talking your father," Jonghyun emphasized the word 'your' in a way that gave Kibum a chill.

"Your father. Kim Taeksoo," Jonghyun added as Kibum didn't responded. Immediately, Kibum ripped himself from Jonghyun's grip. Backing away, he did the one thing he could do best. Lying.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Sighed, Jonghyun held Kibum's both hands and he held them tighter when Kibum protested.

"This isn't how I planed it to be, but we don't have time," Jonghyun mumbled to himself before looking up to Kibum.

"I know you're not Lee Taemin. I know you're Kim Kibum, Kim Taeksoo's son. Your father was attacked in his cell. He is brought to the hospital right now. We need to hurry, if you want to see him." Kibum listened to every single word that escaped Jonghyun's lips, but his mind rejected to believe what he heard.

"You... I...," he failed expressing what was going inside him.

"Taemin, no, Kibum, we need to hurry," Jonghyun rushed.

"When? Since when do you know?"

"Since our first date." Jonghyun answered. Kibum's eyebrows lowered.

"But that's the third day since we've met," Kibum tried to figure out the unreal situation he found himself in.

"How?"

"You asked the waitress where the toilet was." Jonghyun patiently explained.

"Lee Taemin was born in London, but he grew up in the US. He speaks American English."

"Wait," Kibum cut off, "you knew I wasn't Lee Taemin because I said 'toilet' instead of 'restroom'?"

"At that time, it was only a hunch." Knowing how smart his husband was, Kibum shouldn't be so surprised by this. Still, he was.

"But, how could you know I was Kim Kibum?"

"My father asked me to compare your DNA to Taemin's mothers. I almost believed I was wrong the whole time when I saw the test was positive, until I found a match in the police database."

"Hold on, your father had my DNA tested? And you knew that?"

"I knew it after I ran the test."

"But my DNA isn't in any database." Sure, Kibum was arrested a several times in high school. Public and underage drinking, fake ID, some fights, the list was long. However, his father's corrupt cops had always settled everything. There wasn't a single record about Kim Kibum.

"Your father's DNA is. I checked for relatives."

Taking a moment to handle all the information, Kibum soon realised that meant Jonghyun knew Taemin was his half-brother. He knew everything when they were looking for the missing Taemin. He knew everything all along. And Kibum realised something else.

"You checked my DNA in a police database after it proved I was the son of my mom?" Kibum forced a smile for he felt was a ridiculous pain, since he didn't have the right to play the victim. Still, it hurt.

"I guess you did the right thing. I couldn't trust me after all," Kibum bit his lower lips. What he said was true, but how came it sounded so wrong?

"So, now what?" Kibum questioned. In his mind he could see the nightmare he was so afraid of became real.

"Are you gonna turn me in?"

Here is a short chapter, since I feel bad about the cliffhanger. What do you think about this chapter? I hope you like it.