CHAPTER 83: COUPLE ITEM

"CONGRATS on finishing your recording, Garam Hyung!"

Garam chuckled when Lee Eunsang, Finn, and Kwon Jigu gave him a surprise visit at the studio.

The kids brought food and drinks for everyone.

After that, the four of them gathered in their training room to have some privacy. They brought their food and drinks there, then sat on the floor like how they would usually do when taking a break from practicing.

"Eat a lot, Hyung," Kwon Jigu urged him. "Since it’s your last day recording, it’s okay to treat this as your cheat day."

Right?

I deserve to eat tteokbokki today.

Garam had just finished recording all the four songs for his mini-album, after all.

I spent the last four days recording— thank goodness I still have my voice.

He was a little perfectionist when it came to singing. He had his pride as the group’s main vocal, after all. Hence, he wouldn’t be satisfied until he passed his own standards.

I couldn’t remember how many times I’ve recorded ’Siren’ until I was happy with it.

"You worked hard, Hyung," Lee Eunsang said, patting Garam’s back affectionately. "The producers and the A&R Team said you worked hard... too hard, actually."

Finn nodded in agreement. "Producer ELMarino said you kept asking to re-record even though they thought you sang perfectly the first time."

Garam smiled, not denying it. "Singing a solo song is harder than I thought. I’m used to all five of us singing, after all. Even so, I still want to make you all proud. I’ll be standing on the stage alone soon, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m ViBo’s main vocal."

"Hyung..."

Aigoo.

The kids looked touched by what Garam said.

It was true, though.

My pride as the group’s main vocal is on the line.

Moreover...

I want to succeed as a solo artist so Sihyuk Hyung wouldn’t think he wasted money on me.

"Hyung, we’ll cheer on you again once you start filming your MVs," Lee Eunsang said cheerfully. "We’ll send you a food truck, too!"

Finn and Kwon Jigu both nodded eagerly.

"Yah, you all have work, too. You don’t have to squeeze me in your already tight schedule," Garam said. "I know that you’re cheering on me, and that’s enough."

"Hyung, you were there for us when we started our solo activities. It’s our turn now, and we really want to do this for you," Lee Eunsang said, hugging Garam’s arm. "You can’t stop us."

Pfft.

"Alright, alright," Garam said, smiling. "I raised you all well."

And the kids laughed.

"Hyung, Hyung," Lee Eunsang called Garam while tugging his arm like a child. "Tell us about your boyfriend. You don’t have to tell us who he is. But I’m wondering how your first relationship is going."

"Oh, we’re doing fine..." Garam paused for a moment, and then he sighed. "Actually, I’m going to meet his parents this weekend."

Lee Eunsang gasped out loud.

The usually nonchalant Finn raised an eyebrow. "So, it’s really serious now, Hyung."

"Yes, it’s serious," Garam said, and then he paused. "But don’t worry. My priority is still our group. I promise my relationship won’t ruin the group."

"Hyung, it’s fine. It’s not like we’re rookies anymore," Kwon Jigu said. "We can date. I don’t think our fans would care that much about our dating lives since most of our fans are chill."

That was true.

Plus, we have a lot of international fans. They think it’s ridiculous that Korea treats dating news as a ’scandal.’

But that wasn’t the problem.

The problem is I’m not just dating— I’m secretly married to a chaebol Alpha.

That was a big problem future Garam would have to deal with.

Though I have to say my conscience is poking me already.

His future self better grovel before his group members later.

"Hyung, what’s wrong?" Lee Eunsang asked worriedly. "You kinda look troubled."

"Oh, I was just wondering if the gifts I prepared for my boyfriend’s family are enough," Garam said. It wasn’t a lie. He was really worried about that part. "As you already know, my boyfriend comes from a wealthy family."

That was an understatement.

The kids would probably get a heart attack if they found out that Garam was dating a chaebol, so he kept it a secret for now.

"Hyung is usually good at preparing gifts, though. You always know what to get us for our birthdays and other special occasions," Lee Eunsang said as if he were wondering what Garam was worried about. "What did Hyung prepare for your boyfriend’s family?"

Garam smiled awkwardly. "Cheese wheels."

***

OH, Sihyuk Hyung bought them with my card.

Garam smiled when he got a notification message from his bank as soon as he got home.

He immediately sent a text message to Song Sihyuk who was currently on a business trip.

I could have called since it’s probably around noon in France right now, but Hyung might be in a meeting.

His husband had been gone for four days already.

Yep, Hyung left the country the day I started recording my songs— we’re both really busy these days.

So, their deal not to have sex in the meantime was perfect timing.

"Hyung, I saw the notif. Thank you for using my card."

When Garam learned that Song Sihyuk was headed to France for a business trip, he asked his husband to buy a cheese wheel for every member of his family that would attend the luncheon that weekend.

Of course, he gave his own card.

The Alpha didn’t want to accept it at first, but he insisted.

I can’t have Hyung pay for the gifts I’m giving to his family.

Fortunately, Song Sihyuk agreed in the end.

Reluctantly, of course.

That was why Garam was really happy right now.

I thought Sihyuk Hyung would still end up paying for the cheese wheels with his own money.

Whew.

Anyway, aside from the cheese wheels, Garam also bought more stuff for the Alpha’s family.

Red ginseng.

Hanwoo beef.

And fruit baskets.

I asked Hyung if the food I prepared will trigger an allergy reaction to his family members. Thankfully, I chose well.

But, to be honest, he still felt like the gifts he prepared were lacking.

Garam’s thought was interrupted when he got a call from Song Sihyuk.

He immediately picked it up.

"Hyung!"

Song Sihyuk chuckled before speaking.

"You sound excited, Garam-ah. Do you miss me already?"

"Yes," Garam said. He figured it wasn’t something he should be embarrassed about. "I realize that a peaceful life could be boring, too. So, sometimes, I need someone to disturb that peace to make my life a bit exciting."

Song Sihyuk laughed as if he were amused.

"You’re mean, babe. Are you calling me a nuisance?"

"Those are your words, Hyung— not mine."

Once again, Song Sihyuk laughed softly.

"I went shopping earlier, Garam-ah. I hope you don’t mind, but I bought you clothes that you may want to wear once we meet my family. It’s not like I don’t trust your fashion sense. In fact, I know that you dress well. It’s just that I want to see you wearing things that I bought for you from head to toe."

Aigoo.

Hyung’s possessiveness is showing again.

"I appreciate it, Hyung. Thank you," Garam said, and then he teased his husband. "But how did Hyung know my size from head to toe?"

"Garam-ah, I can answer that question. But do you really want to hear it?"

Aigoo.

Just hearing the playfulness in Song Sihyuk’s voice was already enough to make Garam blush.

"Never mind, Hyung. I’m sure you’ll only say something perverted."

"Exactly. We should save the dirty talk in bed. I’ll get arrested if I get a boner in public."

Pfft.

It was Garam’s turn to laugh.

"Babe, ask me to buy you something expensive. And something that’s not food."

Hmm.

To be fair, there was something that Garam thought he and Song Sihyuk should have.

A couple item.

"Anything, Hyung?"

"Anything, babe."

"Then I want a ring," Garam said bluntly while looking at his left hand— and his fingers were empty. "We don’t have wedding rings yet, Hyung."

"..."

Song Sihyuk’s silence made Garam nervous.

Especially when the Alpha cursed under his breath.

"I-Is it too much to ask, Hyung?"

"No, it’s not like that, Garam-ah. I just want to beat myself up for being stupid. Why did I not think of buying you a ring first? I’m so mad at myself that you had to ask me for something that I should have given you from the start."

Oh.

Whew.

Garam was relieved that that was the reason Song Sihyuk fell silent earlier.

Poor Hyung.

He could tell how frustrated the Alpha was.

Garam found it amusing that Song Sihyuk was beating himself for it.

Their marriage was a secret, so they didn’t need something that might get them caught.

But I like how Hyung is worried about it now.

Having said that...

"Hyung, don’t be too hard on yourself. To be honest, I can’t promise that I’ll always wear my wedding ring since our marriage is a secret," Garam said, smiling apologetically even though Song Sihyuk couldn’t see him anyway. "But, at least, I want to wear rings when we visit your family later."

Song Sihyuk fell silent for a moment before he dropped a promise.

"I’ll get you the ring that you deserve, Lim Garam."

***

GARAM woke up that morning because of three things.

First, the pheromones that he loved.

Second, the solid and warm body that he wouldn’t mistake for another person.

He was on his stomach— his favorite sleeping position— when he felt the familiar and welcomed weight on top of his back.

Then he felt a pair of soft lips leaving a trail of kisses on his nape.

Ah, Hyung...

"I’m back, babe."

"Mmh..."

Garam couldn’t answer properly because he was still sleepy.

He tried to wake himself up by rubbing his eyes, but...

Ouch.

He opened his eyes abruptly when something hard and cold hit them.

And then he gasped softly.

How beautiful...!

Garam woke up wearing a beautiful and elegant ring around his finger.

Sihyuk Hyung’s taste is impeccable!

***

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